The other night, I was reading the final volume of the manga Alice in Borderland. If you haven’t read the original manga or seen the kickass live-action adaptation on Netflix, the story follows a teenager who finds himself among several people randomly placed in a Tokyo emptied of people. Even stranger, the people left in Tokyo have to take place in life-or-death games. If they win the games, they’ll get to live a bit longer. If they lose, they die. And if they don’t survive the games, a laser will come out of the sky and kill them.
Yeah, pretty dark stuff. Makes for a great sci-fi thriller.
Anyway, without spoiling the end of the manga or the TV series, the last chapter features a reporter asking random people on the street why they’re alive. Seems like a random way to end a rollercoaster of a manga, until you realize the death games the characters deal with takes a toll on them psychologically, to the point that some of them even wonder if it’s worth trying to live.
The answers the reporter gets are all over the place. A few aren’t interested in answering and make sure the reporter knows it. A few more don’t know and have never thought about it. Several give variations on “So I can die without regrets” or “I do it because there’s someone important in my life.” Some answers are shallow, like the weekend beer or for material things. Others are about how happy they are everyday or pursuing what they love.
One woman thinks it’s to find out why we’re here, while two others think it’s because of biology.
One little girl in Gothic Lolita dress says she’s living and putting herself in misery everyday for revenge against her parents.*
One man says it’s because this life is all there is.
A couple, for one reason or another, are just going through the motions until they die.
Reading the chapter, I realized something; none of us really know why we’re alive. Not what the meaning of life is; that related, but I feel like that’s a question revolving around the general population and not the individual.
But seriously, why are we alive? Was each one of us placed on this planet for a purpose? Is it just because of biological drives for survival? The need to reproduce and pass on our DNA to a new generation? Is it something we need to figure out for ourselves? Or is it just because we’re already alive, so might as well keep living?
Or perhaps it’s not something we should not think too much about. Perhaps instead we should live.
It’s a question that would probably puzzle this guy for quite a while.
It’s something I’ve been thinking about since I read that chapter. I know my purpose in life, the purpose I set for myself: live a good life, write some damn good horror stories, and try to leave this world a bit better than I found it. And I have an opinion on what the meaning of life is (no, it’s not 42). But are those the same answers to this question?
Maybe. Or maybe not. Like I said, I don’t get up every day thinking, “I’m getting up and I’m alive to write scary stories and have a good life and improve the world.”
Hmm…but I do get up every morning because I have dreams I want to pursue. A lot of what I do everyday is because I want to achieve those dreams. So maybe’s that’s why I’m alive.
But in the end, I don’t know if I need to think about it that hard. It never was something I needed to think that hard about before, after all. Why should that change going forward?
In any event, I’ll keep going forward. I’ll keep pursuing those dreams and hopefully improving my life and the lives of others while I’m at it. And maybe, if a reporter asks me, “Why are you alive?”, I’ll have a decent answer.
How would you answer that reporter’s question? What do you think of this topic? Was this too heavy a subject for a blog post?
*And I’m probably going to write a story around that little girl, because that answer was just too dark and intriguing for me to just pass over. I want to write a story around her and find out what made her like that!
Just a reminder, my Followers of Fear: this Saturday, April 6, I’ll be at the Wagnalls Library in Lithopolis, Ohio from 10 AM – 2 PM for their Local Author Fair. If you can, please stop by. I’ll be selling books, doing Tarot readings, and sitting on a panel. You can find out more on their website here. Hope to see you there!
Until next time, my Followers of Fear, good night, pleasant nightmares, and check out Alice in Borderland. Manga or TV show, it’s an awesome series. Just my two cents on the subject!
Recently, on the blog Broadside run by journalist Caitlin Kelly (check her out, she’s a great journalist who has interviewed Queen Elizabeth II, done pieces for the New York Times and other publishers, has two books out, and does writing/journalism coaching), she did a post where she answered 25 questions about herself.
I enjoyed the post, asked if I could do it myself while changing some questions (I don’t wear scents, for one thing), and where she got it. Caitlin told me it came from the Financial Times’ HTSI (apparently it’s a weekend supplement standing for “How to _______ It,” with “S” standing for a variety of things) and she gave me permission. And, with apparently a lot of new followers on this blog (or so WordPress tells me), I decided to try this and let you get to know me better.
So, thanks to Caitlin for giving me the inspiration for this post, and thank you for reading it. Without further ado, 25 Facts About Me, inspired by the Financial Times’ HTSI Questionnaire.
Something you never find me without.
My glasses. Unless I’m sleeping or in the shower/bath, they’re on my face and helping me see. I also have prescription sunglasses for those days where that nasty sun is making its presence known. I also wear some rings and a necklace with personal meaning to me, and I often wear a watch (though typing with it hurts my wrist, so I take it off when I’m using a keyboard).
The last thing I bought and loved.
This is the poster I bought of the King in Yellow. It’s by Abbie Norton and available from the YouTube channel Tale Foundry. Isn’t it awesome?
A poster from one of my favorite YouTube channels depicting the King in Yellow. I got it specially framed and the poster now hangs over my bed. It’s such a cool piece of art, and I hope it gives me great ideas while I sleep.
Places that mean a lot to me.
Marietta, Ohio is lovely. I love going down there to explore the paranormal hot spots or enjoy the beautiful scenery. Just going down this past November helped me de-stress significantly. I also love New Orleans. It’s such a beautiful city and I want to go back again someday.
The best book I’ve read this year.
God, hard to choose. I go through so many. I really enjoyed Paperbacks from Hell by Grady Hendrix, and The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle was amazing. There was also The Store by Bentley Little, All Hallows by Christopher Golden, and Sister Maiden Monster by Lucy Snyder. All were excellent books.
The podcast or audio book I’m listening to.
I’ve about 19 hours left of IT, which I haven’t read since college. Afterwards, I plan to listen to The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones.
What I need to write.
I sit in front of my computer in my office with something to drink (tea or non-caffeinated diet soda, though I’ll have alcohol on the weekends or water if it’s super hot). I often have some sort of music playing, with what depending on the story. And I like burning incense in the background, as it fills the air with a sweet scent.
The item of clothing I’d save from a fire.
Probably my Jason Voorhees hockey jersey. I love wearing that thing on Fridays, whether it’s a Friday the 13th or not. Though if it’s too warm, I’ll wear something else on a Friday.
I’ve wanted to be a writer since…
Since I was ten or so. I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I never thought of it as a career until that point. After all, kids want to be everything: scientists, rock stars, police officers, superheroes, etc. But I’d always go back to writing, and eventually I was like, “I think I’ll do this as a career.” Two years later, I discovered Stephen King, and that showed me what stories I was going to write for the rest of my life.
The writing moment that changed everything for me.
I think it was when a friend introduced me to my first publisher, Castrum Press. That would eventually lead to Rose being published, and has changed lots of things for me since then.
Talents I don’t normally talk about.
Well, I can cook decently. Not many things, but enough that I eat well and on the rare occasion I have guests, I can whip up something awesome. I’m also good at making people feel old. I’ve made my coworkers cringe in horror by reminding them how much younger I am than them. This will probably come back to haunt me someday, but for now, I wield it with sadism pride.
The best gift I’ve given recently.
Impossible to say without getting too personal. Though I did give my dad and stepmom some delicious banana bread when I stayed with them recently, so can I say that?
And the best gift I’ve received recently?
I love this Cthulhu onesie. It’s awesome!
I’ve gotten wonderful gifts from lots of people, both material and immaterial. But for the purpose of this post, I’ll say it’s my Cthulhu onesie. It’s awesome!
The last music I downloaded.
Some of the greatest hits from the Backstreet Boys. Don’t judge me, sometimes I’m just in the mood for them while at work!
In my fridge you’ll always find…
Yogurt, bread, soda, and maybe something of an alcoholic nature.
Something I want to do the next time I have a few days off.
I think I’d like to binge-watch some of my anime. I’ve a few seasons of different shows on DVD and Blu-Ray I haven’t watched in a while, so I’d like to take the time to just chillax and watch those shows. Maybe this summer? It would certainly be fun.
Some goals I’m working towards.
Obviously, I want to be able to write full-time someday, and I’m working on making that happen, slowly but surely. But there are other goals. I’m hopefully going to start doing some renovations to my condo that I’ve wanted to do since I moved in. And this may scare some of my readers, but I would like to get more tattoos someday.
Yes, I have tattoos. They’re normally covered by clothes.
Animals I feel a special kinship with.
Tigers are my spirit animal. I love their fierce beauty and power. I even have one tattooed on my chest.
I also love owls, ocelots, snakes, foxes, wolves, and regular cats and dogs. Honestly, I would love to be able to interact with any of these in a safe manner. The cats and dogs are easy enough, but the rest would probably be a challenge. Still, a guy can dream, can’t he?
A skill I wish I had and a skill I would like to learn.
I would love it if languages came easily to me. Unfortunately, perhaps because I just haven’t found the right teacher, I’m terrible with anything other than English (though I still remember plenty of Hebrew and some French and German). Maybe there’s a skill or technique that’s not a total scam to teach me other languages? If so, sound off in the comments!
If I could hang out with any of my characters, who would I hang out with?
Kat from my Backrooms story (still looking for a publisher for that one). She and I are both aromantic, and we have similar nerdy interests, so we would get along fine. We’d probably make some snacks, sit on the couch, and binge whatever we’re in the mood for.
Things I like to collect?
Books, obviously. I have over 600 or 700 books across various media, including ebooks and audio books. I also collect dolls and figurines, which I keep in my room. I think some of them are haunted and watch me in my sleep. And I have plenty of wall art, too, so I guess that counts.
What am I reading now?
Currently, I’m in the middle of Spectrum, which is an upcoming anthology of horror stories written by neurodivergent writers. Many of the stories are about the authors’ own neurological states, so it’s really personal. As someone who’s also neurodivergent (or “neuro-spicy,” according to some definitions), I’m finding it all very fascinating. Thanks to the publisher for furnishing me with an advanced copy (it comes out on April 2nd if you’re interested).
I’m also listening to IT on audio book. Though I already mentioned that, didn’t I?
What am I writing now?
A novella about a 3D printer from Hell. Well, hopefully it stays a novella. There’s a chance it could bloat into a novel. Though one way or another, I have a feeling it’ll be a fun story. Very in line with the mass market horror stories of the 1970s and 1980s.
In another life I would have been…
When I went to Israel, my friends on the trip told me I’d make a great late-night show host, so maybe that. Or a radio or podcast host.
I’d also enjoy being a massage therapist, or even a professional dancer. Those are great jobs that bring people happiness and are fulfilling to the people doing them.
Though if I’m being honest, a sorcerer of dark magic is also quite appealing…
Something I try to do once a day.
I do one Tarot reading every day. I find Tarot helpful as a way to receive advice from the universe and get previews of the events in my life. And it can be scarily accurate sometimes.
Also, I’ve gotten skilled enough to do it at events where I sell books. People go crazy for it and it’s wonderful as an extra source of income. Though I can’t see me doing it everyday or as a career for a variety of reasons.
The best writing advice I can give.
You need to carve out the time to write. I give this to every writer, no matter their background or experience. A writing fairy will never appear before you and grant you certain hours in the day to write. You have to make that time. Sure, you might have to give some things up. But hey, look at this way: before becoming famous, Stephen King would find time every day to write in the laundry room of the trailer he, his wife and his three children lived in at the time.
If he can do that while also working as a teacher and an occasional gas station attendant, imagine what you can do if you cut a few non-essential things out here and there.
I hope you enjoyed that, my Followers of Fear. If any of the questions and answers really spoke to you, let’s discuss in the comments below. Be sure to also read Caitlin’s post, to see how I got inspired to write this one.
And if you are interested, do your own post like this! You can change the questions as you like, or come up with an entirely new list of questions. Just be sure to tag or link back to me so I can see your post.
That’s all for now. Until next time, good night and pleasant nightmares!
Well, we have another announcement post. I got plenty of upcoming events and I want to see if I can get as many people as possible to go to those events. So, as I typically do, I’m making an announcement post. Let’s get into it, shall we?
So, next month, I have two conventions during back-to-back weekends. The first will be Cleveland Concoction in Cleveland, OH. It’ll be at the Bertram Inn Hotel and Conference Center from Friday, March 8 through March 10. I will be hanging out in the Authors Alley, selling books, doing Tarot readings, and possibly speaking on panels (to be confirmed at a later date). If you can stop by, please do, I would love to see you. More information on the event website.
The following weekend, on March 16, I’ll be at ShamROCK, a Pagan Celtic Celebration hosted by the Magical Druid, one of Columbus’s favorite metaphysical shops. It’s being held at the Courtyard by Marriott West Columbus. I’ll be selling books and doing Tarot readings. And then later, I’ll probably take part in pagan rituals, drinking and dancing. I promise I probably won’t do anything I’ll regret in the morning. Anyway, if you’re interested in joining us, please check out the website.
Next, I’ll be at the Wagnalls Local Author Fair at the Wagnalls Memorial Library in Lithopolis, Ohio. It’ll be April 6 from 10 AM – 2 PM, and I’ll be selling more books and doing more Tarot readings (I’m surprised they’re letting me do the latter but I’m not complaining). I have also volunteered my services for a presentation or panel, so more on that in the future.
One month later, I’m returning for my fourth ParaPsyCon on May 17-19 at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. This year, Hearsemania will be joining us, so there will likely be all sorts of wild and wonderful altered hearses to check out. You already know what I’m going to be doing there, so if you’re interested in joining us, please check out the website.
During the summer, it looks like I’ll be taking a break till August 10, when I’ll be joining the Indie Author Book Expo in Terre Haute, Indiana at the Terre Haute Convention Center. This is the same group I did an event with in Iowa back in 2020 (and then afterwards I went to the Villisca Axe Murder House). Hopefully out of the pandemic, we have an even better time than we did in Iowa. If you want to learn more, or about the other events they’re doing in 2024, you can check out their website.
And there will probably be more events in the future. I’ll be sure to let you know. I’ll also be sure to give you a reminder right before the event, in case you forgot.
And if you can’t stop by the events but still want to support me, you can always check out one of my books. From plant/human hybrids and strange gods to Mafia-hunting serial killers and carnivorous horses, my work has something for every horror fan. And judging from the reviews, they seem to like it. I’ll leave a link below to my Book Links page. And if you end up reading something of mine and like it, please leave me a review so I know what you thought.
That’s all for now. Until next time, good night and pleasant nightmares.
I’ve always felt “the struggle is real” is a weird phrase. I mean, we all have jobs, bills, relationships, school, and a million things that are out to kill you. The struggle is always real.
Lately, I get why people say that. Because at my day job, the struggle is very real right now.
Now, I try not to talk about my day job on my blog. After all, this blog is about my writing. But I need to vent, and I feel like talking about it here. Helps that it’s been a week since I last posted, and that makes me itchy.
Still, I don’t want to go into details, so I’ll just say that it’s been crazy busy. Like, I’ve had to work a couple of late nights, and I probably will be working more of them in the near future. Maybe even a couple of hours on the weekend. I don’t know, it’s still being discussed.
But that’s just the kind of workload we’re dealing with, and it’s a small team doing what I’m doing. Plus, we’re facing pressure from all sides, as well as malarkey that’s only giving us more headaches. It’s enough that, sad to say, I finally get why people say “the struggle is real.”
Now, before you get yourself all worried, just know I am taking care of myself. Maybe I have indulged in a beer or sweets a bit more, guilty as charged, but I am monitoring my mental health, talking to people who are trained to listen to problems, and I am doing self-care. Earlier today, I watched a horror movie with dinner. It was a terrible horror movie, but it did help with the stress (and with not being able to write for two days due to the effects of stress).
And I have scheduled some vacation time in the near future. Not saying when in case stalkers or burglars read this blog, but it’s soon. I’ll take that time to simulate living like a full-time writer, with most of my day spent writing.
And possibly visiting my dad and stepmom. Hey, they live in another city and I don’t get to see them as often as I see my other close family. Also, I may have an appointment at a spa scheduled for that period. And you know I like to watch anime as soon as it’s available to stream.
According to my Tarot, things might be improving next week. I hope that’s true.
But other than that, I am spending the time working on stories and doing other things a full-time writer might do. Hopefully it’ll be good for me, it’ll help me get some good stories out, and help me in my quest to become a full-time writer. I’m really looking forward to that.
And wow, just writing this all out has made me feel better. The struggle is still very real, but it feels a bit less soul-grinding than it did when I got home earlier today. Maybe getting it out will be the start of changing how things are going. It would match up with my Tarot reading for next week. That would be nice.
That’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. If you would like to help me get through this period, just keep doing what you’re doing: supporting me. This could be as simple as reading this blog and leaving a comment, or even reading and reviewing my books (links to which can be found on my Book Links and Excerpts page).
Until next time, good night and pleasant nightmares.
If you haven’t noticed, the year is ending soon. And there are some things I’ve been wanting to talk or share with you (especially if you’re not on my other social media) before the year ends. The problem is, I didn’t think any of them on their own were worth putting out a blog post for. However, then I had a thought: why not just combine all the random topics into one big post?
As you can see from the presence of this post, I went through on that dangerous idea, so let’s get to it and talk about random topics.
SWORDS
Every little boy dreams of having a sword at some point in their life. To slay the dragon, to fight the evil king, to reap the souls of the good and the damned as the Carnival of the Judges goes into full swing in the city center–oh wait, that last one is just me. But the point stands. And recently, I was able to make that dream come true.
Pretty cool, huh? A friend of mine is downsizing for a move, and he posted on Facebook to see if anyone wanted them. The price was too good, so I bought them. They arrived way earlier than expected, and so I got them hung up in my office on Christmas Eve. According to my friend, he bought them in Spain when he was there as a teenager many years ago. The top sword is an arming sword, and the bottom is a side sword.
Both are awesome, and either one would make an excellent deterrent for burglars and stalkers.
Anyway, my inner child is now very happy. And I promise my friend that I’d take good care of them, so that’s what I’ll do. I look forward to many years with them on my wall.
BANNER
Back in 2021, when I attended my first ParaPsyCon, my dad and stepmom stopped by to see how I was doing, and while there, they noticed another horror author who had a vertical banner behind his booth broadcasting what he wrote. My dad asked me, “Think you’ll get one of those?” I responded, “Someday.”
Someday is today. Thanks to the grant I got earlier this year, I was able to pay for some new author photos, which I then used to design a banner (this was after lots of concept testing that I did in one of my Facebook groups). I then bought the banner and the frame for it. I absolutely love it. And I have a feeling it’s going to help me find and connect with more readers at the events I’ll be attending in 2024. Including ParaPsyCon.
HOW TO BUILD A WRITING HABIT
I wanted to try something different with my YouTube channel, maybe see if doing so would help me to connect with more readers, writers, and horror fans. At the same time, I’ve been wanting to talk about the habits of building a writing habit for some time now. Like a TED talk or at a convention, if anyone would actually let me speak at one of those (given that it’s me, you understand the caution).
So, I thought I would combine the two and put out a video on YouTube talking about building a writing habit. It’s something I hadn’t tried before and I thought people might find it helpful. Who knows? Maybe it’ll help me connect with more writers, readers and horror fans. At the very least, it’s had more views than other videos I’ve posted, so I guess that’s a good sign. Maybe I’ll try a video like this again when I have the chance/inspiration.
But tell me, do you think this is a good video? Did what I discuss make sense or seem helpful? Any feedback you have would be helpful, so don’t hesitate to leave a comment.
OWLS ARE AWESOME
You probably didn’t see this one coming, did you?
For quite some time, I’ve been obsessed with owls. It started when I found this YouTube channel where a nature artist/filmmaker films the daily activities of the owls and other animals living around his British country home. Watching these owls sleep, raise their broods, and occasionally get into scrapes with each other made me fall in love with and then go down a rabbit hole of learning about owls.
And it’s not hard to see why. They fly with wings that don’t produce any noise, they pick up sounds and sights we’re wholly ignorant of (especially at night), and they can be the most loving partners and parents among birds you’ll ever see. No kidding, watch some of that YouTube channel’s videos. It’ll melt your heart and make you believe in love again. All this in these tiny, compact bodies with sharp beaks and talons that can take out both prey and predators. And which predate on each other if the circumstances are right (or wrong).
It’s kind of no wonder I’m obsessed now and want an owl to live near me. For now though, I’ll settle for writing about them. With any luck, I’ll have a great owl-themed story done some time next month. And who knows? If it gets published, you might become obsessed, too. Wouldn’t that be a hoot?
TALKING WITH MY OLD HEADMASTER
Not too long ago, my dad sent me an article from the Jerusalem Post. Someone I used to go to school with had had an article published in the Post, detailing how he, a reservist in Israel fighting in the current war in Gaza, left the battlefield to be at the birth of his son in Jerusalem. It was incredibly beautiful to read, and all I wanted to do was to give his dad, who used to be the headmaster at the school we attended, my sincere congratulations.
Earlier this week, I actually managed to talk with my headmaster. It was a blast from the past, to say the least. I don’t think I’ve seen this guy since I was eighteen. I used to stop by his office to tell him dumb jokes and even phone pranked him a couple of times (don’t worry, he thought it was hysterical as long as he wasn’t in a meeting). And yet we laughed and talked like not even a day had passed since I graduated. I found out how his family is doing (they’re all in Israel right now for the new grandchild) and he found out what I’m doing and how my family is.
I hope he and his family continue to do well and that his son stays safe. These are scary times, but talking with him reminded me that we can still find reasons to smile in the worst of times. At least, that’s how I see it.
GREETING 2024
I don’t know what your New Year’s plans are, but I know what mine are: order pizza, open a bottle of wine, and watch some movies. And when the stroke of midnight occurs, I’m not going to welcome 2024. I’m going to roar at it. Let it know that whatever it throws at me, I won’t let it bog me down or ruin me. Instead, I’ll fight on and give it something to reckon with. Maybe 2024 will be so intimidated, it’ll give me a great year out of fear.
Sounds silly, I know, but so are a lot of traditions and beliefs I could name. And with an election year just around the corner, we’ll need all the luck we could use.
So, if you like, roar with me at midnight on December 31st. We’ll show 2024 who’s boss.
That’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. As I said, I wanted to get this all out before the end of the year. If you made it to the end of the post, thanks for reading. And if I don’t catch you before December 31st at 11:59 PM, I wish you all a Happy New Year and pleasant nightmares.
As my publisher said to me earlier this week, “They grow up so fast.”
It’s been exactly three months since my latest book and latest collection, Hannah and Other Stories, was released (and the anniversary even falls on a Saturday!). If you’re unaware, the collection contains seven tales that feature ghosts, budding serial killers, and carnivorous horses, among other things. It’s the product of a lot of hard work over two years between me and my publisher.
And in the three months since I’ve released it, I’ve been hard at work to ensure it reaches as many readers as possible. Just the other day, I was on a podcast talking about it (should be out next week, I’ll post a link to my social media when it comes out). It hasn’t been easy getting people to read it, partly due to the fact that the book’s still currently available only in ebook, and partly due to the plethora of other writers out there with millions of other books out there. And I’m my own marketing team, so it’s all on me to get people interested.
Still, there have been results. I’ve gotten some reviews and those who’ve read the book have been mostly positive. Just check out this review my friend Allen Huntsman, AKA Death Ground Reviews, left on his YouTube channel about Hannah.
Some things he didn’t care for, but mostly good. And I have to agree: if you want to see if my work is right for you, this book might be a good start. Especially if you enjoy carnivorous horses.
And representation. I try to represent plenty of different kinds of characters and from what I hear, the results have been well received. Then again, when you write about communities you’re familiar with because you’re part of them, it’s probably going to turn out better.
Anyway, it’s been hard work, and I’m hoping that all this work will lead to good things for Hannah. Hopefully a paperback and maybe even an audio book. Maybe someone will figure out whom the character of Hannah is based on. Yes, the character of Hannah is based on a real person. If you guess who it is, I will name a character after you and you will not be dissatisfied with the results.
And if you are at all interested in reading the collection, I’ll leave links below. Like I said, it’s currently only available in ebook, but hopefully a paperback and maybe even an audio book aren’t too far away, so supporting the ebook is a good way to help. And if you decide to read the ebook, I hope you’ll leave a review letting me, and other readers, know what you think.
That’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. I’ve got a big day ahead of me. Until next time, good night, pleasant nightmares, and if I don’t catch you before Monday, a Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.
So, a couple of things happened recently, and I thought I would put out a quick post so that you know. Not sure you’ll actually be interested, but I thought I’d let you know anyway.
First off, I have a new event I’ll be vending at. I found out about it, submitted an application, and was confirmed for it yesterday, all in the span of a few hours. The event is called ShamROCK, and is being held by the Magical Druid, the same store that sponsored the Columbus Witches Ball I attended back in 2022. This will be a spring variant, meant to welcome spring in with Irish music and ritual and a cash bar. Sounds like fun, no? Anyway, it takes place on Saturday, March 16th, 2023 from 3 PM – 11 PM at the Courtyard by Marriott West Columbus in Columbus, OH. You can buy tickets using this link.
So, for a quick recap, here are the events I’ll be attending in 2024 as of December 9, 2023:
ConFusion SF in Novi, MI. Taking place at the Novi Sheraton from January 19-21, 2024. More information on the website here.
ShamROCK in Columbus, OH. Taking place at the Courtyard by Marriott West Columbus on March 16, 2024. Tickets can be bought here.
ParaPsyCon in Mansfield, OH. Taking place at the Ohio State Reformatory on May 17-19, 2024. More information can be found here.
Indie Author Book Expo in Terre Haute, IN. Taking place at the Terre Haute Convention Center on August 10, 2024. You can find out about Indie Author Book Expo here.
Wow, my schedule is getting pretty busy. And I’m waiting to hear back on a few more, so we could see a longer post in the future.
On another note, I had an article published yesterday in Space and Time Magazine. Yep, that Space and Time Magazine. The article is called “From Mushrooms to Writers’ Minds: How Alice in Wonderland Continues to Metamorphose in Our Imagination.” As you can tell from the title, it explores Alice in Wonderland. Specifically, why we keep using and reinterpreting Alice in Wonderland in our fiction.
And yes, I mention “Queen Alice” in the article. How could I not?
Anyway, if you would like to check it out, the article is in Space and Time Fall/Winter #145. You can buy a copy from Amazon, which you can check out here. I would love to hear what you think. I’m proud of the article.
That’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. If anything comes up in the near future, I will let you know. Until next time, good night, read plenty of horror (not necessarily mine, though I appreciate it when you do), pleasant nightmares, and Happy 3rd Night of Hanukkah!
Hello humans! I’m happy to announce that I already have some events for next year on the docket. And, because I’m so excited for the possibilities in 2024, I’m letting you know what I’ll be at. Who knows? Maybe we’ll be able to see each other at one of the events. I would love it if a Follower of Fear showed up at an event to see me.
First, next month I’ll be returning to ConFusion Science Fiction Convention in Novi, Michigan! This year’s theme is Labyrinth of Confusion (as in the underrated David Bowie film), and it’ll be occurring on January 19th – January 21st at the Sheraton Novi. I’ll be selling books and, if I’m lucky, speaking on a panel or two. (I signed up to be on panels and took a survey to show which ones I’m interested in, but we’ll see if they want someone as scary as me talking to general audiences.) If you can, register to go and come get some signed books from me. You can find out more on their website.
Then, in May I’ll be heading back up to Mansfield for ParaPsyCon! This wonderful paranormal convention takes place on May 17-19 at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, OH. If you’re not aware, the Reformatory is a former prison that has served as a film set for numerous movies, including The Shawshank Redemption, and is also one of the most haunted locations in America (as well as one of my favorites). And this year promises to be bigger and better than ever, as they’re partnering up with Hearsemania, a traveling car show of customized hearses! Sounds like my kind of thing, doesn’t it? I can’t wait to see all the coffin-carrying cars!
And finally, it looks like I’ll be teaming up with some old friends in August. Remember in 2020, while visiting friends in Iowa, I did a book fair known as the Indie Author Book Expo? Well, the group that put on that fair has expanded throughout the Midwest and is doing a show in Terre Haute, Indiana on August 10th, 2024 at the convention center. And I sent in an application to go.
Kid you not, the organizer emailed me after I submitted my application, telling me she screamed in excitement. Never had anyone react to my going to an event like that before! Anyway, if you want to learn more, you can learn more on their website. They have events all over the place and one or two might be near you, so check them out.
Anyway, that’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. I’ll be sure to let you know if I get signed up for any more events and I’ll put out reminders before the events so you remember.
And if you can’t make it to any of the events but you’d still like to support me, or if you’re just looking for a good, scary book, you can check out my Book Links and Excerpts page, which I’ll link below. All my books and stories, including a free story, are available there. Be sure to check them out, and if you decide to read something of mine, let me know what you think. I would love to hear what you think, and your reviews help me and other readers out in the long run.
Until next time, my Followers of Fear, good night and pleasant nightmares!
Photo by Minhazur Rahman and downloaded from Vecteezy.
I do this post every year, and you guys seem to like it, so I’m doing it again. Let’s talk about 2023 and what we hope will happen in 2024.
I think everyone will agree with me that 2023 was a mixed bag. Not the rollercoaster out of hell that 2022 was, but definitely a mixed bag. Among the good things that happened, the pandemic was declared mostly over and we are getting back to some degree of normal now; my home state of Ohio voted to enshrine reproductive rights in our state constitution and legalized marijuana, which was a big deal; the Hollywood writers and actors strike were successful, allowing both groups to earn more money for their work and putting protections in against AI; an AI Safety Summit was held to discuss how nations should approach AI as it develops; Doctor Who returned with a bang (check it out, it’s awesome); and more.
Unfortunately, a lot of bad stuff happened this year as well. There was a massive train derailment in Ohio earlier this year that released a lot of chemicals into the area, and who knows how long that will take to clear up; the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, and Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, leading to a war that’s still ongoing today; anti-Semitism has risen in record numbers around the world, leaving many of my people feeling scared and alone; multiple mass shootings occurred throughout the year, leaving many dead who shouldn’t have died; the prices of gas and food have risen like crazy, which has made affording necessities more difficult than it already was; and more.
Like I said, mixed bag.
And on a personal level, 2023 was a mixed bag as well. On the down side, work was hellish this year, with multiple problems cropping up throughout the year that required my coworkers and I to work long hours and try to find ways to deal with it. We’re still working through problems, some old and some newer. Some of us, myself included, even have to go into the office three days a week before the rest of the workforce just to keep up. Oh yeah, we’re going from one just one day a week in the office to three in the new year. Another downside.
Also, I got in an accident and had to replace my car (that was awful); I had to find a new insurance company after the accident (that was annoying); my friends and I had to close Cracked Skull Press, which sucked; I underperformed at a lot of events I usually do well at; my anxiety and a bit of depression went to work on me, thanks to the Israel-Hamas conflict and the resulting anti-Semitism; and quite a few other things happened that really brought down my enjoyment.
Getting this out earlier this year was definitely a highlight of 2023.
Still, there were some good things. On the writing front, I was able to release Hannah and Other Stories, and while the reviews have been coming slower than I would like, they’ve all been very positive, and even in major publications; I also released “The Wild Hunt” in the Happy Hellidays anthology, which people have been LOVING; I got to go to StokerCon, which was a dream come true and a ton of fun; despite not doing as well at certain events as usual, I’ve been doing really well financially on the writing front, thanks in part to a grant and certain events; and I wrote what I think is some really good work, and I’m still writing some of that work.
(Some other stuff happened on this front too, but I can’t get into them until certain things are made official.)
Outside of writing, I turned thirty, and celebrated it with a blast, as well as found being thirty wasn’t as awful as I’d worried; I got to see some amazing Broadway shows and got addicted to their soundtracks (if you ever have the chance, go see SIX and Beetlejuice live); I got my full-back tattoo, which I’ve been working on since last year, finished; I had some big firsts in my condo, including my first Passover seder and first overnight guest; I made it quite far through the Face of Horror contest, and got plenty of side benefits from it as well; and a bunch of other stuff happened.
So yeah, mixed bag. But at least I can end the year saying that there was more good than bad, at least on a personal level.
So, what’s next for 2024? Well, I hope I can write, edit, and publish more stories, including finishing my mummy novel Crawler; I’d like to take a long, two-week vacation at some point and just spend it between totally lazy and writing my brains out; I look forward to traveling to some of my favorite haunted locations and maybe catching some weird shit on camera (more on that later); I hope to do more renovations to my condo as I build up my savings towards them; and perhaps, if God is kind, I can get that much closer to writing full time.
I also hope on the world stage things calm down and we can go through a year without losing any respect for humanity as a whole. But with two wars and an upcoming presidential election, I’ll call this hope a long shot.
Anyway, I hope that this post didn’t bum you out. Perhaps it gave you something to think about, or made you grateful for your 2023. Or even hopeful for 2024. I’m certainly trying to be hopeful, despite all the shit that goes on daily.
And with about 30 days left of 2023, I hope we all have a decent end to the year and enter the new year on a strong note.
How was your 2023, Followers of Fear? Anything good happen that you want to share? What about your hopes and plans for 2024? Let’s discuss.
Many of you know that some of my fellow Ohio horror writers and I published an anthology of Ohio horror stories last year. The book, That Which Cannot Be Undone, was published through Cracked Skull Press, a small press three of my friends and I created specifically for this project. We got the book out last October, and everybody really liked it.
Of course, after you publish your first book, whether you’re an author or a small press, everyone wants to know what you’re going to do next. And after a lot of discussion, my friends and I, not without some reluctance, decided to shutter Cracked Skull Press.
Like I said, we do this somewhat reluctantly, and it wasn’t an easy decision to make. But running a press is a lot of work. It’s basically a full-time job in and of itself, and we all already have full-time jobs in addition to writing on the side. You have to deal with distribution and quality control, taxes, responding to customers, etc. And the amount of work needed to do a second project, even if we really wanted to do one, was just too much for us to try again.
So, we’re shutting down Cracked Skull Press, with our final day being December 15th. Just one month from now. And on that day, That Which Cannot Be Undone will go out of print. Perhaps forever.
Honestly, I’m a little bummed about this. I would have liked to see this company continue onward. But I couldn’t run it alone, and we all have other stuff in our lives that require our attention. Hell, look at how many stories I’m working on as well as all the other stuff in my life, and you’ll see what I mean.
Still, I’m not coming away from this with just extra copies of TWCBU. My friends and I learned a lot from this experience of running a press and creating an anthology, and we had some fun times along the way. And hopefully we’ll be able to collaborate on other projects in the future, or at least meet up every now and again as writers and as friends.
Anyway, I wanted to get this out before too much time passed. The news is already out on Cracked Skull Press’s social media, so I’m putting it out on mine. If any of you would like to get a copy of TWCBU, I’ll post a link below. It’ll only be available till December 15th, so grab your copy now while you still have a chance. It’s a great anthology, filled with stories by Ohio horror authors (including myself), all set in Ohio and revolving around the theme that which cannot be undone. You’ll love it, and it might make a great gift for the holidays as well.
That’s all for now, my Followers of Fear. I’ll probably have more to say this weekend. Until next time, good night and pleasant nightmares.
Rami Ungar The Writer 