Letters From the Labyrinth 99
Like we always do about this time. My name is Brian Keene, and this is Letters From the Labyrinth -- a weekly newsletter for fans of my work. Previous issues are archived here.
This week was all about business.
Friday, I pulled my first 8-hour writing shift since the accident. I did okay. It quickly became apparent to me that I'm not back to full speed, and the pain was a constant distraction, but I still managed to get about 7,000 words done in those eight hours. I worked on INVISIBLE MONSTERS (the next Levi novel), SUBURBAN GOTHIC, and my collaborations with Bryan Smith, Wrath james White, and Bev Vincent. I also emailed back and forth with Weston Ochse about a series we are trying to develop.
Speaking of series, I'd hoped to announce something related to THE LAST ZOMBIE this weekend, but there was a last-minute issue with the contract. Not a major isue -- just something that needs to be re-worded before it can be signed. And I don't announce things these days until they are signed.
For new readers, THE LAST ZOMBIE was a 25-issue comic book series I wrote years ago. It was co-created with artist Joe Wight (who designed all the characters). It's out of print now, but you can buy a used copy of the omnibus pretty easily. The omnibus collects the entire comic book series. THE LAST ZOMBIE is a post-post-apocalyptic story, telling the tale of an America ravaged by a zombie epidemic, and focusing on the people who are trying to rebuild after the dead have all rotted away. There are no zombies in it at all -- except for one, our main character, who has been accidentally infected with the virus. If he doesn't find a way to reverse it, he could re-infect the entire world again. The comic is very firmly set in my mythology (at one point, Frankie from THE RISING, CITY OF THE DEAD, and THE SEVEN: THE LABYRINTH, BOOK 1 even makes an appearance) but you can read it without ever having read another word by me.
And soon, it will see life in a new format, unrelated to comic books...
I'll tell you about it as soon as the contract is squared away.
Later today we are recording director and producer audio commentary for the DVD and Blu-Ray of I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE DOOMSDAY.
If you are new to my work, I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE DOOMSDAY is a feature length horror film written and directed by Mike Lombardo and produced by me. For the last year, it has been playing on the film festival circuit and has earned itself so many awards that I've lost track of them and will therefor not mention them all here.
Folks have been asking when it will be available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and streaming.
The fact that we are recording director and producer audio commentary for the DVD and Blu-Ray today should answer that question...
You'll be able to watch it from the comfort of your home this coming holiday season. And it will make a wonderful present for those you love.
Speaking of wonderful presents, KILL WHITEY is now available for the first time ever in audiobook. This adaptation is narrated by Chet Williamson.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER.
From horror master Brian Keene comes a supernatural crime adventure filled with sex, gore, and guns.
In the Russian criminal underworld, there is a man named Whitey. He is unstoppable and always gets what he wants. Some say he can’t be hurt. Some say he can’t be killed. Larry Gibson is about to find out. He is a dock worker on the run with Sondra Belov, a beautiful stripper. Whitey wants Sondra, and he will torture and kill to get her. Larry, his friends, and even his cat will never be safe unless they give him Sondra – or they kill Whitey.
This week, I started a new crime novella called DEAD MAN LIVING, which will be serialized exclusively on my Patreon, alongside THE SEVEN: THE LABYRINTH, BOOK 1. here's the description:
Harry was a freelance fixer for various criminal enterprises. He left that all behind years ago for his partner, Andrew, and their daughter, Katie. But after suffering horrible burns in a fire, Harry suspects that he’s cheated death one too many times, and soon, he’ll have to pay his due. He just didn’t expect the bill to be delivered by his old associates, who have one more job for him. If the fire didn’t kill Harry, this job will…unless his own past kills him first.
Now, as I said, this will be serialized on my Patreon (with eventual publication in book form several years down the road). If you don't yet, patreon, here's how it works:
For $1 a month, you get a new chapter each month of two ongoing serials — DEAD MAN LIVING and THE SEVEN: THE LABYRINTH, Book 1, a novel that unveils the secrets of my mythos and features characters from various books teaming up in one giant cage match to decide the fate of the universe, the multiverse, and reality itself. Some chapters have their own monthly appendix (posted separately) which links readers to previous books or stories for reference.
For $2 a month, you get complete access to both serials as well as in-depth essays offering step-by-step advice for writers: how to find an agent, outline, pitch, stay focused, create a literary estate, etc. (Minimum of one essay posted per month).
For $5 a month, you get complete access to both serials, the essays, and behind-the-scenes looks at other works in progress — excerpts, outlines, etc. At least one of these will be posted per month.
For $10 a month, you get all of the above, PLUS A BRAND NEW ORIGINAL SHORT STORY each and every month!
END OF THE ROAD is more than 50% sold out. Pre-order your copy here.
END OF THE ROAD is a memoir, travelogue, and post-Danse Macabre examination of modern horror fiction, the people who write it, and the world they live—and die—in. Exhilarating, emotional, heartfelt, and at times hilarious, END OF THE ROAD is a must-read for fans of the horror genre. Introduction by Gabino Iglesias.
Published as a Signed Hardcover Limited Edition:
• Limited to just 750 signed and hand-numbered copies
• Personally signed by the author on a unique signature page
• Retail price just $40!
• Printed on 60# acid-free paper
• Bound in full-cloth with colored head and tail bands
• Featuring hot foil stamping on the front boards and spine
• Printed and bound with full-color endpapers
• Smyth sewn to create a more durable binding
• Wrapped in a full-color dust jacket
• Limited ONE TIME printing of this special edition
• No other editions planned at this time!
SPECIAL BONUS ITEM WITH PURCHASE!
Every copy of this book purchased on CemeteryDance.com will include a FREE special bonus Limited Edition chapbook, On the Road with Brian Keeneby John Urbancik. Just reserve End of the Road via this page and we’ll automatically send you the chapbook with your order!
This Week's Podcasts:
THE ENDLESS (NO SPOILERS) - The Horror Show with Brian Keene - Ep 176
Grindcast's Matt Wildasin joins Brian, Dave, and Mary for a spoiler-free discussion of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorehead's THE ENDLESS. Plus B&N's demise continues, Bryan Smith signs with Grindhouse Press, the Blair Witch Experience 2018, Lynne Hansen's art show, Brian Hodge and Christian Jensen on screen, and new releases from Ralph Bieber, John Urbancik, Wesley Southard, Jay Wilburn, Dan Padavona, John Boden, Scott Edelman, Joe and Keith Lansdale, Michele Scalise-Piccirilli, Jemiah Jefferson, Matt Hayward and Patrick Lacey, and Tim Waggoneer.
Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Project Entertainment – iHeartRadio - Stitcher
DEFENDERS DIALOGUE #33
The J.M. DeMatteis era begins as Nighthawk and Spider-Man team up a second time to confront a ghost from Kyle Richmond's past in this recap of MARVEL TEAM-UP 101, presented by Brian Keene.
Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Project Entertainment – iHeartRadio - Stitcher
A reminder that next weekend -- July 19 – 22 -- I'll be at NECON 38 which takes place at the Baypoint Inn & Conference Center 144 Anthony Rd. Portsmouth, RI 02871
I will be receiving the Necon Legend Award (along with fellow honoree Carole Whitney). I'll also be grabbing some interviews with folks for The Horror Show, and seeing old friends, and signing books for people. I'm not allowed out in the sunlight, because the skin on my arm and forehead is new, and when it gets exposed to sunlight it blisters and cracks, so look for me indoors.
It just occurred to me that next week's issue is our 100th of this newsletter, but I'll be sending it from NECON. Or more likely sending it on the Amtrak train while traveling home from NECON.
I've got an idea to make it special. Not sure if I can pull it off though, so stay tuned...
Class of 1985
I had a good time last night hanging out with some old friends from High School. And we are that, now. Old. All of us have hit the five oh mark (although there are several classmates who don't look anywhere near 50, and I wish to know their secret).
That's me in the back row, to the right, wearing long sleeves in the summer and the funny hat. The hat was a present from author Paul Tremblay. The long sleeve shirt is special SPF50 fabric. I'll be wearing those things until at least january, to protect my newly healed skin from sunlight. If I forget to wear them, the skin on my arm and forehead blisters and cracks within minutes, which must be what a vampire feels like every day. But I dig the hat. Mary says it makes me look like Hunter S. Thompson (although maybe she just tells me that so that I'll remember to wear it).
I find the older I get the more I value time spent hanging out with folks who don't know me as BRIAN KEENE THE WRITER/PODCASTER/MEDIA PERSONALITY and instead just know me as the guy who lives down the road or the guy they went to school with. I think history has shown us that -- without such an influence -- entertainers can vanish into their own public persona. It happened to Hunter S. Thompson. It happened to Harlan Ellison. It happened to Prince and to Elvis.
It ain't gonna happen to me.
That's it for this week. As always:
PATREON - Where I post new short stories, writing advice essays, a serialized ongoing novel, and behind-the-scenes stuff.
TWITTER - The only social media outlet I still use regularly.
BRIAN KEENE RADIO - Broadcasting for free 24/7
I'll see you back here next week for our 100th issue special!