TDE Update – Larque Press | The Digest Enthusiast

TDE Update August 31, 2018

TDE9 Status

After many years based in Portland, TDE world headquarters is migrating across the mighty Columbia to neighboring Vancouver. Not BC—WA—the little Vancouver, aka “The Couv.” This is a multi-step adventure with numerous action items and distractions. Nevertheless, I intend to have TDE9 out on time in January 2019. To date, fifty pages are designed and ready for final proofread.

If there’s a casualty of the Couv move, it’s here on the blog. Daily posts may suffer. I’ll try to be punctual, but don’t be surprised if I’m a no-show at times in the months ahead. Changes afoot!

TDE Update May 22, 2018

The Digest Enthusiast No. 8

The eighth edition of The Digest Enthusiast is now available in print and digital copies. I haven’t updated LarquePress.com yet, but should get the full description and cover images posted later today or tomorrow. Michael Bracken, who gets the cover spot this time, included us in his post today on the SleuthSayers blog—thank you!

If you read digest magazines with any regularity it would be hard to miss something by Michael. Seems as if he’s everywhere these days. Good thing, his stories are terrific. His interview in TDE8 is loaded with background on his career, writing tips, and comments about several of his recently published stories. As always, it’s illustrated with lots of cover images of past and present digests.

TDE8 is available in print from amazon and select booksellers like Mike Chomko, DreamHaven, and Bud’s Art Books. If you prefer digital, it’s available for Kindle and from Magzter.

TDE Update May 17, 2018

Michael Bracken Interview

Award-winning author and copywriter, Michael Bracken, delivers a terrific 17-page interview for The Digest Enthusiast book eight. Michael is the author of over 1,200 short stories and several novels. He garnered the Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer Award for lifetime achievement in short mystery fiction in 2016. Shown here is the opening spread that kicks off the discussion that includes career highlights, writing tips and techniques, and comments on his stories from Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine, Espionage, Weird Menace, AHMM, Mystery Weekly Magazine, EQMM, Needle, Down & Out: The Magazine, Black Cat Mystery Magazine, and others. TDE8 is coming soon.

Note: Photography by Amber Bracken.

TDE Update May 11, 2018

Coming soon to virtual newsstands near you:

The print proof for The Digest Enthusiast book eight is due May 17th. If the final review goes smoothly, the print and digital versions should be available near the end of the month.

Among the features inside is Peter Enfantino’s overview and synopses of Western Magazine and its pardner publication, 3-Book Western. Here’s an excerpt:

“By 1955, western fiction was everywhere. On the TV, on the radio, in paperbacks, in the funny books and, perhaps most of all, in the pulps. A good percentage of the oaters (in all the various print incarnations) were published by Martin Goodman and his publishing empire. When Good- man decided to add digests to his résumé, he did so with an uncharacteristic tentativeness . . .”

TDE Update April 27, 2018

The Creative Worlds of Joe Wehrle, Jr.

Work on The Digest Enthusiast book eight is about 90% complete. Content gathering for the “News Digest” section is underway and layout will begin next month. The zine is in great shape for a late May/early June release.

POD/Digital digests are on the rise and looking better than ever. The writers have always pushed themselves to improve, the editors always on the lookout for the best writing they can find. But recent issues have also begun to the push to improve their design. It’s inspiring and gave me pause to consider how to improve the look-and-feel of TDE. Last time, the contents page got a major upgrade. In book eight, I’ve made design improvements throughout the issue. I think it’s the best looking issue yet. Here’s a sample spread from our tribute to the great Joe Wehrle, Jr. who left us on December 10, 2017. The piece is a “…visual time capsule of his legacy…an amazing, unsung hero of the creative arts.”

TDE Update April 17, 2018

Manhunt 1953 Sept. thru Dec.

Proofread the layout for Peter Enfantino’s synopses of Manhunt 1953 part three, today. This will conclude his wrap-up of the magazine’s first year of publication. Peter also includes his “top ten” stories from the magazine for that year.

Tom Brinkmann emailed a few corrections for his fascinating piece on Connie Kreski, so lots of progress today, as TDE8 comes together.

TDE Update April 15, 2018

Marc Myers’ Collage

Writer/editor Josh Pachter granted permission to reprint his story from Espionage, June 1986, in The Digest Enthusiast book eight. I asked Marc Myers if he’d create a collage artwork piece to accompany the story, and he agreed. The first look arrived in today’s email.

In the meantime, here’s page 140 from the story’s original appearance.