I was recently a guest on The Darkness Dwells Podcast talking about my latest story in the Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories anthology, why mental illness and creativity are often intertwined, and what makes horror writers some of the happiest people on the planet. I hope you’ll check it out.
While there, be sure to check out the recent episodes from fellow GUTTED contributors Mercedes Murdock Yardley, Damien Angelica Walters, and Ramsey Campbell as well. Enjoy!
Had a hard time sleeping last night. Partly due to our dog using my legs as a hammock. But it was also due to a realization I had around 2 AM that the final Bram Stoker Awards ballot was being announced today, and We Are Monsters had a shot of making the list.
Well, the lack of sleep was worth it. I am pleased to announce that my debut novel, We Are Monsters, has made the final Bram Stoker Awards ballot for Superior Achievement in a First Novel.
Nominated for Superior Achievement in a First Novel
The reception We Are Monsters has received so far has floored me. Having it blurbed by authors whom I’ve long admired, including Mercedes M. Yardley, John F.D. Taff, Jonathan Moore, Bob Ford, and Brian Keene.
Receiving stellar reviews from some of the horror industry’s most trusted review sites.
Having it wind up on several best of the year lists.
Having it optioned for film development by the producers of The Messengers, Role Models, and Lone Survivor!
And now to have it nominated for a Bram Stoker Award just about pushes me over the edge.
I almost quit on this novel. Like any other writer out there, I feared it was terrible and nearly threw it away. And insecurities still haunt me. I guess they always will. But I’ll never quit on the work. Because I now know, no matter how terrible it may seem at the time, that if you keep grinding, and pushing, and dreaming as large as you can, good things are bound to come from it. And that’s a wonderful lesson to learn.
Thanks to all who have supported and guided me along this amazing journey. And congrats to the other authors on the Stoker ballot! See you in Vegas!
Anyone interested in picking up a copy can do so HERE. And I’ll thank you very kindly.
There has been a ton of work going on behind the scenes, and I am happy to make an exciting announcement.
I have accepted an offer to option the film rights to my debut novel, We Are Monsters. That’s right, We Are Monsters is in the process of being made into a movie! The production team that purchased the rights has an impressive list of film credentials, including The Messengers starring Kristen Stewart, Role Models starring Paul Rudd, and Lone Survivor starring Mark Wahlberg.
We are currently selecting screenwriters to help adapt the screenplay. Some exciting writers/directors have expressed interest, and I look forward to announcing names as soon as I’m able.
I continue to be amazed by the attention We Are Monsters has received, and am excited for the potential of it reaching new audiences through the big screen. I won’t lie, I’m also just a tad excited to see these words: Based on the novel written by Brian Kirk.
Thank you to everyone who has helped keep the momentum going: readers, friends, and industry professionals. This is a nugget of proof that anything is possible. Stay tuned.
2015 was a special year for me. It marked the release of my debut novel, We Are Monsters, which is something I’ve been dreaming about most of my life. What makes it even sweeter is the warm reception the book has received from readers and critics alike.
As the year ended, and reviewers began to create their “Best of the Year” lists, I was honored to find We Are Monsters on many of them. Here are links to several “Best Horror Novels of 2015” lists that included We Are Monsters alongside many of my favorite reads from the year as well.
I read 39 books in 2015, although most of them were published in year’s prior. I’m always playing catch up. Here are my top ten favorite reads from last year, listed alphabetically.
There are many exciting developments going on behind the scenes right now that should make 2016 another exciting year. Stay tuned.
I am humbled and immensely pleased with the amount of (mostly positive) press We Are Monsters has received so far. Here is a recap of some of the reviews that have been written about my debut novel, starting with my personal favorite – a short and sweet one from industry icon, Brian Keene.
Professional Reviews
Reader Reviews
Reader reviews can be found at Amazon and Goodreads.
Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to read and review the book. I’m happy to see how many of you have enjoyed it.
Okay, it’s official. We’ve slipped into an alternate reality. And, no, I’m not talking about the Berenstain Bears conspiracy. I’m talking about an email I just received from Brian Keene with a blurb for We Are Monsters that I couldn’t be happier with had I wrote it myself. Here’s what the Grand Master of Horror had to say about my debut book.
“We Are Monsters is fantastic — a frightening and intense thriller and one hell of a debut novel. I was blown away. Brian Kirk is exactly what readers need — a talented new voice with original, awe-inspiring ideas that can push the genre forward.”
-Brian Keene, best-selling author of Ghoul and The Rising
There’s simply no way this happens on the same time line I was following five years ago. This is nuts.
I’m assuming most everyone reading this post is familiar with Mr. Keene, but for those who aren’t, Brian Keene is among the most renowned horror authors of the last decade. Dude does everything: writes novels, comic books, short fiction, non-fiction, and movie scripts. He’s won multiple Bram Stoker Awards and been on bestseller lists. His 2003 novel The Rising is often credited with inspiring the resurgent zombie craze that continues to this day.
He’s one of just 25 authors to be honored with a Grand Master Award, ensuring his eternal place in the horror fiction hall of fame. He hosts one of the most popular and entertaining podcasts in the horror genre, The Horror Show with Brian Keene. And he is a renowned leader within the horror fiction community, fighting for the fair treatment of authors, selflessly offering guidance and advice to up-and-coming scribes.
Sorry if I’m gushing a bit here, I’m just a little overwhelmed and extremely grateful that he would take time out of his insane schedule to read a debut novel from a no-name like me.
I’ve read several of Brian Keene’s books. Hell, I bought a stack from him at the World Horror Convention where I pitched my book to Don D’Auria with Samhain. While I would recommend any one of them, I’ll go with the book Stephen King recently recommended for fans of THE MIST (one of my personal favorite’s from King’s canon), which is DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN.
But don’t stop there. CLICK HERE to find the complete catalog of Brian Keene’s esteemed work. I urge you to pick up another book or three.
I’m equally grateful to the other authors who have been kind enough to endorse We Are Monsters. Click on the following links to find out what Mercedes M. Yardley, Robert Ford, Jonathan Moore, and John F.D. Taff have had to say.
I just learned that my debut novel, We Are Monsters, has been listed as one of the ten best horror novels of 2015. I’m flattered and, frankly, a bit surprised to see my work ranked alongside New York Times best selling authors whom I’ve long admired, and books that I would consider the best of the year as well.
Click here to see the full list. Here’s a snippet of what they had to say:
I have yet to read every book on this list, but I intend to. Of the ones I have read, my personal favorite is A Head Full Of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay. In fact, I included this book in my Recommended Reading section, and you can read my essay here.
I have a morbidly curious mind (I can’t help it, I was born this way). For instance, I’m fascinated by incredibly rare diseases and disorders. It’s part of what inspired me to write a book about mental illness. So I spent some time going down the bizarre rabbit hole of radical disorders for an article that just went live on author, David Bernstein’s website.
Example 1: The Cotard Delusion: a rare, though real, neuropsychiatric disorder in which patients believe that they have died, do not exist, are putrefying, or have lost their vital organs.
If this has piqued your interest, proceed to David’s site for more. Scroll past his acclaimed catalog of twisted horror titles to find the article below. Warning: hypochondriacs should avoid at all costs.
My latest stop along the We Are Monsters publicity tour was The Round Table Podcast, where I had a fun and engaging conversation with host, Dave Robison and guest host, CW LaSart. This is separated into two parts.
Part I is an interview with me where we covered a bunch of topics mostly relating to the craft of writing, including: the work vs. the results, achieving the magical flow state, infusing terror into any scene, the distinction between “hero” and “protagonist”, and more.
In Part II we take on a story idea from an aspiring author and try to make it better. For instance, I recommend turning the pregnancy resulting from a love tryst into a strange immaculate conception and get wonderfully shot down. It’s glorious.
Lots of good info in both segments for aspiring and established writers alike. I hope you’ll check them out.
I was a guest on author, Hunter Shea’s website discussing a difficult subject: What turns an innocent toddler into a sadistic predator. What creates a human monster. CLICK HERE to give it a read.
And please check out the WAM Publicity Tour for a full listing of guest appearances on other websites containing interviews and articles similar to this one. I hope you’ll follow along.
I'm a Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of dark thrillers and psychological suspense. Feel free to contact me to discuss a current project, or just to chat. Don't worry, I only kill my characters.
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