Cemetery Dance Online

Review: Blackwood by Michael Farris Smith

Cemetery Dance OnlineMarch 2, 2020March 3, 2020ReviewsBlackwood, Blu Gilliand, Michael Farris Smith, ReviewsLeave a comment

Cover of Blackwood by Michael Farris Smith Blackwood by Michael Farris Smith
Little, Brown and Company (March 2020)
304 pages; $27 hardcover; $13.99 e-book
Reviewed by Blu Gilliand

If you’ve been to the South you’ve seen kudzu, the suffocating green vine that will envelop anything that stands still long enough. It fills gullys and blankets hills. It climbs telephone poles and encircles trees. It’s got a deep foothold in the region, and it’s tough. I once saw a car that had plunged nose-first into a kudzu-filled ravine, its taillights the only thing visible through the green webbing — webbing strong enough to catch the car like a net and keep it from hitting the ground.

Were the kudzu to disappear one day, to turn brown and crumble the way other, lesser plants do, there’s no telling what would be revealed. Abandoned pickup trucks. Forgotten general stores and shotgun houses. Animal bones by the millions. And secrets…so many secrets.Continue Reading

Into the Abyss with Kevin Lucia, CW Briar and Thomas McDonough

Cemetery Dance OnlineMarch 1, 2020March 2, 2020InterviewsCW Briar, Interviews, Into the Abyss, Kevin Lucia, Thomas McDonough, VideoLeave a comment

Into the Abyss creepy logo Kevin Lucia stays plenty busy teaching, editing reviews for Cemetery Dance, writing horror fiction, and raising kids. So, naturally, he decided to develop a new YouTube show devoted to horror to fill his “spare time.”

Welcome to Into the Abyss, coming at you every week from Lucia’s “horror cave” and featuring CW Briar and Thomas McDonough as co-hosts. The guys break down horror movies, talk about books, and generally welcome us all into their horror-centric get-togethers.

We’re big fans of the show here at Cemetery Dance, and we think you’ll all enjoy it, too. In this special episode, Cemetery Dance Managing Editor Blu Gilliand sent the guys a few questions to help them introduce themselves and their show to you! Check out the full video below.Continue Reading

Women in Horror Month Interview: Becky Spratford

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 28, 2020February 24, 2020InterviewsBecky Spratford, Interviews, Mother Horror, Sadie Hartmann, Women in Horror MonthLeave a comment

Becky Spratford is an informed and passionate advocate of fiction (particularly horror fiction). She trains librarians to match readers with books they’ll enjoy — an amazingly important job, if you ask us! Becky maintains a magical presence on Twitter and a blog that gives great insight into the importance of the work she does.

We’re proud to feature Becky in this special Women in Horror Month interview.Continue Reading

Dreamlike States by Brian James Freeman: Newly Revised and Expanded Paperback In-Stock Now!

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 26, 2020Breaking NewsLeave a comment

The signed Limited Edition of Dreamlike States by Brian James Freeman sold out in a day back in 2014, and has been out of print since, but we’re pleased to report this collection is now available as an affordable trade paperback with creepy new Vincent Chong cover artwork!

Not only is this edition more affordable, but Brian has revised each story and added a few more, along with new story notes. He will also be signing the first batch of copies we sell, so don’t wait to place your order!

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and enthusiasm!

Review: Shapeshifters: A History by John B. Kachuba

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 26, 2020February 25, 2020ReviewsJohn B. Kachuba, Kevin Lucia, Reviews, Shapeshifters: A HistoryLeave a comment

Shapeshifters: A History by John B. Kachuba
Reaktion Books (June 2019)
208 pages; $15.78 hardcover
Reviewed by Kevin Lucia

As an English teacher and lover of myths and folklore, nonfiction works on the historical and mythical backgrounds of monsters and such is right up my alley. I love reading how strange beliefs, customs, and folktales serve as the roots of some of our more famous monsters and horror fiction beasties. So, as you can imagine, when Shapeshifters: A History by John B. Kachuba showed up on my doorstep, I was pretty excited. Continue Reading

Review: The Deep by Alma Katsu

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 25, 2020February 25, 2020ReviewsAlma Katsu, Dave Simms, Reviews, The DeepLeave a comment

The Deep by Alma Katsu
G.P. Putnam’s Sons (March 10, 2020)
432 pages; $18.39 hardcover; $13.99 e-book
Reviewed by Dave Simms

Those who devoured Alma Katsu’s The Hunger (which should have won awards across the board last year—pun intended) will want to take the plunge into The Deep, a beautifully disturbing cross-genre tale that might even top that previous novel. Whereas The Hunger mined the ill-fated travels of the pioneers who traversed the Donner Pass, this one dives into the mystique of the Titanic, yet with a twist. The ship had a sister—the Britannic. This ship was retrofitted to be a hospital to be used during the war.Continue Reading

He Who Types Between the Rows: A Decade of Horror Drive-In

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 24, 2020Breaking NewsLeave a comment

In January 2006, Mark Sieber created the Horror Drive-In website as a home for his new message board. The site also provided a platform for Sieber to discuss his lifelong passions: books, movies, music, publishing, drive-in theaters, and the horror community. Not merely content to review and comment on the state of the industry, Sieber offered insights and revelations into his own life as a horror devotee.

He Who Types Between the Rows offers a tour of the genre from 2006 to 2017. From King and McCammon to newer writers such as Rio Youers and Caroline Kepnes, from Evil Dead to Nudist Colony of the Dead, Sieber’s essays cover the vast spectrum of horror in all its forms. This book gives readers a view of the field from the trenches, written by a true fan.

So hurry back with your snacks, make one last bathroom stop, and grab that illicit case of beer from the trunk. Showtime is in one minute.

This edition includes a Foreword by Jeff Strand, and an Afterword by Thomas F. Monteleone.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and enthusiasm!

Women in Horror Month Interview: Ania Ahlborn

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 21, 2020February 19, 2020InterviewsAnia Ahlborn, Interviews, Mother Horror, Sadie Hartmann, Suntup Editions, Women in Horror MonthLeave a comment

Author and interview subject Ania Ahlborn — Ania Ahlborn

February is Women in Horror Month and I wanted to check in with some of my favorite writers of horror fiction. Ania Ahlborn is the author of several creepy books of which I would recommend, starting with Brother, and then working through her extensive back catalog. Her most recent release, If You See Her, is about buried mysteries, haunted houses, and the ghosts of past sins coming back to haunt you.

Ania and her husband, Will, have a toddler we will refer to as “R” in this interview. I wanted to find out how Ania has been balancing her writing career and motherhood. Continue Reading

2 For $20 for 02/20/2020 Deal!

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 20, 2020March 30, 2020Breaking NewsLeave a comment

SOLD OUT!

Gwendy’s Magic Feather Italian Edition Publication Week Giveaway!

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 19, 2020Breaking NewsLeave a comment

We have a new giveaway that is open to ANYONE anywhere in the WORLD! If you’ve always wanted an excuse to order a foreign edition of a Castle Rock novel, this is the excuse you’ve been waiting for!

Anyone who purchases a hardcover or eBook copy of the Italian edition of Gwendy’s Magic Feather is eligible to win our new giveaway! Grand prize is a $250 Cemetery Dance gift certificate. Two runners-up will each win $100 gift certs. Just send your full name, along with a photo of your book or an online receipt, to [email protected]. We will pick three winners next Monday!

Also, feel free to ask for signed bookplate when you email. We’re happy to send you one!

As always, the free method of entry is to mail a postcard with your name and address and “Giveaway Entry” to Cemetery Dance Publications, 132-B Industry Lane, Unit 7, Forest Hill, MD, 21050. Postcard must be received by 8 AM on Monday, February 24, 2020. Cemetery Dance Publications is not responsible for lost or misdirected mail, and cannot confirm receipt of your postcard.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and enthusiasm!

Review: Miscreations edited by Doug Murano and Michael Bailey

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 19, 2020February 18, 2020ReviewsDoug Murano, Michael Bailey, Miscreations, Mother Horror, Reviews, Sadie HartmannLeave a comment

Miscreations: Gods, Monstrosities & Other Horrors edited by Doug Murano and Michael Bailey
Written Backwards (February 2020)
342 pages; $29.95 hardcover; $16.95 paperback; $3.95 e-book
Reviewed by Sadie “Mother Horror” Hartmann

I clearly remember a debate that transpired last summer on social media about anthologies. An author wondered about the future of anthologies because it seemed to him they don’t make any money. Several industry people weighed in with their strong opinions either in support of anthologies or against them (not really opposed to anthologies in general but speaking more about the profitability, or lack thereof).

Watching from the sidelines, I was beside myself. Anthologies are some of my favorite books to read. I chimed in on the conversation, only to add that I enjoy a well put together, themed anthology and that I am wholeheartedly in support of their continued success. Miscreations, by award-winning editors Doug Murano and Michael Bailey, proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that anthologies are well worth any amount of effort, money, blood, sweat, and tears.Continue Reading

Review: Jane Goes North by Joe R. Lansdale

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 18, 2020February 17, 2020ReviewsBlu Gilliand, Jane Goes North, Joe R. Lansdale, Reviews, Subterranean PressLeave a comment

Jane Goes North by Joe R. Lansdale
Subterranean Press (March 2020)
232 pages; $40 limited edition hardcover
Reviewed by Blu Gilliand

I took a few road trips in my youth. While they were marked with plenty of shenanigans and questionable decisions (as was most of my youth), none of them came close to the craziness experienced by the women in Jane Goes North, Joe Lansdale’s new novel from Subterranean Press. It’s probably a good thing, too; Lansdale’s women barely flinch in the face of the inconveniences and dangers he tosses at them, while I would have crumbled like a cheap cookie.Continue Reading

Damage and Dread by Kevin Quigley: Brand New Surprise Trade Paperback Shipping This Month!

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 17, 2020Breaking NewsLeave a comment

We’re pleased to announce Damage and Dread by Kevin Quigley, a surprise trade paperback that will be shipping this month!

About the Book:
I bet you’re hungry.

Hungry for new stories from horror writer Kevin Quigley. Hungry for terror. Hungry for damage. Hungry for dread.

Make a meal out of dispatches from the future in “You’re Going to Kill Me,” detailing gruesome crimes yet to happen, and the off-kilter mind of the man who discovers them. Feast on “The Extinction Device,” in which two women discover the ability to play God with things long dead. Sate yourself with “The Coming of the Elves,” a sinister tale of holiday madness. And gorge yourself on “Drawn to the Flame,” where a dark carnival is only the start of the horrors, and a swarm of fear threatens to swallow you whole.

These stories and more set the table in the murkiest corners of your imagination. Pull up a chair and grab your knife and fork: the terror won’t stop until you get your fill.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and enthusiasm!

Your Dog Secretly Hates You — A Decade of Animal Revenge Flicks

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 14, 2020February 13, 2020Video VisionsColumns, Hunter Shea, Video Visions2 Comments

You think climate change fear mongering is something new? Well, then you never watched a nature gone wild movie from that gloriously gritty decade, the ’70s. When we weren’t terrified that the Rooskies were going to strafe us with A-bombs, we were pretty damn sure the ozone layer would be gone any day and the end of the world was nigh. The ’70s is when we got woke that we were making a mess of the planet, and the ensuing guilt had to find an outlet, a way to make us pay for our wrongdoing. Or at least pretend to pay, just like Earth Day is when we pretend to be nice to the world. Continue Reading

New Signed Limited Edition From the UK: The Brood by Stephen Bissette!

Cemetery Dance OnlineFebruary 13, 2020February 13, 2020Breaking NewsLeave a comment

We’re pleased to report we’ll be getting copies of the Signed Limited Edition Hardcover of The Brood by Stephen Bissette from PS Publishing in the UK, but our supplies won’t last long!

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and enthusiasm!

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