Mike Thorn's Blog, page 32
February 14, 2019
New article about Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil's Rejects for HorrorNews.net
I wrote a new retrospective article, "The Grease-Painted Corpse of Americana: Revisiting Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses and The Devil’s Rejects," for HorrorNews.net.
Click here to read it.
Click here to read it.
February 3, 2019
Guest panelist on Slicin’ up Eyeballs podcast
Autumn and Jake of the Slicin' up Eyeballs podcast invited Justine Peres Smith (National Post, Ebert, Little White Lies), Scout Tafoya (Ebert, Los Angeles Review of Books) and me to discuss our favorite films of 2018.
Listen to part 1.
Listen to part 1.
January 22, 2019
New Review and Interview in Horror Bound
“His stories are bizarre in the best way and bring personal flaws and disaster to the forefront. Most of these protagonists are not the greatest of folks but somehow you’re still rooting for them as their lives completely fall apart. Thorn knows how to grab you within the first few sentences and then throw up all over you in the best way. Some of his best stories in this collection are everyday situations that are twisted and given a dash of demon, a dash of murderous ghosts, and some drug abuse. And at the end you’re sweating from the tension.”
Horror Bound just posted a new review of Darkest Hours and an interview with me. Read now!
Horror Bound just posted a new review of Darkest Hours and an interview with me. Read now!
January 1, 2019
Darkest Hours included on best of the year lists (Char's Horror Corner, That's What She Read, High Fever Books)
As 2018 ends and 2019 begins, I'm unbelievably grateful to see some book reviewers listing Darkest Hours as one of their favorite books of the year.
Check out the full lists:
Mother Horror's Most Loved Books of 2018
Char's Horror Corner: Top Ten Anthologies and Collections of 2018
That's What She Read: Best Books of 2018
Check out the full lists:
Mother Horror's Most Loved Books of 2018
Char's Horror Corner: Top Ten Anthologies and Collections of 2018
That's What She Read: Best Books of 2018
December 18, 2018
Books in the Freezer includes Darkest Hours in their Best Books of 2018 list
Stephanie and Rachel are joined by Devin to discuss their reading year of 2018: successes, failures and everything in between. Also, Rachel has a huge announcement with regards to the podcast in 2019. This episode was recorded live, with the participation of their patrons.
Listen to the episode.
Listen to the episode.
November 24, 2018
Mike Thorn invited to SLEAZOIDS Podcast to discuss The Tingler (1959) and Corridors of Blood (1958)
The co-hosts of the Sleazoids Podcast (Josh Lewis and Jamie Miller) invited to talk about two films of my choice. The rules: they both had to be genre films (preferably one relatively “known” film and one I considered under-appreciated) and they both had to be pre-2000 releases. I went with The Tingler (1959) and Corridors of Blood (1958).
Listen to the full episode.
Listen to the full episode.
November 21, 2018
Darkest Hours Celebrates its First Birthday
Unnerving published Mike Thorn’s debut short story collection Darkest Hours exactly one year ago. Critics and authors say:
“Thorn is an exciting new talent in the genre.”
The Horror Bookshelf
“Some sections recall Chuck Palahniuk in their nihilistic ultraviolence, while others have a Barker-esque feel… in their embrace of beauty in carnage.”
Anya Stanley
“These short stories show the author’s incredible range and versatility.”
Sadie “Mother Horror” Hartmann
“Take a dollop of Michael A. Arnzen and Brian Evenson’s quirky styles, and add a pinch of Mark Twain, stir well and let bubble, and you have a sense of Mike Thorn’s stories.”
Bram Stoker Award winner Marge Simon, author of Four Elements and Satan’s Sweethearts
“There are times in Thorn’s prose where I’m reminded not only of some of the best Stephen King from Skeleton Crew or Night Shift, but also of some of the more bizarre stories from Clive Barker’s Books of Blood.”
Biff Bam Pop
“Fast, fun and full of fear, Darkest Hours turns on a dime from a laugh to a scream. Terrifying and sly, Mike Thorn writes with refreshing originality and hides fangs behind a smile.”
John C. Foster, author of Mister White
“Mike Thorn’s debut story collection is not to be missed by those who enjoy an academic intellect with a potent flair for fiction.”
Dustin LaValley, author of A Soundless Dawn
“The stories are clever and witty. The characters are all too real.”
Cedar Hollow Horror Reviews
“Just read the opener, ‘Hair’ and became an instant fan. How can you not delight in a story about a metalhead fixated on long hair who starts obsessively eating it until hair begins to… um, well, buy Darkest Hours now and find out.”
Bram Stoker Award winner Michael Arnzen, author of Grave Markings
“Thorn has certainly made his mark on the genre as a whole, and also on me.”
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Reviewer
“A bloody fantastic collection.”
Lydian Faust, author of Forest Underground
“Dark, funny, entertaining, horrifying, clever, this book announces the arrival of a new frustratingly exceptional talent to the dark fiction scene.”
Leo X. Robertson, author of Bonespin Slipspace
“Darkest Hours is for readers wishing to take a thrilling walk on the dark side. Mike Thorn has delivered a promising debut with this collection showing off his commitment to stories of nuance, heart, and of course… darkness.”
Daniel Braum, author of The Night Marchers and Other Strange Tales
“There is more than enough talent showcased within these pages to suggest that Mike Thorn’s journey has only just begun.”
Grim Reader Reviews
“I compared these stories many times to my favorites from Poe.”
Sunshine Somerville
“Mike Thorn’s Darkest Hours contains the most diverse selection of stories that I’ve ever read from a single author.”
Sci-Fi & Scary
“Thorn has compiled a varied and creative anthology.”
Cellar Door Lit Rants & Reviews
November 19, 2018
Read Mike Thorn's Latest Story in Vague Visages
My latest short story "Mr. Mucata's Final Requests" was published today in Vague Visages.
Read it here.
Read it here.
October 31, 2018
New Dialogue Between Nathan Smith and Mike Thorn on Rob Zombie's Halloween Films
To celebrate Halloween, Nathan Smith and Mike Thorn wrote a dialogue about Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007) and Halloween II (2009) for Cinematary.
Read it here.
Read it here.
October 28, 2018
[SOLD OUT] Limited Time Offer: Get a Signed Copy of Darkest Hours with a Surprise Bonus Spooky Item
I just happen to currently have some extra copies of Darkest Hours I’m willing to sign and mail out (with one surprise spooky bonus item per shipment). $18 USD + shipping.
Contact me if you’re interested!
“Perfectly paced from the first sentence, these stories grab you by the collar with the urgency of mortal danger. Highly recommended.”
— Bram Stoker Award nominee S.P. Miskowski, author of Strange is the Night
“Thorn presents a collection of horror stories that are not only scary, but also intelligent, thoughtful, and carefully planned confronting the anxieties of modern life.”
— iHorror
“Just read the opener, ‘Hair’ and became an instant fan. How can you not delight in a story about a metalhead fixated on long hair who starts obsessively eating it until hair begins to… um, well, buy Darkest Hours now and find out.”
— Bram Stoker Award winner Michael Arnzen, author of Grave Markings
“When you first encounter Thorn’s writing, a number of qualities impress themselves: the macabre intelligence (brutal really), the chilling wit, the naturalness of the dialogue. Plus there’s the skill and style of the prose. It may all play out like a nightmare, but a terrible logic remains inherent.”
— Robert Dunbar, author of The Pines and Willy
“These short stories show the author’s incredible range and versatility.”
—Sadie “Mother Horror” Hartmann
“Fast, fun and full of fear, Darkest Hours turns on a dime from a laugh to a scream. Terrifying and sly, Mike Thorn writes with refreshing originality and hides fangs behind a smile.”
— John C. Foster, author of Mister White
“Mike Thorn’s debut story collection is not to be missed by those who enjoy an academic intellect with a potent flair for fiction.”
— Dustin LaValley, author of A Soundless Dawn
“Take a dollop of Michael A. Arnzen and Brian Evenson’s quirky styles, and add a pinch of Mark Twain, stir well and let bubble, and you have a sense of Mike Thorn’s stories.”
— Bram Stoker Award winner Marge Simon, author of Four Elements and Satan’s Sweethearts
“One of the best and most rewarding feelings as a horror fan is reading a new author’s work and being blown away by their talent and the awe of discovering something cool. That is the exact feeling I got when I first sat down to crack open Mike Thorn’s debut story collection, Darkest Hours.”
— The Horror Bookshelf
“I think Mike Thorn is an author to watch. I think he’s going to do great things in the world of horror and dark fiction, and I for one, will be there to watch it. Will you?”
— Char’s Horror Corner
“Darkest Hours is for readers wishing to take a thrilling walk on the dark side. Mike Thorn has delivered a promising debut with this collection showing off his commitment to stories of nuance, heart, and of course… darkness.”
— Daniel Braum, author of The Night Marchers and Other Strange Tales
“Darkest Hours is a varied and hugely enjoyable gathering of dark fiction. There is more than enough talent showcased within these pages to suggest that Mike Thorn’s journey has only just begun.”
— Grim Reader Reviews
“Darkest Hours is horror for horror people. For the ‘confirmed ghost story and horror film addict,’ if you will. But it’s also for people with strong emotions and a desire for philosophical thought.”
— One Critical Bitch
“There are times in Thorn’s prose where I’m reminded not only of some of the best Stephen King from Skeleton Crew or Night Shift, but also of some of the more bizarre stories from Clive Barker’s Books of Blood.”
— Biff Bam Pop
“The stories are clever and witty. The characters are all too real.”
— Cedar Hollow Horror Reviews
“Mike Thorn’s Darkest Hours contains the most diverse selection of stories that I’ve ever read from a single author.”
— Sci-Fi & Scary
