To devout Dark Shadows fans, the name Bob Issel is well known. For several decades, he has hosted countless gatherings of fans, actors from both the original soap and the 1991 remake, and creative individuals who have contributed to every aspect of the franchise. In 2021, he conceived a volume of essays by both Dark Shadows fans and cast/crew members titled Our Shadowed Past, and—because Bob is a very brave man—he engaged me to do all the production work on this 300-plus-page monster (the original print run sold out, but it is currently available for Kindle). The book included my essay, "Dreams of the Dark," which detailed the many dreams and nightmares that came true during the writing of the novel, Dark Shadows: Dreams of the Dark (HarperCollins, 2000), by Elizabeth Massie and me, back before the turn of the century.
A couple of years back, Bob produced a second volume—you guessed it—titled Our Shadowed Past II. I wasn't available at that time to do the production work, so Bob's friend and graphics guy Jeff Kenny undertook that project. I had an essay in that one as well, titled "The Shadows of the Towers," about my adventures (and misadventures) at the first Dark Shadows Festival I ever attented, back in 1999, at the late, lamented World Trade Center in New York City.
And now, yes, there will be a third Our Shadowed Past volume. Bob Issel designed the cover and Aleah Shockley provided the art, which you can see above. And once again,
because Bob is a brave and possibly foolish young man, he has engaged me to take
the ball and run with it. Yep, the book is currently in the works and slated for release in late fall 2025. It includes essays about the franchise, the settings, and the actors
(including interviews with original series stars Nancy Barrett,
Donna McKechnie, and Christopher Pennock, and 1991 series
star, Joanna Going). Plus, there's even some fan fiction.
If you'd like more information about the book or wish to place an advance
order, please contact Mr. Bob Issel at
bobubas59@gmail.com. Of course, I'll be posting updates and additional information closer to
release time.
