Michael Picco, Author

Some works in progress, posted for your amusement...

I am happy to announce that I have been awarded a spot in D&T Publishing's upcoming novel: Fill The Void . I am one of fifteen authors chosen to write a chapter in the novel (Chapter 2, as a matter of fact).  Fill The Void  is an apocalyptic themed story, set in a world devastated by an nuclear blast (and/or EMP). As a child of the Cold War, this particular story line really resonates with me. It taps my long-standing fear and anxiety of nuclear annihilation and explores what happens to humanity afterwards. As I understand it, each author will be given 30 days to write their chapter before handing it off to the next author. As you might expect, this is going to be a very organic sort of story approach (which I appreciate, being that's how I write most of my own stories). There's a terrific group of authors tasked for this novel and I am very excited (and honored) to be included. Look for release sometime in 2021.  Following is my entry for ...

I am excited to announce that I did my VERY FIRST radio interview last week! The interview aired on KAFM 88.1 on their community program:  Conversations@KAFM. It was a lot of fun and something that I hope to do more of !  You can listen to the interview here: http://kafmradio.libsyn.com/readers-radio-scenes-from-the-carnival-lounge You know... I could get used to all this fame… ;-)

I am proud to announce that Scenes from the Carnival Lounge received First Place  (Horror Category) in the 25th Annual CIPA/EVVY Awards! There were nearly 420 entries in this year's competition (although, not all in Horror). I am thrilled to be recognized by the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (especially given how stiff the competition was). The CIPA EVVYs is one of the longest-running book award competitions on the Indie publishing scene, running for nearly 26 years. The annual contest is sponsored by the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA), along with the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation (ELF).  The CIPA EVVYs receive entries from all over the world, including England, Belgium, South Africa, Russia and Dubai. The judging is tough—the way a book competition should be. Judges are selected through CIPA’s judging qualification process and include teachers, business leaders, authors, critics, editors, readers and others. ...

Scenes from the Carnival Lounge is on the finalist list (horror category) for the 25th Annual Colorado Independent Publishers Awards! The CIPA EVVYs is one of the longest-running book award competitions on the Indie publishing scene, running for nearly 26 years. The annual contest is sponsored by the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA), along with the CIPA Education and Literacy Foundation (ELF). Award Ceremony is the 17th! Wish me luck!

I am happy to announce that my short story, "Hey Nonny Ding Dong, Alang, Alang Alang" will appear in Craig Spector's latest anthology, Freedom of Screech (Published by Crossroads Press). The story appears alongside stories from GIANTS in the horror genre including: Chet Williamson, Elizabeth Massie (a two-time Bram Stoker Award Winner), Thomas Monteleone, Richard Christian Matheson, David N. Wilson and a ton of others. I must say that I am thrilled and humbled to be in such revered and talented company.  Of course, the BEST thing for me, personally is the chance to work with my idol , Craig Spector! He's the author who started me down this path, and I am enormously grateful for his advice, direction and inspiration. If you are unfamiliar with Craig, do yourself a favor and pick up either The Light At The End , or The Scream . Not only are the both excellent, but both have given my nightmares for years. Here's his brief but exceptional bio: You ca...