Big Anthology News : Kicking The Bucket List
I’m pretty damn good with secrets, but this particular one was killing me. Cemetery Dance Publications just announced the lineup for their newest anthology : Shocklines : Fresh Voices in Terror. My story, Cry, will be surrounded by the work some utterly fantastic writers I admire like Norman Prentiss, Rio Youers and Brian James Freeman, just to name a few. Click on the cover image (makes me think of Sinbad movies) to learn more. 
You see, for me, this is no small feat. This is one of the things I had put on my bucket list back when I got the crazy idea that I wanted to become a writer. “Buy a pipe and smoking jacket” was the first goal I put on that list, but I’ve since opted for cigars and motorcycle jackets. I’ve been an enormous fan of Cemetery Dance Magazine for about twenty years now. When people ask me what it is, I tell them, “It’s only the New York Times of horror.” I mean, duh!
If you want a Who’s Who of horror, all you need to do is visit the Cemetery Dance website and you’re in the thick of things. I was just asked by another uber talented writer how I landed a spot in the antho. The key is, it came when I wasn’t looking for it. I was at the Horrorfind convention last September and started talking to a writer who informed me at one point that he was on the Cemetery Dance staff.
He asked, “Have you ever submitted to them before?”
“I sure have, and I have a folder of rejection slips to show for it,” I replied with a sense of pride. Rejection slips are like war wounds to a writer.
“Even though they’re closed to submissions, I’d be happy to take a look at your stuff .If I think it’s right, I’ll show it to the editors.”
So, a few weeks after I got home, I wrote a story and sent it off to my new friend, hoping it would at least get consideration for the magazine. I doubted it would make it, and kept my hope stick mega-limbo-low.
A couple of months later, I get the acceptance email, only it’s going to be in one of their amazingly produced anthologies! Score! The hardest part was keeping it on the DL until they had the final lineup in place. Well, I can finally open my big fat mouth about it.
Publish a story with Cemetery Dance : check.
And I get to check it off because I went to a conference, talked to as many people as I could, and happened to meet one of the nicest guys in the biz who just happened to be connected to the Vatican of horror. (On a side note, going to at least one conference a year is a must and a hell of a lot of fun) That and I had to bust my ass to write the best, tightest story I could dream up.
Now I’m reconsidering tossing the pipe idea out. Hmmm…..
Check out the book that made this possible, Forest of Shadows! You always need that first domino to fall.
Hunter Shea 
Vatican of Horror -loved that! Congratulations!
Thanks Jackie. I try. 🙂
This is awesome, and well deserving of congrats!
I was wondering about horror conferences. I’m going to look up Horrorfind, but can you recommend other conventions? Look up? Hey, I don’t have to go to too much trouble as it appears you have a link over here to the right. Thanks!
Let me tell you, Horrorfind is not only my favorite conference, it’s one of my favorite places to be, hands down. They really concentrate on the writers, but there’s also celebrities, film festivals, lots of parties, just a blast. Glad you found the link on the site. I’ve never been to the World Horror Convention, but I hear it’s great. There’s also Killer Con, Chiller Theatre and tons of local cons. Wish I had time and money to go to them all.
I was just looking at the line up for this year’s Horrorfind Weekend. I see why you love this conference! Thanks for the tips on other cons, too.
Congrats, Hunter! It’s a great a story! 🙂
Thanks Brian! That means a lot to me. Can’t wait to see the finished product.
Congrats, Hunter. I’m happy for you (although I dont really know you lol still, you are a horror brother)
Hahaha! Thanks Joe. It’s a great fraternity to be in!
That’s great, my friend. Nice to knock one of those things off the bucket list. And it gives me hope when it comes to horror conventions. I’m pretty excited about WHC at the end of this month. I may have to contact you on the side to get a little more advice from you. I’m looking forward to it. If nothing else, it will get me out of my house and rubbing elbows with some like-minded individuals (and give my wife a break from my insanity).
Congrats again. Happy for you.
Paul D. Dail
http://www.pauldail.com- A horror writer’s not necessarily horrific blog
Thank you so much. That was one that seemed like it would never happen! I wish I was able to go to the WHC, especially with my publisher being a big sponsor, but it’s just not in the cards. Contact me any time. Most of all, talk to as many folks as you can. It’s funny, the nicest, most easy going writers are the horror nuts. hahahaha