WITHIN HIS REACH sold out!
11 July, 2010 Filed in: Within His
Reach
Excellent news to hear that WITHIN HIS REACH is
officially sold out from the publisher! There's a few
copies remaining in bookstores, but once these have
gone, there will be no more copies available.
Congrats to Steve at Tasmaniac for all his dedication
and professionalism in bringing this terrific story
to the world. I hope to work with Tasmaniac again
someday on another story I have in mind.
Review for WITHIN HIS REACH from HorrorWorld
09 May, 2010 Filed in: Within His
Reach
More reviews are rolling in for
WITHIN HIS REACH.
Here's one from
HorrorWorld:
WITHIN HIS REACH by Steve Gerlach; Tasmaniac Publications; 2010; 107 pgs.; $14.00
Whenever I’m presented a story in which the author proclaims he’s penned as a tribute to The Twilight Zone, I am positive of one thing before starting it… that it will inevitably contain a “gotcha” , or a “holy cow!” moment, at or near the end of the piece. This isn’t a negative for me, after all, who doesn’t fondly recall watching all of those twilight episodes and wondering how the screenwriter was going to place that ironic twist at the end of the tale. The only thing I am not certain of when reading an author’s homage to Rod Serling’s series, is whether the story can live up to the high standards Serling demanded for his scripts. Within His Reach is Steve Gerlach’s tribute to the man and his show, and I am pleased to report that Gerlach has done an outstanding job with this novella; it could have easily been the basis for a Twilight Zone script.
Gerlach gives us Arnold Enright, a man suffering badly from polio. It’s the early 1950’s, when drug stores still had fountains and pay phones. It was a time when people drove Oldsmobile Starfires and women usually wore dresses or skits. But unfortunately, it was also an era where polio was rampant, and the treatment for advanced cases was to place the patients in an iron lung. And that’s where we meet Arnold, during his sixth year occupying his metallic prison.
Saying that Arnold has it bad is a gross understatement. His pregnant wife left him only a short time after he was placed in the iron lung, and he has never seen his daughter. His wife had been kind enough to send him a few pictures over the years of his young girl, and he has them placed above his head so he can continually gaze at them and wonder how she turned out. Or if she even knows of him. Of course, Arnold has become bitter of his situation, and he cannot stop thinking the worst about his wife for leaving him and for never bringing his daughter to the hospital to see him. Even suicide is not an option to help him forget his problems as he has no control of his body from the neck down.
Then one day, Arnold learns from his doctor that there is a new medical procedure that may be able to help him. He quickly agrees, and the doctor performs the operation.
When Arnold wakes up from the procedure, he inexplicably finds himself on a park bench.
To his amazement, he’s breathing on his own, he can feel his body, and learns that he can walk again. He is jubilant to say the least, but confused as to why he’s on the bench. Things get even stranger though; he discovers that he is alone in the park, and there doesn’t seem to be anyone else he can see mulling around outside the park. When he strikes off to find others, he is at first startled to realize he’s in his hometown, but then soon becomes excited at the prospect of visiting his home and finally getting to meet his daughter. Now if this were an actual Twilight Zone story, this is where that eerie jingle would kick in and the camera would pan on Arnold’s face before we went to a commercial.
As you can guess, we learn quickly that things are not what they seem and Arnold makes one sad discovery after another. The oddest of them is a strange, low flying aircraft with uniformed men on a railing that slowly cruises over the town watching all that goes on below them. To write anymore about Arnold’s plight would be to give too much away, but I will say, that sometimes when wishes are granted, they don’t always turn out the way it’s expected.
Steve Gerlach has hit the ball out of the park with Within His Reach. He has done an outstanding job following the basic tenets of a Twilight Zone story by keeping the tale thought provoking, morally positive, entertaining, and downright spooky. Fans of Gerlach who are accustomed to his more extreme horror tales will be surprised, there’s not a bloody hammer to be found anywhere in this story, in fact, there’s not an ounce of gore or extreme violence to be found on any of the pages. Here’s hoping that he continues to write more work in this vein.
Within His Reach is another superb offering from Tasmaniac Publications. Their affordable trade paperback line of releases with their glossy and stunning covers, signed author sheets, interior artwork, and high quality paper, should be a model for all small presses. If you haven’t picked up a Tasmaniac book yet, you owe it to yourself to give it a shot, and Within His Reach would be a great way to introduce yourself to this publisher.
WITHIN HIS REACH by Steve Gerlach; Tasmaniac Publications; 2010; 107 pgs.; $14.00
Whenever I’m presented a story in which the author proclaims he’s penned as a tribute to The Twilight Zone, I am positive of one thing before starting it… that it will inevitably contain a “gotcha” , or a “holy cow!” moment, at or near the end of the piece. This isn’t a negative for me, after all, who doesn’t fondly recall watching all of those twilight episodes and wondering how the screenwriter was going to place that ironic twist at the end of the tale. The only thing I am not certain of when reading an author’s homage to Rod Serling’s series, is whether the story can live up to the high standards Serling demanded for his scripts. Within His Reach is Steve Gerlach’s tribute to the man and his show, and I am pleased to report that Gerlach has done an outstanding job with this novella; it could have easily been the basis for a Twilight Zone script.
Gerlach gives us Arnold Enright, a man suffering badly from polio. It’s the early 1950’s, when drug stores still had fountains and pay phones. It was a time when people drove Oldsmobile Starfires and women usually wore dresses or skits. But unfortunately, it was also an era where polio was rampant, and the treatment for advanced cases was to place the patients in an iron lung. And that’s where we meet Arnold, during his sixth year occupying his metallic prison.
Saying that Arnold has it bad is a gross understatement. His pregnant wife left him only a short time after he was placed in the iron lung, and he has never seen his daughter. His wife had been kind enough to send him a few pictures over the years of his young girl, and he has them placed above his head so he can continually gaze at them and wonder how she turned out. Or if she even knows of him. Of course, Arnold has become bitter of his situation, and he cannot stop thinking the worst about his wife for leaving him and for never bringing his daughter to the hospital to see him. Even suicide is not an option to help him forget his problems as he has no control of his body from the neck down.
Then one day, Arnold learns from his doctor that there is a new medical procedure that may be able to help him. He quickly agrees, and the doctor performs the operation.
When Arnold wakes up from the procedure, he inexplicably finds himself on a park bench.
To his amazement, he’s breathing on his own, he can feel his body, and learns that he can walk again. He is jubilant to say the least, but confused as to why he’s on the bench. Things get even stranger though; he discovers that he is alone in the park, and there doesn’t seem to be anyone else he can see mulling around outside the park. When he strikes off to find others, he is at first startled to realize he’s in his hometown, but then soon becomes excited at the prospect of visiting his home and finally getting to meet his daughter. Now if this were an actual Twilight Zone story, this is where that eerie jingle would kick in and the camera would pan on Arnold’s face before we went to a commercial.
As you can guess, we learn quickly that things are not what they seem and Arnold makes one sad discovery after another. The oddest of them is a strange, low flying aircraft with uniformed men on a railing that slowly cruises over the town watching all that goes on below them. To write anymore about Arnold’s plight would be to give too much away, but I will say, that sometimes when wishes are granted, they don’t always turn out the way it’s expected.
Steve Gerlach has hit the ball out of the park with Within His Reach. He has done an outstanding job following the basic tenets of a Twilight Zone story by keeping the tale thought provoking, morally positive, entertaining, and downright spooky. Fans of Gerlach who are accustomed to his more extreme horror tales will be surprised, there’s not a bloody hammer to be found anywhere in this story, in fact, there’s not an ounce of gore or extreme violence to be found on any of the pages. Here’s hoping that he continues to write more work in this vein.
Within His Reach is another superb offering from Tasmaniac Publications. Their affordable trade paperback line of releases with their glossy and stunning covers, signed author sheets, interior artwork, and high quality paper, should be a model for all small presses. If you haven’t picked up a Tasmaniac book yet, you owe it to yourself to give it a shot, and Within His Reach would be a great way to introduce yourself to this publisher.
--T. T. Zuma
WITHIN HIS REACH is here!
18 April, 2010 Filed in: Within His
Reach
My author copies of WITHIN HIS REACH arrived this
week. Couldn't wait to hold them. They truly are
lovely. Such a terrific production by everyone at
Tasmaniac. I'm so proud. And with less than ten
unaccounted for, this baby is about to be SOLD OUT!
Grab yours quickly before these disappear!
http://www.tasmaniacpublications.com/Withinhisreach.htm
Grab yours quickly before these disappear!
http://www.tasmaniacpublications.com/Withinhisreach.htm
Reviews of FESTIVE FEAR...
06 December, 2009 Filed in: Short
Stories
Now that FESTIVE FEAR has been released, the reviews
are starting to be published around the globe. All
have been very positive and below you'll find a quote
from a review just recently published on Horrorworld:
"...The highlight for many readers will be Steve Gerlach’s, WHITE CHRISTMAS, a tale that is as brutal as it is deranged. Gore fans should consider this story their very own special Christmas present as Gerlach has penned a tale that is as disturbing and disgusting as it gets. I wasn’t prepared for this story of extreme horror and found myself pausing often in disbelief at what I was reading… (to tell you the truth, I am not a fan of this type of hardcore horror and it really bothered me). For those who love Ed Lee’s or Wrath’s type of horror fiction, Gerlach’s story should be very pleasing, but for those who have trouble sleeping at night after reading hardcore horror, it might be best if you skipped over this one."
It always makes me very happy to receive reviews like that one. You can read the full review here: http://www.horrorworld.org/reviews.htm
All remaining copies have almost sold out, so be sure to pick up a copy for yourself this Christmas, and one for the horror-lover in your life.
Only $15.95 US (with free shipping through Tasmaniac within US & AUS).
Pre-order now at: bugme@tasmaniacpublications.com
Other outlets:
Horror Mall (US)
Jeff 'n' Joys (UK)
"...The highlight for many readers will be Steve Gerlach’s, WHITE CHRISTMAS, a tale that is as brutal as it is deranged. Gore fans should consider this story their very own special Christmas present as Gerlach has penned a tale that is as disturbing and disgusting as it gets. I wasn’t prepared for this story of extreme horror and found myself pausing often in disbelief at what I was reading… (to tell you the truth, I am not a fan of this type of hardcore horror and it really bothered me). For those who love Ed Lee’s or Wrath’s type of horror fiction, Gerlach’s story should be very pleasing, but for those who have trouble sleeping at night after reading hardcore horror, it might be best if you skipped over this one."
It always makes me very happy to receive reviews like that one. You can read the full review here: http://www.horrorworld.org/reviews.htm
All remaining copies have almost sold out, so be sure to pick up a copy for yourself this Christmas, and one for the horror-lover in your life.
Only $15.95 US (with free shipping through Tasmaniac within US & AUS).
Pre-order now at: bugme@tasmaniacpublications.com
Other outlets:
Horror Mall (US)
Jeff 'n' Joys (UK)
Stuff FESTIVE FEAR...in your Christmas Stocking!
22 November, 2009 Filed in: Short
Stories
The Aussie Christmas Anthology, FESTIVE FEAR, has
escaped captivity and is now roaming the hills! Grab
your copy ASAP, as I hear the final remaining copies
for sale are going fast...even before the release
date of Dec 5!
FESTIVE FEAR contains 14 all original stories from Australia's leading horror writers, and closes with my Christmas Screamer.... WHITE CHRISTMAS.
This edition is limited to 150 numbered softcover copies, and could easily sell out before the release date. It's a terrific collection of tales and perfect for those who like a little blood on the snow (or sand), come Christmas time.
The cover artwork and ordering details can be found below in my August 30 update.
FESTIVE FEAR contains 14 all original stories from Australia's leading horror writers, and closes with my Christmas Screamer.... WHITE CHRISTMAS.
This edition is limited to 150 numbered softcover copies, and could easily sell out before the release date. It's a terrific collection of tales and perfect for those who like a little blood on the snow (or sand), come Christmas time.
The cover artwork and ordering details can be found below in my August 30 update.
WITHIN HIS REACH available for order now!
07 October, 2009 Filed in: Within His
Reach
WITHIN HIS REACH is available for order now. I'm
excited and thrilled to bring this very special tale
to you.
The cover artwork is by Alan M. Clark and it features a special introduction by William F. Nolan.
Find the cover synopsis and artwork below. Order yours from Tasmaniac Publications before they sell out!
Praise for WITHIN HIS REACH:
"WITHIN HIS REACH is a gripping story, reminiscent of a top-drawer Twilight Zone episode. Steve Gerlach grabs you right at the start and holds you breathless until the very last line. I can imagine the spirits of Rod Serling and Charles Beaumont nodding their approval over this powerful novella--it's a terrific piece of work."
--Christopher Conlon, Bram Stoker Award finalist for Midnight on Mourn Street, Starkweather Dreams
"I've read and enjoyed everything Steve Gerlach has published but I never imagined he had the talent, the soul, and the insight to write a story like Within His Reach. This is a wonderful tribute to Rod Serling --deeply moving, heartbreaking, even. It's an emotional roller-coaster I'll be thinking about for a long time. I can't recommend it highly enough."
-- John R. Little, Bram Stoker Award winning author of Miranda, The Memory Tree and The Gray Zone
Visit the Tasmaniac Publications website to place your order.
The cover artwork is by Alan M. Clark and it features a special introduction by William F. Nolan.
Find the cover synopsis and artwork below. Order yours from Tasmaniac Publications before they sell out!
Arnold Enright has been a prisoner for the past six years, confined to a cell not of his own making. Sentenced to viewing his world's reflection in a mirror and with little hope of escape, he is a man whose whole existence can be measured in feet and inches, his only companion the relentless wheeze of an iron lung.
In this hopeless life of scientific dead-ends, Arnold Enright is left to ponder, to regret, to constantly remember what was, and what might have been. Forever praying for an escape route and a way to end it all, Mr Enright is about to discover his prayers have been answered, but in a way he could never have imagined.
Praise for WITHIN HIS REACH:
"WITHIN HIS REACH is a gripping story, reminiscent of a top-drawer Twilight Zone episode. Steve Gerlach grabs you right at the start and holds you breathless until the very last line. I can imagine the spirits of Rod Serling and Charles Beaumont nodding their approval over this powerful novella--it's a terrific piece of work."
--Christopher Conlon, Bram Stoker Award finalist for Midnight on Mourn Street, Starkweather Dreams
"I've read and enjoyed everything Steve Gerlach has published but I never imagined he had the talent, the soul, and the insight to write a story like Within His Reach. This is a wonderful tribute to Rod Serling --deeply moving, heartbreaking, even. It's an emotional roller-coaster I'll be thinking about for a long time. I can't recommend it highly enough."
-- John R. Little, Bram Stoker Award winning author of Miranda, The Memory Tree and The Gray Zone
Visit the Tasmaniac Publications website to place your order.
FESTIVE FEAR now available to pre-order
30 August, 2009 Filed in: Short
Stories
You'll find my latest short story as part of
Tasmaniac Publications' Christmas anthology FESTIVE
FEAR, which is now available to pre-order. This new
anthology contains all original stories from some of
the leading horror writers working in Australia
today!
It contains 14 disturbing tales that will make you wonder if Christmas really is something to look forward to.
This edition is limited to 150 numbered softcover copies with a release date of December 5th.
Gift Bearers:
Brett McBean
Marty Young
Martin Livings
Leigh Haig
Josephine Pennicott
Amanda J Spedding
B. Michael Radburn
Crisetta MacLeod
Stephen Studach
Felicity Dowker
Loretta Leslie
Mark Farrugia
Danielle Ferries
.. and myself, Steve Gerlach
Be sure to pick up a copy for the holidays or even buy one for the horror lover in your life - will make for a bloody good Christmas gift.
Only $15.95 US (with free shipping through Tasmaniac within US & AUS).
Pre-order now at: bugme@tasmaniacpublications.com
Other outlets:
Horror Mall (US)
Jeff 'n' Joys (UK)
It contains 14 disturbing tales that will make you wonder if Christmas really is something to look forward to.
This edition is limited to 150 numbered softcover copies with a release date of December 5th.
Gift Bearers:
Brett McBean
Marty Young
Martin Livings
Leigh Haig
Josephine Pennicott
Amanda J Spedding
B. Michael Radburn
Crisetta MacLeod
Stephen Studach
Felicity Dowker
Loretta Leslie
Mark Farrugia
Danielle Ferries
.. and myself, Steve Gerlach
Be sure to pick up a copy for the holidays or even buy one for the horror lover in your life - will make for a bloody good Christmas gift.
Only $15.95 US (with free shipping through Tasmaniac within US & AUS).
Pre-order now at: bugme@tasmaniacpublications.com
Other outlets:
Horror Mall (US)
Jeff 'n' Joys (UK)
William F. Nolan to Introduce WITHIN HIS REACH
19 July, 2009 Filed in: Within His
Reach
I'm honored and proud to announce that William F. Nolan will be
providing the introduction to WITHIN HIS REACH,
which will be released by Tasmaniac
Publications.
Everyone is very lucky that the planets aligned for this, and I think readers both old and new will get a real buzz out of this introduction. WITHIN HIS REACH is even more special now.
Alan M Clark will also be providing the cover artwork, which will be an absolute delight as well.
As a reminder, here's the synopsis below:
Everyone is very lucky that the planets aligned for this, and I think readers both old and new will get a real buzz out of this introduction. WITHIN HIS REACH is even more special now.
Alan M Clark will also be providing the cover artwork, which will be an absolute delight as well.
As a reminder, here's the synopsis below:
Arnold Enright has been a prisoner for the past six years, confined to a cell not of his own making. Sentenced to viewing his world's reflection in a mirror and with little hope of escape, he is a man whose whole existence can be measured in feet and inches, his only companion the relentless wheeze of an iron lung. In this hopeless life of scientific dead-ends, Arnold Enright is left to ponder, to regret, to constantly remember what was, and what might have been. Forever praying for an escape route and a way to end it all, Mr Enright is about to discover his prayers have been answered, but in a way he could never have imagined.
WITHIN HIS REACH
a novella by
Steve Gerlach
White Christmas for Festive Fear complete
28 June, 2009 Filed in: Short
Stories
Just finished my first holiday short story, White
Christmas, which will appear in Tasmaniac Publications Festive
Fear anthology, due in time for Christmas
this year.
Head over to Tasmaniac Publications to find out more details.
Head over to Tasmaniac Publications to find out more details.
Massive update!
19 December, 2007 Filed in: Artwork
| The Nocturne
| Harmony
Chokes |
Lake
Mountain | A Thousand
Mettle Folds | Hunting Zoe
| Rage | In Laymons
Terms
It's been a long time between updates here at
SteveGerlach.com, due mainly to work and editing
commitments. However, we hope to rectify that in the
new year, and to also bring you some very exciting
exclusives in the months ahead. For now, let's play a
little catch-up, as we bring you up to speed with the
latest Gerlach news...
Harmony Chokes writing continues...
Work on Harmony Chokes continues with a probable deadline of late 2008. This novel is a little different to those that went before it, but it's going to be quite a ride nonetheless. Look for exclusive updates early next year... including some missing scenes that will only be available online here at SteveGerlach.com!
Lake Mountain UK paperback artwork released...
Screaming Dreams Press has released the initial artwork for their 2008 UK paperback release of Lake Mountain. This fantastic new vision of Lake Mountain comes from renowned artist Les Edwards. We all agree it's a fantastic cover!
Aussie publisher announces Exclusive Gerlach for 2009!
Tasmaniac Publications is a new Aussie publisher who is creating quite a stir. Excellent, ultra-limited editions are the name of the game here, and the guys behind Tasmaniac have locked Gerlach in for a 2009 release, tentatively titled All That Is Within His Reach. No more news on this one at this stage, other than it will be a short novel released in 2009. Find out more about Tasmaniac (along with the other fine authors they're releasing) at: http://www.tasmaniacpublications.com.au/.
Artwork for US version of The Nocturne underway.
Vince Natale, the cover artist for the Bloodletting Press version of The Nocturne, reports that the cover art is progressing nicely and hopefully early in 2008 we'll be able to provide you an exclusive sneek peak. From what we've seen so far, it will be another excellent cover for Bloodletting Books!
1000MF release date firms.
Bloodletting Press also report that soon after the release of Hunting Zoe and other tales (see below), the first book in the A Thousand Mettle Folds series will see release. More details (including the cover) can be found below in our April 27 news update, or on the dedicated 1000MF page on this site.
Hunting Zoe almost here! TOC announced!
Hunting Zoe and other tales.. is with the printers as we speak and we're looking at a late 2007/early 2008 release from Bloodletting Press. This is a very exciting release, finally giving Hunting Zoe the love and dedication she deserves. The Table of Contents has also been released, giving everyone an insight into the extra special additions to this release. The TOC is:
* When Fantasy Met Reality - Hunting Zoe introduction by Brett McBean
* Hunting Zoe
* Broken Cookie - short story
* Schism - short story
* CellCaNdy - short story
* Dead of Night - German version - first English release short story
* Jungle - short story, first time printing
* Steve Gerlach On The Edge - FULL and UPDATED Gerlach interview with Ron Clinton.
This release collects for the first time five Gerlach short stories, some of which see their first US release and, in the case of JUNGLE, it's first printing anywhere. The interview is an updated and uncut interview between Gerlach and Clinton - an abridged version first seeing print in Cemetery Dance Magazine a few years ago.
Ben Jackson to Kill Bill?
We've seen filmed evidence of a certain American director being handed a copy of RAGE during a UK meet-and-greet. If we can get clearance to show the footage, we'll upload it early in the new year.
ILT final cover announced. Mid 2008 release.
Cemetery Dance has released the finalized cover artwork for IN LAYMON'S TERMS. The signature sheets have been returned and we can look forward to this excellent memorial to Richard Laymon's work being released (finally!) in 2008! Fingers crossed! This is the huge tribute anthology edited by Kelly Laymon, Steve Gerlach and Richard Chizmar.
Harmony Chokes writing continues...
Work on Harmony Chokes continues with a probable deadline of late 2008. This novel is a little different to those that went before it, but it's going to be quite a ride nonetheless. Look for exclusive updates early next year... including some missing scenes that will only be available online here at SteveGerlach.com!
Lake Mountain UK paperback artwork released...
Screaming Dreams Press has released the initial artwork for their 2008 UK paperback release of Lake Mountain. This fantastic new vision of Lake Mountain comes from renowned artist Les Edwards. We all agree it's a fantastic cover!
Aussie publisher announces Exclusive Gerlach for 2009!
Tasmaniac Publications is a new Aussie publisher who is creating quite a stir. Excellent, ultra-limited editions are the name of the game here, and the guys behind Tasmaniac have locked Gerlach in for a 2009 release, tentatively titled All That Is Within His Reach. No more news on this one at this stage, other than it will be a short novel released in 2009. Find out more about Tasmaniac (along with the other fine authors they're releasing) at: http://www.tasmaniacpublications.com.au/.
Artwork for US version of The Nocturne underway.
Vince Natale, the cover artist for the Bloodletting Press version of The Nocturne, reports that the cover art is progressing nicely and hopefully early in 2008 we'll be able to provide you an exclusive sneek peak. From what we've seen so far, it will be another excellent cover for Bloodletting Books!
1000MF release date firms.
Bloodletting Press also report that soon after the release of Hunting Zoe and other tales (see below), the first book in the A Thousand Mettle Folds series will see release. More details (including the cover) can be found below in our April 27 news update, or on the dedicated 1000MF page on this site.
Hunting Zoe almost here! TOC announced!
Hunting Zoe and other tales.. is with the printers as we speak and we're looking at a late 2007/early 2008 release from Bloodletting Press. This is a very exciting release, finally giving Hunting Zoe the love and dedication she deserves. The Table of Contents has also been released, giving everyone an insight into the extra special additions to this release. The TOC is:
* When Fantasy Met Reality - Hunting Zoe introduction by Brett McBean
* Hunting Zoe
* Broken Cookie - short story
* Schism - short story
* CellCaNdy - short story
* Dead of Night - German version - first English release short story
* Jungle - short story, first time printing
* Steve Gerlach On The Edge - FULL and UPDATED Gerlach interview with Ron Clinton.
This release collects for the first time five Gerlach short stories, some of which see their first US release and, in the case of JUNGLE, it's first printing anywhere. The interview is an updated and uncut interview between Gerlach and Clinton - an abridged version first seeing print in Cemetery Dance Magazine a few years ago.
Ben Jackson to Kill Bill?
We've seen filmed evidence of a certain American director being handed a copy of RAGE during a UK meet-and-greet. If we can get clearance to show the footage, we'll upload it early in the new year.
ILT final cover announced. Mid 2008 release.
Cemetery Dance has released the finalized cover artwork for IN LAYMON'S TERMS. The signature sheets have been returned and we can look forward to this excellent memorial to Richard Laymon's work being released (finally!) in 2008! Fingers crossed! This is the huge tribute anthology edited by Kelly Laymon, Steve Gerlach and Richard Chizmar.