Letters From the Labyrinth 168

I'm Brian Keene and this is the 168th issue of Letters From the Labyrinth, a weekly newsletter for fans of my work. Previous issues are archived here.
I almost forgot to send this newsletter this morning. I woke up at 5am and, during my first cup of morning coffee, went down a research rabbit hole that extended from Christopher John Lewis and Michael Fagan to Jack the Ripper. It was all for an idea I had -- a novel involving a bloodline of assassins, similar to the Royal bloodline, but by 6:30am I'd decided I'll never have time to write this novel before I die, and then I saw what time it was and remembered that I have to send you this.
So...let's get to it.
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SHADES — a dark coming-of-age novel I co-wrote with Geoff Cooper — came out last week in mass market paperback from Poltergeist Press. This marked the book’s first time available in paperback anywhere. It is also available as an e-book.
However, within a few hours of release, there was a problem with the book on Amazon. For some unknown reason, Amazon refuses to sell the book at the list price of $10.99. Instead, they are charging $17.99...for a paperback book. Until this is resolved, please do not buy the paperback from Amazon. Buy it from Barnes and Noble or another online retailer instead.
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Also released this week was my first episode of THOR: METAL GODS! As the search for Loki continues, Thor starts a fight inside the worst biker bar in the entire galaxy. Guest-starring Howard the Duck and a host of other familiar Marvel characters.
Start listening or reading now, exclusively via Marvel Entertainment and Serial Box!
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Both of my podcasts returned this week:
Kristopher Triana - The Horror Show with Brian Keene - Ep 247
Season six starts with a bang as Splatterpunk Award-winning author Kristopher Triana joins Brian, Mary, Matt and Dave in-studio (along with extra special guest Wesley Southard) to discuss one-star reviews, writing different styles of horror, the influence of his grandmother, and much more.
Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Project Entertainment– iHeartRadio – Stitcher - YouTube
Defenders Dialogue - Ep 86
What's big and green and stomping a trail of destruction across the Marvel Universe? It's not the Hulk. It's GODZILLA! Christopher Golden and Brian Keene kick off season three as Toho's King of the Monsters takes on Nick Fury and the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.! Plus, does anyone remember Man-Wolf?
Listen for free on iTunes – YouTube – Project Entertainment – iHeartRadio – Stitcher
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Speaking of the podcasts, a reminder that Dave Thomas is undergoing a pretty extensive fight with cancer right now. They'll be removing his entire stomach on February 3. In the meantime, he could use $3,000 to help with the mortgage, car payments, etc. Here is is GoFundMe if you have the means to donate $5 or $10.
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This was a tough week, work-wise. Mary was sick all week, and my eleven-year old stayed with us (because his mom was traveling) and he was sick, as well. So most of the week was spent caring for them. And then yesterday, I had to drive up to Harrisburg and give SHADES co-author Geoff Cooper a ride because he hit not one, but two deer with his car. And today is a write-off because Mary (who is now feeling better) and I are going to a farmer's market with authors Kelli Owen and Robert Ford.
I did get some work done, though.
I signed a new 4 book deal with an Italian publisher (more on that next week).
I signed a deal for a German edition of LAST OF THE ALBATWITCHES.
I got J.F. Gonzalez's UP JUMPED THE DEVIL and SHAPESHIFTER into production.
I went over some things with Joe Lansdale and Christopher Golden for THE DRIVE-IN: INTERMISSION.
I started signing the next book shipment for Lifetime Subscribers.
I wrote a new installment for History of Horror Fiction. That should be up possibly next week?
So yeah, I got some things done. Just not much writing (other than the column).
Later this month, I'll be taking an Amtrak up north, to interview a very special guest for episode 250 of The Horror Show with Brian Keene. I love traveling by train, particularly on long trips, because I can really get work done on them, particularly if I'm traveling alone. So, I'll catch up then.
In the meantime, a few reminders:
PATREON - Where I post new short stories, writing advice essays, two serialized ongoing novels, and behind-the-scenes stuff. I'll be posting a bunch of stuff there today and tomorrow, in fact.
TWITTER - The only social media outlet I still use regularly.
YOUTUBE - Where I'm posting free stuff each and every day.
I'll see you back here next week!