I'll start this newsletter off with an article about burning books.
This is not a political article. My point to be made here is that no one should ban or burn books. I don't care who wrote them. Hitler and the Nazis started burning books in 1933. Hitler ordered leaders of the regime to confiscate and destroy any literature deemed subversive to the National Socialist agenda. Quite a public display was made of it. It was pure idiocy then, and it remains so today as well.
In an interesting aftermath to the Nazi book burnings, in 1946, the process was reversed by the Allied leaders. Millions of books were seized from Germany and destroyed. Even artwork did not escape the Allied ban and thousands upon thousands of paintings were also seized or destroyed.
Crazy shit, huh?
Germany banned Mein Kampf, Hitler's notorious anti-Semitic tome in which he set out his ideology. For seventy years, it had been illegal to publish this book in Germany. Copyright law has expired now, so decisions of how to publish the book were being discussed for a number of years. A new edition with critical commentary, the product of several years' work by a publicly funded institute, hit the shelves.
My thinking about this? Print the original version as well. If this is not done, the government there is telling the German populace that they don't have the common sense to figure this out on their own. This book delves into the mind of a mad man. I feel it's important for people to learn from the past so they don't repeat the same mistakes over and over again.
The Communist Manifesto is certainly published and sold around the world. I certainly don't believe in this theory. I fought against the Commies in 'Nam, but, again, people need to learn about it.
Another thing we're subjected to in our country are the concepts behind Manifest Destiny. There are many books about this. While I completely disagree with the theory, I don't believe the books should be banned. By not banning them, a case can be brought up that we, as a nation, were not the kind folk who simply wished to take the original inhabitants of this land under their wing and show them a more uplifting way to live. Instead, we, raped, pillaged, and plundered them. Ring a bell? Sort of like what the Europeans claimed the Vikings were doing to them.
There are many different theories about the Civil War, slavery, and more. Neither was completely guiltless. Read some books and find out.
Some of the top news jocks are writing, actually co-authoring, books which show them for the mindless buffoons they are. No names mentioned, and they are on both sides of the political fence. These make pretty amusing reads actually. They are that far off the track.
We learn from the past. It is included in many books. Right or wrong, we learn from them. We need to keep our minds sharp and focused. A lot of shit is happening in the world, and, regrettably, it has happened before. Same stuff; different people; different years.
Read. Learn. Interpret. All books have a place on your shelf. I am re-reading Mein Kampf for the fifth time. The original version. There are more Hitlers waiting in the wings. I want to be able to see them for who they are. Knowledge is power. Power resides in books.
Blaze McRob
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I mentioned in a previous newsletter that I left X (Twitter). My decision. Since I departed, it appears that many more of my friends and associates have left Twitter for Bluesky. I have no short-term plans for doing so. I have too much work to do before I can even think about getting started with another new social media source to play around with. That might change next year at the earliest. I'll keep you posted.
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Terri DelCampo, my wife, was listening to a YouTube discussion about holding onto your abstract thoughts and sketches made from them since you first started keeping things in a sketchbook. I was listening in and found it to be an enlightening discussion. The artist said that no matter how far out in left field they might seem to be, that these pieces are a part of you and a part of your work. Another point he made was to never show your uncompleted art to anyone. That way, you wouldn't be swayed by the thoughts of others. they belong to you alone.
I believe this most certainly applies to writing, as well as the visual arts. Hell, I include some stuff from my quite vivid dreams into my writing. Why not? They're mine.
Just thought I'd toss this in here to explain how your first raw sketch or first draft has the potential to go farther than you thought possible.
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Dina Rae is my Woman In Horror this week. Go to the link below to read the post I put up a couple years ago about her great books. You'll be glad you did.
www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/4527027449764294729/3033757992498496580
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A new book to read by JD Phillips. Fade
A Promise To Keep. A Road Trip From Hell.
Eli hits the road to start a new life where he’ll be free to pursue his dreams.
Simple, right?
Provided he survives the trip.
Everything JD Phillips writes is great in my opinion! Don't miss out. Get your copy now!
Blaze
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Cindy Keen Reynders has a fascinating mystery book you need to read. Huckleberry Homicide has it all!
When life gets crazy for Fran Lightfoot, she moves home to the small town of Moose Creek, Wyoming, teenage daughter in tow. It sounds good: Hometown. Family. A fresh future.
Fran and her sister Lucy open a small business, The Saucy Lucy Café, in an old Victorian home they have inherited. The soups, stews, breads, and muffins they serve offer townspeople hearty, home-cooked meals.
While rebuilding her life, Fran begins dating Henry Whitehead. However, after their first outing, she finds him stabbed to death. The incident upsets everyone in Moose Creek, especially when people realize a murderer now walks the streets.
Detective Gabe Stevenson is called in from a larger, neighboring city to assist Moose Creek's Sheriff Otis Parnell with the investigation. Fran and Lucy develop theories about who the culprit may be, however, Gabe and Otis urge the sisters not to get involved.
At first, the police suspect Fran of Henry's murder, although she insists that she had nothing to do with it. When someone begins to threaten Fran's life, she and Lucy are determined to help law enforcement bring the murderer to justice.
Even if it means putting themselves in harm's way.
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Book review for Adventures In Horrorland - A Collection Of Short Stories - written by Suzie Lockhart and Bruce Lockhart 2nd.
I have a book review I did a while back for Adventures In Horrorland, by Suzie Lockhart and Bruce Lockhart 2nd. As you can see, I certainly love this collection of super horror tales.
Book description:
Beware once you cross this threshold, there’s no going back. Experience 20 different tales of dread and despair that will have your heart pounding, and your mind drifting through gateways of things not of this world.
Relinquish your understanding of fear at the door, for the things that sprout forth from the minds of Suzie & Bruce Lockhart 2nd are far beyond the normal ideas of terror you’ve become accustomed to.
Horrorland will take you on a rollercoaster ride of insanity, from the undead, to the great deceiver himself!
Around every corner, in every crack and crevice, you will encounter terror. You can’t find sanctuary even in your own home…
So why run?
Would you strike a deal with death, hunt the things of shadow and substance, or seek revenge over justice?
Come now, just one more step, to face your fears behind that looming, wrought iron gate. This is going to be one helluva of a show, and, in truth, now that you’re here… I really can’t let you go.
5.0 out of 5 starsPerfect Title For A Perfect Horror Anthology!
By Robert C. Nelson on October 5, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Adventures In Horrorland, by Suzie Lockhart and Bruce Lockhart 2nd was aptly published last year on Halloween. Read it again this year. The stories will blow you away!
My favorite story is The Monster In Me, penned by both Suzie and Bruce. I am amazed at the fact a duo of authors was able to write this. Great job on both their parts. I can't tell who wrote what. All I can say is that this is horror at its best.
Be Careful What You Wish For, by Suzie, is another great tale, one that has a super ending. Gotta love that!
Shadow Rain, by Bruce, is so great it's hard to describe. It is part horror, part fantasy, and a lot about love. In short, it is a literary gem.
These three stories are my favorites, but they are all great. To show you how much I love this book, I have an autographed paperback version signed by both Suzie and Bruce, and I also bought the Kindle ebook. I don't wish to be one of those people who reviews without buying a book. It's not my style.
I want to see more from these great authors!
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LINDA'S HUMMINGBIRD - ART BY TERRI DELCAMPO
You'll find a lot of great art there.
Blaze McRob
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From Terri:
Linda's Hummingbird. My best friend Linda's favorite bird.
While creating book covers and illustrations for writing projects, I began branching out into abstract art drawings and paintings. With environmental causes close to my heart, I create the abstract drawings on recycled cardboard (i.e., cereal, pasta, cracker boxes and packaging), and call it my 'Trash to Art' collection. I'm offering art inspired by my novels, poetry, articles, and Owl's Eye View dark fiction magazine, including character sketches, illustrations, and book cover art. I've done artwork for Blaze McRob's 'Paranormal Posse' stories on Patreon, and hope to include some of those here as well. There's also an illustrated memoir project looming in my near future, and the art will no doubt migrate to this venue. I got comfortable with colored pencil but am beginning to dabble in watercolor and acrylic. I love the wildlife in my yard and it's flowing into my art. I will upload work here at least weekly, so please follow me and check for new releases here on fineartamerica.com often.
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That's it for this week. I hope you found some interesting tid-bits in this issue.
Blaze
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