Wednesday, March 27, 2013

10 Days of Madness: Days 3 thru 7


I’ve fallen behind this week, but I’m trying to catch up on all the astounding fiction published thus far at Chris Allinotte's The Leaky Pencil for its 10 Days of Madness marathon.

Support all these hard-working, talented writers by reading and letting them know you appreciate their words.

Friday, March 22, 2013

10 Days of Madness, Day 2: Richard Godwin


Today’s installment of Chris Allinotte’s madness features Richard Godwin’s disturbing, “Saturation Point.” It’s loaded with sex and defilement. You’ll probably gonna need a shower after reading it. But hey, you probably need to take a shower anyway.


Day One featured works by Benjamin Sobieck and me. Read "EVP" and "The Frantic and the Dead" here.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

10 Days of Madness Begins at the Leaky Pencil


The madness begins today! For the third year in a row, Chris Allinotte is hosting his “Days of Madness” series at the Leaky Pencil. It’s been extended to ten days and this year’s theme is: Frantic. Chris says, “Whatever meaning you take from this term (frantic) is correct. However, in keeping with past years, I'm looking for human on human horror; leave the monsters at home for this one.”

Today’s kick-off is a double feature with Benjamin Sobieck’s “EVP,”



and my tale of frenzied paranoia, “The Frantic and the Dead.”


There are nine more days of astounding fiction ahead, so please pencil in some time to stop by daily and support all these hard-working writers.

You have done another fantastic job, Chris!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Microw 8 and 10 Days of Madness

I'm still recovering from surgery, but I have some exciting updates to share.


Full of Crow and editor, Michael J. Solender, have released issue 8 of Microw: Luminous. It includes photography and fiction from Erin Cole, Aleathia Drehmer, Linda Simoni-Wastila, Kristin Fouquet, my story, “Stargazers,” and many other incredible writers (see below):



It’s free and can be read here.



10 Days of Madness will begin at Chris Allinotte’s The Leaky Pencil in a matter of days. Two of my stories will be featured and were based on the theme of Frantic. Thanks, Chris!

Learn more at The Leaky Pencil.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

An Update and Crucifixion Mornings

It's been quite some time since my last post, but I’ve been a slave to the pen. Thus far in 2013, I've had three rejections, two no replies (what’s up with that?), and seven pieces slated for upcoming publications, online and in print. The next few weeks I'll be doing some final edits on new fiction and poems.

A bit of bad news... looks like I may be out of commission for a couple of weeks due to health issues (which includes a surgery), but I should be back feeling better than I have in years. And that's great news.

And since it has been a while, I offer you a poem. Take care!


Crucifixion Mornings

Vermilion joy;
only anger swings a finger in this direction.
The subtle reflex of morning strikes electric perfection
as thought throbs arterial.

One bird, gray against the fevered veil,
speckles itself bright, then dim to burn quiet.
In itself it is common, but face is merely fiction.
Nature bursts forth a bouquet.

An instance:
wings like grape surrender to wine;
amber branches flag rubies of blackened oak;
shadows perfume indigo in dawn-born covenant.

It’s a pretense of obscurity, but bend this elbow,
it will always return to an arm, morsel of the whole.
An ark floating leaf and plume on sea-tossed air
reduces thought to ash and bark of birch.

Only anger dares swing a finger in this direction.
The bird is a dove entangled in the nesting brain.
To mystics it is wide and open as ocean,
but Christ it’s a hole in my wrist.


Copyright © 2013, Angel Zapata