Letters From the Labyrinth 478
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My stepdaughter came to visit last Thursday night, and is staying with us through the weekend. Yesterday, she told us a friend of hers was going to be dropping by.
Around 5pm, this plane appeared above the river about 1/4 mile down the road.
And then two more planes.
And then six people jumped out of those three planes, one of which was her friend, who did indeed drop by — into the river across from our house.
As far as introducing yourself to parents goes, this kid has skills even I have to give props to.
Turns out they do this in conjunction with our local first responders so they can practice river rescues.
Good morning. I’m Brian Keene and this is Letters From the Labyrinth — a long-running weekly newsletter for fans, friends, and family that comes out every Sunday.
For collectors and rare book junkies who like to track such things, the one-of-a-kind signed, bound, original manuscript for THE RISING went for $5,000 last week and sold in less than an hour. I’m aware we could have gotten twice that, so you don’t need to add your voice to the people who’ve been saying it. Bottom line is we got what we wanted and needed, and the buyer got what they wanted and needed, and everybody was happy. I’ve got a kid on his way to college, an almost 101-year old grandma with busted up ribs and pelvis, and an 81-year old father who’s contracted a rare tick borne illness that less than 3,000 people get per year. My windows of interaction are short this summer. I don’t have time for a long and protracted auction. This is how I chose to conduct the sale.
If you missed out on it, then this is a good reminder to check the Vortex Books and Comics online store and eBay auctions once a week, because new stuff is posted all the time. In fact, I’ll be posting some new stuff on both immediately after I send this newsletter this morning.
AN OCCURRENCE IN CRAZY BEAR VALLEY is now available in audiobook for the first time. Narrated by Chet Williamson, you can listen via Audible and Apple.
It is also available as a signed paperback from Vortex Books, regular paperback from Amazon, and as an eBook for Kindle, Nook, Kobo and Apple.
Strap on your six-guns and saddle up for a shoot-out against a horde of angry Sasquatch!
The Old West has never been weirder or wilder than it has in the hands of master horror writer Brian Keene.
Morgan and his gang are on the run--from their pasts and from the posse riding hot on their heels, intent on seeing them hang. But when they take refuge in Crazy Bear Valley, their flight becomes a siege as they find themselves battling a legendary race of monstrous, bloodthirsty beings. Now, Morgan and his gang aren’t worried about hanging. They just want to live to see the dawn.
This new edition of Brian Keene’s An Occurrence in Crazy Bear Valley includes a brand-new Afterword written by the author.
This week’s Women In Horror Year write-ups feature Alma Katsu, Amanda Headlee, Michelle Scalise, Rebecca Rowland, Candace Nola, and S. P. Miskowski. You can read those, and all the other ones I’ve written so far, via the index for Women In Horror Year.
A reminder that Thunderstorm Books will put the signed, limited edition hardcover of FALLING ANGELS: THE LABYRINTH Book 4 up for preorder on Sunday, August 9th. You have about a month to save up money. We expect it to sell out during the preorder phase. It will be listed here when it goes live.
Last week, I showed you the cover. Here’s a look at the dust jacket complete with the synopsis.
Currently Watching: Tropic Thunder (Director’s Cut), War of the Worlds (2025), and The Boroughs (season 1)
Currently Reading: Advance reader copy of a forthcoming novel by Gemma Amor and Tarzan at the Earth’s Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs (reread).
Currently Listening: Various by The Who, Kool and the Gang, Glen Campbell, Tom T. Hall, and Van Halen.
Reminder — in one week and a few days, specifically Tuesday, July 21st — join me, Christopher Golden, Mary SanGiovanni, CJ Leede, Victor Lavalle, Nat Cassidy, Clay McLeod Chapman, John Langan, Nicky Gonzalez, Nicholas Kaufmann, Tanya Pell, and Tony Tremblay from 5pm to 8:30 pm at the Brooklyn Brewery, sponsored by The Twisted Spine. There will be two panel discussions involving all of us, and we will also be signing books. You can purchase books at the event or bring them from home. This is a ticketed event, so make sure you sign up in advance by clicking here. It is expected to sell out.
And at the end of the month, I will be part of the Writer’s Symposium at GenCon. Here is my schedule of events. Unfortunately, due to ongoing family health issues, Mary will not be able to make GenCon.
Folks, I can’t stress this enough — my days of big nationwide book signing tours are over. And I strongly suspect that next year there’ll be fewer signings overall. If you have the means and ability, and you’re close to one of these places, come on out.
And that does it for this week. Thanks for reading. See all of you back here next Sunday.
Brian, I'll keep your grandma and your dad in my prayers that they recover quickly and without complications. Congrats on the sale of the Rising! When you first mentioned it, my first thought was "Boy, H would love to add that to his collection." Maybe he and your friend Jesus are up there talking books with Chris and all of our friends and writers up there. I'd like to think so. Take good care. Thanks for always keeping us in the loop with the newsletter.
You have a lot of responsibilities, and it can't be easy to take care of two generations. 101 years old! But I'd call the sale of your book a success if everyone is happy. Best wishes to you.