New Official Photos and NaNo Update

I recently had my official author photographs taken by the multi-talented Steven Lance Eubanks. His work can be seen in magazines and Gov't Mule CD liner notes and a plethora of places. Check out his website here for more samples of his work and information. http://lanceeubanksphotography.googlepages.com/home

We took these at the beautiful State Theater in Ithaca, New York. The medieval theme fit my dark and intriguing style of fiction. I really liked how these have turned out. I have more coming soon.

NaNo Update:

The month is about half over and I’m a tad behind in word count but really feel that Snow Black-A Monster Novel is coming along great! The characters are coming alive and the plot is taking on a life of its own. I will be posting an excerpt in the future, so stay tuned to my blog to check it out.

Now, back to work.

Writers Workshop of Michael Knost II

The mega talented author, editor, and columnist in the horror and dark fiction genres will be offering online writing classes starting in November and all who wish to put pen-to-paper or keystrokes to screen, needs to sign up for his amazingly insightful, educatinig and fun.
Here is the info:

I have the next level of online writing courses scheduled.
There will be two class times scheduled each day:
6:00 to 7:00 p.m or 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. The Cost $120.00 ($30.00 per class)
Payment (for all classes) must be paid in full no later than November 9, 2009
Nonrefundable on or after November 9, 2009
Accepted payment methods:
PayPal – Money Order – Personal Check
Online classes will be conducted live via audio/video conference with
PowerPoint presentations and chat lines. Audio or video capabilities
(or special software) are NOT required for participation. However,
a computer with Internet connection IS required.


Monday, November 09, 2009

Foreshadowing, Imagery, and Symbolism


Monday, November 16, 2009

Suspense and Tension

Monday, November 23, 2009

Flashbacks and Backstory


Monday, November 30, 2009

Revision and Self-Editing


To sign up, simply drop me an email (writingwithknost@yahoo.com) with

your choice of payment and the specific time slot you wish to sign up for. I will then send you an email with the information needed to make the payment.

http://www.michaelknost.com/


So go to his site and sign up today! I have learned so much from the first level class and cannot say enough about the value and importance of for this talented fellow and his classes/writing.
Also, another must-have from Mr.Knost his is great selling book: Writer's Workshop of Horror. Order this baby today! You won't regret it.

You have been told!

-TAE-

Aeternus Umbra unpublished draft gets killer review!

While my first book, Aeternus Umbra hasn't been submitted yet, prolific book reviewer and writer, Kurt Criscione has been so kind as to write up a quick blurb on it. Feel free to check out all his other amazing reviews on his blog as well as his own great writing. But here is what he had to say about AU:

"... Aeternus Umbra by Tom Erb. Well this isn’t available to the public yet… but you should put it on your short list. Tom is gonna make his break out with this novel. He gives us zombies and coming of age… two of my favorite things. If you were a child or teen in the heart of the 80’s this is going to be a fun book for you. The music, the cars, the people will strike a chord. If you happen to also like zombies shredding people, the machinations of a twisted soul, the struggle to survive, and dynamic character growth within an overarching mythology that just happens to have a zombie apocalypse as its backdrop…. whew… then once again this is the book for you."

The book is nearing completion of its final draft. I have a handful of publishers I am going to be submitting it to. I hope they are ready for the next twist and direction of zombie/apocalyptic fiction.

More to come on Aeternus Umbra!!!

-TAE

National Novel Writing Month is Coming!!!

National Novel Writing Month is begining in only  two weeks!!! If you don't know what this sucker is, and you have always wanted to write your very own novel, check this site out and give it a shot.

http://www.nanowrimo.org/ If you are up to writing 50,000 words in one month and want to have the first draft of your novel by the holiday time, then sign up today!

I'm about to tackle it myself for the first time and I am really excited about it. I have a book planned out and have really worked hard to have solid plotlines and in-depth characters for my second book.

  In SNOW BLACK, the basic premise is small upstate New York town around Christmas time is being beset by the worst Noreaster on record. To make matters worse, when the storm batters the bedroom community of Sterling Point, with the blinding snow and skin-burning winds,comes an evil blackness that seeks to swallow all the living inhabitants of the snowed in town.

So, check out my link ot my nanowrimo profile to keep up-to-date on my progress as the month of November rolls along.

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/503335
    Again, if you've always wanted to write your own book, come on over and put your butt-in-chair and get ready to write come November 1st!!!
-TAE-

Strange moment at the Mall. Has this ever happened to you???

Okay, while I was waiting to hit the 2pm showing of Zombieland, I was at the local mall's food court partaking in some very, fine dining. (not) and I was thinking about all the funkily amazing zombiegoodness that awaited me, whilst I ate my wonderful chow, I did my usual fun hobbie of people watching. I was looking about and an elderly woman in a maroon colored jacket caught my eye. I took a bite of a nice salty french fry (we can talk about my crappy diet later) and my heart stopped and the half -eaten fry fell onto the tray.
  I don't know if this has ever happened to you, but this has happend to me on various occassions in my life but today. I wept. I swear to god, that it was my Mom! She passed away in 2004! I watched as she continued walking through the food court and I felt my heart beat like a raging bull and my eyes filled with tears as she went. I went to wipe my eyes and take a breath and when I looked up... she was gone... WTF?..Shook me to my core.
  Just wanted to share and see what you all thought?

-TAE

"Time to Nut up, or shut up!!!"

ZOMBIELAND! a quick review.

  First off, any zombie flick out there, I love! Cheesier the better. So, that being said, I am a tad pro-walking dead and a bit biased.  So shoot me... the head man... the head.. geesh.. newbie!
 Let me just say, from the opening credits and how they are incorperated with the scenes, I knew this was going to kick some moby ass. And  I was right.
  The casting was spot on.  I can't think of the kid who was the main charcter, but he had a Paulie Bleaker feel to him. Which worked well, with his nerotic, anxiety filled lines and scenes. Woody Harrelison rocked. It's great to see all the "erb" smoking is helping his method acting.  His banjo playing was superb.
 If you like gore. well my zombiemanicas, there is blood and flesh a-plenty in this flick. It gets an A just for the blood n guts.. Top notch. And I also applaud the creative ways in which the dispatch of the undead bastards. 
  This is nothing but a purely fun, gore-filled, laughter filled, fun ride. There is an amazing cameo by someone we all know and love... You will laugh your ass off.
 It gets a 5/5 on my Zombiemeter!
 Go check it out. Don't expect Shaeksepear my friends... We ARE talking zombies and Woody here.
Whatever you do, remember the rules!

TAE

New Project Announcement!

Yes indeed folks! I am embarking on another project! I've been invited to take part in a anthology by  talented writers;Ty Schwamberger and Dean Harrison.
 The project will be 3 different novellas, based on a common theme.. The stories will follow that theme, but the three of us will have our own vision of where the story should go. I'm really looking forward to this project and want to thank Ty for asking me along on this adventure.
You can check out more about Ty and his great work here:
http://tyschwamberger.wordpress.com/

 Stay tuned folks for more info as the project develops.