This is a follow up to our original statement, which can be read here.

As more information has come to light, we have decided to sever all ties with Poltergeist Press, including their Russian imprint. We still love and support Anna, and we wish her the best, but we cannot in good conscience be part of anything Matt is connected to, even via association.

We have requested that the rights to the Russian-language edition of The Rising, the trade hardcover edition of The Hollower, and the mass-market paperback edition of Shades (with co-author Geoff Cooper) be reverted.

In regards to Dissonant Harmonies by Brian and Bev Vincent, which was due to be released in paperback and ebook via Poltergeist Press, and in hardcover via the joint-venture Another Ghost imprint — Bev and Brian will be seeking another publisher, so the book’s release will be delayed.

Upcoming guests for The Horror Show with Brian Keene (dates to be determined):

F. Paul Wilson
Brian Hodge
Kaitlyn Booth
Nick Hanover
Stephen Graham Jones
Tim Waggoner
Cina Pelayo
Gabino Iglesias
Daniel Kraus
Stephen Kozeniewski
Wile E. Young
and many more…

From Brian Keene and Mary SanGiovanni –

Earlier this morning, Brian posted this publicly accessible essay discussing the multiple allegations of sexual misconduct that have arisen within the industry over the last two weeks.

Within minutes of that being posted, we were alerted via Twitter and email of yet another situation – this time involving allegations that author Matt Hayward sent inappropriate communications to several women.  Again, to clarify, we were unaware of these allegations until after the essay was posted. However, in tandem with Brian’s previous essay, we are speaking out.  

We believe the women. We believe writer and book reviewer Cassie ‘Lets Get Galactic’, who has stepped forward. And we believe those who have not stepped forward. 

We have known Matt for several years. He and his wife Anna have been guests in our home. Anna’s publishing company, Poltergeist Press, has published books by both of us. We consider them dear friends.

Approximately one year ago, Matt sent a series of inappropriate messages to Mary. Matt has acknowledged this and apologized for it. Mary accepted the apology because Matt was inebriated when the messages were sent, and he was going through a rough time emotionally, having just experienced the death of his best friend. Brian followed Mary’s lead, and in the time since, Mary has received no further inappropriate messages from Matt. Cassie’s account tells a similar story, as do the accounts of those women who have not shared their experience publicly. There is a pattern of behavior.

Again, we believe the women. And we apologize for the hurt that someone we are close to has caused you.

We hope that Matt will take this moment to examine his behavior. As both Mary and Brian know all-too-well, grief and alcohol are not excuses for behavior, but they are catalysts. We hope that Matt will acknowledge how his behavior impacted Cassie and the other women involved, how it impacted his wife, and how it impacted his friends and the larger horror community. We hope that he will examine the role those destructive catalysts played in this, and that he will understand they do not serve as excuses for the behavior. We hope that he will learn from this experience and grow. We believe that in Matt’s case, change is possible. We believe that he has it in him. But ultimately it is up to him. 

In regard to our books that are published via Poltergeist Press, we would remind the public that the company is not owned by Matt Hayward. It is owned by his wife, Anna. While Matt does indeed do production work for Poltergeist Press, and is published by Poltergeist Press, the company is Anna’s. We have spoken with Anna, and she was unaware of these allegations. They have impacted her, as well. We ask that the public be cognizant of that.

We fully support Anna, and we do not hold her responsible for Matt’s actions. In regards to future books, Brian has spoken with Bev Vincent, who collaborated with him on Dissonant Harmonies, due to be released by Poltergeist Press next month. As the book is already in production, both Brian and Bev feel it would again be unfair to Anna to pull the book from publication, and so, it will continue to be released from Poltergeist Press.

In regard to Kelli Owen’s public treatment of Cassie after she stepped forward with these allegations, we fully state for the record that we do not condone or endorse any such behavior. We find it abhorrent. The public should also be aware that Kelli’s statement that she was engaged in “fact-finding” is in no way connected to The Horror Show with Brian Keene, on which she has served as an occasional guest host. We have spoken with fellow show regulars Dave Thomas and Matt Wildasin, and the four of us agree that, beginning immediately, Kelli will no longer be involved with the podcast in any way.

 Furthermore, both Brian and Mary would like the public to know that we are frustrated and stunned by Kelli’s public statements, and they do not reflect the views or opinions of ourselves or The Horror Show with Brian Keene staff or our affiliates.

Respectfully,  

– Brian Keene and Mary SanGiovanni

Bram Stoker Award winner Stephanie Wytovich joins Brian and Mary for a discussion of poetry, magic, body horror and more. Plus details on the Scares That Care Virtual Charity Event and Matt and Dave’s joyful picks.

Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Libsyn – iHeartRadio – Stitcher - YouTube

The bromance between the Sub-Mariner and Doctor Doom reaches its fateful conclusion with guest stars Captain America, the Red Skull, the Shroud, and Krang, as Chrisopher Golden and Brian Keene discuss Marvel’s Super-Villain Team-Up issue 11 and 12.

Listen for free on iTunes – YouTube – Libsyn – iHeartRadio – Stitcher

As you know, I serve on the Board of Directors for Scares That Care, a 501c3 charity composed of horror professionals and horror fans that raises money to help children with cancer, women with breast, burn victims, and families.

As you also know, our charity events in Wisconsin and Virginia were both cancelled this year, due to the pandemic.

SAVE THE DATE. The Scares That Care Virtual Charity Event will take place online Saturday, August 1, from 10am (EST) to 10pm (EST), and will include actors, authors, vendors, a costume contest and much more.

Details Forthcoming

A while ago, I began writing my autobiography for my two sons. My intention was to only print two copies – one for each of them – and have them bound and printed as limited editions. But over time, it occurred to me that there’s a lot of information in it that other people could benefit from, as well. Sure, it’s a story about me, and where I came from, and how I got to where I am now, and what happened along the way – and that’s something that will specifically appeal to my sons.  It’s a story about being a man, and about how they can be better men, and that is something else that will specifically appeal to my sons. But it is also a story about writing and art. About creativity and the struggle to succeed. About that very particular kind of fame that I mentioned above, and all the perils and pitfalls and trials and tribulations that come with it. It documents many decades-worth of the history of horror fiction, and publishing, and my bird’s-eye perspective on all of the things that happened. 

So…I suspect there might be other people that would want to read that.

As a result, I’ve begun serializing it on my Patreon. It is included as part of the $5 monthly fee that gives you access to all the other daily Patreon content,

Of course, the problem with writing an autobiography is that you have to tell the truth. Always. I’ve written two memoirs – End of the Road and The Triangle of Belief. Both of those are centered on very specific and fixed points in time, and because they are memoirs, rather than autobiographies, I could sometimes tweak the truth. I could change a name to protect the innocent…or the guilty. I could combine people into one catch-all person. I could play with dates and locations and perceptions. I could exaggerate for effect.

But you can’t do that with an autobiography…or at least, you can’t if you don’t want to cheat your readers. And cheating you is something I would not willingly do. Fair warning, then. World Domination 101 is an unvarnished and honest look at my life’s story. Like all good stories, it has triumphs and heartaches and laughs and tears. It has good guys and bad guys.

And at times, I fill both those roles.

Yu can start reading it right now. And don’t forget about this handy Patreon Index which lists ALL of the content that is available, and provides links to make finding them easier.

Max Booth joins Brian Keene for a discussion of his two new novels, the influence of Joe R. Lansdale, time management, and the Cinestate/Fangoria controversy. Plus Brian, Matt, Dave and Mary remember comic-book writer Denny O'Neil.

Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Libsyn – iHeartRadio – Stitcher - YouTube

Doctor Doom, Captain America, Namor and The Shroud team up to punch Nazis as the Red Skull returns! Christopher Golden and Brian Keene discuss Marvel’s Super-Villain Team-Up issues 10 and 11.

Listen for free on iTunes – YouTube – Libsyn – iHeartRadio – Stitcher

Yesterday was the online launch party for Tim Lebbon’s new book, EDEN. Mary and I were among the friends and family who were asked to record a surprise video for the event. Here it is.

Thanks to everyone who purchased a trade paperback of TRIGGER WARNINGS, making it number one on Amazon in the Horror and Supernatural Literary Criticism category.

The Last Zombie: Reskinned

(Hardcover, B&W, 664 pgs., $49.99 U.S.)

Story: Brian Keene
Art: Joe Wight, Fred Perry, Chris Allen, David Hutchison, Brian Denham, Ben Dunn

Presenting the complete post-zombie-apocalypse saga by Shocker and Bram Stoker Award-winner Brian Keene, now rebound in new hard case covers, plus a special wraparound dust jacket! AND signed by Brian Keene and primary series artist Joe Wight!

Available in all good comic book stores June 24! Reserve your copy with your local retailer by giving them the Diamond Previews Code APR201547

Brian Hodge. Wayne Allen Sallee. DC Comics. Distributor Wars. Adam Donaghey. Cinestate. Black Lives Matter. Brian, Mary, Matt, Kelli, Dave and Dungeonmaster 77.1 discuss why everything is on fire.

Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Libsyn – iHeartRadio – Stitcher - YouTube

TRIGGER WARNINGS is now available in paperback, featuring a brand-new cover. (The e-book, which was previously available, has been updated to reflect the new cover as well).

’This incendiary new non-fiction collection by World Horror Grandmaster Award winning author Brian Keene walks the line between profound and profane, poking and prodding everything from pop culture to politics. Whether it’s the downfall of America’s oldest mass-market publisher, the Second Amendment, advice on writing, marriage equality, crazed Internet trolls, writer’s organizations, the death of the Borders retail chain, misogyny in comic books, the history of the horror genre, or the apathy of a fading political system, Brian Keene shares his thoughts in that blunt, sardonic style readers have come to love. TRIGGER WARNINGS includes acclaimed essays, speeches, and articles such as “Roots”, “Seminal Screams”, “The Dorchester Wars”, “More Than Man’s Best Friend”, “Cold Warriors”, “How to Write 80,000 Words in a Weekend”, “Children Playing with Guns”, “On Rape and Repugnance”, and many more. Brian Keene’s TRIGGER WARNINGS. Don’t say you weren’t warned.’

Click here to purchase the paperback or download to Kindle.

(Lifetime subscribers will receive this book with their next shipment).

An exclusive, never before heard 2005 interview between Brian and author, podcaster and disc jockey Mark Justice. Plus, Brian, Mary, Matt, Dave and Kelli discuss the racism of editor Andrea Dawn, and the return of Nickolaus Pacione.

Listen for free on iTunes – Spotify – Libsyn – iHeartRadio – Stitcher - YouTube