Scorpion Ranch

Scorpion Ranch by Carlton Mellick is published by Eraserhead Press and will be available on April 15, 2025. This 172-page novel delves into the complexities of gender identity and emotional abuse through a unique narrative lens. The story follows Daniel Munch, who finds himself in a toxic relationship with a girlfriend whose very nature poses a lethal threat, as she possesses glands that emit deadly poison. As they contemplate marriage, Daniel faces the daunting decision to undergo a body-swapping procedure to foster understanding between them.
Readers will encounter a blend of absurdist elements and literary exploration as Daniel navigates the challenges of their unconventional relationship. The narrative raises questions about trust and identity, all while set against the backdrop of a bizarre and imaginative premise. This edition offers a thought-provoking experience that intertwines themes of exploration and genre fiction, making it a distinctive addition to the landscape of contemporary literature.
Official synopsis Publisher
For over 20 years, Carlton Mellick III has been writing some of the strangest and most compelling novels the bizarro fiction genre has to offer. Described as one of the top 40 genre fiction writers under the age of 40 by The Guardian and “one of the most original novelists working today” by extreme horror legend Edward Lee, Mellick returns with a literary exploration of gender identity and emotional abuse.
Daniel Munch is in a toxic relationship, but not just because his girlfriend is selfish and manipulative. She is also literally toxic-born with glands in her mouth and genitals that spew deadly poison. Every time they kiss or make love, he puts his life at risk. She could kill him at any moment and he has no choice but to trust that she would never do anything to cause him harm.
But when they decide to get married, Daniel is pressured into doing the switch-a procedure where couples swap bodies in order to better understand each other. For one month, he will become her girlfriend while she will become his boyfriend. It’s only for one month, so what would be the harm in giving it a shot? Surely it wouldn’t utterly destroy each and every aspect of his entire life…
From the Wonderland Book Award-winning author of Quicksand House, Glass Children, and The Girl with the Barbed Wire Hair.
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