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Creepy Bookshelf: What are Horror Authors Reading During Lockdown?

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“When I find myself in times of trouble, horror authors come to me.”

Wait, that’s not how that lyric goes…

It’s safe to say that at this point in lockdown/shelter in place, some of us are going a little stir crazy and filling our time is becoming more of a challenge. How many times can we watch the same movie or play the same board game with our families, after all?

While the urge to be out among people may be palpable, we’re still going to be cooped up for a while. For me, that’s meant a lot of around the house projects and updating my reading list to keep the mind sharp when everything else is so terribly dull.

With that in mind, I thought I’d reach out to some talented independent horror authors and ask what they’ve been reading in hopes of refreshing my list, and they did not disappoint me at all!

Take a look at what they’re reading below, and let us know in the comments what is on your lists, as well!

Rob E. Boley: Author of the Scary Tales series

“I’m reading The Wolf’s Hour by Robert McCammon. Lately I’ve been into shorter, 200 page books but I figured while on lockdown, it’s be a good time to dive into something longer like this one. I love McCammon and I’m all about werewolves, so this one has been on my list for awhile. It has not disappointed! His take on werewolves is brilliant, and I love that this particular werewolf is fighting Nazis in WWII. Good stuff!”

Rob is an author with a wicked sense of humor and his Scary Tales series is one of my personal favorites. You can follow Rob E. Boley to keep up with his work on his personal website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Samantha Kolesnik: Author of True Crime

“I recently read Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino. Kirino flays systemic patriarchal oppression and socioeconomic inequality in this novel, and does so with subtle ingenuity. The writing’s so good that halfway through, I ordered more of Kirino’s books and knew she’d become a new favorite author of mine. If you like complex characters and unreliable POVs, Grotesque is an absolute must-read.”

Kolesnik’s debut novella True Crime has become one of the most talked about books in the indie horror world this year. It is a grueling, gripping read that you just have to experience for yourself. For more information you can visit her website or follow her on Goodreads, Twitter and Instagram.

Mike Thorn: Author of Darkest Hours and Dreams of Lake Drukka and Exhumation

Horror authors Mike Thorn

Photo by Robert Boschman

“I’m currently reading Daphne du Maurier’s The Breaking Point (1959), a collection of nine stories that depict characters experiencing various forms of intense psychological distress. This is only the second of du Maurier’s books I’ve read (the other is Rebecca, one of my favorite Gothic novels). So far, I have read the first two stories in The Breaking Point (“The Alibi” and “The Blue Lenses”), and I’m about midway through the third (“Ganymede”). I found the first an extremely unsettling depiction of a man’s dissociative descent into violent ideation, and I love the way the second story melds black comedy and surrealism. Du Maurier is an amazing prose stylist and a great writer of character interiority. She has a rare aptitude for building tension. I’m a little less than halfway through, but I can already tell this collection is going to be a favorite. Highly recommended for readers of all stripes.

Thorn’s own work repeatedly manages to repulse and terrify with evocative prose that works its way under your skin. For more information on the author and to keep up with his work, check out his website, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads!

Aaron Dries: Author of The Fallen Boys, A Place for Sinners and House of Sighs

horror authors Aaron Dries

“As is my habit, I’ve got about five books on the cooker that I bounce back-and-forth between on the daily. First up, I’m loving CONVERSATIONS WITH MARK FROST by David Bushman, a candid insight into the co-creator of Twin Peaks’ process and inspirations. On the fiction-front, I’ve almost finished ARE SNAKES NECESSARY? by Brian DePalma and Susan Lehman, a mix of tawdry thriller, moody noir, political peekaboo, and meta film narrative. Pure DePalma. I just finished an excellent novelette that’s coming out soon called THE ATTIC TRAGEDY by J. Ashley-Smith, which oozes atmosphere and is quite high on the creepy-factor. And my comfort reads at the moment are IN COLD BLOOD by Truman Capote (it’s legitimately perfect) and NOBODY BELONGS HERE MORE THAN YOU by Miranda July, a funny and melancholic collection of stories that I just want to hug. A diverse bunch, for sure, but all are worthy of your time. Happy reading!”

Aaron Dries is one of the kindest, gentlest horror authors I have ever had the pleasure of meeting who quite frankly writes transgressive fiction that terrifies me on a cellular level with imagery that you can never un-read. To learn more about his writing and to keep up with the latest updates on his work, visit his website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages.

Megan Hart: Author of Beneath the Veil and Little Secrets

“I just started reading this one. I think we picked it up at a used book store last summer. Anyway, my goal for 2020 was to read every book in the house that I had not yet read, before I could purchase any more or get any from the library. I have failed spectacularly. I’m not reading nearly as much as I should be. But I did just finish Oona Out of Order (mixed feelings) and so far, Dark Visions feels fun and old-school, but I’m only a chapter or so into it.”

Megan Hart is an award-winning author across multiple genres and I cannot recommend her work enough. Check out her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Glenn Rolfe: Author of Blood and Rain and the upcoming Until Summer Comes Around

“This Covid-19 lock down has me digging into some fantastic books. I’mm nearly finished with a good one from Jonathan Janz (The Darkest Lullaby), and just joined a group read of Andy Davidson’s In the Valley of the Sun. This is my first time reading Davidson and wow! This man can freaking write. I am totally wrapped up in his story. Both books are vampire related with Davidson’s seeming to be more traditional.
I’ve also started Savage Mountain by John Quick (Grindhouse Press) and plan on taking on Tim Meyer’s Dead Daughters (Poltergeist Press) next.
I hope you guys and gals out there are staying safe!”

Rolfe’s writings cover a remarkable spectrum of topics. To learn more, follow him on Twitter and find him on Goodreads!

 

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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