Letters From the Labyrinth 191 - Brian Keene

I'm Brian Keene and this is the 191st issue of Letters From the Labyrinth, a weekly newsletter for fans of my work. Previous issues are archived here.
Today is Father's Day. I have two sons -- ages 29 and 12. I haven't been within 12 feet of my oldest son since the pandemic started. I miss him terribly. Later today Mary is leaving for New Jersey to socially distance from her father. I'll head over to my ex-wife's house and spend some the afternoon and evening with my 12-year old. My father is in West Virginia.
So, instead of spending the morning with any of them, I'm spending the morning doing investigative journalism into multiple cases of sexual coercion, harassment and assault within our industry -- four in comic book publishing, one in horror, one in science fiction, and one in cosplay community. I know two of the accused men. I've pretty much shuffled through this past week in shell shock -- gutted and tired and drained. I can't even be pissed off anymore. I'm just...numb.
So, imagine how the women feel...
Anyway, happy Father's Day.
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A while ago, I began writing my autobiography for my two sons. My intention was to only print two copies -- one for each of them -- and have them bound and printed as limited editions. But over time, it occurred to me that there's a lot of information in it that other people could benefit from, as well. Sure, it's a story about me, and where I came from, and how I got to where I am now, and what happened along the way -- and that's something that will specifically appeal to my sons. It's a story about being a man, and about how they can be better men, and that is something else that will specifically appeal to my sons. But it is also a story about writing and art. About creativity and the struggle to succeed. About a very particular kind of fame, and all the perils and pitfalls and trials and tribulations that come with it. It documents many decades-worth of the history of horror fiction, and publishing, and my bird's-eye perspective on all of the things that happened.
So...I suspect there might be other people that would want to read that.
As a result, I’ve begun serializing it on my Patreon. It is included as part of the $5 monthly fee that gives you access to all the other daily Patreon content,
Of course, the problem with writing an autobiography is that you have to tell the truth. Always. I've written two memoirs -- End of the Road and The Triangle of Belief. Both of those are centered on very specific and fixed points in time, and because they are memoirs, rather than autobiographies, I could sometimes tweak the truth. I could change a name to protect the innocent...or the guilty. I could combine people into one catch-all person. I could play with dates and locations and perceptions. I could exaggerate for effect.
But you can't do that with an autobiography...or at least, you can't if you don't want to cheat your readers. And cheating you is something I would not willingly do. Fair warning, then. World Domination 101 is an unvarnished and honest look at my life's story. Like all good stories, it has triumphs and heartaches and laughs and tears. It has good guys and bad guys.
And at times, I fill both those roles.
You can start reading it right now. And don’t forget about this handy Patreon Index which lists ALL of the content that is available, and provides links to make finding them easier.
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Thanks to everyone who bought a copy of TRIGGER WARNINGS last week. You put it at number one on Amazon's best-seller chart (in the Horror & Supernatural Literary Criticism chart). I really appreciate it.
If you haven't yet purchased one, you can do so here.

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As you know, I serve on the Board of Directors for Scares That Care, a 501c3 charity composed of horror professionals and horror fans that raises money to help children with cancer, women with breast, burn victims, and families.
As you also know, our charity events in Wisconsin and Virginia were both cancelled this year, due to the pandemic.
SAVE THE DATE. The Scares That Care Virtual Charity Event will take place online Saturday, August 1, from 10am (EST) to 10pm (EST), and will include actors, authors, vendors, a costume contest and much more.
Details forthcoming. A lot of folks have been asking me how they can participate. We'll first be reaching out to the actors, authors, etc who were scheduled to be guests at our Williamsburg event. After we've talked to them, we'll then begin talking to other folks. Please keep in mind that programming space will be extremely limited. The best way to help will be to donate to the cause on the day of the event.
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Last week was the online launch party for Tim Lebbon’s new book, EDEN. Mary and I were among the friends and family who were asked to record a surprise video for the event. Click here to watch it.
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Max Booth was our guest on last week's The Horror Show with Brian Keene. We talked about his two new novels, the influence of Joe R. Lansdale, time management, and the Cinestate/Fangoria controversy. Plus Matt, Dave, Mary and myself offered a remembrance of comic-book writer Denny O'Neil. It's available wherever you listen to podcasts, and this link.
On last week's episode of Defenders Dialogue, Chris Golden and I discussed Marvel's Super-Villain Team-Up issues 10 and 11. Again, it is available wherever you listen to podcasts, and this link.
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Long-time reader, writer and filmmaker Jason Tostevin has en EXCELLENT thread on Twitter about how fandom has morphed over the last 20 years, and what we can do to fix it and safeguard it. Really, really spectacular, thought-provoking stuff. Click here to read it.
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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 EVERY SINGLE DAY!
TWITTER - The only social media outlet I still use regularly.
I'll see you back here next week. Be good to each other. Happy Father's Day!