The Knight, the Drug Lord, and Why Star Ratings Need to Die It's time to move on from Amazon-style reviews

Just dropped a new article over on my Substack, examining star ratings for books and why they need to go away.

Come take a look!

hawkinswrites.substack.com/p/the-knight...

Chalkboard sign that says fix your hearts or die

Today’s chalkboard art at Ghoulish Books.

“Fix your hearts or die”

I mean, technically...

a cartoon of two dogs standing next to each other with a train in the background and the word scruffy on the bottom ALT: a cartoon of two dogs standing next to each other with a train in the background and the word scruffy on the bottom

I'm so glad you asked! Would you like my three-hour TED talk, or the full, eight-hour deep dive?

a group of south park characters standing next to each other ALT: a group of south park characters standing next to each other

If this is a hot take on Bluey, I *will* fight you.

If you do only one thing tomorrow, go to a No Kings rally.

But, if you do TWO things tomorrow, join me at the Spooky Frog Book Fair in Brookfield, Wisconsin! I'll be there with a bunch of fantastic authors and artists, signing stuff and talking about horror. Hope to see you there!

a black and white photo of a group of people standing next to each other in a dark room . ALT: a black and white photo of a group of people standing next to each other in a dark room .

Decided to start watching Dark Shadows from the very beginning. So it's only, oh, 100 hours or so before Barnabus Collins shows up. Send snacks.

Everything on the menu is 30 pieces of silver or less!

Thanks for reading!

Little did I know at the time that Bugs Bunny would be my gateway drug to classic cinema.

My books are in the window of a Barnes & Noble! That’s some writer bucket list stuff right there!

Yeah, I know it’s Texas Chainsaw day. I’m watching this, though.

So many amazing authors in this one.

And also me!

Congratulations!!

I almost forgot it was Prime Day.

It’s not a conscious thing though. It’s just kind of working out that way.

two knights are standing in the woods and one of them is saying i 've had worse . ALT: two knights are standing in the woods and one of them is saying i 've had worse .

I've been writing about dismemberment a lot lately. Trying not to read too much into that.

Me: Sinners is a beautifully realized film that lingers in the imagination long after the credits roll, and a prime example of the emotional and narrative depths that the horror genre is capable of.

Also me: Sinners is fancy From Dusk Til Dawn.

Ah yes, the It's-Not-Sunday-But-It-Still-Feels-Like-Sunday Malaise. Welcome back, my old friend.

Everyone still have all their fingers? Yes? Good.

Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories author interview: Tina Jenkins Bell and Christopher Hawkins YouTube video by From Beyond Press

RED LINE: CHICAGO HORROR STORIES author interview! Christopher Hawkins (@christopherhawkins.bsky.social) and Tina Jenkins Bell discuss their stories in the forthcoming anthology.

youtu.be/WkQr9DoMB8s

Dear England: is it too late to say ‘sike’?

You are not Herbert. We reach.

Stories From The Motel Sick A genre-bending anthology about a metaphysical motel featuring rooms with every possible theme in the universe

Okay, horror fans! The Motel Sick anthology (featuring a story called "Gideons" by yours truly) just launched today, and it is SIX DOLLARS away from funding! You could put it over the top RIGHT NOW! Go for it!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/mic...

If Casino Royale was set in the US, they’d have to call it Casino Quarter Pounder.

Closed out my first ever book tour in epic fashion on Wednesday with Sam from Spooky Frog Events at Boswell bookstore in Milwaukee. Thanks to everyone who came out and huge thanks to the amazing Boswell staff!

Finally remembering to post my Stokercon haul. Lots of treasure, including a new signed RPG, a signed unbound proof, a signed comic, more signed books, and a puzzle (sadly not signed).

Valley of Gwangi for five bucks on digital? Why, yes. Don't mind if I do.

#RayHarryhausen

Heading out to Milwaukee in a few mins. The event starts at 6:30. Hope to see you there!