Tuesday, April 28, 2015

American Horror Story Hotel Includes Finn Wittrock

SPOILERS FOR AMERICAN HORROR STORY FREAKSHOW AND HOTEL ALERT SPOILERS







The line-up for American Horror Story Hotel has been announced. At long last, Finn Wittrock fans don't have to wonder any more. He has been cast.

American Horror Story Cast News

I'm very excited to see what is in store at the Horror Hotel. I think a hotel setting will be very cool and allows for characters to come and go without as much notice as say, a house where one lives. I don't doubt there will be a lot of The Shining elements at play at well as Bates Motel.

Wittrock said many times in interviews that he hopes to play a character that isn't like Dandy. We shall see. We know he'll be insane in some way because that's the nature of the series. Can't wait.




Wittrock has the classic psychopath look, as I've opined many times. He has the kind of pretty face that can snap into ugly fury without warning. He plays androgynous sexy asexual narcissist wound tighter than an e-string as if he weren't acting at all. Hopefully he's acting! Only his wife knows for sure!

His acting was fantastic in Freakshow and he was a true breakout star. It will be exciting to see where his career heads next, beyond the American Horror Story circuit. Of course, he should appear on AHS as much as possible while the series is hot. But he will have a great life after-series as well. He's already done amazing roles such as starring on Broadway with the late Seymour Philip Hoffman, so the sky is the limit for this young man.

And now, let's remember a couple of moments from Freakshow as we wait MONTHS for Hotel to premiere.




See you in the fall, Finn!


Sunday, April 19, 2015

Experiments in Terror from Samhain Horror Publishing is Ready to Order!

For Immediate Release Experiments in Terror by Sèphera Girón from Samhain Horror Publishing May 5, 2015





Format: Tradepaper
Length:224 Pages
Published: May 5, 2015
ISBN: 9781619229747


Pre Order Today from Samhain Horror Publishing: https://www.samhainpublishing.com/book/5456/experiments-in-terror

Toronto horror author Sèphera Giron’s gothic duet Experiments in Terror from Samhain Horror Publishing examines the Frankenstein mythos; one story is from the monster’s viewpoint, the other is from the doctor’s.

“...the loving homage to Mary Shelley's seminal work Frankenstein is palpable throughout the narrative....” - Frank Raymond Michaels, reviewer

Giron returns to the horror genre with a vengeance. Experiments in Terror represents Giron’s return to full length horror and trade paper print. She is working with Samhain Horror’s Don D’Auria on more projects. The book Experiments in Terror contains two novellas, Captured Souls and Flesh Failure.

In Captured Souls, narcissist Dr. Miriam Frederick, (a modern-day University professor and mad scientist), records her musings from her secret government grant funded basement laboratory where she conducts experiments exploring human sexuality on only the best specimens; a writer, an athlete, and a model.

In Flesh Failure, Agatha wakes up in a park and realizes that not only is she now a monster, she must create a new life for herself while searching for her creator in the fog-filled streets of Jack the Ripper’s London.

Sèphera Girón is the author of over twenty books ranging from horror to erotica. She is best known for her work with Leisure Books, which has been re-released from Necon eBooks. Her newly reissued Leisure titles include House of Pain, The Birds and the Bees, Borrowed Flesh, and Mistress of the Dark.

Sèphera has self-published a few books. Weird Tales of Terror is a collection of previously published and hard to find tales as well as one horror novel.

Sèphera has served as the Canadian Chapter head of the Horror Writers Association for nearly twenty years. She runs monthly meetings for the Ontario Chapter in Toronto. You may see the chapter at events such as The Word on the Street, Fan Expo, Ad Astra, Comic-Con, and various library presentations and literary events.

Sephera also dabbles in showbiz and served as Vice President for the Meadowale Music Theatre for a few years. She also was Chairperson of the Parent Board for Cawthra Park Secondary School of Performing Arts. She has performed in many theatrical productions since she was a child. She’s also been in some movies and videos. Her most recent acting gig is as a fortune-teller in Killer Rack directed by Gregory Lamberson, coming soon to a festival near you. Girón previously worked with Lamberson as “Ruby” in Slime City Massacre (2010).

Sèphera was born in New Orleans, grew up in London, Ontario from 1967 to 1982, attended York University and graduated with a B.A., and currently resides in Toronto (Mimico). She has two adult sons. In addition to writing, she works as a freelance editor and has enjoyed helping other writers for over ten years. She also is a tarot reader and paranormal investigator.

Sèphera is available for interviews, signings, lectures, workshops, or any other type of presentations. She can discuss horror, writing, editing, self-publishing, ghost hunting, tarot reading, or any other subject related to her work. Please contact: Sèphera sephgiron@rogers.com or sephgiron@gmail.com

Review copies of Experiments in Terror and more information about the book’s release on May 5, 2915 can be obtained from Kaitlin Osborn, Marketing Coordinator at Samhain Publishing kosborn@samhainpublishing.com


Praise for Captured Souls

"In Captured Souls--her latest erotic thrill ride, Sèphera Girón has created a terrifying new character: a female rendition of Dr. Frankenstein given to detailed scientific human experimentation combined with the sexually predatory and obsessive nature of Nabokov's Humbert Humbert. Horrific and unforgettable." -Lisa Mannetti, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Gentling Box and Deathwatch

“A queasily beguiling blend of erotica and body horror, Sèphera Girón's Captured Souls pits a sexy female mad scientist with a literal fetish for fleshy modification against the self-set challenge of not just finding the perfect lover, but making one. Think Frankenstein in a bustier, with a cool, sleek, Cronenbergian edge. The result is an imaginative Grand Guignol freakout with porno flair, pumped full of dry black humor and nasty surprises, explicit in every way possible--overall, quite disgustingly entertaining.” -Gemma Files, The Hexslinger Series

“Sèphera Girón knocks that stereotypical male sexual predator on his head. You won't find another book like this one out there. If you want lust, insanity and horror plaited together into one easy and fun-to-read diabolical story, Captured Souls is for you!” -Nancy Kilpatrick, Writer - Power of the Blood, Editor - Expiration Date

Praise for Flesh Failure

“Any time you set a horror novel in Victorian London and throw in a retelling of Frankenstein and a dash of Jack the Ripper(even the Elephant Man makes an appearance), then you immediately have my interest peaked. How Giron presents this story is somewhat unique and keeps you intrigued. From the opening Giron keeps her foot on the pedal and keeps it there until it's mashed to the floor. Keeps you in suspense the whole way while you're trying to piece together what happened to our main character Agatha. Flesh Failure really was a lot of fun to read and at the same time it makes you think. It has heart and soul, I guess one could say.” - Haze Blackmon, Reviewer

“Talk about a well-written, engaging story.” - David Bernstein, Witch Island

“Girón’s language is simple but elegant, and the story progression offers some interesting surprises.” - Lisa Lane, Reviewer



Monday, April 13, 2015

Expiration Date Anthology and Lizzie Borden



The anthology "Expiration Date" is now available in both print and e-book platforms wherever books are sold.

Some of the authors and editor Nancy Kilpatrick held a signing and reading at Sellers and Newell Bookstore on College Street in Toronto.

Kelley Armstrong reads part of her story in Expiration Date.




There was a conference in Toronto called Ad Astra. There was a launch party there as well.



The story "What Would Lizzie Do?" is inspired by the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast in Fall River and the events that transpired therein.



T-shirt is of Andrew Borden from the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast. Photography by Nancy Kilpatrick.

Photography by Nancy Kilpatrick

The Lizzie Borden Chronicles on Lifetime: The Beginning




I've been watching this series with interest. After all, I wasn't too pleased with the TV movie, simply because I didn't buy Christina Ricci as Lizzie Borden. However, Ricci has fine-tuned her character and I've grown more tolerant now that this has become a series. I buy her psychopathic tenancies now.

The mini-series begins where the movie left off and where for most people, the story ends. The series follows Lizzie and Emma's lives after the trial is over in a fictional manner. Instead of the murders ending with Andrew and Abby, they continue on in the tiny town of Fall River.




I've only seen two episodes at this point and am anxious to see more. It took me a while to warm up to Bates Motel and American Horror Story, so I'm pleased that I'm all ready warming up to The Lizzie Borden Chronicles.

I've never discounted Ricci being psychopathic, she has always done that well. It was her tiny frame that I didn't find believable in swinging that axe with enough  force to slay two people. However, the writers have addressed that idea a couple of times by recounting other cases of women who were small and were capable of vile acts.

It pleases me that they are exploring Lizzie's lesbianism in showing Ricci kissing women. In real life, Lizzie fancied an actress named Nance. She is here in the miniseries as well.

I recommend giving The Lizzie Borden Chronicles a look-see. Your guess is as good as mine as where this series will go and how long it will stay on the air.



Friday, April 3, 2015

Incest is Best on Bates Motel Season Three


Spoiler Alert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



My guilty pleasure that existed long before I fell in love with psychopathic Dandy Mott in American Horror Story: FreakShow was Bates Motel.

As we hurtle into Season Three, it seems the long lingering foreplay is going to finally begin to pay off.

Norman has grown from gangly teenager into a creepily charismatic young man. His psychopathic traits are unravelling faster than ever. The yearn for an adrenaline rush continues to supersede common sense.



Norman's attachment to mom continues to twist and his mind continues to split as he dances between fantasy and reality.




Norman even dates a girl to make mom jealous after mom decides (when Dylan points it out) that perhaps an eighteen year old man shouldn't be spooning with his mother. Twisted indeed.




Which of course, brings us to Dylan. Poor twisted tormented Dylan. He wants to do what's right but how can he get on with life when he surrounded by psychopaths?

His dad is his uncle. Dylan was the result of a liaison between his mom and her brother. Norman was fathered by a different man.


Dylan suspects his mom and brother are serial killers and no matter how he tries to get away, he gets sucked back into the web of family dysfunction.

Bates Motel contains debauchery on every level and third season is starting out on a great foot. I can't wait to see what's going to happen next!

Sèphera Girón at Ad Astra in Toronto April 2015






One of the traditions in Toronto is Ad Astra. This long-running convention celebrates science fiction, fantasy, and horror through panels, workshops, parties, autograph sessions, readings, masquerade, and other gatherings.

Sèphera Girón will be on three panels at Ad Astra this year and at the mass signing as well as several parties. Check your program for details.

Friday night Expiration Date party

Saturday 11 - 12 pm Pro Horror Panel
Saturday   2 - 4  pm Mass Signing
Saturday   6 - 7  pm Big Bang Theory Discussion
Saturday night Chizine Party

Sunday noon - 1 pm Novel vs Short Story panel


Sign up for your Ad Astra membership today so that you don't miss out!

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Expiration Date Book Launch in Toronto




Join Kelley Armstrong, Nancy Kilpatrick, Sèphera Girón, Tobin Elliott, Patricia Flewwelling, J. M. Frey, and Ryan McFadden at Sellers & Newell Bookstore on Thursday April 9 at 7:00 PM.

The Expiration Date anthology contains spooky, creepy, disturbing, and horrific stories penned by some of the finest modern horror authors. There will be loads of books on hand for you to purchase and have signed. Free autographs! Free photographs!

Join us as we celebrate the release of this book!

My story is called, "What Would Lizzie Do?" and is about...yes, you guessed it! The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast. There are so many stories about Lizzie Borden. And certainly that mutton was past its expiration date.


Everyone is welcome to this launch and please spread the word among horror lovers and book lovers! Be certain to say hi to me!