Most mainstream readers had been waiting a long time for the two books coming out in 2013. Early the year before, news leaked that publisher Hard Case Crime would release a new book called Joyland as a paperback original, just in time for summer. Anticipation was cautiously high; reviews of King’s last book with the publisher, 2005’s The Colorado Kid, were mixed. Readers seemed far more eager for a book King announced way back in 2009; Doctor Sleep, King’s long-gestating sequel to 1977’s The Shining, was due to arrive in late fall. But beyond these splashy new novels, King was as busy as usual, writing and publishing at a frantic (some might say lunatic) pace. King launched the year doing something that was becoming a trend: unearthing long-buried work from the past and bringing it into the light. “The Glass Floor” first appeared in the sixth issue of Robert A.
- 12/18/2013
- by Kevin Quigley
- FEARnet
[For anther perspective on this historic collection, read Blu Gilliand's review of Turn Down the Lights here.] In October of 2013 – mere months ago – editor Richard Chizmar spontaneously decided he wanted to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Cemetery Dance magazine with an anthology, and that he wanted to bring his friends in horror along with him. The fact that, in mere weeks, Chizmar was able to assemble a collection that included new work from writers like Stephen King, Jack Ketchum, Peter Straub, and Clive Barker, merely cements the ongoing importance and vitality of Cemetery Dance. Turn Down the Lights functions as both a celebration and a summation; aptly, quite a few of these stories are about endings, quiet and loud. Stephen King’s “Summer Thunder” kicks things off with a bleak slice of post-apocalypse. While King has been exploring the end of the world for six decades now – from 1969’s Stand prologue “Night Surf” to, most recently, 2008’s “Graduation Afternoon” – he continues to find new angles of interest.
- 12/6/2013
- by Kevin Quigley
- FEARnet
In December of 1988, Richard Chizmar decided to publish a horror magazine called Cemetery Dance. A few months later, he did. In October of 2013, Chizmar decided to publish an anthology called Turn Down the Lights celebrating the 25th anniversary of the magazine. A couple of months later, he has. Chizmar, clearly, is not the kind of guy to back away from a challenge. It’s that kind of attitude that’s enabled him to build a veritable empire on the foundation of that first issue of Cemetery Dance, and to turn that unlikely name into a recognizable, trustworthy brand. That first issue of Cemetery Dance featured a lot of names new to the horror genre, some of whom would go on to carve out big careers, some of whom would fade into obscurity. There are no obscure names in Turn Down the Lights – this is the cream of the horror crop,...
- 12/3/2013
- by Blu Gilliand
- FEARnet
Cemetery Dance has announced a brand new anthology coming this December featuring original horror short stories by several of our favorite authors. Read on for the details.
All the info you need is below; visit Cemetery Dance's online store to order your copy.
From the Press Release:
We're pleased to announce a Top Secret surprise addition to our December publication slate, Turn Down the Lights edited by Richard Chizmar, and the trade hardcover edition is already rolling at the printer!
This brand new anthology features original horror stories by Stephen King, Norman Partridge, Jack Ketchum, Brian James Freeman, Bentley Little, Ed Gorman, Ronald Kelly, Steve Rasnic Tem, Clive Barker, and Peter Straub that capture the genuine love of the genre that pushes Cemetery Dance Publications forward year after year.
This exciting new anthology will be published in three states including a trade hardcover for general readers (shipping in December) and...
All the info you need is below; visit Cemetery Dance's online store to order your copy.
From the Press Release:
We're pleased to announce a Top Secret surprise addition to our December publication slate, Turn Down the Lights edited by Richard Chizmar, and the trade hardcover edition is already rolling at the printer!
This brand new anthology features original horror stories by Stephen King, Norman Partridge, Jack Ketchum, Brian James Freeman, Bentley Little, Ed Gorman, Ronald Kelly, Steve Rasnic Tem, Clive Barker, and Peter Straub that capture the genuine love of the genre that pushes Cemetery Dance Publications forward year after year.
This exciting new anthology will be published in three states including a trade hardcover for general readers (shipping in December) and...
- 11/13/2013
- by Debi Moore
- DreadCentral.com
To commemorate twenty-five years of Cemetery Dance magazine, they’ll be releasing a new book of short stories. Titled Turn Down the Lights, the book will feature new original stories from Clive Barker, Stephen King, Peter Straub, and more:
“It was December 1988: George Bush had just defeated Michael Dukakis in the Presidential Election. Pitcher Orel Hershiser and the Los Angeles Dodgers had beaten the Oakland A’s in five games to win the World Series. People were waiting in line at movie theaters to watch Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man. Tom Clancy’s The Cardinal of the Kremlin and Anne Rice’s The Queen of the Damnedwere atop the bestseller lists. The most acclaimed genre books of the year were Thomas Harris’s The Silence of the Lambs and Peter Straub’s Koko.
And twenty-two year old college student Richard Chizmar had just published the premiere...
“It was December 1988: George Bush had just defeated Michael Dukakis in the Presidential Election. Pitcher Orel Hershiser and the Los Angeles Dodgers had beaten the Oakland A’s in five games to win the World Series. People were waiting in line at movie theaters to watch Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man. Tom Clancy’s The Cardinal of the Kremlin and Anne Rice’s The Queen of the Damnedwere atop the bestseller lists. The most acclaimed genre books of the year were Thomas Harris’s The Silence of the Lambs and Peter Straub’s Koko.
And twenty-two year old college student Richard Chizmar had just published the premiere...
- 11/12/2013
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
I was fortunate to read a small mountain of amazing fiction in 2012, but 2013 has the potential to top it with ease. In addition to the books listed below (which I would not be surprised to find sitting in my Top 10 at year’s end), there’s plenty of stuff coming by authors I’ve just discovered, not to mention all of the surprises that the year no doubt holds. In other words, we’ve got a lot to look forward to – here’s just a taste of what I’m anticipating as the new year approaches.
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (April 30) (William Morrow)
Joe Hill continues to solidify his voice with each passing project, and what I’ve read about NOS4A2 leads me to believe he’s fully embracing his horrific roots while putting his own gleeful spin on the genre’s tropes. The book is about Charlie Manx,...
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (April 30) (William Morrow)
Joe Hill continues to solidify his voice with each passing project, and what I’ve read about NOS4A2 leads me to believe he’s fully embracing his horrific roots while putting his own gleeful spin on the genre’s tropes. The book is about Charlie Manx,...
- 1/1/2013
- by Blu Gilliand
- FEARnet
It’s a well-known fact that James Patterson does not actually write his books. He collaborates with other authors, writing outlines –he claims about 80 pages or so- that these said collaborators then flesh out into full length novels. Patterson enjoys the lion shares of the profits and the fame that comes with it. Meanwhile, the real writers get little in way of money, though some eventually get book deals of their own. Back in 2004, horror writer Dean Koontz –someone I’ve always considered a second-rate Stephen King- was developing an idea with science fiction author Kevin J. Anderson and the USA network to create a modern day version of Frankenstein. Koontz withdrew from the project over creative differences eventually with the network, but the production continued in a different direction with similar characters and a modified plot. Much like Patterson, Koontz worked on the outlines he created with Anderson and together,...
- 10/17/2012
- by spaced-odyssey
- doorQ.com
In 2009, editor Christopher Conlon compiled a creatively ambitious anthology: He is Legend, published by Gauntlet Press, featured sixteen stories either based upon or inspired by the fiction of horror legend Richard Matheson. The credits are impressive to anyone with a passing knowledge of horror fiction luminaries – Nancy Collins, Ed Gorman, William Nolan, and more – but the major draw was the first published collaboration between Stephen King and his son, bestselling writer Joe Hill. Their story, "Throttle," takes its inspiration from Matheson's powerful novella, Duel, and like Duel, it's a story involving a conflict between big and little vehicles … but that's where the stories...
- 2/2/2012
- FEARnet
Fans of poker might be a little disappointed if they checked out the 2009 thriller (semi "horror film") “The Poker Club” expecting something like “Rounders”. Fortunately, some might be happy to find plenty of twists and turns in the flick.
The basic plot bypasses some of the typical horror movie cliches and settings (such as the disastrous Halloween II by Rob Zombie) and manages to turn a production with a very low budget into a surprisingly entertaining film.
Based on the novel by Ed Gorman, “The Poker Club” follows four friends ( Aaron, Curtis, Bill, and Neal) as they find themselves caught up in a dangerous situation that quickly spirals out of control when Curtis accidentally kills an intruder during their weekly poker game. They clumsily dispose of the body and swear to never reveal what happened, hoping that out-of-sight, out-of-mind does the trick. Unfortunately for them a mysterious stranger knows their deadly secret as well,...
The basic plot bypasses some of the typical horror movie cliches and settings (such as the disastrous Halloween II by Rob Zombie) and manages to turn a production with a very low budget into a surprisingly entertaining film.
Based on the novel by Ed Gorman, “The Poker Club” follows four friends ( Aaron, Curtis, Bill, and Neal) as they find themselves caught up in a dangerous situation that quickly spirals out of control when Curtis accidentally kills an intruder during their weekly poker game. They clumsily dispose of the body and swear to never reveal what happened, hoping that out-of-sight, out-of-mind does the trick. Unfortunately for them a mysterious stranger knows their deadly secret as well,...
- 11/22/2011
- by admin
- MoreHorror
Martin Harry Greenberg, the leading anthologist and packager of short science fiction, fantasy, and superhero prose stories, and senior editor of Tekno Comix, died at his home in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Saturday. He was 70.
Marty’s output was staggering– here’s one partial list of the books that he actually received credit on, and here’s another. Notice how little overlap there is between the two lists, and there are hundreds more where he did back end editorial, production, or most often financial work. Marty’s packaging company, Tekno Books, produced over 2,000 books since its creation, with more than 55 New York Times bestselling authors. His collaborators have included the likes of Tom Clancy, Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts, Deepak Chopra, Robert Silverberg, Jane Yolen, Esther Friesner, Ed Gorman, and the late Isaac Asimov. In the 90s, he lent his corporate name and expertise to Tekno Comix. He packaged the Further...
Marty’s output was staggering– here’s one partial list of the books that he actually received credit on, and here’s another. Notice how little overlap there is between the two lists, and there are hundreds more where he did back end editorial, production, or most often financial work. Marty’s packaging company, Tekno Books, produced over 2,000 books since its creation, with more than 55 New York Times bestselling authors. His collaborators have included the likes of Tom Clancy, Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts, Deepak Chopra, Robert Silverberg, Jane Yolen, Esther Friesner, Ed Gorman, and the late Isaac Asimov. In the 90s, he lent his corporate name and expertise to Tekno Comix. He packaged the Further...
- 6/26/2011
- by Glenn Hauman
- Comicmix.com
Jeani Rector, Amber Benson, Sarah Langan, Sarah Pinborough among British Fantasy Award 2010 nominees
Among the The British Fantasy Society Award 2010 nominees are Jeani Rector, Amber Benson, Sarah Langan and Sarah Pinborough, as well as an awesome number of female horror, fantasy, and sci-fi authors.
Rector's The Horrorzine, a monthly ezine that features some of the best horror and fantasy authors of today, as well as fantastic up-and-coming and established artists. Founded in 2009, The Horrorzine has quickly established a reputation as an e-publication that truly delivers...
Jeani Rector, editor of The Horrorzine, says, "Back in early 2009, I started noticing that a lot of ezines were going defunct. The places where people could submit fiction were becoming fewer, seemingly every day. When even The Harrow took a hiatus, I knew somebody had to fill the gap. Why not me?
And then I decided, why limit it to fiction? Why not add poetry and artwork as well?
So in July 2009, I began The Horror Zine. The...
Rector's The Horrorzine, a monthly ezine that features some of the best horror and fantasy authors of today, as well as fantastic up-and-coming and established artists. Founded in 2009, The Horrorzine has quickly established a reputation as an e-publication that truly delivers...
Jeani Rector, editor of The Horrorzine, says, "Back in early 2009, I started noticing that a lot of ezines were going defunct. The places where people could submit fiction were becoming fewer, seemingly every day. When even The Harrow took a hiatus, I knew somebody had to fill the gap. Why not me?
And then I decided, why limit it to fiction? Why not add poetry and artwork as well?
So in July 2009, I began The Horror Zine. The...
- 4/1/2010
- by asharceneaux
- Planet Fury
Dean Koontz's "Frankenstein" series is getting a big-screen adaptation! There are three titles in the series, with a fourth one coming this Spring.
Variety is saying that Ralph Winter and Terry Botwick have acquired feature rights to the series.
A Wikipedia listing chronicles the series' evolution:
Dean Koontz's Frankenstein is the collective title of three novels co-written by Dean Koontz. Though technically of the mystery or thriller genres, the novels also feature the trappings of horror, fantasy, and science fiction.
The first trilogy has been published: Prodigal Son, co-written with Kevin J. Anderson, was published in 2004; City of Night, co-written with Ed Gorman, was published in 2005; and Dead and Alive, written without a co-writer, was released on July 28, 2009. (At the same time that the final novel's authorship was confirmed, having previously been slated as by Dean Koontz & Ed Gorman, Koontz's 'collaborators' on the earlier novels were retrospectively removed as co-authors,...
Variety is saying that Ralph Winter and Terry Botwick have acquired feature rights to the series.
A Wikipedia listing chronicles the series' evolution:
Dean Koontz's Frankenstein is the collective title of three novels co-written by Dean Koontz. Though technically of the mystery or thriller genres, the novels also feature the trappings of horror, fantasy, and science fiction.
The first trilogy has been published: Prodigal Son, co-written with Kevin J. Anderson, was published in 2004; City of Night, co-written with Ed Gorman, was published in 2005; and Dead and Alive, written without a co-writer, was released on July 28, 2009. (At the same time that the final novel's authorship was confirmed, having previously been slated as by Dean Koontz & Ed Gorman, Koontz's 'collaborators' on the earlier novels were retrospectively removed as co-authors,...
- 2/16/2010
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Author Dean Koontz has penned a series of books presenting a revisionist take on Frankenstein, which places the monster in modern New Orleans and incorporates some elements from Poe and detective fiction. (Or: he's partially penned a take, as the first book was co-written with Kevin J. Anderson and the second with Ed Gorman, though those credits don't seem to be on current editions of the books.) Now the books may be used as raw material to spawn at least one feature. Variety reports that Ralph Winter (X-Men, Fantastic Four and Planet of the Apes producer) and Terry Botwick are developing Koontz's take on the monster through 1019 Entertainment. They're thinking "franchise" as the author has three Frankenstein books on shelves already, with a fourth on the way this year and two more planned. The project actually has an odd history. With Kevin J Anderson, Koontz developed the idea as fodder...
- 2/16/2010
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
With Guillermo Del Toro's hands full with The Hobbit for the forseeable, it looks like the next Frankenstein adaptation we get will be based on Prodigal Son, the first in a series of novels by Dean Koontz. Far from being a straight take on Mary Shelley's original, Koontz's Frankenstein series (the first was co-written with Kevin J Anderson and the second with Ed Gorman) sees two modern-day New Orleans detectives on the hunt for a serial killer known as The Surgeon. This peaks the interest of low-key monster Deucalion* who suspects the handiwork of his creator, and dedicates himself to battling his evil. Later instalments see Frankenstein cypher Viktor Helios (just don't call him Froonk-oon-shteen) unleashing an army of engineered undead. As if New Orleans hadn't had enough to contend with recently.Producers Ralph Winter and Terry Botwick have their eye on a franchise, and are developing the project with 1019 Entertainment.
- 2/16/2010
- EmpireOnline
Even though writer/actor Johnathon Schaech may have initially hit the Hollywood scene in 1995 with his performance in That Thing You Do!, it’s his latest string of performances and writing contributions in the horror field that demonstrates he has what it takes to keep himself working consistently.
In fact, this week alone Schaech is featured in two different horror releases. In the first film, Laid to Rest (review), Schaech is featured in a supporting role where his character suffers one of the more creative knife-induced kills at the hands of serial killer ChromeSkull. The second movie, Sony Pictures The Poker Club (review), Schaech both starred in the film as well as penned the screenplay adaptation of the Ed Gorman novel.
Schaech explained, “The Poker Club is basically a story about a group of guys who regularly get together for their poker nights. One night, a burglar breaks in during...
In fact, this week alone Schaech is featured in two different horror releases. In the first film, Laid to Rest (review), Schaech is featured in a supporting role where his character suffers one of the more creative knife-induced kills at the hands of serial killer ChromeSkull. The second movie, Sony Pictures The Poker Club (review), Schaech both starred in the film as well as penned the screenplay adaptation of the Ed Gorman novel.
Schaech explained, “The Poker Club is basically a story about a group of guys who regularly get together for their poker nights. One night, a burglar breaks in during...
- 4/24/2009
- by thehorrorchick
- DreadCentral.com
If there's one thing you remember about actor-filmmaker Jonathan Schaech, it's that good-lookin' face of his. Adoring fans know him as the hot-but-pretty-crazy killer from Prom Night or the saucy-but-overly-cocky fireman in Quarantine. This time around, however, Schaech is turning his cheek and showing us his best poker face in the film adaptation of Ed Gorman's The Poker Club (which Schaech co-scripted) in which he plays a card-playing family guy that gets wrapped up in a really horrific situation. In the following interview with Schaech, he tells us about his latest role, his love for Stephen King novels, his work on scripting King's From a Buick 8 and even how he tried to nab the role of the...
- 4/23/2009
- FEARnet
Badass producer-director Mark Steensland and screenwriter Rick Hautala have acquired the screen rights to James Newman’s forthcoming novel Animosity via their newly formed Chang Shao Trading Company shingle, and we've got the first heads-up on what to expect.
This will mark the duo’s first feature collaboration, having previously made a string of successful short films (including Lovecraft’s Pillow, based on a Stephen King idea, Dead@17, based on Josh Howard’s graphic novel series now in development with producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Peekers, which collected five awards in more than 25 festival appearances and The Ugly File, based on the Ed Gorman story). Steensland and Hautala also have a Web series in development with Electric Farm Entertainment, producers of Rosario Dawson starrer Gemini Division. These cats are busy, man! Check out Mark Steensland's website to dig on some of the aforementioned goods!
Scheduled for publication in mid-2009 from Necessary Evil Press,...
This will mark the duo’s first feature collaboration, having previously made a string of successful short films (including Lovecraft’s Pillow, based on a Stephen King idea, Dead@17, based on Josh Howard’s graphic novel series now in development with producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Peekers, which collected five awards in more than 25 festival appearances and The Ugly File, based on the Ed Gorman story). Steensland and Hautala also have a Web series in development with Electric Farm Entertainment, producers of Rosario Dawson starrer Gemini Division. These cats are busy, man! Check out Mark Steensland's website to dig on some of the aforementioned goods!
Scheduled for publication in mid-2009 from Necessary Evil Press,...
- 4/13/2009
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
The covers for several assorted DVDs we’ve told you about over the past few weeks have recently cropped up, and we figured we’d show them to you all in one place (i.e., below the cut). A new title has come up as well: Lost Treasure Of The Grand Canyon, a Sci Fi Channel creature feature that Anchor Bay releases May 26.
In that movie, Shannen Doherty and Michael Shanks star as two of a group of archaeological researchers who travel deep into the titular natural landmark in search of the father of Doherty’s character. There they encounter not only an ancient tribe that likes to dabble in human sacrifice, but a mythical monster that also enjoys snacking on people. With no special features announced, the disc retails for $19.97.
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In that movie, Shannen Doherty and Michael Shanks star as two of a group of archaeological researchers who travel deep into the titular natural landmark in search of the father of Doherty’s character. There they encounter not only an ancient tribe that likes to dabble in human sacrifice, but a mythical monster that also enjoys snacking on people. With no special features announced, the disc retails for $19.97.
{rokbox size=|400 530| title=|DVD cover art| album=|losttreasureetcdvds|}images/stories/news/losttreasureetcdvdartnews1.jpg{/rokbox}{rokbox size=|400 530| title=|DVD cover...
- 3/5/2009
- Fangoria
Update: We've just received the front and back package art. See below! Tim McCann's tale of revenge, The Poker Club , was picked up by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and will debut on DVD April 21st. Here Johnathan Schaech ( Quarantine ) and Richard Chizmar adapt the Ed Gorman novel of the same name; Schaech also leads the cast which includes Johnny Messner ( Believers ), Loren Dean ("Bones") and Lori Heuring ( Prom Night ). Synopsis: For years, Aaron Tyler has been getting together with his three best friends Monday nights to play poker. But tonight, everything is about to change forever when the men accidentally kill a burglar who's broken into Aaron's house. Fearing the consequences, Aaron and his friends dispose of the corpse and agree to take the secret to...
- 3/3/2009
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Fango got the tip that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release the psychological thriller The Poker Club on DVD. It’s the first produced film based on a novel by genre author Ed Gorman.
Directed by Nowhere Man’s Tim McCann and scripted by actor Johnathon Schaech and Cemetery Dance founder/editor Richard Chizmar (who also penned Masters Of Horror’s The Washingtonians, Fear Itself’S Eater and the upcoming Stephen King film From A Buick 8), the movie stars Schaech, Anacondas: The Hunt For The Blood Orchid’s Johnny Messner, Loren Dean and Michael Risley as four friends who are interrupted by a burglar one night during their weekly card game. They accidentally kill the intruder, and their attempts to cover up the crime only make things worse for them. The cast also includes Judy Reyes, Lori Heuring and Jana Kramer (the latter two of whom also appeared opposite...
Directed by Nowhere Man’s Tim McCann and scripted by actor Johnathon Schaech and Cemetery Dance founder/editor Richard Chizmar (who also penned Masters Of Horror’s The Washingtonians, Fear Itself’S Eater and the upcoming Stephen King film From A Buick 8), the movie stars Schaech, Anacondas: The Hunt For The Blood Orchid’s Johnny Messner, Loren Dean and Michael Risley as four friends who are interrupted by a burglar one night during their weekly card game. They accidentally kill the intruder, and their attempts to cover up the crime only make things worse for them. The cast also includes Judy Reyes, Lori Heuring and Jana Kramer (the latter two of whom also appeared opposite...
- 2/2/2009
- Fangoria
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