Our Dark Lord, Whispering in Your Ears: SUMMER JOB Hits Audiobook!

Hey all! Happy (almost) Halloween!

Leaves may be falling, but don’t you wish it was a little warmer? Aren’t you already longing for summer?

Well, one of my most acclaimed novels, The Summer Job: A Satanic Thriller, is now beautifully produced audiobook narrated by Stacey Glemboski!

I’ve been overjoyed by the response to Matt Godfrey’s readings of Video Night (over 130 ratings and reviews on Audible! Have you left one?) and Exponential. But while those novels were a perfect fit for Godfrey’s sultry baritone, The Summer Job demands a more feminine touch. Godfrey referred me to Stacey Glemboski (much like Con Season, Tribesmen, and Zero Lives Remaining narrator Joe Hempel referred me to Godfrey), who, I have to admit, absolutely leveled me with her performance.

Glemboski’s reading and vocal cast of characters is eerie, thoughtful, soulful and sometimes downright scary. I can’t think of a better narrator for this book. A book that Bloody Disgusting called “The textbook definition of a nail-biter... Cesare’s best novel yet.” and LitReactor hailed as having  “one the best and scariest openings to a horror novel I’ve ever read…The rest of the novel is equally great.”

While Summer Job has done well, it hasn’t achieved the sales success that Video Night has, and for a long time that’s kind of bugged me. While I’d never say one of my books is better than the other, I will say that The Summer Job feels more personal, a full articulation of the folk horror/satanic panic vibe I was going for.

I hope that this audiobook brings the novel to a whole new audience and gives it a second chance at the limelight. And whether it’s your first exposure to the book or you’re revisiting it in audio: I need your help. Buy the book, spread the link far and wide and be sure to leave a quick rating and review once you’ve listened. It’s hard to overstate how much reviews help books like this get discovered.

And, because it’s really flattering, I’ll end this blog with one more blurb, this one from Complex: “Cesare’s latest is a knockout…There’s a potent retro vibe running through Cesare’s work, in general–he’s the closest thing literary horror has to its own Jim Mickle or Ti West.”

Oh, and one more thing: if you were planning on listening to this book shirtless, maybe don’t. Cover yourself with the official Summer Job T-shirt, designed by creepyguy wunderkind Trevor Henderson. You can grab that here.

Now go listen!

I Wrote An ADVENTURE TIME Story…

A few months ago an editor at BOOM! Studios got in touch with me and asked if I would be interested in pitching a story for this year’s Adventure Time SpOooktacular comic book.

My response of “Hell yes I would!” broke the email sound barrier.

The annual-sized issue focuses on Peppermint Butler, everyone’s shady confectionary valet. The issue also features stories by Grady Hendrix (the awesome My Best Friend’s Exorcism and Paperbacks from Hell), Nebula and World Fantasy award winner Alyssa Wong (!), and animator and Lovecraft scholar Chris Lackey. The supernaturally-talented Christine Larsen provided the art for my story and her work truly has to be seen to be believed.

Writing for comics has been a lifelong dream and now that I have my first professional comic book story coming out on October 11th, I need your help.

If you want to pick up this fine Halloween-themed issue the best way to do that is to go to your local comic book store before October 11th and ask them to reserve you a copy of the Adventure Time 2017 SpOooktacular.  Pre-ordering this way helps me/us/your local small business the most. And I’m sure your local comic book guy/gal would love to see you.

If you absolutely don’t have a comic book store in your area (really?), you can order the print edition direct from BOOM!’s website. Or if you prefer digital comics you can pre-order from Amazon/Comixology (which are one in the same now, I think).

Not something I usually get to say about my work, but: this comic is 100% appropriate for your kids. And the stories stand alone, so even if you aren’t familiar with Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time (you should be, it’s incredible), you’ll still find something to giggle about.

Okay, that’s enough about that.

If you’re here because you want ghastly horror and only ghastly horror, you’re in luck because Chris Enterline and I have a new shirt out, this one based on my haunted arcade book Zero Lives Remaining. It and all the other shirt designs we’ve done are now available on Amazon and they look really great in person.

If you’d rather not read anything at all, I’ve been hitting the YouTube thing hard and putting up new videos to get people pumped about Halloween. I did one about the best horror films to watch with your kids/introduce them to horror, then one about the recent Blu-ray releases for The Zodiac Killer (1971) and Effects (1980). You can check those out here and by clicking on the thumbnails below. Please don’t forget to subscribe and comment.

TerrorCon 2017 and the short films of XX (2017)

Hey everyone. A couple of quick items:

First of all: This weekend (Feb. 25th-26th) Black T-Shirt Books will be repping hard at TerrorCon 2017 in Providence, RI.

If you’re in New England, I encourage you to stop by. The guest list is insane and I’ll be there slinging books alongside superpals Matt Serafini and Patrick Lacey. Hope to see you there.

Second of all: thank you. The response to Video Night, The Summer Job, and Zero Lives Remaining being re-released has been truly incredible.

As a quick tip for anyone who’s purchased the paperback editions of any of these books (even if they were the old editions): through Kindle Matchbook you’re eligible to get a FREE ebook copy of the new edition. Just make sure you’re logged into the same Amazon account and that the kindle book rings up $0.00 before you click to purchase. Even if you’re a technophobe: claim your free ebooks because it helps out the books visibility on Amazon.

Lastly but certainly not leastly: I managed to get an episode of Project: Black T-Shirt up in observance of Women in Horror Month. In the episode I do a segment-by-segment rundown of XX, the new multi-director anthology film. Spoiler alert for the video, but: I recommend you check this movie out. Especially if you’re a Jack Ketchum fan, as it includes a great adaptation of one of his best (and most anthologized) stories.

As always: views, likes, comments, and subscribes on the YouTube page help me out immensely.

That’s all for tonight. Hope to see you at the show and thank you again for reading (and reviewing on Amazon) these books. I wouldn’t be able to keep writing if it weren’t for your generous support.

Check in to The Brant Hotel… again.

Less than a month after Video Night‘s triumphant return, The Summer Job is now available on Amazon.

Check out the new cover by artist Fredrick Richardson:

Like Video Night, this new edition is not meant for double dipping, but does contain a new afterword and some tiny nips and tucks in the text. If you’re familiar with some of my other work but haven’t yet checked out The Summer Job: I highly suggest you give it a chance. It’s some of my strongest work, if not my flat-out best novel. You can pick up a copy here.

If you’re not looking to check out my words but would instead like to watch me rant about books and movies: I also have you covered there. Last week’s episode of Project: Black T-Shirt is a top 5 list of the “Best Vampire Novels You Haven’t Read”! The trick is that you may have read a few of them, but at least we have a fun discussion in the comments. Click here to watch that. Be sure to hit the “Subscribe” button while you’re over there.

If you’re watching that and thinking: “Boy, I love black t-shirts too but I wish I had one with my favorite Long Island alien invasion novel” than I ALSO have you covered there.

Well, artist Chris Enterline and I both have you covered. Because we’re proud to announce a brand new line of t-shirts and merch through our Redbubble store. The inaugural design is based on Video Night and you can pick up a shirt right here. And, yes: it is a deliberate homage to “The Birth of Venus” by Botticelli.

They’re a little pricey, but the quality of Redbubble’s products is completely off the charts. If you pick one up: please send me a picture of you wearing it!

These designs are not meant to compete with Sam Mcanna’s Skurvy Ink shirts, but Sam has shut down his site and that business will hopefully be returning soon in some form or another.

Hope ya’ll are having a great day. Peace and love,

Adam

Video Night Returns! The Con Season is Cheap!

Check this out:

Yeah boy! That’s the stuff. Above is the new cover for one of my most popular titles, recently relaunched under a new imprint. If you’re new to my work, or somehow just missed this one, then I urge you to click over to amazon to check it out.

It’s about the 1988 alien invasion of Long Island, NY. So it’s not only thrilling, but educational.

The book’s not only got that sweet new cover by Fredrick Richardson, but a new afterword, and a couple of editorial nips and tucks.

If Video Night is something you’ve already got, then maybe I can interest you in The Con Season, my newest novel, for the next couple of days priced at 99 cents. Yup, one dollar will get you a full brand-new novel and 5 will get you two novels and the self-satisfied warm and fuzzies that accompany helping out an independent author. (Sorry, this offer has expired, but the book’s still cheap at $2.99).

Speaking of being an indie author, that new version of Video Night has been wiped of its 40+ reviews, so if you’ve read it and liked it: I would really appreciate you taking a few seconds to review on Amazon.

Okay, pimping over. Other than trying to sell you those two things, I also wanted to share that I’ve watched and reviewed a couple of movies since we last spoke. The best of which was The Autopsy of Jane Doe, which I did a video review for right here. Please hit that like and subscribe button if you haven’t already. It helps.

Beyond that: I want to here from you. Consider signing up for the mailing list if you haven’t by clicking the “Free Short Read” button at the top of this page, I’ll send you an exclusive ebook for your troubles.

Piece,love, blood, and guts,

Adam

He’s Making His (Kill) List, Checking It Twice

Hey y’all, how you been? I’m good. Busy but good.

Just wanted to check in and consolidate some updates that I may or may not have been able to sprinkle into your Facebook or twitter feeds.

First and foremost, I was recently a guest on the Scream Addicts podcast. If you haven’t heard of the show: it’s got a neat premise. Each episode features a guest from the horror community who comes locked-and-loaded, ready to discuss a single film in-depth. The host, Jason “Jinx” Jenkins, is a hell of a conversationalist and each episode takes the examination of the chosen movie in a surprising and intelligent direction.

I chose to talk about Ben Wheatley’s Kill List (2011), it’s the first time I’ve talked about the film at any kind of length outside of nerdy bar conversation and I’m very pleased with how the episode turned out. I’d love it if you listened (and subscribed) to the show on your podcast platform of choice or by clicking here. But you should also probably be warned that we spoil the hell out of the movie. Definitely not something to listen to if you haven’t seen it.

If you’re looking to hear me talk about movies, but aren’t into an hour-long investment, or maybe you just want to see my dumb face: Project: Black T-Shirt is still going strong on YouTube. If either of these episodes sound like something you’re into, I encourage you to like, comment, and subscribe to the channel because I cover this kind of stuff weekly (well, kinda weekly…).

The Eyes of My Mother (2016) is a grisly black-and-white serial killer thriller. This episode is not only a review of Nicolas Pesce’s debut feature, but it becomes a discussion of the extreme horror subgenre as a whole. Spoiler alert: I think this is one of the best horror movies of 2016. The book recommendation for this ep is Mr. Suicide by Nicole Cushing.

After a spate of new release movie reviews, I wanted to look at a reissue for this week’s episode. We look inside Vestron Video’s recent Blu-Ray release of Blood Diner (1987). We talk about director Jackie Kong’s unique place in genre history. The book recommendation is Carol Clover’s Men, Women, and Chain Saws.

You may notice that all three of those above links have nothing to do with writing, publishing, or (most importantly) asking you to buy/review stuff. Well, as I write this it’s a couple of days out from Christmas, so you should definitely consider picking up one of my books. They make great(ish) gifts! If you’ve already bought and read one of my books, you should know that honest Amazon reviews are the best gift an author can receive.

But seriously: this year started off with the release of Zero Lives Remaining and ended with the debut of The Con Season. In the middle there were a number of short story publications, columns, a novella collaboration, the re-release of a short story collaboration, and even a non-fiction essay about fishing (?!). I’m proud of the material I’ve produced in 2016, but I wouldn’t have made it through the year without the support of my friends and readers. By which I mean to say: thank you!

2016 may have been aight, but what I’m really pumped for is 2017. I can’t say too much, but I will say that things are going to be both familiar and different.

I hope you’re facing the new year with the same giddiness and optimism. And that your holidays are joyous and gore-soaked.

Love,

Adam

I Am The Pretty Ghost Kaiju That Destroyed Germany

Hey guys and gals,

Quick catch-up post just to dump some links tonight.

First of all: thanks to everyone who came out to the KGB Bar reading last week. Brian Keene, Mary SanGiovanni, Nick Cato, and Leza Cantoral were all awesome. And an extra special big thanks to Christoph Paul for hosting and inviting me to participate.

But speaking of Christoph, I give his new horror film poetry book a shout out in this week’s episode of Project Black T-Shirt. We also discuss the Netflix original film I Am the Pretty Thing that Lives in the House(2016), written and directed by Osgood Perkins and starring Ruth Wilson. I liked it a lot, but click here to find out why.

Another huge thanks to author/photographer Jonathan Lees, who took this awesome picture while I was reading:

The week before that I was reviewing Shin Godzilla, which I caught during its limited theatrical run and lived to tell the tale about. That’s right here.

This week I celebrated a huge milestone in my career with the German-language release of Tribesmen. A huge thank you to Voodoo Press for taking a chance on me overseas. If you’re a German reader, please click over to their website to pick up your copy in ebook or paperback. Here’s that sweet sweet German cover:

Other than that, things are all quiet on my front. My newest novel, The Con Season, has been selling unbelievably well, probably due to the release of the audiobook and the kind words from everyone who’s taken the time to leave an Amazon review. Just a quick public service reminder that the audiobook’s actually cheaper if you buy the Kindle version ($2.99) and then the audio ($1.99) as opposed to buying the audio straight-out.

Have a great week!

Getting in the Halloween spirit (plus Splatterpunk lives!)

Hey y’all,

It’s been a spell (a couple months) since I checked in on the blog and offered an update. If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube I’ve been just as gabby as usual.

Project: Black T-Shirt has been going strong, with weekly video uploads and this week’s is one I’m particularly proud of. It’s a list of 6 great books to get you in that Halloween state-of-mind. Authors like Paul Tremblay, Gillian Flynn, and Bracken MacLeod show up, so please go check it out here. If you’ve got titles of your own you’d like to share: please speak up in the comments.

Click here to watch!

Speaking of Bracken MacLeod: we’re going to be selling books next weekend at Rock and Shock in Worcester, MA. Author Patrick Lacey will also be joining us at the table, so if you’re going to be at the con: please come by the table and say hi. Maybe even buy a book, both Pat and Bracken have new ones (Dream Woods and Stranded, respectively).

Rock and Shock is always a great time (I’ve been going since the second year, and even though I now live in Philly it’s a great excuse to go sip Dunkin Donuts in New England once a year). It’s a special show: if you’re in the area I guarantee you’ll be happy you went.

Also, if you’re tracking my movements: I’ll be reading at KGB Bar in NYC on October 26th along with Brian Keene, Mary SanGiovanni, Nick Cato, and Christoph Paul (who’s also hosting). If you’re a New Yorker or are willing to travel: I’d love to see you.

In keeping with the Halloween theme: Sinister Grin Press has put All-Night Terror (my collaborative collection with Matt Serafini) on sale for 2 bucks. That’s cheap as hell! If you pick up the book: please consider leaving a quick review when you’re done.

 

$1.99 for a limited time!

 

Lastly but not leastly: if you’re looking for a NEW Halloween treat from me I’ve got a story in Jack Bantry’s new collection Splatterpunk’s Not Dead! There are a ton of great authors in here, and it’s all new stories, so you don’t have to worry about getting skunked with a reprint. My story “Please Subscribe” has already been selected for next year’s Year’s Best Hardcore Horror from Comet Press. So I’m happy with it.

Other than that, no big publishing news. I’m slowly chipping away at a number of projects, all of them still secret at this point. While you’re waiting for the new stuff: have you read The Con Season? If so: leave a review and then go check out some of the authors in the video at the top of this post.

I’ll have new scares for you soon.

Best,

Adam

 

 

THE CON SEASON Reviews Are In! And They’re Important!

Updated 9/4 with links to the paperback version.

So, we’re two weeks after The Con Season‘s ebook release and I am overwhelmed by the response. If you still haven’t picked it up, you can fix that here. And if you’re not a fan of ebooks: the paperback version has just arrived! In addition to the softcover: I’ve inked a deal with Joe Hempel to narrate the audiobook, and negotiations are currently ongoing for a limited edition hardcover (though if you are looking to wait for these other editions: I’d ask you consider picking up the ebook in the meantime, since it’s probably the purchase that does me the most good, for both visibility and money).

There is this very cool review from Michael Patrick Hicks, this one from CD Online staff reviewer Frank Michaels Errington, and I think these are sufficient evidence to mark the book a hit with the guys-with-three-names demographic. Author John Quick only has two names, but he also seemed to like it. For that I am grateful.

To promote the book and talk a little more about the inception of Black T-Shirt Books, I conducted this long-form interview with Gabino Iglesias at HorrorTalk. We touch on a lot of fun stuff, like a Con Season-themed playlist, the joys of collaboration, and film adaptations.

All those are excellent links, and I thank anyone who’s taken the time to review the book for a blog/website. But the real superstars, for me, are the 13 readers who picked up the book on Amazon or read it through the Kindle Unlimited program, and then took the time to leave a brief review on Amazon. If you’ve read the book: PLEASE consider taking a few minutes and leaving a review, if you haven’t. Those reviews lead to more visibility which leads to more sales and more reviews. If do one thing to say thanks to an author you enjoy: make it an Amazon review.

That’s it for today. Quick post. BTW: this week’s video is a Top Five list of Herschell Gordon Lewis films. Because I met the man last week. Watch it here.

Surprise! THE CON SEASON is available NOW!

First the good news: you can click here, right now, and secure yerself a copy of The Con Season: A Novel of Survival Horror. That’s the ebook link, but paperback will be out in a month or two if you’re an absolute tree-hating physical media diehard.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Horror movie starlet Clarissa Lee is beautiful, internationally known, and…completely broke.

To cap off years of questionable financial and personal decisions, Clarissa accepts an invitation to participate in a “fully immersive” fan convention. She arrives at an off-season summer camp and finds what was supposed to be a quick buck has become a real-life slasher movie.

Deep in the woods of Kentucky with a supporting cast of B-level celebrities, Clarissa must fight to survive the deadly game that the con’s organizers have rigged against her.

A demented, funny, bloody, and strangely-poignant horror novel from the acclaimed author of Tribesmen, Zero Lives Remaining, and Mercy House.

Go ahead and buy the book before scrolling any further.

I’ll wait.

Now the not-so-good news: if you nominated the book, probably already you know that Kindle Scout has decided to pass on publishing The Con Season.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say it’s a bit of a bummer. I feel like our numbers game was strong, but I also understand where the editors are coming from.

This book—an inside-baseball horror fandom satire with moments of blackly comedic ultraviolence—probably doesn’t scream “marketable!” It also doesn’t help that their cover guidelines suggest “no weapons or blood” and I was trying to sneak in a book featuring a blood-smeared woman holding a rifle…

Or all of that could be me trying to justify them simply not liking the book. I’m big enough to admit that.

But enough about the past! Let’s talk about the future. More specifically, let’s talk about Black T-Shirt Books!

Boom! We got a logo and everything. Huge thanks to Chris Enterline for getting that done.

I wasn’t messing around in last month’s post where I claimed to have “contingency plans” in place for The Con Season. As touched as I am at all the messages of condolence that I’ve received for being passed by Scout: really, it’s cool, nobody died!

I entered into this campaign knowing that having the book rejected was a very real possibility. I had to hand KS a completely edited manuscript and final cover art: so I was always viewing the program as an experiment in self-publishing.

And now that experiment is live and YOU get to decide if it keeps going or not.

Will Black T-Shirt books be releasing more titles? Yeah, if you and a few friends buy, review, and share this one.

I know I harp on the need for reviews (seriously, not just my books, if you read ANY book and like it: please review that ish on Amazon, you’ll be helping make quality writing more visible). But this time, since Black T-Shirt books is me doing this all by myself without the backing of a publisher, reviews are doubly important. As is word of mouth, shares on Facebook and Twitter, and updates to your Goodreads.

And if the Black T-Shirt Books experiment doesn’t succeed? Well, then it’s back to the drawing board, because we all know I’ve got schemes and machinations and secret-books for miles. 🙂

Thanks so much for everything, guys and gals, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the support.

With love,

Adam Cesare
CEO and Master of Shirts at Black T-Shirt Books

P.S. New episodes of the YouTube show are up:

An early review of Evil Dead remake director Fede Alvarez’s Don’t Breathe:

And a less-SEO friendly review of 1984’s The Mutilator, recently reissued by Arrow Video: