Blue light special
(probably not the first, or even fifth tie I’ve used some version of that for a post title)
Dogland
Y’all remember back when every third dog was named “Curtis Lowe?” I guess I don’t either—think it was forty-five, fifty years ago. And it was probably every 700th dog. But still, it was a thing, and it must have been cool. And? Maybe this is how it started:
ECCC
Back in 2020, I was supposed to have been here for Good Indians, but . . . you know: all the conventions were canceled. Thrilled to finally be here. It’s a very well-run con. Can’t imagine I’m not back at some point. Thanks to Third Place Books for selling the books, and running the signing
El Paso City
Writing The Fast Red Road, I listened to that Marty Robbins song on a loop for ten months. So, always feels cool to BE there. Was cool again this time, for Texas Book Festival. I’m the worst at taking pics—at remembering to take pics (but, I’m also pretty uninterested in the “taking” part—but, luckily, Becky
October 13th will be here so fast
while also taking forever to get here, I know . . . And here’s a mock-up of the final, shelf-ready book: Anyway, just made a new category for this one, and all its coming posts. Will make book-page for it in a moment, here. But, right now, I’m deep in a fast touch-up of its
Mannequins Tour Pics
Was a great time, going up and down the West Coast—and as far east as Idaho, Utah—signing stacks and stacks of books, talking to readers, eating at Chipotles I haven’t eaten at before. Here’s probably my favorite pic from the whole tour, thanks to @paperbackbish, who made a couple of these stops. This one’s San
Best Reads from Lately
Ten things I read (from . . . 500?) from lately that I think worth sharing. Doesn’t mean they’re good or even tolerable. But, chances are I saw something to them.
Best of February 2026
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again. #Pinks #ProudBlue [image or embed] — Omg. WTF
Grab bag of reviews and the like
Let these build up for too long once again. Maybe that’s just how it always is? Anyway, headed out for a fast tour for the new Mannequins, so figured I’d best make room for new fun coming in: https://stopandsmellthebooks.substack.com/p/ledfeather-by-stephen-graham-jones https://boulderbookstore.net/catalog/fiction-readers/horror https://maxashermiller.substack.com/p/the-best-books-of-2025 Bookshots: ‘States Of Grace’ by Stephen Graham Jones | LitReactor http://blog.gailgauthier.com/2025/12/the-heritage-month-project-literary.html 11 Monster Books
Manny back in the world
As of today. Well, him and Sawyer. Proud to have Night of the Mannequins out again, this time from Tor Nightfire. Thanks, Kelly Lonesome, and the rest of the team. Hope this novella finds a whole new swath of people to hang out with:
LA Times Book Prizes
I hear that maybe The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is the first novel to be a finalist in TWO categories? Could be, not sure. Either way, super honored by it—thrilled to be alongside these amazing writers and their excellent books: https://www.latimes.com/events/festival-of-books/book-prizes