My Lambda Literary Jeffrey Round profile

My profile of Jeffrey Round​, author of the Dan Sharp mystery seriers, but also some fine literary novels and more, is online on the Lambda Literary Foundation site. As always, Jeff was a pleasure to interview. He also gave me plenty to think about.

Author Jeffrey Round.

You can read the 1500-word profile here.

Goodreads review of Town & Train

I wanted to share this very flattering goodreads review of Town & Train. The review appeared courtesy of my colleague, Benoit Chartier, author of The Calmunist Malefesto: And Other Improbable Yarns and Red Nexus, a novel.

"I thought James K. Moran's book was a perfect balance of elements, from descriptions to character personalities and development, to more subtle aspects such as plot and narration. The undertone builds slowly and subtly, taking you to a very satisfying end. The style reminds me of earlier Stephen King. All-in-all, a truly satisfying read."

Now that is a review that you can take home to Mom. I am very grateful for the kind words.

Specuating Canada interview for Town & Train

A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to talk to the amazing Derek Newman-Stille about my horror novel, Town & Train, for his show, Speculating Canada, on Trent Radio. Newman-Stille is a thoughtful and thought-provoking interviewer who truly gave my first book a close read. I was lucky to be on the show and came away with more to think about than before I called in.

If you want to hear the show, it is now archived online here.

It is an hour long, so don't feel you have to listen to all of the exchange if you don't have time or inclination. But, for those who are interested, I do delve into the inspiration for the novel and its creation, as well as the various drafts I wrote. I feel that Derek really understands what I am trying to accomplish in the novel, between examing a cross-section of small town life in 1990, to closeted characters enduing agony, to being 17 and craving adventure of any kind outside of your suburban surroundings.

Town & Train Kindle version on sale

Like Kindle? The Kindle version of my debut horror novel, Town & Train just went on sale. It's up for $1.99 U.S. and $2.99 Cdn, right about now. You can buy it here or, if you're in Canada, here.

How to sell a Lethe Press book

How to sell a Lethe Press​ book to a flesh-eating zombie at the Cornwall & Area Pop Event - CAPE​:

After a flesh-eating zombie and his younger zombie boy have tried to eat you and your son (imagine a short version of Captain America), you give the hearty fellow the elevator pitch for your novel, Town & Train​.

You describe the teen characters, including the 17 year olds – John Daniel, Alexandra Robinson, Tommy Two Rivers and Bruck Aticoke; the twenty-something cop character, David Forester, trying to fit into a small-town police force after transferring from Toronto for reasons unknown; the bartender, Lydia MacDiarmid, working her way through nursing college; and you describe retired firefighter Henry Tanner. Hint at his stored past and many secrets in the book. You mention a mysterious steam engine train making people vanish in the heat wave summer of 1990 in a town enduring a recession. 

Then you wait a beat.

“I’ve read other titles by your publisher,” the zombie replies, ripped clothes and bloodied face and all. “Does your book have any gay characters like those ones?”

You reply that, yes, your book has such characters.

“I’ll get a copy,” the zombie replies, removing their wallet from their tattered jeans.

There and then, you realize you should have led with “Lethe Press is the publisher.”

Postscripts to Darkness Vol. 6 Launch this Friday

Spring has indeed sprung! What are Ottawa folks doing Friday, May 9? Want to hear some fine speculative fiction?

Kate Heartfield (also journalist and fab host of my Ottawa International Writers Festival book launch) and Robin Riopelle, (author of Deadroads, a fine supernatural rip of a first novel that I just finished) will read at the Postscripts to Darkness vol. 6 launch on Fri, May 9 at Raw Sugar Cafe. 7pm.

Oh - and I will also be reading an excerpt from Town & Train.

Please admire this stunning cover for Postscripts to Darkness 6 by
MANDEM, a transdigital artist.

June 9 Ottawa ChiSeries reading with Kate Story and Melissa Yuan-Innes

Hey true believers:

If anyone missed my recent book launch for  Town & Train​ at the Ottawa International Writers Festival​, I have a June 9 reading at the fantastic The Chiaroscuro Reading Series​ at Maxwell's Bistro. I'm booked with fab fellow speculative fic authors Kate Story and Melissa Yuan-Innes. A free event, with THREE authors. How can you go wrong? So make it if ya can! Thank you so much, ChiSeries organizer, Matt Moore​, for inviting me.

You can check out the official event listing here.