I want this to be a platform for EVERYONE within the horror community; authors, publishers, bloggers, reviewers, actors, directors, artists. I could go on, if you work in the genre then you are more than welcome to apply for the job.
The rules are quite simple…
You are invited to imagine yourselves as warden for an old graveyard, and choose eight books, preferably horror/dark genre, to take with you to cover your shift; here you can discuss why you chose the books.
As well as the books, wardens are allowed one song/album to listen to. Again, an explanation for this choice is required.
You must also discuss one luxury item you can bring, which must be inanimate and not allow communication.
If you’d like to take part in The Graveyard Shift then please submit an application to gavin@kendallreviews.com
A new shift is about to begin and things are going to be a little different. There will be four authors working the shift, Marie O’Regan, George Mann, Laura Mauro and SJI Holliday.
To celebrate Absinthe Books, a new novella imprint via PS Publishing, all four will work this weeks #GraveyardShift. The fourth author we are going to meet is…
SJI Holliday
Sophie is bored with her perfectly nice but deathly dull boyfriend Matthew. Sensing he’s about to lose her, Matthew takes her on a last-ditch attempt trip to the seaside, hoping to rekindle their dying flames.
But things take a dark turn when Sophie visits Mr Sandman, a Haitian priest, who claims that he can change Matthew into the boyfriend that she wants.
But does Sophie really know what she wants? Never has the phrase “be careful what you wish for” been more apt.
Because Matthew does change…just not in the way that anyone could’ve predicted.
You can buy Mr. Sandman directly from PS Publishing HERE
Books
The Apparition Phase by Will Maclean
Right up to date, as this book has only recently been released – and I have been banging on about it to anyone who’ll listen. It’s got a brilliant premise – twins Tim and Abi are obsessed with the macabre, and decide to trick a school friend by pretending there’s a ghost in their attic. Only, when they set up the prank, they unwittingly invoke something deeply unpleasant that sets off a horrifying chain of events. Set in the ’80s, this book is chock-full of nostalgia as well as following the classic ghost story trajectory. I found it to be an excellent exploration of sibling bonds, of tragedy and grief – but also just really clever and really bloody scary. I finished it late at night and woke up a few hours later, screaming. I recently saw that the author has hidden a short story in his Goldsboro signed and numbered editions, urging people to share the one word they’ve found in their edition so that the story can be completed online. Thing is, I’m not sure I even want to read that story. I’m already terrified at the prospect of what it might do.
The Book of Horror by Matt Glasby
Another newly released book, but this one’s not fiction. This is an expertly curated examination of the scariest movies ever made, and how they work. The book examines each movie via their use of seven ‘scare tactics’: Dead space, the subliminal, the unexpected, the grotesque, dread, the uncanny and the unstoppable. Starting with Psycho (1960) and ending with It Chapter Two (2019), this is a fascinating analysis of what scares us and why. It’s beautifully illustrated too, by Barney Bodoano. This gorgeous hardback is a must-have for any horror fan’s reference collection.
Heart-shaped Box by Joe Hill
A book that I read a few years ago, but has stuck with me due to the sheer brilliance of the premise. Just like my first choice, The Apparition Phase, this story is given a very human element due to the incredibly bad choices made by one of the characters. In this case, Jude, an occult paraphernalia collector, who decides to order a ghost online. I mean… that’s just asking for trouble, isn’t it? Extra points for the perfect borrowed-from-Nirvana title.
Slither by John Halkin
Never judge a book by its cover, as the saying goes. Well… this little beauty was in a box of similarly hideous books that my mum kept hidden away from me when I was a kid. I found them when I was 11. Explains a lot. Full disclosure, I don’t think I have even read it – but it has been fully lodged in my brain since that fateful discovery in 1985.
Hunted by Gabriel Bergmoser
Another new book, out this year – and different in style/tone to my other choices. This is a terrifying slice of Outback Noir, which morphs very quickly from a ‘home invasion’ style horror, with a bunch of unsavouries descending on poor Frank’s garage (and home) into something altogether different, when it becomes clear what one of the characters is running from. This is a tense, pacy thriller that has to be read, for the most part, from behind your barely parted fingers.
Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt
Someone recommended this to me when it came out a few years ago, and I absolutely devoured it. A small town with a big secret – they are trapped via high-tech quarantine to save them from the Black Rock Witch, who has cursed the town and who likes to terrorise the locals, who, in turn, must do all they can to keep her existence a secret or they are all doomed. Cue the local teenagers trying to get rid of the witch so that they can escape their fate… cue absolute disaster. There’s dark humour in parts, but mostly, this is an extremely disturbing and terrifying folk horror tale that’s a must in any supernatural fiction fan’s arsenal.
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
I’ve read this, I’ve seen the play and I’ve watched the Daniel Radcliffe film. I have not, unfortunately, seen the recently re-released 1989 TV movie – firstly, because it’s on Blu Ray and I don’t have a Blu Ray player, and secondly, because I didn’t buy the disc because I had nothing to play it on. Ha! However, the three versions I have experienced have been three of the most terrifying experiences of my life. The book, especially, is written with such a tone of constantly unfurling dread that it actually made me feel quite ill. An absolute horror classic.
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
I can’t possibly work a graveyard shift without bringing this book along. Another one with an incredible premise (from the master of brilliant premises, of course). I mean, who wouldn’t want to bring their loved ones back to life by leaving them in an ancient Indian burial ground. This book terrified me as a teen, and the (original) film is pretty damn good too. Although the animatronics haven’t quite stood the test of time, with poor little Gabe looking a lot like he came from the same mould as Chucky. The Ramones title track, however, is an absolute banger.
Music
Talking of bangers, I’m going to choose the soundtrack to the movie The Crow. It’s the most perfectly dark, atmospheric choice for this shift. I loved this movie when it came out. It was a young goth’s dream. A tragic love story mixed with bloody revenge, and the grunge/rock/post-punk music is cracking, from the opening track ‘Burn’ by The Cure, to the final haunting track, Jane Silberry’s ‘It Can’t Rain All the Time’. Poor Eric. And poor Brandon, too. Sob.
Luxury
As I’m hanging out in a graveyard, it would make sense to bring a torch. But on the other hand, as a horror fan who is terrified of ghosts, I’m not sure that I really want to see what’s lurking behind those gravestones… so I’ll bring a flask of tea instead, milk and sugar added. It’s bloody cold out here and it’s not like I’m getting any sleep!
Mr. Sandman
Sophie is bored with her perfectly nice but deathly dull boyfriend Matthew. Sensing he’s about to lose her, Matthew takes her on a last-ditch attempt trip to the seaside, hoping to rekindle their dying flames.
But things take a dark turn when Sophie visits Mr Sandman, a Haitian priest, who claims that he can change Matthew into the boyfriend that she wants.
But does Sophie really know what she wants? Never has the phrase “be careful what you wish for” been more apt.
Because Matthew does change…just not in the way that anyone could’ve predicted.
You can buy Mr. Sandman directly from PS Publishing HERE
SJI Holliday
SJI (aka Susi) Holliday is a lifelong fan of all things dark and creepy, elements of which, she has woven into her numerous short stories, seven novels and her brand new novella. In daylight hours, she still works in pharmaceuticals, where she has to pretend to be a well-adjusted professional. You can find out more at her website www.sjiholliday.com, or to chat on social media or buy her books, you can go here: Linktree: susiholliday
Twitter: @SJIHolliday
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