Edward Lee

Music:

So ... who the hell is this Edward Lee guy??

Edward Lee was born (er, jettisoned) into the world on May 25, 1957, and was raised in Bowie, Md. He has sold 20 mass-market novels and 13 more novels and book-length works in the limited-edition market. In the late 70s he served in the U.S. Army 1st Armored Division where he was galvanized towards horror fiction by reading Brian McNaughton's masterwork of horror/porn SATAN'S LOVECHILD in the driver's compartment of an M60A1 main battle tank. Other works he read in a tank were Lovecraft's "The Rats in th Walls" (which he cites as the scariest story he's ever read), King's THE SHINING, and Leiber's OUR LADY OF DARKNESS (his all-time favorite horror novel. His Army permanent duty station was Erlangen, West Germany, and Lee grimly recalls "One night I was making out with a married girl who, without warning, threw up in my mouth." Lee fictionalized this elucidating experience in his short story "The Seeker." Full of German beer, he returned to Maryland and was hired as a municipal police officer in a town on the D.C. line, where he got to arrest a guy, witness an autopsy, stop traffic in the middle of D.C. rush hour, and slap a cigarette out of a punk's mouth. He quit after three months to go back to college -- then he promptly quit college because he decided he wanted to be a writer.

His first novel, written under the pen name Philip Straker, came out a year later but was a hunk of junk called Night Bait. For the next 15 years, he worked as a night watchman at a retirement community and wrote by day. He quit the night watchman job in 1997, moved to Seattle -- mainly because he got sick of Maryland PCP-brain-corroded rednecks giving him the finger for driving the speed limit, plus Seattle had Dungeness crabs for cheap (shellfish is of the utmost importance to him) but, lo, he eventually got sick of Seattle's nine-months-a-year of rain. He is now living life in the sunshine of St. Pete Beach, Florida, where he sometimes poaches Stone Crabs out of season.

Upcoming mass-market projects include HOUSE INFERNAL, an untitled vampire novel with no vampires in it (which he refers to as a homage to Jean Rollin, Paul Naschy, Jess Franco, and Amano de Orrosio), and GOLEMESQUE. GAST, his longest novel yet, "Might be my hardcore magnum opus," he says, "sort of a truck-stop porn novel that weaves in an out of a pitch-black sexual horror novel set during the Civil War." It's his first solo hardcore novel since THE BIGHEAD. Other future hardcore projects include "Mr. Torso's Daughter," "The Bighead's Autopsy," and a Lovecraftian novel that will likely be entitled THE CASE OF DEXTER DUDLEY EXHAM. On the film front, HEADER, based on his novella and the Glenn Danzig/Verotik Inc. comic, is finished and "damn good," he says. Catch Lee's cameo with fellow novelist Jack Ketchum. The producers are currently searching for a distributor. Another Danzig/Verotik comic, GRUB GIRL (based on Lee's militant zombie-prostitute story in HOT BLOOD 5) was recently released as an x-rated movie starring porn-actress Brittney Skye. Lee relates, "The movie's a hoot, and the girl's zombie makeup is great ... along with other things." Lee laments that he DIDN'T have a cameo in this one. The following projects of Lee's are currently under active film options: CITY INFERNAL, MESSENGER, GHOULS, COVEN, ICU, FAMILY TRADITION, and, believe it or not, THE BIGHEAD. Please knock on wood for him.

Lee has the unlikely hobby of collecting crab and lobster shells from around the world. His most cherished possession is the shell of a Portunus crab from China. Some people collect books, some people collect stamps, Lee collects crab shells. Lee also has a notorious fetish for women's hands and bellybuttons but fortunately he doesn't collect them. His favorite baseball team is The Only Team That Matters: the Yankees. Favorite football team? The fuckin' Redskins, who will likely suck wind this season. Additionally, he probably cooks seafood better than any writer in the history of the genre.

(Try his spicy crayfish spring rolls or deep fried shrimp heads stuffed with lump crab.)

EDWARD LEE PUBLISHING HISTORY

NOVELS & BOOK-LENGTH FICTION:

HOUSE INFERNAL, mass-market paperback, Leisure/Dorchester, release date: forthcoming.

ORDER OF THE SCARLET NUNS: mass-market paperback, Leisure/Dorchester, release date: forthcoming.

GOLEMESQUE, mass-market paperback, Leisure/Dorchester, release date: forthcoming.

TRIAGE, mass-market paperback, Leisure/Dorchester (a 3-way novella collection, with Jack Ketchum & Richard Laymon), released date: mid-2007. Hardcover by Cemetery Dance Publications, Fall, 2001.

THE BACKWOODS, mass-market paperback, Leisure/Dorchester, release date: Oct. 2005. Went into 2nd paperback printing, December, 2005. Limited-edition hardcover, Cemetery Dance Publications, December, 2005. (Named Book of the Month in FANGORIA, January 2006 issue.)

FLESH GOTHIC, mass-market paperback, Leisure/Dorchester, release date: Feb., 2005; hardcover, Necro Publications, August, 2004. Went into 2nd paperback printing August, 2005.

SLITHER, mass-market paperback, Leisure/Dorchester, release date: Nov., 2006; limited-edition hardcover, Necro Publications, April, 2006.

MESSENGER, mass-market paperback, Leisure/Dorchester, August, 2004. Hardcover, Necro Publications, March, 2004.

SLEEP DISORDER (w/Jack Ketchum), limited-edition h/c, 2003. Gauntlet Press.

CITY INFERNAL, mass-market paperback, Leisure/Dorchester, April, 2002; limited-edition hardcover by Cemetery Dance Publications, Summer, 2001. Mass-market paperback edition went into 2nd printing in May, 2002, 3rd printing Summer 2003, 4th printing Oct. 2005.

MONSTROSITY, hardcover, CD Publications, Fall 2002, Leisure/Dorchester mass-market paperback, April, 2003 Mass-market edition went into 2nd printing May 2003, 3rd printing July 2004, 4th printing August 2005.

INFERNAL ANGEL, hardcover, CD Publications, Summer, 2003, mass-market paperback, Leisure/Dorchester, Jan., 2004. Went into 2nd paperback printing August 2005.

THE STICKMEN, limited-edition hardcover, CD Publications, January, 2000.

DAHMER’S NOT DEAD (w/Elizabeth Steffen), limited-edition hardcover, CD Publications, Sept., 1999.

THE USHERS AND OTHER STORIES, (a short-story collection), limited-edition hardcover, Obsidian, Sept., 1999. (Made Preliminary Ballot for 1999 HWA Stoker Award for Best Collection.)

PORTRAIT OF THE PSYCHOPATH AS A YOUNG WOMAN, (w/FBI criminal analyst Elizabeth Steffen), hardcover/trade, Necro Publications, June, 1998. (Made Preliminary Ballot for 1998 HWA Stoker Award for Best Novel.)

SACRIFICE, (as Richard Kinion) mass-market paperback, Zebra Books, August, 1995. (Made Preliminary Ballot for 1995 HWA Stoker Award for Best Novel.) Hardcover, considering various bids.

THE MICAH HAYS STORIES, (w/John Pelan), limited-edition hardcover/trade collection from Sideshow Books, March, 1998.

SHIFTERS, (w/John Pelan), limited-edition hardcover, Obsidian Books, March,1998.

THE BIGHEAD, limited-edition hardcover, Necro Publication, April, 1997. (Made Preliminary Ballot for Best Novel of 1997, for the HWA Stoker Award.) 2nd edition (the author’s preferred text), Overlook Press, Jan., 2000.

CREEKERS, mass-market paperback contracted for by Zebra Books, published in May, 1994. (Made Preliminary Ballot for Best Novel of 1994, for the Horror Writers of America's Stoker Award.) Hardcover, Necro Publications, contracted and forthcoming.

THE CHOSEN, mass-market paperback published by Zebra Books, November, 1993; 2nd printing Sept., 2001. Hardcover, considering various bids.

SUCCUBI, mass-market paperback, Berkley Publishing Group, March, 1992. 2nd-edition hardcover, Necro Publications, Summer, 2001.

INCUBI, mass-market paperback, Berkley Publishing Group, August, 1991. 2nd-edition hardcover, Necro Publications, Summer 2002.

COVEN, mass-market paperback, Berkley Publishing Group, February, 1991. 2nd-edition hardcover, Necro Publications, August, 2002.

GHOULS, mass-market paperback, Pinnacle/Zebra Books, July, 1988. Hardcover, considering various bids.

NIGHTLUST. mass-market paperback published by Zebra Books, October, 1982.

NIGHTBAIT, mass-market paperback published by Zebra Books, May, 1982

FOREIGN BOOK RIGHTS:

CITY INFERNAL/INFERNAL ANGEL: Random House Germany, released: April, 2006, 2006.

CITY INFERNAL: La Factoria De Ideas, Spain, publishing date April 2006.

AUDIO

“ICU,” THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES OF 2000, edited by Donald E. Westlake and Otto Penzler, Houghton-Mifflin Audio Branch, (one of eight stories selected from the book for this audio edition), Jan., 2001

FILM SALES:

HEADER, The Vast Entertainment, August, 2002. In post-production now, release date, Fall, 2005. (The author appears in a cameo scene.)

FILM OPTIONS:

FAMILY TRADITION

CITY INFERNAL/INFERNAL ANGEL

MESSENGER

GHOULS

COVEN

“ICU.”

THE BIGHEAD

SHORT FICTION SOLD TO MASS-MARKET ANTHOLOGIES:

“ICU,” THE BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES OF 2000, edited by Donald E. Westlake and Otto Penzler, hardcover/paperback by Houghton-Mifflin, late-2000.

"ICU," 999, edited by Al Sarrantonio, Avon Books, Sept., 1999. Limited-edition hardcover of the same book by CD Publications, February, 2000.

“Masks” (with Jack Ketchum), GRAVEN IMAGES, edited by Nancy Kilpatrick & Thomas Roche, Berkley/Ace, Oct., 2000.

“Equal Opportunity,” FORCES OBSCURES, edited by Marc Bailly by Naturellement in France, March, 1999.

"Scripture Girl," ALIENS, edited by Whitley Strieber, Pocket Books, January, 1999.

"Secret Service," THE UFO FILES, DAW Books, Jan., 1998.

"Stick Woman," DARKSIDE, mass-market paperback by ROC, Dec., 1997.

"Night of the Vegetables," WHITE HOUSE HORRORS, edited by Ed Gorman and Martin Greenberg, DAW Books, Sept., 1996.

"Love Letters From The Rain Forest" (with Jack Ketchum), HOT BLOOD 7, June, 1996.

"Dead Girls In Love," (w/Gary Bowen) HOT BLOOD 6, Pocket, Oct., 1995. (Pocket also released a hardcover of this volume.)

"Grub Girl," HOT BLOOD 5, Pocket, April, 1995. 2nd printing Summer 2005.

"Mr. Torso," HOT BLOOD 4, a mass-market paperback horror anthology by Pocket Books, Nov., 1994. (Nominated for Best Short Story of 1994, HWA's Stoker Award; also listed as recommended reading in Ellen Datlow's YEAR'S BEST HORROR AND FANTASY, 1994.) 2nd printing, January 2005.

"Private Pleasures," DARK SEDUCTIONS, a mass-market paperback horror anthology by Zebra Books, October, 1993.(Made Preliminary Ballot for Best Short Horror Story of 1993, HWA's Bram Stoker Award.)

NOVELLAS

“In the Year of Our Lord: 2202,” TRIAGE, a hardcover anthology, CD Publications, Nov., 2001.

“The Teratologist” (w/Wrath James White), Medium Rare Books, April, 2003. Reprinted by OverLook Press, late 2006

“Ever Nat,” Bloodletting Press, April, 2003.

"The Horn Cranker,” EDWARD LEE’S SEX, DRUGS, & POWER TOOLS, hardcover novella collection, Necro Publications, April, 2002.

“Operator ‘B,’” limited-edition hardcover, CD Publications, July, 1999. (Made Preliminary Ballot for 1999 HWA Stoker Award for Best Novella.)

"Header," Necro Publications, Aug., 1995. (Made Preliminary Stoker Award Ballot for Best Long Fiction of 1996.)

"Goon," (with John Pelan), Necro Publications, August, 1996. (Made Preliminary Stoker Award Ballot for Best Long Fiction of 1996.) 2nd Edition, Overlook Press, limited-edition hc/pb, late-2002.

"The Pig," INSIDE THE WORKS, hardcover/trade anthology, Necro Publications, Nov., 1997.

“Family Tradition” (with John Pelan), Bereshith Books, h/c, August, 2002.

THE PIG/THE HOUSE, Necro Publications, limited-edition h/c, Fall 2005.

COMIC SCRIPTS:

"Mr. Torso," Verotika, Issue #6

"Grub Girl," Verotika, Issue #8

"Headers," Verotika, Issue #14

"Grub Girl Returns," Verotika, Issue #15

GRUB GIRL, a comic one-shot, Verotik Inc., August, 1997

“Comes the Night Wind,” GRAVE TALES #1, (adaptation), CD Publications, Oct., 1999.

“Transcendence,” Necro Publications, (adaptation by Edward Lee based on story by Edward Lee & John Pelan), April, 2003.

GENRE-RELATED SHORT STORIES/ARTICLES/COMMENTARIES:

“Exploiting Exploitation,” ASIAN CULT CINEMA, Spring 2006.

“Makak,” Shocklines Press, Nov. 2004.

“The Room,” forthcoming, Camelot Books.

“The Baby,” Bloodletting Press, Oct. 2003.

“The Piece of Paper,” Gauntlet Press, Spring, 2004.

“The Hiccup,” Camelot Books, Summer, 2004.

“The Table,” limited-edition chapbook, Camelot Books, April, 2003

“Crime Noir,” ASIAN CULT CINEMA, Sept., 2002.

“Make A Wish,” Horror Garage, Issue #5, May, 2002.

“Kill The Enemy,” limited-edition chapbook, Camelot Books, winter, 2002.

“Bomb,“ limited-edition chapbook, Camelot Books, winter, 2002.

“Miss Torso,” a limited-edition chapbook, Bloodletting Press, Oct., 2002.

“The McCrath Model SS40-C, Series S,” EXCITABLE BOYS, Freak Press, Spring, 2002.

“Other Cat,” DEAD CATS BOUNCING, h/c-trade p/b anthology, April, 2002.

“The Decortication Technician,” THE SPOOK, January, 2002.

“The Dritiphilist,” PARTNERS IN CHYME, Necro Publications, December, 2002.

“Gut-Shot,” PERSONAL DEMONS, Lone Wolf Publications, Summer, 2001.

“The Deviltry of Elemental Valence,” SKULL FULL OF SPURS, Dark Highway, mid-2000.

“Eyes Left” (with Jack Ketchum), CD Publications, limited-edition chapbook, forthcoming

"Almost Never," THE BEST OF CEMETERY DANCE, edited by Richard Chizmar, CD Publications, July, 1997.

“Masks” (with Jack Ketchum), a limited-edition chapbook by Sideshow Press, Oct., 1999

“The Mother,” Midnight Hour, Sept., 1999

“Pardon me...” ASIAN CULT CINEMA, (commentary), July, 2001

“Seeing You Again” (w/John Pelan), BAD NEWS, a hardcover anthology edited by Richard Laymon, CD Publications, Summer, 2000.

“Charlie’s Web” (w/John Pelan), OF SPIDERS AND PIGS, Bereshith Books, March, 1999.

"Still Life," (w/John Pelan), IMAGINATION: FULLY DILATED, hardcover anthology, CD Publications, May, 1998.

"The Scarlet Succubus" (with John Pelan), ZOTHIQUE: THE LAST CONTINENT, limited-edition hardcover anthology by Bereshith, August, 1999.

“Stick Woman,” DARKSIDE, a limited-edition hardback anthology by Darkside Press, May, 1996

"Please Let Me Out," VOICES IN THE NIGHT, a hardback horror anthology by Maclay Associates, (edited by John Maclay) May, 1994.

"Transcendence" (w/John Pelan), The Brutarian, Summer, 1997; Bloodsongs, Nov., 1998..

"Xipe," The Barrelhouse: Excursions into the Unknown, Winter Issue, 1993.

SEX, TRUTH & REALITY, a limited-edition chapbook, Tal Publications, November, 1992. 2nd-edition, limited-edition chapbook, Necro Publications, Summer, 2002.

"Death, She Said," Bizarre Bazaar 93, March, 1993.

"Interview," Cyber-Psychos, A.O.D. (a lengthy interview with the author, plus horror-related poetry and reviews), March, 1993.

"The Wrong Guy," Cyber-Psychos, A.O.D., June, 1993; Into The Darkness #4, May, 1995..

"Equal Opportunity," Cemetery Dance, Winter Issue, 1993.

"World Horror Con 93," Deathrealm, June 1993.

"HWA 93/Doug Clegg Interview," Deathrealm, Fall Issue, 1993

"Providence of the Ghosts," Obelisk Books, Summer, 1994.

"Succubi," (the original prologue from the Berkley novel, which was cut from the book), Bloodsongs (Australia), May, 1994. Also published by Eulogy, with an interview of the author, a U.S. horror mag, released in the summer of 1994.

"I Would Give Anything For You," (with Jack Ketchum), Bizarre Sex & Other Crimes of Passion, a mass-market paperback anthology by Masquerade Books, June, 1994.

"Portrait of the Psychopath as a Young Woman," (collaborative novel excerpt), Merrimack Books, Fall, 1993.

Interview, Horror, (a genre news magazine) interview with the author by t. Winter-Damon, Winter Issue, 1993.

"Almost Never," Bloodsongs (Australia), Sept., 1994.

"Equal Opportunity" (long version), Bizarre Bazaar 94, March, 1994.

“Portrait of a Sociopath,” Heliocentricnet Annual, 1996.

"Guts for Fun and Profit," Mystery Scene, June, 1991.

"Prophesy," Mystery Scene, September, 1991.

Appreciation Piece: Pocket Author Douglas Clegg, Tekeli-li: Journal of Terror, Summer Issue, 1991.

"Almost Never," Cemetery Dance, Fall Issue, 1991.

"Psychological Motivations in Horror Fiction," Afraid: The Newsletter for the Horror Professional, June, 1992.

"The Man Who Loved Cliches," Bizarre Bazaar 92, June 1992.

"The Inn," Bizarre Sex & Other Crimes of Passion (a magazine anthology), September, 1992.

"Preceptor," Gothic Light, Fall Issue, 1992.

"Sex and Death in Horror Fiction," Tekeli-li: Journal of Terror, Summer Issue, 1992.

"The Horror of Chambers," Eerie Country (sister publication of W. Paul Gainley's Weirdbook), May, 1982.

OTHER:

The author has also had non-genre articles, interviews, reviews, short fiction, and poetry in the following literary and small-press magazines and newspapers: Calvert (Literary Journal for the University of Maryland); Mynd; Amanita Brandy; The Annapolis Critique; Hanson's: The Magazine of Literary and Social Interest; OTHER VOICES IN POETRY (a trade paperback anthology); All About Beer; Gun Digest; The Capital (newspaper); The Phoenix (newspaper); The Annapolis Voice (newspaper), Mansplat (newspaper), Beachlife (newspaper).