My seventh flash fiction horror story, "Sluagh", is ready for a FREE download at Smashwords.com!  (And if you're wondering, it's pronounced sloo-ah...I think)

"Close your eyes tight, 'till come light of day...if sleep you do not, Sluagh shall steal you away..."

 

400 Downloads!

As of a few seconds ago, if my cipherin' is correct, my six flash fiction horror stories just hit a combined 400 downloads on Smashwords.com!  Woo hoo!

These little stories are awfully fun to write...I wish the story ideas would pop into my cranium before 9 P.M. though, so I could go to bed at a reasonable hour instead of dorking-around with my laptop until 2 A.M. ...

"Legend" - FREE Flash Fiction Horror!

My sixth flash fiction horror story, "Legend", is ready for a FREE download at Smashwords.com!

An old, abandoned barn provides the perfect stage for Luke's plan to frighten his girlfriend late one summer night.  The legend of Fuller's farm, though, proves more chilling than he could ever imagine...

Over 300 Downloads!

First, MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Second...as of this afternoon, my five flash fiction horror stories--"Ripple", "Feed the Bear", "Table Manners", "Beach House" and "Solace"--have been downloaded 317 times!  All 4 and 5 star ratings, too!  Love it...

"Solace" - Flash Fiction Horror, FREE Download!

My fifth flash fiction horror story, "Solace", is ready for a FREE download at Smashwords.com!

"Believe in me.  I am no figment of imagination, no legend to flippantly disregard.  I am not fantasy.  I am real.  And I am relentless..."

First FIVE STAR review:  "Beautiful!  Extremely well written, beautiful imagery!  I loved every word of it, even as I was careful to look inside myself to make sure I wasn't tolling the bell..."

 

237 Downloads!

As of this evening, my four flash fiction horror stories have been downloaded 237 times!  Loving the reviews, too...

"Beach House" - Flash Fiction Horror

My fourth flash fiction horror story, "Beach House", is ready for a FREE download at Smashwords.com!

When Devin stops by her empty beachfront rental property to run an errand, she's surprised to find she's not alone...

 

160 Downloads!

As of a few minutes ago, my three flash fiction horror stories have been downloaded 160 times from Smashwords.com!  A big THANK YOU to everyone who has left a review...all 4 and 5 stars!

I have a fourth one titled, "Beach House", that should be out in the next couple of days, so stay tuned...

"Table Manners" - Flash Fiction Horror!

My third flash fiction horror story, "Table Manners", is ready for a FREE download at Smashwords.com!

5-Star Review for "Feed the Bear"!

My second attempt at flash fiction--"Feed the Bear"--garnered a nice review AND a sale of THE MENGELE EFFECT!

5 STARS by Ruth Ann Nordin: "Very cool twist. I can't say what happens without spoiling it, but it's definitely worth the read if you like thriller or horror. In case anyone wonders if a short story can intrigue someone enough to buy a full-length novel, I'm on my way to buy The Mengele Effect by this author."

I have a strange feeling I'm going to write MORE flash fiction!

"Feed the Bear" - Flash Fiction Horror!

My second flash fiction horror story, "Feed the Bear", is now available at Smashwords.com!

"Ripple" 4 & 5-star Reviews!

My first attempt at flash fiction--"Ripple"--has garnered some nice reviews so far!

5 STARS from Fred Schaefer, author of  CADEN IS COMING and PICK YOUR POISON:
"A nearly perfect example of what short fiction should be...A great addition to the "evil child" genre and we should definitely see more of little Jimmy in the future."

5 STARS from James M.M. Baldwin, author of  CIVIL DISTURBANCE and DREAM HUNTERS:
"Wow.  Good one, Chuck.  What will Jimmy do next?"

4 STARS from Jennie Gaines, author of EL DIABLO and THE DEVIL AND THOMAS WRIGHT:
"Definitely disturbing!"

Thanks, guys!

Hmmm...I think I'll write another one...or two...or seven...

"Ripple" - Flash Fiction Horror

I've decided to try something different, and I hope you like it!  A flash fiction story usually runs from 100 to 1,000 words--it's short & succinct, but still retains the same elements a larger story has; a beginning, middle, end, characters, plot, maybe a hook or twist or two, and a conclusion.  I invite you to take a look at my first flash fiction story, titled "Ripple", available at Smashwords.com.

The best parts are:  1) It'll only take a minute or two to read, and 2) It's FREE!

THE COMING Back Below 100K @ Amazon!

THE COMING is # 80,546 at Amazon, as of 0400 this morning (and no, don't ask why I'm up at o-dark-thirty, because even I don't know).  Every time one of my novels goes below 100K, I do a little happy dance!  Um, except for this morning...I might wake everyone up, and that would be poor form.

Also, I just hit 70 novels sold--36 of THE COMING and 34 of THE MENGELE EFFECT!  No, that's not too many, but hey...it's 4 o'clock in the morning and everything seems important at this hour!  WOO HOO!  JUST HIT 70!  YIPPEE!

Uh oh.  Hope that wasn't too loud.

"The Coin" - Updated Excerpt!

Click on over to my web page & take a look at the updated excerpt for my short story, titled "The Coin".  I'm looking at a September/October release on Smashwords...once the date firms up, I'll let y'all know!

Let me know what you think of the excerpt!

THE COMING is at Blio!

THE COMING has made it to the Blio Book Store! (finally!)  To find it, clink the link & enter "Grossart" in the search field...

Hit the 50 Mark!

WARNING:  I'm going to geek-out again.  Just a little.

As of tonight, people have purchased 50 of my novels--THE COMING and THE MENGELE EFFECT--since I put them out there in January!  Okay, so maybe that doesn't sound like a lot (okay, it isn't), but I still think it's kinda cool...

I can't wait to finish my short story THE COIN and put it out there, too!

All done now. ;)

Koontz's 77 Shadow Street - Pretty Good!

Finished 77 SHADOW STREET by Dean Koontz...sufficiently creepy, and you might not want to eat mushrooms after you read it!  Now, time for a little change of pace with Lisa Gardner's CATCH ME...

T.G. Arsenault HORROR!

Wanted to give a shout-out to fellow horror writer (and fellow ex-USAF Missileer) T.G. Arsenault!  If you enjoy horror, check out his website & give him a try...

THE MENGELE EFFECT - Now Available at Blio!

THE MENGELE EFFECT is now available at Blio as an eBook!

What began as a quiet, peaceful evening in America's Heartland quickly became--as the few remaining survivors would later recall--the last night humanity truly ruled the planet...

New by Dean Koontz - 77 SHADOW STREET

Just started reading 77 SHADOW STREET by Dean Koontz, and so far, it's really good!

On This Memorial Day...

I hope everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day weekend! In between the barbecues, picnics, family gatherings, and evenings with friends (oops...forgot READING a good book), please take a second to remember those who--through their sacrifices--have allowed us to enjoy our freedoms today. For me, I remember my grandpa James Grossart, who fought in France during WWI, my dad Jim Grossart, who fought in the China-Burma-India theater during WWII, and my wife's grandpa, Leroy Vankirk, who fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany during WWII. Lest we forget...

Give 'Em a Read!

It's been a while since I've posted these, but here are the links to the promotional videos for THE COMING and THE MENGELE EFFECT...both for sale at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Diesel, and Smashwords.  Give 'em a read!

...and don't forget to give my web page a look...

Web Site

If you haven't taken  look at my website for a while, click on over!  My short story titled THE COIN is coming along nicely...I was looking at a fall release, but it might be sooner...stay tuned!

New Zealand? Wow!

Sorry, but I have to geek-out a little again.  It took about a month for the sale to show up, but last month someone in New Zealand bought THE COMING from Amazon.  New Zealand, you ask?  Why yes, New Zealand, I say.  Wow!  ~7,900 miles away!

Okay, I'm done now.  All better again.

New by Dean Koontz - WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS

I just finished reading WHAT THE NIGHT KNOWS by Dean Koontz.  If you're a Koontz fan, you'll love this one!  The writing is incredible & the story is chilling...I think he may have channeled a bit of H.P. Lovecraft this time!

JEREMY - Excerpt Re-Write

If you've read the excerpt for JEREMY, I invite you to take a look at "Version 2"!  Click this link for my web page & head to "The Hopper" section, where you can download the revised excerpt.

If you've read the previous version (or if this is the first time you've read an excerpt from JEREMY), let me know what you think!

I Like 100 Even Better...

My last post wasn't entirely accurate because I missed a bunch of downloads from Barnes & Noble...SOMEDAY DREAMS has been downloaded 100 times!  That's WAY cool!

40? 40. I Like That Number...

No, it's not my birthday...I already passed the 40 mark a few years ago!  I do like that number, though...

(Okay, time to geek-out a little again.)

As of tonight (as far as I know from the different eBook retailers), I've sold 40 novels since I decided to publish THE COMING and THE MENGELE EFFECT earlier this year--twenty of each, mostly through the Amazon Kindle Store and Barnes & Noble.  The coolest thing though, is my mom's essay, titled, SOMEDAY DREAMS, has been downloaded 79 times!  It makes me happy to know almost eighty people have the opportunity to read something Mom wrote...and I hope they find it just as special as I do.

 

 I'm done geeking out.  All better now.

THE MENGELE EFFECT - Back Below 100K @ Amazon!

THE MENGELE EFFECT is back below the 100K barrier in the Kindle Store!  Sitting at #96,210...at least for a little while!

SKINNER Excerpt Re-Write!

If you've already read the excerpt for SKINNER, I invite you to take another look...I've made some subtle changes.  Click over to my web page & look for "The Hopper" section...you can download the revised excerpt for a quick read!  And, as always, I welcome your feedback!

THE MENGELE EFFECT - What a Jump...Again!

I love it even MORE when this happens!  THE MENGELE EFFECT is now sitting at #46,957 in the Kindle Store!

THE MENGELE EFFECT - What a Jump!

This afternoon, THE MENGELE EFFECT jumped from ~#410,000 in the Kindle Store to #80,099!

I love it when that happens... ;)

THE COIN - Excerpt Available!

An excerpt for my upcoming horror short story titled, THE COIN, is available for reading at my web page!  Take a look!

SOMEDAY DREAMS Slowly Moving Up...

A few months ago, I published an essay my mom had written back in 1985, titled SOMEDAY DREAMS.  Since then, I've watched its ranking at Barnes & Noble slowly rise...starting in the #400,000's, and now sitting at #86,789.  Its a very special piece of writing to me, and apparently, to others as well.  Its free, because I wanted to share it with as many people as I could...

"A passing thunderstorm and a robin's song provide a lesson on living, loving, and losing...one woman's reflection on life. "

If you haven't seen it, it's available at Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.  Take a look!

You bought MY book? Really? THAT's COOL!!!!!

Sorry, time for me to geek out a little here.  March sales:  As of this morning, I've sold 10 books (three of THE COMING, and seven of THE MENGELE EFFECT) during March, both here in the states AND in the UK!  Not only does that mean I'm inching closer to the point where I can say I've made enough money to fill-up my Mustang (once), but even more importantly, I can say...[here comes the geeky part]...WOW!  With the endless variety of eBooks out there to purchase & read, I can't help but feel pretty darned excited that someone wanted to read one of MINE! [Okay, it's safe, the geeky part is over now...]

Here's where to find them:

Promotional Video
Smashwords
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Kobo Books
Diesel eBook Store

Promotional Video
Smashwords
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Kobo Books
Diesel eBook Store

Also, don't forget to check out my web page, where you can read excerpts for two upcoming novels, SKINNER and JEREMY, and vote or which one YOU'D like to see me finish first!

Happy Reading, and HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!!  (insert Guinness burp *here*)

THE MENGELE EFFECT Breaks 100K Barrier Again!

Just checked - THE MENGELE EFFECT broke the "100,000 Barrier" today for the third time, and is sitting at #74,206 in the Amazon Kindle Store!  Yippee!

2012 Read an eBook Week - Last Day!

Today (Saturday 10 March) is the last day to participate in the 2012 "Read an eBook Week".

Both of my books--THE COMING and THE MENGELE EFFECT--are available at Smashwords with coupons for 50% off!

And remember, if you don't have a Kindle, you can download their free PC reader software HERE

Broke the 100K Barrier AGAIN!

Just checked this morning, and WOW!  THE COMING is #89,072 in the paid Kindle store at Amazon, and THE MENGELE EFFECT is #47,661!  That's a record for both!  WOO HOO!

Read an eBook Week is Here! So...Have You?

March 4-10 is "Read an eBook Week"--as part of the promotion, Smashwords is offering eBooks at reduced prices.

Both of my books--THE COMING and THE MENGELE EFFECT--are available at Smashwords with coupons for 50% off--if you haven't read an eBook this week, give mine a try!  It only lasts until March 10th, so hurry!

Also, if you don't have a Kindle, you can still download their free reader software for your computer right HERE.

Happy reading!

Read an eBook Week Starts Sunday!

Get ready to fire-up your e-readers!  The 2012 "Read an eBook Week" runs from March 4-10.  Smashwords (the company I originally published through) is offering coupons for select eBooks at reduced prices (mine included!), so click on over and take a look!  Remember, it starts this Sunday...

For more info on the 2012 Read an eBook Week, click HERE.

Website Updated!

Announcing the release of a new short story titled, THE COIN, released as an eBook to Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Kobo, Diesel, Sony and Apple in summer 2012!

This story actually woke me up at 0330 the other night...yes, you read that correctly, it WOKE ME UP!  Pen to paper, hands to keyboard, and you'll see it this summer...

Be careful what you touch.

Finally Broke the 100K Barrier!

One of the mysteries I've discovered about self-publishing is that it's extremely hard to keep track of sales.  I can watch sales rankings on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and get an idea that way (while I'm waiting for the quarter to end & Smashwords to update sales), but it's just a guess.  Today, though, I saw a first!

THE MENGELE EFFECT broke the 100,000 sales ranking on Amazon--at last check, it was standing at #94,761 in the Kindle Store!  THE COMING is at #102,289, which is about the highest it's been, too!

Even though there's 94,760 books selling better than mine...I'm still pretty happy about it!

THE MENGELE EFFECT - Available for Kindle!

THE MENGELE EFFECT is now available for Kindle at Amazon!  Click here to take a look...

SKINNER or JEREMY? Still time to vote!

If you haven't seen the excerpts for my two "in work" novels, SKINNER and JEREMY, click on over to my web page & take a look!

On the CONTEST page, click on the cover of the book you'd like to see me finish first--if you're one of the first ten people to vote, I'll work your name into the book!  Your namesake might die a horrible death, mind you, but hey...that's a risk you'll have to take! ;)

Right now, JEREMY is leading SKINNER 5 to 3...Come on and vote!

2012 ABNA - Not this year!

Well, THE MENGELE EFFECT didn't make the first cut this year...bummer.  This makes me appreciate how fortunate I was to make it to the Quarterfinals last year with THE COMING!  Best of luck to all those who made it through to the Second Round!

Maybe next year, I'll be ready to submit SKINNER or JEREMY...we'll see!

2012 ABNA Second Round Announcement

It dawned on me today that it's almost time!

Time for what?

Oh.  Sorry.

Time for the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award (ABNA) announcement for the Second Rounders!  This coming Thursday, 23 Feb, they'll announce the 1,000 entries that are moving on to the second round of the contest.  It's a big cut--1,000 from the initial 5,000 entries, based on a 300-word pitch.  Last year, my novel THE COMING made it through the second round to the quarterfinals (top 250)...I'm hoping THE MENGELE EFFECT does at least that well this year!

The results should be posted here sometime Thursday...[fingers crossed, not only for my book but also for one other writer who entered, who I won't mention here, but her name rhymes with "Kim Stokely"]

Stay tuned...

THE MENGELE EFFECT - now at Diesel Ebook Store

THE MENGELE EFFECT is now available at the Diesel eBook Store!

Over 100 Facebook "Likes" for THE COMING!

We've officially broken the century mark!  WOO HOO!

THE COMING Facebook Page

What a compliment!

Thank you, Linda McNie, for this wonderful comment on my web page:

"Loved the two excerpts and hope your books are on Kindle.  So happy I've found another writer equal to Koontz..."

A Quick Note from the Comfy Recliner...

This is a note for everyone who's read one of my books--either THE COMING or THE MENGELE EFFECT.  Or, maybe you've stumbled across my website and read the excerpts for JEREMY and SKINNER--this note's for you, too.  Hmmm...There's a common theme there, right?  Right.

It's YOU!

For everyone who has taken some time out of their day to read something I've written, I have to say THANK YOU!  Like I mentioned a few posts ago, I started writing because I wanted to tell a story that someone else would hopefully enjoy.  That's it, period dot.  So far, I've finished two full-length novels, and have solid starts on two others.  There's many, many more stories stuck in my crazy-shaped bald noggin that are just waiting to make their way from my cranium to my laptop screen...but, I'm not a full-time writer (that whole eating/mortgage/living 'keep your day job' thing, don't you know), so finding time is always a challenge!  I'm going to keep telling stories...and hopefully, you'll read them, and enjoy them.

I do have a favor to ask, though.  If you like what you've read, I need your help...

If you've enjoyed my books, spread the word to your friends & family!  I could spend a LOT of money on advertising, but nothing beats the old fashioned "word of mouth" approach!  Also, I'd like to know what YOU think!  If you've purchased one of my books (again, here's a big THANK YOU!), leave a review if you enjoyed it!  If you'd like to contact me directly (some of you have), you can contact me through my website, this blog page, or the Facebook pages for THE COMING and THE MENGELE EFFECT.

Again, thanks for reading.  I hope to hear from YOU, soon!

THE MENGELE EFFECT - Now at Kobo eBooks!

THE MENGELE EFFECT is now available at Kobo eBooks...and unlike the Barnes & Noble version, this version has the cover art included!  Take a look and let me know what you think!

85 "Likes" and Counting for THE COMING!

THE COMING's Facebook page is up to 85 "likes" now!  That's +15 in the last 2 days!

THE COMING on Facebook

Remember, it's available at:

Smashwords
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Kobo Books
Diesel eBook Store

THE MENGELE EFFECT now at Barnes & Noble!

THE MENGELE EFFECT has appeared at Barnes & Noble!  Well, most of it did.  For some reason, the cover didn't show up!  Go figure...

While I'm trying to get that minor error fixed, take a look at B&N and the new MENGELE EFFECT Facebook page!

THE COMING Gets a 5-Star Review!

THE COMING gets a 5-star rating on Barnes & Noble from Lisa Kovanda, author of THE HUNT and RECKLESS ABANDON!

"I love a book that gives me several characters in seemingly unrelated circumstances, but as the plot tightens they are all drawn together to create a climactic showdown. Chuck's "Amazon Breakthrough Novel," quarter-finalist novel takes you on a cross-country journey and intertwines the past, present, and future. It's not for the feint of heart, but if you like a bit of End Of Days terror, this is a book for you."

AWESOME!!!

THE COMING - 70 "Likes" and counting!

THE COMING's Facebook page is up to 70 "likes" now, from the US and the UK!  WOO HOO!

THE COMING on Facebook

Don't forget, it's available for purchase at:

Smashwords
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Kobo Books
Diesel eBook Store

THE COMING Facebook Page - 60 "Likes" and Counting!

The Facebook page for THE COMING has garnered 60 "likes" so far, from both the US and UK!  Take a look!

THE COMING on Facebook

THE MENGELE EFFECT now in Smashwords Premium Catalog!

Notified today THE MENGELE EFFECT passed Smashwords' review process and has been entered into their Premium Catalog, along with THE COMING!  In a couple of weeks, it should start appearing in Diesel, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble!

Want to see your name in print? OF COURSE YOU DO!

If you've taken a look at my web page, you've seen the two books I have sitting in "The Hopper"--SKINNER, and JEREMY.  Well, I'd like to finish both at the same time, but I don't quite see that happening with--um, you know, my day job of helping fight off the godless pinko-commie hordes scratching and clawing at freedom's gates taking up so much of my time...or something like that.  Yeah.  Commie hordes.  Zombies, too.  Sometimes.  And clowns.  With pull strings.  [Insert awkward silence *here*]

So, which book do I release first?  I'm leaving it all up to you...IT'S TIME FOR A VOTE!

If you've read the excerpts & have a favorite, here's your chance to tell me to:  1) Finish it, and 2) Get your name in the book!  If you're one of the first ten people to vote I'll use your name (somehow, somewhere, some place)!

One caveat:  If you tell me your name is Don Duck, Ted Kennedy, Stevie King, Barbie Benton, Dwight Eisenhower, or even Mikey-Mike the Sofa King, chances are good your vote will be "misplaced".  Okay, Barbie Benton is acceptable, but the rest are not.  It's MY ball.  So there. [I'm not sticking my tongue out right now]

Ahem.  So...Head over to my page & click on the CONTEST page...hurry!  Before it's too late!  Oh the humanity!

Special Words from a Special Woman...

My mom, Jackie Grossart, discovered a joy for writing rather late in life.  She would spend hours clacking away on her electric Royal in an upstairs room in our little house north of Denver, working on articles for the local Broomfield paper, and, for a time, even plugging-away at a novel.  She used the pen name 'Shirley Frost', her middle and maiden names combined.  After she passed away in 2003, I brought her writings home...and this is one of them.

I clearly remember the robin that would perch atop Mom's CB antenna (her handle was 'Green Acres Base').  As the sun would set, that bird would perch and sing its song, evening after evening, after evening, after evening.  A special memory, captured in the short essay she titled, "Someday Dreams".

Mom very seldom saw her words in print...so, I'm posting this for her, free for download at Smashwords:  SOMEDAY DREAMS

I hope you enjoy her unique perspective on life as much as I do.

Where oh where is WALDO?!?!

Okay, this has nothing to do with Waldo.  Sorry.  Carmen San Diego, maybe?  Nope-nope.  Sorry again.

It's been about a month since I self-published my first two novels.  THE COMING has started to appear in a number of different places, and THE MENGELE EFFECT should be showing up soon.  Here's where they're available:

THE COMING

Promotional Video
Smashwords
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
Kobo Books
Diesel eBook Store

THE MENGELE EFFECT

Promotional Video
Smashwords

Also, don't forget to check out my web page, where you can read excerpts of my two upcoming novels, SKINNER and JEREMY...and leave a note to tell me what you think!

Self-Publishing? Really? You MUST be kidding me...

Almost one month ago, I did something I thought I'd never do...I self-published.  Why?  My reason is quite simple, but requires a little explanation.  So...strap in, 'cause  it's STORY TIME!

Once upon a time, there was a lonely Major stationed in the middle of Alaska on a remote tour (away from his wife & kids for a year) who'd just finished reading a very, very, VERY poorly written paperback book.  As a matter of fact, it plain S-U-C-K-E-D; the writing was tough to follow, what was intended to be scary was silly, and the entire printed mess left a bad taste in the reader's mental mouth.  P'TOOEY!  So, that lonely Major decided right then that if an author like the person who'd written that book could get published, then...so...could...he!  I've got tons of stories in my misshapen noggin, he thought.  Time to start writing!

So, me--the lonely Major--hopped on his creaky Acer Pentium 75 computer at ~11 o'clock PM & started writing the first draft of what would eventually become a first novel--THE COMING.  That was April of 2001.  I finished the novel in late 2002 (700+ double-spaced pages).  The first query letters went out in January 2003.  Rejection letters followed.  As the years went by, about 100 or so found my mailbox.  All writers despise rejections (unless they offer constructive criticism); one special rejection I received was dated the day before I sent my query (which may be proof that Einstein's entire time-space-continuum thing is dead wrong).  I loved that one.  No agent took my bait, except for a nibble from Ms. Ann Collette of the Helen Rees Literary Agency, who showed enough interest to go back-and-forth with me for about two years, critiquing, editing, and offering suggestions...but, never taking me on.  After she misplaced two full manuscripts I'd sent, though, I knew it was time to say thanks for the help and move on.  Ann taught me some valuable lessons about cutting, cutting, cutting, and cutting some more...getting rid of stuff that doesn't need to be in the story.  I cut a LOT from that first novel.  It was bloody.

So.  No agent.  No publishing contract.  NO WAY!  I was so sure in January of 2003 that the first wave of query letters I sent would land an agent and a contract!  I KNEW that within a year (at least) I'd be a published author!  I was MUCH better that the crappy-book-in-Alaska-author-guy!...Right?  Right?  Hmmm...All I heard was crickets.  Damn.

From 2003 to 2009, I wrote in fits & starts, finishing a second novel (THE MENGELE EFFECT), starting two others, & sending out queries for THE COMING when the spirit moved me.  The spirit didn't move me very often, though, and left me alone for almost two years during that timeframe.  I thought I had a couple of good stories on the ramp, and some good ideas for two more in the hanger, but I'd given up on the whole get-an-agent thaaang.

Then, through a friend at work (whose wife is a terrific writer--Kim Stokely), I discovered the Nebraska Writers Workshop & went to a few meetings.  Got a tad bit fired-up about writing.  I decided to enter the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest in 2011, and THE COMING made it all the way to the Quarterfinals round (top 250 of 5,000 entries).  Got a little bit MORE fired up about writing.  But, there was still that can't-get-an-agent thing standing in front of me, making an annoying raspberry noise.  Blech.

I then noticed a post from a Nebraska Writers Workshop member who'd self-published one of her novels through Smashwords (Lisa Kovanda, author of THE HUNT and RECKLESS ABANDON).  I looked at Smashwords, and decided to give it a try.  Very easy.  I've sold a few, too.  Kinda cool.

When I started writing, I thought self-publishing was the epitome of self-indulgence, self-importance, and self-aggrandizing.  Self, self, self...I see a pattern emerging, don't you?  Well...I hate to admit it, but it's true!  There's nothing special about self-publishing, because ANYONE can do it, regardless of talent.  Harsh?  Yep.  I am the pot, I am the kettle.  Koo-koo-ka-choo.

So why did I finally self-publish, you ask?  Simple.  I want to tell a story.  I want someone to read it, and hopefully enjoy it.  I can't do that waiting for an agent to find my submission in a slush pile...I can do that through self-publishing my novels as eBooks.  Will I ever get that agent & publishing contract?  Odds are against me...I won't quit trying, but I'm not going to sit still either!  I will write, I will edit, I will publish eBooks, and I will smile if someone lets me know they like what I've written.  Badda bing, badda boom.

See, I told you it was simple!

SUBMITTED!

Just submitted THE MENGELE EFFECT to the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest!  Now, I wait until 23 February to see if it makes the cut from 5,000 entries down to 1,000 entries for the Second Round...

T-1 and Counting Until the 2012 ABNAs!

The 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest submission period begins tomorrow, 23 Jan.  The 300-word pitch is scrubbed, the 5K-word excerpt is scrubbed, and the manuscript is ready to go...I'm hoping THE MENGELE EFFECT will make it at least as far as THE COMING did last year!

THE COMING now available at Barnes & Noble!

THE COMING at Barnes & Noble

Website Updated

My author website now has downloadable excerpts for the two novels I have in the "creative hopper" - titled, SKINNER and JEREMY.  Take a look and let me know what you think!

Chuck Grossart

(If you're wondering what a "creative hopper" is, it's actually my weirdly-shaped head.  You were wondering.  Admit it.)

2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest - Just Around the Corner!

It's about that time of year again...time when thousands of hopeful writers across the country dust off their unpublished manuscripts & prepare for the ABNAs!...at least between watching the NFL Playoffs, that is.  But, if you're a Bronco fan like me (or a Bengals-Texans-Steelers-Packers-Falcons-Saints-Lions fan), there's much more free time now, right?  Right.  Bummer.

Like the 2011 ABNAs, once the submission window opens (23 January this year), the contest will accept 5,000 entries in the General Fiction (my category) and Young Adult categories; each submission consists of a 300-word pitch, a 5,000-word excerpt, and the entire manuscript.  Based on the 300-word pitch, they'll make the initial cut from 5,000 to 1,000 for the Second Round.  From there, they'll cut from 1,000 to 250 for the Quarterfinals, from 250 to 50 for the Semi-Finals, and from 50 to 3 for the finals.  The lucky winner gets a publishing contract from Penguin Books...

Last year, my novel THE COMING made it to the Quarterfinals round (top 250), which I thought was WAY COOL!  This year, I'm entering THE MENGELE EFFECT.  I'm still editing the pitch, but here's what it looks like right now:

***

     What began as a quiet, peaceful evening in America’s Heartland quickly became—as the few remaining survivors would later recall—the last night humanity ruled the planet.  The sudden mutations began in a Kansas City salvage yard, erupting forth like a wind-blown wildfire across the sleeping metro.  Hours later, daybreak revealed a dead city, stripped of life by creatures that had once been animal, once been human, the end-products of perverse, decades-old genetic research performed in Auschwitz’s twisted labs, refined by Cold War enemies, and finally, on this night, perfected by nature.

     Carolyn Ridenour, a member of the government’s super-secret Vanguard bio-warfare research team, fights a daily battle to keep America safe from the world's tiniest, most fearsome weapons.  Ordered to Kansas City to investigate the unfolding horror, she barely escapes the creatures' nocturnal onslaught, saved at the last instant by Colonel Garrett Hoffmann, a man who'd helplessly witnessed the slaughter of hundreds of his troops—and innocent civilians—under the creatures' horrific advance.  President Andrew Smith, former Navy Admiral and battle-scarred hero, watches as city after city is literally eaten alive, the military’s conventional might useless against a swarming foe that inexplicably—and exponentially—replenishes its numbers every twenty-four hours, slowed only by the sun's killing light.  Frantic for answers, the President is pushed towards the unthinkable by members of his own government…trusted advisors who have long prayed for this day, each members of an ancient order sworn to destroy civilization in order to save their own souls.

     As the horrid mutations threaten to spill across US borders, Carolyn, Garrett Hoffmann and the Vanguard team race to find a way to stop the creatures before a desperate President unleashes the fury of America's nuclear arsenal on his own soil...and his own citizens.

***

We'll see how it goes!

New Website is LIVE!

http://www.wix.com/cvgrossart/chuck-grossart#!

THE COMING - Available for Kindle at Amazon.com!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006XWZSDI

THE COMING - Now available at Kobo Books!

http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/The-Coming/book-onj0XHgIGESa4HOt0HmDLw/page1.html

THE MENGELE EFFECT - New Video on YouTube

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJMV4jj323I

THE COMING - New Video on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6dXL0R3e4o

THE MENGELE EFFECT - Now an eBook at smashwords.com!

THE MENGELE EFFECT is available for purchase at Smashwords as an eBook:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/120805

THE COMING - Now an eBook at Smashwords!

THE COMING is available for purchase at Smashwords as an eBook:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/119067