Alain Pilon is a French-Canadian illustrator and artist based in Montreal. I’ve been working with him for twenty-five years, but our first meeting was a social occasion on a freezing winter night in Montreal in 1999. Over a bag of chips and a bottle of wine, he gave a friend and me a tour of his studio before taking us to dinner. At the […]
Original source: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2023/09/09/le-boxeur-alain-pilon/
Arthur J. Gonzalez’s The Night the Stars Went Missing offers readers a captivating celestial journey through its pages. Winston, a young boy who looks to the stars as a link to his late grandmother, is taken aback when, one evening, the stars disappear. His ensuing journey to retrieve them introduces him to the moon’s wisdom and a shooting star. He soon discovers that the stars’ retreat stems from fears of mistreatment by Earth. With this revelation, Winston works to bring the stars back to their rightful sky.
This book blends astronomy with eco-awareness in a manner fitting for elementary school readers. The illustrations are vibrant and engaging, pulling readers into the tale. But it’s more than just pretty pictures; Gonzalez’s characters, each unique, elevate the story, making it even more captivating. Winston’s journey to mend the sky and address human errors is presented in a way that simplifies complex topics, fostering understanding and highlighting the importance of caring for our environment. The book’s pacing and vivid imagery create an immersive experience, especially for young readers, presenting global conservation topics without overwhelming them with dense text.
In The Night the Stars Went Missing, Gonzalez’s story pairs perfectly with captivating illustrations. This picture book entertains and encourages readers to consider their role in protecting our planet. Through this children’s book, readers don’t just consume a tale; they’re inspired to act as stewards of our world.
Pages: 33 | ASIN: B09CCRBFRX
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/09/the-night-the-stars-went-missing/
Twisted Tales from the Darkside – The Devil’s Playground is a collection of short stories that involve characters who have encounters with the devil or demons. Where did the idea for this collection come from?
I have always loved horror anthology TV shows, I had roughly six chapters of a novel written which had mixed ideas in it that did not make sense together, and I was having trouble with having enough material for a full novel at the time so I decided to pull two of the ideas out from those chapters and write short stories from them instead and add more into a published collection. All six of the stories in the collection followed the same theme, so that is why this one is subtitled.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
Horror and paranormal hold a place in my heart and mind and have since I was very young. What intrigues me about these genres is the way one can make the unknown familiar and then rip us out of our comfort zone and creep us out or scare us enough to resonate with the memories of horror and paranormal stories told well whether on paper or onscreen.
What were some books or movies that you think were your main sources of inspiration for this novel?
My inspiration for this collection came from the quirky horror anthologies on TV: Creepshow (Shudder series and movies of the 80s), Tales from the Darkside, Tales from the Crypt, Twilight Zone, and Outer Limits.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next collection?
Yes, this is the first book in a series of 3 that I have planned. The second book is scheduled to be completed and published in October 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon | Website
All six of the shorts in this collection installment involve characters who in some way, shape, or form brush elbows with the devil or demons.
Titles include:
Evil Rises
You Better Watch Out
The Devil’s Playground
In Evil Rises, the sole beneficiary of a funeral home uncovers a strange key in the office of his recently deceased father and learns a deadly lesson.
In You Better Watch Out, a spiteful twelve-year-old is kidnapped by a horrific Christmas Demon who puts Krampus to shame!
In The Devil’s Playground, a petty burglar happens upon an unlocked house in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen district and finds himself fighting for his life against a three-headed beast.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/09/horror-and-paranormal-stories/
Steve the Zombie follows a seasoned detective infected with the undead plague who is trying to find a cure before he loses what is left of his humanity. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Whenever I’ve read or watched a horror movie, I have always seen one perspective: the survivor’s perspective, their struggle, their will to survive. Then, once I watched a zombie horror movie where the unfortunate person who turned into a zombie had a past, a life, and a family, and was killed just because they turned into something they never wanted to be. This got me thinking: What happens if these people inside still retain some of their humanity? What if they can’t communicate it? In my opinion, good horror is when the main character is helpless, seemingly with no way out, so you have to root for the hero. And what could be more frightening than being surrounded by monsters, bound by something you can’t control, essentially helpless, and then the hero realizes they’ve become the monster too. This is how Steve the Zombie was developed – exploring what happens when someone realizes they’re no longer in control of their body, but still conscious, surrounded by monsters. As they roam with them, they become one of them. Deep within, while everyone wants to hunt them down, the hero tries to resist and survive. Getting into his perspective invokes the greatest fear, where horror isn’t just around the hero, but within the hero – the battlefield isn’t just the streets or the surroundings, but his own body as well.
Steve is not your typical zombie; rather, he holds on to his humanity and determination to save others. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
To draw the line between good and bad, between human and monster, I needed to keep Steve’s core ideals from his former detective self, to set him apart from the monster he ultimately becomes. While he is aware he is a zombie, he must hold strong to his humanity, to not become the true monster everyone fears and that he also despises and fears. One of the core ideals was to present that even if someone appears monstrous on the outside, they can still be a hero, a good person on the inside. In the book, as seen in a few scenes, those who appear human are often more monstrous and cruel than the hero zombie himself.
What intrigues you about the horror and paranormal genres that led you to write this book?
I have always been drawn to the paranormal, the unexplainable. I’m only afraid of a handful of things, but I love to experience fear, like many others. I strive to find ways to scare even myself, which is likely why I write horror – to create scenarios that would frighten me too. Interestingly, my love for horror might have been influenced by my mother watching Alien in a theater while pregnant with me. Needless to say, the Alien franchise is a favorite of mine, with the second installment, Aliens, being my favorite movie. The blend of horror and action in that film resonates deeply with me. One of my other favorite scary movies is Screamers, notable for its isolation, where the heroes also have to confront the unsettling realization that anyone can turn into a terrifying evil monster.
Regarding the paranormal, as a child, I received a book filled with unexplainable mysteries, and I’ve always been captivated by the idea that there are things no one can rationalize, like the Bermuda Triangle or UFOs. Then came The X-Files, which brought visuals to many similar stories I had read and imagined. Horror and the paranormal are two intertwined genres for me, both dealing with the unattainable and often unexplainable. I have a passion for mysteries and constantly seek ways to uncover the enigmatic.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book will be another monster story, but this time set in the Roman Empire. It follows a brave Praetorian Centurion tasked with discovering the true reason behind a madness that has befallen many emperors. The project’s working title is I, Praetorian, and I hope to have it completed this year.
Author Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Website
As his physical form drifts unchecked among the undead, his fragmented memories coalesce into a grim puzzle, providing vital clues about the onset of the apocalypse. Aware his time is limited, Steve’s mind strains relentlessly to decode the mystery of the epidemic that he failed to investigate and which has now seized his world.
Amid the unrelenting terror, he clings tenaciously to his dwindling humanity, driven by an insatiable need for answers and the faint glimmer of redemption before time runs out. His journey teeters on the precipice of danger; every breath he draws is borrowed, and each heartbeat could be his last, as survivors, determined to reclaim their city, pose a relentless threat.
Steve the Zombie invites you on a chilling, adrenaline-fueled journey into the heart of a dystopian nightmare. Witness a struggle where hope wrestles with despair, as a man trapped within his own body battles the living nightmare that’s consumed him to unearth the truth that eluded him in life. This haunting narrative exposes the stark reality behind the undead apocalypse, offering a perspective on horror that you’ve never experienced before.
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/09/resist-and-survive/
Imagine, at just 7 years old, grappling with the abrupt and traumatic loss of a parent. In Life After Death: Surviving Suicide, Richard Brockman provides heart-wrenching insight into a life-altering event he endured as a young boy: the suicide of his mother. Through the pages, readers journey alongside Richard, gaining an intimate view of his mother Ruth’s emotional turmoil and the aftermath her family had to navigate.
What makes this narrative compelling is Richard’s perspective as a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University. Not only does he offer a deeply personal recounting, but he weaves in a nuanced understanding of the neurological processes that underpin such profound experiences. This isn’t just a raw recounting; it’s a masterful blend of personal pain and professional expertise that sets it apart as a potentially influential academic resource.
Grief, healing, and the complexity of the human psyche are themes explored with depth and sensitivity. As Richard paints a vivid picture of his mother’s battles – from her mental health struggles to her intimate feelings of unworthiness – readers are reminded of the very real and often silenced dimensions of mental health.
Richard goes beyond a linear tale, circling back to his own birth, shedding light on the powerful bond between mother and child, and the ripple effects that pivotal events can have on such a relationship. This book isn’t just Richard’s story; it’s a testament to resilience, the complexities of the human mind, and the indomitable spirit of those affected by such tragedies.
This is a tribute to a boy’s journey to heal the wounds of his past. Richard Brockman’s courage to share these deeply personal moments, all while delivering an educational perspective, is commendable. If you’re seeking a touching and enlightening read, especially those in the mental health and medical sectors, Life After Death: Surviving Suicide is an essential addition to your reading list. Trust me, its impact will resonate long after the final page.
Pages: 408 | ISBN : 978-1680998054
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/09/life-after-death-surviving-suicide/
Understanding friendship is a crucial lesson for children as it aids in the development of their social skills. An exemplary illustration of this concept can be found in Oliver the Oyster and the Lost Lab, by Jared Auchter. The story opens with Oliver’s playful escapades on the seashore, where he encounters Mac, a Labrador retriever who has lost his way. Mac strayed from home earlier in the day while pursuing a rabbit and found himself disoriented. The story unfolds with Oliver and his companions deciding to assist Mac in locating his family by searching various locations in town. This endeavor leads them on an engaging and enlightening journey.
J.B. Auchter’s narrative masterfully blends entertainment with meaningful lessons for young readers. One particularly appealing aspect of the story is the diverse cast of characters. Oliver’s friends include Cathy the Crab, Miriah the Mermaid, and Clara the Clam. Their ingenuity in covertly exploring the town adds a little bit of intrigue to this children’s narrative. The scenarios they encounter are lighthearted, and their ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances with humor will appeal to young readers.
The story also delves into the lives of Mac’s owners and the townspeople, contributing depth to the storyline. Auchter expertly captures the essence of the settings and characters’ emotions through vivid descriptions. The interactions between Oliver and his friends exemplify values like unity and collaboration, serving as positive examples for young readers. Persistence in the pursuit of goals is a central theme, reinforced by the characters’ unwavering determination. The inclusion of colorful illustrations and actual photos of Wellfleet is a welcome addition, providing an alternative perspective to the narrative.
Oliver the Oyster and the Lost Lab stands as an ideal reading choice for children seeking both an enjoyable story and an exploration of the significance of friendship. J.B. Auchter’s narrative craftsmanship and the valuable life lessons embedded within the tale make it a worthwhile addition to any young reader’s collection.
Pages: 155 | ASIN : B0CG7PTSG9
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/09/oliver-the-oyster-and-the-lost-lab/