Issue 169: Ankh, Ankh, Ankh!
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Long ago…
…and I mean long ago…
…I attended my first couple of years of college at Southwest Missouri State University in West Plains, Missouri.
It was in West Plains that my car caught on fire. It was in West Plains that I joined a “society of intellectuals” calling themselves A.N.K.H. (The Association for Nurturing Knowledge Heuristically… and our secret greetings was an “Ankh, ankh, ankh!” muttered under our breath upon passing in the halls). It was in West Plains that I first really discovered E.C. Comics (because those amazing Russ Cochran editions were printed there). It was in West Plains that I sold my entire comic book collection—including a complete run of X-Men, an Amazing Fantasy 15, and a Spider-Man 1–-in order to pay for college and food and shelter.
It was during my time living near West Plains and while attending SMSU (now just MSU) that I really started trying to be a writer. I had written stories before. I had written and drawn my own comics. I had even tried my hand at a novel. It was while living there, though, that I started to consider taking it seriously. I ordered a copy of the Writer’s Market. I started submitting to magazines and anthologies. I was actually writing with an eye on publication. So, the area will always hold a sweet place in my heart.
Since I moved away, I’ve only really passed through West Plains a couple of times. In a little less than a week, though, I’ll be visiting the town again to attend Oz Con. The convention is primarily a gaming convention, but I’ll be selling and signing books (of course) and all in all having a good time. I’ll also be doing a spotlight panel that I’m looking forward to.
In addition to the convention, I’m gonna stop by the bookstore that bought all my comics all those years ago. It’s a great place. I have stopped in there on the way to other conventions. And last time I passed through town I saw a restaurant called Pizzaritaville which feels like something I have to try just out of morbid fascination.
I wonder if there are good old fashioneds to be found in West Plains…
Anyhow, if you are in the area or close to the area, I hope you’ll come by the convention and say HELLO!
I’m still working on plans for my book tour. I’ve mapped out a couple of routes for myself, and Cindy is looking up stores along those routes for me to contact. I’ve already reached out to a couple to start setting up signings. Can’t say I’ll have it all lined up by next week’s issue. The week’s probably too busy. But soon!
In other work news, I have been focusing on getting outlines done for upcoming scripts. For me, the outline is where the real work happens. Once I have a good outline, the rest of the script goes quickly. Now that I have a couple figured out, I’ll be knocking out some scripts in short order.
I have also been reaching out to editors at numerous publishers, hoping to drum up some more work. I know everyone likes to say I produce a lot of work, but that apparently doesn’t mean I’m making enough money to survive. I’ve been doing a lot of planning and calculating, determining just how many books I need to be writing—and how many books I need to have lined up for the future—in order to keep the plates spinning. And it’s scary as Hell to me right now.
I spoke to talented artist Joe Bocardo. Joe has been working with me on NIGHTWALKERS and he is currently working on a NEW SERIES with me codenamed PROJECT: HEX. (Although I revealed some secrets about this book on Patreon just this week.) Not only is Joe amazingly talented, but he is fast. He believes he has the bandwidth to try a side project with me, and we’ve been kicking around ideas for that, too!
My guess is that you’ve been reading this far and I’ve said to yourself, “Skip to the kittens, Bunn!” Fine! Fine! Here is a very brief update. The kittens who have taken over my office are becoming adventurous. Whenever someone enters the room, they start crawling out on their shaky little legs to see what’s going on. They’re a lot like zombies, crawling out of the shadows when they sense a warm meal, only instead of “BRAAAAAIIIINNNNNS” they are crying, “TELL US HOW CUTE WE ARE!” I now have to watch my step for fear of crushing a small cat when I walk across the room.
Here are a couple of pics of Greybaby (maybe Church) and Jumpscare/Runty.
As you know, I maintain a Patreon page where I post writing advice, essays, work updates, serialized novels, short stories and comics. Support levels range from access to content to big ol’ boxes of comics to regular Zoom meetings. Patrons often get PDFs of comics that have yet to be published (two in the last couple of weeks). And I just started publishing a step-by-step discussion about the creation of a new comic from idea to finished product. I use the funds generated from Patreon to fund new creator-owned comics (and sometimes to keep the lights on).
Recent posts include:
From the Ground Up - Spoilers Ahead (I’m creating a new comic, and I’ll be detailing every step of the creative process)
Sneak Peek - Project Hex, Part 1 (Concept art and cover reveals for a new book)
Here’s this issue’s two-sentence horror story. This one is inspired by true events. Maybe it’s not horror horror, but it’s horrifying to me. I think it’s got Stoker Award written all over it.
“I pledge myself to you, my infernal masters,” I intoned, “and make these offerings to your unending and unyielding demands!”
“Mew, mew, mew,” cried the kittens as I scooped the litter-box for the hundredth time.
NIGHTWALKERS #4
Seren might've escaped the slaughter in the abandoned town, but she can't escape her past! And as Deidre's transformation escalates with every second, time runs out for them both!
DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT #5
Something evil... something hungry... lurks in the cold darkness of Bear Creek, and it's up to our misfit sales team to destroy the vicious creatures. You know what that means. Fishing trip!
Well, I finished up PICARD this week. Man-oh-man! Hands down the best single season of STAR TREK I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching. Just so great. It managed to use nostalgia to highlight amazing character moments and tell a story that will impact the STAR TREK universe forever. I’ve always liked STAR TREK. Now that I’ve watched this, I absolutely love it.
A few nights ago, I went to the theater to watch EVIL DEAD RISE with some friends. It was an enjoyable entry into the franchise. The two leads were absolutely amazing. A dark examination of the fears of every parent—what if I just screw this all up? Taken to the max, of course. With demons.
Here is a quick and dirty list of upcoming projects. In most cases, I’m only listing projects that are definitely on the schedule with a published. Oftentimes, I will not be able to share much information, but I can at least tease the future! Everything here is, of course, subject to change.
APRIL 2023
NIGHT WALKERS #4
DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT #5
MAY 2023
LAMENTATION #1
GHOSTLORE #1
NIGHT WALKERS #5
DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT #6
JUNE 2023
LAMENTATION #2
GHOSTLORE #2
SWORDS IN THE SHADOWS
RAZE
REANIMATOR: THE ETERNAL LIE, Part 2
JULY 2023
LAMENTATION #3
GHOSTLORE #3
DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT #7
DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT TPB
AUGUST 2023
DEATH OF THE VENOMVERSE 1 - 5 (weekly)
GHOSTLORE #4
DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT #8
DISPLACEMENT - a horror novella, previously listed as PROJECT: PHOBIA
SEPTEMBER 2023
OCTOBER 2023
REGRESSION: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION
NOVEMBER 2023
LAMENTATION TPB
PROJECT: MATINEE #1
DECEMBER 2023
PROJECT: MATINEE #2
THE UNKNOWN FUTURE…
PROJECT: HEX, a supernatural/horror thriller.
PROJECT: HORROR, a licensed horror comic.
I’LL KILL YOU LAST - An 80s action/horror fiction anthology I’m editing.
PROJECT: GALLERY - An RPG project I’ve been quietly developing.
PROJECT: PREHISTORY - More kaiju craziness
PROJECT: MEGA-BATTLE - Even More kaiju craziness
PROJECT: SURGEON - a very dark horror tale
PROJECT: BOT - A sequel to a story of robotic mischief
PROJECT: WATER HEATER - An apocalyptic horror/fantasy maxi-series
PROJECT: RUSH - A horror prose anthology I’m editing
COPYCAT - A new limited series from Todd Garner, Heath Amodio, and myself.
BLOODBLADE - An action/horror story of destiny and demonic blood
BEYOND MORTAL - Finishing up the horror/superhero epic
PROJECT: DUNGEON - A new licensed horror comic series
PROJECT: CONVOY - A horror/thriller I’m co-writing
PROJECT: CARD - A magical one-shot
PROJECT: ARCANA - a dark fantasy series
PROJECT: MONSTER - a new horror/action/comedy series
PROJECT: HOAX - a horror limited series
556 pages of comic book scripts (1710 in 2022)
0 feature length screenplay (0 in 2022)
0 half-hour comedy pilot (1 in 2022)
0 short film script (1 in 2022)
0 short stories (9 in 2022)
0 novellas (0 in 2022)
8 two-sentence horror stories (10 in 2022)
0 new comic book series proposals (29 in 2022)
0 podcast proposals (0 in 2022)
0 essay (0 in 2022)
1 foreword for upcoming graphic novels (0 in 2022)
0 television series proposal (0 in 2022)
Keep in mind, these days, "finalized" doesn't mean as much as it once did. All events are subject to change. I hope to be adding more conventions in the near future! Stay tuned!
APRIL 28 - 30 - Oz Con, West Plains MO
MAY 26 - 28 - Texas Frightmare Weekend, Irving TX (I’m not a guest at this one. This is the first convention in… decades… I’m attending purely for fun.)
JUNE 16 - 18, 2023 - Heroes Convention, Charlotte NC
JUNE 24, 2023 - Route 66 Toy and Comic Convention, Lebanon MO
JULY 7 - 9, 2023 - Tremendicon, Springfield MO
AUGUST 5 - 6, 2023 - Fountain City Con, New Century KS
SEPTEMBER 16 - 17, 2023 - Extremicon, St. Roberts MO
SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 1 - Cowtown Comic Convention, Fort Worth TX
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TWITTER - This is the best place to interact with me online. My handle is @cullenbunn
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PATREON - Here, I post a serialized novel, a serialized comic book, short stories, and other cool materials.
THE CULLEN BUNN DISCORD SERVER - A place for fans to hang out and talk about comics, books, movies, games, collecting, and whatever else strikes their fancy.
THE BUNNGALOW - Cindy and I talk about life, hot button topics, pop culture, being married to a comic book writer and EVERYTHING in between.
I read “Ankh, Ankh, Ankh” in Popyey’s voice, and now whenever I hear the old chap laughing I’ll know what he’s saying.
As a nobody comic writer starting out, I am equal parts horrified and really appreciative of your honesty about your money issues even with the volume of books you put out. I hope things get less scary for you!