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Group Reads: Guest Author Invite
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July 2023 Group Read with Guest Author, John Everson
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Thanks Char! Cool to know that NightWhere holds up to a second read! And so glad you loved the sequel as well!
Hi all! Just curious where everyone is at this point in NightWhere? Did anyone else finish? Wondering what ya'all think!
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thanks Kenneth!!! That's an awesome review. I'm really glad you enjoyed the novel that much. I know it's not exactly a book that is "for everyone" so... I really am happy when it finds the readers that will appreciate it!
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Sure! Field of Flesh: A NightWhere Novelette is a novelette that is set in the world of NightWhereNightWhere, but does not have any connection to the storyline of the first novel. I originally wrote it as a long story that I could use to promote NightWhere because - it was an easy introduction to the world. It's basically a noir style story about a detective who's hired to go into NightWhere to rescue a femme fatale's husband. At the end of the day, while I intended to launch this when the novel was published, it ended up not coming out for a couple years, because it was bought by Dark Discoveries magazine and they didn't have space for a few issues for such a long piece. So it didn't quite serve its intended purpose!
After it came out in the magazine, Field was published in my short story collection Sacrificing Virgins a few years ago. This year, as part of the relaunch of NightWhere and publication of the true sequel, The Night Mother, Field was released in a slim paperback edition.
The Night Mother, is the true direct sequel to NightWhere, and was a book over a decade in the making. I almost never do sequels, but I knew as soon as I finished NightWhere that I personally wanted to know more about the guardian Selena. She was some kind of fallen angel and I was curious about her history and how she came to be in NightWhere. But I didn't have the core of the story nailed down. Just ideas. I wrote a couple other novels while thinking about where a sequel/prequel could go and then NightWhere's original publisher, Samhain, went out of business... so now the publisher most likely to be interested in a sequel didn't exist. I signed with Flame Tree Press and did four more novels in between. Sooo... for a long time, I thought The Night Mother was going to be a prequel with a jumping off point right after the events of NightWhere -- most of the book would be about the past with a short capping story in the "present". And the book starts out that way... with Selena promising to reveal things... This was one of the few novels I've done without an outline (the Covenant trilogy and The 13th are the others), so I still wasn't 100% sure where the story was going when I began writing. But as it went on, it became clear that while Selena's story was an important piece, this was very much a direct sequel about NightWhere trying to reel Mark and Selena back in to its clutches for punishment.
When I finally fastened on the internal politics of NightWhere that were going on - a shift in power - then I really knew where the story was going, and it wasn't very much about the "fall from heaven." At that point, the working title changed from Selena to The Night Mother. Towards the end of the first draft, I also realized that some people might read the book without reading NightWhere... and in order to make that a little more workable, I introduced a new character, Cassie - a dominatrix who has some damning bad luck. She gets one of those rare invitations to NightWhere, so through her, the reader is introduced to the world without Mark and Selena just "retelling" things. Her plotline ended up expanding much more than I anticipated and she became one of my favorite characters in the NightWhere universe! And, she makes the book readable as a standalone novel, though it's certainly more complete if you read NightWhere first.
There is also a short appearance from a character in Field of Flesh: A NightWhere Novelette in The Night Mother, for fans who are paying close attention :-)
John wrote: "Hi all! Just curious where everyone is at this point in NightWhere? Did anyone else finish? Wondering what ya'all think!"I've been reading this in smaller doses, just one or three chapters at a time. I decided that was the best way to appreciate the full impact of the story. I didn't want to become numb to the preponderance of whippings/floggings/violence and/or dark sex acts which happens sometimes when reading or watching extreme violence, etc.
As a result, I get smacked around and/or stimulated every time I pick this up. Quite different from the other novels I've read by you, John. Good one.
Case in point to my previous comment: I'm now at 77% into the novel. Poor Mark had agreed to three NightWhere tests in order to see Rae again. I paused after the first trial (view spoiler) and again after the second trial (view spoiler) Just felt like I could use a break to think about what I just read. Now I know exactly what novel to recommend when fellow readers ask for 1) Extreme, brutal horror. Check! 2)Erotic horror. Check! 3) High intensity. Check! Quick, please . . . someone wipe my brow.
I should finish in the next day or two! I'm actually traveling this upcoming weekend to perform at a fetish event so it's been my book of choice at night. I figured I may need a lighter read on the plane 😅
Michael wrote: "As a result, I get smacked around and/or stimulated every time I pick this up. Quite different from the other novels I've read by you, John. Good one."Thanks Michael! But... sorry if it's traumatizing you LOL!
Lindsay wrote: "I should finish in the next day or two! I'm actually traveling this upcoming weekend to perform at a fetish event so it's been my book of choice at night. I figured I may need a lighter read on the..."Awesome! I'm anxious to know what you think of it when you finish particularly since you've got a lifestyle perspective that a lot of readers won't have. I've always wanted to find a way to expose this novel to the fetish community because I think those who are into horror and alternative adult lifestyle things would dig it. But... not really sure how to reach outside of the horror community.
Hi John and everyone, I'm about half way through NightWhere and still really enjoying it and this conversation. Thank you John for being so available and interesting. I can't wait to see where it goes! I have known a few people in the BDSM world but have never gone to any of their events so am curious too what you think of it Lindsay; it is a very stimulating read.
John wrote: "Lindsay wrote: "I should finish in the next day or two! I'm actually traveling this upcoming weekend to perform at a fetish event so it's been my book of choice at night. I figured I may need a lig..."Just get yourself an invitation to Nightwhere!
Dawn wrote: "Hi John and everyone, I'm about half way through NightWhere and still really enjoying it and this conversation. Thank you John for being so available and interesting. I can't wait to see where it g..."Thanks Dawn! I'm honored that you all agreed to read the novel and happy to be around and answer questions! And really interested in hearing everyone's reactions to it, good or bad!
I finished reading this last night. Couldn't put down the last 25% of the story! If you become engaged too much with this story, you may have to wipe your brow and drink a glass of water (or something stronger) to refresh yourself. Some of you may have to grab a quick shower. You know who you are, Wow. I'm still working on my review and gathering my thoughts.
Of course I want to read the sequels!
Just finished up my review . . . . . .https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'll be thinking about this one, and the final chapters for a long time!
Thanks for the awesome review Michael! I am so glad the book worked for you so well!!! And... what author doesn't want to drive their readers to feel like taking a quick shower? LOL! I love that!
Mod
My "original" writing influences were largely golden age science fiction authors - Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Arthur C. Clarke, Hal Clement and Richard Matheson. Those were who I read the most growing up, and I loved the way Matheson, in particular, used sci-fi situations in tandem with horror twists. Eventually I began reading Stephen King, Anne Rice and Clive Barker in high school and college and they became influences, particularly Barker who included more sexual themes and "otherworldly" situations. I also read a lot of Charles De Lint and Nina Kiriki Hoffman -- their fantasy tales were a big influence on some of my early short stories. I realized early on that I was better at writing fantasy and horror stories than science fiction... so I haven't published much SF.
Once I began publishing, I also discovered more niche horror authors who were seemingly in every magazine in the 90s -- Edward Lee became probably my biggest influence, but the short fiction of Charlee Jacob, Lucy Taylor, Jeffrey Thomas, Gerard Houarner and many more showed me how you could really push the boundaries of storytelling.
I just started this last night and hope to finish it in the next few days. I'm sorry I missed the chat in action, and I hope this question hasn't been asked and answered already, and I don't mean it to be intrusive. But, I was wondering, since many authors do in-depth research for the content and themes in their books, what was your research like for the bondage clubs described in this book?
Netanella wrote: "I just started this last night and hope to finish it in the next few days....since many authors do in-depth research for the content and themes in their books, what was your research like for the bondage clubs described in this book? "Hey Netanella! Welcome to the NightWhere party :-) Seriously - I'm glad you joined and I hope you enjoy the novel.
As far as research... not a lot really! I know and have talked to a few people in the lifestyle over the years and I wandered into a Bondage-A-Go-Go night once at San Francisco's Cat Club, and... that's really about it as far as in-person research. Nobody has ever taken me on a "sex club tour." I've read things like Anne Rice's Beauty series and Exit to Eden, as well as various other erotica stories but... honestly, NightWhere is based more on imagination than reality. I would hope that BDSM clubs do not go to the extremes like NightWhere does! The story is meant to use that general backdrop as a jump-off point but is not meant to be a "here's what BDSM clubs are all about" kind of treatment. So... hopefully enough details are correct that it doesn't offput people "who know" while allowing me to tell a racy horror story.
Hey Netanella - I saw your review! It raised some really interesting points about the book... not sure if you want to discuss them here or not?
Hey! John, yes, of course. By the way, thank you for your answer to my question earlier. I think the point I was making in my review was that I was troubled by my own personal reaction to the book. I mean, there were some scenes that were pretty darn hot (erotic), and then all of sudden there's a left turn into sudden pain and savagery, and I'm left feeling pretty darn confused. Right? I enjoy sex and pleasure, but not pain or abuse, and so the comingling of the two left me really creeped out, because I felt as if my emotional responses were boing-ing all over the place.
I'm not sure if anyone else felt anything similar to this, or were disturbed by their own reactions to the book. (I've read two Edward Lee books before, so I'm not quite the neophyte to this type of writing.)
Thoughts?
Totally get that! I'd be curious to know if that ping pong of erotic-savage bothered others in the same way. I've had a couple readers over the years tell me that the book really turned them on and DIDN'T say anything about being upset by the commingled violence which, honestly, bothered me the way they said it LOL! If this book lights your fire and then doesn't throw a bucket of cold water on you... I worry....
Mod
I think the point I was making in my review was that I was troubled by my own personal reaction to the boo..."
This book reminded me of the saying , “There’s a fine line between pleasure and pain.” I think what’s so fascinating for me about this subject is how that line is subjective to the participant. What’s torture or abuse for some, is only getting others “warmed up.” And the line can move into the more extreme as a person is exposure to more and more. It goes hand in hand with horror. Some like quiet horror. Others like more extreme or different sub genres. The wonderful thing is that, like sex, there’s always something out there for you.
I just had to read the FIELD OF FLESH novelette after finishing NIGHTWHERE. It's a great intro to the world of the Nightwhere Club for those who are interested but haven't decided if they want to read the longer novel. Posted a review of it here . . . . .https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Michael wrote: "I just had to read the FIELD OF FLESH novelette after finishing NIGHTWHERE. It's a great intro to the world of the Nightwhere Club for those who are interested but haven't decided if they want to r..."Thanks so much for the great review of FIELD, Michael! It was definitely meant to be a little lighter of a "gateway" story to NightWhere!
Horror Aficionados
Books mentioned in this topic
Covenant (other topics)Field of Flesh: A NightWhere Novelette (other topics)
NightWhere (other topics)
The Night Mother (other topics)
The 13th (other topics)
More...
Good book John I’m almost positive you have another book in the works! (: