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(Author Interview) Hunter Shea talks Tortures of the Damned and The Dover Demon.

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I met Hunter Shea online. I’d just finished his novella, The Waiting (Samhain, 2014), and also just signed my first deal with the same publisher. I had heard nothing but great things about him and his work, and after reading The Waiting and then connecting with him via Facebook, I learned that the rumors were true.

I’ve since interviewed, been interviewed by, chatted/emailed with, and hung out with him. I admire the hell out of this guy as a writer and a person. He also happens to have not one, but two new releases (both novels-his second and third of 2015 after January’s Island of the Forbidden). Tortures of the Damned (Pinnacle/Kensington) and The Dover Demon (Samhain).

After meeting him and his family a couple weeks ago at his signing at the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine, I caught up with Mr. Hunter Shea for this new interview.

 

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Glenn Rolfe (iHorror): Tortures of the Damned centers around a family dealing with this end of the world as we know it scenario. When writing it, did you think of your own family in that situation?

Hunter Shea: Absolutely. Living within sight of Manhattan, I worry all the time about the next 9/11 event. Just because nothing has happened over the past 14 years doesn’t mean we’re in the clear. We live in very dangerous times, and New York is a prime target. The Padillas are an average, hard working, loving family, just like my own. Keeping that in mind made the fear palpable for me as I wrote.

GR: Do you know a doomsday prepper like Buck?

HS: You have to remember, growing up in the 70s and 80s, I was also part of the Cold War culture. Monthly air raid tests were part of my childhood. I’ve met quite a few folks even back then with tricked out bomb shelters. I also knew a guy who was the ultimate prepper. I mean, he was ready not only for the end of the world, but how to defend himself and his family from anyone who crossed his path. There are more people than you realize that are set for when everything hits he fan.

GR: This is your second Pinnacle book. Are there any differences in how you write for them versus Samhain? And how do you decide which piece is going where?

HS: With Pinnacle, they’re more thriller oriented, so even though there are fantastical elements, there also has to be a kernel of truth at the heart of the story. The key is to get things moving in a hurry and take the reader on a ride that will leave them breathless. Yes, both books to date absolutely have horror elements, but I like to think they’re clinging to the edge of your seat horror. Samhain is wonderful in that our editor lets our creative selves just go with it. With Pinnacle, I work in tandem with my editor to craft a story.

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GR: The Dover Demon has just released from Samhain. I got to hang with you at the Cryptozoology Museum here in Maine during one of your signings. What was it about the Dover Demon over say, Bigfoot or the Mothman, that made you have to create a story?

HS: First, I can’t thank you enough for coming to the museum. It was so great hanging out with you. The Dover Demon is completely perplexing. Is it an alien? Is it some strange creature? Is it a person with a deformity? Why did it only pop up for 2 nights in 1977? It’s a true mystery, one that has made a deep impression on people interested in cryptozoology. I wanted to tackle the true story and see what I could do with it, maybe offer an explanation for it, no matter how bizarre. I’d already taken on Bigfoot and The Montauk Monster (and another for Pinnacle next year that’s top secret for now), and I wanted to delve into the strange world of a creature that doesn’t get as much attention.

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GR: Are there any wild legends that remain untapped by you from New York or your stays in Maine? Have you ever seen or experienced something unexplained in one of these areas?

HS: There are so many, it’s impossible to go through them all here. I live at the tail end of the Hudson River Valley, host to countless UFO sightings in the 80s and 90s. I used to go out hunting for UFOs all the time. I saw an incredible one by accident with my wife (girlfriend at the time), mother, sister and thousands of others in 1988. That just fueled my fire. If you look, there are legends of strange creatures everywhere. One of my goals is to bring new life to them over the coming years.

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GR: Of your Samhain books, which one do you wish more people would pick up and why?

HS: It would have to be Hell Hole. It was voted the #1 horror novel of 2014 by several prestigious horror-themed websites, but I think because it’s also a western, it didn’t get as much traction as it should have. It’s not cowboys and Indians. It’s haunted mines, wildmen, ghosts, black eyes kids and Djinn. It’s the single wildest ride I’ve ever written, with humor, romance and more action than you can poke a stick at. So come on pardners, saddle up!

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GR: I know you’re a pretty prolific reader. Give me three or four pieces from 2015 that have stood out to you.

HS: I know it’s going to just go to his head, but I love Ronald Malfi’s Little Girls. That’s the kind of horror story I grew up on and love. I just finished Stephen King’s Finders Keepers. Loved it, especially the ending. I can’t wait for the next one. Others that have tripped me out have been your novella Boom Town, Greg Gifune’s Lords of Twilight and Kristopher Rufty’s Jagger.

GR: I Kill in Peace is listed as coming soon at the end of The Dover Demon. Is there anything you can tease us with in regards to that story? And do you have a release date yet?

HS: That’s a nasty little novella about a poor schmuck living in Maine whose life gets flipped upside down by a simple instant message on his work computer. Readers should be prepared for some tough stuff, because it doesn’t pull any punches. No release date yet, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be out early 2016.

 

Rapid Fire: 

Hair metal song(s) that still crank you up? Tesla                                   0316340944

Best new band you’ve been forced to go see live? New Year’s Day     

King novel that you love that isn’t so popular? Gerald’s Game           

Favorite non-horror book? Snow in August, Pete Hammil 

Must have food to eat when you come up to Maine? The burger at the American Gastropub in Bridgton. Also, while you’re there, get a haircut at the Barber of Bridgton, who also cuts Stephen King’s hair.

 

Thanks, Hunter!

 

Hunter Shea is back again with a Pinnacle/Kensington paperback following his smash hit of The Montauk Monster last summer. This time the world could be ending!

Follow along using the hashtags: #TorturesoftheDamned #Apocalypse #RunforYourLife

 

SHOCK… First, the electricity goes—plunging the east coast in darkness after a devastating nuclear attack. Millions panic. Millions die. They are the lucky ones. AFTER SHOCK… Next, the chemical weapons take effect—killing or contaminating everything alive. Except a handful of survivors in a bomb shelter. They are the damned. HELL IS FOR HUMANS Then, the real nightmare begins. Hordes of rats force two terrified families out of their shelter—and into the savage streets of an apocalytic wasteland. They are not alone. Vicious, chemical-crazed animals hunt in packs. Dogs tear flesh, cats draw blood, horses crush bone. Roaming gangs of the sick and dying are barely recognizable as human. These are the times that try men’s souls. These are the tortures that tear families apart. This is hell on earth. The rules are simple: Kill or die.

Praise-

“A lot of splattery fun.”—Publishers Weekly “Harrowing, bloodsoaked.” —Jonathan Janz, Author of The Nightmare Girl “Frightening, gripping.”—Night Owl Reviews “Old school horror.” —Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author

Hunter Shea, Biography-

Hunter Shea is the author of the novels The Montauk Monster, Sinister Entity, Forest of Shadows, Swamp Monster Massacre, and Evil Eternal. His stories have appeared in numerous magazines, including Dark Moon Digest, Morpheus Tales and the Cemetery Dance anthology, Shocklines : Fresh Voices in Terror.

His obsession with all things horrific has led him to real life exploration of the paranormal, interviews with exorcists and other things that would keep most people awake with the lights on. He lives in New York with his family and vindictive cat. He waits with Biblical patience for the Mets to win a World Series. You can read about his latest travails and communicate with him at www.huntershea.com.

PURCHASE!

You can purchase Tortures of the Damned in mass market paperback at more retail stores nationwide, as well as bookstores, both independent and chain.

You can also buy online at:

Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Tortures-Damned-Hunter-Shea/dp/0786034777

Barnes and Noble- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tortures-of-the-damned-hunter-shea/1120138038?ean=9780786034772

Giveaway!

One signed book from Hunter Shea of winner’s choice (or e-book) and a bookmark.

Copy this code to your blog:

<a class=”rcptr” href=”https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/231aa30b20/” rel=”nofollow” data-raflid=”231aa30b20″ data-theme=”classic” data-template=”” id=”rcwidget_yh8ouy9k”>a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

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Or use this link:

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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