RIP Howard Hopkins

I was out of town when I heard this news: Howard Hopkins, a writer and editor who I knew through his work with Moonstone. I was stunned to hear that he suffered a heart attack at the age of 50.

Howard was a talented writer and one of the best editors I've ever had. He was friendly and helpful but also uncompromising in what he asked for from writers. That is an amazing combination of qualities in an editor and helps writers to be their best.

Howard was a good guy and I wish I'd known him better. He leaves behind his wife, Dominique. Unfortunately, he also left behind some staggering medical bills.

At the request of Howard's wife, Dominique, Chuck Juzek has passed the following info along to the pulp fan community. Due to a mistake by their insurance agent 6 months ago that Dominique only became aware of after Howard's death, Howard's life insurance had lapsed at the time of his death. As a result, in addition to everything else that his passing means to her, she's now scrambling in order to find the funds to pay for his funeral expenses. If you have the ability, she's accepting donations to help pay for those expenses; at her request, below is her address for anyone that wishes to contribute.

Dominique Hopkins
2 McKee Drive
Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064

New Year's Stories

I decided to try to find good homes for all my rejected stories (and a couple of new ones) for the new year.

"Trail of the Brujo" is going to an upcoming anthology to be put out by Science Fiction Trails

"Draugr" has been sent to Dark Discoveries

"Adrift 'Neath Strange Skies" has gone to Lore

"Closing Time at Galaxy Video" was sent to Apex

"Gilgamesh" went to Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine

a new story, "Hunter's Blind" went to 3 Lobed Burning Eye

Finally, my mash-up novel The Vampire Count of Monte Cristo has gone to Permuted Press