Novels:
There's something rotten beneath the small town of Prospero, California. For over a century, the town's history has been rich with tales of monsters, miracles and mysterious disappearances in the surrounding woods. It’s a town where everybody has something to hide, especially those who may not be entirely human.
Sixteen-year-old Mina Todd knows about the otherworldly shapeshifters that secretly run Prospero and has dedicated her life to fighting them. Ben Pastor, in town to attend the funeral of his missing childhood friend, Haley Perkins, has never believed any of the strange stories about what happens in Prospero. When Haley turns up alive and well at her own memorial service, Ben and Mina are forced to work together to uncover what happened to her. Though they may not always understand each other, Ben and Mina’s unlikely friendship may very well be the only thing that can save the town, and possibly the world, from its insidious invaders.
Published by Jolly Fish Press, Splinters will be the first of five books in The Prospero Chronicles series and is now available wherever books are sold!
"A snapping, crackling, popping homage to classic horror that alludes to no optimistic resolution—all the more reason for a series." - Kirkus Reviews
Sixteen-year-old Mina Todd knows about the otherworldly shapeshifters that secretly run Prospero and has dedicated her life to fighting them. Ben Pastor, in town to attend the funeral of his missing childhood friend, Haley Perkins, has never believed any of the strange stories about what happens in Prospero. When Haley turns up alive and well at her own memorial service, Ben and Mina are forced to work together to uncover what happened to her. Though they may not always understand each other, Ben and Mina’s unlikely friendship may very well be the only thing that can save the town, and possibly the world, from its insidious invaders.
Published by Jolly Fish Press, Splinters will be the first of five books in The Prospero Chronicles series and is now available wherever books are sold!
"A snapping, crackling, popping homage to classic horror that alludes to no optimistic resolution—all the more reason for a series." - Kirkus Reviews
When autumn descends on Prospero, California, Ben Pastor hopes that the normality of the new school year may offer a reprieve from the town's recent paranormal horrors. Mina Todd, however, knows all too well that there are no reprieves and no normality in this town, especially after she starts having crippling, unexplained hallucinations of the dead. But even she can't prepare for what the coming year holds. On top of a brewing civil war that threatens all of humanity, inside the walls of Prospero High, Ben, Mina, and their expanding network face a sinister campaign that aims to destroy their friendship, a newly human Haley Perkins struggling to readjust to life, and an assassin of untold power who is picking off human rebels. Ben and Mina's one hope may rest with a mysterious figure hiding in the woods outside of town; a living legend who may know how to stop this dangerous new breed of supernatural foe. That is, assuming the figure doesn't first kill everyone himself.
Eighteen year old Aidan Salt isn't a superhero. With his recently manifested powerful (and unpredictable) telekinetic abilities he could be one if he wanted to, but he doesn't. He's painfully average, unambitious, selfish, and cowardly, and he doesn't want to have to deal with all the paperwork required to be a professional hero.
Still, since the money, fame and women that come with the caped lifestyle appeal, he decides to become the world's newest super-villain: Apex Strike.
However, he soon finds villainy in a world where the heroes defeated all the villains decades ago has problems of its own, in that half the world's heroes seem to want him dead and the other half want to hire him as their own personal villain so they can maintain their relevance. Choosing the latter course, Aidan enters a world of sex, drugs and superpowers that is seemingly everything he ever dreamed of... at least until he sees what truly hides behind the cape and mask lifestyle.
My first solo novel, Almost Infamous, a New Adult, dark comedy sci-fi story, has been picked up by Talos Press for release on April 19, 2016.
Still, since the money, fame and women that come with the caped lifestyle appeal, he decides to become the world's newest super-villain: Apex Strike.
However, he soon finds villainy in a world where the heroes defeated all the villains decades ago has problems of its own, in that half the world's heroes seem to want him dead and the other half want to hire him as their own personal villain so they can maintain their relevance. Choosing the latter course, Aidan enters a world of sex, drugs and superpowers that is seemingly everything he ever dreamed of... at least until he sees what truly hides behind the cape and mask lifestyle.
My first solo novel, Almost Infamous, a New Adult, dark comedy sci-fi story, has been picked up by Talos Press for release on April 19, 2016.
Short Stories:
Patented DNA
Contains Matt's story, "The Repairman."
What happens when you get a defective clone? Why you call in The Repairman of course! Burgundy is perhaps the finest Repairman of defective clones the company has to offer, and though his methods are a little blunt (though not nearly as blunt as the cleaver and meat tenderizer he keeps in his belt), he's the best at what he does. However, when the defective clone of a bored, rich housewife makes him a tempting offer, Burgundy is forced to consider his options.
What happens when you get a defective clone? Why you call in The Repairman of course! Burgundy is perhaps the finest Repairman of defective clones the company has to offer, and though his methods are a little blunt (though not nearly as blunt as the cleaver and meat tenderizer he keeps in his belt), he's the best at what he does. However, when the defective clone of a bored, rich housewife makes him a tempting offer, Burgundy is forced to consider his options.
Haunted: An Anthology of the Supernatural
Contains Matt's story, "Margie's Stain."
There's a bright green stain on Margie's floor, and she's certain that a ghost inhabits it. Her younger brother, Brad, isn't as convinced, especially since Margie hasn't been quite right these past few years after a divorce and a miscarriage. However, while she is determined to prove to him the ghost's presence, neither is prepared for the terrible truth the stain hides.
There's a bright green stain on Margie's floor, and she's certain that a ghost inhabits it. Her younger brother, Brad, isn't as convinced, especially since Margie hasn't been quite right these past few years after a divorce and a miscarriage. However, while she is determined to prove to him the ghost's presence, neither is prepared for the terrible truth the stain hides.
Back to the Middle of Nowhere
Contains Matt's story, "VALEN23."
On an empty, rainy stretch of highway in the middle of Oklahoma, Daniel is cut off by a couple of jerks in a muscle car who nearly knock him off the road. When he sees their car flipped over on the shoulder, he considers passing them by, but being a decent guy he stops to offer help. As always, this turns out to be a mistake.
On an empty, rainy stretch of highway in the middle of Oklahoma, Daniel is cut off by a couple of jerks in a muscle car who nearly knock him off the road. When he sees their car flipped over on the shoulder, he considers passing them by, but being a decent guy he stops to offer help. As always, this turns out to be a mistake.
Don't Tread On Me: Tales of Revenge & Retribution
Contains Matt's story, "Inheritance."
A young man receives a crate of odd trinkets as part of his inheritance after his father's death. Upon finding a small wooden box sealed with wax and the message "DO NOT OPEN" written on top of it, he naturally opens it. Really, finding a quintet of murderous voodoo dolls hidden inside is the best case scenario for something like this.
A young man receives a crate of odd trinkets as part of his inheritance after his father's death. Upon finding a small wooden box sealed with wax and the message "DO NOT OPEN" written on top of it, he naturally opens it. Really, finding a quintet of murderous voodoo dolls hidden inside is the best case scenario for something like this.
Were-What
Contains Matt's story, "The Barracuda Man."
Charlie's never made an honest living, but he's always made a good buck stealing cars. He thinks he's made a great find one night when he sees a crippled man driving a pristine 1971 Plymouth Barracuda, and forces him out of the car at gunpoint. The driver is odd, calmly telling him that he will regret his decision should he go through with stealing his car. Nevertheless, Charlie steals the car, and all too late realizes its strange owner is a werewolf who will do anything to get his prized car back.
Charlie's never made an honest living, but he's always made a good buck stealing cars. He thinks he's made a great find one night when he sees a crippled man driving a pristine 1971 Plymouth Barracuda, and forces him out of the car at gunpoint. The driver is odd, calmly telling him that he will regret his decision should he go through with stealing his car. Nevertheless, Charlie steals the car, and all too late realizes its strange owner is a werewolf who will do anything to get his prized car back.
Daily Flash 2011: 365 Days of Flash Fiction
Contains Matt's stories, "Benny the Bunny" and "The End of the World & The Art of Hanging a Picture Frame."
The favorite toy of a man's dead son blames him for his death.
AND
A recent college grad accidentally opens a black hole when trying to hang his diploma. We've all faced this problem.
The favorite toy of a man's dead son blames him for his death.
AND
A recent college grad accidentally opens a black hole when trying to hang his diploma. We've all faced this problem.
Daily Bites of Flesh 2011: 365 Days of Horrifying Flash Fiction
Contains Matt's stories, "Press 3 For Eat" and "The Sixth Plague."
A man accidentally transforms his cell phone into a flesheating monster by pressing the wrong button on an automated menu.
AND
A burn received from touching a freshly crashed meteor infects a farmer with a parasitic plague that wants his help to spread.
A man accidentally transforms his cell phone into a flesheating monster by pressing the wrong button on an automated menu.
AND
A burn received from touching a freshly crashed meteor infects a farmer with a parasitic plague that wants his help to spread.
