So, about a year ago, we went to see Judith Berman and Joe Hill read at KGB’s Fantastic Fiction series. 
We were psyched because we had just met Judith at World Fantasy, and I was psyched to see Joe, having stumbled upon some of his amazing short stories. I had ordered his collection and was chomping at the bit for it to show up.
Of course, he did a fantastic job. And the whole time, I’m sitting there thinking, “That guy… that guy sounds like he’s from Maine.” I almost went up and asked him, but I can kind of dork out from shyness in these moments. So I bought a copy of his book, because after hearing him read I decided that I didn’t want to wait any longer. And we left.
Today there was a copy of Publishers Weekly in our mailbox with Joe Hill on the cover. And I’m going, “YES! The dude is getting some props and snaps!” (These things really do go through my mind. I get so excited when the good peeps start getting attention. And Joe Hill is good. Oh, my.)
When I flip to the article, the first thing to catch my eye is a namecheck of my hometown newspaper, The Bangor Daily News. It would appear that Joe Hill grew up just a few minutes away from me. We’re also around the same age.
I knew it! Hometown dude!
Joe Hill’s first novel, HEART-SHAPED BOX, drops in February. You should buy it. Because he is frickin’ good. I would say, “here’s 20th CENTURY GHOSTS to tide you over” but it’s sold out. So here’s a review from Bookslut which pretty much explains why. Pay close attention to the last paragraph. Then pre-order his new book, for the love of God. We should have a readalong. Hrm…
Damnit, I love good writers. Maybe he’d do a FROM THE LIBRARY if I asked real nice. You guys know what all my questions would be about.
That’s right. Ghosts.
