Brian Keene's Blog, page 30
July 7, 2020
Defenders Dialogue 107
Whatever knows fear burns at the touch of...the macabre Man-Thing! And that includes Mockingbird, Ka-Zar and Zabu! Christopher Golden and Brian Keene begin their deep dive into Marvel's Man-Thing with Savage Tales issue 1 and Astonishing Tales issues 12 and 13.
Listen for free on iTunes – YouTube – Libsyn – iHeartRadio – Stitcher
July 6, 2020
Unsafe Spaces - On Sale Now
My latest non-fiction collection, UNSAFE SPACES, is on sale now in paperback and eBook for Kindle, Nook and Kobo.
“In World Horror Grandmaster Award-winner Brian Keene’s latest non-fiction collection, nothing is sacred…or safe. Be it thoughtful examinations of the works of writers like Jack Ketchum and Mary SanGiovanni, loving tributes to authors J.F. Gonzalez and Tom Piccirilli, ruminations on middle-age, a rueful look at how publishing and writing have changed, sarcastic barbs at pop culture’s obsession with superhero movies, or a hard look at both sides of the social justice war, Brian Keene once again offers an honest, no-holds-barred critique our lives, our culture, and our world, and proves that we are all inhabiting …UNSAFE SPACES.”
Click here for Paperback and Kindle
Click here for Nook
Click here for Kobo
July 2, 2020
Kaitlyn Booth & Nick Hanover - The Horror Show Ep 271
Bleeding Cool Editor-in-Chief Kaitlyn Booth and freelance journalist Nick Hanover join Brian for an honest, thoughtful discussion on the mental, physical, and emotional toll of reporting on sexual misconduct within the industry. Plus, Mary, Matt, and Dave on two news stories related to that discussion.
Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Libsyn – iHeartRadio – Stitcher - YouTube
June 30, 2020
Defenders Dialogue 106
Christopher Golden and Brian Keene wrap up their coverage of Marvel's Super-Villain Team-Up as the Red Skull, Arnim Zola, and the Hate Monger's evil plan is revealed.
Listen for free on iTunes – YouTube – Libsyn – iHeartRadio – Stitcher
June 29, 2020
Shades, Dissonant Harmonies and Russian Editions
This is a follow up to our original statement, which can be read here.
As more information has come to light, we have decided to sever all ties with Poltergeist Press, including their Russian imprint. We still love and support Anna, and we wish her the best, but we cannot in good conscience be part of anything Matt is connected to, even via association.
We have requested that the rights to the Russian-language edition of The Rising, the trade hardcover edition of The Hollower, and the mass-market paperback edition of Shades (with co-author Geoff Cooper) be reverted.
In regards to Dissonant Harmonies by Brian and Bev Vincent, which was due to be released in paperback and ebook via Poltergeist Press, and in hardcover via the joint-venture Another Ghost imprint — Bev and Brian will be seeking another publisher, so the book’s release will be delayed.
June 27, 2020
Upcoming Guests
Upcoming guests for The Horror Show with Brian Keene (dates to be determined):
F. Paul Wilson
Brian Hodge
Kaitlyn Booth
Nick Hanover
Stephen Graham Jones
Tim Waggoner
Cina Pelayo
Gabino Iglesias
Daniel Kraus
Stephen Kozeniewski
Wile E. Young
and many more…
June 26, 2020
Statement Regarding Matt Hayward, Poltergeist Press & Kelli Owen
From Brian Keene and Mary SanGiovanni --
Earlier this morning, Brian posted this publicly accessible essay discussing the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct that have arisen within the industry over the last two weeks.
Within minutes of that being posted, we were alerted via Twitter and email of yet another situation -- this time involving allegations that author Matt Hayward sent inappropriate communications to several women. Again, to clarify, we were unaware of these allegations until after the essay was posted. However, in tandem with Brian's previous essay, we are speaking out.
We believe the women. We believe writer and book reviewer Cassie 'Lets Get Galactic', who has stepped forward. And we believe those who have not stepped forward.
We have known Matt for several years. He and his wife Anna have been guests in our home. Anna's publishing company, Poltergeist Press, has published books by both of us. We consider them dear friends.
Approximately one year ago, Matt sent a series of inappropriate messages to Mary. Matt has acknowledged this and apologized for it. Mary accepted the apology because Matt was inebriated when the messages were sent, and he was going through a rough time emotionally, having just experienced the death of his best friend. Brian followed Mary's lead, and in the time since, Mary has received no further inappropriate messages from Matt. Cassie's account tells a similar story, as do the accounts of those women who have not shared their experience publicly. There is a pattern of behavior.
Again, we believe the women. And we apologize for the hurt that someone we are close to has caused you.
We hope that Matt will take this moment to examine his behavior. As both Mary and Brian know all-too-well, grief and alcohol are not excuses for behavior, but they are catalysts. We hope that Matt will acknowledge how his behavior impacted Cassie and the other women involved, how it impacted his wife, and how it impacted his friends and the larger horror community. We hope that he will examine the role those destructive catalysts played in this, and that he will understand they do not serve as excuses for the behavior. We hope that he will learn from this experience and grow. We believe that in Matt's case, change is possible. We believe that he has it in him. But ultimately it is up to him.
In regard to our books that are published via Poltergeist Press, we would remind the public that the company is not owned by Matt Hayward. It is owned by his wife, Anna. While Matt does indeed do production work for Poltergeist Press, and is published by Poltergeist Press, the company is Anna's. We have spoken with Anna, and she was unaware of these allegations. They have impacted her, as well. We ask that the public be cognizant of that.
We fully support Anna, and we do not hold her responsible for Matt's actions. In regards to future books, Brian has spoken with Bev Vincent, who collaborated with him on Dissonant Harmonies, due to be released by Poltergeist Press next month. As the book is already in production, both Brian and Bev feel it would again be unfair to Anna to pull the book from publication, and so, it will continue to be released from Poltergeist Press.
In regard to Kelli Owen's public treatment of Cassie after she stepped forward with these allegations, we fully state for the record that we do not condone or endorse any such behavior. We find it abhorrent. The public should also be aware that Kelli's statement that she was engaged in "fact-finding" is in no way connected to The Horror Show with Brian Keene, on which she has served as an occasional guest host. We have spoken with fellow show regulars Dave Thomas and Matt Wildasin, and the four of us agree that, beginning immediately, Kelli will no longer be involved with the podcast in any way.
Furthermore, both Brian and Mary would like the public to know that we are frustrated and stunned by Kelli's public statements, and they do not reflect the views or opinions of ourselves or The Horror Show with Brian Keene staff or our affiliates.
Respectfully,
-- Brian Keene and Mary SanGiovanni
June 25, 2020
Stephanie Wytovich - The Horror Show 270
June 23, 2020
Defenders Dialogue 105
The bromance between the Sub-Mariner and Doctor Doom reaches its fateful conclusion with guest stars Captain America, the Red Skull, the Shroud, and Krang, as Chrisopher Golden and Brian Keene discuss Marvel's Super-Villain Team-Up issue 11 and 12.
Listen for free on iTunes – YouTube – Libsyn – iHeartRadio – Stitcher
June 19, 2020
Scares That Care Virtual Charity Event
As you know, I serve on the Board of Directors for Scares That Care, a 501c3 charity composed of horror professionals and horror fans that raises money to help children with cancer, women with breast, burn victims, and families.
As you also know, our charity events in Wisconsin and Virginia were both cancelled this year, due to the pandemic.
SAVE THE DATE. The Scares That Care Virtual Charity Event will take place online Saturday, August 1, from 10am (EST) to 10pm (EST), and will include actors, authors, vendors, a costume contest and much more.
Details Forthcoming
