Hello, everyone! Hope this newsletter finds you well. Speaking of that, my old man just had a health scare and is still dealing with it. Long story short, a lot of people neglected their health during the pandemic because going to the doctor was the last thing they wanted to do. Well, sometimes that stuff catches up to you. Please, take care or yourselves. I didn't visit a doctor or dentist is years because I was broke and had no insurance, so I get it, but if you can, make sure you tackle little things before they become big things. In any case, let’s talk about some stuff!
Brian Keene
Yes, I wanna talk about Brian Keene. No, this isn’t drama. Sorry to disappoint! Hah. Some of you might know this, but some might not; Brian is one of my mentors. Yes, I’ve read his work and love it—both the fiction and the nonfiction—but he’s been a mentor when it comes to navigating publishing and even social media, and that’s more important than just being someone who critiques your work or helps you become a better writer.
Back in 2011, the World Horror Convention was held in Austin. I was a journalist for the Austin Post back then, so I pitched coverage and went on to interview a lot of great folks, including the great, late Jack Ketchum (we still talk, read, and celebrate you, Dallas!). In any case, I’d read and loved Brian’s work for years before that, so I told a few folks that I was going to try to interview him. They told me not to bother because he was an asshole. The con came and went and I never got around to talking to Brian. The following year I went to Portland for BizarroCon because my first book, GUTMOUTH, was coming out that same weekend. During dinner, I’d stepped out to go to the bathroom and crossed paths with Brian on my way back. I figured it was a good time to figure out if he was an asshole or not. We ended up sitting on a bench in the hotel’s hallway and talking for a while. He told me about dealing with being a public figure. He told me to protect my family because there are a lot of weirdos out there. He told me to pay it forward once people started paying attention. More than a decade later, I still follow all his advice and all the advice he’s given me since. Today, I’m proud to call him not only a mentor but also my brother.
Anyway, my brother Batman is getting married to the wonderful and very talented Mary SanGiovanni (if you haven’t read her, fix that as soon as possible). I’m happy for them. I can’t be the wedding because of finances and timing issues (including the fact that I will soon go visit my pops), but I will drink to them and wish them all the health and happiness in the world (and money, because if you’re healthy, money helps you enjoy your health even more). When you think about how full of assholes the world is, seeing two beautiful souls finding each other like Mary and Brian have is a little miracle, and they both deserve it.
Movies
I used to talk a lot about movies on Twitter, but then two things happened. First, I started watching less movies. Second, I got tired of people thinking they have The Right Opinion about a movie all the time. Listen, if I watch a movie and love it and you watch it and you hate it, we’re both right. Every single person who recommended books to me in my early teens was crazy about Lolita. I waited and waited and finally read it when I was 30 or so. I found it…underwhelming. Every time I say that, people go crazy. The same thing happens with movies all the time. In any case, I just watched a couple movies, which is a rare thing, so I’ll talk about them here because this will probably get me less hate that I get on Twitter.
The first movie is Huesera. I’m glad it exists. I crave more horror in Spanish and more horror from other countries and cultures in general. That said, I didn’t like it. It has some creepy moments, solid direction, and decent performances, but it’s like they wanted to make three or four different movies and ended up cramming everything into one. The result is disjointed and bland. The ending sucks. Meh.
I also watched Soft & Quiet. I hated it. I write about racism because I experience racism, and this movie added nothing to the discussion. It shows racists being racists and echoes some of the dumb shit you see online, but then….that’s it. I think there’s a huge difference between showing something, critiquing something, and exploring something, and this movie showed it and stayed there.
Lastly, last night I started a rewatch of John Wick 1-3. I love these movies unapologetically. The first one has aged very well. It’s gun fu at its best and pulpy and hyperviolent, but also, at least for me, a great look at that moment where we all break, where life throws enough shit our way and we explode. I’ve been teaching various workshops about violence for years, and I often talk about John Wick. Looking forward to two and three and then, hopefully right after, to watching the new one. Anyway, John Wick forever.
Music
I listen to music while I write. Every book has a very different group of albums I listen to again and again until a book is done. With THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME (which is still on sale and you should totally get!), it was all about Robert Rich, William Basinski, and a LOT of Lustmord. This time around, it’s even darker stuff. I’m talking drones/post-apocalyptic soundtracks/dark ambient like Iron Cthulhu Apocalypse. It…does things to my brain. In any case, I’m wondering what folks listen to when they write. Tell me below if you have time.
Bad reviews
I’ve been thinking about making a TikTok video talking about “bad” reviews, and that means I’ve been thinking about them a lot. Here’s the thing: bad reviews aren’t always bad. Also, there are different kinds of bad reviews. A one-star review because the reader got the book late from Amazon? That’s a bullshit review. Also, reviews where people start with “I don’t generally read…” are almost always bullshit as well. If you don’t like something, don’t consume it. Anyway, stay tuned; more on this soon.
I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend. Keep doing the thing and stay awesome. See you next week.
I sometimes write to horror movie soundtracks. The VVitch, Jessabelle, Some Kind of Hate, Skeleton Key, and Blair Witch 2016 are a few of my go-tos.
I remember that bench. Mary and I will be sitting on it next Monday. We'll have a drink for you. ;-)