Preditors & Editors Poll

Posted in News with tags , , , , , , , , , on January 3, 2010 by jasonlkeene

So I was heading over to the Preditors & Editors Poll to vote for my favorite mag and writers’ resource site last night, and what I found stunned me.

I’m both shocked and honored to say that my latest short story “A Picture’s Worth” (found alongside another story of mine in Shroud #7) has been nominated by some brave soul in the Short Story: Horror category.

Preditors & Editors Poll Results

I would be lying if I were to say I didn’t want you to go over there and vote for it.  On the other hand, I’d be lying if I told you to go over there and vote for it if you’ve never even read it.

I’d like to think that the winners of that poll earn the honor with ability instead of celebrity, so don’t crush my (unrealistic) idea of it.  If you didn’t like the story, don’t vote for it just because I’ve bought you a beer, put sunscreen on your shady parts, or held your hair out of your face that night you were driving the porcelain tanker to Pukey Town.  If you’re going to vote for it, vote on the story’s merits and not because the author is a “swell guy.”

With that said, head over and vote for your favorites.  Categories range from novels, ‘zines, and anthos, authors, poets, and artists, to favorite resource, review, and forum sites.  Don’t like any of the current nominations?  That’s fine, nominate somebody you feel deserves it.

Preditors & Editors Voting Categories Page

Head over to the link above and get to voting.

Pod Of Horror #57: Introducing the “Moonshine Matinee”

Posted in Events, News, Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on November 21, 2009 by jasonlkeene

I’m thrilled to announce that the MOONSHINE MATINEE is now LIVE and available for your listening pleasure!

 

Moonshine Matinee with Jason L. Keene.  Only on Pod of Horror.

 

The good folks over at the infamous POD OF HORROR have invited me with open arms to bring you a segment so vile, so bluntly honest, so filled to the brim with harnessed and raw redneckery that it may very well be banned in every state outside of Appalachia (probably has something to do with my accent and nobody being able to understand my ranting).

Join me as I take you on a backroads journey through the horrors of filmland.  There will be no beating around the bush, no punches pulled, and no crappy plot holes left unscathed.  It’s a no-shit look at the movies we love and the movies we love to hate.

This time around I take a look at PARANORMAL ACTIVITY.  Sure, everybody else and their moms have reviewed this flick by now…but I’m not everybody else, either.  You’ve all seen it.  You all have your own takes on it.  Now let me tell you how it looks through a hillbilly horror fanatic’s eyes.  I also take on some of November’s lesser-known DVD releases so you’ll be prepared when that NetFlix que looks blank.  Last but not least, I dig into the rumor mill and dish out some of the big news currently worming its way through Horrorwood.

Also on POD OF HORROR #57 is an interview with the master himself, Edward Lee!  The Call of Kalanta is in full swing and bringing you the biggest cornucopia bounty of horror fiction news available to man.  Michael Oliveri stops by to talk about The Pack, prose fiction, and graphic novels.  Michael Vance discusses pulp influences and Weird Horror Tales.  And finally, The Tomb of Trivia continues the long tradition of letting you–the listener–win free books!

This is one for the ages, so don’t forget to tell your grandma to listen in.

Go grab it for free HERE.

Head on over to Horror World’s official POD OF HORROR page and give it a free download. Or if you’re into that whole iTunes thing the kids are hip with these days, you can find it on there under Podcasts as well!

I hope you enjoy POD OF HORROR #57, and the MOONSHINE MATINEE segment.  I look forward to your comments, and I look forward to bringing you more from the world of horror films very soon!

SHROUD 7: A Double-Dose of Fiction

Posted in News, Writing Updates with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on November 20, 2009 by jasonlkeene

Shroud 7 is now out in stores and available for purchase online, and I highly suggest you purchase a copy.  If you’re more of an online shopper, I’ll be happy to point you in the right direction: you can get it straight from Shroud’s website or you can opt to grab it over at Amazon.com.

Shroud 7: The Journal of Dark Fiction featuring a diabolical duo of delights from Jason L. Keene

Inside those hallowed pages you’ll find not one…but two offerings of my short fiction.  I’ll admit, having my name on the cover and being singularly segmented in the table of contents makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

The first is called “A Picture’s Worth” and I have to say that I believe this to be my best short fiction yet.  The story revolves around Lorrie Spencer and her young son Cody, a remnant from a satanic artist’s vile work, the trapped souls of children, and the love and protection a mother feels for her offspring.  Writing the story disturbed me several times through the endeavor, and I honestly had to get up and go have a smoke to calm down.  This was probably the first story where what I had intended was completely sidestepped by the characters, and fate took over to rule out the final act.  Because reality rarely has happy endings…

The second offering is called “Collaboration of B. Lyle” and, from the title, you can probably guess at least one of the characters in this one.  This story came to me after seeing first-hand the way a small handful of publishers and editors (not all, mind you) in this genre feed off of new writers.  The main character’s name may even strike a chord to some of those out there–and that was intentional.  Most of the time, said types of people get away with their dirty deeds.  In this story, they do not.

The issue also introduces the first in a line of columns Brian Keene is penning for Shroud entitled “Seminal Screams”, where he introduces readers to books of extreme importance in the genre.  Awesome column.  Michael Knost’s “Prog-Knost-Ications” this time around focuses on the Sinister Minister himself, Maurice Broaddus.  Other pieces of non-fiction included are from Norman L. Rubenstein, Kevin Lucia, Kurt Bachard, and I.E. Lester.  There’s a novel excerpt from John Shirley, an illustrated story from Brothers May, winner and runner-ups of the flash fiction contest, and enough great fiction in this 150+ page monster to keep you occupied for a long, long time.  Highlights include stories by Jackie Gamber, Joel Sutherland, Timothy P. Remp, Richard Alan Scott, Steve Vernon, and D.L. Snell.

Not to mention a beautiful layout and designs by the unbelievably talented Danny Evarts, and some insanely gorgeous art by Mark Pexton and a host of others.

Mr. Deal and the rest of the Shroud team have outdone themselves yet again.  Go find out for yourselves.

And The Winner Is…

Posted in Random on November 19, 2009 by jasonlkeene

The winner of the “Name That Segment” contest is…

Nobody.

Not one entry.

I’m hurt, kids.  Honestly.  Nobody wanted a free signed issue of Necrotic Tissue?  Bah.

A Post Concerning the HWA by R. Scott McCoy

Posted in Views with tags , , , , , , on November 6, 2009 by jasonlkeene

Good friend, good man, and excellent Head Editor of NECROTIC TISSUE magazine, Mr. R. Scott McCoy, recently posted an excellent blog concerning the current status of the HWA.

You should go read it.

R. Scott McCoy: Long Ass Post About the HWA

He’s alot more cool, calm, and sensible about these matters than I am.  I especially applaud Mr. McCoy for offering up a list of sensible possible fixes to the current situation of the HWA.

You know what I always say, kids…”adapt or die.”  Now go read up.

Keene Teams Up With POD OF HORROR

Posted in Events, News, Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 31, 2009 by jasonlkeene

I wanted to announce this last night on the Dark Fiction Spotlight show, but things went far astray.

Pod of Horror:  Your #1 source for horror fiction (and now movies!) news and reviews.

For those that don’t listen in to the POD OF HORROR podcast (the #1 resource for all of your horror fiction news) over at Horrorworld.org, you’re definitely missing out. It’s a juggernaut hosted by Mark Justice (Deadneck Hootenanny, Dead Earth: The Green Dawn) alongside Nanci Kalanta (Horror World’s proprietess) and Norman Rubenstein (prolific reviewer and columnist).

But what about horror movies?  It’s an indisputable truth that most fans of horror fiction enjoy the bounty of horror movies out there as well.  Well, friends, Pod of Horror now has your fix.

I’m am extremely proud to announce that, starting with the November edition of Pod of Horror, I’ll be coming on board the team to provide you with your fix of horror movie-related reviews and news.  It’s a segment that I’m really excited about and I’m busting my ass right now to make sure it gives you that fix without being bogged down with the bland yadda-yadda that you can find elsewhere.  I can assure you that this will not be your average horror movie review/news piece, and I think you’re going to enjoy it.

And what’s this segment going to be called?  Well, that’s where I want your participation.  Since this segment is devoted to all of you horror flick maniacs out there, I feel it’s only fitting that you be the ones to help name it.

Hit me with your best shot–name that segment!  All you have to do to enter is leave a reply to this in the box below with your name and your suggestion for title of the segment before Saturday, November 14.  On that day, I’ll go through all of the suggestions and pick the one that strikes my fancy the best.  If I choose your suggestion for the new title of my segment, then you win a signed copy of NECROTIC TISSUE issue 7 featuring my short story, “The Failure.”  It’s that simple.  I’ll post an update on November 14 with the winning suggestion.

So what are you waiting for?  Just enter, already!

 

Ring In Halloween With Keene

Posted in Events with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on October 30, 2009 by jasonlkeene

Tonight I’ll be interviewed live on the Dark Fiction Spotlight show at 10PM est.  I should probably note that the kingpin Bubble-Bear of horror, Gregory L. Hall, will also be on hand.  That’s two crazy sum’bitches for the price of one–and you just can’t beat that kind of deal.

We encourage you to call in with questions or comments for us.  The call-in number is: (718) 664-6032.  If you’re too shy for that kind of thing, hop into the chat room and chat us up.  The show is free, live, and unscripted.  Given our reputations, that alone makes it worth attending.

But wait…there’s more!

I also have a couple of announcements, a giveaway, and a contest.  That incentive enough for you?

We’ll be talking about my number of stories in Shroud and Necrotic Tissue, upcoming poetry in the Terror of Miskatonic Falls anthology, Gentlemen of Horror 2009, two projects that will be announced over the course of the show, and anything else you sick and twisted lil’ monsters want to discuss.

 

Jason L. Keene & Greg Hall interviewed live tonight on the Dark Fiction Spotlight show!

 

 

Book Signing: Huntington Borders

Posted in Events with tags , , , , , , , on October 23, 2009 by jasonlkeene

If you’re in the area, head on over to the Borders book store in the Huntington, WV mall this Saturday, Oct. 24.

Michael Knost, Mark Justice, and Brian J. Hatcher will be on hand to sign copies of Legends of the Mountain State 3.  Rest assured that if you’ve missed the two earlier installments in this wonderful series there will be plenty waiting on the table to help you brush up on your Appalachian-themed horror this Halloween season.  Also, if you haven’t done so already, I advise you to grab a copy of Knost’s Writer’s Workshop of Horror while you’re there (which I can personally vouch for as being excellent).

You’d be hard-pressed to find a greater bunch of guys, or a greater group of authors.  So stop in, say “hello” and make sure to grab some reading material before Halloween sneaks up on us.

Halloween Special: Dark Fiction Show Interview

Posted in News with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 18, 2009 by jasonlkeene

Come join me live on The Dark Fiction Show on October 30, 2009.  It will be a Halloween hootenanny as I share airtime with none other than Gregory L. Hall, horror’s premiere huggy-bear, while host Ben Eads fights to keep control of the situation.  It’s gonna’ be a slobber-knocker.

Did I mention there will also be punch and pie?  Because there will totally be punch and pie.

 

Halloween Run of The Dark Fiction ShowNotice how I’m last on the list?  Yeah, that Greg Hall fellow is a prima donna like that.

He also demanded a bowl full of candy corn with the white tips removed, which he had the clout to get.

 

 As an incentive to join us that night instead of watching yet another rerun of Children of the Corn XI: Cornier Than Ever on the SyFy Channel, there will be a major announcement.  Something so devastatingly large and epic, so life-changing, that it could only involve the Choate Road website and myself.

Between now and then, I may even drop some hints around the world wide web.  And who knows?  If you pick up on all of this, you may very well win something.

So come join us for a night of debauchery on October 30 at 10pm EST.  Don’t forget to bring the kids (because they’re the most fun to corrupt and mentally scar).

Review: TRICK ‘R TREAT

Posted in Reviews with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 10, 2009 by jasonlkeene

Jack-O-Lanterns everywhere have a new reason to smile this Halloween.

Every once in a blue moon (or perhaps harvest moon would be more fitting here?) a movie comes along that I can’t stop putting in the DVD player.  I wear a copy out.  I can watch it as I drift off to sleep, play it in the background as I write, sit down and watch it over and over again and never seem to tire of it.  TRICK ‘R TREAT is one of those very few movies.

Photobucket

Best Halloween-themed movie ever…period.

As far as Halloween-themed movies go we’ve never had a massive selection.  Oh sure, quite a few movies fit the bill in a pinch, but as far as pure autumn must-haves, All Hallow’s Eve essentials go, fans have been dished the short end of the stick.  I like watching EXORCIST and NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD during those crisp, dead-leaf nights in late fall as much as the next guy…but where’s the Halloween spirit?  Oh, a generally great horror film does not a Halloween staple make.

Let’s face it: if you wanted a real Halloween movie, you watched HALLOWEEN (or one of the questionable sequels).  And I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not a big fan of Michael Myers or slasher films in general.  There, I said it.  Go ahead and throw your punches, but I’m sticking to my guns.  In fact, while you’re swinging, take into effect that my favorite movie in that series is HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH because it actually dealt with something remotely Halloween.  The only thing Halloween about the Myers series is that the boy happened to coincidentally snap on Halloween night, hits town on the anniversary, and happens to wear a mask.  Meh…it all feels too contrived and forced to me.  But that’s like comparing apples and oranges, so before I piss off too many older hardcore fanatics, I’ll refocus.

In TRICK ‘R TREAT, we are treated to a visual homage to both the genre and the holiday.  This movie encapsulates everything I hold dear about the season.  It just “feels” like Halloween.  It’s everything that a great movie experience in the holiest of horror fanatics’ holidays should be.

As far as describing the storytelling itself, I can only sum it up in one way: think PULP FICTION meets CREEPSHOW.  The movie takes place during Halloween night in the small hamlet of Warren Valley, Ohio.  Several stories involving multiple characters criss-cross paths throughout, swapping times back and forth just enough to keep you paying attention but never enough to confuse the audience.  Each story revolves around a tradition pertaining to Halloween and each follows through with a wonderful twist.  No scene feels forced to fit another, swapping our point of view easily from one story to the next.  One can appreciate the way all of the small details paint a bigger picture here and the tidy and fulfilling way each is wrapped up into the next.

Visually the movie is beautiful.  Warren Valley could very well be Anytown, USA, and watching the streets full of costumed children as they parade down sidewalks layered in leaves of orange and brown really brings back that trick ‘r treating I remember from my own youth.  Jack-O-Lanterns adorn fences and porches, a Halloween parade is in full swing downtown, and on the outskirts of Warren Valley an abandoned rock quarry holds a secret beneath the thick fog and watery depths.  Now that I think about it, Jack-O-Lanterns play a major part in lighting many of the darker scenes which adds an atmosphere all its own.

Undeniably, the character of Sam steals the show.  With good reason.  The 1996 short cartoon this movie was based on (which is included with and without commentary on the DVD extras) revolved around the character of Sam trick ‘r treating late on Halloween night.  He’s a creepy little bastard, made extra so by the nuanced performance of child actor Quinn Lord.  I’m sure Sam/Samhain will become an iconic character beloved by the hearts of genre fanatics everywhere.  He’s certainly earned a place amongst my favorite movie characters.

While on the topic of the acting in TRICK ‘R TREAT, I have to say that the performances were all well above par considering the amount of relatively new faces.  Of course there are exceptional performances from the likes of Dylan Baker as Principal Steven Wilkins (you may remember him as Dr. Curt Connors in the Spiderman movies, or as the father in FIDO) and the scene-stealing veteran Brian Cox as grumpy-assed Mr. Kreeg (his performance in RED being an all-time favorite of mine).

“But Jason,” you’re probably not asking yourself.  “Are there no flaws whatsoever?”  Of course there are.  I can find a flaw in anything, it comes with being a realist.  Nothing’s perfect, and this holds true with even TRICK ‘R TREAT.  The little blond girl who plays the “leader” of the group of kids gathering Jack-O-Lanterns (don’t know her name, don’t care) plays her part with a little too much heart.  Her line “can I just tell the damn story?” irritates the shit out of me and makes me want to personally take it to the cutting room floor.  Also, I loathe Anna Paquin.  Go ahead and bitch and moan, but she makes my ass want to jump out of my throat.  Without sounding like too much of a pervert, I could’ve used more boobage.  There’s one shot of a porn on TV at the beginning (the “nature video”) and another during a forest scene (which I won’t spoil), but no skin beyond this.  Technically, I’m okay with that…means it has the potential for easy swapping to cable channels later for a larger appreciation and I don’t need boobs to enjoy a movie.  But I had to find something wrong with the film or I just wouldn’t be doing my job.

Ultimately what it boils down to is this: TRICK ‘R TREAT is a celebration of Halloween…an extension of the holiday that goes hand-in-hand with it in the same way that watching A CHRISTMAS STORY or HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS makes or breaks Christmas for many.  Although it has its moments, the movie doesn’t rely on gore, nor does it have to.  The engaging fun of this flick (and, in my opinion, what makes it a classic) is the intertwining storylines, the excellent performances, and its ability to–simply put–”feel” like Halloween in a way that no film I have seen before it has accomplished.  The movie is a visual tribute to the genre fans, to the art of anthology storytelling, and, perhaps most importantly, to Halloween.  After years of waiting for this movie to find distribution, following every underground snippet of information I could get my greedy little hands on and savoring the possibilities, it’s good to find that for once the wait was well worth it.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go sit down with a big bowl of kettle corn, a pumpkin that’s just dying for a face, and yet another rewatching of the greatest Halloween-themed movie to hit my DVD collection.

That is, until the sequel.  You hadn’t heard about the success of this one garnering a sequel?  Well you just did.  It’s in the talking stages and a script is being penned as we speak.  Boo-yah.  Happy Halloween, indeed.