With Friends Like These…
Me and Ken Foree
Last month, Mary and I were the victims of the annual NECON Roast, in which a number of our friends and peers such as F. Paul Wilson, Christopher Golden, John Skipp, Rio Youers, James A. Moore and many others beat the living shit out of us for an hour. You can read all about it here.
Apparently, that wasn't good enough. I'd been told by Horrorfind's Mike and Karen Roden that I was to receive a special literary award at this weekend's convention to honor my 13 years of service to the convention. I prepared by writing a heartfelt speech about the Roden clan and all the authors and fans who have attended Horrorfind, and what they all meant to me.
Me and Tim Lebbon
It was wonderful and would have left a lump in many throats. Unfortunately, I never go to use it, because I got fucking ambushed. When Mary and I arrived at the ceremony Saturday night, I learned that instead of receiving an award, I was getting roasted again, this time by friends and peers who were unable to make NECON. These thugs included Jeff Heimbuch, Joe and Kasey Lansdale, Kelli Owen, Tim Lebbon, J. F. Gonzalez, Andrew Van Den Houten, Meteornotes, and many others. It is worth noting that John Skipp participated in BOTH roasts. Video of his Horrorfind contribution can be found below.
Kelli Owen, J.F. Gonzalez, Mary SanGiovanni
It is also worth noting that Ken Foree, star of everything from Dawn of the Dead to The Devil's Rejects, was supposed to participate but got waylaid with other convention obligations, and roasted me the next morning to the delight of the folks in line at our signing tables.
Mark 'Dezm' Sylva, Mary, Me
It's always great to see friends, both old and new, but the best part off the con is seeing all of you, the folks who read my books. Thanks so much for the kind words, enthusiastic questions, and support (as well as cigars, whiskey, cartoons, cookies, brownies, books, and other gifts). I never get enough time to spend with any of you as much as I'd like, but I hope that in the few moments you have at the table, that I made it as enjoyable for you as you do for me.
In other news, the GHOUL movie now has an official Twitter page to go with its official Facebook page. The CASTAWAYS movie also has an official Twitter page and an official Facebook page. CASTAWAYS will be back in print in just a few short weeks. GHOUL will be back in print (and also available in audio) next month.
And now… John Skipp
