Brian Keene's Blog, page 213
January 14, 2011
Dezm's Deluge Delay
Dezm was down with the flu for the first half of the week, and didn't have time to proofread this week's installment of Deluge. We'll return next week. In the meantime, here is a funny picture that F.U.K.U. member Joshua Hedges posted via Facebook.
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January 13, 2011
The Last Zombie #4
In the aftermath of the deadly firefight within the leper colony, Ian hovers on the brink of death, while Walker and Segar try to make amends for the civilian deaths with the community's leader, Ned, and Planters grows closer to Ramona and Erica. Meanwhile, a new danger lurks just over the horizon as the marauders prepare to make their move.
The Last Zombie #4, written by Brian Keene (Doom Patrol, Dead of Night: Devil Slayer) and illustrated by Joe Wight (Twilight X). On sale next month. Click here to pre-order online.
Pacione: The Movie (and Music Video)
Long-time horror fiction fans are probably familiar with Nickolaus Pacione, a self-styled "horror writer" who has stalked, harassed, or threatened a number of professional authors, including myself, Poppy Z. Brite, Ray Garton, Clive Barker, David Niall Wilson, Darren McKeeman, Mary SanGiovanni, Brian Knight, Karen Koehler, Ramsey Campbell, Angelina Hawkes-Craig, J.L. Benet and pretty much anyone else whom he thinks might be part of a vast Illuminati-like conspiracy to quote "keep him from getting published". He also doesn't think much of gay people or women. In the past, his behavior was at times seemingly enabled and endorsed by the owner of the Shocklines message board forum, as well former officers of the HWA (which, when you think about it, explains why both of them are in the shape they're currently in).
These days, Nicky has become a sort of perverted meme. There used to be one Blog dedicated to chronicling his antics — The Rusty Nail. These days, there are literally dozens of similar websites, all dedicated to keeping track of Nicky's bad behavior. And now, there is apparently a documentary film about Nicky in the works, as well as a soon-to-be-hit single and music video. The music video pretty much speaks for itself. What I think is worth noting about the documentary trailer is that it utilizes nothing except Nicky's own videos and fonts. And just to note, I have nothing to do with either of these. They were simply brought to my attention, and I found them interesting in a socio-political sense, and thought you might, as well. (And before anyone accuses me of stirring the pot, it should be noted that numerous individuals have filed numerous complaints with authorities over the years, but the Sheriff's department in Nicky's home town are reportedly inept in handling the situation. Nor do his family members apparently seem inclined to take care of the matter, or get him the professional help he obviously needs. Thus, our only option is to make people aware of him and his behaviors, so that others may avoid him in the future).
January 12, 2011
Germany 2011
[image error]German paperback releases for 2011 include Die Verschollenen (Castaways), Auferstehung (The Rising), and Am Ende Der Strausse (Darkness On The Edge Of Town).
Foreign publishers interested in obtaining translation rights to my work should contact my foreign rights agent Betty Crawford at Books Crossing Borders.
January 11, 2011
WonderCon
I've been added as a Special Guest for WonderCon 2011, which takes place April 1 – 3 at the Moscone Center South in San Francisco, CA. Other Special Guests include Kevin Smith, Berkley Breathed, F. Paul Wilson, and Robert Kirkman.
January 10, 2011
LEGACIES
Bigfoot. The Loch Ness Monster. Chupacabra. UFOs. Legacies by Cemetery Dance. The possible existence of each of these has been debated over the years. Now, I can offer conclusive proof of the latter, because today, while on a business trip to the Cemetery Dance offices, I held the long-awaited Legacies in my own two hands.
January 9, 2011
This Week at The Keenedom
The Keenedom is more than just my message board. It's a community forum for the entire horror community, a place where readers and beginning writers can interact with some of the biggest and best names in the business on a daily basis. Here are ten current discussions of interest that you might have missed. As always, you must be logged in to view or participate. Registration is free.
1. A production update on the Of Keene Interest newsletter.
2. Bloodletting Press offers a behind-the-scenes look at their new Edward Lee book.
3. Excising the N-word from Huckleberry Finn.
4. Artist Russell Dickerson needs your help deciding.
5. Brett McBean's new book!
6. Cullen Bunn takes over Superman – Batman!
7. Maelstrom arrives. Readers rejoice.
8. Andy Deane on television.
9. Gene O'Neill's new novel!
10. James A Moore's The Wild Hunt.
January 8, 2011
Biggest Weekend Update Ever
During the first seven days of 2011, asses were kicked and names were taken. In case you're just joining us, here is what you missed:
Deluge, the free, weekly, serialized sequel to The Conqueror Worms, continued.
But Ice Bat didn't take the news so well.
The first set of Maelstrom titles shipped.
All of my out-of-print titles are coming back into print this year.
Halves will appear in the German anthology Painstation.
I posted my annual Top Ten Books of the Year list.
Don D'Auria will head up a new horror line for Samhain Books.
Things are looking grim for Borders.
But digital sales gave B&N a boost.
And that's just the first week of the year. Stick around…
January 7, 2011
Maelstrom Is Upon Us!
Paul at Thunderstorm reports via The Keenedom that Maelstrom Volume 1 (A Gathering of Crows, The Rising: Deliverance, and Six Days) has shipped. All domestic orders have gone out, as of this morning, via media mail. International and Bookseller orders are being processed now. If you ordered multiple sets, they will arrive in multiple shipments (one set per box).
Paul also says, "The books turned out pretty damn cool if you ask me. Russ's artwork really shines on the jackets… computer screens don't do it justice. And they line up pretty nice and neat… Zach McCain (jacket) and Leigh Haig (interiors) did a great job incorporating the "set" concept. But best of all, I really feel privileged to publish these stories. Levi and Martin are my favorite Keene characters. I remember when I first read The Rising (6-7 years ago) Brian's characterization of Martin is what really hooked me into buying more (almost all) of his stuff. And Levi, in ways, is even a stronger character. And if Six Days is Kelli Owens first novel, I have zero doubt about buying anything in the future with her name on the cover."
I couldn't agree with him more about Kelli Owen's work. I think you will too, when the books arrive. And although I'm sick to death of zombies, it was nice to return to the world of The Rising and revisit Reverend Martin. Of all my characters, he (along with Tony Genova and Levi Stoltzfus) remains my favorite.
The second Maelstrom set will be available for pre-order later this year. It will consist of:
A Conspiracy of One by Brian Keene
Alone by Brian Keene
Once Upon A Time In Midnight by John Urbancik
2011 continues, motherfuckers…
DELUGE (Part 64)
As they crept down the passageway, Gail tried to remember if she'd racked another shotgun shell. She'd shot the starfish man twice, but had she readied the weapon after the second shot? It wouldn't do to come across another of those creatures and not be ready. That split second could make all the difference between life and death. She was reluctant to pump the shotgun now, because the noise could give away their location if one of the beasts was lurking around the next corner.
Indeed, that was the problem. The multi-hulled, one-hundred and twenty five foot long Catamaran was a labyrinth of passageways, hatches and ladders. Most of them had only the red emergency lights for illumination. Some didn't even have that. She moved as quietly as possible, but that meant going slowly. Occasionally, when she slowed her pace too much, Novak bumped into her from behind.
They reached a ladder leading down to the lower level. Pausing, Gail glanced back at the others.
"What now?" she whispered.
"We go down," Novak said.
Gail glanced at the others for confirmation, and noticed that Simon was admiring the trident he'd taken from the dead creature. "Everything okay?"
He didn't answer. The others turned to look at him, as well. McCann tapped him on the shoulder and Simon finally stirred.
"Hmm? Oh, my apologies. I was transfixed by this relic. If I'm not mistaken, it dates back to before the Great Flood. These markings are distinctly Atlantean."
"That's impossible," Novak said. "It looks brand new!"
"Craftsmen in Atlantis knew how to make things last. That's why the city itself is still mostly intact, albeit at the bottom of the ocean." Simon smiled sadly, and then added, "How ironic is that, given our current situation?"
"Atlantis," Caterina said. "Are you serious?"
"Oh, he's full of surprises like that," Novak said, and then nodded at Gail and the open hatch. "Let's go."
Gail descended the ladder to the lower deck, followed by Novak, Simon, McCann and then Caterina. When they reached the bottom, Novak pointed aft. Holding her weapon at the ready, Gail led them forward. They'd gone through two compartments when they found what was left of Ben. Like Paris, the top of his head was missing, and his gray matter had been sucked out. The corpse of a starfish creature lay across him, and lumps of Ben's half-devoured brain leaked from its gaping mouth. A fire ax jutted from the monster's back. The head of the weapon had been buried so deeply into the beast's flesh, that the only part visible was the axe handle.
"Somebody took this one out," McCann said.
"Yeah," Novak whispered. "Too bad they didn't kill it in time to save Ben."
"Don't feel too bad for him" Caterina said. "He was in on the mutiny with Morgan."
"Fuck him, then. Good riddance."
"My thought exactly," said a voice from behind them. It was punctuated by the sound of a shotgun being racked.
"Shit," Gail said.
"Didn't expect to see you guys again," Morgan said. "Now drop your weapons… nice and slow."
