Brian Keene's Blog, page 39
February 20, 2020
Church of Disgust’s ‘Consumed by Slow Putrefaction’
Texas-based death metal masters Church of Disgust have a new EP coming out called CONSUMED BY SLOW PUTREFACTION. The title track is “a frantic crusher inspired by the mythos created by horror writer Brian Keene and a particularly sickening torture method employed by the Etruscan King Mezentius” (per Metal Injection).
I’m always thrilled whenever a band or musician gets inspiration from my work. As a teenager who was delirously happy when Anthrax were singing about Stephen King novels, I’m indebted to bands like Church of Disgust, techno star Xander Harris, and hip-hop artist MJ Withers for the love and support. I hope that you’ll support them, as well.
Listen to the title track from CONSUMED BY SLOW PUTREFACTION here.
All Out War
Episode 11 of THOR: METAL GODS, written by me, is live today. As thor, Loki, Horangi and the Valkyries make a desperate last stand, Skarra answers the crown’s call! Available exclusively from SerialBox.
February 19, 2020
Defenders Dialogue - Ep 90
It's the War of the Mega-Monsters as Godzilla, Red Ronin and the forces of S.H.I.E.L.D. team up against an alien invasion. Christopher Golden and Brian Keene discuss Marvel Comics Godzilla issues 12 through 14.
Listen for free on iTunes – YouTube – Project Entertainment – iHeartRadio – Stitcher
February 18, 2020
Cell Dust Jackets
The dust jackets for Stephen King’s CELL, which contain my essay “Ketchum Without A Conscience”, are now shipping from Overlook Connection. I was unable to get a good photo of them, so here is a brief video instead.
February 13, 2020
John Quick Returns - The Horror Show with Brian Keene - Ep 252
Brian, Mary, Matt and Kelli address rumors regarding the future of the podcast. Then John Quick returns to the show to discuss his forthcoming Richard Laymon homage, jumping from self-publishing to the small press, and and his simultaneous new novels. Plus the cast of Joe R. Lansdale's The Thicket, the HWA's Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, and the Splatterpunk Award nominees.
Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Project Entertainment– iHeartRadio – Stitcher - YouTube
Ride of the Valkyries
Episode 10 of THOR: METAL GODS, written by me, is live today. As the space battle rages, Thor and Loki confront Sylvain and reinforcements arrive to help the crew of the Orlando. Guest-starring Marvel’s Valkyrie! Available exclusively from SerialBox.
February 12, 2020
Booktube Palooza
In which I look at the latest from myself, Stephen Kozeniewski, J.F. Gonzalez, Jeff Strand, Kristopher Rufty, Kenzie Jennings, Matt Hayward, Kristopher Triana, Edward Lorn, Robert Ford, Aaron Dries, Regina garza Mitchell, Cullen Bunn and many more.
February 11, 2020
The Horror Show - Live Signing and Q&A
I’m pleased to announce that my first public signing for 2020 will take place March 21, beginning at noon, at Air Studio - West Shore Farmer’s Market, 900 Market St, Lemoyne, PA 17043, and will involve my podcast cohorts, as well.
That’s right! Each year for the last 6 years, The Horror Show with Brian Keene has done a Listener Mailbag episode, where we answer questions from the audience. This year, we’re doing it live! And afterward, we’ll all be happy to sign books for you. You are welcome to bring books from home. Air Studio will also have books by each of us for sale, as well as exclusive themed-balloon displays! (A balloon bouquet based on THE RISING, anyone?)
So join myself, Mary SanGiovanni, Kelli Owen, Matt Wildasin and special guest Stephen Kozeniewski March 21 at Air Studio in Lemoyne, PA!
February 9, 2020
2020 Splatterpunk Award Nominees
—For Immediate Release
February 9, 2020
Best-selling authors and Splatterpunk Award founders Wrath James White and Brian Keene are proud to announce the nominees for the 2020 Splatterpunk Awards, honoring superior achievement for works published in 2019 in the sub-genres of Splatterpunk and Extreme Horror. The nominees are recommended by readers, fans and peers. The nominees are as follows.
BEST NOVEL
1. Carnivorous Lunar Activities by Max Booth III (Cinestate/Fangoria)
2. Killer Lake by W.D. Gagliani and David Benton (Deadite Press)
3. Reception by Kenzie Jennings (Death’s Head Press)
4. Lakehouse Infernal by Christine Morgan (Deadite Press)
5. Merciless by Bryan Smith (Grindhouse Press)
6. Toxic Love by Kristopher Triana (Blood Bound Books)
7. They Kill by Tim Waggoner (Flame Tree Press)
BEST NOVELLA
1. White Trash Gothic Part 2 by Edward Lee (Section 31 Productions)
2. Saint Sadist by Lucas Mangum (Grindhouse Press)
3. Weeping Season by Sean O’Connor (Uafas Press)
4. How Much To..? by Matt Shaw (Self-Published)
5. One For the Road by Wesley Southard (Deadite Press)
6. Paradise, Maine by Jackson R. Thomas (Alien Agenda Publishing)
BEST SHORT STORY
1. “Breaking the Waters” by Donyae Coles (from Pseudopod)
2. “Angelbait” by Ryan Harding (from The Big Book of Blasphemy, Necro Publications)
3. “Censered” by Christine Morgan (from And Hell Followed, Death’s Head Press)
4. “Shoulder Pain” by Chandler Morrison (from Macabre Museum Magazine)
5. “Param” by Susan Snyder (from Trigger Warning: Body Horror, Madness Heart Press)
6. “Norwegian Woods” by Jeremy Wagner (from The Big Book of Blasphemy, Necro Publications)
BEST COLLECTION
1. Dead Sea Chronicles by Tim Curran (Bloodshot Books)
2. Various States of Decay by Matt Hayward (Poltergeist Press)
3. Dawn of the Living Impaired, and Other Messed-Up Zombie Stories by Christine Morgan (Death’s Head Press)
4. This Is A Horror Book by Charles Austin Muir (Clash Books)
5. Dirty Rotten Hippies and Other Stories by Bryan Smith (Grindhouse Press)
6. Resisting Madness by Wesley Southard (Death’s Head Press)
BEST ANTHOLOGY
1. And Hell Followed, edited by Jarod Barbee and Patrick C. Harrison III (Death’s Head Press)
2. The Big Book of Blasphemy, edited by Regina Mitchell and David G. Barnett (Necro Publications)
3. Dig Two Graves, edited by Jarod Barbee and Patrick C. Harrison III (Death’s Head Press)
4. Midnight In The Graveyard, edited by Kenneth W. Cain (Silver Shamrock Publishing)
5. The New Flesh: A Literary Tribute to David Cronenberg, edited by Sam Richard and Brendan Vidito (Weirdpunk Books)
6. Polish Extreme, edited by Edward Lee & Karolina Kaczkowska (Necro Publications)
A panel of judges composed of professionals, critics and scholars in the field will now begin the process of reading each nominated work, and selecting a winner for each category. Winners will be announced at KillerCon, taking place in Austin, Texas this August 7th through the 9th.
In addition to the winners, author and editor Edward Lee will receive the annual J.F. Gonzalez Lifetime Achievement Award honoring his significant contributions to the sub-genres of Splatterpunk and Extreme Horror. Previous recipients are David J. Schow and David G. Barnett.
Four notes of interest regarding this year’s awards:
1. While each category normally has six nominees, press will note that the Best Novel category for this year contains seven. That is due to a tie in the recommendation process.
2. While scholar and editor Regina Mitchell has served as a judge in previous years, she will not be a part of this year’s judging panel, as that would violate the award’s rules regarding eligible works (for The Big Book of Blasphemy). Her replacement, along with the identities of the other judges, will be announced in a separate forthcoming press release.
3. This year saw a significant increase in the number of women and authors who identify as female writing Splatterpunk and Extreme Horror. The recommendation process evidenced readers and fans mentioning a number of new female voices.
4. This year also saw a significant increase in the number of consumers reading Splatterpunk and Extreme Horror, as evidenced by the number of new readers participating in the recommendation process.
Press inquiries can be sent to Wrath James White or Brian Keene
February 8, 2020
New Interview on ‘Make Me Read Your Book’
Make Me Read Your Book is a new podcast from Katie Southard (wife of author Wesley Southard) which has launched with a big bang, including interviews with Paul Tremblay, Somer Canon, Jonathan Janz, Ronald Malfi, and myself. The premise is simple. Katie interviews an author about a book by them that she hasn’t read. The author pitches it to her, the reader. Then she reads the book and shares her thoughts.
Her episode with me is now live, and we discuss DARK HOLLOW, toxic masculinity, and a lot more. Click here to listen.
