Letters From the Labyrinth - Brian Keene - 194
Hi. I'm Brian Keene and and this is the 194th issue of Letters From the Labyrinth, a weekly newsletter for fans of my work. Previous issues are archived here.
Signed a new television option this week. I promised I wouldn't say anything more about it, however, until after it's shopped and purchased by a network or a streamer, so that they can make a big announcement.
A movie or television is like gossamer, or snow in late-April. As soon as you pay too much attention to them, they vanish. I've been fortunate enough to have three of my works turned into movies (Ghoul, The Ties That Bind and Fast Zombies Suck). But those three are the exceptions to the rule. I did some math before typing up this newsletter, and between my first story sale in 1997 and now, I've signed 27 options. That's more than one per year. 26 of those were for movie or television adaptations. One was for a video game adaptation. Only 3 of them ever made it to the screen.
But that's okay, because all 27 brought money with them. Those 24 options that never got turned into anything still paid for mortgage payments, automobile repairs, home repairs, medical bills, groceries, utilities, school supplies and all of the other things that a household spends money on.
So...do I get excited when I option something? No. But I do get hopeful each and every time. And I am also grateful each and every time. I think that's the healthiest way to approach it.
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Here's me and my 'big brother' Tom Piccirilli circa 2004 or 2005. Tom passed five years ago this week after two battles with brain cancer. A lot of people -- myself included -- feel that he was one of the best authors of our generation. Tom wrote a lot of everything -- horror, thrillers, mysteries, and western novels. Poetry and short stories and non-fiction. Comic books and even a movie that he wanted everyone to forget about. Here's everything that's in print. Do yourself a favor and check his stuff out.
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UNSAFE SPACES hit number one on Amazon this past week. I thank each of you for that.
Click here for Paperback and Kindle
Click here for Nook
Click here for Kobo
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Mary has asked me to tell you about Buzz Book Expo -- a free online event to help publishers increase awareness of their books and promote their authors. Participation is free. If you are a reader, bookseller, librarian, book reviewer, podcaster, or other media professional, go here for details.
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International best-seller F. Paul Wilson joined us for a career-spanning interview this past week on The Horror Show with Brian Keene, and discussed the Repairman Jack movie, his new novel SIGNALZ, and much more. Plus: Crossroads Press had a great month, Del Toro's At The Mountains of Madness is back on, scandal among the International Thriller Writers, and a request from Dungeonmaster 77.1
Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Libsyn – iHeartRadio – Stitcher - YouTube
Meanwhile, whatever knows fear burns at the touch of...the macabre Man-Thing! And that includes Mockingbird, Ka-Zar and Zabu! Christopher Golden and I began our deep dive into Marvel's Man-Thing with Savage Tales issue 1 and Astonishing Tales issues 12 and 13.
Listen for free on iTunes – YouTube – Libsyn – iHeartRadio – Stitcher
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On medical advice, I took some desperately-needed time off work this past week, and spent a good deal of my days doing stuff with my 12-year old -- hiking and biking, setting off leftover fireworks, and playing Minecraft (where we were joined online by author Bracken MacLeod's son). Finally got back to work Friday, focused on the final drafts of SUBURBAN GOTHIC and the new Levi novella.
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This newsletter goes out to thousands of people for free, but I have to pay to have it sent. If you fancy buying me a coffee or a beer, click this link. No pressure, and no biggie if you don't want to. I'm happy you're here, regardless.
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A reminder about the Brian Keene Radio Network. Our podcasts include The Horror Show with Brian Keene, Defenders Dialogue, Cosmic Shenanigans, and Grindcast.
Shows air via Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, GooglePlayMusic, YouTube, and all other platforms.
Shows also stream free 24/7 on Brian Keene Radio.
Advertising inquiries for all podcasts should be sent to thegrindedword @ gmail.com.
All other queries should be sent to briankeene @ live.com.
Hosted by Brian Keene, Mary SanGiovanni, Dave Thomas, and Matt Wildasin and featuring interviews with the genre’s biggest names, and discussions of the latest business news in horror fiction, publishing, film-making, comics, games and more.
Click To Listen
Hosted by Mary SanGiovanni and focusing on cosmic horror beyond Lovecraft in literature, films, television, art, games, music, and pop culture.
Christopher Golden and Brian Keene rediscover their earliest influences -- 1970s & 1980s Marvel Comics. The Defenders! The Champions! Black Goliath! Ghost Rider! Tune in each week for discussion of these and other Bronze Age classics.
The official pop culture podcast of the people! Each week join Matt Wildasin, Jason and Will as they dig deep into pop-culture news, and discuss the latest in video games, movies, comic books, novels, cosplay, and much more.
Brian Keene Radio live-streams free 24/7 from your browser or phone, playing an eclectic mix of music, comedy, interviews, features, and episodes of The Horror Show with Brian Keene, Cosmic Shenanigans, Defenders Dialogue, Grindcast, John Urbancik's Inkstains, as well as much more.
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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 week.
I'll see you back here next week!