Thanks to the wonderful people at Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster, I have a copy of the fabulously new anthology Carniepunk featuring stories by Rachel Caine, Jennifer Estep, Kevin Hearne, Seanan McGuire, Rob Thurman, Delilah S. Dawson, Kelly Gay, Mark Henry, Hillary Jacques, Jackie Kessler, Kelly Meding, Allison Pang, Nicole D. Peeler, and Jaye Wells to give away.
A star-studded urban fantasy anthology, whose stories explore the creepy, mysterious, and, yes, sometimes magical world of traveling carnivals.
The traveling carnival is a leftover of a bygone era, a curiosity lurking on the outskirts of town. It is a place of contradictions—the bright lights mask the peeling paint; a carnie in greasy overalls slinks away from the direction of the Barker’s seductive call. It is a place of illusion—is that woman’s beard real? How can she live locked in that watery box?
And while many are tricked by sleight of hand, there are hints of something truly magical going on. One must remain alert and learn quickly the unwritten rules of this dark show. To beat the carnival, one had better have either a whole lot of luck or a whole lot of guns—or maybe some magic of one’s own.
Featuring stories grotesque and comical, outrageous and action-packed, Carniepunk is the first anthology to channel the energy and attitude of urban fantasy into the bizarre world of creaking machinery, twisted myths, and vivid new magic.
To celebrate the release of Carniepunk (I love anthologies!), Pocket Star is also offering Jennifer Estep’s novella, Parlor Tricks as a free eRead for Kindle, Nook and all the other e-retailers (I believe).
Come one! Come all! Witness Gin Blanco—aka the Elemental Assassin, aka the Spider—go toe to toe against Esmerelda the Amazing’s Wheel of Death and some dangerously creepy clowns! Only at The Carnival of Wondrous Wonders!
Contest Details!
To enter, all you have to do is answer this one question: What would you expect to find at a Carniepunk Carnival? Remember, you must answer the question in order to be entered.
Even though I’m not giving the additional entries any more, you can still help support the author by sharing their article, and this contest, on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, or anywhere you can. After all, the more people who are aware of this fabulous author ensures we get more fabulous stories.
The winner must post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out.
The contest will stay open until August 31st at which time I’ll determine the winner with help from this snazzy plug-in that I have.
I’d expect a haunted house and really scarey rides.
Haunted house is a must but i would perhaps expect also some really strange food
thank you a lot for this giveaway, a lot of my favourite authors are in this anthology so it’s a must have for me and i would be happy to discover the others
I would expect a fortune-teller, preferably one who uses tarot cards.
Well since i am married to a gypsy, i would expect one there :)
Haunted mansion! Scary rides…
I would expect to find interesting exhibitions like the bearded lady, the wolf-boy, etc. at a Carniepunk Carnival. Most likely I’d also see some strange and fantastic exhibits like a two-head calf (or snake, or pig) and things of that nature.
Oh, there must be sinister evil intent. From the gypsys, tramps, and thieves to the other carnival-goers, who seem quite innocent, I fear that they are up to no good! Otherwise, there’s not a story! (Unless it’s a romance)
I’m with Lori. There most likely is evil present in some form. Maybe there would be demon dancing/summoning. Oh there had better be cotton candy too ;).
Scary clowns and a magicians! Thanks for the giveaway! :D
I think this sounds wonderful and have had it on my wishlist since it was posted, what an incredible lineup. I would definitely expect to find the real clowns that all the creepy stories are based on lurking, lurking, and always watching, I think it is likely the fire-breathers are really demons or dragons taking a quick smoke break, and would most definitely avoid the concession stand – pretty sure I saw a zombie lurking at the funnel-cake vat. Thank you for the treat of a giveaway opportunity!
@ZDz59001
A fortune teller who’s always correct and rides with rather unusual accident rates, but all accidents get cleaned up quckly, as though planned… And great snacks.
Piercings, multi-colored hair, vintage motorcycle glasses, a cello. Magicians, pick-pockets and a bearded lady. Maybe a Mermaid or other mythic animals, real or not. And lots of freaky fun.
Animate mummified old west gun fighters as bouncers at the haunted brothel…..
I would expect people dressed in steampunk type clothes, and the stereotypical freak show type exhibits. Lots of unusual stuff!
I would expect to see a magic mirror maze with punk stylish clothes that light up behind the mirror making it look like your the one dressed up like the ghosts on the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland