A mega THANK YOU and double horns up to Jack Mangan from Metal Asylum for this incredible review of Revolution Calling! I never expected to see the revered names of John Hughes and Stephen King mentioned in a review of my work. Yet both are huge influences in my life and writing and I am bouncing all over the joint.

http://www.metalasylum.net/reviews/2023/mr23004revolutioncalling.php?fbclid=IwAR0gPQlFvgQCPSWzSE9430yjBmvV_EeNUyiOQBnecmjcZNnn4Y4EAf0tF2o

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

You might already know, but my short story collection, Coming of Rage and my new novel, Revolution Calling, were nominated for the 2022 and ’23 Pushcart Prize respectively. Coming of Rage is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Nook, Kindle and Lulu. Revolution Calling at Lulu, with the aforementioned outlets arriving in early 2024.

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

Today is the release of Revolution Calling, whoop whoop!

Now available through Lulu in paperback and Ebook formats. Amazon and Barnes and Noble to follow. 

I will have signed copies of the novel available for purchase soon and will announce those accordingly. Upcoming book signing events to be announced, as well.

Get yours today through the following links. From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful for your support.

Paperback: Lulu

Ebook: Lulu

Praise for Revolution Calling:

“Ray Van Horn grew up during the 80s metal upheaval and associated culture wars and was clearly paying attention. Revolution Calling captures what it was like to be a metal fan when the music was still dangerous. The book has a vibe that will remind readers of Joe Lansdale and Robert R. McCammon. If you ever wanted a novel that mapped Stranger Things favorite Eddie Munson’s inner life, this is it. Die posers!”

–Justin M. Norton, Decibel Magazine

“A story of everyday heavy metal folk and how their everyday pain is real.”

–Joel McIver, author of To Live is to Die:  The Life & Death of Metallica’s Cliff Burton

“It’s obvious Ray knows his metal, but it’s also obvious he knows his wider pop culture, history, politics and world events, as Van Horn, Jr. snaps us right back to life as a goofy metalhead in the pressure-cooker that was the late ‘80s—or as Morrissey called it, the haties. As well, he delivers action events, concepts and plot in a rock-solid writing style that shines with clarity. Dialogue is mapped-out with similar confidence, allowing Jason and his exquisitely-drawn buddy Rob, as well as the tale’s other characters, to take shape quickly. Completing the circuit and keeping the tale fizzy and effervescent are endless flashes of place names, band names and brand names.”

–Martin Popoff, heavy metal journalist and author

“A passionate howl from the heart of the 80s.”

–Charles Addai, Editor, Producer and Writer, Hard Case Crime books and comics

As we draw closer to the release of my new novel, Revolution Calling, Charles Addai, Editor, Producer and Writer at Hard Case Crime books and comics, who has published a number of Stephen King projects along with some of the best neo-noir, pulp and action series out there, has this to say about RC:

“A passionate howl from the heart of the 80s.”

Thank you so much, Charles! Revolution Calling is nearly here!

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

@rvanhornjr

♬ original sound – rvanhornjr

Revolution Calling, coming December 15th from Raw Earth Ink!

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

Release day for Revolution Calling is nearly here!

Book Bloggers, fiction and metal music (even horror) websites and periodicals, I have an ARC of the new novel from Raw Earth Ink available for reviews and interviews.

If you work with or are open to a digital copy of Revolution Calling, please inquire with me and I’ll provide you the pdf immediately for your consideration.

I thank you in advance for your support.

About Revolution Calling:

Every generation coming up faces inevitable trials in the great proving ground of high school.  Be cool or be cast out, as the band, Rush, once issued as caveat.  The polarizing definition of cool from a teenager’s world sets its own parameters, often hotly contested amongst a school body’s diverse subdivisions.  Revolution Calling, from veteran music and film journalist Ray Van Horn, Jr. is a retrospective look at high school as he knew it from the alienating stance of heavy metal subculture in the late 1980s.  As a semi autobiography, Revolution Calling is an Outsiders tale for Generation X, an examination of the will to belong on one’s own terms, even when the stakes turn violent.  This is a story of inner and outer turmoil where persecution leads to comeuppance.  The path to acceptance in high school often takes turbulent paths.  For Jason Hamlin and Rob Martino, this is a call-to-arms for their own self-worth and moreover, their self-preservation.

Advance praise for Revolution Calling:

“Ray Van Horn grew up during the 80s metal upheaval and associated culture wars and was clearly paying attention. Revolution Calling captures what it was like to be a metal fan when the music was still dangerous. The book has a vibe that will remind readers of Joe Lansdale and Robert R. McCammon. If you ever wanted a novel that mapped Stranger Things favorite Eddie Munson’s inner life, this is it. Die posers!”

–Justin M. Norton, Decibel Magazine

“A story of everyday heavy metal folk and how their everyday pain is real.”

–Joel McIver, author of To Live is to Die:  The Life & Death of Metallica’s Cliff Burton

“It’s obvious Ray knows his metal, but it’s also obvious he knows his wider pop culture, history, politics and world events, as Van Horn, Jr. snaps us right back to life as a goofy metalhead in the pressure-cooker that was the late ‘80s—or as Morrissey called it, the haties. As well, he delivers action events, concepts and plot in a rock-solid writing style that shines with clarity. Dialogue is mapped-out with similar confidence, allowing Jason and his exquisitely-drawn buddy Rob, as well as the tale’s other characters, to take shape quickly. Completing the circuit and keeping the tale fizzy and effervescent are endless flashes of place names, band names and brand names.”

–Martin Popoff, heavy metal journalist and author

Revolution Calling, by Ray Van Horn, Jr. coming mid-December from Raw Earth Ink

Laptop fired up, check. A full pint of “The Famous” Taddy Porter from British ale masters, Samuel Smith, check. Sharing of said “Famous” Taddy Porter with Thoth and Sekhmet, check. Kitties dozing in the office with us, check. My baby love working on her own project behind me, bouncing ideas off of each other, check. New tunes spinning from our friend, Jason Myers and his longtime power metal band, Icarus Witch, check. Belly full from a wonderful family gathering yesterday and an early birthday jaunt for the kiddo to iHop, check.

Let’s do this.

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

I have much to be thankful for, but receiving my second Pushcart Prize nomination, this time in advance of Revolution Calling’s release comes with a different level of gratitude.

What a wonderful thing to wake up to on a holiday weekend.

Revolution Calling, by Ray Van Horn, Jr., coming soon from Raw Earth Ink.

Here’s a little video stroll through my old school, North Carroll High in Hampstead, Maryland. No longer used as a school, but prominently used in my new novel, Revolution Calling, coming December 15th through Raw Earth Ink!

@rvanhornjr

♬ original sound – rvanhornjr