Smart Rhino Publications is an independent publisher that focuses on horror and suspense/thriller fi
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Smart Rhino Publications is a young publishing firm based in Delaware, with a current leaning toward (but not limited to) horror and suspense fiction. Our goal is to provide a venue for new as well as veteran writers, with the ultimate goal of entertaining and informing our readers.
I enjoyed chatting with all the writers at the Author Showcase yesterday at the Appoquinimink Library and loved checking out their books. Quite a diversity, in literature and talents, was represented. I thought it was a wonderful networking event and I met a few authors I'd not met before.
Today's the day! Join me and 20 other writers at the Appoquinimink Library, 1:00-4:00, for a fun time chatting with some of the best authors in the area. Check out their books, representing a broad spectrum of genres and nonfiction. You're sure to find something wonderful to read!
I'm working on my book display for this coming Saturday's Author Showcase at the Appoquinimink Library (Middletown, DE), 1:00-4:00. I'll be there with 20 other authors and their books. I'm sure you'd find something you'd love to read. Hope to see you there!
My presentation on writing short stories went very well at the Appoquinimink Library this past Saturday--every seat was filled. I love it when participants have questions and contribute to the conversation.
Next up at the library is the Author Showcase on the 27th and my presentation on creating complex villains on August 17.
Well, I'm fully prepared for my workshop tomorrow afternoon at the Appoquinimink Library on the topic of writing short stories. I now have to prepare for my workshop next month on creating complex villains, also at Appoquinimink.
Oh, and don't forget the Author Showcase at the library on July 27. I'll be there with 20+ other local writers of diverse genres and nonfiction. Hope you can come!
On July 13 at the Appoquinimink Community Library in Middletown, DE, I'll present a workshop on writing short stories. If you're looking for advice about creating short fiction, this workshop is for you!
During this workshop, publisher/writer Weldon Burge will provide an overview of the writing process for short stories. He'll discuss topics like finding ideas, selecting titles,...
I have writing events every month for the rest of the year, and Cindy has upcoming craft fairs on the calendar as well. I think we're busier now than we were before retirement! I just updated the "Events" page on my website.
https://www.weldonburge.com/events.htm
I was interviewed by Debbi Mack last week for the Crime Cafe podcast. I had great fun talking about my books Toxic Candy and Harvester of Sorrow, Smart Rhino Publications, and a lot about the writing/publishing biz! Hope you enjoy it!
On Season Ten, Episode One of the Crime Cafe podcast, Debbi Mack interviews crime writer Weldon Burge. Join the Crime Cafe Community on Patreon: https://www....
Crime Cafe just posted my guest blog, "Zeroing in on Story Ideas" The Prompts Are Everywhere!" I'll also be giving away a signed copy of my short story collection, Toxic Candy, to a lucky winner who responds to the blog.
https://www.debbimack.com/blog/crime-cafe/guest-post-and-book-giveaway-from-weldon-burge/
Debbi Mack, who hosts Crime Cafe, will interview me for her podcast, which will be posted next week. I'll provide the link when the interview is posted. Should be fun!
A guest post and book giveaway from Weldon Burge. You could win a signed copy of TOXIC CANDY when you enter by emailing the author!
I'm looking forward to this event!
Join in the fun for this author day, where published authors will speak about, sell, and sign their work. Aspiring authors, local writers, and book lovers alike are all invited!
Registration encouraged, drop-ins welcome!
https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/12516414
Just for fun, I'll share some first lines from a story included in TOXIC CANDY, "A Day at the Beach with the GramthrottleMax Family." It's a special treat for Delawareans, originally published in the Beach Pulp anthology from Cat & Mouse Press.
"BernluluGruk GramthrottleMax knew Rehoboth wasn't a n**e beach. But he also knew that humans wouldn't know if he was naked or not. They had no clue concerning his genitalia--not knowing that his 'junk,' as the humans say, was safely tucked in the folds of his upper abdomen."
I loved writing this story about sunbathing sea monsters!
https://www.amazon.com/TOXIC-CANDY-Suspense-Fantasy-Horror/dp/B0D2KW4113/
When revisiting and revising a novel-in-progress, this is a common occurrence. Continuity and redundancy are not friends.
Wow! Smart Rhino Publications was mentioned in an article just published in Newsweek.
Here are a few ways anthologies have advantages over the traditional magazine format.
The Kindle edition of Broken: Stories of Damaged Psyches is currently free for download. Grab it while you can.
Broken: Stories of Damaged Psyches
There's still time to register for this Sunday's presentation. Want to know how book covers are created (and the ways they shouldn't be)? If so, you don't want to miss this discussion! The presentation is free and open to the public.
https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/11730464
I'll discuss the creation of this cover--from original art to design drafts to finished cover--as well as other Smart Rhino books, during the presentation I'll share with Will Hahn on May 19, 2:00-4:00, at the Kirkwood Public Library (DE). If time allows, I'll also create a cover "on the fly" with the help of the attendees. It'll be fun!
https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/11730464
Here's the latest review for Toxic Candy, by fellow author Phil Giunta. Thanks, Phil!
Blog, Book Reviews Book Review: Toxic Candy by Weldon Burge May 12, 2024 [email protected] Leave a comment Mix together a heaping cup of crime drama, a pinch of paranormal, a motley assortment of monsters, and a dash of creepy comedy and you get Toxic Candy, a thoroughly enjoyable and diverse colle...
Nothing like opening that box of the first copies of your new paperback!
https://www.amazon.com/TOXIC-CANDY-Suspense-Fantasy-Horror/dp/B0D2KW4113/
My short story collection, Toxic Candy, was highlighted on the It's Write Now website!
A Vietnam vet haunted by the death of a young Vietnamese girl. A bizarre, ancient man who sits unmoving on his front porch, staring into the distance,
The Appoquinimink Community Library (DE) just scheduled a workshop I'll present on writing short fiction! If interested, you can now register for the event.
https://delawarelibraries.libcal.com/event/12147310
The recent issue of Poets & Writers includes the article "Managing Submissions in the Age of AI." Like many publishers these days, SF magazine Clarkesworld bans all AI submissions and actually considers them spam because of the deluge. They receive thousands of submissions and it's increasingly more difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. Clarkesworld even debated on charging a reading fee to deter submissions, but decided against that because it would be unfair to legitimate writers.
As a publisher of anthologies, this has now become my concern as well, largely because of the increased danger of plagiarism. I've received hundreds of story submissions over the years. If I now have to filter each story to determine if it is AI-written, I'm wondering if it's even worth the effort. This might curtail future releases of anthologies by Smart Rhino Publications. I hope not.
The Kindle edition of my thriller, Harvester of Sorrow, is currently on sale for 99 cents. Follow Ezekiel Marrs and his fellow police detectives as they track down two vicious killers involved in child kidnapping, drugs, and vodoun.
HARVESTER OF SORROW: AN EZEKIEL MARRS THRILLER
The Kindle edition of my recently released short story collection, Toxic Candy, is currently available for free download. It's a quick and fun read. If you grab a copy and enjoy the book, please do me the favor of posting a review on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/TOXIC-CANDY-Suspense.../dp/B0D1ZTZSQ8
“It might be Toxic Candy, but it’s one helluva treat! In this story collection, Weldon Burge serves up a smorgasbord of lost souls, shapeshifters, killer deer, hitmen, and sea monsters, sauteed in thrills and a big dollop of humor. This is a killer collection, in more ways than one. C’mon, treat yourself!”
— L.L. Soares, Award-Winning Author of Teach Them How to Bleed
TOXIC CANDY: Tales of Suspense, Fantasy, & Horror
Aside from other author events, I currently have six workshops hosted by local libraries. Hope you can attend one (or preferably more).
May 19 -- Judge By the Cover: How Books Don't Sell Themselves (with Will Hahn) -- Kirkwood Library, 2:00-4:00
July 13 -- The Whys and Hows of Writing Amazing Short Fiction -- Appoquinimink Library, 1:00-3:00
August 17 -- Creating Complex Villains Who Readers Love to Hate -- Appoquinimink Library, 1:00-3:00
October 12 -- How to Submit (and Sell) Your Best Stories to Anthologies -- Bear Library, 2:00-4:00
October 27 -- Sharing the Scares at Halloween: Writing Spine-Chilling Horror -- Kirkwood Library, 2:00-4:00
December 29 -- J. Gregory Smith and Weldon Burge in Conversation About Writing Crime -- Kirkwood Library, 2:00-4:00
I hope to line up a few other events before the end of the year. We'll see ...
My short story collection, Toxic Candy, just became available in paperback on Amazon, and it already has a wonderful review on The Horror Review! Thanks, Carson Buckingham!
TOXIC CANDY Weldon Burge Smart Rhino Publications (May 1, 2024) Reviewed by Carson Buckingham This author’s work is always worth anyone’s time, and Toxic Candy is no exception. It’s a highly divers…
The self-publishing panel discussion today at the Kirkwood Library went extremely well. Nine panelists and a full audience meant for a great, informative time!
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If you're looking to place your short story in an anthology (or any short fiction publication), consider these four tips. Also check out my short how-to book for more in-depth advice. https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Story-Straight-Submitting-Anthologies-ebook/dp/B08942BP2K/
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