Small town nitwits try to harass writer out of teaching job

Posted inRants
So here's a story that got me steamed. Two "think of the children!" nitwits, Deanna Stepp and Wendy Apple, of Middleburg, PA, are raising a stink because a high school teacher there also writes romance/erotic fantasy novels. The teacher of 33 years -- apparently well liked and respected by her students, according to a Facebook page in support of her -- writes on her own time, and does so under a pen name. But according to these two moral crusaders: “We are not questioning Mrs. Buranich’s teaching credentials. We are not even questioning her ability as a writer ... .…
BEER: Rochefort Trappist beers

BEER: Rochefort Trappist beers

Posted inCraft Beer
For centuries, Trappist monks have been known for their outstanding brewing abilities. Monks in Belgium brew beer not only for their own consumption -- they are hearty, healthy beers -- but in order to pay for their way of life. Some of these beers are among the most sought after in the world, most notably beer from Westvleteren, which can only be purchased at the abby and only in small quantities. Others, like the world famous Chimay beer (brewed at Scourmont Abby), are widely available and are among the world's most praised beers. Not too long ago, I had a…

A few appearances from around the web

Posted inUncategorized, Works by Eric, Writing
Joe Valdez over at This Distracted Globe quoted me in his write-up of Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes. Thanks, Joe. The quote comes from my review of the Criterion Collection DVD release, which you can read here. Purchase the (awesome) DVD here. Over on the Bibliophile Stalker blog, there is a review/overview of the issue of Weird Tales in which my "commendable piece," Whispers of the Old Hag, appeared. Thanks, Charles. The issue also has a listing at Locus Online. Speaking of listings, Pictureshowman.com lists A Year of Hitchcock with upcoming books on the History of Motion Pictures. Looks like we're…
PLUG: The Work of Rick Lundeen

PLUG: The Work of Rick Lundeen

Posted inComics & Graphic Novels, Geek Stuff
The Work of Rick Lundeen Rick Lundeen has been creating comics for years and years and years. Fact is, I can't even begin to list them all. a storyboard artist by trade, Rick fills his spare time with self-published comics. He's been doing it for a long time. He does science fiction, superheroes, fantasy stories, magical realism, and much more - and they're always really damn good. He's a brilliant storyteller and I can tell you from experience that he's brimming with ideas. Forget about the fact that working with Rick has always been a pleasure (we also did this…
Stuff Every Husband Should Know

Say, that’s a really good line!

Posted inRandom Musings, Uncategorized, Writing
I'm paging through a copy of Stuff Every Husband Should Know that landed on my desk here at the office, just to see what I think of the book now that a year has passed since I wrote it, and made myself laugh with this line from the chapter What Happens in the Delivery Room: You might cry. It's OK. Men cry, sometimes about things other than the World Series. This is as good a time as any. That's funny. I'm allowed to say it's funny, right? Because I think it's funny.