My new blog is up and running

[Brian James Freeman]

Hey guys,

You probably already saw this in the newsletter, but my new blog is up and running:

http://brianjamesfreeman.wordpress.com/

If you have ideas for posts and questions about CD you've always wanted to ask, send me an email and I'll do my best:

[email protected]

Thanks!

Brian

[bsaenz24]

Great post on your intro to Stephen King Brian!! I've had that experience with several authors and there nothing like making your way through a large catalog of great books!!!

[ozmosis7]

Yes, enjoyed the story. Reminds me of seeing movies like Psycho and The Omen at 4, or even ordering 3D glasses from PBS to watch Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3D on a static filled channel.

[Brian James Freeman]

Thanks, Brad! The best thing about discovering horror in the early 90s was the handful of USED bookstores in my town, which were just overflowing with so much good stuff... and a lot of crap, too! But figuring out the difference was a lot of fun! Those stores are now gone, of course...

Brian

[Brian James Freeman]

Yes, enjoyed the story. Reminds me of seeing movies like Psycho and The Omen at 4, or even ordering 3D glasses from PBS to watch Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3D on a static filled channel.

And we all turned out just fine, right?

Brian

[ozmosis7]

There used to be this ginormous old book store near my house. I swear the walls to the place would have collapsed if it weren't for all the books strengthening them. Anyway, this guy used to have tons of books available for $1-3, and took trade ins. I was in there quite a bit. I guess this is where I got the idea to remove the dust jackets from my books LOL. I loved that place. It is a beat up motorcycle dealership now. That place used to have a sort of life to it that is most difficult to explain. But yes, somehow I did [facial tick flinch] turn out all right.

[Brian James Freeman]

I miss all of the bookstores in general, but especially those used ones... In college, my girlfriend (and future wife!) found a Dark Tower REVIEW COPY just sitting in the horror section for $1 or $2. I missed it completely, but she pointed it out and I bought it, of course! I've never seen one of these ARCs since, although I'm SURE the super collectors like John Hanic probably have multiple copies!

So used bookstores were very magical places to me... You never knew what you'd find!

Brian

[ozmosis7]

WOW! great find. I agree, they were excellent. There are still a few music venues like this, but many of those are on their way out, as well.

[bsaenz24]

my girlfriend (and future wife!) found a Dark Tower REVIEW COPY just sitting in the horror section for $1 or $2. I missed it completely, but she pointed it out ...
Brian

Then when you know they're a keeper!! The girlfriend, not the book. It would always be a given you keep the book!!!!

[Martin]

I feel very fortunate to live near Powell's books. The rooms and rooms of new and used books together is just amazing. I can spend hours there. They are facing the same struggles as all other book stores, with mass layoffs and the cancellation of an expansion plan. I hope they are able to stay in business, they would be missed if they were not able to make it.

Thanks, Brad! The best thing about discovering horror in the early 90s was the handful of USED bookstores in my town, which were just overflowing with so much good stuff... and a lot of crap, too! But figuring out the difference was a lot of fun! Those stores are now gone, of course...

Brian

[ozmosis7]

As to the Coda....

What?! I'm guessing this wasn't the writer, but rather a guy who had been stamped with this name and didn't take kindly to it?

[Brian James Freeman]

As to the Coda....

What?! I'm guessing this wasn't the writer, but rather a guy who had been stamped with this name and didn't take kindly to it?

Ha, yes, different guy and I'm sure he was SICK and tired of being asked if he was the "real" Stephen King. He was also the creative writing teacher, so I'd be curious to know if he did any writing of his own...

Brian

[ozmosis7]

If so he must have hated being under that pressure to live up to a name. He likely wrote under a pen name if at all. I've known many people with unfortunate names.

I sometimes wonder if some kids parents hate them or something. I was childhood friends with a guy named Mike Hunt, though most people called him Michael. A guy used to work with my dad named Peter Tenfoot, and he got a lot of calls from girls paging through the phonebook. I worked with a guy a few years back named Tim Leary. And I met two sisters, Moonbeam and Running Bull.

[ozmosis7]

Although I suspect having a name such as SK might serve one well in securing a job in any writing capacity.

[Brian James Freeman]

Yeah, I might have asked him about that -- if he had let me into his class!