751 Wed June 16 2010 - 13:14:49 Fullname: Lucas Email: L.Mangum.Fiction@gmail.com Comments: So upon trying to find a horror author to fill the Stephen King void, after I've read all of his stuff, I picked up The Lost on a whim. I am eternally grateful that I did. It was one of the most intense, shocking, and yet, literary, novels I have read in a long time. I took it as more than just entertainment. It actually has something to say. 752 Tue June 15 2010 - 20:06:33 Fullname: Ketchum Email: Comments: A novel I'd like to recommend VERY highly -- CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell. Here's a review. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/10/10/RVG1H91HJT1.DTL I guarantee you're read nothing quite like it. Best to all, D. 753 Sun June 13 2010 - 17:19:31 Fullname: Ketchum Email: Comments: SIMON -- No offense taken. Mass-market publishers tend to "punish" writers like me who write short genre novels -- if I were Gabriel Garcia Marquez that would be another story -- by always wanting to bulk them out so they can please their distributors by putting a certain price-tag on the book. I've actually been asked to "pad" some of my books. I refuse. But I'm cranky. I believe that each story has its own trajectory and establishes its own length. I'm my case that's usually short. I even had to add a long short story to THE WOMAN. I hate that tail-wagging-the-dog nonsense. So since THE LOST I've gone in a completely contrary direction, writing what I like to write, mostly novellas -- THE CROSSINGS, CLOSING TIME,OLD FLAMES, WEED SPECIES, SHEEP MEADOW STORY, THE PASSENGER. And the occasional filmscript. Screw 'em, I say. I didn't get into this to please a bunch of number-crunchers. GAIL -- glad you're having a good time with my stuff and DAWNH? CANNIBAL? if I were capable of blushing I might blush. Thanks. BOBZ -- Fowles' THE COLLECTOR was a devastating book for me. Thanks for the comparison, and if some of you out there haven't read it, pounce! Best, D. 754 Sun June 13 2010 - 07:35:42 Fullname: Bob Z Email: Comments: So I just finishing reading Off Season, and I feel like my ass was just kicked by a book. I wanted to thank you for it Jack. I love that it doesn't all go down as expected, where people don't always get what they 'deserve' whether it's positive or negative. The last thing I read with such a similar viewpoint was John Fowles' The Collector. Very different but equally disturbing. I look forward to getting to The Girl Next Door when I recover from this one! 755 Thu June 10 2010 - 07:22:11 Fullname: cannibal Email: Comments: DawnH - I know what you mean, every time I read THE LOST, I am about to burst into tears, I feel this overwhelming sadness. Terrific novel. Paraphrasing King's words: "Ketchum is, quite simply, THE BEST in the business". 756 Thu June 10 2010 - 01:53:27 Fullname: DawnH Email: dawnhorner@yahoo.com Comments: I am a voracious reader. I've been known to read a book a day even when working. I have read all of your books that have been mass published. I simply can't afford to purchase the limited edition books right now. Having read all of Saul's, King's, Laymon's and Koontz's works I have to say your my all time favorite author! I first read you book "The Girl Next Door" and actually cried when reading. Its hard for a book to effect me that way. It was deeply disturbing! Keep writing, there are so few GREAT authors out there and I have throughly enjoyed all of your I've read! 757 Wed June 09 2010 - 20:27:20 Fullname: Gail Email: Comments: hello Mr Ketchum i purchased joyride form amazon before it was available, i have had it for a bit as i was fiinshing my edward lee, flesh gothic,it was billiant ! my hubby told me when i got it that i had to finish the one i was reading before i couls start yours ! this of course is brilliant work yet again from you. in reading your novels and this board i have brooded my horizions of reading, you and your readers have introduced me to all kinds of writers that are worthy of being in the same " rank " as you ! i always keep all my books of yours and i dont lend them out.its just well.... personal ! love ya jack G 758 Tue June 08 2010 - 23:05:08 Fullname: Steve Y Email: Comments: The Woman is due Aug. 30 according to Horror Mall. Paperback is probably next spring or summer, I think. As for the full length novels, I have noticed his books are short in length but long on quality. He packs a lot punch in a short time. I thought The Lost was too long actually, and for his style I would say 250 to 300 pages is sufficient. Lean and mean! Novella length is fine too. Right to Life still haunts me a decade later, and that was about 150 pages. I don't think he's lacking story ideas. Later. 759 Tue June 08 2010 - 11:46:38 Fullname: cannibal Email: Comments: Come on, THE WOMAN is ready. 760 Tue June 08 2010 - 05:12:52 Fullname: Simon Email: Comments: It's taken me a while to realize, but it seems that Mr Ketchum hasn't written a full length novel since 2001's The Lost. A case of decade-long writer's block? No offense, Jack. I love your work. When's the new novel due? 761 Mon June 07 2010 - 19:04:46 Fullname: Ketchum Email: Comments: Hi, folks...ANOTHERFAN, HESS -- delighted to be finally published in Poland. Check my appearances page -- I'll be over there soon! KEVIN -- glad you're enjoying your joyride. LUCYGRACE -- thanks for the introduction. Absolutely always appreciated. Best, D 762 Mon June 07 2010 - 05:28:20 Fullname: lucygrace Email: lucygrace@bellsouth.net Comments: Recently got to introduce my sister to the joys of Ketchum via Joyride....another fan has joined the ranks. Keep doing what you do like no other :) 763 Wed June 02 2010 - 01:13:19 Fullname: kevin r gallan Email: gallan1@rogers.com Comments: i'm about 100 pages into joyride and loving it....have read alot of your books ...keep up the great writing 764 Mon May 31 2010 - 11:07:36 Fullname: hess Email: Comments: Yeah and THE LOST is coming out next in June! Good to see that JOYRIDE has been finally released by Leisure so it may be available in Poland soon. See you guys in Wroclaw! 765 Sun May 30 2010 - 14:10:29 Fullname: anotherfan Email: mazurmic@yahoo.pl Comments: In Poland, we just received the newly released translated editions of Off Season and The Girl Next Door. I just wanted to say that i bought them both, and i can`t wait for the release of the rest of your fiction. Man, your stories are just terryfying :D. I`m a huge horror fan, i watch movies, and have read most of the authors that matter in the genre. But your novels just shocked me. Keep up the good work sir. (Off Season is brilliant) 766 Sat May 29 2010 - 16:25:25 Fullname: Ketchum Email: Comments: Happy Almost Memorial Day -- ACCITUS -- did writing THE GIRL NEXT DOOR bother me? Absolutely. If it didn't bother me it probably wouldn't have bothered you. But I thought it was a story that deserved to be told, and I thought I knew how to write it. BLAIR -- glad you liked PEACEABLE. I know what you mean about CLOSING TIME. It was the first thing I wrote after 9/11. I thought I was writing about terrorism at the time but realized when it was finished I was really writing about loss...DIRK -- no, HEADER is not a date movie -- unless your date happens to be Vampirella. I haven't seen CENTIPEDE but what I've heard isn't particularly great. Still, you never know. Just finished a good book -- David A Szulkin's WES CRAVEN'S LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT: THE MAKING OF A CULT CLASSIC. Very through and well-researched but never dull, and a great way to learn about the guerrilla movie-making of that era. It's from Fab Press. Have a good weekend, everybody. Best, D 767 Thu May 27 2010 - 12:41:02 Fullname: Dirk Email: Comments: If you are hoping to score with your wife later in the evening do not have her watch 'Header' with you before hand, it will totally ruin the mood! WOW, this was a train wreck that you couldn't look away from. You and Lee are great in the cameos and the reference to the feuding Ketchums and Lees, was cool also. Hope everyone has a good holiday weekend, Dirk 768 Tue May 25 2010 - 21:08:50 Fullname: Dirk Email: Comments: Dallas! Long time no write! Thanks for putting some good reads on here, I have yet had time to read them, but that will soon change, I am on the short stretch with school should be done this fall! My wife did go ahead and read 'The Wasp Factory', she said I will like it, but the author is twisted. Just received 'Header' from Netflix hope to watch this weekend. Have you seen the promos for 'The Human Centipede'? Holy S**t! I have it saved, not sure when it is due out, very disturbing. I'll keep watching your site, but give me a shout when you will be out Wyoming way, take care. Dirk 769 Tue May 25 2010 - 05:36:47 Fullname: Blair Email: Comments: The editor certainly did a fine job, Jack - though I'd also have to throw a decent bouquet at the author :) I'm loving it; such a treat to read something that reels you in so completely. Read Closing Time this morning. God, so touching but so bleak. You should be proud of it - it's a brilliant collection. 770 Mon May 24 2010 - 06:00:06 Fullname: Accitus Email: accitus@gmail.com Comments: First off, let me start by saying that i am the farthest thing from being a big holy roly christian.. i am not a perfect person.. ok after stating that i am a sadistic person, let me explain this.. what in the hell inspired you to write THE GIRL NEXT DOOR.. that was VERY wrong of the entire situation.. then, i found out that it was based on a true story.. WTF!!! People like that should be brutally murdered.. how could people do that to KIDS.. How could you actually write it.. I'm not here to be a heckler.. I'm really curious.. I mean HOW.. Did it bother you at all to write this book?? Anyway i would love to get an email reply from you explaining if you have time.. For Corporal Punishment.. Later 771 Sun May 23 2010 - 15:38:09 Fullname: Ketchum Email: Comments: Hi, all...ALYSON -- thanks very much. Peter Straub once paid me the high compliment of saying that he thought people came to my stuff for the wrong reasons and stayed for the right ones. As to the drama, it's best left to the dramatists. See you at NECON...JOHSH -- thanks for plugging THE JOYRIDE/ WEED SPECIES, edition, which is indeed on the stands as we speak. BLAIR -- glad you liked LADIES' NIGHT and hope you're still enjoying PEACEABLE KINGDOM. Like that collection. I think the editor did a fine job. ELLEN -- books and the occasional movie, that's right -- that's what this forum's about. Just finished a good one by the way, T.C. Boyle's RIVEN ROCK. Unfortunately Penquin have chosen a very small typeface, which is a pain in the ass and which I bet Boyle's not happy about, but it's well worth the occasional squint. Best to all, D. 772 Sun May 23 2010 - 15:00:34 Fullname: Alyson Email: Comments: In only three days I missed an entire drama? Darn, I'll have to check in here more often. 773 Fri May 21 2010 - 19:44:24 Fullname: Ellen again Email: Comments: Whew! I am glad all those comments are gone! For whatever reason. I saw the reponse to my post yesterday and was not going to write back. Partly, because I was a little insulted because everything I wrote was the truth, and partly because there was no point. So I will just say that I do check this site ever since I came across it around 6 months ago for good book recommendations. I have checked it from my blackberry, my home desktop, my work computer which I am on now and which changes often as I am an assistant in a publishing house who does various jobs on different floors. I use different desktops and laptops all the time which i assume have different IPs. I work in the Union Square-Chelsea area which is far less than a five mile radius from the midtown area. I am about one mile from midtown perhaps. A five mile radius in NYC could be from Wall St to way past Central Park. Or even Brooklyn! You have a very vague tracker if that is what it says. I would venture to guess most or many posts in the NYC area come up as within a five mile radius or each other. You will drive yourselves bananas if you go by that info to try and label IP addresses. I have a very good tracker in my website. I do pay a monthly fee for it though and I admit it is not perfect. It will not track online phones sometimes and displays info that I know cant be correct at times. None of them are infallible. This is the second time I have posted on this board,first time was yesterday from work which is where I am now, but I assure you I check in almost weekly from work, home, my phone and other places when I want to find books to read or get a review. I check many other sites as well. I do not blame you for being suspicious though after reading all the crazy posts on here. That is also why I did not bothering answering you all back. Let me say again, that I am glad they are gone and I will definitely check back again soon for info about fiction and non fiction that is sometimes discussed. I enjoy the fact that it is not all horror books that are discussed here at times. I am always on the lookout for a good read! Have a nice rest of the day all. 774 Thu May 20 2010 - 09:24:47 Fullname: Blair Email: Comments: Hi Jack, just wanted to pass on my appreciation; crisp copies of Ladies' Night and Peaceable Kingdom arrived on my doorstep last week and have since been devoured (well, not all of Peaceable Kingdom yet - guess that's the pick-it-up-put-it-down beauty of the short story collection). You're a godsend - good horror is so, so hard to find. Keep up the good work! Cheers, Blair 775 Thu May 20 2010 - 02:52:38 Fullname: Josh J. Email: Comments: Just a friendly reminder: Leisure is releasing JOYRIDE with WEED SPECIES on May 25th (it’s actually in stock at Amazon.com right now). I promise you it’s far more gripping than anything written by any detractor(s) on a message board. And you don’t have to be Stephen King to dig it, although for the record, he praises Mr. Ketchum’s work on this book, as he has in the past. Peace and love…. << 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 >>
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