web home of dark fiction writer A.J. Church

What's This All About

This is the personal site of dark fiction writer A.J. Church.

Here you'll find news and notes on my current projects, as well as any excerpts, snippets, and short stories I deem fit for human consumption, though I suppose that last part is a matter of opinion.

Please feel free to contact me about anything you see here. Like it, hate it ... I'll listen.

In the meantime, let the words flow.

Bloggonit

I admit I'm guilty of ignoring this site. I've been so busy with other things -- my design business and now a full-time day job, and well, there are only so many hours in a day.

As some of you might know, I took down my blog, Ruminations, back in April when some [expletive deleted] graciously decided to hack it. I apologize for any broken links this might cause navigators on the cyber sea. Someday maybe I'll recreate it, though to be honest, it's not high on my priority list right now.

In the meantime, I'll stop by here periodically to provide updates and/or news.

Being John Bland

My twisted dark comedy, Being John Bland, the mutant offspring of a marriage of Dexter, Office Space, and Dead Like Me, will soon be available on Amazon.

I apologize in advance to any readers from Down Under who may take offense at Johnny Boy's disparagement of your country. However, in all fairness, John is an equal-opportunity offender. He just doesn't like anyone.

The character of Hack Bender was actually inspired by an Aussie friend of mine who was determined to slap his picture next to the definition of stereotype in the dictionary. Needless to say, what writer can resist a walking, talking character sketch?

News on other WIPs

My latest WIP, Lucid, an urban fantasy about Laek, a half-demon living in the fictional city of Lower Erebus, is completely outlined and the first draft about three-quarters written.

Draft 02 of Red Awakening, 2008's NaNoWriMo project about a kickass female nephilim, is still in the hopper.

Return of the Light, Volume 1 of the Ru Lexicon, is still awaiting a final spit polish.

The True Soul, the story of a small band of Native American shapeshifters, has been gathering dust in a drawer for ten years awaiting final edits. Could this be its lucky year?

Publication

This note is for all of my fellow writers out there. I appreciate how long and hard you toil to perfect your craft, enduring countless rejections and miscues on your way to Publishing Nirvana.

However, I've come to realize that, while writing has always been my first love, it's the process itself, rather than the reward, that keeps me coming back for more abuse. I like to tell stories, and hopefully, let someone else read them, which is why I've decided to forego the agent-editor-publisher merry-go-round and publish them myself.

I know, I know, as "serious" writers, we're supposed to disparage people like me. "You're not a true writer," "You don't have what it takes."

You could be right. Everyone has their own goals and priorities, and mine is not acclaim, glory, fortune, or fame. I just like to write when the Muse graces me with her gift.