“Horror isn’t just a genre of stories but an outlook on life,” Matthew Warner writes in his foreword to Horror Isn’t a 4-Letter Word: Essays on Writing & Appreciating the Genre. In this collection of articles published between 2002 and 2007, the author of The Organ Donor, Death Sentences: Tales of Punishment & Revenge, and Eyes Everywhere challenges us to look beyond the stereotypes associated with a much-maligned type of fiction. Horror empowers us to cope with our fears by teaching us about them, he says, either overtly or through symbolism. It’s not just about blood and guts.
The book consists mostly of editorials written for the Horror World website, plus selected articles from venues such as Hellnotes Newsletter. Warner runs the gamut in subject matter—everything from ghost hunting, to gory holiday decorations, to effective writing techniques—in his meditations about horrific things, whether they be fictional or real.
Contents include some of his most controversial columns: “My Summer with a Book Doctor: An internship at Edit Ink, a Notorious Scam Operation,” “Message Versus Medium: The Agenda of Left Behind,” “Addictive Plotting as Taught by Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and “Obscenity v. The First Amendment: Why the Prosecution of X-rated Films Affects Books.”
What They're saying about Horror Isn't a 4-Letter Word:
"Witty, edgy, and on-the-mark, Matthew Warner shares an insider's view of the Wide World of Horror, from writing horror fiction to the misconceptions of outsiders to finding the 'fun in morbidity' right in one's own backyard"
— Elizabeth Massie, Bram Stoker winning author of Sineater, Homeplace, Wire Mesh Mothers
"From his humorous look at why an aspiring writer might not want to hone his craft on company time to more serious matters, like his internship at Edit Ink, Warner covers a variety of topics that will interest not only genre writers but also fans and those who may be curious about the inner workings of the publishing industry."
—Dark Scribe Magazine
"There are few published books that provide this kind of content and approach in the horror genre, so this book is a welcome addition. … Highly recommended for large public libraries."
— Monster Librarian
"No matter what the subject … Warner is quite the amiable host. I have no aspirations to write a horror novel, but I found myself reading the book cover to cover anyway."
— Bookgasm
"Warner's short but sweet ponderings are a real pleasure to read. … His love for the horror genre shines throughout the book, and I'm betting you'll finish this in one sitting."
— Horror Fiction Review
Praise
for Matthew Warner:
"Warner’s always gritty and truthful style hammered home a point in the reader. "
—
g-pop.net
"There's a new gun in
town. His name is Matthew Warner, and he's
taking on all challengers with writing that
crackles with tension, energy, and imagination."
—Thomas F.
Monteleone, author of The Blood of the Lamb
"Matt Warner is a talent
to watch, one of the new crop of hot young
writers who will one day rule the school."
—F. Paul Wilson,
author The Repairman Jack series
About the Cover
Artist
An active participant in the publishing community, Deena Warner has displayed her artwork at conventions in New York City and Phoenix. She has illustrated for Earthling Publications, Cemetery Dance Publications, Medium Rare Books, Mindscape Pictures, Undaunted Press, Lone Wolf Publications, and Diegesis magazine. She's been featured by such outlets as Cthulhu Sex Magazine and Horror Reader. She has also designed websites for the Jazz Museum in Harlem, Horror World, and authors such as Gary Braunbeck, Richard Dansky, and Tim Waggoner.
Deena co-owns Deena Warner Design LLC, whose clients include Simon & Schuster, the Perseus Books Group, and the Anne Frank Center USA. She lives in Staunton, Virginia, with her husband, Matthew Warner, and three loving felines.
|
