Ben Monroe's Blog, page 2

Rocky Mountain High

In news of the awesome, I was just informed “Monsters, Movies & Mayhem” (which includes my story “Vinegar Syndrome”) is a finalist in the Colorado Book Awards. This is a regional award which celebrates excellence by Colorado writers, editors, illustrators, and photographers. Of course, I’m not from Colorado, but the editorial team and publisher are, so more power to them.

“M,M&M” is one of three finalists in the Anthology category. It’s a really great book, and worth your time to check it out if you’re a fan of weird fiction with a cinematic theme. My story is about a cinephile who gets his grubby mitts on a work print of a film long thought lost. And it probably should have stayed lost. The guys over at Nerdblitz note that the “main character gets what he has coming in a beautifully twisted and throughly just way.”

If you’re interested, you can get a copy of the book here. The awards are announced on June 29th, so keep your fingers crossed for this book!

That Time Reading Stephen King Fixed My Shoulder

A few months ago, I screwed up my shoulder. I still have no idea how, or what exactly happened, but it was pretty awful.

Now, I’m the sort of person who usually doesn’t go to the doctor for stuff like this. Especially during COVID and all. I have a tendency to wait until I’ve got two or three things wrong with me before I go in to the doctor. But after a couple of months of limited range of motion, spasming pain, etc. I decided to break down and have the doc look at it. “Strained muscle!” she told me, and sent me to physical therapy.

That turned into six weeks of poking and prodding and stretching, and learning weird new exercises to try and help with the thing (I also discovered that BioFreeze Gel is awesome). It seemed to be improving a little. Felt like it was moving in the right direction, at least. I still got spasming, shooting pain along my shoulder and bicep if I turned it the wrong way, or lifted something awkwardly. But it seemed like it was getting incremental better. So I figured I’d just keep doing the exercises and hope for the best.

Flash forward to yesterday when I’m hanging out on the patio enjoying a little sunshine, and rereading Stephen King’s Rage for the first time in 15 or more years. (I just read Later a couple of days earlier, and it got me inspired to revisit the Bachman Books.)

There I am, right in the middle of a particularly tense scene in the book. (Without spoiling it, I’ll just say that the main character is seriously pushing the buttons of the school psychologist. It’s a really well-written scene, and extremely tense). And I realized just how tense it was getting because as soon as it was all over I felt myself relax, and there was a crack! from my shoulder. A joint-popping of epic proportions. I guess I’d been tightening up my upper body muscles as the scene progressed, and let them go all at once.

And damn if my shoulder doesn’t feel great now, almost a day later. Still a little sore, but it’s basically almost back to normal.

So, if anyone ever tells you that reading horror stories is bad for you, you can send them this link.

Of course, studies have shown that reading horror stories and watching horror films can have psychological benefits as well.

In the words of the late, great Bob Wilkins, “Watch Horror Films: Keep America Strong.” (Or read horror stories. Whatever makes you happy.)

Did an author event. Didn't die of nervousness.

I’m a natural introvert. Well, one friend claims I’m more of an ambivert, as I can be pretty outgoing with people I know and trust, or if I really have to be. But the thought of being “in the spotlight” is an anxiety-inducing situation.

As a writer, this isn’t always a problem. Most of the work is done in relative solitude behind the keyboard. But over the last couple of years, I’ve tried to break out of my shell a little, and public readings have been a great way to do that. They’re still nerve-wracking experiences for me, but I’ve found the audiences to be generally engaged and enthusiastic. One of the great things about being a genre writer is that for the most part when people come to listen to you read, they’re already invested and interested in the genre. And one of the great things about being a horror genre writer, is that horror fans are just super enthusiastic and supportive.

So I’ve done a couple of public readings over the last few years, and they went well. Well enough that they’re getting easier each time.

Last night, I was invited to read my story “Desiderium” during the Story Hour virtual event. It’s a weekly event where two authors read for about a half an hour each. Fun stuff, and I thought that story was perfect for it. Strange, melancholy, Twilight Zone-esque, without being too gory or grim.

Of course, I was still nervous about this event. I’ve never done a reading which was recorded for distribution on the internet. Thinking about what would happen if screwed up, and then the thing was there for everyone to see forever was nerve-wracking. In the end, I did it, nervously, but I think it turned out okay. Got lots of compliments and positive feedback from the audience in the Zoom chat window, so that’s good.

So, in any case, if you have any interest in watching me read one of my stories, here it is.

The story itself was first published in “Tales of the Lost, Vol. 1” if you’d like to get a copy.

2020 Fiction Award Eligibility

I had three new stories published this year, which are eligible for nomination in the “Short Fiction” category of the 2020 Stoker Awards, and other similar awards. I’m happy to send links to download them to voting members of organizations which present awards for fiction. (See below.)

 “Vinegar Syndrome” is the story of a cinephile who stumbles on a workprint of a supposedly lost classic horror film. Perhaps the film should have never been found. Published in Monsters, Movies & Mayhem released in July of 2020 by WordFire Press.

“Scritch-Scratch” finds a couple moving into a new home where things go missing, and strange noises are heard in the walls. It first appeared in October 2020 in Tales of the Lost Vol. 2 by Plaid Dragon Press. 

In “The Blooming,” a botany student examines a strange fungus, and we are reminded to wear masks when dealing with things that spread spores. It first appeared in April 2020 in Infected: Tales to Read Alone by Things in the Well Press.

If you’re interested in any of these stories, and would like to review them for award consideration, please comment on this post, or email me at benmonroe@Icloud.com, and I’ll send you a link to download them.

Another Charity Book In Time for Halloween!

Now available in Kindle, coming soon in print, Tales of the Lost Volume 2. This is another charity anthology raising funds for COVD-19 relief, specifically the Save the Children Coronavirus response.

It includes my newest story “Scritch-Scratch,” which is a Creepshow-esque tale of a couple who’ve moved into a new house with a rather unwelcome guest. Trinkets start to go missing, then local animals are mutilated, and then things really start to go bad.

In addition to my story, the book features tales by such horror greats as Tim Waggoner, Lisa Morton, Neil Gaiman, Joe Hill, Heather Graham, Christopher Golden, Tim Lebbon, Christina Sng, Vince Liaguno, John Palisano , Kaaron Warren, Chris Mason, Greg Chapman, Tracy Cross, Stephanie W. Wytovich, Alexis Kirkpatrick, Ben Monroe, Lucy A. Snyder, and Matthew R. Davis.

I’m really happy with how my story in this turned out, and from what I’ve read of the book so far, it’s really great. If you’re looking for some new horror stories to read for Halloween, and want to support a great cause, you’ll definitely be wanting this book.

Buy a book, do some good

Released today in ebook, coming soon in print Infected: Tales to Read At Home This new horror anthology includes my new story "the Blooming,” along with tons of other great ones by the likes of Kevin J. Anderson, Lisa Morton, and more. 100% of the proceeds are being donated to the Save the Children Foundation's Coronavirus Relief Fund.

Pretty excited about this book. Not only is it helping where help is needed, but it gave me a chance to write about something I’ve wanted to do for a while. Without spoiling the story, I’ve been kind of fascinated with cordyceps fungus for a while, and curious what would happen if it had the ability to jump species.

So go buy the book. Help some folks who need helping.

And wash your hands.

Cleanliness is Next to Impossible

Lots of folks thinking about cleanliness lately. My default “see you soon!” send off to friends and family, or “have a good one!” to strangers has changed to a cheerful “wash your hands!” or “stay safe!” The world has begun to seem strangely quieter, yet somewhat sinister. Everyone’s justifiably anxious, and dealing with it the best way they know how.

Staying inside and reading quietly is great if you can. With California on shelter-in-place, my family is doing our best to comply. I admit that we’ve gone out a few times to run around and burn off some of our pent-up energy. I know a half dozen great trails and parks nearby that are usually empty even during normal circumstances. Took a two-mile hike with my daughter this afternoon and didn’t run into a single other person.

And I’ve washed my hands about eleventy-five thousand times over the past few weeks. I’m starting to feel like the Terminator in T2. Not the part where he’s an action movie tough guy, but the part where all the meat falls off his hand leaving nothing but his shiny chrome skeleton underneath.

I was talking to a friend the other day about hand washing, keeping the house clean, and the general focus on sanitation in the world today.

Suddenly reminded about this time years ago I’d gone to lunch at Top Dog in Oakland. For those of you who’ve never been to Top Dog and had one of their variety of grilled sausages, all I can say is I’m sorry, and I feel bad for you. But it’s a counter-service hot dog/sausage place, and it’s awesome, and comfort food for myself and lots of other folks.

This was back in the late 90s or so. I had an apartment in North Oakland, and one day felt like having Top Dogs for lunch, so hopped in my car and tooled over to the Temescal location. Ordered my dogs and had my book to read, and was just enjoying the spring or summer afternoon.

As I’m eating, this guy comes into the store. Regular enough looking, I guess. I seem to recall he was wearing rather nondescript clothing. Shorts, sneakers, t-shirt. Like he was just out running errands, and decided to come in for a hotdog. Fair enough. He starts placing his order, and it was nuts. He wanted the clerk to pull buns out of the bag, instead of the ones stacked to the side of the grill (where they keep them warm). He asked for the clerk to hold up the entire sleeve of paper cups so he could pick his own without the clerk touching them.

“Okay,” I’m thinking. “Germaphobe, no big deal.”

Next he asks to pour the ice and the drink himself. He doesn’t want the clerk touching the cup he picked out. Or the lid, or the straw. Wants to do it all himself so no other person’s germs get on his stuff.

I catch the clerk’s eye, and I’m trying not to laugh, and he’s trying not to laugh and just gives a slight eye-roll. This is weird stuff, but nothing really out of the ordinary for that part of Oakland. It’s so close Berkeley there, that you get all sorts of odd folks around. This is the kind of person I’d assume was a counter-culture hippy back in the 60s, then sold out, made some money and wanted to make sure everyone knew he had money without actually coming out and saying he did. As the saying goes “If you’re rich and weird, you’re eccentric. If you’re poor and weird, you’re crazy.”

So, the guy doesn’t want anyone touching his food, or food containers, or anything because germs. Got it.

Finally he’s placed his order, got his soda set up just the way he likes it, all without any of it being touched by the person behind the counter. Then the clerk gives him the total cost of his meal.

I’m watching in amazement, as this guy… this guy who’s so concerned with germs touching his food, that he won’t even let the clerk pick a paper cup for him… this guy, I swear folks… he bends over, pulls off his shoe, and pulls a $20 bill out from inside it. A limp, moist, sweat-soaked $20 bill.

The clerk took it, too. Made a big show about putting a rubber glove on before taking the guy’s $20. Then peeled off the glove and washed his hands before giving the guy his change. I was frankly amazed he didn't just kick the guy out of the store.

So, anyway. If there’s a moral to this story, it’s that even in regular times, money is dirty and people are weird.

Wash your hands.

Monsters, Movies & Mayhem

Super excited to announce I’ll have a story in this upcoming anthology Monsters, Movies & Mayhem!

It’s an anthology edited by Kevin J. Anderson and a cabal of students in his publishing classes, and I couldn’t be happier to be involved. The call for stories asked for the center of the venn diagram of that crazy title, and I just couldn’t resist the topic. My degree was actually in Film Production, and I did a little work in the film industry before turning to writing. So this story gave me a chance to use a little of my real-world film experience which was nice.

My story “Vinegar Syndrome” is a riff on the idea of a “monster movie.” But instead of it being a movie about a monster, I wondered what would happen if the movie itself was the monster? You’ll have to read it to find out. From what I understand, the book should be out this summer, and I’ll post links to order as it gets closer.

New Story “Desiderium” Coming in December!

Things in the Well publishing just announced their upcoming book, Tales of the Lost. And I’m pretty excited about this, because it’s got my new story “Desiderium” in it! Along with a dozen or so other creepy tales by some amazing authors.

The full press release is below:

We are excited to announce some awesome news regarding the TALES OF THE LOST anthology. Bram Stoker Award-Winning editor Eugene Johnson has teamed up with Things in the Well publisher and editor Steve Dillon* to co-edit this amazing anthology for release in December 2019!

TALES OF THE LOST: VOLUME ONE

We all lose something…

We lose many things during our time in this universe. From the moment we are born we start losing time, and loss becomes a part of our life from the beginning. We lose friends (both imaginary and real), loved ones, pets, and family. We gain stuff and lose stuff, from our socks to our money. We can lose our hope, sanity, passions, our mind, and perhaps even our soul! In the end when death finds us, we end up losing everything... Don’t we?

Tales of the Lost takes a dark look at the things we lose and the ghosts we struggle with.

Featuring haunting stories from critically acclaimed masters of horror F. Paul Wilson, Tim Waggoner, Lisa Morton, Yvonne Navarro, David Wellington, Lee Murray, Stephen Graham Jones, Jess Landry, John Palisano, Chris Mason, Paul Moore, Eric J. Guignard, Jeff Strand, Ben Monroe, Christina Sng, and Kevin J. Anderson. With an introduction by S.G. Browne and a specially commissioned cover by Francois Vaillancourt. Featuring a hardback cover and interior artwork from Luke Spooner!

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Tales-Of-The-Lost-104163927614756/
Website: https://thingsinthewell.com

Eugene Johnson is a writer and Bram Stoker award winning editor who has written and edited in various genres. His anthology Appalachian Undead, co-edited with Jason Sizemore, was selected by FearNet, as one of the best books of 2012. Eugene’s articles and stories have been published by award winning Apex publishing, The Zombiefeed, Evil Jester Press, Warrior Sparrow Press and more. Eugene also appeared in Dread Stare, a political theme horror anthology from Thunder Dome press. Eugene’s anthology, Drive-in Creature Feature, pays homage to monster movies, features New York Times best-selling authors Clive Barker, Joe R. Lansdale, Christopher Golden, Jonathan Maberry and many more. He was nominated for the Bram Stoker award for Where Nightmares Come From: The Art Of Storytelling In The Horror Genre along with his co-editor Joe Mynhardt.

As a filmmaker, Eugene Johnson worked on various movies, including the upcoming Requiem, starring Tony Todd and directed by Paul Moore. His short film Leftovers, a collaboration with director Paul Moore, was featured at the Screamfest film festival in Los Angeles as well as Dragoncon.
Eugene is currently spends his time working on several projects including Brave, a horror anthology honoring people with disabilities; the Fantastic Tales of Terror anthology which won the Imadjinn award for Best Anthology of 2019; his children’s book series, Life lessons with Lil Monsters. Eugene is currently an active member of the Horror Writers Association. He resides with his college sweetheart, daughter, and two sons.
~
Steve Dillon wears the face behind the mask at Things in the Well. As a writer, editor, and publisher of more than 20 anthologies and single-author collections, he considers himself fortunate to have worked with some of the biggest names in horror including Ramsey Campbell, Clive Barker, Christopher Golden, and many more, as well dozens of emerging and award-winning writers. He has published two collections of his own short stories and poetry and is working on a third. He’s also very active in too many Facebook communities and is a former president of the Australasian Horror Writers Association.
Facebook: SteveDillonWriter. Twitter: @ThingsInTheWell
Website: www.ThingsInTheWell.com

Writing has kept me from writing...

That makes sense in my head, anyway. This blog is best described as being updated “semi-occasionally,” as I seem to only come back to it once in a while. Usually this means I’ve got something I’ve been thinking about that doesn’t fit in a tweet, or hidden under layers of metaphor in a piece of fiction.

So it’s sort of amusing to me right now that I’ve lately been neglecting the blog because I’ve been writing a lot of other stuff. 2019’s been a pretty good year for me productivity-wise as far as writing goes. Through most of spring and early summer I was working on a new novel. I’m at about 60k words into it right now but paused it in August to work on a few short stories.

A few opportunities for shorts came up that I just had to jump on, and I’m glad I did. Three stories, two of which I was invited to submit, and the last was a blind submission. One of the stories sold already, and I’m really excited about seeing it in a book full of stories by some of my favorite authors. Another story was given a tentative thumbs up by the editor, and it’s looking like it’ll probably be accepted. The third story for the blind submission I don’t expect to hear anything back on until at least December. It was for a themed anthology, and even if it doesn’t make it in, I think it’s a good story. I’m happy with it either way.

And while all that was happening, I had the opportunity to read excerpts from one of my stories at a few different venues. In early October, I got together with some friends from the local chapter of the Horror Writers’ Association, and read at SF Lit Crawl. That was a blast. Honestly, reading in front of people terrifies me, but the audience and my co-authors were super supportive, and it was a great time.

Now, going back to that novel I was working on. Honestly, I feel like I was a little bit stuck at the moment I stopped. All the threads of the mysterious plot were starting to converge, but I wasn’t 100% sure of how to take them into the next stage of the story. But when I started working on those shorts, what I found was that my thoughts returned to the novel time and again. The knots started to unravel, and things became clear.

I’ve found the same thing happens when I go for a run or hike. When I’m stuck on something, mulling over options and getting frustrated, often it helps a lot just to change gears, work on something completely different.

That being said, I am now looking forward to getting back to the novel. I’ve a clear idea of where it’s going, and how to get there. Just a matter of getting the ball rolling again.