On May 11th and 12th, 2007, the venerable Wilmette Theater will present a special limited engagement of the new indie comedy STASH, written and directed by Evanston native and bestselling novelist Jay Bonansinga, and featuring local funnyman Tim Kazurinsky (POLICE ACADEMY, SNL), as well as counter-culture icon Marilyn Chambers (BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR)!

The darkly comic story revolves around a young entrepreneur who will sneak into a client’s home, in the event of their death, and remove all their stashes of embarrassing adult magazines and DVDs before their loved ones have a chance to stumble upon them. The film has also won the Houston “WorldFest” Film Festival Gold Remi award.

Director Bonansinga is a Columbia College graduate, a Northwestern professor in the School of Radio/Television and Film, and also an acclaimed author whom the Chicago Tribune has called, “one of the most imaginative writers of thrillers.” STASH marks his directorial debut. The film is shot in the style of such beloved mock documentaries as SPINAL TAP and THE OFFICE. A host of Chicago improv specialists round out the cast, including Will Clinger (WTTW’ WILD CHICAGO), Jimmy Carrane (NATURAL BORN KILLERS), Mary Kay Cook (STIR OF ECHOES), and a new discovery in the lead, Chicago actor Brian King.

Show times are at 10:00 PM each night. (On Friday night only: The Director and selected Cast and Crew will be present after the screening for Q&A.) IMPORTANT NOTE: This film is not yet rated and is for mature audiences only. Length: 1:22. Color.

For ticket information contact:

Wilmette Theater at (847) 251-7411

www.stashmovie.com

There will be plenty of opportunities for Twilight Tales authors from near and far to gather at the World Horror Convention in Toronto, March 29th - April 1st.

Twilight Tales will be hosting the Reading Cafe (cafe seating with a cash bar just outside the door) all weekend long in the Simco Room, with numerous emcees, including Martel Sardina, Craig Patton, Jude Waltermire, Claire Cooney, and others.

Our dealers table will be right outside that room. So that will always be a good place to find a friendly face.

But we’re also presenting 3 special events:

Thursday 7-8 PM – Pre-Release party for BOOK OF DEAD THINGS - Simco Room. The book will debut at Printer’s Row, but we thought it might be fun to do a few readings, show off our great Alan Clark cover, and maybe even take a few pre-orders. Hosted by Tina Jens.

Saturday 7-9 PM NEW! CRITIQUED OPEN MIC - Simco Room. (opposite the Stoker Awards banquet) Hosted by Eric Cherry. 4 lucky authors. 20 minutes to read. 10 minute critique session by audience. Authors will be selected by random drawing during the event.

Saturday 11 PM –Midnight TWILIGHT TALES FLASH FICTION CONTEST - Ballroom C. Our annual event has been moved to Saturday. Hosted by Bill Breedlove. Authors read 5 minutes stories in front of a panel of celebrity judges. Sign up at the door. Additional prizes provided by Shocklines and Inhuman Magazine.

Monday, February 12

In New Orleans, Carnival begins on the Twelfth Night of Christmas, with revelries building to a chaotic climax on Fat Tuesday (Feb. 20th this year).

Join us for one of Twilight Tales’ most treasured annual theme nights.

With masks, beads, and other decorations from New Orleans, an authentic King Cake baked by Jody Lynn Nye (with raspberry filling this year), and readings by:

Jay Bonansinga
author of the brand new novel: Twisted
In the heart of New Orleans, a killer is at work. The victims are offerings, surrounded by objects as mysterious as the French Quarter itself. And every kill coincides with a powerful storm.

Tina L. Jens, author of:
“She Sent Her Arms Skyward to Comfort the Child” - coming soon from Weird Tales:
Eliza went to New Orleans to drink herself to death after losing a husband, a job, and a child… but the voodoo loa have other plans for her.

“Soggy-Bottom Ghost” - As Hurricane Katrina threatens the city, the ghost of Baby Beederbeck comforts a child who may have more disturbing magic than she.

Ed Moore - author of “The Stripper’s Miracle”
When a small town stripper finds Jesus, the church’s parishioners have mixed feelings about their newest witness testifying for the Lord.

Jody Lynn Nye, author of the novel Myth-Gotten Gains
with Robert Asprin
Aahz’s first vacation in years is interrupted by a plea from a magikal sword to find his companions in the fabulous Golden Hoard. Aahz finds is thrown into a treasure hunt to save not only the Hoard, but the most famous dancer ever hatched.

November’s Shop Talk will focus on getting published.

* How to find the right market for your story

* Proper submission format

* Contract clauses to avoid

* Surefire ways to annoy an editor

Come learn the tips and tricks of getting published.

Come help us rejoice in an ill-omened birthday as Twilight Tales turns 13!

Here’s a chance to talk with your favorite authors, as we celebrate our anniversary with a cocktail party and silent auction.

The event and appetizers are free and open to everyone.

Authors and other industry professionals will receive 2 complimentary drinks, courtesy of the Red Lion Pub.

Bring your checkbooks to take part in the silent auction that will feature books, movies, gift certificates — even a BBQ grill.

(Email she@TwilightTales.com if you’d like to donate an item for the auction.)

Don’t miss our special Drums Around the Fire event tonight at Twilight Tales. It’s our annual event focusing on poetry, and it’s open mic all night. Yes, there are drums. No, there won’t be an actual fire, but you’ll help bring the flames of verse when you participate! Drums Around the Fire is hosted by Richard Engling, who will be joined tonight on the skins by percussionist Eric Cartier.

As always, Twilight Tales shows begin at 7:30pm at the Red Lion Pub, at at 2446 North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.

Make sure you clear the weekend for the Midwest Literary Festival. Once again, Twilight Tales will have a major presence there with books, other merchandise, and scheduled readings.

Check out our MLF schedule on this page.

More about MLF is available in this previous post.

Once again, Twilight Tales will have a major presence at the Midwest Literary Festival next weekend in Aurora, IL (just a metra train trip away from our home in Chicago!).

We’ll be selling a special Midwest Literary Festival limited-edition - 100 hand-numbered copies with a special peek-a-boo dustjacket - of our new Max Allan Collins/Matthew Clemens collection MY LOLITA COMPLEX AND OTHER TALES OF SEX AND VIOLENCE. Max and Matthew will be at our tent for a special debut reading/signing on Sunday from 12:30 to 2:00, after which Max will be participating on some great panels at the festival.

On Saturday, we’ll be featuring readings from best-selling authors James Rollins and David Morrell, among others.

It’s also not too late to sign up for the writers’ workshop on Friday, which will feature James Rollins, David Morrell, Mort Castle, Jay Bonansinga, and our own Tina Jens in a day-long intensive session. The cost is $125. See the MLF web site for more info.

We’ve put together our reading schedule, so take a look while you make your plans to attend the festival.

And of course, don’t miss our special, post-MLF show that Monday night (Sept. 18th) at the Red Lion Pub, which features the incredible work of David Thomas Lord - with his new book, Bound in Flesh, - Kimberly Richards, and the far- too-long absent Charlie Brown!

If you’d like to volunteer to help staff our booth at MLF, please contact Viki Rollins at viksin13@yahoo.com.