David Longhorn has posted a tentative table of contents for Supernatural Tales #17, featuring my story “Cabin D” as well as Richard Gavin’s “The Language of the Nameless Region.” Mostly I’m posting the link because David compares my work to that of Stephen King and Rod Serling.

Also, the National Post has published a very entertaining (and informative) roundtable interview with Brett Savory and Sandra Kasturi of Chizine Publications, and two of their writers, David Nickle and Robert J. Wiersema.

My friend Richard Gavin had the chance to attend this past week’s “An Evening with Stephen King” event, in which King was interviewed by our own homegrown horror master, David Cronenberg. Richard has written a very entertaining blog entry about the night and how King has influenced his own work. (And if you haven’t already ordered a copy of Richard’s latest collection, The Darkly Splendid Realm, I strongly suggest you do.)

Richard’s experience is virtually identical to my own, except they were my mother’s paperbacks I was swiping. My dad didn’t really care for “that horror crap,” although he has warmed up to it more now that his son has spent the last ten years or so writing it (although he still continues to say, “Why don’t you write something funny? You’ve got a great sense of humour!”).

King’s influence on my own stories has been noted by family, friends, and reviewers of my work. I don’t deny it; in fact, I’m glad for it. I’ve always taken a certain amount of pleasure in writing a brand of horror that is decidedly more accessible than the more obscure offshoots of the genre (although as a reader I enjoy all of it). My stuff is weird but never too weird, violent but never too violent, and the gore… well, I tend to leave that for splatterpunks.

Mainstream is considered by some to be a bad word, but I’ve never minded it. In the case of the horror writer, it just means I get a chance to scare an even wider audience.

No sooner did I finish the launch for my chapbook, “Temporary Monsters,” than I got an invite to another reading/signing. Coincidentally (and conveniently), this one will also be taking place at The Central in Toronto. Here are the deets:

A Ghost Story for Christmas
Spectral Hauntings for the Holidays

Date: Sunday, December 27, 2009
Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: The Central, 603 Markham Street, Toronto.

A night of frightful original fiction read by the city’s finest authors, including:

Richard Gavin, author of “The Darkly Splendid Realm”
Ian Rogers, author of “Temporary Monsters”
Simon Strantzas, author of “Cold to the Touch”
“Apparitions” editor Michael Kelly, and contributor Michael Colangelo

Doors open at 7:30PM, readings begin at 8:00PM.

This is a great collection of writers, and I feel very honoured to be sharing the night with their company. I’ll be reading a new, unpublished story called “The Ash Angels,” featuring Felix Renn, the private investigator from “Temporary Monsters.” I hope to see you there.

• Currently reading: Under the Dome, by Stephen King

Last night’s launch of “Temporary Monsters” went very well. Some excellent readings, including one by my very talented friend Richard Gavin, as well as some excellent dark poetry by Liisa Ladouceur. Here are some pics:

Two of the night’s readers and some guy who came for the open bar… only to find out there wasn’t one (hint: his name rhymes with Pieman Crantzas).

Peter Halasz, Michael Kelly, and Robert Knowlton

Richard reading

Thanks to Michael Kelly for taking this shot

Monica asks…. why horror and why monsters?

Hamming it up for the audience. I should have done a few torch songs.

Answering a question from the audience during the q&a.

My own reading went well, I think. This was only the second time I’ve read one of my stories in front of an audience. I managed to get through it without stuttering, and I don’t think my hands were trembling too badly. There was a short q&a session afterwards in which I talked about my writing background, my influences, and my plans for further stories in the “Temporary Monsters” universe. Kat shot some video which I will probably post in the next day or two.

Thanks to everyone who came out, thanks to Monica and Jeff for organizing the event, and extra big thanks (and huggles) to my wife for being there with me through every step of the way.

• Currently reading: Liquor, by Poppy Z. Brite

Come one, come all!

Join us this Sunday, November 15th at 7:30pm at The Central (603 Markham Street in Toronto)
as we launch the new Fall 2009 Burning Effigy Press titles!

With feature readings from:
IAN ROGERS (Temporary Monsters)
and
MIKE BRYANT (Operation Dickhead)

Additional performances by:
RICHARD GAVIN (Primeval Wood)
LIISA LADOUCEUR (On Tenterhooks)
TIMOTHY CARTER (Section K)
CYNTHIA GOULD (Some Words Spoken)
DALE PERCY (Everyone’s Everyman)

And special guest:
Comedian CHRIS GIBBS

NO COVER. SHOW STARTS PROMPTLY AT 8pm.

• Currently reading: The Value of X, by Poppy Z. Brite

Just got back from “A Conversation with Stephen King,” a live event broadcast to 70 movie theatres across North America. The interviewer was kind of useless, didn’t seem all that prepared, but King was as entertaining as ever. The last forty minutes or so was q&a, which can be death, especially with some of the freaky fanboys (and girls) out there, but there were actually some pretty good questions (this guy was one of the questioners). King mentioned that he may write another Dark Tower novel, filling in some of the back story of Roland’s quest as a young man. He is planning a third Talisman novel with Peter Straub. And yes, he is very embarrassed by the seemingly endless parade of Children of the Corn sequels (even though he has nothing to do with them). All in all, it was a good program.

I also wanted to mention that “Temporary Monsters” has gone into its second printing. Thanks to everyone who has made this possible. If you haven’t picked up a copy but are interested, swing on over to Burning Effigy Press.

The first official review of “Temporary Monsters” has come in, and it’s a goodie! Courtesy of Robert Dunbar, author of the excellent horror novels The Pines and The Shore, as well a collection of short fiction called Martyrs & Monsters.

“It’s always thrilling to make a discovery like this. Ian Rogers’ “Temporary Monsters” introduces what promises to be an engaging saga, seething with vampires, werewolves, hardboiled dames and – notably – a soulfully wise-cracking detective named Felix Renn. More exciting ideas, more action, more chills and laughs lurk within this slim volume than you’ll find in any ten fat tomes on the current best seller list. Grab a copy. You won’t want to miss a ride this wild.”

I’d sit here and bask in the glow of such kind words, but my wife says I have to go rake leaves. Not nearly as fun, but I suppose it has to be done.

• Currently reading: Lamb, by Christopher Moore

Some pics from last night’s Halloween party.

Kathryn with our niece Hannah dressed up as a bunny

The Dharma Initiative Writer and a sexy Little Red Riding Hood

Nathan the Heavy Metal Fan and Little Red Riding Hood

Jester Joel and Martha as the Tooth Fairy

Matt as Hunter S. Thompson and his jazzy wife Katya

Steve as the H1N1 zombie and Lauren as “Brad”

Brittany as a Flapper Girl and Jeff as Wolverine. SNIKT!

Elizabeth as a “big, well-used box” and Paul as a birch tree

Paul and I hamming it up

Wolverine with his merlot

Drew as Officer Farva

Thor joins the party. His costume: Spider-Pig from The Simpsons Movie. The resemblance is striking.

Also, my horror web comic, “Wendy,” is now online over at BIFF BAM BOO! Check it out!

• Currently reading: Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow