Welcome back to another day in Carberry’s Crypt. Once again it is me, Paul Carberry, your crypt keeper. I hope you enjoyed your last visit, and I have a lot more to talk about this week. I’ll be talking about horror novels, comics, movies, shows, and just about anything that will send a shiver down your spine. So join me, The Maritime Master of Macabre, as we discuss all things horror.
What I’m Watching
There still isn’t a lot to watch on television with everything going on in the world. If you have Netflix, then you should to check out Unsolved Mysteries. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because you may have watched in anytime from 1987 – 2010. The iconic documentary series has been revised, and unfortunately the trench coat wearing host we associate with the show, Robert Stack, passed away. The reboot is similar to the original in a lot of ways, but also takes a more focused approach. Each episode now focuses on a single unsolved mystery, instead of several mysteries per hour long show. It’s worth watching the twelve episodes, which include topics such as the trauma of a loved one’s unexplained disappearance or horrific death, to the shock of a bizarre paranormal encounter. Alongside detectives and journalists, family members offer clues, present theories, and identify suspects, hoping one viewer holds the key to solving the mystery.
Classic Movie to Watch
If you are one of the few people who haven’t watched Jaws, then do yourself a favour and check it out. It’s a classic, the first summer blockbuster. I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve watched this movie over 200 times. The movie, based on Peter Benchley’s book Jaws, (which is a great book worth the read, but I’ll talk about that another time) hit theatres in 1975, and focuses on the small town of Amity (which means friendship!) and the great white shark that terrorizes the town. Although the special effects are outdated, the movies itself still holds up today. This movies still makes us afraid to go into the water.
What I’m Reading
I enjoy reading, it’s possibly my favourite thing to do. What books have I read since the last Carberry’s Crypt? I’ve read The Tourniquet Reprisal and Exodus of Angels By Matthew LeDrew and Ellen Curtis, books 2 & 3 of the Infinity series. They are fantastic, each book builds on the Engen Universe and finds a way to drive the characters forward in a meaningful way that seems natural. I’ve also read Insomnia by Stephen King. It’s wonderful if you haven’t read it. It takes place in Derry. Maine, and has a lot of references to some of his other famous works that only adds to the brilliance of his retelling of a classical greek tale. I’m currently reading The Xander Drew Series by Matthew LeDrew. There are five books in the series, and I’ve already read the first three. They continue the story of Xander Drew from the Coral Beach Casefiles series. Both are a terrific read, and you can check out book one of the Xander Drew series here Cinders
Where to go
If you love books, and can’t get enough of them, buying second hand is a great option. It can save a lot of money, I bought seven Stephen King books for less than forty dollars. If you don’t mind reading a second hand book, and trust me, most people take good care of their books, then you can feed your habit and not feel guilty about spending a small fortune on books. My favourite used books store is the Dartmouth Book Exchange. Check them out here Dartmouth Book Exchange
Comics
If you’re looking for a great horror anthology, look no further than Bradley Golden’s Mississippi Zombie. The comics are all based in the rural state of Mississippi. Each tale is set in a real place in Mississippi, and each story represents the efforts of a different creative team. There are some truly outstanding tales under this cover, and the second issue of this horror anthology will be out soon. You can check out the first issue here Mississippi Zombies
Author Spotlight
Peter J. Foote is a bestselling speculative fiction writer from Nova Scotia, Canada. He can write in any genre, his list of published work is outstanding, and shows how talented he is. Always capable of rising to any challenge, he is one of the most accomplished writers from Atlantic Canada. I was going to list all of the anthologies he’s been listed in, but I’m afraid I’d miss one. He’s been included in all of the modern “From the Rock” collections, countless Black Hare Press Publications and the list goes on and on. It’s incredible. You’ve probably already had the pleasure of reading one of his stories, they are everywhere. So do yourself a favour, and become a “Foot Soldier”. Sign up for his newsletter here to keep up with his latest Foot Notes
Kit Sora Flash Fiction Contest
Looking for a challenge? Every month on the Engen Books website, they upload one of the photos from the amazingly talented Kit Sora. She is a Newfoundland artist renown for her stunning art work and imaginative designs. Authors have up to 250 words to write a piece of flash fiction based on the photograph. But not this month, this month Kaleigh Middelkoop is taking over! Her art is the focal point of this month’s contest. Check out all the details here Kit Sora Contest
Writer’s Toolbox
Last month I mentioned The Elements of Style. This month, I’ll talk about another powerful tool. Reading! I mean, if you want to be a writer, you need to read a lot. I spend more time reading than I do writing. For every hour of writing, I’ll probably spend four hours reading. It’s like practicing for a game of basketball. You would spend hours practicing for a game that lasts only 48 minutes. It helps you recognize good and bad habits, and gets you in the right mindset to write. So, pick up a book and read. Whenever I get writers block (which knock on wood, isn’t very often), I read a book. It always gets me out of a funk, it helps me develop my own style and improve in areas where I need improvement. Sometimes it can help to read a book that isn’t directly related to what your writing but similar. While I was writing the first draft of Zombies on the Rock Book 4 Extinction, I read the Meg series by Steven Alten. Although completely different in a lot of ways, the main thing they have in common is that they both have fierce, snapping jaws.
- The Elements of Style
- Reading
What I’m Working on
I am currently editing my fourth novel in the Zombies on the Rock series, titled Extinction. I’m also writing a novella based on a few short stories I wrote, so I’ll keep you posted on that once the announcement is made. I’m still hard at work on two comic strips that will hopefully be ready in time for the third issue of Mississippi Zombies I’ll be sharing more on that next month in the August edition of Carberry’s Crypt. Oh, and the cover for my latest novel as been revealed. Check it out! Carcharodon hits shelves this October, so stay tuned.
Thanks for visiting Carberry’s Crypt, and I hope to see you all back next month!
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