The Fear County Chronicle #31
Recent and upcoming releases, 2024 RK appearances, and some new indie horror books by some great authors you need to check out!
This past weekend, I spent quite a bit of time outside, enjoying some really nice weather. I changed the oil in my riding mower, had to run to Lowe’s for a new battery, and finally got the grass cut. Of course, this is Tennessee we’re talking about, so Saturday’s sunny 72-degrees slowly evolved into a cool 47 today.
The arrival of Spring this week is sort of a kick-off for fun things of an outdoor nature. During the winter months, I’ve felt like a hermit, playing the original Resident Evil 4 for the bazillionth time (it’s infected me for years like a tentacle-headed Plaga), or binging old horror flicks from my collection of DVDs (today it was Cronenberg’s The Fly). In the next few months, the Kelly family have mini vacations on the agenda, the majority of them having to do book signings and convention appearances. But we’ll talk about them later. First, some rip-roaring, rootin’-tootin’ good news…
The Saga of Dead-Eye #3 is on its way!
This month, the third installment of my The Saga of Dead-Eye western-horror series will be hitting the trail in ebook, paperback, and hardcover from Crossroad Press, followed shortly by a beautiful, limited edition from Thunderstorm Books. Man-Eaters, Mummies, & Murderous Maniacs will find zombie gunfighter Dead-Eye and Louisiana mojo man Job crossing the burning deserts of West Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, doggedly in pursuit of the elusive renegade vampire, Jules Holland, his minions the Unholy Three, and the dark enchantress (and Job’s wayward daughter) Evangeline. As you can see by Alex McVey’s incredible cover art, mummies are definitely on the rampage in this one, as well as flesh-devouring pit-devils (yes, the same kind that are in my novel Pitfall), a murderous outlaw band by the name of Baker’s Dozen, and the Arizona town of Hellbound, where every deranged and onery desperado in the territory hangs their hats and keeps their pistols loaded and close at hand. During their journey, Dead-Eye and Job also come across Missy Slatter, a sassy six-year-old girl who was abandoned in the desert following the slaughter of her family.
I’ll be posting a link soon to preorder Man-Eaters, Mummies, & Murderous Maniacs from the RKHORROR online bookstore.
The Devil’s Backbone is now available!
The Devil’s Backbone, Volume 13 of Crystal Lake Entertainment’s Dark Tide series, is now available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover. This collection contains three shared-world novellas by me, Laurel Hightower, and Red Lagoe. Set in the fictional mountain range of The Devil’s Backbone, each story takes you deeper and deeper into the dark heart of Appalachia.
Here’s what reviewers are saying about The Devil’s Backbone:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "These three stories center on a geological feature, The Devil's Backbone, extending from Kentucky into Virginia and Tennessee. If you love reading about Earth magic, Folk Horror, Spirits from before prehistory, do jump right in!"—Into The Abyss Reviews
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "This trio of authors have created a powerhouse of folk horror. Old traditions, superstitions, unexpected heroes, magic, and sacrifices that will break your heart share these pages with otherworldly beings. The Devil's Backbone was a lot of fear-filled fun to read."—Well Worth A Read
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "If you like well written, historical horror, short stories you will love these."—April's Bookish Life
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "The Devil's Backbone: Appalachian Horror is a masterful anthology. Each story is set in a different time and area, and together, they encompass the horrors of Appalachian folklore. It's a must have/ must read for any horror aficionado and a true gem in the library of folk horror fans. A highly recommended 5-star read!"—Bibliophilia Templum
If you’d like to know more about the evolution of The Devil’s Backbone and the inspiration and writing process behind our individual stories, you can watch these two interviews:
Crystal Lake Entertainment: The Devil’s Backbone interview conducted by A.F. Stewart.
Rick Hipson’s Dark Bites Podcast Part One and Part Two
Laurel, Red, and I will have copies of The Devil’s Backbone available at our tables at Authorcon 3 in Williamsburg, Virginia on April 12-14. This will give you the opportunity to get your copy signed by all three of us at one event. After Authorcon, I will have copies available to order at RKHORROR, either signed by us all, or including a special signed bookplate.
Restless Shadows is now available at RKHORROR!
Restless Shadows, the long-awaited sequel to my first Zebra Books novel Hindsight, is now available in ebook, audiobook, and paperback. Restless Shadows was originally scheduled as a Zebra release, but never saw mass market publication due to the shutdown of Zebra’s horror line in 1996. The new Crossroad Press edition marks the first time it has been published in a paperback edition. You can buy it now at RKHORROR, or both Hindsight and Restless Shadows in a combo deal at a reduced price.
Upcoming Signings and Appearances!
AuthorCon 3 / I’ll be attending Scares That Care’s AuthorCon 3 on the weekend of April 12-14 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Since the vendor tables in the grand ballroom sold out in 4 minutes flat, I splurged on a table out in the promenade. The lovely Mrs. Joyce and I will have the Southern-Fried Horror table loaded down with books and merchandise, so stop by and say “Howdy!” and pick up a book or two. I’ll be happy to sign and include hand drawn artwork on the title page, as usual. And if you have unsigned RK books from your own collection, please feel free to bring them by for signing. Also, my publisher, David Niall Wilson, and I will be doing a reading on Saturday afternoon.
Tennessee Book & Readers Convention / On September 6th and 7th, I will be appearing at the first annual TBR CON in Knoxville, Tennessee. This convention focusing on readers and writers of all genres is being organized by the incredible Megan Stockton. A lot of Tennessee horror authors will be there, as well as folks from the Facebook group, Books of Horror. I’ll be there as a guest vendor, so if you’re in the Tennessee/North Carolina area, come see us on Friday or Saturday.
Vortex Books & Comics / On September 28th, I’ll be doing a book signing from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Brian Keene and Mary SanGiovanni’s Vortex Books & Comics in Columbia, Pennsylvania. I consider Brian and his work - most notably The Rising - to be instrumental in influencing me to return to the horror genre in 2006 after a ten-year hiatus. My books are well represented at Vortex, so I’m looking forward to being there in person for the first time. If you’re in the Pennsylvania or Maryland area, drop in and see me. Brian and Mary will have a lot of my books on hand, as well as a wide selection of books of various genres, comic books, vintage magazines, and Manga.
NEW DEMONS Kickstarter is launched!
The Kickstarter campaign for New Demons, a boundary-breaking horror anthology edited by Joe R. Lansdale, Patrick R. McDonough & Keith Lansdale was launched yesterday and has garnered much support so far. I’m honored to be one of the authors involved, along with Linda D. Addison, Ramsey Campbell, Nancy A. Collins, S.A. Cosby, Christopher Golden, Grady Hendrix, Joe Hill, Nancy Holder, Gabino Iglesias, Stephen Graham Jones, Alma Katsu, Brian Keene, Owen King, Joe R. Lansdale, Keith Lansdale, Robin Hobb, Jonathan Maberry, Josh Malerman, Patrick R. McDonough, David Morrell, Chuck Palahniuk, Tanya Pell, Cherie Priest, Gary Raisor, David J. Schow, Chuck Wendig, and Chet Williamson.
Check the New Demons Kickstarter page for more information and to contribute to making this project a reality!
Three Recent Horror Releases You Definitely Need to Read!
I’m always on the lookout for new horror releases, especially from the indie presses. The past couple of weeks have offered several outstanding books that I can’t recommend enough.
We’re Not Ourselves Today by Lydia Prime & Jill Girardi (Kandisha Press) Cover art: Corlen Scope
Description: The grisly, green-skinned Librarian from Kandisha Press returns, presenting thirteen pulp horror tales by the Mavens of the Macabre, Lydia Prime and Jill Girardi. Stories filled with razor-sharp teeth and buckets of blood and popcorn. Some old, some new, ALL terrifying! Continuing Kandisha's mission to promote women horror authors worldwide! Hurry now and order your copy... we wouldn't want to charge you any LATE FEES!
I had the honor and privilege of reading an ARC of this collection of weird horror tales and loved it so much I ended up giving it a glowing blurb of approval. Here’s what I thought of it:
“Wildly reminiscent of the pulpy storytelling of Weird Tales and the taboo terrors of the old EC Horror comics, Lydia Prime and Jill Girardi’s We’re Not Ourselves Today is a scare fest you won’t want to miss! Your host, The Librarian, has darkly delicious tales to share. Spine-tingling yarns that will cause you to sleep with the lights on… if you can even sleep at all!”
Truthfully, this collection of stories by authors Prime and Girardi pushed all the right buttons for Ol’ Ron. It had a wide variety of stories that will satisfy all lovers of horror, especially those who have a fondness for creature-feature tales. We’re Not Ourselves Today had a nostalgic EC Horror feel to it with the inclusion of the collection’s storyteller, The Librarian, who was an absolute delight.
You can purchase We’re Not Ourselves Today now in ebook and paperback!
The Demon of Devil’s Cavern by Brennan LaFaro (DarkLit Press) Cover art: Val Halvorson
Description: Six months after the death of Noose Holcomb, Buzzard's Edge rests in an uneasy quiet, but can a town that resonates with such hatred remain peaceful for long?
Dark forces conspire to chase Rory Daggett and his mute adopted daughter, Alice, into exile, framed for a crime they didn't commit.
With a new sheriff and a notorious killer for hire tracking their every move, the two must choose between starting a new life and saving the soul of the town that betrayed them.
Strap yourselves in tight, folks, 'cause the blood-curdling saga of Rory Daggett and Buzzard's Edge is fixin' to unleash a harrowing storm. Get ready to face a nightmarish landscape where gunpowder and the macabre collide in a haunting dance of terror.
After reading author Brennan LaFaro’s first weird western offering Noose!, I became an instant fan of Rory Daggett and all things Buzzard’s Edge. The Demon of Devil’s Cavern continues the saga with guts and gusto. During the past couple of years, LaFaro has become one of my favorite new authors, first appearing in numerous horror anthologies, then debuting with the incredibly original ghost novel Slattery Falls (followed by Decimated Dreams and The World You Loved). I also recommend his short story collection, Illusions of Isolation.
You can purchase The Demon of Devil’s Cavern now in ebook and paperback.
In Excess of Dark by Red Lagoe (DarkLit Press) Cover art: Ben Errington
Description: What if every terrible thing imagined came true? Every fleeting, nightmarish thought a reality? For grief-stricken Karina, her newfound ability to turn her worst daydreams into palpable truths has sent her into a downward spiral of depression and guilt. Coupled with the appearance of an enigmatic shadow figure and visions of her dead family, she grapples to maintain her sanity while desperately attempting to harness her abilities and reunite with her loved ones.
I had enjoyed Red Lagoe’s short stories in past anthologies such as We Are Wolves, Seasons of Severance, Crystal Lake’s Shallow Waters series, and Sinister Smile’s If I Die Before I Wake series, as well as her solo story collection, Impulses of a Necrotic Heart: and Other Afflictions. It wasn’t until I collaborated with her on our Dark Tide book, The Devil’s Backbone, that I began to search out and truly appreciate her longer works of dark fiction. Her latest, In Excess of Dark, certainly shows why Lagoe is one of the finest authors writing in the genre today. Dark, twisted, laden with dread and apprehension with each turn of the page, this tale will take you on a journey that will remain with you for a very long time.
You can purchase In Excess of Dark now in ebook and paperback.
Get 20% Off at RKHORROR Through March 31st!
From now through March 31st, get 20% off your entire order at the RKHORROR online bookstore! Just enter promo code MARCHMADNESS at checkout! Get the newly released paperback of Restless Shadows, other Southern-Fried horror books, RK art prints, and Zebra Books Alumni and Southern-Fried Horror t-shirts. And, as always, all books come with a personalized inscription and hand drawn RK artwork on the title page, free of charge!
Well, I reckon that’s it for the 31st edition of The Fear County Chronicle. As always, the Chronicle is a free newsletter, but some of my loyal fans have opted for a monthly paid subscription to help support me and my writing career, which is always greatly appreciated.
Until next time, Many Happy Nightmares, y’all!
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