The Ghoulish Times | 02/12/22
Hello and welcome to the latest issue of The Ghoulish Times, a horror newsletter written by me, Max Booth III—a person who writes books, publishes books, edits books, makes podcasts, sometimes writes movies, and always eats eggs. Thank you for subscribing. I hope this newsletter solves all of your problems. I hope it makes you a better person. I hope it cures your diseases and gives you new diseases to take their place.
LOVE AT FIRST BITE
We will have a book table at an event called “Love at First Bite: V-Day Horror Market” today (Sunday, February 13th) at the Rock Box in downtown San Antonio from 12:00PM - 5:00PM CST. Here is the event’s description:
Join us for the LOVE AT FIRST BITE V-DAY HORROR MARKET presented by Kings of Horror on Sunday February 13th at Vibes Event Center & The Rock Box! This entirely indoors event is spread out over two spacious room featuring local artists, artisans, oddities vendors, horror collectibles, home decor, VHS and even vintage with the focus on horror of course. This is your opportunity to grab something unique for someone you love, even yourself (self-love matters!) for Valentines day or just because. Best of all, this event is free for everyone to attend & all ages. Both masks and zombie or horror costumes are encouraged as we also will be hosting a costume contest too. Best Zombie Look Costume Contest Register by 3:30pm + Contest at 4pm $100 Cash Prize to 1st place 2nd & 3rd place get swag bags!
More details HERE.
ALL THESE SUBTLE DECEITS
In the last issue of The Ghoulish Times, I revealed the front covers of three Ghoulish Books we’ll be releasing this year. Since then, we’ve revealed an additional cover: Matthew Revert’s artwork for C.S. Humble’s All These Subtle Deceits. If you missed the Night Worms post, check the cover out below:
Lauren Saunders moved to Black Wells, Colorado to escape a toxic relationship that stole three years of her life. But her hopeful optimism of a fresh start is dashed after a brutal, supernatural attack sends her screaming from a nightclub into the cold, winter night. Her journey toward recovery leads her to the doorstep of William Daniels—a professional spiritual intercessor and occult consultant. Together they will descend into an occult labyrinth of dark forces and oppressive spirits.
All These Subtle Deceits will be included in the April Night Worms box, and released to the general public on May 10th through Ghoulish Books. So, if you aren’t a Night Worms subscriber, you can pre-order your copy of ATSD directly through us by clicking HERE.
GHOULISH MEMBERSHIPS EXPIRING TOMORROW
Last reminder about 2022’s Ghoulish memberships. Opportunities to subscribe expire at 11:59 PM CST on Monday, February 14th.
Every membership automatically pre-orders all eight Ghoulish Books planned for 2022, plus a big box of exclusive goodies such as mugs, coasters, stickers, and laminated discount membership cards.
The eight books members will preorder with their subscriptions include Below by Laurel Hightower, Maggots Screaming! by Max Booth III (that’s me), Leech by John C. Foster, All These Subtle Deceits by C.S. Humble, Rabbits in the Garden by Jessica McHugh, Perfect Union by Cody Goodfellow, Soft Places by Betty Rocksteady, and Hares in the Hedgerow by Jessica McHugh.
Members will receive both digital and paperback editions of every title listed above.
Secure your Ghoulish membership HERE.
A SPOOKY LIL’ PODCAST
Here are the latest episodes of my podcast, Ghoulish, you might have missed since the last newsletter:
Upcoming guests (whose episodes are already recorded) include Nicholas Kaufmann, Zach Chapman, and Gretchen Felker-Martin. Stay tuned.
CURRENTLY WORKING ON…
…a screenplay adaptation of my novel, The Nightly Disease—but don’t get too excited, it’s being written on spec, with the intention of having my manager shop it around after I’m finished.
…a vampire novel with a similar narrative structure as Stephen King’s It.
…a novella (or possibly novel) about the teenage years I spent living in hotels with my parents. This is a tough one to write. It’s emotionally draining, yes, but I also fear it’s super fucking boring.
…outlining what will be my first attempt at writing a horror comic (again, on spec).
…piecing together a pitch for a popular audio drama company.
…proofing the first couple Ghoulish Books, including personally sending out 500+ review requests (for numerous titles) knowing maybe, at the most, 10% of them will respond to me, and an even smaller percentage will have the availability to take on new books.
…trying not to be nervous that reviewers are finally getting their hands on my first novel in two years.
…pacing around in circles as I wait for news to be announced about a television adaptation of one of my books, which was picked up by a popular streamer last week, and has been in the works since late 2019.
…trying desperately to catch up on slush for Dark Moon Digest.
…dipping my toes in the slush for Ghoulish Books. (Writers have until May 8th to send me their novellas.)
…freaking the fuck out about how stressful it is to plan a book festival.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I recently finished The Murders of Molly Southbourne by Tade Thompson and reread Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin. Both books are extremely worth your time. I’ll have Gretchen on my podcast in about a week, and I’m currently working on getting Tade involved in a future episode, too. Big fan of both of these writers.
I’m currently reading Echo by Thomas Olde Heuvelt, Road of Bones by Christopher Golden, Teenager by Bud Smith, and Bonding by Maggie Siebert. All four of these titles are very good and it’s torture trying to divide my time with them equally. (Also, at least three of these authors will appear in future episodes of the Ghoulish podcast, possibly all four.)
The only movie I can remember watching recently is Jackass Forever, and it ruled.
Music-wise, Zeal & Ardor just released a new album (titled Zeal & Ardor) and it’s good shit. I love this band. It’s probably my favorite band. I was super pumped for the new album and it has not disappointed.
DOG EARS
In addition to The Ghoulish Times, I also publish a craft-based newsletter called Dog Ears, which is focused on writing and publishing. Here is what you might have missed recently:
Okay, that’s it for this week. You can support us on Patreon, browse the books in our webstore, and follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter (PMMP | DMD | Ghoulish podcast | Ghoulish Books | personal). Reserve your ticket for the first annual Ghoulish Book Fest. You can also join us on the Ghoulish Discord.
See you next weekend, ghouls.
I have Maggots Screaming on my TBR! The vampire story sounds interesting, but I think the hotel years story will be even better because if it's hard to write, then there's a lot of feeling behind it. The emotions will surely come through. It sounds like you're reading some good books. I am at the tail end of Just Like Mother by Heltzel. It's AWESOME in a Stepford Wives way, but I'm not sure it'll appeal to men unless they have baby-dad experience.