I have VERY exciting news!
Raw Dog Screaming Press has formally announced that they will be publishing my next novel, Play Dead, in a very special sculpted resin hardcover edition, the second in their “Grim Grimoire Bloodline” of highly collectable horror novel artifacts. (be sure to click that link for an example!) It will also be published in regular hardcover form in mid-2005.
Here’s the full press release from their site…I’ll let it speak for itself:
Press Release
Raw Dog Screaming Press has reached an agreement with award-winning author Michael A. Arnzen to release Play Dead, his first horror novel in a decade. This gritty gambling tale set in Las Vegas is also a carefully constructed “novel-of-cards” with 52 chapters, one for each card in a deck, plus a joker chapter. The fast-paced story involves a group of homeless gamblers who are playing a deadly game of poker…with photographs of their murder victims. Originally conceived as Arnzen’s Master’s thesis at the University of Idaho, Play Dead will be released exclusively in hardcover in the spring of 2005.
RDSP plans to sponsor a series of poker tournaments to promote the book at cities and conferences around the country, including the World Horror Convention and the Horror Writer’s Association Convention.
The Special Edition
In addition to a hardcover run, Play Dead will also be released in a limited special edition as the second title in RDSP’s highly collectable and unusual “Grim Grimoire Bloodline” series. These special editions feature handmade three dimensional covers sculpted from resin by horror prop artisans Z Malice & Co. The first book in the series, Jeffrey Thomas’ novel Everybody Scream!, created a huge stir in the book collecting community when it was announced in June ’04, selling out on pre-order in about 36 hours. The Play Dead special edition will not be numbered or lettered. Instead each book will be matched with a custom-designed playing card signed by the author. The special edition will be limited to two decks, each including a joker, for a total of 106 copies. It will also come with a pack of custom illustrated poker cards and a stand for displaying this very unique book.
From the Back of the Book
Johnny had been to the top. Young and slick, he knew how to play the high roller, dress the part, and make his opponents sweat. He’d ridden into Vegas on a winning streak a mile wide. But Vegas took everything, even his lucky gold tooth.
You’d think he couldn’t fall any lower than a homeless shelter full of the downtrodden. And he couldn’t possibly have anything left to lose. But you’d be wrong.
Johnny soon discovers there’s a game going on at the shelter. A game where before you play the cards you have to make them. A game where the payout is survival and folding means death. A game where the question becomes: are you playing the cards or are they playing you?
Using 52 chapters Arnzen’s novel-of-cards is stacked with mischief and thrills. Like the most accomplished blackjack dealer Arnzen will keep you guessing at his hand. Are you ready to play?