Weston Ochse's Blog, page 27
December 28, 2012
SEAL Team 666 Invades WEST COAST
After more than 1900 miles and 16 bookstores in 8 days, my West Coast Booksigning Tour is over.
MalibuI've been to bookstores in Scottsdale, Burbank, Beverly Hills, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Encinitas, Huntington Beach, Santa Monica, San Diego, Rancho Panisquitos, Ventura and Coronado Island.
I've met readers, distributors, store clerks, community relations managers, store owners, event planners, event coordinators, and people just shopping for presents.
I've been asked about my book, where the restrooms are in the store, which Nook is the best one to buy, if I can get them a glass of water, which romance novel is the best one, where I get my ideas, did you know how fast you were going, if they could use my chair, if they could borrow my pen, could I sign their book, could I sign their body parts, could I sign a piece of paper, how to be published, how to get an agent, how to write a novel, how to self publish, where Bill O'Reilly's book is, and if I was single.
I felt like I encountered the full breadth of humanity, and although the recent political climate brought out the beasts in many of us, I found the majority of the people I met people I am proud to share the planet with.
Special thanks to Dirk and Barbara Foster, Greg and Eunice Magill, and Hal and Gene for opening their homes to me.
In VenturaSpecial thanks to Barbara and Will at the Poisoned Pen, Del and Sue at Dark Dels, Maryelizabeth for both Mysterious Galaxys, Erna for Bay Books, and the CRMs at all the Barnes and Nobles that had me in to sign books.
Some highlights include-
Selling more than 25 book in VenturaChatting with Amber BensonStaying at the Peirpont in Ventura Eating late night Korean with Hal and GeneEating Korean pork belly with Dirk and BarbaraWaking up to Santa Monica PierDriving the Pacific Coast Highway through MalibuYvonne joining me on Friday Hanging with Eunice and GregLunch with Gini Koch The young man from VCU decided to ditch 50 Shades of Gray in favor of Triple SixI was asked several times how much the publisher was paying me to do this book tour. I explained that I was being paid nothing, and that I felt that it was part of my job to promote the book. They said why not just do it from your webpage. The answer is all of what I said above. If I had stayed at home, I never would have had those highlights. I also wouldn't have a smiling publisher. And let me assure you, my publisher smiled with every signing, every update, every shared photo, and every blurb.
L-R: Nancy Holder, Eunice Magill, Yvonna Navarro, and MeYep. SEAL Team 666 invaded the West Coast.
And the West Coast is better for it.
I wonder who will be next.
MalibuI've been to bookstores in Scottsdale, Burbank, Beverly Hills, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Encinitas, Huntington Beach, Santa Monica, San Diego, Rancho Panisquitos, Ventura and Coronado Island.I've met readers, distributors, store clerks, community relations managers, store owners, event planners, event coordinators, and people just shopping for presents.
I've been asked about my book, where the restrooms are in the store, which Nook is the best one to buy, if I can get them a glass of water, which romance novel is the best one, where I get my ideas, did you know how fast you were going, if they could use my chair, if they could borrow my pen, could I sign their book, could I sign their body parts, could I sign a piece of paper, how to be published, how to get an agent, how to write a novel, how to self publish, where Bill O'Reilly's book is, and if I was single.
I felt like I encountered the full breadth of humanity, and although the recent political climate brought out the beasts in many of us, I found the majority of the people I met people I am proud to share the planet with.
Special thanks to Dirk and Barbara Foster, Greg and Eunice Magill, and Hal and Gene for opening their homes to me.
In VenturaSpecial thanks to Barbara and Will at the Poisoned Pen, Del and Sue at Dark Dels, Maryelizabeth for both Mysterious Galaxys, Erna for Bay Books, and the CRMs at all the Barnes and Nobles that had me in to sign books.Some highlights include-
Selling more than 25 book in VenturaChatting with Amber BensonStaying at the Peirpont in Ventura Eating late night Korean with Hal and GeneEating Korean pork belly with Dirk and BarbaraWaking up to Santa Monica PierDriving the Pacific Coast Highway through MalibuYvonne joining me on Friday Hanging with Eunice and GregLunch with Gini Koch The young man from VCU decided to ditch 50 Shades of Gray in favor of Triple SixI was asked several times how much the publisher was paying me to do this book tour. I explained that I was being paid nothing, and that I felt that it was part of my job to promote the book. They said why not just do it from your webpage. The answer is all of what I said above. If I had stayed at home, I never would have had those highlights. I also wouldn't have a smiling publisher. And let me assure you, my publisher smiled with every signing, every update, every shared photo, and every blurb.
L-R: Nancy Holder, Eunice Magill, Yvonna Navarro, and MeYep. SEAL Team 666 invaded the West Coast.And the West Coast is better for it.
I wonder who will be next.
December 20, 2012
As The Tour Ends
I've already covered more than 2000 miles. I've been to bookstores in Scottsdale, Burbank, Beverly Hills, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Encinitas, Huntington Beach, Santa Monica, Ventura and Coronado Island. I've stayed with friends, in hotels, and once, I was so tired it was beside the road.
But this isn't about being tired.
This is about fifteen years of writing, nine novels, more than a hundred short stories, and god knows how many conventions.
This is about me finding my stride.
This is about walking into stores and having clerks excited to see me.
This is about seeing old friends who know how long and hard you've been working and seeing the love in their eyes.
This is about meeting new people and watching them as they get excited about what they are about to read.
You know, Charles Dickens went around America, reading his novels in installments, often writing them just before he presented them. He sold his books and looked into the eyes of the readers. I get why he loved doing it. I also get how tired it must have been.
This is a great life. I do not take it for granted. This morning I awoke in a suite with an ocean view and wrote 3500 words on Age of Blood, the next Triple Six book. I also talked with my agent about a possible signing of a few more books (more later). I have other projects. And it occurs to me I could just start playing video games and never write another word. It might be cool for about three weeks. Then I'd go crazy. You see, I have to write. I love to create. It's part of my DNA.
Yeah. It's a great life.
Now on to tomorrow.
Say, do you have Triple Six? If not then WTF? How can the NY Post, USA Today and the Denver Post be wrong? Lol.
Thanks for listening.
Ignore my blather.
Ciao.
----
Hotel Room
Torance, California
1152 PM
But this isn't about being tired.
This is about fifteen years of writing, nine novels, more than a hundred short stories, and god knows how many conventions.
This is about me finding my stride.This is about walking into stores and having clerks excited to see me.
This is about seeing old friends who know how long and hard you've been working and seeing the love in their eyes.
This is about meeting new people and watching them as they get excited about what they are about to read.
You know, Charles Dickens went around America, reading his novels in installments, often writing them just before he presented them. He sold his books and looked into the eyes of the readers. I get why he loved doing it. I also get how tired it must have been.
This is a great life. I do not take it for granted. This morning I awoke in a suite with an ocean view and wrote 3500 words on Age of Blood, the next Triple Six book. I also talked with my agent about a possible signing of a few more books (more later). I have other projects. And it occurs to me I could just start playing video games and never write another word. It might be cool for about three weeks. Then I'd go crazy. You see, I have to write. I love to create. It's part of my DNA.
Yeah. It's a great life.
Now on to tomorrow.
Say, do you have Triple Six? If not then WTF? How can the NY Post, USA Today and the Denver Post be wrong? Lol.
Thanks for listening.
Ignore my blather.
Ciao.
----
Hotel Room
Torance, California
1152 PM
December 6, 2012
Italy, SEAL Team 666 and Wine Sabotage
SEAL Team 666 has invaded Italy.
How do we know?
Could they have been part of the mysterious night raid that destroyed 80,000 bottles of wine?
Was SEAL Team 666 involved? Until someone steps forward we can't rule them out.
But what we do know is that they've been sighted in Vicenza, Italy.
On the marksmanship range?
In the tactical command headquarters?
At the ammo resupply point?
No. At the Hair Salon. It seems like one of my old friends and fans discovered that Consuela and the other stylists had SEAL Team 666 wishlisted for audiobook. Once my friend, Tracy, found this out, she convinced them to download the book and listen to it as they work.
So if you find yourself in Vicenza and are in need of a haircut, you might want to be careful. After all, the lady with the scissors wearing the headphones might just jump while she's cutting.
And then all bets are off.
How do we know?
Could they have been part of the mysterious night raid that destroyed 80,000 bottles of wine?
The mystery night raiders turned on the taps of Case Basse winery's giant wooden casks in which the wine was maturing, and let more than 62,000 litres of prized Brunello di Montalcino pour out.
Some 80,000 bottles of wine were lost, each of which can sell for at least 170 euros – a total estimated value of more than 13 million euros. The saboteurs did no other damage to the estate's "cantina", nor did they steal anything, suggesting that it was less a random episode of vandalism and more an act of spite.
The raid wiped out the last six vintages of the 6.5-hectare vineyard in the hills of southern Tuscany, from 2007 to 2012. Case Basse is a small but highly acclaimed producer of Brunello di Montalcino, making around 10,000 bottles a year. (Entire Article)
Was SEAL Team 666 involved? Until someone steps forward we can't rule them out.But what we do know is that they've been sighted in Vicenza, Italy.
On the marksmanship range?
In the tactical command headquarters?
At the ammo resupply point?
No. At the Hair Salon. It seems like one of my old friends and fans discovered that Consuela and the other stylists had SEAL Team 666 wishlisted for audiobook. Once my friend, Tracy, found this out, she convinced them to download the book and listen to it as they work.
So if you find yourself in Vicenza and are in need of a haircut, you might want to be careful. After all, the lady with the scissors wearing the headphones might just jump while she's cutting.
And then all bets are off.
December 3, 2012
Thank You Sarah Pinborough - Dog-Faced Gods
Let me introduce a concept to my fellow Americans.
Dog-Faced Gods.
Yep. You read it right. Dog-Faced Gods. This is the trilogy (Gollanz) from London author, Sarah Pinborough and it's unbelievably incredible. I picked up the first book, Matter of Blood, at our local bookstore that someone had remaindered. It was the British edition, so I don't know how it got to this dark and sandy corner of the American desert. Short version is that I read it and just loved it. The writing reminds me of Peter Straub, but with the certain grace that Sarah continually pulls off. My guess is that she doesn't even realize she's doing it. It's just something natural she does. I even find it hard to describe what it is, but once you read it, you know.
So I went online and bought the second book in the series - The Shadow of the Soul. I read that in just a few sittings and was like, "Damn. This is so good." I emailed Sarah and told her so. Then she offered me the third book to read, since it wasn't out yet in America. I took her up on it. About halfway through The Chosen Seed, this third book, I began to get depressed. I was realizing that I would soon be finished and there would be no more story.
And the story?
Cass Jones is a London detective who can see the glow. What the glow is and why its there is at the heart of the story. Why Cass is special and how it all fits together is a brilliant piece of architectural plotting. I really can't get more into it without giving it away. Let me just say that this is a story that really began a long, long, time ago and Sarah begins in media res.
If you've never heard of this, or if you've been putting of reading them, then I'm excited for you. You're in for something special. Go find this trilogy and buy them.
Dog-Faced Gods.
Yep. You read it right. Dog-Faced Gods. This is the trilogy (Gollanz) from London author, Sarah Pinborough and it's unbelievably incredible. I picked up the first book, Matter of Blood, at our local bookstore that someone had remaindered. It was the British edition, so I don't know how it got to this dark and sandy corner of the American desert. Short version is that I read it and just loved it. The writing reminds me of Peter Straub, but with the certain grace that Sarah continually pulls off. My guess is that she doesn't even realize she's doing it. It's just something natural she does. I even find it hard to describe what it is, but once you read it, you know.So I went online and bought the second book in the series - The Shadow of the Soul. I read that in just a few sittings and was like, "Damn. This is so good." I emailed Sarah and told her so. Then she offered me the third book to read, since it wasn't out yet in America. I took her up on it. About halfway through The Chosen Seed, this third book, I began to get depressed. I was realizing that I would soon be finished and there would be no more story.
And the story?
Cass Jones is a London detective who can see the glow. What the glow is and why its there is at the heart of the story. Why Cass is special and how it all fits together is a brilliant piece of architectural plotting. I really can't get more into it without giving it away. Let me just say that this is a story that really began a long, long, time ago and Sarah begins in media res.
If you've never heard of this, or if you've been putting of reading them, then I'm excited for you. You're in for something special. Go find this trilogy and buy them.
November 30, 2012
John Skipp Forced to HALO by SEAL Team 666
The 42 Days of 666 are over, and we weren't going to talk about SEAL Team 666, but we had to, because Triple 6 snatched John Skipp, put a bag over his head, took him up to 25,000 feet with no oxygen, then tossed him out, clawing and gasping at air, doing the airborne cat climb, finally managing to remove the bag on his head, John Skipp realizes he's HALOing through the sky, where he cries like a little girl as he crashes into the triple canopy rainforest, ricocheting from branch to branch, until he gets just above the ground where he finds a trampoline that lets him bounce across a field of dead-headed daisies to a wrestling ring, where he rebounds off the top rope, somersaulting into the face of Hulk Hogan where he is picked up, body slammed, neck cranked, figure foured, and super wedgied, then hurled into a squad of chaste cheerleaders, knocking them down like porn star bowling pins, only to come up in an open armed salute with the International Kazoo Korps of Kalamzoo humming Tadaaaa!Yeah. That's the Skipp I know and love.
A survivor.
I've known Skipp long enough for an entire generation to grow up and not know what the after midnight static on a television was or what a treat the monthly centerfold was.
His official bio says: John Skipp is a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning anthologist turned filmmaker. His latest books include the anthology PSYCHOS (with a story by guess who!), the twisted-triple bill of horror screenplays SICK CHICK FLICKS, and THE DARK, a metaphysical thriller by Scott Bradley and Peter Giglio on Skipp’s Ravenous Shadows line of books. You can watch his short film STAY AT HOME DAD (co-directed with Andrew Kasch, from a script by Cody Goodfellow). But really, Skipp is who I wanted to be except I grew up. I tried not to. I really did. But the army forced me to change. So when I start feeling old, I look to Skipp, our Dark Knight Peter Pan, and gleefully become as silly and as badassed awesome as I want to be, without fear or retaliation from a society that just doesn't get it.
But enough of me.
Let's hear from Skipp.
1. What’s your favorite military movie, book or television show?
I’m gonna go with Joseph Heller’s novel CATCH-22. One of the greatest, most importantly formative books I’ve ever read.
2. Why is it your favorite? Here’s where you can ramble a bit.
CATCH-22 captures the immensity of the insanity of war on so many levels that it’s fucking ridiculous. The catalog of black comic absurdities is so thick and hilarious – from the out-one-tube-and-in-the-other eternally-hospitalized Soldier in White to Colonel Cathcart’s careerist obsession with “black eyes” vs. “feathers in his cap” to Milo Minderbinder’s wholly amoral chocolate-covered wheeler-dealing – that when the genuine mind blowing horror of Snowden’s secret is revealed, or the “friendly propeller” bisection of Kid Sampson sends McWatt into suicide shame, you’re not so much blindsided as gut-punched into emotional recognition.
I can’t even tell you how much this book defined me as a horror writer, a satirist, a young thinking man trying to grapple with the Big Picture. Almost everything I’d ever want to do to a reader is in that thing, one way or another.
3. What themes are overused? And is it overused, or just truthful observation?I don’t think you can say “war is hell” often enough. Anything that tells the human truth is a-ok with me.
+ + +
Thanks, Skipp!
AND REMEMBER, SEAL TEAM 666 IS OUT NOW SO GO AND ORDER (pretty please)!!! Powell's ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Indiebound ~ Overstock ~ WalMart ~ Books-a-Million ~ Mysterious Galaxy ~ Poisoned Pen ~ Dark Delicacies ~ Hastings Books and Music
November 29, 2012
SEAL Team 666 Mixtape
Remember those old mixtapes.
Or are you too young to even remember such a thing as cassette tapes. Well, once upon a time, after the dabacle of the 8-Track and before the invention of the CD, there was this thing called a cassette deck and many of us would tape from the speakers of a radio, too poor to buy the music ourselves. I had dozens of these tapes. Some meant for driving, some meant for going crazy and some meant for getting cosy.
So now, with the help of the internet, I'm able to make a mixtape for SEAL Team 666. These are the songs I listened to when I was writing and these are the songs you should listen to while reading. This is 3D for the reading experience.
To listen for free to SEAL Team 666 mixtape in sensoround, click the following link.
SEAL Team 666 by Queens of the Stoneage, Johnny Cash, Kid Rock, Rolling Stones, Guns and Roses, White Stripes, The Killers, Creed, Journey, Tower of Power, Boy Hits Car, and AC/DC - Uploaded by: Weston Ochse - @westonochse
Or are you too young to even remember such a thing as cassette tapes. Well, once upon a time, after the dabacle of the 8-Track and before the invention of the CD, there was this thing called a cassette deck and many of us would tape from the speakers of a radio, too poor to buy the music ourselves. I had dozens of these tapes. Some meant for driving, some meant for going crazy and some meant for getting cosy.So now, with the help of the internet, I'm able to make a mixtape for SEAL Team 666. These are the songs I listened to when I was writing and these are the songs you should listen to while reading. This is 3D for the reading experience.
To listen for free to SEAL Team 666 mixtape in sensoround, click the following link.
SEAL Team 666 by Queens of the Stoneage, Johnny Cash, Kid Rock, Rolling Stones, Guns and Roses, White Stripes, The Killers, Creed, Journey, Tower of Power, Boy Hits Car, and AC/DC - Uploaded by: Weston Ochse - @westonochse
November 27, 2012
42 Days of 666 - PUBLICATION DAY!!!
Dear my 1,100 followers on Twitter, my 3,166 best friends on Facebook, and the unnumbered hords who have been patiently waiting for the 42 Days of 666 to end and for my book to become available. Thanks for taking the journey with me. We've come to the end of the virtual road. Publication day is here!
Pausing for applause and sighs of mission accomplished.
First official sighting of Triple Six (with Mark Assur)
But wait.
This is the end of my journey. You still have one more. The first week of sales are the biggest. If you've been wanting to buy a copy of SEAL Team 666, which I'm sure you have if you journeyed with me this long, please get it this week... before Friday. Either got to your favorite bookstore or follow one of the links I've provided below.
To make it fun, I'd love to see a picture of you and the book in the store, along with what store it is and the location. You can either send it to me here, link it, or share it on Twitter, Facebook or Stumbleupon (links you can find on the upper right).
To make it even more fun, I'm going to take one of you and make you a character in the sequel to SEAL Team 666, SEAL Team 666: Age of Blood.
So don't quit now.
You're almost there.
One last step.
Thank you.
Powell's ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Indiebound ~ Overstock ~ WalMart ~ Books-a-Million ~ Mysterious Galaxy ~ Poisoned Pen ~ Dark Delicacies ~ Hastings Books and Music
(Note that if you purchase the book at Mysterious Galaxy, Posioned Pen or Dark Delicacies, you can ask them to have me inscribe it to you when I sign there in mid-December, just in time for Christmas)
Pausing for applause and sighs of mission accomplished.
First official sighting of Triple Six (with Mark Assur)But wait.
This is the end of my journey. You still have one more. The first week of sales are the biggest. If you've been wanting to buy a copy of SEAL Team 666, which I'm sure you have if you journeyed with me this long, please get it this week... before Friday. Either got to your favorite bookstore or follow one of the links I've provided below.
To make it fun, I'd love to see a picture of you and the book in the store, along with what store it is and the location. You can either send it to me here, link it, or share it on Twitter, Facebook or Stumbleupon (links you can find on the upper right).
To make it even more fun, I'm going to take one of you and make you a character in the sequel to SEAL Team 666, SEAL Team 666: Age of Blood.
So don't quit now.
You're almost there.
One last step.
Thank you.
Powell's ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Indiebound ~ Overstock ~ WalMart ~ Books-a-Million ~ Mysterious Galaxy ~ Poisoned Pen ~ Dark Delicacies ~ Hastings Books and Music
(Note that if you purchase the book at Mysterious Galaxy, Posioned Pen or Dark Delicacies, you can ask them to have me inscribe it to you when I sign there in mid-December, just in time for Christmas)
November 26, 2012
42 Days of 666 - One More Day with David Morrell
For the past 42 days we're going to be counting down to the release of SEAL Team 666. Why 42? Because it's the answer to the universal question.
Tomorrow is the big release day for SEAL Team 666 and I have the ultimate pleasure and honor of hosting David Morrell, master of the high action thriller and author of the generation-influencing book, First Blood. He's also the author of three of my personal favorite thrillers, The League of Night and Fog, Brotherhood of the Rose, and The Fraternity of Stone. David doesn't know this, but those books, as well as First Blood, influenced who I've become today. I've only had the privilege of meeting David on a few occasions, the most treasured of which was at the Bram Stoker Award dinner in Toronto, where we sat and had dinner together, discussing such things as interrogations and neuro-linguistic programming. I reminded David of this and he remembered the dinner as fondly as I.
But enough about how much I appreciate David Morrell. Let's read his answers to the usual questions.
1. What’s your favorite military movie, book or television show?
My favorite military-themed television series is THE UNIT. Created by Eric L. Haney and based on his book INSIDE DELTA FORCE, the series aired on CBS from 2006 to 2009. David Mamet (GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS) wrote and directed several episodes.
2. Why is it your favorite? Here’s where you can ramble a bit.
The series is based on the way Delta Force operates. With technical assistance from Eric L. Haney, it had unusual authenticity and accuracy of details.
3. What themes are overused? And is it overused, or just truthful observation?
THE UNIT varied its themes, but in general, in the thriller field, I think a couple of themes are being overused. One is the search for the long-lost secret buried in the past that will save the world from destruction. Another is the the hunt for the terrorist with the biological weapon. Often this terrorist is hunted by a former intelligence operative who has a problem with authority, is going through a divorce, has a drinking problem and so on, but he (or she) just happens to have intimate knowledge of the bad guy and so is reluctantly brought back into the intelligence world by the operative's former superiors.
+ + +
Thanks, David!
To keep up with David's domination of the high action thriller, visit him daily at David Morrell.
And everyone please don't forget tpre-order SEAL Team 666 from your favorite store. You have one more day to do so.
Powell's ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Indiebound ~ Overstock ~ WalMart ~ Books-a-Million ~ Mysterious Galaxy ~ Poisoned Pen ~ Dark Delicacies ~ Hastings Books and Music
Tomorrow is the big release day for SEAL Team 666 and I have the ultimate pleasure and honor of hosting David Morrell, master of the high action thriller and author of the generation-influencing book, First Blood. He's also the author of three of my personal favorite thrillers, The League of Night and Fog, Brotherhood of the Rose, and The Fraternity of Stone. David doesn't know this, but those books, as well as First Blood, influenced who I've become today. I've only had the privilege of meeting David on a few occasions, the most treasured of which was at the Bram Stoker Award dinner in Toronto, where we sat and had dinner together, discussing such things as interrogations and neuro-linguistic programming. I reminded David of this and he remembered the dinner as fondly as I.But enough about how much I appreciate David Morrell. Let's read his answers to the usual questions.
1. What’s your favorite military movie, book or television show?
My favorite military-themed television series is THE UNIT. Created by Eric L. Haney and based on his book INSIDE DELTA FORCE, the series aired on CBS from 2006 to 2009. David Mamet (GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS) wrote and directed several episodes.
2. Why is it your favorite? Here’s where you can ramble a bit.
The series is based on the way Delta Force operates. With technical assistance from Eric L. Haney, it had unusual authenticity and accuracy of details.
3. What themes are overused? And is it overused, or just truthful observation?
THE UNIT varied its themes, but in general, in the thriller field, I think a couple of themes are being overused. One is the search for the long-lost secret buried in the past that will save the world from destruction. Another is the the hunt for the terrorist with the biological weapon. Often this terrorist is hunted by a former intelligence operative who has a problem with authority, is going through a divorce, has a drinking problem and so on, but he (or she) just happens to have intimate knowledge of the bad guy and so is reluctantly brought back into the intelligence world by the operative's former superiors.
+ + +
Thanks, David!
To keep up with David's domination of the high action thriller, visit him daily at David Morrell.
And everyone please don't forget tpre-order SEAL Team 666 from your favorite store. You have one more day to do so.
Powell's ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Indiebound ~ Overstock ~ WalMart ~ Books-a-Million ~ Mysterious Galaxy ~ Poisoned Pen ~ Dark Delicacies ~ Hastings Books and Music
November 25, 2012
42 Days of 666 - Day 3 with Brian Keene
For the next 42 days we're going to be counting down to the release of SEAL Team 666. Why 42? Because it's the answer to the universal question.
With three more days until the release of SEAL Team 666, we have the honor of having my oldest writing friend, Brian Keene, stopping by. I've known Brian since before I sold my first story. We've been friends since. I've come to count on his advice, and have stood beside him whenever the universe has decided it was time to mess with him. I've enjoyed watching his success and admire what he has done both for and to the genre. And the best of all, I can unequivocally state that although I don't see Brian but once every two years or so, that if the world were to end today, we'd be on each others survival squad.1. What’s your favorite military movie, book or television show?
I have many favorites, from Full Metal Jacket and Saving Private Ryan to Red Dawn and Force Ten From Navarrone. But my all-time favorite is certainly Platoon.
2. Why is it your favorite? Here’s where you can ramble a bit.
Because more so than any other, it captures the absolute pathos that can and will grip a band of brothers, be it during war time or peace time. Yes, brotherhood and honor and bravery exist in the military, but so do deception and hatred and betrayal and fear. You can't put people from such diverse cultures and backgrounds together and expect otherwise. That's they very reason wars are fought -- because people can't get along. Why would we expect anything different, then, of those we send to fight those wars? It's one thing to serve in a foxhole next to a guy. It's another thing to serve in a foxhole next to a guy who might stab you in the back later, just to save himself.
3. What themes are overused? And is it overused, or just truthful observation?
Circa 2002 with Brian before he found greatness, Roy Robbinsbefore he found God, and me before I found out that I am awesome.
War is hell. Not overused, but a truthful observation that I think everyone knows by now. Shame we forget it in real life...
+ + +
Thanks, Brian!
To keep up with Brian's domination of the horror fiction and film universe, see him daily at www.briankeene.com.
Check out this trailer for Dark Hollow, the next movie to be released based on Brian's books.
And everyone please don't forget to Pre-order SEAL Team 666 from your favorite store:
Powell's ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ Indiebound ~ Overstock ~ WalMart ~ Books-a-Million ~ Mysterious Galaxy ~ Poisoned Pen ~ Dark Delicacies ~ Hastings Books and Music
November 23, 2012
The UK 666 Cover and Two Reviews
Welcome to Black Friday. If you can pull yourself away from that popcorn maker that's 87% off at Wackerdoodles, I'd like to share two new reviews of SEAL Team 666 and the UK cover.
Here's the cover. At first I was like...'they changed the logo! Who are they to change the logo?' But then I was like... 'Oooh. I like the logo." And then I was like... "Hey! Is that a tail?"
NOW IS GONE published a review which you can find here. This is Katy Sozaeva's site. She received an arc as an Amazon Vine reviewer. She gave it 4 out of 5 stars. Like it!
NOT THE BASEBALL PITCHER published a review which you can find here. This is Randy Johnson's site (see the title of the blog). Randy recommends it with nary a negative comment.
With two more good reviews and a new cover in the bag, I think it's time to embrace Black Friday. Now where was that popcorn maker at Wackerdoodles?
Here's the cover. At first I was like...'they changed the logo! Who are they to change the logo?' But then I was like... 'Oooh. I like the logo." And then I was like... "Hey! Is that a tail?"
NOW IS GONE published a review which you can find here. This is Katy Sozaeva's site. She received an arc as an Amazon Vine reviewer. She gave it 4 out of 5 stars. Like it!
NOT THE BASEBALL PITCHER published a review which you can find here. This is Randy Johnson's site (see the title of the blog). Randy recommends it with nary a negative comment.
With two more good reviews and a new cover in the bag, I think it's time to embrace Black Friday. Now where was that popcorn maker at Wackerdoodles?
