| Carlton Mellick III | |
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Mellick posing c. 2007 |
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| Born | July 2, 1977 Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Nationality | American |
| Genres | Bizarro fiction, Fantasy, Horror |
| Literary movement | Bizarro fiction |
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www.carltonmellick.com |
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Carlton Mellick III (July 2, 1977, Phoenix, Arizona) is an American author currently residing in Portland, Oregon. He is best known as one of the leading authors in the 'Bizarro' movement in underground literature.[1]
Mellick's work has been described as a combination of trashy schlock sci-fi/horror and postmodern literary art.[2] His novels explore surreal versions of earth in contemporary society and imagined futures, commonly focusing on social absurdities and satire.[3]
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Carlton Mellick III started writing at the age of ten and completed twelve novels by the age of eighteen. Only one of these early novels, "Electric Jesus Corpse", ever made it to print.[4] Mellick attended Clarion West in 2008, where he studied under such authors as Chuck Palahniuk, Cory Doctorow, Connie Willis, Paul Park, and Mary Rosenblum.[5]
He is best known for his first novel Satan Burger, which was translated into Russian and published by Ultra Culture in 2005. It was part of a four book series called Brave New World, which also featured Virtual Light by William Gibson, City Come A Walkin by John Shirley, and Tea from an Empty Cup by Pat Cadigan.[6]
In the late 90's, he formed a collective for offbeat authors which included D. Harlan Wilson, Kevin L. Donihe, Vincent Sakowski, among others, and the publishing company Eraserhead Press. This scene evolved into the Bizarro fiction movement in 2005.[7]
The novel Satan Burger was brought to the public attention in 2005 when Jared Armstrong of Girdwood, Alaska was incarcerated. The charges, giving/showing indecent material to a minor, were dismissed by the prosecutor four months later.[9] The Alaska Court found that the arrest and approximately 15 search warrants executed by the Anchorage Police Department for dissemination of the novel Satan Burger were illegal. A Federal Civil Rights suit brought by Armstrong against the lead Detective Gerard Asselin under Title 42 §1983 U.S.C is currently underway.[10] Defense motions brought by the police officers to dismiss this action have been denied by The Court.