Two Came for Halloween
For those who haven’t been following along, I have not one but two books that came out this month, both of which are currently available – one of them for a very limited time!
It all started when Patric Bates, an artist whose work I really love, posted a painting of some ghosts going to a movie called The Witch and the Pendulum. That began a conversation that ended with me writing two new short stories based on titles for fake movies that Patric had concocted in his paintings, as well as a brief framing story to wrap them both up. Patric then paired that with some of his art to create the Starlight Theater Halloween Double-feature, a zine boasting new stories by me and incredible art by him.
We initially released a limited, numbered run of 50 copies. They sold out in one weekend. So, by popular demand and for those who missed out the first time, we’ve put together just a few more for a second print run… and when it’s gone, it’s gone.
For now, though, it isn’t gone quite yet. So, get yours while you can.
The two new stories are classic-style ghostly tales that could have been horror movies from the ’60s, one about witches and pendulums and sinister manor houses and plants, one about an aquarium that may be haunted by an unlikely ghost. I’m also particularly happy with how the framing story came out. And, of course, Patric’s art is always worth the price of admission by itself – follow him on Bluesky, if you don’t already.
The Starlight Theater Halloween Double-feature is something that came together somewhat unexpectedly, a personal project and a labor of love made just for Halloween. My other book this month is something that’s been in the works a lot longer…
Notes from Underground: The Hollow Earth Story Cycle marks my fifth solo book from Word Horde, and yet Ross keeps putting up with me and making me look good. As those who have been reading my Hollow Earth Expeditions for the past few weeks already know, this book was a big departure for me, in that it is comprised of a “story cycle” of linked tales, making it something between a short story collection and a novel.
It’s also a bit of a departure for Word Horde, as it’s available in a trim size that they haven’t done before and I have to say, I got my author copies in the mail a couple of days ago, and these things really feel great to hold!
Notes from Underground hit shelves the day before yesterday, and has already been finding its way into the hands of those who pre-ordered. I want to thank everyone who did, everyone who reads, reviews, orders, posts pictures, and so on of this book. All my books are special to me, and this one is no exception, and every bit of word of mouth helps indie authors like myself write more books and keep doing what I love.
If you didn’t already pre-order, well, Notes from Underground is a lot less limited than the Starlight Theater Halloween Double-feature, but there’s still no better time than the present to pick up a copy. Or, if you’re a bit short yourself at the moment, request it from your local library. That honestly helps everybody.
At this point, having a new book out around this time of year has practically become a tradition. As Ross said on Facebook, “It just wouldn’t be Halloween without a new collection from Orrin Grey.” And I’m very pleased, this year, to have not one but two spooky books available to make your Halloween eerie.
I’ve written a lot about both of them, and I’ll likely write more, but for now, they’re both available (for an extremely limited time, in one case) and they’re both good reads for the spooky season. I hope that one or both of them can haunt your house this Halloween.
