To read Dean Koontz or not to read Dean Koontz, that is the question

Ahhh, the tease that is Dean Koontz.  A new book comes out every year, and after serious consideration about whether or not I think I will enjoy it based on the description, I almost always buy it.  It may take years, but I always get it.   But why the hesitation? 

Because of huge, relatively recent disappointments.  Like The Good Guy and the Husband and My Heart Belongs to You.  And Relentless.  I wish I could scrub that book from my memory.  They all started with such promise.  And they all fizzled.  Bad.  Some worse than others.  One in particular crash and burned.

Now, I know that he, like King, will never reach his pinnacle again.  I doubt we will see such masterpieces as Midnight and Whispers and Phantoms again.  I don't know if it is a lack of interest in writing such epic stories, or his simple enjoyment in writing shorter works.  Whatever the reason, it doesn't mean that Koontz can not still write fun, engaging books.  And that is why I comes always come back.  Because for every crappy The Good Guy, there is a fun romp like Life Expectancy.  For every dull The Husband, there is a truly frightful The Taking.

Do Free Books on Amazon Help?

It's amazing what selling a book for free on Amazon can do.  Not for your career, mind you, but for that free book alone.  Sadly, at least for an Indie author at the beginning of his career, free book sales do NOT automatically convert to paid-for book sales.  Don't get me wrong.  I didn't expect it to.  And I understand why it happens.  So I am not disappointed.  Let's look at why:

Last Dance of a Black Widow, a 3,000 word short story went on sale yesterday for free.  Within 24 hours, it became:

• #1 free short story
• #2 free horror
• #49 in free Kindle (All)

Pretty good, right?  Well, it will stay up there for a day or two and then slowly slip down the ranks (as unknown books by unknown authors do), replaced by the good-old standbys by established authors and the classics.  I passed Dracula and Amanda Hocking, but they'll slip by me again soon.

Now, let's take a look at the true effects of free books.

Modern Horror in Books- One Man's Opinion

This post was originally published on the Paranormal Wire, but now I am sharing it on my own blog.   It's basically a discussion of the evolution of the horror genre in my eyes.  This is one man's opinion- I am doing zero research- and just want to express my feelings about how written horror is perceived these days.  Just a warning... I am a rambler, and not half as eloquent as I am when I write fiction.  Remember, I'm just a dentist.  I am sure I am going to step on some people's toes, and there are some who may say, quite imperiously, I may add: "How dare he!  Who is he to decide what is good and not good in horror!  He has done nothing!"  All true, but it doesn't make my opinion any less valid.  I am a fan and have been for two decades, I have read hundreds of books across all horror sub-genres, and I am going to talk, dammit!