Mike Thorn's Blog, page 34
July 18, 2018
New Review of Darkest Hours in Char's Horror Corner
"On top of having this super cool cover, within these pages I discovered some of the best short, dark fiction I've read in a long while! Let's talk about it, shall we?
When I was young and couldn't afford bookstores, I often went to the library. (I still do, actually, because I love them, not because I have to.) I developed a love of horror back then, but our library's collection consisted of about two shelves. Once I read those, I started reading all of their anthologies and collections, in the hopes of finding new authors. In this way, I discovered Richard Matheson, Steve Rasnic Tem, Dennis Etchison, Ray Bradbury and other writers that I still love to this day. DARKEST HOURS brought me back to that time of discovery-horror and dark fiction in all of its glorious, different forms. Reading this collection made me feel like a kid again."
Read the full review.
When I was young and couldn't afford bookstores, I often went to the library. (I still do, actually, because I love them, not because I have to.) I developed a love of horror back then, but our library's collection consisted of about two shelves. Once I read those, I started reading all of their anthologies and collections, in the hopes of finding new authors. In this way, I discovered Richard Matheson, Steve Rasnic Tem, Dennis Etchison, Ray Bradbury and other writers that I still love to this day. DARKEST HOURS brought me back to that time of discovery-horror and dark fiction in all of its glorious, different forms. Reading this collection made me feel like a kid again."
Read the full review.
July 12, 2018
Darkest Hours Featured in Mini Wrap-Up on That’s What She Read
The host of That’s What She Read discussed Darkest Hours in her latest video, with special shout-outs to “Hair” and “Fear and Grace.”
Watch the video.
Watch the video.
July 5, 2018
Guest Appearance by Mike Thorn on English Major YOU
An English major can be a complex and confusing thing. Join Elias, Jaclyn, and Mike on English Major YOU to hear their stories on how to obtain and put an English major to good work. They talk about the important communication and analysis skills that the major will teach, and how those skills can be applied professionally.
Listen here.
Listen here.
June 26, 2018
Collaboration with Hush: "A New Kind of Drug"
Marc Tams laid down psychedelic, shoegazey accompaniment to excerpts from Mike Thorn’s “A New Kind of Drug.” Listen here.
A young man finds himself faced with a bizarre moral dilemma when he agrees to try out a new kind of drug.
Credits
Released June 26, 2018
Narration – Mike Thorn
Score and engineering – Hush
“A New Kind of Drug” features in Mike’s short story collection Darkest Hours, which can be purchased on Amazon here.
A young man finds himself faced with a bizarre moral dilemma when he agrees to try out a new kind of drug.
Credits
Released June 26, 2018
Narration – Mike Thorn
Score and engineering – Hush
“A New Kind of Drug” features in Mike’s short story collection Darkest Hours, which can be purchased on Amazon here.
June 22, 2018
Mike Thorn returns to Kendall Reviews to share his favourite horror films from the 2000s
"Mike Thorn returns to Kendall Reviews with another fascinating discussion piece on horror cinema. The response to Mike’s first contribution which detailed his 10 favourite horror films from the 2010s was incredible. I’m delighted to welcome Mike back, this time to offer you chronologically his favourite horror films released between 2000 – 2009.
Mike Thorn is the author of the short story collection Darkest Hours. He completed his M.A. in English literature at the University of Calgary. His fiction has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Dark Moon Digest, Behind the Mask – Tales from the Id and Straylight Literary Arts Magazine. His film criticism has appeared recently in MUBI Notebook, The Seventh Row and The Film Stage.
See the list and read the full article on Kendall Reviews.
Mike Thorn is the author of the short story collection Darkest Hours. He completed his M.A. in English literature at the University of Calgary. His fiction has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Dark Moon Digest, Behind the Mask – Tales from the Id and Straylight Literary Arts Magazine. His film criticism has appeared recently in MUBI Notebook, The Seventh Row and The Film Stage.
See the list and read the full article on Kendall Reviews.
June 10, 2018
Ranking Stephen King's Story/Novella Collections
Like countless others, I started reading Stephen King's work when I was very young (eleven or twelve, I think). By the end of 2018, I'm planning to get through all the books in his bibliography that I've missed.
I just finished Everything's Eventual, the last of his collections I had left to read.
My personal ranking of his short story/novella collections:
01. Skeleton Crew (1985)
02. Full Dark, No Stars (2010)
03. Hearts in Atlantis (1999)
04. Night Shift (1978)
05. Just After Sunset (2008)
06. Different Seasons (1982)
07. Everything's Eventual (2002)
08. Nightmares & Dreamscapes (1993)
09. The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015)
10. Four Past Midnight (1990)
*Note: I like all of these to varying degrees
I just finished Everything's Eventual, the last of his collections I had left to read.
My personal ranking of his short story/novella collections:
01. Skeleton Crew (1985)
02. Full Dark, No Stars (2010)
03. Hearts in Atlantis (1999)
04. Night Shift (1978)
05. Just After Sunset (2008)
06. Different Seasons (1982)
07. Everything's Eventual (2002)
08. Nightmares & Dreamscapes (1993)
09. The Bazaar of Bad Dreams (2015)
10. Four Past Midnight (1990)
*Note: I like all of these to varying degrees
May 23, 2018
Mike Thorn Reading from Darkest Hours on CJSW Writer’s Block
I read from my weird academic-in-distress story "Mired" (included in Darkest Hours) for the latest episode of Writer's Block. Listen to the reading.
Writer's Block is CJSW’s monthly foray into literature. Hosted and produced by Dymphny Dronyk and sound engineered by Cody Dronyk, the program is focused on local events, writers, poets and publishers, while keeping an eye on the bigger literary picture across the country and around the world! Writer’s Block airs at 90.9 on the FM dial in Calgary on the third Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Writer's Block is CJSW’s monthly foray into literature. Hosted and produced by Dymphny Dronyk and sound engineered by Cody Dronyk, the program is focused on local events, writers, poets and publishers, while keeping an eye on the bigger literary picture across the country and around the world! Writer’s Block airs at 90.9 on the FM dial in Calgary on the third Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
April 8, 2018
April 5, 2018
New Review of Darkest Hours in The Grim Reader
"There is more than enough talent showcased within these pages to suggest that Mike Thorn’s journey has only just begun. I look forward to seeing where he goes from here."
Read the full review.
Read the full review.
April 2, 2018
Shake Things Up: A Conversation with Mike Thorn in WORDS Zine's April Issue (Hex Publishers)
Alvaro Zinos-Amaro asked me thoughtful, personal questions for April's issue of WORDS (an online zine through Hex Publishers). Among other things, we touch on transgressive art, John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness, Catholic school, philosophy and Kanye West.
Read the full interview.
Read the full interview.
