The Grimscribe's Puppets reviewed

[Freyasfire]

Quote Originally Posted by Joe Pulver

There were people who were invited that could not, or did not, submit for various reasons. Readers should understand writers have lives and there are times when life (and its requirements and issues) gets in the way. There are also times when their schedules are overcrowded and they are unable to fit something in.

I totally understand this Joe. That's why I said "for whatever reasons". I wasn't assuming that you were excluding anybody intentionally! I was just stating my wishlist. Because a girl can always dream, can't she? ;)

[Joe Pulver]

Quote Originally Posted by Freyasfire

Quote Originally Posted by Joe Pulver There were people who were invited that could not, or did not, submit for various reasons. Readers should understand writers have lives and there are times when life (and its requirements and issues) gets in the way. There are also times when their schedules are overcrowded and they are unable to fit something in. I totally understand this Joe. That's why I said "for whatever reasons". I wasn't assuming that you were excluding anybody intentionally! I was just stating my wishlist. Because a girl can always dream, can't she? ;)

Yes you can. That's where this book began, w/ my wishlist

[dr. locrian]

From a terrific review by Dejan Ognjanovic of The Grimscribe's Puppets, just about to hit the streets in a new issue of RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE:

"Joseph S. Pulver, Sr. has done it again! After A Season in Carcosa, last year's excellent anthology inspired by Robert W. Chambers's horror stories, he's back with another tribute: this time to a contemporary cult figure, Thomas Ligotti."

...

"The best story in the book could be easily mistaken for Ligotti's own: '20 Simple Steps to Ventriloquism' by Jon Padgett, CEO of the Thomas Ligotti Online website. It offers a perfect mixture of bleak worldview (we are all nothing, just empty puppets), global vision and pitch black humor: it is witty, absurd and grotesque, yet profoundly chilling in its implications."

...

To read the rest, you'll need to buy the magazine! And RUE MORGUE is really superb, so it should be a pleasure. Take a look at this cover art:

[bendk]

You really did knock your story out of the park, Jon. "Greater Ventriloquism" is perfect Ligottian phrase that not only echoes his language, but hints at a kind of fatalism implied in his work. And it was hilarious too! Again, much like some of TL's stuff. Quite impressed, I must say. I haven't picked up a copy of RUE MORGUE in a while. This seems the perfect opportunity to reacquaint myself with that fine mag.

[dr. locrian]

Quote Originally Posted by bendk

You really did knock your story out of the park, Jon. "Greater Ventriloquism" is perfect Ligottian phrase that not only echoes his language, but hints at a kind of fatalism implied in his work. And it was hilarious too! Again, much like some of TL's stuff. Quite impressed, I must say. I haven't picked up a copy of RUE MORGUE in a while. This seems the perfect opportunity to reacquaint myself with that fine mag.

Thanks, bendk. When I first started reading Ligotti's work over 20 years ago now, I remember thinking, "If I could write fiction, this is exactly what I would want to write. I understand it and KNOW it. Deeply." So, yeah. This review thrilled me, though not as much as getting published alongside such talented writers in a tribute anthology dedicated to my favorite fiction writer of all time.

Oh, and of course, I have to point out that I'm by no means CEO of Thomas Ligotti Online. That would be Brian. I'm more like CEO Emeritus at best. The operation was smalltime until Dr. Bantham worked his magic.

[matt cardin]

Or maybe Dr. B is just your puppet, Jon? Or vice versa? All sorts of dark metaphysical possibilities suddenly suggest themselves to me in light of your fine story about the greater ventriloquism.

Speaking of which, congrats on an awesome review. Rue Morgue has some serious visiblity and cachet.

[Freyasfire]

I just noticed over on Amazon that this is also available in hardcover. I had no idea this was being released in this format. I don't think it was available when I first ordered the paperback version, but I might have just overlooked it somehow, knowing my scatterbrainedness. I just might have to order myself a second copy!

The Grimscribes Puppets: John Langan, Gemma Files, Joe Pulver: 9781937408084: Amazon.com: Books

 

The Grimscribes Puppets: John Langan, Gemma Files, Joe Pulver: 9781937408084: Amazon.com: Books

and for us Canadians:

The Grimscribes Puppets: John Langan, Gemma Files, Joe Pulver: 9781937408084: Books - Amazon.ca

 

The Grimscribes Puppets: John Langan, Gemma Files, Joe Pulver: 9781937408084: Books - Amazon.ca

[mgriffin]

Freyasfire, the book was originally released in paperback, with plans for a later ebook version. The publisher, Miskatonic River Books, decided later to create a hardcover version as a third option.

[dr. locrian]

Quote Originally Posted by Freyasfire

I just noticed over on Amazon that this is also available in hardcover. I had no idea this was being released in this format. I don't think it was available when I first ordered the paperback version, but I might have just overlooked it somehow, knowing my scatterbrainedness. I just might have to order myself a second copy! The Grimscribes Puppets: John Langan, Gemma Files, Joe Pulver: 9781937408084: Amazon.com: Books and for us Canadians: The Grimscribes Puppets: John Langan, Gemma Files, Joe Pulver: 9781937408084: Books - Amazon.ca

Thanks much. Just ordered a HB copy!

[Joe Pulver]

THE GRIMSCRIBE'S PUPPETS is on The 2013 Bram Stoker Awards® Preliminary Ballot.