A conversation with Kaden! Come listen to my other child in the hotseat! Find it wherever you get your podcasts! Or go to: www.spreaker.com/episode/stuf... My Podcast has SpeakPipe: www.speakpipe.com/StuffDeanSays send me old-school voicemail. "Call-in" and record a message or a question.

**PROVE IT!** Send us the ONE story that everyone needs to read next year! Make it horror, make it 2-4000 words, and make it damn good. Nick Mamatas (@nmamatas.bsky.social) set a pretty high bar, but if you think you can do better, go to picpublishing.ca/onesubs.html and submit, June 1-30.

Be there at Town Square! Or... be square? LOL! I'll be sharing a table with N.M. Sotzek (Author of the sci-fi AIM Chronicles), we’re currently located in the row closest to King St. I'm looking at the list, and there are a lot of REALLY COOL people you need to come and see/meet.

**PROVE IT!** Send us the ONE story that everyone needs to read next year! Make it horror, make it 2-4000 words, and make it damn good. Nick Mamatas (@concentrateandtryagain) set a pretty high bar, but if you think you can do better, go to picpublishing.ca/onesubs.html and submit, June 1-30.

Talking with Tom! Episode 9 of "Stuff Dean Says" is now available anywhere you get your lovely listening joy. Here's a Spreaker direct location: www.spreaker.com/episode/stuf... And remember! If you want to "call in to the show" old-school style, I have a SpeakPipe: www.speakpipe.com/StuffDeanSays

My podcast Stuff Dean Says now has a SpeakPipe! Leave a message like an old-school phone call, without downloading anything, and it's free! Leave a question or comment about, or maybe even for an upcoming episode. Go to our website at www.picpublishing.ca/contact.html and you'll see a link.

*Open to Submissions in June!* We are looking for Horror, can be blended with sci-fi, fantasy, romance, comedy. Do you have the ONE story everyone should read? 2-4,000 words, $.05/word CAN Details www.picpublishing.ca/onesubs.html, also on Duotrope. Please share, and hope to see your work in June.

The next WPL Open Mic Poetry Night is: Tuesday, April 14 6:30pm - 8:30pm At the Main Library. I'll be there to read a new poem! Wanna come and watch, or read? Register soon at calendar.wpl.ca/event/15799370

I'm coming to Hamilton! Will I see you at the "Write On! Write Now! Open Mic" at the Centre for Talking Arts? Put it on your calendar! April 17th, 8pm 154 James St S. Hosted by Jen Frankel Each writer gets 5 mins reading time, so you won't have to listen to me jibber jabber for tooooo long. LOL!

A new Dean's Antics Substack is up! A bit of a summation of a topic I talked about in my last podcast, Stuff Dean Says #8. There are five people at a table... substack.com/@deanitaliano

NOW at WORDS WORTH BOOKS! You can find my books, KATRINA: AFTER 20, and PAIN MACHINE. www.wordsworthbooks.com For 40 years, WWB has been an important part of Waterloo's culture. Stop in, buy gifts for the readers in your life, and don't forget to grab a little something for yourself, too.

If you're going to read ONE short story this weekend, make it this one... "The Net" by Nick Mamatas www.picpublishing.ca/one.html

If any friends here that are Practitioners of Witchcraft are able to help with a question, I could use a little help? If someone puts a curse on X, and then dies, can that curse be reversed? This is for a story, I can give details in a DM so we can construct a proper answer. Thank you! Blessed be!

Expletives will be used from here on out in Stuff Dean Says - the gloves come off! LOL! Wherever you get your podcasts, Stuff Dean Says #8 is ready! Here's the Spreaker link: www.spreaker.com/episode/stuf... "Early Retirement" life, art, writing, and... plants?

Our song "Me and Vincent Price" was used *twice* in the documentary Behind the Castle Doors: The Origin of The Hilarious House of Frightenstein! We met Mitch Markowitz again, and thanks to Director Tammy and Producer Morgan, so nice to meet in person!! So happy we could make it for the premiere. 🥰

** The line accidentally cut at 0:39, “IS THIS YOUR FINAL DANCE?” which is read by Mal, a poet/volunteer in the audience. So, this is the poem I read at the WPL Open Mic, titled (for now?) "My Suspended Dance.". youtu.be/PxKdw9_Ief0 (Recording courtesy of Rick Hipson)

I am safe. If you are ready, or if you aren't ready to come out but need someone to talk to? If you're not sure if you're LGBTQIA+ but would like to work through it? If you're out, but may have discovered new rainbow parts you didn't expect or may not understand? I'm here. 😊 🤗 🌈

I have to leave "what I used to be able to do" behind me. I can't move forward and grow with the goal to get back to the old, either. It's time to envelop myself with what I have in front of me. New eyes, new style... new touch. I'm going to embrace the now. "Horned Owl Flies Though Leaves"

It'll need editing, but I wrote 700 new words today. It's a horror poem loosely based on an unpublished short story. I've never "gone backwards" in length of project with an idea before. Maybe my brain is shrinking. 😆

I'll be there! This time with something... dark. 😉😈 Open Mic Poetry Night Tuesday, October 14, 6:30PM Main Library, James J. Brown Auditorium

Come find me!! Booktoberfest 2025 When: Sunday, October 5th, noon - 5pm Where: Old Goat Books, front patio, 8 William St E, Waterloo

Y'know that author's story we chose as the ONE short story you need to read this year? Well... he's got a new book out! Check out KALIVAS, OR ANOTHER TEMPEST by Nick Mamatas!

Hey guess what!? The Starving Queen is now available in trade paperback on Amzon.ca! tinyurl.com/yc4bhukv

My first novel, PAIN MACHINE, is now available in a second edition, and this re-release includes a bonus short story, "Dance at My Funeral." **Please use only this Canadian link at Amazon.ca: tinyurl.com/mpu9c88a **You can also find all of my work under my Author Name here: tinyurl.com/4dmbuefw

Elora!! If you are in Elora, ON, stop by Cordial Clove Books! (62 Metcalf St on the main strip!) This pic was taken by my friend Rick, who happened across copies of Katrina: After 20 for sale. I was gunna promote this week and he beat me to it - fantastic! 😊

dReadCon! Canada's ONLY Dark Fiction & Horror Convention at the Holiday Inn, on September 13! Huge Book Fair and Market, panels, workshops and book launches! Doors open at 11 am till 5pm Only $5 at the door, kids free. BURLINGTON HOLIDAY INN 3063 South Service Road Burlington, Ontario *Come find me!

20 years ago at this time, we were in the lobby of The Frenchmen Hotel, probably watching Chester have a smoke. In remembrance of all those who lost their lives and condolences to their loved ones. And hope that all who were physically and mentally uprooted can perhaps find a moment of peace today.

What are your thoughts on the apparent new trend towards "slim fiction" - 100 pages or less?

I just wrote a new poem and made myself laugh. It's longer than most of the stuff I write which I found interesting, but there it was, flying out of me like old coins at a casino. I think I'll read it at the next Open Mic Poetry Night at the Waterloo Public Library on Sept 16th.

I you're going to read ONE short story this year, THIS should be the ONE. "The Net" by Nick Mamatas www.picpublishing.ca/one.html Share away!!

I've started a Substack subscriber chat. I'll possibly be chatting about upcoming projects, or things rumbling in my head that might actually happen some day. Come see! deanitaliano.substack.com/p/join-deans...

Throwing an idea out there... if you were at a conference, would you pay $1 for a temporary tattoo?

I'll be there tonight! Open Mic Poetry Night Tuesday, August 12 6:30pm - 8:00pm Main Library James J. Brown Auditorium

Gand I will be there!! DreadConCan.com

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by my friend @rickhipson.bsky.social for his podcast called What Screams May Come. We talked about my book Katrina: After 20, and at the end I read from one of the earlier chapters during the storm.

**THIS SATURDAY, July 19th, 3-11pm. Dean's Retirement/Books Release Party! These are the books that will be available, while supplies last. Buying your books online ahead of time guarantees your copy and come get it signed! The side gate will be open. 👍 (DM me for address if needed.)

I've made a "secret" page on our website for those that buy KATRINA: AFTER 20, to give them access to colour versions of the pictures in the book. If you bought the book, DM me with the caption below the image with the TV on pg 11.

What a nice surprise! G noticed on Amazon that KATRINA: AFTER 20 is ranked 26th in the "Travel Biographies & Memoirs" category today. :)

The Canadian print is ready! Please go to picpublishing.ca and click on the Volumes link!

Happy Canada Day! Look at what's available today! 😁 I have a short story in this anthology, and Amazon apparently put it on sale. Get them while they are cheap! a.co/d/avDz9Df

My Author's copy of DARK CANADIANA has arrived! Look for my short story "But There Are No Hunters" in this beauty! 26 dark stories all set in Canadian history, our land, our legends and more, all by Canadian Authors! I'm so excited!

Got a few mins? Head over to picpublishing.ca and click on ONE to read "The Net" by Nick Mamatas.

Canadian Weather Network Meteorologist and "StormHunters" host, Mark Robinson, and my husband G and I, were in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina arrived. We had very different experiences. Some of our conversation in this 20th Anniversary Edition. KATRINA: AFTER 20 On Amazon: tinyurl.com/3h2kzxzh

Happy Juneteenth! #juneteenth2025❤️🖤💚💛

KATRINA: AFTER 20 is now on Amazon! Available in both trade paperback and eBook. Thank you again for the Foreword, Poppy Z. Brite (Billy Martin). (There will be a Canadian print available in July! 😁) www.amazon.ca/Katrina-Afte...

Where do YOU get your podcasts? Go find "Stuff Dean Says" because Episode 7 has a full update with ALL THE THINGS! ONE, books, music, resigning/retirement, rugby! Oh my! Or you can go directly to Spreaker: www.spreaker.com/episode/stuf...

Available TOMORROW! "KATRINA: AFTER 20 is a compelling personal account of a national tragedy. Harrowing, vivid and incredibly touching, it will open your eyes to the catastrophe that befell New Orleans." @cgolden.bsky.social & @timlebbon.bsky.social , authors of Mind the Gap, The Map of Moments

“Italiano's book is intensely personal. “KATRINA: AFTER 20 is a fast read... it will have a lasting and profound impact on readers as they are escorted on a guided tour of the closest thing to hell this continent has experienced in a long time.” Bev Vincent, author of The Road to the Dark Tower