It’s official, the Weird Fiction Quarterly Halloween double issue is being uploaded to Amazon as I write. It hasn’t posted yet, but I reckon it should be up and running by the end of the week. My understanding is that aside from the e-book, there will be versions available with color interior illustrations, as well as the regular black & white version. The cover art, by Robert H. Knox alone is worth the price of admission. My stories “Crypt-Crasher”, and “Tricky Treat” feature in this issue, as well as stories, poems and artwork by many of my very talented colleagues. Check out the cover art here:
This past week, just in time for Halloween, I received in the post my autographed copy of Past the Glad and Sunlit Season. For those of you who are not familiar with this title, it is the new book of Halloween-themed poetry from the Pumpkin King himself, weird poet, K.A. Opperman. Mr. Opperman is a Halloween enthusiast and his love for, and knowledge of all things Halloween are reflected in this book. His poems are filled with the lore and legendary of the holiday referencing everything from its Celtic origins and the customary tropes of ghosts, witches, black cats, jack-o’-lanterns and trick-or-treating, to the more sinister forces that roam the night roads when the veil is thinnest betwixt the realms of the living and the dead. The book is separated into three sections As Mr. Opperman explains in his introduction: “The first section, Orange Gleams, contains poems that foreshadow the haunted season beyond summer; poems of longing for autumn, and of October’s chill arrival. The second section, October’s Moon, is comprised of poems about the various ghosts, goblins, and other strange characters that come out when the Hunter’s Moon rises orange and bright. The third and final section, Twilight Rites, focuses on the day of Halloween itself, its rituals and traditions, and the sad, gray aftermath of the festival as it dissolves into November mists. This is not simply a book of generic spooky poetry, as collections of ‘Halloween poetry’ so often are. These are poems with a careful and concentrated focus on Halloween itself, and directly related subjects. Some of them are meant merely as seasonal entertainment, but a great many of them, whether in plain speech or veiled symbolism, record my personal ideas, traditions, and philosophies regarding Halloween.”
Past the Glad and Sunlit Season: Poems for Halloween by K.A. Opperman (2020, Jackanapes Press).
The book is lovely, and its presentation is equally charming with a cover that harkens back to a vintage Halloween iconography, curtesy of illustrator/graphic designer Dan Sauer, who also does the amazing illustrations featured within the book. A few choice pics are also available as orange tinted prints on the site at JackanapesPress.com, my favorite being the one for The Spirit of Halloween:
I showed it to my parents when I visited them on the morning of the 31st, and they loved it and decided they wanted to get their own copy, as well as individual t-shirts featuring the pumpkin crest from the cover art. They had seen mine and thought it was spiffy.
In fine, I highly recommend this book which, in my estimation, is destined to become a holiday classic. For more information on the book and all of the related merch go to https://www.jackanapespress.com/
My friend K.A. Opperman (poet of the Crimson Tome) has a new book of Halloween themed verse coming out, which I am anxious to pick up as soon as it becomes available. Here’s the skinny from publisher Jackanapes Press:
Jackanapes Press is proud to announce that we will be publishing the first volume of Halloween verse by KA Opperman, PAST THE GLAD AND SUNLIT SEASON: POEMS FOR HALLOWEEN. Lisa Morton has provided an insightful Preface. Cover and interior illustrations by Dan Sauer Design. We are planning the release for October 1st–possibly sooner, if circumstances permit.
From the back cover: “K. A. Opperman conjures up a pageant of autumnal imagery sure to delight all fans of the Halloween season. Often recalling the charming rhymes on vintage postcards, these poems take us on a stirring journey deep into October’s heart, offering treats—and a few tricks—to those brave enough to follow the jack-o’-lantern’s orange grin into the night. Put on your costume, grab your pumpkin-shaped treat-bucket, and come discover what treasures are to be found past the glad and sunlit season, where both the dying year—and youth itself—confront what it means to face the darkness at summer’s end.”
Past the Glad and Sunlit Season: Poems for Halloween by K.A. Opperman (2020, Jackanapes Press).
I am so happy for Mr. Opperman, as he has had some setbacks getting a second volume published and this collection is destined to be a classic holiday treat. I love the artwork and thought to myself, “I wonder if they would consider taking on my Morbidezza?” I messaged the admins at Jackanapes on Facebook and wound up getting my friend Dan Sauer in response. Turns out he is the man behind the curtain so to speak and this is the fledgling publisher’s first book. I sent Mr. Sauer a PDF of the Morbidezza chapbook as it stands and he said he would like to take it on as his second book! He said he would like to create illustrations for each piece and add spot illustrations and decorative margins. There is even talk of expanding it to include my other chapbook of devil-themed poetry & prose, Diablerie. A few things need to be worked out first, however. My creative partner, Denisse, has yet to respond to my queries as to her thoughts on the matter, so we will have to wait and see what exactly she wants to do. Mr. Sauer has other things to take care of at the moment, but we agreed to take this up again in a few weeks time so, perhaps after the release of Mr. Opperman’s book in October, we will resume talks. I will of course keep you all posted of any updates.
Me and Courtney in the manager’s office at Tower Records sometime in the early 1990’s.
No candy from Courtney – no time for trick or treat
No candy from Courtney – he’s not dispensing sweets
No candy from Courtney – don’t ring upon his bell
‘Cause if you bother Courtney, he’ll give you holy hell
No candy from Courtney – you might think he’s a prick
No candy from Courtney – but don’t you play no tricks
No candy from Courtney – and don’t get in his face
‘Cause if you piss off Courtney, he’ll beat you with his bass
No candy from Courtney – but kiddies don’t you grieve
No candy from Courtney – on this All Hallow’s Eve
No candy from Courtney – just thank your lucky stars
‘Cause treats down at the Brainerd House are tainted candy bars
No candy from Courtney – he won’t tell you again
No candy from Courtney – so steer clear of his den
No candy from Courtney – and don’t come back next year
‘Cause if you call next Halloween, he’ll give you cause to fear
manny's book of shadows 