The Official Newsletter of the Horror Writers Association

Volume 14/Issue 41 c September 2003 2 The Official HWA Newsletter

On the cover: Scarecrow Walking Tall Monster seen walking ... well, tall ... at the third annual Horrorfind Convention held recently.

Photo Credits: Cover, p. 10, p. 20, Sheri White; p. 3, Aric Steinberg; p. 9, Jen Orosel; p. 10, Ron Breznay.

In This Issue

Blood & Spades: Poets of the Dark Side ... p. 6 Horror in Oz ... p. 3

Calendar of Readings and Signings ... p. 5 How I Came to Horror ... p. 6

Camp NECon 2003 ... p. 9 HWA Contact Information ... p. 17

Changes, Changes, Changes ... p. 16 HWA Market Report #99 ... p. 12

Chapter News ... p. 3 Matthew’s Miles Update ... p. 17

Convention Listings ... p. 7 New England Chapter Signing ... p. 17

The Cutting Room ... p. 11 New Members and Upgrades to Active Status ... p. 16

The DVD Drawer ... p. 11 Notice to Members ... p. 5

Fiendish Endeavors ... p. 3 Toronto: Word on the Street ... p. 8

A Final Note From the Editor ... p. 17 2003 Bram Stoker Awards Recommendations ... p. 18

Horrorfind Weekend III ... p. 10 2003 World Fantasy Awards Final Ballot ... p.9

Officers Trustees PO Box 97 than 3 p.m. (my time) Copyright © 2003 Joseph R. Nassise John Pelan Newton NJ of that day. Horror Writers 07860 President Chairman October 2003 Issue - Association [email protected] Tim Lebbon Simon Clark Deadline: September 15 Nicholas Kaufmann Vice-President Newsletter Staff HWA Web site: Michael Laimo November 2003 Issue - Kathryn Ptacek, www.horror.org Patricia Lee Judi Rohrig Deadline: October 5 Macomber Editor (Please note this is an John B. Rosenman Newsletter Copy Secretary Robert Weinberg early deadline.) Watchung, the Deadlines: Nancy Etchemendy Douglas Winter Demonic Pumpkin Articles or columns, etc. Treasurer The Official—Accept No Official Editorial must be in my hands Substitutes—Newsletter Assistant by (preferably before) L L of the HWA these dates, no later Volume 14, Issue 41 — September 2003 3

about the industry, and—oh, yes—drink? Of course you don’t. Now Chapter News go forth and multiply. Will Ludwigsen Keep those news and announcements coming, folks! or those who didn’t read about my escape from the Jacksonville Golf Resort for the Criminally Insane, let me introduce myself: Horror in Oz FI’m Will Ludwigsen, your new chapter coordinator. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] for information about Aaron Sterns* finding or starting a chapter in your area or—even better—to NDEAD, the long-awaited Queensland zombie flick by debut provide information about your chapter’s nefarious deeds. writer/directors Peter and Michael Spierig, has won the J.V. Sanders reports a Hudson Valley chapter is slithering from UFipresci award for best new and emerging talent in the Asia- the primordial ooze. They’ll hold their first meeting on Saturday, Pacific region at the just-completed 52nd Melbourne International September 20 at the Storm King Art Center in Mountainville NY. Film Festival. The judges commended UNDEAD “for being everything Contact him at [email protected] for more information. Australian films are not supposed to be—part of a popular, For the Florida chapter, Borders is taking out extra insurance to disreputable genre.” Wildly inventive and rapturously received by prepare for October’s Halloween Horrorfest in Winter Park. For audiences at the festival, the film cost less than $AUS1million to more information, visit www.darkfluidity.com/halloween.htm, or make and took many years but has already been sold in twenty-one contact John Urbancik at [email protected]. countries and will soon be released theatrically in Australia and in The LA chapter hosted Barbara Ferrenz and Karen Taylor the US. on the California leg of their book signing tour, and they shared their CABIN FEVER, Eli Roth’s gory tribute to ’70s visceral horror, also wisdom about the craft and business of writing. Maria Alexander enjoyed huge audiences at the festival—one session boasting a post- says, “We would have cuffed them to the bar and kept them longer, viewing Q & A with the director that was almost as fun as the film! but alas, they had to return to San Diego. Major thanks to them both Demonstrating the passion for horror down-under, other films at the for spending time with us!” festival included: Lucy McKee’s disturbing MAY; Rob Zombie’s The LA chapter is also planning a Dark Poetry reading on HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES; Guy Maddin’s weird ballet DRACULA: September 20 at PAGES FROM A VIRGIN’S DIARY; FEAR X by Denmark’s Nicolas Medium Rare Books Winding Refn; a showing of NOSFERATU, accompanied by a live in Long Beach, as organ recital by composer Ernesto Corpus; DANS MA PEAU (IN MY well as a Halloween SKIN), LA VIE NOUVELLE, and DEMONLOVER, all from France; and the reading (starring claustrophobic and seemingly never-ending bloody Hong Kong film, Denise Dumars, HUO SHAO HONG LIAN SI (BURNING PARADISE). Weston Ochse, Australia retains its reputation as a viable alternative to Maria Alexander, Hollywood and Canada, with a number of projects either recently and Staci Layne shot here or mooted for the future. Melbourne and the sleepy country Wilson) on town of Creswick stood in for New England in the recent TNT November 1 at the miniseries remake of SALEM’S LOT, starring Rob Lowe and Donald Barnes & Noble in Sutherland. Also filmed in Melbourne in the last year were Manhattan Beach. Photo by Aric Steinberg DARKNESS FALLS, and EVIL NEVER DIES, a TV movie shot at On July 23, the Melbourne University. A TV series based on Clive Barker’s LORD Uncharacteristically for horror writers, New York City OF ILLUSIONS has also been slated for shooting in Australia, if the HWA LA chapter members Dan Hooker, chapter gathered at Scott MacScatha, Denise Dumars, Lori project is greenlit by Showtime. The 4th Street Bar * All the news comes from Aaron this month because he has his Nyx, and Maria Alexander (and Trog) in The Village (the find themselves in a bar. ear to the ground, while mine is still sewn firmly to my head. - Greenwich one, not Stephen Dedman THE PRISONER one) to meet and greet three guests: talented author and good friend Christopher Treagus, wunderkind of horror fiction David Fiendish Endeavors Sparks, and wandering gypsy Kelly Laymon. Adam Pepper Chris Kosarich crows, “Drinks were plentiful, fun was had by all, and Master Sparks wasn’t even IDed by the waitress!” ell, folks, it’s almost fall, and I don’t know about everyone On August 7, the New York Chapter was treated to a V.I.P. else (dumb statement, I know, considering we’re all horror writers!) but I am excited that cooler weather is just a screening of FREDDY VS. JASON, complements of Joseph Mauceri W of Fearsmag.com and the folks at New Line Cinema. month or so away and especially Halloween. To me, there isn’t a In early September, the New York chapter will violate parole for better, more inspiring, time of the year. But for most, if not all, of us, the New York release party of chapter leader Adam Pepper’s debut Halloween is 365 days a year! That’s what is so cool about writing novel, Memoria. Adam claims he’ll buy a round for every copy of his what we write, don’t you agree? Awright, enough of my blathering book that sells, so buy up and drink up! and on with this horror show! The Michigan chapter’s first meeting was August 12. We’ll have Ellen Datlow announces The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror: a full police blotter report in time for the next issue of the newsletter. Sixteenth Annual Collection, edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Michiganders Tim Curran, Steve Verge, and P.H. Mathis are Windling, was just released from St. Martin’s Press. As a side note, appearing in Hastur Pussycat, Kill Kill!!, available for purchase soon Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant take over the fantasy half from through Vox13.com and Shocklines.com. Terri for TYBF&H #17. Also, Ellen and Terri’s children’s fairy tale Don’t forget to check the HWA Chapters Web site (www. anthology, Swan Sister (Simon & Schuster Books for Young horror.org/private/handbook/chapters.htm) for more information Readers), is available in September. about starting a local chapter in your area. Our only hope of Bruce Boston has a slew of Fiendish Endeavors to report! spreading our disease among the population is to provide places in Shades & Illuminations, containing forty previously uncollected which it can fester. Do you really need an excuse to gather, dish poems, will be released online by Dark Illuminati in 2004. Accursed 4 The Official HWA Newsletter

Husbands, containing twelve poems in the series of the title, will be Keith Gouveia reports that his short story, “Red Wings,” will released as an illustrated chapbook by Sam’s Dot Publishing next appear in the Raging Horrormones anthology. Additionally, he will year. Additionally, Fictionwise will be releasing four more of his re- have stories in the Be Mine, Carnival of Horror, and Hauntings an- print stories, as well as his 1993 collection, Specula: Selected Un- thologies to be published by Cyber-Pulp in 2004. If you can’t wait uncollected Poems 1968–1993, as online eBooks. And if that wasn’t til then, his story “Soul Survivor” is showcased at the Camp Horror enough, he has also made the following poetry sales: seven poems to Web site: www.horrorseek.com/horror/camphorror/issue2 Weird Tales, six to Asimov’s SF. Other new poems sold and forth- august.html. At the same site, you can also find a column written by coming: in Strange Horizons, Flesh and Blood, Blood Rose, Penum- Keith. Go check it out! bric, Underworld, Erotic Fantasy, Yellow Bat Review, Crux, Wicked Alice Henderson’s short story, “String,” is currently available Wheels, F/SF, Mythic Delirium, The Magazine of Speculative Poetry, at Horrorfind. Go to www.horrorfind.com, click on Fiction, and then Dreams and Nightmare, Full Unit Hookup, Outposts of Beyond, click on “String” in the list of titles. TriSpec, Wyrdworm Woods, and Star*Line. Whew, Bruce! Michael A. Morel’s short story, “The Garden,” was accepted for Victor Heck’s short story, “Birthday Box,” has been sold to the the Monsters Ink anthology, published under his pseudo pen name, Sex Crimes anthology due out October 2003 from Boneyard and Michael Amorel. Chanting Monks Press. Visit www.boneyardpress.com for more info. Anthony Beal’s “What Nightmares May Come” makes its Jeff Strand’s giant killer ant novel, horrific appearance in the forthcoming Monsters Ink anthology. His Mandibles, has just been published in tale, “Fidem Meam Noto,” was recently accepted into the Be Mine paperback and hardcover by Mundania anthology, due to be released just in time for Valentine’s Day 2004. Press (www.mundania.com). Also, the Another forthcoming anthology, Erotic Fantasy: Tales of the movie rights to his novel, Graverobbers Paranormal, purchased his erotic-horror story, “The House That Wanted (No Experience Necessary), have Fuck Built.” Excerpts from “What Nightmares May Come” and “The been acquired by Local Talent Pro- House That Fuck Built” can be read at www.nightknight.net. uctions. Jeff will be writing the screen- Ken Goldman announces several stories recently accepted: In play. Good luck with that, Jeff! print, “Skin Flick” in the Erotic Tales anthology, “Thunderin Mungo” Steve Burt has sold another non- in the Monsters Ink anthology, “Bottom Feeder” in Raging horror story, “Unk’s Fiddle,” to Family Horrormones, “When Shadows Come” in Shadowland, “Only What’s Circle, tentatively scheduled for a fall On The Menu” in Thirteen Stories, and “The Snow Angel” in Tickled issue. For those of us horror writers that by Thunder’s Years Best Chapbook; and online, “Lady in Waiting” at don’t read Family Circle (gee, I can’t Horrorfind, “Going Potty” at The Dream People, and an article, imagine why?), his tale can be read at “Withdraw! Withdraw! Climbing Out of The Small Press Black Hole” his Web site, www.burtcreations.com. at Emporium Gazette. Lastly, his story, “Young Girls Are Coming to Tony Mileman’s in-depth interview with Simon Clark Ajo,” appears now in The Fear Within. (entitled: “Frightful Dreams: An Interview with Simon Clark”) is Ginger Whitehead’s short story, “Miss Trixie Bell’s Garden,” currently in the UK magazine, Here & Now magazine, Issue #3. has been accepted for the fall edition of the online magazine Also, his poem, “Fiend,” appears in the August Flesh and Blood Nevermore. (Issue #13). Perri Pagonis’ tale of genetic tampering, fast-food franchising, Amy Grech’s poem, “Rare Parts,” will appear in October Rush greed, panic, and guns, guns, guns, “Atomic Poultry,” will be posted (www.specficworld.com/rush.html), out August 15. at the House of Pain Web site (www.house-of-pain.com) in their fall Brian A. Hopkins is currently the Featured Author at Dark issue. Fluidity (www.darkfluidity.com); go check out his brand-new story, Matthew Warner is this month’s featured author at The “Roadkill,” as well as reviews of some of his previous work and a Murder Hole (www.themurderhole.com). Check out an interview, an lengthy, insightful interview. Also, his short story collection, Flesh excerpt of The Organ Donor, and a short story to cool you off in the Wounds (from Scorpius Digital Publishing), is now available in hot weather, “Snow Snakes.” multiple eBook formats, via Fictionwise (fictionwise.com). Doug Hewitt’s novel, Raising Walk in Shadows, Nicholas Kaufmann’s debut story collection Khane, is scheduled for publication in from Prime Books/House of Dominion, will be available in the near England by RazorBlade Press. Also, his future! Go to Shocklines.com for more details (store.yahoo.com/ story, “The Macabre Art Of Mason shocklines/wainshcostby.html). Greenfield,” will be torturing patients, Hertzan Chimera (aka Mike Philbin—and it has occurred to er, readers, in The Asylum: The Quiet me, Mike—are you the bastard love-child of Regis and Kathy Lee? Ward anthology. Just wondering!) has gone eBook crazy! Double Dragon Publishing Kathryn Ptacek’s short story, (double-dragon-ebooks.com) has agreed to bring out both his “Solitaire,” is an honorable mention in novels—Szmonhfu and United States—in that format. In the latest the Sixteenth Annual edition of The spate of eBook sale mania, Chimera’s collaborative culture shock Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror. collections, Chim & Her (co-written with Charlee Jacob, Alex Sephera Giron delivered Bor- Severin, Amy Grech, Destiny West, Dawn Andrews, Brutal rowed Flesh (working title: Curse) to Dreamer, Queenie Tirone, and Christina Sng), Chim & Him (co- Leisure Books, and it will be published written with D.F. Lewis, M.F. Korn, Mark McLaughlin, Simon in March 2004. Watch for it on the stands March 2004. She sold Logan, Greg Wharton, Marc Sanchez, John Lawson, and “White Noise” to Asylum 3, “Mother Knows Best” to Family Plots, Vincent Sakowski), and Chimeraworld (Hertzan as editor, with “Light Reign O’re Me” to Black Spiral, and she’ll have some stories the submission deadline by the end of October 2003) have all been up on Fictionwise.com. snapped up by Cyber-Pulp for eBook release in 2004. Hertzan’s new David J. Corwell’s story, “Susto,” received an honorable story up at The Dream People (a reprint from Redsine in 1990) called mention in the recent Con-Version XX short story contest. “The Getaway Girl” features a brand new photo-montage piece of Judi Rohrig has a story, “Cechas!,” in the just released sleaze art from Mike Philbin his-self! Extremes 5 anthology and will have another in Tooth & Claw 2, still awaiting release. Volume 14, Issue 41 — September 2003 5

That’s a wrap on this installment of Endeavors Most Fiendish! c c c Just a reminder, the deadline for getting your news/info to me is by the 15th of every month. Send me only current or time-relevant Saturday, September 20 - TBA; Craig Shaw Gardner, along stuff. If you want to E-mail news/info about an upcoming novel or with editor Keith deCandido, will be signing copies of the short story being published in 2–4 months, that’s fine; just please Imaginings anthology; Pandemonium Books in Harvard Square, refrain from “resending” the same update at the time of publication, Cambridge MA. For more information, contact Tyler Stewart, because I try to not “repeat” things for this column. Finally, just send (617)547-3721. me news/info about what is being published and where. Thanks! My E-mail is [email protected]. c c c Edward Lodi will be at the following events: Notice To Members Saturday, September 27 - 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Book signing at the onfused about where to send your stuff? Aren’t we all? Check Green Brier Nature Center in East Sandwich MA for their Cape Cod out the info below. Cranberry Day; 6 Discovery Hill Rd., East Sandwich MA. For more C News of any and all sales you make (especially to pro information, call (508)888-6870. markets) should be directed to Chris Kosarich (flahorror Saturday, October 4 - 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; Book signing at the Lymes [email protected]). General Store for their Harvest Festival; 68 Lyme St., Old Lyme CT. Please E-mail all Canadian news to Sephera Giron For more info, call (860)434-9808. ([email protected]). Want to volunteer for HWA? Be sure to contact Nancy Wednesday, October 8 - 7:30–8 p.m.; Edward will talk about Etchemendy ([email protected]). ghosts and other New England hauntings, with a book signing Got info about a newly published novel or anthology? Send it to afterward; the West Bridgewater Library; West Bridgewater MA. Jonathan Torres ([email protected]). For more info, call (508)894-1255. Direct all Stoker recommendations to Mark Worthen Tuesday, October 14 - 7–8:15 p.m.; Edward will talk about ghosts ([email protected]). and other New England hauntings, with a book signing afterward Address/E-mail/name changes, etc. should be sent as soon as the Nevins Memorial Library; Methuen MA. For more information, possible to Donna Fitch ([email protected]). call (978)686-4080. HWA chapter updates and photos go to Will Ludwigsen ([email protected]). Monday, October 20 - 7–8:15 p.m.; Edward will talk about ghosts Send news and stuff with an extremely short deadline, etc. to and other New England hauntings, with a book signing afterward at Mary SanGiovanni ([email protected]). the Wareham Historical Society; Wareham MA. For more in- Send letters, convention appearances, articles, interviews, cover formation, call (508)291-3098. art, photos, news, markets, classified and display ads, to Newsletter c c c Editor Kathy Ptacek ([email protected]). Scott Nicholson will sign books at the following events: Calendar of Readings Thursday, September 11 - 7 p.m.; the Book Warehouse; Blowing Rock Rd., Boone NC. For more info, contact Ken Thompson, and Signings (828)264-4636. end info about future readings and signings to the Newsletter Friday, September 12 - 7:30 p.m.; the Homecoming, City Lights Editor at least two months in advance. Bookstore; 3 East Jackson St., Sylva NC. For more info, contact S c c c Jessica Philyaw, (888)853-6298. Thursday, September 18 - 8 p.m.; Nick Mamatas, Nicholas Saturday, September 13 - 2–4 p.m.; Scott will sign books at the Kaufmann, Sarah Langan, and Karen Perry will take part in B. Dalton Bookstore; West Town Shopping Center, 7600 Kingston “An Evening of Underground Speculative Fiction” at the Mastel Pike Rd., Knoxville TN. For more information, call Mike Rooney Gallery in Brooklyn. Address and directions can be found at Mastel’s (865)693-7300. Web site: //m3projects.org/. Friday, September 19 - 3–6 p.m.; Skyland Books & Chickory c c c Suite; 1116 Main St., Blowing Rock NC. Contact Leah Moretz for Tuesday, November 11 - 4 p.m.; Linda Addison will be more info, (828)295-4231. reading/signing, along with Patrick Thomas, Edward Mc- Fadden III, Peter Warriner, at SF/Fantasy Author book Saturday, September 20 - 12–1 p.m.; Scott will speak at the reading/signing; University Bookstore, Stony Brook University (on Mooresville Public Library; Mooresville NC. For more info, contact Long Island). For more information, contact MaryAnn Messina, Vanessa Campbell, (704)664-2927. Trade Book Manager, University Bookstore, (631)632-9747. Saturday, September 20 - 2:30–4:30 p.m.; Park Road Books; 4139 c c c Park Rd., Charlotte NC. For more information, call Frazer Dobson, Sunday, October 19 - 1–3 p.m.; Steven E. Wedel, Brian A. (704)525-9239. Hopkins, Michael Bracken, Charlee Jacob, John Wooley, Sunday, September 21 - 12–2 p.m.; Malaprops; 55 Haywood St., Jason Light, K.D. Wentworth, John Paul Jones, and Liam Asheville NC. For more info, contact Linda Knopp, (828)254-6734. Jackson will be signing copies of their books. Also, The Oklahoma City Ghost Club will be doing a demonstration of paranormal Saturday, September 27 - 11 a.m.–1 p.m.; Barnes & Noble; 906 research equipment and methods, and the club members will be Mall Loop Rd., High Point NC. For more info, contact Michelle working in partnership with Fright Night Creations, owner and Ambrosino, (336)886-1331. operator of an indoor haunted thrill ride. Waldenbooks, 7000 Saturday, September 27 - 2–4 p.m.; Barnes & Noble; 3102 North- Crossroads Blvd. Oklahoma City. For more information, call line Ave., Greensboro NC. For more information, contact Becky (405)634-5811. Carignan, (336)854-2508.