Sympathy For the Devil: The Best of Hail Saten, Vol. 1

by Brian Keene

"Woe to you oh earth and sea, for the Devil sends the Beast with wrath because he knows that time is short." But when the Beast couldn't get the job done, the Devil sent his other son. Some call him Brian Keene. Others call him bastard. You call him.Saten. Sympathy For The Devil is Brian keene unchained-raw, ranting and ready to battle the demons, be they corporate C.E.O.s, unscrupulous editors, crazed fans, egocentric celebrities-or even himself. Sympathy For The Devil collects the earliest of Brian Keene's popular "Hail Saten" columns, from their origin in the Bram Stoker award-winning Jobs In Hell to his early Blog entries. It also features much of Keene's early non-fiction from Hellnotes, Horrornet and Masters of Terror. Sympathy For The Devil is a funny, poignant and deeply personal portrait of one of the hottest new authors in the business.

Genres: Nonfiction, Horror

294 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

BRIAN KEENE writes novels, comic books, short fiction, and occasional journalism for money. He is the author of over forty books, mostly in the horror, crime, and dark fantasy genres. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is often credited (along with Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture’s current interest in zombies. Keene’s novels have been translated into German, Spanish, Polish, Italian, French, Taiwanese, and many more. In addition to his own original work, Keene has written for media properties such as Doctor Who, Hellboy, Masters of the Universe, and Superman.

Several of Keene’s novels have been developed for film, including Ghoul, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Several more are in-development or under option. Keene also serves as Executive Producer for the independent film studio Drunken Tentacle Productions.

Keene also oversees Maelstrom, his own small press publishing imprint specializing in collectible limited editions, via Thunderstorm Books.

Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the World Horror 2014 Grand Master Award, two Bram Stoker Awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad. A prolific public speaker, Keene has delivered talks at conventions, college campuses, theaters, and inside Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, VA.

The father of two sons, Keene lives in rural Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Scott Neumann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look into the life of one of todays most beloved horror author in the beginnings of his career.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very nice collection of nonfiction that first appeared online from 1999-2004, mostly on Keene's horror websites Jobs in Hell or Hail Saten. It provides a fascinating look at the horror field (as Keene perceived it) during those years, as well as a fairly intimate picture of Keene himself, as a cocky young man enjoying his first professional successes and interacting with other personalities of the genre and becoming a full-time professional along the way. There's a new introduction in this edition that provides historical context, though he does make it sound like the book was written way, way back in the dim and distant depths of history, maybe about the same time as Lovecraft and Howard and Smith were topping Weird Tales, if not when the Shelleys were vacationing with their pals by the lake. I mean, geez, The Rising's publication wasn't -that- long ago! Anyway, his writing style is compulsively entertaining, mostly quite amusing, and even though some of the names have changed his message is still relevant, applicable, and worthwhile. Good stuff; Hail Saten, indeed!

[DJMikeG · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compulsively readable book. I tore through this collection of early non fiction work by Keene in 24 hours. It is somewhat in the same vein of Hunter S. Thompson and Charles Bukowski, but it is from the perspective of an up and coming horror writer. Warts and All, as the the new introduction by Keene spells it out, some of it is cringe worthy, but it is all very honest, and that's what makes Keene a narrator you want to read. I loved reading this book like I love reading few others, save for the aforementioned Buk and HST. I hope Keene rereleases the other volumes in the Hail Saten series.

[Albert Kadmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se hace muy interesante la perspectiva interna de Keene de la industria editorial, adelantada varios años a las mutaciones que han tenido las editoriales en el resto de sistemas culturales, así como el mundillo del horror que tenía maestros muy claros por aquel entonces. Como editor encuentro muy útil la distinción que hace entre lectores y coleccionistas. Mantener las piezas de cuando triunfaba con The Rising en contraposición a los problemas económicos de los escritores de género también me ha parecido un acierto (político).

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opinionated with attitude, all the hilarity, rude remarks, on writing, life, conventions, publishing, and a few occasional tequila sunrises. They’re fun reads on lots of important hardcore topics which some are were now outdated. And history, as the saying goes, has a bad habit of repeating itself. Again however, history has a sneaky way of repeating what was never expected to be repeated. In other words, history is a clever bastard. Still recommended.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a huge surprise, what an unique concept. Mr. Homan is a young man in a old man's body. he is in a lot of pain and can hardly function. His only distraction is his Saturday's in the Ball park.
On day when he is on his way back home it starts to rain and hard winds, he can barely keep himself standing and a stranger offers him help. And asks him "what if you could have your health and youth back again, what are you willing to do for that?"

Then there is Donavan a journalist who works close with the police to figure out this serial killer,that is going around. a very cruel one. they have only one survivor, who refuses to talk. He is the only one who can help them, because they have no leads, nothing proof wise to get by, how to resolve all this and find the killer.

It is a sit on the edge of your chair, I can't lay down kinda book. Great characters, strong story and plots all through the book, I love, love, loved it! can't wait to read more from Gregg Levine.

I received a copy of this book for a honest review.

[Nathan Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly haven’t read any of Brian Keene’s fiction yet (something I will remedy this year), having landed here from his podcast. He is simply a fun voice to listen to, and his knowledge and love of the horror genre always keep me engaged. This collection of experiences here (followed by more volumes) are, reading as a horror fan, fascinating.

[Kevin Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Will make as much difference in a writer's career as "On Writing", and is twice as entertaining.

[Nicole Amburgey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come!