The Heart of Pulp

The heart of pulp – the cheap paper and glue product, the boiler-room atmosphere of authors cranking out novels on a weekly basis – may be dead, but the soul, ah, the soul – those fantastic stories of action, adventure, mystery – live on. And not solely at events such as PulpFest, where past pulp glory is continually redistributed.

In Beat to a Pulp: Round 1, David Cranmer and Elaine Ash have made a dedicated and informed effort to keep flowing a font of new stories in the finest pulp tradition.

Finish reading Naomi Johnson's review at The Drowning Machine.

BTAP #99: Outback Gothic by Chap O'Keefe

It began with a dog-eared paperback gothic given her by "Ma" Barker. "When I saw your name in the blurb, I knew I had to get it for you," the allegedly psychic Kate Barker told Amelie Symes.

Amelie found the old book did—amazingly—feature a heroine who was her fictional namesake.

"I believe you were meant to have it, Amelie," Ma Barker said. "After all, it's not as if your name is as common as mine. Spooky...."

Mr. O'Keefe returns to BTAP with "Outback Gothic."

Next: Kieran Shea's "The Takedown Heart."

The BEAT to a PULP: Round One anthology is now available at Amazon.

RECOMMENDED READING: BEAT TO A PULP

Some very kind words from an author I had the distinct honor to publish in BTAP a few months back.

Fleming Interview with Chandler (1958)

Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Ron Scheer Post

Mr. Scheer has an informative post on The Black Cowboys of Texas.

Tuesday Links

The Back Alley is delivering some major talent | I never miss an issue of Crimefactory and the latest is #5 | EQMM podcasts! | Dreaming Out Loud - Ezines | Beat To A Pulp: Round 1 -- A Dream Come True | DBK's take on DISCOUNT NOIR. PLUS don't miss out on Chris Rhatigan's "Double Bounce" at the latest Mysterical-E | 8 POUNDS review | The second trailer for Stephen King's new book, Full Dark, No Stars | Hardboiled Wonderland: I'd Ask the World to Dance | He is distantly related to The Big Sleep author Raymond Chandler | Agatha Christie disliked Poirot, says her grandson.

Finally!

I've been traveling and haven't held the finished product until today.

Good lord, I am on cloud nine!








(Photo credit: Don B.)

Win a copy of BEAT TO A PULP: ROUND ONE

Mr. Holm has all the details here.

BTAP #98: Pillow Talk by Jodi MacArthur

I'm a big fan of Jodi MacArthur. She is a very considerate blogger who leaves thoughtful comments on other's posts and a top writer who is getting better and better with each story I read.

Please click over and read the marvelous "Pillow Talk" at BEAT to a PULP.

The BEAT to a PULP: Round One anthology is now available at Amazon.

Frank Bill's Trailer

Well this is cool. Frank Bill has created a ROUND ONE trailer and posted it on YouTube. Thanks, amigo.

BTAP #97: Squish You, Babe by Fred Zackel

In January 1978, Ross Macdonald wrote, "Fred Zackel's first novel reminds me of the young Dashiell Hammett's work, not because it is an imitation, but because it is not. It is a powerful and original book made from the lives and language of the people who live in San Francisco today."

That Fred Zackel is at BTAP with a special, heartwarming poem called "Squish You, Babe."

Next: "Pillow Talk" by Jodi Macarthur

Soon: Kieran Shea's "The Takedown Heart"

The BEAT to a PULP: Round One anthology is now available at Amazon.

Wednesday's Links

Bill Crider on why you should buy ROUND ONE | The Rap Sheet on the #1 antho of the year contest winners | Alec Cizak's lucky day.

Robin Hood

I really enjoyed the hell out of this movie. I thought a fresh approach had been brought to a tired legend and the acting and directing were all top notch.

Your thoughts?


Robin Hood trailer | The New York Times: That Robin Guy and Sir Ridley | Roger Ebert's take | Guardian review.

Monday's Links

James Reasoner, Patti Abbott, Paul Brazill, and Randy Johnson on Round One.

Evan Lewis: BEAT to a PULP: Round One - The Flip Side

Chris Rhatigan on "Broken Down on the Bonneville Flats."

Thanks, amigos.

Gustave Flaubert

Flaubert was obsessive about finding *le mot juste* (the right word), and would fill up to 50 draft pages for every final one in the book, with his handwriting overflowing into the margins and onto the back of each leaf. One page could take him a week.

Source: Telegraph.

In this day and age when folks knock out stories like rabbits multiplying, it's refreshing to read that someone like Gustave Flaubert took his time. Though, admittedly, it seems he was a bit obsessive, right?

BTAP #96: Broken Down on the Bonneville Flats by Jack Bates

Jack Bates writes the Harry Landers, PI, series through Mind Wings Audio. He has also appeared on websites such as Thuglit #32, A Twist of Noir #127 and #165, and Pine Tree Mysteries. His "Emerald City Confidential" appeared in the well-received Shadows of the Emerald City anthology. "Best Laid Plans" will be included in the upcoming Wicked East Press Coffe House Anthology. In addition to writing for TV and stage, he optioned a horror script he co-wrote with a colleague.

Check out this week's punch by Mr. Bates, "Broken Down on the Bonneville Flats."

This Thursday: "Squish You, Babe" by Fred Zackel.

Soon: Nigel Bird is "Taking a Line for a Walk."

The BEAT to a PULP: Round One anthology is now available at Amazon.

Elaine Asks...

"Hey, the comments on dialogue in a novel petered out. I'm up for more? Who is the worst offender with lengthy dialogue that doesn't work? Does anybody have an example where it does work?"

Link: Razored Zen.

Elaine Ash at the Razored Zen

Ms. Ash has an illuminating interview on Charles Gramlich's top site. Ms. Ash talks about what makes a story hard or easy to edit, working with yours truly, and many other topics.

Please stop by Razored Zen and leave a comment.

The Night Editor Talks About R1

Jake Hinkson, The Night Editor, on BEAT to a PULP: Round One.

FFB Follow-up: UNACCUSTOMED AS I AM TO PUBLIC DYING by Larry Maddock

The title got me: UNACCUSTOMED AS I AM TO PUBLIC DYING. Plus the artwork of the old man with a hand over his mouth and the caption "humorous and ironic mystery stories." Then to seal the deal I read Randy Johnson's always insightful review here. This collection of stories originally appeared in Mike Shayne, Ellery Queen, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazines and even The Man From U.N.C.L.E. magazine.

Mr. Maddock had the O'Henry touch in featuring twisty conclusions that reached poignant depths. Very much recommended.

Click here for more of Friday’s Forgotten Books courtesy of Patti Abbott...

Spinetingler Magazine: Collecting the Short Crime Fiction Scene

Beat to a Pulp in some ways marked a kind of turning point for the online crime fiction scene. Instead of gathering stories together in issues to be released according to a schedule they utilize the continuous publication format.

Read the rest of Brian Lindenmuth's column at Spinetingler Magazine.

BEAT to a PULP: Round One at Amazon

BEAT to a PULP: Round One is at the mighty Amazon.

Buy early and often as Bill Crider would say.

First Paul Powers Story in Fifty Years is Out!

The lovely Laurie Powers has the post here.

The Passenger

Everything looks good tonight.

WIN A FREE COPY OF ROUND ONE!

The Rap Sheet has all the details. C'mon, it's free!

BTAP #95: Life on the Mesa by Keith Rawson

I'm glad to have Keith back at BEAT to a PULP. Here's a sample:

Most of the young kids who came out to live on the Mesa considered themselves anarchists; violent and bad tempered, typically sporting drug and alcohol problems. Not that anyone on the Mesa begrudged or discouraged drug use; shit, most of the long timers had come out to the desert because some sort of substance abuse had reshaped their world outlook. The Mesa's concern was the destruction of both personal and community property due to drug and alcohol use. But dreadlocked Knob and his fresh-faced Cloverdancer seemed harmless, the type who might even be able to be counted on when the community was in need.

That is until the thefts started happening.

Don't miss the rest of his unsettling story about Life on the Mesa.

Next week: Jack Bates is "Broken Down on the Bonneville Flats" and Frederick Zackel is going to "Squish You, Babe."

BEAT to a PULP: Round One is Released!

So once upon a time (about a year ago) a boy thought it would be a cinch to put together a book and publish it. He had two friends who warned him against it because A) short story collections typically don’t sell well and B) print is going down like a T-Rex on a Cretaceous morning. But, luckily, these friends were very good friends and they supported the boy with the bold idea just the same and brought their incredible talents to the project.

Thank you, Ms. Ash, for an unmatched editing skill that has taken our humble webzine into ever widening circles. You are a class act on the rise to the toppermost and I am glad to be able to call you friend and partner.

Thank you, dMix, for landing the cover artist and formatting this beast and your countless hours of devotion to details. You make us look so good. You are BTAP.

And thanks to the many writers who make up this collection. Trusting us with your stories is an honor we take very seriously and I hope we have done you proud.

Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, BEAT to a PULP: Round One is now available through Createspace.

I will post again as Round One becomes available in other outlets over the next few weeks.

Early reviews: Not The Baseball Pitcher | Western Fiction Review

Charles Gramlich Wants Questions & Answers

Beat to a Pulp: Q & A at the Razored Zen.

Ted Hughes

Ted Hughes poem on Sylvia Plath published.

Thanks, Jay for the link. I remember reading and being fascinated by BIRTHDAY LETTERS when it was released.

A Deceitful Game

J. R. Lindermuth is at The Western Online with A Deceitful Game.

Hard Rain

Oh, what did you see, my blue eyed son?

BEAT to a PULP: Round One Review

A very nice review from Steve over at his terrific Western Fiction Review.

Round One edited by Elaine Ash and yours truly will be released this week.

Nick of Time

Alyssa Goodnight reviewed this young adult novel and I purchased it for my trip and I've been savoring reading a chapter a night. One highlight (of which there are many) is when our protagonist, Nick McIver, ropes a German submarine! Mr. Bell is a wonderful writer who knows how to engage both young and mature audiences alike. I recommend reading Alyssa's post for a brief overview of this fine adventure and then snagging a copy for yourself. I'm on chapter twenty-four and enjoying the heck out of it.

Stories for Sunday: Anthony Neil Smith

Cullen Gallagher reviews "The King of Mardi Gras."

Requiems for the Departed

At Spinetingler Magazine all day today, every hour, they will be posting a new review of one of the stories from REQUIEMS FOR THE DEPARTED. My take on "The Fortunate Isles" by Dave Hutchinson is included.

BTAP #94: The King of Mardi Gras by Anthony Neil Smith

This guy can do it all: He is the Director of Creative Writing at Southwest Minnesota State University, edits one of the essential webzines Plots With Guns, and releases critically praised gems like YELLOW MEDICINE and HOGDOGGIN' in his spare time. What can I say but when I grow up I’d like to be like Anthony Neil Smith.

And in the meantime, I’m psyched about having him at BEAT to a PULP this week with The King of Mardi Gras.

Next: Keith Rawson takes us to “Life on the Mesa.”