Latest Posts
Darkfall trade paperback
September 6, 2014
The $16.00 trade paperback reprint of Darkfall was released on Tuesday.
Please do not pay this much for Dean's autograph!
September 1, 2014
I recently stumbled upon HistoryForSale.com which bills itself as “the autograph and manuscript leader.” I will say that it has a lot of autographs available for purchase. When it comes to items signed by Dean, there are currently three: a “typescript with the opening lines of his 1991 best-selling novel Cold Fire” (which looks to be a neatly removed first page of the novel,) and two “autograph” pages (1,2) each with Dean’s simple answers to four questions (like “what’s your favorite movie,”) and his autograph. For each of these items the site is asking $629, $899, and $899 respectively. And those are the “sale” prices.
Seriously folks, Dean’s autograph is not hard to come by. Granted, he doesn’t tour but his autograph is hardly a rarity. If you want something signed by Dean, do a simple eBay search. You’ll spend a lot less, and you’ll probably get a whole book out of the deal.
Bookstore specializes in author signings and first printings
August 31, 2014
Nestled between Fowler’s Gun Room and an antique coin shop on Tustin Street in Orange, first impressions paint Book Carnival as a quaint hole-in-the-wall bookstore.
But for mystery and suspense readers, it is hallowed ground.
In 1992, Michael Connelly held a signing for his first book, “Black Ice,” in the 1,800-square-foot store. He’s returned annually ever since.
Dean Koontz held his first signing at Book Carnival in 2001 and has returned multiple times…
The full article is at The Orange County Register Web site but good luck reading it as it’s behind a paywall.
Dean Contributes to Silent Auction Supporting The Lakewood Playhouse
August 31, 2014
Lakewood Playhouse’s 2014 Silent Auction features over 40 signed novels by some of the world’s greatest authors of crime fiction.
“We try to do something special with our Silent Auction every season,” said Managing Artistic Director, JOHN MUNN, “And this year is no exception.”
Thanks to Board President, Harlan Zinck, the Lakewood Playhouse has acquired signed novels by some of the World’s Greatest Authors working in Crime Fiction.
We will be running a Silent Auction throughout the run of Agatha Christie‘s “And Then There Were None” (September 12th through October 12th, 2014) with the much sought-after books going to the highest bidder!
Just some of the highlights of from the forty-plus Authors in the auction include Signed Copies of Novels by: Simon Brett, Jim Butcher, Lee Child, Lindsay Davis, Nelson DeMille, Earl Emerson, Janet Evanovich, Gillian Flynn, Charlaine Harris, J.A. Jance, Dean Koontz, Sara Paretsky and Scott Turow.
Read the full article @ Broadway World Seattle.
Koontz’s Latest: Lyrical, Tragic, and Brilliant
August 31, 2014
One of the many things I love about Dean Koontz is the breadth of his artistic pallet. Your average bestselling writer (and I do the same though I’m not a bestseller) will keep doing the thing that made him famous, over and over. And the public likes it most of the time.
Koontz improvises. He tries stuff. He can write horror or fantasy or mystery. He can be funny, or heartbreaking, or profound, or terrifying. The City, his latest, is mostly a fusion of the lyrical and the tragic.
Read the full review @ The American Culture.
Recent Watchers Review
August 31, 2014
Dean Koontz first came to the public’s attention in the early 1970s. He was originally considered a science-fiction author (his 1975 far-future Nightmare Journey contains talking evolved descendents of animals), but he soon established a reputation as one of the leading authors of horror/suspense fiction with s-f, fantasy, or supernatural elements.
Watchers, his most popular novel, straddles the border between science-fiction and “realistic” suspense fiction involving genetic engineering. In a detailed analysis in Critical Companions to Popular Contemporary Writers (1996), Joan G. Kotker argues that it is a successful combination of science-fiction, suspense, a technothriller, a love story, a police procedural, gangster fiction and:
… overriding all of this, an inspiring dog story whose suspense is based on a series of threats to a very special dog.
Read the full review @ flayrah.com.
The City Sweepstakes
August 31, 2014
Have you entered yet?
The strange case of the Wilderness & Other Stories release date
August 29, 2014
March 22, 2014:
I order my copy of the Wilderness and Other Stories MP3-CD on Amazon.com. The release date is listed as September 9, 2014 but the order confirmation says:
Your estimated delivery date is:
We’ll notify you via e-mail when we have an estimated delivery date for this item.
August 21, 2014:
Amazon sends me a delivery update which says:
Your new estimated delivery date is:
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
August 26, 2014:
My item has been shipped. Accordingly I’m told:
Your estimated delivery date is:
Thursday, August 28, 2014
August 27, 2014:
I get another delivery update which says:
New Delivery Estimate: September 04, 2014
August 27, 2014:
My package arrives.
August 29, 2014 (today):
Amazon’s page still lists September 9, 2014 as the release date.
Really, what am I supposed to list as the publication date for this item in the book? Here are my options:
- September 9, 2014, the “official ” release date according to Amazon, oh, and the Brilliance Web site too.
- August 28, 2014, based on the fact that pre-ordered items shipped via two-day shipping, generally arrive on their release date.
- August 27th, 2014, the day I got it, one day after it was shipped via two-day shipping.
Argh!
October Dreams 2 — Last Chance to Order the SIGNED Trade Hardcover!
August 29, 2014
This weekend will be your last chance to order SIGNED copies of the TRADE HARDCOVER of October Dreams II edited by Richard Chizmar & Robert Morrish, the long-awaited follow up to one of the most acclaimed Halloween anthologies ever!
The editors will be making time to personally sign these trade hardcovers and since neither of them do many book signings or conventions these days, it’s likely you’ll never have another chance to get your book signed by them! Order the special signed trade hardcover on the October Dreams II page before time runs out!
Featuring Ray Bradbury, Dean Koontz, Robert McCammon, Robert Bloch, Stewart O’Nan, Glen Hirshberg, Joe R. Lansdale, Al Sarrantonio, Whitley Strieber, Lisa Morton, Matthew Costello, Elizabeth Massie, and dozens of others, this oversized volume will contain spooky Halloween short fiction, dozens of authors and artists recalling their own personal memories of Halloween, and essays detailing the “history” of Halloween.
Many of the contributing authors will also autograph the signed editions, which we don’t expect will last long considering the popularity of the original October Dreams and the low print runs we have planned for these special editions!
About the Book:
The long-awaited follow up to one of the most acclaimed Halloween anthologies ever! This oversized volume will contain spooky Halloween short stories, dozens of authors and artists recalling their own personal memories of Halloween, and essays detailing the “history” of Halloween. Many of the contributing authors will also autograph the signed editions, which we don’t expect will last long considering the popularity of the original October Dreams and the low print runs we have planned for these special editions.
via Cemetery Dance.
Wilderness and Other Stories delivery date changes again
August 25, 2014
And this morning Amazon tells me “New Delivery Estimate: September 02, 2014.” 😛
Barb's Bookshelf: The City
August 23, 2014
Jonah Kirk is eight years old when we meet him, and his personality and insightfulness is similar to that of Odd Thomas. Jonah is the son of a wondrous singer still looking for her big break, and the grandson of an even more wonderful piano player. He loves the city, but not for its tall buildings, parks, and museums where he wanders, or the nightclubs where his mamma sings. He loves the city for its people.
Read the full review @ The Forest Blade.
Ben Affleck: He Really Was The Bomb In Phantoms!
August 23, 2014
The average Joe is Sheriff Bryce Hammond as portrayed by Ben Affleck. There’s a priceless throwaway line in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back where Affleck, as Holden McNeil, declares to Jay and Silent Bob that although he wasn’t impressed with Good Will Huntinghe thought that “Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms.” The reasons that I find myself watching bad movies are strange ones, indeed.
There is truth to that quote, however. Affleck really is the bomb inPhantoms. He’s one of the two characters, along with Liev Schrieber (who plays the creep card so well in this one but then again when has he not), who looks like they’re having any fun. He’s also the only character other than Joanna Going as the town doctor that keeps a clear head amidst the chaos.
Read the full article @ Moviepilot.
Darkfall trade paperback
August 23, 2014
This one managed to sneak up on me somehow: Berkley will be releasing a trade paperback edition of Darkfall on 9 September 2014 with a list price of $16.00.
Wilderness and Other Stories release date confusion
August 21, 2014
Amazon is still listing the release date for Wilderness and Other Stories on MP3-CD as September 9th. However on Tuesday Amazon told me my delivery date would be August 25th. Then today, they told me it would be August 27th. Yeah, I’m confused.
Ask Anna moved up
August 14, 2014
According to Amazon, Ask Anna is now coming out on Tuesday, October 7, 2014, instead of October 28th. Unfortunately, Amazon also says the book is currently unavailable for ordering. (Center Street is part of Hachette and is therefore stuck in the middle of the fight between Hachette & Amazon. Google it if you don’t know what I’m talking about.)
Korean Odd Thomas advertisements
August 13, 2014
Picked up this Korean one-sheet recently. Film ad on one side, books on the other. Those book covers are so cool, I’m now on the hunt for a set despite having no idea how to read Korean.
Kidnap insurance
August 12, 2014
I just read that many wealthy people buy kidnap insurance. Why would they want to ensure they'll be kidnapped?
— Dean Koontz (@deankoontz) August 12, 2014
Wilderness and Other Stories MP3-CD
August 11, 2014
This is due out on September 9, 2014. Here’s the details on what’s included:
“Wilderness,” a darkly intriguing short story first published as an e-book original, was written as prelude to Dean Koontz’s novel of mystery, suspense, and strange wonder—Innocence.
Twelve of the other fourteen short stories and novelettes included in this audio anthology were most recently reissued in a print collection entitled Strange Highways, published by Warner Books (1995). The other two—”The Scariest Thing I Know” (2000) first published in Martha Stewart Living magazine and “Hostage Situation” (2009) in The New York Times Summer Thriller series.
Only the short work “Down in the Darkness,” has ever been produced for audio.
From this description I could probably predict the titles of the unspecified titles based on the TOC of Strange Highways, but instead I think I’ll leave it for now and just post the 100% accurate version once I have a copy in hand.
Edible Dean Koontz books?
August 9, 2014
Someone in Titusville, PA made food based on a Dean Koontz book!
Benson Memorial Library wanted to be a part of the annual Oil Festival, so they threw their hat into the ring with the first ever “Incredible Edible Book Challenge,” and it was a hit with festival patrons.
The challenge, which took place outside the library on Friday evening, featured 13 edible works of art, based on a variety of books.
…
The adult top prize went to Nicole Schmidt, whose creation was based on “The Mask,” by Dean Koontz.
I do plan on trying to track down more details, hopefully photos. Read the full article @ The Titusville Herald.
Discuss the City
August 9, 2014
The site Book Browse has an online discussion, with starting questions, for The City. Check it out @ BookBrowse.com. (Free registration is required to participate.)
