Published: May 09, 2008 01:29 pm         

Bittinger's Books

Author of horror novels has soft spot for animals

CUMBERLAND - Blame it on "Bunnicula" and a few trips to a grocery store in Grantsville Plaza.

Frank E. Bittinger has no trouble remembering where his love of horror novels started nor where his inspiration for his own started.

The Grantsville native was in the first grade when he read "Bunnicula," a children's book where the bunny is a vampire. That set off his love of horror novels of which his personal collection now consists of more than 4,000.

He also recalls being a child and sitting at the plaza in the car with his dad while his mother shopped. His view was of the valley and mountains and he would wonder what would be revealed should the mountains crumble.

Over the years, he let his imagination develop all the while using Grantsville as his setting. But any thought of putting those down into a book were placed on the back burner for years.

Two years ago, he decided to self publish his first book in what has become the hexology, "Scarabae Saga."

"I wanted hardback and control over everything," Bittinger, now residing in Cumberland, said of "Into the Mirror Black." "It did a whole lot better than I thought."

Not only did it sell a few hundred copies in the first month, but it also was nominated for Preditors & Editors Reader Poll for Horror Novel of the Year 2006 where it finished No. 7.

His second novel, "Angels of the Seventh Dawn," went the same route and finished ninth on the reader poll for 2007.

Both books also have broken onto Amazon's Top 100 list, a list he's reached at least four times.

His books can be found on Amazon.com as well as in bookstores, including Waldenbooks where he can be spotted in the horror section next to "The Exorcist." He's also sold internationally with his novels finding their way to Canada, the United Kingdom, Taiwan and Korea.

For Bittinger, though, it's about more than sharing his love of horror with others.

His heart and his home always has been open to any abused, neglected and/or unwanted animal.

Bittinger works two jobs - as a cosmetologist at Tarrah Dawn and on staff at Frostburg Cinema 1-2-3 - where any extra funds have been used to take care of animals he's rescued. Most recently he's turned to selling various donated books on eBay under the name "darklost" with those proceeds going toward animal care as well.

Last year alone, he found homes for a dozen cats, two dogs, an iguana, two birds and some fish.

Much easier to find homes for animals that have been spayed or neutered, he also pays for those surgeries and the basic vaccinations. Such expenses average about $200 per cat alone.

Ultimately, he would like to create his own foundation for animals.

He's also working to help other animal associations as well with the Colonial Rottweiler Club and the American Kennel Club ready to auction off signed copies of his book for Rottweiler Health. He's also written a poem, "Tonight," for an anthology for Cornwall's Voice for Animals, which rescues and cares for animals in England.

His home always is filled with a variety of animals but writing, he finds, is harder than caring for them.

Bittinger, who calls himself "undisciplined" when it comes to writing, also doesn't need much space to write.

Originally, he set up a 12-foot by 12-foot room as his office. But that didn't work for him.

Instead, he shoved his desk against a wall in his bedroom closet. With the music blaring, that's where he sits to write.

"Sometimes I won't write for two to three weeks," the 35-year-old said.

"Angels of the Mourning Light," his third of six books, is due out in October. All are dedicated to an animal he's known with Sia, his cat from Egypt, featured in his latest.

"Everything inspires me because I think it only takes one person to start changing the world for the better," Bittinger, who also is growing his hair for Locks of Love, which makes wigs for cancer patients, said. "Find your way to happiness. ... All you need to do is set goals and don't let anything stop you. That's just the way it is."

Projected release dates for his remaining books are "Shadows Amongst the Moonlight, October 2009, "Illusions of Darkness: The Forbidden," October 2010 and "Lair of the Scarabae," which will end in Grantsville, October 2011.

Bittinger has even more on the horizon and has been tapped along with David Boyle, author of the "Blood Works" anthology, to participate in "Sinister Landscapes," a gothic anthology spearheaded by Alan Draven of "Bitternest." It, too, is due out in October.

He'll also be available to sign books May 10 in Oakland, at a place to be determined.

For more information, visit FrankEBittinger.com or www.myspace.com/sacredscarab.

Contact Maria Smith at msmith@times-news.com.