Thursday, July 19, 2012
Blog on Vacation
RA for All: Horror is on vacation somewhere spooky. It will return the week of 7/30.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Article About Rabies and Zombie Lore
In my new book, I have an entire chapter on the history and evolution of the zombie novel from its beginnings in Voodoo to its modern form as based on the films of George Romero.
But this past weekend the Wall Street Journal, had this extremely interesting essay about how the discovery of rabies played a huge role in the popularity and spread of the zombie tale. This is something I never thought of before, but it makes quite a bit of sense when you read the essay.
The essay is by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy the authors of the new book Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus. Although nonfiction and not even a tiny bit supernatural, I think this book will be a big hit with your horror fans. Keep it in mind. It comes out tomorrow and is already on order at a bunch of libraries in my system.
But this past weekend the Wall Street Journal, had this extremely interesting essay about how the discovery of rabies played a huge role in the popularity and spread of the zombie tale. This is something I never thought of before, but it makes quite a bit of sense when you read the essay.
The essay is by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy the authors of the new book Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus. Although nonfiction and not even a tiny bit supernatural, I think this book will be a big hit with your horror fans. Keep it in mind. It comes out tomorrow and is already on order at a bunch of libraries in my system.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Walking Dead Season 3 Preview
I know a lot of people have been posting The Walking Dead Season 3 Trailer that was released at Comic Con, but I suggest you click through to see the post Criminal Element did in honor of its release.
Not only do they have the video up (and make sure you watch to the very last second!), but they also have a link to this great piece about the appeal of Daryl.
God how I wish The Walking Dead was on all year long!
Not only do they have the video up (and make sure you watch to the very last second!), but they also have a link to this great piece about the appeal of Daryl.
God how I wish The Walking Dead was on all year long!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Werewolves
Yesterday, Monster Librarian ran this guest post by one of my favorite authors, Gary Lamberson. It is all about werewolves in film. I featured Lamberson in my PLA talk about Horror series trends (click here for access to the slides and handouts). Click here to read the full post by Lamberson.
But this also gives me a chance to rant on how much I hate the werewolves of media darling Glen Duncan. I extremely disliked The Last Werewolf, you can click here to read the full review and I do not care about Tallulah Rising.
Please, instead read an actual horror novel with werewolves by Lamberson instead. May I suggest The Frenzy Way?
But this also gives me a chance to rant on how much I hate the werewolves of media darling Glen Duncan. I extremely disliked The Last Werewolf, you can click here to read the full review and I do not care about Tallulah Rising.
Please, instead read an actual horror novel with werewolves by Lamberson instead. May I suggest The Frenzy Way?
Friday, July 13, 2012
Friday the 13th
I figured there is no better day than Friday the 13th for me to combine the blogs and showcase Friday the 13th coverage.
- Monster Librarian had this post today as part of their on going Monster Movie Month Coverage.
- Book Riot is covering a brewing battle between critics over whether they should "feel bad" about reading Stephen King. My answer....no way; he is a national storytelling treasure.
- A review of Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, the film, by Criminal Element.
- LEGO Bilbo meets zombie Frodo from io9's coverage of Comic Con.
- Joe Hill announces on Twitter that the deal to turn Horns into a movie has been finalized and Daniel Radcliffe has agreed to play Ig!
- Check out the bloggers in the Horror Blogger Alliance to see what else is going on today.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Journal Stone Publishing Keeps Growing
One of the most unfortunate trends in horror publishing over the last couple of years has been the slow decline in the number of paperback horror titles available to the general customer. From a public library perspective, we really need to be able to get our books from the large distributors or a local book store. It has been hard recently.
Before the Dorchester implosion back in 2010 (click here for details), their Leisure books imprint was a reliable source of great horror paperbacks. With mass market paperbacks beginning to go extinct and being taken over by ebooks, getting horror novels in patrons hands has been difficult.
Ebooks and libraries are in a very tenuous position right now. We are barely co-existing, and the focus of our ebook collections is on huge best sellers, not the smaller niche markets.
To save money, publishers were moving to ebook, but I still need horror paperbacks for my patrons.
I have been closely monitoring this evolution, and to tell you the truth, was not optimistic, but in the last few weeks, I have had two bits of good news from two different publishers making me think things might turn around and I will be able to go back to putting good paperback horror, by a wider range of authors, into my readers' hands.
First, at the end of June, Amazon announced that they have bought the rights to Dorchester's back catalog. This is great news for authors like Brian Keene and John Everson. In fact, Everson left a comment of the PW announcement.
And now, Journal Stone, already listed as a favorite of mine on my Publisher's page, is in the middle of a big expansion. One of their brightest, rising stars is Brett Talley. I have just added both of his books to the BPL's collection and plan to start handing them out to many patrons.
Click here for details on Journal Stone in their press release.
For the first time in 2 years, things are back on the upswing in horror paperback publishing. I am sure I am not the only one who is thankful.
Before the Dorchester implosion back in 2010 (click here for details), their Leisure books imprint was a reliable source of great horror paperbacks. With mass market paperbacks beginning to go extinct and being taken over by ebooks, getting horror novels in patrons hands has been difficult.
Ebooks and libraries are in a very tenuous position right now. We are barely co-existing, and the focus of our ebook collections is on huge best sellers, not the smaller niche markets.
To save money, publishers were moving to ebook, but I still need horror paperbacks for my patrons.
I have been closely monitoring this evolution, and to tell you the truth, was not optimistic, but in the last few weeks, I have had two bits of good news from two different publishers making me think things might turn around and I will be able to go back to putting good paperback horror, by a wider range of authors, into my readers' hands.
First, at the end of June, Amazon announced that they have bought the rights to Dorchester's back catalog. This is great news for authors like Brian Keene and John Everson. In fact, Everson left a comment of the PW announcement.
And now, Journal Stone, already listed as a favorite of mine on my Publisher's page, is in the middle of a big expansion. One of their brightest, rising stars is Brett Talley. I have just added both of his books to the BPL's collection and plan to start handing them out to many patrons.
Click here for details on Journal Stone in their press release.
For the first time in 2 years, things are back on the upswing in horror paperback publishing. I am sure I am not the only one who is thankful.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Horror Roundtable Time: Ray Bradbury: An Appreciation
The first Horror Writers Association Roundtable was a big success (click here to access my post on it).
As promised, these discussions will continue to be held during the second week of the month. This month, there will be a discussion about the life and work of Ray Bradbury.
As always, the conversation will begin with a panel of experts that includes, this time, Sam Weller, Bradbury's official biographer. This is a discussion you don't want to miss.
So click here now for details and from July 8-14 to follow the discussion. You can choose to participate or lurk whether you are a HWA member of not.
You can also use this link to access the last roundtable and read the discussion about the popularity of cross-genre writing.
As promised, these discussions will continue to be held during the second week of the month. This month, there will be a discussion about the life and work of Ray Bradbury.
As always, the conversation will begin with a panel of experts that includes, this time, Sam Weller, Bradbury's official biographer. This is a discussion you don't want to miss.
So click here now for details and from July 8-14 to follow the discussion. You can choose to participate or lurk whether you are a HWA member of not.
You can also use this link to access the last roundtable and read the discussion about the popularity of cross-genre writing.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Hug a Monster Day is Coming
Yesterday I received a press release from fellow Horror Blogger Alliance Gold Members Jim and Sarah and their Stuff Monsters Like site about Intergalactic Hug a Monster Day 2012 coming July 27th.
Click here for the full press release.
I happened to open this email while sitting at the BPL RA desk with my co-worker the Librarian at Dawn whose birthday happens to fall on Hug a Monster Day this year. That realization inspired him to write a great post pondering his upcoming birthday and the biggest monster of all...time.
Click here to read his post. And remember, I have a permanent link to Librarian at Dawn in the right gutter of this blog.
Oh, and I just realized, I should mention, the BPL RA desk is not filled with only horror loving librarians, although this post may make it seem that way. We have and welcome all types at the BPL. In fact, watching the Librarian at Dawn help little old ladies with their romance choices is one of my favorite things. (And he is good at it too).
Click here for the full press release.
I happened to open this email while sitting at the BPL RA desk with my co-worker the Librarian at Dawn whose birthday happens to fall on Hug a Monster Day this year. That realization inspired him to write a great post pondering his upcoming birthday and the biggest monster of all...time.
Click here to read his post. And remember, I have a permanent link to Librarian at Dawn in the right gutter of this blog.
Oh, and I just realized, I should mention, the BPL RA desk is not filled with only horror loving librarians, although this post may make it seem that way. We have and welcome all types at the BPL. In fact, watching the Librarian at Dawn help little old ladies with their romance choices is one of my favorite things. (And he is good at it too).
Monday, July 2, 2012
Monster Librarian Movie Month
July is movie month over at Monster Librarian. Click here for their introductory post, which includes a teaser of the guest post I wrote for them.
Follow the month on their special page here and I will let you all know when they run my guest spot.
In the mean time, watch some scary movies this month. Need a suggestion?
Follow the month on their special page here and I will let you all know when they run my guest spot.
In the mean time, watch some scary movies this month. Need a suggestion?
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