Tag: horror comedy novel

Interview with Author Jim Horlock

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn InterviewsLeave a comment

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.

Gift Boxes

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

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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