I am going through a sort of reboot phase, feeling low on myself and looking for answers, which I have found through personal introspection the past couple weeks.

I admit to being overly obsessed to win. Overly obsessed to sell. Overly obsessed to matter. I’ve learned what that obsession can do to an author, particularly when I was called an “A-lister” music, film and horror journalist, trying to transfer that success into my fiction. Last night, I had a meeting with brothers from my old community who reminded me I do matter, my work is wanted and to be fostered, and damn, is that sobering. I’ve been chasing like a rabid mongrel what I want most in life, coming to the realization it’s time to step back, breathe, connect and reconnect and develop.

Thank you to all my friends, old and new, for your support, adds, likes and comments. I look forward to getting know you better and hopefully you with me. Onwards and upwards, every day, just at a more logical, methodic pace. Cheers

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

I’ve been telling the stories to younger generations, reminiscing with my own generation who lived it. Opening night for horror movies in the 1980s were carnivals of mayhem to make the recent Minecraft popcorn dump challenge look tame (albeit the hellion in me cheered when we got the popcorn shower during that movie). Eighties horror flicks at the cinema were party time, especially for a Friday the 13th film! You had the fortitude to hang with it and participate in the carnage, or you retreated to Rick Springfield’s Hard to Hold one theater over. Here, my friends, is a compiled list I came up with on my Substack, “Ten Rules for Survival at a 1980’s Slasher Flick.” Don’t say I never warned you.

Link:

https://rayvanhornjr.substack.com/p/ten-rules-for-theater-survival-at

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

Here is my feelgood moment of the week: My letter (and it was a long one, lol) got published in Issue 6 of Kelly Sue DeConnick and David Lopez’s bangin’ comic, FML, on the stands yesterday. Albeit, I was credited as my nemesis alter ego, Ryan Van Horn, lol. A win is a win! This is only the second time I had one of my letters to a comic book publisher printed, the first being in Miles Morales: Spiderman Vol. 2, Issue 16. Last year I was on a panel at Philcon about Kelly Sue’s revolutionary comic series, Bitch Planet, so this is mighty special. Bet!

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

Yesterday I was interviewed by Staci Layne Wilson for her Rock & Roll Nightmares podcast where we chatted about music, journalism/writing, horror and the merits of Substack. Incidentally, this interview with Staci Wilson came via the Substack platform. My segment should be airing in about a week, so lock onto this link and rock ‘til you drop with Staci!

https://rock-n-roll-nightmares.com/podcast

Speaking of, I’ve been at this Substack thing for two weeks now and I’m hella-pleased by the upward momentum my page, Lucky Burns has gained. Today I launched the newsletter portion to my subscribers at Substack, “Sick Burns,” which is where I’ll do the most talking about what I’ve got going on in my writing and downtime life and what you can expect to see coming from me down the horizon. Thank you to all of my new subscribers and followers. I’m squeeing inside like classic Harley Quinn.

I will be running other content at Lucky Burns not appearing here at Roads Lesser Traveled, such as my “Ten Scenes of Horror that Did a Number on Me and Lit Up My Writing” published this week. So come on by to my Substack page via the link and become a regular!

https://rayvanhornjr.substack.com/

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

Fall is just around the corner and I will be doing signing events during the season. Announcements to follow, but you can also order my four books released within three years, Behind the Shadows, Coming of Rage and Revolution Calling from Raw Earth Ink and Bringing in the Creeps from Anuci Press. Available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble .com, Walmart .com and numerous online retailers. Digitally at Kindle, Nook and Kobo. As always, thank you for your support. If you like what you read, online reviews are appreciated!

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

There’s a special magic to the music from this legendary martial arts epic. Far East meets American 70s funk that frequently lands in my player for writing sessions. I have a story first written six years ago. I always believed in it, despite it being a rambling turd by self-admission. A submission call gave me the idea how to cut 3000 words and rebrand the first two pages into something with actual meaning. On went Lalo Schifrin’s chop sockey masterpiece and now this thing is LIT. Or so I hope the editors agree. Engage submission button!

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

Yep, I’ve stepped into the Substack world with my author’s newsletter and anecdotes of assorted shenanigans, “Lucky Burns, With Ray Van Horn, Jr.” Have a gander and you know what to do with that Subscribe button!

Link:

https://rayvanhornjr.substack.com/p/welcome-to-lucky-burns-shenanigans?utm_campaign=email-half-post&r=uiui9&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

Signed some copies of Bringing in the Creeps and Behind the Shadows at Snug Books in B-more this morning. Get your signed books by supporting a popping local bookshop. 4717 Harford Road, Suite 1C, Baltimore, MD 21214. Thanks, Team Snug, for being a terrific ally.

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.

Morning affirmation. I am worthy. I possess a skill set always in a state of refinement. I am blessed with ideas and passion. I hunger to reach my goals with a deeper yearning than the average. I have a wife, family and friends interested in seeing me succeed. I thank you, amongst the divine, for your protection, guidance, wisdom and inspiration. Drawing a Queen of Wands, Queen of Swords and Ten of Cups in a draw three Tarot is complete reassurance as I strive to master myself and my craft. So mote it be.

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.