Brian Keene's Blog, page 187

Deadite Press: The 2nd Wave

As you know, Deadite Press are bringing all of my books back into print. So far, they've published Urban Gothic, Jack's Magic Beans, Take The Long Way Home, Darkness on the Edge of Town, Tequila's Sunrise, Dead Sea, Kill Whitey, Clickers 2, and Clickers 3. You can buy them all here.

Releases for the 2nd half of 2011 (in order): Castaways, Ghoul (movie tie-in edition), Dark Hollow, Ghost Walk, Babylon Falling, Earthworm Gods (previously published as The Conqueror Worms), Earthworm Gods: Selected Scenes From the End of the World, The Rising (Author's Preferred Edition), City of the Dead (Author's Preferred Edition), and The Rising: Selected Scenes From the End of the World.

Meanwhile, on the internet…

This week's required reading from all around the internet:

1. Tony Lee on how professionals should behave at cons (and he is right. This is my own outlook, too, which is why conventions keep paying to have me back).

2. Wil Wheaton interpolates Neil Gaiman's classic "George R. R. Martin is not your bitch" (and he is also right).

3. Russ Dickerson offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how he created the foil stamps for Maelstrom Set 2.

4. Nick Mamatas with an inspiring success story on the 3-year anniversary of Haikasoru.

5. Mike Oliveri on depression and writers who off themselves (something he and I have discussed on many a drunken night).

Weekend Update

Short update, because I spent most of this week moving into a 3-story remodeled 1890 log cabin on the banks of the Susquehanna River. But then I returned. My new novel The Damned Highway, co-written with Nick Mamatas, sold well it's first week in stores. Clickers III: Dagon Rising was finally released for the Kindle. The official website and Facebook page for the movie version of Ghoul launched. The author programming schedule for the Horrorfind Weekend was announced. And in sad news, LA Banks passed away. Next week, Deluge returns!

CLICKERS III Now on Kindle!

Clickers III: Dagon Rising is now available for the Kindle. Nook edition is forthcoming.

Click here to buy it for Kindle or here to purchase the paperback.

You can also order Kindle, Nook, or paperback editions of Clickers and Clickers II by clicking here, and then you'll be all caught up in time for this winter's Clickers vs. Zombies!

Horrorfind 2011 Author Programming Schedule

The 13th annual Horrorfind Weekend convention is right around the corner (September 2 through 4 in Gettysburg). All of the hotels are sold out. The annual throng of thousands are expected. In addition to movie stars like John Waters, Edward Furlong, and the cast members from True Blood, authors like Tim Lebbon, Christopher Golden, and James A. Moore will also be in attendance. Here is the author programming schedule:

FRIDAY

5:30pm – 6:30pm: Zombies – Authors Christopher Golden (moderator), Tim Lebbon, Jason Gehlert, Jeremy Wagner, and Scott Baker discuss why the dead just won't stay dead, and why the literary zombie craze is far from over. (Reading Room)

6:30pm – 7:30pm: Ronald Malfi and Rio Youers (Reading Room)

7:30pm – 8:30pm: The Life of Forrest J. Ackerman – Author Deborah Painter discusses the horror genre's favorite Uncle. (Reading Room)

8:30pm – 9:00pm: James Newman and Norman Prentiss (Reading Room)

9:00pm – 10:00pm: Women in Horror – Authors Monica J. O'Rourke (moderator), Kelli Owen, Mary SanGiovanni, J.F. Gonzalez, James A. Moore, and Lesley Conner discuss the history and contributions of women in literary horror, and their future roles. (Reading Room)

SATURDAY:

10:00am – 10:30am Spooky Stories for Kids with Robert Gray (Outside – Rear Carport)

10:00am – 11:00am: Thomas F. Monteleone and Chet Williamson (Reading Room)

11:00am – Noon: What We've Learned So Far – New authors Kevin Lucia (moderator), Sheldon S. Higdon, Lincoln Crisler, Stavros, Jacob Haddon, and Bryon Morrigan discuss the perils, pitfalls, and lessons learned from publishing in the new millennium. (Outside – Rear Carport)

11:00am – Noon: James A. Moore and Mary SanGiovanni (Reading Room)

Noon – 1:00pm: Jason Gehlert and Jeremy Wagner (Reading Room)

12:30pm – 1:30pm: Politics and Religion in Horror – Politics and religion are two things many prefer not to discuss, yet horror fiction examines them regularly. Authors Kim Paffenroth (moderator), Andersen Prunty, Ronald Malfi, Kelli Owen, Rio Youers, Norman Prentiss, and James Newman discuss why. (Outside – Rear Carport)

1:00pm – 2:00pm: Tim Lebbon and Christopher Golden (Reading Room)

2:00pm – 3:00pm: Monica J. O'Rourke and Nick Cato (Reading Room)

3:00pm – 4:00pm: Brian Keene and Kelli Owen (Reading Room)

4:00pm – 5:00pm: Dustin Warburton (Reading Room)

5:00pm – 7:00pm: Bizarro World – Authors Andersen Prunty, Jeff Burk, Gregory Hall, Eric Mays, William Pauley III, Jordan Krall, Kevin Donihe and Nick Cato discuss the origins and future of the Bizarro genre, and offer some select readings and performances. (Reading Room)

5:30pm – 7:00pm: Author Q&A – Authors Tim Lebbon, Christopher Golden, James A. Moore, Brian Keene, J. F. Gonzalez, Kelli Owen, Mary SanGiovanni, Chet Williamson, and Thomas F. Monteleone answer your questions about anything in this no-holds-barred Q&A. (Outside – Rear Carport)

SUNDAY:

11:00am – 11:30am Spooky Stories for Kids with Robert Gray (Outside – Rear Carport)

11:00am – Noon: Charles Colyott and Brent Abell (Reading Room)

Noon – 1:00pm: Sheldon S. Higdon, Lincoln Crisler, and Bryon Morrigan (Reading Room)

1:00pm – 2:00pm: Robert Ford and Kevin Lucia (Reading Room)

2:00pm – 3:00pm: Jeff Burk and Scott Baker (Reading Room)

3:00pm – 4:00pm: Jacob Haddon and Lesley Conner (Reading Room)

4:00pm – 5:00pm: Wesley Southard and Jay Franklin (Reading Room)

The Return (sort of…)

[image error]The Conqueror Worms versus Clickers image is courtesy of Trioxin83 via The Keenedom.

The move and getting back online went quicker than expected, thanks to J.F. Gonzalez, Geoff Cooper, Ron Dickie, Robert Ford, Kelli Owen, Qweequeg, Mary, Mary's son, my Dad, and my oldest son David (who helped me move) and HughesNet (who put a big satellite dish in my backyard and hooked it up to my computer).

However, consider me offline for the rest of the week as I catch up on email, finish some Horrorfind related stuff, and write a movie treatment which was due last Friday.

L.A. Banks R.I.P.

(L to R): NPR producer, Joe Lansdale, Edward Lee, Leslie Esdaile Banks, Brian Keene, Heather Graham, and Wrath James White

I'm sad to report that our friend L.A. (Leslie) Banks lost her fight with adrenal cancer this morning, as per Adrienne King. A prolific author of horror, crime-thrillers, romance, and other genres, Leslie wrote well over forty novels and won several awards, including the 2008 Essence Literary Award, the 2009 Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, and the State of Pennsylvania's 2008 Best 50 Women in Business Award. Many of her books earned her best-seller status for both The New York Times and USA Today. She is perhaps best known for the Vampire Huntress Legend series. Those interested in contributing to the fund in her memory (and assisting her daughter) can do so here. The Romance & Women's Fiction Community are raising funds, as well.

GHOUL The Movie: Official Website and Facebook

I'm still offline and in the midst of a move, but the official website and Facebook page for the film adaptation of Ghoul have launched. Bookmark the website and 'Like' the Facebook page, if you are so inclined.

DOWNTIME: Everyone Must Read

This will be my last communique for quite some time, and thus, contains a lot of info. Read it in full, and do not skim.

Later this week, I'll be moving back to the country, into a remodeled, 3-story log cabin built in 1890 and nestled just a few hundred yards from the Susquehanna River. It feels nice to be leaving civilization behind again. The downside is that there is no internet connection at the new place, and it might be some time before I can get service. So don't expect to see me around much for the next few weeks. While an iPhone is useful for the occasional Twitter update, it sucks for updating this website, answering queries at The Keenedom, looking at porn, playing Angry Birds, and all the other things we do with the internet.

Editors, agents, producers, and others who have my phone number should call if they need me. I will not be answering email. Somebody in the back just shouted "You don't answer email, anyway." But I do. It's just that I only have time to answer 10 to 20 per day, leaving the other 180 that came in that day unanswered. Now, I won't even be answering the handful I do make it to every day.

Speaking of which, a few specific messages for those folks above who are also bad at checking email, but will probably read this. Andrew: We've got a one day window if you still want me to write that treatment. Scott: Need to get the contract notarized and then it will be on the way. Fred, Tony, and Kim: Contracts are on the way. Please proceed as if you had them in hand. Paul: Will be in touch soon regarding Maelstrom 3 and your Lifetimer shipping offer. Roy and Dave: Books are signed. Will mail them this weekend. Jeff, Rose, and Carlton: Will have Castaways to you by end of next month. Am waiting on Dezm's notes. Jesus: Start thinking about Jim, Tony, Rick, and Black Lodge's final showdown with the Ob-possessed Clicker at Mt. Shasta, because that's where we'll be when you get the manuscript back. Larry: Still mulling the anthology. Keith: Still no word? Because my window of availability is just about closed. Jerrod, Karen, and S.D.: First draft done. Still unsure about the title, though. No sense poking the crazy if he's gone quiet again. Jason: First draft should be done in two weeks. You're gonna love it. It has dinosaurs and robots and everything in between. Juan: Let's talk about the properties and which one you'd like me to write mid-August (once I've had a chance to settle in and finish up a few other obligations).

Half of you Lifetimers should have received your packages. The other half should be receiving them over the next week or so. They shipped media mail, so please be patient. I'll be making arrangements with a third party to get future shipments processed and out to you sooner. Progress on the Newsletter special continues. Horrorfind Authors can expect their finalized schedules within the next two weeks. There will obviously be no new installments of Deluge until I get back online.

Turning to news, here's a mid-week update. My new novel, The Damned Highway, co-written with Nick Mamatas, is in stores! The second Maelstrom set, which includes my new hardcovers A Conspiracy of One and Alone, shipped. Due to some bounced checks, there are a few copies remaining. And Mary and I were the victims at the annual NECON Roast. Pics and a write-up here.

So, that's it. I now vanish from the internet, except for Twitter. If you want to know what I'm up to, follow me there.

"You do not know me. I am something different and none of you have met me before. I am a new kind of monster." Uncle Lono – The Damned Highway

THE DAMNED HIGHWAY – In Stores Now

My new novel, The Damned Highway, which I co-wrote with Nick Mamatas, is on sale now in good bookstores nationwide. If your local bookstore doesn't have it, you can order it from Amazon or other online retailers.

Trade paperback. $14 (Amazon has it on sale for $9). No word on if there will be a digital version, but at least it's not an expensive limited edition hardcover, right? If you like H.P. Lovecraft or Hunter S. Thompson, you'll dig this. And if you like my stuff or Nick's stuff, you'll dig this. And if you like all four of those things, you'll love this.

Lifetimers – this will be included with your next shipment.