More Praise for Thanksgiving for Werewolves

From Mr. Connor Coyne, author of Shattering Glass and Hungry Rats:

When I read Thanksgiving for Werewolves, M.L. Kennedy‘s forthcoming short-story collection, I think of Dashiell Hammett. I mean, when I read about Kennedy’s pro-wrestling heroes, I think of Hammett’s chain-smoking private eyes. I mean… well, they both drink a lot of coffee. Is that it?
Yes, that’s part of “it.” Same for propulsive action, gratuitous violence, and witty banter between morally ambiguous characters. Just as in his debut novella, The Mosquito Song, Thanksgiving for Werewolves throws a bunch of random ingredients (Buffalo mall girls, young Flint hooligans, and the odd bro or two) on the grill like some of the short-order cooks that populate his stories, and while you don’t expect the result to work out, it does.
...
It’s all kinetic, crackling with speed and motion and dialogue, and it is especially interesting in a genre — werewolves, zombies, vampires, et al — that has become so conscious of social commentary and teen bathos that many stories are tedious to read, even when they are well written. 

Read the whole thing over at: Connorcoyne.com

What is Thanksgiving for Werewolves?

Everything you always wanted to know about Thanksgiving for Werewolves, but were afraid to ask...

What is "Thanksgiving for Werewolves"?

It is the centerpiece in the short story collection Thanksgiving for Werewolves and Other Monstrous Tales. It is the longest story in the collection, probably around the length of a novellette to a novella.


What is it about?

It's like Die Hard. Except:
1. Instead of a cop, our protagonist is a part-time independent wrestler.
2. Instead of terrorists, the antagonists are skin-walkers.
3. Instead of an office building, the story takes place in a restaurant.
4. There is no Bonnie Bedelia.


Is it connected to The Mosquito Song?

I wrote both. Both features scenes in Chicago. Other than that, separate universes. There is no magic in the Mosquito universe and there is some magic in "Thanksgiving". Vampires and werewolves aren't going to meet here.


But I want more Mosquito Song. That ending was hella abrupt!

The abrupt ending of The Mosquito Song is due to it being in the style of a serial/comic book. So I wanted to end it more like a TPB than a graphic novel.

The good news is that there is a short story in the Thanksgiving collection that does feature our vampire protagonist Bob/Ambrose/Terry/etc.


How does the protagonist of "Thanksgiving for Werewolves" differ from Vampire Bob?

Our protagonist, Chris, is younger, more neurotic, and generally rougher around the edges. He doesn't narrate in the present tense.

The fun with Vampire Bob is that he has nothing and is almost indestructible. None of his actions have consequences, and only his personality quirks serve to act as impulse control.

The fun with Chris is beating the living shit out of him. He's pretty tough, but he has to work a lot harder than vampire Bob at the whole "not dying" thing. Chris will fight dirty when he has to; Vampire Bob fights dirty because he loves to.


Are the stories in Thanksgiving for Werewolves and Other Monstrous Tales all about vampires and werewolves?

No. Every story has some monster or some element of horror to it, but it isn't a collection of werewolf stories. Other than all falling under the blanket term "monstrous" and its varying meanings, the stories vary quite a bit. We've got our supernatural Die Hard-ish story, we've got a "Tales from the Crypt" style story, we have a fantasy adventure, and we have squabbling roommates.

Where can I buy the book?

Nowhere, yet. But keep checking here, here and here for a proper release date and other information.


Will you answer my question? 

Sure. 

I'm not a graphic artist. . .

But I am thinking about working on a goofy little poster to promote the book.

The concept is Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post. It's too cliche and overdone to be a book cover, but it might be fun to make something like this as a goof.

First sketch is located here:

Link to an unrelated short story. . .

Because, why not?

Over at The Open End.

For more Thanksgiving for Werewolves updates. . .

Checkout our Tumblr page. It's here.

Some of the Monstrous Tales

Want to know more about the Monstrous Tales of Thanksgiving for Werewolves and Other Monstrous Tales?

You are in luck! Here is a list of the stories you will be getting (with previews where applicable).


"Dinosaurs vs. Cyborgs"
"Thanksgiving for Werewolves"
"Why Wouldn’t You Trust Kyra Cooper?"
"Tried to be the Pied Piper, ended up a Bridge Troll" (following The Mosquito Song)
"Sally Says…"

"The Unbearable Weight of the Crown"

"Quinquagesima"

Praise for "Thanksgiving" - Coming this Summer

'So engrossing I missed my bus stop on two different occasions'

- Matt Yaeger

Author Bedtime Stories for the Insomniac