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Issue No. 1
December 2011/January 2012

President's Note

Greetings!
 

Happy Holidays and New Year!

 

We rolled out of 2011 with a few computer issues, thus causing us to miss last month's newsletter, but we are now back on track for 2012.

 

Thankfully that was one of the few glitches we had.  December 2011 was by FAR our best month ever in books sales and October/November/December saw JournalStone selling more books than the rest of the year combined.  Hopefully that carries over to 2012 and a huge thanks to everyone out there for supporting our authors!

 

As with all year-ends we have some goodbyes to say.  Amy is leaving JournalStone and heading off on a new venture.  Congratulations to Amy, we wish her the best.  Jump down to the reviewers corner for more information on Amy and what she will be doing.

 

While we decided to take a break in January from publishing new books, February will see us jumping back into the mix with the release of Pazuzu's GirlPazuzu's Girl is a YA novel that will knock your socks off.  This is a unique and totally fresh endeavor.  Congratulations to Rachel Coles on pulling together a fantastic book.

 

 

In December we released our anthology, JournalStone's 2011 Warped Words, 90 Minutes to Live.  Joel did an incredible job compiling 13 stories that will blow your mind, all with the themes a lock of hair and 90 minutes to live.  JournalStone was very fortunate to find such a wonderful group of authors.

 

The anthology proceeds are being donated to Rocky Wood for the purchase of medical equipment.  Rocky is diagnosed with ALS and we at JournalStone want to support him in any way possible.  Please purchase a copy of the book and support his cause.  He is a fantastic guy and has done so much to support writers at all levels.

 

 

Even with our short story contest just ending, we decided to launch our horror writing contest in December.  If you have a horror manuscript that is lying on the shelf, why not throw it in the mix.  You might be the next winner of a $2,000 advance.  Check out last year's winner, Brett J. Talley, who wrote That Which Should Not Be.

 

We are lucky to have another great group of judges this year and look forward to a fun contest.  Click on the link next door to read more details on the contest and what you have to do to enter, and more importantly, to win!

 

Please keep an eye out for JournalStone this year on a variety of sites as well.  We have a bundle of new advertising partners.  HorrorNews.net, Hellnotes.com, Horror News Network, Innsmouth Free Press, BuyZombie.com, Horror Asylum, Cemetery Dance Magazine and Publishers Weekly.  Watch for JournalStone's ads on these and other sites all year long.

  

Thanks everyone and we look forward to a fantastic 2012.

 

Christopher C. Payne

President 

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We began these discussions with two somewhat touchy subjects for authors:  editing and criticism.  Those two elements involve interaction with readers; our next subject, not so much.  This bit of work is really yours alone:  Your willingness to act on suggestions.  Your attitude about reworking your book will be a major factor in the success of the project.

 

Editing is about mechanics. Criticism is about content. When either of these monsters raise their head, a writer should never run and hide. The entire effort to write the book will have been in vain, if the writer cannot agree to make changes when they are pointed out as necessary.

 

A first book is a major achievement for anyone. The list of authors who published that first book, sold several million copies, who never wrote anything else... Well, that's a tiny list. A first book is a foundation. If done well, that first book will lead to the second, and readers will be waiting. Readers also hope, and fairly demand the second book be better than the first. That is not going to happen if the author refuses to learn from the first work. Writers must be open-minded to the feedback they receive.

 

They should also be willing, when all the feedback agrees-to accept that the first novel may not be ready for publication after all. Try and make a list of authors who only had a third, fourth or fifth book published at last; there are several hundreds of those fine writers to list.

 

The key to making a good book better is the willingness to keep writing, even in that first book. The best editing, as mentioned in our earlier discussions, is the spare, subtle editing. The best revisions to make are those that bring great improvement with just a small adjustment to the story. Yet, sometimes an entire chapter is the problem. Perhaps a whole character is completely out of place in the story. Several very famous authors have admitted in fawning interviews that they removed things that weren't really fitting into the story. Bestselling authors everywhere have tackled the monsters of ego and pride, and put the book first.

  

Thanks everyone and enjoy.

Joel

 

To continue reading click on this link.

 

We are sad to say that Amy has decided to leave JournalStone.  Effective January 1, 2012 she is no longer with the company.

 

Since Amy was such an integral part of JournalJabber we decided to let her take the show with her and continue it on her own.  The show must go on as they say.  So while JournalStone will no longer be affiliated with JournalJabber, JournalJabber should continue to flourish under Amy's guidance.

 

In addition to her radio personality spotlight, Amy has opened her own business, The Eyes for Editing.  She is now set up to do editing/proofreading/formatting etc.  If you are interested in having her give you a quote or checking out her services, click on the link above.

 

We at JournalStone wish her luck and maybe somebody she will even come back and join us.

Reviewer's Corner!

 

As we begin the New Year we will undergo some changes to our website format, again. 

 

With that in mind we are sorry to say we will no longer be offering reviews on our website.  While we will continue to periodically post reviews on JournalStone published books , we will no longer be posting reviews for non JournalStone published books.

 

Thanks for your understanding and we wish you a Happy New Year.

Proof Readers Needed

Are you interested in JournalStone's books but you can't afford the retail price?  We are always looking for sound proofreaders.  If you think you qualify and would like to read our pre-release novels send an e-mail to christophercpayne@journalstone.com

 

We don't pay for proofreading but we do give you access to a wide variety of new releases.

 

We will send you a pdf and ask you to read the manuscript in 1 to 2 weeks and then forward us your grammatical changes.

 

We do require you to have some knowledge of the English language so please don't be offended if we have to decline your request to join the proofreading team.

 

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you. 

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Jokers Club by Gregory Bastianelli

Jokers Club

by Gregory Bastianelli

Giveaway ends January 22, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Cemetery Club by J.G. Faherty

Cemetery Club

by J.G. Faherty

Giveaway ends December 31, 2011.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Goodreads Book Giveaway

JournalStone's 2011 Warped Words by Joel Kirkpatrick

JournalStone's 2011 Warped Words

by Joel Kirkpatrick

Giveaway ends March 16, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Pazuzu's Girl by Rachel Coles

Pazuzu's Girl

by Rachel Coles

Giveaway ends February 02, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Demon of Renaissance Drive by Elizabeth Reuter

The Demon of Renaissance Drive

by Elizabeth Reuter

Giveaway ends February 23, 2012.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win
Highlights
Joel Kirkpatrick
JournalJabber
Reviewer's Corner
Book Giveaway - Jokers Club
Book Giveaway - Cemetery Club
Book Giveaway - Pazuzu's Girl
Book Giveaway - The Demon of Renaissance Drive
JournalStone's $2,000 in 2012
Book Review - 90 Minutes to Live
Interview - JG Faherty
Interview - Rocky Wood & Joel Kirkpatrick
About Us

JournalStone is a small press publishing company, focusing on horror, fantasy and science fiction in both the adult and young adult markets.

 

We are members of & actively support:


HWA - Horror Writers Association
WNBA - Women's Nat'l Book Assn.
HPLHS - HP Lovecraft Historical Society
IBPA - Independent Book Publishing Assn.
SFWA - Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America

  

Check out our electronic bookstore at www.journal-store.com.

 

JournalStone is holding its 2nd annual HORROR writing contest. Our first one turned out so well we decided to do it again, and again, and again.  If you are not familiar with last year's winner please check out That Which Should Not Be by Brett J. Talley.  That could be you next year.

 

If you are interested please submit your 75,000 words or more manuscript/novel to joel@journalstone.com on or before April 1, 2012, and you will be entered.  The winner will receive a $2,000 advance against future royalties and have his/her novel published by JournalStone. 

 

Grammar counts; have it edited before you submit your entry.

 

The #1 winner is also eligible for active membership to the HWA (Horror Writers Association).  Have you always wanted to join, but haven't met the criteria? You can now become an active member with all of its benefits and prestige!

 

Scared about not winning?  Second prize gets a $500 advance and a published novel.  Yes, you have to sign a contract first.  Third place gets a $200 advance and for the last time, also gets a published novel. 

 

Not one of the top three?  No worries, you might still be good enough to get your novel published, you will just have to earn your money on the royalties.  We only have so much to give out for free.

 

Worried about costs?  JournalStone is a small press publishing company, not a vanity press.  We pay all the costs associated with publishing your novel. All an author is required to do is submit a freakishly scary book and rock our world.  There are no entry fees.

90 Minutes to Live 

90 Minutes to Live

 

90 Minutes to Live is the 2011 edition of JournalStone's annual short story anthology. 

 

This year, the competing authors were given two themes that must be included in the stories:  a timed demise and a lock of hair.  From horror and science fiction to paranormal, fantasy and young adult, readers will find thirteen stunning tales sure to entertain.  You're certain to find a favorite while you answer the question:  who will survive?

 

JournalStone has managed to find another group of extremely talented authors for this year's anthology!  I'm sure they had to turn away a few as well.  I say, why not make several anthologies?!?  Alas, there is only one, and it is an amazing compilation, as always.  The majority of stories fall under the horror and sci-fi categories, but there are some notable fantasy, paranormal, and young adult submissions as well.  Some stories will completely creep you out while others leave you guessing; some will make you cry and some will give you a case of the giggles.  Either way, there is definitely something for everyone to love.

 

Grab yourself a copy of this fantastic anthology and finish out 2011 in a great way!

 

Review by Cassie McCown

JG Faherty 

Click here for the full interview.

90 Minutes to Live

 

90 Minutes to Live is an anthology dedicated to Rocky Wood.  Rocky, the current president of the HWA, was diagnosed with ALS and the proceeds from this book will be donated to help him purchase much needed medical equipment.  If you are interested in purchasing the book please follow this link to Amazon and know you will be supporting a great cause.

 

90 Minutes to Live - Purchase on Amazon 

 

JG Faherty's Univited, is one of the short stories included in 90 Minutes to Live and Brett J. Talley, author of That Which Should Not Be was kind enough to conduct the interview.

 

So sit back, relax and get to know what makes JG Faherty tick and how he came about writing adult and young adult horror.

 

Brett:  Before we get into your writing, why don't you introduce yourself?  Where do you live?  What do you do for a living when you aren't writing?

 

Faherty:  Hi, Brett! Well, let's see. I live in a small town in Rockland County, NY, about 40 minutes north of Manhattan. When I'm not writing, I'm writing - my business is writing resumes and other employment search documents. I also do the occasional newspaper article, plus some proofreading and editing. So, basically, I'm at the keyboard all day long.

 

Interview by Brett J. Talley

  

Click here for the full interview.

90 Minutes to Live 

  

Interview - Rocky Wood & Joel Kirkpatrick - to help promote JournalStone's 2011 Warped Words:  90 Minutes to Live anthology. 

The proceeds from this anthology are being donated to Rocky Wood to help pay for much needed medical equipment.  Rocky has been diagnosed with ALS.

 

90 Minutes to Live - Purchase on Amazon

 

Rocky Wood's Bio:  Rocky Wood is the author of an acclaimed series of books about the works of Stephen King, including the Bram Stoker Award nominated 'Stephen King: Uncollected, Unpublished', 'Stephen King: The Non-Fiction', and 'Stephen King: A Literary Companion'. He also writes graphic novels, including 'Horrors! Great Stories of Fear and Their Creators' and the upcoming 'Witch Hunts!' A publisher writer since the 1970s, he lives in Melbourne, Australia.

 

Joel Kirkpatrick's Bio:  Joel Kirkpatrick lives with his lovely wife and their two boys in Southwestern Colorado. He has authored four novels and is currently working to complete his fifth book. Not content with any one genre, he is attempting his first Alternative History, with very real characters. The research is driving him mad.

 

Interview by Cassie McCown.