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Scorpion Ranch
- GenresBizarro Fiction
172 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2025
27 people want to read
About the author
Carlton Mellick III
119 books2,168 followersCarlton Mellick III (July 2, 1977, Phoenix, Arizona) is an American author currently residing in Portland, Oregon. He calls his style of writing "avant-punk," and is currently one of the leading authors in the recent 'Bizarro' movement in underground literature[citation needed] with Steve Aylett, Chris Genoa and D. Harlan Wilson.
Mellick's work has been described as a combination of trashy schlock sci-fi/horror and postmodern literary art. His novels explore surreal versions of earth in contemporary society and imagined futures, commonly focusing on social absurdities and satire.
Carlton Mellick III started writing at the age of ten and completed twelve novels by the age of eighteen. Only one of these early novels, "Electric Jesus Corpse", ever made it to print.
He is best known for his first novel Satan Burger and its sequel Punk Land. Satan Burger was translated into Russian and published by Ultra Culture in 2005. It was part of a four book series called Brave New World, which also featured Virtual Light by William Gibson, City Come A Walkin by John Shirley, and Tea from an Empty Cup by Pat Cadigan.
In the late 90's, he formed a collective for offbeat authors which included D. Harlan Wilson, Kevin L. Donihe, Vincent Sakowski, among others, and the publishing company Eraserhead Press. This scene evolved into the Bizarro fiction movement in 2005.
In addition to writing, Mellick is an artist and musician.
Mellick's work has been described as a combination of trashy schlock sci-fi/horror and postmodern literary art. His novels explore surreal versions of earth in contemporary society and imagined futures, commonly focusing on social absurdities and satire.
Carlton Mellick III started writing at the age of ten and completed twelve novels by the age of eighteen. Only one of these early novels, "Electric Jesus Corpse", ever made it to print.
He is best known for his first novel Satan Burger and its sequel Punk Land. Satan Burger was translated into Russian and published by Ultra Culture in 2005. It was part of a four book series called Brave New World, which also featured Virtual Light by William Gibson, City Come A Walkin by John Shirley, and Tea from an Empty Cup by Pat Cadigan.
In the late 90's, he formed a collective for offbeat authors which included D. Harlan Wilson, Kevin L. Donihe, Vincent Sakowski, among others, and the publishing company Eraserhead Press. This scene evolved into the Bizarro fiction movement in 2005.
In addition to writing, Mellick is an artist and musician.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 12, 2025
Some women are born with venom glands. This is an amazing body swap book with a mind-blowing ending. There was Mellick's typical wimpy male MC and a manipulative woman. She made me so upset, which made me love the book even more. I enjoyed every second of Scorpion Ranch.
October 18, 2025
Honestly, I was back and forth between a 4 or 5 star rating, but I had to go with 5 because seriously, Carlton Mellick came up with such a crazy, twisted, and interesting story! He really has a fantastic imagination! It's sad that there aren't any films made from his titles yet. I could totally see Quentin Tarantino directing this one. the ending was perfect and had a cinematic feel to it. I felt so bad for this main character and the situation he was put in, but in the end, I was high fiving him and felt like he was weirdly in the place he was meant to be.
April 12, 2025
Phhheeewww. What to say? This book really pulled at my emotions.
Imagine a world where some women are born with venom glands in their mouths and genitals.
Imagine this world is racist against these women, women they call “Scorpions.” Mostly because at younger ages women can’t control this super deadly venom.
In desperation for romance, a man begins to date one of these women, who also is desperate for companionship due to living in such a racist and mean world.
I won’t say much about plot outside they eventually swap bodies to see how it is to live in each other’s skin.
What happens after is somewhat predictable, but even when I could guess what is going to happen, the tale was still able to go in directions I did not expect (in typical Mellick fashion). It left me a little angry, and a little sad.
I really liked and enjoyed this one. Now let me go dry my eyes, and then I’ll wonder what it would be like to live in a world where a woman could kill a man by spitting in his face.
Four out of 5 venomous glands. Recommend this to anyone who wants to see a Mellick spin on a romantic comedy/body swap comedy.
Imagine a world where some women are born with venom glands in their mouths and genitals.
Imagine this world is racist against these women, women they call “Scorpions.” Mostly because at younger ages women can’t control this super deadly venom.
In desperation for romance, a man begins to date one of these women, who also is desperate for companionship due to living in such a racist and mean world.
I won’t say much about plot outside they eventually swap bodies to see how it is to live in each other’s skin.
What happens after is somewhat predictable, but even when I could guess what is going to happen, the tale was still able to go in directions I did not expect (in typical Mellick fashion). It left me a little angry, and a little sad.
I really liked and enjoyed this one. Now let me go dry my eyes, and then I’ll wonder what it would be like to live in a world where a woman could kill a man by spitting in his face.
Four out of 5 venomous glands. Recommend this to anyone who wants to see a Mellick spin on a romantic comedy/body swap comedy.
June 8, 2025
For fans of Face/off
I loved Face/off. When I first saw this movie almost 30 years ago watching John Travolta trapped in Nicholas Cage body trying to get people he loved to believe him.
Daniel goes on a blind date with a Scorpion woman(a woman who has a poisonous venom in her mouth and vagina).
They date for awhile and eventually they bring up marriage but on one condition they switch bodies for a month. I will never trust anyone to switch bodies with if technology was there for it. Too many problems. This is one of my favorite bizarro books by Carlton Mellick III.
I loved Face/off. When I first saw this movie almost 30 years ago watching John Travolta trapped in Nicholas Cage body trying to get people he loved to believe him.
Daniel goes on a blind date with a Scorpion woman(a woman who has a poisonous venom in her mouth and vagina).
They date for awhile and eventually they bring up marriage but on one condition they switch bodies for a month. I will never trust anyone to switch bodies with if technology was there for it. Too many problems. This is one of my favorite bizarro books by Carlton Mellick III.
July 25, 2025
It’s a good book the only thing is that there was just too much filler and unnecessary text too often.
I think about Egg Man when I read Scorpion Ranch.
If Egg Man had even half the depth and character development as Scorpion Ranch it would have been a perfect book. Egg Man could have been the best of Mellick if it had all of that.
It only shows how Mellick has grown since that time, but at the same time Scorpion Ranch could have had more bizarro elements (to beat the crap out of the Egg Man comparison).
Solid 4/5
I think about Egg Man when I read Scorpion Ranch.
If Egg Man had even half the depth and character development as Scorpion Ranch it would have been a perfect book. Egg Man could have been the best of Mellick if it had all of that.
It only shows how Mellick has grown since that time, but at the same time Scorpion Ranch could have had more bizarro elements (to beat the crap out of the Egg Man comparison).
Solid 4/5
April 29, 2025
Hope you're okay Mr Mellick, quite a bleak ending to this one.
May 6, 2025
Another great read by Mellick.
June 4, 2025
I have read a lot of Carlton Mellick III's work, and this is not his highest-quality book. It lies somewhere between a good idea and a random Kindle genderbender erotica.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews