[Letters From the Labyrinth] Official Brian Keene Newsletter

Like we always do about this time... I'm Brian Keene and this is the 115th issue of Letters From the Labyrinth -- a weekly newsletter for fans of my work. Previous issues are archived here.

In “A Hit Is A Hit” (The Sopranos season one, episode ten) Tony tries to expand his social circle beyond his fellow mob associates, and accepts an invite to go golfing with his neighbor, Dr. Cusamano, and Cusamano’s friends, all doctors and other professionals.

At first, Tony is delighted. However, Tony comes to regret the trip when Cusamano's friends pester him for stories about life in the Mafia. He tells them a made-up story about John Gotti's fondness for a certain kind of ice cream truck, which enthralls them. Later, Tony discusses the incident in therapy with Melfi, saying he felt used for the amusement of others.

Recently, a neighbor invited me to a holiday party that was full of people who weren’t writers. They were all doctors and other professionals. They all began to pester me for stories about people in the entertainment industry. I told them a made up story about Stephen King and John Cusack and a taco stand, which enthralled them.

I know The Sopranos seems dated now, and television has grown beyond it (with shows like Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, etc) — but it* remains my favorite...for many reasons.

Happy holidays.


*along with Californication which is my other favorite for similar reasons.

Apex is offering 50% off all books, including THE LOST LEVEL, RETURN TO THE LOST LEVEL, KING OF THE BASTARDS, and THRONE OF THE BASTARDSuntil Monday, November 26. Simply visit their website, put the books in your shopping cart, and then use the code HOLIDAYS2018 at checkout.

EXPLORING THE LABYRINTH is an ongoing series at Gingernuts of Horror in which Kit Power reads all of my books, in the order they were published, and then writes about them. This month, he’s taking a look at the plot, themes, and connections in WHITE FIRE. Click here to read it.

SILVERWOOD: THE DOOR is the new series by showrunner and writer me and writers Richard Chizmar, Stephen Kozeniewski, and the Sisters of Slaughter — available exclusively on Serial Box.

Episode 8 – ‘Connected’ – by me is available now. Click here to start listening or reading the series.

“Nothing dead ever leaves…”

I’M DREAMING OF A WHITE DOOMSDAY — written and directed by Mike Lombardo, executive produced by me, and starring Hope Bikle, Reeve Blazi, and Damian Maffei — is now available on Amazon in a region-free Blu-Ray and DVD combo.

Click here to purchase the region free DVD and Blu-Ray combo. Don’t worry. If Amazon runs out of stock — which we expect to happen — they WILL get more.

This Week's Podcasts:

JOHN GOODRICH 2018 - The Horror Show with Brian Keene - Episode 195

Author John Goodrich returns to the show to discuss cosmic horror, body horror, transitioning from mythos to bizarro to splatterpunk, and his new fictional setting of Gideon, Vermont with Brian and Mary. Plus — Dave and Phoebe’s drinking game, an exclusive on Christopher Golden’s new movie deal, rumors of a falling out between S.T. Joshi and Jason Brock, Fallout 76 versus Fortnite, and DungeonMaster 77.1 meets Doctor Who.

Listen for free on YouTube - iTunes – Spotify – Project Entertainment – iHeartRadio – Stitcher


DEFENDERS DIALOGUE - Episode 48

J.M. DeMatteis and Don Perlin channel H.P. Lovecraft and Dr. Seuss, as Chris and Brian discuss the Defenders and the Squadron Supreme’s final battle against Null, the Living Darkness! Plus… the return of the Elf with a Gun!

Listen for free on iTunes – YouTube – Project Entertainment – iHeartRadio – Stitcher

Killer Chronicles by Somer Canon was one of my favorite books from last year, and was nominated for a Splatterpunk Award. The new Kindle edition is now up for pre-order. I highly recommend it. CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.

That's it for this week. As always:

PATREON - Where I post new short stories, writing advice essays, two serialized ongoing novels, and behind-the-scenes stuff.

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

YOUTUBE - Where I'm posting free stuff each and every day.

BRIAN KEENE RADIO - Broadcasting for free 24/7

I'll see you back here next week!