Rush Free Zone

I wrote a long and serious essay on Rush Limbaugh and his inane comments about Michael J. Fox. But after reviewing it, I decided that the world needed this instead (thanks to my cousin Angie for the link).

Pod of Horror #23: Rick Hautala

Pod of Horror wishes you Happy Halloween with our 23rd installment.

* Horror legend Rich Hautala discusses his long career and upcoming releases.

* Scott Bradley reviews Matthew Warner’s EYES EVERYWHERE.

* Dave scoops up a little bit of Poop.

* Grim Rictus is in the hizzy!

* The Tomb of Trivia tantalizes with more free books.

* Homegirl Nanci Kalanta dishes on Horror World.

* Chinese Dracula whiiiiiiiiines.

Pod of Horror is hosted by Mark Justice and David T. Wilbanks. Download it at I-Tunes or direct to your desktop.

And be sure to drop by the Justice & Wilbanks message board.

The Salty Sea Dog Returns To Port

I survived the cruise.

It was actually our best one yet. The ship was so huge that even with seven days I didn’t see all of it.

We had a great time drinking in Nassau, shopping at St. Thomas, snorkeling at St. John and visiting the topless beach on the French side of St. Maarten. Okay, I enjoyed the topless beach.

I got sunburned. I ate too much. I made a fool of myself whenever music was playing. I laughed my ass off at the midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I even got hit on by a waiter who told me his nickname was Slippery Dick.

Ah, the memories.

We had a great group with us, and I found time to have 26 hours of fun a day and still read a few novels on the balcony of our stateroom.

Sleep, as they say, is overrated.

Traveling through Orlando airport was a nightmare. The U.S. Airways check-in was insane. Automated kiosks that have to be assisted by live people and a security line that seemed to stretch for miles.

I don’t think the latter is going to get better anytime soon.

Still, it was a great vacation. And when I get caught up on my sleep, I'll be ready to head out again.

As promised, Kelli at Horror Web ran "Halloween Everlasting" on October 15th. You can still read it here.

Beyond the Sea

We leave for the airport in about five hours, and we just now finished packing. We weren’t procrastinating. It was literally the first chance this week to do it. We had good intentions, but each evening found us facing some sort of mini-catastrophe. Nothing big. Just petty, annoying time-wasting stuff.

While Norma concentrated on the clothes and toiletries, I focused on the most important part of preparing for any trip.

That’s right. The books. After days and days of deliberation, I’m taking Infernal by F. Paul Wilson, Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman and the latest issues of Asimov’s and Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine.

Of course I may add to or subtract from that list as we leave the house.

By the way, I just read The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It was one of the bleakest, most depressing novels I have ever experienced. Also one of the most beautifully written. Highly recommended.

I’m too tired to be excited about the cruise yet. I know we’ll have a good time once we get there, so that will take care of itself. Now I just have to check once more to make sure we have everything. Then I’ll get a couple of hours sleep.

Talk to you in about a week. Be nice to each other. Don’t fight.

Our Buddy Matt

Matt Schwartz is one of the biggest fans of horror on the planet. He also runs the greatest online store for fans of the genre. If you’re interested in horror at all, then you need to check out Shocklines.com. Go ahead. Browse over there. I’ll wait.

Dum-de-dum-de-doo.

Oh, you’re back.

Pretty cool place, eh?

Here’s something else you need to know: Matt is also the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. He’s helped out many, many writers and fans over the years. He’s also been a booster of Pod of Horror since the beginning. And now he needs our support. He can best explain it himself.

So if you’re thinking of buying a horror novel or story collection or anthology, please consider ordering through Shocklines.com.

You’ll be helping out a good person and a unique store. I need Shocklines. You need Shocklines, too, even if you don’t know it yet.

Thanks.

Dead Earth: The Green Dawn--Update

My buddy Dave Wilbanks just clued me in to the new PS Publishing newsletter, which says our horror/sf novella Dead Earth: The Green Dawn is slated for release in March 2007. If it happens, that would be a few months earlier than anticipated. We all know that delays can happen, especially in the small press. But it would be cool if this really shows up in six or seven months.

For a description and a chance to pre-order, here are the links at Shocklines.com for the hardcover and trade paperback. And the same for Clarkesworld Books, trade and hardcover.

No cover art yet. When there is, you can bet you'll see it right here.

Dave and I appreciate your support. Next time we see you we'll buy you a drink. Or give you a shoulder rub. Whichever is cheaper.

Pod of Horror #22

It’s snake eyes. Double Deuce. Pod of Horror #22 has erupted from the Internet like naughty e-mails from a congressman’s computer. This time out:

* BUFFY and ANGEL star Charisma Carpenter chats about her new movie.

* Nate Southard tells us about writing BRIAN KEENE’S FEAR.

* Dave has so much Poop, you’ll think he’d chowed down on tainted spinach.

* Nanci Kalanta launches a book on tour.

* Advice Demon Grim Rictus dispenses homespun homilies with his usual warmth.

* The Tomb of Trivia is chock full of killer books and a DVD.

Pod of Horror is hosted by Mark Justice and David T. Wilbanks. Download it at I-Tunes or direct to your desktop.

And be sure to drop by the Justice & Wilbanks message board.

p.s. Webmaster Nanci says that due to a recent technical glitch, you may have to reset your I-Tunes subscription.

X Appeal

Wildcat Book's revival of the classic pulp hero is now available. I had a ton of fun with my entry, so if you like action, adventure, good guys and monstrous menace, order it now.

Here's the description:

SECRET AGENT "X": Volume One... Presenting "The Man Of A Thousand Faces" in 4 Brand-New tales of Adventure & Intrigue! This great Pulp Hero returns in this first collection of startling stories that will thrill everyone who enjoys a rollicking tale where danger lurks around every corner, and only the Master Spy, "X", can hope to stem the tides of evil! Includes: "Skeleton-Men of Calcutta" by Kevin Noel Olson... "The Cult of the Walking Dead" by Mark Justice... "The Cold Touch of Death" by Brian Meredith... and "The Red Mercy" by Steven Atkins... Covers and Interior Art by Rob Davis, with "The Agent X-Files" by Norman Hamilton that gives an in-depth background of the character, and an Afterword by Ron Fortier, who is bringing the pulp genre back to life with his new line of Pulp Hero Anthologies. Anthony Schiavino again provides the wonderful production design that will make this book really stand out on your shelves... along with the future volumes in our on-going series starring... SECRET AGENT "X"!

By The Way...

My review of Douglas Clegg's Isis is up now at Horror World. Go here and scroll down toward the bottom of the page.

Happy Halloween

I know it's only the first, but I'm giving you the official okey-dokey to celebrate all month along.

Over at Horror Web, they're really into the spirit of things. They're featuring a different horror story every day this month. My entry, "Halloween Everlasting", will appear on the 15th. I mention this now because I'll be in the Caribbean on that date.

So head over now and get into the spirit of the season.

Sunday Pulp