Talk about epic weekends.
Me, Jerry Gordon, and my oldest son pile into a car for a road trip to Brian Keene’s secret lair deep in the hills of Pennsylvania. We have two goals: record an episode of The Horror Show and play Magic: the Gathering. Granted, the latter is the main mission of my son. He has co-opted most of my friends. Keep in mind, when we play with him, this card often gets involved:
(yes, my son is THAT player)
Anyway, we arrive Friday evening. Brian plays the consummate host and after we eat, we do what we do: drink and start telling stories. Apparently, I reach this magical point in my story telling (indicated by how loud I am getting) and Brian jumps up with the announcement “Now we’re ready to do the show!”
We enter his batcave, set a NEW bottle of Knob Creek between us, and do the show while consuming it. This episode is pretty much what happens when old friends have a few drinks and forget the microphone is on. Or, as I’ve been calling it, an exercise in the host asking questions that quickly get derailed by stories. [I love how many people are texting/inboxing me mid-listening to the podcast wanting to know if we survive the interview. Spoilers: we did, the bottle of Knob Creek, however, did not.] That’s all the context you get for this pic to make any sense whatsoever.
MAURICE BROADDUS – The Horror Show with Brian Keene – Ep 120
In what may be our greatest episode yet, Maurice Broaddus sits down with Brian, Dave, Mary, and Phoebe to discuss ghost-writing for celebrities, reconciling religion and faith with genre writing, being a trailblazer for writers of color, his friendships with Wrath James White and Chesya Burke, and much more. Then, his co-editor Jerry Gordon joins the discussion to talk about the art of crafting the perfect anthology, and Maurice’s son reveals an embarrassing story about his father. Also in this episode — a chance to win a complimentary pass to The Ghost Town Writers Retreat!
Saturday, Brian hosts a huge party where we hang out with old friends and make new ones. Some AWESOME new ones. Sunday, I get talked into co-hosting Brian’s interview with Jason Sizemore. Somehow, I sniff out the remaining moonshine (don’t ask) which was supposedly hidden (a secret nook behind the appliances does not count as hiding. It’s like Brian wasn’t even trying). So then this happened:
JASON SIZEMORE – The Horror Show with Brian Keene – Ep 121
Jason Sizemore of Apex Publications sits down with Brian, Mary, and guest co-host Maurice Broaddus for a fascinating discussion on publishing, editing, the importance of libraries, and advice for those wishing to start a small press. Plus: Kip Winger’s Songs From the Ocean Floor. Rick Hautala archived. A double shot of Bryan Smith. Horror writers invade DC Comics. The Twilight Zone emerges from development hell. Eli Roth’s children’s movie. Dave and Phoebe’s hospital adventure. Dungeonmaster 77.1’s new pet. And the Ghost Town Writer’s Retreat winner!
And then more Magic was played. My son … sonned all over our games. So this card got invoked:
Anyway, in short, epic weekend. I’m pretty sure my liver is still pissed at me.
