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It’s Women in Horror Month!

Yes, it’s that time of year again– Women in Horror Month is here! It’s too bad that it takes a special month for horror lovers and makers who are women to be brought up into the light, but that really does seem to be what it takes. While there are a lot of great women writers of horror, very few of them are well known, so this month we’re going to spotlight some of them. I’ll be bringing up some of the older posts we’ve done on some of the great women we have interviewed or had as guest bloggers previously,  sharing some information about writers of the past, suggesting links on women writers that might be of interest, and publishing interviews with some of the wonderful women writers of horror out there who mainstream readers and librarians may not be familiar with. We are working on putting together an index of women horror writers, but that is a BIG project, so whether that will be done by the end of the month I don’t know.

So here’s the thing. Spotlighting women writers in horror doesn’t mean I think you should read or recommend a book JUST because it’s by a woman. But by not knowing about the work of these women writers, you miss out on some really, really good storytelling. The immediate name that comes up when someone says “women writers of horror” is almost always Mary Shelley, followed by Anne Rice and maybe Shirley Jackson. Even in the Reader’s Advisory Guide to Horror Fiction, Becky Spratford mentions very few women authors outside a short section identifiying five excellent contemporary women writers.(Lisa Morton, Alexandra Sokoloff, Sarah Langan, Sarah Pinborough, and Caitlin Kiernan, as I recall) But there are so many more great books out there that are just MISSED, and I hope that this month we’ll be able to bring some of those to your attention!

Here’s a link to the WiHM Facebook page, which is collecting together posts from a variety of participating sites. And here’s a link to their tumblr– they are collecting donations right now as well. Also check out Becky’s blog, RA for Horror, this month. I know she’s got some great things coming up!

 

Enjoy!

Posted on February 1, 2014 by , 2 comments

The Return of Frankenstein

I know I just wrote about Frankenstein, but there’s always more to share, and I just wanted to quickly share this with you. August 30 was Frankenstein Day, the birthday of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. In honor of the day, Diane Colson over at The Hub has some suggested reading. This Dark Endeavor, the first book she lists(reviewed here—  its sequel, Such Wicked Intent, is reviewed here as well) is scary as hell, and Angelmonster (reviewed here), which she also lists, is a truly amazing book.

It’s not what I would call YA-accessible, unless the young adult in question is absolutely devoted to knowing the backstory of the original novel, but since Colson listed several other books I don’t know if I would consider targeted to YA readers, I will suggest that those who are really interested in the players who were there the night Shelley came up with the story also check out The Monsters: Mary Shelley and the Curse of Frankenstein.

And a happy (belated) Frankenstein Day to you!

 

Posted on September 5, 2013 by , Reply

Missing Since Gen Con: Robert the Bard

As some of you may know, Gen Con(a major science fiction, fantasy and gaming convention) took place in the area here not that long ago. Whether you’re a librarian or a fan, you’ve probably been to some kind of convention at some time. They are a great way to meet people with common interests, widen your knowledge, geek on favorite authors and/or authorities in your field, and, most of all, have fun. Science fiction, fantasy, and gaming together cover a huge number of topics, genres, events, and people, including writers, readers, and consumers of the horror genre.  If you want a feel for what science fiction, fantasy, and horror lovers are looking for, and you want to get them into your library, look for a local con in your community, and go in with an open mind. It’s worth it to check it out.

A transcript of  the following report was forwarded to us by our reviewer Aaron Fletcher, who attended Gen Con 2013 and acquired this digital recording of an interview conducted by Robert the Bard there that may shed some light on the convention experience.

 

Report From the Floor of Gen Con 2013 Day 2 August 16, 2013.

Transcribed by Aaron Fletcher

Robert the Bard: Hello everyone, Robert the Bard reporting from the Indianapolis Convention Center, where I am attending Gen Con 2013! I am here today talking with the lesser known “heroes” of Gen Con: the monsters. Without them, there would be no Gen Con. Here to start us off is this splendid, absolutely gruesome ogre named Grug. How are you enjoying Gen Con, Grug?

 

Grug: Me not.

 

Robert the Bard: You’re not?!? What seems to be the problem?

 

Grug: Me rest in dungeon when horde of humans rush in and hit Grug. Hit Grug in tummy. Hurt Grug! Take Grug treasure! Why humans do that?

 

Robert the Bard: Well, Grug, I imagine they did that to have an adventure.

 

Grug: Grug want treasure back! Grug MAD!!!

 

Robert the Bard: All right! All right now, Grug! Take it easy. No need to go on a rampage now. I’m sure you can go on an adventure of your own and get treasure from some innocent people in a little while. Why don’t you take in some of the other events at Gen Con while you wait?

 

Grug: Events??!?!? What events mean?

 

 

Robert the Bard: Well I’m talking about the other things going on here at Gen Con. There’s The Film Festival, the Writer’s Symposium, and the Art Show. Maybe pick up something to read or a fantastic work of art for your dungeon.

 

 

Grug: Stories scare Grug. Always of Adventurers kill monsters. Make Grug sad. Dungeon has art. Mrs. Grug jealous artist. She no like other art.

 

 

Robert the Bard: Oh, I see, Grug. Well if you don’t like those things, you can play a game or learn a new one. After all, Gen Con is known for all kinds of role playing games, board games and card games. You can even buy the games right here.

 

 

Grug: What kind games?

 

 

Robert the Bard: Well, just about anything you can imagine. There are fantasy Games, science fiction Games, horror Games, world building games, and just about anything else you can think of.

 

 

Grug: Oh. Grug like fantasy adventure game. Get treasure…

 

 

Robert the Bard: You do! Well what’s it called, Grug? I’ll help you find some treasure.

 

 

Grug: You help Grug?!?!?

 

 

Robert the Bard: Sure I will! What do you say…Uh…What are you doing, Grug? Uh, take it easy now…

 

 

Grug: Hehe! Grug like smash talky talky human! Here Grug come!

 

 

Robert the Bard: Put that club down now before somebody gets hurt! Grug! Grug!

 

 

Grug: Hehe! Grug like puny human run away. It fun!

 

 

Robert the Bard: Uh well folks there you have it. This is your reporter on the floor of Gen Con 2013 saying…..I gotta RUUUUNNN!!!!

 

 

Grug: Hehe! Treasure!!!!!

 

Note: This was intended to be a multiple part series reporting on all aspects of the cultural and social gaming event known as Gen Con 2013. Unfortunately, Robert the Bard has not been heard from since. If anyone knows his whereabouts please let us know. It would be greatly appreciated as we would like to get the rest of the series, so we can share it with you. Oh, and, of course, we are concerned for his safety.

Posted on August 27, 2013 by , Reply
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