KILLERCON Las Vegas 2012

It's that KillerCon Convention time of year again and there's no better way to kick it off than on my birthday! For those of you who are attending, there are a few things you should know. The daytime temperatures have been averaging in the upper 90's, but don't let this fool you. Most of the time you will be indoors and casino temperatures average in the mid 60's. This is to help keep the patrons awake so they can continue gambling. Wouldn't want anyone getting too warm and cozy then wanting to go to sleep. Rest is forbidden, so it's a good idea to bring along your favorite sweater, sweatjacket, or a light blazer.
This is the desert. It's very dry here and higher in altitude than a lot of people think. Many visitors (and locals) suffer from headaches because they don't drink enough water. You should be drinking at least 10 glasses a day, and even more if you are drinking alcohol.

If you are renting a car, BE CAREFUL! The drivers in Vegas are notoriously horrible in their own right, but add a bunch of tourists and the roads around the strip become a free-for-all. There have been more pedestrians hit here since January then all of last year combined. You also have to keep a lookout for drunk drivers. Since this is a 24hr nonstop city, they're driving around at ALL times of the day. Yesterday, a drunk driver hit a bus stop killing four people and sent eight others to the hospital. It was horrific.

Another important issue are shoes. Everybody likes to dress up in Vegas and it's perfectly fine to wear those five-inch spiked heels for a couple of hours, but during the day, during the convention, you'll want your most comfortable pair of shoes. A lot of walking is involved. These hotel/casinos are huge. For the ladies, it's time to pack that dress that's a little too short, a little too tight and way too revealing. And if it sparkles, all the better! It's Vegas! You will blend in with all the librarians from Iowa and accountants from Arkansas who come here to PLAY! I look forward to seeing everyone.

This morning, I had my first ever phone interview on blogspotradio with Frankie Hernandez and David-Matthew Barnes. Please tune in and give it a listen. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pysk/2012/09/14/people-you-should-know-1
Yeah, I mention The Lovely Bones, but many of my lady friends read it who otherwise wouldn't have read anything that was considered "horror." I actually thought it was good too, until about halfway through when it "jumped the shark."

I've read a lot since my last post which was a while ago - Gord Rollo's, The Dark Side of Heaven, was a great read. About a third of the way through it really picked up and I couldn't put it down. I finished Enter Night, by Michael Rowe which was also an excellent read. Laird Barron's, The Croning, which was a take on tales with a twist, I enjoyed. I've also been doing some research on Jack the Ripper and have read a few books on the history of the Whitechapel murders. I'm currently reading, American Idol, by S.C. Hayden which is a religious satire and a little bit out of the norm from what I normally read, but with what's been going on in world news lately, I'm finding it very poignant and enjoying it. I finished Gene O'Neill's, Blue Heron. More mystery and espionage, it was a great read. One of the books I really enjoyed was A Requiem for Dead Flies, by Peter Dudar about a haunted farmhouse and a crazy grandma. I highly recommend it, which brings me to my next bit.

Nightscape Press is offering its recent releases on Kindle this weekend for FREE! You'd be crazy not to jump on the offer. Click the books below to go to Amazon and get your FREE Kindle downloads.

NOLA - Part Deux

This is at the rear of the St. Louis Cathedral in the St. Anthony Garden. Floodlights are projected at night, creating an imposing shadow of Jesus with his arms upraised. The best view is straight down Orleans Street off of Bourbon. Even if you're not religious, it's a captivating sight. And if you happen to be stumbling drunk and look up, it could be a life changer.

Another must foodie stop in the Crescent City I mentioned before is Cafe du Monde. They've got good strong coffee writers live by, and THE best beignets. One bit of advice for the HWA crowd. There is a ton of powdered sugar everywhere. Your coveted black t-shirts will get dusted. It is unavoidable. Bring lots of those hand wipes, and you should be good. Or if you see me there, ask for one, I've always got them.

Jackson Square is a great place to walk around and check out the local flavor in art. You can also get your palm read and listen to live jazz. Two of the coolest things to see are weddings and funeral processions along the "police assisted" closed off streets of The French Quarter. The French Market, is a big open air shopping spot for souvenirs and kitsch and stuff, but it's also a great place to walk around in some shade and people watch. My favorite souvenir shop is Voodoo Blues along Bourbon Street, not too far off Orleans. They have locally made products. Marie Laveau's shop is also great for sage and other hard to find items. You'll know what I mean when you walk through it, and I'm pretty sure they only take cash.
In other fantastic news. I am more than thrilled that my debut novel, The Evolutionist, has been picked up by Nightscape Press with a release date to be announced soon. You can read more about it here. http://www.nightscapepress.com/

If you still haven't got your copy of Horror For Good, please do so. It's for a great cause, and there are a ton of excellent stories in there that are well worth it. It's now available on Amazon too.
http://www.amazon.com/Horror-For-Good-Charitable-Anthology   Kevin Hopson also recently reviewed my story, The Eyes Have It, and gave it four stars. You can read the review here on his website Darkness Abound.

In reading/review news, I recently finished Gene O'Neill's, Rusting Chickens. It's a great story about a man suffering from injuries received on a mission overseas. He comes home and begins having hallucinations that things are moving that shouldn't be. There is a military backstory woven into the present day story of his recovery, but you don't have to be in the military to understand it. This novella is very well done, and in the end - to me - it was a beautiful love story. Go figure. And I'm not a romantic, I assure you. I highly recommend this book. His prose is fun, but concise, and at times quite haunting. I thought I had the story nailed, but he really blew my theory out of the water at the end. http://www.darkregions.com/rusting-chickens-by-gene-oneill/

In hot shopping news. Totes are all the rage. This summer, everyone's come out with a tote for their line. In Vegas though, everything should sparkle to catch all the lights. So my tote choice is this medium sized sequined bag with pastel silk flowers on the front. It's not too large and it comes with a strap in case you'd like to carry it over your shoulder. Jazzy and chic at the same time. Can't beat that!

SASFEST 9.5 NOLA 2012

This year's Saints & Sinners Literary Festival, a literary event co-produced by the NO/AIDS Task Force and the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival was held May 18th - 20th. It was a "mini" because they're getting ready for the big 10 year anniversary celebration which will occur next year in May, 2013. There was an opening cocktail party and readings from the short story contest finalists at The Hotel Monteleone, which was very nice. Jerry Rabushka was the winner, but three of the other finalists were in my workshop the next day - J.R. Greenwell, Jeff Lindemann, and Frank Perez. All fantastic men, and great authors. Saturday, was the Jameson Currier workshop. I submitted one of my short stories for review. There were 10 in all. I got lots of great feedback and advice, and gave some too. I also befriended Eric Andrews-Katz, a great guy who has a couple of novels out with Bold Stroke Books, one of the big sponsors of the festival. During lunch break, my friends, David-Matthew Barnes, and Edward Ortiz  had a meal at The Green Goddess, which is located diagonally across from the hotel. The food was good, but I should've ordered something other than what I did. We sat outside, and the weather was gorgeous this go around. The best it's been since the four years I started annually going to Saints & Sinners in May. In the evening, after the workshop there were several readings held at The Gallery Orange - beautiful place with many pieces I wish I could afford. Faye Jacobs is a wonderful reader with many great stories to tell, and I also enjoyed Jerry Wheeler's story. He was also in my workshop, and I very much enjoy his work. Overall, the mini-convention was a success, and I'd like to send shout-outs to a few of the people that help make it happen. Amie M. Evans, Paul J. Willis, and Greg Herren. The first picture is of the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square.

Aside from trying out The Green Goddess this year, I ventured to my usual "must" haunts in New Orleans, Le Cafe Du Monde, and the Stanley around Jackson Square. I also for the first time tried the famous Muffaletta sandwich. My first one was at Napoleon's, where they make great drinks, and the second time, I went to the original place. Central Grocery Store. I thought of it as an Italian sandwich. The meats are salami, prosciutto ham, stuff like that, with Italian cheese, and this yummy olive "salad" in a large round, sesame covered bread. It was awesome salty goodness. But if you're someone who despises olives, like Ed Kurtz, of Abattoir/Redrum Horror Press, you may not want to try this sandwich, but you're missing out!

I didn't stay at the convention hotel because the blocked rooms were all taken, but they suggested a different hotel only a block away, called The Olivier House. I thought this was a quaint, rustic hotel, but the bed I had was very uncomfortable. I didn't mind or complain about walking up three flights of stairs every time I needed to go anywhere because the elevator is known as "the coffin". The staff was nice, and they have a cute courtyard, but my aging body needs sleep, and I couldn't get it from that mattress. It was reasonably priced however, and said to be haunted, but no ghost would've messed with me when I have a backache.

 

This blog about New Orleans will have to be in two parts. There's just too much to say. But the MOST important thing/tip I can write about is comfortable shoes. Bring them. They will be your life saver. Living in Las Vegas, I have a million pair of flip-flops, but after walking everywhere in New Orleans on uneven cobblestones, I still get blisters. Bring Band-Aids. Four to five usually do the trick. And if you wear shoes with socks, bring extra socks to change throughout the day. It is usually hot, very humid, and nobody wants to smell your stinky feet. I've yet to find flip-flops that are "the most comfortable", but a brand I do like and have several of are Tory Burch. They have funky colors and some that aren't just flat, but have an arch.

On the way there, I finally finished Mesmerized, by David-Matthew Barnes. It's a YA (older teen), coming of age/coming out book, but it was more than that. The MC had to deal with the death of her older brother, which was a hate crime. She had to help her family and friends get through it, while working through it herself. She had to face the criminal that did it. It was a powerful story in a neat little package. I enjoyed it very much. I don't often get to read stories with happy endings, and this one really came full circle for me.

A Horror Mom's Day

First and foremost I have to pimp my first ever published short story, The Eyes Have It, in Horror For Good: A Charitable Anthology. If you haven't yet picked up this fantastic book, I highly recommend it and not just because I'm in it. Some of my favorites that left impressions are: Blood For The American People, by Lisa Morton, The Gift, by Monica O'Rourke, and Baptism by Tracie McBride. Go ladies! I'm so fortunate to be amongst these very talented women. Also enjoyed The Silent Ones by Taylor Grant. It's a mind haunt that creeps into you and takes a while to get over.  Brad C. Hodson's, The Other Patrick, is so fantastic it made me cry. And last but not least, Shiva, Open Your Eye by Laird Barron. All of them excellent reads. Trust me. Click the "BUY ME" text to order your copy today. And all proceeds go to amfAR, the foundation for AIDS research. It's a no lose situation.

BUY ME

My Mother's Day has been greatly accentuated by being a part of this book and meeting some fantastic people in the process, including some of the other authors in the TOC, and editors: Mark C. Scioneaux, Robert S. Wilson, and Jennifer Wilson.

This special day started with a Starbuck's Americano and Krispy Kreme donuts in bed, a call to my mother, who loved her Mother's Day present, and wonderful Mother's Day cards from my boys. Then reality hit, and I had to do some laundry. Went to see The Avengers with my boys, and it was FANTASTIC. Going to have some BBQ for dinner, then watching Game of Thrones. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

As far as Mother's Day gifts go, holidays are year round for me. I've learned to take care of myself, and what does a "cool", horror mom want for Mother's Day besides books? This one---Accessories!!

I received two scarves for Mother's Day. This first one is by Alexander McQueen, may he rest in peace. He was a most awesome designer and did a lot with the "skull" motif. And would I love to have one of his skull minaudiere's? Hell yeah, but four grand is pretty steep for anything.

The other one is a Givenchy, Tarot Card scarf. I've never seen anything like it, and thought it was too cool to pass up. The scarves are very light and can be worn in the summer to jazz up a T-shirt and jean shorts. Scarves can also be used to put up your hair, which is something that I love to do because it's a classic look, and I hate having my hair hanging in my face when it's hot and humid out. Scarves - they're not just for winter ladies! Bring 'em out and accessorize yourself cool.

For men, I prefer the casual look of cargo shorts and a polo shirt for everyday, out and about errands. I'm a big fan of the Pyscho Bunny line, and not just because Cameron Tringale, (the golfer), wears them. They have a ton of different colors, but I chose this one because the logo shows up.

WHC2012 Salt Lake City, Utah

I'm still recovering from World Horror Convention 2012. Although the bar closes early everywhere there, small parties and room gatherings were plentiful if you looked. I had a fantastic time and made many new friends including Nicholas Grabowsky with Black Bed Sheet Books, and two of his authors, Alexander Beresford and Sean Hayden. All really nice guys and talented writers. I also spent some quality time speaking with and listening to Mr. Frank Hutton, one of the final nominees for best anthology. A real class act all the way. It was a pleasure meeting Robert Shane Wilson, Jennifer Wilson and Mark Scioneaux of Nightscape Press and co-editors of Horror For Good: A Charitable Anthology for which my first published short story is in among an amazing TOC (Table of Contents). And I'm still pinching myself about it. The anthology can be purchased here. https://www.createspace.com/3829545 Soon, it will also be available on Amazon, and I will post a link for the Kindle version and hard copy of the book.

The Stoker Award Banquet was nice and I really liked the potatoes Au Gratin. Jeff Strand did a marvelous job as always MC'ing the event. And he brought me a copy of Fangboy for my son, which I was tremendously grateful for. It's a wonderful thing to see everyone dressed up. If it weren't for the zombies they hired to hand out the awards, it could have been a computer software event and no one would've known the difference. Here is the list of Stoker Award winners. http://www.stokers2012.org/

The after parties were fantastic, and I really appreciate everyone not giving me any crap for wearing my fuzzy Cheetah flip-flop slippers to the parties. By the end of WHC my feet were in need of a heel hiatus and that was with comfortable shoes that I brought with me. At this party I was able to speak with Jason and Sunni Brock, whom I both adore, Gene O'Neill, he's just wonderful, and Rocky Wood, the HWA President. There were so many more people I can't list them all. I had planned on taking a lot of pictures, but that quickly fell by the wayside with my shoulder aching from just carrying my purse all day. I did take a few panel photos which I will post in the gallery on my website. http://www.renamasonwrites.com/

A special shout out to friend and author Jason Reinhardt for winning the Gross-Out Contest with a story I got to pre-read months ago, and just hanging out with me in general. We spent a few nights closing the bar with Mark Scioneaux and Andy Theundeadreview Taylor, watching the Hellraiser series with the TV on mute, which made the movies even better with our added drunken commentary.

Overall it was a fantastic experience, and has energized me to move forward. Since I've been back, I started working on critiquing stories for a workshop I will be attending at the Saints & Sinners Festival 9.5 in May. http://sasfest.org/ I've also finished a short story for it, am working on another two short stories, and am supposed to be rewriting my next novel from 1st person to 3rd. I'm definitely busy, but it's a kind of busy that I enjoy.

This will be my third May in New Orleans in a row, for the Saints & Sinners LitFest, and I have encountered heat, humidity, and extreme humidity in the form of rain and thunderstorms. I've learned to dress "accordingly." One of this year's "hot" runway looks is the Maxi Dress. A long dress that is usually made of thin, cotton, jersey. Very comfortable and versatile. I actually wore one to last year's Stoker Awards ceremony, but opted for a more traditional "cocktail" look this year. I've recently purchased one to bring along to NOLA again this year. I love the look and versality. Can be worn with a T-shirt underneath and belt. A summer tote, sun hat and sunglasses would complete the look.

One Week 'Til World Horror Convention 2012

There's only one more week until World Horror Convention 2012 in Salt Lake City, Utah happens. I'm very much looking forward to this, and have already been told to get ready to sign some books.

A few weeks ago I finished Empire of Salt by Weston Ochse. It's a zombie novel that takes place in an area called the Salton Sea. Even though there were several typos in the beginning quarter of the story that threw me off, I continued to read, and have to say that I enjoyed it overall. The teenage, female protagonist was easy to relate to, as were most of the characters in the story. I believe the ending was left the way it was to make way for a sequel.

This past week I finished The Devil's Coattails anthology edited by Jason V. Brock and William F. Nolan. I have to say that I enjoyed this book and its stories very much. Not all of it was straight up horror, and every story had a nice literary bent that I really enjoyed reading. I highly recommend this book, and the artwork and hardcover book itself are exquisite.

Connected with the World Horror Convention this year is the Bram Stoker Awards Banquet. I have tickets to attend this. Last year it was in Long Island, New York and I had a great time. It's an opportunity to see all of the horror peeps dressed up. Which brings me to my next discussion. What to do if you had a dress you were planning to wear, but have gained some weight since then.

I generally run between a size 10 and a 12. So throughout the year, I purchase dresses in both of these sizes. My two favorite gown/dress designers are David Meister and Tadashi Shoji. Their dresses are generous and can usually "stretch" if need be. If I order a 10 I'm usually safe, and same way with a 12. The ruching techniques they use really give you a lot of flexibility. For the Stoker Banquet I am planning to wear a navy blue Tadashi Shoji dress with beadwork in the midsection. My shoes are navy blue Kate Spades with a black, sequined bow in the back which makes it easier to wear with sheer, black stockings. I just have to remember to walk slow and "dainty." During the day, I will be wearing cowboy boots, so the transition will take a little practice while I'm getting dressed.

I wish all of the Bram Stoker finalists the best of luck, and I can't wait to post all of the winners!

March Madness

The end of the month holds World Horror Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah from the 29th to the 1st of April, along with the Stoker Awards Banquet on the night of the 31st. I'm looking forward to seeing all of my old friends and making some new ones. My first published short story will also be making its debut there in the book, Horror For Good: A Charitable Anthology. I'm very excited and honored to be among the fantastic authors in the TOC including Jack Ketchum, Joe R. Lansdale, Jeff Strand, Wrath James White, and so many more from the horror genre. It will make this convention even more special for me.

I recently finished The German, by Lee Thomas. It's by far the best book I've read this year. There are many layers to it that build slowly, then come together for a well told and beautifully written story. It's about a German man who fled to the United States after nearly being gunned down in WWII. He moves to a small town in Texas, keeps to himself mostly, and makes furniture. Brutal murders begin to occur and there is no evidence except for a note taunting the law, scribbled in German. With the war in full swing and many men abroad, it doesn't take long before the townspeople begin to segregrate and torment the German population. The main character included. I think what I enjoyed so much about this book was that The German (main character,) knew who he was, wasn't ashamed of it, and never backed down. He had a simple philosophy and that was how he lived his life, yet he couldn't get away from discrimination and hate. I thought the story ended well. Overall, I was very pleased.

I am currently reading, Empire of Salt, by Weston Ochse. Review to come soon.

On a fashion note, I've been trying to lean my bad habit of designer bags that are made from leather. Not that I'm completely against leather now, but I am no longer buying any items using real fur, and have never purchased anything made from exotic skins. Particularly when there are designers such as Stella McCartney who makes cool bags from anything but leather and fur. I may also start following the example from her website http://www.stellamccartney.com, and opt for "Meat Free Mondays." Being that I grew up partly on a farm, this will be very difficult, but I'm going to try. One day a week couldn't hurt. We'll see.