S.M. Douglas

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Sale: Apex Predator Only $0.99 From February 21-28th

February 19, 2019 / / 0 Comments

I have good news. For the first time in over a year my werewolf novel Apex Predator is on sale over at Amazon.com!

The sale starts on Thursday February 21st and ends on Thursday February 28th. During that time Apex Predator’s e-book version will be available for only $0.99! That’s 75% off the $3.99 list price for those of you who are like me and not the most math savvy.

Apex_Predator_Cover

If you already pay attention to my ramblings you know that I don’t spend much time promoting my work. So you might say, why now? That’s simple. I just finished a new edition of the book. Needless to say, I think those edits make it an even better reading experience. Which is pretty cool considering some of the glowing editorial reviews Apex Predator has already garnered:

“It takes mere paragraphs to become addicted to author’s unique style and infectious story telling prowess…pace is swift… rare commodity for one to stumble across… mesmerizing conclusion… vivid description… pulse pounding action… borderline poetic and the crystal clear imagery inspires the suspense fanatic in each of us… eloquent grisly, gory and gruesome prose. Douglas evokes an unsettling level of skin crawling hysteria for even the most cynical of readers…one cannot help but squirm with unease and maybe double and triple check that the locks have been secured for the night. Rest assured Apex Predator is not your Uncle Ned’s Werewolf story. It’s invigorating, innovative and refreshing to see an age old premise composed with a brand new edge…will jump at the chance to embark upon another S.M. Douglas odyssey.”
— Horrornews.net
 “More than just Lycanthropes vs. Wolves of Wall Street, the novel is an ambitious examination of corporate corruption–with carnage that feels cathartic…shape-shifters have definite horror appeal…guaranteed to amuse horror aficionados.”
— Diabolique Magazine
“Apex Predator, with its classic occult-like mainstay and a vivid representation of a dystopian world, certainly makes for a fun read…will rightfully keep you up all night…Awarded five out of five stars.”
— Serious Reading
“The ending was a surprising twist. The book is well-written and a very enjoyable read.”
–Mildred Fontanez, Goodreads Review
“This book was a great read. It’s a great mix of historic events and really good fiction.”
–Michael Smith, Goodreads Review
 “I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Having always been a werewolf fan, this was an interesting twist on the tale. The characters are complex and endearing enough that you find yourself drawn into their world. The action is fast paced and keeps you reading page after page to find out what happens.”
–Rob De Stefano, Goodreads Review
 “A very good read. I loved it one of the best werewolves books I’ve read. I recommend this to anyone”
–William Riley, Goodreads Review

That’s enough of that. I’m feeling downright immodest. But hey, a sale is a sale! So, if you’re a fan of werewolf horror, or maybe you’ve been wondering if I know how to spin a tale then now’s your chance. Beginning this Thursday you have a whole week to check out Apex Predator for only $0.99!

Give it a chance. If you like it then let me know (ideally doing so on the book’s Amazon page).

 

Werewolves and Castles – The Perfect Pairing!

October 29, 2018 / / 0 Comments

I love castles. I also love werewolves. Combine the two and…it should be magic. But why isn’t it? I can only think of two films in the past forty years that includes a prominent werewolf and castle dynamic. These are Howling V (in 1989) and Underworld: Rise of the Lycans (in 2009).

The original Howling is my all-time favorite werewolf movie. The sequels – not so much. I say this with all due respect to Christopher Lee and Sybill Danning, who appeared together in Howling II.  I still don’t know how the writer/director couldn’t have figured out a way to use those two better. That said, Howling V was a game effort; just not what could have been. As for the Underworld series…I found the the first three enjoyable – albeit more as action movies than true horror films.

If anyone knows of any good werewolf/castle combo’s in any media form then I would love to get some viewing or reading recommendations!

By the way, for those of you who haven’t read my book Apex Predator note that a medieval European town and its imposing castle (set in the modern era) are one of the key settings.

I even had the artist I hired use the castle as part of the book’s cover!

apex-predator-final

One of My Writing Influences

September 21, 2018 / / 0 Comments

When we think of a genre of books or films that include a message about social and political issues science fiction often crops up. As well it should.

Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek (and its progeny) is widely praised for this reason. However, it is of course far from alone in this regard. Nevertheless, many people frequently dismiss horror. This is in spite of the reality that horror offers a great way of exploring contemporary issues within our society.

Leveraging horror in such a manner is something I very much tried to do with my werewolf novel Apex Predator (https://www.amazon.com/Apex-Predator-S-M-Doug…/…/ref=sr_1_1…). In that regard I am far from the first. Among my influences is Whitley Strieber – the author of one of the all-time great “werewolf” books:

Wolfen Book Cover

The Wolfen: http://smdouglas.com/…/the-horror-genres-often-overlooked…/…

Werewolves Done Right

November 20, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Since Apex Predator (https://www.amazon.com/Apex-Predator-S-M-Doug…/…/ref=sr_1_3…) was published last year I get questions regarding the inspiration for the look of my book’s werewolves.

My usual response is Bernie Wrightson’s beasts from “Cycle of the Werewolf” or Rob Bottin’s werewolves from the original “Howling” movie.

However, here’s some lesser known artist’s work that also inform the shape and form of my favorite beasties. Enjoy! And, yes I included one of Bernie’s werewolves – I can’t help it, the guy’s a legend!

Werewolf Pic 1 Werewolf Pic 2 Werewolf Pic 3 Werewolf Pic 4 Werewolf Pic 5 Werewolf Pic 6

Werewolves and Us

June 26, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Two illustrations. Two werewolves. Two people. In the first, the Polish artist Jakub Rozalski (aka “Mr. Werewolf”) showcases a new work titled “hunt or be hunted” (from his Wolfpack 1863 series).

Werewolf_the hunter or the hunted

Since I discovered Jakub early this year I’ve been a huge fan. Perhaps not surprising considering my werewolf book Apex Predator (published last year) features a winter werewolf hunt of it’s own – one that similarly leads one to wonder who is hunting whom.  A question that leads one to also re-examine the werewolf’s role in defining who we are as people. A thought that leads to our second image.

Werewolf Chasing Woman

I get a kick out of these old pulp magazine/book illustrations featuring a werewolf invariably chasing a scantily clad woman. Don’t get me wrong – I get it. Perhaps one of the signature concepts behind that of the werewolf is as a representation of man’s untamed, shall I say, err “impulses”.

However, werewolves are meant to be more than that – they are what is wild and untamed in ALL of us.  One of the things I really enjoyed about creating the werewolves in my novel Apex Predator came from flipping stereotypical images such as these upon their head – presenting both females and males at various times losing control to the beast within. This goes back to the thought I would like all my readers to ponder. Do we love werewolves because of what they say about our worst fears regarding our darkest impulses? Or do we like werewolves because they are representative of the reality that is the human animal?

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