APPALACHIAN GALAPAGOS follows the smash success of Scary Rednecks and Other Inbred Horrors with authors Weston Ochse and David Whitman returning us to the world of rednecks, human-skin beer cozies, urban legends come to life, southern mythology, drunkards flying in lawn chairs, contemplations on the nature of god, and the monsters within us all. Galapagos cements its ownership of the genre opening with a grand opus of a novella co-written by both authors, featuring backwoods churches, boat rides, and bigfoots. Fourteen additional stories provide us glorious glances into a world of bug zappers, cheetos, and beer-fueled madness. Grand Master of Horror Edward Lee points out in his introduction that ‘this very successful collection is unlike anything that is being done today’ and ‘is perhaps the most successful collection of the year.’
Contents
Introduction
Preface:Excerpt from a Speech given by Professor Elvis G. Giddy on Survival of the Fittest – Edward Lee
Origin of A Species
or
Up Shit's Creek With A Case of Beer and No F*****g Paddles
Weston Ochse and David Whitman
Pitfighter Serenade
Weston Ochse
With Quiet Violence
(Originally published in The Edge, 2000)
David Whitman
The Winnowing
Weston Ochse
Killin' Lenny
David Whitman
The Smell of Leaves Burning in Winter
Weston Ochse
Beautiful Ugly
(Originally published in Electric Wine, 2000)
David Whitman
The Rememory Man
Weston Ochse
Who Watches the Watcher
(Originally published in Sinister Element, 1998)
David Whitman
The Qualities of Mercy
(Originally published in Primordial Magazine, 1999)
Weston Ochse
Degeneration
David Whitman
Eli's Coming
Weston Ochse
We've Only Just Begun
David Whitman
Summer Planting
(Originally published in Sinister Element 1998)
Weston Ochse
Flying Through Heavens With Beer In Hand
David Whitman
PRAISE FOR APPALACHIAN GALAPAGOS - WESTON OCHSE & DAVID WHITMAN:
"Make way for a new powerhouse on the block. Hard work and formidable skills have already shot-gunned Ochse to the front of the genre's exciting new pack of writers. With creative brawn, brains, and balls, the guy's locked, loaded, and switched to full-auto, blazing away with his unique and original brand of modern horror, one of the few new writers, I'd say, who will help re-define the field for the future." Edward Lee
“Over the last year or two, their revitalization of the horror genre has produced dozens of new writers. A smaller core clearly stands out above the rest. But even beyond that, we’re seeing a handful of individuals working their way into the short list of excellence. Whitman is incontestably one of those writers. His dynamic creative visions, no-nonsense conceptual treatments, and sheer talent place him on the very short list indeed.” - Edward Lee
"The more I read and re-read this collection, the more I am moved by the stories. I really can't recommend this one enough. I will say that it's more than its cover promises. Several of the stories are as touching as they are chilling. A few are hilarious. Almost all of them are absorbing. This is impressive." Doug Clegg
"This is better than the hype. I don't want to go overboard, but stories in the book will remind many readers of the good stuff by Edward Lee and Joe Lansdale and probably Bill Faulkner. There were times, reading some of them, when I was put in mind of Flannery O'Connor." Richard Laymon
"Once a year, the field of horror literature produces a short story, novel, anthology or collection that pushes the limits, breaks new ground and raises the genre to new heights. This is such a book. Their voice is unique, a mix of Edward Lee, Tom Piccirilli, Nietzsche, Sam Kinison, and Steinbeck. Place those ingredients in a blender, shake well, and the result is this book." Brian Keene
