Vortex Books & Comics

@briankeene.bsky.social recommended this story on his blog today and I grabbed it, and read it at a sitting. I will say without reservation this is one of the best and creepiest Cosmic Horror stories I've ever read. And Brian knows and @marysangiovanni.bsky.social knows I am a tough critic. Damn.

Another week. Another HWA controversy. And this one has vague Sopranos vibes (when Tony’s crew slowly takes over David’s sporting goods store). Support to Amanda and K.J. for stepping forward (which is never easy), and Laurel for assisting in that process. cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/07...

Got my order from @vortexbooksncomics.bsky.social! 🤩 Trying to complete my @briankeene.bsky.social collection! Thanks Brian! 😊

This book is fantastic. Go preorder it. You’ll love it.

For the last year and a half, I have been harassed by Emily Bell, also known as E.D.E. Bell, of Atthis Arts. I naively thought her harassment and false accusations would stop, but I was wrong. I'm now done being silent about this. www.patreon.com/jasonsanford...

But the narrative being presented in the leadup to the convention was that a specific person represented a real and specific danger to children at that specific event, and no statement was made identifying any party in any way until after the event ended. Does that not seem irresponsible to you?

I've donated work, promotion, and money to Atthis Arts "charitable" projects and I absolutely would not do it again. This current round of drama driven by the Bells reminds me of a toddler trying to provoke attention by acting out, only to escalate and escalate when they don't get what they want.

I'm glad I only ever had one story published by Atthis Arts, years ago. The folks behind the press are incredibly toxic. Nobody should be harassed like this.

A new addition to @briankeene.bsky.social 's wonderful Women in Horror Year Index includes Doomed to Repeat It by the truly one-of-a-kind dgk (Kelly) goldberg. Kelly was so smart, funny, angry, compassionate, and kind. She and her voice is sorely missed. www.briankeene.com/algorithmzer...

Like we always do about this time: briankeene.substack.com/p/letters-fr...

My stories are ‘very much worth checking out’ says someone besides my mum!

Since I'm getting questions across multiple platforms, I am going to make a thread. The publisher comments going around for the last four days are about Atthis Arts. This is going to be a quick and dirty summary that will miss some nuance, but I'll link the threads as they pop up. 1/?

One of the frustrating things about publisher discourse is that authors get hurt in the process. If you'd like to support Emma Burnett (who has a new book out), she has a patreon page. There's also "buy a post" options if you want to do a one time financial support. www.patreon.com/cw/sadtale

So… I know shit is going down again. But my novella is really a good read, and I just want you to know that.

My 2 cents (as someone who’s been doing this for a living for 30 years) — Atthis Arts writers have a pretty clear cause / strong case for requesting rights reversions given the continued allegations of misuse of royalties, and EDE Bell’s increasingly toxic online behavior which surely impacts sales.

It's EDE Bell (Atthis Arts). Ya know, the one last year that said she needed a loan to pay royalties, which her husband said was bullshit and she just "misunderstood", and also still never deleted any of those posts and kept saying her author died on her and used progressive word salad.

This entire thread, all up and down. She has obfuscated and twisted the truth so many times that it's impossible to know WHEN she's telling it completely. Maybe she is now. Maybe not. I dunno. (it's about EDE Bell, for those who have been blocked - there's been a LOT going on for a month now.

This is a list of authors in a Kickstarter. WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH THE SECRET RACIST CABAL THAT ARE GOING TO THREATEN OUR CHILDREN IN THREE DAYS, as you claim?

Who? Why? What event? Three easy questions you can answer right here and now. Who? Why? What event? Go ahead. You have everyone’s attention, and we’re all waiting…

One dollar from every direct sale of THE END TIMES hardcover benefits grassroots efforts designed to help Minneapolis recover from ongoing impacts of ICE terrorism. They haven’t stopped and neither will we. badhandbooks.com/purchasedire...

Seems to me that if this supposed danger is that imminent, you’d publicly name the event, if not the person. And yet, despite increasing calls to do so, you instead obfuscate and pivot. It’s almost as if you care more about getting attention than you do the marginalized members of or community.

They've been doing a countdown for days now to a "danger to children" being at an event, but refuse to name the individual or disclose the proof or do ANYTHING but center on Emily's trauma. Stating there is imminent danger but refusing to offer proof bc of mentally disability and trauma is gross.

If people are endangered, you have a moral responsibility to say or show what you know. That never seems to happen except in the vaguest of terms. Seems to me maybe you’re both using the very real things marginalized members of or community face to shine a spotlight on yourselves. If so, shameful.

Your partner now alleges that marginalized members of our community are in danger if they attend certain events this summer, but again, no clarification is offered or given, and anyone who asks is seemingly then added to the ever-growing ranks of the vast white nationalist conspiracy. (Continued)

You and your partner have claimed for over a year that a vast white nationalist conspiracy has allied against you to prevent her from attending various conventions. When repeatedly asked for evidence, you offer a rambling word salad essay on Strange Horizons that clarifies nothing. (Continued)

Horror Fiction Convention Guide: 1. StokerCon = Prom 2. Scares That Care’s AuthorCon = Homecoming 3. Horror Reader Weekend = Class trip 4. KillerCon = Place behind shop class where the metalheads hang out. 5. BizarroCon = Detention with the art kids & punk rockers. 6. Camp Necon = Teacher’s lounge

On sale today in Italy (and available to US-based readers, as well) -- NEMESAI -- a dark fantasy novella by myself and @urbancik.bsky.social. Details here: www.briankeene.com/news/nemesai...

I’m having a bad day but this is really nice.

This week's newsletter is live: briankeene.substack.com/p/letters-fr...

I only belong to one Patreon account and it's this one. If you read and/or write horror, you should seriously sign up. Lot's of content, updated frequently, and a good time in general.

Resharing for this week. Next round of infusions will be in July. More than $8k in bills for my treatment have been paid in full already thanks to the generous support of this community. Deeply grateful for all the kindness and support for this long-term need. gofund.me/616b0399b

This week's newsletter is live: briankeene.substack.com/p/letters-fr... Bop, boze-de-boze-de-bop, se-de-bop.

So @briankeene.bsky.social just FaceTimed me from David Lee Roth’s tour bus…there’s no way this can end well, right? 🤣

Behold the cover to BENEATH THE LOST LEVEL — the fourth book in my popular Weird Fantasy series. You can get the first three books in the series at a special bundle rate from @apexmag.bsky.social right now! Get lost in the Lost Level... www.briankeene.com/news/beneath...

@briankeene.bsky.social called me “one of the last warrior poets” and I love it. He only said that because he’s seen me fight — when we were both much younger. Anyway, I do have a new poetry book. Mostly poetry. Random stuff, actually. It’s a mind dump from the last 10-15 years of my life.

Women In Horror Year continues. Today, I'm talking about Ruby Jean jensen, who bridged the gap between the modern gothics of VC Andrews and the pulp stylings of Hugh B. Cave and Manly Wade Wellman. www.briankeene.com/algorithmzer...

I'll warn you in advance... today's newsletter started out great but then becomes a real bummer. If you want to read it, it's in your inbox right now. If you don't, no judgement from me. briankeene.substack.com/p/letters-fr...

Spending a few days at the cabin with my 80-yr old father. Him: Your mother talks quiet. I can’t hear her. Me: Wear your hearing aids. Him: Huh? Me: WEAR YOUR HEARING AIDS? Him: Huh? Me: <Dear 16-yr old me. One day you can blast Def Leppard, Van Halen, Quiet Riot, and Iron Maiden with impunity!>

NYC friends! 7/21 @natcassidy.bsky.social @claymcleod.bsky.social @nickygee.bsky.social @nicholaskaufmann.bsky.social @briankeene.bsky.social @johnlangan.bsky.social @victorlavalle.bsky.social @ceejthemoment.bsky.social @tanyapell.bsky.social @marysangiovanni.bsky.social @tonytremblay.bsky.social

Absolutely HUGE congratulations to @danielkraus.com. This would be a big deal for the genre no matter who won, but the fact that it’s one of the nicest and most genuine people in this business is just perfect. 💜

You know the drill. Brian Keene's back with a new edition.

Happy Indie Bookstore Day!! Sending extra love out to @vortexbooksncomics.bsky.social today, along with the amazing book scene in PGH! @citybookspgh.bsky.social @staygoldbooks.bsky.social (and more!! Anyone tag in replies plz!) Rickert & Beagle Books lives on in my heart!