KillerCon 4 Special Guest Interview—Brian Keene
Brian Keene has won two Bram Stoker Awards, one in 2001
for the non-fiction work Jobs
In Hell and one in 2003 for his first novel The Rising. He is also
the recipient of the 2004 Shocker Award for non-fiction for Sympathy for the Devil as well as many small and regional
awards. He has been featured in the New York Times, The Village
Voice, Publishers Weekly, CNN.com, The Howard Stern Show, Rue Morgue magazine, Fangoria magazine,
and participated in a documentary for the History Channel. David Letterman once
based a skit on a party at Keene’s home.
In addition to being a prolific writer, Keene is also a popular public speaker, and has been invited to speak at a number of libraries, high schools, bookstores, and conventions. He was also invited to speak at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in 2006 and 2007.
In 2004, The Rising was optioned for film and videogame adaptations. In 2005, City of the Dead was optioned for the same. In 2006, Terminal was optioned for film. Also in 2006, three stories from Keene’s Fear of Gravity were adapted in the graphic novel Brian Keene’s FEAR. The stories were “Castaways,” “Red Wood,” and the award-winning “The King, in: Yellow.” In 2007, Ghoul was optioned for film. In 2008, the short story “The Ties That Bind” was optioned for film, and it had its world premiere on April 4th, 2009 at the Garden State Film Festival.
In 2004 and 2005, Keene spearheaded a successful Books For Troops program, in which various horror authors supplied free, signed books to American troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world. Keene was honored for this in 2005 by the 509th Logistics Fuels Flight Squadron based at Whiteman A.F.B. in Missouri.
In 2008, Marvel Comics announced that Keene would be writing for them. His first project for the company was the four-issue MAX series: Devil-Slayer.
In addition to being a prolific writer, Keene is also a popular public speaker, and has been invited to speak at a number of libraries, high schools, bookstores, and conventions. He was also invited to speak at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in 2006 and 2007.
In 2004, The Rising was optioned for film and videogame adaptations. In 2005, City of the Dead was optioned for the same. In 2006, Terminal was optioned for film. Also in 2006, three stories from Keene’s Fear of Gravity were adapted in the graphic novel Brian Keene’s FEAR. The stories were “Castaways,” “Red Wood,” and the award-winning “The King, in: Yellow.” In 2007, Ghoul was optioned for film. In 2008, the short story “The Ties That Bind” was optioned for film, and it had its world premiere on April 4th, 2009 at the Garden State Film Festival.
In 2004 and 2005, Keene spearheaded a successful Books For Troops program, in which various horror authors supplied free, signed books to American troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world. Keene was honored for this in 2005 by the 509th Logistics Fuels Flight Squadron based at Whiteman A.F.B. in Missouri.
In 2008, Marvel Comics announced that Keene would be writing for them. His first project for the company was the four-issue MAX series: Devil-Slayer.
Author
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Author YouTube | Author Tumblr | Author Google+
KC: How did you first find out about the KillerCon Convention and what were your initial thoughts about a horror convention held in Las Vegas?
BK: I was a guest of honor at the inagural KillerCon. At the time, my only real concern was that—being Vegas—there would be so many other things to do outside the confines of the hotel that the attendees would be scattered all weekend long. But that didn't happen. The convention staff put together such an awesome programming schedule that people were packed into the panels and readings all weekend long. We barely had any time to gamble! (laughs)
KC: What made you say yes again to being a special guest at KillerCon 4?
BK: Well, they asked me to come back for 2 and 3, but scheduling conflicts prevented it. Luckily, this year I was free and the moon and stars aligned.
KC: What are your favorite and least favorite moments at conventions?
BK: I always enjoy meeting the folks who read my books, and shaking their hands and letting them know how much I appreciate their support, and hearing their thoughts on my various books. And it's always great to catch up with old friends, as well. Writing is like any other line of work. You have co-workers who you are friendly with or close to. But unlike other jobs, you really only get to see them at events like this. My least favorite moment is probably the bar tab that occurs after those first two things.
KC: What are you most looking forward to at KillerCon4?
BK: See above.
KC: What can readers expect from you next?
BK: There are at least two novels and a comic book slated for release every month between now and December. Too many to list here. But folks can find all the info at BrianKeene.com.
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KillerConLV would like to thank Brian for taking the time out of his jam-packed schedule to stop by for this interview! :-)
Brian will be involved in various events during KillerCon4. For more information, please visit the Schedule/Events page.
-KillerConLV
