Stephanie Jensen's Blog, page 5

Kindle vs Apple Books

I’ve been using the Amazon Kindle app on my iPad for years. However, I recently discovered Apple Books. Which platform do I like better? I decided to film my Kindle vs Apple Books review and give everyone an unbiased account of what I think of both. Keep in mind, I haven’t published my books on Apple Books yet, so this isn’t an Apple Books vs Kindle Publishing review for authors.

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Godless Is Alive: Support Stephanie E. Jensen and Indie Horror

Stephanie E. Jensen is proud to be a part of the Godless horror ebook distribution platform. Made specifically for indie horror books and authors.

Here are the words from Godless founder and author Drew Stepek:

“𝗚𝗢𝗗𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘!
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You can take a look at my full profile here.

Thanks to Drew for the opportunity and for supporting indie horror authors.

Conspiracy Theories: When They’re Interesting and When They’re Dangerous

Featured image credit: Image by Comfreak from Pixabay

Politics and the pandemic has changed us. We no longer trust the government, our family, or anyone.

What does that mean? Conspiracy theories!

So this is a topic I always struggled with. That’s because I think conspiracy theories are interesting. Hell, The Howling of the Dead was largely based on conspiracy theories.

Keep in mind, I didn’t say I believe them, just that I find them interesting. With that being said, I always found those who believed them to be crazy and honestly kind of stupid.

I had a revelation when I was watching this ReignBot video. She said something that resonated with me — “…I thought back to the good ol’ days when conspiracy theories were mostly harmless.”

Wow. Conspiracy theories caused lots of the chaos that’s happening in the world today, such as people refusing to wear masks (which causes the spread of COVID-19) all the way to people not believing the election results (causing hordes of protestors to invade the U.S. Capitol Building).

So, what is the line between finding conspiracy theories interesting and causing harm to yourself and others?

Conspiracy Theories Were Once Harmless?

Once upon a time, conspiracy theories were pretty harmless. They were things your crazy uncle would spout out during Thanksgiving dinner, at the worst.

Coming from a writer, a good chunk of conspiracy theories are based on folklore, such as aliens and demons. These aspects aren’t inherently dangerous — it’s when you put a person in power who believes this stuff and then attracts a cult-like following is when the red flags start appearing (we will discuss this more in-depth later).

A healthy-minded person sees conspiracy theories as a “what if” scenario, which largely inspires fictional works (such as The Howling of the Dead).

Why Some People Enjoy (Not Believe) Conspiracy Theories

Sure, you may not read up on a conspiracy theory and write a book about it. But conspiracy theories do offer us more than you think.

Conspiracies are ridiculous for a reason. That’s because they’re largely based on folklore, myth, legend, and fiction — as I said previously. A rational minded person will research this crazy stuff because they find it as interesting as horror movies or other entertainment mediums.

While we access more information today than ever, many aspects of our world are shrouded in mystery. To answer these questions, we turn to fiction, mythology, religion, spiritualism, and other aspects that extend beyond the realms of reality. Now, conspiracy theories are wedging into that category.

Sure, many people come across conspiracy theories wanting answers to life’s most pressing questions, and then start believing in them. But there are those who read up on these theories, only to still understand the distinction between reality and fiction.

When Conspiracy Theories Become Dangerous

Sure, there are those who become curious when they hear our government officials supposedly worship Satan and have to figure out what that’s all about. But when does it draw the line? As stated previously, conspiracy theories become dangerous when someone in power spreads these beliefs to the masses. But what makes this so dangerous?

Misinformation and Mistrust

We’re living in the age of mistrust. At least in the U.S., trust in the government only continues to decline. While it’s normal to question what you’re told, completely distrusting those in power can have negative consequences. This includes conspiracy theories.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there are plenty of bad eggs in our government. I’m also sure there are plenty of wonderful people who work in government. We can also say the same about the CEOs of the largest corporations, teachers, neighbors, etc.

What does this mean? The world isn’t as black and white as some people think. That just because you work in government doesn’t mean you’re inherently an evil person.

Division

Geez, everyone. I remember back in the day when the most divided politics got was my conservative and liberal family members getting into debates during family outings.

Unfortunately, we’re at the point where we’re so divided. We’re losing friends over politics and are distancing ourselves from family members who have different beliefs.

Close-Mindedness

You’ll always come across the stubborn people who just never listen. While that’s inconvenient when it comes to personal and professional matters, it becomes dangerous when conspiracy theories are involved.

I’ll never forget when I first came across this article about QAnon followers and their children’s reactions. Many of these children are pretty young — late teens to 20s — and are giving their own parents a reality check.

In these situations, conspiracy theory followers now have a certain view of the world and no one can change that. Not even their own children.

What conspiracy theories also do is build a community. Followers will talk to likeminded people and will live in their own little bubble, distancing themselves from family and friends.

This leads us to our next point.

You Separate Yourself From Loved Ones

Hey, I find reading about conspiracy theories interesting. But do I believe them? No. And I’m sure it’s because I surround myself with grounded people who base their view of the world on fact and reality.

Humans are social creatures. There has never been a civilization on earth without culture and without language. When you involve yourself in a community, you see the world in a specific way. The same goes for those who follow conspiracy theories.

Now, we’re starting to better understand the psychology of those who follow conspiracy theories. Most followers are paranoid and would rather buy into fiction rather than the facts of the world. When they meet others who share the same mindset, their reliance on conspiracy theories only becomes stronger.

How Did We Come to This Point?

So, how did we come to this point? Everyone has their theories, but the internet plays a large part in this.

Before, the only audience conspiracy theorists had were their family, friends, and anyone else who would put up with their yapping. Now, anyone can post what they want online. It’s also easy to share content, enhancing the spread of misinformation.

So sure, your crazy uncle could blame the Democrats, Republicans, etc. on whatever world issue. But you likely rolled your eyes because you knew your uncle was out of his mind. Now, your crazy uncle could post his views on social media and their rant could potentially go viral. This makes it difficult to know what’s fact and opinion.

Wrapping up With Conspiracy Theories

Maybe you’re reading this thinking, “well what if I read conspiracies because I find them interesting?” Hey! I do the same thing. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s natural for us to be curious and to explore potential answers to our questions.

The most important thing is that we separate fact from fiction. As a horror writer, I always remind my readers that my books are works of fiction and are stories that I create in my mind. I got the inspiration for The Howling of the Dead based on my real-life experiences but also my interest in folklore, the paranormal, and yes — conspiracy theories.

The Howling of the Dead is currently in the editing phase, but you can click here and check out my other books!

Dissecting House Second Edition Is Up

The Dissecting House second edition is now up! It’s available in paperback and ebook editions. For now on, I’m publishing all books under the new pen name Stephanie E. Jensen. Don’t forget, this edition features a sneak peek into the Dissecting House sequel, Screaming Streets!

Synapsis:

A young woman confessed to a murder. Criminal psychologist, Dr. Victor Lukman, has to find out why. What he gets is a psychopath unlike one he’s ever met before. The serial killer, Mina Bassey. Her victims of choice: men. Through his sessions, Mina uncovers tales of torture and gruesome murders.

Order your copy here!

Hiring an Editor vs. DIY Editing: Which Is Best for Your Book?

Ah, the classic argument in writing. Who knew we would have come to this point? Arguing about whether or not you should have an editor. That’s because the answer should be yes, all writers should really get their book edited by a professional. However, this option isn’t so easy in the world of self-publishing.

Now the facts may be in a writer’s favor. In one year, authors earned $334 million from Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). But while there are plenty of writers who are banking on their self-published books, the vast majority of them don’t make a ton of money. And here’s where we come to our big issue: hiring an editor is expensive. Which forces many indie authors to edit their own work.

The editing debate is something I’ve been struggling with, since I’m preparing to release my latest book, The Howling of the Dead, and I’m finishing up with the Dissecting House sequel. Here’s a fun fact: I didn’t hire an editor for Dissecting House, but I decided to get an editor for my future books. I’ll explain why later.

So, can you get away with giving your book a good ol’ read-through? Or is hiring an editor worth the money?

Hiring an Editor

As a writer, you’re probably wondering if hiring an editor is truly worth it. There are both pros and cons to handing over your book so someone else makes it better.

Pros

Improved spelling/grammar. Hey, I’m sure you’re a great writer. But I doubt you’re a perfect writer. We all make mistakes, including me! Unfortunately, you may not catch all of these mistakes. This is where a professional editor comes in. They will fix all of those typos and grammatical issues, so your book is error-free.

Improve the readability of your work. Readability is an underrated issue and most writers struggle with it. Hell, I’ve read bestsellers (where I’m sure editors were involved) and the book still had terrible readability.

Why is that? Because we writers love fluffy and adverby bullshit that takes away from the story (even though it shows off our literary excellence). I actually wrote a blog about writing your book without fluff, in case you care to read my blog for free and potentially save thousands on an editor.

But in case you don’t feel like reading my blog and/or want to spend a ton of money, book editing services can improve the readability of your work. This includes removing fluff as well as hard to read parts, passive voice, adverbs, and simply rephrasing certain areas to accentuate what you’re trying to say.

You get an unbiased opinion. A literary editor means business. If they tell you your book is good and doesn’t require too many edits, they will say so. But if they truly think your book needs some special attention, they won’t hesitate to say something.

Editors are an unbiased second set of eyes. They likely read books for a living (or just read a ton of books), so they know what works and what doesn’t.

Your book will be more professional. So I’ll be honest. I constantly read books by indie authors. While I love supporting those hustling like me, these books could have been better if they had an editor.

And this is beyond grammar issues — honestly, my grammar nazi days are over. An editor helps improve your readability and makes your book’s tone more polished. All of this results in a more professionally-written book.

Cons

Expensive. You’re getting someone else to read your book and fix all of the minuscule errors. So yes, an editor will be expensive. However, all editors price differently. How much does an editor cost? I’ve heard everything from free to a couple of thousand dollars. So don’t immediately dismiss an editor because of the price, find someone who will work within your budget.

May take time for your book to be finished. The biggest con of hiring an editor is not the price in my opinion, but the time it takes for them to finish editing your book.

As stated previously, an editor is reading your entire book word-by-word and fixing it. They also likely have a family, other life priorities, maybe a second job, etc. Don’t expect to get your book back for several months, unless you feel like handing out more money.

You may not need an editor. Yes, an editor offers a ridiculous number of benefits. But if your book only needs minor edits, looking for an editor may not be necessary. If this is the case, I recommend onboarding a few solid beta readers and following the other advice I’ll state in a future section.

DIY EditingPros

Cheaper. Hey, if you edit your own book then you may save lots of money! That’s a benefit in itself!

Edit at your own pace. You can also edit at your own pace, ensuring you’re 100% in charge of the book’s production and you release it in a timely manner. For DH, my goal was to edit a chapter a night. But I also did a few rounds of edits to ensure the book was top-notch.

Edit the book how you want it. Writers aren’t perfect, but we’re also stubborn. You may not like an editor’s advice. Rather than spend the money and not be satisfied with the final product, self-editing results in you being fully satisfied with your book.

Cons

It may not be the best/most professional option. As stated previously, I know many self-published authors who are talented, but their book could have improved with professional editing.

May not catch all of the spelling/grammar errors. Having a second set of eyes is beneficial. If you don’t catch all of your mistakes, someone else will. Let’s hope that the second person isn’t a reader who spent money on your book.

My Experience

As stated previously, I didn’t have an editor for Dissecting House. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t inquire.

I found an editor through an all-female writing group I’m in. The editor offered a free consultation where she edited the first few chapters of my book. After a couple of days, she sends back the manuscript and informs me that she found no spelling/grammar errors. However, there were parts where I could improve my readability. And that would cost $1,000.

I scratched my head at that offer. Pay $1k for something that Hemingway App could do for free? No thank you. DH is my first book and I wasn’t sure if I could pay that money back. I also had more expenses associated with the book’s release, such as buying the book cover and marketing the dang thing.

Now, I could have said no from the get-go. Instead, I gave her another chance. I explained that the price is too high for me and tried to negotiate lower. She said she won’t go below $600. Sure, significantly cheaper. But there’s still no guarantee I would have made my ROI. I declined her offer.

Do I think I made the best decision? Yes and no. I could have negotiated a bit more. But I understand why I declined her offer.

However, this is changing with my future books. That’s because I received great advice from other writer colleagues. They recommended I find an editor who I know and trust well.

Sure enough, I reached out to a colleague of mine. He’s an amazing writer and also works professionally as an editor. I gave him the first chapter of the Dissecting House sequel. He said he didn’t have to do a lot, but the changes he made improved even that first chapter. I decided to hire him to edit The Howling of the Dead.

Options for Self-Published Writers

Hiring an editor for a book comes with many pros and cons, but this isn’t your only option when editing your book. Here are other options that self-published authors have.

Grammarly Premium

Before anyone asks, no I’m not sponsored by Grammarly. This is 100% my own opinion because I use this dang program every single day of my life. Hell, I’m putting this very blog post through Grammarly before it’s published.

In case you live under a rock and/or don’t pay attention to the Grammarly ads on YouTube, just know that Grammarly is an actually good spellcheck program. While it’s not perfect, it does catch many spelling/grammar issues.

Grammarly is a freemium service, meaning they have a free and paid plan. I recommend their paid plan Grammarly Premium when editing your book. It goes a step further, making your writing more concise and improving your tone.

How much is Grammarly Premium? I think I paid $140-ish for a year. But I also chose a yearly plan, which is significantly cheaper than the monthly and quarterly plans.

Hire Beta Readers

First, let’s dive into who beta readers are and why they may be as useful as an editor. A beta reader is simply someone who reads your book; however, they read it before it’s available to the public. They provide the author with honest feedback, whether it’s positive and/or negative.

If you’re unsure if you need an editor, make a beta reader a must. Hell, have at least one beta reader even if you hire an editor. The more eyes on your book, the better.

Who should be a beta reader? Someone you know is reliable and will actually read your book. You’re more than likely not paying your beta reader, so you need to be sure they will do what they promise.

Seek a Consultation

Going back to my example, I had a consultation with an editor to see if this service was for me and my book. I ended up deciding it wasn’t. But if it wasn’t for that consultation, I could have said goodbye to $1,000.

The consultation will also help you decide if you like that editor. Let’s go back to that other example. I gave the first chapter of the Dissecting House sequel to my current editor. I honestly thought his changes strengthened the chapter and gave it more life. He also honed in on the voice, especially the character Mina. Therefore, I knew he was the perfect editor.

Not sure how to know if an editor works for you? Ask yourself these questions:

Do I like their edits?Do I agree with them?Do their edits strengthen and improve my book?

If you said no to these questions, either seek another editor or go forward with DIY editing.

Negotiate with Editors

An editor will usually put a steep price for their service. Don’t be afraid to try and negotiate. The editor needs your business as you need their help. If they’re sympathetic to your needs, they will work with them.

At the same time, you’re paying for high-quality work. If you ask the editor to price their services extremely low, this could be insulting.

While declining may seem like your only option, see if they’re open to a pricing plan. Instead of forking over a couple thousand at one time, pay them in small increments over a course of a few months. I even told my editor that if my edits are extensive, I will push back the deadline to ensure he gets paid and that it works in my budget.

Hiring an Editor vs. DIY Editing: Which Is the Best Option?

At the end of the day, hiring an editor is the best option. But this may not be ideal for all writers. Fortunately, there are other resources for writers so you can have a great book.

Yes, talking about grammar errors and bad readability can kill any writer’s inspiration. I’m sure the pandemic also screwed with your productivity, too. No worries, read this blog post about how to get writing inspiration, whether there’s a pandemic or not.

Featured image credit: Image by ROBERT SŁOMA from Pixabay

Updates: Dissecting House Second Edition and New Author Name

Hey guys! So a quick update.

First, I’m changing my author name. Instead of “Stephanie Jensen,” I will be published under the name “Stephanie E. Jensen.” Yeah, I know it’s not a major difference. But still, figured I would be transparent with my readers. Fortunately, I only have one book published under my previous pseudonym (Dissecting House).

With that being said, I will be re-issuing Dissecting House as a second edition! The book is completely re-edited and with a bonus sneak peek into the Dissecting House sequel, Screaming Streets!

Yes, you read that correctly. Dissecting House is getting a sequel! The book is still in the first draft writing process, but it’s almost finished.

Until then, expect the Dissecting House Second Edition release to be on February 19!

Russell Holbrook Discusses His Thanksgiving Anthology, His Past Books, and Writing Horror

Russell Holbrook is one of my newest favorite indie horror writers. I’m reading Lucy Furr now and I’m enthralled by it. So much brutal fun! So when Russell said he was releasing a Thanksgiving anthology, I had to pick his brain about his latest work, his past books, and writing horror fiction in general.

First, what a crazy time we’re living in! Have the global pandemic, crazy politics, and all the insane conspiracy theories been fueling your creativity?

Yes, it truly is a crazy time we’re living in, that’s for sure! I feel like the social tension has contributed and/or fueled my creativity, at least to some extent, and probably on a more subconscious level. Consciously, I just got an idea for inserting the pandemic into a plot, which is a first for me. I do think this is an inspiring time for everyone who enjoys creating dark art, and I also feel that those of us who do so are very fortunate to have this outlet, so I’m super grateful for that! If I couldn’t write, I think I’d go insane, haha!

Tell us about your new Thanksgiving anthology?

It’s called The Distended Table: A Collection of Holiday Favorites. The title is a play on the NPR radio program, The Splendid Table. I wonder if anyone will catch that, haha. Anyway, a couple of years ago my friend Trevor and I were talking about how there seems to be quite a lot of Christmas themed horror anthologies, but we couldn’t think of any that were Thanksgiving themed. Then we realized that Thanksgiving doesn’t have much of a presence in horror at all, not in books or in film, with a couple of notable exceptions. So, we decided to make our own book. Since Trevor is in Ireland and I’m here in the US, we were able to get writers from the US and the UK involved. We started working on it, then it got postponed for a year, then it came close to being postponed for yet another year, but we were able to complete it and get it published this year. It was a lot of work but I’m glad we did it and it looks like we’re going to do a sequel next year! 

How did you contribute to the anthology? Anything you can say about the story you wrote?

I helped with the cover design ideas (not the actual artwork, though), the interior format ideas and a bit of the interior art, the layout idea, some of the editing, and I contributed a story. My story is called “Doorbusters.” It’s about a coven of witches whose High Holy day is Black Friday. They’re also cannibalistic hoarders with hearts of gold. We follow them through their Thanksgiving traditions and into the events of Black Friday when they go to their favorite big-box department store and things get a little nutty.

How does one make Thanksgiving scary? It’s personally my favorite holiday!

Well, I think horror writers can usually find the dark side to anything. Our focus was more on the gory and the weird and the insane aspects of horror, and I think this book is a lot of fun. Personally, I see a lot of brutality on the Thanksgiving holiday. It could be all peaceful, but people make it scary, especially with all the cruelty done to the animals that are used for food. And it’s so pervasive, too, that most of us aren’t even aware of it. Then there’s family dysfunction, economic class division, gluttony, etc.… But there are many, many positive aspects to Thanksgiving too, and it really is beautiful the way people gather and all that, to just share a meal and have a day to spend time together, you know. I think that, originally, Trevor and I just thought it would be hilarious to fuck with such a revered holiday. Plus, I really enjoy the juxtaposition that this type of holiday horror provides, where you take what’s supposed to be such a joyous occasion, and totally turn it upside down and rip it apart. That’s so fun! And, personally, I find the idea of going into a situation expecting it to be pleasant and fun only to have it become a nightmare, to be totally terrifying.

Let’s talk about some of your past books. I’m reading Lucy Furr now and love it! Where did the inspiration for that book come from?

Thank you! That means so much to me that you’re reading Lucy Furr and enjoying it! In the fall of 2005, I adopted a stray tuxedo kitten and named her Lucy Furr, and she is the direct inspiration for the story. She passed away in 2012 and the book is my tribute to her. It really helped me process the grief of losing her. It’s also inspired by some of my beliefs about humans and our relationship to other creatures in the animal kingdom and to each other. Initially, it was a screenplay but later on, I was able to turn it into a book.

You also wrote a memoir about your past heroin addiction. What was it like reflecting on those dark years (or what you remember) and putting it all on paper?

Writing that one was difficult, especially reliving things I did that caused pain and harm to other people. It was also terrifying because I was afraid that people wouldn’t want to talk to me again after they read it. Ultimately, though, it was also a freeing experience and something that I want to do again.

What do you have to say to anyone suffering from an addiction?

To anyone who is suffering from an addiction, not reveling in it, but who wants to change and to heal, I want them to know that it is possible, and the pain of breaking free is totally worth it. Not having to find a way to get high all the time, to be free to do the most mundane, everyday things, is just so amazing. If anyone reading this is struggling, please don’t give up, and please reach out for help. One call to a friend was all it took for me. I asked her to take me to a recovery meeting, she did, and it totally changed my life. Please reach out to someone. No one is alone in their addiction, even when we feel like we are. We always have each other.

We had a conversation about writing violence and brutality in our novels, and the feedback we receive from our loved ones. How do you handle any opinions on the gore-side of your books, whether they be positive or negative?

Well, no one in my family has read any of my horror books, at least not that I’m aware of. My wife read the very first short story I ever got published and she had a very negative reaction to it. That hurt my feelings, but we talked it out and she hasn’t read anything else I’ve written. Since most people know me as this quiet, nice guy, they usually say, “I can’t believe that you wrote that.” That always makes me smile and laugh. Some of my close friends have strongly criticized certain scenes I’ve written. I handled that by seriously considering what they had to say and thinking of what I could do to improve. Those criticisms led to some positive changes in the stories, so I’m very thankful for those conversations. And whenever I get props from close friends or family, it’s very encouraging and I hold those thoughts close to my heart.

Is writing more of a hobby or a passion for you? Has it become a release from reality? Or just a normal way of life?

I’ve always wanted to have a career in the arts and writing was my first love, starting in the 2nd grade. Then I got into illustration and painting, then music, then film, then back to painting, then I circled back to writing and stayed there. So, it’s a passion, for sure. It also is a release from reality. While I’m writing I can totally check out and go into another world. I love that so much. Sometimes when a writing session is over, I feel discombobulated and it’s like I have to ease my way back into this “reality”. That’s weird to say, haha! It’s also a spiritual practice for me, as a type of meditation. It is a way of life as well. I listen to podcasts and read articles about “the writer’s life” and the more I get involved, the more connected I feel, the more real it is. When I really got into reading and writing horror in 2012, and it became a big part of my recovery, I knew that I wanted to dedicate my life to doing this. Since I made that decision, things have become a lot simpler for me. I’m very grateful for that.

Scariest Horror Books to Read During Halloween

Halloween is here! That means it’s time to get spooky…if you’re not spooky 365 days a year like I am. It also means it’s a good excuse to take out your favorite horror novels…if you don’t read horror books 365 days a year, like I do. So which horror books should you read? Here are the scariest horror books I recommend for viewers (in no order).

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The Best Horror Films on Netflix

Featured image credit: bloody-disgusting.com

It’s October and you all know what that means! Spooky season is here! Fortunately, the streaming platform Netflix features a ton of badass horror films this month.

If you’re like me and have DVDs, that won’t matter to you. But it’s the year 2020 and I’m sure there are people who don’t even know what a “DVD” is. Therefore, I’m going to discuss the best horror films on Netflix.

Now, fair warning: I’m picky. 99% of the horror films on Netflix won’t be on this list.

That’s because I, a. never watched them, b. don’t care to watch them, or c. look stupid or heard they sucked.

My boyfriend did say I’m a horror film hipster, so I also suggest you look at other “best horror films on Netflix” lists and look at other horror films that Netflix offers.

Otherwise, here we go!

The Addams Family

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know what you’re thinking. “ThE aDdAmS fAmIlY iSn’T a HoRrOr FiLm.” Well screw you, this movie is awesome.

I’m not sure what I love more about The Addams Family. How I pretty much live every day thinking I’m Morticia Addams. How Christina Ricci did a superb job playing Wednesday Addams. How absolutely hilarious it is and all of the unforgettable scenes.

But I think what I love most is you see how absurd “normal” people are. Let’s give one of the best scenes as the perfect example, the school play. Morticia and Gomez are talking to a mother who is overly excited about her son dressed as an elf, even spitting on a napkin and wiping his face. Ewww.

Overall, this is one of the best movies on Netflix that everyone should watch. But seriously, The Addams’ make their entire existence spooky. We should all be like The Addams Family.

House of 1,000 Corpses

Okay, now we’re doing a 180. Funny fact, House of 1,000 Corpses was the first horror film I ever saw. I never watched anything so grotesque and it made me intrigued. Ever since then, I’ve always had a little fascination with this movie.

Everyone has different opinions about Rob Zombie films, but I honestly love his films (or most of them). He is an amazing visionary and his movies had a sense of authenticity to them. While the premise of this film is kinda bland (a group of kids find the legend named Dr. Satan and then regret meeting him), Rob Zombie still makes such a unique film that quickly became a cult classic.

Also, House of 1,000 Corpses is better than The Devil’s Rejects. Don’t @ me.

Errementari

This is one modern horror film that I wish more people talked about (and I now regret not adding it to my Best Modern Horror Films list). A friend and I stumbled upon it when we were scrolling through Netflix and couldn’t find anything else to watch. Well, other than this movie.

Errementari is also called “The Devil and the Blacksmith.” The film is spoken entirely in the Basque language (with English subtitles). Errementari is based on a legend called “The Smith and the Devil.” It centers around an orphan girl, Usue, who enters a blacksmith’s home after a boy threw her doll in his yard. She sees a boy locked in a cage. After she releases the boy, he turns into a demon.

You discover the demon tricked the blacksmith. Now, the blacksmith caught the demon and is torturing him.

From here, the film gets crazy. You discover who the blacksmith really is, the true lineage of Usue, and even more demons appear.

In short, the film is a masterpiece. It’s beautifully shot, the story leaves you guessing, the acting is superb, and the film holds an individualistic artistic element that not many horror films capture.

This isn’t a “scary” film per se, but it’s unique and interesting. I highly suggest everyone watches it.

Evil Dead

Yay! Netflix actually has some REALLY GOOD HORROR for once. That’s why it’s necessary to mention the classic Evil Dead. And no, not the remake. The original 1981 film.

So, what all can I say about Evil Dead? How disturbing yet hilarious yet awesome it is? How this movie encompasses every nightmare you can imagine? How Evil Dead went above and beyond, compared to other horror films of that time?

There’s a reason why Evil Dead inspired a slew of horror filmmakers, horror films, and even death metal bands (queue the Death song “Evil Dead”). Evil Dead is the perfect blend of creepy, gory, and entertaining. In short, it’s pure gold.

You shouldn’t need a reason to watch Evil Dead. But this film should be on your Netflix Halloween watch list. It’s definitely on mine.

Poltergeist

“They’re heeere.”

It’s time for ghost movies on Netflix! If this movie didn’t scare the shit out of you, then you’re a brave soul. It’s an absolute classic that should be enjoyed any time of the year, but especially during Halloween.

I think what I love about Poltergeist is how the film doesn’t have cheesy jump scares, yet it’s just creepy. Even though I’m someone who loves gore and crazy shit, Poltergeist doesn’t need any of that. The atmosphere of the film is eerie enough.

Take the stacking chairs scene as an example. The scene itself shouldn’t be scary, but there’s something freaky about it. Actually, I always thought of this scene in school when they would stack the chairs on the desks. Maybe that’s why I love this scene so much.

The acting is also superb and the characters are likable. There will also never be a creepier kid in a movie than Carol Anne (RIP Heather O’Rourke).

Overall, Poltergeist is a timeless film that should be enjoyed every Halloween.

The Silence of the Lambs

“Hello, Clarice.”

A few films in the Hannibal trilogy are on Netflix, but The Silence of the Lambs is obviously the best one.

Where should we start with this film? How it was brilliantly made? How the story is genius? How it’s one of the most disturbing yet mindblowing films ever made? And Anthony Hopkins? Yes, Anthony Hopkins.

What I think we all love about Silence of the Lambs is it’s not your typical serial killer movie. They don’t rely on gore and other crazy stuff (even though I love body horror). This film gets inside your head, making it the ultimate thriller.

I’m not sure what else I can say other than this is a genius film. Definitely add this one to your Halloween watch list.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space

Okay, I saw this on my Netflix recommended feed and I just had to include this classic in here. This silly, almost cartoonish horror film, is perfect for a drunk Halloween night with your friends. It’s amazingly cheesy with some ace kills.

It’s obviously not a scary movie, but it’s absolutely hilarious and always a good movie to watch if you’re bored (which we probably will be during a COVID-19 Halloween).

I’m positive you’ve seen Killer Klowns From Outer Space. Even if you’ve seen it, turn this classic on and laugh at the ridiculousness.

Hush

I was really impressed with this film. Hush 2016 centers around a woman who’s deaf. She retreats to the woods to write her book and live a peaceful life. But life stops being peaceful when a masked man approaches her home.

What I love about this film the most is the cinematography, which I usually don’t say because I could care less about that stuff. But something about the way Hush was filmed gives off serious eerie vibes.

For one, a good chunk of the film is silent. You’re put in the main character’s perspective, who lacks the ability to hear while she’s trying to fight for her life.

Kate Siegel is absolutely phenomenal in this film. She shows the emotions of this terrifying experience, yet she’s such a badass.

If you haven’t seen this movie, it’s definitely one to check out.

Sick of the Best Horror Films on Netflix? Read a Book Instead!

These are by far the best horror films on Netflix. But have you seen these films a thousand times, even the scariest films out now, and want something new? Read a book instead! If you love serial killer stories, you’ll love my book Dissecting House.

The Best New Horror Films

Featured image source: Blue Fox Entertainment

There are so many good horror movies coming out! While I do see some films that could use a better storyline, I also see so many films breaking barriers.

From unique plots and concepts to taking a unique take on a common theme in horror, there are lots of great horror films that will make their mark in history. Here’s my list of the best new horror films, in no order.

Braid

This is a movie my last roommate showed me. It has a very unique storyline — two drug dealing women approach their mentally unstable childhood friend and ask for money. To get their money, they must partake in perverse games that become more violent and sinister as the film progresses. By the end of the film, all three girls lose their sanity, resulting in a crazy ending.

It’s not only one of the most intense psychological thrillers I’ve seen but the film is completely unpredictable.

First, let’s start with the mentally unstable childhood friend —Daphne Peters, played by Madeline Brewer. Her character perfectly blends childlike innocence with psychopathic tendencies. As pretty and posh as she is, there’s a mysterious evil lurking deep inside of her.

The viewer can’t help but try and dissect Daphne and understand what’s really going on inside her head. But the fact that she’s such an enigma makes her character that much more compelling.

The other two girls, Petula and Tilda, progress drastically throughout the film. At the beginning, the girls played typical fugitives who were stopping at nothing to try and get their cash. By the end, they were engulfed by the black hole that make them both insane.

Another aspect I love about this film is how it’s beautifully shot, but in a different way than other films. They don’t rely on fancy effects, cool lighting, and mumbo jumbo. The exquisite manor Daphne inherited is the setting of the film. Even though the house is worn down, it’s still absolutely amazing. The house looks like something out of Europe — the architecture is absolutely exquisite and every room is ornate. It’s impressive to make such a beautiful movie in one home, but the makers of Braid pulled it off.

Even with the beautiful scenery, the film has a chaotic vibe that gets even more powerful until the film’s end.

Overall, this is a unique horror film and I can’t wait to see what other films director Mitzi Peirone makes.

The Perfection

Here’s another groundbreaking and unique film I quickly fell in love with. I also love music, so this film hit two of my biggest passions.

Two incredible cello players from the same school meet in China where the newest cello prodigy is performing a concert. The two embark on an adventure that quickly turns chaotic. The film continues to twist and turn, until they discover the true meaning of their evils: the perfection.

What I love most about this film is how unpredictable it is. The way the film starts, progresses, and ends is completely different. It’s one of those stories where you think you can predict what will happen next and then they throw a curveball at you.

The acting is superb. I love how every character has their own demons and yet the evilest character in the film is the one you least expect. Even then, all characters are realistic — they embody the thrilling atmosphere of the movie, but they still play a passionate role.

If you’re looking for a horror film that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen, I highly suggest this one.

Mandy

I have to admit, I’m getting sick of cult movies, specifically Satanic/evil cult movies. But Mandy is different. It’s a psychedelic movie that follows a Manson-like cult, evil acid-tripping bikers, and of course Nicholas Cage.

The premise of the film is the leader of the cult discovers Nicholas Cage’s girlfriend, Mandy (played by Andrea Riseborough) and falls in love with her. He orders the biker gang to abduct her. When Mandy mimics the cult leader for his terrible folk music, he murders her. Nicholas Cage seeks revenge and takes on the bikers and cult members single-handedly.

Overall, this is a movie you’ll never forget. Beyond the trippy effects, bright colors, and absolutely beautiful imagery, this film is just phenomenal. I honestly think this is one of Nic Cage’s best roles; in the beginning of the film, he’s full of love and passion, and by the middle of the film his character is full of rage.

This film is brutal but it’s not just brutal for the sake of being brutal. Sure, there’s blood and fire and what not, but the violence isn’t forced. The brutality also comes from the raw emotion in the film, which is really what makes this film memorable.

I’m sure you’ve seen Mandy already. But if you haven’t, you seriously can’t miss this one.

Hereditary

I have to admit, I was not interested in watching this movie when I first discovered it. When I watched the trailer and saw all of the promos, it looked like a demonic kid movie. My old roommate said it was one of the top horror movies today and forced me to watch it, so I did.

I still went into the movie expecting the little demonic kid thing. But as the movie progressed, I realized that wasn’t the case. I’m not even going to get into the story because even describing the first part will give away a lot of details.

This movie isn’t too gory, but it is uneasy. Something bizarre and creepy happens every second. What I also like about this movie is how there are no cliches. It’s also hard to classify this film into a genre — it’s kind of paranormal, kind of demonic, kind of a thriller, and all of the above.

I also want to discuss the main actress, Toni Collette. She deserves an Oscar for all of her roles. I remember her as the mom from the movie Little Miss Sunshine — not a horror film but one I still adore. I absolutely love every role she plays and she’s seriously an underrated actress.

I also have a feeling director and writer Ari Aster will become the next biggest name in horror. Also, he’ll come up again later in this list.

If you haven’t, watch this movie. No matter what kind of horror you like or prefer, every horror fan will appreciate this movie.

Ready or Not

I have a funny story about this movie. I saw it in theaters with a bunch of my friends before the Tampa Bay Screams horror convention.

This is a movie I wanted to see, but I wasn’t sure what it was about. And it definitely surpassed my expectations.

Now, the plot makes the movie sound stupid. A woman, Grace (played by Samara Weaving) marries into a rich family. When they induct a new family member, they play a card game. Little does Grace know, the card she chooses determines her demise. The movie suddenly turns into a game of cat and mouse, where Grace has to fight for her life.

There are many reasons why I like this film, but many of them have to do with the ending. Don’t worry, I won’t give away any spoilers. All I will say is once you figure out what’s going on with the family, you’ll appreciate the movie way more.

But I will say this film is definitely amusing. It’s a total thriller but it throws in humor when it fits. Grace is not only a total badass but she’s a likeable character and Weaving did an amazing job playing her.

This isn’t one of the scariest horror movies, but any horror fan will enjoy it. I totally suggest that everyone checks out this movie!

Midsommar

Remember I said that Hereditary director and writer Ari Aster will appear again on this list? A “best new horror films” list isn’t complete without mentioning the masterpiece Midsommar. Everyone has different opinions about this movie, but I absolutely love it.

The film is complex and has many layers, but I’ll give you a brief summary. An American couple and their friends decide to go to Sweden, where they celebrate Midsommar with their Swedish friend Pelle (played by Vilhelm Blomgren) at the village where he’s from.

While the festival sounds amazing and a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the Americans quickly discover the festival — and the village — isn’t what they expected, since the village exhibits cult-like behavior.

Like I mentioned, I’m sick of the Satanic cult films, but I love unique plays on the genre. This is the perfect example of a unique cult film. Even though they technically conveyed the Swedish Midsommar festival incorrectly (people don’t get sacrificed during these festivities), this film is a breath of fresh air in a genre that’s so polluted.

The story is even more complex than this. The film centers largely around the couple, Dani (played by Florence Pugh) and Christian (played by Jack Reynor). Long story short, Dani has mental health issues and also lost her entire family at the beginning of the film, and Christian is pretty much an insincere douchebag.

I won’t say what happens to the couple because it will give away the whole movie.

While many scenes in the film are graphic, the majority of the film is beautiful. You see the gorgeous Swedish countryside and the film conveys the culture and their festivities extremely well.

Still, this is one of the most terrifying movies today. Even with all of these beautiful and interesting elements, the film is just really uncomfortable. I don’t know how else to describe it other than the vibe the film creates. As the story and characters progress, that vibe becomes even stronger. It’s sinister and creepy but in such a unique way to where no horror film has done it before.

It’s a long movie — two hours and 28 minutes long. Also, be prepared to do some thinking and conduct some research. This is a film that has a complex ending and you have to put all of the pieces together to make sense of it (or at least I did).

Seriously, if you haven’t watched Midsommar, watch it. Trust me.

Have You Seen These Best New Horror Films?

What if you already saw these best new horror films? You can always pick up a book instead! Check out my book Dissecting House. It is technically new — I published it in 2018. And if you love gory serial killer books, then this is the book for you!