Brian Kirk

It’s strange, this life. Five years ago I decided to walk away from a lucrative position at an ad agency to devote more time to fiction writing. Not just any fiction, mind you. Weird fiction. Dark fiction. Fiction that sometimes hurts to write. Sometimes hurts to read.

I started this website five years ago and gave it a name: A Journey of the Imagination. Sounds a little puffed up, maybe, but it’s been fitting thus far. The latest stop along this path was the 25^th Anniversary World Horror Convention, which took place this past weekend in my hometown of Atlanta, and I’m still reeling from the experience.

I went last year to pitch a novel. I went this year, in part, to help promote it. Meanwhile, I was fortunate to meet some of the most fascinating, imaginative, hard-working, funny, authentic, enthusiastic, friendly, (more positive superlatives here) folks I’ve ever had the privilege to process oxygen with.

I’m not sure there’s a word that properly conveys the charge and emotional connection I feel when around these people. It’s part inspiration. Part adoration. A feeling of belonging (not from a professional standpoint, more like a tribal one). Writing speculative fiction is a unique calling, and this group hears it loud and clear. I can stand among throngs of strangers and feel isolated. With these folks, I feel at home.

Much of the weekend is a blur; it went by so fast. But here are some of my highlights:

I had my first book signing. Being local I was able to bring my family and was supported by friends who helped me sell my entire inventory. My kids were on hand to help out, which was amazing. And the very first book I signed went to my mom, who would support me if I were pursuing a career as a professional rhino wrestler. This was an experience I’ll never forget.

The second book I signed went to one of my new favorite authors, John F.D. Taff. That experience was so trippy, so surreal, it felt staged. One of my favorite authors asked for a copy of my book, and wanted me to sign it. I can’t explain it. My mother must have paid him off. Regardless, thank you, John (Mr. Taff to me), for taking the time to chat and offer your keen insight and encouragement. I hope you enjoy the book.

I got a chance to build on some burgeoning friendships, and have fun, fascinating conversations with good people like Nikki Guerlain, Jodi Renée Lester, Terra LeMay, John Urbancik, Anthony Rivera, Doug Murano, and many more. It’s cool to learn about the unique projects each individual is working on. The strange and beautiful objects they are bringing into the world. These people are wizards, plain and simple. I feel honored to know them.

I got a chance to party with members of my local writer’s group. Talented folks like Desirina Boskovich Frew, James Robert Herndon, Caelin Beaty, Keith Haun, Zoe Courtman Smith, Jyll Thomas, and Beth Dawkins. I’m blessed to be able to see these people on a semi-regular basis. If you live in, or near, Atlanta, check out the Lonely Universe writer’s group. It’s a great bunch.

In a weekend filled with heightened experiences, perhaps the highlight for me was getting a chance to meet and hang out with my lablemates at Samhain. Aaron Dries, Brian Pinkerton, John Everson, Frazer Lee, Tim Waggoner, Adam Cesare, JG Faherty, John Palisano, Stephen Graham Jones, and Russell R. James.

Good lord these guys are fun to hang out with. Smart, witty, driven, creative, humble and supportive. I seriously want to start a commune comprised of these people. Although, that’s probably a horror story in the making. Human sacrifice would start on day one. The last survivor would be smeared in blood, banging two thigh bones together as he or she summoned God Shiva from the sky. Or maybe we’d all just get along in our own private Utopia, who knows.

While I feel charged and inspired coming away from this event, I also feel a bit depressed that it’s over. That all of these cool, interesting people have scampered back to their respective corners of the world. But that’s where they’re needed right now. That’s where they do their work. And their work results in dark treasures that we all get to enjoy.

So that’s what I will return my focus to at this time. The shiny dark object that I’m trying to bring forth.

We Are Monsters comes out July 7^th, and I’m excited for that. But my attention is mostly on the new thing: a 95k word novel that is the first book in a planned trilogy. It’s time to find it a home.

Thanks again to everyone who made this past weekend so special for me. I’m counting down the days until we can do it again.