Michael Sauers
Dump Toppers
May 23, 2014
A “dump” is something that you don’t see much in bookstores as much as you did back in the 80s & 90s thought they’re still around. Dumps are cardboard displays that usually have nine slots into which books were displayed face out. The “topper” for “header” was the artwork attached to the top of the dump to advertise the author and/or author on display.
Having previously worked for many years as a bookseller and these days just asking the store manager if I can have it when it was taken down, I’ve amassed a good-sized collection of this Koontz advertising memorabilia. Here’s a slideshow of my collection for your perusal.
(The one for Fear Nothing is actually motorized and switches between two images. If I actually still had a D cell battery in the house I believe it would still work.)
The City excerpt now available in multiple formats
May 22, 2014
You do have to supply an e-mail address but you can now get the first six chapters of The City in PDF, ePub, and mobi (Kindle) formats from Noisetrade.com.
The Neighbor (eBook prequel to The City)
May 21, 2014
On June 3rd, The Neighbor, an eBook prequel to The City is being released on all major platforms. Click the image for the Amazon.com page or head over to DeanKoontz.com for links to the other platforms.
Every city has its wonders and mysteries. For the Pomerantz family, the most disturbing mystery at the moment is the identity and the intentions of their new neighbor, in this eBook original short story—a prequel to The City, the gripping and moving new novel by Dean Koontz.
The year is 1967. Malcolm Pomerantz is twelve, geeky and socially awkward, while his seriously bright sister, Amalia, is spirited and beautiful. Each is the other’s best friend, united by a boundless interest in the world beyond their dysfunctional parents’ unhappy home. But even the troubled Pomerantz household will seem to be a haven compared to the house next door, after an enigmatic and very secretive new neighbor takes up residence in the darkest hours of the night.
Two other boxes
May 20, 2014
Since I posted about boxed sets yesterday, today I figured I’d show you two other boxes in my collection. The first is a box that copies of From the Corner of His Eye were shipped in from the publisher to bookstores.
The second is the box that housed advance reading copies of By the Light of the Moon. In this case the book also came with a t-shirt.
Boxed Sets
May 19, 2014
Back in the 90s there were a bunch of Dean Koontz boxed sets released. Unfortunately, I don’t have any sort of list as to which books were released in which sets. However, I do have three of those boxes in my collection. Here they are, each pictures from two sides since each has two pieces of art/photography on the box.
Obscure Audio Editions follow-up
May 17, 2014
I just wanted to post a quick correction to my previous post about the NLS audio editions of some titles. It’s not a catalog from 1973 that I have, but one from 1977-1978 as shown here, along with the entry for After the Last Race.
Obscure audio editions
May 16, 2014
To my knowledge neither Nightmare Journey nor After the Last Race have been commercially released as audiobooks. However, both have been previously released as part of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) from The Library of Congress. (In fact, I have a copy of a print catalog of available titles from this program from 1973 1977-78 and it does list After the Last Race as an available title.
Unfortunately for collectors, but for very good reasons, there are very specific eligibility requirements for participating in this program and there is specialty hardware needed in order to play the content. In other words, this is specialty content that I will not be including in the book.
However, I did recently come across both of these recordings on YouTube. Yes folks, these “copies” are violating copyright and I’ve got mixed emotions about promoting their existence. So, I’m embedding them below but not hosting additional copies on this site. I did not create these copies, nor did I upload them to YouTube. If they get taken down, the embeds here will also disappear. I’m pointing to them purely for the record.
See a follow-up post here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hn2F0aMjYM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiAT8lOB-Ko
For fans of Intensity
May 16, 2014
It’s not by Dean, but according to this review, fans of Intensity, might find this a good read.
SOUTH AFRICAN AUTHOR Lauren Beukes’s latest novel is less SF than it is mystery, suspense, and horror, riffing on both serial killer and haunted house prototypes. The basic premise has been used before. It immediately calls to mind Dean Koontz’s novel Intensity, in which a female protagonist hunts a serial killer after witnessing him murder her friend and her friend’s family. Beukes’s protagonist, Kirby Mazrachi, goes on a similar hunt, but under very different circumstances, and with significantly more finesse. The person she witnesses the serial killer murder is herself, and the serial killer, Harper Curtis, unlike Koontz’s ego-possessed Edgler Vess, is possessed by a house that allows him to travel through time.
The City BCE now available for pre-order
May 15, 2014
Saint Odd cover art
May 15, 2014
Julie Christie carries the Demon Seed
May 14, 2014
Just got my hands on a single film cell from Demon Seed. Just an interesting little addition to my collection.
Thanks to Lori for the great hi-res scan.
Two More John D. MacDonald books out today
May 13, 2014
Today the new editions of John D. MacDonald’s The Brass Cupcake and The Neon Jungle, both with introductions by Dean were released. Don’t forget though, that all of these titles have the same introduction. So, if you’ve already bought one of them just for Dean’s contribution, and you’re not a completist, you don’t need to by the others.
The City ARC
May 13, 2014
Look what I got in the mail today!
Breathless review
May 11, 2014
From 2009:
Dean Koontz is an amazing stylist when it comes to writing novels. I enjoy the way he puts words together and the energy of his pacing. When it comes to dialogue, he’s got a definite ear for the way people speak. He’s been in the writing business for a long time, and his passion is always clear. Primarily, he’s been lately known for his thrillers, but those readers also embrace his “feel good” novels.
For these kinds of books, Koontz usually plays his characters as innocents caught up in a macabre web involving criminals and heavy-handed bureaucrats with sinister agendas. That’s what Koontz was going for it in his latest book, Breathless, but somewhere along the way he dropped the ball.
Oh, there are innocents aplenty. The book opens with Grady Adams, a small time furniture maker living life at a slow pace with his wonder dog, Merlin. I actually thought the opening was very reminiscent to the opening pages of an earlier Koontz book, Watchers. Even the creepy noises and things that happened out in the forest seemed to echo that book.
Read the full review @ BlogCritics.org.
Dr. Pawan Grover Moonlights as Film Producer
May 11, 2014
Indian American physician Pawan Grover already dipped his toe into show business, as the star and producer of a thriller called “Unspeakable” 12 years ago.
Now, the Houston-based spine specialist can add another producer credit to his resume as well. Grover is listed as one of 17 producers on the cult horror film “Odd Thomas,” based on a Dean Koontz bestseller, which enjoyed a theatrical release Feb. 28 and is now out on DVD and Blu-Ray.
Read more at IndiaWest.com.
Dragon Tears TPBK now out
May 11, 2014
Just in case you missed it, the trade paperback edition of Dragon Tears came out this past Tuesday.
Create a custom Odd Thomas image on Facebook
April 26, 2014
Have you seen the I’m Odd image generator over on Facebook yet?
Demon Seed images & artwork
April 26, 2014
The folks over at art of the beautiful-grotesque have a page showing off a lot of images, posters, and other artwork from the film and print versions of Demon Seed. The page’s layout is a bit of a mess and there are a few “broken” images but it’s still worth a look.
Chanrel House Edition of Innocence
April 26, 2014
The Charnel House Web site posted a few pictures of their edition of Innocence at the bindery. Even if you’ve seen photos of this edition before, they’re an interesting behind-the-scenes look at a book bindery.
Welcome to The City
April 23, 2014