The Creeping Hemlock Blog

Status Update

2008-05-09T21:11:19Z

Things continue to roll forward, though not as swiftly as planned/hoped for.

Unto Dust I: Jack's Magic Beans: In an effort to bring you the best possible finished product, we've switched printers. All tip-ins have been signed and shipped to the printer, who is awaiting the final files (text and cover). These will be ready within a week. Upon delivery of the final files, turn-around should be 4-5 weeks, barring some delay at the printer.

Jack's Magic Beans: The F.U.K.U. Edition: A massive and unprecedented project. The tip-ins are at the printer, and work on designing this unique work of art will go into overtime as soon as the Unto Dust edition has been fully kicked through the door.

Unto Dust I: Lettered Edition: Tip-ins are at the printer. This fine leather-bound edition will be printed and bound at the same time as Unto Dust I. However, it won't be made available for some time, as production of the wooden tray-cases (with inlaid lettuce head creatures cast in resin) will take some time.

The Shallow End of the Pool by Adam-Troy Castro: the signed tip-ins arrived today. The book will go to press within a week. Pre-order it here. It'll kick your ass.

The Fever Kill by Tom Piccirilli: Our fastest-selling and most well-received release so far. It's received coverage in Mystery Scene Magazine and Fangoria, and continues to sell like spring water in a desert. We're down to 20 signed copies.

That's all for now. We apologize for the delays.

Update

2008-03-27T00:19:17Z

March 26th, 2008

Unto Dust I and Shallow End update:

Spoke to the local printer producing the tip-ins. We approved the proofs (they look fantastic), and will pick up the tip-ins tomorrow.

Also spoke to the folks printing the book itself. That ball is officially rolling.

Our fourth and fifth projects have officially reached the starting gates.

More to come...

Up-to-date Update

2008-03-21T03:07:31Z

Creeping Hemlock Press

Complete Product Status Report

March 20, 2008

Unto Dust I: Jack's Magic Beans by Brian Keene

Over 600 copies SOLD OUT during pre-orders.

Originally slated to begin shipping next week, this title was delayed due to various unavoidable factors and is currently slated to go to press next month. The signature sheets are due from the printer next week. Once he's finished with them, Brian will send them directly to the binder, to help speed things along.

Expected shipping date: Early May 08.

Jack's Magic Beans: The F.U.K.U. Edition.

Over 200 copies SOLD OUT during pre-orders.

A much more design-oriented book than the Unto Dust edition of Beans, this title will go to press roughly one month after the Unto Dust edition. We received many mad scrawlings, scribbles, and photos for the F.U.K.U. edition, and are putting together a truly unique finished product.

Here's a sneak peek at the signature sheet.

Expected shipping date: June 08.

Unto Dust I: Jack's Magic Beans Lettered Edition

We originally didn't plan to produce a Lettered Edition of Jack's Magic Beans, but demand has dictated otherwise. A lot of you have written in, stating that you wanted one, so you're gonna get one. We have very few details ready at present, aside from the fact that this leatherbound edition will come housed in a wooden case featuring an embedded resin sculpture of a leering lettuce head. A two-person operation with a several irons in the fire (and a three-year-old), we don't plan on getting to this project until most of our other publishing obligations have been met.

When the Lettered Edition of Jack's Magic Beans is made available for purchase, it will be on hand and ready to ship.

Expected shipping date: TBA

Unto Dust II: Children of the New Disorder by Tim Lebbon and Lindy Moore

This title's production has not been adversely affected by recent delays, and we're working to get this off to press shortly after the F.U.K.U. edition of Beans sets sail.

Expected shipping date: July 08.

The Shallow End of the Pool by Adam-Troy Castro

Originally slated to ship this week, this title has also suffered a small setback. Signature sheets are due in next week.

The Amazing Criswell predicts that The Shallow End of the Pool will be the "Holy shit, did you read that?" release of 2008. This book will smash your face. And for a mere $12.95, how can you pass up the chance to have your face smashed?

Expected shipping date: April 2008.

Corpse Blossoms Unsigned Edition (with FREE Brian Keene chapbook)

This edition, limited to 500 copies, is close to being sold out. While supplies last, everyone who orders the unsigned edition of Corpse Blossoms directly from us will receive a free chapbook, limited to 75 copies, featuring the first draft of Brian Keene's Jack's Magic Beans.

Available now.

Corpse Blossoms Signed and Lettered Editions

As previously mentioned, several authors are contributing bonus stories to these editions of our first release, the highly-acclaimed and Stoker-nominated Corpse Blossoms. We haven't signed contracts on most of these new stories, so we're not going to announce the updated table of contents at this moment.

Tentative shipping date: October 2008 or sooner.

The Fever Kill by Tom Piccirilli

The first 200 copies of this stunning crime novel feature a full color tip-in signed by Tom Piccirilli. All dealer copies have been shipped, and we have approximately 20 copies left for direct purchase.

Available now.

Frayed by Tom Piccirilli

Signed limited hardcover limited to 450 copies.

Available now.

Frayed Lobster Edition

15 copies SOLD OUT during pre-orders. Rich DeMars is currently hard at work on the hand-made slipcase. We'll be shipping them out as they become available, and we estimate that the entire process should take roughly three months. They'll be shipped out according to the order of reservations -- the first person to reserve the book receives #1, and so on.

The Future?

We'll soon be welcoming TM Wright into the Creeping Hemlock Press family. We've also lined up enough authors to carry the Unto Dust series through five volumes (of a projected ten).

Then there's the thing we can't tell you about yet, so we won't.

Home.

2008-03-15T20:42:23Z

We're back in the swamp and playing a massive game of catch-up. It was great to see my brother-in-law -- he's an awesome guy. He's back in Iraq, and we're counting the days until he gets home.

The tip-ins for UNTO DUST I: JACK'S MAGIC BEANS and THE SHALLOW END OF THE POOL will be back from the printer sometime next week. They'll immediately go into the mail. From the authors they'll go directly to the printer, just to speed things along a bit.

With a few small exceptions to be taken care of this week, the UNTO DUST version of BEANS is ready for press. Ideally, the files will be sent to the binder by April 1st. I don't know what their current workload is, but I'm expecting to begin shipping the books by the end of April -- a month past schedule. Not what we wanted, but not too horrendous.

I apologize for the delay, but hope you understand.

I'm not going to give a firm date for JACK'S MAGIC BEANS: THE F.U.K.U. EDITION just yet. Obviously, it's not going to press with the UNTO DUST version. From a design workload standpoint, it's five times the book the UD edition is. As soon as UD goes to press, we're putting all available resources to the F.U.K.U., and plan to get it to press within six weeks of getting the UD to press.

Feel free to spread the word, F.U.K.U. Army.

Best,
r

Here we are.

2008-03-03T01:09:23Z

We're on the ground, safely resting in lovely Mendocino, California, not far from the location of the rousing climax of The Talisman. The Black Hotel, unfortunately, does not exist.

We saw Diary of the Dead last night in SF at an awesome little three-screen theater. I enjoyed the movie far more than I should have, given its many flaws, and am eager to see it again. Julia declared it the worst film she's ever seen.

update

2008-03-01T17:29:12Z

Heads up: Julia's brother is home from Iraq for two weeks, so we're a few hours away from hopping on a plane and heading over to California to see him. Because of this, we won't be able to fulfill any orders until March 11th.

(Within two hours of landing in San Francisco, we'll be seeing Diary of the Dead. Yes!)

Production update: Because of the above, we're going to be a few weeks behind on getting Jack's Magic Beans and The Shallow End of the Pool to press. Tip-ins will be mailed to both authors somewhere around the 15th, with Shallow End going to press as soon as we get them back from Adam-Troy Castro. Beans will go to press in early April.

See ya.

Update Type Stuff

2007-11-09T07:29:38Z

Pre-orders being taken on two new titles

Unto Dust II: Children of the New Disorder, by Tim Lebbon and Lindy Moore

The Shallow End of the Pool, by Adam-Troy Castro

Children is on track for a June 2008 release, three months after Jack's Magic Beans, though we're working to make it happen sooner.

Shallow will ship sometime around the same time as Keene's Beans, in March 2008.

In Blossoms Terms?

Yes, believe it or not, the Signed and Lettered editions of Corpse Blossoms actually are going to see the light of day. Annoyingly, this project has suffered one delay after another. And while we're not ready to announce a release date, we can tell you that we're working to sweeten the pot for those of you who have patiently awaited the deluxe edition of this awesome anthology:

Several authors have agreed to contribute bonus stories to this collection's already spectacular Table of Contents.

At this point, we can't say much more...

Catch the Fever!

Tom Piccirilli's The Fever Kill goes to press this week. Ever-present delays might keep this one from making its scheduled December 11th release date, though not by more than a week or two. You can pre-order/reserve it directly from us right here, as well as from several online dealers.

That's all. Carry on.

And That's All She Wrote!

2007-10-01T20:29:14Z

We haven't done a precise final count, but the F.U.K.U. Edition received roughly 200 pre-orders.

The print run on the Unto Dust series edition of Jack's Magic Beans is currrently at 450 or so, and that's with several sellers not yet reporting. We expect this one to cross the 500 copy mark!

Thanks, everyone!

F.U.K.U. Day

2007-09-01T17:23:16Z

Unto Dust 1: Jack's Magic Beans– New Brian Keene Novella from Creeping Hemlock Press – March 2008

In the blink of an eye, the world goes mad. Brian Keene, bestselling author of The Rising, Ghoul, and Dead Sea, brings you the shocking chronicle of a common day, a common place, a common psychosis consuming everything in its path. Working against time and terror, the survivors must uncover the truth behind their own immunity. The secret lies in Jack's Magic Beans.

This gripping novella provides a ferocious kickstart to the new series of apocalyptic fiction from Creeping Hemlock Press. Unto Dust: Tales of Apocalypse is an intriguing thematic follow-up to Corpse Blossoms, the critically-acclaimed and Stoker-nominated anthology of thrilling horror that culminated in the end of days. Each installment will be produced according to the particular demand for that work while offering a consistent series edition for collectors. Thus Jack's Magic Beans will be available in three states, all signed: the series edition, the F.U.K.U. edition, and the lettered edition. (We currently have no information to provide on the lettered edition -- stay tuned...)

Unto Dust I: Jack's Magic Beans is the standard series version, the "Unto Dust Edition", and is a token of our commitment to booksellers. This edition will be available at the recommended price of $30
only through retailers such as:

Camelot Books, Bloodletting Press
Dark Delicacies
Dark Hollow
Bad Moon Books
Cemetery Dance
Overlook Connection Press
Realms of Fantasy Books
Yellow Viper Books
Ziesing Books

(If you don't see your favorite bookseller here, let them know to contact us.)

Jack's Magic Beans: The F.U.K.U. Edition will be available exclusively through orders placed directly to Creeping Hemlock Press. While the production values will be identical to the Unto Dust Edition, this $45 edition will include free shipping and the opportunity for buyer involvement.

As with the regular edition, reservations for Jack's Magic Beans: The F.U.K.U. Edition throughout the month of September will determine the print run.

Quite simply: if you don't reserve your copy between now and 12:00 AM, October 1st, 2007, you are screwed. You won't get one until you shell out the big stupid bucks on eBay. And really -- how many of the folks who do get themselves a F.U.K.U. are actually gonna sell it? *

Jack's Magic Beans: The F.U.K.U. Edition is going to kick your ass all over the pocked and cratered surface of your ass. Everyone who gets one will be listed within the pages of the book as one of Those Who Went Nuts -- they'll also have a chance to further personalize the book, by contributing artwork, photography, mad scrawls, and other assorted nuttiness that will be incorporated throughout the body of the book -- in the margins, on the end-sheets. Stuff like that. Those who reserve will get more specific details the first week of October.

Important: do not send us anything right now. In fact, don't even do anything. Now ain't the time. When it is, you'll know.

Here's what we need right now:

Your Name.
Your Address.
Your email address.
How many copies you want.*

Send the above info to keenebeans(AT)hotmail(dot)com

It's automated, so don't send questions. If you have any, post 'em here or email me at admin(AT)creepinghemlock(dot)com.

Love,
RJ Sevin

*You can get as many as you want. We heartily recommend a minimum of three copies each. Two for you. One to put on eBay, as a benefit to those slow-pokes who are gonna be writing me on October 3rd asking if the book is still for sale. Think of them, will you?

Hot off the Press

2007-08-08T07:35:16Z

These just arrived today:

Coming this December. Pre-order info coming soon...

Jumpstart

2007-08-07T21:45:22Z

A few sellers have jumped the gun on the September 1st pre-sale date for Unto Dust 1: Jack's Magic Beans. Because of this, we've authorized everyone to begin taking pre-orders:

Bad Moon Books
Bloodletting Press
Camelot Books
Cemetery Dance
Dark Hollow
Dark Delicacies
Overlook Connection Press
Realms of Fantasy Books
Yellow Viper Books
Ziesing Books

If you see your favorite bookseller on this list, drop them a line and tell them you want one (or two, or three -- we're not limiting you maniacs who need five copies on your shelves). If you don't see your seller of choice listed here, drop them a line and tell them to drop us a line. (admin(AT)creepinghemlock.com, don't you know?)

Pre-sales on Jack's Magic Beans: The F.U.K.U. Edition will open at www.creepinghemlock.com on September 1st.

Two things:

2007-08-06T21:48:09Z

ARCs for our first novel, Tom Piccirilli's The Fever Kill, shipped from the printer today.

The first chapter of Brian Keene's Jack's Magic Beans will be appearing somewhere on the internet Saturday, September 1st...

Go nuts.

2007-07-25T12:20:18Z

Unto Dust 1: Jack's Magic Beans – New Brian Keene Novella from Creeping Hemlock Press – March 2008

In the blink of an eye, the world goes mad. Brian Keene, bestselling author of The Rising, Ghoul, and Dead Sea, brings you the shocking chronicle of a common day, a common place, a common psychosis consuming everything in its path. Working against time and terror, the survivors must uncover the truth behind their own immunity. The secret lies in Jack's Magic Beans.

This gripping novella provides a ferocious kickstart to the new series of apocalyptic fiction from Creeping Hemlock Press. Unto Dust: Tales of Apocalypse is an intriguing thematic follow-up to Corpse Blossoms, the critically-acclaimed and Stoker-nominated anthology of thrilling horror that culminated in the end of days. Each installment will be produced according to the particular demand for that work while offering a consistent series edition for collectors. Thus Jack's Magic Beans will be available in three states, all signed: the series edition, the F.U.K.U. edition, and the lettered edition.

Unto Dust I: Jack's Magic Beans is the standard series version, the "Unto Dust Edition", and is a token of our commitment to booksellers. This edition will be available only through retailers such as Camelot Books, Bloodletting Press, Ziesing Books, Dark Delicacies, Dark Hollow, Bad Moon Books, Cemetery Dance and Yellow Viper Books at the recommended price of $30. (If you don't see your favorite bookseller here, let them know to contact us.)

Jack's Magic Beans: The F.U.K.U. Edition will be available exclusively through orders placed directly to Creeping Hemlock Press. While the production values will be identical to the Unto Dust Edition, this $45 edition will include free shipping and the opportunity for buyer involvement. Following their purchase, each customer may mail in a sketch of what they might draw or write if they suddenly went insane. The most noteworthy selections will be included as illustrations within the book. Every customer who wishes will have their name listed in the body of the book as "The Ones Who Went Nuts".

Preorders throughout the month of September will determine the print runs of both editions.

Details on the deluxe lettered edition are forthcoming.

Quick Update

2007-07-21T06:56:12Z

Barring something unforseen, we'll be announcing full details on Unto Dust I: Jack's Magic Beans this coming Wednesday.

We're running a pretty cool contest over on the Shocklines message board. Check it out. Win free books.

Expect word of The Fever Kill in the very near future, as well as a detailed update on the status of the endlessly/unfortunately delayed Corpse Blossoms signed edition.

That's all for now.

Tease

2007-07-07T04:18:18Z

This is not the final cover artwork for either the F.U.K.U. Special Edition or the regular Limited Edition, merely a teaser and a placeholder for dealers.

Full details coming next week....

Back from the Dead...

2007-07-02T18:15:00Z

And Ready to Party.

We moved back to Louisiana, 100 or so miles away from New Orleans. If the Big Easy takes another hit, we should make out better than we did last time...

Please make a note of our new address:

PO Box 2243
Harvey, LA
70059

Three words:

Jack's Magic Beans.

Brian Keene just turned in this mean little apocalyptic number, and we're aiming to get it out before year's end.

Originally planned to come later in the Unto Dust novella series, Jack's Magic Beans will now come first, launching this serialized anthology with a blood-drenched bang.

(Volume II will be the awesome futuristic nightmare, Children of the New Disorder, by Tim Lebbon and Lindy Moore.)

Keep an eye on this blog over the coming weeks for ordering info. We haven't locked down every last detail, but here's what we know so far: there will be two versions of Jack's Magic Beans:

A limited edition available through such fine establishments as:

Camelot Books
Bloodletting Press
Ziesing Books
Dark Delicacies
Dark Hollow
Bad Moon Books
Cemetery Dance

(If you're a dealer interested in carrying this edition, drop us a line.)

And:

The F.U.K.U. edition, available directly through Creeping Hemlock Press.

Both editions will be affordably priced, and we're working to make sure everyone who wants one gets one. More details to come. Keep an eye on this page...

We haven't decided whether or not we're going to do a lettered edition. Our concern is that three editions may be overkill. What do you think?

Going once! Going twice!

2007-05-29T16:41:55Z

Frayed, #2 of 450 signed/numbered copies, up on the old eBay auction block! No reserve, one cent opening bid!

Falling off the face of the earth...

2007-05-25T09:09:37Z

But only for a little while.

We're moving next week (a 500 mile U-Haul haul back to sunny/sweltering Louisiana), so you'll see little of us online for the next two or so weeks.

The first eight Lobster Editions have been spoken for -- only seven remaining!

Remember: you get a free limited edition FRAYED when you buy the Lobster Edition. If you've already purchased the limited edition from us or from an online dealer and you don't want the extra copy of the s/l, we'll happily subtract your cost (up to $35, of course) from your total.

That's all for now. I may be able to get some pretty cool auctions posted before we leave (#2 from the s/l run of FRAYED, and a one-of-a-kind PC copy of the Lobster Edition!) -- keep an eye on this blog.

Cheers,
r

And they're off!

2007-05-08T00:36:47Z

We spent hours this weekend packing and packing and packing your copies of Frayed. We just got back from the post office. They're on their way! Let us know what you think of this awesome little book!

They're Here. (Actually.)

2007-05-03T18:57:23Z

All 13 boxes. We have lots to ship over the next few days, but please don't feel bad about making us take even more boxes to the post office -- order your copy of Frayed today! Get one copy, get two copies -- get it by itself, get it with the Stoker nominated anthology, Corpse Blossoms for a mere $10 more. Get it!

Theyyyyy'rrre Heeeerrrre!

2007-05-03T14:09:31Z

Almost. Tracking tells me they went out for delivery at 4:30 this morning, so they'll be getting here soon. Tracking also tells me there are only 2 boxes in the shipment -- a 13 pound one and a 5 pound one. I have a feeling that's a goof up in the tracking system. I'm not expecting two boxes... more like ten. If in fact two boxes are all that come, well... see title of previous entry.

More to come...

Hulk Smash.

2007-04-27T13:09:50Z

Being a publisher can be a frustrating endevor.

The pix I posted not too long ago were of the two approval/sample copies the printer sent along after completing the entire run. We expected to have the rest of the books by now. We don't.

They're not scheduled to be released until the 30th -- three days. From there it's 3 to 4 business days. We should get them a week from today.

To everyone who has pre-ordered Frayed (and it's a lot of you -- we're on course to sell out within the first three months!): your patience is appreciated. You'll have your books real soon.

Pic's Pix

2007-04-12T05:27:22Z

Here it is, a tanglible thing:

Here's the signed/numbered edition, sans dustjacket:

Note: it looks like leather in this pic -- it's not. It's embossed paper. Smells nice. Not as nice as leather smells, but at least no cows were harmed in the production of this book. Not that I know of, anyhow.

Spine shot:

The book to the left is the aptly named "Lobster Edition." When you read the book, this little guy will make sense:

Both editions, side by side:

Details:

Signed/numbered edition limited to 450 copies. $35. For $45, you can get it with Corpse Blossoms.

Lobster Edition: Limited to 15 signed and numbered copies. $150. (Limit one per customer)

Each copy of this ultra rare edition will come in a handmade slipcase created by Rich DeMars and featuring an inlaid original oil painting by interior illustrator/publisher R.J. Sevin.

It's going to take us a few months to complete this project. As a result, we'll be sending out copies of the Lobster Edition as they are finished. Everyone who orders a copy of the Lobster Edition of Frayed will receive a free copy of the signed/numbered edition.

If you'd like a copy, drop us a line and we'll put you down for one.

#1 is spoken for. The next person to write in will get #2, and so on.

And that's all for now.

Cemetery Dance Coupon Code

2007-04-06T21:53:40Z

Those who purchased the Cemetery Dance coupon book can order Frayed right here. Be sure to put the code in the Notes form during checkout. Thankee, sai.

Done.

2007-04-06T08:03:44Z

Frayed is done. Our second release now exists in a warehouse somewhere in Michigan.

High five!

They've overnighted two copies to us -- we'll get them today. Pix will be posted. The rest will be lumbering along behind them, via freight shipping.

In other news, Brian Keene sent us the first section of the novella he's writing for the Unto Dust series. According to Brian, it features his best opening sentence ever. I agree. I think you will too.