Paranormal Odyssey

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A super fun interview with Paranormal Odyssey Podcast, now available for download HERE. Here’s what the hosts had to say about it.

 

Author Varla Ventura takes the stage on the Paranormal Odyssey Podcast, and scares the shit out of us with tales of Werewolves, Irish monsters, and Banshees. Keep the lights on when you listen to this one! The Mighty Ants Lipanovic takes the center seat on this one!

http://paranormalodyssey.podomatic.com/entry/2013-03-20T05_01_23-07_00

 

malevolent Banshee

Zombies of Miami (Bath Salts Strike Again)

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On a Miami, Florida off-ramp, a completely naked man attacked a homeless man with a ferociousness that makes The Texas Chainsaw Massacre look mild. The attacker began tearing away at the victim’s face, biting with his mouth, and then eating the chunks of flesh he tore off. Though the police and hospital are not confirming, the attacker is believed to be under the influence of bath salts–and not the kind that soak your cares away. Bath Salts are an amphetamine, and this is not the first time the drug has lead to zombie-like behavior.

Users snort, smoke, or inject the amphetamine, which can lead to extreme reactions including severe hallucinations. Reports of bizarre and extreme crimes while under the influence continue to flood the news. A man slayed a goat while wearing women’s underwear, a couple repeatedly called 911 to report a non-existent intruder, and more than one person has exhibited the urge to eat another persons flesh!

I don’t think this is quite what Vincent Price was expecting as The Last Man on Earth. But then, who ever said the apocalypse would be predictable? (Oh wait…)

Me, victim of a zombie encounter or just up all night?

Me, victim of a zombie encounter or just up all night?

Chickens, Yes! Goblins, No! Or yes, really.

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voteMy good pal Reginald Bakeley’s book Goblinproofing One’s Chicken Coop, is up for a PRIZE. And he’s made today’s UK Telegraph because of it. The Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year, has announced its shortlist of books. Goblinproofing joins How Tea Cosies Changed the World and Was Hitler Ill? as contenders.

Please click the following link and vote for Goblinproofing One’s Chicken Coop, and ask your friends, family, and lovers to join the campaign!

http://www.welovethisbook.com/diagram-prize-2013

Click here  to read the full article and see the most amazing juxtaposition in the history of publishing.

You can also read my review of Goblinproofing One’s Chicken Coop and a Q&A with dear old Reginald.

Diabolic Tube Nosed Bat

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Murina beelzebub!!

2012 was a year of many things, but among the highlights is the discovery of this new species of bat.

Commonly known (for those in the know) as the Diabolic Tube-nosed Bat, this adorable little mammal has the Latin name of Murina beelzebub. It lives in tropical Vietnam, and belongs to the family known as Vespertillonidae or Vesper Bats.

Discovered in 2011, “We chose the name Beelzebub to reflect the dark ‘diabolic’ coloration of the new species and its fierce protective behaviour in the field,” Gabor Csorba, of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, said in a statement.

How cool is that?

Beelzebub

http://www.mammalsociety.org/murina-beelzebub-1933

Saturday Night Special~Church of Mabus!

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Hey Freaks! Whatcha’ doin Saturday night? Want to get into the “spirit” of Christmas? Join me on Church of Mabus radio.  Hosts Jeffery Pritchett & Erica Goetsch are ripe and ready to discuss Christmas trolls, Krampus, terrifying creatures of the night, little men you should beware of, freaky facts, dark and strormys and so much more!

Follow this link and listen live this Saturday DECEMBER 15th from 8pm-11pm PST, 11pm-1am EST:

http://churchofmabusradio.com/1328/church-of-mabus/varla-ventura-yuletide-krampus-christmas-terrors-the-totally-bizarre/

And if you aren’t up for the night (pathetic! you fall asleep sooo early these days!) you can listen to the archived show the morning after. Or sometime to follow that.

So if you’re worried that that isn’t Santa scratching on your rooftop, join me. It probably isn’t. And it aint’ the wind, neither.

Krampus Date

Immortal Jellyfish

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Fans of vampire squids, goblin sharks, and mermaids can delight in the latest research about a jellyfish that–in times of stress and duress–actually reverse ages. The cells change to become YOUNGER. Not sure what pharmaceutical companies have snatched up these beasties to start their quest to provide reverse-aging creams and the like but put it on your vanity with your bee venom masque and you’ll have a display fit for a sixteenth century queen. Now if you can just track down enough virginal blood to bathe in, you’ll look like a baby by the time you die!

Read the NY Times article on the jellyfish here:

Can a Jellyfish Unlock the Secret of Immortality?

Zompocaplyse! A Grab Bag of Giveaway Fun!

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The gorgeous beings at Paranormal Wastelands are hosting a Zompocalypse blog hop! And there are TWO (that’s right TWO) ways to win.

Today October 25th: go and check out my guest post For Whom the Bell Tolls: The Bateson Revival Device and Other Freaky Stories of  Premature Burial, Funeral Customs, and The Walking Dead

At the bottom of the page you can enter to win my book + zombie swag.

On October 28th-31st there will be an additional giveaway/Zompocalypse Blog Hop where you can do the following and enter to win again! I’ll repost this in a few days…

Follow my blog, then leave your comment below telling me your favorite character from horror, movies or books. If you’re inclined, like me on facebook and follow me on Twitter too. Between October 28th-31st.

I’ll be giving away a copy of  The Book of the Bizarre and a grab bag of oozing zombie fun, including bug bracelets and stretchy zombie toys. Winner will be announced on November 2nd.

Comment (leave your email address) anytime between October 28th and midnight on Halloween. I’ll announce the winner by the 3rd or so of November.

All entries must be in the US or Canada.

Good luck, and Happy Halloween Month!!!!!!!

Fangs, Fur, and Fey Giveaway WINNER!!!

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A coffin bag full of books and zombie bags full of fun!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and ghouls…

The winner of the Fangs, Fur, and Fey Giveaway is…..

Zara Alexis.

Zara, you can expect a package of creepy fun coming your way soon. Included are copies of my book, The Book of the Bizarre, and Reginald Bakeley’s Goblinproofing One’s Chicken Coop. Also a zombie-grab bag of fun!!!

See the pictures of your spoils below…

And if you didn’t win take heart! There are three more giveaways happening this month, so watch here for more details. I’ll be giving away more spooky swag and copies of both of my books.
Congrats Zara!!

(Check out Zara’s cool blog here: http://zaraalexis.wordpress.com/)

Happy Halloween!

To the victor go the spoils!

Church of Mabus and Varla’s House of Horrors

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Just had a great interview with Jeffery Pritchett. Jeffery  is the host of The Church Of Mabus Show “bringing you high strange stories from professionals in the carousel of fields surrounding the paranormal.”

Read about hospital horrors, magical creatures, psychic premonitons, and body snatchers~

Interview on Examiner dot com, Varla Ventura on Real Life Horrors

This video explains how to write a successful horror story by keeping your reader gripped and always wanting to know what's in store for the characters.