Episode #014 Blood Radio Podcast

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In this episode, we talk about WildClaw Theatre's latest horror hit, the stage adaptation of William Peter Blatty's LEGION. We throw some love to our kind sponsors, and highlight some special upcoming theatrical events around Chicago.

Monster Mash-Up Mayhem at C2E2

One of the special events taking place at the brand new C2E2 conference in Chicago will be:

Monster Mash-Up Mayhem!
All the BRAAAAAINS Behind the Quirk Classics Appearing Together for the First Time!
Moderated by Tasha Robinson of The A.V. Club
Friday, April 16th, Room E351 from 8PM-9PM

Best-selling Quirk Classics authors Seth Grahame-Smith, Ben H. Winters, and Steve Hockensmith, along with Jason Rekulak, the series creator and Quirk’s associate publisher, discuss writing and remixing classic works of literature as well as the future of the monster mash-up. Tasha Robinson of The A.V. Club will moderate the discussion. A booksigning will follow the panel.

Seth Grahame-Smith is a film and television writer/producer, semi-frequent blogger, and best-selling author. His first novel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (with Jane Austen), debuted at #3 on the New York Times Best-Seller List and has been translated into 25 languages. There are currently more than one million copies in print. Seth is also the cocreator/executive producer of the upcoming MTV comedy series The Hard Times of RJ Berger. His newest novel is Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Ben H. Winters wrote the New York Times best seller Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters (with Jane Austen) and the forthcoming Android Karenina (with Leo Tolstoy), both for Quirk Classics. Ben has written for a wide range of newspapers and magazines as well as several books in the best-selling Worst Case Scenario Survival Guide series; his plays and musicals have been produced Off Broadway, regionally, and around the world. He lives in Brooklyn, but you can always find him at www.benhwinters.com.

Steve Hockensmith is an award-winning short-story writer, novelist, and reporter. His short fiction appears regularly in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine as well as anthologies such as Sherlock Holmes in America and Death Do Us Part. His story “Erie's Last Day” appeared in Best American Mystery Stories 2001. His first novel—the kick-off to his Holmes on the Range mystery series—was a finalist for the Edgar, Shamus, Anthony, and Dilys awards. He lives in Alameda, California, and blogs sporadically at www.stevehockensmith.com. His newest novel is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls, the prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Jason Rekulak is the creator of the Quirk Classics series. Inspired by all the creative copyright infringement that flourishes on the Internet, he decided to spice up public domain works of classic literature by adding monster mayhem. Surprisingly, he created a subgenre of books—the literary monster mash-up—that has taken the world by storm. Jason has conceived all the titles in the series and has worked with the authors to develop the manuscripts. He is Associate Publisher and Creative Director at Quirk Books.

Dawn of the Dreadfuls Out Today

The prequel to Quirk Publishing's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Dawn of the Dreadfuls - is on bookshelves today. Find out how England was overrun by zombies.

[Quirk Classics is an official sponsor of WildClaw Theatre's world premiere production of William Peter Blatty's LEGION.]

Dawn of the Dreadfuls Review

The prequel to Quirk Publishing's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is coming. Find out how England was overrun by zombies. Head on over to Quirk for a chance to win one of the Quirk Classics Prize Packages described below, after the review.



WildClaw is proud to present a guest reviewer to BLOOD RADIO, Yasmin Dincer-Ubl, with her take on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls, written by Steve Hockensmith.

"What a delightful book! It's sprinkled throughout with humorous pop-culture references but still retains the austere propriety of the early nineteenth century. I almost wish that Jane Austen didn't write "Pride and Prejudice" (which is canon, of course) and Steve Hockensmith could continue writing about the Bennett family and the unmentionables. But as a prequel this is an excellent transition novel for zombie literature. Zombie novels needn't be confined to anthologies where readers have to search for the nuggets of gold amidst sub-par, pretentious short stories. Nor do they have to be parodies of classic literature. By making an historical zombie romance book in the style of Jane Austen, but not relying on her storyline, historical zombie lit could become a genre unto itself. I would like to see an entirely original historical zombie story and Dawn of the Dreadfuls takes us one step closer to that.

Pretentious rambling aside, the book was highly amusing and love in the time of zombies is every bit likely to make a young girl's heart race as much as a Harlequin Romance novel."

You have chance to win one of 50 Quirk Classics Prize Packs. Each prize pack, with a retail value of more than $100, will include:
- An advance copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls
- Audio Books of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters
- A password redeemable online for sample audio chapters of Dawn of the Dreadfuls
- An awesome Dawn of the Dreadfuls Poster (I have one and it is - Charlie)
- A Pride and Prejudice and Zombies journal
- A box set of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Postcards

[Disclaimer: Quirk provided us with a free advance ARC of the book for review and since Quirk is an avid WildClaw supporter in many ways, we thought an outside reviewer would be the fairest way to review the book.]

Android Karenina Cover from Quirk Classics

Quirk Classics, the publishers of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies have released the cover for their next mashup tale - Android Karenina. Leo Tolstoy and Ben H. Winters pen this neo-classic and it will be in stores June 8, 2010.

Android Karenina

Our pals at Quirk Publishing (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies/Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters) have announced their next title in their Quirk Classics line:

Android Karenina

That's right, steampunk Tolstoy!

Dawn Of The Dreadfuls

Quirk Publishing announces the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies prequel - Dawn of the Dreadfuls. It will cover Elizabeth Bennet's evolution from innocent teenager to a deadly slayer of zombies. Plans are for a follow-up to P&P&Z to create a full trilogy.

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters Reading

Check out this slide show from author, Ben Winters, reading of Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.

DEATHSCRIBE 2009 Sponsors

DEATHSCRIBE 09 is coming October 5th to the Music Box Theatre at 8PM. this unique evening of horror entertainment is made possible by the generous support of our fans and our sponsors. Please take a look at who is helping keep horror alive in Chicago and support them:

The Devil's Candy Store is a virtual design studio dedicated to bringing you "Exotic contraband from impossible worlds." Home to some of the finest illustrators and writers on Earth, The Devil's Candy Store has created a limited edition concept art book with award-winning art for L. A. Banks Vampire Huntress Legend novels.

Quirk Publishing, is home to "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies". This Philadelphia publishing house will soon be bringing you, "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters". Check out their website at irreference.com for cool books on all topics, like Gig Posters Vol. 1, Stuff Every Man Should Know, and The Complete Worst Case Scenario Handbook.

Comix Revolution in Evanston has been described in the Chicago Reader as "pretentious in all the right ways," which hits close to the truth. Heavily emphasizing graphic novels and trade paperbacks, Evanston also brings in independent literary novels and radical books. When most comic shops bring in novels, they usually come at it thru superhero comics, Evanston Comix Revolution explores the written word thru alternative and independent comics. WildClaw company member and graphic designer, Charlie Athanas, shops here regularly and highly recommends it.

Please welcome our latest sponsor to the fold:

THE FOUR MOON TAVERN
Home to multiple WildClaw benefits and the birthplace of Scaryoake.
"With gleaming pine-paneled walls and ceiling, a steer skull staked to the wall and whirling overhead fans, this neighborhood tavern is reminiscent of a friendly Wisconsin bar. On the menu: better-than-average bar food. Standouts include the crispy onion rings and the spinach salad. Dine in the bar area, or head to the rear of the space, past the pool table, for a more sedate sit-down experience. Weekend brunch options include "crab stacks," (homemade crab cakes on english muffins topped with poached eggs and roasted red pepper sauce) and biscuits and gravy made with specialty sage sausage." - Metromix 4.5 stars out of 5

Tentacular Page-Turner

Following up on their gang-busters, run-away hit, "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies", our good friends (and DEATHSCRIBE 2009 sponsors) at Quirk Publishing are releasing "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters" today.

Here's a nifty piece by the author, Ben H. Winters, over at Slate, one of my favorite online magazines.

Come out this Saturday for Zombie Bowling II -- if I'm not mistaken, Quirk has sent us some prize-basket goodies. Be the first on your block to read what's sure to be the next big thing.

Quirk Publishing Supports WildClaw

DEATHSCRIBE 2009 is made possible through the support of companies like Quirk Publishing.



Quirk Publishing is home to "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies". This Philadelphia publishing house will soon be bringing you, "Senses and Sensibility and Sea Monsters". Check out their website at irreference.com for cool books on all topics, like Gig Posters Vol. 1, Stuff Every Man Should Know, and How To Survive A Horror Movie.

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters

From Quirk Publishing, who brought you Pride and Prejudice and Zombies:



Ah, tentacle goodness and disembodiment.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire hunter

Seth Grahame-Smith, the author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, just inked a two-book deal with Grand Central Press. His first book will be Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.