Less Than Pulp, Issue 14

If you are friends with me on Facebook, you may have already seen the above edit by superfan Brad Tierney. Considering so many people get my name wrong (it’s MAN-GUM, not MAG-NUM), I got a kick out of this image.

On Friday, Facebook reminded me that one year ago, I signed with a certain publisher to do a series of creepy internet/haunted tech novellas. While the relationship ultimately didn’t pan out, I got DIGITAL DARKNESS out of it. The volume collects three novellas that have an overarching narrative. It’s also related to GODS OF THE DARK WEB, as the hooded baddies in the above image indicate. I put it out on my own imprint Less Than Pulp books, and I couldn’t have done it without the support group I have, so if you’re reading this, I’m grateful to you.

Speaking of the GODS mythos, Carver Pike sent me the first 11,000 words of DIABLO SNUFF vs GODS OF THE DARK WEB. The GODS/DIGITAL DARKNESS stories are like a playground I return to again and again. Adding Carver’s stuff to the mix feels like someone came and dropped some badass new toys in the sandbox. I cannot be more excited for this collaboration, and I intend spending the next couple of weeks adding the next few thousand words. Ideally, I’d like to get the book to its halfway point before I tag Carver back in, but we’ll see how it goes.

Jean and I finished our rewatch of THE SOPRANOS. It truly is a landmark show, unafraid to incorporate elements of the psychological thriller and the surreal (those dream sequences!) into what could’ve just as easily been a straightforward mafia drama. That extra care is why we’re still talking about it fifteen years after it went off the air.

Because we were sad to see it end, we gave the film a try. THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK is a perfectly serviceable film, but the magic isn’t there. It seems unsure of itself, though the casting is solid.

Now we’re onto the newest season of STRANGER THINGS. I’m surprised no one hasn’t spoiled it for us yet. It’s okay so far. My problem is that season 3 ended on a perfect note, and this one is pulling a little deeper than Stephen King and Steven Spielberg for its influences. Oh, well. Hopefully, it will get some younger viewers interested in the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET franchise.

This week’s episode of MAKE YOUR OWN DAMN PODCAST looks at the cult classic THE TOWN THAT DREAED SUNDOWN, its maybe sequel/maybe remake/maybe meta deconstruction, and the true-life killings that inspired it. You can listen to the episode here or watch the video below.

I’ve also been watching a ton of 1970s space documentaries. They’ve got a cool vibe, atmospheric and poetically narrated. My childhood fascination with the universe was what first introduced me to the finite in the face of the infinite. No wonder I like cosmic horror. Here’s one of my favorites that I’ve watched this week.

On the reading front, I’m about halfway through MISTBORN. I can see why it’s popular. It’s cinematic in its structure and pacing, and it’s an easy read. Fun fact: easy reads are not easy to write. Something to meditate on.