My weird west novel HAXAN has been included as part of a StoryBundle where wide frontiers, flintlocks, whiskey and revenge meet swords, airships, terraforming, magic, myths, and dragons. There are lots of great writers here working in all kinds of worlds filled with wonder, horror, magic, and the bloody violence of the Old West. It's …
WHC and New Orleans Report Winding Down
I've had a good weekend. Did a lot of walking and thinking which for writers are two activities that go well together. Came to a decision about the hobo novel. I am going to start work on this soon. I had an idea of going back to the Cigar Factory on Decatur and writing, but …
WHC and New Orleans Report
Today is my first full day at World Horror Convention. I'll be attending a panel or two on marketing, and I have a reading marked down from one of my friends I want to attend. I cannot seem to upload pictures from this connection. Nothing I can do about it other than wait until I …
World Horror Convention in New Orleans
Made it down here for WHC. I'll pick up my preregistration packet later today. I took pictures but they're not uploading. I'll try again later.
Well, Guys, Theater 13 Radio is Off the Air
When I was thirteen I used to listen to a black and white transistor radio tucked under my pillow. One night I found a Chicago station and heard The CBS Radio Mystery Theater hosted by E.G. Marshall. Just like that I was hooked. I fell in love with radio dramas and wanted to hear more. …
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“Western Horror, My Interview with Kenneth Mark Hoover” by Darke Conteur
Darke Conteur interviewed me recently and we talked about a lot of things including the current state of publishing and genre. I had a good time doing this interview and I hope you like it, too. Here's the link to the interview. Hope you enjoy it and don't forget to leave a comment and let …
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Dark Secrets of Blood and Mythical Power in the Streets of Haxan
When I wrote "Alpenglow' I knew I was going to be pushing a boundary or two. Which is fine because that's how I write anyway and that sort of viewpoint always works well in Haxan. I've had several readers remark how this story creeped them out. I can see why and I'd be less than …
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Wuthering: A vengeful take on Wuthering Heights in the violent world of Haxan
Mark here. The world of Haxan gives me a lot of room to retell stories and do variations. The short story "Wuthering" is such an example. I mean, how many settings lend themselves to a retelling of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights? Well, in my opinion, Haxan does. I had fun writing this story because it …
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In Which I Opine (whine) about Joining Professional Writer Organizations
I have learned I am now eligible for membership in Western Writers of America. I already belong to the Science Fiction Writers of America and Horror Writers of America. Therein lies the problem. Do I need to become a member of another professional writing organization? I am also eligible for the Mystery Writers of America. …
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Gepetto’s Orphans: The Emergence of the Lost People Comes to Haxan
My new Haxan story "Gepetto's Orphans" has a long lineage. You might say it's as old as the story of Pinocchio himself. Now, truth be told, many stories have been written about a wooden boy who becomes real. But being a dark fantasy writer it's my job to look beyond the ordinary and seek the …
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The Saga of Ragnar Greenkirtle and the “graskinna” Loki
One of the things I like about being a writer is how I can do research about topics that interest me and use that information to generate story ideas. I have always been interested in Viking culture and when I read the Sagas I was taken with the voice used to tell their stories. Being …
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Island of Lost Souls (1933) – Censored Horror with Sex and Atmospheric Bestiality
The Island of Dr. Moreau is one of my favorite novels by H.G. Wells. Published in 1896 it has deep philosophical elements which Wells faces head on. It is arguably one of his least known, but best written, scientific romances. In 1933 the novel was adapted to film by Paramount Pictures. It starred Charles Laughton …
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“The Whistler” is being aired on Theater 13 Radio!
Theater 13 Radio is running an Old Time Radio marathon of The Whistler. This classic radio show was based on horror, mystery, suspense and other genres. The main thing about this show is you get to follow the story through the eyes of the murderer, and yet the story always takes an unexpected twist in …
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A Very Dark Haxan Story “Alpenglow” has been Released from Argo Navis
I've had a special place in my heart for this story a long time. I like a lot of things about it, especially what I tried to do with the characterization. I am never interested in playing it safe, and this story was my attempt at crossing a line or two, but still with the …
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A new Haxan story! “Wuthering” has been released by Argo Navis Publishing. Thanks, guys!
My new Haxan story "Wuthering" has been released by Argo Navis. I hope you enjoy the new story! 🙂 Hoover's Haxan stories are a delightful blend of the Western and dark fantasy genres. Once you enter the Haxan universe, you may not be able to leave. —Matthew Pizzolato, editor of The Western Online
Yay! Free Argo Navis Bookmarks!
Argo Navis Publishing will be adding new content over the coming months and years. Please bookmark them and follow them on Twitter @ArgoNavisMedia for the latest updates. In the meantime here are bookmarks for you to share and link with. Thanks!
Theater 13 Radio Marathon: CBS Radio Mystery Theater
Theater 13 Radio is ringing in the New Year by running a CBS Radio Mystery Theater marathon. This was the classic radio show hosted by E.G. Marshall. I just love listening to Old Time Radio because the emphasis is on dialog, an important aspect of fiction. It's always a learning experience for me. Hope you …
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“Alpenglow” – New Haxan Story Coming Soon. Woot!
My new Haxan story "Alpenglow" will be released soon from Argo Navis Publishing. This is a dark fantasy/horror story about the Old West. An ancient trapper named Cesar Coffin comes unannounced out of Taos into the grinding maelstrom of Haxan. He has fresh scalps...and an even darker secret hidden in the fragments of his soul. …
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Fishing the Styx – Coming Soon From Argo Navis Publishing (Update: Published!)
FISHING THE STYX by Kenneth Mark Hoover Copyright 2011 by Kenneth Mark Hoover Argo Navis Publishing “Hell is truth seen too late.” —Thomas Hobbes 1. The Leviathan Keep going, Sayeth the demon. Past the iron shore where pale arms whip the water into black foam. Through the blast furnace radiating from the crying walls …
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Why the Zombie Genre needs to be Re-animated from Splatter-Chomp to Mysticism
I mentioned this earlier and want to examine it in more detail. As good as it was, George Romero's Night of the Living Dead has done more to limit the zombie genre than any other movie or book I can think of. Here's why that's not a good thing. Prior to this zombies were never …
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Hoover's Corner 