Since I don't have a horse in the race, I can go with the underdog. But while my heart's with the Giants, no one has yet figured out how to beat the Patriots. I don't think they're going to lose tonight.
Now to the important stuff:
Norma made creamy veggie soup, veggie chili and a pineapple upside down cake. Several bottles of wine are ready and the keg of Heiney has been tapped. Maude is bringing the blender for the margaritas (ours burned out during last year's Super Bowl). Consuela is bringing spicy bean dip. The Grillinator has prepared his meaty chili and chipotle hot wings. And Pickles is arriving with her famous cocktail weinies.
Now THAT's football.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Friday, February 01, 2008
More Mark
Bulletin: Horror World has run out of people to interview. The evidence is right here.
(Thanks to Steve Wedel for asking some great questions.)
(Thanks to Steve Wedel for asking some great questions.)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
James Reasoner
Read this, then please send your good thoughts and prayers to James Reasoner, the fine mystery and western writer, and his family.
I hope they have an honest and conscientious insurance company.
I hope they have an honest and conscientious insurance company.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Dr. David Gallo
Here's Dave Gallo, world famous oceanographer, TV personality, man-about-town and friend of the Department of Justice, doing what he does best.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Pod of Horror #42: James A. Moore/J. F. Gonzalez
On Pod of Horror #42, we celebrate the new year by welcoming back old friends:
* James A. Moore discusses DEEPER, Lovecraft and future works.
* J. F. Gonzalez gives us the behind-the scenes story of SHAPESHIFTER.
* Nanci delivers the scoop with horror’s premier news source, The Call of Kalanta.
* Scott Bradley reviews Ketchum and Knight, and answers listener questions.
* There’s a new Tomb of Trivia.
* And we make fun of CLOVERFIELD. There. I said it.
Pod of Horror is produced and hosted by Mark Justice. Download it at I-Tunes or direct to your desktop.
Get Pod of Horror merchandise.
Visit our MySpace page.
And be sure to drop by the Justice & Wilbanks message board.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Cloverfield
I just saw Cloverfield. Here are a few thoughts while they're fresh:
* The characters weren't as unlikable as some of the reviews would have you believe. That said, I felt no affection for any of them.
* The special effects were incredible.
* The monster was cool. My inner geek (who is not so inner most days) was pleased.
* As slick as the editing and promotion of the film were, the movie itself didn't really break new ground. It was an entertaining way to spend an hour and half.
* If you're looking for answers (i.e. What the hell does the title mean?) this isn't the movie for you. I understand why the woman in front of me stood up at the end and said "I want my three dollars back!"
* The trailers for HELLBOY 2 and IRON MAN looked even more impressive on the big screen. The Star Trek teaser was okay.
* My brother and I went to a matinée. Two tickets were six bucks. Two large drinks and two large popcorns were $19.50. No wonder people wait for the DVD.
* If you can't wait to see the Cloverfield monster, I've posted the picture below. Warning: this is scary!
* The characters weren't as unlikable as some of the reviews would have you believe. That said, I felt no affection for any of them.
* The special effects were incredible.
* The monster was cool. My inner geek (who is not so inner most days) was pleased.
* As slick as the editing and promotion of the film were, the movie itself didn't really break new ground. It was an entertaining way to spend an hour and half.
* If you're looking for answers (i.e. What the hell does the title mean?) this isn't the movie for you. I understand why the woman in front of me stood up at the end and said "I want my three dollars back!"
* The trailers for HELLBOY 2 and IRON MAN looked even more impressive on the big screen. The Star Trek teaser was okay.
* My brother and I went to a matinée. Two tickets were six bucks. Two large drinks and two large popcorns were $19.50. No wonder people wait for the DVD.
* If you can't wait to see the Cloverfield monster, I've posted the picture below. Warning: this is scary!
Canada Man
Back in august at the Horrorfind convention, Erik and Laurie Alkenbrack gave me a Canadian Care package. Since it was eight degrees today I thought it was the perfect day to be Canadian, so I got out the Maple Leafs jersey and drank from my Tim Horton's mug. You can't see it, but I'm also wearing the Maple Leafs socks, the Maple Leafs thong and the Maple Leafs nipple rings. O, Canada!
(After some of the things presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said this week, being Canadian is starting to sound like a good idea.)
***
I didn't get much new writing done this weekend, but I did polish two older stories and get them back into circulation. I tend to neglect the rejected pieces for too long. I did fairly major revisions to one of the stories, making it more focused. We'll see how it goes.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
First Sale of 2008: Legends of The Mountain State 2
Editor Michael Knost has accepted my story "Dancing in Time to the Beating Heart of the World" for the second volume of his Legends of the Mountain State series ("The Way Home" was in the first volume). This story concerns the ghost of a nurse who haunts the halls of a hospital in Huntington, WV.
I'm jazzed about being a part of a lineup that includes Gary Braunbeck, Lucy Snyder, Jonathon Maberry, Brian Freeman, Michael Laimo, Rob Darnell, Maurice Broaddus, Steven Shrewsberry, Bob Freeman, Mary Sangiovanni, Nate Kenyon, Nate Southard and Brian J. Hatcher.
The book is scheduled for publication in October.
I also have a list in the upcoming Horror Book of Lists, edited by Amy Wallace, Scott Bradley and Del Howison. I believe it, too, is scheduled for October. There's an array of big name contributers in this one, and then there's me. I have to call my Mom and tell her I'm in a book with Stephen King!
The talented Steve Wedel interviewed me today for the February edition of What's On Board, Horror World's free newsletter. If you want to read it, just sign up here. In the interview I talk about my writing, Pod of Horror, why Stephen King will never be on the show and the kind of underwear Nanci Kalanta wears.
Okay, one of those statements is false, but you'll have to read the interview to find out which one.
I'm jazzed about being a part of a lineup that includes Gary Braunbeck, Lucy Snyder, Jonathon Maberry, Brian Freeman, Michael Laimo, Rob Darnell, Maurice Broaddus, Steven Shrewsberry, Bob Freeman, Mary Sangiovanni, Nate Kenyon, Nate Southard and Brian J. Hatcher.
The book is scheduled for publication in October.
I also have a list in the upcoming Horror Book of Lists, edited by Amy Wallace, Scott Bradley and Del Howison. I believe it, too, is scheduled for October. There's an array of big name contributers in this one, and then there's me. I have to call my Mom and tell her I'm in a book with Stephen King!
***
The talented Steve Wedel interviewed me today for the February edition of What's On Board, Horror World's free newsletter. If you want to read it, just sign up here. In the interview I talk about my writing, Pod of Horror, why Stephen King will never be on the show and the kind of underwear Nanci Kalanta wears.
Okay, one of those statements is false, but you'll have to read the interview to find out which one.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Horror Mall Radio
Horror Mall, the excellent online book store, has just introduced Horror Mall Radio. Just scroll down and look for the button on the right side. You can hear me read two short stories -- but not at the same time. :^)
Stay tuned...there's more audio news to come.
Stay tuned...there's more audio news to come.
German Sci-Fi
My friend Brian clued me in to these promos for Germany's edition of The Sci-Fi Channel. They're very innovative and far more entertaining than anything I've seen for our edition of the network.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
No Leg Cramps, But...
1) I slipped on ice in the parking lot at work this afternoon and fell, screwing up my back and elbow. It looks like 2008 will be another phenomenal year for the amazing coordinated Mark.
2) Traipsing across the ice-covered back deck at home, while trying to avoid another fall, I conked my head on the f***ing tree that grows up through the middle of the f***ing deck, leaving me with a nice bruise and gash on my lovely, bald coconut-like head.
3) I spent the remainder of the day with a busted pipe under the kitchen sink. More accurately, I spent the day watching my brother fix a busted pipe under the kitchen sink. I provided support, including trips to the hardware store and the dispensing of beverages.
So don't ask me how the writing is going.
Thank you.
2) Traipsing across the ice-covered back deck at home, while trying to avoid another fall, I conked my head on the f***ing tree that grows up through the middle of the f***ing deck, leaving me with a nice bruise and gash on my lovely, bald coconut-like head.
3) I spent the remainder of the day with a busted pipe under the kitchen sink. More accurately, I spent the day watching my brother fix a busted pipe under the kitchen sink. I provided support, including trips to the hardware store and the dispensing of beverages.
So don't ask me how the writing is going.
Thank you.
Monday, January 14, 2008
A Nice DEADNECK HOOTENANNY Review
Over at The Horror Drive-In, the legendary Mark Seiber has reviewed Deadneck Hootenanny.
Here's my favorite part of Mark's review:
"Folks, don't expect Peter Straub here. The emphasis is on fun. That is, if your idea of fun consists of blood, guts and cannibalism. Deadneck Hootenanny is light reading. The perfect way to breeze through an hour or two between novels on your shelf waiting to be read. I'd say that the stories are silly, but Mark manages to throw in some shrewd observations about rural life. This book hints that its author has not only intimate knowledge of rednecks (or hillbillies or shitkickers; you know what I mean), but that that Mark Justice feels affection toward them."
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Leg Cramp Update
This just in: The soap worked. No cramps. No further study needed.
Be sure to check back as we cure other ailments with common bathroom products.
Next up: Ending sinus infections with Preparation H.
Be sure to check back as we cure other ailments with common bathroom products.
Next up: Ending sinus infections with Preparation H.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Christmas is Over
The Christmas tree and accompanying decorations came down today, on the 12th of January.
For my wife that's some kind of record. Normally, she wants to leave them up until June, though I can usually talk her into taking them down by Super Bowl weekend.
Just kidding, honey (*nervous giggle*).
Writing: sent off another short story to an anthology last night, just under the deadline. That's two in two weeks.
Now, to polish off the long pulp story (my apologies to Wayne for being so late with it). Then it's back to the novels.
For years I've suffered from severe leg cramps. Every few weeks I'll wake up with my calf knotted up in cramp that forces me out of bed, hopping around the bedroom to a whispered chorus of "Ohshitohshitohshit!" (whispered so I don't wake Norma). It happened again this morning (and, yes, I get plenty of potassium, drink plenty of water, etc). I mentioned it to my Mother today and she told me about a recent item in the syndicated medical column in the local paper. The doctor recommended putting a bar of soap in the bed to stop leg cramps.
I am not making this up.
I came home and Googled it. I found a ton of references, like this and this. Even the reliable Snopes.com (my source for debunking virtually every stupid right-wing email sent to me by people who aren't very concerned about facts) got in on the act.
So I have a bar of soap for bed tonight. Maybe it's a placebo. If it is, that's fine with me. If it means no longer waking up in agony, I'll have my bedsheets made out of Ivory soap.
For my wife that's some kind of record. Normally, she wants to leave them up until June, though I can usually talk her into taking them down by Super Bowl weekend.
Just kidding, honey (*nervous giggle*).
Writing: sent off another short story to an anthology last night, just under the deadline. That's two in two weeks.
Now, to polish off the long pulp story (my apologies to Wayne for being so late with it). Then it's back to the novels.
***
For years I've suffered from severe leg cramps. Every few weeks I'll wake up with my calf knotted up in cramp that forces me out of bed, hopping around the bedroom to a whispered chorus of "Ohshitohshitohshit!" (whispered so I don't wake Norma). It happened again this morning (and, yes, I get plenty of potassium, drink plenty of water, etc). I mentioned it to my Mother today and she told me about a recent item in the syndicated medical column in the local paper. The doctor recommended putting a bar of soap in the bed to stop leg cramps.
I am not making this up.
I came home and Googled it. I found a ton of references, like this and this. Even the reliable Snopes.com (my source for debunking virtually every stupid right-wing email sent to me by people who aren't very concerned about facts) got in on the act.
So I have a bar of soap for bed tonight. Maybe it's a placebo. If it is, that's fine with me. If it means no longer waking up in agony, I'll have my bedsheets made out of Ivory soap.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
No-Fly Absurdity
Proof that some airport security people really enjoy exercising their authority (you may have to sit through a brief ad).
Monday, January 07, 2008
Five O'Clock Whistle
It's quitting time.
The day was relatively free of suckage, at least for a Monday. I've been busy since 2:00 a.m., but things went smoothly. Wrote some good comedy. Made solid progress on the new story I mentioned yesterday. Took a walk with Ed the Female Dog. Norma cooked a great dinner and we watched Family Guy.
I'm reading Kill Whitey by Brian Keene to review for Horror World, but it looks like I'm sitting that aside for a few minutes because my brother just got back in town with a pile of old Marvel and DC comics he picked up for me at a flea market. The pile includes Iron Man, Justice League, The Brave and the Bold (Batman teams up with the Flash), The Hulk, Avengers, and one of my top five comics from the 70s, a wacky little chunk of funky we call...Master of Kung Fu.
So night-night, y'all.
The day was relatively free of suckage, at least for a Monday. I've been busy since 2:00 a.m., but things went smoothly. Wrote some good comedy. Made solid progress on the new story I mentioned yesterday. Took a walk with Ed the Female Dog. Norma cooked a great dinner and we watched Family Guy.
I'm reading Kill Whitey by Brian Keene to review for Horror World, but it looks like I'm sitting that aside for a few minutes because my brother just got back in town with a pile of old Marvel and DC comics he picked up for me at a flea market. The pile includes Iron Man, Justice League, The Brave and the Bold (Batman teams up with the Flash), The Hulk, Avengers, and one of my top five comics from the 70s, a wacky little chunk of funky we call...Master of Kung Fu.
So night-night, y'all.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Let's All Go to the Movies
I spent the first part of the day watching the Sunday news shows (I'm a news/political junkie), then ran a bunch of errands.
The afternoon was devoted to working on a short story for another anthology. I thought I had more time for this one, but I realized the deadline is right on top of me. I made good progress and will hopefully finish it up tomorrow.
Yes, my Bengals will be watching the Super Bowl from home again this year. You know who'll be sitting on the couch with them? That's right...the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bwah-ha-ha-ha!
When I was on vacation we spent most of the time watching movies in a post-holiday stupor. Here's a nearly complete list of our viewing selections:
Equilibrium: **1/2 of ****. Christian Bale in a future where anyone displaying emotions gets executed. Sort of what the planet Vulcan be like if Stalin ran things. Gotta love that mad Gun Kata.
Eastern Promises: Viggo Mortenson is so badass he can put a beatdown on two Russian mobsters in a steam bath while unarmed and naked. *** of ****.
Flyboys: ** of ****. Corny, predictable and historically inaccurate. But it gets an extra star for those awesome dogfights (the aerial kind, not the Michael Vick kind).
Oceans 13: ** of ****. Same as it ever was.
Transformers: ** of ****. I was too old for the 80s Transformers craze, so I had zero expectations. I thought the SFX were amazing. Michael Bay knows when to drop in the stirring score. My wife bailed halfway through. "It's robots turning into trucks," she said. "Whoopie."
The afternoon was devoted to working on a short story for another anthology. I thought I had more time for this one, but I realized the deadline is right on top of me. I made good progress and will hopefully finish it up tomorrow.
***
Yes, my Bengals will be watching the Super Bowl from home again this year. You know who'll be sitting on the couch with them? That's right...the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bwah-ha-ha-ha!
***
When I was on vacation we spent most of the time watching movies in a post-holiday stupor. Here's a nearly complete list of our viewing selections:
Superbad: *** out of ****. Raunchy and very funny.
The Reaping: **1/2 of ****. It was better than I'd expected. Hilary Swank did a great job.
Knocked Up: *** of ****. Gross, funny and warm. The first hybrid guy-chick flick. My wife loved it (and she also loved Superbad.)
Live Free or Die Hard: **** of ****. The best Die Hard since the original.
Waitress: **** of ****. An Oscar-worthy turn from Keri Russell in a quirky indie comedy, made poignant by the post-production murder of writer-director Adrienne Shelly.
Hairspray: * of **** if you hate musicals. **** of **** if you like them. It gets bonus points for casting Christopher Walken.
The Simpsons Movie: The same scoring system applies. If you like The Simpsons you'll love it. If you don't, you'll be wishing you were watching HGTV or something.
Waitress: **** of ****. An Oscar-worthy turn from Keri Russell in a quirky indie comedy, made poignant by the post-production murder of writer-director Adrienne Shelly.
Hairspray: * of **** if you hate musicals. **** of **** if you like them. It gets bonus points for casting Christopher Walken.
The Simpsons Movie: The same scoring system applies. If you like The Simpsons you'll love it. If you don't, you'll be wishing you were watching HGTV or something.
Equilibrium: **1/2 of ****. Christian Bale in a future where anyone displaying emotions gets executed. Sort of what the planet Vulcan be like if Stalin ran things. Gotta love that mad Gun Kata.
Eastern Promises: Viggo Mortenson is so badass he can put a beatdown on two Russian mobsters in a steam bath while unarmed and naked. *** of ****.
Oceans 13: ** of ****. Same as it ever was.
A History of Violence: **** of ****. One of my favorite movies. I finally got Norma to watch it. And it turns out that she despises realistic violence. She prefers the Die Hard type. I know I'm a pig, yet I still have to say: Maria Bello naked. Mmmmmmmm.
Rush Hour 3: * of ****. Worse than it ever was.
Halloween: *1/2 of ****. I saw it in the theater and my opinion hasn't changed. If there had never been a John Carpenter Halloween, this would have been okay. The comparison just kills it.
Transformers: ** of ****. I was too old for the 80s Transformers craze, so I had zero expectations. I thought the SFX were amazing. Michael Bay knows when to drop in the stirring score. My wife bailed halfway through. "It's robots turning into trucks," she said. "Whoopie."
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Saturday Night's All Right For Writing
I just polished and submitted a short story to an anthology.
After the craptacular suckfest that was the last two months, it feels good to complete and submit something, especially something I feel really good about (which is no guarantee of acceptance; I usually feel good about everything I submit. I've never tried to pass off a steaming pile of shit to an editor, though I'm sure some would disagree).
Now back to another project that is way behind.
After the craptacular suckfest that was the last two months, it feels good to complete and submit something, especially something I feel really good about (which is no guarantee of acceptance; I usually feel good about everything I submit. I've never tried to pass off a steaming pile of shit to an editor, though I'm sure some would disagree).
Now back to another project that is way behind.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Indiana Jones in Vanity Fair
I'm probably more stoked about the new Indy film than anything else coming out in 2008. There's a nice article with pics over at Vanity Fair.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
So Long, 2007
I’m one of those guys who has the tendency to focus on the things I didn’t get done or that I screwed up, rather than the things I got right. So to look back at 2007, I’m adopting the do-the-opposite tactic employed once by George Costanza. And it turns out that it was a pretty good year.
The biggest and best event of the year was my brother’s wedding, followed by the news on Christmas Day that Dave and Charlene are going to make me an uncle. Boy or girl, this is one kid that will be getting a lot of action figures and comic books.
On the writing front, things went pretty well. Deadneck Hootenanny was released and sold out. Putting that book together with Nick Cato at Novello Publishers was one of the best experiences of my fledgling career. If you’re interested in humorous horror I hope you’ll support Nick’s hard work.
2007 finally saw the release of Dead Earth: The Green Dawn. PS Publishing produced a beautiful book, and the response to it has been very positive. Now if we can get the sequel revised...
I sold Bone Songs, a collection, to Delirium Books. Over the weekend I spoke to publisher Shane Staley, and it looks like the book should show up by Summer, if not earlier.
I had a few short story sales this year. I wish it were more, but I haven’t written many short pieces in the last 12 months. I have two underway now for theme anthologies.
I’m just getting back to writing anything, after the cluster&^@% that was my life over the last few weeks. First came the pre-Thanksgiving chemical burn to my foot, followed by a back injury that resulted from the odd way I limped due to the foot thing. Throw the holidays into the mix along with the busiest time of year at work, and my time at the keyboard quickly vanished.
Anyway, I’m working this week to polish off a story for a pulp anthology set in the old west, the two short stories and a serialized novella. Work on Reaper Road is also about to resume. It was the main casualty of the whole foot burn incident.
Pod of Horror seems to be doing well. After scoring an interview with Robert R. McCammon, can talks with King and Koontz be far behind? Yes. Yes, they can. :^)
So bring on 2008. I’m locked and loaded.
The biggest and best event of the year was my brother’s wedding, followed by the news on Christmas Day that Dave and Charlene are going to make me an uncle. Boy or girl, this is one kid that will be getting a lot of action figures and comic books.
On the writing front, things went pretty well. Deadneck Hootenanny was released and sold out. Putting that book together with Nick Cato at Novello Publishers was one of the best experiences of my fledgling career. If you’re interested in humorous horror I hope you’ll support Nick’s hard work.
2007 finally saw the release of Dead Earth: The Green Dawn. PS Publishing produced a beautiful book, and the response to it has been very positive. Now if we can get the sequel revised...
I sold Bone Songs, a collection, to Delirium Books. Over the weekend I spoke to publisher Shane Staley, and it looks like the book should show up by Summer, if not earlier.
I had a few short story sales this year. I wish it were more, but I haven’t written many short pieces in the last 12 months. I have two underway now for theme anthologies.
I’m just getting back to writing anything, after the cluster&^@% that was my life over the last few weeks. First came the pre-Thanksgiving chemical burn to my foot, followed by a back injury that resulted from the odd way I limped due to the foot thing. Throw the holidays into the mix along with the busiest time of year at work, and my time at the keyboard quickly vanished.
Anyway, I’m working this week to polish off a story for a pulp anthology set in the old west, the two short stories and a serialized novella. Work on Reaper Road is also about to resume. It was the main casualty of the whole foot burn incident.
Pod of Horror seems to be doing well. After scoring an interview with Robert R. McCammon, can talks with King and Koontz be far behind? Yes. Yes, they can. :^)
So bring on 2008. I’m locked and loaded.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Review: Daughter of Dracula
I recently slashed my pull list at my local comics store, primarily because I was buying a lot of titles that I wasn’t enjoying. Simultaneously I realized that the stuff I really looked forward to was mainly reprints of titles from the 60s and 70s.
Maybe it’s part of getting older – that craving for the nostalgic favorites of my younger days – but I truly believe a lot of it is a simple dissatisfaction with the quality of comics today, where it seems every title is part of a larger crossover prompting months of build-up for little or no payoff, until the next crossover begins.
I realized that I missed good storytelling. To me, that’s solid writing that uses a beginning, middle and end to tell a tale, rich characterization and art that serves the story, rather than a platform for full-page poses that do little to advance the plot.
So I was in the perfect place to appreciate Daughter of Dracula by Ron Fortier and Rob Davis.
From the striking Mark Maddox cover, I knew I was in for something special. That cover is one of the most effective pieces I have seen is 40-plus years of reading comics.
Foriter is a veteran comics writer and novelist, and from the first page his sure hand is evident in the pacing of Daughter of Dracula. The Countess Marya Dracula has a chance encounter with a young man who will soon come to be known as The Red Baron. Marya is, of course, the child of you-know-who. Foriter quickly establishes her vampiric side, just as he offers her the possibility of true love.
Their romance blossoms, grows and reaches an unexpected conclusion over the 108 pages of this graphic novel. However, before you think this is a comic book version of a chick flick, let me make clear that Daughter of Dracula is filled with many scenes of warfare, bloodletting, sex and aerial dogfights. In fact, the richly detailed World War I setting is almost as much of a character as are Marya and Manfred von Ricthofen.
The art by Davis is always clear. The reader never questions what is happening in a given panel. Some of the landscapes and aerial battles are breathtaking. Davis uses a careful blend of realistic and cartoonish effects at just the right spots to emphasis whatever mood Fortier has thrown at him. Incidentally, Davis handled the art, lettering and, I presume, the gray tones that add so much to the story’s ambiance.
It’s difficult to find fault with any aspect of Daughter of Dracula. Other than a couple of typos and a slight problem I had in reading some of Mayra’s “handwritten” captions, the book is a joy to experience.
In fact, the best compliment I can pay to this satisfying graphic novel is that it could have easily been serialized in one of Marvel black and white horror magazines of the early 1970s, my favorite era in comic book history.
As much as Daughter of Dracula begs for a sequel I hope Fortier and Davis let the story stand as it is. Instead, I would prefer to see them explore other genres and other characters. The comics biz needs these guys.
You can order Daughter of Dracula here.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Pod of Horror #41
Pod of Ho-Ho-Horror #41 just slid down your chimney, and our gift bag is loaded!
* Robert McCammon talks about his retirement and return to writing.
* Jonathan Maberry discusses martial arts, teaching and GHOST ROAD BLUES.
* Comics veteran Ron Fortier teams up the Red Baron with the DAUGHTER OF DRACULA in a scary new graphic novel.
* We debut the 2007 PoH audio Christmas story, written by the members of the Justice & Wilbanks Message Board.
* Nanci stuffs The Call of Kalanta with news that won’t make you snooze.
* Scott Bradley is back at the helm of the PoH Review Department.
* And all the free books in The Tomb of Trivia will make you happier than an elf with spiked egg nog.
Pod of Horror is produced and hosted by Mark Justice. Download it at I-Tunes or direct to your desktop.
Get Pod of Horror merchandise.
Visit our MySpace page.
And be sure to drop by the Justice & Wilbanks message board.
Friday, December 21, 2007
So, Vatta Ya Been Doink?
Been a while. I'd like to say it's because of mammoth life-changing events (the good kind, natch), but instead it's the same old crap turned up to 11.
More soon. In the meantime, here some holiday spirit.
It's all your favorite Christmas songs at the same time, with a little Toto thrown in for good measure.
More soon. In the meantime, here some holiday spirit.
It's all your favorite Christmas songs at the same time, with a little Toto thrown in for good measure.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Saturday, December 08, 2007
If You're Reading This You're a Genius
I tested this blog over here, and here's what it had to say about the readability:
Wouldn't it be funny if it told every blogger that?
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Homemade Trek
I'll admit it: I've always enjoyed Star Trek and it's various incarnations.
For my money, ST: Deep Space Nine was the best of them, with excellent writing and superior acting. Too many of the other Trek series seemed to fall into a formula that can most easily be summed up this way: The Enterprise/Voyager encounter an alien race that looks like us except for some plastic glued to their foreheads and we make them see that we can all get along. The End.
At least DS9 (and, to a certain extent, the fourth and final season of Enterprise) tried to shake things up.
I've never felt strongly enough about the franchise to consider myself a Trekkie or Trekker or whatever the derogatory term is today. And I've certainly never felt moved to make my own Trek episodes.
I have watched a few of them. You have admire the hard work and love for the subject that goes into these Mom and Pop productions. The recreation of the various sets is impressive and the special effects are actually better than the 60s incarnation of the show.
Yet all that hard work is ultimately brought down by acting that is so bad, even junior high school theater groups would say, "Dude, you stink." Some of these guys make Shatner look like Olivier. I suspect that's because the fans behind the scenes insist on getting in front of the camera. They must figure Shatner made it look easy. So enjoy the passion and ignore the thespians.
For my money, ST: Deep Space Nine was the best of them, with excellent writing and superior acting. Too many of the other Trek series seemed to fall into a formula that can most easily be summed up this way: The Enterprise/Voyager encounter an alien race that looks like us except for some plastic glued to their foreheads and we make them see that we can all get along. The End.
At least DS9 (and, to a certain extent, the fourth and final season of Enterprise) tried to shake things up.
I've never felt strongly enough about the franchise to consider myself a Trekkie or Trekker or whatever the derogatory term is today. And I've certainly never felt moved to make my own Trek episodes.
I have watched a few of them. You have admire the hard work and love for the subject that goes into these Mom and Pop productions. The recreation of the various sets is impressive and the special effects are actually better than the 60s incarnation of the show.
Yet all that hard work is ultimately brought down by acting that is so bad, even junior high school theater groups would say, "Dude, you stink." Some of these guys make Shatner look like Olivier. I suspect that's because the fans behind the scenes insist on getting in front of the camera. They must figure Shatner made it look easy. So enjoy the passion and ignore the thespians.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Monday, December 03, 2007
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Pod of Horror Christmas Story
"O Come All Ye Unfaithful", the Pod of Horror group Christmas story, has begun over at the Justice and Wilbanks Message Board.
The story will be written by Mark Justice, David T. Wilbanks, Matt Cowan, Gregory Montague, Richard Ristow and Cesar Puch. As each section is finished it will be posted at the board, then the final version will be offered as an audio story on Pod of Horror 41 in December.
You can read the opening segment here.
The story will be written by Mark Justice, David T. Wilbanks, Matt Cowan, Gregory Montague, Richard Ristow and Cesar Puch. As each section is finished it will be posted at the board, then the final version will be offered as an audio story on Pod of Horror 41 in December.
You can read the opening segment here.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
New PhattSideDown
PhattSideDown provides the music for Pod of Horror. Now you can check out their new single "War Machine" when you head over to PoH's MySpace page.
Happy Thanksgiving from Hopalong Justice
I’ve been on vacation this week. The plan was to help Norma with Thanksgiving preparations.
You know what they say about plans.
On Sunday I was getting ready for my annual pilgrimage to Cincinnati with my brother and friends to take in a Bengals game. Before I left, Norma and I went out to the barn to retrieve the Christmas decorations. When we started moving the boxes in the overcrowded barn I noticed some liquid on the wooden floor. It turned out that the bottom had broken on a plastic jug of kerosene which we kept for the Tiki torches. I picked up the bottle and tossed it into the yard. Norma called the fire department to ask the best way to clean kerosene from a wooden floor, stressing that this wasn’t an emergency. They said they’d send somebody over.
Sure enough, within five minutes the fire chief arrived, followed by a fire truck with the lights flashing. The five or six firemen (in full gear) unloaded the barn and spread oil dry on the floor. They told us the only thing to do was to let the barn air out all day.
So, to recap: the spill was contained, the firemen dug out the Christmas stuff for me and I could still go to the Bengals game. So far so good, right? This was around 8:30 A.M.
We went to the game. The team sucked. We had beer and chili. Got home around 8:00 P.M.
On the way home my right foot began to ache. I didn’t think much about it. I’m close to 50 and I’m diabetic. Occasionally my feet ache.
Monday I felt fine. The foot was good. I spent the day organizing massive mountains of books into more presentable piles and boxing up thing that could be moved back to the barn. The foot ached a little, but not enough to cause concern.
When I woke up Tuesday the foot really throbbed. It had that tight, hot feeling that comes with a sunburn. I went into the bathroom, turned on the light and examined my foot.
It looked like I had been tortured with a cheese grater.
I went to the emergency room, where the baffled doc was at a loss to explain the injury.
“It looks like a burn,” he said, “so that’s how we’ll treat it.”
They dressed the injury, loaded me up with bandages, antibiotics and pain medication, and told me to keep the foot elevated. I was just happy they sent me home. I had visions of a hospital-cooked Thanksgiving dinner.
When we got home, a friend e-mailed to say it sounded like a chemical burn. Did I spill any of the stuff on my shoe?
I checked. My shoe reeked of kerosene. As I was tossing away the jug a small amount must have dripped on my shoe.
Ladies and gentlemen, I spent all day Sunday slow-roasting my foot with petroleum.
Here’s how it looked yesterday:
Repeated viewings of my foot could be the cure to overeating this holiday season.
Tomorrow I go to the doctor for an update.
Combine the foot fun with last week’s long days at work (to prepare for this productive week at home; dig the irony?), and I haven’t accomplished much on the novel.
Am I deterred? Am I surrendering to fate? Am I slinking away to spend my life on message boards talking about writing instead of doing it?
I say thee nay.
Reaper Road remains very vital, and I hope to prop my foot up near the computer and crank out the words on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I’ll let you know how that goes.
I also have to get the group Christmas story going for the next Pod of Horror and get my notes to the other participants on the Justice-Wilbanks Message board.
Meantime, the family will be showing up soon. The turkey and desserts are done and Norma is working on the side dishes. I have potatoes to peel.
I hope you get to spend the day the way that makes you happy, with the people you most want to be with.
Try to take just a moment to count your blessings.
Me? I’m happy to be surrounded by a great family.
And to not be eating Thanksgiving dinner in the hospital.
You know what they say about plans.
On Sunday I was getting ready for my annual pilgrimage to Cincinnati with my brother and friends to take in a Bengals game. Before I left, Norma and I went out to the barn to retrieve the Christmas decorations. When we started moving the boxes in the overcrowded barn I noticed some liquid on the wooden floor. It turned out that the bottom had broken on a plastic jug of kerosene which we kept for the Tiki torches. I picked up the bottle and tossed it into the yard. Norma called the fire department to ask the best way to clean kerosene from a wooden floor, stressing that this wasn’t an emergency. They said they’d send somebody over.
Sure enough, within five minutes the fire chief arrived, followed by a fire truck with the lights flashing. The five or six firemen (in full gear) unloaded the barn and spread oil dry on the floor. They told us the only thing to do was to let the barn air out all day.
So, to recap: the spill was contained, the firemen dug out the Christmas stuff for me and I could still go to the Bengals game. So far so good, right? This was around 8:30 A.M.
We went to the game. The team sucked. We had beer and chili. Got home around 8:00 P.M.
On the way home my right foot began to ache. I didn’t think much about it. I’m close to 50 and I’m diabetic. Occasionally my feet ache.
Monday I felt fine. The foot was good. I spent the day organizing massive mountains of books into more presentable piles and boxing up thing that could be moved back to the barn. The foot ached a little, but not enough to cause concern.
When I woke up Tuesday the foot really throbbed. It had that tight, hot feeling that comes with a sunburn. I went into the bathroom, turned on the light and examined my foot.
It looked like I had been tortured with a cheese grater.
I went to the emergency room, where the baffled doc was at a loss to explain the injury.
“It looks like a burn,” he said, “so that’s how we’ll treat it.”
They dressed the injury, loaded me up with bandages, antibiotics and pain medication, and told me to keep the foot elevated. I was just happy they sent me home. I had visions of a hospital-cooked Thanksgiving dinner.
When we got home, a friend e-mailed to say it sounded like a chemical burn. Did I spill any of the stuff on my shoe?
I checked. My shoe reeked of kerosene. As I was tossing away the jug a small amount must have dripped on my shoe.
Ladies and gentlemen, I spent all day Sunday slow-roasting my foot with petroleum.
Here’s how it looked yesterday:
Repeated viewings of my foot could be the cure to overeating this holiday season.
Tomorrow I go to the doctor for an update.
Combine the foot fun with last week’s long days at work (to prepare for this productive week at home; dig the irony?), and I haven’t accomplished much on the novel.
Am I deterred? Am I surrendering to fate? Am I slinking away to spend my life on message boards talking about writing instead of doing it?
I say thee nay.
Reaper Road remains very vital, and I hope to prop my foot up near the computer and crank out the words on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I’ll let you know how that goes.
I also have to get the group Christmas story going for the next Pod of Horror and get my notes to the other participants on the Justice-Wilbanks Message board.
Meantime, the family will be showing up soon. The turkey and desserts are done and Norma is working on the side dishes. I have potatoes to peel.
I hope you get to spend the day the way that makes you happy, with the people you most want to be with.
Try to take just a moment to count your blessings.
Me? I’m happy to be surrounded by a great family.
And to not be eating Thanksgiving dinner in the hospital.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
A New Interview
Des Reddick interviewed me for the Dread Media podcast, so if you'd like to listen to me ramble on about my writing and Pod of Horror, you can tune in here.
I'll be back later to tell you about Reaper Road and why I went to the ER this morning.
I'll be back later to tell you about Reaper Road and why I went to the ER this morning.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Yakkin' It Up
I had a great time last night on Lair of the Yak. Nick was a great host and I enjoyed the questions (and I was amazed that I got the web cam installed properly).
We ended up doing two 40 minute shows. I almost fell asleep near the end. I had been up since 4:00 a.m. and was starting to feel the effects of a long week and very little sleep. So If I sounded like I'd been drinking, that's why.
The actual drinking will take place today when my brother and I got to the Bengals-Arizona game in Cincinnati.
If you'd like to check out the Yak-tacular show, part one is here. And Part two can be found here.
We ended up doing two 40 minute shows. I almost fell asleep near the end. I had been up since 4:00 a.m. and was starting to feel the effects of a long week and very little sleep. So If I sounded like I'd been drinking, that's why.
The actual drinking will take place today when my brother and I got to the Bengals-Arizona game in Cincinnati.
If you'd like to check out the Yak-tacular show, part one is here. And Part two can be found here.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Pod of Horror #40
Grab your giblets, ‘cause Pod of Horror #40 is here! Here’s what we’ve stuffed the show with this time:
* Brian Hodge shines a light on his dark fiction.
* Thriller writer Robert Liparulo tells us why we should be watching the skies.
* PoH co-founder David T. Wilbanks returns to reveal the real story behind DEAD EARTH: THE GREEN DAWN.
* No news escapes the nose of Nanci in The Call of Kalanta.
* And a bunch of free stuff! We’re thankful you’re listening.
Pod of Horror is produced and hosted by Mark Justice. Download it at I-Tunes or direct to your desktop.
Get Pod of Horror merchandise .
Visit our MySpace page.
And be sure to drop by the Justice & Wilbanks message board
Friday, November 16, 2007
Look For Me on Internet TV
I'll be a guest on Lair of the Yak, an Internet TV show hosted by Nick Cato, the publisher of Deadneck Hootenanny and a fine author in his own right.
You can check it out tomorrow night at 10:00 p.m. eastern right here.
Speaking of Deadneck Hootenanny, another copy is up on E-bay.
Monday, November 12, 2007
A Little Lost
ABC has created new "webisodes" of Lost starring the cast members. They will debut a new one each Monday on their site. The first one was less than riveting, although it's always good to see the fine actor who plays Jack's dad.
Hopefully they'll get better and more meaningful as they go along.
Meanwhile, here's today's word count on Reaper Road:
Hopefully they'll get better and more meaningful as they go along.
Meanwhile, here's today's word count on Reaper Road:
15,111/80,000
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Reaper Road
The last few days haven't been the most productive I've ever had, but the novel continues.
14,101/80,000
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Wednesday
Not a lot of writing time today, and when I finally sat down at the computer it was like rolling spaghetti up the side of the Empire State Building. What's the tote board say, Ed?
11,456/80,000
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Monday, November 05, 2007
Monday Update
After reading a message board war that raged over her, I picked up The Keeper by Sarah Langan. it may be the best first novel I've ever read. At least so far. Highly recommended.
Here's today's word count for Reaper Road:
Here's today's word count for Reaper Road:
9201/80,000
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Sunday
Two brief items for you today.
1) The Bengals suck.
2) Today's Reaper Road word count:
1) The Bengals suck.
2) Today's Reaper Road word count:
7041/80,000
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Saturday
I don't get many Saturdays off, so when I do I like to take advantage of it.
I got in a long walk this morning in the fog (and I should have worn gloves -- it was frakkin' cold), then spent a bit of time reading and answering email.
We went to a retirement party for Norma's uncle who just completed 31 years as an educator. This month marks my 31st year in radio, but does it look like I get to retire anytime soon? Nooooo.
Later I submitted a short story to a fairly new market.
And I had a fairly good day on Reaper Road. Here's today's count:
I got in a long walk this morning in the fog (and I should have worn gloves -- it was frakkin' cold), then spent a bit of time reading and answering email.
We went to a retirement party for Norma's uncle who just completed 31 years as an educator. This month marks my 31st year in radio, but does it look like I get to retire anytime soon? Nooooo.
Later I submitted a short story to a fairly new market.
And I had a fairly good day on Reaper Road. Here's today's count:
5174/80,000
The Biggest Loser
Is it Larry King or Jerry Seinfeld?
King looks like a clueless old man just going through the motions. Seinfeld looks like a dick who, despite his fame and incredible wealth, takes things way too seriously.
You decide.
King looks like a clueless old man just going through the motions. Seinfeld looks like a dick who, despite his fame and incredible wealth, takes things way too seriously.
You decide.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Tonight's Word Count
Day 2 of Reaper Road saw a little progress. Not as much as I wanted, but I got to envision a Richter Scale for farts. That made it all worthwhile. Total:
3146/80,000
Thursday, November 01, 2007
NaNoWriMo
That's National Novel Writing Month to you and me.
It started today. I'm not officially signed up, but I'm committed to doing it anyway. Kind of like being a believer without going to church, I suppose.
For the moment we're going to pretend like I haven't started several novels and abandoned them. I consider them my WMDs. And like the President, I ain't talkin' about 'em.
Instead, I've girded my loins (kids, don't try this at home) and set fingers to keyboard. Despite my crazy schedule I'm going to try to find the time to write a novel this month. And I'll be honest with you: weekends and the week of Thanksgiving are going to have to be massively productive.
Just to crank up the pressure and chance of abject humiliation I'll try to post a word count here every day.
The novel is called Reaper Road. Here's how today went:
It started today. I'm not officially signed up, but I'm committed to doing it anyway. Kind of like being a believer without going to church, I suppose.
For the moment we're going to pretend like I haven't started several novels and abandoned them. I consider them my WMDs. And like the President, I ain't talkin' about 'em.
Instead, I've girded my loins (kids, don't try this at home) and set fingers to keyboard. Despite my crazy schedule I'm going to try to find the time to write a novel this month. And I'll be honest with you: weekends and the week of Thanksgiving are going to have to be massively productive.
Just to crank up the pressure and chance of abject humiliation I'll try to post a word count here every day.
The novel is called Reaper Road. Here's how today went:
2071/80,000
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Halloween in Our Little Town
Every year there's a big Halloween party in the city park. Norma and I always work it . Here are a few highlights from last night.
Small Town U.S.A.'s most suave, debonair couple.
Norma makes a new friend.
The Mouth That Never Closes hitches a ride
Small Town U.S.A.'s most suave, debonair couple.
Norma makes a new friend.
The Mouth That Never Closes hitches a ride
The Reviews Are In
A couple of new reviews are in for Dead Earth: The Green Dawn.
The first is from the The Green Man review site.
And here's another from The Fix.
The first is from the The Green Man review site.
And here's another from The Fix.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Trick or Treat
Here's a story for the holiday. It's been published a couple of times before, most recently last year at Horror Web. I hope you like it.
Tommy climbed the ladder to the tree house, just like he did every morning. When he squeezed through the opening in the floor, he found Bill, sitting against the wall, reading an old issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland , with Gill-Man on the cover. It was one of Tommy’s favorites.
“Hey,” he said.
Bill looked up from the magazine. “Hey.”
Tommy finished clambering through the opening. He brushed sawdust from his shirt and plopped down next to his friend. He searched through the pile of old comics and magazines, settling on a Famous Monsters with Wolf Man on the front.
“Hey,” Tommy said. “You think Wolf Man could beat up Gill-Man?”
Bill sat the magazine in his lap and thought about the question. “Nope,” he finally said.
“Me, neither,” Tommy said. “You know what tonight is?”
Bill smiled. “Trick or Treat.”
“Yeah. It hardly seems like a year, huh?”
“I know,” Bill said. “Remember last year, when I went as Dracula and you went as The Mummy. That was the coolest!”
“That wasn’t last year,” Tommy said.
“Was, too.”
“Uh-uh. That was before.”
“Before?” Bill said, his face scrunched up in concentration.
“Yeah.”
“Oh,” he said. “Anyway, what would you be this year, if you could be anything you want?”
“I don’t know,” Tommy said. “Maybe a pirate.”
“How ‘bout a biker?”
Tommy shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. If I could be a teenage werewolf biker.”
Bill laughed. “That would be neat.”
They returned to examining their magazines for a while, even though they had long ago memorized the articles and pictures. Later, Bill said, “So, are we going out tonight?”
“We always do,” Tommy told him. “It’s Trick or Treat. We have to go.”
“I guess,” Bill said.
They passed the rest of the day in the tree house in Bill’s backyard.
That night they walked through the neighborhood, watching the other kids begging for candy.
“Man, they look so little this year,” Bill said through his plastic vampire fangs.
“No kidding,” Tommy said. He had left his mouth uncovered by the gauze wrapping of his mummy costume. As a fairy princess passed by them, Tommy looked into her plastic candy bag. “Boy! They’re handing out the good stuff this year. She had a Snickers and a Baby Ruth.”
“Sure beats candy corn,” Bill said.
“Or those marshmallow peanuts,” Tommy said, which cracked them both up.
They followed the throngs of trick-or-treaters through the neighborhood, to the intersection of Main and Harrison. While all of the costumed kids turned left on Harrison, toward another street of lighted porches and smiling Jack O’ Lanterns, Tommy and Bill hesitated. They gazed toward the darkened end of Main, as the whoop and din of excited children faded behind them, until all that seemed to remain of the world was the two of them.
Then, without speaking, they started down Main Street, away from the light. They passed by the empty barbershop, the drugstore (where many of the monster magazines had originally been purchased), the silent courthouse and the vacant lot, where they had both played baseball.
They walked until they came to the bridge. It spanned a small tributary of the Ohio, little more than a creek, not very deep at all.
Just deep enough.
They stepped carefully onto the bridge. Both boys peered over the rail, to the blackened water below.
“It was really cold, wasn’t it?” Bill said.
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry I slipped.”
“I know,” Tommy said. “It wasn’t your fault. It was slick that night.”
“We didn’t have to take the shortcut,” Bill said. “We could’ve gone the long way around to Washington Street.”
“We were trying to get done by Eight, remember?”
“Oh, yeah. Well, you didn’t have to jump in after me, you know.”
Tommy shrugged. “That’s what best friends do. You would’ve done the same thing for me.”
“Would not.”
Tommy playfully punched Bill in the arm. “Would too.”
“Yeah, I guess so. Thanks for trying to save me.”
They stared silently at the dark water for a few moments.
“Come on,” Tommy said. “Let’s go.”
They walked back to Bill’s house, where they would climb up to the tree house and wait for another Halloween, best friends forever.
Forever twelve years old.
© 2004, 2007 Mark Justice
Halloween Everlasting
By Mark Justice
By Mark Justice
Tommy climbed the ladder to the tree house, just like he did every morning. When he squeezed through the opening in the floor, he found Bill, sitting against the wall, reading an old issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland , with Gill-Man on the cover. It was one of Tommy’s favorites.
“Hey,” he said.
Bill looked up from the magazine. “Hey.”
Tommy finished clambering through the opening. He brushed sawdust from his shirt and plopped down next to his friend. He searched through the pile of old comics and magazines, settling on a Famous Monsters with Wolf Man on the front.
“Hey,” Tommy said. “You think Wolf Man could beat up Gill-Man?”
Bill sat the magazine in his lap and thought about the question. “Nope,” he finally said.
“Me, neither,” Tommy said. “You know what tonight is?”
Bill smiled. “Trick or Treat.”
“Yeah. It hardly seems like a year, huh?”
“I know,” Bill said. “Remember last year, when I went as Dracula and you went as The Mummy. That was the coolest!”
“That wasn’t last year,” Tommy said.
“Was, too.”
“Uh-uh. That was before.”
“Before?” Bill said, his face scrunched up in concentration.
“Yeah.”
“Oh,” he said. “Anyway, what would you be this year, if you could be anything you want?”
“I don’t know,” Tommy said. “Maybe a pirate.”
“How ‘bout a biker?”
Tommy shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. If I could be a teenage werewolf biker.”
Bill laughed. “That would be neat.”
They returned to examining their magazines for a while, even though they had long ago memorized the articles and pictures. Later, Bill said, “So, are we going out tonight?”
“We always do,” Tommy told him. “It’s Trick or Treat. We have to go.”
“I guess,” Bill said.
They passed the rest of the day in the tree house in Bill’s backyard.
***
That night they walked through the neighborhood, watching the other kids begging for candy.
“Man, they look so little this year,” Bill said through his plastic vampire fangs.
“No kidding,” Tommy said. He had left his mouth uncovered by the gauze wrapping of his mummy costume. As a fairy princess passed by them, Tommy looked into her plastic candy bag. “Boy! They’re handing out the good stuff this year. She had a Snickers and a Baby Ruth.”
“Sure beats candy corn,” Bill said.
“Or those marshmallow peanuts,” Tommy said, which cracked them both up.
They followed the throngs of trick-or-treaters through the neighborhood, to the intersection of Main and Harrison. While all of the costumed kids turned left on Harrison, toward another street of lighted porches and smiling Jack O’ Lanterns, Tommy and Bill hesitated. They gazed toward the darkened end of Main, as the whoop and din of excited children faded behind them, until all that seemed to remain of the world was the two of them.
Then, without speaking, they started down Main Street, away from the light. They passed by the empty barbershop, the drugstore (where many of the monster magazines had originally been purchased), the silent courthouse and the vacant lot, where they had both played baseball.
They walked until they came to the bridge. It spanned a small tributary of the Ohio, little more than a creek, not very deep at all.
Just deep enough.
They stepped carefully onto the bridge. Both boys peered over the rail, to the blackened water below.
“It was really cold, wasn’t it?” Bill said.
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry I slipped.”
“I know,” Tommy said. “It wasn’t your fault. It was slick that night.”
“We didn’t have to take the shortcut,” Bill said. “We could’ve gone the long way around to Washington Street.”
“We were trying to get done by Eight, remember?”
“Oh, yeah. Well, you didn’t have to jump in after me, you know.”
Tommy shrugged. “That’s what best friends do. You would’ve done the same thing for me.”
“Would not.”
Tommy playfully punched Bill in the arm. “Would too.”
“Yeah, I guess so. Thanks for trying to save me.”
They stared silently at the dark water for a few moments.
“Come on,” Tommy said. “Let’s go.”
They walked back to Bill’s house, where they would climb up to the tree house and wait for another Halloween, best friends forever.
Forever twelve years old.
© 2004, 2007 Mark Justice
Pod of Horror Reviewed
Writer Petra Miller reviews Pod of Horror over at The Horror Library Blog-O-Rama. She likes the show and thinks I sound like Don Imus.
Imus???
Imus???
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Spook-A-Nanny
I don't think I saw this when it aired in 1964. I'm pretty sure that song would have stuck with me. As it is, I can't get the tune out of my head (nor can I forget Chilly Willy's shaky dance) so I'm passing the curse along to you. Boo, man, boo.
The Signing
F. Keith Davis, Jeff Wamsley, Michael Knost, Mark Justice and potential customerThanks to Michael Knost for inviting me to the Legends of the Mountain State signing last night. Borders was a great host, and I enjoyed meeting the other participants, including Mothman expert Jeff Wamsley and F. Keith Davis, author and publisher.
If all goes as planned I'll be joining these gentlemen at Borders again in December.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Book Signing
Michael Knost, editor of Legends of the Mountain State, has invited me to be a part of a signing for the book tomorrow night at Border's Books in the Huntington Mall in Barboursville, WVa.
The event is 7-9:00 p.m. and is part of the store's Halloween celebration.
If you're in the area, please drop by.
The event is 7-9:00 p.m. and is part of the store's Halloween celebration.
If you're in the area, please drop by.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
DE:TGD Is Shipping
We got the word that Dead Earth: The Green Dawn is shipping from PS Publishing. It seems like we've been waiting for this since the days when Larry Craig went to the men's room just to use the toilet. But now it's finally here..
If you haven't ordered it yet, feel free to do so now.
Legends of the Mountain State
I received my contributor copies of this new ghost story anthology today. It includes my tale "The Way Home", but don't let that keep you from buying it. There are NAMES in here like Tom Monteleone, Tim Waggoner, Kealan Patrick Burke and my buddy Scott Nicholson. Rick Hautala wrote the foreword.
If you're so inclined, order here.
Abbott and Costello Bloopers
I suppose these have been available for a long time, but I was unaware of their existence until today. Enjoy.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Deadneck Hootenanny -- SOLD OUT!
Publisher Nick Cato just let me know Deadneck Hootenanny is sold out.
What this means is the publisher no longer has copies.
However, online bookstore may still have a few. So if you still want one -- and I'm talking to you guys who kept asking me about it at my brother's wedding -- then try Bloodletting Books, Shocklines or Bad Moon Books.
Thanks to everyone who picked this up or helped to spread the word.
What this means is the publisher no longer has copies.
However, online bookstore may still have a few. So if you still want one -- and I'm talking to you guys who kept asking me about it at my brother's wedding -- then try Bloodletting Books, Shocklines or Bad Moon Books.
Thanks to everyone who picked this up or helped to spread the word.
Pod of Horror in Rue Morgue
My little podcast gets a shout-out in issue #72 of Rue Morgue magazine. In an article on horror podcasts (and, God, who knew there were so many?) Kent McIntyre and Monica S. Kuebler say:
"Hosted by genre scribe Mark Justice (Deadneck Hootenanny), with regular reports from Nanci Kalanta of horrorworld.org, this long-running podcast focuses exclusively on horror literature. Episodes feature publishing news, author interviews, con reports, book reviews (by Scott Bradley), juicy gossip and even some spooky tunes. Casual but very chatty, PoH is updated once, sometimes twice, monthly and each episode is roughly an hour long. Be sure to listen carefully for the hilarious spoof ads."
Thanks to Rue Morgue -- one of my favorite magazines -- for the plug, and for noticing the spoof ads. This is actually our second mention in RM. How cool is that?
(Thanks to Dannyboy for the heads-up.)
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Guess What I Did Yesterday?
I married my brother.
No, not like that, you perv.
I offciated the ceremony.
Dave and Charlene wanted something non-traditional, and they asked me to perform the wedding. I visited the Universal Life Church Monastery website, where I got ordained in about five minutes.
Charlene and Dave wrote the vows -- which, to my mother's chagrin, managed to work in the word "flatulence" -- and I offered a suggestion or two, and we were off to the races.
The wedding was held at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. The bride was beautiful, the ceremony was brief, the food was amazing, and my brother and sister-in-law are off to a great start on their life together.
And I'm pretty sure Rev. Mark has performed his first and last wedding.
No, not like that, you perv.
I offciated the ceremony.
Dave and Charlene wanted something non-traditional, and they asked me to perform the wedding. I visited the Universal Life Church Monastery website, where I got ordained in about five minutes.
Charlene and Dave wrote the vows -- which, to my mother's chagrin, managed to work in the word "flatulence" -- and I offered a suggestion or two, and we were off to the races.
The wedding was held at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. The bride was beautiful, the ceremony was brief, the food was amazing, and my brother and sister-in-law are off to a great start on their life together.
And I'm pretty sure Rev. Mark has performed his first and last wedding.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Pod of Horror #39
Get out your trenchcoat and fedora...Pod of Horror goes Noir with episode #39.
* We cover the past and future of Hard Case Crime with editor Charles Ardai.
* Mary SanGiovanni talks about her debut novel, THE HOLLOWER.
* The Call of Kalanta flushes out all the news in the horror community.
* We have new reviews from Scott Bradley, co-editor of THE HORROR BOOK OF LISTS.
* The Tomb of Trivia wraps up one contest and begins another.
Pod of Horror is produced and hosted by Mark Justice. Download it at I-Tunes or direct to your desktop.
Get Pod of Horror merchandise.
Visit our MySpace page.
And be sure to drop by the Justice & Wilbanks message board.
Story Station Updates
Several new stories are up at Story Station, including one from Nina Kiriki Hoffman. Even if you're not a kid, you'll probably like these tales.
Writers, check out our guidelines and send us a great story.
Writers, check out our guidelines and send us a great story.
A Night of Hope
Hope’s Place is a local child advocacy center dedicated to helping victims of sexual abuse.
Thursday night Norma and I were honored to be guests at Hope’s Place’s annual Mystery Dinner, one of their major fund-raising events. The dinner was sold out.
We both took part in the mystery play. She was a human prop for a blindfolded psychic who tried to identify two of her, ah, physical attributes. I was Murph Crapington, budding TV evangelist and murder suspect. I did my best to uphold the fine Crapington name.
Here’s Norma with local musician Larry Pancake and Phil Osbourne, the world’s greatest guitarist:
And in this pic, Murph Crapington strikes a pose with local TV icon Randy Yohe:
It’s a tragedy that Hope's Place needs to exist, but for the victims of abuse, Hope’s Place is a blessing. Find out more about this fine organization here.
Thursday night Norma and I were honored to be guests at Hope’s Place’s annual Mystery Dinner, one of their major fund-raising events. The dinner was sold out.
We both took part in the mystery play. She was a human prop for a blindfolded psychic who tried to identify two of her, ah, physical attributes. I was Murph Crapington, budding TV evangelist and murder suspect. I did my best to uphold the fine Crapington name.
Here’s Norma with local musician Larry Pancake and Phil Osbourne, the world’s greatest guitarist:
And in this pic, Murph Crapington strikes a pose with local TV icon Randy Yohe:
It’s a tragedy that Hope's Place needs to exist, but for the victims of abuse, Hope’s Place is a blessing. Find out more about this fine organization here.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
A Week From Today
To whet our appetite for the new Spenser novel, the Boston Globe has an interview with Robert B. Parker.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Happy Birthday, Dave
Yesterday was my brother's birthday. The Bengals didn't seem to care, so after the game, we enjoyed one of Norma's huge dinners and her Jack-O-Bat birthday/Halloween cake.
Here are Dave and his fiancée Charlene about to blow out the candles:
Let me tell ya, friends, them there bats are gooood-eatin'! Doggies!
Here are Dave and his fiancée Charlene about to blow out the candles:
Let me tell ya, friends, them there bats are gooood-eatin'! Doggies!
Friday, October 12, 2007
Pod of Horror, Walking the Plank, Saddling Up, Plumber's Butt
It’s been a strange week, as summer finally morphs into fall. Norma is still struggling with the cold from Hell (or, actually, the Caribbean – but since that includes Dominica, Hell still applies). I’ve been struggling with staying awake. Something about the weather, I guess. I couldn’t wait for Autumn and now I’m going to snooze through it.
I’ve been reading a lot – some reviews are over at my other blog – but the writing has been slow in coming. I’m still plugging away on various things, even though I think I left my concentration back on St. Lucia, when I fell off of the Black Pearl. Yes, I had a flip-flop blowout as I was climbing off the pirate ship. How humiliating. The drunk guy didn’t fall off. Neither did the old lady or the woman with the cane. *sigh*. Here I am at the wheel of the Black Peal with one of the “pirates” before the tumble:
I got an invitation to an anthology of western stories this week. It will be my first western, though it won’t be very traditional. Unless robot lawmen are traditional. Heh.
There will finally be a new Pod of Horror on October 20 (which is the same day my brother gets married). Don’t forget about the PoH MySpace page. I need more friends, so please drop by.
Finally, for your entertainment, here’s a picture of my soon-to-be-married brother Dave showing off his plumber qualifications while petting Lois:
***
I’ve been reading a lot – some reviews are over at my other blog – but the writing has been slow in coming. I’m still plugging away on various things, even though I think I left my concentration back on St. Lucia, when I fell off of the Black Pearl. Yes, I had a flip-flop blowout as I was climbing off the pirate ship. How humiliating. The drunk guy didn’t fall off. Neither did the old lady or the woman with the cane. *sigh*. Here I am at the wheel of the Black Peal with one of the “pirates” before the tumble:
***
I got an invitation to an anthology of western stories this week. It will be my first western, though it won’t be very traditional. Unless robot lawmen are traditional. Heh.
***
There will finally be a new Pod of Horror on October 20 (which is the same day my brother gets married). Don’t forget about the PoH MySpace page. I need more friends, so please drop by.
***
Finally, for your entertainment, here’s a picture of my soon-to-be-married brother Dave showing off his plumber qualifications while petting Lois:
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Pod of Horror News
Hey, thanks to the lovely and talented Nanci Kalanta,
Nanci Kalanta in her kitchenPod of Horror now has a MySpace page.
So head over there now and do whatever it is you do at places like that. And sign up to be a friend. 'Skay? Sawright.
But wait...there's even bigger news. We now have a Pod of Horror store, where you can purchase authentic PoH merchandise, like this stylish number:
And, more importantly, this:
Doesn't that just give you a tingle in your special place? I thought so. So what are you waiting for? Help your favorite podcast. Baby needs a new thong.
As Bartles and James once said: thank you for your support.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
All Hail Lois!
All Hail the Master of the Justice Household.
You will feed her, scratch her and throw toys to her as she commands, regardless of the time of day or night.
When she wakes you at 1:30 a.m. you will rub her face for 20-30 minutes, and you will like it!
Do as she bids or suffer the wrath of her sandpaper tongue against your nose and lips (followed by her quick dash to lick the litterbox to get your taste out of her mouth).
Look into her eyes and you, too, will instantly want to pour her a dish of milk.
Love the Lois!
Fear the Lois!
Monday, October 01, 2007
Back From the Cruise
We got in late last night, tired and sore from the travel. We had a great time, though. Here we are in St. Thomas. We also visited Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados and Antigua.
It's good to be back, sleeping in our bed, cuddled up with Lois and Clark. It finally feels like Fall here, quite the contrast to the steamy Caribbean.
Norma and I both have colds, though she tells me it's Caribbean Dingu Fever.
If you travel to Australia can you catch Dingo Fever?
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