Guest Blogger Chad Schimke

GUEST BLOGGER CHAD SCHIMKE

Today’s blog post showcases guest blogger Chad Schimke. He is the author of two novels, Picker and Pieces. Along with two novelettes, Walker and Weirder. Available in two formats, ebook and paperback. Either online through Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/author/chadschimke) and or signed by the author. One of his books is available FREE as an ebook download on Goodreads.

Thanks Julie! For suggesting a guest spot on your blog! I have learned so much. The concept of worldbuilding is intriguing. Best, Chad.

This feature contains info on previous releases, about the author, lit/ art inspirations, arts community, previews the next book, some promos (blogs, audio/ video, links, etc.), reviews for each and ends with a novel excerpt.

BOOKS

Picker is a crime drama that incorporates the creation myths, mysteries and miracles of New Mexico.

Pieces is paranormal suspense with a series of inter-connected character driven vignettes, about multi-cultural characters in San Francisco. 

Weirder is a macabre fantasy horror about an apprentice magician and a bearded lady’s traveling carnival.

Walker is science fiction with an alternative to vampires, aliens and human hybrids.

ABOUT

Why do I write? Having lived a full life, I reached a tipping point.  Right now, I am overflowing. I write because I have no choice but to write. My growing up years were spent in Northwestern New Mexico. In a landscape of ancient puebloans, criminal minds, a uranium boom and UFO’s. Where there were early signposts to a writing life. Now I live in San Francisco, my adopted hometown, which is the vibrant city that inspires my work.

Where do my characters come from? All of them are shreds of truth borrowed (joined, dissected, rearranged, etc.) from real people. I have met every imaginable eccentric along the way. From the meathead bodybuilder, to a wealthy social climber, afterward a loudmouthed drag queen, then a notorious gang leader and finally a leggy brunette beauty in a skirt and heels.

What do I write? My books are occult paranormal that mix and match genre. I love crime, fantasy, horror and science fiction.

INSPIRATION

There are far too many authors to mention here, so check out my Goodreads bookshelf. Recently, I am inspired by pulp novels. Besides that, I love sideshow freaks. Such as Joseph Merrick (the Elephant Man) and Julia Pastrana (the Bearded Lady). My stories always begin within an iconic sense of place, real or imagined. After that, characters who hold my interest; that are difficult, conflicted, eccentric and unique.

COMMUNITY

I collaborate with the artist Solis (heartofsolis.com) for cover images and involvement in the city’s eclectic arts community. I organize a creative writer’s critique group that meets weekly. The members read each other’s selections to provide written and verbal critique feedback.

NEXT

I am currently working on a new novel that will be a paranormal action thriller. With identical twins, identity switches, secret clues, a haunted hotel and a twist ending.

BLOG

Find my blog posts for occult paranormal novels, crime dramas, art installations and city life. I offer tons of content, updated every couple of days, with free PDF and MP3 downloads, always focused on arts and culture.

GOODREADS

It’s a site for book lovers so visit my page to sign up for a FREE giveaway available monthly.

AUDIO

Go to No Boundaries Radio Show (http://www.noboundariesradioshow.com) for a podcast recording from a previous live interview. The radio show featured Joanne Valencic of VampireWear along with William Maltese author of Flicker.

VIDEO

Go to my blog for multi-media mash-ups, art assemblages, author interviews and a tour of noir San Francisco.

LINKS

http://www.amazon.com/author/chadschimke

http://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomChadSchimke

http://www.chadschimke.blogspot.com

http://www.chadschimke.com

http://www.heartofsolis.com

REVIEWS

This section contains reviews of each book including the web link.

REVIEW OF PICKER BY EMILY ZIMMERMAN 

"I read "Picker" in one sitting, after I was drawn into a taut, compelling crime story -- first by a sharply detailed, culturally complex and authentic rendering of place (New Mexico) and then by a skillful interweaving of well-articulated characters, parallel main plot and subplots, and events spanning two generations in time. I especially appreciated how the consequences of crime in this story play out in invisible, complex, and delayed ways, wherein cause-and-effect defies conventional expectations."

http://www.amazon.com/Picker-Chad-Schimke/dp/1466214651

REVIEW OF WALKER BY VICKIE MATTHEWS

Unique and Different. Science Fiction combined with Paranormal. It has an interesting way of keeping you wanting to know more doubt each character and the events.

http://www.amazon.com/Walker-Novelette-ebook/dp/B007RTLR2W/ref=la_B0075M1V1I_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1343786181&sr=1-4

REVIEW OF WEIRDER BY KRISTIN CHAPMAN 

It's odd, it's weird, and it gets, you guessed it, even "Weirder." I loved this book; just like the title suggests, it is a bit weird to read, but the story is good, and off at times, but a wonderful addition to my slightly off collection. I would highly recommend it for teen boys - in that weird moment kind of read. Love it. Keep it up! 

http://www.librarything.com/work/12754101/reviews/88299036

REVIEW OF PIECES BY AMOS LASSEN

“Inter-Connected Character Vignettes by Amos Lassen. “Pieces” is completely different than “Picker”. It is a paranormal mystery composed of inter-connected character vignettes and set in San Francisco and takes place from the 1960’s to the 1990’s. The character who stands at the center is Lyman Blackmore, a casino owner who is lucky enough to be quite wealthy. His world is one of eccentric characters and is filled with suspense, crime and the out-of-the-ordinary. This is a read that keeps you guessing as you navigate its twists and turns. The characters themselves are reflections of the diversity of San Francisco. While I am not much of a mystery reader, I had a lot of fun reading this.”

http://www.reviewsbyamoslassen.com/?p=17052

EXCERPT FROM PIECES

This section contains an excerpt from my novel titled Pieces.

A group of twelve men and women dressed in loose black robes; chanted around a makeshift lighted altar, within the middle of the circle.

“Reveal yourself to the sky, our naked bodies close the connection!” Lilith Moonglow led the coven in the incantation circle. “Intermingle each other’s energy with the night and our lord Asmodeus.”

The bizarre group was concealed; framed by a cluster of trees, with a precipitous cliff in the foreground and the Pacific’s frothy waves in the background.

Each member dropped hoods and robes from their shoulders to reveal nude forms. A faint silver light from the new moon shimmered off translucent bodies.

“We are all equal animals before you, the father of all things. I call out your spirit from the deep recesses of the earth!” Lilith Moonglow had a profusion of curly auburn hair that cascaded along her back. She had alabaster skin, lifted ribs along with full hips and breasts. A garland of vines wrapped across her throat and fell down her chest.

“Let no one be present, unless his heart is open.” Lyman Blackmore issued the incantation that he had prepared earlier that day. The spell was arranged under Lilith’s guidance, design and supervision.

Lyman passed a gold leaf paper to Lilith, with an incantation inside a pentagram. The paper went around the coven circle; each member held the spell for a moment then passed it along.

“Asmodeus, the god of luck and gambling…I beseech thee, arise now in our midst!”

The picturesque night view of Land’s End overlooked the Marin Headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge and led out toward the Pacific Ocean.

“This spell is charged with our intent.” Lilith stood between the nude witches on top of a soft sandy spot. She motioned in the air with a silver dagger, tracing an imagined star inside a circle, to form a pentagram.

The witches raised their hands to release the power of the new moon. Lilith placed the paper within a footed pot and lit a fire with a candle.

Whoosh! A spirit rustled leaves with the winds, broke waves, ground rocks below and uttered eerie audible noises that were near the coven.

“Pure and real, the spell is cast! My touch releases the bounds of your immortal soul.” Lilith anointed him (never touching his body) with her hands…from Lyman’s forehead to his toes. When he turned around, she motioned similarly across his back and calves. “Hail and welcome our master! Our touch and naked bodies represent the connection between us, the release of the power of the coven!” Power flowed within the circle! “We assemble in secret!” An ethereal mist flickered with a soft glow. “Ah!” Lilith writhed and caused her long red tresses to undulate on her bare shoulders. “Master, you are here!”

Who asked me? The other worldly male voice came out of Lilith’s body. Human, you will obey me! Her eyes rolled back in her head. Or, face my retribution! Her body contorted in an unnatural posture.

“Dear master,” Lyman said. “Please bring wealth to my gambling house…I assure you of your benefit to the coven!”

Be warned and don’t break your promise! Lyman felt a whooshing surge of energy enter his body. In less than an instant, it was gone. He collapsed, his body crumpled by overwhelming fatigue. Thud! He hit the dirt in the middle of the circle.

Thanks for stopping by, Chad!  It was fun!