New Release: Dracula vs Great White Shark!

Out now, just in time for Halloween, is my new novel--my first aimed at young readers--Dracula vs Great White Shark!

The cover, with art by Neil Vokes and Thomas Mason

For the last few years I've been writing movies for the Syfy Channel, with an emphasis on sharksploitation movies. Not that I just love sharks, mind you, but with the success of Sharknado, that's what the network wants. So, every year, I try and come up with some permutation on this strange subgenre of creature features to pitch to Syfy--among them was Dracula vs Great White Shark. Envisioned as an old-fashioned monster rally, where the icon of cinema's classic era of monster movies (Dracula) tangles with a modern day popular monster icon (the shark), I was immediately taken with the sheer ridiculousness of the concept, but also wanted to treat it as a straight-up story. This isn't a parody, but an ode to these two creature feature genres.

Syfy passed on the title (a number of times), but the more I thought about it, the more excited I became. My Dracula is in the tradition of Christopher Lee and Tomb of Dracula, and this story is designed as a sort of alternate take of the Demeter chapter of the original Bram Stoker novel. This is a fun "What-if" story, written for kids of all ages and, as such, is the first release under my new MonsterKid Press imprint.

Since I first began my writing career, I've tried so hard to be a "serious" author, writing "serious" fiction. Frankly, I just needed a break. I've always been inspired by the monster movies of my youth, but have always tried to "grow them up". This time around, I've put that aside. I wanted to write a fun monster book that was just that--fun. And what better time to release it than my favorite time of the year? Many of you have mentioned Infernal City, my next "adult" novel. Fear not, it's still on the way, but Dracula vs Great White Shark was a rabbit I had to chase. Expect Infernal City early 2017. For now, in celebration of Halloween, order a copy of Dracula vs Great White Shark, sit back, and have some good old-fashioned monster entertainment.

The book is currently available in print, with no immediate plans for a Kindle release. The cover art, done by veteran comic book artist Neil Vokes (Fright Night, Flesh and Blood), and colorist supreme Thomas Mason (who did both my Rift Jump covers) is simply too beautiful to be relegated to a screen.

And now, ABOUT THE BOOK, from the back copy:

The year is 1897.

Young thief Kamen is on the run, but he believes his luck has changed for the better when he stows away on board the Russian ship Demeter, on course for England. He befriends a mysterious black dog, as well as the captain’s daughter, Yana. But an ominous storm bears down upon the Demeter, and suddenly crewmen begin to disappear. What’s more, a Great White shark is stalking the boat, keeping an unnaturally steady watch. Kamen and Yana soon discover that not everything is as it seems on board the Demeter, and the young friends find themselves facing not only the notorious Count Dracula, but also a relentless shark. What will it take to stop the foes challenging the Demeter’s crew, and will the ship make it to England at all?

Summer Update: Ozark Sharks! Infernal City!

It's that time again. Summer is upon us and, with summer, comes a bevy of new sharksploitation movies for Syfy's annual Sharknado Week. Last year I was fortunate enough to contribute Zombie Shark, writing its screenplay. But this year, there's a new finned menace in the waters. I present to you...

OZARK SHARKS!

This was a fun one that I had the opportunity be involved with in the early stages of pre-production. I helped develop the project, writing its first draft and later serving as Associate Producer. Marcy Holland came in and did a super job making the script her own, but still very much honoring what I originally put in there, and I am forever grateful to her for that. She rocks. As with Zombie Shark, this one is directed by Misty Talley--the first woman director of one of these Syfy Channel Original Movies we're told! Pretty awesome. She does a killer job (no pun intended) and the cast is great, bringing together some of my favorites from my previous two scripted Syfy outings (Snakehead Swamp and Zombie Shark), as well as some talented fresh blood.

I hope you check it out when Ozark Sharks hits on the Syfy Channel, Thursday, July 28 at 8PM Central.

What else is going on? So glad you asked. I'm doing my final edits on my next novel, and hope to release it very, very soon. It's coming along and I'm anxious to see what you guys think of it. In the meantime, behold the cover!

Artwork Not Final

Expect a full reveal/synopsis in the weeks ahead, but Infernal City tells the story of a City that, quite literally, eats souls! This one has been in the works for awhile now and it's very much a return to the themes and "flavor" of my The Coming Evil Trilogy, that no fan will want to be without. I liken the new book as a first cousin to The Coming Evil, so keep checking back here as we get closer to its anticipated (at least by me) release.

In the meantime, Ozark Sharks!

Zombie Shark--July 20th!

It's official! My second SyFy Original Movie, "ZOMBIE SHARK", is bloodying up the waters this coming Monday, July 20th at 8 PM Central Time! Don't miss it!

Don't Go in the Water! Zombie Shark is coming!

At last the veil of secrecy is lifted.

As a follow-up to last summer's Snakehead Swamp (now available to own and rent on Redbox, I thank you :p), I'm thrilled to announce that my second Syfy Original Movie is headed your way this summer:

ZOMBIE SHARK!

Still not sure how much I can say at this point, except that among its stars are Cassie Steele, Jason London, and Ross Britz (who you'll remember as the mega-jerk Ian in Snakehead Swamp). This is another fine film from the folks at Active Entertainment and is directed by the super-cool Misty Talley.

Zombie Shark comes as part of Syfy's summer lineup to celebrate the release of the latest installment in the blockbuster Sharknado franchise. Not sure yet on the exact date and time that Zombie Shark will be on the prowl, but here's the official press release in regards to Sharknado Week:


SHARKNADO WEEK (PROGRAMMING EVENT)
 
Premieres Saturday, July 18 to Saturday, July 25

The second annual SHARKNADO WEEK will feature seven original movies, including:
 
· Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!
 
· Sharktopus Vs. Whale Wolf (Roger Corman’s third installment of the ‘Sharktopus’ franchise, starring Casper Van Dien)
 
· 3-Headed Shark Attack (starring Danny Trejo)
 
· Roboshark
 
· Mega Shark Vs. Kolossus (starring Illeana Douglas)
 
· Zombie Shark (starring Jason London)
 
· The world premiere of Lavalantula, starring Steve Guttenberg and fellow Police Academy alums Leslie Easterbrook and Michael Winslow, as they battle lava-breathing tarantulas threatening to destroy Los Angeles.

Be sure to set your DVRs! As always, stay tuned here for updates and the eventual trailer!