After the Burn

[Ben Staad]

You guys are sick and twisted! I have an addiction and it seems no one cares! ARghhhhhh.

[Endless Horror Tale]

Oh, and Endless Horror Tale... I LOVE the Grandpa's Ghost Stories by James Flora picture on your profile! His books are astounding, and that one was a favorite when I was little.

All right!! You get +100 Endless Horror Pointsİ for recognizing that! I remembered having that book as a child, and for some reason it popped back into my mind out of nowhere several years ago, but for the longest time I couldn't remember the title. I finally figured it out with some Internet sleuthing, then tracked down a copy of the book so I could share it with my kids. A pretty twisted kids book, for sure. Well done, Antmusic!!

And for everyone wondering "What the hell are they on about??", do yourself a favor, indulge your inner child, and track down a copy of James Flora's Grandpa's Ghost Stories - it's out of print, but worth tracking down.

And now back to your regularly-scheduled discussion...

[Antmusic]

Mmmmwooooo-ha-ha!

[Ben Staad]

If you love end-of-the-world stuff, you have to get the hardcover for Ron's picture in the front (and the awesome stories in it)! That survivalist picture alone will have you taking out the book and showing all your friends! Save your pennies. Don't go out to eat for a couple of days or skip some Starbucks for a week. This book is a must-have.

"Flesh Welder” is the only reprint short-story/novelette in the book. The other great stories are all original to this collection, and they are:
“A Shiny Can of Whup-Ass”
“Meat is Life”
“The Happiest Place in Hell”
“Popsicle Man”
“Evolution Ridge”
“Taking Care of Business”
and
“The Paradise Pill”

You are pure evvvillll!

[Antmusic]

Oh, and Endless Horror Tale... I LOVE the Grandpa's Ghost Stories by James Flora picture on your profile! His books are astounding, and that one was a favorite when I was little.

[Antmusic]

If you love end-of-the-world stuff, you have to get the hardcover for Ron's picture in the front (and the awesome stories in it)! That survivalist picture alone will have you taking out the book and showing all your friends! Save your pennies. Don't go out to eat for a couple of days or skip some Starbucks for a week. This book is a must-have.

"Flesh Welder” is the only reprint short-story/novelette in the book. The other great stories are all original to this collection, and they are:
“A Shiny Can of Whup-Ass”
“Meat is Life”
“The Happiest Place in Hell”
“Popsicle Man”
“Evolution Ridge”
“Taking Care of Business”
and
“The Paradise Pill”

[Ben Staad]

Damn! I wish the reviews for After the Burn weren't so freaking good. I love end of the world stuff but I just can't spend $60 for a book right now. This is really eating at me and I may be forced to use the srboome made sign in the addiction thread...however and probably for the best I don't think anyone will take me up on the "offer".

[bsaenz24]

I believe the last date for Undertaker's Moon is late September.

[Endless Horror Tale]

I broke down last night and ordered a copy (rather than waiting until after I got paid like I told myself I was going to! ). I'm looking forward to checking it out. I really enjoyed Hell Hollow, and plan on starting Midnight Grinding after I finish reading through the CD Signature Series.

On another, slightly-related note - does anyone know if Thunderstorm has announced a release date for Undertaker's Moon? I'm a sucker for a well-written (and so often that's the rub) werewolf tale, so I'm excited about that one too!

I'm thinking that before long I'm going to have to join the support group thread...

[HorrorScribe]

I finished reading After the Burn about three hours ago, and I'm still breathless. In this collection of exceptional stories, Ronald Kelly presents a grim and fascinating version of life after nuclear devastation. At times darkly humorous (who wouldn't want a certain aged celebrity by their side while fighting off a vicious herd of mutated cattle?) and at other times heart-breaking (the lengths a father must go to spare his family from further torment), After the Burn encapsulates the best and the worst of humanity. Neither good nor evil necessarily becomes the victor because there are winners and losers all around. Yet the main characters in each tale dig deep into themselves in order to overcome adversity in the radiation-infused aftermath of random nuclear explosions focused on urban centers around the globe.

Without going into great detail so as to avoid spoilers (one of my pet peeves), Kelly reveals our worst fears and darkest desires and greatest hopes throughout these 228 pages of poignant prose. He also examines the inner strength some folks tap into while they struggle to survive against the depravity humans are capable of toward one another. Questions of faith are explored. Once safe-guarded ideals are annihilated. Rules, reason, and relationships are twisted by a world where those concepts now lack any real meaning.

From the opening story of an old man who refuses to back down to the tear-inducing closing passage of the last story, you will be amazed, sickened, terrified, and--ultimately--inspired. I urge you to read After the Burn as an introduction to an amazing author riding high on a new wave of his writing career. Or if this will continue your journey with an established master of the craft, you will not be disappointed by this entertaining and edifying book.

[Endless Horror Tale]

My copy of Midnight Grinding arrived last night. I'll be diving into it pretty soon (not sure I'll have much reading time over the next two or three days), and I plan on picking up After the Burn after I next get paid. I'm keeping an eye on the Thunderstorm website. I really want to check out Undertaker's Moon when it's made available.

[Ben Staad]

To familiarize yourself with my short fiction, I'd say MIDNIGHT GRINDING, CUMBERLAND FURNACE, and THE SICK STUFF are your best bets. As far as novels are concerned, FEAR is my personal favorite (and the favorite among my fans), followed by UNDERTAKER'S MOON (MOON OF THE WEREWOLF), BLOOD KIN, and my first novel, HINDSIGHT. HINDSIGHT was based on a triple murder in my family during the Great Depression, as well as my mother's psychic experiences during her childhood in the 1930's (believe me, the things she sensed and predicted would scare the crap out of you!).

Very cool and thanks for the "Ronald Kelly" tutorial. To be honest the only book I've read of yours is Hell Hollow. I will check out some of your other stuff especially Fear and Hindsight. Hindsight sounds very interesting and I really like the period it's written in.

[Ronald Kelly]

To familiarize yourself with my short fiction, I'd say MIDNIGHT GRINDING, CUMBERLAND FURNACE, and THE SICK STUFF are your best bets. As far as novels are concerned, FEAR is my personal favorite (and the favorite among my fans), followed by UNDERTAKER'S MOON (MOON OF THE WEREWOLF), BLOOD KIN, and my first novel, HINDSIGHT. HINDSIGHT was based on a triple murder in my family during the Great Depression, as well as my mother's psychic experiences during her childhood in the 1930's (believe me, the things she sensed and predicted would scare the crap out of you!).

[adamjames]

I would say Fear is one of his best, and I have it on good authority that he would say the same (because I've seen him say it.)

He does have a wide selection of titles for your Kindle (and I'm assuming Nook as well), from his 'second' career as an author.

[srboone]

I don't know a specific "good place." I started with Midnight Grinding, then Hell Hollow followed by the "Fleshwelder" chapbook. Any title should do.