Sleepless Nights

"When Ford decides it's time for you to start hurting... hurt you shall." -- The Horror Hotel Reviews PAY PHONE

2012-01-02T03:28:00.003-05:00

By Kyle Scott

The first time I read the late great Richard Laymon, I was around sixteen years old, and I hated his work, I mean HATED it. I had grown up with Horror literature, but the stuff I had been reading was of the, shall we say, excessively descriptive variety. I believed that a great writer should describe everything in vivid detail for the reader, and that Laymon's minimal approach was amateurish at best. See, I was a kid, with hardly any hair on my balls and no real brain in my head. I knew not what I did.

I soon came to realise that its a sign of a great writer, to be able to place the reader inside the emotional core of the work, be it character or scene, with the use of just a few pinpoint focused lines. I realised that I, the audience, was as much a participant in the transference of the novels power as the writer themselves, and that truly gifted writers had the insight, the self control and the respect for their readership, to temper those Tolkienesque/Kingian forty-page setups, and start cutting into the bone from paragraph one.

Brandon Ford, I'm very pleased to say, is one of those writers, and a damned good one at that. PAY PHONE is my first plunge into this guys rather twisted world, and he delivered the goods with surprising style, skill and confidence. This is a writer who understands that less is more, and has that wonderful ability to draw you into his world and is characters in an instant. Ford paints a fully believable reality here, that is at once completely relatable, and in its familiarity, pretty damn horrifying.

Playing out like a pitch-black, perverted vignette of life in the big city, PAY PHONE is the anti-romance. Here, the city is a desolate, dangerous place; lonely and dispassionate towards its lost, damned inhabitants. Here, the wistful dreams of lives possibilities can, and most likely will, lead to pain, terror and death. The city looks down upon her denizens with a cold gaze, as would a predator on her prey, too fascinated by its hopeless struggle for survival to make the final kill. Of course, for anyone who's lived in a city, this will feel all too damn familiar. Ford's reality is one many will recognise, but wish to God they didn't.

PAY PHONE is many things. First and foremost, it a very effective and at times damned distressing Horror story. Yet its much, much more. Its also an ensemble character study...a look into the microscope at a select few of the cities lost souls. It's a perceptive and thoughtful take on loneliness, desire and dreams, and the often devastating results they have on those who live within them. And, surprisingly, it's also a jet-back comedy, at least when it chooses to be, (when Ford decides its time for you to start hurting...hurt you shall).

Ford seems to understand the human condition pretty well. He knows that in tragedy, lies humour, and vice-versa. He understands that horrors basis lies in compassion, and that the vital element in garnering our empathy, (and fear) is through character. With PAY PHONE, he's created a very memorable bunch of misfits. From the gentle, instantly loveable lead, and her ballsy best friend, to a hilarious landlord (who's misery is as contagious as it is funny), theres a lot of good stuff to dig into here. We have career girls with some very unsavoury methods of climbing the corporate ladder, social workers who's motives may not be altogether noble, gap-toothed ladies of the night, and even a vividly realised, (and twisted as hell), relationship between psyche and psycho. Its all great stuff.

And as for the psycho...he's a pretty frightening sumbitch. A smooth talking 'Patrick Batemen' type, who's too damn fucked up to even bother climbing the Wall Street ladder. He's damaged, authentic, and complex; often very funny and, just as frequently, very disturbing. This guy has some pretty dark pastimes, and grooming random lost souls on the phone is the least of them. I won't spoil any of the fun here, but this guys exploits had me hooked, eager for more and wondering why in the hell I was doing so.

PAY PHONE is, on occasion, a very violent work. Ford doesn't pull away from the carnage, yet, wisely, doesn't bombard us constantly, either. While the Horrors are balanced by the building of character, when they hit, they hit hard. More than that, (our monster), Jake's inner demons, when unleashed, can have the effect on the reader of taking a bludgeoning. I enjoyed each and every one of these city folk, and some of them I loved. So by the time the story reached its inevitable conclusion, I was pretty damn distressed. And the novels finale authentically upset me. It the last few chapters, the humour is bled out, and a sense of real terror, danger and despair took hold. The Horror goes full throttle and in a genre where many writers have problems with closure, Ford seems to have none. He also has some pretty big balls to be pulling this sort of thing. Its as strong and effecting a finale, as I've read in many a moon.

I'm glad I found this guy. I'm pretty selective when it comes to my Horror literature, and I often find myself re-reading many of my beloved books, (God knows how many times I've revisited the works of Brian Keene or Laymon, to name just two). It's nice to have a new voice to discover, and one that fits so well with what I see as true Horror lit. Sharp, concise, fearless and fun, PAY PHONE is a blast from start to finish. It's a one/two sitting read, and yet manages to pack more emotion, insight, comedy, character and lovely red stuff into its wiry frame than many of the genre's supposed 'titans' can hope to muster. It's sick, hilarious, intelligent, perverted and disturbing.

Richard Laymon would be proud.

http://thehorrorhotel.blogspot.com/2012/01/book-review-pay-phone-brandon-ford.html

Titles

2011-12-21T02:18:00.002-05:00

Back in 2005, when I first started the manuscript for Splattered Beauty, I had a completely different title in mind--Slashers & Scream Queens. As a horror fanboy, I loved this title. I thought it not only went hand-in-hand with my ode to my favorite ladies of the genre, but it also fit the story well. After all, it involves a scream queen who spends the vast majority of her career running from slashers only to in turn become the slasher in her own life. I thought it worked and worked well. Not only that, but I was certain those who appreciated the genre as much as I did would get a kick out of it.

As I started floating the title around to close friends and acquaintances, I noticed a pattern—those who appreciated the genre as much as I did loved it. Those who didn’t thought it was somewhat humorous, but that’s about it. I thought long and hard about this and ultimately decided to take the suggestion of someone who, at the time, was very close to me and changed the title. I was glad that other fanboys had an appreciation for the title, but it wasn’t only them I wanted to reach. I had envisioned my book being embraced by the masses, not just an audience of devoted genre followers.

So, shortly after the novel was finished, I changed the title to Splattered Beauty, which references a subplot introduced midway through the book. Though it works on some levels, I’ve come to find that it is also a bit misleading. Readers who’ve judged the novel on the title alone have come to assume it’s an Edward Lee-style gorefest. It isn’t. Don’t get me wrong, there are some pretty visceral scenes in the novel, it’s just not by any means an over-the-top blood and guts romp.

The more I thought about it, the more I began to miss the Slashers & Scream Queens title and the more I’ve regretted changing it. The only thing I can think of that would right this wrong is if, down the road, I’m approached by a publisher who wants to do a reprint. Then I can have the opportunity to change the title back. It would be nice to see my novel published under the title I originally intended.

There’s a lesson to be had here--always go with your gut. I sure wish I had. What do you guys think? Which title works better? Please feel free to leave your comments below.

Guest Post: "Computer vs. Pen" by Kimberly A. Bettes

2011-11-28T14:31:00.003-05:00

There seems to be some discussion floating around the internet as to whether it’s better to write your rough drafts (or any draft, for that matter) on some sort of electronic device - I say it that way because I’m sure somewhere in a dank basement, a fella is cranking out a manuscript on a typewriter - or with pen and paper, Shakespeare style.

While it’s true that I’ve been known to write some things by hand, short stories, notes, things of that nature, my preferred method is - and always has been - computer. I started out as a teenager clinking on the keys of an old typewriter. I moved on to a new electronic typewriter, which made my life easier. From there, I found my way to my first computer and I’ve never looked back. I’m sure it helps that I type like a madman, fingers flying across the keys in a blur, but in my opinion, it’s the only way to do it.

I keep a pen and notebook next to my bed because that’s where most of my best story ideas come to me. I’ve even tried to write stories Shakespeare style. Unless they’re really short, I give up and turn on my computer. My poor little hand cramps up in a miserable attempt to keep up with my whirring mind, a challenge never won. Even as fast as I type, there are still times when my hands can’t type fast enough to keep up with my thoughts. My fingers are fast, but my thoughts are faster.

I know a certain someone (I won’t mention his name, but his initials are Brandon Ford) who says that writing by hand makes you choose your words more carefully. If he’s correct, and I’m sure he is, that would make the editing process a breeze. I see his point. I’m sure you would be more selective using that method. You’d almost have to be. But I like to write as the thoughts come and edit them out later. Plus, even after writing your story by hand, you still have to type it as there aren’t many places accepting handwritten manuscripts these days. So in the end, we’re at the same place, only I took the quicker, easier route.

I’m certainly not saying that either method is right or wrong. As long as you end up with a fabulous finished product, I suppose both methods are correct. I guess what it comes down to is whichever method you prefer, whichever method works best for you. To each his own.

***

Kimberly A. Bettes, Author of The Good Neighbor and Annie's Revenge.
Available at Barnes & Noble, Sony, Apple, many other online retailers, and soon Amazon.
http://kimberlyabettes.wordpress.com

Book Review: Alan Draven's "Fractured Time"

2011-10-29T17:56:00.003-04:00

Fractured Time
By Alan Draven
365 Pages
Black Bed Sheet Books
©2011

In Fractured Time, Alan Draven’s triumphant return and long-anticipated follow-up to 2007’s Bitternest, we’re introduced to Donovan Vicar, a complex character with an extraordinary gift. He is known as a “feeler” (a man who has the ability to feel the vibrations of people around him). Draven once again brings the reader back to the sleepy small town of Bitternest, Louisiana, where a late-night walk brings Donovan face-to-face with pure evil. Instantly, he is thrust into a harrowing journey and a quest for truth as he finds himself aboard a bus headed into the black night. Tired and weary, he falls into a deep sleep, waking to find something is very wrong. He soon discovers that he has traveled back in time, back several decades to the year 1957, where a dark and sinister force is claiming the lives of several young women in the town of Bitternest. With the aid of two of the town’s inhabitants, Donovan watches as the mystery slowly unravels and finds the clues that will bring him back to his own time.

As it’s clearly shown in Bitternest and the 2010 collection The Bitternest Chronicles (read my reviews here and here), Alan Draven is a fascinating and unique voice in the realm of mystery/horror fiction. His works are always fleshed-out, stylish, and intriguing and Fractured Time is certainly no exception.

The characters in this shocking suspensor are completely three-dimensional and, as always, Draven gives them all unique voices/motives. The good guys are sympathetic and relatable, while the bad guys are as ruthless and as vicious as one could imagine. Through skilled narration, Draven brings the reader back to a time where all of the treasured and dependable gadgets of today are absent. It’s hard to imagine a time without computers and cell phones to save us, but Draven pulls it off wonderfully and his story is believable and real, even with its supernatural theme.

All in all, Fractured Time is a fantastic read with lots of twists and turns down a winding path of unspeakable evil.

Available now on Amazon.com!

Me and My Judith

2011-10-08T21:56:00.002-04:00

Those of you that follow me on Twitter and Facebook know that I'm very much a Judge Judy addict. I watch her every day, am often very vocal about it, and lovingly refer to her as "My Judith." Earlier this evening, Kimberly A. Bettes, a friend on the social networks, surprised me with the Photoshopped picture above. I got such a kick out of it that I decided to post it here, Hope it gives you guys as big a smile. Thanks again to Kimberly for making my whole weekend!

Book Review: "Tales from the Midnight Shift: Volume 1" by Mark Allan Gunnells

2011-10-08T11:59:00.002-04:00

Tales from the Midnight Shift: Volume 1
By Mark Allan Gunnells
Sideshow Press
330 Pages
©2011

In this wonderfully macabre and delightfully twisted collection, Mark Allan Gunnells takes the reader on one hell of a ride, assaulting the senses with tales of shocking brutality, vicious irony, and questionable pleasures.

Tales from the Midnight Shift: Volume 1 contains 16 original works of short fiction, each unique in its own way. With every story, you’re bound to discover something extraordinary, captivating, and far beyond the norm. In “God Doesn’t Follow You Into the Bathroom,” the book’s opening tale and one of its most twisted, you’ll meet a God-fearing priest with devilish motives. In “Jam,” you’re introduced to the agony and frustration of being stuck in a traffic jam and what could happen when a civilized society loses all self-control. In “Playing Possum,” you’ll meet a tormented young man who finds comfort and solace in a strange new friend.

Mark Allan Gunnells has an obvious gift for creating unique characters and throwing them into strange and unexpected circumstances. His dialogue rings true and his descriptions are strong and visual. The stories are painted vividly and it’s easy to find yourself lost in this strange new world, especially with stories like “Jam,” “Snuff,” and “Accidents Happen,” my personal favorites. This is a wonderful collection and one I’m positive will satisfy and engage readers of authors like Richard Laymon and Jeff Strand.

Tales from the Midnight Shift: Volume 1 is available in an eye-catching hardcover limited edition from Sideshow Press and features beautiful illustrations by Tony Karnes and Tom Moran.

Guest Post: "Meet Ellie" by Cat Connor

2011-10-06T05:51:00.006-04:00

Mystery/suspense author and New Zealand native Cat Connor was kind enough to write a guest blog for Sleepless Nights, where she introduces us to Gabrielle "Ellie" Conway, an FBI agent and lead character of the Byte series. Read on for a glimpse into the mind of this complex heroine and to find out how to get a free copy of Torrent, Cat's recent collection, for your Amazon Kindle!

***

Howdy,

I’m SSA Gabrielle Conway – you can call me Ellie. (Or whatever you’d like - just don’t call me, Gabrielle, we DO NOT use the ‘G’ word.)

Let me tell you a little bit about myself, I’m a Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI. I lead a team called Delta A – based in Washington DC. We mainly investigate serial crime. There are four of us in Delta A; SA Lee Davenport – or as we like to call him Special Agent Ridiculously Good looking; SA Sam Jackson; and SSA Doctor Kurt Henderson. We tend to work in two teams. Often it’s Lee and Sam, me and Kurt, but not always. I’m also the main character in The _Byte Series of novels written by Cat Connor.

I like to let Cat tag along when we’re working. She still thinks she made me up, one day, one day I’ll tell her I’ve always been here but I didn’t always let her hear me.

It’s kinda cute how she thinks she’s making it happen when I’m the one showing her the movie footage she sees in her head. I’m the reason she can’t change the outcome. She’s telling my stories and they don’t always end well. In a perfect world we could pick our own ending. But from where I stand -the world is far from perfect and you have to play the hand you’re dealt. (Or fold… and I’m not much for quitters.)

A few years ago my husband was gunned down – I was trying to come up with a gentler way of saying it - but there isn’t one. I was in the middle of a crime scene when I heard the gun fire outside. Sometimes you just know it’s bad. It could’ve been someone shooting at any of the police, fire, paramedics, or even bystanders outside the house – but I knew it was my car he opened fire on and my husband that lay bleeding on the road while paramedics tried to save his life.

Cat wanted to change that part of the story so badly; it almost did her head in. I was trying to explain to her that she doesn’t get to re-write history, this about telling the story as it happened. She still struggles with the images I showed her that day. Truthfully, we all do. The kid he saved that night, she struggles more than the rest of us.

Some days I think Cat is close to figuring out how she writes what she writes. Other days, while I watch her trying to change history, I know she has no fuc’n clue. Really, you think I would’ve killed the love of my life for fun or to surprise the shit out of readers? No.

There is stuff I hate showing her, because I know she’ll fight tooth and nail to try to stop it happening. You can’t stop what’s already happened. There is no way to change that.

The things I’ve shown her are way ahead of what anyone has read. Rebel e Publishers has published three of the Byte books so far (killerbyte, terrorbyte, Exacerbyte). The fourth (Flashbyte) is embroiled in the editing process now with Rebels glorious editor Jayne Southern. But meanwhile, I spilled my guts to Cat about another chapter in my life, and she wrote it. The 5th Byte novel, Soundbyte. I thought I was going to lose Cat by the end of that story. It’s tough. It took me a lot longer to show her all the movie reels for Soundbyte. Sometimes there are things you don’t want to see again.

When it gets too scary for her (and me) - I tell her shorter stories that are mostly fun or me trying to deal with the fallout from my crazy life. She put a collection together recently and released it as a Kindle book. It’s called Torrent. If you ask her nicely, she’ll give you a copy. (Just tweet her @catconnor and say you read this post and would like a copy of Torrent… but be warned those stories contain spoilers.)

My biggest question to date: Is this a parallel universe thing or am I dead?

I’m not sure I want to know.

***

You can pick up the Byte series now on Amazon.com! For more information on Cat Connor, please visit the following links:

Ellie's Blog: http://otherwisecat.blogspot.com/
Cat's blog: http://catconnor.blogspot.com/
Rebel E Publishing: http://rebelepublishers.com/

'Decayed Etchings' Book Trailer!

2011-09-12T05:20:00.002-04:00

Tim Ritter, the demented mind behind Truth or Dare: A Critical Madness and Killing Spree, put together this fantastic trailer to coincide with the release of my new collection, Decayed Etchings. Check it out and don't forget to leave a few words in the comments section. Many thanks to Tim for his hard work and invaluable support.

Putting myself out there

2011-08-14T07:38:00.001-04:00

I’m really not the type of person to put all of my cards on the table. I never was. It’s only when I get to know someone do I truly start to open up. Guess it all stems from insecurity (which I have a lot of). But there is something that has become a huge part of my life over the past 5 or 6 years and it’s something I never liked talking about much. Recently, I decided that maybe I should talk about it. Maybe I should try putting myself out there a little more. So here goes.

When I was 23, I noticed something had changed. Something about me was different. It was a shift in my vision. My eyes became more sensitive to sunlight and I had a lot of trouble adjusting when stepping indoors. My night vision seemed to weaken and I noticed myself stumbling a little more than normal and tripping over imperfections in sidewalks. I couldn’t focus as well as I once had. My peripherals were poor. I started seeing an awful lot of flashes and floaters. I was even starting to have trouble discerning things on my television screen. And the most frightening thing of all—I started having trouble seeing things that were right in front of me.

A trip to an eye specialist followed. After several tests (some more unpleasant than others), I discovered that what I had is a rare condition called retinitis pigmentosa. It occurs when there has been some severe damage to the retinas, but can also be passed down genetically. Studies have proven that certain individuals can be mere carriers of retinitis pigmentosa and have no symptoms. It has also been said that as little as 1 in 4,000 people in North America have this condition.

There are no treatments. There is no cure. This is something I am forced to live with.

Over the past few years, as I watched my vision continue to deteriorate, there have been a lot of things I stopped doing because I knew that I couldn’t. I don’t drive. I don’t have much of a social life. Really don’t go out, unless it’s absolutely necessary and under some sort of guardianship. And I started to feel like I was watching my life pass me by. There is one thing, however, that I refuse to let my condition be affected by and that is my writing.

True, it’s no easy feat. Even scribbling on a notepad can be pretty difficult, especially if I’m not under the right magnitude of light. And things like adjusting the brightness on my computer monitor have made the process of printing a tad easier. But there are also times when it seems to be too much of a challenge and so I grant myself some time away from the craft I’ve learned to love and adore for more than two decades.

But I know one thing for sure and that is I will never stop writing. This is a promise I’ve made to myself and a promise I fully intend to keep. I’ll keep on tweaking the brightness levels on my monitor. I’ll keep switching rooms to find that perfect light to scribble under. And if there ever comes a time when my vision is lost completely—and this is something I fear greatly—I’ll get myself a tape recorder.

I have too many books I want to write. Too many stories I want to tell.

I decided to write this blog to let readers know that even if you don’t see me at conventions or bookstore signings, I’m still here. And you’ll definitely be hearing more from me in the future.

Tim Ritter offers a few words on 'Decayed Etchings'

2011-08-11T23:57:00.006-04:00

Cult filmmaker Tim Ritter, known for such indie horror epics as Truth or Dare: A Critical Madness, Creep, Killing Spree, Wicked Games, Reconciled Through the Christ, and most recently, Deadly Dares (the long-anticipated sequel to Truth or Dare), was kind enough to write a very generous review for my new collection, Decayed Etchings. Comparing my works to such genre favorites as Richard Laymon and Jack Ketchum, he was beyond gracious and I could never thank him enough for his wonderful words. Read on for the full review. Also, please check out Tim's review of my 2009 novel Splattered Beauty by clicking here.

Horror author Brandon Ford returns with a new anthology book that highlights eighteen or so brand-spanking new short stories. Short stories are hard to write and of course, everyone is going to "like" some stories and think less of others-it's a difficult balance to have them all please everyone.

Ford writes in the fine traditions of his inspirations- late author Richard Laymon and cult favorite Jack Ketchum (adding his own style, of course!). He takes "ripped from the headlines" situations and normal, everyday characters and sort of bends and twists things into...decayed etchings (he explains how all this came about in a nice preface)! His work is tinged with high eroticism and stylized violence, so consider yourself forewarned on this factor.

The stories all deal with folks trying to deal with over-the-top and outrageous issues, both mental and physical. Everything from deranged husbands, bar pickups, nurses with no compassion, stoners on a street binge, a prostitute's misfortune, a luckless cop trying to get a cat out of a tree, a man who can't get over his deceased wife, an apartment tenant who can't stand the noise around him, a man's insomnia gone ballistic, a childhood point-of-view of a home invasion by killers, an author going to meet his number one (and only!) fan, a wacko that won't stop videotaping a woman on the street for unknown reasons, a reality show reporter who isn't what he appears to be, a college dude who tries to impress a girl with disasterous results, a paranoid man who can't deal with being alone, a woman with a murderous secret on her chest, a jilted woman who gets her revenge, and a man who decides to tell everyone how he REALLY feels about them, no matter what the consequences.

These stories are written short and sweet, some ending so suddenly that it's almost jarring. At first this was kind of annoying, just as you're getting into things...they end! But it makes them unique and memorable...long after you finish them, you find yourself recalling the madness. There a moments where you'll be screaming out loud saying, "Oh NO!!!! NO WAY!" and moments where you'll be like, "Oh man, that's sick!" but you'll always have a (twisted) smile on your face at the end of each tale.

Ford does the near impossible here and actually makes each story a page-turner, one where you want to find out how it ends and what he has up his sleeve next. Even Ketchum and King's collected short works have a few here and there that really leave the reader cold or shaking your head "WHAT WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?!?!" But here, Ford really keeps the pedal to the metal and the chills going down your spine, keeping everything grounded in a warped but fun reality. As I mentioned, some lessons Ford's characters learn stick with you in a depraved (but fun) way- like not wearing a wedding ring when you visit a hot young prostitute and not shoving a flower stem in a place where you shouldn't! And beware of sleepwalkers- man, they can be PSYCHOTIC!

Ford also offers insights into his frustrations with "making it in the writing biz" (as most authors/artists eventually do in their work) with BOOKENDS. Even though this is a tragic story, there's still a glimmer of hope at the end. I always love stories like this, Stephen King always "writes about the writer in him" and it's always fascinating to read. No exception here.

Most of the stories have a nice (unexpected) twist or payoff at the end in the best traditions of TWILIGHT ZONE or CREEPSHOW. Ford is an author obviously fueled by horror and b-movies, and tales like I'M UP HERE are respectfully influenced by obscure cult filmmakers like Frank Henenlotter. It'd actually make great source material for a BAD BIOLOGY sequel or for some daring filmmaker to tackle!

So if you like stories of twisted madness, I think you'll REALLY enjoy this book. Ford is a good writer with good ideas and excellent prose, and again...all of the stories are quick. Some a quick kiss. Others a quick snap of the dominatrix's whip right on your naked flesh, drawing blood. Either way, you're going to feel something!

Scroll down to check out the teaser trailer for Deadly Dares and please don't forget to visit Tim Ritter's official site at: www.timritter.com!

Goals

2011-08-03T05:30:00.004-04:00

Once upon a time, I decided to make a list of things I'd like to achieve professionally. Win a Stoker, make the New York Times Bestseller's List, things like that. One of the goals listed was to one day release my own short story collection. With the release of Decayed Etchings, I finally got to cross it off! A very proud moment indeed.

I had originally intended on making a YouTube video where I'd film myself making that ceremonious line across the page, but seeing as how I haven't had the best of luck uploading videos in the past (and the fact that I have a pretty bland on-camera presence), I decided a picture would suffice.

Wonder which one I'll get to cross off next. I've got my fingers crossed on the Stoker.

10 things you didn't know about "Decayed Etchings"

2011-07-30T02:36:00.002-04:00

The idea for this entry came from my good friend, author Andrew Wolter. He wrote a similar essay detailing what inspired the stories for his collection, Much of Madness, More of Sin. He thought it might be fun if I did the same for Decayed Etchings. Sounded good to me, so I decided to go for it. Thanks very much to Andrew for the idea.

And don't worry. I tried my hardest not to include any spoilers. Enjoy and don't forget to pick up your copy of Decayed Etchings!

1. “Goodbye, Elsie” and “Sound Off” were both inspired by real-life incidents. “Goodbye, Elsie” was based on a story about a man burning leaves in his backyard. It was a big news article and was even written about in the David Sedaris book When You Are Engulfed in Flames. The idea for “Sound Off” came from a British documentary titled 101 Embarrassing Sexual Accidents.

2. “Guilty Pleasures” was obviously inspired by the Dateline series To Catch a Predator. I was an avid watcher of those shows and never missed a single episode. I wanted to write something along the same lines and the idea came pretty much instantaneously. What didn’t come, however, was a suitable title. When the story was completed, approximately 5 years ago, I was stumped on what I should call it. Very hesitantly, I decided on the title “Darkest Fantasies”. I hated it from the get-go, but couldn’t think of anything more fitting. Approximately six months before I compiled the stories for Decayed Etchings, I saw the title “Guilty Pleasures” while perusing books on Amazon.com and decided to rip it off. I think it fits the story nicely.

3. “Sledgehammer” was written on an early summer morning, in bed, on a yellow legal pad, while I listened to the sounds of my neighbors breaking up the concrete in their backyard. The entire first draft was written in a single sitting.

4. “A Walk in the Park” came about when I asked myself the question, “What really happens when you wake a sleepwalker?”

5. I had the title “I’m Up Here” for approximately one year before the actual story was written. I liked the title, thought it was funny and provocative, and knew that I wanted the story to concern a beautiful woman with very large breasts. Unfortunately, that was all I had. It took me several months of pondering and conceiving before I finally decided on something.

6. “Band of Gold” came about after watching two documentaries on the adult film industry: 9 to 5: Days in Porn and Porn’s Most Outrageous Outtakes.

7. “Pillow Talk” was inspired by a single line of dialogue in an episode of The Kids in the Hall.

8. I got the idea for “Bookends” when I decided that, as a thank-you, I was going to send one of my novels to a writer that has inspired me greatly over the years. This writer, who shall remain nameless, has been known for doing some pretty outrageous things over the years, as it’s well documented in his books. And then I started to wonder what would happen if he popped in for a surprise visit. He never did.

9. The title “Prognosis Negative” is an homage to Seinfeld, one of my all-time favorite sitcoms. In an early episode, the gang plans to get to the theater to see an overhyped movie with the same title, but due to a series of mishaps, it doesn’t seem to work out the way they planned.

10. “Camera Shy” came from a dream I once had. I saw myself holding a camcorder in front of a very pissed-off young woman who wanted only to be left alone. For whatever reason, I persisted and continued filming.

DECAYED ETCHINGS Merchandise and More!

2011-06-12T18:58:00.013-04:00

Lots of big news to share, so please bear with me.

First, the incredibly awesome Decayed Etchings wraparound and official synopsis have been revealed (see below). Also, readers can now pre-order their copies from the Black Bed Sheet Books official store by clicking here! Price is $14.95, plus shipping and handling. Other major online retailers, like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, will follow after next month's release date of July 4th. Kindle and Nook editions will be available shortly thereafter.

(Click image to see full-size version)

And, for the first time ever, you can get your paws on official Brandon Ford merchandise! Black Bed Sheet Books are offering mugs, t-shirts, caps, and more, all to coincide with the release of Decayed Etchings! Click the links below each item to place your order at the official Black Bed Sheet Books Store!

Decayed Etchings T-Shirt

Decayed Etchings T-Shirt - White

Decayed Etchings Limited Edition T-Shirt

Decayed Etchings Banner

Decayed Etchings Mug

Decayed Etchings Cap

Lastly, my Creeping Shadows co-authors, Alan Draven and Jessica Lynne Gardner, will have their own releases from Black Bed Sheet Books on 7/4! First up is Alan's Fractured Time, a follow-up to his novel Bitternest and Jessica's supernatural novella Unholy Repression. Check out the links below and order your copies now!

That's all for now! Stay tuned for many more details in the coming weeks!

Click here to order your copy of Alan Draven's Fractured Time!

Click here to order your copy of Jessica Lynne Gardner's Unholy Repression!

DECAYED ETCHINGS - Artwork and table of contents revealed!

2011-05-31T17:42:00.000-04:00

Drumroll, please! I am now pleased and excited to unveil the artwork for my forthcoming collection, Decayed Etchings! As previously stated, this collection contains 18 brand new, never-before-published tales of dark fiction, as well as an introduction by yours truly! The lineup is as follows:

1. Famous Last Words
2. Closure
3. Goodbye, Elsie
4. The Suitor
5. Prognosis Negative
6. Trippity-Doo-Da
7. Band of Gold
8. Cat Call
9. Pillow Talk
10. Sledgehammer
11. A Walk in the Park
12. My Sacred Slumber
13. Bookends
14. Camera Shy
15. Guilty Pleasures
16. Sound Off
17. Uninvited
18. I’m Up Here

These are some of my favorite works and I'm incredibly excited for you guys to check 'em out. May they enduce many "sleepless nights."

Please post a comment below and let me know how you like the artwork!

DECAYED ETCHINGS - A sneak preview!

2011-05-28T03:34:00.002-04:00

As some of you may or may not know, the release of my next book is right around the corner. It's a collection of 18 brand new, never-before-published works of short fiction titled Decayed Etchings. Buried within its pages, you'll find jilted lovers, cheating spouses, bizarre fetishes, acid trips, sleepwalkers, and even a monster or two. To help whet your appetite, I thought I'd unveil a very short excerpt. Scroll down and have a look!

From My Sacred Slumber:

My heart began to race, beats thumping faster and faster with every breath, though I struggled to appear sedate. I knew something bad was about to happen and I began to pray for my parents and for my sister.

Downstairs, I heard a loud rustling. Things breaking. A variety of objects being tossed around carelessly, thoughtlessly.

A grimy hand touched mine and I swear to God, it took every ounce of strength I had not to flinch or pull away. His fingers caressed mine and his thumb tickled my palm. He then reached for the end of my pink, flower-printed bedspread and pulled. Careful not to wake me, he slowly pulled it forward, revealing my tiny frame. The comforter was pulled all the way back, past my ankles, and I could hear all of the bedclothes hit the floor.

The chair squeaked again. I knew he was standing now. I could feel his breath on my lips as he leaned in close to me. Breathing in, I could smell the remnants of beer on his breath. I recognized the aroma immediately, for it was the same scent I inhaled when I placed a thank-you kiss on my father’s cheek that afternoon. Dad never had more than one can, so the smell was weak. What I breathed in at that moment was much, much stronger.

Again he groaned and I wanted so badly to scream, especially when I felt his hand on my stomach. He lifted my shirt and I felt his hand on my skin. A finger ran along my navel, tracing the tiny hole. Upward his caressed traveled and his fingers slid across my unformed breasts. The groan again, then a small, but distinctive laugh.

In my mind I cried out for my family and I wanted so badly to know why they were letting this happen to me. All I wanted was to scream, to cry, to force him away and to flee, but I couldn’t help believing that if I remained still and quiet, I would be okay. If only he continued to believe I was asleep, he wouldn’t hurt me. Not really….

To find out what happens, pick up your copy of Decayed Etchings, coming this summer from Black Bed Sheet Books. Tentative release date is July 4, 2011. Stay tuned for more updates!

He'll Get Under Your Skin... -- SKINNER (1993)

2011-04-26T05:37:00.005-04:00

Tonight, I decided to revist one of my favorite horror films--an incredibly obscure and sadly underrated no-budget gem from 1993 titled Skinner. Dennis Skinner (played by Ted Raimi) is a sadistic serial killer who slaughters prostitutes, skins them, and wears the hides. Heidi ('80s porn queen Traci Lords) is a scarred survivor who will stop at nothing to wreak bloody vengeance on the psychopath who has left most of the flesh on her body permanently disfigured. Caught in the middle of all this is Carrie (Ricki Lake), a married woman Dennis is renting a room from, who begins to develop feelings for her new border.

One of my favorite scenes has always been about halfway through the film when Dennis reveals his twisted past to the corpse he is in the process of mutilating. His delivery is downright chilling and for me, it has always been the film's standout moment. So, I decided type it over so those of you who haven't seen the film can appreciate its depraved intentions. Also, have a look at the trailer, which shows pieces of the memorable scene.

“Can I tell you a little story about myself? I don’t know if you ever met my father. I never really liked him much. I doubt you would’ve. Anyway, when my mother died, he insisted on doing my mother’s postmortem. Why? I don’t know. Well, anyway, there I was, watching my father cutting her up, doing his slicing, doing his dicing. God, I remember it like it was happening yesterday. And he said, he had a smile on his face, “I want you to watch this, son.” And he reached over and pulled my mother’s face off. Just pulled it right off. Now, I was pretty sick to my stomach, as you can imagine. I was six years old. What did he expect? So, after he beat me up and I had time to think things over a little bit, I snuck back into the room where he did it—the cutting up and stuff. I just stood there, looking at my mother’s dead body. For hours. Dead. In the box. Well, my father hadn’t done such a good job of sewing her up. Like he always used to say to me, “Sewing is woman’s work, son.” Anyway, I just kinda walked over to the corpse, where my mother was, and I reached out… and I… pulled her face right off. Just like Father showed me. And then, I walked across to the big mirror my father used to keep in his room and I looked at myself in it. Except that it wasn’t me looking back at me. It was my mother. And believe me, at six years old, that can really freak you out. You know what I mean?”

Keepsakes

2011-03-01T03:59:00.009-05:00

I’ve always been a sentimental person. For as long as I can remember, for as long as I’ve been alive, I liked to keep things that reminded me of a certain person, a certain experience, a certain anything. I remember, as a kid, rifling through desk drawers and finding huge bits of newspaper that I kept only because it held an article I enjoyed reading several years prior. Recently, I’ve learned to cut way back on the things that I’ve saved, as I’ve seen that my behaviors were becoming dangerously close to hoarding.

While rummaging through some boxes packed away in my bedroom closet, I came across two notebooks that were once very important to me. These were the notebooks I used to pen (literally) my first novel, Crystal Bay. There is so much about those months that I remember so vividly.

I remember a sultry July 4th evening in 2004 when I took a walk down to a local Rite Aid and bought these notebooks with the determination to start and finish a novel. Up until that point, I’d completed several works, yes, but none that fit that title. I remember stepping back into the humidity, shopping back in hand, and being approached by a woman who needed money to feed her child (an experience I later wrote about in the book). I remember throwing myself onto my bed, pen in-hand, and beginning the very first chapter.

This first draft, as I said, began in early July and took me all the way until the end of December to complete. In that time, I took those notebooks with me everywhere. I’d rest them on my lap and start scribbling while riding the bus, while in the waiting room of a doctor’s office, while on a break at my former retail job, or getting some sun in my backyard. I was seated at my kitchen table on that cold winter evening when I finished the final chapter. I remember pausing for a few minutes to gather my thoughts in between paragraphs, pacing back and forth on the linoleum while I decided the fate of my characters. When the time came to write “the end” and I closed those books, the feeling was indescribable.

After the second draft of the manuscript had been completed, I kept those notebooks tucked away, knowing I’d get a kick out of pulling them out one day. It’s interesting to see how the book has evolved over time. In a lot of ways, the story is different. But in a lot of ways, it’s exactly the same. I know one thing for sure, though—I’m definitely not the same person I was when I first sat down to begin that opening chapter.

Computers, Zombies, and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz: An Interview with Mark Allan Gunnells

2011-02-17T05:03:00.009-05:00

Fellow small press author and horror scribe Mark Allan Gunnells was kind enough to sit down with me for an exclusive interview for Sleepless Nights. Here, he describes his influences, his inspirations, and much more.

How long have you been writing?

I think I started writing at approximately age 10, little one page horror stories that were sort of Twilight Zone rip-offs, and also my attempt at a novel (which was probably 20 pages) about a child miillionaire that kept his riches under his mattress who was kidnapped. I modeled the character after Ricky Schroder of Silver Spoons fame. In Junior High I mostly fell into angsty, melodramatic, really bad poetry, until rediscovering my love of fiction in high school.

Can you remember what initially drew you towards the horror genre?

I'm not sure if I can pinpoint what exactly drew me to horror, but it was a love affair that started at a young age. I remember my mother agreeing after much begging to let me stay up and watch The Exorcist when it aired on TV. By the time Linda Blair was floating over the bed, I was hiding behind the sofa and my mother sent me to my room, but I was hooked from then on. I would walk down to the local theater to see every new Friday, Nightmare, and Halloween film. And as for reading, I always went for the dark tales, the spooky tales, the ones that made me want to sleep with the lights on. Maybe it was just that I found horror tales more exciting, perhaps I got a kick out the adrenaline rush of fear. I also think it's possible that I was drawn to the limitlessness of horror, how there were no rules and anything could happen. And my favorite horror has always been the ones that focus on suspense over gore, that sense of being on the edge of your seat just dying to know what's going to happen next. I guess I try to create a little of that in my own writing.

So you try to concentrate more on the psychological aspect of horror when it comes to penning your own works?

I like to think I try. Not that I'm above going for the gross-out from time to time. But I like horror that comes from character. Meaning villains that are 3-dimensional and complex, protagonists that you can relate to and who you become invested in. I've never been a fan of the kind of horror where you root for the killer to off a bunch of obnoxious unlikable characters. In my own work, I aim to put regular people in extraordinary situations and the fun comes from watching how they react. That isn't perhaps the most original approach, but it is what I enjoy.

You currently have 2 books out at the moment. What was your inspiration for them?

My zombie novella, Asylum, came from my love of the Romero films, the formula of the group of people all from different backgrounds with different views banding together, barricading themselves in to try to ride out the onslaught of the undead. As a gay man, I would sometimes watch them and think, "Where are all the gay people? How come we never survive anything?" So I wanted to write a zombie story set in a gay club, give the reader a cast of characters he or she may not be used to seeing in that kind of tale.

My other book collects two novellas. Whisonant was actually inspired by a trip to the graveyard near my house, wandering among the tombstones and I thought suddenly how creepy it would be to happen across the grave of someone who died the day I was born. An idea came to me, and I combined it with my love of college campus horrors. The other novella, Creatures of the Light is a creature feature and was actually inspired by something my partner said after we'd watched a couple of movies that dealt with creatures that could only come out at night. He said, "Why are there never any creatures that can only come out in the sunlight?" That gave me the germ of an idea.

Which authors are you most inspired by?

I am in awe of Lansdale. I admire how eclectic he is, crossing genres and subject matters. I also think he shows how artful simplicity can be. He can create fully realized characters and really make you see the locations of his story with real economy of words.

Neil Gaiman is another favorite of mine. There seems to be a touch of magic in everything he does.

It may seem cliche but I also really admire King. I think his character work is amazing, and despite all his fame and fortune, I still get the impression that he still writes because he just loves telling stories.

I could go on naming authors all night. There are a bunch of writers I've only recently discovered in the small press market--Michael McBride, Gene O'Neill, James Newman, Brian Knight--that are really impressing me.

Every writer has at least one or two dog-eared novels they've read countless times and can't get enough of, either because they find it helps inspire them, or they simply love the story and characters. What book(s) would you say falls under that category for you?

First one that comes to mind is Stephen King's Misery. I think it is a near perfect novel. A very tightly plotted thriller, two wonderful characters, but what I think really makes it stand out for me is the fact that it has a lot of very intelligent things to say about writing and why storytellers do what we do.

Another is Gaiman's Neverwhere, it's an absolutely delightful fantasy novel, sort of a post-modern Wizard of Oz where Dorothy figures out that Kansas sucks and she wants to be with all the freaks and magic.

Speaking of which, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is one I've reread as an adult and still find charming and engaging. .

What helps get you in the mood to write?

All I need is a good idea that gets me excited. Then I just want to sit down and tell that story.

Do you ever write longhand?

In the early days, I used to write longhand then type up my stories on a typewriter. Nowadays I really need to be at a computer. If I'm in a bind, somewhere without a computer and inspiration hits, I can write longhand, but my hand can't seem to keep up with my mind. Computers have spoiled me, I guess.

How many drafts do you usually write before deciding a manuscript is done?

It really varies. I have actually finished a story and submitted it as is without any changes at all, and even had a few accepted like that. Other times I tinker and tinker, changing this and that, retooling and polishing, before I'm satisfied. The story itself usually tells me when it's done, and if I don't listen to it, I can really mess things up.

What advice do you have for struggling genre writers desperate to get their names and their work out there?

My advice is simply to have fun. When you sit down to write, don't get bogged down by worrying about market trends and what publishers might say. That kind of thing locks you up and leads to dry, flat prose. You have to enjoy what you're doing, there has to be joy and passion in your writing. So I always say write to entertain yourself or else you won't be entertaining anyone else. .

Scroll down to check out Mark doing a brief reading of his latest book and don't forget to pick up your copy of Asylum, now available on Amazon.com, and Whisonant/Creatures of the Light, available from Sideshow Press. Thanks again to Mark for taking the time to sit down for an interview!

Book Review: ASYLUM by Mark Allan Gunnells

2011-02-11T01:02:00.003-05:00

A throng of multi-faceted characters find themselves trapped inside Asylum, a trendy gay bar, while dozens of vicious, flesh-ripping zombies swarm the building with an unyielding hunger.

Curtis, a college student who is slowly learning to come to terms with his homosexuality, is dragged out for a night on the town by Jimmy, his flamboyantly gay roommate/mentor. They are the first to encounter the slow-moving, yet powerful monsters. When they realize there is no escape, they barricade themselves inside and come face to face with a roomful of stragglers, including Madame Diva, a drag queen who owns/runs the club; Gil, a bartender and ex-Vietnam vet; and Jarvis, a British import/stripper. Together, they secure the exits and pray for the cavalry. However, they soon realize that the entire city is overrun by the walking dead and the situation is more dire than they’d realized.

Asylum is a fun and fast-paced read with a variety of fleshed-out characters that leap from each page. These are not stick figures. They’re actual human beings with a past, present, and, unfortunately, a small chance of a future. They are also relatable in many ways.

The violence is strong, descriptive, and at times, stomach-wrenching. There’s torn out intestines, face biting, impalings, and more. This is definitely an author who knows how to deliver the carnage the fans crave.

All in all, I think Mark Allan Gunnells has written a wonderfully twisted, delightfully macabre piece that even the most hardcore zombie fanatic will be pleased with.

Buy it now on Amazon.com

New YouTube video

2011-01-07T02:47:00.002-05:00

On a whim, I thought I'd do another video just to talk about what's currently going on in my neck of the woods. As you'll see, it's really nothing special. Although I do enjoy watching vids on YouTube every now and again, I'm really not one for making them (for a variety of reasons, mainly the fact that I don't like myself on camera and I simply don't have anything interesting to say, which is abundantly clear). So, since this isn't something I do often, uploading videos isn't in my realm of expertise. As you'll see, the audio is completely off-sync, which is a mystery to me. I don't think I did anything out of the ordinary while recording the video (except press record). Same goes for uploading it to the site. There also appears to be an odd and faint beeping in the background. Again, not my doing. The sync problem occurred with my first video as well. Guess that's another reason why I was so hesitant to record another. Anyway, enjoy!

Two Pixie Dust Press titles will soon be going out of print...

2011-01-04T17:02:00.005-05:00

It is my sad duty to announce that on January 31st, two Pixie Dust Press titles will be going out of print. However, due to sites like eBay and the Amazon Marketplace, there is still a chance you may find copies in new/good condition, but after this month comes to a close, both will be out of circulation. The first of the pair is Sinister Landscapes, a collection of short gothic fiction by an array of genre authors, including: Thad Linson, Sarah Wilson Basore, Eric Enck, Jessica Lynne Gardner, Ryan B. Clark, and many more. My contribution, "Severed," is my only zombie-themed story to date. To order your copy now, visit Amazon.com and a variety of other online retailers. The second title, Creeping Shadows, is a collection of three short novels (one by Pixie Dust head, Alan Draven, one by yours truly, and one by Jessica Lynne Gardner). I'm very sad to see this one go, since I'm very proud of my contribution, "Merciless," and feel that next to Pay Phone, it is my finest printed work. Maybe some time in the near future, I'll find a home for it elsehwre, but for now, get it while you still can. Pick up your copy on Amazon.com now and if you can, please help spread the word.

Words of Wisdom: John Waters

2010-12-08T22:02:00.003-05:00

I was about 12 years old when I first saw the John Waters cult classic, Serial Mom (check out my blog commentary here) and ever since then, I’ve been a die-hard fan. Not just of his films and books, but of him as a person and especially of his witticisms. John is one of the few people I can listen to for hours on end. It seems he always has something funny, intelligent, insightful, and off-the-wall (oftentimes off-the-wall) to say.

Since Christmas is upon us, I thought it would be fun to post one of my favorite John Waters quotes, which goes hand-in-hand with the holiday season. This one comes from the Steve Yeager documentary In Bad Taste, which premiered on the Independent Film Channel back in 2000. Every time I hear this one, it gives me a chuckle. Hopefully it will do the same for you.

“A typical middle-class Christmas in America is, maybe, one of the best days of the year, if [you] can get through it without a fight. …It builds up unreasonable hope of how good can it be. It’s not going to solve all your problems all year of unhappiness. I think the best sleep you can have is after a nice Christmas with your family and [it’s] lucky that you could do that and that you got through the whole year. No, I don’t think Christmas is one bit depressing. …I think if it is, you should kill yourself.”

Dreams and Nightmares

2010-11-30T07:08:00.004-05:00

As you may have noticed, Sleepless Nights has seen its share of tumbleweeds lately and that's because, as I so often say, writing anything that isn't fiction gives me a splitting headache. That, accompanied with the fact that I find it difficult to decide on subjects to blog about. I don't have much of a social life, so there isn't a never-ending list of life experiences for me to comment on. I'd spent the past week or so trying to decide what my next post would be and miraculously, it fell into my lap.

I almost always remember my dreams. Most of the time, they’re something interesting. Every so often, something creepy seeps its way into my subconscious. I used to welcome nightmares, hoping I could use them as fodder for my storytelling, but more often than not, the things I see and experience in my own personal slumberland would be better suited for a David Lynch film. In other words, they don’t make any damn sense.

Tonight, I had a dream that really did me in. It was a nightmare unlike any I’d ever had before and that was because the dream played out several different possibilities. Like in a movie where you see a character contemplating his or her next move and the screen flashes to what could happen, should they choose a certain path. Or one of those cheesy choose-your-own-adventure books.

I saw myself locked inside the bathroom of an average South Philadelphia rowhouse. There were four people outside the door. I knew them to be my roommates, though in reality, they were people I’d never met before. For some reason, I knew they wanted to do me harm and so I was beside myself with panic. I could hear them lurking outside the door, as though plotting my gruesome demise. I didn’t know what to do and I began to regret locking myself in a room with no way out.

I realized I had my cell phone in my pocket and so I pulled it forth and dialed 911. I listened, exasperated, as it rang. Suddenly, the call disconnected. Trembling, I tried again. Faintly, I could hear the sounds of an emergency dispatcher. She sounds miles away. I was fearful of what my enemies beyond the door would do if they knew I’d called for help, so I whispered. Told her that I was in danger. That someone wanted to kill me. When she didn’t respond, I could feel my legs buckling at the knee. Then I realized she wasn’t there.

And just like that, the phone disappeared. It wasn’t in my hands. It wasn’t in my pocket. I knew that was because it didn’t happen. I hadn’t called for help. I’d never even had my cell phone with me. But I was still locked inside a bathroom with four very savage individuals who wanted to tear me to shreds outside the door. Why, I did not know.

Suddenly, I began to feel as though the walls were closing in and I wanted only to be out of that bathroom. I knew I couldn’t stay there forever and that it would be only a matter of time before my predators found a way inside. I stood by the door and listened carefully. I no longer heard their voices. I knew they were still there, hiding in the shadows, waiting for me to make my escape. But even still, I unlocked the door.

It creaked as it swung open to an empty hall. Holding in my breath, I stepped out. Immediately, I was tackled to the ground. Who it was clawing at me I couldn’t see in the blur. I fought back, determined to make it through this. And the next thing I knew, we were tumbling down the stairs, both of us. We were tangled in this twisted mass, a violent knot, rushing towards inevitable doom. We reached the ground and just like before, everything stopped. I was back inside the bathroom. I knew that what had just happened… didn’t actually happen.

So there I was, once again doing all I could to figure a way out of this, listening to the sounds of voices beyond the bathroom door. I began to pace. For some strange reason, I pushed the shower curtain aside and stepped into the bathtub, as though I felt it safer there. I crouched down, holding my knees as the fear inside me continued to build. And then the door burst open and I could see them charging straight towards me, all of them, their faces lost in a haze. I began to scream.

Before they reached me, everything changed. I saw myself running through the snow-covered streets. I don’t know how I was able to get past them. I don’t even know how I was able to make it out of the house, but I knew that all I could do was run. I had to keep on running.

I found myself on a street I’d never been, darkened residences on either side of me. I called out for help, but no one answered. I heard the sounds of laughter and knew they—my tormentors—were behind me. Again, the panic inside me grew and I raced up the front steps and pounded on the front door of the house closest to me. A kindly old woman I’d never met before invited me in. I was trembling with fear, but she seemed surprisingly calm. As I bolted the doors, she parked herself on the sofa and continued watching television.

I was on the phone with the police once more and almost instantly, the house was filled with uniformed officers. I could see the blue of their shirts so vividly. Though I’d found help, finally, I knew I wasn’t out of the woods yet. And that was because those that wanted to do me harm were still out there. I feared no one would ever find them before they found me.

When I woke, I was drenched in sweat. It was probably one of the most intense dreams I’d had in a long time. Hope I don’t have another one like it any time soon.

Well, at least until I run out of things to blog about.

Halloween Horrorfest

2010-10-12T14:30:00.009-04:00

***I wrote the following blog for last year's Halloween season for The Cathode Ray Mission. Since everyone's beloved holiday is upon us again, I thought it might be fun to repost it for you Sleepless Nighters. Hope you enjoy.***

Growing up a horror buff and being a genre author, Halloween is obviously my favorite holiday and one I spend all year looking forward to. Costume parties, stuffing apples with razor blades, and howling at the moon are fine ways to spend the evening, but I prefer to hand out treats and kick back with some classic horror flicks. I’ve agreed to compile a list of 10 favorites and the only way I could make this easier on myself was to include two conditions: the first being not to place them in order from great to greatest because it would be next to impossible for me to settle on what should take the #1 spot. The second to exclude mainstream/well-known titles like Halloween, Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Chainsaw Massacre, etc. And bear in mind that when I speak of these, I'm speaking of the originals, not the less-than-stellar remakes. I think we can all agree that these are classics and genre staples, but everyone and their grandmother is aware of them. Even those who don’t care much for horror know who Freddy Krueger is, for God’s sake. So, this list is dedicated to 10 of my favorite lesser-known/under-appreciated horror gems. Get the popcorn ready and watch at your own risk.

DEAD DUDES IN THE HOUSE (1991) – Released under multiple titles including The House on Tombstone Hill and The Road, this strange and gory classic concerns a group of college-age friends who gather to fix up a dilapidated mansion way out in the boonies. What they don’t know is that its original owner, a creepy/zombie-esque grandma, is still in the house. Locking them inside, she begins to pick them off in grisly fashion. Hope you’ve got your vomit bags handy.

KILLER PARTY (1986) – It’s April Fool’s Day and the Sigma Alpha Pi sorority house is planning a huge soirée. Unfortunately for them, the place they’ve chosen to hold the shindig, an abandoned house once a popular frat, is the last place for drunken college antics. Some years back, a prank gone awry claimed the life of a very unlucky fraternity pledge. In true horror fashion, the sorority girls hold a séance on the grounds and in the process they inadvertently conjure a very pissed off demon. “April Fool, assholes!”

SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE (1986) – I’ll be the first to admit I have a twisted affection for sorority carnage and this one is definitely one of the best. A deranged killer, held for brutally murdering his family, breaks out of an asylum and starts off on a search for the one member he wasn’t able to nail—his youngest sister, who is spending the weekend with some friends at a sorority house. Follows in the footsteps of Halloween and several other slashers that have come before it, but still holds enough charm to make it a very memorable choice.

BAD DREAMS (1988) – The sole survivor of a suicide cult (led by a delusional whacko not unlike Charles Manson) wakes up after spending more than a decade in a coma. She now spends her days in a psych ward, struggling to get her life back on track and to adjust to a new decade. Almost immediately, she begins seeing visions of her deceased cult leader, a haunting figure horribly burned, and patients in the facility start turning up dead. Dark, brutal, and a pretty unique premise that includes strong performances by leads Jennifer Rubin and Bruce (“Hi, I was in Re-Animator!”) Abbott.

EYES OF A STRANGER (1981) – A serial rapist is stalking the streets of Los Angeles, leaving behind a trail of butchered young women. A TV news anchor is convinced her creepy neighbor (who just so happens to discard stained clothing in public garbage cans on top of keeping odd hours) is responsible. Desperate to protect her younger sister, who is blind and deaf, she’ll stop at nothing to bring him to justice. Lauren Tewes really holds her own in this one, as does Jennifer Jason Leigh (in one of her very first features).

DEE SNIDER’S STRANGELAND (1998) – A psychotic killer is stalking the Internet, torturing and slaying his victims in a disturbing and ritualistic fashion. Captain Howdy, a buff, tattooed, and pierced madman, uses his extraordinary intellect to outwit police detectives while holding multiple captives in a chamber of horrors. Dee Snider (of ‘80s hair band Twisted Sister) wrote, produced, and starred in this modern-day cautionary tale and his efforts were well appreciated by yours truly. Unfortunately, it’s one of the most underrated and overlooked horror films of its decade. Go figure.

HE KNOWS YOU’RE ALONE (1980) – Amy Jensen’s wedding day is just around the corner, but instead of feeling the same joy and excitement of any young bride, she is beside herself with panic and terror, certain she is being pursued by a very menacing stranger. This stranger is actually a deranged murderer on the hunt for young brides-to-be and Amy is his next intended victim. Contains a pretty intense chase scene, a unique fish tank decorative, and Tom Hanks in his very first film role.

POPCORN (1991) – To raise funds for their dwindling film class, a group of college coeds decide to put on an all-night horror movie marathon at a local theater. Featuring fictitious camp films originally released with William Castle-style gimmicks, the audience is assaulted with a giant flying mosquito, a very foul-smelling gas, and a madman who is knocking off each member of the class. But why? This movie has to be one of the most fun of its genre, going out of its way to make the home viewer feel like they’re in the audience with the rest of the screaming theater patrons. Has some pretty fun kills and features one of the best scream queens of her time, Jill Schoelen (come on back to the genre already!).

KOLOBOS (1998) – Five young strangers meet at a cabin in the mountains to participate in a Real World-style documentary. They agree to have their lives taped, spending 24 hours a day on camera. On their first night in the house, certain members of the cast are viciously slaughtered by a stranger with a hideously scarred face. Using a straight-edge razor, he slices his way from room to room until coming face to face with Kyra (strongly played by Amy Weber), an ex-psych patient with some very dark secrets. Featuring some pretty brutal kills, homage to various Italian horror classics, and a cameo by Linnea Quigley, you can’t go wrong with this one. But please avoid My Little Eye, a far less superior copycat it’s always compared to.

THE SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE (1982) – To celebrate her parents’ departure, Trish decides to invite some friends over for a slumber party. Throw in some beer, pot, and a couple of uninvited boys and you’ve got yourself a good time. That is until a maniac wielding a portable electric drill decides to crash the party and the guests must fight to make it through the night. With its simple premise, witty dialogue, and copious amounts of nudity, there’s something here for just about everyone. Hey, they don’t call it the ultimate driller killer thriller for nothing.

Well, that about wraps it up. Hope I've supplied you with some adequate suggestions this Halloween because, like I said, there is nothing better than spending the year's spookiest evening with some classic horror films. Also, please don't forget to check out my Amazon Author Page for a list of works by yours truly, all of which are equally appropriate for the Halloween season. Enjoy and as everyone's favorite horror hostess so often says, "Unpleasant dreams!"

Book Review: Alan Draven's THE BITTERNEST CHRONICLES

2010-10-07T02:35:00.001-04:00

Welcome to Bitternest, a small town in Louisiana where strange things can happen—and often do.

Alan Draven offers a mixed bag of supernatural delights in the chilling and wonderfully macabre collection, The Bitternest Chronicles. The reader is treated to 5 previously published works of short fiction and 2 brand new novellas, all of which are next to impossible to put down.

In Breaking & Entering, our first offering, we meet a young man who gets his jollies by breaking into the homes of numerous unsuspecting victims, but not for any personal gain. He wants only to see, feel, and experience what it is like to live the lives of these people. But the fun and games are cut short when he discovers someone is hot on his trail.

The Bypassed Mind is a woeful tale of murder, time travel, and priceless art. When he checks into The Bitternest Grand Hotel, Wolfgang Crawford has no idea that he is about to solve the mysteries of his past. Both touching and intense, this story, for me, was probably the highlight of the book.

Cellar Door, the first novella, is a murder mystery with twists and turns on every page. Justis Samson is thrown headfirst into a world of unearthly beings when he discovers he is chosen to expose the senseless killing of a small child.

Hershell’s Motel is a short and sweet tale that has the same delightful feel as many classic suspense films of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Concerns a married couple who aren’t getting along as famously as they once were, this due to the husband’s cold and callous nature. When they stop for a little respite, neither one of them have any idea that Hershell’s Motel will be the scene of one’s brutal demise.

In The Errand, an unsuspecting local gets more than he bargained for when he decides to take a short walk through the woods to pick up a few odds and ends. What awaits him at the end of this day is something he never could’ve imagined.

With The Chilling Hour and Dark Emissaries, we’re introduced to a new and unstoppable presence that strikes without mercy, turning its victims to stone. Eerie and atmospheric, both tales showcase a brand new horror that man is nothing against.

With The Bitternest Chronicles, Draven proves himself once more as a master wordsmith with a wonderful gift for spinning tales of the supernatural. A very appropriate read for the Halloween season.

They DO exist!

2010-08-21T05:11:00.003-04:00

Since my most recent novel is centered around a once common device--a once common device known as "a pay phone"--I came to the realization that these antiques are essentially obsolete and just about extinct. I seem to recall a time not so long ago when it was just about impossible to pass a street corner without seeing one of these bad boys perched and ready for use. But as time progressed and the cost of owning a cell phone decreased considerably, you're more likely to find a spotted owl than a pay phone. And it amazes me when I see people wince and turn up their noses at the thought of touching (or God forbid using) a pay phone in this day in age. As though placing the receiver to your ear will bring forth some awful plague. It is my personal recollection, that no one seemed to be this paranoid ten-to-fifteen years ago, when there was basically no other option. You either braved the microscopic germs and chanced some awful, incurable disease, or waited until you got home to make your call.

Earlier this evening, I was taking a little late-night walk (don't be fooled by the picture, this was actually taken at 4 in the morning), I was astounded when I came across not one, but TWO pay phones standing side-by-side. I was so awestruck that I stopped short, my jaw bouncing off my belt buckle. And with a trembling hand, I reached forth, unable to resist. I plucked the receiver from its resting and... EUREKA! A DIAL TONE! They actually worked! BOTH of them!

I felt an uncontrollable need to share this discovery with the rest of the world, so I whipped out my cell phone (ironic, no?) and snapped a picture. It's a lesson for the kids out there. Pay phones may not be in wide use anymore, but they still exist. And if you're lucky enough to come across one, do yourself a favor and lift the receiver. Maybe push a button or two. It may be your last chance.

A little positive reinforcement

2010-08-17T05:52:00.006-04:00

When you're an author of genre fiction, it's always a genuine thrill to receive a positive review--at least for me. Nothing is better than knowing someone enjoyed and appreciated something I essentially put my heart and soul into. But when a reader contacts you to say they not only enjoyed the work, but found it inspiring, the feeling is indescribable.

Earlier this evening, I was contacted by a reader who, while reading Crystal Bay, was able to break through a bothersome case of writer's block, and she had no choice but to put the book down and flee to her laptop--and she claimed that I was the inspiration.

The exchange initially began via her Facebook wall, where I couldn't help assuming these words were written in jest. Not long after, she sent me a personal and detailed message to confirm that it was in all sincerity. I was so moved by this short e-mail, that I decided to repost it (with her kind permission, of course).

August 16 at 5:00pm
Subject: Breaking the Writer's block

First off, I wanted you to know I was very serious when I credited you for helping to break my writer's block. I was yelling at the family to get away as I was pounding the keys on my laptop. It's the first real work I've been able to do on my project in over a month. Like I said, I was literally kicked back, reading your book when suddenly (and completely by surprise) I needed to write. The fastest two hours went by but I had several pages written. It so killed me to have to stop for the pesky night job (eating & electricity is HIGHLY overrated, btw),

Anyway, (sorry, I ramble alot) I was rereading what I wrote today, hoping to pick up where I left off and found myself giggling.... apparently, in my haste to get the words out (and realizing you REALLY did play an unconscious part) I named a character Brandon. Was it intentional? Not that I can remember, but it confirms for me that you inspired me.

So, that being said, I want to humbly thank you for the inspiration. I know I'm on the downslope of my project and knock on wood, I hope to be finished by the holidays and going into edit/rewrite. Thank you for making me smile, laugh and being an inspiration!

Sarah

So I'm an Inspiration. ME. With my silly little stories about people slicing each other up. Who knew? But I'm sure as hell not complaining. I can only hope that one day soon, my words inspire somebody else.

Just as long as they don't inspire them to commit a violent crime.

New excerpt from my latest novel, PAY PHONE!

2010-08-10T00:49:00.005-04:00

To further whet your appetities, dear readers, I've decided to post another five pages from my latest novel, Pay Phone, now available through Arctic Wolf Publishing. This time around, find out what happens when Jake, desperate for a little company, calls on one of New York City's women of the night. Enjoy and please don't forget to head on over to Amazon.com to pick up your copy of
Pay Phone now!

My first YouTube video...

2010-07-20T04:33:00.003-04:00

My first YouTube video. The best way to describe it? Me being a schmuck, I guess. So, enjoy. Or not.

THE BITTERNEST CHRONICLES -- Brand new collection by author Alan Draven!

2010-07-15T21:40:00.004-04:00

Alan Draven (author of Bitternest, co-author of Creeping Shadows) has just released a wonderful new collection of short stories and novellas, all of which take place in the ficticious town of Bitternest, "a foggy city in the heart of Louisiana." The collection contains the best of Alan's previously published works. Scroll down for the official synopsis and book trailer.

Bitternest: A foggy city in the heart of Louisiana where
unnatural things happen on a daily basis.

The Bitternest Chronicles collects five previously
published short stories and two brand new novellas of
dark suspense set in the eerie city of Bitternest.

Short stories:
• Breaking and Entering
• The Bypassed Mind
• Hershell’s Motel
• The Errand
• The Chilling Hour

Novellas:
• Cellar Door
• The Dark Emissaries

Pick up your copy now on Amazon.com!

"Do you have a dirty mind?" -- Richard Perez's PERMANENT OBSCURITY

2010-07-14T06:23:00.003-04:00

Set on the urban streets of New York City, Permanent Obscurity, Richard Perez’s sophomore effort, tells the story of two friends who, in their quest for fortune and notoriety, become partners in a horrific crime.

Dolores is a 22-year-old wannabe photographer who spends her days bouncing from one temporary job to the next, while trying to maintain a relationship with a man twice her age and drowning her sorrows in a sea of alcohol and various substances.

Serena is a part-time rock goddess and a full-time domina. While struggling to realize her dreams of being a respected and recognized musician, she fronts a multitude of bands and releases a variety of EPs that fail to capture the attention of their intended audiences.

Together, the two hatch a scheme that they believe will land them fame and a boatload of fast cash.

And that scheme revolves around making an amateur porn film that focuses heavily on bondage and sadomasochism—with Serena as the star.

Threatening to put a dent in their plans is a group of pissed-off drug dealers who want what’s owed to them and a checkered past that Serena wants only to keep hidden. As the story progresses, Dolores comes to find that the friend she’s formed a tight bond with, the friend she’s willing to sacrifice everything for, may not be who she claims.

Thanks to Richard Perez’s unique style of contemporary storytelling, Permanent Obscurity is a page-turner from the opening paragraph. His uncanny ability to pen characters that leap off the page is what hooks the reader in from the very start. These characters are so much more than words on a page. These are real people, through and through.

Permanent Obscurity is a dark, sometimes brutal, sometimes disturbing, and all-the-time real look into the lives of two strong-willed characters who will go to great lengths to claw their way out of obscurity. A story of two beautiful, talented, and intelligent young women who are incredibly unique and want so desperately for the world to recognize them as such. But at the end of the day, these extremes land them in the last place they expect and how they find their way out makes for one hell of a story. Highly recommended.

Buy it now on Amazon.com!

"IS THIS THE COCKSUCKER RESIDENCE?!" -- John Waters's SERIAL MOM

2010-07-05T04:14:00.002-04:00

As you may have noticed, I haven’t been doing much blogging over these past couple of months. And that’s because I haven’t had a whole hell of a lot to say. I recently got the idea from a friend to post the reactions I’ve tweeted (yes, tweeted, not “twittered”) via Twitter while watching a movie. Took me a little while to decide on what that movie should be. I toyed with the idea of doing one of my favorite slashers, but in the end, I chose the John Waters classic, Serial Mom, which is still one of my favorite comedies. Hope you enjoy my tweets. Don’t forget to comment. If enough of you guys like ‘em, maybe I’ll do this again.

* * *

Just popped in one of my all-time favorite cult films, SERIAL MOM!!! #serialmom 4:11 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

Actually, IS this really a cult film? It's a John Waters movie, so I'm gonna go with HELL YEAH!!! #serialmom 4:11 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

[I] was about 12 when I first saw this movie and I'm pretty sure I really did believe this was based on a true story. So young. #serialmom 4:12 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

Baltimore looks quite lovely and LEAVE IT TO BEAVER-esque in these opening shots. #serialmom 4:14 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

And Kathleen Turner is very Mrs. Beaver. Well, when she's not violently murdering people. #serialmom 4:15 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

When I was in 8th grade, I wanted to do nothing but stay home and watch RICKI LAKE every day. #serialmom 4:16 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

I dunno, that squashed fly was always a bit too colorful for me. #serialmom 4:18 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

"I'LL GET YOU, PUSSY FACE"? Looks like a Valentine to me! #serialmom 4:18 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

Ahhh, a Pee Wee Herman doll! Proud to say I used to have one! #serialmom 4:19 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

"IS THIS THE COCKSUCKER RESIDENCE???" #serialmom 4:20 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck
I used to be quite fond of prank phone calls. Caller ID put an end to that. #serialmom 4:21 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

"LISTEN TO YOUR FILTHY MOUTH, YA FUCKIN' WHORE!!!" #serialmom 4:22 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

Kathleen Turner really does own this role. Perfect casting, if you ask me. #serialmom 1,277,626,966,000.00 via TweetDeck

NEVER steal a woman's parking spot. Especially when that woman is bat-shit CRAZY!!! #serialmom 1,277,627,042,000.00 via TweetDeck

Ha! Apparently not everyone likes this movie. Just got word from some random person that they blocked me, Ridiculous. #serialmom 1,277,627,141,000.00 via TweetDeck

I also used to re-design horror movie cover arts, much like Chip's neat little BLOOD FEAST drawing. #serialmom 1,277,627,187,000.00 via TweetDeck

My mother never ran over any of MY teachers when I was in school. *sulks* #serialmom 1,277,627,228,000.00 via TweetDeck

That does NOT look like meat loaf to me. Is meat loaf SUPPOSED to be that red?? #serialmom 1,277,627,366,000.00 via TweetDeck

"I'm so happy I could shit." #serialmom 1,277,627,392,000.00 via TweetDeck

I can't imagine my parents having crazy monkey sex like that. God, why the hell would I even WANT to??? #serialmom 1,277,627,603,000.00 via TweetDeck

"P. ...As in..." #serialmom 1,277,627,825,000.00 via TweetDeck

My mother never listened to Barry Manilow, but she DID listen to Michael Bolton. Should I be concerned? #serialmom 4:38 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

"Are those...pussy willows?" #serialmom 4:40 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Traci Lords!!! #serialmom 4:43 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

Oh, Traci, dear, that baby voice is so unbecoming. #serialmom 4:44 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

If you haven't already, check out Traci's autobiography, UNDERNEATH IT ALL. Highly recommended. #serialmom 4:45 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

Oh look, a gloryhole. #serialmom 4:46 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

"Beverly, honey. You got some doo-doo on your shoe." #serialmom 4:47 AM Jun 27th via TweetDeck

I still feel nostalgic whenever I see a mom & pop video store in movies and on TV. I miss those days. #serialmom 1,277,628,676,000.00 via TweetDeck

"It was GORE! Hanging there like a runny nose!" #serialmom 1,277,628,733,000.00 via TweetDeck

"No matter what your mother is, we'll love her anyway." Such a supportive family. #serialmom 1,277,628,926,000.00 via TweetDeck

This scene really makes me hungry for chicken. But man, is it disgusting to watch people eat. #serialmom 1,277,628,977,000.00 via TweetDeck

The sky is falling! Wait, no. It's just a toppled air conditioner. DUCK!!! #serialmom 1,277,629,239,000.00 via TweetDeck

"Beverly, I've read all about this. ...Is it menopause??" #serialmom 1,277,629,382,000.00 via TweetDeck

I honestly don't miss going to church. AT ALL. As a kid, I used to be bored out of my damn mind. #serialmom 1,277,629,441,000.00 via TweetDeck

Death by leg of lamb, bitches!!! #serialmom 1,277,629,994,000.00 via TweetDeck

"REWIND!!!" #serialmom 1,277,630,006,000.00 via TweetDeck

Awesome shot of Beverly chasing [Scotty] down the street, in broad daylight, while wielding a butcher knife. Love it. #serialmom 1,277,630,113,000.00 via TweetDeck

What the hell happened to L7? #serialmom 1,277,630,271,000.00 via TweetDeck

If I could get pants with the male equivalent of the camel toe sewn in, I'd rock those bitches like nobody's business. #serialmom 1,277,630,352,000.00 via TweetDeck

Didn't the judge see Beverly flash her beaver? #serialmom 1,277,631,376,000.00 via TweetDeck

"Just be nice to her. And try not to get on her nerves." #serialmom 1,277,631,556,000.00 via TweetDeck

"You can't wear white shoes after Labor Day." #serialmom 1,277,631,603,000.00 via TweetDeck

"SUZANNE SOMERS! THIS IS MY BAD SIDE!" #serialmom 1,277,631,647,000.00 via TweetDeck

Annnnnnnd roll credits. Still a classic. #serialmom via TweetDeck

"Disturbing, bloody, and vicious... Not for the weak-hearted."

2010-04-21T19:44:00.003-04:00

Below are a few recent reviews Pay Phone has received. I'm glad that the response so far has been quite positive. Hope the good reviews keep pouring in! Don't forget to pick up your copy on Amazon.com today!

Dread Central
Reviewed by Scott A. Johnson

Imagine yourself walking down the snowy sidewalk in New York City. It's a blustery day, wind cuts through your jacket like the proverbial knife, and you'd really just like to get somewhere warm and dry. You pass a pay phone, and it rings. Would you answer it? Jake hopes you would. He's watching from his apartment three stories above, and if you do, he'll try to talk you into coming up for a little visit. Oh, and while you're there, he'll kill you and rape your corpse.

Pay Phone is a disturbing look at loneliness told from the points of view of an aspiring actress, her corporate ladder-climbing roommate, a slumlord, a social worker, and Jake. In Jake's case his isolation has him so boggled he talks to "Susan," a disembodied voice that only he can hear and that urges him to indulge in his insane appetites. It is that loneliness that drives all of the characters to do the things they do, like sleep with the boss, answer a pay phone and agree to meet a stranger, or even kill. The characters are very distinct in their portrayals. There are no incidents of wondering who is talking when, as they all sound very different from one another. However, it is quite ironic that, in their loneliness, most of the characters push each other away.

The book doesn't skimp on the grisly details. While Jake is a smooth talker on the phone, in his apartment he is a feral animal. The deaths are disturbingly detailed, sometimes painfully so. There are several points in this novel where Ford could have gone for the kill, watched the victim bleed out, and left the reader feeling satisfied, but instead he brings us through every brutal moment. It gives real squirm-inducing moments, and the feeling doesn't leave for a while after reading them.

Still, it seems odd that someone would answer a pay phone and agree to meet the stranger on the other end, but stranger things have happened. While the reader may console himself that he'd never be that stupid, the cities are littered with people desperate enough to take that kind of chance, and that's what Ford plays on. The end result is disturbing, bloody, and vicious. Pay Phone is not for the weak-hearted, but it's a good read nonetheless. 4/5

Mass Movement
Reviewed by Amy Dodge

After reading Pay Phone I am very glad of two things: 1) in our town, pay phones have been displaced by cell phones and are rarely seen anymore, and 2) Brandon Ford lives hundreds of miles away. Typically, it takes me a few days to read a book. I read a bit here and there, but the responsibilities of job, wife, and mother keep me from making much progress in one sitting. Not so with this third novel from Mr. Ford. I picked up Pay Phone and read, virtually ignoring some of my responsibilities. In the novel, a serial killer selects and murders his victims driven by a voice in his head. Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’ve all heard that a billion times before. Yet the way it is presented here, the deceptively simple style of Ford’s writing combined with the depth of the characters he has created, make this book stand out. Oh, and the voice is not his mom’s!

The killer is too wrapped up in his own psychosis to stalk the streets or public locales like most stereotypical killers. Instead, he lures them in with the pay phone outside his run-down apartment. His methods of dispatch and disposal would have led to his detection long ago, but the shear deterioration of his apartment building protects him. Although there was too much graphic, gross sex in the book for my taste, I am sure some of you sick puppies out there will like that. The characters were very real and Ford lets us see their insides, uh, I mean their emotions, with a startling clarity uncommon in most horror authors. Ford is either a safe guy because he writes these things down and does not do them….or a dangerous guy because he can think them up in the first place.

Now to go read the previous two books by Mr. Ford!

Sonar4 Landing Dock

Jake was down on his luck. He lived in a run downed apartment, had no job and had Susan who constantly told him what to do, yet at times enjoyed her company.

His addiction was the only thing that kept him strong. His addiction was killing; the weapon of choice, a pay phone which drew his victims to his inner most demons, up to his apartment where he killed them. Sometimes his wants were overshadowed by the fear of the women and he would loose them to the streets.

One day, he calls the phone and a woman answers. He sees her across his apartment. She is not like the others. She is like Susan; her name, Chelsea, a wannabe actress. She talks to him and he invites her up, she refuses, but the thought of her doesn't leave his mind and strangely enough hers either.

Could that call give Jake the ultimate feed to his addiction or will Chelsea go away and leave Jake finding someone else to feed his needs.

Pay Phone by Brandon Ford is a spine-chilling story that sucks the reader in and traps them, but they don't want to get out. A pleasant, yet disturbing reading experience, one feels that you are living every moment of Jake's terror. His thoughts become your own as you walk down his path of terror. Ford takes what horror and suspense can be, mixes a bit of thriller action into it and you have yourself a priceless book.

Just make sure if you want to answer a Pay Phone, you may want to rethink that.

PAY PHONE -- Brand new horror/suspense novel is now available!!!

2010-03-24T15:56:00.013-04:00

I'm pleased to announce that Pay Phone, my brand new horror/suspense novel, is NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon.com! If you've got a taste for something visceral, this book's for you!

What's it about? Read on for the official synopsis:

January 1998.

While a fierce winter falls upon the streets of New York City, a vicious killer is on the hunt for new blood. From his third floor apartment window, he watches, waits, using the pay phone across the street as the key to finding his victims. With his voice and his charms, he lures them to his door...

...and one by one they meet their fate.

On a gray morning, he spies someone new. Someone different. Someone who reminds him of someone he knows. Someone very, very special. And he’ll stop at nothing to be sure that special someone... is next.

What ever you do, don’t answer the phone. It just might be for you.

BUT WAIT! There's more! Scroll down for a special sneak peek--the FIRST FIVE PAGES of Pay Phone!

Click images to view larger versions!

Like what you've read so far? Want more? Click here to order your copy of Pay Phone from Amazon.com today!

A wonderful new review from Benevolent Street

2010-03-04T01:17:00.002-05:00

The following review of Creeping Shadows was posted by Tony Carroll over at Benevolent Street on March 3, 2010. On behalf of Alan, Jessica, and myself, I'd like to say thanks very much for the very kind words.

***

One of the best ways to get your horror fix in written form can often come in horror anthologies. If you read one entry, and it fails, you still have a few chances to redeem your reading. Most of the time, I’ve found them to be about 50/50. With that said, from time to time and with a little luck, you just might find yourself with a nice little triple threat of stories like the trio featured in the book “Creeping Shadows”. Creeping Shadows features three darks tales that simply couldn’t not possibly be anymore different from one another. The stories featured in “Creeping Shadows” are all at a length to where they could have easily each been released as short stand alone novellas, yet it makes it much nicer to have them all right there in one collection.

The first story in the collection is titled “Vengeance is Mine” by Alan Draven. Vengeance is Mine is a very unique twist on the “Jack the Ripper” lore. I’ll be the first to admit. I’m not quite up to speed on what is real when it comes to any sort of Jack the Ripper casefiles. What I know is limited to fiction such as this or “From Hell”. But I do find the history of this case very intriguing. “Vengeance is Mine” did nothing but add to that intrigue. There’s none of that “Who was Jack the Ripper” stuff here. You are actually seeing this play out as if you are right there with him. His kills are described rather vividly and what makes this even more interesting, a paranormal element gets tossed in the plotline where we see a vengeful spirit (Annie Chapman) attempting to seek revenge on The Ripper himself!

As I have said, I’m in no position to seperate the facts from the fiction here. I’m no ripper buff. Yet Draven’s story is told in a fashion that it makes it hard to try to figure out the real and the invented. “Vengeance is Mine” is a very strong way to kick of this trio of tales.

Early last year, I became familiar with a writer by the name of Brandon Ford after reading his book “Splattered Beauty”. The story of a horror movie scream queen gone murderer fit my tastes due to Ford’s cinematic writing style. It was very easy to imagine the events taking place on the screen in front of your eyes. My love for the horror film genre played a big role in my enjoyment of the book, as it was obvious that Ford himself was a student of the horror film. So naturally it was his involvement with “Creeping Shadows” that drew me in. The second story featured is appropriately entitled “Merciless”.

Merciless takes on another interest of mine in true crime stories. Based on actual events, “Merciless” is the story of two young girls who fall victim to a complete nut job. Kyra and Claire, who were previously unfamiliar with another, share a night of complete terror at the hands of this whacko where they are beaten and raped. It’s a shame, but this stuff happens. Ford goes for the juggular here and manages to weave a tale that is quite uncomfortable to read, yet it’s realism will keep you glued to the pages as you root for these two young ladies. “Merciless” can easily be a very quick read. The story is well paced, yet it keeps you reading. Before you know it, you’re ready for the third entry of “Creeping Shadows”.

That third entry is called “Sugar Skull”. Written by Jessica Lynne Gardner, “Sugar Skull” is a story that may be a little more on the bold side. For that very reason, it may not appeal to some, where others will likely enjoy it’s storyline, which may appear even a little over the top and not quite as “real” as it’s predecessors. It’s still more than worth reading and interesting. “Sugar Skull” is about a girl named Annabelle who discovers that past deaths in her family may be the result of an Aztec Curse. Each death contains one common factor. A Sugar skull just so happened to be on the scene of each death. With the help of her mother, Annabelle begins to unlock the mysteries of the family curse in order to possibly prevent her very own death.

Sugar Skulls is still a rather nice read. Whereas some may find it hard to swallow, it’s all about taste. The writing is well done and Gardner was not afraid to take a risk and add something completely out of left field to this collection. If you start the story, you’re going to want to know how it ends.

Creeping Shadows is a very nice piece to own. It’s three books in one and while they are all quite different from one another, they all have a fair place within the book itself. There’s something for everyone here. From the lover of sheer horror tales, fans of the paranormal, to true crime buffs, there’s really no way to go wrong with these three tales in “Creeping Shadows”.

http://www.benevolentstreet.com/?p=3580

One word: BRR!!!!!

2010-02-10T01:16:00.007-05:00

Don't worry, I'm still here, alive and kicking. Just seems as though it's been ages since I felt I had anything worth saying. But, I figured that now was as good a time as any.

For those of you who don't know, Philadelphia has been hit with its second worst snow storm in recorded history. The first was in 1996 when a record-breaking 31 inches suffocated the city streets. This year, Old Man Winter blessed us with only 28. But here's the best part--THERE'S MORE TO COME! As I type this, fierce winds are blowing and more snow is falling. We're expecting another 18 inches before it's all over.

Since I don't recall seeing anything like this in my 28 years, I thought I'd share the insanity with you all. Above are two shots I took earlier this evening. They are straight from my front door, believe it or not. ...And it's only going to get worse.

In other news, I've been working on the final edits for my new novel, PAY PHONE, which is scheduled to be released towards the end of next month. What's it about, you ask? Well, it's set in New York City, January of 1998. As an icy winter falls upon the city streets, a serial killer is on the prowl. He spends his days watching the crowd from his third floor apartment window, using the pay phone located across the street as a key to lure young women. Using his unique charm, he convinces them pay him a visit.

Out of the three books I've written, this one is by far the darkest and definitely the one I'm most proud of. I can't wait for you guys to read it. Hopefully it'll give you a few sleepless nights of your own.

Other than that, there really isn't much to report. But please check back soon for more details on the new book.

STAY WARM!!!

This Christmas is gonna be a 'creepy' one...

2009-12-14T19:39:00.002-05:00

Do you like books? Sure you do. Do you like SIGNED books? Of course you do. Do you like FREE signed books? Then read on for the straight dope on a brand spankin' new contest put together by Alan Draven and Pixie Dust Press:

We are counting down the twelve days to Christmas in style here at Pixie Dust Press. We are offering readers a chance to win two exclusive signed copies of our books. The first one is Sinister Landscapes, the number one Amazon bestselling Gothic anthology signed by almost every one of the eighteen contributors and packed with bookmarks, postcards and other assorted treats from its contributors. The second book is the recently released novella collection Creeping Shadows signed by all three authors: Alan Draven, Brandon Ford and Jessica Lynne Gardner. For more details on the books, visit the Pixie Dust Press website: http://pixiedustpress.weebly.com

Starting December 14th and until December 25th 2009 at noon EST, we will be accepting entries. It’s simple; just e-mail us at pdpcontest@live.com and tell us why you think you deserve to get these two one-of-a-kind copies of our books. The most original entry will receive both books.

Good luck and Happy Holidays to all!

The Pixie Dust Press Authors

Two new anthologies featuring yours truly

2009-11-20T20:30:00.006-05:00

I'm pleased to announce that in the next few weeks, two anthologies featuring brand new short stories by yours truly will be released. The first is an extreme and violent collection titled "The Death Panel." Released by Comet Press and described as a "no-holds-barred, in-your-face, hard ride to hell," the blood-soaked pages feature 13 hardboiled tales by such authors as Tom Piccirilli, John Everson, Simon Wood, and more. This raw experiment in the extreme is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Next up is "Abaculus III," another mixed bag of science fiction, fantasy, and horror by Leucrota Press. 18 stories, more than 300 pages of mayhem, this one is sure to make a great stocking-stuffer. Release date is December 1st and Amazon is currently accepting pre-orders here.

Also, Alan Draven and Jessica Lynne Gardner, my "Creeping Shadows" co-authors, will be holding a contest where the lucky winner will receive signed copies of "Sinister Landscapes" and "Creeping Shadows." Stay tuned for the details in December.

That's it for now. Stay warm!

First reviews of 'Creeping Shadows!'

2009-10-24T18:48:00.001-04:00

This week saw the very first reviews of Creeping Shadows and to the sheer delight of Alan, Jessica, and myself, they're quite positive. As a matter of fact, they're downright glowing. Definitely warms the heart after all of the hard work the three of us put into crafting this little book.

First review comes from Sonar4 and even though they misspelled my name a couple of times, I really can't complain. Read on.

Creeping Shadows is a collection by not one, but three authors’ novellas. Each story unquie in itself and together makes an enjoyable scare fest. Thrilling to the end each novella discusses fears we have within, things that make us think and history rich details that make us feel we are back in that time period.Who would have thought such a collection of talent could be brought together. Each story a gripping taste of horror. Each story making you beg for more.

It all begins with Alan Draven’s story Vengeance is Mine. Now for anyone interested in Jack the Ripper lore, this story is certainly for you. You go back in time to the Ripper Murders. You see the streets, smell the smells and feel the footsteps of the people walking on the streets. Darkness creeps in and you have who becomes Jack the Ripper. Victims are present, the murders try to be solved, yet one victim is not satisfied on being dead.

This story brings you back to that time period. The history makes you feel as if you are watching it unfold right in front of you. Once more, there is a twist. A wonderful twist at the end that makes you feel that maybe if this happened just like this…what if?

The next novella in this collection is by Bradon Ford. Ford is known for two other books, Splattered Beauty and Crystal Bay. The story of Merciless takes the reader into the lives of two teenage girls. Each dealing with their own troubles. A madman bent on disturbing their already stressful lives comes into their world. This is a story of survival and inner strength.

No one can tell a story better than Ford in describing what each of us are willing to do in a life and death situation. He shows the strength and heart of each character. He allows you inside the mad man’s head to see why he feels the need to do just what he does.

The last story of this collection is by Jessica Lynne Gardner and it’s called Sugar Skull. Allow us to take you to a curse that has been brought on by a family, one that brings forward a woman, a detective, and others to fight for their survival. How do you survive something you can’t seem to fight?

Gardner proves that an author can show the reader the depth of a character. The emotions, the struggles of what could have been, what should have been and what is now. Each word is filled with hints and clues of what will happen next, what the character will feel. She allows you to want to help these characters, experience their pain and fear, making sure they make it through.

This collection is of three great authors with three amazing novellas. It may not be for the faint of heart, but just for a moment why not take the chance? Go out and get Creeping Shadows. Who knows maybe you will find your lost horror.

Next up is Jim Dodge, Jr.'s wonderfully complimentary review for Mass Movement. Jim has been a supporter of mine since the release of Crystal Bay and I'm very glad to see he was not disappointed with this release. Read on for his incredibly generous review.

Oh. My. God. This. Book. Was. GREAT!!!

Three tales by three writers add up to one hella good book! All three authors have really outdone themselves in Creeping Shadows! The stories are deeply descriptive and thoroughly chilling and the fact that ‘based on a true story or series of events’ describes them, that doesn’t even come close to doing these tales justice.

Alan Draven’s Vengeance is Mine puts a cool new spin on Jack the Ripper. In this tale, our beloved serial killer is haunted not only by his past, but by one of his victims as well. Oh no, not his conscience, by the ghost of a particular deceased prostitute. Watch his descent into (deeper) madness as he perpetrates the crimes for which he’s known and loved/loathed.

Brandon Ford...blew me away. I couldn’t help but exclaim out loud when I finished his story, Merciless. This one was based on a true story and he really brought it to life. This one is a tale of survival. Two young girls are kidnapped at gun point by a complete loony toon with no conscience whatsoever. He tapes them up, throws them in the back of the stolen SUV and commits terrible things upon their personages. These ladies, however, aren’t ready to die just yet. Instead they fight back, proving the madman isn’t the only one who will show no mercy. I’m still reeling from reading this one! It was that good!

This brings us to Sugar Skull, by Jessica Lynne Gardner. This delightfully twisted tale brings together ancient Aztec curses with the modern day. Annabel Perez is trying to go on with her life despite constant interference from her overbearing mother. Instead she gets tangled up in a web of murder with a nice tinge of madness. Here’s the really cool part; if she doesn’t help solve the mystery of the unexplained deaths soon enough, she’ll be the next victim. And poison is a very nasty way to die.

All three stories in this collection were great! I just can’t possibly say enough good things about them to do them justice. I burned through the pages of Creeping Shadows at record speed and enjoyed every chill and goose bump. This one is a definite must-read at midnight on October 31st while listening to spooky music.

That's all for now. We're waiting on word from several other reviewers. Hope they'll enjoy the book just as much. Stay tuned....

Words of Wisdom

2009-10-09T21:14:00.003-04:00

"The life of a writer is absolute hell compared with the life of a businessman. The writer has to force himself to work. He has to make his own hours and if he doesn't go to his desk at all there is nobody to scold him. If he is a writer of fiction he lives in a world of fear. Each new day demands new ideas and he can never be sure whether he is going to come up with them or not. Two hours of writing fiction leaves this particular writer absolutely drained. For those two hours, he has been miles away, he has been somewhere else, in a different place with totally different people, and the effort of swimming back into normal surroundings is very great. It is almost a shock. The writer walks out of his workroom in a daze. He wants a drink. He needs it. It happens to be a fact that nearly every writer of fiction in the world drinks more whisky than is good for him. He does it to give himself faith, hope, and courage. A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul, and that, I am sure, is why he does it." -- Roald Dahl

Live interviews scheduled for October! The first THIS WEDNESDAY!!!

2009-10-05T14:14:00.003-04:00

To help promote Creeping Shadows, Alan, Jess, and myself will be doing a few live interviews throughout the month of October. Hoping to have more scheduled in the near future, but for the time being, here's what we have planned:

PREMIUM VIEWS - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/PremiumViews
Wednesday, October 7th @ 9:00pm EST (We'll be calling in at 10:00)
Call-in number: (646) 716-7597

SONAR 4 MAG TALKSHOW - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Sonar4Magtalkshow
Sunday, October 11th @ 6:00pm EST
Call-in number: (347) 994-3240

HAUNTED VOICES - http://www.hauntedvoicesradio.com/
Friday, October 23rd @ 10:00pm EST

THE ODD MIND - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/theoddmind
Monday, October 26th @ 10:00 EST
Call-in number: (347)-945-7025

CREEPING SHADOWS Excerpt #3 - Jessica Lynne Gardner's SUGAR SKULL

2009-09-28T07:48:00.005-04:00

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. There are only a couple of days left of September and then we start October, my favorite month of the year. True, I'm not that enthusiastic about the change of the weather and the need for a jacket every time I walk out the door, but I'm very much looking forward to all of the Halloween fesitivities we'll be experiencing throughout the month, including dozens of scary movies all over TV, haunted houses, Elvira appearances, and, of course, the night of All Hallow's Eve. I personally haven't dressed up in ages, but I always look forward to seeing everyone in their get-ups.

We also have a haldful of interviews scheduled for the coming weeks, so stay tuned. I hope to have a full schedule up sometime in the next few days.

Our last excerpt from Creeping Shadows is Jessica Lynne Gardner's Sugar Skull. Jessica has just returned from Horrorfind weekend, where she did a reading, met lots of cool people, and sold a crapload of books. I was very happy to hear that Creeping Shadows was the best-selling book of the event. Very exciting news. So, read on, enjoy, and once again, don't forget to pick up your copy of Creeping Shadows today!

Coaxoch watched the child as she pressed the sweet, powdery mixture into the clay mould. She was kneeling, her tiny brown face golden with sunbeams. Carefully the girl filled the rounded hollow shapes paying attention to the corners just as she had been taught. The tiny hands worked hard and she knew she would have grown into a strong woman, even stronger than her mother. A tear slid down her cheek but she was not sad. The sweet smoke brought water to her eyes and scratched her throat.

She turned. It was coming from the temple. Poor child, she knew nothing about life how could she face what awaited her? The empty faith that everyone else believed in, that she had once believed in, held nothing for her now but bitterness. She was powerless to stop the sickening reality of the innocent blood trailing down the stone walls, knowing that it served no purpose except to further spark the bloodlust of the people.

Nenetl beamed up at her, pride swelling within her as she held up her handiwork. Placing the mould back down, she shuffled over, her tiny brow lowering as she noticed the trails of wetness down the woman’s cheek. “What’s wrong, mama?”

“Nothing little one. Why don’t you make me three more while these dry?”

She cheered and ran to rinse the empty moulds and ready them for the next batch. Children were easily fooled but she would have to do better if she were to convince the others. She collapsed to her knees, her body losing the resolve she so desperately needed. Why did it have to be her? But she knew why—she’d heard it from his lips. She gazed at her shaking hands as if searching for the power within them. The lies of the priest would not go unpunished. She would save her people if she found the strength. While the others gave gifts of nourishment and blood to their gods, she had sacrifices of her own to make. But as she watched her only daughter smile, she knew that the price was not too high.

CREEPING SHADOWS Excerpt #2 - Brandon Ford's MERCILESS

2009-09-21T01:00:00.002-04:00

Welcome to a new week and the start of a new season. Oh, how the end of summer saddens me. Oh, how the Emmys disappointed me. If you're suffering from as much inner turmoil as I am, then I have something that just might make you feel a teensy bit better. That's right, you lucky people, it's time for another excerpt from Creeping Shadows! For your reading pleasure is a passage from my novella, Merciless. This story was heavily based on an actual incident that took place in California back in 2002. It involves 2 teenage girls who were taken against their will and forced to face a night of unspeakable horrors. I was deeply affected by their story and their struggle was something very difficult for me to forget, which is why I chose it as the subject for this piece. Hope you enjoy and don't forget to pick up your copy of Creeping Shadows today!

“Stand up,” he said, dragging her out of her seat.

But she couldn’t stand. She couldn’t walk. The more he tried to hold her up, the more she fell to her knees, begging for mercy and for freedom under the duct tape. The more she shook, the more she cried.

And then he struck her with the handle of the gun—struck her on the back of the head the same way he struck Charlie only moments before. It hurt more than she thought it would and the clouds of dizziness sent everything into a swirling blur.

“I said stand the fuck up,” he said, hoisting her back up again. “Now walk, you stupid cunt. Use your fucking legs, I said.”

He guided her forth, his hands on her shoulders as he shoved her along. She began to wonder why he hadn’t just shot her where she sat. He probably planned on taking her deep into the woods and raping her beforehand. Of course he was going to rape her. She was a fool to believe he’d take her life before he took her pride and security. But the woods were in the opposite direction. Where they were headed was towards what looked like an SUV. Must’ve been his car. His getaway car. She shivered again.

Oh God, he’s gonna kidnap me.

He shoved her around to the back. Squinting through the tears, she saw a pair of legs lying there still and motionless. He’s got someone else already. Oh, my God, he’s already killed this one. She’s dead! Oh, Jesus Christ, I’m gonna be next.

With both hands, he shoved her forth and she collapsed inside, landing on her face. Lifting both of her legs, he slid her inside, treating her like nothing more than a pile of luggage. He then taped her ankles together and slammed the door shut. Marching towards the front, he climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine. As they peeled away, Kyra turned to her side and saw the blinking eyes of the girl lying beside her. She could feel the soft breaths tickle her ear. In that moment, she knew she wasn’t in this alone.

'Creeping Shadows' gets a trailer!

2009-09-17T22:59:00.002-04:00

Konnik, the wonderful and talented artist behind our book's cover design, has also put together this amazing trailer to coincide with the release! Check it out and don't forget to visit Konnik's official site!

CREEPING SHADOWS Excerpt #1 - Alan Draven's VENGEANCE IS MINE

2009-09-14T07:02:00.004-04:00

To whet your appetites, I've decided to post some excerpts from our little anthology, Creeping Shadows. First up is Alan Draven's Vengeance is Mine. Read, enjoy, and don't forget to pick up your copy of Creeping Shadows NOW on Amazon.com! Oh and check back next Monday for another excerpt.

The three students in the first row let out a simultaneous scream at the sight of what lay on the table: the man’s penis had been fed to him and now stuck out of his mouth, its testicles resting on his chin.

At the back of the class, Fowler did his best not to burst out laughing. His chuckling was loud enough to get the attention of the professor.

“You find this amusing, Mr. Fowler?” The professor took one more glance at the body before covering it up. Then his fiery eyes directed themselves on Fowler—if they had been guns, Fowler would be long dead.

“Another one of your pranks, I presume?”

“What? Me? Never!” Fowler had to pinch himself behind his back to suppress a smile. “I might be a prankster, sir, but I would never sink to such depths.”

“We’ll have to see about that. Class dismissed until we get this whole affair straightened out. And you, Mr. Fowler are walking on a very thin line. I will be seeing you in the Head Master’s quarters at once.” On that note, the professor exited the room at a brisk pace.

“What’s the big idea, Fowler? Why do you try to ruin it for everybody? You’re nothing but a bloody idiot.” It was Hannigan who was smiling now.

Fowler stepped up so close to Hannigan’s face that he could smell his rank morning breath. “I’m only trying to ruin it for you, you fucking wanker.” Fowler walked out on all of them, not looking back.

'CREEPING SHADOWS' IS NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM!!!

2009-09-10T07:04:00.011-04:00

I am VERY excited to announce that Creeping Shadows is NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon.com! For the unitiated, this 300+ page book is a collection of 3 short novels by yours truly, Alan Draven, and Jessica Lynne Gardner. We've all put our blood, sweat, and tears into this project and it's something we're all extremely proud of.

What's it about? Well, the synopsis goes a little something like this:

Monsters come in many shapes and sizes-from the creature in the shadows to the darkness of the human mind. Join three cutting edge authors as they weave fables of mayhem and murder.

ALAN DRAVEN'S VENGEANCE IS MINE

London, 1888. Jack the Ripper leaves a trail of mutilated bodies as he terrorizes the district of Whitechapel and baffles the authorities. From beyond death, one of his victims returns to haunt him and shows him the meaning of living in fear.

BRANDON FORD'S MERCILESS

Kidnapped by a madman, two teenage girls form an instant bond in the back of a speeding SUV. Bound and gagged, they face a night of unspeakable horrors. Inspired by a true story, Merciless is a tale of murder, madness, and survival.

JESSICA LYNNE GARDNER'S SUGAR SKULL

After the strange murder of her father, Annabel Perez must discover her family's secret to solve an ancient Aztec curse and stop the mass killings. A sinister Mexican sugar skull found in her father's old cigar box might just be the answer-or the means to her death.

So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to Amazon.com and pick up your copy today! More online retailers to come, so stay tuned!

Me and my gee-tar.... She sher is purty....

2009-07-29T17:45:00.002-04:00

In recent years, I've become very appreciative of folk and folk-inspired pop music. Seems that nowadays, it's all I listen to and I find it rather inspiring. So, on a whim, I thought it might be fun to try my hand at the guitar. I'm very much a beginner, have never even held an instrument before, so learning how to play this thing is and has been a slow, gradual process. But hey, one day at a time, right?

Win a signed copy of 'Sinister Landscapes!'

2009-07-15T00:10:00.002-04:00

From Alan Draven:

On July 28, Sinister Landscapes will turn a year old. To celebrate, Pixie Dust Press is giving away a copy of the book. Not just any copy; one that readers will want to treasure as it has been autographed by eighteen of the contributors of the book. The winner will also receive many bookmarks, postcards, and other promotional materials from the contributing authors. It took us a little over seven months to accomplish this, from the UK to Canada to the USA. And now, this one of a kind copy can be yours.

But you're going to have to work for it. Here's what you have to do. Over the course of the next two weeks, put together a promotional campaign for Sinister Landscapes. Be creative; what gets your attention as a reader when you see books advertised? What kind of pitch or marketing ploys really grab you as a book buyer? With the help of materials and info which can be found on www.alandraven.com/pixiedust.htm and http://pixiedustpress.weebly.com/ come up with the most imaginative campaign possible. Post it on at least two different sites/blogs, etc for the duration of the contest and send us the links at info@alandraven.com We will look at every contestant's work throughout the next two weeks and the one with the best campaign will win the signed copy. Make sure to add us to your contact list in order to receive mail from us if you win. The winner will be announced on August 1st on the above-mentioned websites and contacted by e-mail. This contest is only open to residents of the USA and Canada.

Good luck!

"Can you smell it on me?"

2009-06-29T03:42:00.002-04:00

I'm always trying to discover new authors to add to my list of favorites. Recently, a friend of mine suggested David Sedaris, who I understood was a humorist. Since I write the genre, I read horror most often and thought a change might do me so good. After devouring Me Talk Pretty One Day, I've concluded that Sedaris has to be quite possibly one of the funniest writers I've ever come across. I've since picked up all of his books and find his words and style a rare treat. You'll be pleased to know he's just as funny in person. I loved this interview he did with Jimmy Kimmel a few weeks ago and couldn't resist posting it. Enjoy and if you haven't already, check out David's books ASAP!

Damien Rice - "9 Crimes"

2009-06-27T18:24:00.002-04:00

Took me a little while to stumble across this track, but I'm sure glad I did. What a beautiful song and an incredible video. Guess you can say I'm now an instant Damien Rice fan. Watch and enjoy.

News Bytes

2009-06-23T21:46:00.003-04:00

There a couple of things I'd been meaning to post over the past week or so, but I've been swamped with writing, editing, and a few other odds and ends. But, most importantly, Creeping Shadows has found its cover art! You may recall that Alan Draven decided to hold a little contest a couple of months back to find the most worthy design and I'm very, very happy to see that the cover chosen was by Konnik, the incredibly talented artist who designed the artwork for Splattered Beauty. I think it's a wonderful piece and definitely does our little book a world of good.

Secondly, I was recently invited to do a little interview with The Cathode Ray Mission, which can be found here. Also, if you missed the live interview I did on Yolanda Renee's Book Talk some weeks back, you can stream it in the site's archives here.

That's all for now, but please check back soon for future updates.

LIVE Interview Tomorrow - Thurs. 6/11 @ 9:00pm!

2009-06-10T15:14:00.004-04:00

Yours truly will be doing a live interview on Yolanda Renee's Book Talk tomorrow evening at 9:00pm EST! We'll be discussing "Splattered Beauty" and a wide variety of other topics, so I hope you'll tune in and maybe give us a call to say hi!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/YolandaRenee

Singer Matt Duke's Recommended Reading

2009-06-02T23:28:00.003-04:00

For the uninitiated, Matt Duke is a fantastic new artist from the east coast. I first discovered his delightful blend of folk/pop/rock back in 2007 when he opened for Lisa Loeb here in Philadelphia. I became an instant fan and feel his latest effort, Kingdom Underground, is one of the best albums of 2008.

If you check Matt's official MySpace page, you'll find a lengthy blog entry titled "Look, Neil...I'm blogging!" Amid his random musings, you'll find his recommended reading. To my complete surprise and utter delight, he includes Splattered Beauty in his suggested books! Here's what he had to say:

Philly local writer and B Horror Movie afficianado writes a novel about a washed-up, doped up scream queen who manipulates a doe-eyed fanatic into helping her kill anyone that might have REMOTELY done her wrong. Brandon, you had me at tearing open her ex-husband's chest and literally ripping his heart out. Poetry in motion.

Color me flattered! I was just about at a loss when I read that. Thanks again, Matt! Your kindness is very much appreciated!

Check out Matt's latest CD, Kingdom Underground on Amazon and iTunes. And while you're there, why not throw his debut album, Winter Child, in the cart as well?

Ladies and gentlemen, Nicholas Grabowsky...

2009-05-20T22:14:00.003-04:00

Nicholas Grabowsky is definitely an author that needs no introduction. He is the brilliant mind behind countless horror classics, not to mention the novelization of Halloween 4, which has become a cult favorite. His writing has received praise from the likes of Stephen King, Clive Barker, and Wes Craven. I was, of course, beside myself when he agreed to review my latest novel, Splattered Beauty. Here’s what he had to say:

This was a difficult book to review because I made the mistake of looking around for other reviews of this work online, just because I was curious to see what other reviewers thought of Ford's Splattered Beauty, only to find that many of them said some of the same things I was going to say. Heck, there's even a cool retro-ish book trailer for it I came across on Fango's website (http://www.fangoria.com/home/news/13-books/1465-splattered-beauty-gets-a-trailer.html) that I liked, filled with blurbs similar to what I was going to give. So where do I start, then? Well, everybody seems to agree that this is a love letter of sorts to the scream queens of horror film history, and that's true. It says so in Ford's forward. And it is good. But when it all boils down to things, aside from my agreement with most other reviewers (and their extremely positive reviews) in what they had to say, I'm going to go this route:

We have a story here where, in essence, we've heard time and time again. Someone gets pissed off at their life and decides to go and kill a handful of people in the heat of being pissed off, and in this case it involves a huge fictitious horror flick Scream Queen, by the name of Alyssa, who's been screwed by the business and her ex-boyfriend/film director who has a nice younger something-something, and throughout the book, we get the picture how her career and life are pretty much washed up which fuels her ultimately vindictive fire. It's basic Lifetime movie fare, putting it that simply, and stripping it down to its bare bones, that's what it is, with added suspense and gore and a few high-pressure scenes that Lifetime wouldn't touch but rather the producers of an unrated B-movie film. People killing people for all the reasons in the world will be written about until people stop writing.

With that said, the way Brandon Ford writes this story is exemplary, and I hold his storytelling in high esteem. Solid characterization and a plot that moves, flows, and keeps you reading. It's simple in plot, yes, but I love the way he writes it. It's got what it takes for a potentially mediocre tale worthy for the masses to read. There were also a few sequences where I thought things were moving one way, and they went into the opposite direction. That's a phrase said often in positive reviews, and it applies here. Brandon Ford, whose Crystal Bay (his first book to which this is his second) was critically acclaimed, can certainly take a story formula and tweak it to the extent that it's original because his writing is original, and in this business, that's part of the battle. In a world where originality is lacking, it's nice to see a good writer flexing his muscles even if it's another vendetta/killer entry, and I expect to see Brandon Ford win awards and go far.

He has the passion and drive for it, and the talent. Splattered Beauty, as a tight and easy genre read, is something all should pick up and delight in if for only the way it's told alone. Along with Alyssa, you'll get pissed off too and want her to kill someone. I almost, almost, found myself even rooting for her, and feeling sorry for her fan sidekick that came into the story with the best of intentions.

Once again, thank you to Nick for the fantastic review. And please don’t forget to check him out at http://www.downwarden.com/ and www.myspace.com/downwarden

Sonar4 Review

2009-05-06T00:53:00.002-04:00

http://www.sonar4ezine.com/walter56.html

By Shells Walter Senior Editor

Brandon Ford and Arctic Wolf publishing presents another chilling tale in Splattered Beauty.

Alyssa a former Horror actress, out of work, out of the lime light and out of her former husband’s life, takes refuge in a younger fan. This fan of hers participates in more than just friendship, as Alyssa finds a way to get everything back, or at least make everyone regret that she can’t.

The story is gripping in itself from the beginning. Turning the pages one after another is non-stop reading through the night. The main character Alyssa, shows the point of no return someone may experience when everything has been taken away. Nothing shows the human condition more than Brandon Ford with this character.

Brandon Ford has mastered the skill of art in writing with Splattered Beauty. Nothing can say spine-chilling, action-packed thriller, than this story.

One may ask what the best part of this story is, and the answer would be all of it. There is not one page in this book that is dull, that leaves you wondering what if. Your questions about finding a good read is right here with Splattered Beauty.

There is no need to look for another book, taking this one in toll and reading it all the way through is a must. Just watch your back; you don’t know if you have an Alyssa standing around the corner waiting for her chance to just have one more taste of the glamorous life, at the cost of: YOU.

Rites of Romance Review

2009-05-03T22:51:00.001-04:00

Title: Splattered Beauty
Author: Brandon Ford
Publisher: Artic Wolf
ISBN: 0981747272
Genre: horror
Length: Novel
Rating: 4 Lyres
Reviewer: Ash Arceneaux

Alyssa Peyton was once the most in-demand scream queen in B-movie Hollywood. Married to a successful director, she had her choice of prime roles. Until a younger, prettier actress came along and stole her husband, her roles, and her life. When Alyssa meets Taryn, a devoted teenage fan, things go from bad to worse.

I’ve sort of halfway followed Mr. Ford’s work via Myspace for a while now. He’s one of those new young (and sorta cute) authors that are redefining small press horror. I was more than happy to get a chance to review this book.

I don’t have many bad things to say about it. Mr. Ford’s style is clean and crisp, to the point. The gore isn’t overdone and is in the right places. While I wouldn’t call it ultragory or anything, there’s enough guts and splatter to satisfy any horror fan! Splattered Beauty is fast-paced, well-written, and a delightfully shocking read!

As for the characters. This is probably the only negative thing I have to say about the book. I thought Alyssa could have had a better descent into madness. She sort of flipped a little too quickly. I wanted to see her suffer her mental illness a little more, and then her short, brutal career as a serial killer would have been more fulfilling. Wow, I sound like a freak for saying something like that…

Nah, just a horror author myself…
Anyway, back to the review. I didn’t like Taryn at first. She made me think of those wierd girls we all went to high school with who wore their questionable sexual orientation on their sleeves, enjoyed the ostracizing they got for being creepy and leering in the locker rooms and not quite washing themselves well enough. After Tarnyn became a fixture in the story, she quickly became the strongest character in the story.

Overall, Splattered Beauty is a book that definitely is worth the read.

May 4, 2009

Robert Dunbar offers a few words on 'Splattered Beauty!'

2009-04-13T05:35:00.002-04:00

Legendary horror author of such classics as The Pines, The Shore, and most recently, Martyrs & Monsters, Robert Dunbar was kind enough to offer this very generous blurb for my second novel, Splattered Beauty:

"It’s hard to come up with a really great villain these days. Count Dracula. Hannibal Lecter. Lady Macbeth. All the good ones have been taken. Meet Alyssa Peyton, dangerously deranged diva of Brandon Ford's "Splattered Beauty." During the current onslaught of misogynistic snuff and slasher bilge, how nice to discover a novel that stands those recidivistic conventions on their heads … while offering all the sneaky thrills of the pulpiest of pulp fiction. Bosoms heave, knives lash out – all of it somehow absolutely delicious. Fasten your seatbelts! As brimming with noir psychological complexities as any giallo, this affectionately lurid homage to scream queens drags the reader along on one hell of a bumpy ride."

It's a real treat to read such kind words from such a talented and respected author. Thanks again, Robert!

New Contest!

2009-04-09T03:59:00.008-04:00

Hey, everyone! It's been a while, eh?

Well, I've got some fantasmic (yes, it's a word) news for all you talented artistes out there. As you may recall, towards the end of last summer, I threw together a little contest to find the most unique piece of artwork to serve as the cover art for my second novel, Splattered Beauty. That turned out to be a great experience and I ended up choosing what I felt was one of the most original pieces of art I've ever seen.

Alan Draven (author of Bitternest) has decided to follow in my footsteps and hold a contest of his own. This time, the search is for Creeping Shadows' cover design.

What is Creeping Shadows? It's a collection of 3 short novels (one by yours truly, one by Alan, and one by Jessica Lynne Gardner) due out this Halloween. Scroll down for all the rules/details!

Pixie Dust Press is looking for submissions for the cover of our next book: Creeping Shadows, a novella collection about monsters. We leave it to the artist to do whatever inspires them for the cover art. What we want is a wraparound cover either drawn or painted. No photographs or montages. The front cover should be professional and incite the reader to buy the book; as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. We want that quality look that the big NY publishers have. Download JPEG below for the basics of the cover design. The wraparound cover size is approximate as we are still in the editing process so the width of the spine may change but the final book will be 8.5” X 5.5” and should be between 260-275 pages. The title and author fonts will remain as they are in the JPEG. However, the font colors might change to better suit the artist’s artwork. The placement of the synopsis, publisher logo, price, and barcode on the back of the book will also be as shown in the JPEG. The back cover should be less prominent to allow for the text to be read easily.

To inspire you, here is what the three novellas are about:

Alan Draven’s Vengeance Is Mine
It is the year 1888 and the district of Whitechapel, London is terrorized by Jack the Ripper. Prostitutes dread the coming of night as the Ripper prowls the streets for fresh prey. But one of his victims comes back from beyond death to haunt him and show him what it is to live in fear.

Brandon Ford’s Merciless
Kidnapped by a madman, two teenage girls form an instant bond in the back of a speeding SUV. Bound and gagged, they face a night of unspeakable horrors. Inspired by a true story, Merciless is a tale of murder, madness, and survival.

Jessica Lynne Gardner’s Sugar Skull
Shortly after her father’s funeral, strange things begin to happen to Annabel Perez. A detective investigates as poisoned corpses pile up all with the same symptoms of Annabel’s father. Together, Anna, her mother and the detective must solve the puzzle to the strange dreams of skeletons, Aztec rituals, and family secrets before they are next. A sinister-looking Mexican sugar skull found in her father’s old cigar box might just be the answer ... or the means to her death.

Submissions should be in JPEG format, in color and have a resolution of 300DPI. The deadline to submit is Sunday June 7th, 2009 at midnight. Send all submissions to info@alandraven.com . Don’t forget to add this address to your contacts if you want to receive mail from us. Here’s what’s in it for the artist:

1) $50 in cash (Paypal account required)
2) A complimentary copy of Creeping Shadows upon publication
3) A first shot at doing the cover for the next Pixie Dust Press book next year (and maybe become the resident PDP cover artist, who knows!)

SPLATTERED BEAUTY Book Trailer/Fangoria mention!

2009-02-24T20:25:00.003-05:00

Legendary cult film director Tim Ritter, who also gave Splattered Beauty a very generous review, has put together this nice little trailer that encapsalates the tone of my new book. Check it out below.

I also managed to nab a mention on Fangoria's website thanks to this bad boy. Check it out here.

Splattered Beauty: A Novel By Brandon Ford (Trailer) -

Monster Librarian praises 'Splattered Beauty!!!'

2009-02-17T00:56:00.002-05:00

Monster Librarian, a fantastic site with a plethora of book reviews for all ages, has just given my second novel, Splattered Beauty, a very complimentary review. Check it out below:

Splattered Beauty by Brandon Ford*New Review
Arctic Wolf Publishing,2008
ISBN: 9780981747279
Available: New

Scream queen Alyssa Peyton had it all. Her popularity meant she was in high demand, and she had her choice of projects. Then it all changed. Her husband left her for a younger actress, and she became an alcoholic mess who was extremely difficult to work with. Alyssa’s popularity faded, and the projects she was offered were few and far between. Her psyche has been slowly crumbling with each year that passes. Alyssa meets a fan named Taryn at a horror convention. Taryn is a lesbian whose mother will not accept her for who she is. Taryn’s life feels like a living hell while living with her mother, so Taryn is ready for anything but going home. Alyssa takes her in as a friend and eventually a roommate. Taryn is in love with Alyssa and will do anything she asks. When murder is brought forth, Taryn becomes unwillingly involved. Can Taryn stop Alyssa's taste for killing before it's too late? Or will she become a victim herself? This book was a fun read that I enjoyed from start to finish, I liked that their very first meeting was at a horror convention. Horror fans will appreciate the setting, since they are familiar with what it's like standing in line to meet your favorite stars. As a fan, it was something that I could totally relate to. Sometimes we place these people on a pedestal when in reality they are everyday normal people just like us. Recommended for high school and public libraries
Review by The Angry Princess

News, Reviews, & Interviews

2009-02-06T02:06:00.003-05:00

Because I've been such a lazy prick, I haven't blogged in the past couple weeks. Believe it or not, in these past 2 weeks or so, lots of cool stuff went down (or I've seen the promise of cool stuff going down). Stay with me, this is gonna be a hefty one.

Firstly, Snuff Books' very first anthology, Raw: Brutality as Art, featuring my short story "Painted in Red," is NOW AVAILABLE! Head on over to Amazon and pick up your copy here.

Secondly, I've gotten some more fantastic reviews for Splattered Beauty. The first being from Alan Draven. author of the wonderful vampire novel, Bitternest, and editor of the gothic anthology, Sinister Landscapes. He was very kind and generous in his review, so thanks again, Alan! Check it out here.

Next review comes from Jim Dodge, Jr. over at Mass Movement. Jim was also very nice and thoroughly enjoyed the book. His kindness was also very much appreciated. He's got a new review for Sinister Landscapes up over there too, so head on over to Mass Movement and check 'em out.

Last, but certainly not least, I'll be doing TWO (that's right, TWO) Blog Talk Radio shows next week! I'm sure they'll be a blast, so tune in, have a listen, and if ya got something to say, give us a call. Scroll down for the dates/times.

Havok & Seb: Monday, February 9th, 8:00 P.M. EST

The Odd Mind: Thursday, February 12th, 9:00 P.M., EST

Guess that's all for now. Check back soon for more. Stay warm!

HorrorNews.net praises 'Splattered Beauty!!!'

2009-01-22T17:34:00.002-05:00

Another fantastic review, this one from HorrorNews.net! Check it out below:

The low budget horror movies normally mean an almost unstoppable killer (in some cases totally unstoppable) and the beautiful women who are their prey. In some movies actresses are just a body count while in others they become the “final girl” who grows during the course of the movie to be able to face down the villain. Actresses have become cult favorites starring in more and more horror films and growing in popularity. Some take their fame and try to jump into the big budget world of Hollywood while others continue to work in the low budget world, maybe writing, producing or directing besides acting. The actresses work hard under less than ideal situations and often remembered for their appearance more than their acting. All this being said there is quite a powerful fan base that love the actresses for what they do and wait breathlessly for the next movie. Some actresses wear the title of “Scream Queen” proudly and have shown that their abilities are more than skin deep. Brinke Stevens, Linnea Quigley, Debbie Rocheon are some of the many of the actresses who have graced the silver screens of horror.

Brandon Ford dedicates his novel “Splattered Beauty” to the many “Scream Queens” who haunted his teenage years. The novel would make a nice basis for a slasher movie starring one of his favorite actresses. The story is that a scream queen Alyssa Peyton has seen better days; her husband and director Peter has left her for a young actress. She has been labeled as being difficult, as she has been having breakdowns on set and has been pretty much blacklisted as an actress. Her agent sends her to an audition only to find that it is for a porn movie. She is having flashbacks to the abuse she received from her father. Things in her life are looking the darkest and there seems little hope. Then she attends an horror convention and finds a teenage fan, Taryn who gives her all the devotion she needs and she seems to be on the edge of being offered a film as a serial murderer, which would allow her to show that she can act after all. She finds hope after all but it comes crashing down when Peter’s new wife is offered the part instead of Alyssa. She deteriorates farther into pills and alcohol and tries to take her own life. But no one can keep a scream queen down for long and she breaks with reality and tries to take on her greatest role as a serial killer in her real life. She pulls Taryn along on a road of sick and twisted killings all aimed at bring her to the top again and punishing everyone she believes has crossed her. She matches wits with Detective Loggia who is sure she is guilty but has no proof and no idea where she will strike next. Will he be able to stop her or will she finally be the success she always dreamed she would be?

The novel is quick and well paced read. Each chapter builds on the last one and takes us for a fast moving ride. Alyssa is a victim as well as a murderer and deeply troubled so there is a part of us who wish she could just get away with enough so she can make that picture and show her stuff. For lovers of the low budget slasher genre there is everything they would be looking for in a movie or book blood, babes, a hard-boiled detective and lesbian sex. The book would make a good script if anyone were looking a nice slasher movie and a great part for a scream queen as long as she understands she doesn’t have to live the role. The book is available from amazon.com and if you want to know about the Brandon Ford you can find him at www.myspace.com/writerbrandonford.

“Splattered Beauty” would make a nice read over these cold winter days. Brandon Ford has his debut novel “Crystal Bay” also out from Arctic Wolf Publishing.

"The role of a lifetime for a lucky scream queen!" - Blood of the Muse

2009-01-21T02:23:00.001-05:00

"Ford succeeds in encapsulating B-movieness. Splattered Beauty is highly visual and slightly addictive... a horror screenplay waiting to happen... the role of a lifetime for some lucky scream queen...."

Just a few words from Paul Stotts' fantastic new review of Splattered Beauty. Check it out on Blood of the Muse by clicking here!

Dread Central finally reviews 'Sinister Landscapes'

2009-01-18T18:22:00.001-05:00

As you may recall, Sinister Landscapes, an anthology of short, gothic fiction, was released back in August by Alan Draven's Pixie Dust Press. I, along with such incredible writers as Eric Enck, Ryan B. Clark, Jessica Lynne Gardner, T.G. Reaper, and many more all contributed original works. The buzz was going strong for a while, but recently, the candle has gone dim. Now it seems the flame is burning bright again, all due to a fantastic review by Dread Central. My contribution, "Severed," is called "a quick and brutal little tale of revenge that left a very sweet aftertaste."

Read the full review here.

Legendary cult filmmaker reviews 'Splattered Beauty'

2009-01-18T00:19:00.003-05:00

For almost 25 years, Tim Ritter has been a staple in the world of low-budget horror filmmaking. With more than a dozen titles under his belt, he has achieved worldwide acclaim and admiration. Movies like Truth or Dare?: A Critical Madness (his most famous and recognizable genre contribution), Killing Spree, Creep, Twisted Illusions, and Reconciled Through the Christ, his complex and diverse talents have entertained audiences for years. As a matter of fact Truth or Dare? was one of the first horror films I saw as a child and I became a dedicated follower ever since.

Tim was kind enough to offer his thoughts on my latest novel, Splattered Beauty. Read on for a very complimentary review from one of horror’s cult icons.

4/5 Stars: Nice and Bloody…

Alyssa Peyton is an aging scream queen with a tainted past, drug and alcohol problem, and a declining career. She blames it all on her ex-hubby film director, her daddy, her agent...almost anyone but herself. As her life spirals out of control, a lesbian fan named Taryn comes into her life and gives her brief hope and love, even if Alyssa doesn't sway that way herself. Instead of embracing the opportunity of a caring person, Alyssa uses Taryn as an accomplice in a series of crimes that she thinks are going to help revive her career. When things don't work out the way she planned, her madness escalates and she begins murdering everyone that she blames for her current lot in life.

Meanwhile, an aging detective is hot on Alyssa's trail and will stop at nothing to prove she's behind the growing number of bodies that seem to be missing or piling up in her wake...

SPLATTERED BEAUTY is Brandon Ford's second book and for the "splatterpunk" or horror fan looking for a good fix in the fine traditions of Jack Ketchum and Richard Laymon, this is just what the doctor ordered.

I found the pacing to be quick and the two lead characters well-developed and interesting. Ford has a knack for good prose and interesting character backgrounds, really taking you inside the emotions his creations are feeling. Scream queen Alyssa Peyton was particularly well-rounded and Ford captures her creative and business frustrations to a T, unfortunately all too real in the creative arts. Once you're at the 'top' of any level of the entertainment biz, there's nowhere to go but down at a certain point and this is a great springboard for psychosis! Fortunately most artists on the way down don't react in this extreme manner, but it does get inside the psyche and egos of creative individuals, exposing the dark side of that "lust to be famous" in a twisted way. The scenes on the movie set were especially enlightening, when Alyssa shows up trashed and the director has to deal with her. Having a little experience in this area of the biz, this part was all too real, as was the part where Alyssa gets "a little bit too much" into her role, injuring a co-star...

The Taryn character is also well-rounded although there are some cliches in her background, especially with the overzealous religious mom (a'la CARRIE) who is so against her lifestyle choice, although I must admit, this subplot did end up a little different than I expected, which was quite the treat. Taryn is a nineteen year old young lady, coming of age, and she is well essayed and believable, especially as she gets mixed up with a celebrity that she's infatuated with. The police procedural part of the novel doesn't resonate as very realistic, though I did find the persona of Detective Loggia quite likeable. It would have been nice if the novel just focused on the characters of Alyssa and Taryn even more, but this is a small beef and fortunately, the "cops searching for justice" portion of the book is mercifully swift. (This might just be a personal peeve I have, just tired of seeing the cops in on these type of adventures, have overdone it myself when trying creative ventures!)

Once the blood begins to flow, SPLATTERED BEAUTY really kicks in and you'll be turning the pages briskly to find out what happens next. Alyssa Peyton is definitely a crazed character and you're never sure what she'll do next as she slips into an abyss of madness and mayhem.

The ending was really wild too, I'd call it poetic justice and a nice twist! So fans of b-movies, scream queens, and twisted carnage will not be disappointed- SPLATTERED BEAUTY is definitely a gory THELMA AND LOUISE for the twenty-first century. And Brandon Ford is one to watch- a burgeoning master of crimson escapism! Definitely worth checking out.

For more information on Tim Ritter, please check out http://www.timritter.com/, or send him a friend request here on MySpace at www.myspace.com/ritter_reels

And, just for nostalgic purposes, here’s the original trailer for Truth or Dare?

"I couldn't stop turning the pages!"

2009-01-16T21:19:00.001-05:00

Another fantastic review! This one from everyone's favorite horror site, Fatally Yours. They were very kind and incredibly generous in their review of Splattered Beauty. Check it out here!

First Review!

2009-01-13T22:02:00.001-05:00

Click here to check out the first review of Splattered Beauty from Jason over at The Mad Ravings of an Entertainment Junkie. I'm ecstatic that my first review is such a good one. Let's hope they keep coming!

New Interviews!

2009-01-13T18:39:00.002-05:00

I recently had a chance to sit down with Paul Stotts from Blood of the Muse for an exclusive interview. Paul asked a lot of interesting questions and I definitely had a lot of fun answering them. So, click here and enjoy!

Also, Terror Tube, a fantastic website dedicated to our beloved horror genre, was kind enough to invite me for a sit-down. Check it out here. Thanks to Heather for the wonderful opportunity and expect a review for Splattered Beauty from these guys very soon.

Lastly, I made a return to The Mortal Vampire's Blog Talk Radio show for a 90-minute audio interview. Definitely a lot of fun and a pretty interesting listen, if I do say so myself. So, check it out here.

Benevolent Street mentions Brandon Ford

2008-12-30T04:17:00.005-05:00

Benevolent Street, a fascinating new website dedicated to all things horror, was kind enough to give both me and my new book a very generous mention earlier this evening. Check it out here.
Expect much from this growing website in the very near future, including horror news, reviews, interviews, and much more. Thanks very much to the staff of Benevolent Street for the very generous mention.

'Splattered Beauty' is now available on Amazon Kindle!

2008-12-11T19:17:00.003-05:00

My second novel, Splattered Beauty, is now available in digital form. For those of you with a Kindle, you can head on over to Amazon.com and order your copy right now. In less than a minute, you'll be reading Splattered Beauty on your Kindle. Click here to check it out. If you prefer the print edition, the paperback will be available in the next week or two, so keep an eye out.

In other news, the first anthology from Snuff Books, Raw: Brutality As Art, will also be available later this month. My short story, "Painted in Red", is the second in the impressive table of contents. I'm very proud and honored to be among such incredible talents. Here's the full lineup:

"Violin Concerto No. 9 in A Minor" by Inanna Gabriel

"Painted in Red" by Brandon Ford

"The City of the Dancing Lights" by Frank Roger

"Pretty Face on Genocide" by Steven L. Shrewsbury

"Scavenger Hunt" by R.J. Cavender

"Still Life with Soul Juice" by L.L. Soares

"A Willing Donor" by Kevin Lucia

"Onyx Noir" by Jessica Lynne Gardner

"One Headlight" by Eric Enck

"The Exhibition" by James Roy Daley

"Cry Little Sister" by John Edward Lawson

"Squeezing Out Sparks" by Stephen Couch

"You Come When I Call" by Trever Palmer

"Chef of the Gods" by Andrew Wolter

'Bitternest' by Alan Draven

2008-12-05T22:49:00.002-05:00

Welcome to Bitternest, a small town in Louisiana with several big problems. Firstly, the existence of vampires, as well as their nemesis, the blood mongers (a new breed of vampire who still hold tight to half of their human characteristics). There’s also a war between the small town’s most vicious and ruthless street gangs and a powerful virus known as H5N1 that’s not only sweeping Bitternest, but infecting the globe as well. In this whirlwind of intricate plot, we’re introduced to Terry Graves and Miguel Vallejo, two police detectives who will stop at nothing to re-introduce their small town to justice.

“Bitternest” is the debut novel by author/editor Alan Draven and what a strong introduction it is. There seems to be something new and extraordinary on every single page, the plot a constant evolution. Draven’s writing style, his dialogue in particular, is strong and it is obvious he has gone to all of the necessary lengths to not only hone his craft, but to educate himself on the multi-faceted sub-genre known as vampire fiction.

His manner of storytelling is crisp and clear and taking cheap shots is obviously not on his agenda. Draven manages to tell a multi-layered story without the use of explicit language, gratuitous sex, or needless gore, something that is a true rarity these days when it comes to genre fiction. By the end, each character is fully developed through a complex arc.

Personally, I’m not one for vampire fiction, but because of its twisted plot, strong writing, and multifarious characters, I was immediately drawn in. I anxiously await Draven’s next project.

'Come Out Tonight' by Richard Laymon

2008-11-11T20:41:00.008-05:00

I'm ashamed to admit this, but the work of Richard Laymon has eluded me until recently. Sure, I'd heard his name a few times and knew that he had a following, but I'm very particular about which authors I allow into my personal library, whose words I let into my head. I suppose it's because I'm guarded when it comes to whose writing I'll invite as possible influences.

"Come Out Tonight" by Mr. Laymon is a novel I picked up at a local Borders about a year ago. I allowed it to collect dust on my shelf ever since then. I'll admit, I'm not particularly fond of stories told in excess. If there's a novel more than 400 pages in length, I'll either pass it by or allow light years to pass before I pick it up. And that is because I don't want to devote endless hours reading a single book when I could get through several in the same frame.

Now, anyone who knows me knows that I'm quite the insomniac. More often than not, it's daybreak by the time I rest my weary head. It was on one of those nights that I simply could not make it to sleep. I'd spent a good, solid hour tossing and turning, spinning and twirling amid the bedsheets, though sleep would not come. And so, I decided to pick up a book. On a total whim, it was "Come Out Tonight" that I reached for. After page 10, I realized that this was the wrong choice if reading something boring to put me to sleep was what I had in mind.

"Come Out Tonight" is a page-turner from the very start. The story is simple enough and easy to follow: Sherry and her boyfriend Duane are about to consummate their relationship for the first time when they realize they're without protection. So, Duane decides to head out to a local all-night convenience store to pick up a few Trojans. The shop is well within walking distance and shouldn't take him more than fifteen minutes round trip. Sherry is puzzled when an hour passes and he hasn't yet returned.

Foolishly, she allows her curiosities to get the best of her and decides to go looking for him. She spots his van in the parking lot, but there is no sign of Duane anywhere. It is there that she meets Toby Bones, a Good Samaritan who claims to have seen Duane and offers to help Sherry look for him. Accepting Toby's offer, Sherry soon realizes, is the biggest mistake of her life.

What ensues is a non-stop thrill ride of suspense and intrigue. As the reader, it's difficult to pin-point what will be waiting behind each corner. The writing is sharp and the words flow seamlessly. I was surprised at how fast this book read and how much time had gone by while I was reading. As a matter of fact, I don't think I got to bed until around 9 a.m. that morning.

"Come Out Tonight" is a fast-paced read that delivers without disappointment. Though some of the incidents our poor heroin is forced to overcome seem a bit far-fetched, it's still a novel that's difficult to put down. After this one, I'm proud to call myself a Laymon fan.

And the winner is...

2008-11-01T02:35:00.004-04:00

First and foremost, thank you to everyone who entered my contest. Over the past couple of months, I received some incredible works of art and that really didn't make arriving at a decision easy in the slightest. All of you managed to blow me away with your unique talents and not one of the submissions resembled another.

There was one piece that really struck me, though. It was actually one of the very first entries. When I had my first glance, I knew it was different and original, but I just wasn't sure it would work. I mean, I really liked it and appreciated the artist's alternative approach to novel design, but I just didn't know if it would be the best piece to represent Splattered Beauty.

Then I realized that ever since it arrived in my mailbox, it was pretty much the only cover art that kept reappearing in my thoughts. Its twisted depiction of a homicidal female really stuck with me and no matter what, I couldn't rid myself of her tilted chin and the dripping knife clenched in her hand. It was then that I decided this was the design I'd been searching for. This was the design I wanted to represent my second novel.

Konnik is an incredibly unique young artist and definitely one to watch out for. His other works can be viewed on his official website, http://www.olddevil.com/.

And now, without further delay, here is the winning design for Splattered Beauty. Enjoy...

CALLING ALL ARTISTS/ILLUSTRATORS!!! CONTEST NOW OPEN!!!

2008-09-01T00:22:00.003-04:00

Beginning now I am accepting submissions from aspiring and talented illustrators/graphic design artists who can create the cover of my second novel, Splattered Beauty. Using the synopsis below, allow your imagination to run wild and see if you can wow me into using your artwork as the cover of my new book. Please read the rules carefully.

SPLATTERED BEAUTY by Brandon Ford – Synopsis

There are a lot of things Alyssa Peyton once had. She once had a prolific and lucrative career as a leading actress in a slew of low-budget horror films. She once had a loving, caring relationship with her producer/director husband, Peter. She once had fans and a dedicated following. All of this has vanished in the blink of an eye.

Now, Alyssa has acquired a serious problem with both substance and alcohol abuse. She possesses a strong sense of self-loathing that seems to intensify every day. She has also found a new friend in devoted teenage fan, Taryn.

Watching her life crumble and deteriorate, Alyssa knows it is up to her to make things right. With the help of Taryn, she begins a string of brutal and sadistic murders, all in the name of a twisted form of retribution.

It is up to an aging detective to stop them before the body count rises. But will Alyssa stop him first?

RULES – Please read carefully

1. Please send only YOUR ORIGINAL WORK. No copyrighted or third party images.
2. Only full color artwork.
3. Enter as many times as you like.
4. All entries must be received by the deadline: October 31, 2008
5. JPEG images ONLY, please.
6. DO NOT place any text on the image. If your cover is chosen, you will be notified via e-mail and will have the opportunity to design a typeface for both the title and author's name.
7. For the submission, please send a low-resolution version of the image. 72dpi would be preferred. If your artwork is chosen, the final work will need to be 300dpi.
8. The main focus of this contest is for the actual cover of the book. However, if you'd like, feel free to create a wrap around landscape image that contains both front and back, as well as the spine. If you choose to create only the cover (portrait), the image should be 5.2 x 8.3. If you chose to do both front and back, as well as spine (landscape), then the image should be 11.5 x 8.3.
9. Please include your full name (or the name in which you’d like to be credited under) in the e-mail, as well as any personal website information.
10. All submissions must be forwarded to WriterBrandonFord@yahoo.com

WHAT DOES THE WINNER GET?

Well, the winner gets to have their artwork as the cover of my new book, of course. They will be given full credit, which will be included inside the novel itself. Unfortunately, there will be no form of financial compensation at this time.

The sole purpose of this contest is to expose new and fresh talent that has yet to make their mark upon the industry. For those of you who are looking to build your resume with various credits, this is the opportunity for you.

Frank Henenlotter Interview

2008-08-03T23:14:00.002-04:00

Ever since I saw Frankenhooker way back in the early '90s, I've been smitten with the twisted genius that is Frank Henenlotter. His films have since gone on to be some of my all-time cult favorites, from the Basket Case trilogy, to Brain Damage, his ability to blend comedy with horror (not to mention the truly bizarre) is impeccable.

Today, I stumbled upon a lengthy interview with Frank, as he discusses his comeback feature, Bad Biology, as well as his early classics, and some of his biggest influences. It's definitely an interesting watch, so enjoy.

Part 1:

Part 2:

'Sinister Landscapes' is now available!

2008-07-31T17:39:00.001-04:00

SINISTER LANDSCAPES, the brand new collection of short gothic fiction, is now available! Including my short story, “Severed”, you’ll find 18 spine-tingling stories in the tradition of classic gothic fiction. Check out the book trailer below:

Sinister Landscapes (Alan Draven)

And the official synopsis:
Churchyards, cemeteries, manors, and foggy streets are breeding grounds for specters of all walks. Ghosts, goblins, witches, and demons lurk in these dangerous places, stalking from the darkest corners. Mysterious noises, rattling chains, strange occurrences, and eerie shadows. These are just some of the spine-tingling oddities we encounter when we dare tread upon forbidden soil. Brace yourself readers. Sinister Landscapes takes you back to the roots of horror through eighteen gothic tales told by a new crop of authors that go straight for the throat. Featuring the genre's newest and finest voices with a foreword by award-winning and bestselling author Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc, including: Thad Linson, Sarah Wilson Basore, Eric Enck, Jessica Lynne Gardner, Ryan B. Clark, Brandon Ford, Jeani Rector, David Boyle, Gordon Anthony Bean, Bret Jordan, Alan Draven, Stéphanie J, T. G. Reaper, R. Vance. Jeff Ezell, Charlotte Emma Gledson, Charlie Glover, Frank E. Bittinger. Edited by Alan Draven

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!
Click Here

'Life with My Sister Madonna' by Christopher Ciccone

2008-07-27T02:26:00.003-04:00

I’ve been a dedicated fan of Madonna since I was six years old. For the past twenty years, I have listened to her music religiously, bought her albums immediately upon release, sat through all of her films, paid hundreds of dollars to see her in concert. Yes, I do consider myself a hardcore fan. So, when I first learned that her brother, Christopher, had penned an intimate tell-all detailing their experiences together, my initial instinct was to boycott it. The last thing I wanted to do was show my support for something that Madge herself would no doubt abhor.

And then I decided to mull it over some more.

I will fully admit that the dark part of me desperately wanted to rush over to Barnes & Noble, grab an immediate copy of the book, and devour it right there in the aisles. But wouldn’t I be considered a bad fan if I did so? On the other hand, I’ve literally given this woman thousands of my hard-earned dollars over the years. Don’t I, as the fan, deserve a little reward? After all, I even purchased a copy of her latest album, Hard Candy, despite the fact that I hated the new “commercial” Madonna from the get-go. The Madonna that so desperately wants to prove she is still relevant by working with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, Timbaland, and Kanye West. So, even though I hated the album, I still showed my goddess, my queen support, as a longtime fan, and bought it. I think I deserve to be bad.

So, the day after Life with My Sister Madonna by Christopher Ciccone hit bookstores everywhere, I went out and bought it (even got 40% off with my Borders Rewards Card). I’d heard so many reports on the book and didn’t know exactly what to expect. In all honesty, part of me hoped that Christopher would air all of Madonna’s dirty laundry and we as the readers would finally get to know her for who she really is. Another part of me hoped he’d stay true to the fact that he is her family and that is something more sacred than anything else.

I wouldn’t exactly call the book a tell-all, as it really doesn’t dig that deep into her closet of hidden secrets. There are a few nuggets of insight I hadn’t been made aware of, but for the most part, I wasn’t really shocked by what I read, nor do I feel any differently towards Madonna as an artist or as a person.

As opposed to a biography, which chronicles the life of a person from beginning to end, Life with My Sister Madonna is more of an account of the turbulent relationship Christopher and his world-famous sister have shared. It dives headfirst into the many things they’ve seen and experienced together, from her tours, videos, and even run-ins with certain celebrities. It is honest, interesting, and well written. At times, it definitely comes off as bitter and spiteful. Christopher seems to have a chip on his shoulder and understandably so. He feels as though Madonna has wronged him on multiple occasions and holds a great deal of resentment towards her because of it.

The book itself is not slanderous, so if raw, uncensored dirt is what you’re in the market for, look elsewhere. More than anything, this book is a memoir by someone who has grown up being the younger sibling of the most famous woman in the world. It tells a story that we, as fans and supporters of Madonna, have never heard before.

CRYSTAL BAY is now available on Amazon Kindle!

2008-07-22T18:31:00.001-04:00

My debut novel, Crystal Bay, is now available on Amazon Kindle! Place your order and have the digital file mailed to you instantly. You'll receive the book in less than a minute!

Click Here

Front Street Reviews praises CRYSTAL BAY!

2008-07-19T21:55:00.002-04:00

Front Street Reviews, a wonderful website overflowing with countless book reviews, has offered a very complimentary article on my debut novel. Read on and check it out!

Gage Healy is an English teacher who aspires to be a novelist. It is summer break and he is leaving town, his wife and friends to go into seclusion to write a best seller. Crystal Bay is the perfect place. The lake is quiet, peaceful and isolated. He is sure his creative juices will flow.
He meets Amanda at Crystal Bay. She is mysterious, sensuous, beautiful in a way Gage can't quite describe. Just looking at her motivates Gage to write and write turning out pages upon pages.

Amanda has a dark secret and needs something from Gage. Her very existence depends on conquering Gage. Gage tries to resist Amanda's charm but she is like a drug that he needs. His writing is prolific after each encounter with her.
Beth, Gage's wife, was not thrilled with his plan for the summer but she always supported his writing efforts so didn't voice her concerns. Gage promised to call regularly so she accepted that it was going to be a lonely summer without him. At first they spoke on the phone regularly - then calls became infrequent - then Gage didn't answer the phone at all.
Gage was in a fight with an unknown force that he didn't understand. He craved being around Amanda in the worst way. After being with Amanda he despised himself with all his being. When he tried to stay away he couldn't write.
What was happening to him????

Brandon Ford did a very good job of building suspense in Crystal Bay. He builds the aura around Amanda slowly, mysteriously. Gage's confusion about her allure is palpable. The darkness grows as the suspense builds to a very dramatic confrontation. Crystal Bay is a page turner that reels you in and keeps you reading to the end. The fight between good and evil is not a boring one in Crystal Bay.

Two Very Seperate and Unusual Halves

2008-07-15T01:09:00.010-04:00

Not since the invention of the telephone has there been a tool that brings people as close together as the Internet. In the eight years I’ve been online, I’ve met and/or become acquainted with people in all walks of life. There is, however, something I’ve always noticed and that is that it’s a rarity to hear the same person say something like, “Oh, I absolutely love the new Madonna album!” and “I must’ve seen the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre over a hundred times!”

I’ve always been a hardcore follower of the horror genre. I’ve watched and collected movies like The Slumber Party Massacre, Sleepaway Camp, Night of the Demons, Friday the 13th, and A Nightmare on Elm Street my entire life. At the same time, I’ve always been a big pop music enthusiast, listening to artists like Madonna, Britney Spears, Ace of Base, Mandy Moore, and Tiffany for as long as I can remember. When other members of the horror community realize this upon meeting me, they usually make some sort of snide comment, namely because they only listen to bands like Metallica and Megadeth. When I meet fans of the same type of music I enjoy, they usually can’t stomach anything more than The Object of My Affection or Beaches.

Seeing as how I’ve always been such a devoted follower of the genre, I was inspired to pen my own works of horror fiction. Over the years, I’ve generated a plethora of novellas, countless short stories, and three novels, all within the realm of horror and suspense. Every so often, I find myself wondering if I should be listening to bands who represent a much darker image because I’ve created so many characters who have done such dark and vicious things. And then I realized that because I’m definitely in a minority when it comes to possessing such completely opposite tastes, it’s because I’ve written stories about dismemberment and mutilation that I’m supposed to listen to music about death and anguish, or so I’m led to believe. I find this notion completely ridiculous.

More than anything, it’s the close-mindedness that gets to me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met devoted horror fans like myself who groan and stick their noses up at the fact that I own every single Madonna album. When I had a personal jukebox displayed on my MySpace page, I received comments like, “Thanks, I appreciate the add… despite Britney Spears.” So many fail to realize that as people, we have varying tastes in everything from books to music to film. Just because we like one artist, that doesn’t mean we should like another. I like to think it’s two very separate and unusual halves that make me a complex and unique individual.

Happy anniversary to me...

2008-07-05T18:05:00.011-04:00

On this day, five years ago, I cracked open a brand new notebook, fired up a pen, and began working on Crystal Bay. On my lunch break at my crappy day job (thank God I'm no longer suffering there), I sat down and began what would end up being my first novel. I had no idea if this was ever going to go anywhere. By that point, I had started so many different projects that only collected dust. But, I knew that being a novelist was what I wanted to do and I knew that the only way to get there was to complete a novel. So that's what I did. I scribbled away for seven months, worked on a couple of new drafts shortly thereafter, then started querying editors and agents. In late 2007, I stumbled upon Arctic Wolf Publishing and, as they say, the rest is history. What a charming story for the grandchildren.

In other news, Alan Draven has created a wonderful cover for his upcoming anthology, Sinister Landscapes (featuring my short story, "Severed"). The tentative release date for the collection of gothic tales is September 19th, so mark your calenders. It's definitely going to be an awesome read. Included are works by Thad Linson, Sarah Wilson Basore, Eric Enck, Jessica Lynne Gardner, Ryan B. Clark, Jeani Rector, David Boyle, Gordon Anthony Bean, Bret Jordan, Stephanie J., T.G. Reaper, R. Vance, Jeff Ezell, Charlotte Emma Gledson, Charlie Glover, and Frank E. Bittinger. Also included is a story by Alan Draven himself, as well as a foreword by bestselling author Andrea Dean Van Scoyoc.

A few words from Alan Draven, author of BITTERNEST

2008-06-26T19:04:00.003-04:00

Alan Draven, author of Bitternest, has offered an incredibly kind and complimentary review of my first novel, Crystal Bay. Alan will be doing book reviews on Angel Lesa's Blog Talk Radio show, The Odd Mind, on the last Wednesday of every month. Mine was the first book reviewed and he was incredibly generous. You can download an mp3 of the full show at any time on The Odd Mind. Again, thanks to Alan Draven and please don't forget to check out Bitternest and show him some love on his official MySpace page.

Read on for the full review...

Gage is an English teacher who has wanted to write a novel as far back as he can remember. He agrees with his wife Beth that as soon as classes are over, he will go away to his parents' summer home in Crystal Bay to pen his masterpiece. Beth reluctantly agrees, not wanting to stand in the way of her husband's dreams. On the way there, Gage stops for a bite to eat and meets a dazzling woman by the name of Amanda. A few words are exchanged, and he is on his way. Imagine his surprise when he finds out the next morning that Amanda's got a house right next to his. One thing leads to another and before he realizes what's happened, he's in bed with her. What has he done? He could be throwing away his marriage. Suddenly, the writing comes easier and words flow on the page. Then he sleeps with Amanda again as if he were spellbound by her. What is wrong with him? In the meantime, the words keep pouring out of him, but he is ridden with guilt. Amanda has her sights on him, but there is more to her than meets the eye. Will Gage be able to resist her charm and save his marriage--and finish his novel? Amanda's got plans for him and she won't--can't--take no for an answer.

Crystal Bay is Brandon Ford's debut novel and what an introduction it is! It is a far better book than the average first novel. He shows a lot of maturity and avoids many of the trappings of a first novel. There are echoes of Richard Laymon in his writing, but Brandon's voice is very much his own. His dialogue is sharp, the tension constant throughout, and the few characters we encounter are very credible. These are folks you know and you've met many times in the course of your life. Buddy the annoying neighbor who's got a crush on Beth and doesn't let a trivial detail like the fact that she's married bother him. Tina, Beth's best friend and business partner, who's still single and a party animal yet would do anything for her friend. Gage and Beth are extremely well developed and you feel and worry for them.

I kept turning the pages and telling myself "one more chapter" until my eyes were too tired to go on. The story unfolds at a very good pace, moving back and forth between Gage at the summer house and Beth back in the city. The more you see what Amanda is about, the more you want Gage to get the hell out of there. Only he can't--even when everything around him is threatening to fall apart. This mysterious muse isn't that easy to leave.

Crystal Bay is a strong debut, one which I highly recommend. If you're a fan of Laymon's twisted stories or if you've ever been tempted to get away for a few months to write a bestselling novel, then you should definitely pick up this book. It is the perfect summer read.

Full Garry Charles Review...

2008-06-24T02:05:00.002-04:00

Here's the full review written by Garry Charles, UK-based horror author of Hammerhead: A Summer of Massacre.

Crystal Bay is Brandon Ford’s first novel and, as such, I take my hat off to him. Yes, it has a couple of minor flaws, but overall he has created a well crafted story that hails back to the old horror/thrillers of the late seventies.

Ford gives us the age old tale of married man meets girl, married man has elicit affair with girl, girl turns out to be pure evil and is able to harness the powers of hell to get what she wants. And, as the back cover states; she always gets what she wants.The main characters are well drawn out within the first couple of chapters and the story moves along at a steady pace, gradually building the tension and revealing that not all is as it seems in this affair.

There is also a subplot centring around the main characters wife, left at home on her own and I felt that this had the potential to be filled out a little more and given a nasty twist of its own. It doesn’t affect the rest of the story but could have been more. The end felt a tad rushed, but it raises the pace for a fast, white knuckle finale.

All in all a very enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see what Brandon Ford does next.

Jim Dodge, Jr. reviews CRYSTAL BAY for Mass Movement

2008-06-09T22:56:00.002-04:00

Jim Dodge, Jr., a book critic for UK-based magazine and website Mass Movement, offers his thoughts on my debut novel, Crystal Bay. Read on for the very complimentary review...

Gage Healy is a high school English teacher who badly wishes to be a novelist. Fortune and glory seem to be only a single book away. All he needs is peace and solitude to produce his opus. His wife, Beth, fully encourages his need to write but is increasingly irritated by his insistence to spend two months locked away in a cabin far out in the woods. Her ire won't stop this man-on-a-mission, however, so off he goes to the far shores of Crystal Bay.

Crystal Bay, by newcomer Brandon Ford, tells the story of Gage's quest to write his way to stardom and the misfortune that befalls him when he encounters beautiful Amanda at a seedy diner ten miles from his destination. He barely manages to escape with his honor intact only to discover that she's living in the cabin next door. This coincidental neighbor turns out to be a wet dream come true and a nightmare all bundled into one amazing blonde package. He cheats. He writes. He can only write when he cheats. He feels guilty when he cheats. It's possible I forgot to mention that Amanda is using dark magic to keep herself young and Gage is her most recent victim. Yeah, I forgot to tell you that but now I've rectified that mistake. Are you still interested? You should be!

Brandon Ford paints a vivid picture of a man with a goal who is blocked by an obstacle that borders on supernatural. He's economical with his words yet very effective in making the reader feel the tension, the fear, the sexual arousal, that he wants them to feel. Though it could do with a little bit of spit and polish, this book is superb. I'm proud to own a copy and I can't wait to see what this man writes next!

Brandon Ford joins 'Sinister Landscapes'

2008-06-07T23:01:00.002-04:00

First and foremost, what is "Sinister Landscapes?" Here's what author/editor Alan Draven had to say on his official website:

The fog-enshrouded castle, the crumbling family manor, the haunted churchyard, the eerie cemetery, old secrets unveiled, curses and spells cast, rituals and offerings, chains clanking, full moon, ghosts and goblins, witches and warlocks, creatures lurking in the shadows, blood, dread and death. Gloomy themes and threatening atmosphere--each of these are trademarks of a well-made Gothic tale. It's time to reinvent the lost mindset of the Gothic era and put a new spin on it. Victorian or contemporary, European or American setting--your choice. Let's update these themes for the 21st century.

My short story, "Severed", will be included in the anthology of short gothic fiction due to be released this Halloween. Very exciting, eh? I'm really looking forward to it. I think this will definitely be an amazing collection, especially with the impressive list of talent attached, including: R. Vance, Thad Linson, Stephanie, J., Gordon Anthony Bean, TG Reaper, Frank E. Bittinger, and David Boyle. Also, the foreword will be penned by bestselling, award-winning author, Andrea Dean Von Scoyoc. So, please keep your eyes open and stay tuned for more updates.

Also, please check out author Alan Draven's official website here.

Horror author Garry Charles reviews CRYSTAL BAY!!!

2008-05-25T21:27:00.001-04:00

Here's a snippet from a great new review of Crystal Bay by UK-based horror author/journalist, Garry Charles:

"Brandon Ford... has created a well-crafted story that hails back to the old horror/thrillers of the late seventies... All in all a very enjoyable read and I can't wait to see what [he] does next..."

The full review should be included in Gorezone issue 32, so please check it out!

Blog Talk Radio Interview on May 26th!

2008-05-21T18:54:00.003-04:00

I'll be doing a live interview on Angel Lesa's Blog Talk Radio program on May 26th at 9:00pm (EST). I'll be on air for a whopping 90 minutes discussing myself, my book, and any and all topics that fall my way. There is a chat room where members can log on and chat with us during the program and a telephone number to call in case you have a special question for yours truly. If you can't catch the show live, an mp3 will be available for download immediately following. Hope to catch you all there. Bookmark the site and don't forget to swing on by next week!

Check out Angel Lesa here.

Goals

2008-05-10T01:47:00.000-04:00

When I was 18, I decided right then and there that I was going to be a writer. When I arrived at that conclusion, I gave myself a goal. That goal was to have my first book published by the time I turned 30. I'm 26 now and I achieved that goal some months back with the release of Crystal Bay.

Goals are amazing. They give us something to work towards. And nothing feels better than achieving a goal you've set for yourself. So, I've decided to go ahead and give myself another.

My new goal is to have a bestseller by the time I turn 35. Maybe it's an unreasonable goal, maybe not. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. I don't think Crystal Bay will be my first novel to make the list, but only time will tell.

New interview from Book Hunters!

2008-05-07T16:44:00.001-04:00

The following interview was conducted with yours truly by Book Hunters, a fantastic new website devoted to new writers of all genres. Please check them out at www.bookhuntersblog.com!

BookHuntersBlog.com: Did you study the craft of writing or dive right into it?

Brandon Ford: At a very young age, when I approached writing as more of a hobby, I just dove right in. I just wrote the stories the way I saw them in my head. As I matured and became very focused, determined, and serious about my craft, I knew how important it was to continue to learn. I've read countless books on the subject and took everything I possibly could out of school. But, writing, as an art, is more of a trial and error thing. Personally, I think I've gotten better by continuing to write and learning as I went. I think that's really the best way to go. Don't get me wrong, a serious writer can definitely learn a lot from educating themselves, but I think the only way to be a better writer is just to write and to keep writing.

BHB: What do you think about the future of books with all the new technology coming out (like Kindle and foldable screens)?

BF: Oh, I don't really think about that kind of thing very often. I know that today's technology is absolutely insane and things will continue to grow and change, but I like to stay focused on seeing my work published the old fashioned way. That's definitely the way I prefer to embrace literature. And, let's face it, signing a computer screen could never compare to signing the title page of your very own printed book.

BHB: How difficult was the publishing process for you?

BF: Incredibly. Getting Crystal Bay published was one of the most difficult things I've ever done. It took years of rejection and hundreds of submissions before I was able to land an editor that was confident enough in my work. But getting a novel out there really doesn't make things easier in the long run. I mean, I just got a short story rejected the other day. No matter what, I'm sure there will be hurdles to jump.

BHB: How much of your own promotion do you do?

BF: All of it. Arctic Wolf Publishing is a very small press. Their venture has only just begun. As a matter of fact, Crystal Bay was the very first book released. So, since they're still trying to make a name for themselves (much like myself), there really isn't any money for an extensive promotional campaign. I've been shipping out my own review copies, contacting websites and forum moderators, and promoting the hell out of the book every way I know how. It's definitely a lot harder than I thought it would be, but at the end of the day, it's worth it because I know I'm slowly creating awareness of the book and of myself.

BHB: Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

BF: If writing is something you know in your heart you're meant to do, then you just have to go for it. Write as much as you can. Build a portfolio. And if seeing your book out there is a goal you finally make for yourself, never stop submitting until you make that happen. When I was 18 and I decided that I wanted to be a writer, I gave myself that very goal. I decided then and there that I wanted to have a novel out by the time I turned 30 and here I am. I accomplished that goal four years shy of my 30th birthday. I must say, I did have doubts that this day would come, but knowing that it has and knowing that all of my hard work really did amount to something, it's the most rewarding feeling in the world.

BHB: What are your future plans?

BF: Just to keep on writing. I hope to put out at least one novel a year. My second should be released in early 2009. Aside from that, who knows? Writing a screenplay is something I've thought about for a long time, but I think that's not going to be for a while. I have way too many projects already lined up.

BHB: How do you juggle writing with the rest of your life?

BF: I really don't find it that difficult. I always try to make a point to write every single day, no matter how busy or tired I may find myself. I wouldn't say the craft has really interfered at all. If it did, then I'd be looking at it from a work perspective, rather than seeing it as doing something I love.

BHB: Do you have any methods or rituals to your writing?

BF: Well, as for methods, I prefer to write my first drafts longhand because it's a lot easier to revise and edit that way. Most of the major changes take place when I'm typing up the manuscript. I also prefer to write late at night because that's when it's most quiet and I definitely need silence to concentrate. Lastly, I have a very special charm a close friend gave to me that I keep by me whenever I'm writing. It inspires me.

BHB: How do you find inspiration?

BF: By constantly keeping my ears open to everything around me. I absorb everything I see, hear, and read because you never know where the big ideas will come from. I also keep a small notebook with me at all times in case I'm struck with an idea.

BHB: Was there one certain event or happening that made you want to write a book?

BF: Just reading the masters of the craft growing up. Their words inspired me to generate my own fiction.

BHB: What made you decide to branch out into fiction?

BF: Fiction is all I've ever written. I find anything else to be a great challenge. When I'm making up a story as it goes along, I find the words flow easily. When I'm writing about myself or a real event in my life, I'm constantly stopping and re-reading every sentence to make sure it sounds good. I don't see myself ever penning my memoirs.

BHB: What do you do against writer's block?

BF: I usually work on more than one piece at a time, so if I'm blocked with one of them, I just move on to another. If that doesn't help, I'll pop in some soothing music (movie scores definitely get my creative juices flowing at times), or relax with a hot cup of coffee.

BHB: Do you use an outline when writing? Do you stay linear or do you skip in time?

BF: Any outlining I do usually takes place in my head. I almost always know where exactly I want the story to go, but since I don't necessarily go in with a plan that's set in stone, there's room to deviate.

BHB: How difficult was it to get an agent?

BF: I actually don't have one of those yet.

BHB: How important is a good website and do you utilize blogging?

BF: A good website is definitely an important self-promotion tool. You can let your readers know what projects you're currently working on, when they can expect them, and anything else they might be interested in knowing. I do utilize blogging, but I don't post them as often as I probably should. But, whenever there's an interesting bit of information to post, you'd better believe I'll put it up right away.

BHB: What do you prefer and why: Mass-market paperback or hard cover for your debut novel?

BF: Well, my first novel is a trade paperback. If I had my druthers, I'd definitely love to see one of my novels hardbound. But the actual formatting of the book is irrelevant to me. I'm more than happy with the way things turned out. I mean, I have an actual novel out there. Not many writers can say that these days, especially with how incredibly difficult it is to get your foot in the door.

BHB: What are the most difficult and rewarding aspects of being a published writer?

BF: As of now, the most difficult thing is to continue to self-promote. But, like I said, it's still definitely worth it. The most rewarding thing is to read comments from people who have finished the book and enjoyed it. The reviews from my readers almost always bring a smile to my face and that definitely inspires me to create more.

BHB: Do you have any movie influences?

BF: Oh God, yes. I was a child of the '80s and I grew up on the countless slasher movies of the decade. Genre films like The Slumber Party Massacre, Sleepaway Camp, April Fool's Day, Night of the Demons, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and a slew of others have always been one of my biggest influences. Growing up, I used to watch them religiously and they'd always inspire me.

BHB: What made you decide to choose this kind of story?

BF: Well, at the time, I knew that I wanted to be a novelist. Unfortunately, all I had under my belt was a slew of novellas. So, I knew the only way I'd see myself with a book is to actually sit down and write one. The main character in Crystal Bay deals with a lot of the same things I did when penning the manuscript. His side of the story was a breeze to write because there's a lot of me in this character.

BHB: Is your story a metaphor or social commentary in disguise?

BF: No, not really. I didn't write the manuscript with any hidden meanings. Like everything I do, I just wrote it as I saw it in my head.

BHB: How do you know when something is scary?

BF: When it makes your heart pound, your pulse race, and no matter how hard you try, you just can't look away.

Interview with J.B. Kohl, author of THE DEPUTY'S WIDOW

2008-04-29T19:15:00.002-04:00

J.B. Kohl’s debut novel, The Deputy’s Widow, was recently released through Arctic Wolf, the same publisher who put out Crystal Bay. Some months back, she conducted an interview with me on her personal website to help me promote my book. I thought I’d do the same for her. Kohl is a wonderful new talent and a definite asset to not only Arctic Wolf, but to the ever-growing world of crime writers.

Q: First and foremost, tell us about your new book, The Deputy’s Widow.

A: I'd describe the book as an attempt to resurrect noir...it's about a private eye named Detective Baker. He gets beat up, poisoned, jilted, seduced, accused of murder, stabbed, well, he basically has a really tough couple of days. Don't worry too much about him, though...he also gets even.

Q: What brought on the inspiration to write the novel?

A: A few years ago, I read an article about Tolkien. In the article, it's mentioned that he and C.S. Lewis were sitting around one night talking about how no one really wrote what they liked to read. So they decided to write stuff that appealed to them. I'm reading all the time...all sorts of stuff, but my faves are Raymond Chandler, Daschiell Hammett, Erle Stanley Gardner, and even Agatha Christie if there isn't too much "drinking of fine tea" involved. No one writes like these guys anymore. Plus, I'm always watching noir. If there's a listing for a hard-core black and white crime film on TCM, you can bet I'm watching it or recording it to watch later. There have been some great films that are Noir-esque in the last few years, Brick, L.A. Confidential, Sin City...but not as many as I'd like. And while there are starting to be more noir novels in stores, I think there could be more...so Detective Baker was born...I'm not sure yet if he's all that happy to be here.

Q: What particular genre(s) do you enjoy reading the most and who are your biggest influences in the field?

A: I read mysteries, of course, if they aren't too "cozy"...I like techno-thrillers, thrillers, P.I. novels, police procedurals...as long as they aren't too clean cut. I like flawed characters. I read some horror, if the character arc is good and it isn't horror for horror's sake.
As for influences...you know, a lot of that leans toward film...weird characters that stick with you. Think Fight Club, Layer Cake, Pan's Labyrinth, Kill Bill, Sin City...anything Alfred Hitchcock...Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, The Naked City, D.O.A...The Stranger, Citizen Kane...I could go on and on. But when I write, I'm thinking in images from a good flick with a good cinematographer who is trying to catch on film the kind of stuff a good writer puts on the page.

Q: When did you first discover that being a writer was something you wanted to do?

A: I penned my first "unassigned" piece of work in the fourth grade. It was entitled “John, The First-time Quarterback.” It was four pages long and I stapled it in three places on the left side of the paper. I even made up a word for that story. "Whiskly." I think the sentence started like this..."John turned around whiskly and said,".......My father still ribs me about that one. I think I meant swiftly...oh well. I've always harbored secret hope that Merriam-Webster would pick the word up for their dictionary, but that hasn't happened yet. Sigh....
The truth is...I've always written...even when I was practicing medicine full time as a P.A. I was writing, every spare minute. My husband got a promotion a couple of years ago, which meant a move across country for the whole family. At that time, we decided to jump in with both feet. I figured I'd quit working and try my hand at writing full time for a couple of years. If no publications came by then, I'd return to work. I was published in just over one year...so I'm planning to stick with it.

Q: What other works have you published thus far?

A: I've published two short stories in a tiny magazine called The Judas Goat. One was entitled "Marian is Understood." The other was called "The Airplane." I wrote them in college, so they are filled with the dark angst and dread of people on the cusp of understanding what the world is about. In other words, they are extremely melodramatic...I'm happy to say I don't take anything so seriously anymore.

Q: How difficult has it been for you to self-promote The Deputy's Widow?

A: Hmmm. I don't know that I'd say "difficult"...I'd say "Time consuming" to the point of bordering on obsession. I spend time every day networking (God bless the internet) and working on my website/blogs. But I've met people I never would have met otherwise and I'm learning, in turn, what other great writers are out there. It's a real education to be somewhere other than "mainstream" since there are so many new writers trying to get published...and writing really great stuff. I find my library is growing in directions I never thought possible.Q: Of all of your written works, which are you most proud of?
A: I'm most proud of The Deputy's Widow. First of all, because it was published. Secondly, because in the book, I accomplished everything I set out to do with regard to the character of Hamilton Baker. Without him, there is no story.

And thirdly, because I was lucky enough to have the book published by Arctic Wolf. I think Doug Paul is succeeding at collecting a great body of talent and it is really a feather in my cap to be included. I can't wait to see how high Arctic Wolf goes...I hope I'm along for the ride!!

Q: What are you currently working on?

A: Right now, I'm working on the sequel to The Deputy's Widow entitled A Finger Too Few ...it deals with the Red Scare in the late 1940's...along with murder, gangsters, fedoras, and roscoes, of course. I'm also working on a few other things...but since it is entirely possible I'll never finish them, we won't mention them here.

Q: In the longrun, what do you hope to achieve as a writer?

A: A memorable body of work. I guess I can't ask for more than that. And peace of mind...I don't think I'll ever make a lot of money at this job, but if I can be proud of what I write...that's enough for me.

Q: What advice would you give for those desperate to have their very own published novel?

A: Hang in there. Just write. Write for the love of it...not the money. Write to be better and because it is a neat-o thing to be able to paint pictures with words. And never quit submitting. Also, connect with other writers. I always thought of writers as vain, pompous, conceited folks with patches on their elbows and pipes in their teeth. In reality, there is no profession as supportive of one another as the writing profession. In the last five months, I've met dozens of writers...all of them encouraging, all of them ready to lend a hand, offer a word of support, listen to my rants...fellow writers can understand what an aspiring writer is going through when a family, spouse, etc. can't. Without that network, this job [can] be really tough.

Q: Any parting thoughts?

A: Nope...no parting thoughts. It's been great to hook up with you again, Brandon. I think Crystal Bay is a great first work and I really look forward to being listed with you again at Arctic Wolf when our next novels are out!!

Buy The Deputy's Widow on Amazon here and Barnes & Noble here.

Book signing photos

2008-04-25T01:53:00.007-04:00

Here are a couple of pictures from my very first book signing. I apologize for the horrendous quality, as I was forced to use some cell phone snapshots. I was really hoping to have some high quality digital camera photos, but I guess this is better than nothing. Head on over to my MySpace page for more.

Wonderful new review from Book Hunters!!!

2008-04-20T17:27:00.001-04:00

"Crystal Bay" is a very suspenseful and intriguiging read. Brandon Ford skillfully fluctuates between the characters' point of view, allowing the reader to experience a wide range of emotions. This in turn propels the story forward to its thrilling conclusion. By introducing a paranormal element to this love triangle, a new provocative twist is added to an age old theme. Add this author to your new favorites.

Huge thanks to Mary Menzel for the very kind review. And please visit Book Hunters at the following links:

www.myspace.com/book_hunters
www.allthesebooks.com
www.bookhuntersblog.com

It's been a while...

2008-04-01T20:25:00.006-04:00

In all honesty, I'm not much of a blogger, so I haven't really felt compelled to add anything new as of late. But, I thought it was my obligation to offer an update to those who happen to peruse my little page every now and again (is there really anyone who peruses this page every now and again?!).

For starters, I've been working heavily on 2 new novels, the horror-inspired Pay Phone and the twisted tale of domestic life titled Diary of a Teenage Victim. Both are coming along swimmingly. I can't wait to get them both out there and hear all your thoughts and comments.

I've recently gotten the seal of approval from my wonderful editor, Doug Paul, on my second novel, Splattered Beauty. The Arctic Wolf schedule is pretty full for the remainder of the year, so hopefully, we'll have it out by January of 2009.

My good buddy, writer/director Ryan Nicholson (who was kind enough to offer a quote to use for Crystal Bay) is finally done with his latest project, Gutterballs. If you haven't already, please do check it out. It's a violent, twisted, gore-soaked, '80s-inspired horror/comedy set in a bowling alley after hours. There are some truly unique and grisly kills and I'm sure hardcore fans of the genre will get a big kick out of it. You can pick up the fully uncut, uncensored DVD on the official Plotdigger website here. And don't forget to check out the special thanks during the end credits for a little shout-out to yours truly.

My first signing is still planned for April 23rd, so if you're in the Philadelphia area, please do stop by. I'll be doing a short reading, as well as a Q&A, and signing copies of Crystal Bay. You can catch me at the Barnes & Noble on 1805 Walnut Street, (215) 665-0716, at 7:00pm.

Midnight in Hell Publishes "The Suitor"

2008-02-20T22:52:00.002-05:00

Midnight in Hell, a fantastic website devoted to horror fiction, has just published my short story, "The Suitor," for their Spring update. You can check it out here.

Another new interview

2008-02-16T15:37:00.002-05:00

Jason Brannon, author of The Cage, was kind enough to sit down and conduct an interview with me to help promote my new novel, Crystal Bay. You can check it out on his MySpace blog here and on his personal website here.

CRYSTAL BAY finally hits Canada

2008-02-14T16:44:00.000-05:00

Our wonderful friends up north can finally get their hands on Crystal Bay, as it's recently been added to Amazon.ca. About time! Check it out here.

New Interview

2008-02-12T15:38:00.000-05:00

J.B. Kohl, who now has a book out with the same publisher I'm with, has conducted an interview with me on her website, so please stop by and check it out! And also please check out her new book, THE DEPUTY'S WIDOW, which is now available online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

http://www.jbkohl.com/interview.htm

Amazon.com user reviews for CRYSTAL BAY

2008-02-10T06:37:00.000-05:00

Three reviews are already up on Amazon for Crystal Bay and as you can see, they're quite positive. Kinda makes 'ya feel all warm and fuzzy...

5/5 Stars: I finished this exciting new author's book in three hours. I was literally glued to the pages. I read at least three books a week and I must say this young man captured my attention. I found his writing to be fresh, flowing and was completley drawn into the players. He is a breath of fresh air in the industry. I'm looking forward to his next publication! - Ann P. Keith

5/5 Stars: Mr. Ford is certainly gifted when it comes to suspense. I read this book in record time...couldn't put it down. For a first novel, well done. I see big things for this guy in the future. - J.B. Kohl, author of The Deputy's Widow

5/5 Stars: This book was impressive. Very well written and paced. This book held my attention from start to finish and it is a book I will read again someday. I anticipate more from this author who has proved with this debut, that he is a talented and balanced storyteller. - Kimberly Parilese Adams

New Links

2008-02-02T23:48:00.000-05:00

Added a few more links to overseas sites where you can pick up CRYSTAL BAY. Amazon Japan, Germany, France, and UK have recently started stocking it, so now you have more ways than ever before to get your copy. Hopefully, Amazon Canada will have it listed soon.

New Short Story

2008-02-01T14:57:00.000-05:00

My short story, "Midnight Train", is included in the February issue of Twisted Dreams Magazine and is available to purchase in print-form, as well as e-book. If you so desire, you can order your copies here: http://www.lulu.com/content/1967262

"Midnight Train" is a short story I wrote a couple of years ago about a vicious serial killer on his last night of taking lives. If my piece alone isn't reason enough to pick up your copy, there's lots of incredible stuff to peruse in this particular issue, including fiction, poetry, and some beautiful artwork.

In other news, I've been contacting several websites about getting the word out about Crystal Bay. Most simply ignore the request, others decline. So far, I've had one very generous offer and that was from the wonderful people over at http://www.horrormovies.ca/ who posted a news bulletin without even being asked. Very cool of them. I just might possibly have a review coming from Dread Central, so keep your eyes open. I've sent out their copy, so maybe we'll see something pop up on their site in the coming weeks. I know they get a lot of traffic from genre fans, so it would definitely be a great help.