The Electric October waltz

It’s that time of year once again, the most wonderful time of the year. The October waltz, the spooky season is in full swing, the vampires sharpening their fangs, the witches brooms lift that much more higher, and the skeletons buff and polish their bones. I started playing my Halloween playlist weeks ago, cramming more horror movie viewing parties in before the waltz fades out.

I’ve been keeping to the grindstone, writing my novel and failing to post regularly on my new Instagram account. I did have an author photo shoot the other day, so I will have proper photographs for book jackets and promotions (if my image shows up on film). Not that anyone is clamoring for my picture, that I know of (that shadowy goth woman in the neighborhood notwithstanding), but fake it until you make it. Soon, my dark and gruesome mug will be seen all over my social media no doubt.

Speaking of horror movies, I did manage to finally watch Sinners. It was certainly well made, and acted, with a good mix of horror and drama. To be honest, I thought it took slightly too long to get the vampires into the story. They also (SPOILERS) totally wasted the idea of native American vampire hunters in that time period. I expected them to return and help take out the vampires later. I want to see them featured in a spin off as soon as possible.

That’s all I have for now. Enjoy your Halloween to the fullest, and as always, keep it spooky.

October Reading

I thought I would do something a little different this October. Instead of recommending movies, I will recommend books to read during the Halloween season. You can find my movie recommendations easily enough, and they have not changed much. There is nothing like finding that perfect book to guide you into the Fall and get you in the mood for candy corn breezes, skittering shadows and howling at the moon. Without further ado…

Dracula by Bram Stoker: If you don’t know what this book is about, I pity you.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova: This eerie tome will capture you in dark shadows and far off places, and drown you gently in its splendid prose.

Anno Dracula: What if Dracula lived through Bram Stoker’s tale? It won’t be pretty…

From the Dust Returned: A fabulous collection of tales woven by the master of October. Read each one carefully and bathe in the magic of the night.

The Savage Tales of Solomon Cane by Robert E. Howard: You can choose any of the stories in this collection to read or read them all. Kane will take you into the thrilling dark wild and face things that will make your bones quake.

The Poems of Edgar Allen Poe: Take your pick. My personal favorites are The Raven and The Bells. You will easily find your fill of the macabre and spooky within Poe’s verses.

I will leave you with these for now. I bid you good night…and a good haunt.

Pumpkins