Zanzibar!

Hello, everyone! It's been a long time since I updated this website, and I have some exciting news: I just moved to Zanzibar! I've been here three days now, and the place is absolutely amazing. I'll be sure to post more pictures once the wifi situation gets sorted.

In the meantime... ZANZIBAR!!!

The Ripple Effect: a new anthology

A butterfly flaps its wings in New York, and then there’s a storm in Florida. Or something like that.

The Butterfly Effect is one of those things that Ian Malcolm kept rambling about in the first Jurassic Park movie. It’s also, fun fact, the topic of this new anthology. My story, tucked away in the middle of this gruesome collection of tales, is a particular treat. I really like how this one turned out. I made pretty good use of a hospital vending machine, some lightning, and a whole bunch of murder. I hope that piques your interest.

Disclaimer: This one is not yet on Amazon, so you’ll have to order a copy at Kobo Books. It’s a little expensive, but they periodically have sales on the website. I’ll keep you posted.

Hanging on a rooftop in St. Pete

Superheroes! Monsters! Help!

It’s a bird!

It’s a plane!

It’s a… horrible space mutant oozing with acid spit and comet juices!

I am proud to announce that my short story Cold Fingers has been included in a brand new anthology that’s all about superheroes fighting monsters.

Yes, you read that correctly. Superheroes. And monsters.

Chocolate and peanut butter.

Harold and Kumar.

Two great tastes and all that. You can check it out on Amazon right now. My story takes place in Hawaii, so consider it a dry run for my upcoming paranormal romance novel that also takes place in the 50th state.

But that’s still a secret. Pretend I didn’t say anything…

And check out the anthology. It’s wall-to-wall action from some very talented writers.

FOUND FOOTAGE

 
Paranormal Activity.

The Blair Witch Project.

[Rec.]

What do these films have in common? I mean, aside from horrible sequels.

These are part of the new wave of found footage horror films. Lure some good-looking people into a dimly lit environment, give them discount camera equipment, and then sit back and watch the carnage.

In the last few years, cinemas have been flooded with these films (for better or worse), and it’s about time that bookstores join the party.

That’s right! I’m here to announce a new found footage anthology book. Each story within these blood-spattered pages uses the same found footage gimmick. Only this time, we’re using post-it notes, letters, emails, pamphlets, and anything in-between. It’s a really cool reading experience.

Scary, too.

RUSSIA! Look what you do to me!

(upside down house)

Midnight Echo

 
Shiny, red noses. Painted faces. Dead eyes. There’s something wrong with this clown, and no one will believe me! He wants our children! He wants them! And no one else can see him but me!

Please check out my new horror story in the brand new, comeback issue of Midnight Echo, Australia’s awesome horror magazine! I’ve heard some really exciting things about this collection, and I cannot wait for you guys to read it!

My story is about scary clowns, if that’s your kind of thing. But this magazine has a little something for everyone, so pick up a copy today. You don’t have to be an Australian (although I wish you were Australian. Seriously. Those guys are the best.)

Arachnophobia

 
They have eight legs; red, segmented eyes; frothy mandibles; and enough poison to take down an elephant. They are spiders, the deadliest on earth, and they’ve taken over a new horror anthology. 

This one isn’t on Amazon yet, so you’ll have to order your copy on Lulu.

If you don’t, they`re coming for you… crawling through the air conditioning vents, hiding in your carpet, quietly creeping up your leg…

God, I love spiders.

 

Flash Fiction Update

 

There’s something pure and squicky about horror flash fiction. You read one story in a couple minutes, and hopefully it creeps you out for the day. Tales from the Blue Gonk Café is a massive collection of these stories.

My addition is called Nana, and it’s about the loving bond between grandparents and grandchildren. It’s also terrifying. Enjoy!

Malice. Just Malice.

My horror short "Volcano" is a gnarly little number about a science project gone wrong. It's pretty dark.

Coming Back... for Some Brain-Dinner

They’re coming for you, Barbara! They’re coming for you…

Zombies are awesome. They’re walking, talking (er… grunting) little allegories for whatever political statement you want to make.

Oh my God! Look! The horrors of rampant consumerism! The Vietnam War! Modern politics! Zombies have been used to say a lot of stuff about a lot of stuff.

But this anthology is a little different. This is about coming back, whether you’re a zombie or a ghost or anything in between. It’s about the growing pains and adjustment period of rising from the dead. And I think that’s a really interesting way to go.

Check it out.

Big Buddha

A Monster of an Anthology!

What Has Two Heads, Ten Eyes, and Terrifying Table Manners?

This anthology!

It also has wild anti-heroes, neon green tentacles, housewives, microwaves, and lots of killing. Need I say more?

Okay, maybe a little more: Mutants! Other dimensions! Back-stabbings! Military-grade weapons! Pets! And one of my strangest stories yet!

Laughter in Sarnath

 Re-Animator.

Snow White.

The Necronomicon.

Sleeping Beauty.

What do these words have in common? Absolutely nothing… Until now.

Wanderer’s Haven has collected a bunch of Lovecraftian fairy tale mash-ups for your reading pleasure. While my short story was unfortunately not included in the initial roll-out of stories, you can still find it up on their website.

My gory little story Laughter in Sarnath takes its inspiration from Shadow over Innsmouth and all those fairy tales about trying to make a princess laugh. (Seriously. There’s a bunch of them.) I’m really happy with the ending of this one. I was aiming for a Tales from the Crypt vibe, and I think it delivers.

And reader beware: this one is really bloody.

That Ain’t Right

Are you ready for some more Lovecraft? I sure hope so, because the Old Ones are back to scare the crap out of you in this new casebook of spooky stories. Each addition (including my own) follows a mysterious, Lovecraftian event, mostly involving people slowly going insane. (You know the drill.) This isn’t my first time trekking through the mountains of madness, and it’s always a fun trip every time I come back. 

My Thailand Trip

Defenestration Magazine

I’ve finally been accepted into a comedy magazine! It’s been a while since I was featured in Cracked.com, and I was starting to give up hope that anyone would think that my writing was funny. Well… here I am, getting all published and stuff by Defenestration Magazine, one of the coolest humor mags around.

My story is about a girl whose relationship completely unravels once she realizes that her boyfriend smells exactly like her deceased grandmother. It’s Shakespearean.

Anyway, I hope you like it. It made me laugh, so hopefully you have a similar sense of humor. If not, well, what can I say? There’s probably a rerun of Big Bang Theory on TV right now. Go and watch that instead.

Children of Water

Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the blog…

 
It’s been a slow summer (playing around in Russia and all that), but I finally have something worthwhile to share… my new fantasy\horror anthology Elementals: Children of Water is fresh off the presses.

Each story in this collection is a spooky glimpse at what’s lurking just under the waves at your feet. It’ll make you think twice about your upcoming beach vacation. Or at the very least… it’ll be a great beach read while you laze around in the sun. Either way.

You can get it on Amazon. It’s a little expensive right now, but hopefully the price will drop soon. I hope you enjoy. I’m proud of my addition to the collection. It’s one of the nastier stories I’ve ever written. And that’s saying something!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Thanks to my amazing Russian coworkers, I had a surprise birthday party today!

Russian Facebook

If anyone is interested in contacting me, feel free to check out my VK account. VK is the Russian rip-off of Facebook. It’s exactly like Facebook (color scheme and all), except Putin is somehow watching everybody at all times.

Oh, and judging by news feed, people are able to post inappropriate pics, which is totally unlike real Facebook. (On real Facebook, they have computer system thingies that can tell the difference between nipples and elbows.)

Anyway, I’m not plugging VK because of that. I’m saying it’s a perfectly good tool to keep in touch with people. Specifically Russian people. Or me. So yeah, check it out.

Plus, I need more friends. So… there’s that.

Island on Fire

Last year, I wrote a romantic fantasy called Island on Fire. I was sick of reading about vampires and other pale guys who morph into wolves and stuff, so I decided to use a completely different fantasy world: Hawaiian mythology. Of course, a bunch of books have used Hawaiian creatures before, and tropical volcanoes will always be great settings for fiction, but I felt that Hawaiian mythology wasn’t nearly as overused as other legends.

My plan is to get this story released sometime next year. Nothing’s in place yet, but I really have high hopes for this one. It has an interesting conflict, and a really vivid setting.

But you can see for yourself. The first chapter is available on Harlequin’s website. Tell me what you think. Are you enjoying the characters as much as I enjoyed writing about them?

Donald Duck Island, Thailand

A New Western Serial Is Riding Your Way

Hey everyone! Big news! My dad has a brand new western mystery coming out through an online publisher called Mysterical-E. It’s a cliffhanger serial released in three parts, and the first part can be found here. It’s a little bit funny, a little bit exciting, and there are plenty of shoot-outs, horse chases, and secret experiments. Plus, it takes place in early Hollywood, so expect a lot of real stars with dangerous secrets.

Microwave Technology

Everybody has a microwave. It’s an important part of any kitchen, especially if you’re lazy and/or addicted to ramen noodles. But what did it feel like to be the first housewife to use a microwave? Did she understand how it worked? Did she worry about radiation?

I decided to write a horror story about an unhappy housewife (a desperate one, if you will) who doesn’t trust her new microwave. And when she starts hearing tapping noises from the other side of the glass, she starts to wonder if maybe this kitchen appliance is actually a doorway to somewhere else. Somewhere dark.

If that sounds interesting to you, check out my brand new story “Microwave Technology.” It’s part of a horror anthology with a bunch of creepy creatures and horrible happenings. Why don’t you curl up with a nice bag of microwave popcorn and prepare to be scared.

Bleeding Cool Shout-Out

Hey everyone! I got a nice shout-out in Bleeding Cool News. They wrote some pretty nice things about the Mythos Grimmly anthology that’s coming out later this year. Check out the article. And I’ll be sure to keep you posted about when this one is released.

WAKING UP… TO A FREE BOOK!

Hey everyone! You wanna win a free copy of my new romance? Of course you do. You’re a very cheap person! Don’t be ashamed. That’s why I like you!

Where was I? Oh, yeah… Free copy. Head on over to Harlequin Junkie and enter the contest today! Remember, my book is called Waking Up to Love, and it’s bundled together with some other awesome titles.

Good luck! I hope you win!

WAKING UP… TO A BRAND NEW ROMANCE NOVEL

Well, everyone! The day is finally here! My new romance novel Waking Up to Love is FINALLY available on Amazon as well as through Crimson Romance. This is my first ever romance story, and I’m pretty proud of it. I wanted to use all the usual romance tropes (comas, twins, mistaken identities, friends-to-lovers) in one big, soapy blend.

I won’t tell you any more of the details, except to say that there are also near-drownings, heated arguments, and a lot of romantic tension. Pick up your copy today!

Welcome to Amazon

I have an Amazon author page. Probably should’ve mentioned that earlier. You can see all my latest information there. Well, not ALL my information. It doesn’t have my social security number or my shoe size, but it does have a lot of my publication information.

It also has a couple photos of me that I random selected from my desktop because they were either A) not embarrassing, or B) embarrassing, but in an endearing way.

Check it out.

Facebook

Hello, internet. I try to keep this blog as up-to-date as possible. That can be a little difficult because

1) I live in Gansu Province, where internet connections go to die.

2) The Chinese government blocks Blogspot, so I have to work my non-existent internet magic.

And 3) I don’t have a third item. I just think that lists should come in threes.

The point is, I try to keep this blog updated, but I usually get bogged down by outside factors (i.e. bad internet connections… or sleep). But there is one website where I check at least once a day: Facebook. If you aren’t my Facebook friend yet, drop me a message. I don’t bite.

Unless provoked. Or unless you put your hand too close to my face before I’m able to properly smell you.

Anyway…

My Facebook name is Evan.Purcell1, not to be confused by the OTHER Evan Purcell on Facebook. Apparently, he’s a pretty well-respected bluegrass musician. We have never met.

Far Worlds

Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to be included in a pretty awesome sci-fi anthology called Far Worlds. The book collected stories with a bunch of different tones, and when I read it cover-to-cover, I realized that mine was the only overtly comedic of the bunch.

My story “Golden Planet” is a sci-fi spoof of the Emmy-winning sitcom Golden Girls. It takes place on a retirement planet, stuffed with aliens, pet squids, and a little bit of unexpected death. My protagonist Roze falls in love with a handsome stranger, and things spiral out of control. I won’t give anything away, except that I’m very proud of the very last sentence. It’s a nice, dark way to end the story.

I wrote the first draft during a single weekend, when I was also working on a horror story about a possessed jump rope that murdered people. Needless to say, both stories had pretty goofy premises, but “Golden Planet” didn’t take things seriously while “Double Dutch” did. (I called the other story “Double Dutch” because it’s about twins, one of whom is murdered by the jump rope. It’s Shakespearean, really.)

My point is… it was fun to bounce back and forth between the different styles. I usually don’t write two stories at the same time, but in this case, it kind of worked. There weren’t any pet squids in my horror story, and there were no possessed toys in my sci-fi story, but the two of them really fed into each other as I wrote them.

Once I finished both stories, though, things diverged. “Golden Planet” was quickly accepted by Far Worlds, and the version in print is very similar to my first draft. “Double Dutch,” however, was almost completely changed in the rewrite process. It’s coming out around Halloween (the details will be announced later), but the title is different, the characters are different, and… well, the jump rope is now a rubber snake. That’s what happens during the re-write process. Jump ropes turn into snakes and stories either stay the same or they morph into something completely new.

But back to “Golden Planet”… If you wanna check out the exploits of Roze, Dorox, and the gang, pick up a copy of Far Worlds. Also, visit the Far Worlds Facebook page for updates and information.