Adam Cesare's Blog, page 5
January 28, 2017
Check in to The Brant Hotel… again.
Less than a month after Video Night‘s triumphant return, The Summer Job is now available on Amazon.
Check out the new cover by artist Fredrick Richardson:
Like Video Night, this new edition is not meant for double dipping, but does contain a new afterword and some tiny nips and tucks in the text. If you’re familiar with some of my other work but haven’t yet checked out The Summer Job: I highly suggest you give it a chance. It’s some of my strongest work, if not my flat-out best novel. You can pick up a copy here.
If you’re not looking to check out my words but would instead like to watch me rant about books and movies: I also have you covered there. Last week’s episode of Project: Black T-Shirt is a top 5 list of the “Best Vampire Novels You Haven’t Read”! The trick is that you may have read a few of them, but at least we have a fun discussion in the comments. Click here to watch that. Be sure to hit the “Subscribe” button while you’re over there.
If you’re watching that and thinking: “Boy, I love black t-shirts too but I wish I had one with my favorite Long Island alien invasion novel” than I ALSO have you covered there.
Well, artist Chris Enterline and I both have you covered. Because we’re proud to announce a brand new line of t-shirts and merch through our Redbubble store. The inaugural design is based on Video Night and you can pick up a shirt right here. And, yes: it is a deliberate homage to “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli.
They’re a little pricey, but the quality of Redbubble’s products is completely off the charts. If you pick one up: please send me a picture of you wearing it!
These designs are not meant to compete with Sam Mcanna’s Skurvy Ink shirts, but Sam has shut down his site and that business will hopefully be returning soon in some form or another.
Hope ya’ll are having a great day. Peace and love,
Adam
January 11, 2017
Video Night Returns! The Con Season is Cheap!
Check this out:
Yeah boy! That’s the stuff. Above is the new cover for one of my most popular titles, recently relaunched under a new imprint. If you’re new to my work, or somehow just missed this one, then I urge you to click over to amazon to check it out.
It’s about the 1988 alien invasion of Long Island, NY. So it’s not only thrilling, but educational.
The book’s not only got that sweet new cover by Fredrick Richardson, but a new afterword, and a couple of editorial nips and tucks.
If Video Night is something you’ve already got, then maybe I can interest you in The Con Season, my newest novel, for the next couple of days priced at 99 cents. Yup, one dollar will get you a full brand-new novel and 5 will get you two novels and the self-satisfied warm and fuzzies that accompany helping out an independent author.
Speaking of being an indie author, that new version of Video Night has been wiped of its 40+ reviews, so if you’ve read it and liked it: I would really appreciate you taking a few seconds to review on Amazon.
Okay, pimping over. Other than trying to sell you those two things, I also wanted to share that I’ve watched and reviewed a couple of movies since we last spoke. The best of which was The Autopsy of Jane Doe, which I did a video review for right here. Please hit that like and subscribe button if you haven’t already. It helps.
Beyond that: I want to here from you. Consider signing up for the mailing list if you haven’t by clicking the “Free Short Read” button at the top of this page, I’ll send you an exclusive ebook for your troubles.
Piece,love, blood, and guts,
Adam
December 20, 2016
He’s Making His (Kill) List, Checking It Twice
Hey y’all, how you been? I’m good. Busy but good.
Just wanted to check in and consolidate some updates that I may or may not have been able to sprinkle into your Facebook or twitter feeds.
First and foremost, I was recently a guest on the Scream Addicts podcast. If you haven’t heard of the show: it’s got a neat premise. Each episode features a guest from the horror community who comes locked-and-loaded, ready to discuss a single film in-depth. The host, Jason “Jinx” Jenkins, is a hell of a conversationalist and each episode takes the examination of the chosen movie in a surprising and intelligent direction.
I chose to talk about Ben Wheatley’s Kill List (2011), it’s the first time I’ve talked about the film at any kind of length outside of nerdy bar conversation and I’m very pleased with how the episode turned out. I’d love it if you listened (and subscribed) to the show on your podcast platform of choice or by clicking here. But you should also probably be warned that we spoil the hell out of the movie. Definitely not something to listen to if you haven’t seen it.
If you’re looking to hear me talk about movies, but aren’t into an hour-long investment, or maybe you just want to see my dumb face: Project: Black T-Shirt is still going strong on YouTube. If either of these episodes sound like something you’re into, I encourage you to like, comment, and subscribe to the channel because I cover this kind of stuff weekly (well, kinda weekly…).
The Eyes of My Mother (2016) is a grisly black-and-white serial killer thriller. This episode is not only a review of Nicolas Pesce’s debut feature, but it becomes a discussion of the extreme horror subgenre as a whole. Spoiler alert: I think this is one of the best horror movies of 2016. The book recommendation for this ep is Mr. Suicide by Nicole Cushing.
After a spate of new release movie reviews, I wanted to look at a reissue for this week’s episode. We look inside Vestron Video’s recent Blu-Ray release of Blood Diner (1987). We talk about director Jackie Kong’s unique place in genre history. The book recommendation is Carol Clover’s Men, Women, and Chain Saws.
You may notice that all three of those above links have nothing to do with writing, publishing, or (most importantly) asking you to buy/review stuff. Well, as I write this it’s a couple of days out from Christmas, so you should definitely consider picking up one of my books. They make great(ish) gifts! If you’ve already bought and read one of my books, you should know that honest Amazon reviews are the best gift an author can receive.
But seriously: this year started off with the release of Zero Lives Remaining and ended with the debut of The Con Season. In the middle there were a number of short story publications, columns, a novella collaboration, the re-release of a short story collaboration, and even a non-fiction essay about fishing (?!). I’m proud of the material I’ve produced in 2016, but I wouldn’t have made it through the year without the support of my friends and readers. By which I mean to say: thank you!
2016 may have been aight, but what I’m really pumped for is 2017. I can’t say too much, but I will say that things are going to be both familiar and different.
I hope you’re facing the new year with the same giddiness and optimism. And that your holidays are joyous and gore-soaked.
Love,
Adam
November 2, 2016
I Am The Pretty Ghost Kaiju That Destroyed Germany
Hey guys and gals,
Quick catch-up post just to dump some links tonight.
First of all: thanks to everyone who came out to the KGB Bar reading last week. Brian Keene, Mary SanGiovanni, Nick Cato, and Leza Cantoral were all awesome. And an extra special big thanks to Christoph Paul for hosting and inviting me to participate.
But speaking of Christoph, I give his new horror film poetry book a shout out in this week’s episode of Project Black T-Shirt. We also discuss the Netflix original film I Am the Pretty Thing that Lives in the House(2016), written and directed by Osgood Perkins and starring Ruth Wilson. I liked it a lot, but click here to find out why.
Another huge thanks to author/photographer Jonathan Lees, who took this awesome picture while I was reading:
The week before that I was reviewing Shin Godzilla, which I caught during its limited theatrical run and lived to tell the tale about. That’s right here.
This week I celebrated a huge milestone in my career with the German-language release of Tribesmen. A huge thank you to Voodoo Press for taking a chance on me overseas. If you’re a German reader, please click over to their website to pick up your copy in ebook or paperback. Here’s that sweet sweet German cover:
Other than that, things are all quiet on my front. My newest novel, The Con Season, has been selling unbelievably well, probably due to the release of the audiobook and the kind words from everyone who’s taken the time to leave an Amazon review. Just a quick public service reminder that the audiobook’s actually cheaper if you buy the Kindle version ($2.99) and then the audio ($1.99) as opposed to buying the audio straight-out.
Have a great week!
October 18, 2016
The Con Season Audiobook!
Just a quick little post to let you know that The Con Season: A Novel of Survival Horror is now an audiobook!
Narrator Joe Hempel (who also recorded Tribesmen and Zero Lives Remaining) did a great job on this title. As an extra special bonus: if you already own the kindle version you can upgrade to the audiobook for less than $4! What a deal!
Of course, if you prefer to hold dead trees in the palm of your hand: there’s still the paperback. I sold a ton of these at Rock and Shock last weekend, so a huge thanks to everyone who stopped by the booth and said hi to Bracken MacLeod, Patrick Lacey, and myself.
If you enjoy The Con Season in any of its three formats: please take a second to leave a quick review on amazon. It helps out so much.
Oh, and on the sly while I’ve got you, check out Chris Enterline’s art for the forthcoming Thunderstorm Books hardcover of CS. Can that dude do art or what?!? Keep your eyes peeled here and on Thunderstorm’s own site to catch the pre-order before it sells out.
October 8, 2016
Getting in the Halloween spirit (plus Splatterpunk lives!)
Hey y’all,
It’s been a spell (a couple months) since I checked in on the blog and offered an update. If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube I’ve been just as gabby as usual.
Project: Black T-Shirt has been going strong, with weekly video uploads and this week’s is one I’m particularly proud of. It’s a list of 6 great books to get you in that Halloween state-of-mind. Authors like Paul Tremblay, Gillian Flynn, and Bracken MacLeod show up, so please go check it out here. If you’ve got titles of your own you’d like to share: please speak up in the comments.
Speaking of Bracken MacLeod: we’re going to be selling books next weekend at Rock and Shock in Worcester, MA. Author Patrick Lacey will also be joining us at the table, so if you’re going to be at the con: please come by the table and say hi. Maybe even buy a book, both Pat and Bracken have new ones (Dream Woods and Stranded, respectively).
Rock and Shock is always a great time (I’ve been going since the second year, and even though I now live in Philly it’s a great excuse to go sip Dunkin Donuts in New England once a year). It’s a special show: if you’re in the area I guarantee you’ll be happy you went.
Also, if you’re tracking my movements: I’ll be reading at KGB Bar in NYC on October 26th along with Brian Keene, Mary SanGiovanni, Nick Cato, and Christoph Paul (who’s also hosting). If you’re a New Yorker or are willing to travel: I’d love to see you.
In keeping with the Halloween theme: Sinister Grin Press has put All-Night Terror (my collaborative collection with Matt Serafini) on sale for 2 bucks. That’s cheap as hell! If you pick up the book: please consider leaving a quick review when you’re done.
Lastly but not leastly: if you’re looking for a NEW Halloween treat from me I’ve got a story in Jack Bantry’s new collection Splatterpunk’s Not Dead! There are a ton of great authors in here, and it’s all new stories, so you don’t have to worry about getting skunked with a reprint. My story “Please Subscribe” has already been selected for next year’s Year’s Best Hardcore Horror from Comet Press. So I’m happy with it.
Other than that, no big publishing news. I’m slowly chipping away at a number of projects, all of them still secret at this point. While you’re waiting for the new stuff: have you read The Con Season? If so: leave a review and then go check out some of the authors in the video at the top of this post.
I’ll have new scares for you soon.
Best,
Adam
August 30, 2016
THE CON SEASON Reviews Are In! And They’re Important!
So, we’re two weeks after The Con Season‘s ebook release and I am overwhelmed by the response. If you still haven’t picked it up, you can fix that here. And if you’re not a fan of ebooks: I am in possession of the layout for the paperback, so that should be available sometime very soon, I’ve inked a deal with Joe Hempel to narrate the audiobook, and negotiations are currently ongoing for a limited edition hardcover (though if you are looking to wait for these other editions: I’d ask you consider picking up the ebook in the meantime, since it’s probably the purchase that does me the most good, for both visibility and money).
There is this very cool review from Michael Patrick Hicks, this one from CD Online staff reviewer Frank Michaels Errington, and I think these are sufficient evidence to mark the book a hit with the guys-with-three-names demographic. Author John Quick only has two names, but he also seemed to like it. For that I am grateful.
To promote the book and talk a little more about the inception of Black T-Shirt Books, I conducted this long-form interview with Gabino Iglesias at HorrorTalk. We touch on a lot of fun stuff, like a Con Season-themed playlist, the joys of collaboration, and film adaptations.
All those are excellent links, and I thank anyone who’s taken the time to review the book for a blog/website. But the real superstars, for me, are the 13 readers who picked up the book on Amazon or read it through the Kindle Unlimited program, and then took the time to leave a brief review on Amazon. If you’ve read the book: PLEASE consider taking a few minutes and leaving a review, if you haven’t. Those reviews lead to more visibility which leads to more sales and more reviews. If do one thing to say thanks to an author you enjoy: make it an Amazon review.
That’s it for today. Quick post. BTW: this week’s video is a Top Five list of Herschell Gordon Lewis films. Because I met the man last week. Watch it here.
August 18, 2016
Surprise! THE CON SEASON is available NOW!
First the good news: you can click here, right now, and secure yerself a copy of The Con Season: A Novel of Survival Horror. That’s the ebook link, but paperback will be out in a month or two if you’re an absolute tree-hating physical media diehard.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Horror movie starlet Clarissa Lee is beautiful, internationally known, and…completely broke.
To cap off years of questionable financial and personal decisions, Clarissa accepts an invitation to participate in a “fully immersive” fan convention. She arrives at an off-season summer camp and finds what was supposed to be a quick buck has become a real-life slasher movie.
Deep in the woods of Kentucky with a supporting cast of B-level celebrities, Clarissa must fight to survive the deadly game that the con’s organizers have rigged against her.
A demented, funny, bloody, and strangely-poignant horror novel from the acclaimed author of Tribesmen, Zero Lives Remaining, and Mercy House.
Go ahead and buy the book before scrolling any further.
I’ll wait.
Now the not-so-good news: if you nominated the book, probably already you know that Kindle Scout has decided to pass on publishing The Con Season.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say it’s a bit of a bummer. I feel like our numbers game was strong, but I also understand where the editors are coming from.
This book—an inside-baseball horror fandom satire with moments of blackly comedic ultraviolence—probably doesn’t scream “marketable!” It also doesn’t help that their cover guidelines suggest “no weapons or blood” and I was trying to sneak in a book featuring a blood-smeared woman holding a rifle…
Or all of that could be me trying to justify them simply not liking the book. I’m big enough to admit that.
But enough about the past! Let’s talk about the future. More specifically, let’s talk about Black T-Shirt Books!
Boom! We got a logo and everything. Huge thanks to Chris Enterline for getting that done.
I wasn’t messing around in last month’s post where I claimed to have “contingency plans” in place for The Con Season. As touched as I am at all the messages of condolence that I’ve received for being passed by Scout: really, it’s cool, nobody died!
I entered into this campaign knowing that having the book rejected was a very real possibility. I had to hand KS a completely edited manuscript and final cover art: so I was always viewing the program as an experiment in self-publishing.
And now that experiment is live and YOU get to decide if it keeps going or not.
Will Black T-Shirt books be releasing more titles? Yeah, if you and a few friends buy, review, and share this one.
I know I harp on the need for reviews (seriously, not just my books, if you read ANY book and like it: please review that ish on Amazon, you’ll be helping make quality writing more visible). But this time, since Black T-Shirt books is me doing this all by myself without the backing of a publisher, reviews are doubly important. As is word of mouth, shares on Facebook and Twitter, and updates to your Goodreads.
And if the Black T-Shirt Books experiment doesn’t succeed? Well, then it’s back to the drawing board, because we all know I’ve got schemes and machinations and secret-books for miles.[image error]
Thanks so much for everything, guys and gals, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the support.
With love,
Adam Cesare
CEO and Master of Shirts at Black T-Shirt Books
P.S. New episodes of the YouTube show are up:
An early review of Evil Dead remake director Fede Alvarez’s Don’t Breathe:
And a less-SEO friendly review of 1984’s The Mutilator, recently reissued by Arrow Video:
August 5, 2016
The End
Okay. Wow. It’s been a month.
Those of you who follow me elsewhere on the internet (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube) have had to put up with a lot of pimping of The Con Season during its run on Kindle Scout.
But tonight at midnight it’ll all be over but the crying. If you’re reading this before the crying is taking place: now’s your last chance to maybe get a free copy.
So I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who’s checked out the KS page and cast a nomination for the book. We won’t know the results from the Kindle Press editors for at least a couple of days (probably upwards of a week), but even if they come back with a NO!, I feel confident that I’ve run the best race that I could.
The genre and subject matter of The Con Season could be a little bit of a hard sell for the program (I mean, I read it as a straight thriller with horror elements, but their opinions may differ), but one thing’s undeniable: y’all have made the book difficult to ignore. And that’s touched me, because it means I have such supportive friends and readers.
Some stats: as of writing, The Con Season is currently listed in the Kindle Scout site’s “Hot and Trending” category, and during the campaign it’s been there for a whopping 510 hours (that’s way more than half the total hours of the 30 days). By the time things wrap up, the page itself will have been viewed nearly 3,000 times. And over a third of those views didn’t come from direct links, which means that they’re likely people who are hearing my name/checking out my work for the first time. Which is dope.
Every. Single. Person who’s nominated the book deserves a special shout-out, but unfortunately Amazon doesn’t share all your personal information with me (probably for the best). But there are a few folks who went above-and-beyond in their aide:
Armand Rosamilia—who was a Scout winner with his book Dirty Deeds—was an absolute powerhouse of help during and before this process, I really can’t thank him enough and you all should check out his books and podcast(s) if you haven’t already. Matt Serafini—my All-Night Terror co-writer—got me the hookup with some Dread Central press. Michelle Garza (one half of the Sisters of Slaughter, new book here) shared nearly every annoying Facebook post I put up, along with filmmakers Jimmy George, Chris LaMartina and Mike Lombardo. My long-suffering Cemetery Dance Online editor Blu Gilliand, who was gracious enough to feature me in a new interview (you’ll be getting a new column from me soon! I promise!). And finally, the good folks at Modern Horrors, who not only had me as a guest on their wonderful podcast (you should be subscribing on iTunes, you won’t regret it), but also allowed me to ramble about Stranger Things and Stephen King in a guest editorial. Also everyone who let me pitch them in-person at Scares That Care Weekend (Jeez, that’s a blog post in itself, so much fun).
There are at least 50 more people I could name for their shares and retweets (like Brian Keene, who totally encouraged me milking my The Horror Show podcast appearance!) and reblogging, but I’m terrified I’ll leave someone out.
As I said a month ago: no matter the outcome of the campaign, The Con Season will be released. I’m just not sure of the exact specifics.
But the first people to find out about how it’ll be coming out will be those who’ve voted (if it’s a yes) and those who are signed up for my newsletter (either way). So if you’re now invested in this ongoing drama, I encourage you to give me your email addy.
Thanks so much for all the support!
P.S.
There are new episodes of Project: Black T-Shirt up on YouTube. The newest of which has me reviewing Fede Alvarez’s new film Don’t Breathe ahead of its August 23rd release.
The week before that was a special comic book episode featuring Eibon Press, Harrow County, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Views, comments, likes and subscribes are always appreciated, if you like hearing me ramble in these videos.
July 7, 2016
The Con Season on Kindle Scout
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT time!
A lot of you are probably wondering what’s up with my new novel, The Con Season. I know some of you are wondering because you’ve been emailing and Facebook messaging me for months.
I’ve posted excerpts from the book, talked it up in interviews, hell: Brian Frickin’ Keene wanted to buy the option for the movie rights ON AIR when I was lucky enough to be a guest on his podcast!
When asked about it I’ve been saying “soon…” and then fleeing the room in a pall of smoke.
But today’s the day where you find out what’s up!
First of all: the cover.
Ain’t it a beaut? It’s got that summer camp slasher vibe. A good vibe to have, if you’re me. That’s the work of George Cotronis. Inside that cover is 50,000 or so words by me (so this is a shorter novel, but believe me: it’s all killer with no filler) that were edited by Broken River maestro J. David Osborne. I thank both of these gentlemen for their help in making this the most professional product possible.
What’s it about?
A group of B-level celebrities who get brought to a new “fully immersive” horror convention only to find that they’re thrust into a real-life slasher movie. There’s thrills, there’s chills, and there’s some light commentary about what fandom means. You’ll love it!
But, Adam: How and when can I get a copy?
Well, that part is up to you. Starting today the book is part of Amazon’s Kindle Scout program. Which is a little like The Voice for books, but you don’t have to listen to me sing.*
If you’re unfamiliar with how Kindle Scout works, here’s the highlights as I understand them:
You look over the site, read a few pitches and excerpts, and then “nominate” (or vote) for a book you like. Maybe, say, The Con Season by Adam Cesare.
The editors of the program will take your nominations into account and review the books that are “hot” enough to warrant perusal.
If the editors select the book for publication: the author gets a nice little advance (cash, Jack) and everyone who nominated the book gets a FREE EBOOK COPY.
That’s it. There is no threshold for nominations that gets a book automatically published, everything is still at the team’s editorial discretion, but by clicking over to the book’s Kindle Scout page and nominating it, you’re helping me get in front of more readers. And you get a free copy of The Con Season for your efforts, if things go well.
But Adam: what if things don’t go well? Also, I hate computers, will there be a paperback?
There are contingencies in place. And plans for a possible paperback.Even if you’re one of my old school readers (and there are a few of you, I can respect your book-collector spirit) who doesn’t prefer ebooks: please nominate the book anyway!
Ever the optimist, I’m not going to talk about those contingency plans now because I want/need your nomination!
We can win this thing! Let’s make Horror great aga…
Uh. Sorry. Got carried away there.
What Can I do to Help?
Now I know it’s a lot to ask for you to get spammy. But if you could share this link as far and wide as possible: it would help me out so much.
This is a huge, kinda-terrifying step for me to take, since I’ve been so used to working in the small press (and that one time working with a big press) and having other people in charge of this stuff (promotion, editorial, etc.). Huge and kinda-terrifying, but also hopeful, because I believe that in a month’s time The Con Season could be in front of a lot of eyes. I believe that because you guys and gals have been so warm and supportive of my work thusfar.
The Con Season is a special book. It’s a thriller, a horror novel, and a wiseass satire all-in-one. For those of you familiar with my work: it’s halfway between Tribesmen and The First One You Expect. Which means it’s got more of “me” in it than any of my other books to date.
And I can’t wait for you to read it. So why don’t you head over to the Kindle Scout page and start on the first three chapters now? Then maybe hit that nominate button (I believe you’re already registered if you’ve got an Amazon account.
My deepest thanks,
Adam
*If you want to listen to me sing, author Ronald Malfi and I will be performing a karaoke duet in two weeks at Scares That Care Weekend in Williamsburg, VA. You should come to that.
P.S. If you want to hear me grovel more. Or you want to hear me talk about the one time I made eye contact with John Carpenter: this week’s YouTube video is a discussion of my Top 5 John Carpenter Flicks. As usual, like, comment and subscribe if you want more of this stuff.
