Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Again a Temporary Bachelor


With Brugger going to Michigan so regularly for parental maintenance visits (as well as her frequent artsy-craftsy weekends), I'm getting to play temporary bachelor more than I have, well, since I played full-time bachelor. I've always been self-sufficient, so I don't mind it so much, though I do miss her an awful lot when she's gone for extended spells (two weeks this time around). She had the usual pre-dawn flight this morning, which meant we had to get up at 3:00 a.m. so I could drive her to the airport in Greensboro. That right there is the hardest part for me — dragging my ass out of bed at such an hour and pretending to be functional.
 
On occasion, I've turned her early-morning departures into geocaching opportunities, and I could have done that this morning had I felt so inclined; however, most of the Greensboro caches are in places I didn't really want to deal with predawn (I'd probably end up with security officers or honest-to-god cops coming to check me out). I had a big-ass mug of coffee with me on the drive, but that was hopelessly insufficient, and I needed more. Plus, I was getting quite hungry, so  decided to head on back home and figure out something for breakfast. I settled for a couple of perfect boiled eggs (boiled for three minutes and twenty seconds), a piece of toast, and another half-pot of coffee. It was a nice, cool morning — the first in recent memory — so I enjoyed a predawn breakfast out on the back deck.
 
I run three to four miles every day, usually mid-morning, but today, I figured why wait? So, just as the sky began to brighten, I took to the road and hoofed it for a goodly distance. As a novelty, it was very nice being out there in relative isolation; for most of my run, no one else was out there on foot (I do occasionally see them before sun-up), and very few cars passed by. It's not something I'd do frequently, I can tell you, but I do enjoy such early-morning experiences on occasion. I surely wouldn't mind going out there when it's cooler than mid-morning (it was chillier outside than inside, for a change), but since I retired from the day job, I'm not quite the early-riser I used to be.
 
I took a few photos along the way, so here they are. My phone camera automatically adjusts the lighting, so the images are much brighter than the scenery appeared to my eyes at the time. It was a right booty-full sunrise.
Looking back toward Casa di Rodan
Ahead toward Lake Lanier
Mist rolling in over the lake
A booty-full sunrise on the way

Friday, September 4, 2026

Another Distant Early Warning: TRIANGLE TERROR CON

Saturday, September 26, I'll be at Triad Terror Con in Durham, NC, as a vendor, with plenty of my books to sell and sign to unwitting victims. This is a single-day, outdoor event. More info at this link:

TRIAD TERROR CON
Saturday, September 26, 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Millennium Hotel
2800 Campus Walk Ave.
Durham, NC 27705

Guests Include:
Nathan Baesel (Behind the Mask) • Ak & Laura (The Chainsaw Girls)Michael Hargrove (Candyman)Carl Craig (Gamera vs. Viras)Linda Miller (King Kong  Escapes)
 
I'll have copies of The House at Black Tooth PondDeathrealm: SpiritsFugue Devil: ResurgenceGods of MoabBlue Devil IslandThe Lebo CovenBalak, and more.
 
I'd love to see you!

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Distant Early Warning: KOLCHAK: ERAS Booksigning

So, this is happening...

KOLCHAK ERAS BOOK SIGNING
September 16, 4–6 p.m.
Dr. No's Comics & Games Superstore
3372 Canton Rd, Ste 104
Marietta, GA 30066


FEATURED AUTHORS/EDITORS:
Lev Butts • Old Dude
James AquiloneNancy A. CollinsBobby NashCliff BiggersCharles R Rutledge
 

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Autographed, Creepy-Ass Books at Chapter & Hearth Booksellers

Chapter & Hearth Booksellers, in nearby Collinsville, Virginia, has picked up autographed copies of several of my books, and they're doing a bang-up job promoting them, which I so appreciate. Currently, they have The House at Black Tooth Pond, Gods of Moab, Blue Devil Island, and The Lebo Coven. Chapter & Hearth is located at 3408 Virginia Avenue, Suite 2, Collinsville, VA 24078, (276) 352-5117, and open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. I love this shop!

It's cozy, comfortable, and has all the character of the best neighborhood bookstores from their heyday — not to mention a fine selection of books! If you love books, and you're anywhere in traveling distance, I strongly recommend that you stop in!

THE HOUSE AT BLACK TOOTH POND
Stephen Mark Rainey delivers a chilling Appalachian tale steeped in atmosphere and creeping dread. The House at Black Tooth Pond follows the unsettling mysteries surrounding an isolated home and the dark history embedded in the surrounding woods. Rainey’s signature slow‑burn tension and vivid sense of place make this one of his most haunting works. Our in‑store copies are signed by the author, making this eerie novel a perfect addition for collectors and horror fans alike.

THE GODS OF MOAB
In The Gods of Moab, Stephen Mark Rainey blends Appalachian dread with cosmic horror, pulling readers into a remote mountain community where ancient forces stir beneath the surface of everyday life. The novel builds a slow, unnerving tension as characters confront otherworldly menace and unsettling revelations that challenge their grip on reality. Rich with folklore, psychological unraveling, and that signature Rainey atmosphere, this is a gripping descent into mythic terror. Our signed copies make an exceptional addition for collectors and fans of dark, immersive storytelling.

BLUE DEVIL ISLAND

Set against the backdrop of WWII, Blue Devil Island blends military suspense with Lovecraftian terror as a squadron of soldiers encounters something far more sinister than enemy forces. Mark Rainey’s mastery of claustrophobic tension and otherworldly menace turns this remote island into a nightmare landscape. These signed editions offer readers a gripping mix of historical adventure and cosmic horror — a standout for anyone who loves dread that builds page by page.

THE LEBO COVEN

In The Lebo Coven, Mark Rainey taps into dark rural folklore and the shadowy traditions of a small Appalachian community. Witchcraft, ritualistic secrets, and ancestral darkness converge in a story that feels both timeless and deeply unsettling. The novel’s slow‑building supernatural tension makes it a perfect read for fans of occult horror. Our signed copies highlight Rainey’s local roots and give collectors a chance to own a piece of Martinsville’s horror legacy.

Thanks, Ed & Mitch at Chapter & Hearth, for all your support!