Novels with original music, and other artistic pairings

One of the novels with original musicI am fascinated by creative works that link two or more types of art. Most often the pairing involves fiction and actual music, but other combinations occur as well, including non-fiction, art, and film. I am not referring to books turned into movies, or vice-versa, but rather distinct artistic works created explicitly to complement one another. Sometimes the works are free-standing (perhaps even created at different times), but sometimes they are packaged together. Not many examples exist, but the past decade has seen a growing interest in such efforts. I was an early innovator who pioneered such pairings with my book and album Song of Fire. Let’s take a look at all the examples I have been able to find. Continue reading →

Exploring the intersection of horror fiction and music

Old piano--horror fiction and musicIn recent years, authors have unleashed a flood of fiction that blends music and horror. I’ve been unable to find a reason to explain it, but given my interests, I’m grateful for it. There have always been such stories, of course–just not quite so many. I’ve written about this intersection in several guest posts for horror review sites. Each article attempts to explore the topic from a different angle. Below you’ll find info about each of these posts. Continue reading →

Horror influences that inspired Shockadelica

Sources of inspiration for ShockadelicaReaders often yearn to know what inspires an author’s choices. My novel Shockadelica has many links to the horror genre–films, books, imagery, songs, podcasts… I thought it would be interesting to share what inspired some of the choices behind Shockadelica and draw attention to fellow denizens of the horror universe.

In Shockadelica, two horror podcasters–drag artist Kendall Akande and best friend Jenna Chen–share a passion for art, fashion, and horror. When they learn their apartment building might be haunted, they see an opportunity for a podcast episode. But as they investigate further with the help of their quirky neighbors, they uncover something far more sinister. Kendall and Jenna must use their creativity to confront the evil force that threatens them all. Continue reading →

Victorian-era ghost stories about dark divination

Dark Divinations: fourteen stories about Victorian divinationHorrorAddicts.net Press Presents: Dark Divinations edited by Naching T. Kassa. Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/ilQ-BfW6BRs It’s the height of Queen Victoria’s rule. Fog swirls in the gas-lit streets, while in the parlor, hands are linked. Pale and expectant faces gaze upon a woman, her eyes closed and shoulders slumped. The medium speaks, her tone hollow and inhuman. The seance has begun. Join us as we explore fourteen frightening tales of Victorian horror, each centered around a method of divination. Can the reading of tea leaves influence the future? Can dreams keep a soldier from death in the Crimea? Can a pocket watch foretell a deadly family curse? From entrail reading and fortune-telling machines to prophetic spiders and voodoo spells, sometimes the future is better left unknown. Choose your fate. Choose your DARK DIVINATION. What follows below is an excerpt from my story “The Bell.” Continue reading →