Letters From the Labyrinth - Brian Keene

Hi. I'm Brian Keene and this is the 172nd issue of Letters From the Labyrinth, a weekly newsletter for fans of my work. Previous issues are archived here.
I am knee-deep in verifying eligible works for the 2020 Splatterpunk Awards, which honor works published in 2019. What that means is this: all last year, readers and fans could recommend works for Best Novel, Best Novella, Best Short Story, Best Collection, and Best Anthology.
And man, did they ever!
Wrath James White and I couldn't be happier with how the literary award we founded has grown in its third year. Reader participation this year was overwhelming. So, for the past week, I've been going through each and every single recommendation and verifying that it meets the requirements set forth in the award rules and bylaws.
For example, let's say thirty-six different readers all recommend Plastic Cthulhu by Adam Senft (a totally made up title I'm using only as an illustrative example) for BEST NOVEL. But then I verify that Plastic Cthulhu is only 48,000 words. Therefore, it does not qualify as a novel but instead, as a novella. Or lets say Plastic Cthulhu was actually published the last day of 2018. Then it would be disqualified.
Anyway, when that is all done, the eligible works with the most reader recommendations in each category will appear on the final ballot, and then our panel of judges will get to work reading each and every one of those and deciding upon the winner. The award ceremony will take place this coming July at KillerCon in Austin, Texas. We'd love to see you there!
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As I have fewer days ahead of me than I do behind me, I am returning to my roots and have started a new Blog called OLD MAN YELLS AT THE CLOUD. Here is a direct link.
There are six Blog essays there already. Direct links to the most recent:
SOCIAL NON-MEDIA
THE ONLY THING AN AUTHOR OWES
OLD MAN YELLS AT THE CLOUD
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But that wasn't the only Blogging I did this past week. For this month’s writing advice column, I talked a little bit about Impostor Syndrome and a lot about decisions and indecision. Available exclusively on Patreon for just $2 (plus you’ll have immediate access to all the other writing advice columns, two serialized novels, and much more). Click here.
Issue 6 of Prepper Survival Guide is on sale now at Wal Mart, most chain supermarkets, and other U.S. retail outlets. It contains a new article by me on preparedness for those with diabetes. Look for this cover on the newsstand.

Make Me Read Your Book is a new podcast from Katie Southard (wife of author Wesley Southard) which has launched with a big bang, including interviews with Paul Tremblay, Somer Canon, Jonathan Janz, Ronald Malfi, and myself. The premise is simple. Katie interviews an author about a book by them that she hasn’t read. The author pitches it to her, the reader. Then she reads the book and shares her thoughts.
Her episode with me is now live, and we discuss DARK HOLLOW, toxic masculinity, and a lot more. Click here to listen.
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This Week's Podcasts:
Maggie Levin - The Horror Show with Brian Keene - Episode 251
Director Maggie Levin discusses her new Hulu debut feature, MY VALENTINE, working with Blumhouse, and much more. Plus, Brian, Mary, Matt and Kelli discuss the return of Eddie Berganza.
Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Project Entertainment– iHeartRadio – Stitcher - YouTube
Defenders Dialogue - Episode 89
What's better than a giant, radioactive Godzilla? A giant, radioactive Bigfoot battling a giant, radioactive Godzilla! Christopher Golden and Brian Keene get their Sasquatch on with Marvel's Godzilla issues 9 through 11.
Listen for free on iTunes – YouTube – Project Entertainment – iHeartRadio – Stitcher
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That's it for this week. As always, a few reminders:
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.
I'll see you back here next week!