The Devil went down to Georgia
He was lookin' for some votes to steal
He was in a bind 'cause he was way behind
And he was willin' to make a deal
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BrianKeene (Active On Bluesky. Updates Only Here.)
@BrianKeene
Bestselling, award winning writer of Horror, Fantasy, Crime, Nonfiction, & Comic Books. Board of Directors. HWA Trustee. Veteran. Father.
BrianKeene (Active On Bluesky. Updates Only Here.)’s posts
"But Charlottesville sad!" You sound like the Bronze Age Incredible Hulk. You're the fucking President. Craft a thoughtful fucking response.
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Am in Bedminster for meetings & press conference on V.A. & all that we have done, and are doing, to make it better-but Charlottesville sad!
My picks for the 10 Favorite Novels Meme (not including collections/novellas):
1. The Stand
2. Salem's Lot
3. 11/22/63
4. The Wastelands
5. The Long Walk
6. Wizard & Glass
7. Bag of Bones
8. Under the Dome
9. From A Buick 8
10. The Green Mile
Your mileage may vary.
This little girl missed me so much she’s decided to plant herself by the bathtub in case I disappear again while washing away road dust.
Something nobody warned me of when I was 20 - when you reach 50, death starts taking your friends, one at a time. Then, one morning, you'll wake up to learn that death is now stalking 6 of them at once. Life's short. Don't get caught up in stupid shit. Love & empathy are the way.
What's your comfort movie? The one you've seen a bazillion times? The one you put on in the background when you've had a crap day? The one you stop on when you're flipping through the channels? I have four: THEY LIVE, OFFICE SPACE, THE DARK KNIGHT, and SMOKEY & THE BANDIT.
Today is 's birthday. Tomorrow is mine. Which seems like as good a reason as any to point you folks to this short piece I wrote for 's SK Revisited about comic books, small towns, and NIGHT SHIFT.
An example of the current conditions in my office — Dallas and Stripe managed to pull this ’s CELL dust jacket (special edition I wrote the flap copy for) off the top of a 7-ft shelf and turn it into a kitten toy in the time it took me to go downstairs for coffee.
"I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it." Woodrow F. Call
Old High School Friend: "Everyone's so hung up on representation. What does that even mean?"
Me: "You watch Stranger Things?"
Him: "Yeah."
Me: "Remember us back in the 80s? Didn't it feel good to see how they portrayed Eddie Munson?"
Him: "Hell yeah!"
Me: "That's representation."
"I was born with some Killmonger in me, and I have learned to T’Challa... All African Americans, unless they have some direct connection, have been severed from that past. There’s things that cannot be tracked." - Chadwick Boseman
Fuck cancer.
My grandfather, my father, and myself. Three generations of being anti-fascist, which as I understand it, makes us antifa.
My 12-yr old starts back to school tomorrow. I start at Castle Rock High today with this mysterious homework assignment from , and . Go #CastleRockCougars! #Research
"Romance writers give zero fucks and will cut you." -- Brian Keene, World Horror Grandmaster Award winner (6)
(End of Thread)
1. Been a lot of online hand-wringing this week about what Horror writers should and shouldn't write, and about the people who read Horror. As someone who's made a living writing (mostly) Horror for the last 20 years, here's my thoughts on what I write and the folks who read it.
Good afternoon. My name is Brian Keene and I am one of the few writers left on Twitter who's not bombarding you on a daily basis with a fucking Wordle score. Thanks for following. Soon we will rise up against the Wordle hordes, and there shall be a Great Reckoning.
Seeing a lot of “You’re not a full-time writer if you still have a day job.” As someone who does *not* have a day job, let me call bullshit on that. MOST full-time writers have a full-time or part-time “day” job. I’m a rare, privileged exception. And even that ain’t all roses.
My 12-yr old (looking at my Van Halen 1984 album): "Why is the baby angel smoking a cigarette? He's on his way to lung cancer!"
Me: "We didn't think about those things in the 80s."
Him: "Sounds to me like you guys didn't think much at all in the 80s."
So (who's trying to keep my spirits up) and I were texting about our lifelong love of 's THE STAND and how Janz always identified with Stu and I always identified with Larry. But at 54, I identify with Glen Bateman more than I would have ever imagined.
Poe’s The Masque of the Red Death is a story about wealthy elitists partying during a pandemic. Horror fiction has always been social/political.
Dear Horror Genre,
Don't worry. I have a plan. Stay tuned...
With love and respect,
Brian Keene
"Baby, can you dig your man?"
Poor gets early morning texts from me like "What year was Larry Underwood's first single released?" and "What year did the newspaper article on 'Salem's Lot appear?" He's like the Ancient One to my Dr. Strange, except instead of wisdom he dispenses facts.
Lot of confusion within the horror community about whether this year’s Women In Horror Month is taking place in February or March.
To clarify, it’s taking place in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.
Thank you.
My 12-yr old asked if we could watch The Mist. He's currently reading IT, so I've no qualms about him reading/watching , but I had concerns about him and the movie's ending. Then he revealed something to me about how Gen Z consumes horror. Here's a thread about that.
After two years of holding it together for my family and loved ones, I have, as of 9:36 this morning, hit the fucking wall with this pandemic. None of these coping skills are helping. I wish the virus was a person so I could punch it, punch its whole family, and punch its house.
It's okay if you didn't write today.
But get back to it tomorrow, if you're able. There's a lot of scared people right now, and it's our job to give them pretend monsters to spend some time with so they forget about the real ones.
Waving a hearty hello (or perhaps flipping a cheerful middle finger) with my new arm! #StillAlive #Still Watchful #StillStrong And thanks to all of you.
Are you sick of using a dozen different social media platforms to find your horror family?
Wish there was a way to have better conversations with fellow readers and favorite creators?
Or, if you prefer, to be a fly on the wall?
Join us. It's free:
Dave Thomas passed in his sleep late this morning. It was entirely peaceful, with loved ones at his side both in person and on the phone. He & Deena appreciated the love and support our community has shown this past year. A private memorial will be held at a later date.
This photo was taken 11 years ago today. After crawling from the wreckage of the horror genres' mass market and small press collapse, and upheaval in my personal life, I told a friend I was in love with her. Glad you've put up with my nonsense ever since .
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14. So you motherfuckers tearing down younger writers, female writers, writers of color, etc. and trying to dictate what they write, and judging their fans - come try that shit with me and my fans. I may be getting older, but I can still club you over the head like a baby seal.
13-yr old: “Dad, can we get these today?”
Me: “Sure. I need that Spider-Man issue anyway.”
Him: “I was thinking both would go in my collection, but you can read the one when I’m done.”
Me: “But that Spidey is from when I was a kid.”
Him: “Then you already read it!”
I see a lot of speculative fiction writers expressing (pleasant) surprise over how 's fellow romance writers are supporting her struggle with and via #IStandWithCourtney. So here's a story thread about romance writers. (1)
No, #WWIII probably won't happen today, but just in case, thanks for an incredible 20-yr run. You folks made it possible for me to earn a living doing what I love, & I'm forever grateful. See you in the wasteland, where I'll be writing stories in the radioactive ash with a stick.
Crushed to hear of Peter Straub's passing. He was always very kind and supportive of me, from starting out back in the late Nineties to now. When and I first started dating, he & Jack Ketchum had the sweetest heart-to-heart with me. Truly a great person & writer.
Heading out on our honeymoon and waiting to board flight. Mary’s phone isn’t charged but we both want to say thank you for the outpouring of love this weekend. ❤️
I will be on assignment in Castle Rock, Maine this week, so expect mostly radio silence from me for the next few days.
Good follow up with doctors today. They say I’m healing remarkably well. Still have an open wound in elbow but everything else on road to healing. My arm won’t ever be pretty, but neither is the rest of me. 👍
Thanks to everyone for the outpouring of joy. Way too many to respond to individually but and I are touched. For those asking, we don’t want bachelor and bachelorette parties… unless maybe in continuity. 😉❤️
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A seldom discussed historical fact is that in middle-age, Nikola Tesla and Mark Twain were best friends. We who write speculative fiction - be it books, comics, or film -- have done the world a disservice by not providing a metric fuck-ton of Tesla & Twain team-up stories.
Replying to
5. Nobody gets to dictate whether Horror should be quiet or extreme. Nobody gets to dictate whether Horror should be socio-political or simple entertainment. That is up to the writer. The public can decide whether or not they wish to support it financially, but that's all.
I was honored to write an essay for the inner flaps of the new dust jacket for 's CELL (from ). I can't get a good picture of them, so here's a very short video instead.
My latest editor has decided she needs to be more involved in the process.
Home, but facing a long, scary and arduous recovery. Will be a while before I can write, but I’ll try to capture what I’m feeling in tomorrow’s newsletter (which you can subscribe to free at Brian Keene dot com). Thanks to all of you for the donations , goodwill and support.
Thanks to all for their well-wishes. I know I've been vague and that might seem odd, given how open I usually am. But this is a child's health, rather than my own. Suffice to say, things are getting better. I appreciate the break you all gave me this week.
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Me in the middle. Same era, but with a tighter perm. I think you could rock that look.
This morning I moved my fingers on my left hand, finished my 20th reread of ’s THE STAND, and started ’s BLOOD STANDARD. These are all victories.
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Visited the Suicide Stairs. Aptly named and daunting. Met some townsfolk, too. Weird old hermit named Otto Schenk and a deputy named Andy Clutterbuck. Also had a beer at The Mellow Tiger. Heading home now with souvenirs for , and @racheladeering.
For the record, I’m 100% with Joe on this. I bust my ass for my kids. Want to take my IP away from them? Pack a fucking lunch, dude, because you’re gonna need it.
Two things I've said before but that bear repeating this morning:
1. Black Lives Matter
2. My fellow veterans and I are not "losers" or "suckers".
If you disagree with me or are surprised I'd make those statements, I'm not sure who you thought you were reading all these years.
Go ahead and tell me again how I'm wrong about alternate realities collapsing in on each other and making this timeline increasingly bizarre.
My 8-year old decreed he, his mom, and I would do a 2,000 piece puzzle while we watch election coverage. There's a metaphor here, I know.
Today I got to put on some civvies for comfort. Unfortunately my shirt had to get its sleeves trimmed. But I’m the most metal motherfucker in the burn ward.
Yesterday I took Daisy to her new forever home. Here she is giving me a kiss goodbye. Tomorrow her brothers and sisters go to their new homes. Afterward I will most likely drink a bottle of whiskey and then spread chaos and discontent across a wide swath of the internet.
Almost 18,000 of you follow me. If each of you will Tweet one nice thing to another author on this platform (not me) then it will make Twitter infinitely more enjoyable for everyone this afternoon. And if you're not following other authors, then fix that, too, while you're at it.
Had an unexpected reaction to the Pfizer Covid vaccine. I’m mostly fine but will be unavailable for next 24-48 hours. The nurse also said I could further lower my blood pressure by turning my phone off. Anyway...I’ll be okay. But yes, expect radio silence for a while.
I see a lot of new writers talk about Imposter Syndrome. I've been doing this 20+ years with some success. This morning I just wrote the most personally important pitch/synopsis of my career. The self doubting urge to delete it is strong. Imposter Syndrome is real, and it's okay.
My almost 15-yr old: “Dad, today in honors English, we had to list 3 prominent horror writers. Guess who I listed?”
Me (smiling): “Who?”
Him: “, Jack Ketchum, and J.F. Gonzalez!”
Me: “… can’t think of anyone else you could’ve listed?”
Him: “?”
Me: “…”
My son's mother is vaxxed but immunocompromised. Current science data says people in that category produce few to no antibodies in response to a vaccine. So the next person to "baa" at me for wearing a mask is going to learn how fast this sheep can turn into a fucking wolverine.
Yes, other horror, western, mystery, and crime writers eventually joined the fray when it was clear the pendulum had swung in our favor, but it was the romance writers who stood arm in arm with us from the very first day. It was they who made the pendulum swing. (4)
Classics:
1. Off Season
2. The Stand
3. The Keep
4. The Light at the End
5. After Age
6. Blood Kin
7. The Drive-In
8. Sineater
9. Boy’s Life
10. The Bighead t.co/8xA8P79mfu
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What hasn't been documented as much as it should is the efforts and assistance of the romance writers who were in the trenches with us throughout the entire war. It was their signal boost that gave us the bargaining power we needed. They were utterly ruthless and cunning. (3)
All good. BP went up again, but not into the danger zone. I’ve been released and am now fully vaccinated. I hope each of you will be soon, too, so we can all hang out again. 🤞
Replying to
15. Thanks for coming to my T.E.D. talk.
Got my 13-year old scheduled for his first dose of the vaccine at 4pm today. When I confirmed the appointment, I let out a long, shuddering breath that it felt like I had been holding in since around this time last year. Don't think I'll be writing much today.
I get my 2nd vaccine dose tomorrow. Mary & my mom are a little worried, given the reaction I had to the first dose, but I have prepared for this since I was 14 years old by annually rereading THE STAND. I am 'Stu Redman in the CDC' calm, which is a totally legit state of zen.
Reagan birthed Splatterpunk. Thatcher birthed Vertigo. Bush fueled my generation. Seize the moment, young horror writers. Face the monster.
Remember when Star Wars was three movies and a shitty Christmas special?
Got my first “What were you thinking promoting ’s MANHUNT?” troll today. For the record, I was thinking it was this generation’s spiritual successor to Ketchum’s LADIES NIGHT. I’m also thinking I’ll promote Gretchen’s next book twice as hard just to piss you off.
Reminder that the majority of women, men, and nonbinary folks who enjoy writing or reading extreme horror are warm, wonderful, kind, inclusive people.
Like any other genre or subgenre, there are also a handful of brain-damaged shitweasels.
Be the former. And be kind.
Deleted the last Tweet because for the first time in my life, I simply don’t have the strength to fight the entire Internet — even if it is just a horde of anti-vaxxers and Q-castaways. But I stand by my assertion that those folks can fuck off. Thanks.
If you read one article today, make it this one.
Then, after you've read it, print it out, find a politician or someone who still insists this is a "hoax" or isn't social distancing, and staple it to their fucking forehead.
Twice.
dnyuz.com/2020/03/24/whe
Today I wrote and completed my first thing since the accident — an Introduction for ’s LOST HIGHWAYS anthology. It’s a small word count, but given that this time last week I wasn’t sure I’d be able to write, I’ll take it. Continued thanks and gratitude to you all.
Gonna tell my kids this was Rudy Giuliani sweating hair dye during today's disastrous press conference.
It’s okay to like cozy horror, extreme horror, quiet horror, supernatural horror, cosmic horror, queer horror, weird westerns, bizarro, Splatterpunk, or any other kind of horror that brings you joy. If anyone gives you shit about it, tell them Brian Keene said to fuck off. Twice.
Thanks to all of you for the birthday wishes, but my birthday isn't until tomorrow. I'll turn 51. Today is 's birthday. He turned 71. If you'd like to get either of us something, voting this November would be a fine present.
Left my laptop open while I cooked dinner. My 12-year old decided this novel should be a collaboration. See if you can find his editorial addition.
Replying to
2. All readers, regardless of genre, have the expectation of being entertained, of course. But readers of specific genres also have distinct expectations, as well. Horror readers generally expect to be scared, frightened, or made uncomfortable. They are actively seeking that.
We've made demonstrable strides in inclusion in the horror genre over the last 25 years, but ageism is still prevalent. I'd planned on tackling it publicly this year. Let's start today, by telling the person who told this that "OFF" is the direction they can fuck.
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Received a DM this morning informing me that it was creepy and pathetic that a man of my generation would want to support and be friends with today's younger writers. My answer: if you think I'm going to self-segregate myself because of my age, you can kiss my wrinkled, old ass.
My Top 10 Favorite Horror Films of All Time*:
1. The Thing (1982)
2. The Exorcist III
3 (Tie): Phantasm & They Live
4. Session 9
5. Event Horizon
6. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
7. Jaws
8. Frankenstein's Army
9. Evil Dead II
10. In The Mouth of Madness
* Tie for number 3.
My 14-year old starts high school in September. He will be in Honors English. He has to read JANE EYRE this summer as an assignment. I've never read it, so I told him we could read it at the same time and then discuss. Guessing it's too much to hope a zombie shows up in the book?
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6. If readers and fans *do* support what a writer is doing with Horror, you don't get to dictate to them, either. You can say, "Oh, Samantha Kolesnik's debut or Bryan Smith's new novel was too unflinching for my personal taste" but you DO NOT get to judge fans who enjoyed it.
It's sunny outside, Biden is President, Harris is Vice-President, both of my ex-wives were very nice to me, my kids are happy, and I'm writing dialogue for my all time favorite literary antagonist (a traveling man...). All in all, this might be the best day I've had in 2020.
1. Richard Laymon's books aren't for everyone, particularly today's audiences. But this is 2+2 = 47 math here. Did Jack Ketchum keep teens chained in his basement? Are & sexual serial killers? Was J.F. Gonzalez making snuff films in between books? (cont)
Today , horror pros and horror fandom raised $18,357 for:
*Ashley Adams and her daughter Natalya, who has Marfan Syndrome.
*Laura, a breast cancer warrior.
*Patricia, who suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns to her entire right side.
Thank you all. I sleep now.
Important to remember that not all gun owners support the NRA. I myself find them loathsome and agree that we need better restrictions, laws, and enforcement of those laws.
TRAIN TO BUSAN: PENINSULA (now on ) is almost as good as TRAIN TO BUSAN and better than 80% of all other modern zombie movies, so yeah, I recommend it. Lots of fun and pretty intense.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I'm happy to announce that because of your AuthorCon support & attendance, is able to write a check for one of this year's 3 families. We're also pleased to announce AuthorCon 2 is coming in 2023. Stay tuned for dates and info.
If you’re sick and tired of receiving political text message spam, you don’t necessarily have to text ‘STOP’ to be taken off the lists. I’ve discovered that this method works, too.
Received four more medical bills in the last two days, all related to the accident. Such a relief not to fret and worry about these. Thanks once again to you — my fans and my fellow peers in the genre, for helping us out when we needed it. Recovery is progressing nicely.
Late last year, you saw horror writers band together in regards to ChiZine. A few years back, you saw sci-fi writers do the same in relation to Vox Day's bullshit. But that's nothing compared to what happens when you come for romance writers. (5)
Before he died, J.F. Gonzalez was working on what he considered his most important novel, the semi-biographical THE CROSSROADS. Last year, the estate picked to complete it (based on Jesus's notes). Based on what I've read so far, Jesus is writing thru Gabino.
After revealed his desire to write a Jason Voorhees novel, many of you asked me which one I'd like to write. When I said something set in the world of 's Phantasm, many of my younger readers asked why. So, here's a thread about why. (1)
I’ve been asked to inform the public that Paul @ Thunderstorm Books has tested positive for Covid. His symptoms are fairly severe. Shipping is delayed. There are contingency plans for the worst. The BEST thing you can do to support him is LET HIM REST. No email/texts/Tweets. Thnx
Replying to
8. I have empathy for other people. Trauma and I are lifelong companions. But trauma and triggers are not universal. They are deeply personal and singular. I struggle with stories involving child abuse, dead kids, and (more recently) people getting burned.
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9. But I would never presume to tell Josh Malerman "You can't kill the kid" or call up Sarah Pinborough and admonish her for burning someone alive in a novel. I don't get to dictate the terms or content of their art.