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Writers’ Workshop with Brian Evenson

This is kind of nifty, especially coming on the heels of my finding and posting several articles and reviews of Brian Evenson on our Facebook page. Apparently this summer he will be leading a horror writing workshop… in Transylvania. A perfect location, right?

Here are some links regarding Evenson, his writing, and his newest work, in case you haven’t dropped by our Facebook page recently.

The Dark Fiction of an Ex-Mormon Writer from The New Yorker

Brian Evenson’s Writing Is As Beautiful As It Is Brutal  from VICE

How Do You Live In A World That Is Not The World You Thought It Was? An Interview With Brian Evenson from Tinhouse.com

A Master At Work: A Collapse of Horses by Brian Evenson (review) from Electric Literature

 

I’m not endorsing anything, and I haven’t read his work, but he sounds like a fascinating guy, with writing worth checking out, even if you don’t have the money or desire to spend a week hanging out with him in Dracula country.

 

Anyway, the press release is below.
Transylvania workshop lets writers explore the ‘Mecca of Horror’

Transylvania has been synonymous with horror since Bram Stoker penned his opus
back in 1897.

Writers & Publishers International <http://www.writersandpublishers.org/about/>
(WPI) offers writers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work on a novel or
short story in Transylvania, the birthplace of the infamous Vlad the Impaler.

Running from August 7th to 14th, the Horror Writer’s Workshop is the ultimate
summer vacation for any writer of dark fiction, from extreme horror to
paranormal romance and everything in between. Attendees will dramatically
improve their writing skills while exploring the darkness lurking behind the
beautiful castles and fairytale villages of Romania.

Between visits to some of the region’s most notorious sites, including the
reputedly haunted Bran Castle—one of the inspirations for Stoker’s Dracula,
writers will benefit from the experience and knowledge of instructor Brian
Evenson. Evenson, a multi award-winning horror writer and professor, has
published over a dozen novels and translated many others.

The professor of literary arts at Brown for over a decade, he is now inspiring
students at the California Institute of the Arts.

“Brian has a way of making all the things that stifle writing disappear,
including fear and self-doubt, leaving only stories to be written,” says K.
Scott Forman, a former student of Evenson’s. “His teaching style is conducive to
creativity, to experimentation, and most importantly, is focused on the
individual writer finding his or her own voice.”

The weeklong retreat takes place at Mama Cozonacilor, a charming family-owned
inn located in the stunning mountainous region of Bran, Transylvania. It’s
impossible to remain uninspired while walking the cobblestone streets of
Sighişoara, where Vlad the Impaler was born, or while exploring the eerie Râșnov
Fortress, where two Turkish well diggers met their doom.

“The biggest misconception people have about horror is that it’s gratuitous.
They hear horror and think SAW—the most visceral movie they’ve ever heard of,”
says Evenson. “Most great horror is a serious investigation about the
strangeness of the world. There’s a lot of really interesting, sophisticated
writing going on in the world of horror right now.”

Those interested are encouraged to reserve their spot with a deposit, as there
is limited space available and the workshop will sell out quickly. During the
month of February, WPI is offering a special two-for-one discount—those who book
with a spouse, friend, or family member will get 50 percent off their
registration fees. This deal ends on February 29th.

For more information, please contact:

Tausha Johnson, Program Director

info@workshopwriters.com <mailto:info@workshopwriters.com>

+34 682798328

Posted on February 13, 2016 by , 1 comment

Book Review: The Hunt by Tim Lebbon

 

 

 

 

 

The Hunt by T.J. Lebbon (Tim Lebbon)
Avon Books, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-0008122904
Available: New and used paperback, Kindle edition

 

The transition from writing horror to thrillers sounds like it should be an easy move, yet very few authors have mastered the art of actually “thrilling” the reader from the first to the last without letting up.  Tim Lebbon has pretty much pulled it off in his first attempt. The Hunt is a definite departure form horror and fantasy. This is a different animal than the creature horror of last year’s The Silence, but in any genre, Lebbon proves he knows how to sustain pace and suspense.

The Hunt is run by the shadow group “Trail”. The members have many names, live invisibly from society, and are free from persecution as they provide the ultimate game for the super-rich, famous, and thrill-seeking.

The story begins when Chris Sheen returns home from a great run, breaking his own record, to find his wife and two daughters missing. A man warns him not to call the police; if he does, they’ll be butchered.

Meanwhile, Rose has been training to avenge the murders of her husband and children, as she is the lone survivor of the hunt.  Her mission options: escape the hunters and live while her family dies, or sacrifice herself to keep them alive.

Rose attempts to track down and eliminate the group, while Chris fights to avoid the hunters and stay alive long enough to save his family. Both work with separate motivations as they run, hike, and climb through Snowdonia.

To say The Hunt is fast-paced is like saying a Ferrari can break the speed limit. Lebbon’s writing has always been lean and tight; here, it moves and twists through a violent, exciting story with rarely a wasted word.

Avon has already signed him for a second thriller. Here’s to hoping there’s many more. Highly recommended.

 
 

Reviewed by David Simms

Posted on December 2, 2015 by , Reply

Book Review: The Thickety: The Whispering Trees by J. A. White

The Thickety: The Whispering Trees by J.A. White, illustrated by Andrea Offermann

Katherine Tegen Books, 2015

ISBN-13: 978-0062257291

Available:  Hardcover, Kindle edition

After the shocking conclusion of A Path Begins, the first book in The Thickety series, Kara Westfall has been forced to leave her village of De’Noran behind and flee with her brother into the darkness of the Thickety,

Although still full of dark events and violent situations, The Whispering Trees contains each of these elements on a lighter scale than the first book in the series. Readers are introduced to a world full of magical, fairytale-like creatures living in the Thickety, and Kara’s ability to connect with animals gives us a glimpse into the minds of the Thickety’s inhabitants, blighted by the dark magic of the Forest Demon Sordyr.

The encompassing theme of good vs. evil, and strength of character development, is still strong in The Whispering Trees. Kara and her brother Taff form an unlikely alliance with the witch Mary Kettle, introduced in A Path Begins as a murderer of children. The Whispering Trees is full of suspenseful situations and unpredictable turns of events as Kara learns that goodness and hope can prevail.

The Whispering Trees shows readers a growth in Kara’s understanding of her powers, and her discovery of the responsibility that comes with such power, She is forced to make difficult decisions that weigh her deep desire to protect and free the creatures of the Thickety against her need to occasionally put them in harm’s way, for the greater good of defeating Sordyr. Readers will also see growth in young Taff as he develops wisdom, and a keen ability to become a strong force in the challenges he and Kara face in the Thickety.

The illustrations of Andrea Offermann are again a perfect complement to the tone of the story. The cover pulls readers into the dark, ensnaring branches of the Thickety and the chapter illustrations provide a perfect visual introduction to the tone of each chapter.

While The Whispering Trees contains less human violence than the first book in the series, it still contains enough frightening imagery and violent events that younger readers should be cautioned. However, those who are looking for a YA series that doesn’t sugarcoat the darker side of a fantastic and wonderfully-told scary story won’t be disappointed. Recommended for ages 10 and older.

 

Contains: Violence, witchcraft

Reviewed by Heather Hurley

Posted on May 4, 2015 by , Reply
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