Jonathan Janz's Blog, page 22

I Am Now a Superhero Author Too

I never thought I would say this, but folks…

I’ve written a superhero novel.

Don’t ask me how all of it came about because it’s really pretty insane, but the end result is that I sacrificed a good deal of sleep this summer to pen my first-ever non-horror novel. Its name?

BLOODSHOT: KINGDOM OF SHADOWS

And the cover:

I’ve been sitting on this news since June, and I’ve gotta tell you, it’s been tough not talking about it outside of my house. I mean, my two-year-old is a great listener and all, but I kept having to stop and explain what terms like “ultra-violence” and “nanite-infused blood” meant.

A little bit about the Kindle Worlds program. It’s essentially fan fiction set in the worlds with whom Amazon has partnered (Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries, the works of Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Gossip Girls, and Valiant Comics, etc.). To get the program off to a good start, Amazon worked with agents, who in turn talked to their clients, to commission some stories to help launch Kindle Worlds. Or at least that’s how I got involved with it (Thank you,  Louise Fury!). Among the authors you all might recognize are Scott Nicholson, John Everson, John Locke, Brett Battles, and W.D. Gagliani. And now, of course, me.

So at this point I guess I’m addressing two groups of people: one group has heard of Bloodshot; the other group thinks I’m talking about a new hangover medicine. Since I believe both groups will love this novel—have I mentioned I’m really, really proud of it?—I’ll provide a brief summary of the tale:

(But before I do…Did you know that the first Bloodshot comic book created by Valiant Comics sold nearly a million copies?)

The Synopsis:

Bloodshot, the super-lethal hero of the Valiant Universe, is back battling underworld mobsters and supernatural heroes above and below New York City.

Everyone’s favorite cyborg is informed by old pal Malcolm that Neville Alcott, Bloodshot’s partner and boss, not to mention father of the woman he loves, is about to be killed at New York’s famed Guggenheim. The assassination is to take place before Alcott unveils a revolutionary counterterrorism program. Bloodshot gets there in time to save the old man, although with all the killing and carnage, the Guggenheim is a little worse for wear. The hit was arranged by Benito Carboni, crime kingpin and Bloodshot’s arch-enemy. But before Bloodshot can relax, he learns Carboni has kidnapped Neville’s daughter, Jillian. Worse still, her kidnapper turns out to be a vampire who knows the tunnels of New York harbor, a macabre and decadent underground that makes above-ground Manhattan look and feel like Dayton, Ohio.

Spectacularly imagined and flush with heart-pounding action, Jonathan Janz’s Bloodshot: Kingdom of Shadows is sure to excite Bloodshot’s loyal following.

And…cut!

It’s a short novel—easily my shortest at around 57,000 words; for a point of comparison, Savage Species is 113,000 words—but it contains every element those of you who enjoy my work have come to expect. BLOODSHOT: KINGDOM OF SHADOWS is also only $3.99, so the price isn’t nearly as fearsome as the story.

So who should read this story? Here’s a brief list:

1. Anyone who likes my work.

2. Bloodshot fans.

3. Fans of superheroes, comic books, and superhero movies.

4. People who like action, suspense, mystery, crime fiction, humor, adventure, horror, and romance.

5. Folks who like good stories.

As you can see, I want just about everyone to read this novel. I had an incredible time writing it, and I’m dying to hear what people think of it. Unless of course they hate it, in which case I’m only marginally interested in hearing what people think.

And there you have it. BLOODSHOT: KINGDOM OF SHADOWS is available now. At the moment, it’s only available via the Kindle, but it’s possible it will become available in other forms eventually.

Thanks, folks, for your time, and have a great night!

The Amazing Artwork of David Baron

Pod of Horror is BACK (featuring interviews with Bev Vincent and Me!)

Hey, friends. You guys know by now what a complete and utter cheeseball I am. I’m an unabashed fan of books, as well as a writer of them, and I’m not skilled at feigning aloofness when talking about the stuff I love to read.  Which explains why I sound like a blathering lunatic on the podcast you’re about to hear.

 

If you’ve followed the horror genre for any length of time at all, you’ve no doubt heard of the awesome Pod of Horror podcast, which is the terrifying brainchild of writer/radio host/editor Mark Justice. I’ve listened to some of the biggest names in horror talk with Mark on Pod of Horror, including Mr. Joe R. Lansdale, one of the best writers in the known universe. So you can probably imagine how excited I was to be featured on the show.

On Sale Now!

Before I post the link to the show, let me say these three things:

1. I’m deeply grateful to Mark for having me on. He has an awesome radio voice, an extremely skillful interviewing style, and a fantastic mind for the genre. We’re lucky to have him.

2. It’s also an honor to share the show with Bev Vincent, one of the foremost Stephen King experts in the world. And as I peruse my bookshelves…yep, there’s a Bev Vincent book right there. Pretty awesome.

3. A goodly portion of my segment is devoted to Mark’s and my shared affinity for the books of Richard Laymon. If you’re a Laymon fan, I suspect you’ll enjoy the interview.

We miss you, Mr. Laymon.

So here it is—Pod of Horror #70, featuring Yours Truly. And Mom, just in case you want to skip to the part where I babble, my portion begins at the twenty-four-minute mark.

Oh, and please remember to come back on Tuesday, everyone. There’s a fun and exciting announcement coming some time that night…

 

SAVAGE SPECIES Audiobook, Pod of Horror Interview, Reviews…and the Prelude to Tuesday’s Big Announcement

Busy times here at the Janz Ranch. It’s actually not the Janz Ranch since Janz is just a pen name, but the fact remains that we’re terribly busy ’round here. I’m applying the final polishes to Castle of Sorrows, which is due to my editor on Halloween; we’re celebrating the brand-new edition of Pod of Horror, on which I’m interviewed; I’m gearing up for a big announcement on Tuesday night (October 29th), one for which I hope y’all will show up; I’m preparing to continue work on my YA novel and to begin work on my next Samhain Horror novel (one I think you’re gonna love); and lastly, we’re cranking up in preparation for the release of my first ever audiobook!

Moreland, James, Everson, Rufty, and Me

Mark Justice is just about to release Pod of Horror #70, which features me and the awesome Bev Vincent, who’s one of the world’s foremost experts on Stephen King. In POH #70, Mark Justice and I talk about Savage Species, Richard Laymon, Michael Jordan, The Green Mile, and my upcoming projects. I’ll post the link tomorrow or Sunday.

On Halloween, Audio Realms will release the first installment of Savage Species (Night Terrors) for only $1.99. The other four installments will be releasing serial-style over the next month or two, but on Halloween you audiobook lovers can experience the tale that’s garnered a humbling amount of praise since its initial release in June.

I got to listen to a sample of Night Terrors a couple weeks ago, and I’ve got to tell you…

Just like writers, the folks who read audiobooks vary in quality. I am so incredibly thankful for the gentleman who read my novel—the guy has a strong, growly, expressive, wry style that’s just perfect for Savage Species. He gets into it without rendering the story ridiculous. He has fun without drawing attention away from the characters. In short, he kicks serious butt, and I think you’re gonna love his delivery.

Subterranean Terror

In more good news, the second installment of Savage Species (The Children) received two more very positive reviews over the past week or so. The first was from The Curse Blog, and you can read it right here. The second came courtesy of Long and Short Reviews and was published just today.

Additionally, Long and Short Reviews also shared some thoughts on Dark Zone, which you can read here.

Me, Moreland, and Everson

I also blogged on the Samhain Horror site recently and posted some pics from the recent HorrorHound Indy convention.

And as if all of that weren’t enough, as I alluded to above, I want to invite you all back to this blog for a big announcement on Tuesday night (October 29th). No, House of Skin isn’t yet being made into a movie, nor have I been invited by J.K. Rowling to co-write the eighth Harry Potter book. But it is exciting news, and I think you’ll be glad you stopped by.

That’s all for now, folks. I’ve gotta go polish Castle of Sorrows…

I’m Not Dead

I just wanted you to know. I’ve been buried under a pile of papers to grade, letters of recommendation to write, family obligations, and a novel due at month’s end.

How are things with you?

Oh, and I updated my Bio page. And I still have a big announcement coming soon.

Peace, Friends.

Bookgasm and Wag the Fox Take on SAVAGE SPECIES

Hey, Friends. In an ecstasy of playing with my kids and editing here, so I’ll make it short:

Two new reviews. Bookgasm reviewed Savage Species (the entire novel). Wag the Fox reviewed Night Terrors (the free first section of Savage Species. Here a couple excerpts:

“This is for the fans. And, for us fans, it’s a welcome reminder that stupid horror fun can be done with a great deal of intelligence and wit.” –Bookgasm

On Sale Now!

“The guy never met a sentence that he didn’t find a way to goose. There’s a real delight in the writing that complements his obvious delight in the familiar tropes and tricks of the story.” –Bookgasm

“I’m tempted to liken “Night Terrors” to one of those classic free-for-all horror movies from the 80s, but with the cliffhanger ending and four more installments to go, this is more akin to those nightmarish TV mini-series from the 70s, like Salem’s Lot.” –Wag the Fox

“The monsters he has invented are legion and they are vicious. Have the fun is reading along as Janz reveals them chapter by chapter until the end when they’re seen in all their gruesome glory. It’s a wonder there are any characters left standing to fight against them by the time “Night Terrors” comes to an end. Bring on part two: ‘The Children.’” –Wag the Fox

FRRRREEEEEEEE!!!!!

The full reviews are linked above. I’d love for all of you to check out Savage Species. If you’re still on the fence, why not download the free first installment (Night Terrors) to see if it’s to your, um…taste?

Back to playing with the kids. And editing.

Peace.

 

New (and Excellent) Review for HOUSE OF SKIN!

Count Gore de Vol‘s Tomb of Dark Delights is a great place to visit for your horror needs. The Count just posted a very positive review of my second novel (HOUSE OF SKIN). The full review is right here, but here are two of my favorite parts:

“I love a good haunted house story, and horror author Jonathan Janz has created a super-spooky novel about an aspiring writer who inherits a gargantuan pile of rocks: the Gothic, crumbling Watermere estate.”

And…

“HOUSE OF SKIN is shivery good horror perfect for the Halloween season.”

You can purchase HOUSE OF SKIN right here or anywhere else books are sold. Now…back to editing CASTLE OF SORROWS…

 

 

The Magnificent Seven Horrortober Reading List

Reblogged from Hunter Shea:

As long time readers of my blog and chain know, October - renamed Horrortober by yours truly - is my favorite month of the year. Over the past 11 months, I've been stockpiling horror books, movies, mags and places to go, so every day of Terrortober is nothing but horror, horror, horror.

So, what will I be reading? What should you be reading?

Read more… 684 more words

Savage Species makes Hunter Shea's Horrortober reading list!

 

Creepy reads for the Halloween season: good horror authors, old & new.

Reblogged from Renae Rude - The Paranormalist:

At Halloween-time, there are few activities more satisfying than falling whole-heartedly into a scary book. Reading opportunities abound:

read during the last couple of trips to the cabin, because the lake turns chilly as soon as the earlier dusk sets in
take your lunch hour at a park when the leaves are turning, the sun is warm, and the breeze is cool…

Read more… 1,281 more words

Deadlines. Stressed. Good stress, but stressed.

So...I leave you with the The Paranormalist, who prepares us for Halloween!

And have you bought Savage Species yet? It's doing some really cool things...

A Simple 9/11 Thought

If you’re looking for profundity, stop reading now. This post isn’t going to be earth-shattering or life-changing. It’s just a simple thought I had a few minutes ago.

I was in the backyard playing with my wife and kids. It’s a hot day, but it was still nice to throw the Aerobie, watch my youngest daughter spray her siblings with the hose, and generally decompress after a long day of teaching.

On the way into the house I started thinking about the firefighters in New York on that terrible day more than a decade ago. I started thinking about one guy in particular. He’s just a character in my head, but in my mind he has a sandy brown mustache and unremarkable features. He’s probably about forty-five, he has a nice wife and a couple kids, and when he smiles at you it makes you feel a little better about the world. He’s just a regular guy and would laugh if anyone called him extraordinary. He has a beer with his coworkers on occasion, but mostly he just does his job, spends what time he can with his family, and generally tries to be the best person he can be. He has faults like everyone else, and sometimes he gets irritable. He often wishes he had more money. He sees all the women in their expensive clothes and jewelry and wonders if he’ll ever be able to make enough money for his wife to have those things. This firefighter, he also loves cars, and he wants to buy his son a really neat one for his sixteenth birthday, which is only a few months away.

But the firefighter gives his son love, which is thankfully free. He also watches Disney movies with his daughter sometimes. She’s eleven and still likes the princesses. The firefighter secretly hopes she never stops liking the princesses.

One day this firefighter finds himself facing an inferno. He’s on the street staring straight up at a  seething orange blister near the top of a skyscraper. The blister keeps vomiting black smoke.

The firefighter knows there’s a good chance the whole damned thing is going to come down soon. He knows many people inside that inferno have died.

But there are more up there. People with families. People with friends.

The firefighter’s forehead is beaded with sweat. Some of it’s from the heat baking out of that hellish orange blister, but some of it is fear sweat too. He doesn’t want to die. He doesn’t want to miss his son’s sixteenth birthday. Even if he can only afford to buy his boy a used Honda, he wants to be there for that. He wants to see the look on his son’s face when he hands him the keys.

The firefighter thinks of his wife. How she probably wants nicer clothes but would rather have a husband who loves her and does his best for her. She never complains about how they don’t go on vacation very often. She appreciates him for doing his best.

The firefighter takes a deep, steadying breath, and smoke tickles the back of his throat. There’ll be more smoke inside. And screaming like the ninth circle of hell.

But those people, he thinks as he moves swiftly toward the seething blaze, they didn’t make this hell. They don’t deserve what’s happening to them. They have families too. They have friends. He knows he might be their only hope of survival. He has trained for this.

But he’s scared as he hustles toward the door. He doesn’t want to die. He wants to watch a movie tonight with his daughter and eat microwave popcorn with her. But he suspects he’ll never get that chance. There’s a growing certainty in him that these are the last few minutes of his life.

But when he reaches that burning building, he goes through that door anyway. He goes through that door because even though he’d laugh at the notion, he’s a hero. He graduated in the bottom half of his high school class; he’s never been in the newspaper or on TV.  Yet in the minutes before he dies, he will show more courage than most men will ever dream of showing.

Hands trembling, the firefighter dashes up the stairs. The faces of his wife and kids go with him…

♦

That’s all. Sorry if this seemed maudlin or melodramatic. I’m just thankful that people like that firefighter exist. It’s sad and horrific that there are people who take others’ lives because of their hatred and bigotry. But it gives me hope that there are people who risk their lives—and sometimes sacrifice everything—to help people they’ve never met.

So thank you to all the firefighters, police officers, and the rest of the incredible people who tried to stand up for what was good and decent in the world on that horrible day more than a decade ago. To the victims of 9/11, please know that we miss you and still mourn you. And to anyone who lost a family member that day, please accept my good thoughts and prayers.

HorrorHound Weekend: Signing This Weekend

Hey, Friends! If you’re within a hundred miles of Indianapolis this Friday or Saturday, might I suggest dropping by the amazing HorrorHound Weekend convention?

Not only could you meet Freddy Krueger, but you could meet the following actor:

Or this actress…

Or this The Walking Dead cast member…

Or this luminous Twin Peaks star…

 

And as if that weren’t enough, there are going to be SEVEN Samhain Horror authors signing at the Samhain Horror booth! (I guess it was self-evident we’d be signing at the Samhain booth, huh? I mean, where were we going to be signing? The restroom? The parking lot? Perhaps with Vivica A. Fox in her booth…? Kidding, Wifey!)

John Everson. Russell James. Brian Moreland. Mick Ridgewell. Kristopher Rufty. David Searls.

And me.

Yep, if you show up at the Samhain Booth, I’ll sign your book, your life-sized cardboard cutout of me, or your Jonathan Janz bobble-head doll™.

I’d love to see you all there. And if you come, I’ll be the one without chains or mascara on. Just look for the bobble-head collection.