Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! youtu.be/7suJVVEWt9g?...

*sung Three Stooges style* 🎵 "Hello... hello... hellooooo... Hello." 🎶

Heartbroken as we all are... it's amazing to see every timeline on all socials lighting up with love for the amazing Rob Reiner

If you asked me yesterday to list my favorite directors, I'm not sure I would have listed Rob Reiner. But so many of his films have been absolutely pivotal to me: MISERY, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, STAND BY ME... he was a humble legend. All of my love to his family and friends.

Today’s mail brought the Macavity Award for Best Mystery! Huge thanks to everyone who read and championed CALIFORNIA BEAR over the past two years. This sleek cat is now perched on my shelf of writing heroes.

SIR. 🫡

I’ve been reading Olga Tokarczuk’s DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE BONES OF THE DEAD and was a little startled to see a familiar name pop up in the second chapter, albeit with an extra “sz” thrown into the mix. (As if my surname needed more consonants?) This character is known as “Oddball.” Which is… fair.

@gloriachao.bsky.social @tokyovice.bsky.social & @swierczy.bsky.social I mentioned your books as being great gifts for the holiday season! booknotions.com/books-of-202...

I was once in the same stadium as Phil Collins

Rabbit! Rabbit!

A sneak peek at the cover of next week’s issue, which celebrates Zohran Mamdani’s historic win. #NewYorkerCovers https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/451hFM

My newsletter usually isn't this star-studded, but the new one features @mikeflanaganfilm.com! @pattonoswalt.bsky.social! @meredithsalenger.bsky.social! Stephen Root! Link in the comments below.

As a spice wimp, I think this is the scariest video ever. www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2gm...

John Carpenter’s PASADENA

Rabbit! Rabbit!

This afternoon I drove past a Michael Myers waiting to cross the street. He had a butcher knife in his hand. I gave Michael the peace sign. He gave me a very friendly wave in return. I love Halloween.

This year I’m dressing up as Frank Zappa dressing up as Satan. Happy Halloween!

Hard to believe it's been seven years. I miss Evie every day.

Make a kid at Children's Hospital Los Angeles smile by sending a Halloween card! (Every card sent adds $1 to the Children's Fund.) Plus, it's an excuse to use those lame spooky Dad jokes you've been saving up all year... secure1.chla.org/site/SPageNa...

The 8th Annual Team Evie Holiday Book Drive begins... today! You can help put new books in the hands of kids at Children's Hospital LA. www.teameviefoundation.com

This November the New Bev spotlights Burt Lancaster, highlights the work of Bill Forsyth, presents a special 35mm first-run engagement of Osgood Perkins’ new film Keeper, plus family matinees, midnights, and more! Let us know what you’re most excited to see!

What I've been up to (so far) during this spooky month. open.substack.com/pub/gleefulm...

Picked up an emotional support cemetery at Trader Joe’s.

Macavity Award Winners #mystery #crimefiction mysteryreadersinc.blogspot.com/2025/10/maca... @swierczy.bsky.social and more!

Shut the door. Have a seat

Rabbit! Rabbit!

I’ve been meaning to read more Du Maurier, and this new story collection gave me the nudge. With an intro and appreciation by @stephenking.bsky.social!

Dana Skully is ready for October

Thomas Perry, one of the greatest thriller writers of the past four decades, has died, per his publisher, The Mysterious Press:

Very proud to see BILLION-DOLLAR RANSOM, my latest with James Patterson, at #5 on the NYT best seller list!

Currently reading and enjoying SCREAMING AND CONJURING, Clark Collins’s lively and interview-packed survey of horror films from 1996 through 2013.

If you happen to be in Venice, CA this Saturday afternoon, stop by the library! I'll be nerding out on the SF writers who at one point called that crazy beach town home: Bradbury, Brackett, Leiber and Shea.

Killing people we disagree with is wrong in every way, whether it’s Melissa Hortman or Charlie Kirk. This is especially true in a country awash with guns and run by fascists looking to amplify their already militarized policies. No thoughts and prayers. Down with fascism and up with gun control.

Happy birthday to my Grandmom Eleanor (a.k.a. “Dolly”) who would have turned 99 today.

Rabbit! Rabbit!

Richard Stark's Parker! And Grofield! Directed by Shane Black! I am all the way in. www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

One week from tomorrow! www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0vV...

Shut the door. Have a seat

Rabbit! Rabbit!

#FF spoiler

This is where I post from

Humble Bundle has a couple of book bundles for charity with works by Gail Simone (@gailsimone.bsky.social), Joe Hill (@joe-hill.bsky.social), Duane Swierczynski (@swierczy.bsky.social), James Tynion IV (@jamesthefourth.bsky.social), George Takei (@georgetakei.bsky.social), and others. #booksky

R.I.P., Ozzy. www.theguardian.com/music/2025/j...

Check out a video mashup of movies coming to the New Bev this August! Any favorites you can spot? As always, cut together by our own @jeffsmithhere.bsky.social. vimeo.com/1102051588

On July 13, 2018, my daughter was chilling in our apartment with her best friend, ready to celebrate her 15th birthday on the 15th. She would have to return to CHLA the day after her birthday for her second round of chemo... but for the moment, all felt peaceful.

Wonder if the book cover designer knew what was up

The annual bombing of Old Town.

Hanging by a thread

My favorite @swierczy.bsky.social novel and one of my favorite novels, period, SEVERANCE PACKAGE is on say for just $1.99! www.amazon.com/Severance-Pa...