Michael Sauers
Phone Calls from the Dead
March 30, 2022
Bedtime Stories
We have previously explored reports concerning the spirits of those who have passed on, but this week, we will be examining a phenomenon which is even more bewildering. Instances in which friends and relatives have received what should have otherwise been an impossible phone call from the dead.
About the cahnnel: Turn off the lights, get into bed and plug in your earphones. It’s time for a creepy bedtime story. For the discerning horror fan, we cover the most chilling cases throughout history. From the paranormal to the supernatural, unsolved mysteries and strange deaths to cryptids, conspiracy theories and the most disturbing of true crimes, all told in a unique and creepy way. Join us every week for a new scary story.
Dean and the Weather
March 29, 2022
Best-Selling Author, Weather Enthusiasts Explain Allure of California Weather
In the city of Los Angeles, every time the heavens open up, the hashtag #LArain trends on Twitter. People say rain, and the weather in general, is different in California. Anyone who has lived in the Desert Southwest long enough is fascinated by the rare appearance of rain and the wonder of a storm.
Every wind gust and raindrop is big news in L.A. In Arizona, the monsoon comes and goes every year like clockwork. But what precisely is different about rain in the desert? To find out, we asked a bestselling author, a storm chaser and TV meteorologists who have known both coasts.
From his home in Southern California, Dean Koontz, the bestselling author whose latest novel Quicksilver was published in January, has written dozens of books in which the weather adds to the suspense. According to Google Books Ngram Viewer, he mentions weather terms a total of 168 times in his book Midnight, 165 times in The Taking and 158 times in the aptly titled Lightning.
Koontz spent roughly half his life on the East Coast before he moved to California and that has given him an appreciation for the unique weather in the state. Why does weather feature prominently in his novels? Koontz told AccuWeather via email he uses the frequently changing Southern California weather as a template to set the scene.
“Here in Southern California, I can be basking in a light 80-degree off-shore breeze and, within two hours be in the snow country in Big Bear, be on the seashore in the morning and in Death Valley in the afternoon,” Koontz said. “The extremes fascinate me and make for good dramatic effects in fiction.”
Read the full article @ Newsweek.com
What’s New & Updated March 28, 2022
March 28, 2022
Last week was super weird when it came to my day job’s schedule, taking up much of the time I set aside to get some work done here. This coming week is weird too but in very different ways. Unfortunately, I don’t know if that’ll help or hinder my work here. So, no promises.
- Forever Dogs by Tricia Spencer to Appendix D
- Updated gutter code and DJ text variation information for the Leigh Nichols Shadowfires BCE.
Throwback Thursday: Bliss to You calendar
March 24, 2022
What’s New & Updated March 21, 2022
March 21, 2022
This week I have for you a few new editions along with some contributions from other fans of Dean’s.
- The House at the End of the World to Appendix H
- October Dreams proof
- Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter to Appendix G
- Seinfeld s07e16: The Doll to Appendix G
- Shadowfires large print trade paperback image
Throwback Thursday: Mr. Murder French paperback
March 17, 2022
Whats New & Updated March 14, 2022
March 14, 2022
The past two weeks have been hectic, to say the least. But I Was still able to clean out some of my bookmarks and a few new items were added to my collection so here are this week’s updates”
- The Big Dark Sky cover & animated cover
- From the Desk of Dean: The Big Dark Sky Pre-Order Now
- Phantoms bootleg VCD
- Watchers Turkish film poster
- What the Night Knows/Darkness Under the Sun lettered edition photo
- Interviews to Appendix B
- No Kittens Harmed: A Conversation with Dean Koontz (First Fifty Pages podcast)
- Looking Into the Thoughts of Dean Koontz (Authorlink)
- Dean Koontz Goes Rogue! (Rogue Women Writers)
Throwback Thursday: Oddkins proof
March 10, 2022
Dean signs new Five-Book Deal, first to be The House at the End of the World
March 10, 2022
According to The Bookseller:
Thomas & Mercer, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, has signed a five-book deal with Dean Koontz.
Amazon Publishing editorial director Gracie Doyle acquired world English rights from Richard Pine and Kimberly Witherspoon at InkWell Management. The first instalment, The House at the End of the World, will be published in January 2023.
Read the full article @ The Bookseller
Throwback Thursday: Trixie & Jinx
March 3, 2022
What’s New & Updated February 28, 2022
February 28, 2022
My long weekend turned into a “things need to get fixed so get them fixed” weekend. I’ll just mention the $500 repair to our refrigerator and not go any further. As a result, there are still a bunch of updates but not nearly as many as I’d hoped.
- Updated Bliss to You leash photo
- Updated Chase UK HC image
- Put the Odd Hours releases into proper order and added an image for the bonus MP3-CD audiobook edition
- A list of “errors” that readers have found in Quicksilver
As for next weekend, I’ll be out of town for a business trip so please don’t expect an update next Monday.
Throwback Thursday: I, Trixie Who is Dog
February 24, 2022
What’s New & Updated February 21, 2022
February 21, 2022
I’ve got an extra-long weekend coming up so let’s see what I can get clear off my to-do list. In the meantime, here are a couple of interviews and a new essay.
- Author Stories Podcast BEST OF Episode 1150 to Appendix B
- From the Desk of Dean: February, the month of romance and a lying marmot.
- Page One Podcast #11 to Appendix B
Throwback Thursday: Phantoms costume
February 17, 2022
(1998)
What’s New & Updated February 14, 2022
February 14, 2022
Happy Valentine’s Day. Here’s my present to you: A new short essay regarding Chase that I completely missed and some photos of some gorgeous lettered editions.
- Photo of The Servants of Twilight lettered edition
- Photo of the Shadowfires lettered edition
- Preface to Chase
Throwback Thursday: False Memory on cassette
February 10, 2022
What’s New & Updated February 7, 2022
February 7, 2022
Most new things are relatively easy to add to the site. Then there are the times that someone notices that there are at least four different states to, of all things, a book club edition. There would have been more updates this week but I spent way more time than expected on that one particular entry.
- From the Desk of Dean: Quicksilver – Available Now!
- Quickilver trailer
- Updated details of and indicators for mulitple printings of the Sahdowfires as by Leigh Nichols BCE.
- Writers, Ink Podcast: Episode 120 to Appendix B
The Reddit AMA that didn’t happen
February 7, 2022
Dean posted this Tweet on 26 January 2022 announcing a Reddit AMA scheduled for 31 January 2022. Moments before the event was to start, the tweet was deleted and no AMA happened that I could find.
By any chance does anyone have any additional information on what happened and/or if it will be rescheduled?
Throwback Thursday: Nevermore
February 3, 2022
Koontz news from the Writers, Ink podcast
February 3, 2022
Two interesting tidbits from Dean’s recent interview on the Writers, Ink podcast:
- RE: Quicksilver (26:40)
“I’ve been asked whether this is a series or not, but no it’s not; I think it works as a stand-alone.” - RE: The next books (47:08)
“I just signed a new five book contract and delivered the first book.”
[I’m assuming The Big Dark Sky is that first book.]