Sole Survivor by Zachary Ashford #BookReview

Sole Survivor by Zachary Ashford

Back Cover:

An uninhabited island… Several hundred hidden cameras… Ten contestants who think they’re stranded… One man employed to thin their numbers…

One predatory species determined to feed…

For the contestants of television’s latest prime-time reality show, the plane crash is a mere inconvenience on their way to fame and fortune. Unfortunately, there’s no rescue coming. Instead, the producers have other ideas, like watching them find the island’s killer creatures for themselves…

Like watching them die.

5 STAR Review

This book sinks its teeth into you and doesn’t let go! Like ever book in the Rewind or Die series I’ve read so far, it’s an action-laced, gore soaked, love song to camp 80s/90s horror. Sole Survivor revolves around a deadly game show where contestants are crashed onto an island and must fend off blood thirsty koala bears. Each character gets their fifteen minutes of fame as they face the island’s terror, but it’s more than just rabid large teeth marsupials threatening the contestants.

This is the extra sauce to the already blood drenched plot that makes Sole Survivor stand out. Not only do the contestants run from monsters, they are running from each other and the monsters lurking within the darkness of their minds (one specific character’s mind, but I won’t say who). I read it in one sitting and didn’t breath until the final sentence.

I wanted more! The last scene made me want so much beyond that final conclusion. Will there be a sequel? I certainly hope so! This is a perfect escapism read and one that will give you all the thrills of a fun 90s horror flick.

BUY IT HERE!

The Apocalyptic Mannequin by Stephanie M. Wytovich #BookReview

The Apocalyptic Mannequin 5 Star Review

Summary

The Definition of Body is Buried

Doomsday is here and the earth is suffering with each breath she takes. Whether it’s from the nuclear meltdown, the wrath of the Four Horsemen, a war with technology, or a consequence of our relationship with the planet, humanity is left buried and hiding, our bones exposed, our hearts beating somewhere in our freshly slit throats.

This is a collection that strips away civilization and throws readers into the lives of its survivors. The poems inside are undelivered letters, tear-soaked whispers, and unanswered prayers. They are every worry you’ve had when your electricity went out, and every pit that grew in your stomach watching the news at night. They are tragedy and trauma, but they are also grief and fear, fear of who—or what—lives inside us once everything is taken away.

These pages hold the teeth of monsters against the faded photographs of family and friends, and here, Wytovich is both plague doctor and midwife, both judge and jury, forever searching through severed limbs and exposed wires as she straddles the line evaluating what’s moral versus what’s necessary to survive.

What’s clear though, is that the world is burning and we don’t remember who we are.

So tell me: who will you become when it’s over?

Review

We’re in the middle of coronovirus social distancing. I’m keeping myself and my family tucked away in our home, and I figured this would be the perfect time to catch on some light reading. Enter The Apocalyptic Mannequin. I’ve had my eye on this collection of poems since it started swirling around social media, and when I got a chance to review it, I jumped at the opportunity. What followed was a heavy experience through the end of days like none other.

Wytovich is a master of horror poetry. Her prose drips off the page with a deep visceral connection to readers. Perhaps it’s because of the current virus, but these poems tugged at my deepest fears and created an eerie landscape of humanity at the end of its reign. This reads much like a warning with strong feminist vibes. Our narrator is plagued by a nuclear disaster which leaves the Earth in ruins and people struggling to find a new way of existence as the power goes out, the survivors become savage, and everyone begins to fend for themselves. The poem that impacted me the most was “Saints Don’t Spread Their Legs.” Here’s a brief excerpt from that piece:

I stopped drinking holy water at fourteen,

told my father that the knives in my back made it hard to sleep,

how the visions in my head brought locusts in my room,

their chirps a reminder that with spread legs and evil thoughts,

my body, my chapel was constantly being watched ( Wytovich 46).

Brilliant, yes?

The structure and composition of the poems read more like a novel, which is great for anyone intimidated by poetry. There’s a familiar storytelling prose connecting each piece and weaving you from start to finish. Once you begin, you won’t be able to set it down. If you’ve never read horror poetry, this is the place to start.

5 stars!

You can purchase The Apocalyptic Mannequin HERE!

The Empties #ComicBook #Review

The Empties Comic Book Review

The Empties: You are who you eat.  
When a housewife contracts a flesh-eating illness, she and her husband rekindle a love that is literally all-consuming!

Synopsis

A chef has a simple desire - he wants to be happy and he wants his wife to be happy too. But just because his wife has a roof over her head, it doesn’t mean that she’s happy or fulfilled. There’s something missing in her life, and even she can’t put a finger on what it is. That is, until she develops an insatiable hunger for flesh!

Writer: Kristen Renee Gorlitz

Artist: Eli Powell

Letters: Marshall Dillon

Cover Art: Jeanne Vadeboncoeur

Graphic Design: Zimri Mayfield

Phew, this is one intense read! This comic takes you on a wild spin through a zombie uprising. Unlike other stories of impending undead doom, the main focus of The Empties is the unsteady marriage between a Michigan couple, Helen and Derrick, who are trying to reconcile their future during a mysterious epidemic. The zombie backdrop serves as an eroding setting to the pair’s once happy union.

My first impression of comics typically manifests after glancing over the artwork. The Empties contains vivid and dynamic black-and-white images that reach out and capture the reader’s focus. There’s a juxtaposition of death and gore in contrast to the serene scenes displaying human connection and vulnerability expressed by Helen and Derrick.

The story worked with the art to bring the characters to life. There was only one part of the story that confused me, but it wasn’t enough to derail the tension. Overall, readers get to examine love and commitment within a zombie setting. The story examines questions such as what makes a house a home? What is the definition of love? How far will you go to salvage your marriage? Also, keep in mind that there’s mature content, and it may not be suitable for young readers. Neither the story nor the art shy away from horror!

Readers can get the first series for free HERE!

My rating: 4 Stars

Chronic Readers Club: Interview with founder Megan Klenke #Interview

Interview with Megan Klenke, Founder of Chronic Readers Club

A care package on the way to brighten the day!

I stumbled upon this incredible organization, and I had to share! The Chronic Readers Club is a group that sends books/ care packages to chronically ill young people throughout the United States. Check out this interview with the founder Megan Klenke and learn how you can get involved!

Q: Thank you for joining me today! I stumbled on your twitter feed, and I knew I had to help get the word out! Please tell us the amazing purpose of Chronic Readers Club.

 A: Thank you so much for your support! The purpose of Chronic Readers Club is to let chronically ill people know that they’re not alone. I send out care packages that contain a book as well as lots of other small goodies to each chronic reader that applies. My hope is that this small gesture will remind them that they’re not alone, and let them know that someone is thinking of them and acknowledging all they go through!

 Q: What inspired this program?

 A: My parents actually inspired this program! My mom is a librarian, and she’s the one that taught me how awesome reading is. And my dad is a mailman, so when I was younger, I always thought getting mail was so cool. When I became chronically ill myself, I wanted to find a way to help reach out to other chronically ill people, because I knew how isolating being sick could be. So I decided to combine those interests from my parents! Now, as a chronically ill adult, knowing I have a package coming in the mail gives me a little something to look forward to! And reading has become more than a hobby for me, it’s been a lifeline.

 Q: Who qualifies for the Club?

 A: As of now, anyone who has a chronic illness, lives in the contiguous United States, and is age 30 or younger qualifies for a package! In my eyes, a chronic illness is any illness that impacts your daily life and doesn’t have a foreseeable end. I define chronic illness as such because I want to be sure to include people that live with mental illnesses and people that have undiagnosed illnesses, as I’ve found that both groups are often left out of the typical idea of what a chronic illness is.

 Q: How many Chronic Readers are currently enrolled, and will you eventually cap the number of participants?

 A: In less than two years, I’ve sent packages to 86 chronic readers across the United States! So far, every person who has applied has received a package, and that’s how I want to continue running the program. I don’t plan to cap the number of applicants, but there have been times that I’ve had to close down applications temporarily because there were so many people waiting for packages!

 Q: Can people donate new or gently used books to the organization?

 A: At this time, I am not accepting book donations. This is because the program is set up to provide a personalized care package to each chronic reader that applies. On the application, each person provides a list of a few books they would love to own and I pick one of those to send. So I’m afraid that I wouldn’t be able to make use of all the books donated, and I don’t have much storage space either!

 Q: Are all genres up for grabs?

 A: Any genre is up for grabs! The only books I won’t send out are books that are hateful towards any person or group of people or books that are absurdly expensive.

Care package all ready to get shipped!

 Q: What is the best way people can support the Club?

 A: There are many ways you can support Chronic Readers Club! Right now, I struggle with financial support the most. I run this program by myself, and I’m also chronically ill! I’m only able to work part-time, and even that is becoming difficult for me. I’ve been able to continue the program this long with the support of family and friends, and for their support I am so thankful! But realistically, I’m going to need to keep expanding my support network to keep up with the growth of the program! I’ve set up a Patreon for the program for those that are able and want to contribute monthly, I accept one-time donations through PayPal, I sell “chronic reader” shirts and put all the proceeds back into the program, I accept gift cards or e-gift cards to bookstores to purchase books for packages, and I’ve also created an Amazon wishlist with small items I try to include in each package! So there are lots of different ways to support the program! You can visit chronicreadersclub.com/support for links to everything I listed! And for anyone who isn’t able to donate but still wishes to support the program, following Chronic Readers Club on social media and sharing the posts is so helpful! I’m so appreciative of any kind of support for this program!

 Q: Are you currently accepting volunteers to help with distribution? If not, will you in the future?

 A: At this time, I’m not actively seeking volunteers, but I’m keeping a list of the people that have contacted me with an interest in helping the program! I’m looking forward to a time in the future when I’ll be able to better utilize having volunteers across the country and across the world!

 Q: If an organization wanted to team up for a fundraising event in order to help Chronic Readers Club meet their financial goals, how would they go about that process?

 A: I would absolutely love to team up for a fundraiser! If an organization is interested in helping the program in any way, the first step would be to contact me via email at megan@chronicreadersclub.com! And from there we can explore different ideas and figure out what would work best for both organizations!

 Q: In five years, how do you hope Chronic Readers Club will have grown? Are you interested in opening state “chapters”?

 A: I can’t wait to see where this program is in five years! It’s already grown so much in the less than two years it’s existed! My hope is to expand and keep expanding. In the future, I’d like to get rid of the age limit altogether. I’d also like to be able to send packages internationally! Another goal of mine is to expand the scope of the program beyond just sending packages to becoming more of a network that provides new ways for chronic readers to connect with each other. And I’d love to be able to get more involved in giving back to my local community! Some of these things may be happening sooner rather than later, so be sure to follow Chronic Readers Club on social media for announcements! :)

 Q: Is there anything else you’d like to mention? Thanks so much for joining me!

Care package ready to brighten the day!

 A: I’d like to thank you again for supporting this program. Running Chronic Readers Club is my favorite thing to do. It gives me a chance to give back to the chronic illness community, a community of people who have helped me through some of my darkest times while in the midst of their own struggles. So thank you for believing in and supporting my mission!

 Contact info:

-        Website: chronicreadersclub.com

-        Application for a package: chronicreadersclub.com/apply

-        Ways to support the program: chronicreadersclub.com/support

-        My email: megan@chronicreadersclub.com

Social media:

-        Twitter: @chronicreaders

-        Instagram: @chronicreadersclub

-        Facebook: facebook.com/chronicreadersclub

Women In Horror Month: Focus on Artists #WIHM

Horror Genre Artists

Women in horror month is the time of year we celebrate females slaying the horror industry. Last year, I spent time highlighting women in film and literature who are killing it in the horror genre. This year, I wanted to show off some amazing artists who bring the terror to life through art.

Recently, I’ve been spending more time exploring horror art, and drawing inspiration. Here are some incredible artists to check out and, hopefully, inspire you:

Reiko Murakami

Reiko Murakami is known for her surreal and horror characters. Her majestic and eerie portrays of the human body captivate the imagination. My favorite are her illustrations / digital art. Check out her website where you can scroll through her drawings, concept art, coasters and more.

Carly Janine Mazur

Carly Janine Mazur works with oil and acrylics to create dynamic and colorful, yet hauntingly provocative illustrations. My favorite is Meche, which you can check out here. She weaves together the human form with abstract ideas in order to create a stunning visual experience.

Laurie Lipton

Laurie Lipton uses black and white to encompass a haunting world of ghosts, death, and unsettling worlds. She’s meticulous with details, and not only explores the horror genre, but the science fiction as well. Whether you’re drawn to her Day of the Dead series or Machine punk collection, you’ll find something that inspires. Check her out here.

What To Expect in 2020

Hello and thank you so much for checking out my site! If you’re a new visitor, welcome :) If you’ve been here before, thanks for the support and coming back! Since it’s a new year, I thought this would be a good time to take a moment and announce some fun things coming up in 2020.

First, my debut novel Food Fright will be published on March 26th as part of Unnerving’s Rewind or Die series. All year long, books are released under this collection and with strong camp/90s vibes. So be sure to check that out!

I also continue to submit short fiction and drabbles to various publications. I got an acceptance yesterday, so I can announce that I’ll have a Valentine’s Day themed 188 word story coming out this February. More on that soon!

I’m still considering starting a YouTube channel. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while, so this may be the year I give it a try. Maybe. I don’t know. I want to, but there’s so much negativity online, and I’m not sure I want to expose myself to the comment section of YouTube videos. Time will tell.

Finally, I hope to finish another horror comedy manuscript by summer 2020 so I can participate in PitchWars.

What are you planning for 2020?

All I Want For Christmas is Gifts Under $10 : A Cheap Gift Guide for Horror Lovers

It’s that time of year again! The tinsel is hung, hot chocolate is poured, and it’s time to exchange presents! But what do you get the horror lover in your life? Here’s a list of possibilities:

Adorable vampire salt and pepper shakers available online from Walmart (You can also find them on Amazon) $12.99

Cthulhu Ornament, perfect for any Christmas tree $11.96

Scrub-a-Dub-Dub, it’s Creature from the Black Lagoon Soap in your tub! $11.95

Checking in with your Bates Motel Key Chain $7.00

For the outdoor camping enthusiast, Camp Crystal Lake T-Shirt $6.00

Four Writers I'm Thankful For #WritingCommunity

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s a time of reflection. So I decided to come up with a list of authors who I am thankful for. In no specific order, these are the writers who influenced and inspired me during various seasons of my life.

1. Susan May Warren : I started writing in Christian fiction and romance. The first book I read in that genre was a Susan May Warren book, and I was hooked. She’s a wordsmith, crafted character-driven novels that inspired me and helped when I was going through a difficult period in life. But it wasn’t just her writing that shaped me. She’s a teacher, traveling around the country hosting writing workshops. Years ago, I nearly passed out when I discovered she was coming to my state and only a few hours from my city. I signed up, promised myself I wouldn’t “fan girl” all over her, and got ready to meet one of my favorite authors. I wasn’t disappointed. For two days, I learned more than I had in a year of trying to crack the writing world on my own. When I came back, revised my manuscript, and sent it to my critique partners, one replied, “Geeze, what did you learn? It’s like you’re a completely different writer.” And I was. Even though I left Christian fiction, I still use the techniques in her workshop every time I sit down at my computer. Her tips still echo in my mind. Her words of wisdom still comfort me when doubt and fear creep up. I’m very thankful for the chance to meet and learn under her.

2. Chuck Palahnuik : This one shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. I’m basically obsessed with his writing. The first Palahnuik book I read was Choke, parts of which I still quote to myself when life shits all over itself. He not only provides me with radical escapes from reality, but he proves to all rebels and outcasts there is a place for them in the world. When I was making my shift from Christian to horror, it was Palahnuik’s writings that gave me the courage to make the final leap. Because he’s brave. Because he’s gritty. Because he makes me gag and squirm and cringe and he doesn’t apologize for it. His writing is an embrace of the weird, not an omission, and during a time in my writing career where I clearly wasn’t fitting into the Christian world, it was this wild fearlessness that inspired me. I’m so thankful for him.

3. John Irving : Okay, this one might be a surprise. To understand why he’s made the list, we must travel back to my high school senior English class. There I was. Little Nico, sitting in her desk, staring at the reading list and feeling nothing but dread. I hated reading. I hadn’t completed a book since I outgrew the Babysitter Club Little Sister books by Ann M. Martin. (Side note - I’m thankful for Cliff notes for making it possible for me to never read a full book for the majority of my reading assignments). It wasn’t that I hated storytelling. I loved to write from an early age and dreamed of being published. But reading? Reading took time, and I was a very slow reader. I still am. And that doesn’t work well in public school where you have to read, understand, analyze and report on a book within a confined time limit. So when I saw A Prayer For Owen Meany by Irving had 645 pages, I knew I was doomed. This was also right around the time my parents caught on to my Cliff Notes scheme. (I mean, I’m surprised it took so long.) And since this was pre-information available at the click of a button, I was forced to actually read the book. To my surprise, I loved it. It took awhile for me to get through it, but unlike past attempts to meet reading deadlines, I actually enjoyed staying up late reading this book. It was the first book I completed in years, but more importantly, it was the first book I loved in years. And it re-sparked my love of reading. It also taught me that some books are worth the effort, and slow reading isn’t “bad”, as my teen self believed. If it takes me a long to read a book, so be it. I’m thankful for that lesson.

4. Ann M. Martin : Ah, the Babysitter Little Sister Club. These are the books of my childhood. I read every one multiple times, mimicked the story structure when writing my own stories, and even convinced my parents to buy me a pet mouse who I named Pepper (Karen had a pet rat, but my folks weren’t willing to go that far into the rodent world). When I outgrew these books, I never really found a new niche. I tried R.L. Stine, but at that point in my life, I didn’t like being scared. (I still don’t. I much prefer to scare others….mwa-ha-ha). These books provided a wholesome escape and for that, I’m thankful.

   
   What about you? What writer inspired you to start writing? Which author sparked your imagination? I’d love to hear!

Five Feminist Horror Movies to Get You Excited About The Genre #MovieReview

Five Feminist Horror Movies

Feminist horror embodies the values of feminist culture. Not sure where to get started in this subgenre? Give these five movies a watch!

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night (2014) This is a gorgeously crafted tale of a skateboarding vampire who lives in a worn-down Iranian city. She preys on men who mistreat women in this beautiful and striking black and white horror flick directed by Ana Lily Amirpour. If anything screams female empowerment, it’s this justice seeking vampire.

The Witch (2015) No one believes Thomason’s innocence in this period horror film. Set in 1630, a New England family is outcasted and forced to live on the edge of society, surrounded by ominous woods. Their baby boy disappears, and Thomason is blamed. Soon, the family accuses her of witchcraft, and their love and faith are tested. This story shines light on the marginalized role of women in society, how they are treated under the harsh stare of the patriarch and how their words fall on deaf ears.

Teeth (2007) This movie is a wild ride. Dawn is a member of her high school’s chastity club, but when she meets Tobey, they decide to break the vow. Unfortunately, Dawn discovers that lying within her vagina are a pair of teeth, ready to gnaw and gnash any unworthy man. It’s a crazy coming of age tale that exams the power roles within a sexual relationship and gives Dawn the ability control who and when men get to have sex with her.

It Follows (2014) Death is a sexual transmitted infection in this horror flick. Jay and her boyfriend Hugh have sex for the first time, and that’s when Jay discovers she’s been marked. Death creeps in the shadows, waiting to consume her unless she passes the curse to another person. This movie can be interpreted a few different ways. It highlights how sexual partners become a part of our histories, always following us through life. If taken more literally, it illuminates the dangers of STI’s. It doesn’t condone or condemn sex, just highlights many issues surrounding it with Jay at the center.

Audition (1999) This is a Japanese thriller horror flick that follows Aoyama, a producer widower who is ready to start dating again. He makes up an acting role and has women audition, as a way to find a new partner. It’s through here that he meets Asami, dressed in white as an expression of purity similar to his deceased wife. And that’s when everything turns. She isn’t what she seems, and she’s not interested in playing the role of the docile housewife.