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The Jeff Strand Interview
On March 28, 2018 October 24, 2018 By Lionel Ray GreenIn interview
I cite Jeff Strand's novel DWELLER as one of the novels that heavily influence me as a writer. In fact, only Robert McCammon's BOY'S LIFE is more influential on my writing.
DWELLER is one of the few novels that I've read where I connected with not one but two characters, Toby, and his friend, Owen, on a visceral level. Almost as much as I did with Cory in BOY'S LIFE.
My lifelong fascination with Bigfoot certainly elevated my love of DWELLER. But I had never read a book like it … and haven't since. It chronicled the lifetime relationship between a boy and a monster in a way that hit me hard emotionally.
DWELLER is one of the few books that broke my heart.
DWELLER was originally released in 2010. I posted an Amazon review on March 26, 2011, titled "Best novel of 2010." It read: "I'm an avid fan and reader of horror, and DWELLER was my favorite novel of 2010. Not a chiller-thriller, but Strand introduces you to an improbable relationship and grounds it in reality. I had to read it in one sitting to find out how this doomed relationship ended. What are the limits of friendship and loyalty? Strand certainly explores those themes, but ultimately DWELLER is just a masterfully written life journey full of nostalgia, especially for those of us who grew up in the 70s and 80s and remembered playing in the woods, terrified but also secretly hoping to encounter Bigfoot."
Seven years later, DWELLER continues working its magic on me. When I write, I refer back to it often, letting it inspire me to write relationships with the same emotional heft.
ABOUT STRAND
I've never met DWELLER author Jeff Strand, but he seems to appreciate his fans. He has a healthy (and sometimes wicked) sense of humor and regularly posts funny thoughts on his Facebook and Twitter feeds.
Strand is a prolific author, known for his mix of horror and comedy, but he's also carving out his own niche in the young adult comedy genre.
The short bio on his website reads: "Jeff Strand is the four-time Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of 30+ books, including BLISTER, A BAD DAY FOR VOODOO, and WOLF HUNT. Cemetery Dance magazine said, "No author working today comes close to Jeff Strand's perfect mixture of comedy and terror." He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
If you want to read the best author bio on the web, Strand also has a Ridiculously Long Bio (his words), which you can read by clicking here.
Strand's latest release is SICK HOUSE, a straight horror novel injected with his trademark humor. He has another young adult comedy being released in April titled HOW YOU RUINED MY LIFE.
SIDE NOTE
On a side note, I do want to recommend Strand's romantic road-trip comedy, KUMQUAT. I'm not sure enough people know how wonderful this novel is because let's face it: It's a romantic comedy written by a horror author.
I'm no fan of romance. Just ask my girlfriend if you see her. By the way, have you seen her? We were talking about how I should be a bigger fan of romance. When I woke up, she was gone. Oh, there she is in the bathroom. Whew, that was close.
Anyway, I'm no fan of romance. I'm the one who can't wait to read the next novel about inbred hillbilly cannibals. But KUMQUAT was a pleasant surprise and shows Strand can write anything and give it an emotional punch. I wrote in my Amazon review that KUMQUAT "had me smiling at times, tearing up at times, and, by the end, feeling better about life and love."
Ahhhh, how sweet. I know, right? Not bad for someone who chooses inbred hillbilly cannibal novels over romance.
Without further ado, here's THE JEFF STRAND INTERVIEW that I conducted via email.
LIGHTNING ROUND
LIONEL: What was the most recent movie you watched in theaters?
JEFF STRAND: GLEN OR GLENDA, made fun of live by Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000.
LIONEL: What show are you binge-watching on Netflix?
JEFF STRAND: THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW. I share this information without comment.
LIONEL: What book are you reading?
JEFF STRAND: GOT YOUR BACK by my mortal enemy John McIlveen.
LIONEL: What song is stuck in your head?
JEFF STRAND: "Shiny" from MOANA.
LIONEL: If you ever wind up on death row, what's your last meal?
JEFF STRAND: Drano, to save the state some money on electricity costs.
LIONEL: One of the great horror novelists, Jack Ketchum, died recently, and I read your blog tribute to him. Folks can read that post by clicking here. What separated Ketchum from the pack of horror writers to make him one of your literary heroes?
JEFF STRAND: Initially it was that, with OFF SEASON, I'd never read a book that was so horrifically violent! Now, of course, OFF SEASON seems … well, not tame, but there are far more graphic horror novels out there. But nothing in contemporary extreme horror can compare to something like THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, which remains one of the most disturbing novels ever written. It's the mixture of Ketchum's dark, dark, dark subject matter combined with outstanding writing that set him apart. It's not a geek show. You desperately want the characters to get out of this nightmarish situation.
LIONEL: Your short story collection EVERYTHING HAS TEETH (Thunderstorm Books) and your short story "The Tipping Point" in that same collection were nominated for the first annual Splatterpunk Awards. You even have a short story in one of the Best Anthology nominees. Were you as surprised as me that you dominated the Splatterpunk Awards like you did?
JEFF STRAND: The proper answer is "Goodness, I never imagined that little ol' me would be nominated for one of those awards!" but there was a process in place where you could wave to the jury and say "Hey! Hey! Take a look at this thing I wrote!" The majority of my work isn't Splatterpunk, but I HAVE appeared in SPLATTERPUNK 'ZINE a few times, and I think "The Tipping Point" is definitely part of that sub-genre. So I was pleased and surprised but not as surprised as you were. (Strand inserted a smiley face after this sentence.) The awards are being presented at KillerCon in Austin, Texas, and I'll be there, so I'm looking forward to my devastating loss.
LIONEL: Your latest novel, SICK HOUSE (released Jan. 18) was a fun and intense ghost-drenched take on the home invasion story with a killer ending. You're usually juggling several writing projects at the same time. What made SICK HOUSE jump to the top of your priority list?
JEFF STRAND: Without proper self-control, I could easily have 30 or 40 unfinished books in progress. Since readers are disinclined to purchase books that aren't completed, at some point I have to turn one into my primary focus. I'm not great at high-concept stories, but once I came up with the idea that SICK HOUSE was a home invasion with ghosts, I thought, "Whoa! I can market the hell out of that!" I was way behind on writing because of a recent move from Florida to Georgia, so I didn't have the luxury of tinkering around with multiple projects, so SICK HOUSE got the promotion!
LIONEL: Sourcebooks Fire is releasing HOW YOU RUINED MY LIFE in April. I believe that will be your fifth young adult (YA) comedy since 2012. I enjoy them because they're funny and fast-paced. However, I'm not a young adult anymore. I have reluctantly graduated into the middle-aged adult category, so I crave more Strand horror like DWELLER, PRESSURE, and SICK HOUSE. My question: When are you going to settle down and just write horror for us middle-aged fans who selfishly don't care if YA readers ever laugh again?
JEFF STRAND: Though I suspect that the majority of my work will continue to be in the horror genre, I'll always want to throw out the occasional non-genre title, whether YA or otherwise. My book immediately after HOW YOU RUINED MY LIFE will be BRING HER BACK, a brutal punch-to-the-gut thriller that fans of PRESSURE should enjoy, but you may also see another completely non-horror mainstream novel from me in the future. I'm a hybrid author, both traditionally and self-published, and it's the YA novels that get into bookstores and libraries, so I'm disinclined to abandon them to appease the fans who just want the spooky stuff!
LIONEL: Seriously, I admire your ability to bounce back and forth from YA comedy to adult horror to short story collections to fairy tales (I love FANGBOY, by the way). You have 42 published books listed on your website (I counted). With so many novels and short stories in your catalog, is there one that fell through the cracks that you wished more people would've read?
JEFF STRAND: Well, FANGBOY would be one! Zach McCain's cover is one of my favorite covers to ever grace my work, but I don't think I've ever been able to successfully convey that it's a spoof of children's literature and not a book for kids. KUMQUAT got some of my all-time best reviews but never sold particularly well, thanks to the fact that it's a non-horror comedy and some people don't want me writing that stuff (see previous question). But you asked about one, not two, so I'll say FANGBOY.
It was an honor interviewing Mr. Strand. I've been a fan for more than seven years and consider him one of my literary horror heroes.
You can visit Strand's website by clicking here.
I recommend the Bram Stoker Award-nominated novels, DWELLER (surprise!) and PRESSURE, for horror fans.
Did I mention that DWELLER is awesome? I did? Okay. Are you sure? Because it really is awesome. You want me to go now? Okay. Just put the knife away. I'm going. I'll just leave this copy of DWELLER on the table here. You really should read it …
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
LINKS TO SOME OF MY OTHER BLOG ENTRIES:
My Love of Splatterpunk
Zombie Beavers and Spider Babies
Why I Write Horror
Life is horror and fantasy … and dreams
Boy's LifeBram Stoker AwardsDwellerFangboyGot Your BackHow You Ruined My LifeJack KetchumJeff StrandJohn McIlveenKumquatLionel Ray GreenPressureRobert McCammonSick House
2017 Nebula Award Finalists Announced
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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#10 Seattle, WA
Mayflower & Livability's Top Ten Cities for Millennials on the Move
Home / News / #10 Seattle, WA
Find Caffeine and Community
It's probably no surprise Seattle is on this list: It's full of parks; it's walkable; health insurance abounds, the food scene is amazing; and, of course, it's full of young people who share your likes and interests.
Of course, Seattle has always held a draw for hipsters, but with companies headquartered in the city like Amazon and Starbucks—and an unemployment rate nearly a full percentage point below the national average—it's a vibrant city full of opportunities that anyone could love.
And there's plenty of employment to be found outside the city, too. Costco is based in Issaquah; Microsoft and Nintendo are in Redmond; T-Mobile and Expedia are in Bellevue; and, well, you get the picture. There are a ton of major employers, and also, a good number of transplants, meaning moving there out of the blue is a bit less scary because there are plenty of people in the same boat. Plus, all these businesses draw in a very well-educated population, and the majority of the city is in the 25-34 age range, so it's easier to find people of similar world views.
Or, if working for someone else isn't really your thing, Seattle has just been ranked in the top 25 best cities for entrepreneurs, as its business growth between 2011 and 2015 was 10 percent.
However, for those interested in raising a family, there is still a sizable population of children—13 percent of the city is of school age to be exact. And the entire city has a GreatSchools rating of 9 out of 10. Pair this with 27 libraries and a whopping 210 parks, and there are plenty of free ways to help your children learn and grow (or maybe just keep them entertained for an afternoon).
With all those parks, it's probably not surprising that Seattle is frequently ranked in the top 10 healthiest cities in America. This is likely compounded by its walkability; it ranks as the eighth most walkable large city in the U.S., and is bikeable as well. Plus, the city is surrounded on all sides by stunning places for hikes and picnics—the Olympic and Cascade mountains, Lake Washington, and Puget Sound all encircle Seattle—and its temperate climate means mild summers to enjoy them in. Further, a whopping 96 percent of the city is covered by health insurance, which is about 8 percent higher than the U.S. average.
Besides an abundance of outdoor sports, Seattle serves as the regional center for music and performing arts—including the 113-year-old Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Opera, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet—and it hosts a large number of pro sports teams, including the Seahawks and the Mariners, meaning there's something for everyone.
Now that you've seen all of the cities, head to this page to take a second look at them all! Or just your favorites!
ST. LOUIS (October 1, 2020) – The board of directors for UniGroup, a $1.6 billion transportation company, has elected McCollister's Transportation Group's Ray Conlin as its treasurer.


Are you looking for something new to challenge both yourself and your dog?
Dog Agility is a popular sport suitable for a range of breeds it provides both physical exercise as well as mental stimulation for both dog and owner.
In our 2 hour workshop we provide an introduction into the basics of how to teach your dog to jump safely and follow instructions while on the move.
Due to the nature of the techniques involved in this workshop your dog will need to be reliable off lead in a fully enclosed area.


Looking for a new home in Stonecypher? It is a great time to buy real estate in Stonecypher and our site is a great place to begin your search. You can check out Stonecypher schools, market statistics, the latest listings and more. Whether you are a first-time home buyer or you are already familiar with the home buying process, you can be assured that you have the best tools and the perfect agent available to help with your Stonecypher home search.
There are currently 6 Homes for sale in Stonecypher. The average price for Stonecypher properties is $240,550which is 42% lower than all Homes within a 20 mile radius. The highest priced property in Stonecypher is $268,000 while the lowest priced Home is listed at $189,500. Most of the properties available in Stonecypher are Homes while there are other property types as well. Compared to last month, the average price of real estate in the area has gone up 100%.


text:
package org.sagebionetworks;

import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.assertEquals;

import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
import org.sagebionetworks.aws.AwsClientFactory;

import com.amazonaws.regions.Regions;
import com.amazonaws.services.s3.model.Region;

class AwsClientFactoryTest {

	@Test
	void testGetS3RegionForAWSRegions() {
		assertEquals(Region.US_Standard, AwsClientFactory.getS3RegionForAWSRegions(Regions.US_EAST_1));
		assertEquals(Region.US_West, AwsClientFactory.getS3RegionForAWSRegions(Regions.US_WEST_1));
		assertEquals(Region.US_GovCloud, AwsClientFactory.getS3RegionForAWSRegions(Regions.GovCloud));
		assertEquals(Region.EU_Ireland, AwsClientFactory.getS3RegionForAWSRegions(Regions.EU_WEST_1));
	}

	@Test
	void testClientGeneration() throws Exception {
		assertEquals(Region.US_Standard,
				AwsClientFactory.createAmazonS3Client().getUSStandardAmazonClient().getRegion());
	}

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


An alarm system which has movement sensors is a better bet than these which just have sensors on doorways and windows. If the burglar one way or the other will get previous your external defenses, they will be stopped by the movement detectors, ensuring that you simply remain protected even when they do get inside your own home. After putting in your safety system, talk to your insurance coverage firm. Many insurance coverage corporations provide reductions to policy owners who choose to put in a safety system. This can prevent some huge cash on your householders insurance coverage, and it may help to offset the cost of the safety system you will have put in.
Do not publish an excessive amount of info on social media websites. If you're going away on trip, for instance, don't "test in" at a specific location or mention the fact that you're going to be gone for every week. Even in the event you assume your info is set to private, you would be shocked at how much data hackers can entry, and also you by no means want anyone to know you will be away for extended intervals of time.
At all times keep your garage door closed. In the event you personal a automotive, preserve it inside the storage always. Not only will this preserve your automobile secure, however a crook won't know if you end up at house and if you end up away. The garage is easy entry to a lot of your valuables and in addition a quick entry to inside your property. Whereas posting photographs of your self on trip to Twitter or Facebook may be nice, it's also an open invitation to crooks asking them to interrupt into your property – in spite of everything, you're not there! Share your pictures when you get again instead to ensure no one is aware of your home is vacant.
When it is in hiding, individuals will not know if you happen to're home.
Have you taken a take a look at your options concerning house safety programs? It's very important that you already know what you are dealing with so that you make a superb determination. As a matter of truth, good isn't one of the best, so that you need to have the ability to make the very best resolution. Preserve reading to learn extra about your private home security options. What expertise do you've got with dwelling safety systems? You'll want to know what is on the market to you, and you have to take into consideration how you can make better choices regarding your loved ones's safety. It is a huge step, and so as to know everything you must know, you must maintain studying.
To reduce the possibilities of a house invasion at night, be sure you have correct lighting. Burglars attempt to use darkness as a canopy to avoid getting caught. Outside lighting could make it seem like you are home and can even make it tougher for intruders to sneak around unseen. If you are on a trip, attempt having a timer set for the lights to come back on and go off at specific occasions to make it more durable for them to tell for those who're home or not.
If you already know you're going to be away from dwelling for some time, turn the amount in your telephone down as low as possible. If a burglar is staking out your home, a ringing telephone could be simply the confirmation he or she needs to know you aren't there. Hold your most precious possessions, corresponding to your jewellery an large quantities of money, within a safety deposit box. The bedroom is the most typical locations to maintain one in all these packing containers. Having a safety deposit box is sensible because if a thief have been to get into your property, at the very least they can not get to these items.
Avoid hiding valuables in your underwear draw or your freezer. These could seem to be odd places, but many individuals place gadgets there. Seasoned burglars are conscious of this, so they are going to nonetheless have access. It's better to purchase a secure and place issues there, or you can preserve valuables in a secure deposit box. Fairly than residing in blissful ignorance, assume that you could be be targeted by criminals. Don't succumb to concern, however do take an energetic position in securing your home. Put the information from the article to good use and protect your family and home.
Particularly in case your canine shouldn't be very friendly, this can assist hold your key protected. A burglar can steal quite a lot of expensive stuff in a short period of time.
Previous Article Beautify Your Backyard With This Wonderful Information.
Do You Have All The House Safety That You Want? Attempt These Ideas!


The snow has melted! Spring is in the air (well, some days it is) and it's time to come out of your winter hibernation and take advantage of the many resources and events Peirce College has to offer this spring.
Check out the flyers below for upcoming workshop dates and details from Career Development Services (CDS) and The Walker Center for Academic Excellence. Both departments provide a wide variety of student support services to help you make the most of your academic experience and career development at Peirce.
If you are interested in attending any of the CDS workshops scheduled for March and April 2011, please R.S.V.P. by calling 888.GO.PEIRCE, ext. 9202, or sending an e-mail to the CDS team. As always, if the workshop you need is not available or if you can't attend one of the scheduled sessions, you can always contact the CDS Center to make an appointment with a counselor for a one-on-one session.
To register for any of the spring Walker Center workshops or find out about additional services such as tutoring, disability services, or academic counseling, e-mail The Walker Center or call 888.GO.PEIRCE, ext. 9251.


text:
SCHEDULE 2S Modification of Enactments Consequential on Application of Succession (Scotland) Act 1964 to Tenancies of Crofts
Part IS Modification of Enactments
C1The text of Sch. 2 Pt. I and Pt II (except the entry relating to s. 16 of the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964)) and Sch. 3 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
S The Crofters (Scotland) Act 1955(3 &4 Eliz. c. 21)
17SIn section 16(1)—
(a)after paragraph (a) there shall be inserted the following paragraph:—
"(aa)the landlord of the croft either gives to the executor of a deceased crofter, or receives from such an executor, notice terminating the tenancy of the croft in pursuance of section 16(3) of the Succession (Scotland) Act 1964; or";
(b)for the words from "from the receipt" to "as the case may be" there shall be substituted the words—
(i)the receipt of the notice of renunciation of the tenancy, or
(ii)the date on which the Land Court made the order, or
(iii)the date on which the landlord gave or received notice terminating the tenancy, or
(iv)the date on which the vacancy came to the landlord's knowledge,
as the case may be, ".


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