Beat To A Pulp: Round 1 -- A Dream Come True

I popped over to Razored Zen the other day--that’s author Charles Gramlich’s blog—and happened onto a great interview. Editor Elaine Ash was answering questions about Beat To A Pulp Round 1 and boy, was there a celebration going on. Elaine told us how this book was a mere gleam in David Cranmer’s eye just a couple of years ago. I love seeing dreams come true like this. (Okay, stop right here and go read the interview. It's too good to miss!)

David Cranmer is editor/publisher of an e-zine called Beat the Pulp. Check it out HERE and take a look at his submission guidelines if you write pulp fiction. David created BTAP as an outlet for writers of hardboiled fiction at a time when a number of e-zines decided to close up shop. He presents stories that run the gamut of genres and provide readers with a sense of pulpy adventure. From what I understand, some of the stories on BTAP made it into this huge collection.

There was so much excitement over at Razored Zen about this anthology, I had to have my own copy. It arrived today so I haven't read it yet. The book is HUGE! And HEAVY! I promise it could be used as a weapon. Wallop someone up side of the head with it, and you could do some serious damage :)

BEAT To A PULP: Round One is a collection of short stories from twenty-seven of today's top writers and emerging talent. It runs the gamut of genres and sub-genres—noir, crime, hardboiled, ghost, western, fantasy, and sci-fi. And it's getting GREAT reviews. Bill Crider wrote the foreward. I remember Bill from the old days when the Golden Triangle Writers’ Guild held its annual conference. Bill Crider was one of our staples—so to speak. Round One cover art is by James O'Barr of The Crow fame.

So here I am holding this super-heavy book in both hands, and what do you think I do first?
I turned to the back and read the author bios, of course. I LOVE author bios. Interesting lot with great credentials, but some new writers too which makes it extra good. I've only read four of these authors: Robert J. Randisi, Ed Gorman, Bill Crider and Patricia Abbott. I'm looking forward to getting to know some of the others.

If you like bloody knuckles and broken bones, have a passion for the hardboiled story, you definitely need to get your hands on a copy of Beat to a Pulp: Round 1. You can order it HERE

NOTE: A warning to some of my followers: Do I have to tell you there is profanity and violence? This definitely isn't Christian fiction. :)