literary criticism

LOTF 15: Tropisode #1 :: VAMPIRES :: with Natalie Ferrigno

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This is the first in a sub-series of episodes that explore specific horror tropes in detail — Tropisode #1: Vampires. We plan to do one of these episodes about once a quarter. We talk about vampires with a vampire expert, Natalie Ferrigno, who also happens to be a fellow UCR Palm Desert alumna. In addition to talking about vampires (where they've been, where they are, where they're going) we also discuss in greater detail David Busboom's new novella Nightbird from Unnerving.

Natalie Ferrigno is a horror writer, gothic fusion bellydancer, and creator of the forthcoming Atrophy Zine. You can find her and follow her creative endeavors at the handle @eris_atrophy on both Twitter and Instagram. Stay tuned for more news regarding the Indie GoGo for her zine! 

Show notes:

Photo by Serrah Galos on Unsplash

LOTF 14: Becky Spratford, Library World's Horror Maven, Part Two

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In part two of our conversation with Becky Spratford, we discuss her ongoing involvement with Stoker Con, how horror authors can do programs and conventions at their local libraries, advice for authors at the beginning of their career, how to use Halloween and the current popularity of the horror genre to your advantage when building relationships with libraries, and more! 

Becky Spratford is a Librarian [MLIS] in Illinois specializing in serving leisure readers ages 13 and up. She trains library staff all over the world on how to match books with readers through their local public library. She is the author of The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Horror, 2d edition (ALA Editions, 2012). She is under contract to write content for EBSCO's NoveList database, reviews for Booklist, is a member of the Adult Reading Round Table Steering Committee, a 5 term Trustee for her local library, and am a proud member of The Horror Writers' Association. You can follow Becky on Twitter @RAForAll. 

Show Notes: 

LOTF 11: Stephen Graham Jones Guest Hosts Elizabeth Discussion

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In this episode, Mackenzie and Lisa are joined by guest host Stephen Graham Jones to discuss Ken Greenhall's Elizabeth. This novel is wonderfully uncomfortable and you won't want to miss our chat.

Book Description:

"'If you were to go into your bedroom tonight – perhaps by candlelight – and sit quietly before the large mirror, you might see what I have seen. Sit patiently, looking neither at yourself nor at the glass. You might notice that the image is not yours, but that of an exceptional person who lived at some other time . . .'

"The image in the mirror of fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Cuttner is that of the fey and long-dead Frances, who introduces Elizabeth to her chilling world of the supernatural. Through Frances, Elizabeth learns what it is to wield power – power of a kind that is malevolent and seemingly invincible. Power that begins with the killing of her parents . . . 

"First published in 1976, Ken Greenhall's debut novel Elizabeth is a lost classic of modern horror fiction that deserves rediscovery."

About SGJ: Stephen Graham Jones is the author of sixteen novels, six story collections, and, so far, one comic book. Stephen’s been an NEA recipient, has won the Texas Institute of Letters Award for Fiction, the Independent Publishers Award for Multicultural Fiction, a Bram Stoker Award, four This is Horror Awards, and he’s been a finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award a few times. He’s also made Bloody Disgusting’s Top Ten Horror Novels. Stephen lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Show Notes: