Ian S. McCain's Blog
November 19, 2013
Bitten by Books Interview
Join us on 11/21 with author Ian McCain for an interview, chat and contest. This event post goes up at 12:00pm Central and runs into the evening. For those visiting from outside of the US, here is the time conversion link. We are in the Chicago time zone: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
He will be talking about his book Product.
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=66219
He will be talking about his book Product.
http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=66219
October 24, 2013
"Annie" - My first Attempt at 250 Word Flash Fiction
Annie
by Ian McCain
It starts like a whisper in the darkness. A sharp, painful gnawing of intentions born not from words but from an uncontrollable need; a hunger rouses her from the void.
Eat it!
So she does; big heaping messy handfuls of it.
Eat it ALL!
Her resolve strengthens with each ravenous gulp. The bitter-sweet copper tang of blood and meat fueling the voice.
Dig! There is more to eat!
Her small hands fumble in front of her as she scoops out large wet mouthfuls. The crying behind the door confuses her.
“Annie, No!”
It sounds familiar, and delicious. Loud panic filled shouts mixed with sobs.
Now eat that!
Her eyes lift up and pass over the yummy corpse of a woman with a familiar face.
She tries to stand, but her foot is missing. As she tumbles to the ground she sees a grey skinned man with an axe stuck in his shoulder chewing on the contents of a pink ballet slipper. One just like it is on her other foot.
Eat!
She pulls closer to the door, and scratches at it. She tries to ask for food, but rather than words what spills from her mouth is warm goo and a deep uncontrollable hiss.
She can smell the meal on the other side.
Eat it!
The door opens briefly, revealing; a girl and an older man. The man speaks through his sobs.
“Daddy loves you, Annie!”
A bright light is followed by a loud bang. Then blackness.
Silence.
by Ian McCain
It starts like a whisper in the darkness. A sharp, painful gnawing of intentions born not from words but from an uncontrollable need; a hunger rouses her from the void.
Eat it!
So she does; big heaping messy handfuls of it.
Eat it ALL!
Her resolve strengthens with each ravenous gulp. The bitter-sweet copper tang of blood and meat fueling the voice.
Dig! There is more to eat!
Her small hands fumble in front of her as she scoops out large wet mouthfuls. The crying behind the door confuses her.
“Annie, No!”
It sounds familiar, and delicious. Loud panic filled shouts mixed with sobs.
Now eat that!
Her eyes lift up and pass over the yummy corpse of a woman with a familiar face.
She tries to stand, but her foot is missing. As she tumbles to the ground she sees a grey skinned man with an axe stuck in his shoulder chewing on the contents of a pink ballet slipper. One just like it is on her other foot.
Eat!
She pulls closer to the door, and scratches at it. She tries to ask for food, but rather than words what spills from her mouth is warm goo and a deep uncontrollable hiss.
She can smell the meal on the other side.
Eat it!
The door opens briefly, revealing; a girl and an older man. The man speaks through his sobs.
“Daddy loves you, Annie!”
A bright light is followed by a loud bang. Then blackness.
Silence.
September 30, 2013
5 Star Review from Bitten By Books
Just got a 5 star (gravestone) review from Bitten By Books. Go check it out: http://bittenbybooks.com/65130/produc...
September 4, 2013
Product is #68 in the Kindle Horror Category and only $0.99 until Saturday
Product is currently ranked in the Top 100 for the following categories:
#68 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror
#76 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror
Go get your copy today and help me reach #1 http://amzn.to/12M3xnK
(Pretty Please)
#68 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror
#76 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Horror
Go get your copy today and help me reach #1 http://amzn.to/12M3xnK
(Pretty Please)
August 28, 2013
Portland Book Review Just Gave Product 5 Stars
Here is the text from the review.
5 Stars!
Ernie was just another homeless boozer spiraling toward self-destruction on New York City’s deadly streets until the night he contracted a mysterious virus. It spread through his sickly body increasing his strength, speed and resilience, making him nearly immortal. However, such power come with a price. He must work for the rest of his life under Gideon and his shadowy Organization distributing a certain product throughout the city. This product is the only thing that can quench the thirst that threatens to drive individuals like Ernie into an inescapable murderous Rage. This product is human blood.
Product is a very well crafted work that infuses creative elements into a horror subgenre that has been so exhausted and exploited over the past few years. The vampires populating the world of Product do not sparkle in sunlight. Rather, they organize themselves into a complex underground network socially stratified by the different methods in which blood addiction can be indulged. The dynamics between those that drink and those that inject human blood are well developed as is the overall setting of the story. The details used to describe New York City makes the city come alive almost like it is a character in and of itself.
Ernie is an intensely likable protagonist. He is smart-alecky and sarcastic, but also quite caring. The genuine regret he feels about the choices he has made throughout his life is absolutely heartbreaking. Similarly, Gideon is a darkly compelling anti-hero. His central role in creating a farm to harvest human blood from captured criminals can be seen as dastardly, yet not outright detestable. Readers will surely empathize with the conflict this character feels pursuing the greatest good for his accursed kind, especially once introduced to an even more insidious threat by the novel’s end.
The ending, however, is really the novel’s only mentionable misstep. While somewhat satisfying, some readers may feel like it goes too far in setting up the inevitable sequel. Still, Product is a quick and excitingly entertaining read. It will most definitely captivate any horror fan ready to open wide and drink it up.
Reviewed by Michael Albani, Portland Book Review
Check it out at:
http://portlandbookreview.com/product/
5 Stars!
Ernie was just another homeless boozer spiraling toward self-destruction on New York City’s deadly streets until the night he contracted a mysterious virus. It spread through his sickly body increasing his strength, speed and resilience, making him nearly immortal. However, such power come with a price. He must work for the rest of his life under Gideon and his shadowy Organization distributing a certain product throughout the city. This product is the only thing that can quench the thirst that threatens to drive individuals like Ernie into an inescapable murderous Rage. This product is human blood.
Product is a very well crafted work that infuses creative elements into a horror subgenre that has been so exhausted and exploited over the past few years. The vampires populating the world of Product do not sparkle in sunlight. Rather, they organize themselves into a complex underground network socially stratified by the different methods in which blood addiction can be indulged. The dynamics between those that drink and those that inject human blood are well developed as is the overall setting of the story. The details used to describe New York City makes the city come alive almost like it is a character in and of itself.
Ernie is an intensely likable protagonist. He is smart-alecky and sarcastic, but also quite caring. The genuine regret he feels about the choices he has made throughout his life is absolutely heartbreaking. Similarly, Gideon is a darkly compelling anti-hero. His central role in creating a farm to harvest human blood from captured criminals can be seen as dastardly, yet not outright detestable. Readers will surely empathize with the conflict this character feels pursuing the greatest good for his accursed kind, especially once introduced to an even more insidious threat by the novel’s end.
The ending, however, is really the novel’s only mentionable misstep. While somewhat satisfying, some readers may feel like it goes too far in setting up the inevitable sequel. Still, Product is a quick and excitingly entertaining read. It will most definitely captivate any horror fan ready to open wide and drink it up.
Reviewed by Michael Albani, Portland Book Review
Check it out at:
http://portlandbookreview.com/product/
August 26, 2013
5 days left before winners are chosen!
Enter to win a FREE Autographed copy of 'PRODUCT'
http://bit.ly/1cdXIoz
This is the last week to enter. Winners will be chosen on Sept 1st!
http://bit.ly/1cdXIoz
This is the last week to enter. Winners will be chosen on Sept 1st!
August 20, 2013
Only 2 Weeks Left to Enter for a Free Copy of Product
We are nearing the end of giveaway. Only 2 weeks remaining before goodreads chooses the winners for the giveaway of Autographed copies of Product.
If you haven't signed up yet, now is your chance!
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
If you haven't signed up yet, now is your chance!
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
July 29, 2013
Kindle Version of Product is FREE Today and Tomorrow!!
Come see what all the fuss is about, Without hading to pay anything. If you have a Kindle reader have the kindle app installed on anything (Computer, Laptop, Phone or Tablet) you can download the eBook copy of Product at no cost.
Just go here: http://amzn.to/13TE7VC
Hurry though, this promotional offer is only good until the end of the day July 30th 2013.
Just go here: http://amzn.to/13TE7VC
Hurry though, this promotional offer is only good until the end of the day July 30th 2013.
