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Warlock review in Locus #129

March 5, 2016

Way back in 1972 Locus magazine was still a fanzine than what it is today. And, in what I believe is a December 1972 issue (“the 26th 1972 issue of a bi-weekly newspaper”) is a short less than spectacular review of Warlock written by Fred Patton.
Locus 129 (1) Locus 129 (2)

Full set of current US editions of Ashley Bell (+ 2 UK)

March 4, 2016

Left to Right: ARC, Trade HC, Barnes & Noble Trade HC, Target Trade HC, Large Print HC, BCE, CD, UK HC, UK Tpbk
This should have been posted ages ago but Target pulled a fast one on me and despite my having pre-ordered thier signed edition by months and using a legit CC, they finally told me my CC was bad and the book was no longer available. So, I had to pay a premium through ABE Books to get a copy. 🙁

Complete Worlds of IF now online @ the Internet Archive

February 28, 2016

You can check out the whole collection and read tons of amazing SF or you can zoom in on the issues containing “Dreambird,” “In the Shield,” and “Where the Beast Runs” if you don’t have the pleasure of owning print copies.
Worlds of IF January 1969 Worlds of IF July 1969 Worlds of IF September 1968

Rik Hoskin Talks Zombie Army In Frankenstein: Storm Surge #5

February 28, 2016

Erik Mona, writer of Pathfinder: Hollow Mountain #4, talks with writer Rik Hoskinabout Frankenstein: Storm Surge #5, both on sale this week from Dynamite. Art by Andres Ponce
ERIK MONA: Frankenstein: Storm Surge #5 starts with an army of zombies attacking the city during a storm. What are some of your favorite zombie influences, and how did they inspire the action in this issue?
RIK HOSKIN: My favorite zombie movie is Shivers directed by David Cronenberg, which has a nightmarish sense of mounting oppressiveness. That sense that you’re surrounded and completely on your own is a core fear, I think, and one that is carried through the best zombie fiction, extending to the fringes of the genre — stuff like Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend and Daniel A. Wilson’s Robopocalypse. My biggest influence for Frankenstein: Storm Surge, however, was picking up on the story and, crucially, style that outgoing writer Chuck Dixon had set in motion.

Read the full interview @ Bleeding Cool.

Dean Koontz's $10 million devotion to dogs helping disabled feel his same joy

February 28, 2016

He needed a small favor.
Who knew it would change his life?
Best-selling author Dean Koontz is describing how he and his wife came to donate more than $10 million to a worthy cause.
In 1988, Koontz was doing research for his book “Midnight.” He wanted to include a character in a wheelchair with a service dog named Moose, so he called the team members at Canine Companions for Independence in Oceanside and asked for help.
They invited him down and explained how they trained dogs for people with disabilities.
“Midnight” went on to become Koontz’s first No. 1 best-seller, and Canine Companions went on to offer him a retired service dog.
“We’re too busy,” he replied.
He’d always loved dogs, but he was writing several books a year.
“I knew having a dog was like having a child,” he says. “You need to devote a lot of time to it.”

Read the full story @ The Orange County Register.

Phone Call From the Dead?

February 28, 2016

From Katherine Ramsland:

When I interviewed Dean Koontz for abiography(link is external) about his life and work, he told me a number of interesting stories. The following one is appropriate for a spooky fall season blog:
On September 20, 1988, Dean had an experience that he would not write about for nearly a decade, but he claimed it in his essay for Beautiful Death as his one possible encounter with evidence for life after death.

Read the full story @ PsychologyToday.com.

Double Murder Ep 64: High Tension vs. Intensity

February 28, 2016

Danny! and Tim are joined by Ryan Oliver of Deathblow Productions to talk about a very curious pair of films on this month’s episode of Double Murder: High Tension vs. Intensity!
High Tension (2003) is Alexandre Aja’s breakout slasher film. While the well-known twist can be very polarizing among horror fans, it is still a highly respected and launched Aja’s career. In it, a young woman finds herself stalking a killer who has taken her friend captive and murdered her family. It features some impressive and inventive kill scenes and lush cinematography.
Intensity (1997), though, is not as highly respected. It was a 2-part made-for-TV movie based off a book by Dean Koontz. It is notable in that it it stars Molly Parker and John C McGinley (who puts on an IMPRESSIVE performance as the antagonist), but other than that, it is a not particularly well-aged artifact of the 90’s. So why would we bother to review it here?
Because High Tension and Intensity have the same plot. Almost exactly.
Is this a case of horror plagiarism? Tune in to DOUBLE MURDER to learn more.

Fear Nothing in latest Humble Comic Bundle

February 21, 2016

Looking for a digital copy of the Fear Nothing graphic novel along with a whole bunch of other digital comics for a great price. Check out the latest Humble Comic Bundle from Dynamite.

Dean Koontz's $10 million devotion to dogs helping disabled feel his same joy

February 14, 2016

He needed a small favor.
Who knew it would change his life?
Best-selling author Dean Koontz is describing how he and his wife came to donate more than $10 million to a worthy cause.
In 1988, Koontz was doing research for his book “Midnight.” He wanted to include a character in a wheelchair with a service dog named Moose, so he called the team members at Canine Companions for Independence in Oceanside and asked for help.
They invited him down and explained how they trained dogs for people with disabilities.
“Midnight” went on to become Koontz’s first No. 1 best-seller, and Canine Companions went on to offer him a retired service dog.

Read the full article @ The Orange County Register.

I Get You, Dean Koontz

January 31, 2016

Dean Koontz: Here are 7 books everyone should read

January 31, 2016

Intellectuals The first three are:

“Intellectuals” by Paul Johnson. The British historian tells the horrific and darkly funny personal stories of a dozen famous intellectuals, making the case that such people should never be in positions of power.
“A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens. A hugely entertaining novel that explores the human toll when bad ideas and envy inspire the madness of crowds.
“Something Wicked This Way Comes” by Ray Bradbury. A little stylistic masterpiece, a joyful celebration of the human spirit and of the English language.

Head on over to The Orange County Register for the rest of the list.

Bad Science Fiction Covers

January 25, 2016

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Check out the cover that made the WTF Bad Science Fiction Covers tumblr a few days ago. Bonus points if you can name the Koontz story contained within without looking it up.

Register Book Club Event Recording

January 17, 2016

Dean did a live event for the Orange County Register Book Club on 14 January 2016. Thankfully the event was both live-streamed and recorded so assuming you couldn’t make it you can watch it right here.

Rik Hoskin Talks About Victor Frankenstein Being Morally Adrift

January 17, 2016

Rik Hoskin is working on two books for Dynamite, Cage Hero and Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein: Storm Surge. Byron Brewer caught up with the writer to talk about the latter of the two and what it’s like working with a Horror Master. Cover art by Andres Ponce
BYRON BREWER: Rik, how does it feel being able to play and create in Dean Koontz’s world?
RIK HOSKIN: Simply — wow! Dean Koontz is a colossus of the horror genre and it’s been an honor to work with him. I read his Frankenstein book series when it came out a few years ago and I was fascinated by the premise. Getting the chance to create some new material within that set up has been amazing. Sure, I came a little late to the party, but, man, what a party!