Unspeakable Holiday Gift Ideas
The holidays are upon us folks! And if your like me your spending too much time on the computer and not out shopping for your loved ones special holiday gift. Time is running short no matter how you stick it, but if you act now, there is still time shop online and find a “unique” gift for the “unique” person in your life… and by unique I mean weird.
Below is a quick list I whipped up that showcases some interesting ideas. From Christmas cards to Tentacle door stops, I hope this helps in your search to make someones holiday fun and maybe a little bit crazy.
Send someone a special Christmas card personally drawn by Adam Bolton, author of “Where’s My Shoggoth?” or an awesome wall hanging of your favorite urban legend, Slender Man, by our buddy Steve Santiago?! Click on each image to get some info but do it quick, there’s only a limited amount of time till these things will show up on your doorstep before christmas:
December 21, 2012 is supposed to bring about the end of the world, right?. That may or may not happen, but incase it’s a zombie apocalypse, here are a few items that may help you beat em’ or join em’. The Truckers Friend a.k.a The Zombinator
Need a new holiday tale to sit the family down and start a new tradition too? Here are a few moldering tomes to send the little ones off to dreams of Krampus and flying polyps dancing through their heads. Click on each cover to see how you can get these books. Horror for the Holidays, Dead but Dreaming, For When the Veil Drops:
Gift your favorite elder god worshiping cultist with a variety of tentacled trinkets and tools, just click on the pictures below to see where you can pick them up. Some of the pics wouldn’t line up right but here are some names to click as well; Tentacle Attack Metal Art Bookends, Scary Solstice Combo By HPLHS, Tentacle USB Drive, Tentacle Door Stop, Tentacle Bottle Opener, Cthulhu Hot Dog Roaster:
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Lovecraft eZine Issue #9 for December 2011
Happy Winter Solstice to all! Oh and Merry Christmas as well. The season is chilly and the days are darker, making it that perfect time of year cuddle up next to the fireplace and read some Lovecraftian fiction. We must have been good little ghouls and dhols this year because Mike “The Man” Davis has included some awesome stocking stuffers to go along with the new issue. Although they’re not all ready yet, Mike has managed to wrangle up three audio readings of stories, and has been hard at work trying to record every story in all the previous issues!
Real quick I wanted to mention the amazing artist that contributed work to this months stories. Ronnie Tucker, Galen Dara, and returning champs, Nickolas Gucker ,Mike Dominic, and Steve Santiago, all of who you might remember from last months issue. All very compelling pieces of art that I felt really reflected each piece properly. Nice job folks.
The big gifts under the tree this year were amazingly twisted and ominous, and I must admit, took a bit of my holiday cheer away for a while. But after I finished reading them all I was suddenly happy having had my prescribed amount of Lovecraftian fiction. Elder instincts, by W.H. Pugmire, Among the Dark Places of the Earth, by Julio Toro San Martin, At Best an Echo, by Bradley H. Sinor, Stone City, Old as Immeasurable Time, by Kelda Crich, and Just and Accountant, by Henrik Sandbeck Harskin. A couple of these tales in particular creeped me the hell out, and I hope you find them as uncomfortable as I did.
These are ones you have to check out and there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to. Mike has made the eZine available for free since day one, but that doesn’t mean he’s not spending any money to continually bring you high quality Lovecraftian fiction every month. Those stories cost money folks, so if your feeling especially cheery this holiday season I suggest showing your jolly spirit in big way by donating to the Lovecraft eZine. Or if you’re a Scrooge or just feeling poor this time of year you can still do Mike and all the little elves at the Lovecraft eZine a big solid and talk about whats going on here. Tweets, Facebook posts, blog posts, likes, comments, etc. there all great ways to spread the word, and besides, if you wont give up the cash maybe one of the many people you inform about the eZine will.
Great issue this month and looking forward to see whats in store for us next year. This one gets 4 out of 5 stars in alignment folks. Merry Christmas, and a happy New year.
The Drabblecast ~ #225 ~ Trifecta XIX
Art by Steve Santiago
My apologies for missing a post for episode #224 folks, but here we are at #225 of the year. So far that means that we have been blessed with 31 episodes so far this year, and hopefully we get a couple more to round it out. I know for sure we’ve got one more coming up for christmas thanks to Tim Pratt. Yes, Thanks to Tim Pratt, Drabblecast is running a holiday contest. The gig is to post any thing anywhere Drabblecast is featured (example: Facebook, Twitter, DC Forums, Donations, Donating to Norm’s new CD “The Esoteric Order of Sherman“, things like that) and if you’re the lucky winner your name will appear in Tim Pratt’s new Christmas story commissioned by The Drabblecast. Awesome, my only question is how are we to know that Norm wont just make up a name, and send it along? Well we trust good ol’ Norm here, and I think its safe to say that “Unspeakable Gibberer” wont be a likely choice. *Sigh* Oh well.
I am especially excited for this weeks episode, mostly because I need my weekly fix, but also because our pal Steve Santiago (the creator behind the creepy thing you see at the top of this page) did the episode art. But before this great artwork was created, three excellent stories were written and placed so perfectly together. As it is a Trifecta, there is a theme to this weeks episode and disturbingly enough its child abduction. Not tales about drunken perverts, or sadistic serial stalkers (Which by the way is my band name for the week.) but ones with unexpected outcomes and enough whimsy to balance the uncomfortable feeling of nefarious forces that seem to always be pursuing children. Our stories are: “David is Six” by Amanda C. Davis, “The Best Boy, the Brightest Boy” by Megan R. Engelhard, and “Broken” by Steven Saus. Get ye over to The Drabblecast or ye’s closest podcast provider for this one kids.
No drabble this week, but a very appropriate twabble by Chris Monroe: “Jesus Christ!” Mary yelled when she saw the muddy sandal prints across the living room, “What were you, born in a barn?”
He he, that rascal Jesus, always leaving doors wide open, and leaving his tracks all over everything, and I mean everything. Don’t forget to donate children, and if you’re a good boy or girl, santa might bring you something in return for your generosity. Like I said I really liked this episode so were giving this one: 5 out of 5 stars in alignment, ooohhh nooo!!
Steve Santiago – Genius? or Bored Psycho with Art Supplies?
Beyond Fear
In some of Lovecraft’s greatest tales he refrains from describing the horror itself in hopes that the reader’s imagination will take over and create a terrifying monster for him. However, we as humans must SEE the horror to confirm our thoughts are accurate in conceiving something so blasphemous that we love to think about it, yet pray to the gods that it really doesn’t exist. Luckily for us there has been a huge influx of artist whose psyche has been nurtured by the words of weird authors growing up, thus raising a new generation of visualists. Visualists who in the fashion of Goya, yet armed with digital pencils and photoshop, have begun to create compelling art that make most people uncomfortable when they get a glimpse. We like that stuff, and that’s why we like Steve Santiago.
I came across Steve while looking for a disturbing icon that I could call an unspeakable gibberer. I found one of his images entitled “Hybrid Horror” (click that link to see it), and inquired about using it. Turns out some of his work is locked, or need permission for use because of the stock photos used to create the image, and this was one of those. So, instead of waiting for the ok, Steve offered to create something for the site personally. Then wallah we were blessed with one of the creepiest damn things I’ve ever seen. Steve and his family dwell in Fresno, California where he is a graphic designer by day, and a father of 3 by night. He has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and has been lucky to work in the field for over 15 years. This guy knows his stuff and is one of the friendliest people I have had the pleasure to chat with. I wanted to do a little bio/interview post for Steve because things have been blowing up for this guy lately; with upcoming projects with Drabblecast, and work with the Lovecraft eZine Issue #8, I realize this guy is going places. I decided to post a couple of interview questions to help some people realize that Steve is not as crazy as you would think from looking at his work. After the Q/A are a couple of pieces Steve has previously completed. Enjoy!
Who is your favorite artist/inspiration? The first name that comes to mind is Frank Frazetta. The way he captured motion and used color still amazes me. Also the old master, Vincent van Gogh, and for a modern artist I would have to say Dave McKean for his mixed media style of perfectly blending illustration with photos and sculptures.
Who is your favorite author? Wow, to single out just one would be a crime! Growing up I had many. Ray Bradbury
What got you into Lovecraft or weird fiction in general? My older brother and I grew up watching shows like “Kolchak the Night Stalker” “Night Gallery” and “In Search Of…” We were fascinated with ghost stories, UFO’s and creepy folklore. I was a teenager when my brother and I discovered the Michael Whelan illustrated covers that collected Lovecraft stories. That was our first experience with Lovecraft and I thought those were the most disturbing stories I had ever read, I loved it!
What is your favorite Lovecraft story? At the Mountains of Madness
Do you have any hobbies? I’d have to say that since 2006 my hobby would be entering photoshop, illustration and logo contests that started on Worth1000.com and now on deviantART.com. It is very competitive and addicting! But it has been a great way to improve my skills. Always something new to learn.
Work/piece your most proud of? I’m never really satisfied with anything I do. I keep thinking I could have done better but I do like your web banner! I also like the cover I did for an upcoming Drabblecast episode. It incorporates 3 stories into the cover which wasn’t as easy as I thought it might be.
Do you have any goals or dreams to fulfill? I just had one fulfilled by having an illustration published (online) that has something to do with Lovecraftian fiction (The lovecraftzine.comissue 8 illustration for “The Time Eater” written by Adam Bolivar) and to do a cover for The Drabblecast which I have been a big fan of for quite some time. My Drabblecast cover should be out soon. So my new goals now are to continue to contribute art for The Drabblecast and be asked to create the cover for a future issue of the Lovecraft eZine. A long term goal would be to illustrate a book. I can dream can’t I?
With the work you’re doing for DC (Drabblecast), I’m curious if there is a story, or even an episode art that stands out most to you? Episode #206 entitled “Creature” that caught my eye and turns out to be one of my favorite Drabblecast stories. Excellent cover too.
What got you into DC? My love for podcasts lead me to find some really good anthology sites. Although when I first started listening to DC, I never imagined I would get the opportunity to do cover work for them. Thanks Bo!
Any future gigs you wish to get into/continue? To continue illustrating and photoshopping art for The Drabblecast and the Lovecraft eZine. They both have a great platform and continue to grow their fan base and I’m happy to be along for the ride.
As I write this now I see that Steve’s episode art for The Drabblecast #225 Trifecta XIX is out! good stuff, and to see that swing over to The Drabblecast’s new fancy site, or stay tuned here for a little review of this weeks episode. Below are some pieces of work that Steve has so nicely decided to share with us. For mor of these awesome pics, and to get know Mr. Santiago a little better, check out his stuff at http://www.quest007.deviantart.com.
Time Eater
Chupacabra
Midnight Swim
Lovecraft eZine Issue #8 for November
Cover art by Jethro Lentle
Happy Thanksgiving to me! I was thankful this year for receiving an impressive issue of The Lovecraft eZine #8. One story after the next of compelling Lovecraftian tales that made my day when I got home after a day of glutinous gorging and family togetherness. Had my fill of both but what I needed to cap of the holiday were some creepy tales.
First I want to say great art work this issue by the likes of Leslie H., Stjepan Lukac, Mike Dominic, Nickolas Gucker, and our pal Steve Santiago (Who is responsible for how awesome this site is.) Second, don’t forget to help these guys out and throw them some donations to continue bringing great stories, artwork, and other goodies your way.
As much as I would love to critique each of these awesome stories, I think it would take too long and I might go off on a tangent, and those can be disastrous, like this one time I as at work and this guy walked up and asks, “Hey, I was curious about your tail… oops. Anyway like I was saying, this month we are lucky to have five great stories, and they are: “Desert Mystery! Gas & Go!” by Ann K. Schwader, “The Tunnel Inside the Mountain” by A.J. French, “#Dreaming” by William Meikle, “What Dances in Shadow” by Derek Ferreora, “The Time Eaters” by Adam Bolivar. Each one was a great read!
I spent a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend and as I look back, a big part of my enjoyment was born from reading these tales. Mike Davis is doing great things for the Lovecraftian community, and by making the Zine so available to everyone, he is helping to ensure a future of creepiness, and creative fiction.
Lovecraft eZine issue #8 for November gets a loaded 5 out of 5 stars in alignment. Cheers!
Unspeakable Gibberer 