John Everson and Michael West at Flashback Weekend

Flashback Weekend returns August 2-4. Once again, I will be "On the Beat" at Chicago's longest-running horror convention.

One of the cool part is seeing old friends I met through conventions. Authors Michael West and John Everson are two such examples. John is a Chicago area horror writer, while Michael is from the Indianapolis area. Both are excellent authors and even more important, they are great guys. John always has a booth at Flashback and Michael can usually be found as an attendee, wandering the aisles like everyone else, but occasionally being bothered by his fans, like me.

Check FlashbackWeekend.com for more info. Also, check back here for my recurring coverage

John Everson, Michael West and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2022.

John Everson at Flashback Weekend

Flashback Weekend returns August 4-6 at Hyatt Regency O'Hare. The largest and longest-running horror con in the Chicago area is a staple on my calendar.

As usual, there is a jam-packed lineup of celebrity guests, including a reunion of Scream and Terrifier 1 & 2. There are also panels, Q&A's, costume contests, screenings and more.

One of my regular stops at the con is John Everson's booth. Based in the Chicago area, John is the author of many books and short stories. He is a master of horror, dark fantasy and science fiction stories. He is also a great guy.

I love talking horror with John. Of course, he knows a lot more about it than I do, but he is always patient with me if I have questions. Usually we just talk about his latest projects and other current horror topics. I have several of his books on my shelves and I am always adding more.

John will be one of the guests again this year. I encourage everyone to stop by his booth and see all of his fantastic books. Tell him I sent you.

Go to FlashbackWeekend.com for more info and scheduling. Also check, JohnEverson.com for info on John and his works.

John Everson and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2021.

John Everson at Flashback Weekend 2018

With Flashback Weekend postponed last year due to the pandemic, I missed seeing all of my friends there. I've met so many talented folks at Flashback over the years.

One of my favorites from many Flashback Weekends is author John Everson. A Bram Stoker Award-winning horror author, John has written more than 10 books and 100 short stories. 

His current project is Voodoo Heart, due to be released later this year. A case gets really personal for a New Orleans detective when his wife goes missing. She is just the latest in a string of disappearances which have all previously resulted in bloody bed sheets and an abandoned heart.

I have not read all of John's books yet, but my favorite so far is The Pumpkin Man. After losing her father, the main character goes to a cabin to spend time with friends. After she finds old boxes and a ouija board, things start to get really scary. It is creepy, scary and all you'd want in a horror story.

For me, the setting and even the basic storyline isn't hugely important in horror stories. They are merely the setup for the horror. Great authors can spin interesting tales from anywhere. That's what separates them from the pack.

John writes intriguing stories. His characters are not cardboard, nor cookie-cutter. His developments make sense, while remaining scary. The conclusions are always gratifying, no matter the outcomes of the characters.

I look forward to diving into Voodoo Heart and catching up with John soon. Until then, I will follow his updates on JohnEverson.com. Also, check out FlashbackWeekend.com for their updates.

John Everson and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2018.

On the Beat With John Everson at Flashback Weekend 2018

I first met author John Everson several years ago and have followed him since. John is a local horror author who has written many novels and more than 100 short stories. He is also an editor and a musician.

At Flashback Weekend 2018, I saw John and got a little update on his current project. The House By The Cemetery is set to be released on October 6. I'll let John tell you about it in the interview below, but I will add that it sounds intriguing.

John is a talented author and his books are always entertaining. I love a good horror story and John always delivers. He steers from the cliche to build realistic and likable characters in gripping, twisting stories.

Check out JohnEverson.com for more info on John, all of his books and especially his latest. Also, stay tuned here for an update when The House By The Cemetery is released. 

John Everson at Flashback Weekend

I first met and interviewed author John Everson at a small comic con a few years ago.  That interview can be found at On the Beat With John Everson.

I admit that I did not know much about John back then.  I did my research, though, and found out he was quite an accomplished author.

Currently, he has written eight novels and four short fiction collections, as well as three mini-collections.  His primary focus is horror, dark fantasy, science fiction, fantasy fiction and the supernatural.  He won the Bram Stoker Award for Covenant (2004), along with being nominated two other times.

In December 2015, his fourth short fiction collection, Sacrificing Virgins, debuted.  It contains reprints, rarities and other interesting stories.

You can catch John at various cons promoting his books.  You should also go to JohnEverson.com for more info and updates on this talented author.

This year's Flashback Weekend is quickly approaching (August 5-7).  Check out FlashbackWeekend.com for all of the info.

John Everson and me in Rosemont, IL-August 2015.

On the Beat with John Everson at Dan Con 2013

I knew I would like author John Everson after seeing the following line on his website, "John shares a deep purple den in Naperville, Illinois..."  I have to love a fellow deep purple lover!  Also, the fact that Everson would include that and other funny stuff on his site really appealed to me.  I knew he would be interesting and he was.
Perhaps more important though is that Everson is a talented and successful author.  He won the Bram Stoker award for Covenant (2004) and has published 5 other novels.  His most recent is NightWhere, published in late 2012.  He has written numerous short stories and is a digital artist and musician.  Like I wrote, the man is talented...and busy apparently.
I met Everson at Dan Con last week.  We talked about his books, his style, future projects and more.  He was as interesting as I thought he would be.  I really hope to speak to Everson again.  I now have so many more questions.
Until that next interview, I hope you enjoy this quick introduction interview we did at Dan Con.  After you watch it, please go to JohnEverson.com and the John Everson Facebook page to learn more about this multi-talented author and to get updates.  Also, check out Dan Con Comic Con to get updates on their next show.