Ask the Author: Brian Keene
Answered Questions (29)
Brian Keene
Ha! That's pretty awesome. All of the characters in Ghoul (with the exception of Nelson LeHorn's cameo) were named by me walking through the cemetery where I used to play as a kid, and picking a first name off a tombstone, and then a last name off another tombstone. So there was a Clark and there was a Smeltzer, and mash them together, and it's you! ;-)
Brian Keene
Yep. here's the update: https://www.briankeene.com/home/2020-...
Brian Keene
Good question, Rick. The answer is...sort of. The fictional Brinkley Springs is a combination of the real life towns of Berkley Springs, Auto, and Frankfort. All three are very similar, and all three are near and dear to my heart. (Auto and Frankfort were inspiration for EARTHWORM GODS and the opening chapters of THE RISING, as well).
Brian Keene
That's a great question! I don't know if I can pick one, but I'll give you my top 5, in order of preference:
1. Jack's Magic Beans
2. The Complex
3. Earthworm Gods
4. Dead Sea
5. The Fall (forthcoming)
1. Jack's Magic Beans
2. The Complex
3. Earthworm Gods
4. Dead Sea
5. The Fall (forthcoming)
Brian Keene
More of a callback to the first LOST LEVEL novel, and a reference to the old adage that so many cultures seem to share -- in that one of your socks disappears when you put a pair in the dryer.
Brian Keene
Not intentionally, but maybe subconciously (as Faith No More is one of my top three favorite bands of all-time).
Brian Keene
Hi Dan -- HOLE IN THE WORLD came out late last year as a signed limited edition hardcover from Thunderstorm Books. It will be released in paperback and ebook later this year from Apex Publishing.
Brian Keene
Well, the mercenary answer is -- it's my job. It's how I pay the bills and feed my kids. And doing those things are an inspiration, of sorts. But... it's also a job that I dearly love. I'm an artist, and in a world where artists get shit on and screwed more and more and more, I'm lucky enough to make art for a living. I'm lucky enough to get paid to create and entertain people. And that is inspiration enough right there.
Brian Keene
I'm a big fan of Machen. Not so much Le Fanu (although I acknowledge played a crucial role in the genre's history). I'm also a big fan of Blackwood, Dunsany, and especially Hodgson. THE HOUSE ON THE BORDERLAND and THE BOATS OF THE GLENN CARRIG were as influential on me as King, Laymon, and the Splatterpunks.
Brian Keene
Absolutely, but not just that particular myth cycle. The idea behind my mythos (being revealed right now in the serialized Patreon novel) is that all of those old myths and legends, all of our collective folklore and the various religions -- all spring from the same primal source. But yeah, Tiamat and that creation story certainly played a big influence. (That cycle also supposedly influenced Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in the creation of Galactus).
Brian Keene
Yep, I sure did. His name was Sam. Big Steve was totally based off him. ;)
Brian Keene
My personal faves are THE GIRL ON THE GLIDER, DARK HOLLOW, THE COMPLEX, and DEAD SEA.
Brian Keene
I like them both!
Brian Keene
As with any genre, you have to write toward the goal. The goal of horror as a genre is to make the reader feel dread or terror or at the very least, a good jump scare. So you have to write with that goal in mind.
Brian Keene
Yes to both! I just finished the first draft of RETURN TO THE LOST LEVEL. That will be out later this year. And Steven Shrewsbury has several Rogan novels he wrote by himself (already available) but in addition to that, we're working on a direct follow up to KING OF THE BASTARDS.
Brian Keene
Oh, I've probably been to over 200 of them. They are just like any other fan expo. Think Comic Con but for horror fans. As with any such endeavor, it all depends on the organizers. Some that I've attended have been amazing. Others have been amazingly bad. ;-)
Brian Keene
Human beings have been telling scary stories to each other since primitive man drew pictographs on cave walls. I think they help us confront our fears and uncertainties in a safe way.
And in modern times, I think that's magnified. As I said in a recent Huffington post interview, "Look outside your window. Pedophiles steal children and hide them in closets like perverse Christmas presents. Maniacs fly airplanes into buildings. Extremists butcher and slaughter others for their religion, race, or sexual persuasion. Law enforcement has become militarized against the populace they used to protect. Our governments have figured out they can get away with anything if they keep us distracted with the bullshit Left-Right paradigm, and reruns of Duck Dynasty and Dancing with the Stars, and funny cat memes.
The world is horrifying. I think the horror genre's popularity right now is because people would rather curl up with a nice, safe make-believe monster. Zombies, vampires -- these old tropes are a comfort compared to ISIS or some nut with a gun."
And in modern times, I think that's magnified. As I said in a recent Huffington post interview, "Look outside your window. Pedophiles steal children and hide them in closets like perverse Christmas presents. Maniacs fly airplanes into buildings. Extremists butcher and slaughter others for their religion, race, or sexual persuasion. Law enforcement has become militarized against the populace they used to protect. Our governments have figured out they can get away with anything if they keep us distracted with the bullshit Left-Right paradigm, and reruns of Duck Dynasty and Dancing with the Stars, and funny cat memes.
The world is horrifying. I think the horror genre's popularity right now is because people would rather curl up with a nice, safe make-believe monster. Zombies, vampires -- these old tropes are a comfort compared to ISIS or some nut with a gun."
Brian Keene
Nope, I (and almost all other authors) will autograph books for free. So if you bring books from home, no worries. We'll be happy to sign them.
In addition to that, we usually have books for sale, as well. While there may be a charge to buy one of those books, there's no charge to sign them.
In addition to that, we usually have books for sale, as well. While there may be a charge to buy one of those books, there's no charge to sign them.
Brian Keene
It was available last year in hardcover. It will be out next month (July) in paperback, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, etc.
Brian Keene
Not yet, because the truth is, I'm still writing it. With J.F. Gonzalez's passing, I've gotten behind on my own work because for many months I was sorting through his literary estate. But I'm back to my stuff now, and this one is on deck. I should have it finished by the end of the year, so I'd look for an early 2016 release.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more