Thomas R. Clark's Blog, page 3
May 2, 2025
April 25, 2025
March 24, 2025
WE ARE 13: A COLLECTION OF FOLK HORROR
My new collection of short fiction, WE ARE 13, was released into the wild today in trade paperback and digital through all outlets EXCEPT Godless (Happy birthday, Crystal!), where it goes live tomorrow. I’d really like to have my first Top 10 on Godless with this one, so I’m hoping to see that. Many thanks to Francois Vallaincourt for the lovely cover art.
The collection is a witch’s coven of stories, running a gambit of folk horror from Western European folk lore and Native American nature spirits to Arabic Djinn… and even Dracula, himself. It features returning characters, including the beloved McEntire clan from THE GOD PROVIDES. We also meet new characters that may return in future stories, including Afghan war vet Gary McCarthy.
Most of these have seen print before, either in zines, chap books, and/or anthologies. For example, THE ROCKER was originally published way back in 2018 in my debut collection, the now out of print A BOOK OF LIGHT AND SHADOW. THE BREEDERS is featured on Carnage House’s webzine, and is featured in their upcoming best of print volume. VALHALLA was part of last year’s Black Sabbath tribute anthology, SYMPTOM OF THE UNIVERSE. And so on. They’re the cream of my folk horror crop and I’m super proud of them.
Early buzz has been great.
“We Are 13 truly highlights his eclectic talent in this sub-genre while holding fast to his unique voice. ” Author Jules Terry
“Thomas R. Clark is a breath of fresh air to the horror genre with his unique blend of Splatterpunk and Folk horror. He paints with vivid colors, and mainly in undertones of blood red, a horror anthology filled with precious gems, like no other.” Pan Book Reviews
“Thomas R. Clark knows his folklore, horror, and how to write a damn good tale.” Horror Fan Tom Sheick
“Each book keeps getting better and better, bloodier and bloodier, and I come away with something new to think about. His newest book, We Are 13, is further proof of his writing prowess.” Ninetoes Book Reviews
“With stories ranging from strange haunts to werewolves, cursed objects and supernatural truckers, I could barely make myself put this one down.” Horror Fan and Book Reviewer Karen Oldman
Get your copy today wherever you buy books (except Godless… until tomorrow!), including my bookstore in the tabs above.
Here’s some links:
EVIL EMPIRE:
BARNES & NOBLE:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/we-are-13-thomas-r-clark/1146938489?ean=9798218591458
March 16, 2025
GOOD BOY AND HOW THE ZEITGEIST OF CREATIVITY WORKS
As many of you know, my first stand alone novella is a little tear-jerker entitled GOOD BOY (A Tale of Survival Horror). I’m not the first person to use the title of GOOD BOY on a piece of entertainment, and I knew I wouldn’t be the last. A copyright can’t be applied to a title, and as far as a trademark goes, that’s not permissible unless there is some sort of stylized logo attached to it.
Over the last few days, I’ve gotten a slew of tags and private messages from people regarding a forthcoming horror film that shares the same title. The only aspect it shares in common with my title is the point of view from which the story is told.
And I couldn’t be more excited for the release of this film.
Why? First off, the framing of it is part of the new POV Horror sub-genre that is growing. Secondly, I love dogs, and that’s why I wrote Good Boy to begin with. THOR is one of my favorite werewolf books, and it follows the same format, written 30ish years ago. I wish BAD MOON (the theatrical adaptation of THOR) had followed the book and been entirely told from the dog’s POV. And now I get it in a haunted house movie and I am so excited.
We all rise together, so I’m eager to see how this movie helps sales of my little book that could.
Don’t forget that my GOOD BOY saw a Fifth Anniversary re-release last year, and you can currently get this new edition, complete with an all new eulogy to my late dog, Diego, the model for the book.
Support indie horror on film and the page, and go see GOOD BOY when it comes out!
March 6, 2025
THOMAS R CLARK’S STATE OF HIS UNION ADDRESS
Hello peeps and perps, and those of you who choose their own path… I’ve got a ton of things happening in 2025 between releases and appearances. First, I’ve got a new book hitting on March 24th… so let’s go over all of that, shall we?
WE ARE 13, a collection of Folk Horror stories. Lock your doors, turn on the lights, make sure your children are safe and tight…and discover what lies beneath the Autumn dark in WE ARE 13, the new collection of folk horror stories from the Master of Splatterfolk, Thomas R Clark. This curated volume includes a witch’s coven of stories covering all aspects of folk horror, from cottagecore to urban fantasy and Clark’s own visceral brand, “splatterfolk.” Werewolves, witches, druids, ancient gods, cultists, bogeymen, unnamable things of all types—including the Grim Reaper—, grace these pages. You’ve been warned, the curse cannot be broken!
Judging from comments by my ARC readers, this one is sure to satisfy fans of my splattery folk horror.
WE ARE 13 goes live on 3/24 everywhere but Godless… where it hits on 3/25 (thanks, Crystal!).
Other releases this year will include THE BEST OF CARNAGE HOUSE, which includes my story THE BREEDERS. And Dan Henk’s cosmic horror anthology, THE JOKE IS ON MANKIND, hits in July— which features the sequel to BELLA’S BOYS, DEDWADOÑT (Eat With Us).
What’s in the pipeline Tom? Well, fans will also be happy to learn Lucas Milliron and I are finishing a collaboration on another BELLA’S BOYS sequel story, JUNGLE ROOMS. This is a short and is earmarked for CARNAGE HOUSE. THE CURSE OF KATIE ELDER is tentatively scheduled for a fall release. I’m finishing WHIRLWIND soon then moving on the THE WITCH OF NOVEMBER.
This year for appearance exclusive chapbooks I’m bringing back MARK OF THE MOONSTALKER, THE FIRST GIRL, and THE SHOOTIST (with an all new cover!). The new one is BEHIND THIS WALL OF SCREAMS, a cosmic horror story about the paranoia of being a rideshare driver.
Where will you be this year for signings and whatever, Tom? Here’s the current list of confirmed appearances.
MY PUBLIC APPEARANCES FOR 2025:
SATURDAY MARCH 22 – BIG GEEK ENERGY AT THE S’MALL, ONEONTA, NY
THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 28-30: AUTHORCON V, WILLIAMSBURG, VA
THE WEEKEND OF APRIL 5-6: ITHACACON, ITHACA, NY
SATURDAY MAY 3: CREEPY CUSE SPRING, LIVERPOOL, NY
THE WEEKEND OF AUGUST 1-3: KILLERCON AUSTIN, AUSTIN TX
THE WEEKEND OF AUGUST 9-10: FREYA FEST, REMSEN, NY
SATURDAY AUGUST 16: RICHFIELD SPRINGS LIBRARY EVENT, RICHFIELD SPRINGS, NY
THE WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 6-7: GOLDEN HARVEST FESTIVAL, BALDWINSVILLE, NY (WITH THE WANDERING WORDSMITHS)
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20: PAGAN PRIDE DAY, LIVERPOOL, NY (WITH THE WANDERING WORDSMITHS)
OCTOBER TBD: CREEPY CUSE HALLOWEEN
THE WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 24-26 DEADMAN’S HAND CONVENTION, ALBANY, NY
THE WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 29-30: LASNICKI GREENHOUSE CRAFT FAIR, HASTINGS, NY
This list is subject to change. Hope to see everyone out and about this year!
