INTRODUCTION
Michael Picco's work has been described as "gripping and deliciously disturbing", "full of foreboding and malicious intent", and "adaptive and exceptional." One editor says: "{Picco} conducts his nightmares with something between feverish grace and clammy ease." He is known for his use of visceral imagery, which, when combined with atmospheric settings, produce tales that endure — lingering with readers long past the telling.
Folklore, parasitic morphology and theology are recurring motifs in his work. Scripture and classical literary references often form the ideological basis for a majority of his narratives. Folklore and regional cryptids feature prominently — with the intention of exposing readers to the lesser-known horrors that prowl the forsaken and abandoned corners of the world.
Picco's nuanced approach to horror creates a sense of growing unease and tension that has helped to establish him as a distinctive voice in the genre.
Picco received his B.A. in English from Western State College in Colorado. He is a member of the Denver Horror Collective, and the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. He is currently working on These Wretched Bones, a revision and expansion of some of his most popular published work.
Folklore, parasitic morphology and theology are recurring motifs in his work. Scripture and classical literary references often form the ideological basis for a majority of his narratives. Folklore and regional cryptids feature prominently — with the intention of exposing readers to the lesser-known horrors that prowl the forsaken and abandoned corners of the world.
Picco's nuanced approach to horror creates a sense of growing unease and tension that has helped to establish him as a distinctive voice in the genre.
Picco received his B.A. in English from Western State College in Colorado. He is a member of the Denver Horror Collective, and the Colorado Independent Publishers Association. He is currently working on These Wretched Bones, a revision and expansion of some of his most popular published work.
BOOKS BY MICHAEL PICCO
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WORK APPEARING IN ANTHOLOGIES
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Praise for Corpse Honey, A Banquet of Gruesome Tales
First Place — Horror
Second Place — Cover Design
27th Annual CIPA / EVVY Awards
A Feast of Fear!
"Truly horrifying, and deliciously macabre. Michael Picco weaves tales that pick at long-healed wounds of our childhood and re-introduces them to our very adult nightmares. I highly recommend this gruesome feast!"
"I don’t know where to begin to gush over what I loved about this book. Picco has such talent. You will be awed by his art as well as his storytelling in Corpse Honey. I felt like I was enjoying visual art in literary form as I read these tales."
"Stunning! Absolutely. Bloody. Brilliant! Exceptionally beautiful writing."
"…very poetic writing style… it had an old-fashioned elegance to it."
Eloquent Terror!
"Michael Picco's writing is like a fine wine — delicate and cultured — a wine that, after drinking,
you learn has been poisoned but couldn't be happier about it."
~Josh Schlossberg, Editor, The Jewish Book of Horror
29th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards
“A gripping and deliciously disturbing collection of stories – horror on the go, just enough for a quick bite, short yet punchy. These are well-written tales and some of them burrow deep under the skin, staying long past the telling.
“On The Other Side of the Sky” is a classic – a beautifully-written short story full of foreboding and malicious intent,
and I love the visceral descriptions that tug you into the scenes, such as this gem: “it’s the scent of second-hand clothing stores, the mingling of cheap soap and moth balls…” This is my favorite {piece} – it builds up steadily and smacks you
on the head at the end. Peters thinks he’s at a hostel but in fact he’s dead and doesn’t know it – the 'nescient' dead,
as the author kindly explains in the Afterword.
In “Dispossessed,” we are again treated to some great descriptions, “spiritually compromised” ; “olfactory neutered” and I love the ending – the last two lines about the electricity going out, which is kind of creepy as I just lost electricity a few minutes ago! “The Island” and “In Unison With A Dying Earth” are also great examples of the author's expressive writing and descriptive genius. I appreciate the author’s Afterwords, as I find the background or origin of a story idea, very interesting. And I like the cover and book title (“Corpse Honey”) and the story behind it. These were very enjoyable
and fast paced stories, clever, well-crafted, and structured, with great twists, and suitably horrifying.”
~Judge, 29th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards.
Second Place — Cover Design
27th Annual CIPA / EVVY Awards
A Feast of Fear!
"Truly horrifying, and deliciously macabre. Michael Picco weaves tales that pick at long-healed wounds of our childhood and re-introduces them to our very adult nightmares. I highly recommend this gruesome feast!"
"I don’t know where to begin to gush over what I loved about this book. Picco has such talent. You will be awed by his art as well as his storytelling in Corpse Honey. I felt like I was enjoying visual art in literary form as I read these tales."
"Stunning! Absolutely. Bloody. Brilliant! Exceptionally beautiful writing."
"…very poetic writing style… it had an old-fashioned elegance to it."
Eloquent Terror!
"Michael Picco's writing is like a fine wine — delicate and cultured — a wine that, after drinking,
you learn has been poisoned but couldn't be happier about it."
~Josh Schlossberg, Editor, The Jewish Book of Horror
29th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards
“A gripping and deliciously disturbing collection of stories – horror on the go, just enough for a quick bite, short yet punchy. These are well-written tales and some of them burrow deep under the skin, staying long past the telling.
“On The Other Side of the Sky” is a classic – a beautifully-written short story full of foreboding and malicious intent,
and I love the visceral descriptions that tug you into the scenes, such as this gem: “it’s the scent of second-hand clothing stores, the mingling of cheap soap and moth balls…” This is my favorite {piece} – it builds up steadily and smacks you
on the head at the end. Peters thinks he’s at a hostel but in fact he’s dead and doesn’t know it – the 'nescient' dead,
as the author kindly explains in the Afterword.
In “Dispossessed,” we are again treated to some great descriptions, “spiritually compromised” ; “olfactory neutered” and I love the ending – the last two lines about the electricity going out, which is kind of creepy as I just lost electricity a few minutes ago! “The Island” and “In Unison With A Dying Earth” are also great examples of the author's expressive writing and descriptive genius. I appreciate the author’s Afterwords, as I find the background or origin of a story idea, very interesting. And I like the cover and book title (“Corpse Honey”) and the story behind it. These were very enjoyable
and fast paced stories, clever, well-crafted, and structured, with great twists, and suitably horrifying.”
~Judge, 29th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards.
Praise for Fraser: The Disappearance of Michael Pitts:
"I really enjoyed this piece of literature. The characters are written in a way that we become very close with the lead/main character as well his companion. I am picky with my books that I take home with me. This one kept me coming back for more and I am patiently waiting for the next book to become published! Really well done; wonderful story line, well developed plot, intriguing and very relative characters that seemingly become your friends. I recommend it!"
"Such a great book, the characters are so well written you feel as if you know them, the story draws you in, grips you, and takes you on a thrilling ride into the darkest, deepest part of the soul, it leaves you gasping and wanting
to know more, you'll be waiting as expectantly as I for the next book."
"Highly recommend this book! Incredible detail for a horrific tale!!"
"I really enjoyed this piece of literature. The characters are written in a way that we become very close with the lead/main character as well his companion. I am picky with my books that I take home with me. This one kept me coming back for more and I am patiently waiting for the next book to become published! Really well done; wonderful story line, well developed plot, intriguing and very relative characters that seemingly become your friends. I recommend it!"
"Such a great book, the characters are so well written you feel as if you know them, the story draws you in, grips you, and takes you on a thrilling ride into the darkest, deepest part of the soul, it leaves you gasping and wanting
to know more, you'll be waiting as expectantly as I for the next book."
"Highly recommend this book! Incredible detail for a horrific tale!!"
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michaeljpicco@gmail.com
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