by Christopher Ryan

THIS JUST IN: Internet rabbit holes are multiplying and turning darker by the day!

We turn now to recent social media victim, emerging author Christopher Ryan.

“I was just innocently scrolling through YouTube and Instagram,” he confessed, “and came across a Navy Seal’s survival book. Ordering this seemed to be a good resource for writing horror or mystery stories. I never even thought of the impact it would have on my feed’s algorithm.”

“Before I knew it, absolutely authentic-seeming experts in their bedrooms and dens and basements were earnestly warning me about the coming third world war/complete collapse of the American power grid/imminent invasion from, apparently, every other country in the world. And as soon as I was appropriately shaken, they each helpfully provided links to solar powered batteries, lamps, police radios, water purifiers, and much more. Now I am prepared to survive any apocalypse but am so constantly concerned about the end of the world that all my writing is about survivors at the end of the world.”

CREATORS! DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! CURB YOUR DOOM SCROLLING! INSTEAD, WATCH MORE JOSH JOHNSON VIDEOS. HE SEEMS TO HAVE A CALM HANDLE ON THINGS!

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Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, fiction writing, and podcasting. I’ve experienced a modicum of success in all of these, but I’m pushing to be more, to become one of the oldest breakout authors in the business. Together, let’s see whether I can get there.

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NEWS:

Last weekend, I actually left the house and participated in the first-ever Long Island Convention of Horror which was a fun success. Featuring a wide array of crafts, merch, pop culture, and authors selling books, there was something for everyone. Live bands rocked the place. And the panels were engaging, informative, and entertaining.

Promo that each panelist and guest was provided.

Me, Nick Mamatas, Paul, DeStefano, and Joe Barriero chopped it up about Worldbuilding in Horror and Gaming.

Marc Abbott, Steven Van Patten, Lara Flara, Randee Dawn, Teel James Glenn, and James Chambers (all contributors to Soul Scream Antholozine, seen between Randee and Teel) had one of the best panels of the weekend, discussing the Top Ten Moments in Horror.

Congratulations to Charles Barouch and the organizers of this event. Here’s to several more years of LICH!

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OTHER NEWS:

Coming on March 31 is the publication by AlienBuddha Press of my first-ever collection of poetry, It’s Been a Privilege. Written as a horror story in verse, each poem in the collection moves the overall tale forward and is written as if in the poetry journal of a pure sociopath having a breakdown. Here’s the cover by Rebecca Cuthbert:

And if you haven’t seen it yet, here’s a clip of me reading from the book:

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UPCOMING EVENTS: Unless we’re talking about the apocalypses mentioned above, I’ll be in my den writing and editing new projects. (“Thank God something keeps him off the streets.” )- Glorious, wife and editor of this newsletter)

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CURRENT OBSESSIONS:

MUSIC:

Steely Dan’s Katy Lied is 50 years old this month. That astounds me.

For those who love the band, we’re talking about “Black Friday”, “Bad Sneakers”, “Rose Darling”, “Daddy Don’t Live in That New York City No More”, “Doctor Wu”, “Everyone’s Gone to the Movies”, “Your Gold Teeth II”, “Chain Lightning”, “Any World (That I’m Welcome To)”, and “Throw Back Th e little Ones”. If that doesn’t get you reaching for your copy, maybe you need to renew your love of The Dan. (Yeah, I said what I said. I hope the Burroughs fans are grinning.)

TV: The aforementioned comedian Josh Johnson’s YouTube output continues to impress and calmly lead me back from the edge of the abyss that is quickly replacing our country. He’s worth your time.

Books: Got back to Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar and it continues to impress. Well written and engaging, I find myself looking forward to reading more.

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FREAK OUT: I think we handled that up top. On the other hand, I am heartened by all the protests all over the country, and by the many countries pushing back against DT’s nonsense. Best we can do is participate in stepping up for our country when she’s needs us most, which is right now.

And maybe stockpile beans and rice and pasta and water and toilet paper and vegetable seeds…

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Thanks for coming by. Talk atcha soon. I hope.