Books In Sync Recognizes Author George Wilhite For A Second Year
Featuring: On the Verge of Madness by George Wilhite

RALEIGH, NC, July 16, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Quote From The Author:

"I aspire to create quality supernatural fiction and dark fantasy--steeped in the traditions of Poe and Lovecraft!

I have been an aficionado of the horror genre most of my life. The fascination began as a child, staying up late and watching "Creature Features" late at night with my father. I grew up in one of the golden eras of horror films--Hammer Horror was in full swing and as I grew older the iconoclasts came on the scene--Carpenter, Craven and Argento. Weekends at the drive-ins (often the only venues that would show these features) were a mainstay of my early adult life.

Meanwhile, I was reading constantly (as I still do) all the masters of horror, working my way through the entire canon of Poe and Lovecraft multiple times. Harlan Ellison and EC Comics, and later Stephen King were also a main ingredient of my literary diet. I was introduced to Tolkien and Stephen R. Donaldson at an early age as well and also enjoy Epic Fantasy.

In college, I was a scholar of both literature and film studies, and my master's thesis was a study of the psychological state of the horror film spectator and horror novel reader.

Though I still am required to maintain full-time employment, I spend most of my spare time writing short stories, novellas and screenplays."

Accomplishments: Master's Degree, American Literature, Sonoma State University

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Featuring: On the Verge of Madness by George Wilhite

In the traditions of Poe and Lovecraft, these eight stories of horror and dark fantasy explore the title theme, each finding a protagonist on the verge of madness. The novella, "Victor Chaldean and the Portal" and the following story, "Murmurers" are both the first in a series of tales involving the same characters. These works also introduce the reader to "The Tales of the Fractured Realms," a dark fantasy cosmology from which Wilhite plans to offer us many stories, novellas and novels in the future. Another selection, "The Gangster's New Clothes," has recently been optioned for the podcast www.welltoldtales.com.

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On the Verge of Madness Book Review:

"I wake up in a world of utter silence..."

All of us are haunted by something--our pasts, fear of our futures, even the memory of a departed loved one. The questions remain: Do we let these demons that haunt us destroy us? Do we let them make us obsess? Do we surrender to them? Do we let them to take us to the brink? Do we fight them or do we stay on the knife's edge? And how long can you stay On the Verge of Madness...?

George Wilhite is an author with which Spinetinglers is well acquainted. His stories have been published on our site several times and have received some rave reviews from our members. So, of course we were delighted to review his first compilation of short stories.

All of the stories have the same resounding theme: each main protagonist is, in some way, obsessed or haunted by someone or something. In short, all of the characters are On the Verge of Madness.

The first two stories, Victor Chaldean and the Portal and Murmurers, are terrifically tantalising teasers as to what this author has to offer. Both stories are fractured tales of another world beyond our own, where the souls of the dead have tales to tell and vengeance to seek. The reader can clearly see the influence of Poe and Lovecraft, and this horror author has obviously read the classics. I can't wait for the continuation of both of these stories in his next book.

The rest of Wilhite's tales stand on their own, and apart from the On the Verge of Madness theme, they have few similarities. This, of course, is a very good thing, because when trying to stick to a common theme, a lot of authors can fall into a trap and tell you ten or so versions of the same story. The result is a reading experience that can be quite boring for the audience. On the contrary, Wilhite's stories are original, dark and devilishly distinctive.

Apart from great gothic literature, the author also gives you an insight into his process. He tells you in some detail what inspired him to write such a first-rate anthology. This may offer some burgeoning authors tips and inspiration to spark their imagination.

George Wilhite's On the Verge of Madness is a commendable selection of short stories. Our only criticism, if you can call it that, is that some of the stories are too short. There is definitely room to expand on these wonderfully crafted tales.

Spinetinglers wants to see more from this author!

5.0 out of 5 stars Runner Up in Spinetinglers Book of the Year 2008, March 26, 2009
By Spinetinglers "Spinetinglers Publishing" (Belfast, UK)

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Book Details:
Publisher: Lulu.com (June 3, 2008)
ISBN-10: 1435719654
ISBN-13: 978-1435719651
Paperback: 152 Pages
Language: English

Genre: Horror
http://www.booksinsync.com/thereaderscafe/horror.html

Print Price: $11.95
E-Book: $4.95

Amazon Purchase Link
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1435719654/authorsdencom

LuLu Purchase Link
http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/on-the-verge-of-madness/2400760

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Q: What special projects are you working on now and what books do we have to look forward to in the future?
A: I am going to have a booth at the Sonoma County Book Festival (September 19, 2009) and for that I am creating a Special Preview Edition of my second collection—"Silhouette of Darkness." I am only printing 50 copies, which I will sign and number.

"Silhouette of Darkness" will include the next two installments of The Tales of the Fractured Realms story arcs begun in "On the Verge of Madness," and at least seven more stories. Most of the stories will also be longer than those in my first collection.

The third book, though still Untitled, will be all Tales of the Fractured Realms tales, including the conclusion of the two story arcs begun in "On the Verge of Madness."

I have ideas for novels and screenplays as well, some developed, others not so much, but my main enemy is Time, since I work full-time

Q: Is there anything else that you would like to share with us?
A: "The Gangster's New Clothes," a story included in "On the Verge of Madness" has been adapted into an audio podcast and became available on 7/30/09 at www.welltoldtales.com

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George Wilhite Joined Books In Sync: August 2009

George Wilhite Author's Page At Books In Sync
http://www.booksinsync.com/authordirectory/wilhitegeorge.html

George Wilhites' Website
http://www.authorsden.com/georgewilhite

George Wilhite's Email
geojazz@sbcglobal.net

Submitted by Books In Sync
Author/Book Promotions
http://www.booksinsync.com
Submission Date: July 2010

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