Nightmare Fuel Backdraft, Issue 1

Nightmare Fuel Backdraft is a weekly look behind the curtain at my creative process, current projects, horror inspirations, and the strange things that fuel new stories.

This is the first issue of Backdraft. I am publishing this issue to all of my subscribers so you can see what kind of content I’ll be sharing in this supplement in the future. Future issues of Backdraft will be exclusive to paying subscribers. If you want to ensure that you receive this content, consider upgrading your subscription!

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The last several weeks, as you might know, have been very busy for me. I’ve done three conventions (and one store signing) in a row, driving to each of them (6.5 hours to one, 14 to the other). It’s taken up a ton of time, and I’ve had a rough time getting back into the swing of things.

When I’m having trouble getting into the swing of existing projects, I sometimes focus on new ideas.

This, then, is the result of that.

Welcome to the Nightmare Fuel Backdraft. I’ve had this in mind for a few months now. A companion piece to my main newsletter, this one offering some different thoughts and insights and content. I’m approaching it a little differently than I originally had in mind, and it will likely evolve over time.

I hope you dig this!

Four (Plus) Bloody Awful Horrors

1. Hellraiser: Revival, the upcoming survival horror video game from Saber Interactive, has an official release date of October 8, 2026. I’ve had my copy pre-ordered for a long while, and I’ve refused to watch the trailer. If you want to check it out, though, here it is:

. There is a lot of other footage being released, but I’m avoiding that, too. I’m very excited for this game.

2. While at Heroes Con, I picked up a near complete run on the old Monster Times newspapers. These papers came out in the 70s, and they were full of monstrous news and photos and fold-out posters. Pulling a random issue out of the stack, I have a bright yellow cover featuring the fearsome Ymir from 20 Million Miles to Earth. Lord, how I loved that creature! The issue is Volume 1, Number 20 from 1973. The articles within focus heavily on Star Trek, it seems. The poster is a Keep on Trekkin’ poster. There’s a two-page sci-fi comic. A lengthy discussion of Fu-Manchu. An article on fanzine publishing. And so, so many awesome monster ads! This paper is definitely one of the inspirations for The Midnight Edition.

3. At the coffee shop the other day, one of the employees noted that she wished she could see a ghost. My feeling is that she probably does see ghosts all the time. I think they are all around us. I think they look like us. Sometimes, they might interact with us. Sometimes, they’re just silent strangers on the street. I truly believe that maybe 25% of the people you see on a daily basis are lingering spirits.

4. Word on the street is that Evil Dead Wrath is going to be set in 1972, predating the original movie. I’m all for it! I’ve loved all of the Evil Dead movies, and I’m looking forward to Wrath and Burn. I typically avoid trailers, but I did catch the Evil Dead Burn trailer. It was sensational. Here’s my current ranking of Evil Dead flicks:

• 1. The Evil Dead (1981)

• 2. Evil Dead II (1987)

• 3. Army of Darkness

• 4. Evil Dead Rise

• 5. Ash Vs. Evil Dead

• 6. Evil Dead (2013)

5. I admit I’m not keeping up on Amazing Spider-Man drama… but I’ve seen some of the backlash over John Romita Jr.’s cover. I also saw someone on Instagram (I’m not going to seek them out again or re-post them) saying “Our BULLYING worked! They’re pulling the cover we didn’t like!” That is a terrible take, frankly, and it tells me that this fan doesn’t get the Spider-Man they “love so much” AT ALL. I bet there are blank cover variants that will be available. Draw your own fucking cover. Just pure jackassery. I, for one, hope the cover remains in play.

On the Desk

Here’s a quick look at some of the projects that are currently on my desk!

· I am writing the final script for an as-yet unannounced Ignition Press series.

· I have two other Ignition Press horror series in early development.

· I have a new Marvel comic series in the works. Sadly, unannounced as yet.

· I am working on a screenplay adaptation of a novel.

· I am working on a screenplay adaptation of The Upturned Stone.

· And I’m awaiting final financing on a screenplay I wrote some time ago.

· I’m also working out a novella publishing plan that I hope to share more about very soon.

Monster of the Week

Since I mentioned 20 Million Miles to Earth, why not mention the Ymir?

The Ymir is one of the most iconic movie monsters of the 1950s. Discovered as a tiny alien hatchling brought back from Venus, the creature grows at an astonishing rate as it adapts to Earth’s environment. Though often portrayed as a destructive beast, the Ymir is more tragic than villainous, acting on instinct in a world it cannot understand. I can relate! Brought to life through the stop-motion animation of Ray Harryhausen, the Ymir remains a beloved example of classic science fiction creature design and cinematic special effects.

From the Vault

When I was a kid, I wanted to be an artist. I was pretty good, but I eventually drifted out of practice. I stopped drawing as much when I took a big portfolio of art to school with me and someone stole it. I still have a few pieces of art leftover. This one is from a series of images I was drawing called Epic. Look closely and you can see that I was drawing on the back of order forms for my dad’s photography studio, Heritage Studios.

Currently Consuming

At this very second, I’m listening to “Darkness” by Daniel Deluxe. The opening lines are taken from Legend. “I require the solace of the shadows.”

I finally watched the most recent Scream movie. I enjoyed it. But I’ve enjoyed all of them. This one is better than its predecessor, so there’s that.

I’ve been reading some novellas and short story collections from Filthy Loot. They are putting out some really cool pocket books. I love the format and may play around with that myself. The God in the Hills and The God in the Hills 2 by Jon Steffens are my current jam.

Story Fuel

While driving home from North Carolina, we passed through an extended area of intense road construction. Somewhere, off in the hills, there was a regular whistling howl that could be heard. I’m sure it was a piece of heavy machinery doing its thing, but that kind of sound rushing from the hills gave me pause to capture a title--The Whistler in the Hills. I’ll do something with it somewhere down the line.

The Final Question

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Send me your comments and I’ll add them to the next issue!

What horror book do you think deserves more attention?