The Victorian custom of gathering family and friends to read (and likely reread) ghost stories is a holiday tradition I wholeheartedly embrace. There’s something about winter’s deep darkness that coaxes phantoms both within and without. Each year, I honor this deliciously eerie ritual by reading creepy tales—usually Poe—in my Haunted Library. Here’s the sample if you’d like to take a look.
In that same spirit, I’ve just released a collection of twisted Christmas- and winter-themed short stories—including two brand-new tales you won’t find anywhere else.
If you’re craving a mall Santa on a murderous rampage (and plenty more holiday mayhem), check out Nut Cracker and Other Twisted Wintry Tales, now available on Amazon Kindle in both ebook and print!
The Summer Issue of Book Worms is here—and it’s our biggest, boldest, most jam-packed zine yet! We’ve gone all out this time, with our very first full-color cover to kick off the season in style.
Since summer is all about camping trips, lakeside adventures, and spooky stories by the fire, we thought: why not go full cryptid? From lake monsters to forest beasts, this issue is crawling with strange sightings and spine-tingling tales.
We’re thrilled to welcome back some of our favorite contributors—like Clay McLeod Chapman and Angelique Fawns—along with a new crop of rising horror stars who are bound to blow your mind.
Book Worms has everything you need to unplug and escape: creepy reads, quirky puzzles, eerie games—anything to keep you off your phone and in the moment.
So go ahead, order your copy today. Toss it in your backpack next to the marshmallows and bug spray. You won’t regret it.
Click on the cover to order your Book Worms Horror Zine!
It’s curtain time for FINAL DRESS, my latest adult horror novel set in my favorite world- the theater! Having worked in the theater my entire life and continuing to work part-time at my local regional theater, it was a thrill to explore this environment in a slasher story. I’ve been thinking about writing a horror story set in the theater since the 80’s when I was a young Thespian experiencing the thrill of my first starring role. The play was Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, and I played the role of Miss Casewell to the hilt, complete with a man’s suit and tie and fedora, a cigarette dangling from my lip. I’m sure my English accent was dreadful, but I know I gave it my all and had a blast doing it.
The author as a young Thespian, making the most of her role.
The theater was in an old barn on a country road; as far as I know, it’s still standing. As a young Thespian, I recall navigating the backstage environs, including the costume stock stored in the old hayloft, and thinking it would be a perfect location for a horror movie. My older sister, a fellow Thespian, and I discussed, over many clove cigarettes, writing a screenplay called Horror at Summer Stock. The story had some hilarious scenes, including a runaway killer forklift as the ultimate Deus ex machina.
Our fantasy screenplay vanished with the summer winds, and the forklift didn’t make it into Final Dress, but a backstage Genie lift did, along with some other theater “inside jokes” that my theater friends will giggle at, but which any reader can hopefully appreciate. Final Dress, along with my hillbilly vampire romp, CODE RED, definitely lands under the category of “fun” horror, in the same way those old 80s slasher classics are good for a laugh but never fail to give a thrill.
So, buy a ticket to FINAL DRESS, and try to survive till the curtain falls!
Halloween has turned into a holiday as bustling as Christmas, which is probably why I’m finally getting around to sharing my thoughts on the new collection I launched at the beginning of October. At least I managed to release it just in time for Halloween! I’m thrilled to share that the collection, which includes five short stories and a novella, hit the number one new release spot on Amazon in its category. That’s definitely encouraging! This collection is designed for teens and young adults, focusing on all the fun chills without diving into anything too gory. If you’re on the lookout for some cozy companion stories for those chilly October nights, I’d love for you to check out Halloween Haunts, only 99 cents for the ebook during the month of October!
Too Much Exposure?
If you’re an artist or a creative individual, you won’t want to miss the latest episode of The Right Brain Café podcast, produced by my Book Worms partner, James DeFeo, and me. This week, we dive into a crucial topic: the ongoing pressure artists face when deciding between working for exposure versus earning money. Is exposure truly beneficial, or does it undermine the value of your craft? Join us for an insightful discussion that could change your perspective on the choices you make in your creative journey.
While you’re busy with your Halloween shopping, don’t forget to pick up our Halloween issue of Book Worms Horror Zine! It features stories by Grady Hendrix, author of “Paperbacks From Hell,” and popular horror writer Clay McLeod Chapman. Issues are selling out quickly, so be sure to get your copy today!
Finally, please leave a message about how you plan to spend Halloween. Do you dress up, attend parties, or turn off the lights and hope to avoid any mischievous tricks? Whether you celebrate (or not), please have a haunted good time!
Our Halloween issue of Book Worms is now on sale! Our mail-only zine with a limited print run continues to impress with stories by Grady Hendrix, Clay McLeod Chapman, and more! The zine is available at Big Cartel and select indie bookstores.
In honor of Father’s Day, here are my top ten diabolical dads in horror cinema from bad to worst.
10. Harry Cooper From Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Harry’s arrogance causes problems for the zombie survivors until Ben proves his alpha status by shooting ole Harry in the gut (entirely justified), and little Karen finishes him off in the basement. Harry, you only made things worse.
9. Larry Cotton from Hellriaser (1987)
Milquetoast Larry demonstrates the inherent evil of passivity. If he hadn’t bled all over the spare bedroom so “mummy” Julia could get him a Band-Aid, his evil brother, Frank, would have never fed off his blood enough to re-animate and cause all the chaos. The only time Larry shows any balls is when Frank is wearing his skin. “Come to Daddy,” indeed.
8. Ben Rolf from Burnt Offerings (1976)
Even when he’s playing it nice, there is something downright sinister about Oliver Reed. If you saw Dad coming at you in the pool with those blank shark eyes, you’d scream for Mommy, too.
7. Richard Carmichael from The Changeling (1980)
Although the patriarch only appears in a brief flashback scene, the pure evil of this father’s dastardly deed proves that less is more when it comes to providing lasting chills in horror cinema.
6. Grandpa Sawyer from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Meeting the family has never been more horrifying. Who needs Geritol when you can feed Gramps on your date’s blood? You’ll never find a more petrifying patriarch.
5. Nathan Gardner from Color of of Space (2019)
Dad starts acting really weird in this twisted cosmic tale based on a Lovecraft story. Nicolas Cage going “full-Cage” makes it even weirder. Wonderfully so.
4. George Lutz from The Amityville Horror (1979)
You know James Brolin as George Lutz is losing his marbles when he wanders around the house in a full beard and wearing his tightie whities. Also, what’s up with that obsession with the fireplace? Let’s face it. Dad’s freaking out, and we’re scared.
3. Harry Powell from The Night of the Hunter (1955)
The ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing, Mitchum’s preacher/lady killer is truly horrifying. When little John Harper defiantly declares, “He ain’t my dad!” we feel it. “I got something trapped in my barn.” Yup. Powell’s an animal through and through.
2. Guy Woodhouse from Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
John Cassavetes is perfectly cast as the smarmily handsome actor who makes the dirtiest of deals. Although technically he’s only Damien’s stepfather, Rosemary doesn’t know that until the final scene. I love it when she spits in his face. He deserves much worse.
1. Jack Torrance from The Shining (1980)
Nicholson’s Jack is cinema’s ultimate diabolical dad. Seriously, would you trust this guy?
Who are some of your favorite fiendish fathers of horror cinema?
R. Saint Claire 