The Fright Stuff
Something scary is going on in Kentucky. No, this isn't a setup for a slam-on-Kentucky joke. Nothing funny here. After all, horror writing is serious business. And trying to get published can be a scary prospect.
"Everyone is looking to see Stephen King and Clive Barker and Dean Koontz stuff, but they all had to start somewhere," says JIMMY COMBS, who hopes to lend a helping hand to aspiring horror writers.
On Sept. 18, Combs, who lives in Alexandria, launched www.frightwriter.com, a site dedicated to publishing tales of voices from beyond, dismembered body parts and whatever else sends shivers down one's spine. (For me, it's Jim Nabors records.)
For someone who taught himself HTML, Combs has created a perfect haven for horror writers. His amateur status as a Web master isn't evident. Skulls swimming in a pool of blood welcome people to the page that includes photos for inspiration, submission guidelines and four published pieces, thus far.
Combs wants to help out the little guy, but he does have his standards. "Just because you submit doesn't mean you're going to get published," he says, acknowledging the 125 submissions he has already received.
But Combs, who was a reporter for the Kingsport Daily News and currently works as a marketing coordinator for a local manufacturing company, goes beyond just giving writers a chance to get published. "I'm real good about sending editorial comments back to the writer. I will always send their work back with some editorial comment. 'If you want to do this and you change this ...' I want them to do the work. I think that's part of the writing," he says.
And there's more to come for aspiring horror writers. The first Frightwriter anthology will be published next October. In addition plans are in the works for a local Frightwriters horror writing group and a horror convention to be held in the Tristate sometime next year. For more information, check out the Web site or e-mail Combs at frightwriter@yahoo.com.
contact brandon brady : bbrady@citybeat.com
