The 100th Letters From the Labyrinth
Hi there. I'm Brian Keene, and this is the 100th issue of Letters From the Labyrinth -- a weekly newsletter for fans of my work.
Previous issues are archived here.
We skipped last week's newsletter, because when it came time to send it, Mary and I were on an Amtrak train in Providence, Rhode Island, heading back to Pennsylvania, after a long weekend at NECON, which was awesome.
I was very honored to recieve their Legend Award and be inducted into their Hall of Fame. The former I knew about. The latter was a surprise, so I didn't have a speech prepared. When I got to the podium, I just decided to speak from the heart. Hopefully, I didn't sound like an idiot. I probably did.
Author James A. Moore got married at the convention. We were delighted to be there to witness that. I've known Jim for... I guess 20 years or so now, and I've rarely seen him as happy as I did last weekend.
Was home this week, but it didn't really feel like being home, because we didn't completely unpack our bags, since in a few days we head to the fifth annual Scares That Care Charity Weekend.
While temporarily home, I tried to dig my way out of work. I didn't have much luck. I was already overwhelmed before the accident, and spending time in the burn ward and now recovering hasn't exactly aided my productiveness. Making matters more difficult, a lot of what I worked on this week is spec stuff that may or may not happen. THE LAST ZOMBIE-related not-a-comic-book continuation (that I've talked about here before) *is* happening, but we're still sorting out paperwork and contracts and unfortunately, I still can't actually announce it. The other stuff from this week...? Movie and television stuff that may or may not happen. But regardless, there's always paperwork involved.
But hey, there *were* a lot of things announced over the last week, including a new five book deal, so let's take a look at what you might have missed.
Dread Central announced all the latest news and the exclusive cover reveal for SILVERWOOD: THE DOOR — the new Serial Box series coming this October from showrunner and head writer Brian Keene (that's me) and writers Richard Chizmar, Michelle Garza, Melissa Lason, and Stephen Kozeniewski (based on the BlackBoxTV YouTube original series from Tony E. Valenzuela.
“Twin Peaks meets The X-Files in this horror series full of homicidal boy scouts, ravenous black goo, mysterious doppelgangers, and a Stranger Things-style corporate conspiracy. Deep within the forest of Silverwood, California, a crack between dimensions has appeared. A dark force that lurks among the trees is growing stronger, determined to return home if it can only gather the strength to open the door—bad news for a Boy Scout troop and the employees of Hirsch Capital on a company retreat nearby. As their darkest fears and impulses power the mysterious force, their bonding exercises take a deadly turn. Will anyone be able to keep their minds long enough to close the door before our world is torn apart?”
Click here for Dread Central’s report.
Click here to watch the trailer for and pre-order the first season of SILVERWOOD: THE DOOR
I'm pleased to announce that I have signed a five-book deal with Plan B Publicaciones/Dolmen Editorial, who will translate and publish THE RISING, DARK HOLLOW, EARTHWORM GODS, URBAN GOTHIC and DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN in Spain and South America.
Founded in 2001 by Vicente García, Carlos Pacheco, Francisco Pérez Navarro and Jaume Vaquer, Dolmen Editorial is the the premiere Spanish publisher of genre fiction and comic books.
I'm very happy to be back in the international market. I used to do very well overseas, particularly in Germany, and royalties from foreign sales used to make up a significant portion of my annual income. Unfortunately, that was all torpedoed by a former foreign rights agent, and it's taken me a long time to make the contacts to rebuild it myelf.
It's nice to see those efforts now bearing fruit.
Two new anthologies that I'm involved with were announced over the last week. Here are the details on each of them:
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WELCOME TO THE SHOW
Pre-order now for Kindle.
17 horror Stories. One legendary music venue.
We all know the old cliché: Sex, drugs and rock and roll. Now, add demons, other dimensions, monsters, revenge, human sacrifice, and a dash of the truly inexplicable. This is the story of the (fictional) San Francisco music venue, The Shantyman.
In Welcome to the Show, seventeen of today’s hottest writers of horror and dark fiction come together in devilish harmony to trace The Shantyman’s history from its disturbing birth through its apocalyptic encore.
Compiled by Matt Hayward. Edited by Doug Murano.
Bring your curiosity, but leave your inhibitions at the door. The show is about to begin…
TOC:
Alan M Clark – What Sort of Rube
Jonathan Janz – Night and Day and in Between
John Skipp – In the Winter of No Love
Patrick Lacey – Wolf with Diamond Eyes
Bryan Smith – Pilgrimage
Rachel Autumn Deering – A Tongue like Fire
Glenn Rolfe – Master of Beyond
Matt Hayward – Dark Stage
Kelli Owen – Open Mic Night
Matt Serafini – Beat on the Past
Max Booth III – True Starmen
Somer Canon – Just to be Seen
Jeff Strand – Parody
Robert Ford – Ascending
Adam Cesare – The Southern Thing
Brian Keene – Running Free
Mary SanGiovanni – We Sang in Darkness
CLICK HERE to pre-order for Kindle.
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LOST HIGHWAYS
Available now in paperback and for Kindle.
It’s dangerous out there… on the road.
The highways, byways and backroads of America are teeming day and night with regular folks. Moms and dads making long commutes. Teenagers headed to the beach. Bands on their way to the next gig. Truckers pulling long hauls. Families driving cross country to visit their kin.
But there are others, too. The desperate and the lost. The cruel and the criminal.
Theirs is a world of roadside honky-tonks, truck stops, motels, and the empty miles between destinations. The unseen spaces.
And there are even stranger things. Places that aren’t on any map. Wayfaring terrors and haunted legends about which seasoned and road-weary travelers only whisper.
But those are just stories. Aren’t they?
Find out for yourself as you get behind the wheel with some of today’s finest authors of the dark and horrific as they bring you these harrowing tales from the road.
Tales that could only be spawned by the endless miles of America’s lost highways.
So go ahead and hop in. Let’s take a ride.
Introduction by Brian Keene
doungjai gam & Ed Kurtz — “Crossroads of Opportunity”
Matt Hayward — “Where the Wild Winds Blow”
Joe R. Lansdale — “Not from Detroit”
Kristi DeMeester — “A Life That is Not Mine”
Robert Ford — “Mr. Hugsy”
Lisa Kröger — “Swamp Dog”
Orrin Grey — “No Exit”
Michael Bailey — “The Long White Line”
Kelli Owen — “Jim’s Meats”
Bracken MacLeod — “Back Seat”
Jess Landry — “The Heart Stops at the End of Laurel Lane”
Jonathan Janz — “Titan, Tyger”
Nick Kolakowski — “Your Pound of Flesh”
Richard Thomas — “Requital”
Damien Angelica Walters — “That Pilgrims’ Hands Do Touch”
Cullen Bunn — “Outrunning the End”
Christopher Buehlman — “Motel Nine”
Rachel Autumn Deering — “Dew Upon the Wing”
Josh Malerman — “Room 4 at the Haymaker”
Rio Youers — “The Widow”
Available now in paperback and for Kindle.
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.
DEAD MAN LIVING is a new crime novella by me, serialized exclusively on my Patreon.
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!
Also new on Patreon this week is "Liber de Salamandris: Caput de Brian" -- a brand new metafictional Bizarro short story by Michael T. Huyck Jr. (whose long-awaited new novel will be published by Thunderstorm Books later this year).
It imagines an alternate reality where I suffered my burns in a much different way, and guest stars metafictional versions of myself, Mary SanGiovanni, Mike Lombardo, Dave Thomas, Kelli Owen, Drew Williams, and more.
(And thanks to Mikey for stepping up and filling in while I still recover).
My Latest Podcasts:
RICHARD LAYMON'S SAVAGE - The Horror Show with Brian Keene - Ep 177
Chaos reigns as Dungeonmaster 77.1 returns with a defense of Mike Lombardo and reviews of Kelli Owen and ARK: SURVIVAL EVOLVED. Then, Brian, Mary and Dave have a spirited debate over Richard Laymon’s SAVAGE. Plus, the reasons behind the genre’s expulsion of Will Bernardara, and an examination of the multiple allegations against comics writer Tee Franklin..
Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Project Entertainment – iHeartRadio – Stitcher
PETE KAHLE - The Horror Show with Brian Keene - Ep 178
Bloodshot Books’ Pete Kahle sits down with Brian and Mary to discuss starting a small press, his plans for the future, the influence of James Newman, THE SPECIMEN, and more. Plus Dave versus New Jersey, James A. Moore’s wedding, a NECON recap, and a response from Will Bernardara Jr.
Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Project Entertainment – iHeartRadio – Stitcher
DEFENDERS DIALOGUE 34
The Son of Satan and Nebulon both return to the pages of The Defenders and Christopher Golden returns to the show as the J.M. DeMatteis era begins with a bang! One of the greatest runs in Marvel Comics history starts here.
Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Project Entertainment – iHeartRadio – Stitcher
DEFENDERS DIALOGUE 35
THE SIX FINGERED HAND saga begins. Join Christopher Golden and Brian Keene as The Defenders face their greatest threat ever! Hellcat possessed! Nighthawk paralyzed! Guest-appearances by Ghost Rider and Dracula! And introducing…the Gargoyle!
Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Project Entertainment – iHeartRadio – Stitcher
People often ask me what podcasts *I* enjoy listening to, since I have two podcasts of my own. Here's my current list of podcasts I listen to every week:
INKSTAINS -- In my opinion, the absolute best podcast for creatives. be you a writer, artist, filmmaker, poet, musician, actor, etc. It's informative, funny, thought-provoking and magical. I highly recommend it. It will make you want to go create art. Host John Urbancik manages to inspire me every single week. Available for free on iTunes, Stitcher, etc. (And spoiler warning -- I'll be guest-hosting the show next month while John moves from the States to Madrid).
GROUND ZERO -- I was a big fan of THE ART BELL SHOW back in the day. GROUND ZERO'S host, Clyde Lewis, runs his show very much along those lines -- lots of excellent supernatural, paranormal, and conspiracy-related talk without the extreme political bullshit of the far-Right or far-Left. Also like Art, Clyde takes listener calls. Sometimes they are hilariously bad calls. Sometimes they are sincere. The show is always entertaining, and often thought-provoking. Available for free on iTunes, Stitcher, etc.
EATING THE FANTASTIC -- Hosted by Scott Edelman, who has worked for everybody from the Bronze-Age Marvel Comics bullpen to the Sci-Fi Channel to everywhere in-between. Each week he sits down with a writer or other creative from horror, science-fiction, comic books, etc. and interviews them over a meal. Fascinating and fun stuff. Available for free on iTunes, Stitcher, etc.
Now, there are plenty of other podcasts that I do tune in to and try to keep up to date with (Three Guys With Beards, The Mando Method, Conspiracy Theories, Mr. Deadman, Welcome to Nightvale, the less frequently updated Spektrmodule, etc) but these three above -- Inkstains, Ground Zero, and Eating The Fantastic -- are required listening for me, and I tune in as soon as a new episode is released.
Currently Listening: BRIAN KEENE RADIO
Currently Reading: THAT IS NOT DEAD edited by Darrell Schweitzer
Currently Watching: THE EXORCIST television series
Mary and I have been binge-watching THE EXORCIST television series on Hulu. If you haven't seen it, the less you know about it going in, the better. It absolutely 100% ties in with the other 4 (or 5 depending on your count) EXORCIST movies -- including a huge spoiler reveal near the end of Season 1 -- but it is also easily accessible for someone who has never seen an EXORCIST film (because hard as it may be for us older folk to believe, yes, there are folks who have never seen THE EXORCIST, or even the superior EXORCIST 3.
Anyway, the television series is brilliant and true to the franchise and has some genuinely creepy, unsettling, and horrific moments. It has made us very uncomfortable this week, and has stayed with us long after we've turned it off. Highly recommended.
A reminder that 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.
As stated above, next week I'll be at the fifth annual Scares That Care charity weekend. Here's how the rest of the year is shaping up:
August 3 – 5
Scares That Care Weekend 5
Doubletree By Hilton
50 Kingsmill Road
Williamsburg, Virginia, 23185
August 24 – 26
KillerCon
Wingate by Wyndham Conference Center
Round Rock, Texas
Note: Wrath James White and I will be hosting the first ever Splatterpunk Awards. This is a historic occasion. If you can be there, do it. You won't regret it.
September 8
Protean Books & Records
836 Leadenhall St
Baltimore, MD 21230
Note: Signing noon to 3 with Mary SanGiovanni, Stephen Kozeniewski, and Wesley Southard.
October 13
Merrimack Valley Halloween Book Festival
Haverhill, MA
I will probably also be at the World Fantasy Convention this year, although not in an official capacity -- just attending as a fan to buy some books and see old friends.
Mary and I are probably going to sign at Dark Delicacies in Burbank, CA next January, but it's way too early to give you an exact date.
While my arm, forehead and scalp still can't be exposed to direct sunlight or UV light without protection, I've healed enough that I can regularly go outside again. Daylight and direct sunlight are still a hazard -- unless I want to blister and pop -- but I'm back to taking evening walks through the woods, or sitting out on the dock with a fishing rod and a cigar, watching the sun go down over the river. Now that the mayflies are gone and the evenings are getting cooler (thanks to all this rain), it's nice.
A friend said to me last weekend -- maybe at our age (50), we shouldn't be looking for true happiness or true love or true inner peace or true anything. Maybe we should just be content.
I've been mulling over my friend's comment all week. I'm not sure that I agree with all of it, but I love the sentiment, and if you ask?
These days, I am truly content. Particuarly of an evening when I'm sitting alongside the river, or in the early mornings when I walk outside to my office and am greeted by the same six deer who stand there every morning, nibbling at my yard and raising their heads at my approach, nostrils flaring to smell my coffee. I always say good morning to them, and then they sauter off. But they do it slowly. They don't run.
Perhaps they know I am content, as well.
Yeah, the world seems like a horrible place, particularly if you turn on the news. But it's not so bad if you get up early, before the rest of humanity, or if you have a sunset and a bit of water to watch it disappear behind.
Find some contentment in your life, and hold on to it.
That's it for this week, and our 100th issue (which I tried to make longer, benefitting its numerical status). 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! Contentment -- go find you some.