Tag: horror comedy

Interview with Author Cliff Mcnish 

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

I was used to making up short and funny stories for my daughter, Rachel. When she was about ten  she wanted a story about a really, really nasty witch. For the first time I put pen to paper and what started off as a tiny scrap of an idea got bigger. It became my middle-grade fantasy about magic and witches, The Doomspell, which was eventually published in 26 languages. I just wanted to stay in more contact with my daughter. I was separated from her at the time, and though she spent every other weekend with me it was not as much as I wanted. Discussing the story ideas gave me an opportunity to spend more time with her.

It was only during pandemic that I turned to adult horror writing.  

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

I’d done a bit of  online dating. The idea of a woman who just wants to creatively carve men up but they keep misinterpreting her meaning seemed like an amusing premise.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

Read the online profile carefully.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I’ve always loved SF, fantasy and horror. Comedy horror is hard to pull off, and I was drawn to give it a go.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I’d ask them why they like particular knives over a variety of other killing tools.

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6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Facebook. Most of my readers know me form my children’s novels, and they are still mostly on Facebook.

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

Write what you enjoy and don’t expect to make any money. If you adhere to that you won’t go too insane.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

I have several projects ongoing – a film treatment for my ghost novel BREATHE, a new middle-grade ghost novel which should come out next year, and also several new horror and fantasy stories for adults.

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About the Author

I was born in Sunderland, a city in the north-east of England.

I don’t recall too much about my first 8 years of life other than I loved being outdoors especially in the woods near our house. I came home every night covered in scratches. 

My first real book memory is being given C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew by my English teacher, Mrs Baldwin. I loved that, and all the other Narnia books.

So how did I become an author?

As a parent I was used to making up short and funny stories for my daughter, Rachel. When she was about ten, however, she wanted a story about a really, really nasty witch. This time I put pen to paper and what started off as a tiny scrap of an idea got bigger and bigger and BIGGER. It became The Doomspell. 

After I finished it, I continued my love affair with fantasy by creating The Silver Sequence which I still think is probably my best and definitely my most original work. Following that, I tried to scare everyone half to death with a couple of ghost novels – Breathe and The Hunting Ground.

I could tell you more about myself, but the truth is that perhaps the biggest gift we can give anyone is our imagination and everything important I have to offer you about that is in the novels.

https://www.cliffmcnish.com

Interview with Author Jim Horlock

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1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?

 I got into writing at an early age. There was a class assignment to write a short story and I enjoyed it so much that I never really stopped after that. The short story I wrote was a complete rip-off of War of the Worlds (I’d seen the 1953 movie that past weekend), but (hopefully) my work is more original now.

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

Well in the case of Blood Pudding, I’ve always enjoyed horror and comedy. There’s only so long a single joke can be sustained for, however, so I realised I’d have to either tell lots of jokes on the same theme, or write the entire setting to be the joke, while the story was the horror. It was a fun project and I really enjoyed writing it.

3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I’m not sure there’s any singular lesson to be found in Blood Pudding but I think the horror comedy genre in general is a great lesson in not taking things too seriously. I love horror but I’m also very prepared to mock it, and I think that’s important in life.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I was drawn to horror because I’ve always been very afraid. As a kid I was scared of the dark and clowns and aliens and monsters and just about everything. The more I looked into trying to understand my own fears the more I came to appreciate horror as a genre. I’m endlessly interested in fear and what causes it.

5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?

I guess this doesn’t make sense to answer for Blood Pudding as it’s just a short story. My upcoming book, Change & Other Terrors has several interesting characters who I’ve enjoyed spending time with as I’ve written them. Unfortunately most of them end up far too insane or dead to be in a position to answer questions.

6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?

Oh wow that’s a really tough question to answer but I guess Twitter has given me the most interactions, and I’ve gained the most traction there. How that translates into readers, I’m not entirely sure.

Pawsome Summer 2023

7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?

There’s so much advice out there and I think it’s important to recognise that not all of it works for everyone. Your writing journey is going to be unique to you, so you need to be flexible in applying advice and working out what fits and what doesn’t. I would say that getting a first draft out without expecting it to be perfect right away is solid advice. Every writer will be subject to edits, so it’s good to expect that there will need to be changes and adjustments to your work, no matter how polished you think it may be.

8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?

Well my immediate future is dominated by the imminent release of my debut short horror collection Change and Other Terrors, which is due out this August. Pre-orders are now live at: https://thecrowshoppe.com/products/change-and-other-terrors. Beyond that, I’ve got a novella, my love letter to slasher horror, coming out with Grendel Press, which is TBD currently, but look out for more info on that very soon. I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone.

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About the Author

I’m a UK-based author currently lurking around the streets of Cardiff. I enjoy scaring people just as much as I enjoy making them laugh, so I try to get both into my work. I’m a horror movie nerd, a dungeon master, a comic book obsessive and a cryptid enthusiast. I like strong beer and smooth whiskey – please bear this in mind when making your offerings. HWA member.

Here are some words of wisdom that my mother shared with me when I was growing up:

1. The currents in rivers are just the same as the currents in buns. You can purchase some if you have a current account.

2. If you unscrew your belly-button, your bum will fall off.

3. You can do a passable impersonation of an elephant by waving your arm about in front of your face and shouting “Give us a bun! Give us a bun!”

I hope you find them as useful as I did.

Find me on Twitter @HorlockWarlock

https://jimhorlock88.wixsite.com/my-site

https://www.quillandcrowpublishinghouse.com/change-and-other-terrors

Blood Pudding & Other Horrific Delicacies Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Follow the chilling yet humorous events of this haunting horror filled short story collection “Blood Pudding & Other Horrific Delicacies”. 

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The Synopsis

Blood Pudding & Other Horrific Delicacies Winning Collection 2022

We proudly present the winning collection from our 2022 short story Horror comedy contest! Featuring illustrations by Shander Carrero and four short stories by, Dawn DeBraal’s, Cliff McNish, Martha Everitt, and Jim Horlock.

Follow the peculiar perils of a germophobic vampire in Dawn DeBraal’s My Dear Mrs. Cunningham—just, be careful not to track mud through the kitchen.


Next, in Cliff McNish’s Problems With Online Dating, Ty confronts the challenges of finding someone who understands her particular quirks, all she wants is love. The kind that lasts forever.


In Martha Everitt’s The Bhad Wolf, Charlotte is on staff at Lunar Corps, and may be asking for a raise after her encounter with a very Bhad wolf.


Last but not least, Jim Horlock’s short that took top prize, Blood Pudding, is set in a world taken over by blood-thirsty desserts, and death is all that’s on the menu.
What could go flan?

Summer 2023

The Review

What a brilliant blend of humor and horror. The authors did an incredible job of weaving together a tale that captured the witty dialogue and interactions between the characters and the spine-chilling terror they witness or sometimes partake in. The imagery and atmosphere in the book will keep readers enthralled and engaged with each story.

The unique spin on the horror genre will speak to fans of the genre extensively. One story that really stood out was Cliff McNish’s “Problems with Online Dating.” It takes the relatable horrors of online dating profiles and gives them a deadly spin, showcasing the far more often truth that humanity is frequently far scarier than anything inhuman. The atmosphere and tension balance well with the funny, dark humor that usually permeates throughout this collection.

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The Verdict

Shocking, entertaining, and memorable, “Blood Pudding & Other Horrific Delicacies” is a must-read horror short story collection. The twists and turns in the genre and the heart-pounding terror that will keep readers hanging onto the author’s every word will keep the reader invested until the book’s final pages. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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Blood Pudding & Other Horrific Delicacies (Digital Download)

Wolf at the Door by Joel McKay Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

An attempt at a lovely Thanksgiving dinner takes two drastic turns as family drama erupts and a deadly encounter with a werewolf throws the entire dinner for a loop in author Joel McKay’s “Wolf at the Door”. 

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The Synopsis

All Charlotte Deerborn wanted was a nice Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. Too bad for her no one else wanted to be there. By the time the turkey is carved, old grievances, bad behavior and crass remarks have transformed her dinner party into a disaster. And then a werewolf shows up to do some carving of its own.

Wolf at the Door is a fast-paced, absurdist take on modern creature horror, levering humor and action to highlight how one family comes to grips with what really matters in life.

The Review

This was one of the most unique and charismatic dark comedy horror novels I’ve read in years. The clashing dynamics between this cast of characters immediately stood out to me above the monstrous aspect of the narrative. The unique tensions and awkward moments that the holidays lend to themselves in a family dynamic or large dinner gathering is iconic comedy gold, (looking at you, Christmas Vacation), and the use of this dynamic between this cast of characters gave some heart and humor to the characters who find themselves caught up in this horrific nightmare. 

The blend of unique setting with the holiday dinner theme and blood-chilling horror made this story shine so brightly. The juxtaposition of how the holidays can bring out the worst in some people, especially those with underlying tensions, and the explosive entrance of this werewolf attack made this such a gripping and brilliantly creative storytelling device. Yet the author also did a great job of capturing the horror aspect of the narrative too, building upon the classic and iconic “creature feature” genre and adding a depth of character to it to make those bloody scenes more impactful.

The Verdict

Haunting, chilling, and entertaining, author Joel McKay’s “Wolf at the Door” is a must-read horror comedy. The story works well as a short story or novella, and yet hits the reader with an impact that can be felt from a novel or even a film script, bringing a greater sense of imagery and atmosphere that keeps the reader invested in this story as the narrative takes off. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Joel McKay is an award-winning writer and economic development professional. He calls Prince George, B.C. home, where he lives with his wife and two daughters. Wolf at the Door is his first novella. His most recent published fiction was the short story Number Hunnerd in Tyche Books’ anthology Water: Selkies, Sirens and Sea Monsters.

The inspiration for his fiction is drawn from the landscapes and people of British Columbia, particularly the province’s vast, untamed and often misunderstood north. It’s the small towns and the people who call them home that inspired the good ol’ boys featured in Number Hunnerd, or the cool, crisp evenings and early sunsets of October that planted the idea for werewolves at a Thanksgiving feast.

Joel is passionate about Canada, its history and the history of the peoples who have called it home since time immemorial. As far as he’s concerned, New England has got nothing on Northern B.C. when it comes to perfect settings for supernatural tales.

In his spare time, Joel is an avid fly fisherman, mountain biker, hiker and reader. His work as an economic development professional, public relations specialist and journalist has earned him numerous national, provincial and local awards and recognitions.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B35X89CH/ref=x_gr_w_glide_sin?caller=Goodreads&callerLink=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F61248506-wolf-at-the-door%3Fac%3D1%26from_search%3Dtrue%26qid%3D4fvf1djqZI%26rank%3D1&tag=x_gr_w_glide_sin-20

Plagued: The Devil Did It by Shakil Somani Review

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I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A chance encounter turns into a nightmare for a young British filmmaker when his latest “hookup” turns out to have very powerful connections in the indie horror comic book “Plagued: The Devil Did It” by Shakil Somani. 

The Synopsis 

Lukas “Kas” Green, a successful British filmmaker and billionaire living in Los Angeles, takes the wrong girl home one night – she turns out to literally be the daughter of the Devil. 

The Devil punishes Kas by overrunning his brain with the creativity his film career has been built upon. 

Consequently, anytime Kas even thinks about sex, his mind is overcome with sketches and hallucinations. 

Kas attempts to cure himself of this plague of ideas and distractions, whilst balancing his movie-making career, the overpowering sketch-like stories in his mind and of course, trying to rejoin the population of Bonetown. 

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The Review

In this horror/comedy mashup, the author does a marvelous job of building an original storyline that engages readers on multiple fronts. A combination of Preacher and a sex-fueled comedy, the story is both humorous and character driven. 

While the characters were memorable, the first issue’s storyline was what really stood out to me. The protagonist didn’t come across like many of the classic “sex-obsessed” jerks that come with this genre of comic book. Instead you found a charming, sometimes forward but otherwise humorous protagonist who found himself trying to find a way to balance his creativity with his sexual desires, and in the process discovered the limits of both sides of the coin. 

The Verdict

This was a strong start to what promises to be an engaging and fun indie horror comic book series. While personally in future stories I think the overall narrative could improve with a bit more backstory to the characters and some natural transitions between scenes, overall the comic book worked well and entertained the reader greatly. 

With a mystical realism attached to the imagery thanks to the wonderful illustrations of Mark Superales, this comic book was an awesome first issue that will leave readers wanting more. If you haven’t yet, grab your copy of “Plagued: The Devil Did It” by Shakil Somani today!

Rating: 8/10

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About the Author

I’ve always hated words, as long as I can remember they’ve done nothing but cause heartache. Words like; “Fluffy’s not going to make it. Sorry, not Sorry”, “I don’t love you any more” and “We’re having a girl!”. 

Like most, I endured them for a long time, until about 2 years ago when I decided I to fight back. 

But to liberate oneself from darkness, you must first step deeper into it. So for now I will read and write, trying my best to engage and entertain and once I’ve won the words over, convincing them that I’m their friend, they’ll relax, let their guard down and without even realizing, they’ll give me all the tools I need to eradicate them from society.

My mission is to destroy all words, forever and to make the future look like the distant past, where people would communicate in person through emotional, meaningful touches and primal sounds. Where the distance that ‘civilized’ beings create from each other through books, magazines and devices will evaporate.

Where sex will once again only be the sticky, messy and powerful expression of two to seven people inexorably bound in the same moment. Skype sex, phone sex and text sex will be relegated to the pages of books long-destroyed.

The first words I will erase are; border, wall and president.

I understand my crusade may be polarizing, as even those words you might think of as wholly positive must be culled, because at their core they are the seeds of humanity’s decay. That said, baby, monkey, and cupcake will be among the last to fall.

Thus far, my attempts at gaining the words’ trust have been in the form of; a comic book series – with new issues quarterly and an android game, to be released later this year. 

At present, I’m working on my debut novel and live in a flat/ War on Words H.Q in East London, with my current wife and my 2 dogs; Candy, Sparky and TamTam respectively.

Let me know what words you hate at BrainMilkProductions@Gmail.com and I might put them to the top of the kill list.

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46205035-plagued?from_search=true

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SS5PD2M

Read for free link  https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/plagued/list?title_no=310449

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Lesbian Zombies From Outer Space by Jave Galt-Miller

This was given to me by the author for a fair and honest review. NSFW!

As you can probably tell from the title, this was definitely not a book that normally falls within my wheelhouse. While described as a horror
comedy, Lesbian Zombies From Outer Space by Jave Galt-Miller definitely pushed the boundaries of my comfort zone, and yet I found myself open
to the possibilities of a comedic take on the horror genre, and seeing as this was my first graphic novel, I jumped at the chance to give this
a review. Here is they synopsis:

Get volume #1 of the NSFW zom-com horror series where flawed male fantasy becomes a nightmare! Includes Issues 1-4, each with the original cover,
as well as the R-rated Sexy Variant cover.

Ace just wants to film his buddy’s threesome, but suddenly all the girls in town are transforming into lesbian zombies. And these girls are not
looking for brains. He’ll have to team with an unlikely friend to run for his life and stop the funniest, sexiest apocalypse you’ve ever seen.

122 pages of full-color nudity and violence make this an ADULTS ONLY horror comic.

Sometimes when Hot Girls make out – it’s Evil!

The the hijinks of Ace and the survivors of this zombie outbreak were definitely humorous, what really struck me was the way this series has
highlighted the often ridiculous male fantasies that they dream up, as well as the stupid stereotypes that the lesbian community is often labeled
with. The story does a great job of bringing these issues to light, while also touching on the horror genre often explored in cheesy, B-movie
80’s films.

The artwork is wonderfully drawn, and the story conjures up images of a mix of various 80’s films, as if Weird Science and The Evil Dead were
combined into one giant film. While I would recommend this to my adult readers out there, I think it is a great addition to the horror comedy
genre, and so I hope you guys will pick up Vol 1 (Issues #1-4) of Lesbian Zombies From Outer Space by Jave Galt-Miller today!