Spring Forward
Adventures in Authoring
We’re having what can only be a false spring in the mountains of New England. Two weeks ago, we suffered an unprecedented blizzard. Now it’s close to 70 degrees, the birds are chirping, and a bear took a huge dump in my backyard. We’ll probably see some frigid lion days before the month goes out like a lamb, but there’s no denying spring is in the air, and I’m damned happy about it. While I always enjoy winter, by the time March rolls in, I’ve had just about enough of it, particularly after a season this heavy with snow. I miss riding my bike and hiking without ice cleats on. I miss the color green. I miss a lot of things the cold robs us of. But that’s not to say I haven’t been partaking in great adventures. Life is too short not to. Get out there. Take chances. Unchain yourself.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve traveled by plane and oversized SUV, met dozens of fans, visited five states, changed time zones, ate way too much road food, and fell in love with a “smart” toilet, which I ordered for my home once I finally returned to it (I just installed it this morning, and it was a life-changing experience).
The first event I went to was White River Fan Con in Arkansas, a fundraiser for a local library. As someone who grew up with a love of reading and an empty wallet, my small town’s library meant the world to me, so if I can help one out, I do it. Though I’d been to four of the states that border it, this was my first time visiting Arkansas, flying into Little Rock and then being driven to the tiny town of Batesville, with its friendly people and quiet streets. As the author guest of honor, I was treated like royalty by the convention’s gregarious hosts, Joel and Alicia Williams. I can’t thank them enough for their overwhelming hospitality!
I was deeply touched by the fans who made the drive to see me, and the event’s overall turnout was solid, making the fundraiser a big success. I must admit I was sort of an odd fit for this event, it being focused more on comic books and the fantasy genre, but Alicia is a huge horror fan and convinced Joel to invite me. They even put me up in a swanky hotel (which is where I discovered the glory of the smart toilet). On Friday morning, I walked the eerily desolate streets of old downtown, seeing my picture in the windows of every business (on a flyer advertising the event, not a wanted poster like usual). It was quite Twilight Zone-like and got my imagination churning with a new story idea.
The convention had everything from vintage toys to movie screenings to homemade cookies, so if you’re anywhere near Batesville, I highly suggest checking out White River Fan Con. If you’re a local author or artist looking for a venue, it’s a fine place to set up a table. Be sure to give my best to Alicia and Joel!
After getting stuck in D.C. due to the blizzard, I came home for just one day and hustled to catch up on things before renting a massive Wagoneer and driving down to Authorcon in Williamsburg, Virginia with my fellow Obituaries Boys, Aron Beauregard and Daniel J. Volpe. It was another raucous road trip, filled with loud music, steak dinners, and bad smells, with the company of my buddies making the grueling ride much more enjoyable. They were even kind enough to help me keep my rage in check as I faced one battle after another—lost room reservations, late book orders, and other infuriations. Hosted by Scares That Care, Authorcon is a wonderful charity event, which is why I’ve signed books at each one since its inception. I always love seeing my dear friend Brian Keene, reconnecting with familiar faces, and meeting awesome readers like you. Thanks to everyone who came out to see me—you certainly kept my table busy! I try to bring something new to this event each year, so this time I brought advance copies of The River Man Collection, which didn’t last long. It was a thrill to see how excited everyone was about something I’ve put so much work into. As I’ve said before, Authorcon is the queen of cons for horror readers, so get your sexy body to it next year.
Once the convention was over, The Obituaries Boys piled back into the Wagoneer with their dirty laundry, this time bringing Shane McKenzie along with us, and journeyed deep into rural Virginia where old shacks sat crumbling in the thicket and dusty rebel flags hung from porches. We ate authentic, southern-fried chicken, then went to just the other side of nowhere. We rented a big house along Black Creek for a few days and worked on a top-secret project. All I’ll say is we hammered out what we needed to, and it is one wild concept, something we think will delight and terrify our readers. Stay tuned for the gory details.
We shot pool (poorly), watched a Barbarian Brothers movie, listened to Joe Pesci’s rap classic “Wise Guy”, and the other dudes crushed beers while my non-alcoholic ass drank his first Yoo-hoo in decades (I must admit it was delicious). So the long weekend brought lots of laughs and even more writing inspiration. I will cherish the memories made, even the embarrassing ones. These three writers are some of my favorite people on an otherwise miserable planet. They’re more than my friends—they’re my brothers.
My next book signing is less than three weeks away in Providence, Rhode Island!
You’ll also have chances to see me this summer, and more tour dates will be added once they’re officially announced. Below are my confirmed appearances:
Dark Reads 2026. March 28th at the Waterfire Arts Center. Providence, RI. I’m excited to return to this spooky New England event! Come out to see me and Aron Beauregard, among others to be announced.
Haunt the Readers. July 31st – August 1st. Mount Joy, PA. This is a big, special event I’m thrilled to be a part of. The guest list is impressive!
Dark Summer Book Fest. August 8th at the Framingham Public Library. Framingham, MA.
Thanks to everyone who made the launch of The River Man Collection a massive success. These books have been flying out of my store and into the claws of readers hungry for transgressive horror, which is all I’ve ever wanted. If you’ve received yours, consider sharing it on your socials, and be sure to tag me! If you’re unaware, here’s the scoop on this collectible edition.
OUT NOW! The River Man Collection is a deluxe, signed hardback that collects Gone to See the River Man and Along the River of Flesh together for the first time in one gorgeous volume. Containing a new introduction and original concept art by me, interior illustrations by Nick Justus and Imperial Skulls, and mesmerizing new cover artwork from Justin Coons, this is the ultimate collectible for fans of the River Man series. It also comes with a magnet, bookmark, and skeleton key. This is a special edition exclusive to TRIANAHORROR and in-person signings and will not be available in any other format.
I’ve also noticed a huge spike in sales of And the Devil Cried. It seems word of mouth has spread the disease, with new readers discovering just how fucked up this book is.
I couldn’t be more pleased with the resurgence. If you’re looking for mean splatterpunk that delves into organized crime, with a detestable hit man as the main character and a touch of Lolita thrown in for additional creepiness, this is the one for you. It’s available everywhere in paperback, eBook, and audiobook, or you can snag a signed copy from my website. There’s also a German language edition translated and published by Festa Verlag.
That’s all for now. Enjoy the extra hour of sunlight and the overdue melting of the snow, and don’t take shit from anybody.
Your pal,
Kris
CONNECT WITH ME ON:
Shop: TRIANAHORROR.COM
Another wild week in the books, and now back to reality. Always a pleasure to hang with the Obits Boys