Michael > Recent Status Updates

This is the best translation I've found!

Hey folks, the inaugural volume of Underland Arcana was published today, including my short story "The Gardener." This might be my last foray into the world of "The Garden of Blue Roses," but I don't know. The entire volume is available for free at https://www.underlandarcana.com. There are also links at that website for ebook and print editions. Enjoy!

Flu is not fun....

Just wanted to spread the word that Underland Press is open again for submissions for novels! Also for stories for an upcoming anthology.

The Press publishes science fiction, fantasy, dark fantasy, "noir mystery with a tinge of otherworldliness," and literary horror, and has published early work by authors such as Jeff Vandermeer and Brian Evenson.

http://firebirdcreative.net/underland/

Good luck and keep writing!

I'm thrilled to announce that The Garden of Blue Roses has made the Preliminary Ballot for the Bram Stoker Award for First Novel! I had to look at the email twice before I believed it, but it's true!

Hi Folks--Amazon is running a "coupon" right now on THE GARDEN OF BLUE ROSES, just in case you're interested!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1630230618

Here's my appearance on WTTW Chicago Tonight, offering some great summer reading picks. What do you think? Do you have any great recommendations of your own?

https://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2018/...

I'm excited to let you know that tomorrow (Thursday) night at 7 pm, I'll be on WTTW Chicago Tonight, talking about some great summer reading. Please tune in for my recommendations! I'll follow up with a link once I have it.

Chicago area friends: I'll be at the Printers Row Lit Fest tomorrow (Saturday) from 1-2, in conversation with authors Jill Santopolo and Elizabeth Hyde. Stop by and say hello!

https://printersrowlitfest.org/event/...

Chicago Printers Row Lit Fest News! On Saturday, June 9, 1 pm, I'll be in conversation with bestselling authors Jill Santopolo, author of THE LIGHT WE LOST, and Elisabeth Hyde, author of GO ASK FANNIE. I'll be discussing The Garden of Blue Roses. Please join us!

Click here for the event and tickets: https://printersrowlitfest.org/event/...

North Carolina Friends: Please join me Thursday night (May 24, 7pm) at the wonderful Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill for a reading and discussion about The Garden of Blue Roses. I'll be signing books too!

It promises to be a fantastic evening, and I hope to see you there. It would be nice to put some actual faces to our GR avatars!

Michael

Chicago-area friends: please join me tonight, at 7 pm, at The Book Cellar in Lincoln Park. It's Local Author Night! I'll be reading and signing The Garden of Blue Roses!

Michael

Please join me tomorrow night (Thursday, May 3, 7pm) at the wonderful Chevalier's Books in LA for a reading and conversation about The Garden of Blue Roses!

I'll be in conversation with novelist Michelle Latiolais, and I'll be signing books too!

Here's the link to Chevalier's website for details: https://www.chevaliersbooks.com/micha...

Hope to see you there!

I wanted to extend a huge and heartfelt thanks to all of you who've added The Garden of Blue Roses to your lists.

The book has now hit Goodreads' Top 200 List of Most Popular Books published this month!

Thank you again!

Michael

Many times, over many years, I was convinced this day would never come. But here it is. The Garden of Blue Roses was officially published today.

I'm so grateful to those of who've expressed an interest in this book. It means the world to me!

[bookcover:The Garden of Blue Roses|36638179]

The Garden of Blue Roses just got a wonderful review from Library Journal. Suddenly this all seems real!

"Horror fans who enjoy Edgar Allan Poe with the modern touch of Stephen King will be kept off-kilter by this sinister psychological tale of twisted facts and damaged sanity."

[bookcover:The Garden of Blue Roses|36638179]

Today, April 16, is the FINAL day of the FINAL pre-publication giveaway for The Garden of Blue Roses!

Enter now for a chance to win!

[bookcover:The Garden of Blue Roses|36638179]

Kirkus Review of The Garden of Blue Roses is in! Here's an excerpt:

"With his first novel, the influences of which include the gothic visions of Hawthorne, the morally charged horror of Shirley Jackson, and the twisty storytelling of Italo Calvino, Barsa emerges as a unique voice in contemporary fiction."

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...

Insightful and stimulating podcast called "Losing the Plot" featuring writer (and GR friend) Lars Jerlach, on writing, art, and the many connections between them. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!

https://soundcloud.com/losingtheplotp...

Kirkus!

Next week Kirkus will publish a fantastic review of The Garden of Blue Roses. I'm still pinching myself. After everything I went through to get this book into the world--after giving up multiple times and being rejected more times and in more ways than I care to remember--part of me still doesn't quite believe it.

I'll post an excerpt of the review here once it's live on Kirkus. Stay tuned!

Happy New Year! 2017 was a fantastic year for reading, in large part because I was so lucky to join this amazing community of readers. Not a day goes by when I'm not thankful for your friendship, insights, comments, and reviews. May 2018 be kind to you all, and may we all discover and discuss more great books!

Michael

Friends--may I humbly draw your eye to a Goodreads Giveaway? It's for a signed ARC of The Garden of Blue Roses. You can find it here:

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

Thanks so much. Now back to reading!
Michael

Sometimes the universe smiles. My forthcoming novel just received a wonderful blurb from Paul Tremblay:

"The Garden of Blue Roses is full of ... dark twists and darker humor. I was hooked from page one."

--Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts and The Cabin at the End of the World

Here's the book link:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...