So, again. You all have my sincere thanks for helping me bring Tales of Blood and Roses back!
There's so much going on with getting ToBaR 4 together. It's a bit overwhelming actually. We're getting a a lot of high quality prose submissions. We have some amazing art and poetry already accepted. Even at around 100 pages or so, I'm having challenges with factoring everything in! I really want to share what we have already coming with you now, but we'll get there.
Additionally, we're going to have two separate release parties after publication!
Annapolis MD (September, 2026, date TBD) Charlotte, NC (October, 2026, date TBD)
If you're near us, join us. We are looking to possibly add a third event in Florida. If you were with us in 2011 & 2012, you know how fun and interesting these release parties are.
Barnes & Noble Release Party; Tales of Blood and Roses no. 3, Balt. Md, 2012; Jeffrey L. Shipley (left) NOT Aladdin Sane (right)
The real fun and games are about to start. The BackerKit is nearly over. And as we already mentioned, the survey will be sent out, and the campaign will be finalized by BackerKit. While this is my first crowdfunding project, this is my fourth zine. We put out three back in 2011 and 2012. I'm still choosing content, but I can say this: it's gonna be amazing. I'm pushing for 120 pages, and I still have too many color pieces to fit this issue, so some have spilled over to our next project. I'm still deciding on a name. All I considered has already been taken in some manner. You'll hear more on this later.
Thank you for everything. I'm glad that we're all here in the dark together. I want to thank my Cross-Collab partner https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/dgl-solutions-llc/i-forgot-to-live-a-journey-through-memory-and-meaning?ref=bk-social-project
There's still time to back both projects, as they'll remain open for some days past ours.
I'll be working on a bonus for all my wonderful backers. Thanks to you all, we're back, and it seems like we're just getting started here. (If anyone has any questions, reach out.)
The issue should go out in August. Keep an eye on the website, www.talesofbloodandroses.com
Thank you for making our dark dreams a reality! You were a part of this, whether you backed us or not. We appreciate you being here. A few things are going to happen before we get to production and our August fulfillment.
Our BackerKit Drive is nearly over. And we'll be finalizing that and work towards finalizing contributors and layout. I'm certain there will be more surprises as things continue to their end. Keep a watch on our websites for updates.
There's only a couple days left, if you decide to back us. But hey, it doesn't have to end here. That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange aeons even death may die.
We made our goal.ToBaR no 4 has been fully funded! I'm working out the publication details, but I expect to have the printed zines mailed on August 11. The PDF will be sent out on the same day.
I'm told that with the scope of issue no. 4 we have officially moved out of 'zine' territory and into the province of 'literary journal'. Thanks to all our backers and followers, you're the ones making this possible. Thank you all! There is plenty to look forward to.
Don't forget to take part in our genre poll. We want your input on future projects.
I want to extend a sincere thanks to those of you who have backed both Tales of Blood and Roses: Dangerous Games, issue no. 4, along with our Cross-Collab partner DGL Publishing and their I Forgot To Live - A Journey Through Memory and Meaning campaign. Your support for both campaigns strengthens this creative partnership and helps bring two distinct works to life.
If you've only backed one project so far, this is a perfect moment to consider supporting both. Backers of both campaigns receive exclusive cross-project rewards created specifically to honor this collaboration.
You can explore and support each project here (Only 4 days left):
I want to thank you all again for backing and/or following us. If you were with us back in 2011 & 2012, thanks for joining us again. This is shaping up to be a very interesting issue.
My interview with John Gregory Betancourt has taken place, and it was fascinating. Genre fans should all know who he is. From my introduction:
John Gregory Betancourt is a writer of science fiction, fantasy, and mystery novels as well as short stories. He's been an assistant editor at Amazing Stories and has edited Horror: The Newsmagazine of the Horror Field, Weird Tales, H. P. Lovecraft's Magazine of Horror, Cat Tales, and Adventure Tales magazines. He is the author of four Star Trek novels, a Chronicles of Amber prequel series, and a dozen other original novels. His essays, articles, and reviews have appeared in publications as diverse as Writer's Digest, The Washington Post, and Amazing Stories. He's currently releasing a The Things from Another World trilogy, a sequel series that expands on John W. Campbell, Jr.'s classic story, Who Goes There. If that wasn't enough, he's also the publisher of Wildside Press.
Would-be authors... You won't want to miss his insight culled from 40 years of writing and publishing experience.
And don't forget we have Kevin David Anderson here, too!
Kevin David Anderson's Night of the Living Trekkies vs John Gregory Betancourt's The Thing's From Another World
I think I might keep this interview idea for future issues, as I have leads on a couple of other creators I'd like to sit down with. If anyone has Stephen King's number, please pass it on!
Submissions are open through June 30th. We're getting a lot of good stuff. As per usual, I expect the most serious contributors to get in at the end. If you've been on the fence about submitting, go ahead and send it in. I'll try to send a personal message to every contributor. Check out our guidelines at www.talesofbloodandroses.
I'm also available to discuss ideas and potential contributions. ToBaR covers not only prose and poetry but also art, pictures, cartoons, and some new surprises in issue no. Four's 120 pages!
Don't forget our Cross-Collab: Backing this project and I Forgot To Live – A journey through memory, and meaning will unlock free rewards.
I Forgot To Live – A journey through memory, and meaning
Don't forget to vote in the poll! So far, Weird Fiction is leading. But we still have some time.
We are almost funded, which is great. I know we're going to get there. I'm glad we're here together. Pass me the flashlight. It's gonna get dark in here.
