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KHDZ
John Smith is the first person ever sent downstairs due to a mix-up in the paperwork. While this is sorted out, he is assigned to work at Hades’ local television station, where he must deal with strange characters and stranger programming.
All the more bizarre, he arrived just in time for Founder's Day.
Industry feedback (re: screenplay adaptation)
"The concept is brilliant and eye-catching."
"The situation is entertaining, the shows are fun, and life at the station with all its quirky characters is easy to become invested in… a fun script and a very talented writer.”
"The author has come up with a very inventive concept and gives us a very sympathetic protagonist. Not only that, the author understands how to balance the wit of the set-up with the real emotional issues faced by the characters."
All the more bizarre, he arrived just in time for Founder's Day.
Industry feedback (re: screenplay adaptation)
"The concept is brilliant and eye-catching."
"The situation is entertaining, the shows are fun, and life at the station with all its quirky characters is easy to become invested in… a fun script and a very talented writer.”
"The author has come up with a very inventive concept and gives us a very sympathetic protagonist. Not only that, the author understands how to balance the wit of the set-up with the real emotional issues faced by the characters."
76 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2014
6 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
David R. Beshears
76 books9 followersAward-winning author of dozens of titles in science fiction, fantasy and adventure. David's work has been praised by literary professors and by PhDs in science, by fans and by book reviewers around the world.
David lives on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State with his wife Sylvia. When not writing, he can usually be found on any one of a dozen northwest mountains.
David lives on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State with his wife Sylvia. When not writing, he can usually be found on any one of a dozen northwest mountains.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 25, 2015
ABR's original KHDZ audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
KHDZ by David Beshears is an entertaining tale of what happens when red tape and ill completed paperwork in Heaven happens. John Smith is sent from Heaven straight to Hell. Although he repeatedly submits requests pointing out the error, he is doomed to spend some time in the hottest place on earth. As a result of the mistake, Smith is assigned to the Hades television station. Here he meets characters that are unique and obviously strange both in appearance and personality. On top of this he is forced to deal with programming that is anything but fun, it is boring, nonsensical and annoying – after all he is in Hell … no one is supposed to enjoy things there!
Founder’s day and the fear of pleasing Mr. Horn is overwhelming. All the Founder’s day games and activities are geared to make Mr. Horn happy. A record amount of lost souls in the parade and the paperwork error bring Mr. Horn to the station – first time in 4 or 5 years! Smith thought his time in Hell was bad? Wait until he meets Mr. Horn aka Nicolas Cage look-alike.
This presented quite a different take on Hell; highly entertaining. Michael Bradley did a great job of voicing the characters. It was light, frivolous and fun. Bradley didn’t hinder the fun – he kept it going.
I had no issues with production.
Audiobook provided for review by the author.
KHDZ by David Beshears is an entertaining tale of what happens when red tape and ill completed paperwork in Heaven happens. John Smith is sent from Heaven straight to Hell. Although he repeatedly submits requests pointing out the error, he is doomed to spend some time in the hottest place on earth. As a result of the mistake, Smith is assigned to the Hades television station. Here he meets characters that are unique and obviously strange both in appearance and personality. On top of this he is forced to deal with programming that is anything but fun, it is boring, nonsensical and annoying – after all he is in Hell … no one is supposed to enjoy things there!
Founder’s day and the fear of pleasing Mr. Horn is overwhelming. All the Founder’s day games and activities are geared to make Mr. Horn happy. A record amount of lost souls in the parade and the paperwork error bring Mr. Horn to the station – first time in 4 or 5 years! Smith thought his time in Hell was bad? Wait until he meets Mr. Horn aka Nicolas Cage look-alike.
This presented quite a different take on Hell; highly entertaining. Michael Bradley did a great job of voicing the characters. It was light, frivolous and fun. Bradley didn’t hinder the fun – he kept it going.
I had no issues with production.
Audiobook provided for review by the author.
March 13, 2021
A very unique take on the hell paradigm
This was a story I've had in my library for quite a bit. I first purchased it when I went through my "hell fiction" phase several years back, and now I wish I would have binged this one sooner. What an interesting take on the whole hell paradigm. I knew there had to be a catch early on, especially given the length of the story, but I just couldn't place my hand on what it would be. Sure, hell can be slow and the "screw up" would likely take centuries to fix, but this one took a turn I didn't expect.
Very nicely done!
This was a story I've had in my library for quite a bit. I first purchased it when I went through my "hell fiction" phase several years back, and now I wish I would have binged this one sooner. What an interesting take on the whole hell paradigm. I knew there had to be a catch early on, especially given the length of the story, but I just couldn't place my hand on what it would be. Sure, hell can be slow and the "screw up" would likely take centuries to fix, but this one took a turn I didn't expect.
Very nicely done!
February 5, 2018
If you like Neil Gaiman or Terry Pratchett you will likely enjoy this short book. I was chuckling along from the first couple of pages and the whole book kept me entertained.
April 11, 2014
I started chuckling pretty fast when I began this read and found myself grinning over and over. If truth be told, I even smirked now and then as I read. This book is darn good.
Our main character finds himself working for the hottest TV station in town- and that would be Hades local station.
As someone who has been in advertising 20+ years I really enjoyed the satire and wit. But- I think readers will enjoy this book no matter what their level of interaction with TV stations.
The characters are simply excellent and I loved “The Hot Seat” title that comes into the story. I think if you like quirky characters, humor, irony and just plain fun – you’ll be recommending this book to your friends before you are even halfway through it.
A+ all the way – highly recommend.
Our main character finds himself working for the hottest TV station in town- and that would be Hades local station.
As someone who has been in advertising 20+ years I really enjoyed the satire and wit. But- I think readers will enjoy this book no matter what their level of interaction with TV stations.
The characters are simply excellent and I loved “The Hot Seat” title that comes into the story. I think if you like quirky characters, humor, irony and just plain fun – you’ll be recommending this book to your friends before you are even halfway through it.
A+ all the way – highly recommend.
January 16, 2018
Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman
KHDZ by David R. Beshears is a short novella that whimsically explores the after-life and more specifically, Hell. John Smith has died and is sent down below, apparently an administrative foul-up. John was a good man and should never have ended up in Hell - Heaven was definitely the right place for him, but unfortunately the paperwork got mixed up and here he was - in Hell. He is told to report to the Hades Television Station, KHDZ, where he will be employed for the interim (until the paperwork is sorted out). Whilst at KHDZ John meets a variety of quirky and even downright weird characters who all influence his thinking and understanding of the afterlife, in some way. When John realises that any administrative foul-up in Hell will take some considerable time to rectify, he must adapt to fit in and survive in this strange environment.
KHDZ is definitely a quirky, little, short story/novella, that I did enjoy. The premise itself was interesting. How would someone who had every expectation of going to Heaven when he died, cope with ending up in the other place, even if it was by mistake? The main character of John Smith was reasonably well expanded and explained in the short span of the book, but I think given the length of the story, there was not enough opportunity to develop and flesh out the other characters, especially those of Janice and Mr Horn. I would have liked to have seen more. Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable read and something distinctly different from the usual fare I am served up. For that the author deserves considerable credit. Beshears has an interesting and dark sense of humour, which definitely appeals to me.
KHDZ by David R. Beshears is a short novella that whimsically explores the after-life and more specifically, Hell. John Smith has died and is sent down below, apparently an administrative foul-up. John was a good man and should never have ended up in Hell - Heaven was definitely the right place for him, but unfortunately the paperwork got mixed up and here he was - in Hell. He is told to report to the Hades Television Station, KHDZ, where he will be employed for the interim (until the paperwork is sorted out). Whilst at KHDZ John meets a variety of quirky and even downright weird characters who all influence his thinking and understanding of the afterlife, in some way. When John realises that any administrative foul-up in Hell will take some considerable time to rectify, he must adapt to fit in and survive in this strange environment.
KHDZ is definitely a quirky, little, short story/novella, that I did enjoy. The premise itself was interesting. How would someone who had every expectation of going to Heaven when he died, cope with ending up in the other place, even if it was by mistake? The main character of John Smith was reasonably well expanded and explained in the short span of the book, but I think given the length of the story, there was not enough opportunity to develop and flesh out the other characters, especially those of Janice and Mr Horn. I would have liked to have seen more. Nevertheless, this was an enjoyable read and something distinctly different from the usual fare I am served up. For that the author deserves considerable credit. Beshears has an interesting and dark sense of humour, which definitely appeals to me.
March 23, 2014
"Serving Hades and outlying suburbs. Broadcasting local programming 24 hours a day."
KHDZ is based on the screenplay written by the author, David Beshears. Beshears concept for this short story (and I'll assume possible future short play) is quite exceptional.
John Smith is a good guy who, through faulty paperwork, is sent to work at KHDZ when he dies. Now being producer to a television network doesn't sound all bad, that is unless the network airs in hell....
Smith begins his job as producer at KHDZ and along the way he meets all sorts of "Satan's little helpers." He even begins a relationship with a mysterious gal named Janice. Janice is reluctant to speak of what got her her first class ticket to "hell" and really only starts to show personality during the Founder's Day Parade. It is at the parade that John gets a real glimpse at what people down here do to pass the time and the very nature of the gruesome games makes him uneasy.
Again I liked the concept but the story just kind of fell flat. I would have liked to have more background on what these people did to get where they are. The author kind of takes a cop out way of explaining that people just don't talk about what they did because they are here and nothing will change that. That's a fine explanation I suppose for a short story but I did feel a bit jipped.
I appreciated the relationship between Janice and John. John, being a good person who doesn't belong in hell just biding his time till the paperwork is fixed so that he can go "up". Janice, is a rough around the edges, mysterious woman who is very self aware of her crimes (whatever they may be) and is just trying to get by in a hell she will never escape. Together they make an unlikely couple, and the vastly different opinions towards the carnival games made me sad for Janice.
The ending was appropriate and comes back full circle 100 years in the future. I liked John's promotion. I would have liked a bit more from this story because it really could have soared in terms of ratings, but it just felt a bit flat. I do believe this story would translate better on stage as a short act play than just as a book.
This book was a goodreads giveaway and for its 66 pages, it's rather entertaining read.
KHDZ is based on the screenplay written by the author, David Beshears. Beshears concept for this short story (and I'll assume possible future short play) is quite exceptional.
John Smith is a good guy who, through faulty paperwork, is sent to work at KHDZ when he dies. Now being producer to a television network doesn't sound all bad, that is unless the network airs in hell....
Smith begins his job as producer at KHDZ and along the way he meets all sorts of "Satan's little helpers." He even begins a relationship with a mysterious gal named Janice. Janice is reluctant to speak of what got her her first class ticket to "hell" and really only starts to show personality during the Founder's Day Parade. It is at the parade that John gets a real glimpse at what people down here do to pass the time and the very nature of the gruesome games makes him uneasy.
Again I liked the concept but the story just kind of fell flat. I would have liked to have more background on what these people did to get where they are. The author kind of takes a cop out way of explaining that people just don't talk about what they did because they are here and nothing will change that. That's a fine explanation I suppose for a short story but I did feel a bit jipped.
I appreciated the relationship between Janice and John. John, being a good person who doesn't belong in hell just biding his time till the paperwork is fixed so that he can go "up". Janice, is a rough around the edges, mysterious woman who is very self aware of her crimes (whatever they may be) and is just trying to get by in a hell she will never escape. Together they make an unlikely couple, and the vastly different opinions towards the carnival games made me sad for Janice.
The ending was appropriate and comes back full circle 100 years in the future. I liked John's promotion. I would have liked a bit more from this story because it really could have soared in terms of ratings, but it just felt a bit flat. I do believe this story would translate better on stage as a short act play than just as a book.
This book was a goodreads giveaway and for its 66 pages, it's rather entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews