I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some doggone turkey already.
You’ll notice I said “doggone” instead of “goddamn.” I enjoy old-timey words and phrases. It’s fun to bring them back when people least expect them, which is always. So consarn it, you’re just gonna have to stomach my applesauce.
The other day, I actually used this phrase with my lady friend: “The yoke on the oxen feels no guilt.” Somehow, she didn’t leave immediately (never underestimate the power of a good beard).
Anyway, about that turkey. Y’all, I’m freakin’ ready for it. I’m thinking about it a lot. Too much, really. Bear is also waiting patiently (and drooling).
There’s something magical about Thanksgiving—a magic I feel transcends the holiday which follows it. It’s no secret I’m not a fan of Christmas, but that humbuggery aside, I feel like the nostalgic limbo between fall and winter is underlined by Thanksgiving Day. It’s a weird sort of tipping point, like an equinox but with sweet potato pie. I also appreciate the old-world tradition of a fall harvest—reaping the rewards of a season of hard work in preparation for the long, dark winter ahead, and celebrating said harvest with a gluttonous banquet. And when I say “old-world”, I don’t just mean pilgrims and Native Americans and cornucopias. I mean Druids—and not the kind from Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers, who nobody likes. I’m talking those robed weirdos from first century B.C. That’s how long humankind has been doing some variation of what we call Thanksgiving. I like that.
I also dig the tradition of giving thanks. We Americans are all so doggone spoiled and yet deplorably ungrateful. So at least once a year, we can show some appreciation for all we have, rather than mope over what we do not, like we do the rest of the time. It may sound corny (and perhaps out of character), but I physically write a list of what I’m thankful for each Thanksgiving. I don’t share it with anyone, but if someone is on the list, I let them know. Try it. Just write down the things you’re grateful for. You’ll be surprised how marvelous it feels to remind yourself how good you have it in this grim, hopeless world that is currently on fire.
One person I am grateful for is my buddy Brian Keene. I’ve said it before and will never stop saying it—Keene does more for the indie horror community than anyone else I can think of. Whether he’s co-running a charity for sick people with Scares That Care, offering advice to young writers, giving exposure to other writers, or writing new The Rising stories to raise money when my dog needed chemotherapy, Keene’s seemingly endless reservoir of philanthropy is meritorious and inspirational.
Now Keene is taking on another challenge that will benefit the world of horror fiction. Along with his wife, the lovely and talented author Mary SanGiovanni, Keene is opening a specialty bookstore. Here’s some information from them:
Inspired by Dark Delicacies, Butcher Cabin Books, The Poisoned Pen, Bucket O' Blood, Mysterious Galaxy, and other indie bookshops, we are opening an independent bookstore specializing in Horror, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Bizarro, and other speculative fiction genres. Vortex Books & Comics will open Spring of 2024 in the historic district of beautiful Columbia, Pennsylvania -- easily and quickly accessible from Baltimore, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, New York City, Washington D.C. and more. We'll carry a full complement of books from the Big Five, as well as hundreds of books from many cool indie publishers and small presses, and titles in Española and other languages. We'll host weekly signings, readings, workshops, and other events. We know this business, and are intimately familiar with its ups and downs, ebbs and flows. Our goal is to make the store a destination.
We have already invested a significant sum of our savings into this endeavor. It was suggested to us by several knowledgeable mentors that we should give the community an opportunity to chip in and help. If you would like to show your solidarity and support with a donation, it will be put toward further set-up costs such as fixtures, security, inventory, marketing and advertising, signage, etc. thus giving us a bit of breathing room and time to make the store profitable. However, you are under no obligation to donate. We appreciate your support regardless of whether you wish to donate or not. Thanks for reading us these last thirty years and allowing us both a place at the table. We are very excited for this next chapter of our story, and giving back to our peers and fans in an all-new way.
Currently their GoFundMe fundraiser is at a little over $6,000. Every little bit helps, folks, so if you can, consider a donation. If you’re a writer, you could end up doing a book signing here. If you’re a reader, you may attend the shop’s awesome events. Vortex Books & Comics opens Spring 2024 and benefits the entire horror community. Anyone who says otherwise can cram it with walnuts. Donate and read more about the project here:
As for my own projects, I have three collaborations in the works, one of which is expected to release early next year. It’s an “extreme horror romance” project I penned with the lovely and talented author Mona Kabbani. This book contains two novellas featuring deadly couples. We’re in the final stages of production now and are very excited to share this with you all in time for Valentine’s Day. So stay tuned for more information!
The other collaborations are top secret, so for now all I’ll say is I’m absolutely thrilled to be working with two giants from the darkest realms of extreme horror. I’ve known both of them for years, but these will be our first collaborations, and I couldn’t be happier or more excited. One project will be hardcore erotic horror, and the other a gooey horror comedy. Lots to look forward to.
In addition, my next novel will come out sometime this winter. Expect the title and cover art within the next few weeks! This horror thriller has already generated praise from such scribes as Edward Lee and Daniel J. Volpe. While not what I’d consider splatterpunk, it’s one of the darkest and most brutal things I’ve ever written, and I dug deep into my own personal pain to create it. I’m quite proud of this unhinged novel and can’t wait to put it in your hands.
Fans of my Koyote series will be happy to hear that the second book in the trilogy, Ballad of the Werevixens, is being released for the first time in a limited hardback edition through Thunderstorm Books. I often get asked when the third book will be released. I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I’m afraid you’re in for a wait. These books are about 500 pages each and it seems like many readers still need time to get to the sequel before I unleash the final book in the series. Besides, I haven’t finished writing the fucker yet—doggone it.
For my German fans, look for both books to be released soon in German translations from the good folks at Festa Verlag. Just look at the glorious cover art for volume one.
Because translations from English to German extends the page count significantly, each book will be divided into two volumes. You can grab the first volume at the button below, as well as translations of The Night Stockers, They All Died Screaming, Full Brutal, Body Art, and Toxic Love.
This Thanksgiving—and always—I am incredibly thankful for all my readers and fans across the globe. You mean more to me than I can say, and I’m a writer! You good folks make what I do possible. Thanks so much for reading my books and newsletter. I’d like to show my appreciation by offering you a 15% discount on your next order from Trianahorror.com. This will be part of my Black Friday sale, but I wanted to give you loyal readers first dibs for your holiday shopping, so you’re getting the discount code in advance. At checkout, just use discount code: BFRIDAY to save 15% on your entire order, storewide. This code will be good until November 30th.
Many items are also on sale, so you can double dip on those babies. Heads up: I’m presently well-stocked but, judging by last year’s numbers, I can almost guarantee that will change the closer we get to Christmas. What better gift for the horror hounds in your life than signed books and Read Kristopher Triana t-shirts in a death metal font?
I also have some sparkling-new items, including the Cemetery Dance paperback of my latest novel, That Night in the Woods, and a limited hardback of And the Devil Cried—a book I consider tied with Full Brutal for the evilest main character I’ve ever created (a paperback version is also available).
Currently watching: In the last newsletter, I mentioned a new Nicolas Cage movie called The Retirement Plan. I’m happy to say it was a real hoot. While the plot is somewhat flawed and definitely overstuffed with characters, this film was both a throwback to ’80s comic capers like Fletch and ’90s Nick Cage action movies like Con Air and Face Off. In it, Cage is a retired assassin/killing machine trying to rescue his granddaughter. Imagine Rambo, only it’s Cage going full Cage. If that doesn’t excite you, I don’t know what will. How sad for you.
This movie was part of an eight-film marathon I had with my lovely lady friend last weekend. From the amount of content I put out, you all know I work hard and constantly when it comes to my writing. But sometimes you just need to take a break on a cold November day and watch movies in bed like a worthless pile of human offal. I highly recommend it. The other films we watched included some of my old favorites (No Country for Old Men, Slither, From Beyond), some cheesy nostalgia (License to Drive), a so-bad-it’s-good favorite (The Apple), and a couple of new movies (Butcher’s Crossing was my selection and Quiz Lady was hers).
I’m also pumped to see Thanksgiving and Werewolf Santa. And no, I’m not making that last one up.
Currently listening to: River Man Radio - Episode 3. Features tracks by Son Seals, John Lee Hooker, Memphis Minnie, Little Walter, Blind Willie McTell, Queen Silvia Embry, and many others. These free playlists are put together by me for fellow blues fans and those curious about the genre. I hope you’ll enjoy them.
Currently reading: Finally getting on Cormac McCarthy’s swan song duo, The Passenger and Stella Maris. Along with Jack Ketchum and Hubert Selby Jr., McCarthy was one of my favorite writers and biggest inspirations.
How sad that all three of these brilliant authors are now gone, that we’ll never see new books from these masters of the craft. Nothing makes me feel older than so many of my heroes being dead. But let’s just be thankful we’ll always have the brilliant work they left behind.
That’s all for now. If I don’t talk to you before the big feast, I hope you have a delectable Thanksgiving and partake in a bed-bound movie marathon sooner than later. Until then, keep reading, and try to be happy.
Your pal always,
Kris