This isn’t breaking news, but it’s news to me:

IDW IS DOOMED IN OCTOBER

Appropriately in October, IDW debuts the first issue of its new bi-monthly black & white anthology title Doomed, and unless you have a very unusual outlook on life, you’re probably already figured out by now that it’s a horror anthology, adapting classic horror short stories and published works from established authors in newsprint format, all presided over and narrated by the magazine’s eyepatch-wearing Ms. Doom.

“Also, too often, new stories are informed by new sensibilities; we wanted stories that felt timeless and weren’t necessarily influenced by the same types of horror movies or stories that we’ve all grown up with.”

I’ve long been a fan of the old Warren stuff, sometimes reaching out to eBay when times got tough… this is a lovely idea. Can’t wait.

So, as of right about this second, the “butt in chair, butt on the couch” column is up to 2000 reads or something. That’s up from about 1400 earlier in the day.

Who linked to the column, and where? Anyone know?

Look, I know it’s cliche for us unconventionally spiritual lassies to have wolves on the brain. But I have wolves on the brain. Let’s just leave it at that.

As is my usual when I have something on the brain, away I go to my vast expanse of books (I can claim this nowadays; hooray) and reach for whatever’s appropriate. I ordered THE WEREWOLF BOOK some time ago, so that’s an easy call. No, it’s not the most sophisticated book on wolves. I wouldn’t even know what is. It is, however, goofy, and it’s meant to feed my head, so it’ll do.

So. It’s 24 hours later. I knew it was goofy. It clearly falls amid those “paranormal” books that line the New Age section of the bookstore. While everyone around here knows that I happily and unapologetically frequent the New Age section, it’s also no secret that I was raised by scientists and, as such, approach all New Age topics with a certain amount of reserve. I knew it was goofy, it was meant to feed my head, whatever.

I guess I didn’t know, well, just how goofy. Exhibit A, from the introduction:

This may be the most frightening book that you will ever read. As you explore the encyclopedic entries of werewolfism and shapeshifting down through the centuries, you may begin to feel your own psyche stirring with certain ancient memories. As you examine accounts of those who have succumbed to the stirrings of the ancient beast within, you may find yourself repelled by lives so twisted by evil. Remember to remain balanced and to emphasize within your own concept of self and soul that you are one with the strengths of community and family that you cherish the moral values that great spiritual masters have bequeathed to us both by their teachings and by their examples.

And then, we segue right into entries on Abbott and Costello and Hammer films. Clearly, this is the most frightening book I will ever read.

Upon my dramatic reading of the introduction, Leland was reminded of a similar warning in an old book of Harlan Ellison tales. “GO AT YOUR OWN RISK!” He was sincere, of that I have no doubt. But… come on, man.

(Disclaimer: I have nothing but respect for Harlan Ellison. Harlan Ellison is more prolific than I could ever hope to be, and he comes up with the best titles ever. Please don’t kill me.)

Incidentally, my favorite R.E.M. song is “Wolves, Lower”. I’ve probably mentioned that already.

Blog acting funny. Must test.

So, most of you know that I spend a lot of time scribbling in notebooks. I’m rarely without one. I ususally call it “noodling”, but Leland thinks “r & d” is a better term.

I think he’s right. The notebook is a testing ground of sorts — a place where I try things on and see if they fit. (Oh, okay, there’s some self-indulget whining in there too — have I ever mentioned that my voice comes from years of journaling?)

It occured to me that it might be fun to post an outtake or two once in a while. I say “might” because, well, you’ll notice that I’m posting about the possibility of such a thing instead of, say, a thing. So, I guess the jury’s still out.

I’ve made a category called “r & d” in the meantime. And yes, discretion will be the order of things. I try to keep self-indulgent whining to a minimum around here.

And now for something completely unrelated: I need to register us for World Fantasy. We will be going this year. Terri Windling, high priestess of Endicott Studio, is the guest of honor. And we’ll get to meet Midori. And loads of other fine folk, I presume.

Leland’s birthday is on Sunday.

Totally forgot to mention yesterday that there’s a new installment of THE CRAFT at Scryptic. Boo.

Anyway, this time around, I talk a bit about the importance of using your chosen medium to its full potential:

Have you ever read a comic book and wondered why the creator(s) bothered to write it as a comic?

If you’re not going to use any comics-specific motifs or constructs, why write your story as a comic?

More here. Archives here.

SPX and Llewellyn deadlines loom, so I’m taking a cycle off from the column. Next one will go live on Sept. 6.

Can you guys believe that I’ve been writing these for four months now? Me neither…

A little out of this blog’s element, but my best friend has put me on to this: a remake of Robert Penn Warren’s ALL THE KING’S MEN, with Sean Penn in the lead.

Wow — that’s got so much promise, I’m shivering!

KnitPicks introduces their fall lineup.

Hubba, hubba.

J. M. DeMatteis is one of my guys, man, lemme tell you. Love, love, love me some DeMatteis comics work, oh ho ho. So I have to point you all in the direction of this interview on Scryptic.

ABADAZAD will be getting its due, thank goodness.