Me and Ken Foree
Last month, Mary and I were the victims of the annual NECON Roast, in which a number of our friends and peers such as F. Paul Wilson, Christopher Golden, John Skipp, Rio Youers, James A. Moore and many others beat the living shit out of us for an hour. You can read all about it here.
Apparently, that wasn’t good enough. I’d been told by Horrorfind’s Mike and Karen Roden that I was to receive a special literary award at this weekend’s convention to honor my 13 years of service to the convention. I prepared by writing a heartfelt speech about the Roden clan and all the authors and fans who have attended Horrorfind, and what they all meant to me.
Me and Tim Lebbon
It was wonderful and would have left a lump in many throats. Unfortunately, I never go to use it, because I got ambushed. When Mary and I arrived at the ceremony Saturday night, I learned that instead of receiving an award, I was getting roasted again, this time by friends and peers who were unable to make NECON. These thugs included Jeff Heimbuch, Joe and Kasey Lansdale, Kelli Owen, Tim Lebbon, J. F. Gonzalez, Andrew Van Den Houten, Meteornotes, and many others. It is worth noting that John Skipp participated in BOTH roasts. Video of his Horrorfind contribution can be found below.
Kelli Owen, J.F. Gonzalez, Mary SanGiovanni
It is also worth noting that Ken Foree, star of everything from Dawn of the Dead to The Devil’s Rejects, was supposed to participate but got waylaid with other convention obligations, and roasted me the next morning to the delight of the folks in line at our tables.
Mark 'Dezm' Sylva, Mary, Me
It’s always great to see friends, both old and new, but the best part of the con is seeing all of you, the folks who read my books. Thanks so much for the kind words, enthusiastic questions, and support (as well as cigars, whiskey, cartoons, cookies, brownies, books, and other gifts). I never get enough time to spend with any of you as much as I’d like, but I hope that in the few moments you have at the table, that I made it as enjoyable for you as you do for me.
In other news, the GHOUL movie now has an official Twitter page to go with its official Facebook page. The CASTAWAYS movie also has an official Twitter page and an official Facebook page. CASTAWAYS will be back in print in just a few short weeks. GHOUL will be back in print (and also available in audio) next month.
And now… John Skipp
Skipp didn’t actually roast you at necon… Golden used him as a prop for a joke…
Just saying. It was a great a time and fun seeing you and everyone else.
Which is why I said: “It is worth noting that John Skipp participated in BOTH roasts.” Key word participated.
I’m glad Ken got to get some jabs in on you!
We roast because we love you.
Seriously, I hope you enjoyed it. It took awhile to pull it together, and I’m glad it went over well!
I’ll have a DVD of it out to you in the next week or so. I’ll even throw it online for others if you want. Entirely up to you.
Thanks to everyone who particapted!
And Brian…thank you for being a good friend AND a good sport. Love ya, brother!
Jeff: You did a good job putting it all together, and I was honored. As far as a DVD goes, better to keep it offline. Some parts are probably better left for those who managed to attend.
The only reason I showed up. AND IT WAS WORTH IT!
Any truth to the rumor that you got a call from everyone’s favorite basement troll, Mr. P@cione, as part of the roast?
you have no idea how sad i am to have missed this.
Dave: Through the magic of splicing together sound bites!
I had a feeling. Would have loved to hear it. Congrats on the roasts and all the great things that are happening for you.
Swell con, awesome roast.. Some stories from this weekend just bear repeating. Again and again. Within the same hour. Friday night. Hung with some great, f’ing authors, who are great, f’ing people: Lebbon, Moore, Golden, Owen and others. Plus Dezm, Wolfie, Kurt and the Rabbit family. Good times were had by all.
JEFF: That was funnier than the entire roast. “I was just telling Tim Lebbon this a little while ago.” “No, Jeff. You were telling me.” “No, Brian. It was Lebbon…”
It’s scary how amazingly alike you two look. It’s one thing to see pictures. It’s another altogether to get you two next to each other.