Midlisters by Kealan Patrick Burke - published by Biting Dog Press

This novella by Kealan Patrick Burke is a real eye-opener for most readers, I suspect. The midlist is something everyone associated with writing - particularly in the horror genre - has heard of. If you have been around as long as I have, you may even remember what it was (I don’t think it really exists in the same way any longer). It was a group of authors paid pretty well for what they did, with good followings, but who never broke through to the top tier at their publishing houses. People might be vaguely aware of them, but their books were printed in smaller numbers, received less marketing hoopla, sold steady numbers, and were often soon forgotten.

Even among writers, it’s difficult to figure out how things might be on the other side of the fence. Jason Tennant is a midlist horror author. Kent Grey, who Jason grudgingly admits has talent behind the super-popular, sci-fi schlock that he writes, is the epitome of all Jason despises. He has all the media recognition, the extra money, and he can’t even have the good grace to write badly.

When the two authors both end up as guests at the same convention, things get crazy. Not crazy as in hectic, or boy we have a lot to do this weekend crazy, but as in loopy out of their minds chainsaw crazy. As is true of so many horror novels and novellas, after the events that take place in Burke’s Midlisters, Jason Tennant ’s world is never the same as it was. The prose is smooth, the characters ring true, and the story is entertaining. There’s not much more you can ask for in fiction - I highly recommend this one, particularly to the aspiring writer.

-DNW