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contact author: davidgreske@publishedauthors.net
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The following article appears in the January 8, 2004 edition of the Southwest Journal:
CARAG* horror
CARAG resident and local author David Greske recently published his new horror novel "Anathema." The novel, set in Wisconsin, shares the story of one man's struggle against mysterious forces "older than time." Jim Anderson, a family man moving to the Midwest to heal his failing marriage, finds his presence has awakened an "evil deep in the earth" that he now must fight. With its surreal Midwestern imagery "Anathema" might remind one of those classic cornfield horror movies, but with more plot development. It can be ordered through local bookstores and is available online at Amazon.com for $19.95.
* Calhoun Area Resident Action Group |
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The following article appeared in the February 26, 2004 edition of the Prescott Journal, Prescott, Wisconsin:
Former Prescott grad 'scares' up writing talent, pens first book
by Jason Strangis
He's not nearly as famous as Stephen King or Dean Koontz, but David Greske is trying to carve out his own niche in the horror genre.
A 1976 graduate of Prescott High School and current Minneapolis resident, Greske recently completed his first book, a fictional horror story called "Anathema."
"All towns have their secrets," teases a promotional ad for the book. "But what if one town harbored a diabolical evil that had existed for centuries? What if you moved your family here to start over, but found your worst nightmare instead? What if you were chosen to do battle with a supernatural foe?"
Greske wanted his book to be different from the standard horror fare.
"I wanted to write a story that got away from psychological horror, or didn't deal with vampires," he said. "I think those genres are somewhat overdone. I wanted my evil to be something you could touch and see and smell. I wanted the menace to be different and I believe 'Anathema' accomplished this."
Greske said the inspiration for his first book came from a dream or rather, a nightmare. He also wanted to write a haunted house type of story and merged his favorite elements together for the book.
It took Greske, who will turn 46 later this month, nearly a year to complete the 215-page story. He started out by writing the story longhand before typing it up on a computer. He went through about three rewrites until it was finally ready to go.
After years of searching for a publisher, Greske finally reached an agreement with a small company called "PublishAmerica." While he's hoping many people pick up his book and give it a try, Greske is staying realistic about his expectations for success.
"I'd love to make a lot of money," he said. "I went in knowing it's a very tough field. But I did it for the love of writing and I want to get my stuff out there for people."
No matter what happens with the sales of his new book, Greske still has his full-time job as a collection manager for Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Considering the competitive nature of the writing field, the author doesn't plan on giving up his job anytime soon.
"They all tell me don't quit my day job," Greske joked. "It's tough. Most authors have a second job."
He does his writing at night and on the weekends. This is just the start for Greske, who plans on putting out a second book, "Night Whispers," later this year.
"I have several unpublished manuscripts that are sitting in my desk drawer that just need to be reworked," he said.
Writing has always been a big part of Greske's life.
"I've written for a long time," he said. "Back in high school, I was part of a writer's club. I wrote for the school newspaper at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. I've been writing for quite a few years."
"Anathema" is available through Amazon.com. For more information, you can contact PublishAmerica at (240) 529-1031.
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Here's the review that appears on Amazon.com:
Those With Weak Hearts, Use Caution!  (four out of five stars)
MWLA Review
Oklahoma/USA (1/19/2004)
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Mr. Greske has written a fascinating story. There are many twists and turns to Jim Anderson's new life in his new surroundings. Once he moves his family to the small and seemingly peaceful, town of Praire Rest, one would think his life would be happy and his family would start to flourish again. Not Even Close! Definitely a good read. Although it is a bit graphic. This book is too explicit for younger readers. Those with weak hearts or stomachs should read with caution. Recommendation: RECOMMENDED Lynn Young is the Managing Editor of MWLA, a Reviewer and Editor |
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The following review can be found at: roundtablereviews.com
Reviewed By Brian Kaufman
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Jim Anderson has moved his family from California to Prairie Rest, Wisconsin to live in a house that needs extensive repair. Perhaps he and his wife will enjoy renovating the old house. Jim is looking for a fresh start for his troubled marriage, but he's come to the wrong place. There's a cave on his property, home to a strange supernatural power. The cave's
effect on the Anderson family quickly goes from frightening to tragic- Jim's son is found dead.
The Town Elders are convinced that Jim's family has triggered the return of something evil. When the predictions of a gypsy begin to come true, Jim
is forced to acknowledge that the Elders may be right. Can Jim find redemption and defeat the palpable evil that threatens Prairie Rest?
David Greske's first novel, ANATHEMA, is a fast, fun read. Greske knows his genre. The novel's imagery runs from visceral to surreal, and a few
scenes summon genuine shivers.
I wish, though, that the author had avoided some of the clichés that limit the genre. From the unnecessary prologue to the completely predictable afterward, Greske taps genre conventions like a ballplayer touching all the bases after a home run. Worse, he misses an opportunity to give the reader a stake in the protagonist's struggle by depicting the "changed" Jim Anderson without ever meeting the character sans "supernatural intervention." Still, the book is quick and fun (no small accomplishment) and I anticipate the author's subsequent offerings.
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The following review appears on Dreamforge.com. It will also be appearing on Gothicrevue.com and Midwest Book Review at a later date:
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Mohr Reviews
Review by Nancy Jackson
Anathema
Written by David E. Greske Publish America
ISBN 1413703569 pps 215 $19.95
Anathema is sure to disturb you with its visual depictions and tight suspense. To say it bothered me after I put it down would be putting it mildly. For a first time novel, this is some heavy-duty material!
If you are looking to read something eerie, haunting, twisted and shocking, then I suggest picking up this book. It takes a lot to bother me, but some of the images conjured up by this author did just that. I will be interested to see what else he has lurking inside his imagination.
Jim Anderson is a devoted husband and father, desperately wanting to make things right in his marriage and move somewhere new to start over. Enter the small town of Prairie Rest and a host of strange characters, and you have the beginnings of a gripping story line. Years ago an unexplained evil plagued folks in the town and a certain chosen few tried to wrong the rights. However, the evil has returned in full force and set its sights on the unsuspecting family. The town questions why the house was even up for sale to begin with and what inspired Jim to buy it without learning more of its history. Regardless of the reasons, it is much too late and those who reside in the home are already infected.
Sightings of children by the lake, voices, and a strange presence are felt and seen by the Anderson family. Corpses walk, talk, and spread their scent of death to the ones who have experienced it before, including the reverend. Within the trees, the walls, and their very minds the evil is growing and only a few will actually make it out alive. Is the forest moving closer to the house, or is that just an illusion?
Anathema gets pretty intense and will easily keep your attention. The characters are all quite interesting and David E. Greske does a superb job at handling the transitions and direction changes of the storyline, not always an easy job! He writes description well, allowing the reader to get a true picture in their mind. His world of darkness is not quite where I’m sure all are comfortable, but that is truly a compliment. There are elements of gothic, erotic horror, and down right disturbing scenes. Dialogue works well and the main character Jim reacts in a realistic way, his thoughts seem very in tune with how a person would normally respond to the odd goings on and eerie surroundings.
As I’ve said, it will stay with you after you’ve finished. The book is a gritty insight at how a town copes with something they don’t know how to explain. I look forward to the next book by the author, I think he has something here and has found a niche in this multi-level genre.
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Copyright 2004 Nancy Jackson, All Rights Reserved.
Nancy Jackson has works in Nevermore Magazine, New Camp Horror, Naked Snake Online, Corpse Magazine, and various anthologies including THWN Presents New Voices in Horror, Broken Mirrors, Labor Pools, Strange News, Cyber Pulp's Halloween Anthology, and the upcoming Dark Sins and Desires Unveiled, Romancing the Soul, and Chocolate for a Teen's Spirit II. She is the moderator for Chat at: The Horror Writers Network Poet, co-editor of a number of projects and her other persona is a well published erotica author under a pen name. Agents/Publishers/Readers can contact: Nancy Jackson.
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Betsie's Literary Page, reviewer, July 12, 2004,   Much deadlier than Amityville and Night of the Living Dead combined!July 3, 2004 Jim Anderson appears to be an average American husband with two children and a dog. In an attempt to renew his relationship with his wife, Diane, Jim buys an old house in Wisconsin. He hopes to spend some quality time with Diane rehabbing this property. They get off to a rocky start on their arrival to Prairie Rest, Wisconsin because neither Diane, nor his fourteen year old daughter Molly are pleased with the move. A heated argument causes Jim to leave the house and visit the local bar. Here he meets and becomes fast friends with Jarvis Clark, one of the town elders. The next morning, Jim and Diane make up and out. Travis and Molly are getting along better then Travis dies from an unexpected accident, Jim’s life becomes a rocky-horro picture show, one tragic event after another. Finally Jarvis convinces Jim that the property is cursed and that he was chosen to do battle against an evil that possesses the property and quite possibly may be spreading to the entire town! While I am strictly not a horror buff, this is a very well written novel. As I write this review I am still cringing and attempting to shake off the hideous images brought on by the descriptive detail of this horror flick written on paper. Not for the faint at heart. Don’t go to sleep in Prairie Rest; as a matter of fact don’t close your eyes! Reviewed by Juanita Reynolds
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