Writings On the Wall

Hi D.G.
Thanks for letting me involved with your project. I have a story in the files that I think would fit your idea, but you'll have to let me know about it. I can try something else or revise it if it won't do.
David Perlmutter

Thanks for joining the forum! Yeah... ship your story over when you're done to the above e-mail, and we'll let you know if it's a fit.

Hi D.G.
Thanks! I don't know about if it will work or not...it's been rejected so many times...
David Perlmutter

Well, maybe we have the right place for it. If not we'll definitely give you some constructive criticism.

Hi D.G.
I'm glad to hear you say that!
David Perlmutter

Pencil sketch is done on the cover...going to pick it up today.

Howdy!
Adding this antho to the list of stories to write something for.
Can't wait to see the cover art!

I have a good feeling that the cover is going to come out AMAZING! The sketch is already cool as hell.

Are you firm on 5k for word count.  I have a great story that is 6,600 which I can trim down some but I'd rather not gut it if I don't have to.

Sent you a private message.

I might be onboard for this one...not quite understanding what the basis is.

       There is a very wide umbrella for this one. We want all sorts of genres and themes, preferably blended to create one monster. If you aren't familiar with transgressive fiction, you can try reading Chuck Palahniuk, Hubert Selby Jr., William S. Burroughs, Douglas Coupland, even Burgess's "A Clockwork Orange". I would venture to claim that Bukowski's novels/memoirs (whatever you want to call them) are transgressive. One of the easiest comparisons I've been using, though it is not my favorite, is "Fight Club". Just please don't write Fight Club II.    
        Usually, the characters are trying to find some sense of normalcy in a society that is oppressive and sometimes dystopian. They lash out with drugs, crime, sex—basically any and everything that "normal" people would claim as taboo. There isn't a distinct formula for the type of fiction. It could be a horror-science fiction-fantasy story, but the transgressive elements must be there. Don't hold back.    
         A good example would be to take "Hell House" from Richard Matheson, throw in some "Haunted" from Chuck Palahniuk, and add a dash of "Last Exit to Brooklyn". The result would be completely disturbing. We want stories that are going to shock people, make them faint when they read them, but are also of quality. As for the story itself, wherever you want to take it. Hopefully, I've been at least a bit helpful, after such a long Rant.
 

DG, you have been helpful in helping me put a definition on transgressive...I've read none of those novels although I have read and seen I am Legend by Mathson so I'm guessing that you want it something like that.

Eh... "I am Legend" is more straightforward horror. You could do a horror story, but there has to be transgressive stuff in there. Say Robert Neville was a drug addict, using explosives to destroy the zombies-vampires because he's always hated the human race and their love of commercialism, then that would be a more transgressive take of "I Am Legend". We would LOVE to see some transgressive horror, though. If you could pull it off, it would be awesome.

Hi
I've been reading Matheson's "Collected Stories" as of late. I can really identify with the protagonist of "Mad House"- I'm afraid of ending up like him someday!
David Perlmutter

I haven't read his "Collected Stories". I'll have to look into it.

Getting some great stories in for this. It is such a unique topic for an anthology, that we aren't getting a whole bunch of trunk stories.

This seems like a promising topic for an anthology -- more specific than horror, but at the same time more flexible and less predictable.  Will look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Got an idea slithering around...Hopefully something will come of it. :)