Photos from the July MonstahXpo Convention in Nashua

 

My Next Convention is MonstahXpo 11-12 July

My next convention is MonstahXpo 11-12 July at the Sheraton Hotel in Nashua, New Hampshire. This is an awesome convention; one of my favorites. Some cool celebrities will be attending. I'll be signing my books and will have print copies of Ratpocalypse and Tales of the Nurse Alissa Universe available.

Tales of the Nurse Alissa Universe Has Been Released

GOOD NEWS!!! The Kindle/Kindle Unlimited and print versions of Tales of the Nurse Alissa Universe have been released. The Kindle version is only $2.99, and the print version is $9.99. 

 

The Nurse Alissa vs. the Zombies saga follows Alissa and her friends' attempts to survive the zombie apocalypse and the anarchy that engulfed society after it collapsed. The characters needed to adapt in order to survive the nightmarish new world.

But the story of the zombie apocalypse is not limited to Alissa alone. Along the way, she encountered numerous people who briefly entered her life, either helping her survive or threatening the safety of Alissa and those close to her. These people had their own apocalyptic events to deal with:
​​​​​​​
-- the nurse and her ten-year-old patient hiding out on the roof of Mass General Hospital
-- the teenage couple who helped Alissa survive the deader attack on the pizzeria in the North End
-- the students and teachers trapped inside the elementary school that Alissa was unable to help
-- the couple who drove Alissa from Revere Beach to Nahant
-- and more.
 
Tales of the Nurse Alissa Universe tell their stories.

Kreiva Academy Anthology 2025-2026

I want to ask a favor of everyone. It's not for me, but for some highly talented students at the school where I used to teach.

Kreiva Public Charter School in Manchester has students with incredible artistic talent in such areas as art, performing arts, and writing. This year, the school established the Kreiva Academy Anthology 2025-2026, featuring the best short stories submitted by students. I was the mentor for the student who set up the Kindle account and published the anthology. Logan did a phenomenal job.

What I'm asking is for everyone to purchase a Kindle copy of the anthology (the print edition will be available soon, or download the KU version and read it. Most of the stories in this edition are dystopian themed. I edited them and can honestly say the writing skills are excellent. Two of the stories blew my mind.

If you purchase the anthology, not only does all the money go toward the school and its writing program, but you'll be supporting aspiring authors who someday may be writing your favorite books.

Thank you

My Interview on The Common Historian

I recently had the privilege of being interviewed by Jeremy Bruntion for his YouTube show The Common Historian. It focused mostly on my experiences with the paranormal and how they influenced my Tatyana paranormal series.

Scott M. Baker spent 23 years as a CIA intelligence officer trained to deal only in hard facts. Then something happened that he couldn't explain — and it changed everything. In this episode, Scott joins The Common Historian to share the personal experience that turned a die-hard skeptic into a paranormal believer, the haunted locations that left their mark on him, and how his CIA career shaped one of the most unique voices in paranormal fiction today.


You can listen to the show here. And be sure to check out his YouTube show The Common Historian.

The Writers for October's Book Battle Royale Have Been Chosen

Fifty-five writers applied for participation in October's Book Battle Royal. After the preliminary round of voting, with a grand total of 1075 votes, the final thirty-two writers have been chosen to duke it out this autumn. The tournament’s brackets have been set up according to the votes and each book’s ratings on Amazon, so we’re going pound for pound in every round! 

The First Round will start in the first week of October - that way, everyone has enough time to read all of these amazing books. To make things easy, Steve Heuzinkal, who oversees the tournament, has created a PDF listing the books competing and links to their Amazon pages, which you can download here. 

So, let’s get some new books on our TBR piles and start celebrating the end of the world (on paper).

 

June's Book Funnel Apocalyptic Theme Is First Days of the Apocalypse

June's Book Funnel apocalyptic theme is First Days ofthe Apocalypse.

Thirteen authors have teamed up to take you on thrilling journeys during the events leading up to and/or during the first few days following the end of the world. 

Tales of the Nurse Alissa Universe Is Available for Pre-Order

GOOD NEWS!!! The Kindle/Kindle Unlimited versions of Tales of the Nurse Alissa Universe are now available for pre-order. The Kindle version is only $2.99. The release date is 15 June.

The Nurse Alissa vs. the Zombies saga follows Alissa and her friends' attempts to survive the zombie apocalypse and the anarchy that engulfed society after it collapsed. The characters needed to adapt in order to survive the nightmarish new world.

But the story of the zombie apocalypse is not limited to Alissa alone. Along the way, she encountered numerous people who briefly entered her life, either helping her survive or threatening the safety of Alissa and those close to her. These people had their own apocalyptic events to deal with:​​​​​​​

-- the nurse and her ten-year-old patient hiding out on the roof of Mass General Hospital

-- the teenage couple who helped Alissa survive the deader attack on the pizzeria in the North End

-- the students and teachers trapped inside the elementary school that Alissa was unable to help

-- the couple who drove Alissa from Revere Beach to Nahant

-- and more.

Tales of the Nurse Alissa Universe tell their stories.

The Preliminary Round of the Post-Apocalypse Book Battle Royale Has Begun

We now have a total of forty-seven post-apocalypse writers ready to battle it out with their best-selling titles. There are only thirty-two slots available in the tournament, so we're looking for the top writers. You can vote for your favorite post-apocalypse writers here. 

THE NEXT POST-APOC BOOK BATTLE ROYALE WILL BEGIN SOON

We’re currently setting up a Book Battle Royale. Indie authors (including myself) are submitting their novels. In a few days, there will be a nomination poll for the brawl. Readers will review poll options and vote for as many as you like. If you see a book that you liked/loved/legally married, or if it’s still on your TBR pile, give it a vote!

When those votes stop trickling in, we’ll have our thirty-two authors, thirty-two bestselling titles that will offer a lot of undiscovered stories for everyone to enjoy. Then we'll be ready for the POST-APOC BOOK BATTLE ROYALE!!

And don’t worry if you haven’t read ALL the books yet - we’ll have a long break between the vote results and the start of the tournament.

Ratpocalypse Promo

 

My Next Convention Is the MonstahXpo in July

I know it's still two months away, but my next convention will be the MonstahXpo Summer Camp at the Sheraton Hotel in Nashua, New Hampshire, 11-12 July. There will be some awesome celebrities and plenty of artists. Buy your tickets now.

Photos From the Vermont Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Expo

I took these photos during the Vermont Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Horror Expo in April.

Ratpocalypse Has Been Released

Ratpocalypse was released this weekend and is available for Kindle/Kindle Unlimited and in print.

May Is American Apocalypse Month

May's Book Funnel apocalyptic theme is American Apocalypse.

Strife, struggle, and sacrifice in the home of the brave. As society crumbles and criminals thrive, most people would do anything to survive.

Eleven authors have teamed up to take you on thrilling journeys through an apocalyptic American landscape filled with mayhem, character conflicts, life-or-death survival situations, and the ever-present threat of destruction for everything our heroes hold dear. 

Kindle/Kindle Unlimited Version of Ratpocalypse Available for Pre-Order

The Kindle/Kindle Unlimited versions of Ratpocalypse are available for pre-order. You can get them here. I'll let you know when the print version is available. 

Could there be anything worse than a zombie apocalypse?

What about an outbreak involving zombie rats?

Five years ago, the Zombie Virus spread across the globe, nearly causing mankind’s extinction. After four years of battling the living dead, America declared victory, having cleansed them from the countryside or containing them in large cities. Life slowly returned to a new normal.

Until…

In Boston, the virus species jumped from the carcasses of the living dead to the rats feeding off their remains, rapidly creating a pack of over a hundred thousand zombie rodents. These zombies were small, fast, and deadly, capable of stripping the flesh and organs off their victims in ten seconds. When there was not enough rotted flesh left inside the containment zone, the dead rodent army followed their instincts and rained down a new plague on mankind.

If the living dead were a nightmare come to life, zombie rats are the darkest images burrowed deep inside its recesses.

My Next Convention Is the 7th Annual Vermont Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Expo

My next convention is the 7th Annual Vermont Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Expo on 25-26 April at the Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Junction, Vermont. The event will bring together fans of science fiction, fantasy, horror, paranormal, comics, gaming, and pop culture for a weekend of family-friendly fun.

The Expo features over 150 exhibitors, including authors, artists, comic creators, game designers, podcasters, fan organizations, cosplayers, prop makers, and specialty vendors from across the region.

Among the celebrities will be Bruce Boxleitner (Captain John Sheridan from Babylon 5) and Claudia Christian (Commander Susan Ivanova from Babylon 5).

April's BookFunnel Post-Apocalypse Theme: The End of Civilization

This month's post-apocalyptic BookFunnel theme is The End of Civilization.

Society crumbles. Criminals thrive. Everything changes. And you would do anything to survive.

From zombies to natural disasters, these bestselling authors have teamed up to take you on an adrenaline-pumping journey through an all-thriller/no-filler selection of books packed with apocalyptic mayhem, intense character conflicts, life-or-death survival situations, and the ever-present threat of destruction for everything our heroes hold dear.

So start collecting your summer reading list and be prepared to watch the world fall apart around you. You can check them out here.

The Rats Are On Their Way

 

Next Convention: the Vermont Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Expo on 25-26 April

My next convention is the Vermont Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Expo at the Lake Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction, Vermont, on 25-26 April. Among the guests will be:

-- Bruce Boxleitner, best known for his dual role as Alan Bradley/Tron in TRON as well as his portrayal of Captain John Sheridan in Babylon 5.

-- Claudia Christian, best known as Commander Susan Ivanova from Babylon 5 as well as an incredible career across film, television, and gaming.

-- Brett Wagner, Leatherface in the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as well as roles in John Dies at the End, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Angel.

There will also be numerous writers, publishing houses, artists, and voice actors.

REMINDER: The Post-Apoc Reading A-Z Challenge for 2026 Is Underway

Steve Heuzinkveld has curated a list of post-apocalyptic books, with titles from A to Z. Fifty authors are featured in this event, with almost 90 books listed. This will be a year-long challenge, with monthly posts encouraging everyone to share their progress, thoughts, and newfound favorites. 

To make things easier, Steve has compiled a book list with Amazon links to the titles. You can find the link here. 
 
You can use the BookSlayer app on your phone for Apple or Android to design your own challenge grid and keep track of your progress (you'll also find each book's Amazon link here). 
  
Here's your chance to beef up that TBR pile and spend the year reading about the end of the world.

Photos From the NECC Event

 I took these photos with the cosplayers during the Northeast ComicCon and Collectibles Extravaganza. 

I'll Be Attending The Dark Reads 2026 Event

My next event is Dark Reads 2026, which is hosted by Horror Depot.

Dark Reads is a one-day event that is being held at the Waterfire Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday, 28 March, from 11 AM to 5 PM. It is a literary extravaganza with over 60 authors, publishers, and all things books. The genres span horror, dark fantasy, true crime, poetry, and more! 

Also included will be presentations, artists, henna, photo opts, and card readings.

The best part: The tickets are only $5 or $25 for VIP tickets, which include a bag of swag. You can purchase them here. 

Preview of My Latest Novel Ratpocalypse

I'm finishing up my next project, a novella about zombie rats titled Ratpocalypse. I hope to publish it this spring. In the meantime, here's a preview of the lightly edited prologue. Enjoy

Prologue

  

It started five years ago with the first reported outbreak of the zombie virus near Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

Within three days, the outbreak spread to the surrounding provinces. Beijing prohibited domestic and international flights in and out of China.

Two days later, the virus erupted in Mongolia, Siberia, Kazakhstan, and Myanmar. Air travel worldwide was suspended.

By the end of the first week, every nation reported instances of the zombie virus.

By the end of the second week, the virus had infected all of society. Billions were turned from the living to the living dead. Major cities collapsed within forty-eight hours. The virus then moved to the suburbs. Fortunately for mankind, it did not reach the countryside for several weeks, providing safe havens for those fleeing the outbreaks and allowing enough time for mankind to mount an effective defense and eventually halting the outbreak.

Nine months after the first reported case, pockets of humanity began to fight back, exterminating the living dead and slowly retaking lost territory. The discovery in Boston of a zombie virus vaccination that prevented those being bit from turning into the living dead provided the advantage mankind needed to wage war against the living dead. Several nations, including the United States, opted to isolate the major cities rather than retake them, realizing the risks far outweighed the minimal gains. The government-in-exile in New Mexico made the decision to wait several years, let the hordes in major population centers rot away, then cleanse the cities of the once-human detritus.

Ten months ago, the last of the living dead in North America outside the isolation zones was eliminated. No outbreaks occurred since then. News from around the globe, though minimal because of the loss of satellite communications, indicated other nations had achieved the same level of success.

For the survivors in the United States, a sense of ease settled over the rural populations. Then began the struggle to rebuild their lives. Townships sprouted up, and people lived as their ancestors had generations ago—growing their own food and producing the materials they needed to survive by hand. Civilization slowly returned to normal.

What no one foresaw was the new nightmare about to unfold.

Animals had remained immune from the zombie virus. Millions had been bitten or devoured by the living dead, but none had reanimated. Within months of the initial outbreak, major population centers had been overtaken by colonies of rats, in many cases numbering in the millions. With humans gone, and with no trash to feed on, they burrowed into apartments and homes in search of anything edible. Little remained. Once the typical sources of food had been devoured, they began feeding off carcasses of the living dead that had succumbed to time and starvation, and sometimes on those still staggering along the streets. Inspection teams sent into Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City reported rats stripping the bodies clean, which would make the humans’ job easier when the decision would finally be made to reclaim the cities.

However, in Boston, an unforeseen event occurred in a possible yet highly improbable scenario.

The zombie virus species jumped from one of the corpses to the rat feeding off it.

Once the rat morphed into the living dead, it began consuming the only other available food: the rest of the colony. The virus rapidly spread among the rodent population, creating a colony of several million zombie rats in desperate need of food. With nothing left in Boston to feed on, the colony had only one option.

To migrate out of the city in search of sustenance.

            

Photos From The Undead of Winter Event

I vended at The Dark Oddities Market this past weekend, which was part of The Reign of Terror's The Undead of Winter event. The vendor's room was great, but the nighttime entertainment was amazing. Below are the links to some of the videos I took during the Vampire Masquerade Ball. Beneath that are images from the event's "hospital" exhibit.

Linwe performing her amazing flaming sword belly dance

The heavy metal band Malice Machine

Shannon performing acrobatics 

I did not catch this performer’s name, but she was amazing