Occasional Demons

Occasional Demons
by Rick Hautala

About the Book:
Since his first novel, Moondeath, was published in 1980, Rick Hautala’s novels and stories have entertained millions of readers around the world.

Now, as a companion volume to Bedbugs, his first career-spanning collection of short stories, Cemetery Dance is proud to present Occasional Demons.

And once again, like Bedbugs, award-winning artist and Cemetery Dance favorite Glenn Chadbourne has illustrated every one of the more than twenty-four stories, which include collaborations with Matthew Costello, Jim Connolly, his sons Jesse and Matti, and someone named A.J. Matthews.

In the midst of normal life, whether it’s a tree house in a small Maine town, a fog-shrouded lighthouse, or a darkened tavern on a rain-swept night in October, there are demons. Some of them lurk in the darkest corners of a house. Some of them lurk in our hearts and minds. We might, on occasion, catch a glimpse of them, but all too often it’s too late to save ourselves…

And they’re all gathered here. In fact, within these pages, you’ll find a demon for just about any occasion.

"Glenn Chadbourne's illustrations perfectly complement the text."
— Publishers Weekly

"In his love letter to the craft, On Writing, Stephen King refers to the short stories he pumped out at the beginning of his career as 'one reel horror movies.' It's a perfect description of what you’ll find in Rick Hautala's new collection from Cemetery Dance, Occasional Demons: almost thirty compact, visceral thrill rides full of blood, suspense, and a variety of Horrible Things, presented in quick bites that linger for a period of time far longer than it actually takes to read them...This is one of those collections that will be perfect for a crisp autumn night when the moon is riding high and shadows are gathering at the windows. Occasional Demons is a fun, occasionally superb batch of horror stories, and is highly recommended."
— Blu Gilliand, Dark Scribe Magazine

Table of Contents:
• SHORT STORIES
"The Nephews"
"Nightmare Transcript"
"Non-returnable"
"Dead Legends"
"I’ve Been Thinking About You"
"The Man Who Looked Like Murphy"
"Toxic Shock"
"The Call"
"Getting the Job Done"
"Every Mothers’ Son"
"Knocking"
"Hotel Hell"
"The Compost Heap"
"Iron Frog"
"Setup"
"The Gates of Dawn"
"Off the Cuff"
"The Screaming Head"

• UNTCIGAHUNK—STORIES AND MYTHS OF THE LITTLE BROTHERS
"Little Brother"
"Little Brother Speaks"
"Redman"
"Chrysalis"
"Love on the Rocks"
"Deal with the Devils"
"The Birch Whistle"
"Oilman"

• COLLABORATIONS
"Abduction" written with Jesse and Matti Hautala
"And the Sea Shall Claim Them" written by Matthew J. Costello and A.J. Matthews
"Scared Crows" written with Jim Connolly

Rick Hautala, writing under his own name and the pseudonym A. J. Matthews, is the acclaimed international best-selling author of more than thirty books, including the million copy best seller Nightstone and Untcigahunk: The Complete Stories and Tales of the Little Brothers, and more than fifty short stories in such anthologies as 999 and magazines such as Cemetery Dance. His most recent books include the short story collection Occasional Demons and Follow (by A. J. Matthews). In the spring of 2007, Berkley Books will publish another A. J. Matthews novel, Unbroken. Hautala lives in southern Maine with author Holly Newstein and Keira the Wonder Dog.

Published in two states:
• Limited Edition of 750 signed copies ($40)
• Traycased Lettered Edition of 26 signed and lettered copies bound in leather and with a satin ribbon page marker ($150)

Artwork