New review of HUNT THE AVENGER

New review of Hunt the Avenger by John Small of the Johnson County Sentinel.

"Eckert's writing is first-rate, evoking the slam-bang action and occasionally purple prose of the character's original pulp-era exploits while bringing a modern sensibility that ought to attract younger readers just getting acquainted with the classic hero." 

More reviews on Goodreads

Hunt the Avenger by Win Scott Eckert, with stunning cover art by Malcolm McClinton, is NOW SHIPPING direct from Moonstone Books in two editions: 

• An exclusive, signed  limited edition (with a black & white frontispiece sketch of the Countess on the signature page) “UNMASKED” hardcover, featuring gorgeous Ellen Patrick—the Domino Lady—sans mask!

ORDER HARDCOVER

• A “MASKED” softcover, with Ellen wearing her trademark black domino mask!

ORDER SOFTCOVER

PulpFest 2019...and me!

I'm pleased to announce that after much back and forth, I will be attending PulpFest 2019 in August, and will have copies of Hunt the Avenger (published by Moonstone Books) on hand!

On Saturday, August 17, from 1:30 – 2:30 PM, I'll be signing Hunt the Avenger. If you've already preordered a copy, please bring it with you and I'll be happy to personally inscribe it (even if you already bought one of the signed limited edition hardcovers). Of course, if you want to pick up a copy from me there, that's fine as well. I will have softcovers and hardcovers–probably more softcovers.

Immediately thereafter, 3:15 – 4:30 PM, I'll be joining top notch writers (featuring John Bruening, Christopher Paul Carey, Craig McDonald, and William Patrick Murray) on a panel on Contemporary Pulp: Writing Genre Fiction moderated by authorized Fu Manchu continuation author William Patrick Maynard.

That evening, 7:45 – 8:25 PM, I'll be on the FarmerCon XIV panel: Farmer of the Pulps: A Harvest of Influences (featuring Jason Aiken, Christopher Paul Carey, and Garyn G. Roberts Ph. D., with Paul Spiteri moderating).

I hope to see you there!

• PulpFest site
• Full PulpFest schedule

DEDICATION to HUNT THE AVENGER

Dedication to Hunt the Avenger (a moonstonebooks.com exclusive release—not available anywhere else!)

For Howard Hopkins.

While other pulp luminaries dissected Doc Savage and The Shadow, Howard turned his attention to becoming the world’s leading expert on The Avenger—and then generously shared his dream of penning new authorized tales with other writers, myself included…and then generously edited and shepherded into print this writer’s first licensed tale, with advice and direction that was at once kind and firm—for Howie knew his stuff.

He is greatly missed.

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ORDER THE SOFTCOVER

HUNT THE AVENGER—a "fix-up" novel!

Definition of a "fix-up" novel...and why it matters.

AUTHOR’S NOTE to Hunt the Avenger (a moonstonebooks.com exclusive release—not available anywhere else!)

My first published Avenger story, “Death and the Countess,” featured what I thought at the time was a throwaway line mentioning a prior adventure with the Domino Lady. I went on to pen two more Avenger tales that actually featured team-ups with the saucy pulp heroine.

• “Death and the Countess,” The Avenger Chronicles (2008)
• “Happy Death Men,” The Avenger: The Justice, Inc. Files (2011)
• “According to Plan of a One-Eyed Trickster,” The Avenger: Roaring Heart of the Crucible (2013)

I was very happy with how the trilogy turned out, and yet it was clear that the three tales were meant to be read together as a whole—not separated by several years as each anthology was subsequently released. A proper reading required the stories to be collected in one volume.

Too, the trilogy always felt a bit imbalanced, with socialite Ellen Patrick—the Domino Lady—only making her “on camera” debut in the second tale. With that in mind, I set out to write the prequel to “Death and Countess,” showing the actual first meeting between Richard Benson and Ellen Patrick. This took a lot of careful planning and review of the timeline (excerpted at the conclusion of Hunt the Avenger) to ensure the continuity lined up—including featuring the black-haired, normal-skinned Benson, as he appeared in the final twelve original pulp novels and Ron Goulart’s twelve Avenger novels from the 1970s (as well as an additional short story by Goulart in 2008’s The Avenger Chronicles).

Throwing caution to the wind, I also decided to remedy the dangling plotlines left by prior scribe Goulart. I penned a fifth tale to wrap it all up in a bow, with the two new stories matching the word count of the original three tales.

The resulting pentalogy should be read together as one saga…Hunt the Avenger!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the journey!

Win Scott Eckert

January 2019

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ORDER THE SOFTCOVER

Now Taking Pre-Orders ... Hunt the Avenger!

Now Taking Pre-Orders — Shipping Direct from Moonstone Books in July 2019
(a moonstonebooks.com exclusive release—not available anywhere else!)

Out of tragedy, a hero is born! In the roaring heart of the crucible, steel is made. In the raging flame of personal tragedy, men are sometimes forged into something more than human.

A figure of ice and steel, Richard Benson is an avatar of vengeance—a chilled impersonal force of justice masking a cold genius and nearly supernatural power behind a face as white and still as arctic frost. His pale eyes, like a polar dawn, only hint at the terrible force evildoers heedlessly unleashed the day they created…The Avenger!

In the annals of Justice, Inc.’s battles against spies, crooks, and killers, only one malefactor has escaped The Avenger’s clutches not once, but twice—Baron Ulrich Blau-Montag, the half-man, half-machine known as the Iron Skull! 

But when Benson and his cohorts partner with the mysterious and saucy Domino Lady to hunt down the demented half-robot, and go on to clash with other supervillains, such as the Nazi spy Werner Konrad and a diabolical weapons dealer known as the Countess, a frightening pattern emerges…are they the creatures of a hidden puppetmaster?

And is Benson the hunter?

Or the prey?

Hunt the Avenger

* * * * *

Hunt the Avenger by Win Scott Eckert, with stunning cover art by Malcolm McClinton, is NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER, shipping direct from Moonstone Books in July 2019 in two editions: 

• An exclusive, signed limited edition (with a black & white frontispiece sketch of the Countess on the signature page) “UNMASKED” hardcover, featuring gorgeous Ellen Patrick—the Domino Lady—sans mask!

ORDER HARDCOVER

• A “MASKED” softcover, with Ellen wearing her trademark black domino mask!

ORDER SOFTCOVER

Hunt the Avenger - today is hardcover signing day!

Back in January, I teased Hunt the Avenger.

The book will very soon be available for preorder, shipping direct from Moonstone Books in two editions:

• an exclusive, signed limited edition “unmasked” hardcover (featuring gorgeous Ellen Patrick—the Domino Lady—sans mask)

• a “masked” softcover (with Ellen wearing her trademark black domino mask)

Today is signing day! I'm signing the frontispiece illustration—featuring The Avenger's deadly enemy, the Countess—which will then be tipped in to the hardcover when it goes to print.

As you can see, signing day in our household is a family affair! It's always good to have  helpers!

We're all waiting with bated breath for the preordering information.

Please stay tuned. It's coming soon from Moonstone Books!

Announcing...Hunt the Avenger!

Out of tragedy, a hero is born! In the roaring heart of the crucible, steel is made. In the raging flame of personal tragedy, men are sometimes forged into something more than human.

A figure of ice and steel, Richard Benson is an avatar of vengeance—a chilled impersonal force of justice masking a cold genius and nearly supernatural power behind a face as white and still as arctic frost. His pale eyes, like a polar dawn, only hint at the terrible force evildoers heedlessly unleashed the day they created…The Avenger!

In the annals of Justice, Inc.’s battles against spies, crooks, and killers, only one malefactor has escaped The Avenger’s clutches not once, but twice—Baron Ulrich Blau-Montag, the half-man, half-machine known as the Iron Skull!

But when Benson and his cohorts partner with the mysterious and saucy Domino Lady to hunt down the demented half-robot, and go on to clash with other supervillains, such as the Nazi spy Werner Konrad and a diabolical weapons dealer known as the Countess, a frightening pattern emerges…are they the creatures of a hidden puppetmaster?

And is Benson the hunter?

Or the prey?

Hunt the Avenger

* * * * *

Hunt the Avenger by Win Scott Eckert will soon be available for preorder, shipping direct from Moonstone Books in two editions: an exclusive, signed limited edition “unmasked” hardcover (featuring gorgeous Ellen Patrick—the Domino Lady—sans mask) and a “masked” softcover (with Ellen wearing her trademark black domino mask).

For now, enjoy the stunning cover art by Malcolm McClinton, and stay tuned for preordering information, coming soon from Moonstone Books!

2017 (and Beyond) Writing Projects

Following on the heels of my 2016 writing review, this is an overview of what I have planned for 2017 and 2018. I'm happy to say that most these projects are firm commitments, and won't leave much space in my schedule for additional work.

That said, I am always open to discussing chance-of-a-lifetime, no-way-can-you-turn-this-down projects!


The Avenger–Domino Lady short story. In my Avenger story "Death and the Countess" (The Avenger Chronicles, Moonstone Books, 2008), I referred to an "untold tale," the first meeting of The Avenger and the Domino Lady. I am currently in progress on this story, which fills a neat little space between Ron Goulart's "The Return of the Iron Skull" and "Death and the Countess."

Next, an Avenger novel for Moonstone. Novella length, really, but who's counting. This one is already generally plotted and should not take long to write once I get cranking.

A Sherlock Holmes short story to be submitted to The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories – Part VII: Eliminate the Impossible. I have the idea for this, but have not plotted or outlined it yet. It may well be a semi-sequel to my tale "No Ghosts Need Apply" (The Phantom Chronicles 2, Moonstone Books, 2010). That story had a neat bit of Wold-Newtonry (if I do say so) which has gone largely unnoticed, and which I'd like to extend in the Holmes tale.

The biggie... completing Philip José Farmer's unfinished fourth Doc Caliban novel, The Monster on Hold, due out from Meteor House in Summer 2018. This will require rereading A Feast Unknown, Lord of the Trees, and The Mad Goblin (for the umpteenth time), as well as intensive research, detailed outlining, worldbuilding, writing, rewriting, and polishing. I expect to spend the bulk of my writing time between now and spring 2018 on this. 

Slipped in the cracks of all this I will be continuing to research and put together material which will result in a proposal for a licensed character I would very much like to write.

It feels good to be back in the game.

A New Year

2015 was a slow year for me from a writing productivity perspective. The move to a new city, getting our new house in order, and starting a new job have all led to a major disruption in my output. 


Too, when I did find a spot of free time, it was consumed by necessary editing and publishing tasks to which I had already been obligated.

I had hoped to see a few more pieces out in 2015, but despite meeting submission deadlines, they weren't published as planned. Hopefully they are well on their way for 2016.

Thus, I only have one publication in 2015, a short story in the benefit anthology Legends of New Pulp Fiction. I was very pleased and honored to be included in this, and hopefully readers will enjoy my Green Ghost story, "Chance of a Ghost." Even more importantly, I hope the book helps fellow publisher Tommy Hancock and his family in this time of need. (And check out that awesome cover by the talented Doug Klauba!)

I was also glad to see a few prior works out in ebook, new editions, or in new collections.

• The Evil in Pemberley House (with Philip José Farmer), Meteor House, July 2014 
• eBook Kindle | Nook

• The Scarlet Jaguar, Meteor House, December 2015 (limited edition hardcover)
• eBook Kindle | Nook

• The connected tales "Nadine's Invitation," "Marguerite's Tears," and "Violet's Lament" were republished in The Vampire Almanac, Volume 2 by Jean-Marc and Randy Lofficier (eds.) (Black Coat Press, May 2015) | Amazon

• "Les Levres Rouges" was republished in The Vampire Almanac, Volume 1 by Jean-Marc and Randy Lofficier (eds.) (Black Coat Press, February 2015) | Amazon
• eBook Kindle  | Nook 

Significantly, December 13, 2015 saw the launch of Wold Newton Family.com, with much appreciated help from fellow Wold Newton fans and experts Christopher Paul Carey and Jason Aiken. The site is dedicated to providing "accurate and factual information on the canonical Wold Newton Family as created and envisioned by Philip José Farmer, and on deuterocanonical works authorized by Mr. Farmer or his estate."

There is a new article posted there today, Philip José Farmer's "The Arms of Tarzan."

2016 should see the publication of one already-written non-fiction pop culture piece and two already-written short stories—one of which has been waiting in the wings for six long years. The latter is either coming out this year or it will have to move along to a new home.

I'm hunkering down to whip out an Avenger novel, after which comes intensive research, rereading, worldbuilding, outlining, and finishing the Doc Caliban novel The Monster on Hold (begun by Philip José Farmer in the late 1970s and early 1980s). Monster is slated for a summer 2017 release.

Onward!

New Pulp Awards 2014 - Voting Now Open

The nominations have been announced for the New Pulp Awards 2014 and I'm honored to be among those listed.

If you read and enjoyed any of my nominated work, please consider a vote.

Or if you think the award goes to a more deserving creator, vote for them! The point being, please vote. A lot of writers and artists put their heart and soul into creating a plethora or enjoyable content last year, and deserve recognition for their efforts.


Here is the full ballot and complete instructions. Voting is open until March 12, 2014.

And here are the categories in which I've been nominated:

Best Collection/Anthology

Tales of the Wold Newton Universe, edited by Win Scott Eckert and Christopher Paul Carey, Titan Books

Best Short Story

"The Wild Huntsman," Tales of the Wold Newton Universe, Titan Books

Best Novella

The Scarlet Jaguar, Meteor House

Best Author

Related nominations:

• Best Cover Art - Mark Sparacio, The Scarlet Jaguar, Meteor House
• Best Interior Art - Mark Sparacio, The Scarlet Jaguar, Meteor House
• Best Author - Christopher Paul Carey (coauthor with Philip José Farmer of the third Khokarsa novel, The Song of Kwasin, among many other fine works)
• Best Novella - "Kwasin and the Bear God" by Philip José Farmer and Christopher Paul Carey, Tales of the Wold Newton Universe, Titan Books
• The Avenger: Roaring Heart of the Crucible (Moonstone Books) was nominated for Best Collection/Anthology. My story, "According to Plan of a One-Eyed Trickster," was not nominated, but please consider a vote for this Anthology, as well as my pal John Allen Small's story "The Ghost of Thunder Isle."
• Having contributed to all three anthologies, Moonstone's revival of The Avenger is near and dear to my heart. Please consider a vote for Best Pulp Revival.

New AVENGER ebook

I'm very pleased to see that the third Avenger anthology from Moonstone Books, The Avenger: Roaring Heart of the Crucible, is now out in ebook. The book has authentic tales about the pulp hero, The Avenger, by many great writers, and I was pleased to contribute a story, "According to Plan of a One-Eyed Trickster," which rounds out a storyline from the first and second books (my tales "Death and the Countess" and "Happy Death Men"). 

Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook

THE AVENGER: ROARING HEART OF THE CRUCIBLE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Moonstone Books’ third anthology collection chronicling new tales of pulp hero, The Avenger, is now available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. THE AVENGER: ROARING HEART OF THE CRUCIBLE is scheduled for release in April 2013 in both softcover trade paperback and limited edition hardcover. 

The Avenger: Roaring Heart of the Crucible features stories by New Pulp Authors Matthew Baugh, James Chambers, Greg Cox, Win Scott Eckert, Joe Gentile, CJ Henderson, Nancy Holder, Michael May, Matthew Mayo, Will Murray, Bobby Nash, Barry Reese, Chris Sequeira, John Small, and David White. Edited by Nancy Holder and Joe Gentile. Cover art courtesy of E. M. Gist (soft cover) and Jay Piscopo (hardcover).

The greatest crime-fighter of the 40's returns in a third thrilling collection of original, action-packed tales of adventure, intrigue, and revenge. Life was bliss for millionaire adventurer Richard Henry Benson until that fateful day crime and greed took away his wife and young daughter... and turned him into something more than human. Driven by loss, compelled by grief, he becomes a chilled impersonal force of justice, more machine than man, dedicated to the destruction of evildoers everywhere. A figure of ice and steel, more pitiless than both, Benson has been forged into an avatar of vengeance, possessed of superhuman genius supernormal power. His frozen face and pale eyes, like a polar dawn, only hint at the terrible force the underworld heedlessly invoked upon itself the day they created... The Avenger! 

Exclusive HC BONUS material: An Avenger timeline by Rick Lai and solo tales of the Avenger's aides by Howard Hopkins!

My tale, "According to Plan of a One-Eyed Trickster," is third in a trilogy, and once again features a crossover team-up with the Domino Lady! In addition, the villain of the piece might be spotted in a Wold Newton novel by Philip Jose Farmer, and has also appeared in my Sherlock Holmes story "The Adventure of the Fallen Stone" and in my Wold Newton Origins story "The Wild Huntsman."

Coming April 2013 from Moonstone Books. 

Amazon:

• softcover trade paperback
• limited edition hardcover

B&N:

• softcover trade paperback
• limited edition hardcover

2012 to date ... and Things to Come

After the push to get through FarmerCon VII /  PulpFest 2012  intact (the Convention was great; lots of pics and comments on my Facebook timeline), I'm feeling the need to take stock of the year and look forward to the remainder of the year and beyond...

2012 Published

Fiction

• "The Adventure of the Fallen Stone" in Sherlock Holmes: The Crossovers Casebook by Howard Hopkins (ed.) (Moonstone Books, March 2012)

• "Progress" in The Green Hornet: Still at Large by Joe Gentile, Win Scott Eckert, and Matthew Baugh (eds.) (Moonstone Books, August 2012)

• "The Wild Huntsman" in The Worlds of Philip José Farmer 3: Portraits of a Trickster by Michael Croteau (ed.) (Meteor House, August 2012) (illo to the left by Jay Piscopo)

Nonfiction

• Afterword: "Only a Coincidence: Phileas Fogg, Philip José Farmer, and the Wold Newton Family" in The Other Log of Phileas Fogg by Philip José Farmer (Titan Books, May 2012) 

• "A Chronology of Major Events Pertinent to The Other Log of Phileas Fogg" in The Other Log of Phileas Fogg by Philip José Farmer (Titan Books, May 2012) 

• "Gribardsun through the Ages: A Chronology of Major Events Pertinent to Time’s Last Gift" (with Dennis E. Power) in Time's Last Gift by Philip José Farmer (Titan Books, June 2012)

2012 Completed/Editorially Approved/Not Yet Published

Fiction

• "According to Plan of a One-Eyed Trickster" in The Avenger: Tales from the Roaring Crucible by Joe Gentile and Nancy Holder (eds.) (Moonstone Books, FORTHCOMING)

• "Zombies under Broadway" (with Eric Fein) (Moonstone Books, FORTHCOMING)

Nonfiction

• "A Tale of Two Universes" in Lord of the Trees by Philip José Farmer (Titan Books, November 2012)

Work in Progress or Planned for 2012/2013

Fiction

• "untitled" for Tales of the Shadowmen Volume 9: Le Vie en Noir by Jean-Marc and Randy Lofficier (eds.) (Black Coat Press, December 2012)
• A Girl and Her Cat, Honey West/T.H.E. Cat novella for Moonstone Books
• "untitled" for Sherlock Holmes: The Crossovers Casebook Volume III for Moonstone Books (sequel to "The Adventure of the Fallen Stone")
• an important novel in a well-nine well-known series; working hard to complete the three items above in 2012 in order to focus all energies on the novel come 2013
• a Patricia Wildman novella, sequel to The Evil in Pemberley House

Nonfiction

• "A Chronology of  Major Events Pertinent to the Secrets of the Nine Series" in The Mad Goblin by Philip José Farmer (Titan Books, June 2013)