Randomness

 Two things:

1.) I am contemplating putting all of my novels (even the many unpublished ones) up on Amazon in Kindle format. 

At least them maybe some people will read what I've written. 

They will be sold for $1 (as profit is not really my concern... though it would be nice to live off of my writing... it'd be even nicer to be so financially endowed that I wouldn't have to worry or work again... just write and live... that's the dream). 

Hopefully the price an d the synopsis alone will enough to intrigue readers to pony up the $1. Hopefully one of those readers might be an agent or a publisher. 

Who knows.  

2.)  I now have ideas for a serial killer novel I conceived of nearly a quarter of a century ago. I am thinking of starting it this summer, if indeed I get through the other projects I have in mind. Now, this will undoubtedly go before the novel I have been dreaming about writing for 25 years (Dirt Nap), but as I feel that Dirt Nap will most likely be my opus, I feel I have to wade back into the waters of novel writing with an idea that carries with it less stakes, if that makes sense. 

Bloody Mirror Film Festival Feedback

 So... Bloody Mirror just sent me this: 

Hi Erik,

Thank you for getting back to us! 
We always appreciate writers who are open and eager to hear constructive thoughts on their work.

As requested, I have attached your Jury Feedback Report for Personal Demons directly to this email.

The report includes their notes on the script's highlights, such as the fantastic "Horror Club" premise and the highly entertaining "Timbo" character, as well as the primary reasons it fell outside our specific programming bracket and constructive observations for its future development.

At the end of the document, you will also find a breakdown of how our network (LSN) can support Personal Demons with positioning, pitch assets, and a targeted festival strategy. Take a look, and if you have any questions or want to explore any of those avenues, just let us know!

We wish you the absolute best of luck with this project and all your future writing endeavors!

Sincerely, 

Pavel

The Horror Screenings Film Festival Bloody Mirror Team

I am going to read it, write my rebuttal, then post both here when I have time to actually breath (which might not be until May). 

 

Revision

 Today I have a free day.

Thus, I am revising an old screenplay I wrote at the end of 2004 and finished around spring of 2005. 

It is called Invoking Henry.

I've always called it "a love story involving ghosts and murderers."

It's been dying for a revision (which has been on my to-do list) for decades. 

UPDATE: I got to page 50 editing Invoking Henry.

I cut about 3 pages from the script thus far. I did this by cutting extremely cheesy dialog, unnecessary scenes and correct some novice screenwriter faux pas.  

 

Masters of Horror Film Fest Submission

 Just submitted Personal Demons to the Masters of Horror Film Fest.

Only $14!

And it's UK based (always a plus, IMHO).

I was about to submit to the ScreenNow Horror Fest... but I realized as I was trying to check out that their "screenplay" submission category was for a film submission... weird... Wouldn't they just judge your screenplay along with the rest of your movie? 

Why make it a separate submission category in that case?

 

 

Spring Screams Rejection

 Wow... looks like I was "not selected" for the Spring Screams film fest... Film Freeway says I was notified on March 8th.

I cannot see anywhere that I was notified.

Whatever. 

 No love lost. 

 

 

Bloody Mirror Rejection

Just got this...

Dear Erik D., Thank you for submitting Personal Demons to the Horror Screenings Film Festival Bloody Mirror. We truly appreciate the time, effort, and creativity you invested in your work. Our team reviewed every project with care, and narrowing down the final selection was extremely difficult this year, as the quality of submissions was outstanding. Unfortunately, your project was not selected for this edition. However, please know that your voice as a creator matters, and we sincerely hope to see your future work in our upcoming editions. Want Jury Feedback? If you are interested, and your project is not withdrawn from the festival, we would be happy to share a short comment or reflection from our jury regarding your project after the festival. Just reply to this email to let us know, and we will follow up with you once the event concludes. Thank you again for sharing your vision with us. We wish you the best of luck on your creative journey! Sincerely, Horror Screenings Film Festival Bloody Mirror Personal Demons Not Selected Project was not selected to be included in festival. You can contact Horror Screenings Film Festival Bloody Mirror by replying to this email or sending an email to bmhorrorfest@gmail.com.   I told them that I did indeed want feedback from the judges. Like much of the feedback I've been given over the years I'm sure it will be either: a.) subjective to the tastes of the individual supplying the feedback, or b.) purely arbitrary (as most things in Hollywood are).  We shall see.

Peephole Submission!

Just submitted Personal Demons to the Peephole Filmfest (in Mexico!)

 

 

I promised myself (as part of my 2026 resolution) to submit one of my screenplays to a new film festival with every paycheck. I have consistently maintained that momentum.