Calling All Book Reviewers

Haunted Hearts is Now on Book Sirens

Hi friends! Welcome to Fiction for the Cosmically Disturbed, a newsletter for family, friends, and readers of Splatterpunk Award-winning author Lucas Mangum (hey, that’s me!). Here you’ll find personal essays, samples of fiction, and general updates. If you haven’t already, hit that subscribe button so you never miss an issue.

My next book Haunted Hearts, a coming-of-age Halloween tale for kids trapped in the autumn of their youths, is now up for pre-order on the publisher’s website. However, if you are a book reviewer and you’d like to check out the novella, you can get a PDF or EPUB edition for free over at Book Sirens. Spots are limited, so make sure you sign up to receive one soon.

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This past weekend was Jean’s birthday. I threw her a surprise party. If you know Jean at all, then you know a surprise party is totally her thing. We had about 40 people in our house, almost half of them children. There was pizza, three types of cake, and copious amounts of alcohol. She had a great time and said we all made her feel special. That was the goal of course.

When the night was over, I asked her to never throw one for me.

Jean and I have known each other a long time. We met at one of my shows back when I still sang in a band. She thought my music was absolute trash, but somehow, a year later, when we were set up on a date, she went along with it. I’m not sure what she was thinking, but I’m glad she didn’t write me off because she hated my singing.

I adore this woman, and I know I always will.

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By the time you’re reading this, Spooky Season will be in full swing. For those following the saga of my daughter and Ah-ooh (our seven-foot animatronic werewolf), they’re best friends now. She tells us and everyone she knows. Soon I’ll need to set him up outside—I do not know how she will react. Here’s hoping she takes it in stride.

I’m extra excited for Halloween this year because Haunted Hearts is my first novella I’ve released in October that is actually themed around the holiday. As a reminder, here’s the book’s back cover description:

For Moon Boy, adulthood is coming no matter what. Even if he spends most nights drinking forties in the cemetery with his band, even if he drops out of community college to pursue multiple women for different reasons, and even if he can still see the ghost house rise from the quarry at midnight, he can’t stop the inevitable. When his sister goes missing on opening night at Kip Creeker’s Trail of Terror, Moon Boy’s already overcomplicated life takes a frightening turn, and his grasp on reality starts to slip.

Haunted Hearts is a coming-of-age horror tale about those who fight growing up and the ghosts that haunt them.

All paperbacks ordered prior to 10/20/24 will be signed by me. If you’re a book reviewer and don’t mind a digital ARC, grab one here.

Currently reading: The Halloween Store and Other Tales of All Hallow’s Eve by Ronald Kelly

Currently watching: Mr. McMahon (Netflix)