Issue 6 Review & Discussion Thread

[sikobabel]

Wow, it's quiet around here. Are you all reading or something? Let's talk about issue 6 already! It took me awhile but I've finished all the fiction in issue 6. I'll mark spoilers as needed.

Overall, this is my favorite IR yet. As I'd mentioned in another thread, there's a shift in tone here, and I like it. A lot. The stories in this issue are a lot less bloody and gorey than in the past, but share common trait in spades: a solid sense of atmosphere.

Don't look for zombies in this issue. You won't find them. The horror here comes in more plausible forms. Stories like Sensation don't occur in some other dimension, they're happening here and now. Some stories step outside of this and spin into oddities, but do so in the same manner as the best episodes of the Twilight Zone, building tension with a slow burn.

This isn't to say that you won't find traditional horror here. In fact, one of my favorites in this issue is The Church Grim, a very traditional style story, but - to steal a term explained to great effect in the story - it's loaded with mojo. Again, it's the atmosphere that stands out, where the things you can't see, and the things you're not even sure are there, that get your hairs standing up.

I saved the first story for last, The Last Great Love of Cary Grant, and I was glad I did. It represents the issue well. Moody and psychological with a dash of mysticism that serves the story without superceding it. Well balanced and a great read.

I'm no art critic, but I liked what I saw. I liked how the images fit the story without giving anything away as to what would be happening. As for the rest, I'm not about to try critiquing interviews or reviews, and I haven't gotten to read them yet anyway. I'll read these while waiting for the next issue.

Great work from everyone involved. You guys should be proud.

[TheChedMan]

Thank you for the kind words. We are very proud of this issue. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for sticking with us.

[Shyza]

Thanks, Jase.

[franfriel]

Issue 6 looks great and it's chock full of horrible goodness!

Get it...read it. You'll love it!

Best,
Fran

[Richard]

Thanks, Fan. Hell I haven't even had a channce to read most of it yet with all the other books I have on my plate to reveiw right now. The only story I have read so far was Out Of The Craddle, by J.F. Gonzalez, which was a beautfuly spooky as hell peice. Oh, and I may have peeked at one or three of my own interveiws because I'm such a vain bastard.

[franfriel]

I'd love to do an interview with you someday, Rick. You've done some marvelous ones. I'm looking forward to your interview with Bob Freeman. I just started reading SHADOWS...Bob's a hell of a storyteller. I don't want to put the damn thing down.

Hugs from America,
Fran

[Scarlet]

I was finally able to get my hands on an IR at Horrorfind, thanks to sommersville. I'm about half way into it. I loved JR's piece. It was nice to read a tidbit from him after getting to hear him read with Brian Keene last weekend.

There was one story, however, that I was very disappointed with. I'm not going to go into specifics (unless asked, that is), but I felt it just wasn't good enough. I dunno, I'm no editor; it's only my humble opinion.

I'm looking forward to getting into Rick's Keene interview. I don't see how those 2 could go wrong.

[garrycharles]

I got mine at Horrorfind too. I've read half and will do a review asap.
Once again, thanks to all at the IR table. I owe you!!!

[Scarlet]

Hey Richard, I thoroughly enjoyed your interview with Keene. I now have my question all ready for him if I ever attend another reading, "So what did happen with the prostitute and the trout?"

P.S. I'm sure you all realized by now that I meant to say J.F. earlier. My brain is always about 3 steps ahead of my fingers.

[Richard]

"I'd love to do an interview with you someday, Rick. You've done some marvelous ones. I'm looking forward to your interview with Bob Freeman. I just started reading SHADOWS...Bob's a hell of a storyteller. I don't want to put the damn thing down."

Sorry, Fran, totally missed this earlier. I'm flattered that you'd want me to pick your sweet 'lil brain. Remind me again in about a month after I've gotten a few other things off my plate and we'll see what I can do?

Glad you dug the Freeman interview. Bob's a great guy a pleasure to work with., and as you know, a damn fine writer. We'll be kicking off a nice contest for him very soon as well...

[Richard]

"Hey Richard, I thoroughly enjoyed your interview with Keene. I now have my question all ready for him if I ever attend another reading, "So what did happen with the prostitute and the trout?""

Actually, I'd be curious to know how he responds to that. Not sure if he's scheduled, but with luck maybe we'll run into him in March, eh? Which reminds me, we should give a shout out and try to see who all in our circle is going to be there and maybe try to book at he same hotel. With enough notice maybe we could swing a group rate and save some extra dough for more important stuff, like saying buying books and drinks at the bar.

[Scarlet]

Now I really want to go! I'm thinking it's too much $ to join. Especially since my hubby would be coming, too (a huge Brian Keene and Garry Charles fan after meeting them).

We were thinking about going up to Toronto and making plans outside the convention. My hubby found out the Pens are playing the Leafs in Toronto that weekend, and we're thinking of going to that.

But who knows. I could be dead tomorrow.

[garrycharles]

I'll be at WHC. Hope to meet you all there.

Just read Jack Kinciad's story and it was superb. Made me chuckle after building some great suspence.