[Letters From the Labyrinth] Official Brian Keene Newsletter 10/15/17

Welcome back to Letters From the Labyrinth, a newsletter for fans of my work. Previous issues are archived here.

If you're a listener to my podcast, then you know that the wildfires raging out of control in California have impacted our industry in a very personal way. Author, editor and publisher Michael Bailey, his wife, and Michael's two step-children lost their home to the fires. They had seven minutes to evacuate, and barely made it out. Cars were literally exploding around them as they fled, and burning ash the size of human heads fell from the sky. In addition to losing their own home, Michael's step-children also lost their other home. Their father, a firefighter, was battling the blaze in another part of town while his own home burned down.

I set up a GoFundMe for them. Click here to donate.

GoFundMe allows beneficiaries immediate access to their money, meaning it can be withdrawn at any time, for any amount. I made Michael the beneficiary to the campaign, so he is the only one that can withdraw the funds. He tells me that the money folks have donated have allowed him to get clothes, food, toys and necessities for the kids. As of yesterday, they have also found temporary housing.

Author Gene O'Neill was also impacted by the fires. His wife's beautiful ancestral home atop Mt. George -- where I have visited twice -- is gone. Gene and his wife were forced to evacuate from the home they live in, as well.

A BBC producer contacted me yesterday. BBC News wanted to interview me about the fires, and Michael Bailey's situation. I put her in touch with Michael himself, because obviously, he's the better choice to speak about what's happening. Here in the United States, meanwhile -- where California is located -- CNN, FOX, and MSNBC are reporting celebrity gossip and political in-fighting. If you want to find out what's really happening in America, watch news from the United Kingdom or Russia.

And then contribute to help out my friend.

Last week, I told you that J.F. Gonzalez's BACK FROM THE DEAD and THE CORPORATION were back in print and available in paperback, Kindle, Nook, and Kobo.

Now, the paperbacks are temporarily unavailable because Amazon needs proof that J.F.'s wife owns the rights to the books. The e-book editions are still on sale, however, and the paperbacks will be back on sale as soon as this issue is resolved.

Starting to mull over my annual Top Ten Books of the Year, and it occurred to me that the books I enjoyed the most this year are all written by what could be considered "new" or "next generation" writers -- Josh Malerman, Molly Tanzer. Stephen Kozeniewski, Victor LaValle, the Sisters of Slaughter, Matt Serafini, David Bernstein, Patrick Lacey, Edward Lorn, Gabino Iglesias, Rio Youers, and so many more.

What a great time to be a fan of the genre.

A reminder that there are two events next weekend:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20th
2pm
Nightmares Film Festival 17
Columbus, OH
Details: A Brian Keene movie double feature — a big screen showing of The Naughty List (based on my short story “The Siqqusim Who Stole Christmas”) and the world premiere of the feature-length I’m Dreaming of A White Doomsday (which I executive produced). I will not be able to attend, but Doomsday director and The Horror Show with Brian Keene co-host Mike Lombardo will be on hand to sign and talk.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21st
10am to 4:30pm
Haverhill Public Library
99 Main St
Haverhill, MA 01830
Details: Mary and I will be signing all day, and will have books for sale at the event. You can also bring books from home to be signed. There is no charge for signatures. Other authors on hand include Joe Hill, John Urbancik, Paul Tremblay, Rio Youers, John Urbancik, Christopher Golden, James Moore, Amber Fallon, and many more.

That's it for this week. A few reminders:

PATREON - Where I post new short stories, a serialized ongoing novel, and behind-the-scenes stuff.

TWITTER - The only social media outlet I still use regularly.

See you next Sunday!