Today I bought books by Angela Carter & Kurt Vonnegut and said goodbye to the Beetlejuice sandworm in my area. Also must wish you all a happy new year. New fiction may be available sometime in 2026, working over drafts. Keep well and hopeful.

What do you think about the long-anticipated ending episodes to Stranger Things? What you expected/hoped for? Let down or confused? (No spoilers please my dudes)

Now with relatives gone and Xmas festivities over I can continue on through these much anticipated final few climactic episodes of Stranger Things. First couple have been quite slow but thankfully by Chapter Six: Escape from Camazotz the actions & effects are kicking off. Are you watching?

Boxing Day, good enough time for another viewing of Del Toro Frankenstein. This time with added Christmas cake.

Watched the latest Mark Gatiss Christmas ghost story special last night. Did you? It was the last moment when I thought 'Oh, yes. Nightmares tonight!'

Tap isn't a hug personal favourite. Guess if I'd have seen it during the hair metal times or late 80s it would have really hit the spot all the way. Do really love Stand By Me and When Harry Met Sally though, along with Misery.

Should really be bingeing Rob Reiner movies. Can stick Spinal Tap on anytime, plus bought the unnecessary sequel for family chuckles over Xmas. (Haven't seen it, not sure if it is decent).

A little difficult this year to keep festive but go on, tonight we'll try Christmas Bloody Christmas on SHUDDER. Some kind of killer Santa fun. Seen it? Scary or funny- or both?

Okay we're on the 10th but think tonight we'll try French horror flick The Advent Calendar. Any of you seen it? Over on SHUDDER. (2021)

If you're filling stockings soon or need something for under the tree or for Saint Nick, may I suggest my horror books. Go find them at @waterstones.bsky.social @barnesandnoble.com amazon or real & indie bookshops now. Thank you.

It is time for Stranger Things? Not a false alarm? it is arriving at long last? Hey, I know it's not 'real' horror (all you horrorheads, chill please) and its a mashup of Goonies, Ghostbusters and X-Men but it is good fun. I'll be (upside) down at Hawkins, see you there.

Finally watched Oculus last week. Very entertaining, surprisingly layered plotting. Credits rolled and what do you know- Mike Flanagan, of course. Great performances from Karen Gillan, Katee Sackoff and Brenton Thwaites (whom I know as Nightwing/Robin in the TITANS tv series). Have you seen it?

November reading- The Sphinx - Graham Masterton The Gum Thief - Douglas Coupland Next up- been waiting a while, last doorstop book of 2025 Black Leopard, Red Wolf -Marlon James Have you read any of these?

Lake Mungo- what are your thoughts, horror fans? Trying to watch it again, as long as SHUDDER doesn't crash it on me once more.

So we're past Halloween, but that does not mean you should stop reading fear fiction- go get your own copies of my horror novels now from the amazon place, Barnes&Noble, Waterstones, local indie bookshops near you now. Cheers all.

Del Toro did dig into some interesting potential of the legendary gothic story, exploring themes of father/son, faith/creation, family, identity and more. Not everyone will be satisfied but there is much to reward viewers with this latest epic adaptation of Frankenstein.

I watched it on my tv which is not huge but was good enough to enjoy the grand sumptuous tracking shots across various lands, following the hysteria and confused rage of the monster. I will of course need to watch it again, simply far too much to absorb in the first viewing.

Thoughts on Del Toro Frankenstein? Of course it looks gorgeous. Will it be judged as the peak of his film work in years to come? Could it or should it have been shorter (by half an hour)? What did you think about this version of the monster?

Right, here we go! (Finally) Sitting back comfortably with good mug o tea and snacks for Del Toro Frankenstein.

This is a Hammer film right or 80s Italian horror flick? I'm fascinated but might not be heading near there anytime soon...

Some good honesty here. I have yet to watch the film but can believe some things to be true, while being a regular fan of Del Toro. Would we expect him to not be sentimental? The CG issue may simply be down to Netflix budget...

Spent my shower thinking of all the religious symbolism in Frankenstein. Beautiful angry heartsick Jesus and his glib and capricious dad.

Once you see it, you can't unsee it 😯 PROMETHEUS (2012, dir. Ridley Scott) - FRANKENSTEIN (2025, dir. Guillermo del Toro)

Missed it at cinemas so far, Del Toro Frankenstein will be the weekend movie. Serious antici...pation.

Nice work NYC ;)

Halloween done, back on with some coffee, strange & unusual music and getting the fiction down.

Finished watching The Coffee Table- Man, slow slight comedy drama to absolute horrific tragedy. Won't watch it again soon. Good but...

Think tonight we'll go with... Romero Diary Of The Dead. No, not an obvious Romero Z choice, but want something different and haven't watched it in a long time. Where do you think it sits among his Z movies?

It may be too late to buy a paperback copy of my horror novels from local bookshops (or not) but you certainly can download the ebook versions from amazon, @barnesandnoble.com , @waterstones.bsky.social or other reliable bookselling online places now for your chilling Halloween reading.

That link below was for list of greatest horror videogames. Which are the best? some in that list are absolute classics, like the first Res Evil and Silent Hill but there were a good few I'd never heard of but seemed really imaginative. I also enjoyed F.E.A.R. and a couple others not on the list.

www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic... Work for you? (It's a healthy release right?)

Went along and met this very friendly and talented gent this afternoon. Quick chat, books signed, including his latest out last week. Such a nice guy Mr. Joe Hill. (Horns, Nos4r2, Locke & Key, The Black Phone and so much more). King Sorrow is the latest, go check it.

Stepped into the city @waterstones.bsky.social and they're doing a refurb- it completely discombobulated my head and sense of direction. It's looks good so far. Don't worry, I did find the horror section ;)

We are in Halloween week. Do you have some fear fiction ready? If not, consider some of my own chilling fear tales of terror- Find them at amazon/Barnes&Noble/Waterstones/actual real & indie bookshops near you now. Paperback/ebook

So Rosemary's Baby-2014 remake is starting on Channel 5 UK right now. They're showing the whole mini series as a film, so on until after one am. Anyone else watching? worth staying up that late/early? It didn't seem to get amazing reviews but does feature Zoe Salanda and Jason Isaacs...and gore.

I delivered this back in July, after which it got postponed. I gave plenty of notice of the dates I was going to be away in October & thus unavailable for rewrites, and of course they needed rewrites during those exact same dates, so someone else had to chip in. So it goes. Hope it reads ok.

Got along and saw the almost indescribable Igorrr again with their mix of dance/rock/opera/metal/dubstep and more, supported by mysterious jazzy death metal guys Imperial Triumphant who played way too short a set, also great.

Couldn't wait- okay, over on SHUDDER VHS- Halloween, let's go.

Remembered a couple of horror flicks I intended to watch before Halloween- Five Nights At Freddies (Well, if I must...) VHS Halloween(?)-feedback so far seems very positive... Along with a bunch of the usual. What are the usual October reliable old favourites for you?

Stephen King is ok, the rest gotta go.

Nice work all of those out for No Kings across the U.S. Stand strong against the orange felon in the White House.

Finally sitting through Oppenheimer this week in October. It is a horror film, among other things.

Halfway into October and I want to ask- what is the most memorable Halloween from your childhood or youth? It could be chilling, creepy funny (or traumatic) memories...did you encounter ghosts, ghouls, something else?

Get along to the great annual Manchester horror film fest Grimmfest over this weekend (happening now) if you want to catch some fresh films from new filmmakers and more.

Image by @cutfingers.bsky.social #writingcommunity

We're in October- what's been scaring you? (Besides Trump or Reform/far-right bigots...) New films/books/other

Had a great time seeing some epic prog metal from Blood Incantation, who played their new acclaimed 70s prog inspired album in full (Very Floyd/Tangerine Dream/ELP) along with the great dark psychedelic doom soundscapes of Oranssi Pazuzzi and Sijiin with their more regular trad/death metal tunes.

Ah, I'm missing Lady Gaga here in Manchester. Bad decision. Would love to see her live. Maybe next time. I'm a little monster too, Lady! @ladygaganow.net Right in Spooktober spooky month too. Are you seeing her this week/this tour?

Check this out! My new trade book from Morehouse Publishing is up for pre-order, releasing October 13. Pre-orders can make a huge difference as to whether a title gets picked up or not. I'm really excited to share this new work. www.churchpublishing.org/scaredbytheb...