Upon a Blue Moon

Tonight we will be graced with a rare celestial event a Blue Moon.  In folktales it is rumored that during the Blue Moon the moon had a face and talked to those standing in the moon light.  So if you hear a strange voice talking to you while out tonight do be sure to look up and see if it is the man in the moon.

Happy New Year everyone!
xx,
E.J.

Two Terrifying Additions to Shadows of Myth and Legend

Readers beware!  Today I added a poem about the Dullahan to 'Shadows of Myth and Legend'.  This headless member of the Unseelie Court is quite horrifying.

Yesterday I finished another poem for 'Shadows of Myth and Legend' about the Grindylow.  This is probably my most terrifying piece yet.  I am rather inclined to skip sleep altogether tonight!

Barghest and Mauthe...

I've been busy writing the past few days.  Today I completed the poem 'Barghest and Mauthe' for Shadows of Myth and Legend.  This collection is coming along beautifully.  I can't wait to share it all with you in 2010!

I also began work on a new Paranormal Romance novel.  Seeing through the eyes of new characters, feeling what they feel, and sharing their world is an amazing new experience.  My cup runneth over!
xx,
E.J.

Cheers!

Cheers! Skoal!
I hope you are all having a fabulous Christmas Eve.
xx,
E.J.

Best Music of 2009

Best Live Music Performance of 2009
1. Patrick Wolf at the London Palladium.
2. Patrick Wolf at the Middle East Club Boston.
3. Rufus Wainwright at the Merrill Auditorium Portland.

Yes, Patrick Wolf is an absolute GOD on stage. His shows were not only the highlight of 2009 they were the highlight of the past decade!

Best albums of 2009
1. Ravens by Tobias Svensson.
2. Plague by Jake Downs.
3. The Final Letters by Bark Cat Bark.
4. The Bachelorby Patrick Wolf.

O.k. I tried to limit the best albums to a 'top 3' but these four albums are all worthy of the top spot! If you'd like more info on these fabulous music artists please check out my previous blog 'Goth Folk'.


Best Live Dance Performance of 2009
1. Reawakened at the St. Lawrence.
2. Orient XXXpress at The Asylum.
3. Aepril Schaile & Guests Belly Dance Showcase at the Middle East Club Boston.

There were so many fabulous dance performances this past year! 

New Blogs for the New Year

Some of you may have noticed a few new links have been added to the sidebar recently.  In anticipation of the 2010 releases of my new poetry collections 'Shadows of Myth and Legend' and 'Gears, Steam & Absinthe Daydreams' I have created two new blogs of the same names. 
From the Shadows will remain my primary blog, however I will be posting release updates and more on the new blogs as work on both titles progresses.

A Zombie Story for Christmas

I just found the perfect gift for my friend N who absolutely loves Zombies, 'I am Scrooge: A Zombie Story for Christmas'.

Happy Solstice

Vampyre: The Terrifying Lost Journal of Dr. Cornelius Van Helsing

I just received some of the most fabulous Christmas gifts including Vampyre: The Terrifying Lost Journal of Dr. Cornelius Van Helsing. This book is absolutely gorgeous. There are three dimensional mementos and notes throughout the "journal" along with some wonderful sketches.

Frozen Sparrow

'Frozen Sparrow' photo by E.J. Stevens

The Winter Queen

The Winter Queen

In the dark world of Shadow
During Solstice the Longest Night
The Winter Queen stirs
While her dreaded frost minions
Take flight

In this land of cold and fear
Stands a palace of ice and stone
Where locked deep within
Sits the Winter Queen upon
Her throne

Awareness returns to her
As she tries to open her eyes
Memory and pain
Erupts, but ice seals away
Her cries

The only thing not frozen
Are Winter Queen’s immortal tears
Which sparkle as they
Flow down her cheeks mingling with
Her fears

No one dare enter her realm
No man will ever kiss her lips
For death lingers in
Her embrace, into abyss
He’ll slip

So on this dark Solstice night
The Winter Queen sits upon her throne
Knowing she will sit here
Forever frozen and all
Alone


by E.J. Stevens

The Winter Queen was first featured on Moonlight, Lace & Mayhem and will be published in my upcoming collection 'Shadows of Myth and Legend'.

PNR authors rave about From the Shadows

I was extremely pleased to see the rave reviews From the Shadows has been receiving from other Paranormal Romance authors.  Gracen Miller, Andrew Valentine and Lisa Phillips have written beautiful reviews which I hope you all have the chance to check out!  Gracen's review can be read here on my blog and on Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem.  Andrew and Lisa have posted 5-star reviews on Amazon which can be read on the From the Shadows Amazon page.

Gracen Miller is the author of Elfin Blood and The Devil's Den
Andrew Valentine is the author of Bitter Things
Lisa Phillips is the author of Obsession Everlasting

Black & White Ball this Friday Plague @The Asylum

What a busy week! This Thursday night kicks off the five night run of The Nutcracker Burlesque at the St. Lawrence theatre, Friday night is the Black & White Ball Plague night at The Asylum and Saturday night is the notorious annual CPock Christmas Cocktail Party.I can't wait!
xx,
E.J.

Guest Blogging Today

I will be guest blogging today at Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem.  I have a very special treat for visitors. I am unveiling a never before published poem 'The Winter Queen' in its entirety.
Stop by and say hello!
xx,
E.J.

From the Shadows teaser trailer

I am excited to share with you all a teaser trailer for From the Shadows.  This is the first book trailer for From the Shadows by E.J. Stevens. Enjoy!

From the Shadows by E.J. Stevens
Photography: by Amanda Stevens
Music: 'Rue ST-Maur' by Bark Cat Bark
Model: E.J. Stevens
Book trailer: by E.J. Stevens

Book Review by Gracen Miller

Gracen Miller, author of Elfin Blood and The Devil's Den, posted a fabulous review of From the Shadowstoday.

From the Shadows is an easy read, but there’s depth to these poems, with a story to be told in each one. And each and every one of her poems was thought provoking. Sometimes the poems are morbid and dark. Sometimes they’re poignant reminders of loved ones we’ve lost, such as My Mother’s Garden. At other times, I saw dark, unhealthy romanticism. Your Kiss is a Riptide, for example. This poem in particular reminded me of the abusive relationship my best friend had with her husband. She wanted out of the relationship, but she kept getting caught up in his “riptide” until she was almost dead on the inside. Ms. Stevens may not have meant for me to interpret this particular poem in this way, but that was how the poem affected me. And often times—in my opinion at least—poetry is about feelings and emotions, and I easily felt some form of emotion with each of Ms. Stevens’ poems.

As I read several of her poems, I could hear them set to music. Their dark, haunting words reminding me of the late 1980’s dark and haunting song, Close My Eyes Forever by Ozzy Osborne and Lita Ford. I love that song, still love that song, and could easily hear many of her poems sung in my head by some heavy metal singers today. Maybe Shinedown, Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach or even Rammastein, would be able to turn her poetry into lyrics.

Some of her simplest lines are her most vivid. For instance:

Shadow Queen of the Sidhe
“Blackberry lips
Brimstone embers in her hair…”

Graveyard Whispers
“Resonates through their caskets
Rattling cloth and bone…”

Plague Rat
“Gasping wetly for breath
Prayers pass cracked lips
Hoping for the release of death...”

Wow! What powerful and vivid descriptions with simple words. I can visualize exactly what she’s written and each one of these showcased above is startling in my mind’s eye. Her poems are written in a myriad of different ways, so the cadence never gets old. And while I liked some poems better than others—of course that’s with any story ;-)—I still enjoyed the totality of her book of poetry and I’m glad Ms. Stevens allowed me the privilege of reading her work. For anyone that loves dark poetry, I think you’ll love this book of poetry written by E.J. Stevens as well.

Be sure to stop by Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem for Gracen Miller's full post!

Thanatos by Soap and Skin

Produced and directed by Benjamin and Stefan Ramirez Pérez. Photography by Anja Plaschg, Benjamin Ramírez Pérez and Stefan Ramírez Pérez. Music by Soap & Skin.

I'll be ordering Lovetune for Vacuumfor Christmas!
xx,
E.J.

The Longest Night

Tickets are on sale now for The Longest Night: A Solstice Celebration.  Proceeds go to support Southern Maine Pagan Pride Day and the Beans, Leaves & Deities Pagan Coffee Talks.
The winter solstice, the longest night of the year. The light begins its slow return just as we enter the coldest part of our Maine winter. It is a time of physical bundling up and spiritual emergence.
Date: December 12th, 2009 - 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Where: The Portland New Church, 302 Stevens Avenue, Portland, ME

Tamerlane and Other Poems by Poe breaks record

An 1827 edition of Edgar Allen Poe's Tamerlane and Other Poemssold for $662,500 at Christie's in New York breaking auction records for American literature.

Ghosts of Snow Creatures Past

We had our first snow storm of the season here in Maine.  Now it's time to make Snow Creatures! Here are a few ghosts of snow creatures past.

Bites for Blood

One day left to join in the Bites for Blood Drive!  Bites for Blood is a virtual blood drive being tweeted on by fans of True Blood.  The idea is to generate interest in the Red Cross who need donations, both monetary and liquid, at this time of year.  HBO has also joined in and promises to make a $10,000 donation to the Red Cross if the virtual goal is met.  So head on over to True Blood Twitter and join in the fun!

Hide & Seek

Do you seek out your hidden Christmas presents before the holiday?  If so, do you shake the present or peel back the wrapping paper and take a look inside?

E.J-  I prefer the mystery and suspense of waiting.  I never peek! ;)

Shadow Queen of the Sidhe

Blackberry lips

Brimstone embers in her hair

The evil temptress beckons

For you to come into her lair

Feet dancing on the dark crags

Legs bare but for swirling mist

She pouts at your indecision

And offers up a kiss

Wrapped in shifting shadows

She sways from side to side

Looks coyly through dark lashes

Opens her mouth wide

A growl escapes her

As she reaches for your face

Shadow Queen of the Sidhe

Wraps you in her dark embrace.

From the Shadows by E.J. Stevens
**author's note: "Sidhe" is a Celtic word for Fae or Fairy and is pronounced "Shee"**

Bitter Things just became oh so sweet!

Looking for a holiday gift for the vampire lover on your list?  The Kindle edition of Bitter Thingsby Andrew Valentine is now available for less than 50% off the original price! 

Michelle Papas vows to form a new connection with her emotionally scarred husband Scott after the gruesome discovery of two bodies in Central Park unhinges him. Just over a year later, through a seemingly chance meeting at a bar in midtown Manhattan, she discovers she and Scott share a fascination with Jong, an alluring woman who feeds on the desires of others. Michelle pursues the woman, and after the three partake in a night of passion, Michelle wakes up alone. Scott has disappeared, and what was meant to drive them together has propelled them apart. Enlisting the help of Dave Carson, her friend and confidante, Michelle sets out to find her husband. Frustrated by conventional police tactics, Michelle hires a private investigator. Instead of finding her husband, Michelle finds herself in a web of deceit where her trusted allies conspire with her hidden enemies. Michelle is forced to confront her loyalty to her wayward husband and choose between the sweet things of an incomplete life, or the BITTER THINGS of a life fulfilled by the ultimate sacrifice.

A Very Gorey Christmas

We have a family tradition of reading stories aloud by candlelight. This often happens huddled by the fire with a glass of wine or spirits during the chill winter months.  Most of the year our storytelling consists of our own tales or classic ghost stories however as the Christmas holiday approaches we always reach for Edward Gorey.

I highly recommend The Haunted Tea-cosy: A Dispirited and Distasteful Diversion for Christmas, The Headless Bust: A Melancholy Meditation for the False Millennium, The Twelve Terrors of Christmas
and The Doubtful Guest for delightfully dark holiday reading.

Wish to share some Gorey Greetings with your loved ones?  You may wish to check out Edward Gorey Christmas Cards.

Nitzer Ebb

Tomorrow night I'll be taking a musical journey into my past.  Nitzer Ebb will be playing LIVE at The Paradise Rock Club in Boston and I have tickets! 
"fast beat the feet, fast fall the hands..."