“Death and Life of the Hero” got a special nod, see below:

Finally, Ricardo Sanchez contributes my favorite tale in the book, “The Death and Life of a Hero.” I’m a sucker for such an uplifting story in which the hero receives his due from the people he has saved. I loved that same theme in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer as well as in Early Edition, and I love it here, too. Sanchez also should be commended for creating a unique Superman-like figure that never once actually imitates the Man of Steel. The archetypal Hero really does seem like a different man here.

I am embarrassingly flattered. I definitely had Superman in mind when I was writing my story, specifically the Christopher Reeves version. There is just something about the way he portrayed the Man of Steel that has always resonated with me. Made me feel hopeful. I wanted to re-create that feeling. Seems like, for Ray at least, I did. As a writer, it just doesn’t get better than that.

So go check out the full review then go buy the book. If you believe Ray, you won’t be sorry!

The final story in this collection, written by DC’s Ricardo Sanchez (famous for his Resident Evil comics) is hands down the most rewarding and thought-provoking.  Really more of a social introspection piece, Ricardo tells us of a deceased hero known as The Hero and the reporter that is trying to retell his story twenty years later.  I really don’t want to ruin too much for you so all I’ll say is this story needs to be published elsewhere and consumed en mass as it is a powerful look into and reminder of who we all are and who we all can be.

I was pretty floored by the writer’s enthusiasm for my story. Can’t say I’ve ever received a review quite like this.

Super hero western “The Dodge” really stood out for me as a great story, but there are some other gems too. The stories do a great job of taking the genre in directions you don’t often see in comic books.

The book comes out in July, but it is available today on Smashwords if you like your books digital. If you like men in tights with super powers, totally worth checking out.

The Mass Grave of John Johnsons by Micah Urban
The unearthing of several bodies prompts a doctor to summon a “super” forensics team. But he questions his decision when he realizes they may be stranger than the mystery they’re investigating.

Daughter of Nyx by Kelly Wisdom
In a dystopian future, Veronica must hide her unique ability from a regime that hates those who are different. Then she is attacked and must make a choice–remain in hiding or rise up and fight.

Going My Own Way by Dayton Ward
Though endowed with a unique power, young Daniel chooses not to follow in the footsteps of his famous superhero father. That is a decision that may ultimately cost him his life.

Identity Crisis by Lisa Gail Green
After the superhero, SolarFlare, is injured, her twin sister, Leslie, takes her place. Leslie soon discovers that it will take more than just a flashy costume to save the city from a mad man.

Blunt Force Trauma by Kevin Hosey
When his ex-partner’s daughter is murdered, retired superhero, PsyKore, goes after her slayer with a vengeance. What he ultimately discovers is even more devastating than the murder itself.

Neutral Ground by Jordan Taylor
During World War I, a British corporal hears rumors of a mysterious man saving wounded soldiers on the battlefield. He vows to uncover who or what is out there, even at the risk of his own life.

Breaking The Circle by Derek Tyler Attico
When the hero, Vitruvian, vanishes in a massive explosion, his wife, Kendra, resolves to discover his fate. Yet her search leads her through nightmarish deceit to the very edge of her own sanity.

The Dodge by K. Stoddard Hayes
Sheriff Wilder owes his fearless reputation to a secret ability to phase through bullets. But when his rash younger brother follows him into a deadly standoff, Wilder’s secret may get them both killed.

The Justice Blues by Carla Lee Suson
As the wife of a beloved superhero, Angelica seems to have the perfect life. Then she learns of an evil secret that threatens her marriage–and her life.

Death and Life of The Hero by Ricardo Sanchez
Decades ago, The Hero gave his life while protecting The City. Now reporter Laura Halsey thinks she’s discovered what really happened. But revealing the truth may cause more harm than good.

I’ll be signing copies of the book at San Diego ComicCon. Schedule to be revealed in a puff of smoke sometime soon!

I am very happy to say that my short story, “The Hero of the City,” has been accepted for inclusion in the book.

Cliffhanger did a neat, paranormal romance anthology with the clever title Paramourtal last year. I submitted a zombie love story to it, but, honestly, it wasn’t a good fit and was rightly rejected. I read through it and was pretty impressed by the quality of the prose. If Gods of Justice is as good, I’m in great company.

The thing I like about Cliffhanger Books is they are bucking the trend. So many other small publishers are going all digital, or just going out of business. But Cliffhanger seems to have found a nice formula for publishing new writers and genre stories.

If you support independent publishers and writers in general, you owe it to yourself to check them out.

This weekend I got some nice accepting news. A story I submitted to an anthology publication has been accepted. I was a runner up, and only got the crown because someone else bowed out, but I’ll take the acceptance any way I can.

More later when it is made official by the acceptors.

Feels a lot like when you save up for some big purchase like a new car or awesome laptop, you buy it, then feel…not much.

So I am turning my attentions to my zombie novel. 1st person or 3rd? I think in 1st.

The interested agent suggested “Writing to Sell” to help me overcome some, er, writing challenges. I have to admit it helped. A lot. At least with Elvis Sightings. One of the premises is he-man character of a story must do something that can not be done. It is a variation on a number of thematic approaches to story, but that particular central problem is pretty primal.

I found that dynamic for ES, but not yet for zombie. It is gnawing at me.

I remain optimistic that zombie will fill the hole left by Elvis.

From the classic Italian horror film, Zombie

I know I said I was working on a sequel to Elvis Sightings. And I am. But I got distracted by the wonderful world of zombies.

A friend of mine told me about a couple of publishers looking for zombie material so I turned my attention to where I knew I would find fertile ground. Besides, I’ve done zombies once with Resident Evil, I figured I had the zombie patois down. Ngggggg Unnggggggg Guuuuhhhhh. You know.

So I’ve been working on two premises for zombie based stories. One follows a fairly traditional zombiepocalypse scenario, but I think I found an interesting twist on it.

The second, which is the one I really, really like, well, I’m not going to tell you. I think its such a good idea I don’t want you to steal it. Sorry.

As a byproduct of working on these zombie pitches, yet another friend of mine turned me on to Cliffhanger Books and a new short story anthology they’re working on called Paramourtal. A supernatural romance collection that is a play on Paramour and Mortal. I think the title is clever. In fact, I thought it was so clever I immediately turned my attention to crafting a zombie romance to submit.

Why should vampires get all the love?

I’m also working on a bunch of comic book pitches. Fingers are crossed.

Progress!