Shared universes in literature and movies are an awesome idea, and when all creators involved are passionate about their individual projects as well as the larger universe itself, amazing things can be accomplished. Just look at what Marvel and Disney have done with their cinematic universe.

Silver Empire – a small independent publisher from husband and wife team Russell Newquist and Morgon Newquist – has set out to create such a world. Russell and Morgon have launched a Kickstarter for “Heroes Unleashed” Phase 1, the first set of novels taking place in a shared superhero world. The campaign has almost doubled its goal, now sitting at close to $2K. But there’s still 11 days to support Silver Empire’s endeavor!

I was able to have a chat with some of the creators and minds behind “Heroes Unleashed,” which you can check out below!

Thursday night I attended the premiere for a new punk rock horror film The Ranger at the IFC Center in New York City. Combining the cultural aesthetic and vibe of Dan O’Bannon’s Return of the Living Dead with the menacing expanse of Wolf Creek, The Ranger is a kickass slasher flick with a pulsing punk soundtrack that introduces a truly memorable new horror villain. All weekend long, director and co-writer Jenn Wexler along with members of the cast and crew, participated in Q&As after the screenings. Wexler, a first-time director, has worked as a producer for Larry Fessenden’s Glass Eye Pix, which focuses on New York-based independent film, many in the horror genre. I got a chance to speak with Wexler about her film, her influences, and her career.

I reluctantly put down my copy of One of Us by Craig Dilouie when I was finished. I just didn’t want that book to end. The story of “monster” children rejected by their families and society broke my heart and had me craving revolution. Ugh, it was so good. The icing on the novel cake was getting to interview the twisted mind that created Dog, Brain, and Goof… Mr. Craig DiLouie.

Check out my interview with the author here below.

I had the pleasure to chat with In Shadows We Fall author Devin Madson about her writing process and the world she’s created for the August edition of the Indie Author Spotlight.

Check out the interview below!

King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen is a fantastic new documentary written and directed by Steve Mitchell that covers the life and career of maverick filmmaker Larry Cohen and it opened in NYC this week. Larry Cohen began his career writing TV noir and westerns in the late 1950s and early 1960s before building up a filmography in the 1970s, writing, directing, and producing such genre classics as Black Caesar (1973), It’s Alive (1974), Q: The Winged Serpent (1982), and The Stuff (1985). While Cohen hasn’t directed a feature film since 1996, he has written some popular genre films such as Phone Booth (2002) and Cellular (2004). His IMDb page features over 80 writing credits with over 20 in the director’s chair. I recently got to speak with Mr. Mitchell, who co-wrote the 1980s horror film Chopping Mall, about his new documentary, his goals for the project, and his relationship with the film’s subject.