Brian Keene's Blog, page 190
July 8, 2011
DELUGE (Part 78)
Henry pounded Sarah on the back, and the others looked at her in concern, except for Simon, who merely arched an eyebrow and stared at her intently. She bent over and coughed some more, before sitting up straight again.
"Are you okay?" Henry asked.
Sarah nodded. "Yeah. Sorry. I just choked on my drink."
"You know the name Leviathan." Simon's tone indicated a statement rather than a question.
"I do."
"May I ask how?"
Sarah closed her eyes and shuddered. Suddenly, she was back in Baltimore again, fleeing through the hallways as the giant, squid-headed monstrosity demolished the hotel, their last safe place of refuge and one of only two buildings not submerged. She could smell the mold and the mildew, hear the sound the creature's massive tentacles and smaller tendrils made as they lashed through the air, see those huge, baleful eyes looming out of the rain and staring down at them, and hear the sounds her friends made as they died. Only she, Kevin, and Salty had escaped alive.
Now she was the only one left. The weight of it suddenly seemed to press down on her, and Sarah's thoughts turned once again to Kevin.
"I'll tell you," she whispered, opening her eyes again, "but I only want to talk about it once. So how about you get Novak and everyone else down here?"
Simon reached out and gently patted her hand. His palm was warm and dry—a sensation she hadn't believed could actually exist anymore in this world.
"Of course," Simon said. "Mylon, would you be so kind as to summon the others? We'll hear Sarah's encounter with our foe, and then we'll talk about what we can do when we face him."
"Do you really think he's coming?" Sarah asked.
"Oh, yes. I feel him, even now, getting closer. I am aware of him as he is of us. You see, I'm the one he wants."
July 7, 2011
DEAD SEA – Now On Kindle!
DEAD SEA, my now-classic (according to some) third zombie novel is now available for the Kindle. Click here to buy it. Or, if you are old-fashioned, click here to buy the paperback. Keep in mind that this is the Author's Preferred Version, and contains material that was cut from the previous editions due to editorial and size restrictions.
Nook and iBooks editions are forthcoming.
July 6, 2011
This is Shoggoth Country
Rachel Edidin, editor of me and Nick Mamatas's new novel THE DAMNED HIGHWAY, reports that copies have arrived in the office, which means they'll be shipping to bookstores for their early-August release. If you haven't pre-ordered a copy, click here to do so. Nick and I are both very excited about this book. We hope you will be, too. (Note: Lifetime subscribers will receive this book with their September packages).
July 5, 2011
July Signings: Pennsylvania and Rhode Island
On Saturday, July 16th, the York Emporium in York, Pennsylvania hosts Horrible Saturday, featuring me, J.F. Gonzalez, Mary SanGiovanni, Kelli Owen, Bob Ford, and many more. This is an all day event with readings, signings, Q&A's, etc. I believe we are slated to be there from 11am to 3pm, however, so you might want to shoot for those times, especially if you are bringing books to be signed. The York Emporium is located at 343 West Market Street York, PA, 17401
The following week, I'll be in Bristol, Rhode Island from Thursday, July 21st through the 23rd for the annual NECON writer's conference. NECON is held at Roger Williams University. Click here for complete info.
And so it begins…
Leave it to author Maurice Broaddus to attempt to out-drag me…
CONvergence 2011
Photo copyright 2011 by Melissa Kaercher
Photo copyright 2011 by Bill Stiteler
As regular site visitors know, Mary and I spent most of last week at CONvergence 2011. This was my third stint as Guest of Honor, and I was honored to be. I've said it before and I'll say it again – regardless of whether you are a fan or a professional, if you can only attend one convention during the year, that convention should be CONvergence. The organizers, staff, volunteers, and attendees are among my favorite people on the planet. Need proof? How many other conventions or fans have I dressed in drag for, just to entertain them and get a laugh?
That's right. None. In fact, I'm seriously considering making CONvergence the only con I attend each year (with the exception of Horrorfind Weekend, of course, since I'm involved in the programming).
If I thanked everyone involved, this would be a 10,000-word Blog entry, and I'd surely forget a few. So I can't do that.
[image error]
Photo copyright 2011 by Brian Keene
But I do want to thank all of the CONvergence staff, volunteers, and attendees; the Playhouse Posse (both past and present); Taylor Kent; David Wilbanks; and my fellow Smackdown, Iron Artist, and Best Panel Ever participants. And an extra special shout out to C. Robert Cargill, who kicked my ass at Vilification Tennis and then made it up to me by giving me a bottle of whiskey.
Cargill and I have a big surprise for all of you later this year. It's going to make you go "Squee" when you find out what it is.
The Darkness is coming…
July 4, 2011
Rebooting
I'm back from CONvergence 2011. Con pics, a new chapter of Deluge, book news, and an explanation of why I'm in drag later this week. First, I nap.
(Demotivational poster created by Mike Oliveri)
June 27, 2011
WHILE I'M GONE…
…check out the newly updated online store and buy a book, comic book, Kindle edition, Nook edition, audio-book, etc. On behalf of my publishers and myself, we appreciate your continued support.
June 26, 2011
FAQ & Reader Orientation
[image error]My name is Brian Keene. I write novels, comic books, short stories, articles, and anything else people will pay me for. I've won a few awards and have appeared everywhere from The History Channel and Howard Stern Show to speaking inside CIA headquarters in Langley, VA. I'm at CONvergence Con this week, so here's a lengthy FAQ. [image error]
BOOKS:
Here is an online store where you can purchase books, Kindle editions, Nook editions, comic books, audio books, DVDs, foreign editions, anthologies, etc. Many people complain that my books have become harder to find in stores. There are several reasons for this. None of them are my fault. They have to do with changes and upheaval within the publishing industry, and we don't need to get into all of that today. (If you are really interested, search through the archives of this website and read up on things like the Dorchester Boycott, Borders' bankruptcy, and rise of digital publishing).
Suffice to say, bookstores have the ability to order and stock my books and comics. If a store employee tells you they can't, then tell them they are full of shit, and that my books are available through Ingram, Baker & Taylor, and Diamond (the three main distributors for books and comics). If they still refuse to accommodate you, then walk out. Why would you want to support that bookstore with your money anyway? Instead, find another store (preferably an independent store) to give your business to, or – again – use this handy online store I've built for you.
Also, if you are trying to build a complete collection, here is a checklist of every book, comic, chapbook, etc. that I've written.
SOCIAL NETWORKING:
The Keenedom: This is a forum/message board. I have a section there. So do dozens of other authors, artists, and publishers. We don't have flame wars or spam but we do offer community fellowship and the opportunity for you to interact directly with your favorite genre writers and fellow fans.
Twitter: I use Twitter voraciously. It is my preferred method of communicating with people. Ask me a question there, and I promise you will get an answer.
Facebook: I have a public Facebook page. It basically acts as a mirror for this website. I try to respond there as much as possible, but not nearly as often as I do via Twitter or The Keenedom. I also have a private Facebook page (which is only for family and close friends). Please respect that and don't send Friend Requests to the private page.
Blip.fm: My own little internet radio station. I listen to a lot of music while I work. If it's playing here, that's probably what I'm listening to.
8-Tracks: I use this to post soundtracks that you can listen to for free while you read my books.
TwitPic: Pretty self-explanatory. Pics of where I'm at and what I'm doing.
You Tube: I have a channel there. Not much on it right now, but that will change later this year.
Library Thing: Every book I own is listed here, so it's like you're browsing my personal library. I also use it to indicate what I'm currently reading (because some people express interest in that).
Tumblr: Nothing more than a mirror for this site.
Goodreads: I'm there, but again, it's basically just a mirror of this site.
MOVIES:
There have been two films based on my work.
The Ties That Bind came out on DVD in 2009 and also played the film festival circuit (where it received much critical praise).
Ghoul finished filming this summer, and will premiere on ChillerTV later this year (as well as having a limited theatrical release). It will eventually show up on DVD, BluRay, Netflix, On Demand, etc. as well.
In addition to these, Castaways, Darkness On the Edge of Town, and Dark Hollow are in development.
CONTACT:
You can mail things to me at PO Box 281 Craley, PA 17312. Due to a high number of bounced checks for return postage, I no longer signs books via mail. You can, however, purchase a pre-signed book from authorized booksellers like Camelot Books or Overlook Connection.
If you are interested in contracting me, please send inquiries to briankeene at live.com. Inquiries regarding foreign publication rights should be directed to my foreign rights agent, Betty Anne Crawford. Email: bc at BooksCrossingBorders.com.
I am not booking any engagements, granting any interviews, or offering blurbs or introductions at this time.
R.I.P. Martin H. Greenberg
Locus is reporting that veteran horror anthologist Martin Greenberg passed away yesterday after a ong battle with cancer. He was 70 years old. The founder of Gnome Press and the winner of the Milford, Solstice, Bram Stoker, and Ellery Queen Awards, Greenberg edited countless horror, science fiction and other genre anthologies — both themed, original fiction and media tie-ins (such as Batman and Nightmare on Elm Street).
