Chaosynthesis: Sequence #2.99
“In everything around us, I see the language of the void.” –Helen Sinclair
(Artwork by Sako Tumi)
It was always here. Whether lurking under the surface of a turbulent sea or watching from that dark circle beyond the dying campfire’s illumination, it’s been here the entire time, hovering just out of sight, except to those who seek its embrace outside of the October traditions.
Not that we don’t appreciate those as well. It’s a delicious time for us, the shadow season, when horror rises to prominence on television, store shelves, clothing, and decorations in brazen displays that elude the other eleven months.
The Chaos Synthesizer hums an autumn dirge for the death of a sizzling summer, the shortening of days, and the turning leaves while bright blood glistens on jaws of steel and electricity.
Welcome to October. This is Tommy B. Smith, horror author, recovering insomniac, listener.
Much of my work is classified as a blend of psychological and cosmic horror, as with the Black Carmenia series or many of the tales in my short story collection, Pieces of Chaos. Then of course, we have the more violent works such as Poisonous.
2024 will see the release of the third Black Carmenia novel. The coming year will also see a new round of appearances for this concluding volume, and if all proceeds as it should, news of other forthcoming works.
For now, however, let’s relish our October and its basketful of dark delights.
Turning the Page
A few months ago, I visited Butcher Cabin Books in Louisville, Kentucky for a horror book event featuring authors S.A. Bradley, Bridget D. Brave, Donald R. Guillory, and James Sabata. All of the above performed readings at the event. Being a longtime reader of intense works, I walked away with several signed books.
One I’m reading now is Screaming for Pleasure: How Horror Makes You Happy and Healthy by S.A. Bradley. I’m not far into it yet, but already enjoying it. It’s interesting to note the author’s early horror influences from film and fiction and to cast deeper into those twisted avenues of entertainment, also exploring alternate sources of horror fare such as music. If you are a fan of horror and want some perspective on the genre, do check this one out.
The Sweet and the Sinister
We’re no stranger to the rivalry of Frankenberry and Count Chocula, or even Boo Berry’s occasional appearance. What about Yummy Mummy?
I’ve sampled one of the newest Monster Cereals from General Mills, Carmella Creeper. It’s branded as a caramel apple version, and its mascot is defined as a zombie DJ, and Frankenberry’s long-lost cousin.
I’ll not get too deep into the plot, though. This cereal is green. More than anything, the Monster Cereals are all about color and personality, and the color is definitely there. The personality? With Carmella Creeper, not so much.
My own experience with this one fell short of anything memorable. I detected no caramel or apple. Just sugar, with barely any flavor otherwise. For the one and only General Mills attempt at a female Monster Cereal, I can’t help thinking you deserved better, Carmella.
Onward.
At the year’s events in Norman, Oklahoma, which included SoonerCon and OKC’s Horror Con, the wife and I discovered an interesting spot with The Ice Creamatory, a horror-themed ice cream parlor. Right away, the exterior windows greeted us with images of a ghost, a skeleton, Jason Voorhees, and Pennywise.
Within its doors, you’ll find the theme runs even deeper with a plethora of horror memorabilia and a menu adopting numerous horror icons in the form of ice cream concoctions. Mrs. Voorhees apple pie sounded interesting. They featured a limited-time pumpkin version as well, but because the mood struck me, I went with the Wednesday Addams instead, indulging in an ice scream combo of black cherries and dark chocolate.
This is the ice cream shop of your favorite nightmares, where ice cream and horror collide. I will be back.
A Sip of Dark Magic
As the cooler seasons settle in, winter warmers are finding their ways into the beverage aisles. Pumpkin ales hold a specific appeal for October, given the massive influx of pumpkin everything. I’ve tried a few over the years. Many weren’t fantastic and didn’t even yield a hint of pumpkin flavor, but I’ve had a couple that were decent.
One is Dogfish Head’s Punkin Ale, which I discovered while in northern Florida a few years ago. This was once dubbed by a fellow author as being the equivalent of pumpkin pie in a bottle. I did catch the pumpkin spices here, but didn’t find them excessive, and overall, enjoyed it.
Elysian Brewing’s Pumpkin Pack contains a variety of their pumpkin brews, but one in particular leaped out at me, Dark o’ the Moon stout. Alongside Punkin Ale, I would deem Dark o’ the Moon one of the best pumpkin brews I have experienced, bold with the underlying presence of pumpkin spice to complement, but not overwhelm.
Though I am not one who seeks all things pumpkin spice, with the right amount and in the right place, it works—for myself, at least. The only issue here is that for 2023, pumpkin ales have been conspicuously absent from the shelves in my immediate area, including both of the above selections, so this time I’ve gone another route.
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout—dark magic in a bottle, I’ve called it, which contains not a trace of pumpkin, but is heavy-duty, complex, and something to savor. Goose Island launches its original Bourbon County Stout and variants each year on Black Friday, so there is still time.
I was fortunate enough to score this recent remaining treat from the 2018 batch. Being of higher alcohol content, Goose Island Bourbon County Stout may benefit from a year or so in the cellar, and according to the brewers at Goose Island, will develop up to five years in the bottle.
Are there any October or autumn concoctions that have caught your attention?
Events
I recently appeared on Galactic Terrors, where I read the opening chapter of Oblivion’s Child. For September’s episode, I joined authors EF Deal and Russ Colchamiro, along with hosts James Chambers and Carol Gyzander. You can watch it here.
Though this year’s events have largely drawn to a close, one remains. Last year, I signed books at the local cat shelter, Jen’s Kitty Rehab, for National Black Cat Day. This year, I will again be signing at the shelter, this time for the evening of Halloween, October 31, 6:00-8:00 p.m., and vendors will be present with an assortment of goodies.
This will be my final event for 2023.
The efforts of Jen’s Kitty Rehab are near and dear. The rescue does an abundance of good work, and any donations to the shelter are appreciated. The illegal dumping and abandonment of pets has become a serious issue in the area, but we can be a part of the solution. Those able and willing may donate here.
Though this October sequence winds to its finish, http://tommybsmith.net remains your spot for future updates until the next time around, friends and readers.
And of course, if you:
You can also follow me on Facebook via my author page: http://www.facebook.com/authortommybsmith
And/or Twitter, or X, or whatever it is called now: http://www.twitter.com/penofchaos
The year fades, but we are no strangers to the darkness on the horizon.
Love and Destruction,
Tommy B.