Brian Kirk

A Journey of the Imagination

Tag: We Are Monsters (page 2 of 2)

We Are Monsters Meets The World

Friday, July 24, 2015 / / 0 Comments

My debut novel, We Are Monsters, has been out for just over two weeks and I’m both humbled and completely elated by the positive press it’s received so far. Here are some of the kind things authors and professional critics have had to say:

“Keep an eye on Brian Kirk. His ambitious debut We Are Monsters is a high-voltage thrill, like watching Sam Fuller’s Shock Corridor and Joel Schumacher’s Flatliners on split screens.” -Jonathan Moore, Bram Stoker nominated author of Redheads, Close Reach, and The Poison Artist.

“Brian Kirk’s debut We Are Monsters is a smart, elaborate novel that weaves together the best and worst of us. Complex, terrifying, and still humane, this book moved me to both horror and compassion, and that’s a difficult thing indeed. Easily the best book I’ve read this year.” -Mercedes M. Yardley, author of Pretty Little Dead Girls: A Novel of Murder and Whimsy.

“A tightly woven tale from an author who has a heart, and that makes me excited to see what else Kirk has in store for us. The whole story will have you examining the human race as never before.” -Ginger Nuts of Horror

“Brian Kirk’s debut novel We Are Monsters is a sure bet. A hippy-trippy jaunt that goes deep into the baser things we keep bottled up… and what happens when they’re freed. Highly recommended!” -John F.D. Taff, Bram Stoker nominated author of The End In All Beginnings.

“I can’t praise this book enough!” -Horror Novel Reviews

“Cleverly told. Psychologically complex.” -Scarlet’s Web

“A disturbing, gets-under-your-skin debut novel. I expect to read much more from Kirk in the future.” -Robert Ford, author of The Compound and Samson and Denial.

Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed the book so far. I’m thrilled to see that so many of you have enjoyed it.

John F.D. Taff Endorses My Debut Novel

Monday, July 6, 2015 / / 3 Comments

We live in a strange world. Here’s me nine months ago. I’m reading a book called The End In All Beginnings by Bram Stoker Award nominated author, John F.D. Taff. I haven’t made it past the first page and I’m already mesmerized by its beauty. Certain authors have that power. They reach out through the pages and pull you in. I finished the book in a sitting or two, and then I sat for a while longer. Just staring blankly at the wall while reflecting on the beauty and emotional intensity of the book. I was so moved, in fact, that I felt compelled to write an essay on the book, which you can read here.

The End In All Beginnings was my favorite book of 2014, and ranks among the most accomplished works of fiction I’ve ever read. Suffice it to say I became an immediate fan of Mr. Taff. I was, therefore, awestruck when I ran into him at the World Horror Convention in Atlanta and saw that my publisher’s table was directly across from his. I was downright floored when he strolled over during my book signing and asked me to sign one for him. I did little more than stammer while writing nonsense in chicken scrawl.

Today I received a note from John F.D. Taff, one of my favorite authors whom I never once thought I would meet, much less have read my debut novel. He said some very complimentary things, and offered the following blurb. I tell you, friends, we live in a strange and wondrous world.

JohnTaff-213x300

“Brian Kirk’s debut novel WE ARE MONSTERS is a sure bet. A hippy-trippy jaunt through the application of a new hallucinogenic drug to treat schizophrenics that seems to work wonders…until it doesn’t. Kirk is adept at walking you through the maze of psychiatry, science and drugs, but not letting it overwhelm the story.  And the story, as the title suggests, goes deep into the baser things we keep bottled up…and what happens when they’re freed. Highly recommended!”

-John F.D. Taff, Bram Stoker nominated author of The End In All Beginnings.

We Are Monsters just released today, joining the same virtual shelves as John F.D. Taff’s amazing The End In All Beginnings. I humbly invite you to read them both.  The End In All Beginnings

The End In All Beginnings

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Publisher

We Are Monsters

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Publisher

Win a Signed Copy of We Are Monsters

Sunday, June 14, 2015 / / 0 Comments

We Are Monsters debuts in 30 days. To celebrate, I’m giving away a signed print copy through Goodreads. Enter to win, and feel free to tell your friends. Thanks for your support.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

We Are Monsters by Brian Kirk

We Are Monsters

by Brian Kirk

Giveaway ends July 07, 2015.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to Win

We Are Monsters Gets Its First Review

Friday, May 29, 2015 / / 0 Comments

The first professional review of my debut book, We Are Monsters, just came in. And… It’s a good one!

CLICK HERE to read the complete review, graciously offered by the fine folks at Ginger Nuts of Horror. If you want to know what it felt like to receive this initial review, read on.

Continue reading

Jonathan Moore Endorses My Debut Novel

Thursday, May 7, 2015 / / 0 Comments

I’ve got a secret: I used to want to be James Bond. But that was before I met Jonathan Moore. This guy is living on another plane of existence. Jonathan Moore has been a whitewater raft guide on the Rio Grande, a counselor at a Texas wilderness camp for juvenile delinquents, and an investigator for a criminal defense attorney in Washington, D.C. This was all before getting his law degree in New Orleans.

Now he’s a successful attorney living in Hawaii with a drop-dead gorgeous wife (forgive me, Mr. Moore, I mean no offense) who writes smart, gritty, mind bending thrillers whenever he’s not sailing his boat.

Meanwhile, I have a hard time getting out of bed before 10 a.m.

Jonathan was kind enough to read an advance copy of my debut novel, We Are Monsters. This is what he had to say.

Jonathan Moore

“Keep an eye on Brian Kirk. His ambitious debut We Are Monsters is a high voltage thrill, like watching Sam Fuller’s Shock Corridor and Joel Schumacher’s Flatliners on split screens.”

-Jonathan Moore, Bram Stoker nominated author of Redheads, Close Reach, and The Poison Artist.

When I say I’m happier to receive this endorsement from Jonathan Moore than James Bond I’m not joking. He doesn’t just hand these out. In fact, this was the first time he’s ever put his name behind a blurb.

Mr. Moore has authored three excellent novels with a fourth underway. His chilling debut Redheads was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. And his terse thriller Close Reach was one of my favorite books of 2014.

I’m eagerly awaiting the release of his next novel The Poison Artist which you can pre-order HERE.The Poison Artist

For more information about the talented Jonathan Moore, visit his website. If you’re like me, you’ll go hoping to access whatever raw energy he’s harnessing to lead such an exceptional life.

If this endorsement has intrigued you to check out my book, I humbly invite you to pre-order it HERE.

Author Robert Ford Endorses My Debut Novel

Thursday, April 23, 2015 / / 0 Comments

I just received another excellent endorsement for my debut novel, We Are Monsters. This time from author, Robert Ford​. I’m actually more excited to talk about Bob’s work than my own, as I’m a big fan. Not only is he ridiculously talented, he’s among the most courageous writers I know, taking the toughest experiences in his life and transforming them into exquisitely devastating tales. He’s been known to evoke tears at his live readings – hell, he’s been known to make people ugly cry, and then thank him afterwards. And no one comes up with better book titles than Bob: The God Beneath My Garden, No Lipstick In Avalon, Samson and Denial. I recommend them all.

Here’s what he had to say about my pending release, We Are Monsters:

Robert Ford

“With We Are Monsters, Brian Kirk has created a disturbing, gets-under-your-skin debut novel. This is an excellent read — not only for a first novel, but a proud accomplishment for a seasoned writer. I expect to read much more from Kirk in the future.”

-Robert Ford, author of The Compound and Samson and Denial

Samson and DenialIt’s surreal to be getting praise from people I admire as much as Robert. If you’re not familiar with his work, you’ve got to check it out. He’s the real deal. A true writer in every sense of the word. A ton of talent, zero compromises. He writes what he wants. He writes what he must.

I’d say start with Samson and Denial and see if you can put it down. Then check out his short fiction in The God Beneath My Garden, but fortify yourself first.

In case you missed it, here’s another great endorsement from the wonderful Mercedes M. Yardley.

Preparing Your Pitch

Monday, April 20, 2015 / / 0 Comments

When I signed up to attend the World Horror Convention last year in Portland, I went with one goal in mind: to pitch the novel I had just completed in hopes of landing a book deal. I had never been to the WHC before. In fact, I had never been to a convention of any kind before. Therefore, I had no idea what to expect, or how I was going to meet the editors or agents who could either offer me a contract, or help me get one. Nor did I know how I was going to smoothly present my project without coming off like an overeager putz (which I most certainly am).

Continue reading

Mercedes M. Yardley Endorses My Debut Novel

Wednesday, April 15, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Early reviews of my debut novel, We Are Monsters, are coming in, and the feedback has been extremely kind. Here’s a wonderful blurb from one of the most skilled, and original writers I know, Mercedes M. Yardley. If you haven’t read her work, please do. It will break your heart and rebuild it. Here’s what she had to say:

Mercedes M. Yardley

“Brian Kirk’s We Are Monsters takes us into the intricate Jekyll and Hyde world that exists within us all. It’s a high quality, smoothly written novel featuring characters who are both monstrous and horrifyingly human. Kirk’s book combines shades of Edgar Allan Poe’s The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether and Stephen King’s The Green Mile in order to make something satisfying, surprisingly humane, and uniquely his. Easily the best book I’ve read this year.”

-Mercedes M. Yardley, author of Pretty Little Dead Girls: A Novel of Murder and Whimsy

I’ll admit, I was terrified when I learned Mercedes had agreed to read an advance copy of my book. Not only do I admire her courageous approach to storytelling, and her lyrical prose, I respect her taste in literature. I knew this would be a tough test to determine the subjective worth of my work. I am both thrilled, and terribly relieved, to have received such flattering feedback from a writer whom I admire as much as her.

Pretty Little Dead GirlsCheck out her latest release: Pretty Little Dead Girls: A Tale of Murder and Whimsey. It’s a fun and ecstatic fairy tale that rivals the best of Neil Gaiman. Order from Amazon HERE.

To learn more about We Are Monsters, or to pre-order the Kindle edition now, go HERE. The print edition will be available for pre-order in June.

We Are Monsters Cover Reveal

Tuesday, April 7, 2015 / / 1 Comment

I’m pleased to reveal the official cover for my debut novel, We Are Monsters, scheduled for release on July 7th. As you’ll see, we chose to go with a clean, simple, and iconic design.

We Are MonstersI’ll be honest, this took some work. Simplicity often does. Too often, people are inclined to cram as much stuff onto a cover as they can. More is considered more. For me, and my personal tastes, the cover is not meant to work as a movie trailer for the content inside. Instead, it should evoke a feeling or emotion similar to the one the reader can expect to experience while reading the book. It should pique one’s curiosity, not satiate one’s desire to know what the story’s about. That’s what the back cover, or inside flap, is for.

We explored two other completely different concepts in addition to this one. Both had their merits and limitations. All the while, I kept drifting back to this design. It made me feel uncomfortable for some reason. There’s a tension to it. A subtle sense of unease (or disease).

We Are Monsters is a story about our inner demons. The ones we face and fight every day. And a psychiatrist’s experimental drug that unintentionally casts them out into each character’s world, where they are forced to confront them. Some may call that bad medicine – anti-medicine, as the upside down staff implies. But it just may lead to the asylum we all seek from the monsters within ourselves. You’ll have to read the book to find out.

You can pre-order the Kindle edition HERE.

The trade paperback, and audiobook, will both be available soon.

Newer posts

Latest posts

Social Media Icons

Visit Us On TwitterVisit Us On FacebookCheck Our Feed

© 2024 Brian Kirk

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑