Better Weird: A Tribute to David B. Silva

by Richard Chizmar (Editor), Brian James Freeman (Editor), Paul F. Olson (Editor)

Better weird than plastic…For a generation of horror fans, those four words signaled a momentous the arrival of a new issue of David B. Silva's seminal publication, The Horror Show. For nine years in the 1980s, Dave and his magazine published some of the biggest names in the genre and introduced the world to countless others, nurturing dozens of careers along the road from first publication to major success. A man of limitless talent, Dave also earned a reputation as one of the field's finest writers, producing a handful of brilliant novels and a vast collection of award-winning stories.Following Dave's untimely death in 2013, authors from around the world of horror came forward to honor his memory. Those who grew up reading his immortal magazine, those who learned from his kind and careful tutelage, those who admired the editor, the writer, the man - they are all here, gathered in the pages of this special Kealan Patrick Burke, Brian Hodge, Joe R. Lansdale, Robert R. McCammon, Bentley Little, Elizabeth Massie, Brian Keene, J.F. Gonzalez, Steve Rasnic Tem, Billie Sue Mosiman, Kathryn Ptacek, Thomas F. Monteleone, Gary Raisor, Yvonne Navarro, Robert Swartwood, G. Wayne Miller, and Paul F. Olson.With brand new tales of terror, lovingly-chosen classics, and heartfelt tributes, these writers have come to raise a chill, bring a tear, and remind you of the truth in Dave's immortal It's always Better Weird…

Genres: Horror, Anthologies

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2015

About the author

Richard Chizmar is a New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Amazon, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author.

He is the co-author (with Stephen King) of the bestselling novella, Gwendy’s Button Box and the founder/publisher of Cemetery Dance magazine and the Cemetery Dance Publications book imprint. He has edited more than 35 anthologies and his short fiction has appeared in dozens of publications, including multiple editions of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and The Year’s 25 Finest Crime and Mystery Stories. He has won two World Fantasy awards, four International Horror Guild awards, and the HWA’s Board of Trustee’s award.

Chizmar (in collaboration with Johnathon Schaech) has also written screenplays and teleplays for United Artists, Sony Screen Gems, Lions Gate, Showtime, NBC, and many other companies. He has adapted the works of many bestselling authors including Stephen King, Peter Straub, and Bentley Little.

Chizmar is also the creator/writer of the online website, Stephen King Revisited. His fourth short story collection, The Long Way Home, was published in 2019. With Brian Freeman, Chizmar is co-editor of the acclaimed Dark Screams horror anthology series published by Random House imprint, Hydra.

His latest book, The Girl on the Porch, was released in hardcover by Subterranean Press, and Widow’s Point, a chilling novella about a haunted lighthouse written with his son, Billy Chizmar, was recently adapted into a feature film.

Chizmar’s work has been translated into more than fifteen languages throughout the world, and he has appeared at numerous conferences as a writing instructor, guest speaker, panelist, and guest of honor.

Reviews

[Karl]

This limited hardcover is copy number 746 of 750 signed and numbered copies and is signed by 15 of the contributors. A cursory examination however gives no copywrite information on each story. I will list them here soon.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to remember the impact of a man who contributed quite a lot to the world of horror fiction. This was overall a great collection of stories from varied authors. A pleasure...and extra special to have a copy signed by the authors of the stories within.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

jello Thomas from Michigan's here
I just read the book better weird.this has 17 stories honoring the late great David Silva. this comes in at 273 pages. this has stories by robert Mccammon.Brian hodge.Paul Olson.Joe landsdale and many more. if u ever get a chance to get a copy do it. these are special signed editions only given to cemetery dance collectors club. never offered for sale to public. great stuff here. chow for now gang. peace out thomas

[Bill Borre]

"Hide and Go Peek" by Elizabeth Massie - A crazy old woman pushes a transient down the stairs and then covers the mirrors in the house for one week because she believes if she doesn't then she will die. The only friends she has are the reflections that whisper to her so she succumbs to the entreaty of a mirror that lies about how much time has passed. When she uncovers the mirror she dies.

"Eternal, Ever Since Wednesday" by Brian Hodge - A long-lasting snow storm plagues a family. The father is shot dead by a neighbor who wants their kerosene. Eventually the snow does halt and the mother sends her son and daughter out to forage. When they return empty handed the mother attempts to convince the son in joining her to sacrifice the daughter.

"Paint by Numbers" by Bentley Little - Rick discovers a paint by numbers kit that used to belong to his mother so he decides to finish the painting. Attempting to replace the missing paint numbers he discovers hobbyist groups online that advise him to use odd ingredients to fake the pigments.

"Recurring Nightmare" by G.L. Raisor - The protagonist observes a man killed in an auto accident and as the story unfoldeds it is revealed that the dead man is the protagonist observing his impending fate.

"Burying Betsy" by Brian Keene - Betsy's father buries her alive in the ground with an air hose running to the surface in order to protect her from his urge to molest and kill children.

"When the Heart Sings" by Paul F. Olson - A dying writer is visited by his creations, his children, as he composes the last novel that has remained unfinished for years.