Author: Lawrence Person

Lawrence Person is a science fiction writer living in Austin, Texas. His short fiction has appeared in Asimov's, Analog, Postscripts, Jim Baen's Universe, Fear, and several anthologies. He also edits the Hugo-nominated SF critical magazine Nova Express, and runs the Turkey City Writer's Workshop. His non-fiction has appeared in National Review, Reason, Whole Earth Review, The Freeman, The World & I, Science Fiction Eye, The New York Review of Science Fiction, and Slashdot.org. He owns such a large library (mostly science fiction first editions) he had to buy a two-story house to put it in, and then adopted a golden retriever to drag him out of his house on a regular basis. He also makes a mean batch of salsa.

Halloween Horrors: Sharks in the Basement

Remember those fake photos of sharks swimming in subways that showed up after “Superstorm Sandy”? Well, this photo of sharks in a guy’s basement in Hudson Valley, New York… …was absolutely real. Turns out he was smuggling them in the back of his truck to sell on the black market. So now add “basement sharks”… Continue reading Halloween Horrors: Sharks in the Basement

Halloween Horrors: Dueling Krakens

There are not one, but two films called Kraken out soon. The first one is from Norway and appears to be due in early 20206: The other one is Russian, so I don’t suppose I’ll be watching it any time soon: Discounting a few oddities (like adult Clover from The Cloverfield Paradox), this is probably… Continue reading Halloween Horrors: Dueling Krakens

Library Addition: Signed First of Joe Lansdale’s Essential Horror

Another Lansdale book came in: Lansdale, Joe R. (Joe Hill) The Essential Horror of Joe R. Lansdale. Tachyon, 2025. First edition trade paperback original, a Fine copy, signed by Lansdale. According to the publisher, Joe showed up for their 30th Anniversary Party and “signed all the books.” I’m not sure if it means he signed… Continue reading Library Addition: Signed First of Joe Lansdale’s Essential Horror

Library Additions: Two Signed Stephen Hunter Firsts

Stephen Hunter is a mystery/thriller writer I’ve heard good things about from people I trust, and I’ve picked up some first editions of their work, but haven’t actually read any yet. But I keep an eye out for cheap firsts of his work, and actually chanced across two signed firsts at a Half Price Books.… Continue reading Library Additions: Two Signed Stephen Hunter Firsts

Halloween Horrors: Cat Ouija Board

UK online retailer Pets at Home was selling a cat Ouija board toy. I say was because that page is now 404. This is what it looked like: Now, this is just a theory, but I’m going to guess they pulled this right after Mr. MummpyMittens summoned Morax one too many times…

Halloween Horrors: Rocko’s Basilisk

Rocko’s Basilisk is a thought experiment that would be terribly frightening if it weren’t so fundamentally stupid. To quote Wikipedia, the source of all vaguely accurate knowledge: “Roko’s basilisk is a thought experiment which states that there could be an artificial superintelligence in the future that, while otherwise benevolent, would punish anyone who knew of… Continue reading Halloween Horrors: Rocko’s Basilisk

Library Addition: Michael Swanwick’s Under A Harvest Moon

Another Dragonstairs chapbook: Swanwick, Michael, with Marianne Porter. Under A Harvest Moon. Dragonstairs Press, 2025. First edition chapbook original, #5 of 80 copies signed by both Swanwick and Porter, a Fine copy. “A very short, dark and romantic story of love and death,” and an outgrowth of Swanwick’s online ‘fallen leaves” project. Bought from the… Continue reading Library Addition: Michael Swanwick’s Under A Harvest Moon

Library Addition: The Gentleman from Angell Street hardback (Lovecraft)

Here’s a Kickstarter I backed all the way back in March of 2024 that finally came in. (Lovecraft, H.P.) Eddy, Muriel E. & C.M. The Gentleman from Angell Street. Helios House Press, 2025. Third edition, first hardback and first thus, a greatly expanded version of the Fenham Publishing trade paperback of 2001 (which I also… Continue reading Library Addition: The Gentleman from Angell Street hardback (Lovecraft)

Halloween Horrors: Del Toro’s Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro has directed his version of Frankenstein. Here’s the teaser trailer: And here’s the second trailer: It looks pretty good, and more faithful to the original novel. And sthe ubject matter plays right to del Toro’s thematic strengths. It starts a theatrical run next Friday, and goes to Netflix a few weeks later.