DEATHCRAWL PRE-ORDER ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!

So, as of today, my next story DEATHCRAWL is available for pre-order. It's scheduled for release on August 30th, which gives me time to give the story a last polish before it's sent away to the Amazon overlords.

Here's the description, if you're interested...

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Murder, suicide, mutilation and madness. Slaughter in the streets. Anything goes.

When the village of Beacon Fell is hit by an epidemic of violence, Jed Kittridge is one of the few people immune to the bloodlust that has turned his friends and neighbours into rabid killers. Insanity fills the air. Friends become enemies. And in the aftermath of such death and destruction, all that matters is survival...because the world will never be the same again.

DEATHCRAWL is a fast-paced, violent thriller that takes inspiration from the extreme end of the horror spectrum.

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The cover was done by the awesome Daryl Duncan (check out his zombie novella SCUD). Great work, as always, mate.


And that's that! It feels good to be getting work out there. Long may it continue! I'm quite enjoying this self-publishing experiment.


Be excellent to each other.

Laters!

THE SELF-PUBLISHING EXPERIMENT/WORKS IN PROGRESS

I've dipped my toes into the deep pool of self-publishing. How's it going, you may ask? It's going okay. I think. I didn't know what to expect, and I still don't know what to expect. I've sold a few copies of SCAVENGERS since its release on Sunday, and I'm quietly pleased with the reaction to it, so far. The reviews have been positive, and I've gained a few new readers in the process. It's still early days, so I'll see how things go.

So, what's next?

I'm currently writing a novella/short story called DEATHCRAWL. It's about mass demonic possession. The elevator pitch would be: HARRY BROWN meets THE CRAZIES. It's going to be violent, fast-paced and a lot of fun. I'm certainly enjoying writing it.

I'm also plotting a war/action novel tentatively titled INVASION UK. And some other, secret stuff...

Plus, there's a sci-fi horror novella also in the works. It's all happening over here.

And that's it.

Cheers!

SCAVENGERS

So, my first self-published novella SCAVENGERS was released yesterday, and despite already self-publishing two short stories in the last few months, I found it quite daunting. I envisioned it being completely ignored or, even worse, derided by anyone who'd read it. Neither has happened so far, so that's encouraging. Although it's always a nervous wait for that first review!

Yeah, so, it's about two couples who are travelling to a holiday cottage in the countryside, during one of the worst storms in years. They find a car abandoned across the road, blocking their way, so then two of them get out to investigate.

They find the keys in the ignition. The radio's playing. The headlights are on. But no one is there.

Moments later, they're plunged into a nightmare from which there may be no escape. They will be hunted.




I really enjoyed writing this novella. I hope people enjoy reading it!

Cheers!

The children play in the woods. The children hunt in the woods.

They kill in the woods.

When Ray and his wife join another couple for a week in the countryside, they expect nothing more than a few days of relaxation, fine drink and good food. Instead they discover a terrible secret that threatens to destroy them all.

They will run and hide - and fight if they have to - but the fields will be covered in blood and screams will echo through the trees.

The SCAVENGERS are here.

A visceral, non-stop tale of horror from British Fantasy Award-nominated author Rich Hawkins.

The Self-Publishing Noob.

So, I took the plunge and self-published my short story FALLEN SOLDIER at the weekend...and it's going well so far, despite my almost-total lack of experience with it. Pretty pleased with the reaction to the story, and it's had some good reviews. But my plans for world domination do not end there, for I'm planning to self-publish another short story and a novella - SCAVENGERS - in the near future.

I also have a few short stories due out soon, not to mention my traditionally-published novellas KING CARRION and RUIN. Then there's an idea for a crime thriller slowly bubbling at the back of my head, which I'm quite excited about.

So, that's what's been happening over here. I'm off to eat some cheese. Ciao.

The SCAVENGERS cover was done by Daryl Duncan. I love it.

Easter Eggs and Bunny Boilers.

So, here I am with a cup of coffee in hand while 'Mr Tumble' frolics on the telly in the background and my daughter laughs gaily. But enough of that, because I'm going to tell you about an anthology I'm in, alongside a host of talented writers from the indie horror scene. Seriously, this is the sort of line up that would turn away Rasputin for being 'too nice'. The anthology's called EASTER EGGS AND BUNNY BOILERS, organised and published by horror writer Matt Shaw, who did a great job of bringing everything together and keeping us in line. Nice work, Matt, you did good.

Despite only being released on Sunday, the anthology is already an Amazon bestseller, which is pretty awesome.

I wrote my story 'FELDMAN'S RABBIT' in less than a week, which is pretty quick for me. I think the story came out pretty good, and I certainly enjoyed writing it. It concerns a man named Feldman who, in the midst of a terrible snowstorm, finds shelter in an abandoned house in the depths of the English countryside. But what waits for him in the house is worse than any snowstorm...

The rabbit waits for him...

Cheers!

THE LAST SOLDIER RELEASE DAY!

Hello, all. Okay, today marks the release of the third and final novel in the Plague trilogy, THE LAST SOLDIER. I must admit to having conflicting feelings about it, as it's the 'last' book in the series, and it feels like the end of an era in a way - which probably sounds stupid, I suppose. But I'm very excited to see it out in the wild. I'm going to miss that fictional world of mutants, monsters and desperate survivors, but at least I can say I put all my effort into it and the series has been well-received. If you happen to pick up THE LAST SOLDIER, let me thank you in advance and I hope you enjoy it. And watch out for the virus-blighted mutants...

Cheers!

Just a quick post to let you know THE PLAGUE WINTER has received an excellent review over at 2 Book Lovers Reviews. Thanks Greg, it's much appreciated.

I'm very pleased with the initial reaction to the novella, and long may it continue! I hope future readers enjoy it too!

Following the devastating outbreak of an alien virus, Eddie and his young grandson struggle to survive within the wasteland of Great Britain. They live day-to-day, scavenging among the ruins, trying to avoid the deadly infected that now roam the land. But Eddie has other demons to conquer: a longstanding drink problem that needs to be kept in check if he wants to keep both himself and his young charge alive.

When a stranger enters their lives, seeking help, Eddie is forced to make a choice that could alter their lives forever.

THE PLAGUE WINTER is a standalone novella set within the same world as THE LAST PLAGUE and THE LAST OUTPOST.

THE PLAGUE WINTER

Today marks the release of my novella THE PLAGUE WINTER from the very kind people at Infected Books. I've had to keep this a secret for the last few months, so I'm very happy to see it out in the wild and following in the footsteps of Adam Baker's KILLCHAIN as the second release in YEAR OF THE ZOMBIE, which I'm very honoured to be a part of.

It's a standalone story set in the same world as my novels THE LAST PLAGUE, THE LAST OUTPOST, and the forthcoming THE LAST SOLDIER, in which the world is devastated by an unknown virus that transforms people into mutated bloodthirsty monsters, and I had a blast writing it. Thanks to David Moody and Wayne Simmons for letting me be a part of this very cool project!

Cheers!

Following the devastating outbreak of an alien virus, Eddie and his young grandson struggle to survive within the wasteland of Great Britain. They live day-to-day, scavenging among the ruins, trying to avoid the deadly infected that now roam the land. But Eddie has other demons to conquer: a longstanding drink problem that needs to be kept in check if he wants to keep both himself and his young charge alive.

When a stranger enters their lives, seeking help, Eddie is forced to make a choice that could alter their lives forever.

THE PLAGUE WINTER is a standalone novella set within the same world as THE LAST PLAGUE and THE LAST OUTPOST.

Praise for Hawkins’ previous work:

‘One of the most intriguing post-apocalyptic novels I’ve read in a long time.’ (David Moody on THE LAST PLAGUE)

‘A new voice in infection fiction.’ (Sean T. Page on THE LAST PLAGUE)

‘A world of bloody, tearing violence, of pain and misery; of utter solitude, and tooth and nail survival.’ (Ginger Nuts of Horror on THE LAST OUTPOST)