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Group Reads: Guest Author Invite
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November 2019 Group Read of MIDNIGHT IN THE GRAVEYARD with 25 Guest Authors
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Char
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Nov 20, 2019 11:59AM
Today I read GLIMMER GIRLS by Ken, and HAUNTED WORLD by Robert McCammon and both of them made me a little sad, to be honest.
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Definitely a sad chapter of our history. Hopefully, I was able to give them a little justice that they were never afforded in real life.
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I think Richard is smiling.
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Definitely a sad chapter of our history. Hopefully, I was..."
I like your take on it....but I don't think anyone got out of that without glowing gonads....and an ugly death
Jon Recluse wrote: "John wrote: "Thanks Kenneth... Richard Laymon was amazing!"I think Richard is smiling."
I only met him once (at a World Horror Convention party) but that was before I'd read any of his books... so I had no context. Wish I could go back and do that party again now!
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First: Chris...I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my mother 11 years ago an..."
Kathryn, i finished your story and i loved it. 4 stars from me!
Chris wrote: "First off, thanks to everyone for your kind words about my mom's passing. I have met so many really great people here at Goodreads--authors and readers. I love this community.I am really enjoying..."
The hidden basement playground in "Those Who are Terrified" is based on one my sisters and I actually explored when we were young. I have no idea how we had the courage but I think it was because we did it together. Alone? I never would have set foot in there!
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I just finished Kathryn's story on my lunch hour. I was very satisfied physically with my Friday lunch out, (Red Robin), and mentally with her story. I do enjoy a good revenge story, even if the avengers are ghosts.
A few more thoughts. Avoiding spoilers as always.Bettor’s Edge by Tim Meyer: Many ghost stories involve angry and vengeful ghosts. Ghosts stick around for a reason, and apparently being majorly pissed off is a common one. Setting this story in a Las Vegas suite and the whole gambling angle gave a new setting to a classic type of story.
The Graveyard by Lee Mountford: I am liking that old school vibe of this whole collection and this story is no exception. A traditional ghost story that serves as a cautionary tale.
Join My Club by Somer Canon: Such a sad story. I wish that the story line was less common in real life.
The Cemetery Man by John Everson: John Everson is certainly original, I will give him that. I have been enjoying him ever since Covenant. It was so dark and twisted. Then came the sequel, Sacrifice, which was even MORE dark and twisted. Loved them. This story was also delightfully sick but in a much more humorous way. At least to me. Don’t judge me….
New Blood, Old Skin by Glenn Rolfe: I am sure every horror writer gets asked “where do your ideas come from?” This gives an unsettling answer to that question.
The Glimmer Girls by Kenneth McKinley: Absolutely loved this story. The time period was so well created that I just fell down that rabbit hole. It also reminded me of the best stories from the old EC Comics or early Creepy/Eerie.
Haunted World by Robert McCammon: Robert McCammon is one of my favorite authors and I would have bought any collection with him in it. He doesn’t disappoint. I don’t want to give away anything but to tease it a bit you can say that even when you live in a haunted world filled with ghosts, it can still get worse. Very unsettling story.
Ghost Blood by Kelli Owen: I have been reading Kelli Owen since she made me afraid of flies… This was a ghost story without an actual ghost, which made it even more surprising. A very original concept.
Last Call at the Sudden Death Saloon by Allan Leverone – Seriously, when will people ever stop wandering into creepy small towns? If they don’t at least have a Walmart or McDonalds, don’t stop! Some people just go around buying trouble.
The Ring of Truth by Thomas F. Monteleone: An unsettling story where the living monsters are worse than the dead. War is certainly hell or can buy one a ticket to get there. I wish the background story wasn’t a recurring actual reality during wartime.
The Gravedigger’s Story by Kathryn Meyer Griffith: A very traditional ghost story with a huge emotional impact. The principal character was so well drawn that it was easy to feel the gravedigger’s pain and be moved.
Just finished The Ring of Truth. Wow... Great, complete, immersive, and creepy story.
Thanks Latasha, Char and Chris for reading and liking my story (The Gravedigger's Story)...
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No argument here. Lol.
Melanie wrote: "The Cemetery Man - this confirms my suspicions about most men [spoilers removed]"LOL Melanie! I tend to agree with you... hence the story! I have gotten some flack over the years for male characters like this one who will do anything for the... but, sorry, like it or not, I think it is very often true!
Chris wrote: "The Cemetery Man by John Everson: John Everson is certainly original, I will give him that. I have been enjoying him ever since Covenant. ."Thanks so much for reading my twisted tales, Chris!
I finished this up last night, reading Brian Moreland's and Kealan's stories. They couldn't have been more different from each other, but both extremely satisfying. Well done!Ken, you've outdone yourself this month, with getting everyone to participate here, and with putting together this marvelous anthology. I thank you as a reader and as a moderator of HA.
Char wrote: "I finished this up last night, reading Brian Moreland's and Kealan's stories. They couldn't have been more different from each other, but both extremely satisfying. Well done!Thanks Char, I appreciate you reading my Florida Man revenge story.
I finally started reading the anthology this week. So far I've loved "Devil's Dip", "Haunted World" and "Euphemia Christie". All three gave me the heebee jeebees that still linger after reading them.
Brian wrote: "Char wrote: "I finished this up last night, reading Brian Moreland's and Kealan's stories. They couldn't have been more different from each other, but both extremely satisfying. Well done!Thanks ..."
Thank you, Brian. Glad you enjoyed Euphemia :)
Chris wrote: "A few more thoughts. Avoiding spoilers as always.Bettor’s Edge by Tim Meyer: Many ghost stories involve angry and vengeful ghosts. Ghosts stick around for a reason, and apparently being majorly p..."
Glad you enjoyed it, Chris!
New Blood, Old skin - I really liked the turn this one took. I felt for a minute is was going to (view spoiler)
Sorry I haven't been around for a while (had several books I'm working on that I needed to get caught up on). Catching up on the conversation now. Sorry about your loss, Chris. So glad to see all the positive comments about the stories.
Thank, Kenneth.Last 3:
The Putpocket by Alan M. Clark: Not all ghosts mean us harm. Some reach out from the other side to help us. I fell down the rabbit hole on this one--great creation of the time and place for a sort of Dickensian story.
Swamp Vengeance by Brian Moreland: The swamps are created so well you will be swatting it imaginary mosquitos.
Portrait by Kealan Patrick Burke: I have bee reading KPB since The Turtle Boy and have read practically everything along the way. There are a few horror writers that are first and foremost great writers and they just happen to write horror. KPB is one of those--and I think he is especially good at short stories and novellas. He almost never follows the standard tropes so you have no idea where the story is going. The closing scene is so horrific and dark (and so KPBish) it is perfect.
LOVED this collection and like some people have said, I usually don't go for short stories that much.
Chris wrote: "The Putpocket by Alan M. Clark...I fell down the rabbit hole on this one--great creation of the time and place for a sort of Dickensian story. ..."Chris--Thanks for reading the story. I'm glad you enjoyed it. When I was younger, I'd tried reading Dickens, and couldn't make sense of some of the writing because many of the elements come from such a different place and time, that much of what the language refers to is obscure, some nearly lost to our shared collective memory. But over the last few years, nearly a decade now, I've been writing the Jack the Ripper Victims Series of novels about the lives of the murderer's victims. With all the research into 19th century London, I'd gained much knowledge about the language, the environment, and those lost element. I was reading Dickens again, Oliver Twist and David Copperfield to see if I could understand them better. I found I understood the writing entirely. Even some very obscure sorts of references and slangs were clear to me. Wow! That was amazing. Anyway, when needing to write a ghost story, I couldn't think of a better setting, and of course I was already steeped in it. Thanks again!
Really enjoyed it Alan. You recreated the setting perfectly. I will have to check out your Jack the Ripper series. He never ceases to fascinate.
Chris wrote: "Thank, Kenneth.Last 3:
The Putpocket by Alan M. Clark: Not all ghosts mean us harm. Some reach out from the other side to help us. I fell down the rabbit hole on this one--great creation of the ..."
Yes! I, too, felt a clear Dickensian vibe!
The Putpocket by Alan M. Clark. All the tales are wonderful; this is a favorite!
Chris wrote: "I will have to check out your Jack the Ripper series. He never ceases to fascinate."Keep in mind that the series is about the women, not the Ripper. Still, survival within London's East End of the time was a hardship filled with many dangers, so the novels are indeed gothic thrillers and horror novels.
Elizabeth wrote: "The Putpocket by Alan M. Clark. All the tales are wonderful; this is a favorite!"Thank you, Elizabeth and Char!
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The Putpocket is a wonderful Victorian style ghost story.
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Keep in mind that the series is about the women, not the Ripper. Still, survival within London's ..."
Jack London visited Whitechapel......even lived in the slums.
What he witnessed made him flee back to his hotel and catch the first ship home, never to return.
Jon Recluse wrote: "I concur with my esteemed colleagues, Chris, Elizabeth and Char.The Putpocket is a wonderful Victorian style ghost story."
Thanks, Jon!
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What can readers look forward to from you in 2020 and beyond?
Jon Recluse wrote: "I concur with my esteemed colleagues, Chris, Elizabeth and Char.The Putpocket is a wonderful Victorian style ghost story."
I agree - The Putpocket was steeped in setting, very atmospheric. I loved the feel. The title is great as well. I really felt for Edward, and the relationship between him and his dad was compelling.
I've been a little busy this month so am seriously behind. About to read Haunted World by McCammon - and I'm ashamed to say it, sorry Char but *hangs head in shame* it's my first McCammon read ever.....
Lisa wrote: "I really felt for Edward, and the relationship between him and his dad was compelling...."Funny—seeing the name "Edward" I had to check to see if that was right. It is! As I was writing a first person story, the character didn't refer to himself much, and I'd forgot that was his name! Thanks for the praise of the story.
Kenneth wrote: "Here’s a question for all the authors -What can readers look forward to from you in 2020 and beyond?"
I'm a bit behind where I wanted to be due to the cancer scare and subsequent surgery, but...
In the pipeline I have another CARNACKI short story collection at Dark Regions Press - STARRY WISDOM AND OTHER STORIES is coming early 2020.
I'm working on the next book in my S-Squad series, OPERATION: CONGO, with my sweary Scottish squaddies getting into Lost World and dinosaur territory.
I've got a new thing coming from Crystal Lake where I write sequels to classic ghost and horror stories...details of that to come in 2020.
And I've got a plan to write a new Sigils and Totems novel -- that'll be my Spring 2020 project.
Beyond that... who knows? I'll be 62 in January, and I'm now a pensioner. I suppose I should be slowing down. Then again...
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Awesome!
Glad you're healing, William.
William wrote: "I'm working on the next book in my S-Squad series, OPERATION: CONGO, with my sweary Scottish squaddies getting into Lost World and dinosaur territory."That sounds like another fun one! I'm looking forward to it!
Melanie wrote: "About to read Haunted World by McCammon - and I'm ashamed to say it, sorry Char but *hangs head in shame* it's my first McCammon read ever."My first McCammon read was Usher's Passing last month. Before reading it I thought for sure it was going to be a DNF for me based on the description and the length. I didn't think he'd be able to keep me interested for 500+ pages in what is essentially described as a modern day "The Fall of the House of Usher." I'm really glad I gave it a chance. It was outstanding.
Hopefully you'll find Haunted World as good as I found Usher's Passing.
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What can readers look forward to from you in 2020 and beyond?"
I'm a bit behind where I wanted to be due to the cancer scare and subsequent..."
I love your Sigils and Totems books!
Kenneth wrote: "Here’s a question for all the authors -What can readers look forward to from you in 2020 and beyond?"
The rerelease of all the Jack the Ripper Victims Series with new covers under the new IFD Publishing imprint HORROR THAT HAPPENED. Some of the novels have new illustrations. The novels are available in paperback, Kindle as well as ePub format ebooks, and audio books through Audible.com. The audio books are read by the wonderful Alicia Rose.
I've been reading horror since my uncle gave me a copy of 'Thinner' when I was 9 years old. Since then, I've gotten a BA in English and a BEd in Secondary Education and I have become a high school English teacher. Books are my passion. I've read/own/owned MANY MANY anthologies in my lifetime, and THIS one has NO 'weak links', NO stories that makes me think "Ah, THIS one isn't that great, this one can be skipped". Nope. Every single selection in this book is SOLID. This is one of the best collections of horror stories gathered together in one volume that I have ever owned. I want to THANK all of the authors, the Horror Aficionados group + its members for selecting this as November's read, so that I could savor all of this talent and now have this in my library. Even though I WAS already familiar with each of the authors in the book, aside from 2 or 3, I was still surprised at how strong these stories were. Amazing s**t!! --Jen from Quebec :0)
Mod
What can readers look forward to from you in 2020 and beyond?"
I'm a bit behind where I wanted to be due to the cancer scare and subsequent..."
sequels to classic ghost stories? that sounds fun!
Jen from Quebec :0) wrote: "I've been reading horror since my uncle gave me a copy of 'Thinner' when I was 9 years old. Since then, I've gotten a BA in English and a BEd in Secondary Education and I have become a high school ..."You nailed it Jen, no 'weak links' like most other anthologies.
William wrote: "Kenneth wrote: "Here’s a question for all the authors -What can readers look forward to from you in 2020 and beyond?"
I'm a bit behind where I wanted to be due to the cancer scare and subsequent..."
Slowing down? You're Scottish right? By my reckoning you've got a good 'nother 30 years before starting the deceleration. :)
Kenneth wrote: "Here’s a question for all the authors -What can readers look forward to from you in 2020 and beyond?"
At the moment, I'm focusing quite a bit of energy on my Ameri-Scares series - spooky/scary novels for middle grade readers (ages 8-13, though adults enjoy them, too!) Ameri-Scares is currently in development for television by Warner Horizon (Warner Brothers) Margot Robbie's production company, LuckyChap, and Assemble Media, so it's up to me (and fellow writer Mark Rainey) to keep the books flowing! Nine in the series are currently in print from Crossroad Press (California, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Michigan, West Virginia, Illinois, New York, and Tennessee) and I'm finishing up Montana as we speak. Next up will be either New Jersey or Florida. Each Ameri-Scares novel is based on an actual legend, folktale, or historic event from the state in which the story is set.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ameri-scar...
I'm also getting back to The House at Wyndham Strand, a very creepy novel set on a weird island off South Carolina in the late 1800s, and that should be completed in 2020. And I'll keep writing short fiction, which has always been one of my first loves.
Thanks for asking, and I look forward to the new works by all the other authors!
Melanie wrote: "Slowing down? You're Scottish right? By my reckoning you've got a good 'nother 30 years before starting the deceleration. :)My auld ma and pa are in their eighties and still going strong, so there's hope...
Latasha wrote: "sequels to classic ghost stories? that sounds fun!..."Ghost and horror... first up is my follow up to H P Lovecraft's DAGON. Next is a sequel to William Hope Hodgson's THE HOG. And I've got an idea for a follow up to Algernon Blackwood's THE WILLOWS. I think it's a wee project that could keep me busy for a while.
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