January 1, 2012 Gauntlet Press will begin taking orders for "Stephen King's Battleground"

Gauntlet Press has finally set a date to begin taking orders for Stephen King's Battleground.  Publication is set for Spring/Summer 2012.  This book has seemed to be on the back burner for a long time.  Every few months I keep checking for any updates, this time a YES, confirmation on this book!   Nightmares and Dreamscapes was a fantastic series on TNT with Battleground as episode 1.  Go to Gauntlet Press and read the description about the King short story/ Matheson script combo.  If you want one of only 26 copies signed by King you better be prepared with a fast Internet connection and to pay $1250.00.

 According to Gauntlet Press Site:

26 copy Signed Lettered Edition (the ONLY version signed by Stephen King) is $1250

125 copy Signed Numbered Edition (signed by Brian Henson, Jeff Beal, Jeff Hayes, Michael Wright, Lee Romaire, Bill Haber, Sam Nicholson, and Richard Christian Matheson) is $125

Limited Edition (unsigned) is $75

FEAR net has photos of the 'The Boogeyman' and we have the trailer.

For sketches of The Boogeyman and a small write-up about the upcoming movie visit FEAR net.

Check this post on Cemetery Dance's First Edition 'Blockade Billy'

Some call me Tim wrote this essay on his blog:  The Nine Billion Names of Blog  
He has some real valid points on the first edition of Blockade Billy.

“Am I a Limited, or Am I a Trade?” An essay.

When the publisher Cemetery Dance announced Stephen King’s new novella, they touted it as their “biggest news in twenty years” of publishing. And it may well be. I’m not one to argue. They claimed that almost never, not since the 1970’s had King debuted an original work :  for full essay see post dated 05/02/10

Question of the Day #1: Which book, short story, novella would you like to see made into a movie?

New site questions added daily.  Post your answers, all posts are read by admin.

The Gunslinger from the Dark Tower Series, for sure. Visually it would be amazing and it would also introduce Roland to the world, especially those who don't read. Maybe it would entice those people to begin to read the series.  If they could make a movie for Lord of the Rings, why not, the DT Series?

Creepshow then and Creepshow now

DVR'd Creepshow 1982 a few weeks ago for today on Encore Mystery, Dish Network. I forgot I recorded this and was so delighted to see it in my list today. There is going to be another Creepshow in 2011 it is in pre-production right now, another movie to look forward to!

The first short story Voodoo Doll starts out with a young boy named Billy(Joe Hill Cameo) reading comics. His father goes into his room and finds him reading comic books and begins demeaning the him for reading them. When the boy mentions his father's choice in reading materials, he is then slapped. All of the comic books are then taken from him and thrown in the trash. While the scene is cutting away a skeleton figure is outside his window pointing to the trash can outside. At this point, you know that the boy wants to get even with his father for throwing away his comics.

The second short story named Father's Day is told by a pompous old lady. The lady talks about how Aunt Bedilia killed her father and it just so happened on Father's Day. Her father, Nathan Grantham was a rich, wretched old coot who is befallen with a stoke that forces Aunt Bedilia to be his caretaker(and drives her mad in the process). When Bedilia falls in love, because her father is a jealous man, has her suitor shot in a hunting accident. While preparing her father his Father's Day cake, he is screaming and yelling for it. When she becomes irritated with all of his yelling, she hits him over the head with a marble ash try and kills him. Due to her extreme guilt, yearly on the anniversary of his death, she goes to his grave site to wish him a Happy Father's Day. This will be the final time she visits his grave site.

The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill is about a meteor that lands on the land of a Jed Clampett-type character named Jordy Verrill (played by Stephen King). He plays the guy really well, as always, very humorous. The not-so-bright Jordy Verrill touches the meteor which turns green and smokes causing white bumps to appear on his fingers. This scene has always creeped me out because the sores look authentic like something someone would actually get from touching an object from outer space. The strange rash begins to transform him and his surroundings. SK begins growing and growing and growing and gr...... How is he going to get rid of all those overgrown weeds?
In one of his recent interviews NHPR 12/3/2009, one of the questions was, how come you haven't you done any acting lately? Stephen's answered, {Well, cause I suck at it? I like to act, and I have actually had some offers to do things, I think that generally speaking, being from Maine, this is another thing you'll have to edit from the radio but, I have been typecast as the country ***hole since I did Jordy Verrill in Creepshow I was the guy who turned into a weed in Creepshow and since then I get a lot of parts. Goddamn , what the hell is that thing?(speaking in a southern accent)You know, so. You see I do a good job at it, so I get offers.}
Listen to full 1 hour interview
http://www.nhpr.org/node/28149

When a husband finds out about his wife's indiscretions, he uses the ocean and sand to carry out his murderous plans in Something To Tide You Over. Leslie Nielson plays the jealous husband Richard and Ted Danson plays Harry the other guy. His victims come back for a little revenge. This is one story that I remember watching years ago.

The Crate is about a padlocked, nailed crate that is found under a stairwell. The crate is dated June 19, 1834 (interestingly enough, the date June 19 being the day Stephen King was struck by the vehicle in Maine). Also, one of the characters in the beginning, when everyone is being introduced, was introduced as Tabby but she corrects them by saying her name is Tabitha. (that is the name of his wife, for those who don't already know that). Before the crate is found, a husband has visions of killing his obnoxious wife named Wilma/Billie by many different methods. One way he fantasied about killing her was to shoot her, another was to choke her with his necktie. Once the contents of the crate is revealed to be a ravenous animal, the husband gets the idea to lure his wife to the location of the crate. The Crate is one of the bloodier stories in the group of short stories. This creature is one vicious and scary animal.

The short story They're Creeping Up On You! is about a cranky, germaphobe named Mr. Pratt who rents a $3,200/month roach-infested apartment . Mr. Pratt has a Type A personality that is brash and ugly. I'm sure more than a few people are gunnin' for him.

Finally the conclusion to Voodoo Doll.... You'll have to watch.

Watch it on Blu-Ray Amazon.com

Premium Harmony: newyorker.com

I liked Premium Harmony for the tongue-in-cheek, quick-witted Stephen King style we all love. He demonstrates that there is shaky ground between a couple, especially how so much of what we think and feel is better left unsaid for the sake of the relationship. Ray and his wife Mary have a somewhat volitile relationship, they are both riddled with some vices. Mary's vice is directly related to an emotional event. Ray understands how she feels, so he bites his tongue and refrains from remarks as much as humanly possible. If you like stories about human behavior you will like this one. Oh, and sorry Biz.

This is a link to the new story written by SK
Premium Harmony: newyorker.com

What Stephen King books am I reading now? Just After Sunset, Duma Key, and Under The Dome

I promise not to give too much away but I have to write about what I am reading right now so I can come back later and refresh my memory. Just After Sunset, Duma Key, and Under The Dome. I absolutely love Just After Sunset filled with engaging short stories, now a winner of a 2009 ALA Alex Award. I have heard many people say that they don't enjoy the short stories as much but this book (so far) is excellent. 

For me Willa was a little on the short side but the way the story finishes makes you think of how "it" could possibly be. You'll have to read and find out what "it" is referring to.

The Gingerbread Girl was an excellent story from beginning to end. Emily's way of dealing with the devastating things in her life is both excruciatingly sad and inspiring. You do not have a clue how this story is going to end until the last page or two. This is a must read whether you like short stories or not!

Harvey's Dream has a way of imitating life. That is all I am going to say. I liked this story.

Rest Stop is one of those stories that brings a lot of issues involving domestic violence to the surface. It makes you think about what you might do in the same situation. I know what I would do, how about you? This was a good story.

Stationary Bike tells about a guy named Richard Sifkitz whom when he goes to the doctor and gets his cholesterol number realizes he's gotta make some changes. What he realizes is the positive changes that he is making adversely affects someone else, but who? Does this story try to teach moderation in everything? Read, and see what you think. (Also, a little tidbit of interesting information, one of the workers in the story is named Michell Whelen, but if you know Stephen King's books one of his actual artists for his Dark Tower books is named Michael Whelen,his name actually appears in the paperback book on page 208.) See Link to his site:http://www.michaelwhelan.com/catalog/home.php


The Things They Left Behind is a story about some unlikely things that appear out of nowhere and what Scott Staley must do with them. This is a very poignant story. You must read this one.

Graduation Afternoon is a story that really makes you think about how things can go awry in an instant. Stephen King manages to put you right there and experience something that we all pray doesn't ever happen. I highly recommend this one.

N. You may already know about this story, because it was released as a precursor to the book release in video form but it is a story that discusses OCD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. N. is someone who is a completely normal individual until he stumbles across some rock formations. He was attempting to get some nice photos for his annual calendar for his friends. Once he finds these formations many disturbing images occur to him. N. is compelled to count, place, and touch everything for protection. The weight of the world seems to be on his shoulders...... This is a great story the video that was released really covers the essence of the story but is a must read. Here is the link to the precursor episode 1 of 25:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXwZYc3fyLk
N. to become a comic book miniseries March 2010 click for full story: http://www.stephenking.com/promo/n_comic/

The Cat From Hell Well, let's just say the name says it all. This story makes me want to avoid every cat that I ever see. The characters in this story are an old man named Drogan and a hitman named Halston. Drogan has an unlikely hit for Halston. This story was short and extremely sinister.

New York Times at Special Bargain Rates speaks to those who may have lost a loved one and the question of afterlife. When a widow gets a call that no one else is aware of, she questions whether it ever even happened. This story was the perfect length. The story left me wanting more information about the characters in this story. This was a great story.

Mute makes you question how truthful people are being with you. Monette deals with deception on many levels from a few people in the story. If Monette were a real guy I would feel a lot of pity for him. I really never expected the outcome in this story. I really doubt I will ever forget this story.
Anyone who has dealt with the terminally ill should read Ayana, it is a sweet story of hope in the face of death. Stephen King writes this story in the King-style about a father that is terminally ill and how a son deals with the sickness. Then about what eventually happens to him and his father simultaneously which results in his complete recovery.

A Very Tight Place involves a bitter dispute over some prime real estate in FL. The argument ensues between Curtis Johnson and Tim Grunwald. These two detest each other to the core. Only one thought or feeling comes to mind when I think of this story, EWWWWWWWWW! This story has got the ultimate yuck factor going!  Did I mention EWWWWWWWWW?!

Just After Sunset is wonderful book of short stories.  Please feel free to post any thoughts or opinions of your own. :)

Duma Key is about Edgar Freemantle whom for the first half of his life was a successful Builder/Contractor. He was married for many years and had two great daughters. His life was what most would consider the American Dream. All of his good fortune seems to change when he is severely injured on the job, when he loses his arm. After the accident, he realizes his life has drastically changed his personality, abilities, marriage, and career. Edgar feels compelled to move to Duma Key, FL and moves into "Big Pink", a cottage located on the water . "Big Pink" is where he realizes his insatiable appetite for his long lost ability to draw, paint, and sketch. After Edgar arrives he paints and walks everyday, almost compulsively. He pushes his body to the limits to heal by taking long walks each day. He continues to make new goals each day. The goal then becomes to reach a gentleman who sits on the beach with an ice cold drink waiting for him daily. I am currently around page 423 where the plot is now beginning to be revealed.

Link to an article of an interview with Stephen King about Duma Key: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1934180_1934196_1935977,00.html

Link to Wiki Duma Key:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duma_Key

Link to video interview with Stephen King on The Today Show about Duma Key:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22769944/

Under The Dome trivia.  According to SKMB (Stephen King Message Board) Stephen King got the name for Jim Rennie from (Reny's Department Store, Newcastle, Maine) http://www.renys.com/ which according to Ms. Mod. was also the inspiration for Romeo Burpee, store owner of Burpee's Department Store, Chester's Mill, Maine. 

Big Jim Rennie's character cards from the Deluxe Edition or the Signed Collector's Editon looks very much like Dick Cheney.  Stephen King fashioned Big Jim Rennie after Dick Cheney.  While Andy Sanders, the First Selectman, looks and acts like George W. Bush.  Julia Shumway resembles Sarah Palin.