Later this month, I am re-issuing a new version of my 2009 book, Apartment 14F: An Oriental Ghost Story. I’ll tell you more about why I re-wrote it and some of the back story another time, but for now I wanted to share the new artwork with you.
When the book was first released it did pretty well, and was nominated for several industry awards. This was mostly thanks to the great cover, which was designed by a very talented lady called Annie Melton.
This is the original:
As successful as it was, I was never truly happy with Apartment 14F. Long story short (pun intended), I had to make a lot of editorial compromises. So when the rights reverted back to me from the publisher last year, I couldn’t wait to release it the way it was intended.
I contacted Annie and asked if I could use the original artwork. She graciously agreed, but there was some uncertainty about who actually owned the rights and neither of us wanted to get caught in a legal minefield. After a bit of push and shove with the rather unhelpful publisher, I decided the best thing to do was to commission another cover. Annie has now moved on from doing commercial covers, so I called on my old friend and collaborator Greg Chapman, who I’ve worked with several times in the past, most recently on X SAMPLE and No Man’s Land: Horror in the Trenches.
I was interested to see what Greg would come up with. It’s always fascinating to see how other people process and interpret various things. He hasn’t let me down yet, so I gave him a blurb and let him loose. The result is very different from the original cover art, but equally as impressive.
What do you think?
Released on April 14th, Apartment 14F: An Oriental Ghost Story (Uncut) is available for pre-order now.
April 25th, 2017 at 8:05 pm
Funky and cool! I used to live in apartment building like this where people had to get buzzed in to enter. The labels were all screwed up and people were always buzzing me at 1 a.m. so they could go buy drugs on the 3rd floor. Since, of course, those people did not put out any sort of label at all. I moved before I got to see any blood on the buzzer plate, but I am sure it was coming!
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April 25th, 2017 at 9:55 pm
Haha! Great story! I’m glad you like the cover, and hope you live in a classier joint these days!
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May 5th, 2017 at 11:26 am
Thankfully, yes. The neighborhood is another story…Good news! JournalStone is going to be reviewing “Apartment 14F” and I requested a chance to do it. Let’s cross our fingers! I was very intrigued by the teaser on Amazon.
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May 5th, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Thanks man, I appreciate it! Let me know if you need quotes, a cover image, or anything else!
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May 5th, 2017 at 5:13 pm
Absolutely! I’m just finishing up a few things so timing should be good. Right now I’m waiting to hear back from Stuart Conover at JournalStone. I always ask for physical copies when possible but understand that sometimes that’s just not possible. So he is probably sorting things out before getting back to me. I do some independent reviews and scouting too and then try to get things onto their multiple sites for the best coverage. I will keep you posted!
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May 6th, 2017 at 12:21 am
Ah, small world. I know Stuart, and also do reviews, so i know how the process works. I haven’t heard from him yet. If you give me your email, i’ll send you a copy directly. I only have e-copies at the moment, I hope that’s ok!
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May 6th, 2017 at 2:33 am
Oh right! Yes! Now I remember reading some of your reviews for Hellnotes and of course we follow each other as well. Man, I feel silly! Well that is very cool indeed. Right you are on the small world thing! In the most recent collection of possible review possibilities you were right at the top of the list and I believe e-copies were listed. Yes, they are totally fine! Which way of delivery is better for you? I can start as soon as I get it. My aim is to be most helpful not a speed bump! If you want to send it direct you can reach me at skullsnflames500@gmail.com. Thanks!
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May 6th, 2017 at 5:30 am
Haha no worries. I will email you a copy today. 🙂
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May 7th, 2017 at 5:11 am
Cool!
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