
An ordinary man can... surround himself with two thousand books... and thenceforward have at least one place in the world in which it is possible to be happy. ~Augustine Birrell
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Could There Be a Better Beach Read??!!

Sunday, June 28, 2009
New Releases 6/30
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Even More Concrete Evidence That I Am A Dork

Win More Stuff
Friday, June 26, 2009
Wow, I'm Behind

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Try A Stay-Cation Instead

Win Something!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
The Name's Changed But It's Still the Same

Monday, June 22, 2009
Another Great Read From the Paranormal Realm
Sunday, June 21, 2009
New Releases 6/23
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Making Progress!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Stupid Becky!
Monday, June 15, 2009
What We're Watching
Sunday, June 14, 2009
New Releases 6/16
Some of the new titles hitting shelves this week include:
Saturday, June 13, 2009
It's That Time Again
Friday, June 12, 2009
I'm gonna try...
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
We Had a Mini-Vacation
Monday, June 8, 2009
Recent Movie Roundup

Sunday, June 7, 2009
New Releases 6/9
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Meltdown Mode
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Hafta Share...
Not only is this a “transmedia experience” that uses websites, phone numbers, and physical artifacts within the book, but the story is also told and promoted in innovative ways that are publishing firsts:
- Video blurbs from some of the biggest names in horror, like the writer of the original Friday the 13th (Victor Miller) and the writer/director of the Blair Witch Project (Daniel Myrick): jchutchins.net/site/trailers/
- Pre-release prequel fiction distributed as a free serialized audiobook
- A mobile phone experience via Myxer.com--an exclusive part of the novel is told in ringtones, wallpapers, pictures, videos, voicemails, and more
- Fans become part of the world by “committing” themselves to the mental hospital where the novel is set and submitting “patient” art and testimonials: jchutchins.net/site/the-brink/
Among the related websites (below), www.PixelVixen707.com, a video game blog written by one of the characters, is most popular. She gets thousands of hits per month and has already been asked to write for SuicideGirls.com… and she’s not even a real person.
www.myspace.com/arttotherescue
I finished this just last night, forgoing my nightly Ambien way past my lately steady bedtime (trying to get a sleep pattern down). In fact, now that I'm done, I wish it had taken me longer! But, luck is with me. There's a prequel novella about Taylor's case with Spindle, the quilting killer, at JC Hutchins's website. The prequel, Personal Effects: Sword of Blood, would be a great listen before you begin this creative (chilling) multi-sensory experience, or (as I'm doing) to prolong the the fun. Here's the link to the audio of Sword of Blood.
Personal Effects: Dark Art comes in the form of a patient file with props (the patient's personal effects). Zachary Taylor (named for the president) is an art therapist at Brinkvale Psychiatric, aka The Brink. When Martin Grace, a notorious serial killer suffering from psychosomatic blindness, comes under Taylor's care, the young therapist is drawn into a troubling case that revives memories of his own mother's death. ID cards, birth and death certifications, personal notes, and photos all help to draw the reader into this strange mystery. Websites and phone numbers found in the text and the papers add to the experience and allow readers to follow the clues just as Taylor does.
But even after all of this, I want more! Such an innovative twist on the reading experience. Personal Effects: Dark Art hits shelves on June 9, but the prequel is available now (for FREE!). So get your butt over to the JC Hutchins's website and check it all out. I'm going back to the audio now!