Scares That Care – The Last Roundup
It’s been almost a month since I was at the second annual Scares That Care con and I’m just getting around to sharing the fun. Yeah, it’s been a bit hectic. Better late than never!
As with any con, I always let the pictures do the talking. This year, the pictures are better than ever thanks to awesome photog Tom Wolstencroft, who also happens to be my brother-in-law and world class book salesman. I loved his hook this year when people came by my table – “Do you like to read?” Sounds crazy, but it worked!
Before I share all the fun pics, I do want to say thank you to everyone who stopped by my table, bought a book, drank a beer, laughed at our shenanigans. I loved getting to hang out with my writing brothers (and sister!), especially the motley crew of Jonathan Janz, Ron Malfi, Kristopher Rufty, Russell James, David Bernstein, Tim Waggoner, Adam Cesare, Brian Keene. Kelli Owen, Armand Rosamilia, Bob Ford and so many others.
I’m already making plans for next year. By the way, the nicest people in the world attend horror cons. Some may look scary, but they’re all pussycats.
This really happened! Thanks to Ron Malfi for seeing it in the machine.
We never did find a Frankenstein for her.
My favorite undead pirate. I kept thinking of THE FOG.
The Lords of Salem were in town!
You don’t wanna breastfeed that baby!
My neighbor was a human jukebox.
I believe she won the kids costume contest. Creepy as hell.
A new fan who came all the way from the Big Easy.
Yeah baby!
My kind of peeps.
Not sure who she was supposed to be, but the guys were all glad she was there.
Come Get Your Scare On!
Okay, I’ve been talking alot about the fun that is soon to come at the SCARES THAT CARE WEEEKEND this Friday through Sunday. From authors, to celebs like Kane Hodder, Sid Haig and Kari Wuhrer, movie marathons, makeup wars and even tick or treating, the folks who put this all together have injected it with an HGH/steroid cocktail. I’m loading up the Monster Mobile and the entire Shea clan so we can descend on Williamsburg, VA like locusts from a Roger Corman drive-in flick. The beer is already cooling and the Shea women are piling up the treats to share with everyone who stops by our table.
I also just got a delivery of awesome Montauk Monster can cozies to celebrate the release of the audio adaptation by GraphicAudio. If you’re going to be drinking with me, you need to keep your beer cold! We’re going to run a special during the Scares weekend – buy 2 books and you get a cozy, fo’ free. (Modelo not included, but if you ask nice, I will share the beer I’ll have under the table)
For those who plan to come to my reading with Armand Rosamilia on Saturday, audience participation will be rewarded. I’ll be talking about the real Dover Demon incident in 1977 and tossing prizes to the peeps who can answer the monster trivia I throw out. Bone up on your cryptozoology if you want to bring home the bacon.
Like I’ve said before, I’ll have lots of copies of my upcoming releases, TORTURES OF THE DAMNED and THE DOVER DEMON. You can get a signed copy before the rest of the world, a Scares that Care exclusive. Naturally, copies of all of my books will be on hand as well. I think I aggravated my hernia when I tried lifting the container. Is there a doctor in the house?
If you’ve got some vocal chops – hell, even if you don’t – swing by the hotel bar for some scaryoke. Last year, I heard some pretty good pipes. Of course, as the night wore on, things got a little less than stellar, but hey, that’s what scaryoke is for!
So come one, come all, and know you’re getting your horror on for a very good cause, because when all is said and done, this one is for charity. Support the denizens of the dark and help those in need.
Scares That Care Weekend – My One Con Appearance For 2015
I know it’s still months away, but I wanted to let you all know that I’ll be at the SCARES THAT CARE WEEKEND in Williamsburg, VA July 24-26th. This is the second annual con and if it’s anything like the first, it’s going to be a hell of a lot of fun.
Those who attend get first crack at my summer release, TORTURES OF THE DAMNED, a few days before it hits stores nationwide. Of course, I’ll have all my books on hand. There will be author readings (and the high strangeness that I do for mine), panel discussions and more. I’ll also be joined by fellow Samhainers Jonathan Janz and I hear Kristopher Rufty and Ron Malfi. Oh, and there’s also this little known writer called Brian Keene that will be there as well. I hear he’s written some cool zombie books.
Check out this pic of me on the website that makes me look like one tired, long-faced bastard.
I promise, I’m waaaay more alive than that in person. Get your tickets and make your reservations and head on down. I had an amazing time last year. Odds are, if you stop by my table, we’ll be sharing some brews.
A Horror(hound) Pictorial
I’m back from the Horrorhound weekend in Indy and the air is already getting crisper, the night coming sooner. October is coming. That means Halloween is near. It also means I’m ready to begin my month-long immersion in all things horror.
To get the season going, I have a couple of things. First is The Monster Men’s new podcast on The Bermuda Triangle. Terror on the high seas!
Second, since a picture can say a thousand words, here are 14,000 words on Horrorhound and Halloween. Thank you to everyone who came to the Samhain table and especially those who picked up some signed copies. You all made our day.
Notes from the Underworld : Horrorfind 2012
I think the best way to talk about this past Horrorfind Weekend is to roll with the random thoughts and pictures. So, here’s what’s dripping out of the old brain pan, 24 hours after we departed our little horror shangri-la.
Attendance wasn’t as, shall we say, robust as it has been in the past. However, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t a lot going on. This was my first time at Horrorfind as a guest. I was at the Samhain horror table with 7 other talented authors. All of them were as nice as can be (not evil, devil worshipping sex maniacs like people think horror writers are) and it made me realize I’m in some stellar company. Big time twisted love to Brian Moreland, Ron Malfi, Mick Ridgewell, John Everson, Damien Walters Grintalis, David Bernstein and Russell James. You don’t need to be a psychic to know the future of horror is right here at Samhain.
From L to R : Hunter Shea, Brian Moreland, John Everson, Damien Walters Grintalis and David Bernstein
And I can’t forget the Samhain staff, including Don (our amazing editor), Dawn and Jacob, he of the mighty kilt (though he is wearing jeans in this pic)!
As the fates would have it, my hotel room was right next to actress Meg Foster’s (the actress with the amazing crystal blue eyes of They Live fame, not to mention about 100 other movies and TV shows). We got to talking about ghosts and meditation, hugged, and even exchanged a copy of Forest of Shadows for a signed picture. She’s a fascinating, caring woman. What I wouldn’t give to go back in time and tell the teenage me that I would one day meet her and hand her my book that she said would be her plane read. Teen Hunter would have said, “Yeah right, hammer. Keep dreaming.”
I was in the bar with author Norman Prentiss and saw an old dude walk by. I said, “That guy looks like Rob Halford.” Norman corrected me. “That’s Pinhead!”
I watched Dee Wallace hold court one night, sitting with a few other celebs while a ring of onlookers gaped at them. Dee and the gang were just having some drinks, but it was like they were on a little stage. Not wanting to be part of the rubberneckers, I trained my attention on the scraggly guy singing karaoke tunes from Rocky Horror Picture Show. Disturbing.
Actress Kim Darby (Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, True Grit) was also near my room and I happily led her down to show her where the celebrity room was. She’s a kind and seemingly fragile woman. For some reason, I kept checking on her to make sure she was having a good time.
We met the cast of Pet Sematary, with the exception of Fred Gwynne, of course.
My favorite attendee was this little guy who walked around in dress pants and dress shirt, wearing a lucha libre mask and sometimes carrying a brain on a stick. Over 3 days, he never once took that mask off.
I also met a pretty cool guy who hand crafted an entire Ghost Busters costume. It was impressive to say the least.
I rode the elevtor with Count Gore De Vol and we talked about what we had for dinner the previous night. The Count had yogurt for those keeping track. Wonder if it was blood flavored?
During my slot in the author reading room, I showed a Monster Men best -of episode and talked about ghosts. That was fun and I kept people awake, which is always a good sign.
For lunch one day, I had a hot dog that looked like a cooked baby arm. Not by intention. As someone said to me, a hot dog that big had to be filled with lots of snouts and assholes.
My wife bought me a skull for my writing area. Here I am showing my appreciation.
On the last night, all of the Samhainers went out to dinner in Gettysburg. It’s amazing to see how all of the history has been put aside so they can stress the paranormal. The sidewalks were even painted with little ghosts. Ghosts sell. We did see a bunch of Civil War re-enactors having dinner outside an old tent. Keeping to tradition, they munched on McDonald’s.
Oh yeah, and I was signing copies of Evil Eternal and Forest of Shadows. Great weekend. I have 4 days to prepare for Horrorhound in Indy. Wonder what I’ll see there?
Beware the terror of Evil Eternal!
Hunter Shea 