Nightmare Fuel, Issue 225

ISSUE 225 - THE INNER MOPPET WILL BE SPANKED

I haven’t sent a message in a couple of weeks. I’ve started writing a few times, then stopped, then started, then stopped. My interest in sending the issue would rise, just to tease me, then quickly die the 999th of its thousand deaths. I considered just giving up and calling it quits more than a dozen times, not because I dislike the newsletter but because I pretty much dislike everything of late.

If you’ve been reading this newsletter, you know I’ve been struggling with panic attacks of late. Not just panic attacks. Full on panic “nuke the site from orbit” attacks. I’ve also been dealing with crashing wave after crashing wave of sadness and misery. Don’t worry, though. Anxiety and depression are not the only feelings I’ve been contending with. I’ve also got explosions of pure rage to keep me warm. 

I’ve been lucky to have Cindy and Roman and a host of really good friends to help me through a lot of what’s going on.

And bourbon.

But the darkness has been mounting exponentially. There’s just no way for family and friends and alcohol to keep up. So, this week I decided to call in some professional help. I don’t like it. I’ve always been a “I’ll take care of my own business until my brain and heart simultaneously explode” kind of guy. I don’t like talking about my troubles with others. 

That’s why I have this newsletter. 

And bourbon.

There’s no shame in getting help with mental health. I’ve tried it before. I mean, yeah, the last therapist I talked to just said, “You need Jesus,” and asked if I’d be paying by cash or card. And Jesus is fine and all. Church can be great, but…

That’s why I have this newsletter. 

And bourbon.

I’m spiraling, though. I see it. My family sees it. My friends see it. I’m not going down without a fight, though. Simply put, my quality of life isn’t where it should be, and I just want to feel better. So, I’m putting my own trepidation aside. I’ll embrace the pain, spank my inner moppet, whatever, but get over it… with a little help (to paraphrase Cordelia Chase). 

I owe it to my wife and son.

I owe it to those around me. 

I owe it to myself.

And I’m sure it will give me a lot to talk about in the days to come. 

If you are struggling with mental health, even if you’re as stubborn as me, you don’t have to go it alone. Talk to someone—anyone—and seek out whatever resources and help you can. For me, this has been awful, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

Well… I would wish it on some people.

But that’s probably the aforementioned anger talking. 

Or the bourbon.

This past weekend was Tremendicon, and I thought it was a terrific time. I was able to hang out with a lot of good friends, peddle a few books, participate in a few panels, take some meetings, host a Whisky and Words event, and grab a few sweet items of my own. 

Some highlights included…

…I hosted a panel called “Let’s Create a Hero… and Then Kill Them” that went over exceptionally well. During the panel, the panelists, along with the audience created a hero and a villain from the ground up. It was a delightful examination of what goes into creating a viable character… and how much fun the act of creation can be. The hilarious results of the event can be found on Patreon (for free and paid members).

…During Whisky and Words, we shared space with the Artist Drink and Draw. For one of our prompts, I asked the artists what they were working on. Their prompt was “Godzilla. Hot water. Library.” So, I challenged the writers with that one. Aaron Conaway and I decided to create some art, too, and we snuck our pieces into the art auction that was going on. I’m happy to say, that our pieces raised a whopping $6 for Ozarks Food Harvest. 

…I was able to watch the screening of two short films that I wrote. Those films were “Watching” and “The Bleed.” I’ll be sharing them both very soon!

…JimmyZ and I were able to play and demo (with the publisher) the card game we’ve been working on. It was a great deal of fun and I’m ready to move with it into the next stage!

…I pitched a new world/setting to Outland Entertainment. I’m really pleased with the concept and I love how many opportunities it’s going to give us to tell so many different stories in so many different ways. 

…I was inspired by Aaron Conaway to try something different. He created a comic called JAN THE VAGABOND. And when I say he created it, he wrote, drew, and lettered the whole thing. And, while Aaron is a writer who doesn’t claim to be an artist, it was pure joy on the page. I don’t know if I can make it happen. I lot of it really scares the Hell out of me. But I’d love to try to do something similar. 

…I grabbed some cool stuff, such as a bunch of old D&D modules…

…and some awesome gaming-themed tankards from Rocky Patch Pottery, one because I feel like I’m a bard and the other because Cindy is a Natural 20.

…and a new writing satchel from Grimbeard Leather.

…And, in the end, a lot of inspiration and fun. Tremendicon is one of the best conventions I’ve ever attended for networking with other creators and finding inspiration. I’ll admit, I was on-the-go and stressed most of the time, but it was an absolute blast.

Over at Multiversity, Mark Tweedale sat down with Brian Hurtt and myself to discuss the upcoming Deluxe Omnibus edition of THE DAMNED. I think it is a fun, insightful interview about a book we dearly love. Check it out!

Sorry this issue was a little late. I’ll do my best to get back on track for next week! Thanks for spending some time with me!

DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT Vol. 2

A supernatural horror thriller splattered with dark humor in the vein of Grady Hendrix (My Best Friend's Exorcism), Stranger Things, Welcome to Night Vale, Supernatural, and the Midnight, Texas series (Charlaine Harris), DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT Vol. 2: Knocking on Heaven's Door tells the tale of a monster-hunting, traveling sales team who find that once certain doors open, they are impossible to close.

DAYLIGHT SALES CREW. MOONLIGHTING MONSTER HUNTERS

It's 1987, and the Heritage Mills sales team travels from town to town, knocking on doors. Each of them is still haunted by their own ghosts, closeted skeletons, and the real-life monsters that hide in the shadows. But now that the doors to an unseen world have been opened and the terrifying secrets - and monsters - unleashed, it's hard to rest. But being bone tired, even monster hunters/sales people need a well-deserved break. Don't take the bait. Some evils follow you like a bloodhound. What happens when monsters aren't exactly as they seem? What happens when our team encounters the monster that other monsters fear?

Sometimes no one gets out alive...

Knock, knock. What's there? Open the door if you dare...

From all-star creators, writer Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, The Last Book You'll Ever Read) and artist Sally Cantirino (I Walk With Monsters, Human Remains) comes the story of a motley crew going to battle against supernatural evil throughout the American South.

For fans of the devilishly delicious blend of nostalgic horror and dark humor, small town secrets, moonlight fright, Stranger Things, Welcome to Night Vale, My Best Friend's Exorcism, IT, Summer of Night, The Pallbearer's Club, The Autumnal, Proctor Valley Road, Gideon Falls, The Boys, B.P.R.D., and Something Is Killing the Children.

Volume 2 collects issues #5-7 of the smash 12-issue series!

Here we go with volume 2! If you haven’t read the single issues, now is your chance! I’m really proud of this book and I only hope more readers discover it. 

All events are subject to change at a moment’s notice, but here is where I’ll be appearing in the next several months!I 

October 4 - 6, 2024 - AuthorCon 4, St. Louis, Missouri

October 26 - 27, 2024 - Cowtown Comic Convention, Fort Worth, Texas

All Year Long - KICKING ASS AND TAKING NAMES, Worldwide

THE SHOCK SHOP - My online store, where you can find exclusive covers you can only get directly from me!

PATREON - Here, I post a serialized novel, a serialized comic book, short stories, and other cool materials.

CULLEN'S AMAZON STORE - Listen! If you have a local comic shop or bookshop, PLEASE visit them and order your books from them. If you don't have a shop, though, or if you can't get my books from your local bookseller for some reason, this Amazon shop has tons of options.