All posts by Axel Howerton

Axel Howerton is a former entertainment journalist, and the author of the Arthur Ellis Award nominated detective caper "Hot Sinatra", the modern gothic fairytale "Furr", and the forthcoming "Wolf & Devil" urban fantasy series. His work, including short stories, columns, poetry and essays, have appeared the world over, in no fewer than five languages. Axel is the Prairies director of the Crime Writers of Canada, and a member of the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association, the Calgary Crime Writers, and the Kintsugi Poets. He is also the editor of the books "Death by Drive-In", "AB Negative", and "Tall Tales of the Weird West", and is the organizer behind one of Canada's first recurring "Noir At The Bar" events, #NoirBarYYC. Visit Axel online at www.axelhow.com to sign up for the GotHow? email list and receive free exclusive ebook collections, sneak peeks, and more.#AxelHow #GotHow

Writing

YIPEE-KI-YAY, MOTHERHAMSTER! #TALLTALESWEIRDWEST on the bestseller list!

April 29, 2015 Axel Howerton 1 Comment

TALL TALES OF THE WEIRD WEST hit last weekends Bestseller list here in Calgary!

Calgary Bestsellers 4_25_2015

SO GO GIT YOU SOME! #TALLTALESWEIRDWEST FOR SALE

Now a WHOPPING! $3.99 on eBook!

Also, I don’t know if you all have seen this thing making the rounds on twitter or crackbook… the writerly types are all over it, snarkiness abounding. Me, I’m just announcing my commitment to use the phrase “Mother Hamster” as much as humanly possible.

11193336_10153374469129924_6152447145585818767_n

So, YIPEE-KI-YAY MOTHERHAMSTER! My latest book (author and editor) just stuck it in the puckered love cave and came out the other side as a #4 best-seller!

And don’t forget to sign up for the GOTHOW? newsletter for all the latest Axel Howerton news and exclusives – including your FREE eBook – Axel How’s How-Dee-Doo – 100% exclusive to newsletter subscribers with stories that are unavailable in any other place on earth, besides my own hard-drive.

Writing

#WorldBookDay – Buy a book. Read a story. Do unspeakable things with an author…

April 23, 2015 Axel Howerton Leave a comment

Happy #WorldBookDay !

Buy a book. Read a story. Do unspeakable things with an author…

Terrible, filthy, inappropriate things, like playing freshman and the English teacher…

If you’re inclined to pick up some new books in celebration, you could check out my board of fare

Including the amazing TALL TALES OF THE WEIRD WEST

Go to Coffin Hop Press…

Or visit some of my friends, like Scott S. Phillips if you’re into depraved criminal activity and unhinged hilarity

Or C.W. LaSart if you like making with the spooky-spooky, or S.G. Wong’s new ghostly detective tale

Check out some comic books, like FUTILITY and the dudes at BURLY PRESS

Or the Almighty Jessica McHugh if you like anything and everything made of words…

And don’t forget to check out the Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award nominations TONIGHT!

(I’m hosting the Calgary event at Owl’s Nest Books – 7PM… COME ON DOWN!)

Writing

#TallTalesWeirdWest Book Launch! Beer! Rockin’! Sumbitches reading books!

April 16, 2015 Axel Howerton Leave a comment

TTWW Launch poster A_sm Owl’s Nest Books, Calgary AB

19593_10152697637791331_5254342145873535929_n — The County Reeves at the #TallTalesWeirdWest book launch

10014538_10152669784312303_8200750587934087546_n — R. Overwater reads “Cold Eggs & Whiskey”

10985366_10152669784407303_2166621200473748406_n — Axel Howerton reads “The Horse Always Gets It First”

11150590_10152669784492303_2530912945392703570_n — Allan Williams reads “Dinner In Carcosa”

Writing

Upcoming events for April – #TallTalesWeirdWest and #CCEE

April 10, 2015 Axel Howerton Leave a comment

April is a busy damn month for little ol’ me. Swing by and see me at the #TallTalesWeirdWest launch, panelizing and commiserating at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, and hosting the annual Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Awards shortlist announcement party!

Tall Tales of the Weird West release party

April 16

Owl’s Nest Books

7PM

Come meet authors Axel Howerton, R. Overwater, Allan Williams and Grady Cole

Readin’, Refreshment and Rock’n’damn Roll!

. TTWW Launch poster A_sm

Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo

April 16 – 19

Stampede Park, Calgary AB

Axel Howerton appearing at the following panels, as well as at

Table U03 with Coffin Hop Press for Tall Tales Of The Weird West

Writing 101: Building a Mystery

Friday, April 17 @ 1:00 pm

Palomino AB

Designing a good mystery is like writing a story backwards, and only the author knows the true story before the big reveal. Our panelists share tips on constructing a “fair” mystery that keeps your readers guessing without making them feel stupid or deceived. Panelists: Margaret Curelas, Dave Gross (M), Axel Howerton, SG Wong.

Writing 101: Maintaining a Dialogue

Sunday, April 19 @ 11:30 am

Palomino C

Without actors to provide your characters with an audible voice, you need to use the tools of printed language to bring their dialogue to life. Our panelists share their secrets and offer examples from their favorite writers on how to create written dialogue that expresses character without the benefit of an actor. Panelists: Andrew Foley, Dave Gross (M), Axel Howerton, SG Wong.

Writing 101: Editing Yourself and Others

Sunday, April 19 @ 3:00 pm

Palomino H

From both sides of the author-editor relationship, our panelists offer tips on how to remain open to change while preserving your vision. Panelists: Margaret Curelas, Andrew Foley, Dave Gross (M), Axel Howerton.

$_35