GOING BACK TO THE USA FOR A MUCH NEEDED VISIT.

Yee Haw... I'm a hedin back to Texas for a much needed visit to see my old pa. After ten years of living in Asia I am finally going back home to visit. I am so excited to see my old friends and my family I can hardly wait. If any of you cow pocks out there need to get in touch with me  just leave me an email. I'll be in Texas till mid October then back to Kuala Lumpur and back to the old grind. 

WARNING TO AUTHORS OUT THERE

If you've read my blog or know me personally you know I love to write and I've been published twice by a reputable traditional publishing company. I am writing this to warm people out there like me, who love to write and may be seeking a publisher for your work. There are still publishers out there who are traditional in their practices and reputable, but there are some out there who are not. I have been seeking a new publisher for one of my new books and in the last few months I have had two really frustrating experiences. Twice in the last two months I have had two different publishers tell me they wanted to see my work... and after reviewing it they told me how they liked it and wanted to publish it. Honestly I'm suspicious that they probably didn't even read it. Once I received a contractual agreement from them there was the little area in the fine print that told me they wanted me to pay them 9,000USD in the case of one and 900.00USD in the case of another one. This practice is usually considered a SCAM in the publishing world as most of these companies not only charge the author but in most cases they don't follow through with the promises they make. I am going to name the two publishers I have had experiences with as they have both been named in "Writer Beware" websites that try to warn new authors about these sorts of companies. In both cases these publishing companies have had lawsuits against them for wrong doing and making false claims and not living up to their contractual promises. There are many to beware of but here are the two I personally would suggest you stay clear of.

1. Dorrance Publishing

2. Strategic Publishing (and all of it's affiliate companies)

In the case of Strategic Publishing their was a lawsuit against them and all their subsidiary companies have been included in the 'Writer Beware' warnings. For those of us out there who love to write and are honestly seeking a reputable and legitimate publisher wasting time with people like these is very frustrating and that's why I personally want to try to save some of you out there some wasted time and energy. In the case of Strategic publishing, I even wrote them and asked them if they were a "Pay to Publish" company and they told me no. Only to send me a contract later after saying they liked my work, asking me to pay them 900.00USD. Anyway I don't want to sound like sour grapes, but this was my personal experience, so please Writers Beware and be prepared if you do a web search for publishers, you will get numerous sites from the types of publishers I speak of. Most of them as asking for your work because every author out there no matter how good or bad your work is, is a potential client for them.

PIRATE PLANET ADVENTURES GETS A NEW LOOK

Back in 2004 and 2005 I released the first two of what was planned to be a series of books called Pirate Planet Adventures. The series of five was to be based on five legendary treasures on a small back-water planet in outer space called Dextron (nicknamed The Pirate Planet) as it was mostly inhabited by cut-throats and nar-do-wells. The original plan was to write each adventure about one of the legendary treasures that existed on the planet, that one of our heroes was aspiring to find.

1. The Fortress of Bones (About a legendary treasure stash hidden by the infamous Captain Culpepper).

2. Island of the Golden Helmet (About a legendary magical helmet made of gold that was hidden on a haunted island inhabited by all manner of ghosts and ghoulies)

3. The Dimamond of Picaroon (About an illusive hidden island that was home to a tribe of pigmy cannibal head-hunters who worshiped a giant cyclops GOLEM statue with a huge diamond for an eye).

4. The Jeweled Harp of Calgadoon (About a magical jeweled harp that had a magical ability to hypnotize and enslave anyone who heard it's haunting music, that was owned by an evil but beautiful Siren queen who enslaved her followers).

5. The Forbidden Island in the Sky (About an evil half cyborg half human who lived in a formidable floating island in the sky that was bent on overthrowing the Pirate Planet and becoming it's sole ruler).

I have recently decided to take the first two books and re-edit them into one longer book with all new illustrations by my good friend Matt Ficner. The new book is going to be out soon and it will combine the Fortress of Bones story and the Island of the Golden helmet into one book called "Space Scurvy-The two Islands of Captain Culpepper" it is also being fashioned into a television series to be done with puppets, designed and built by Matt. You will find the illustration above in the new book. It is one example of Matt's wonderful illustration style. That book will be followed by the book I am currently writing called "Space Scurvy-The Wizard the Witch and the Diamond Eyed Golem" Keep an eye out for these two new titles available on Amazon next year.

THE FAT LADY SANG

Well it's as I feared.... the publisher that has been looking at my manuscript came back to me. And after actually writing them and asking them if they were one of those "pay us to publish" types and after them getting back to me and saying NO... if they like my book they will publish it at no cost to me.... they came back with, "we like your book but we want you to pay us 900.00 bucks to publish it, but if it sells we'll do the next one for free."

Well I knew they were listed on a "writer beware" list so I should have seen it coming. I guess I just wanted to believe they were legitimate.

Are there no legitimate publishers out there? Back to the drawing board. GEEZ

THE BIG WEENIE AWARD!

I think I'm going to start giving out big weenie awards to weenies out there who just do stupid things. My fist one is the C.O.O. of McDonalds. As some of you know even though there was a French McDonalds commercial that was very progressive and had a pro-tolerance message towards homosexuals, the C.O.O. of the American McDonalds corporation headquarters said this pro-gay message that was in the French McDonalds commercial, was not a sentiment shared by McDonalds in the USA. So I guess when McDonalds says "come as you are" what they mean is "come as you are as long as you're heterosexual." Well to all my gay friends out there, let's hope this changes as there is enough anti-tolerance sentiment out there in this world. This message has outraged many gay and lesbian groups in the US and some people have even decided to boycott the food chain. I don't boycott them personally but I go there as seldom as possible because their food is so terribly unhealthy, but I'm not a hypocrite, I like a good egg McMuffin from time to time. Why can't we all just get along?

Tonight I feel like I'm in the twilight zone or something. After a full 12 hour day of recording, I'm going back in the morning for more. What a glutton for punishment I am. Well anyway it was fun and the final product is going to rock. Anyway I just wanted to post something tonight so here it is.... nothing special. I'm off to bed now so cheers until tomorrow.

It's another beautiful morning and I'm feeling good. Had a great evening last night meeting some fun guys from Thailand. They are co-production partners working on the Super Panda show. They basically created it and they have a wonderful passion to see it turn out great and I love that. Here in this photo you see me and my friend Eion puppeteering Evil Zargon. Well I'm excited because Zargon's designer and builder my dear friend Matt Ficner may just come to Malaysia and work with me on the fun kids show i'm doing called Chummy and Champ. I'm trying to work it out so he can be involved. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed. He would be a great addition to the team. So now i'm off to the grind. Got a full day of recording funny voices for Super Panda and I'm pumped. It's going to be a long but very fun day.

I am excited because tomorrow I start recording audio for a new show called SUPER PANDA. It's a Malaysia Thailand co-production and it's going to be fun and exciting. I can't tell much more about it than that but It's a 3D animation and is action packed and is featuring some of the premier voice talents that can be found in the Malaysia voice actor industry. The above is a concept art design from the show and is one of the main characters Ching Ching the super panda. Look out for this show when it's done. See I told you i'm not just a ZOMBIE freak, I like cute cuddly things too.

If you are visiting my blog as a result of postings for the Zombie Anthology I am working on, please feel free to email me at evilzargon@gmail.com or message me here.

You may also visit my website and check out my other zombie novels at www.zombienovelsbykeithcarpenter.weebly.com

Thanks for your interest and support.

KC

Memories.... Oh how sweet!

For those of you who know me, you know I have lived in Asia for ten years (Singapore for six years, Malaysia for four years) and have not been back to the US in that entire time. Back years ago when I had a clown troupe I had founded called the 'Heavenly Nitwits' my right hand man was my dearest friend Charles. He was just some messed up kid when I met him and he joined my troupe and became the best clown there after some training of course. Here is a picture we took just after I had spent a year in the Ukraine clowning as support for a non profit org there that worked with homeless kids and orphans. It was one of the best years of my life, but the best part was all the young people I got to work with and train as clowns and bring a smile to the faces of some wonderful kids. Anyway in this picture is ME! the chubby tramp clown named Doctor Do Nothing and my side kick Corky the Clown. (Charles) I have been planning a trip back to Texas and I am going to get to see my dear friend and meet his wonderful family for the first time. I have not seen him for probably twelve or thirteen years and I am sure it's going to be a wonderful reunion. He's got his own kids now and I promised to bring along some crazy puppets and get silly. Fun Fun Fun. Charles is now a minister and works with the Youth in a large Church in West Texas.

Zombie Anthology Project

As a huge zombie fan, I would love to hear from other zombie movie and novel fans out there as well. Having finished my second novel now and currently starting on my third, I have been thinking how cool it would be to do a Zombie anthology. If you are a zombie fan and you have an interest in writing zombie stories, especially short stories, send me a message. I would love to read your stories and consolidate them into a zombie anthology to be self published on amazon.com and all of it's distribution arms.

Give me your feedback and tell me what you think.

I would love to hear from you.

Kc

Fun Fun Zombie Fun

Today, after getting back from recording my friend Gavin, who did a cool voice for me, I started writing the sequel to my zombie novel Zombie Circus. The title of this sequel is "Dead and Circus; The Show's Still in Town" I am so bursting with ideas for this next book, I can hardly stand it. I think I love nothing better than to break out a good cigar, get a cup of coffee and snuggle up to my laptop and write. :) now all I need is one of those creepy houses on a bluff overlooking the ocean in Maine or something. Well that's my retirement plan, actually. If I ever make any money writing that is :)

Another word of wisdom by Rattikus

Rattikus is one sweet Rat. I don't think you'll want to chase him out of your kitchen with a broom. ENJOY

EVIL ZARGON'S MOVIE REVIEW OF DAY BREAKERS

What can I say.... I'm really more of a Zombie fan than a Vampire fan but this was one vamp movie I really enjoyed. I know it's not a "new" movie per say, or at least not "hot off the press" like some of the others I've reviewed, but I had to mention it because as far as Vampire movies go it was a good one. With the recent Vamp craze there have been some shiners and some stinkers. The series True Blood for example has given the vamp genre a refreshing shot in the arm, but movies like those teenybopper chick-flick cookie cutter vampire movies that have come out recently they have made me want to drive a steak through my heart. However, I digress... This movie was a really interesting and delightful twist on the Vamp genre in my opinion and I personally enjoyed it a lot. If they had thrown in some zombies it would have been heaven for me. I have to agree with the movie poster. This movie was ORIGINAL, and SCARY and CERTAINLY ACTION PACKED. An absolute 'must see' for the vampire fans out there.

EVIL ZARGON'S MOVIE REVIEW OF REPOMEN

What can I say... being a cyborg space pirate myself I could identify with these people. But that doesn't change the fact that although this was a pretty non stop action packed movie that had you on the edge of your seat for a while, it ended up turning into one of those "What the Hell" kinds of story lines. The "Suspension of disbelief" is one thing, but COME ON! I love gore as much as the next guy but people being cut open and having body parts yanked out like changing a carburetor on your lawn mower was just gross, even to me. Also, I don't want to put any spoilers out there but the end of this movie just got way too gross and way too stupid for me. There is no way a human being could survive what these two people did and then the twist ending? Please.... can you say STUPID? Anyway if you're a young girl crushing on Jude Law or a gay man who has th hots for him, maybe you should go see it for the "Eye Candy" factor, but as for me, I wanted my money back after seeing this flick.

Words of Wisdom from Rattikus

A few years ago my business partner Brad Bowyer and myself made some fun little video's with some cool rat puppets made by my pal Matt Ficner. Enjoy.

EVIL ZARGON'S MOVIE REVIEW OF THE LAST AIR BENDER

I normally only watch and review Horror movies as it is my genre of choice, but in some ways this movie was a horror movie... at least it was pretty horrible. In my humble Space Pirate opinion, this movie should have been called The Last Brain Bender.... or the Last Gut Churner... or even better yet it would have been great if it were The Last M. Night Shyamalan movie, which would have been great for all you non M. Night Shyamalan lovers out there. Anyway I digress.... this movie was not much more than a CGI extravaganza and in my opinion that's about all it had going for it. I have to admit that young actor Noah Ringer who played Aang, the last air bender, did a great job, but it's ashamed he had to debut his talent in a crappy movie like this. I am not a fan of the cartoon simply because I have not seen it, but from what I have heard from those whom I know that are, they hated it too. So if you want to see the movie and you are a fan of the Nickelodeon series, be prepared to be disappointed. The Story was convoluted and hard to "get" in my opinion and probably relied way too much on viewers having to be fans of the cartoon.

EVIL ZARGON'S MOVIE REVIEW OF PIRANHA

If you loved those old late 70's and early 80's horror movies about various and sundry creepy crawlies that band together and wreak havoc on humanity you will probably love this flick. When I watched this movie I kept having De'ja'Vu. I was feeling like I had to have seen this movie before. But honestly once I got into it I really didn't care. I really enjoyed it. I will say however it is not for the weak of heart or squeamish individual who gets weak in the knees at the sight of blood. I also didn't watch the 3D version as I really don't like 3D. It gives me headaches. I thought the story was a bit cliche' but it was still enjoyable with a surprisingly recognizable cast that you couldn't help watching. there were a few "what the heck was the writer thinking" moments but all in all I couldn't help but enjoy it. Also look out for a delightful little twist at the end that I certainly didn't see coming. So grab your popcorn and your date and have a good time at this fun little horror fest.

EVIL ZARGON'S MOVIE REVIEW OF RESIDENT EVIL AFTERLIFE

For all you zombie gore loving freaks out there, in my opinion you should probably love the new Resident Evil movie. Taking up where the third one left off, this action packed zombie fest had some delightful new elements as well as some lovable characters straight out of the game. I loved the dark look of the movie and Milla Jovovich never looked better as far as her big blue eyes and eye-candy figure go. If you're a stickler for great zombie make-up and FX you really couldn't ask for a better zombie flick. Rather you are a fan of the games or not, this movie was action packed and had some interesting new characters in it that you just love to hate. I was on the edge of my seat while watching this flick. I didn't see the 3D version as watching 3D movies usually makes me want to blow a gasket, but all in all I have only one complaint when it comes to this new action packed zombie flick of the highest quality. And that is that in my opinion the movie ended twice. and the second ending was just stupid. What I want to know is... where do these "Umbrella people keep coming from?" is it me or has the world virtually ended? I don't want to give anything away, but please... if people if you make another Resident evil movie, focus on the zombie gore and ditch the Umbrella Corp... it's getting to be a real bore.

and that's all Zargon has to say. 'CLICK'

Monday Wonderful Monday

It's Monday.... some say the Monday blues but it's a good day. I think any day you wake up and feel good is a good day. Got some publisher issues resolved today. Had to get the rights back from a publisher that published a book of mine some years back. Geez what a headache. Finally got it in writing and I can move on. I am starting a couple new projects. The story I just got the rights back for is being re-edited with new illustrations to be published in a couple of months. It's called 'Space Scurvy- The Two Islands of Captain Culpepper' it's a children's fantasy adventure. Not a horror novel :) so keep your eyes open for it. The other thing that is making my life wonderful today :) is the new children's show I am director of puppetry and puppeteer on. It's an environmental show called Chummy and Champ and this adorable turtle character is one of the characters. The show is a great new project designed to teach kids about taking care of the environment and loving and protecting our great big planet. Check it out on the web at www.chummyandchamp.com. Every day is an adventure so keep checking out my blog, who knows what's going to pop up here.

My Newest Novel is Coming Soon

The gory picture you see here is the cover of my latest zombie horror novel Freeze Dried The Awakening. It's the product of over a year of hard work and many writing blockages that had to be purged. Its September and I am feeling great. However late June and all of July and part of August I found myself having serious problems with sleep apnea and later full blown insomnia. I dropped a few pounds and trained myself to sleep on my side and the apnea pretty much went away, but the insomnia lasted for months. I think it was a combination of fear of dying in my sleep (from the apnea) and a huge guilt trip I was feeling from not having been back to the US to visit my dad in just over ten years. I'm sorry... maybe i'm a bad person but all this time I just really have not missed the US. In the ten years I have been here I actually had started making plans to go back and visit even though I HATE those long flights, but I was determined to see my dear old dad. Well the fist time I started making plans S.A.R.S. broke out and traveling wasn't a good idea. A few years later I tried to make plans again and your friend and mine waged a war against IRAQ so again traveling wasn't such a good idea. Anyway I have been here in Asia loving every moment, since April of 2000 and for the fist time in all this time I am going back home on Oct 3rd 2010. I have to admit, I don't relish the thought of the HOURS in the air it will take to get there, but I am looking very much to it. Anyway to finish my thought. After almost three months of having to take Xanax (prescribed by my doctor btw) just to get to sleep, one night to my delight I was able to just close my eyes and fall asleep. It only happened after I solidified my plans to go back to the US. I have to wonder if somehow I was subconscious messing with my own mind and causing the insomnia due to my guilt. Anyway It's been over a month and I am sleeping like a baby no drugs needed. And I've been able to focus and finish my newest novel Freeze Dried. It should be available on Amazon.com hopefully in November. I wanted to get it out for Halloween, but that didn't happen. But for all you fright fans out there please bookmark my website www.zombienovelsbykeithcarpenter.com and order your copy of my first novel zombie circus. I know what a shamless advert, but hey I wanna sell books and I know there are zombie fans out there who might wanna read it. I have to say that FaceBook is one of the most awesome ways to reach out and touch people. People you have lost contact with as well as people you would just love to meet. I recently did a search on FB for one of my favorite authors. I found him and added him as a friend and now we've been chatting back and forth a bit. I will take this opportunity to plug his books but I have to tell you how I learned of him. I had watched zombie movies all my life, since my first Romero film back when I was a teen. (George Romero is one of my facebook friends as well, btw... hows that for name dropping) anyway even though i loved zombie movies, I had never read a zombie novel as I was this dyslexic kid who hated to read, but as an adult I had started to read more and more novels. Well one day I was placing an order on Amazon.com for some of my favorite zombie movies that i could not get in stores here in Asia and amazon made a recommendation (as they always do) for me to get Reign of the Dead by Len Barnhart. I didn't read the fine print but ordered it based on the graphics on the front, but I thought it was a movie. I ordered the first one and the sequel and boy was I surprised when my movies arrived there there were two books in the order. At first I was a bit disgusted with myself for being so stupid, but then I read them.... OMG. I loved them. I recommend Len's books for anyone who is a lover of the zombie genre. Anyway I was able to befriend Len via Facebook and i'm all the better for it. I know this post if full of 'plugs' but hey it's all true and you gotta write about what blows your hat in the creek, as we say in Texas. :) until the next post... peace.

Well it's been a while since I have posted anything but I'be been busy writing something else. I just finished my second Zombie Horror novel called Freeze Dried the Awakening. It will be available on Amazon.com in two months time but in the meantime check out this link and get your copy of my first book Zombie Circus.

www.zombienovelsbykeithcarpenter.weebly.com

If any of you out there have my first novel I would love to hear from you and get your feedback.

On a personal level I am still here in Asia and I have just started a new contract on some new projects. One is a children's television show with puppets (which I love, just check out some of the videos I've done on the right) and I am also working on a couple of animated shows directing the audio. I'm loving it... :)

Post more later.