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Creepy Bookshelf: What are Horror Authors Reading During Lockdown?
“When I find myself in times of trouble, horror authors come to me.”
Wait, that’s not how that lyric goes…
It’s safe to say that at this point in lockdown/shelter in place, some of us are going a little stir crazy and filling our time is becoming more of a challenge. How many times can we watch the same movie or play the same board game with our families, after all?
While the urge to be out among people may be palpable, we’re still going to be cooped up for a while. For me, that’s meant a lot of around the house projects and updating my reading list to keep the mind sharp when everything else is so terribly dull.
With that in mind, I thought I’d reach out to some talented independent horror authors and ask what they’ve been reading in hopes of refreshing my list, and they did not disappoint me at all!
Take a look at what they’re reading below, and let us know in the comments what is on your lists, as well!
Rob E. Boley: Author of the Scary Tales series
“I’m reading The Wolf’s Hour by Robert McCammon. Lately I’ve been into shorter, 200 page books but I figured while on lockdown, it’s be a good time to dive into something longer like this one. I love McCammon and I’m all about werewolves, so this one has been on my list for awhile. It has not disappointed! His take on werewolves is brilliant, and I love that this particular werewolf is fighting Nazis in WWII. Good stuff!”
Rob is an author with a wicked sense of humor and his Scary Tales series is one of my personal favorites. You can follow Rob E. Boley to keep up with his work on his personal website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Samantha Kolesnik: Author of True Crime
“I recently read Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino. Kirino flays systemic patriarchal oppression and socioeconomic inequality in this novel, and does so with subtle ingenuity. The writing’s so good that halfway through, I ordered more of Kirino’s books and knew she’d become a new favorite author of mine. If you like complex characters and unreliable POVs, Grotesque is an absolute must-read.”
Kolesnik’s debut novella True Crime has become one of the most talked about books in the indie horror world this year. It is a grueling, gripping read that you just have to experience for yourself. For more information you can visit her website or follow her on Goodreads, Twitter and Instagram.
Mike Thorn: Author of Darkest Hours and Dreams of Lake Drukka and Exhumation
“I’m currently reading Daphne du Maurier’s The Breaking Point (1959), a collection of nine stories that depict characters experiencing various forms of intense psychological distress. This is only the second of du Maurier’s books I’ve read (the other is Rebecca, one of my favorite Gothic novels). So far, I have read the first two stories in The Breaking Point (“The Alibi” and “The Blue Lenses”), and I’m about midway through the third (“Ganymede”). I found the first an extremely unsettling depiction of a man’s dissociative descent into violent ideation, and I love the way the second story melds black comedy and surrealism. Du Maurier is an amazing prose stylist and a great writer of character interiority. She has a rare aptitude for building tension. I’m a little less than halfway through, but I can already tell this collection is going to be a favorite. Highly recommended for readers of all stripes.
Thorn’s own work repeatedly manages to repulse and terrify with evocative prose that works its way under your skin. For more information on the author and to keep up with his work, check out his website, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads!
Aaron Dries: Author of The Fallen Boys, A Place for Sinners and House of Sighs
“As is my habit, I’ve got about five books on the cooker that I bounce back-and-forth between on the daily. First up, I’m loving CONVERSATIONS WITH MARK FROST by David Bushman, a candid insight into the co-creator of Twin Peaks’ process and inspirations. On the fiction-front, I’ve almost finished ARE SNAKES NECESSARY? by Brian DePalma and Susan Lehman, a mix of tawdry thriller, moody noir, political peekaboo, and meta film narrative. Pure DePalma. I just finished an excellent novelette that’s coming out soon called THE ATTIC TRAGEDY by J. Ashley-Smith, which oozes atmosphere and is quite high on the creepy-factor. And my comfort reads at the moment are IN COLD BLOOD by Truman Capote (it’s legitimately perfect) and NOBODY BELONGS HERE MORE THAN YOU by Miranda July, a funny and melancholic collection of stories that I just want to hug. A diverse bunch, for sure, but all are worthy of your time. Happy reading!”
Aaron Dries is one of the kindest, gentlest horror authors I have ever had the pleasure of meeting who quite frankly writes transgressive fiction that terrifies me on a cellular level with imagery that you can never un-read. To learn more about his writing and to keep up with the latest updates on his work, visit his website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
Megan Hart: Author of Beneath the Veil and Little Secrets
“I just started reading this one. I think we picked it up at a used book store last summer. Anyway, my goal for 2020 was to read every book in the house that I had not yet read, before I could purchase any more or get any from the library. I have failed spectacularly. I’m not reading nearly as much as I should be. But I did just finish Oona Out of Order (mixed feelings) and so far, Dark Visions feels fun and old-school, but I’m only a chapter or so into it.”
Megan Hart is an award-winning author across multiple genres and I cannot recommend her work enough. Check out her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Glenn Rolfe: Author of Blood and Rain and the upcoming Until Summer Comes Around
Rolfe’s writings cover a remarkable spectrum of topics. To learn more, follow him on Twitter and find him on Goodreads!
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Movies
Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed
The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.
Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.
The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.
Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”
Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.
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News
Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.
The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.
“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.
Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.
The prize also includes:
An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings
A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear
A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room
A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course
The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II
Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two
“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”
Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.
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Movies
’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power
Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.
Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.
Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.
There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.
The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.
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