Take a look at the synopsis of this book:
I read “Soundtrack to the end of the world” a couple of months ago and planned to do a book review. I’ve been stalking the author around Facebook and his website ever since, tracking his blog tour – and I liked what I saw. I didn’t get around to writing the review – what with so much happening at home….
…..and right on cue, he tagged me on Facebook yesterday and walked right into it. This is what he said:
In between classes today I shall enter grades, write a guest post for Vidya Sury (sorry if this is last minute), and hopefully still have time to eat. Huzzah!
Huzzah, I silently seconded! Pretending I never mentioned doing the book review, I sternly told him that we’re supposed to go live tomorrow. Anthony graciously said he would send me his post. I waited. I received the post. And like a meanie, asked him if he could write something else. I told him my readers have a funny bone and enjoy a good laugh. As soon as I messaged him, I felt a little remorseful, but only a little – because I knew he had a hectic day. I am nice like that. I happily went off to bed and slept soundly.
This morning, when I checked mail I was pleasantly surprised to see a message from him, with a second post. Guilt fleetingly tugged at my heart…and I shoved it aside – and read his post. I loved it. I hope you love it too.
Anthony J. Rapino
I’ve never murdered anyone; I swear. No, seriously. I may joke around about it a lot,
and I may write about it a lot, and I may watch movies that overflow with the blood
of innocents, but I’m telling you: I’m not a killer.
You don’t believe me. I can tell. You’re giving me the ol’ stink eye, thinking, “This
horror writer is off his nut.” If you are thinking that, you’re not too far off. I mean,
yeah, I’m on the far side of sane. For sure. But that does not make me a serial killer.
The one that says, “You stay away from my pet iguana!” The one that says, “I have
pepper spray!” And maybe I’m more to blame than my profession. Maybe the long
hair and beard don’t inspire confidence in the wary traveler. Or perhaps I should
stop screaming at people when they walk by…
Yeah, definitely that last one.
But still, there’s a stigma that comes along with writing horror. The idea that we like
the stuff we write about. I mean really like. As in break out the hand lotion and
tissues. Now, while I can’t speak for every horror writer in the world, I can say that
the majority of us are not hunched over a rotting corpse with a fistful of crotch.
Over a pile of dead rats, yes. But never a human corpse!
Vidya for allowing such filth to grace the pages of her lovely blog? If you laughed,
you “get it.” You understand the draw of horror, and that yes, it can be funny too.
Disgusting, but funny.
See, we’re not sickos. We’re simply fascinated with the mystery of the unknown,
and love a good scare. So next time you see an unsuspecting horror writer at a
convention or book signing–even if he or she is staring at the sky and laughing–
don’t be afraid. We don’t bite.
But again, I can’t speak for everyone.
Happy Halloween!
Author Bio:
Enter the big Halloween costume contest! It’s free to enter, and you can win a $25 gift card or horror ebook pack.
Happy Halloween, friends!
Cheers!
Vidya
18 comments
Welcome Anthony to Vidya’s blog!
Oh yes…writing about horror doesn’t make you a killer or a person who does what he writes 🙂
But yes, some of us might have that in our mind when we read horror books, which is because we like to imagine how and what the person who write his piece would say or feel like while doing so.
I for one used to love horror books and movies, though haven’t got down to my love for reading due to heavy work hours and balancing a family as well. But yes, whenever I get a chance, I do manage a glimpse of some horror movies that my kids love watching too.
Happy Halloween everyone. 🙂
Thank you, Harleena 😀 Who are your favorite authors? Happy Halloween to you!
Thank you so much for the great intro, Vidya! You made me feel right at home. And thank you, Harleena. That is true; I also often wonder about the writers behind the words. Happy Halloween!
🙂 Anthony, entirely my pleasure!
Thank you for the wonderful intro, Vidya! You made me feel right at home. And thank you, Harleena. I also often wonder about the writers behind the words. Happy Halloween!
Apparently I don’t believe in stereotypes. 😉 You might recall, Tony, my asking you if you thought Sci-Fi was a ‘man’s’ genre. As a Sci-Fi fan, I’d never even heard of the idea until they mentioned it on the Space channel about a year or so ago.
I remember many, many years ago, as I was reading a Stephen King book, a friend of mine said a friend of hers stopped reading King because he killed a dog. I told her, “I don’t believe he would ever really do anything like that just because he writes about it.” Something to that effect, anyway. I wasn’t even a serious writer back then, but in my mind a writer writes to entertain, no matter what his or her fans may think. 😉
Absolutely, Kellee! I’ll bet most people deep down know that as well…*most.* 😉
Welcome, Silver Pen! You are absolutely right about writers writing to entertain – and that’s something Anthony successfully does! 🙂 Happy Halloween.
P.S.: I don’t think King killed the dog. Just sayin’!
Thanks, Vidya. Yeah, Anthony is very entertaining. 😉 Oh, King did kill a dog. . . in one of his stories, which is something I guess I forgot to add. A silly reason, if you ask me, to stop reading a perfectly good book. And it makes me wonder why this person was reading King in the first place. BTW, even though he calls himself a horror writer, I’ve never thought his stories were scary, just really weird. 😉 Guess that’s why I like them. ha ha
Hi Vidya,
I loved your opening. It was like reading a novel!
And thank you for introducing us to Anthony. He sounds like a real talent.
Anthony, it is people like you who give us so much reading pleasure, through your imagination and creativity. Thank you.
Thanks so much, Hiten. I really do appreciate it. Have a great Halloween!
Thank you, Hiten! Yes, Anthony is cool. I loved his book! 😀
OMG, I hate reading horror, but Anthony cracked me up! Of course, I like reading Stephen King, so…maybe I am wrong. Anthony went a long way in convincing me today that I am. And the bio? I Loved It. Vidya, thanks for sharing him!
I’m glad that I could help to change your mind a little. There are so many subcategories of horror, I’ll bet you would love *some.*
I’ve always felt humor is an incredibly important counterpoint to fear. Hope to see you around, cheers!
Hey Pamela! I used to be a glutton for horror, but toned down when I discovered psychological thrillers. I went through a phase when I couldn’t get enough of Stephen King’s books. I loved that they were huge! I really enjoyed Anthony’s book!
And you, my dear, are one of my very favorites, you know! Hugs!
Anthony, Pamela is a kickass writer. Right now her book, “Saving Grace” is No.3 on the Kindle bestseller list. I love her sense of humor and her style.
So glad you’re both here today! Thrilled to know y’all!
I’m not a horror fan, but I enjoyed this post.
This made me laugh:
“Now, while I can’t speak for every horror writer in the world, I can say that the majority of us are not hunched over a rotting corpse with a fistful of crotch.
Over a pile of dead rats, yes. But never a human corpse!”
Glad you could get a laugh from that. 🙂 I was afraid I’d offend more than anything. Happy Halloween!