New Cryptid Thriller Release – SHADOW OF THE MOTHMAN Haunts Bookshelves
Years after writing books about a host of cryptids – Skunk Apes, Bigfoot, Orang Pendek, Loch Ness Monster, Montauk Monsters, Jersey Devils, Goat Man, Dover Demon and so many more – it was time I finally sat down to write my own Mothman tale. The issue for me always was, the Mothman story from 1967 in Point Pleasant in WV, as chronicled in John Keel’s Mothman Prophecies, is more than just a creepy winged beast lurking in the night skies. It’s literally the whole dang paranormal kitchen sink!
I’ve spent the better part of the last decade trying to come up with a Mothman story I felt was worthy of the bizarre events the people of Point Pleasant experienced. I’m talking about 50-plus concepts that just never floated my cryptid boat. Then, this summer, I had a kernel of an idea that piqued my interest. I said to myself, “Just sit down and write and shut the doubt out of your giant Irish head.” I figured I would write a wild little novella in the vein of To The Devil, A Cryptid. Then I just kept writing, and the book kept growing, until I had a full-fledged novel on my hands.
The question that sparked the idea was – What if a survivor of the Silver Bridge collapse, someone who was not part of the Mothman flap, survived, but was in a coma, waking up in the early 80s, only to find the creature and all of its high strangeness had followed him to his home?
Because any monster book is really about the people, I set the story in a fictionalized MA town based on the one my wife’s grandparents lived in and we would visit every year. I’m talking no-nonsense, salt of the earth types who have zero flights of fancy. How would they react to such a thing? The story revolves around the Silver Bridge survivor, Ken Orsulak, who’s family car plunged into the icy Ohio River when he was 16, and now finds himself a 32 year old man out of time. He’s grappling with the loss of his youth as well as a terrifying mystery that’s taken over the town.
Last but not least, I wanted to write about my favorite stalwart reporter, John Keel himself! It was time to make him a character in the meta tale about the cryptid he had made infamous. He was the real-life Karl Kolchak and deserves more love and attention from folks in my circle.
So there you have it – the inspiration behind SHADOW OF THE MOTHMAN. It’s finally out of my head and now out there for you to grab in ebook or paperback (with audio on the horizon).
I hope you enjoy my take on Mothman! For me, the best part of this is that it’s now mandatory that I take part in the annual Mothman Festival in Point Pleasant. Hope to see you there in September.
If you dig the book, please drop a quick review/rating on Amazon. It’ll keep ol Mothy happy…and you don’t want an angry Mothy patrolling the skies!
The End of the World Has Never Burned So Bright – Combustible Is Here!
What if the world didn’t end with a bang… but with a burn? That’s the question I set out to answer in my latest post-apocalyptic horror novel, Combustible — now available from the fine fiends at Dark Wolf Books.
I’ve written about swamp monsters, undead killers, mutants gone wild, haunted places and people, and cryptids that make Bigfoot look like a teddy bear. But this time, I wanted to dive into the raw, ugly horror of a world collapsing under the weight of something totally out of its control — where society isn’t just broken, it’s on fire. And not metaphorically.
In Combustible, people are literally exploding.
Not all of them. Just anyone who sneezes. Which means it’s coming for you, no matter what! And once it starts, there’s no stopping it. One second you’re sprinkling too much pepper onto your meatloaf, the next you’re a pile of smoldering ash.
Yes, spontaneous human combustion is real — in Combustible, at least. And while I could’ve gone full doom and gloom, I wanted to inject this chaos with a sharp edge of satire. Because let’s face it — if the world really did end due to something as normal as a sneeze, it would be terrifying and kind of hilarious.
This isn’t a quiet horror. It’s loud, visceral, brutal, and sometimes funny. And yet, at its core, it’s about love and survival — about a husband doing anything he can to protect his wife even though their marriage was in flames before the world followed suit.
You’ll laugh. You’ll cringe. You’ll smell burning hair (in your imagination, hopefully).
From flame-worshipping cults to roadside lunatics, no one’s safe and no meltdown goes unnoticed. It’s Zombieland by way of The Road, with a little bit of Warm Bodies sprinkled in for flavor.
A massive thanks to Dark Wolf Books, who jumped at the chance to publish this beast. These folks aren’t afraid to take chances on dark, bloody, emotionally raw horror — the kind that bites and burns. If you’re not already following them, you’re missing out on some of the best indie horror in the game.
If you’re a fan of horror with teeth, apocalypse tales with bite, and humor darker than the inside of a burnt-out SUV, Combustible is calling your name.
⚠️ Warning: May cause spontaneous laughter and/or anxiety the next time you feel a sneeze coming on.
📖 Available now in eBook and paperback:
👉 Get it on Amazon
The Return of WE ARE ALWAYS WATCHING!
Thanks to the great folks at Dark Wolf Books and their new horror line, We Are Always Watching is now back in print and ebook! Inspired by the true crime mystery of the Westfield Watcher House, We Are Always Watching is filled with creeping dread, dark mysteries, and a secret too dangerous to be revealed.
The original cover that was on the Sinister Grin edition was pretty badass, so the folks at Dark Wolf wanted to stick with that theme. This is home invasion horror taken to a whole new level.
About the book:
When West Ridley’s family is forced to abandon New York for a crumbling Pennsylvania farmhouse, he expects misery—but nothing could prepare him for the horrors lurking within its walls. His father’s worsening illness, his mother’s exhaustion, and his grandfather’s drunken ramblings paint a bleak picture of their new reality. But it’s the eerie warnings and shadowed figures that truly unnerve him.
The words “WE SEE YOU” scrawled on his ceiling are just the beginning. Something sinister roams the halls at night, whispering through the silence, watching from the darkness. Grandpa Abraham swears the house is haunted. But the truth is far worse than restless spirits—because in this house, secrets are buried deep, and the Guardians will do anything to keep them hidden.
As the Ridleys unravel the mysteries of their new home, one thing becomes chillingly clear: escape is impossible. No matter where they go, the watchers remain.
A pulse-pounding horror thriller packed with eerie suspense, We Are Always Watching is perfect for fans of Stephen King, Paul Tremblay, and haunted house stories that linger long after the last page. Dare to uncover the truth?
For the first time in many years, I’m also going on a week-long blog tour. During the tour stops, you’ll see new (and I hope interesting) posts by me, Q&A, and some cool giveaways, including a signed copy of the book. The links to the various stops are right here –
June 5 Gail’s Gory Details
https://gailsgorydetails.blogspot.com/
June 5 Sapphyria’s Books
https://saphsbooks.blogspot.com/
June 6 Bewitching Book Tours
https://bewitchingbooktours.tumblr.com/
June 6 Paranormalists (Interview)
https://paranormalists.blogspot.com/
June 9 Roxanne’s Realm
http://www.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com
June 9 Liliyana Shadowlyn
https://lshadowlynauthor.com
June 10 The Book Junkie Reads (Interview)
https://thebookjunkiereadspromos.blogspot.com/
June 11 Fang-tastic Books
http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
June 11 The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom (Guest Blog)
http://creativelygreen.blogspot.com/
June 12 Supernatural Central (Interview)
http://supernaturalcentral.blogspot.com
June 12 Lisa’s World of Books
http://www.lisasworldofbooks.net/
So, take a stop on the tour, enter to win some stuff, and most importantly, grab a copy of We Are Always Watching. You may just end up afraid of being in your own house.
Recharging Your Batteries
I’m going to come at this topic from the angle of a writer, but it applies to everyone and every endeavor.
Being knocked out for 6+ weeks getting seriously ill and then recovering, the last thing I thought of was writing, even though I had just agreed to pen a new book with a specific deadline. Things were so bad at one point, the thought of watching an episode of The Office was like asking me to scale Everest. Occasionally, I would look at my laptop and know that a few thousand words were in there, waiting to be expanded upon. Then I would see my pillow and collapse on it.
Cut to now and I have no shortage of energy. The drive is getting there. A shortened attention span is hopefully just here for a visit and will soon hit the bricks. There is a book to be written, and I need to get in the proper headspace.
That calls for a recharge. Even though my body is willing, the mind, the will, the drive, needs some bulking up. Daily ra-ra sessions are good ways to get your ass in gear. What am I doing to get myself in the mood? Pretty much what I’ve always done.
I love podcasts. And I love the work of Ernest Hemingway. His aesthetic helped teach me to keep my writing lean and clean. So, it’s no surprise that I’m a big fan of One True Podcast, a deep dive into the works and deeds of not just Hemingway, but other artists of his generation. Hearing Hemingway scholars and other esteemed authors discuss the process, meaning and real-life circumstances around his stories and books always gets me going. I missed a few episodes while I was down and out and have enjoyed catching up.
Writer’s Digest still gets delivered to my house every month. When I first subscribed in the 90s, it was my glossy bible, one I hoped would lead me to the Land of Published Authors. All these years later, with over 40 books under my belt, I’m still reading WD, always learning, always being inspired. I like to read an article or interview just before I sit down to write. Another publication that helps in this regard is The Writer.
Reading as much as I can gets the juices flowing. I don’t just read books in the genre that I’m writing. Life is too short to pigeonhole myself. I drink from a fountain of variety, picking up things both consciously and subconsciously from the great, good, and even bad books. When I read what others are putting out there, it motivates me to finish my own stories.
Last but not least, I look for shows or movies to watch that are in the genre I’m focusing on. If it’s horror, I’m on Shudder or Tubi or combing through my personal library of movies, just absorbing all the bits and pieces. For, say, a book set in the old west, I’ll fire up The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, the Lonseome Dove series, or Silverado. If I want to add a little comedy, I’ll pop in The 40 Year Old Virgin, The Big Lebowski or Dr. Strangelove. You get the idea. I also have a whole section of movies just about writers that I’ll hit every now and then to remind myself why I do what I do.
Way back in the day when I worked in telecom customer service, I would blast heavy metal in my car to psych myself up for another day of problems and getting yelled at. When I saw Dwight on The Office do the same before sales calls, I nearly fell off my chair laughing.
The big question is, how do you recharge your batteries? Is it spending time with your favorite guinea pig? Chopping wood? Hitting the treadmill? Or just vegging out on the couch? Reply in the comments here and I’ll pick some folks to win a signed book. Bring it on!
Book Recommendations for the Halloween Season
If there’s just one thing I love more than sinking into the couch and watching horror flicks, it’s reading horror books. And like every year, I’ve set aside a few reads to get me through the Horrortober season. I admit, I haven’t been reading much horror lately, so this will be a nice month-long foray into my favorite genre. Hope you’re ready, because this year’s list is, ah, eclectic.
I have Jason Brant to thank for this one. How can I resist that title?
Johnny awakes. A puppet looms over his bed.
He recognizes the furry monster: Grandpa was its puppeteer on the children’s television show R-City Street. But Grandpa went missing a year ago. He disappeared from this very apartment building, which was converted from the old R-City Street studio.
Desperate to see Grandpa again, Johnny follows the puppet inside the building’s walls, ever deeper into a puppet-infested labyrinth…
Inept cryptozooloist Hunter Shaya returns for another round of monster mayhem with Armand Rosamilia’s St. Johns River Monster. I feel like I know that character…
In the darkest depths of the St. Johns River, a legend awakens from the shadows of the past. For half a century, the elusive river monster known as Pinkie has remained hidden, its monstrous presence a chilling mystery.
Now, just as a politician stands on the banks of the St. Johns River, the beast resurfaces with a vengeance, igniting a cataclysmic rampage that plunges the unsuspecting citizens of Jacksonville, Florida into a nightmarish battle for survival!
We’re heading to Roswell in the flat-out amazing new series by Preston-Child. I can’t wait!
Lucas Tappan, a wealthy and eccentric billionaire and founder of Icarus Space Systems, approaches the Santa Fe Archaeological Institute with an outlandish proposal—to finance a careful, scientific excavation of the Roswell Incident site, where a UFO is alleged to have crashed in 1947. A skeptical Nora Kelly, to her great annoyance, is tasked with the job.
Nora’s excavation immediately uncovers two murder victims buried at the site, faces and hands obliterated with acid to erase their identities. Special Agent Corrie Swanson is assigned to the case. As Nora’s excavation proceeds, uncovering things both bizarre and seemingly inexplicable, Corrie’s homicide investigation throws open a Pandora’s box of espionage and violence, uncovering bloody traces of a powerful force that will stop at nothing to protect its secrets—and that threatens to engulf them all in an unimaginable fate.
Got a signed copy at a cryptid con this June and have been waiting until now to crack that spine.
In the woods of the Luke Miller State Park, north of Eastham, NJ, an urban legend lives in peace with nature. You don’t bother it and it will leave you alone. A simple rule to live by and one the park rangers enforce.
Unfortunately, Rick and Max don’t know this natural law, and when they come face to face with an immense monster, they react, and in a moment of panic, inadvertently shoot it.
Their actions set off a series of events that leaves Rich, his wife, Kara, Max, and the others fighting for their lives against a force that cannot be stopped. As things spiral out of control, Rich wonders if there’s any way to escape the thing in the woods.
Here’s the big question. What’s on your Horrortober reading list? Share it with hellions far and wide and you might just get a free ebook!
Fun with AI
I was driving my family to the Mahoning Drive-In last night (to see a double bill of The Outsiders and Rumblefish), when we started talking about AI’s capabilities. My wife and daughter really haven’t dipped their toes in those waters yet, so they were curious. During that conversation, we wondered what AI would come up with if we asked it to write about the career of Hunter Shea.
Well, it’s Sunday morning and I’m waiting for the floors to dry. I entered my one line request and the following is what popped out of ChatGPT. I’m going to give it a B+. Points are deducted for not mentioning my podcasts, Monster Men and Final Guys, or my Video Visions column. But otherwise, solid work. I really feel bad for teachers today. How the heck will they know what’s real or not? A smart kid can take what AI spits out and manipulate it just enough to pass a smell test.
And I feel even worse for new generations that will rely more and more on AI and less and less on their own brains and imagination. We may not be that far from the scooter people in Wall-E. What seemed like a silly premise may be just around the corner.
So, what did AI say about me? Read on and please, for those of you who have been following me over the years, let me know your thoughts. This is really wild stuff.
THE CAREER OF HUNTER SHEA
Hunter Shea is a prolific American horror writer best known for his works that delve into cryptids, monsters, and supernatural entities. His career spans numerous novels, novellas, short stories, and anthologies that blend fast-paced action with eerie atmospheres, cementing him as a modern voice in the horror genre. His works often touch on themes of fear, survival, and the unknown, with his vivid imagination and keen ability to capture the macabre earning him a devoted fanbase. This essay will explore Hunter Shea’s career, from his early beginnings to his rise as a notable figure in horror fiction, examining his influences, most significant works, and the impact he has made in the genre.
Early Beginnings and Influences
Hunter Shea, a native of New York, grew up fascinated by the world of horror, science fiction, and the unexplained. His childhood interest in monsters, fueled by a steady diet of horror films, urban legends, and classic horror literature, laid the foundation for his writing career. He has frequently cited influences like Stephen King, H.P. Lovecraft, and Edgar Allan Poe, along with the pulp fiction tradition of the mid-20th century.
Shea’s early love for writing was evident from his youth, where he began crafting short stories, albeit with no initial intention of turning it into a career. Writing took a backseat as he pursued a professional life outside of fiction, but the call of storytelling never left him. It was only later, after years of working in various industries, that Shea returned to his first passion: writing horror.
Career Breakthrough and Cryptid Focus
Hunter Shea’s first major breakthrough came with the release of “Forest of Shadows” in 2011, a paranormal thriller that explored the terrifying events that unfold when a man seeks to uncover the truth about supernatural phenomena in the Alaskan wilderness. The novel was well-received by readers, praised for its suspenseful plot and character-driven narrative. It set the stage for Shea’s distinctive style, one that blends the supernatural with personal tales of trauma and survival.
However, it was his foray into cryptid horror that truly marked Shea’s place in the horror landscape. Cryptids—mythical creatures whose existence is often debated—became a recurring theme in his work, with Shea pulling from folklore, urban legends, and modern-day sightings to craft some of his most well-known novels. “The Montauk Monster” (2014) is one such example, which gained mainstream attention. Based on a real-life mystery surrounding an unidentified carcass that washed ashore in Montauk, New York, Shea turned the premise into a fast-paced, gory thriller that plays on the fear of government experiments and genetic tampering. The novel was named one of the best horror books of 2014 by Fangoria Magazine.
Shea’s fascination with cryptids didn’t stop there. “The Dover Demon” (2015) and “Loch Ness Revenge” (2016) further expanded his portfolio of creature-centric horror. In these novels, Shea manages to tap into the primal fear of the unknown, blending real-world folklore with cinematic horror. His ability to take cryptids, which are often relegated to niche interests, and craft stories that appeal to a broader horror audience is a testament to his skill as a storyteller.
Writing Style and Themes
Hunter Shea’s writing is marked by an ability to create tension and suspense while weaving in elements of humor and humanity. His characters are often average people thrust into extraordinary, terrifying situations. The monsters in Shea’s books are not just physical threats; they often represent deeper psychological fears, such as isolation, loss, and helplessness.
In addition to cryptid horror, Shea has also written extensively about the paranormal. Novels like “Sinister Entity” (2013) and “Tortures of the Damned” (2015) explore hauntings, demonic possessions, and apocalyptic scenarios. His novella “We Are Always Watching” (2017) delves into a family dealing with a mysterious and sinister presence in a remote farmhouse. These works showcase his versatility in the horror genre, proving that his talents go beyond creature features.
One of the recurring themes in Shea’s work is survival—both physical and emotional. His protagonists are often forced to confront not only external threats but also their inner demons. Whether it’s a group of friends facing a rampaging cryptid or a family haunted by spirits, Shea’s characters must grapple with their own fears, guilt, and trauma. This human element adds depth to his horror, making it more than just a tale of terror.
Another significant aspect of Shea’s writing is his ability to build believable, immersive worlds. Whether it’s the dense forests of Alaska or the murky depths of Loch Ness, Shea’s settings are richly detailed, adding a layer of realism to his supernatural stories. His works often have a cinematic quality, with readers frequently describing his books as “fast reads” or “page-turners” due to his ability to keep the pace brisk and the stakes high.
Collaborations and Short Fiction
In addition to his novels, Hunter Shea has made significant contributions to horror anthologies and short fiction collections. His stories have appeared in various publications and have been praised for their brevity and impact. Shea’s short fiction often delves into the same themes as his longer works—cryptids, the paranormal, and survival—but with a tighter, more focused narrative.
Shea has also collaborated with fellow horror authors on various projects. His partnership with Severed Press, a publisher known for its focus on horror and science fiction, has resulted in numerous successful novels. This collaboration has allowed Shea to consistently release new material, ensuring that he remains a prominent figure in the horror writing community.
Legacy and Impact
Hunter Shea’s career, while still ongoing, has already left a lasting impact on the horror genre. His ability to take lesser-known myths and cryptids and bring them into the mainstream has earned him a reputation as one of the leading voices in creature horror. His works have been praised for their accessibility, combining the thrills of B-movie horror with well-developed characters and engaging plots.
In addition to his success as a novelist, Shea is also known for his interactions with fans. He is an active presence on social media, often engaging with readers and fellow writers, and sharing insights into his writing process. This connection to his audience has helped him build a loyal fanbase, eager for each new release.
Conclusion
Hunter Shea’s career as a horror author has been marked by a dedication to exploring the unknown, whether it be through cryptids, ghosts, or apocalyptic horrors. His ability to craft stories that are both terrifying and deeply human has earned him a place among contemporary horror writers. As he continues to write and expand his body of work, Shea remains a vital force in the genre, keeping the tradition of monster and supernatural horror alive for a new generation of readers.
Disturbing the Peace of Mind – Guest Post by JG Faherty
Like my wife, I’m sure you Hellions need a break from me from time to time. Put your hands together and give a warm welcome for author JG Faherty and by all means, pick up a copy of his latest book, Houses of the Unholy.
I thought long and hard about what to write for my guest post. And I decided rather than talk about what scares me, or why I wrote a certain book, or why does everyone love zombies (or vampires, or clown-faced killers), I would write about what I hope for from the things I write. Most horror writers will say they want to scare their readers, or entertain them, or perhaps maybe even make them think about this social or political issue. And that’s all true to a degree.
But for me, there’s something else.
What I like to write are stories that make you uncomfortable.
There are a lot of ways to do that. You can hit readers over the head with buckets of gore and you can sneak up behind them and give them a jump scare. Keep them at the edge of their seat with non-stop action or be so subtle they don’t even know they’re scared until later that night while they’re lying in bed with the lights off and still thinking about that certain scene in the story.
A lot of horror writers tend to stay within a specific sub-genre. Zombies. Splatter. Extreme. Weird. Vampires. Werewolves. Kaiju. Ghosts. Torture Porn. Suspense. You name it, there’s someone specializing in it. And that’s great. All of us have different tastes, and that shapes what we like to read and what writers like to write.
I’m a little different. I guess you could call me a throwback. I’ve never stayed within the lines of a certain sub-genre, or even a genre at all, unless you consider the broad descriptor of dark fiction. I primarily write horror, but sometimes it drifts into the areas of weird fiction, thrillers, fantasy, and science fiction. I’ve written about supernatural creatures, haunted houses, serial killers, and zombies.
As a child, I discovered horror by reading Poe, Shelley, and Stoker. But I also devoured The Hardy Boys, Jules Verne, HG Wells, and Ray Bradbury. I watched all the classic Universal monster movies but I also never missed the reruns of the sci-fi classics from the 1950s: Them!, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Forbidden Planet, The Blob. As I got a little older, I learned many of the movies were made from books, so I read the books, too. In my teens, I discovered gore. Faces of Death, I Spit on Your Grave, Motel Hell, Evil Dead, and so many others. In college, I read every horror novel and short story anthology to hit the bookstores, from King and Koontz and Straub to Garton, Skipp, Spector, and McCammon. I went back and ‘discovered’ the authors I’d missed as a kid. Manly Wade Wellman, Karl Edward Wagner. And I also still read sci fi (Alan Dean Foster, James Bliss, Heinlein, etc.).
Over time, as a reader, I came to know what I liked and what I didn’t. When I got to my thirties, I no longer cared for splatter or torture porn. I preferred books that had complex plots, that ratcheted up the suspense chapter after chapter, that sent shivers up your spine because you didn’t know what was going to happen next.
And, when I started writing, I stayed true to that form.
It’s easy to go for the gross out, for the quick disembowelment, the body tossed in the wood chipper. Something like that might make you flinch, or gag. But for me, that kind of scene never stayed with you, and often it ended up more silly than scary.
I wanted to write things that make people keep the lights on at night, not laugh about how someone’s intestines got used to hang their mother.
So I’ve always stuck to the plan that I have no plan. If the story in my head calls for no blood, then there’s no blood. If it calls for buckets, then there are buckets. As long as it’s necessary for the plot. I veer away from the gratuitous, the unnecessary. When it comes to gore, a little can go a long way. I won’t skip on the zombie eating its victim’s organs, I just won’t spend 3 pages describing it. A few sentences ought to suffice, and then let the readers’ imaginations do the rest.
With all that in mind, when it came time to do my latest collection of short stories, Houses of the Unholy, I wanted it to run the gamut from violent to comic, from supernatural to all-too-real, and from straight horror to those places in between genres.
Most of my stories do tend to be ‘classic’ horror; there’s something supernatural, somewhere. It might be the major point of the story or a subplot, but it’s there. Beyond that, I like to think there’s something for everyone here, whatever you happen to enjoy.
I hope that, like the younger me, you’ll read broadly, and maybe discover something new. Something that sends a shiver up your spine and keeps you awake at night.
Something that disturbs your peace of mind.
===============
A life-long resident of New York’s haunted Hudson Valley, JG Faherty has been a finalist for both the Bram Stoker Award® (The Cure, Ghosts of Coronado Bay) and ITW Thriller Award (The Burning Time), and he is the author of 6 novels, 9 novellas, and more than 60 short stories. His latest collection, Houses of the Unholy, is available now, and it includes a new novella, December Soul. His next novel, Hellrider, comes out in August of 2019. He grew up enthralled with the horror movies and books of the 1950s, 60, 70s, and 80s, which explains a lot. Follow him at http://www.twitter.com/jgfaherty, http://www.facebook.com/jgfaherty, http://www.jgfaherty.com, and http://jgfaherty-blog.blogspot.com/
Happy Anniversary To Us
Many, many moons ago, I worked with a guy who became a very close friend. Over beers we often talked shop – shop for us being horror books, movies and TV shows. It got to the point where we found ourselves exploring our favorite genre even without the beer. We brought new discoveries to each other (thank you for hooking me on the Brian Keene) and said on an almost daily basis, “Man, we need to do a show about all this stuff we talk about. Just two guys who love horror – kinda like listening in on us at the bar.”
That guy is Jack Campisi, otherwise known as my brother from another mother.
For years we kept threatening each other with taking the giant leap into putting a show together. With seven months to go before the release of my first horror novel, Jack decided it was time to pull the trigger. He had an HD camera, a fully loaded Mac and wanted to create a vehicle to help promote my book.
I said, “Hell yeah, let’s do it!”
The Monster Men podcast was born.
We gathered in my house, built our ‘set’ and let it roll. I thought, we’ll probably film a few episodes then move on to other things.
Man, was I wrong. It’s now been 2 years, 44 episodes and tens of thousands of viewers. We have original logos, multiple theme songs, and fans. Whoa! The best part is, we both feel like we’ve just gotten started.
We are hardcore fans and unapologetic goofballs. We’ve loved and appreciated all the feedback and support folks have given us over the years. I hope everyone can feel our genuine love for all things that go bump in the night.
So, Happy 2nd Anniversary to the Monster Men. And thank you all for keeping us going! I can’t wait to unveil some of the new things that will be coming your way.
To celebrate, we’ve put together a montage of every opening we’ve done. Click here to go to our Monster Men channel on YouTube and check out episode 44 – 2 Years of Aaargh! You get to see us go from a couple of stiffs to full on aaarghing! Take a gander and feel free to aaargh along. You are all monster men and monsterettes.
Interview with Author Jonathan Janz
Jonathan Janz is new to the horror scene, just like Tim Tebow is to the NFL, only JJ is a hell of a lot better at what he does. Now, I’m not saying we’re lifelong buds or neighbors, but from getting to know him over the past 6 months, I’m pretty secure in saying they invented the phrase “he’s the salt of the earth” to describe this guy. His debut novel with Samhain Publishing, The Sorrows, is the real deal. Think The Haunting meets the early work of Phil Rickman (and if you have never read a Phil Rickman novel, you can return your Official Horror Fan Membership Card). This book has the iron jaws of a pit bull, except this is one angry dog you’ll be happy to cross.
Jonathan was nice enough to answer my sometimes bizarre questions. Here they be, in all their gory…glory.
1.Your debut novel, The Sorrows, is now out through Samhain Publishings new horror line. Tell us a little about your book, you know, something that will compel us to buy it as much as terrify us to sleep with the lights off.
To borrow a question from my favorite horror novel (Peter Straub’s Ghost Story), “What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?” If you’re imagining it, I now want you to imagine the face of the person you wronged. Then imagine that face growing dark with rage and pursuing you…even after death. That dread is at the heart of The Sorrows.
The novel is set on an island, and this island (called the Sorrows by its long-dead inhabitants) is haunted by events nearly a century old, as well as a bestial creature that might or might not be a Greek god. If you travel to the island, you better hope your slate is clean because any soul you’ve ever wronged will find you there…for violent and unholy retribution. 
Also, The Sorrows is about two composers (and two female companions) traveling to one of the most haunted places in the world (the island) to find inspiration for a big-budget horror movie being shot by the most demanding director in film.
2.If you were guaranteed to be an overnight sensation writing in another genre, what would it be and why?
Whoa, great question. I think I’d write readable literary fiction. By that, I mean stories that people can actually understand without having to squint at the page for an hour trying to figure out what the hell the author’s laboring to say. I think of writers like Cormac McCarthy and Ian McEwan…man, I love those guys, and I’ve heard them called all sorts of things, but to me they’re both deeply literary and fantastically skilled. So I’d like to write stuff that exhibits both those qualities. In fact, I’m already working on a couple of things…
3.OK, you’re invited to spend the night in a haunted castle, say Leap Castle in Ireland, with the stipulation that you must be alone and have no source of light. Do you go? If you do, what do you expect to happen?
Truth? Or something that will make me sound manly and virile? The truth is, I’d never spend a night away from my kids (I’ve got three of them under the age of six) because I’d miss them and worry about them.
But let’s say, for the fun of it, that I’m ten years older, and my wife and kids and I are vacationing in Ireland. Some guy says, “Hey, Lad, I’ll put a thousand bucks each in your children’s college funds if you spend the night alone at Leap Castle.” I’d do it then, and I’d spend the rest of the night scared out of my mind imagining all sorts of things.
Do I think I’d really see something? Other than the puddle of urine pooling around my feet? I don’t know, and that’s what makes the prospect of spending the night in a place like that so frightening. I might see nothing, though my imagination would conjure all sorts of awful things. I might also see something real, which is truly terrifying.
4.For the aspiring writers out there, can you describe your road to publication? Also, do you have an agent and how did you connect with him or her?
My road was very Beatlesesque—long and winding. I’ve been rejected so many times I’ve come to tense my stomach muscles like Houdini every time I open my inbox because a gut punch is always on the way. That sounds cynical, but it’s the truth. You’ve got to be determined, you’ve got to accept that you don’t know everything, and you’ve got to have enough stubbornness and confidence to stay with something that most days brings you nothing but negative feedback. And silence.
I don’t have an agent at the moment, though I’m about to start shopping again. I once had one, but that’s a long, dull story that I’ll spare you for today. Having said that, I fully believe an agent is necessary to maximize a writer’s success, and I’d very much like to find one. The key, though, is compatibility. She/he has to like your work, and you have to have faith in her/his abilities. So yes, I do want an agent and believe I’ll get one when the time is right.
5. Quick, in 30 words or less, describe your current work in progress.
What if the two traditional depictions of vampires—the romantic, haunted loner, and the monstrous, insatiable beast—were only phases in the transformation into something far more terrible? And infinitely more powerful?
That was thirty-two words, and you still don’t know the title (Loving Demons), or who my protagonist is (Ellie Crane) or how her husband Chris becomes obsessed with a beautiful woman who lives in the forest where he and Ellie move, or how Ellie conceives a child but soon learns she can’t leave because the forest and the spirits that live there won’t let her leave, or how a demonic cult once sacrificed—
Okay, I cheated a little, but that’s a start. (Hunter : Dude, you cheated a little??)
6.What is your favorite horror movie and novel? Aaaaand, whenyou were a kid, what was your all time favorite cartoon?
Movie: Jaws or The Exorcist. The former is better-made, but the latter is scarier.
Novel: Peter Straub’s Ghost Story. The gothic structure of that book changed my writing forever, even though I didn’t even try to write until five years after I read the book.
Cartoon: Bugs Bunny and Tom and Jerry. No wonder my stories are so violent!
7.Last one. Whats the weirdest thing you’ve ever written and did you ever let it see the light of day?
The weirdest thing is probably a novel called Blood Country that I actually reference in my debut novel The Sorrows. It’s a bizarre hybrid of a crime novel a la Elmore Leonard and a bloody horror novel by someone like Richard Laymon. Actually, it’s far bloodier than most of even Laymon’s stuff, so I guess the title is apt.
I did indeed let it see the light of day about three years ago when I finished it and began querying agents about it. The responses went something like this: “I really like your writing, and there’s no doubt you can do suspense very well. And I know I stated in my guidelines that I wanted dark. But…well…not this dark.”
I plan on reworking it after my next three novels are done (the aforementioned Loving Demons, another I’m about eighty-percent done with called Native, and the novel I’m going to write this coming summer). Blood Country is weird, dark, and disturbing. But I like it, and I think readers will, too, once I get it right.
Thank you so much, Hunter, for having me on your blog and for asking such awesome questions. Forest of Shadows was OUTSTANDING, and I’m proud to be published alongside you!
**If you want to read a truly insightful, sometimes hilarious, but always honest blog, check out Jonathan Janz, the Blog!
The Rebirth of Horror
Like most people, I was devastated, angry and temporarily lost when Leisure Books (Dorchester Publishing) completely imploded last year. In just one month, they stopped printing paperbacks, lost most of their treasured authors and parted ways with their editor, Don D’Auria, the man responsible for keeping horror not only alive, but an important and valuable genre in the publishing industry.
After over a decade of trying to break into Leisure, Don had accepted my novel just a little over a month before it all fell apart. It was kind of like getting that pony you always wished for on Christmas, only to watch in horror as dad backed his SUV over it in the driveway.
I thought all was lost and I was truly ready to throw in the towel. I’m glad I didn’t (and big thanks to my agent Louise Fury for that). I know this was announced in January, but not everyone is aware that hope has arrived. (The following from sfscope.com)
Don D’Auria lands at Samhain |
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| By Ian Randal Strock | |
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Don D’Auria has joined Samhain Publishing as Executive Editor. He will oversee the company’s new horror line, which will launch in October. Previously D’Auria was executive editor for Leisure Books at Dorchester Publishing.
Samhain is looking for supernatural or non-supernatural, contemporary or historical horror novels from new or experienced authors (agented or un-agented). “Content can range from subtle and unsettling to gory and shocking. The writing is what counts.” |
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Hunter Shea 