A Note for Writers and Creators

I am about to turn 57 years old. It feels like a couple of months ago when I was running around a movie theater wrapped in toilet paper, playing Dr. Frank N Furter’s creation at my local midnight screening (which took up three years of my high school days). And it seems like a few weeks ago, when I was 16, that I stood with a couple of buddies at Roseland Ballroom in NYC, watching three underground bands, two who would go on to become legends and are still conquering the world (that would be Anthrax and Metallica). I can still feel the late great Cliff Burton’s sweat hitting me in the face when he blew everyone away with his iconic bass solo. Yeah, kind of gross, but when you plowed up to the stage to see your hero’s, you didn’t care at the time.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately of these older bands who are still doing it. Not just the metal bands, but the countless punk/hardcore bands still out there, gigging around the globe night after night, some of the members well into their 60s and 70s. Just a couple months ago, my wife and I met the great Vinnie Stigma from Agnostic Front, who was taking a break from his current world tour to sign copies of his new book at my local movie theater (of all places). Agnostic Front was the first band I saw perform at CBGBs in 1985-6, along with the Crumbsuckers and Carnivore. Vinnie just turned 69 this past December, and still has the same (if not stronger) zeal and passion for what he has been doing since he was a kid. I think more so than any other form of entertainment, it’s guys like Vinnie, and Lee Ving from FEAR, and all those older bands still bringing it, who continue to inspire me in what I do, which is primarily writing.

That’s not to say there aren’t older writers I look up to. There are plenty. But there’s something about the zeal I see in these bands when they play live, and when they give spirited interviews, that fuels my fire.

From 1981-1991, I published a cult film fanzine titled STINK, that often-included mini reviews of punk shows I attended, as punk fanzines were also a big influence on me. Horror/cult film zines thrived in the 80s, and while they have existed since, seem to have exploded again over the past 10 years or so. In 2024, I started doing a steady zine again, releasing 3 well-received issues and further helping to fuel my fire with my fiction and nonfiction book projects. Along with seeing live shows, fanzine publishing is a way to keep my creativity alive, even more so than my regular writing.

In 2025, especially if you’re an old goat now like me, do what you need to do to stay creative. If that means sacrificing sleep to see your favorite band or movie on a weeknight, bite the bullet and do it. If that means going out of your way to meet a childhood hero, do it. If that means getting rid of those in your life who bring cancer to your creativity, avoid them and cut them out. If you feel down, that no one is reading your stuff, or you haven’t sold anything in a while, keep going. Find what inspires you and embrace it.

I have seen older writers openly mock the success of the newer generation, chances are without reading anything said author(s) have written. Some of you people in my age group need to read what’s being bought and published today and stop worrying about the age of the writer. Over the past few years, some fantastic novels have been released by new generation writers, and like the musicians of old I look up to, they have helped fuel my fire and reassess what I’m doing. Without youth, rock and roll would’ve died a long time ago. I believe that goes for writing as well, particularly within the horror genre. We need to embrace and encourage the newbies, whether they are popular or trying to get off the ground.

My latest novella, being released this month, is my first new book in 5 years, and it was partially fueled by things I’ve recently been inspired by, despite the story being based around things my co-author (Andre Duza) and I grew up on.

This year will see the release of my latest novella, as well as my second non-fiction film book titled DARK DREAMS, and I’m hoping to announce, at long last, some good news concerning my second novel. This June, I’ll also be publishing the biggest fanzine I’ve ever done, a total celebration of cult film culture, with articles contributed by some of my film commentating heroes, as well as newer film writers I have come to recognize as the best in what they do. I also hope to finish or at least make a big dent in my third film book, and hopefully finish another novel and two novellas (I’m more than halfway done with each). Also hoping to collaborate on a novel with my wife Shannon, whose writing is miles ahead of my own.

In 2025, let’s get off our asses and do it.  Go see some shows. Keep watching movies. Keep reading your favorite writers but see what some of the hype is about with the newer generation. And use these things to fuel your own creations, whatever the medium.

AT DARK, I BECOME LOATHSOME by Eric LaRocca (to be released 1/28/25 by Blackstone Publishing / 175 pages)

After losing his wife to cancer and having his young son kidnapped, Ashley becomes a sort of underground grief counselor, creating a ritual the daring pay good money to participate in. Said ritual involves being buried alive for 30 minutes in a “fake death” exercise where people’s lives are guaranteed to change.

But things take a wicked turn when Ashley’s purpose comes into question, and his own world is challenged by an unusual client.

LaRocca’s latest is as dark as it gets, and will surely not be for the faint of heart. But as disturbing as it is, I saw the twist coming early on and felt things may have been more effective had the third act gone in another direction.

AT DARK is well worth the reader’s time, and most readers of stronger horror won’t be disappointed despite the obvious twist. Can easily be enjoyed in one sitting.

 

 

THE UNWORTHY by Agustina Bazterrica (to be released 3/4/25 by Scribner / 192 pages)

After escaping from 4 men who nearly kill her, a woman finds her way to a convent and joins the ranks of the sisterhood. THE UNWORTHY tells this woman’s story through diary entries (some written in her own blood), and we are given glimpses of the convent’s hierarchy as we learn the outside world has come to an end due to environmental disaster and mankind literally turning from God and worshipping artificial intelligence.

Bazterrica’s second English-translated novel might not be for everyone, but those looking for a different type of end times story may enjoy it, and don’t let the cover art fool you: this story deals with nuns, but it’s not “Nunsploitation.” This is a dark, strange, and unusual literary horror novel that will leave you contemplating where we may be headed.

Suburban Grindhouse Magazine Issue 3

 

The first two issues of SUBURBAN GRINDHOUSE MAGAZINE have been well received by the fanzine/underground film community (and beyond). Issue 3 will be available on December 3rd at the following link: SUBURBAN GRINDHOUSE MAGAZINE

Each issue contains a new installment of my SUBURBAN GRINDHOUSE MEMORIES column (the first 79 columns were collected in the 2019 book Suburban Grindhouse published by the UK's Headpress Publishing). Each issue also features loads of new and old film reviews, film retrospectives, and plenty of book and zine reviews.

The 4th issue, planned for June/July of 2025, will be an oversized monster featuring lots of guest writers and surprises. More news to follow...

Early reviews for AT MIDNIGHT WE POSSESS THE DAMNED

 

My forthcoming novella, co-written with Andre Duza, has been receiving some great reviews over on Netgalley. Among the comments have been:

"The excitement starts right away and there are non-stop twists ... this will give you nightmares."

"This novella jumps straight into the horror."

"This is horror done in all the right ways."

"An enjoyable read, a well-crafted novella blending the urban legend of snuff films with supernatural and religious horror."

"This is a wild one..."

"I didn't know what (or who) to trust by the end of it, but it made the final scenes breathtaking to read!"

"A truly thrilling novella that has so much action and depth ... I enjoyed every second on the edge of my seat."

"I could not believe the ending and what became of our main chraracter, Gary: it was FUCKING wild! Well written and an enthralling treat of a tale."

Coming 1/14/25 from DEATH'S HEAD PRESS. Pre-order here: AT MIDNIGHT WE POSSESS THE DAMNED  / trade paperback & kindle now / audiobook soon

Nick Cato and Andre Duza, authors

Suburban Grindhouse Magazine

 

People often ask me why I don't regularly publish a fanzine anymore (I did one titled STINK from 1981-1991, then random one-shot issues over the years since). There are many reasons why, but primarily it's just too costly to produce it the way it was done in the 80s, despite how cheap it looked. But seeing as there are many Amazon-produced zines out there now, I figured I'd give it a shot as it's pretty much free to produce an issue. And hence, the debut issue of SUBURBAN GRINDHOUSE MAGAZINE has arrived. It's basically a continuation of STINK fanzine, combined with my 2010-2018 online column SUBURBAN GRINDHOUSE MEMORIES (which were collected in a 2019 book published by Headpress. This magazine is not being published with that publisher).

In the debut digest-sized issue, I take a look at BLOOD FREAK (1972), an absolutely insane film that's perfect for annual Thanksgiving viewings, an overview of some great 70s euro-crime films, then THE TOUCHABLES are touched upon, plus loads of film, book, and zine reviews. Available now right here: SUBURBAN GRINDHOUSE MAGAZINE issue one

And by the time you're reading this, the second issue should be available, which features my extensive look at 70s occult films, a preview of my book dealing with the future of Midnight Movies, a rare NYC screening of Scandinavian drive in classic WITHOUT A STITCH, and a boatload of film, book, and zine reviews. Cover preview below:

Bentley Little's 30th Novel May Be His Weirdest Yet

 

BEHIND by Bentley Little (2024 Cemetery Dance Publications / 349 pages)

Little’s 30th novel continues with concepts explored in his recent novels THE HANDYMAN and GLORIA, even hinting back to ideas presented in THE HOUSE and some of his classic short stories.

After being laid off from his job during the Covid pandemic, Alex joins his (also) laid off co-worker Britta in a start up delivery service, which becomes successful. What makes them different from other delivery services? They find a niche in catering to those who request strange and rare things not found on Amazon. This lets BEHIND feature a barrage of demented characters and situations who add to Alex’ unwanted problems, including…

…it seems a “ghost house” he used to see in his yard in Maryland as a kid has returned. It now sits in his west coast back yard, and eventually not only can his wife see it, but his co-worker sees one in her own yard. And they seem to be appearing all over the place.

Alex then has to confront a strange religious man and his female harbinger who were responsible for his parent’s deaths, who along with the ghost houses, have finally located him across the country.

BEHIND is almost like 3 novels in one, full of shifting dimensions, weird time frames, and all the macabre goodness Little fans have come to expect. It makes a nice “double feature” read with the author’s first novel THE REVELATION, and features an ambiguous ending that will surely divide readers (I thought it fit the tone perfectly). Fans of weird, religious-themed horror should eat this up, as well as those who might be looking for a modern Twilight Zone.

Grab a copy here: BEHIND