So, once upon a time I meet this bald guy, see. And despite my own rock-n-roll hair, I think to myself: He could be cool; after all, David Draiman is bald, right?
Turns out Shawn Speakman is cool, indeed. And he’s gearing up for more cool. Shawn’s just beaten cancer for the second time. As a freelancer, he’s now got one whallop of a medical bill. So, what does he do? He puts together a whiz-bang anthology to tackle it. I’m more than happy to be counted among those included. Check it:
GRIM OAK PRESS
Contact: Shawn Speakman FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Email: shawn@grimoakpress.com
Website: www.grimoakpress.com
GRIM OAK PRESS TO PUBLISH UNFETTERED FANTASY ANTHOLOGY
Genre’s Best Writers to Contribute Against Fellow Writer’s Cancer Debt
SEATTLE, WA — Grim Oak Press, a new publishing company formed by webmaster
and freelance writer Shawn Speakman, will be producing Unfettered, a fantasy short
story anthology by some of the best writers in the genre, for a very good cause.
In 2011, Speakman was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He completed the
recommended chemotherapy, but lacking health insurance, the treatment left him with
almost $200,000 of financial debt. At the suggestion of New York Times bestselling
author Terry Brooks, and with the help of nearly two dozen authors who call Speakman a
friend, Grim Oak Press will publish the short story anthology Unfettered, with the
proceeds helping to alleviate the medical bills.
Authors contributing include: Terry Brooks, Patrick Rothfuss, Naomi Novik, Brandon
Sanderson, RA Salvatore, Tad Williams, Jacqueline Carey, Daniel Abraham, Peter V.
Brett, Robert VS Redick, Peter Orullian, Todd Lockwood, Carrie Vaughn, Blake
Charlton, Kevin Hearne, Mark Lawrence, David Anthony Durham, Jennifer Bosworth,
Lev Grossman, Steven Erikson, and Shawn Speakman
Some of the authors will be writing short stories set in the fantasy worlds that made them
famous. Other writers will be creating entirely new tales. The contribution by so many
noteworthy authors of bestselling titles speaks to the generosity found within the science
fiction and fantasy communities.
Unfettered will be published as a trade hardcover as well as a leather-bound, signed and
numbered edition limited to 500 copies and autographed by all contributors. Speakman
will also publish his full-length urban/high fantasy novel, The Dark Thorn, through
Grim Oak Press to further offset treatment expenses.
Orders are currently being accepted for The Dark Thorn, which is tentatively scheduled
to publish in August 2012. Unfettered will be released by early 2013.
# # #
If you’d like more information about Grim Oak Press or wish to set up an interview about
its projects, please email Shawn Speakman at shawn@grimoakpress.com
So, there you have it. My story will be set in the universe of The Vault of Heaven. Just so you know. It’s gonna rock, trust me. And for my part, I’m looking forward to the other stories that’ll be in this volume, as well. So, thar you go.
Peace,
Your Rock Lord
