BloodRedShadows.com

Visit Barbara's Blog!

 

I will be doing a signing at a book fair in Free Library of Philadelphia on 9th & Vine Steets the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Saturday and Sunday, the weekend of May 17.

 

Be sure to check out our Events page for all the latest Twilight Healer, Night To Dawn, and Barbara Custer happenings!

Elizabeth Pierce, the artist appearing in the latest issue of night to dawn, has agreed to sell her artwork for those visitors of bloodredshadows.com that are interested!  kindly contact her directly at  475 chorro creek road, morro bay, ca. 93442 or by calling her at 1(805) 215-5840 for more information.

Night To Dawn Issue #16...Coming Soon!

Dear Barbara,
 
Kudos on the fresh look of Night to Dawn.  I feel so happy to be a part of this magazine.  It is such an honor to be among old friends like Tom Johnson, Ricky D. Cooper, and Rod Marsden.  It's like coming to a reunion!
 
I was up pretty late last night reading and I am not ashamed to say that I slept with a night light that evening.  The artwork by Elizabeth Pierce is haunting to say the least.
 
I read the new books that will be (or have already been) released by Night to Dawn Books.  Is it possible to have your new publishing house print the finished edition of Addicted?  What can I do to have you and/or your staff take a look at my novel to see if it meets your high expectations?
 
Thank you for reading.
 
Gerald
 
Dear Barb,
The lay out on the new issue is awesome. Please send me ten more copies.
Ricky D. Cooper

 

Barbara, I love the new look of the magazine. The cover and back page is great! Thanks for the publication- Todd Hanks

This is just to let you know that my copy of Night to Dawn 15 arrived safely.  It looks as if I'm going to have hours of pleasure reading it.  I'll probably use the cheque as a bookmark as the bank will charge more to cash it than it's worth, but thanks anyway.
 
Regards,
 
Karla Dearsley

The front cover was good. Unusual back cover. Kevin Hurtack once more proves to be the neo-primitive, the punk illustrator of the horror set.

The Reminiscence of a Triple Twin of Terry by Cathy Buburuz was a very different type of story to land in what is basically a vampire mag. There is always the desire to branch out. I suppose venereal disease, breeding with a purpose and bloodlines have all been connected at one time or another with the reasoning behind the creation of 19th Century vampire tales. Seduction for the purpose of blood, even bloodline is still very much a part of present day vampire lore.

The Night Gallery reviews read well especially the one by Barbara Custer concerning Dark Changeling by Margaret L.Carter.

Of the short stories my three favourites this go 'round are The Night Has Teeth, And I Have Found Them by Hillary Lyon, Ennui by Shauna Roberts and Jungle Terror by Tom Johnson.

The Night Has Teeth has beautiful descriptive passages. It also puts a new slant on the old myth that the undead must be invited in some way into a home in order to be able to enter. Ennui shows the loneliness of a certain type of immortality and Jungle Terror is a great adventure tale.

Of the poems The Grave by Todd Hanks is the best. It is simple but catchy. All muscle and no fat on the bones of them there lines...

Of the interior illustrations I liked best the one on page 73 with the kissy-face vampires by Elizabeth and the cryptic illustrations by C. Friend on page 90. The subtle hint at vampirism on page 11 by Charles Fallis is also worth mentioning as is the nicely rendered piece of nastiness by Elizabeth on page 19.

Another fine issue. Oh, and thanks for running my story, 'Five O'Clock'. It was my farewell to my mother who passed away in February last year. My collection of vampire stories, Undead Reb Down Under, continue to be available through www.bloodredshadows.com and www.amazon.com There are major tales in there dealing with major cities and major vampires not likely to be seen elsewhere due to length.

There's also a novel by yours truly coming out soon, Disco Evil, involving an undead person coming to terms with a promise made in the '60s but not kept in the '70s and definitely forgotten coming onto more modern times. 'Make love, not War' says it all. As you might have guessed, promises made and eventually forgotten can make a certain vampire very angry as well as somewhat heart-broken. What is love anyway? Perhaps it is a concept of the past belonging to another, kinder age or perhaps, like the vampire, it is eternal.

Rod Marsden, March, 2009

Hi Barbara.

how's it going? Got the latest issue. Thanks. NTD 15 looks great!!!! Nice glossy cover and nice design and layout inside. Is my story "All Hail Satan!" still under consideration?

thanks,

Derek

Hi Barbara!

I'm so tickled to read this from Tom. Makes my day!

Would you be wanting more for consideration? I'll be happy to provide some selections. It's ironic, because I couldn't find a home for that one --though at the time, you weren't using color art.

I agree with Tom that this issue really looks spiffy! Outstanding, thanks to you as well.

All best!

Marge

Popple,

Thanks for the great review of DARK CHANGELING.
 
The series contains many other books and stories besides the ones I
Sent you. If you want to mention more of them in No. 16 <G> my website
Has the complete list under "Vanishing Breed."
 
Best,
Margaret
www.margaretlcarter.com

When the going gets tough, the tough pick up guns.

 

Tom

Night To Dawn #15 is really a cut above other magazines. I like this new look, with the full-color cover. Although Popple’s magazine has always been top notch, this new format is a more professional package, and would not look out of place on the magazine rack at B&N or Borders. Congratulations, Popple!

Starting off, I have to comment on that wonderful art on the cover. It is very striking, and those eyes are hypnotic and alluring, drawing the casual observer straight to the magazine. In my opinion, this is what the cover art should do.

All of the stories are top notch, which I’ve come to expect from Night To Dawn. My favorite authors are back, plus I see some new names that are certainly welcome to the pages. And I’m glad to see an old friend, Derek Muk back. It’s been way too long since one of his stories appeared.

As for the artwork, it’s hard to beat that front cover, but there are many pieces that really caught my eye.

I’m not going to pick any favorite art or story this time, just let me say that I enjoyed the whole magazine.

Another job well done, Popple. You can be proud of the issue. It really shines!

Tom Johnson

 


Night To Dawn 14.

Welcome to NIGHT TO DAWN. Please enter with your eyes open and your wits about you.

Here, all breeds of vampires lurk, some friendly, some sad, some humorous, and others. . .well, downright hostile.

Our goal is to showcase the work of writers who share a passion for the vampire genre.

By featuring upcoming artists and writers, we hope to bring the world of the undead to a higher plane.  Click here to read the NTD reviews!


News/Information

NIGHT TO DAWN will offer tales written by Tom Johnson, Douglas McKinstry, and other authors that will appeal to your SPINE!!

Elizabeth Pierce, the artist appearing in the latest issue of Night To Dawn, has agreed to sell her artwork for those visitors of BloodRedShadows.com that are interested!  Kindly contact her directly at  475 Chorro Creek Road, Morro Bay, Ca. 93442  for more information.

Filament is an interesting little book club with very hungry readers. It features some of Tom Johnson's books, as well as some from other writers you might find intriguing, including good old Bram. What makes the club unique is the fact that they actually give away an ebook reader with a year's subscription. The subscription is $19.95 a month and for that you get two books of your choosing from a wide variety of categories including, of course. Horror. The club has been around for five years now and is affiliated with Clear Channel's Coast to Coast AM radio show.

To find out more, please check out our websites:
 
www.ufomagazine.squarespace.com
www.filamentbookclub.com
www.filamentbooks.com
www.ufomag.com

Submission Guidelines:

I do have openings for submissions.  I'm looking for three short stories that are really scary, that go into areas of heartbeat one vampire.  Think of a mummy that drinks blood, or a creative twist on the zombie.  I'm also open to reviews when any paranormal, dark fantasy tale.

Encouraged: horror, science fiction, romance, and humor.

Discouraged: gratuitous love scenes and using any god's name in vain. Manuscripts should be double-spaced on Currier Times, or something similar. Since the mail runs slow, email submissions in RTF (as attachments) are desirable.

Artwork should be submitted in black and white, 8 x 11 or smaller in a form easy to scan or photocopy. Payment:  $5.00 per fiction tale plus one contributor's copy; $2.00 a piece for poems and flash fiction (1.5K or less); $5.00 for cover art; contributor copy for reviews.


 

Advertising and Subscriptions:
(Prices include shipping to continental US...please add an extra $1 shipping to Canada and $2 everywhere else)

Please send all payments via Paypal to barbaracuster@hotmail.com

Latest Issue emailed to you is $4

A sample copy (s&h included) is $7.50

Night To Dawn on CD delivered to US addresses...$5

Current issue AND last issue is $13

BEST VALUE! A full one year subscription (s&h included) is $15.00

Extra copy of cover page is $1

Three extra copies of cover page is $2

Vampire-related ads are also welcome:

Full-page ad is $25

Half-page ad is $12.50

Quarter-page ad is $6.25


 

Contact Information:

For orders, submissions, and questions contact:

Barbara Custer
P. O. Box 643
Abington, PA 19001
barbaracuster@hotmail.com


 

Night To Dawn Reviews

Hope this finds you well and happy.  Loved the latest issue.  Please send me ten more copies.  
 
WRITE ON!
Ricky D. Cooper

 

Hi Barbara.  I got the Mag on Saturday.  Looks great, thanks so much.  They say you always remember your first publication - seems to be true.  Thanks again.  Hope the hand feels better.

 

-Seth

 

Hey Barbara, great issue. I liked the gory cover and the back page. I've always enjoyed skulls. I liked Cathy Buburuz's image of the house that looked like an owl with stained glass eyes. For the next issue I'm in, I wanted to write a new bio, to mention these guys who are publishing a poetry book for me. 

 
Todd Hanks
 

Comments on issue 14 Night to Dawn:

 
There are some great illustrations in this issue (14) including Marge Simon and Cathy Buburuz's vampiric version of Madonna and child (page 36), Chris Friend's horror spectacular (page 48), and, of course, Marge Simon's marvellous Grim Reaper placed next to my storry, The Big Aunty Curse.
 
I have said as much before but I suppose it is worth repeating. The front cover is very impressive. One can imagine the eye has been pecked out by a gallows crow. The only thing missing is the traditional rope around the neck or evidence on the neck where the rope has been. The back cover illustration is also very good and, strangely enough, would be complimentary to one of the Rising Sun Group stories I have going in my up and coming anthology.
 
Of the poetry I enjoyed The Correction by John Grey (page 10) for its weird sensuality and Chains of the Heart by Cathy Buburuz for its well put together psychological profile.
 
As for the stories this issue, I have left them to last because they're all quite wonderful and it is very difficult to chose one or two or even three over the rest. If pushed to chose I'd have to say The Niagara Vampires by Nigel Bruton for the use of the background scenery to create mood plus the nice twist of the young and innocent angle. The next one following on very closely in my estimation would be No Such Thing by P. Kirby  for its examination of the vampire psyche. Then there's Tom Johnson's War where you get a real feel for the times being depicted. Mind you, if this were a horse race we'd be looking for a photo finish they're so close in quality. My view at any rate.
 
There you have it. Great to see the issue. Great read. You must have straightened out any problems you had with the printing of the illustrations.
 
Rod

 

Night To Dawn #14 continued to thrill and delight, even though it was certainly spooky from beginning to end! Ricky Cooper, Rod Marsden and Gerald Browning are always a pleasure to find in the pages of my favorite magazine. I always go to their stories first, but that’s not to say I don’t find the other fare as interesting. All of the stories and serials continue to be top notch by the contributors. Caroline Bernard Smith, Angeline Hawkes, Seth Herman, Nigel Bruton, Wayne Summers, P. Kirby, and JoAnna Senger all bring great entries as usual. Let me tell you, if you ever decide to put a “Best of NTD” together, you’ll have a hard time picking from all the great stuff that you’ll have to choose from! What a huge talent is represented here!

            And Elizabeth Hattie Pierce continues to catch my eye also! I loved the art on Page 16. The vampire on Page 3 should be kept for a future cover, too! Imagine that one in color!!! All of the art looks professional. It’s just that those two illustrations captured me completely, leaving me in sheer awe!

            That brings me to your Editorial. A multi-color front cover would tickle me, especially if you used an illustration like the one on Page 3, this issue. As for a price increase, it wouldn’t bother me in the least. What counts is the incredible talent you have in every issue. The layout and format already looks better than many professional magazines I’ve seen lately. So, I vote for a multi-color illustration on the front cover. And you know what my suggestion is for the first one (LOL).

 

Tom Johnson

Seymour, TX

Barbara, I received my copy of Night to Dawn, Issue 13 today. It looks better with each issue and the new binding is great. Thank you for including my ad. Some of the art work is lovely and the others? Let's just say I won't look at them at night. I see one of my favorite authors is back--Gerald Browning. I haven't read any of the stories yet. Just wanted to let you know I received it.
 
Happiness!
 
Minnie E Miller
Marvelously Mature Author and Essayist.
 

 

Barbara

 
 
On the more positive, I thought Elizabeth's page 2 piece was something that might become controversial which isn't always a bad thing. The art on page 20 by Kevin was quite dark with some nice touches such as the collar with the crucifixes and the branding of the vamp's forehead. When inspired he is an artist to watch out for.
 
Though it is heavily traditional, I think of the poems I liked Firestorm by Eddy Styx best. It reminded me of the earlier work (poetry not paintings) of William Morris (19th Century Romantic).
 
Of the stories I liked Tom Johnson's The Naturalist best. It portrayed a very different type of vamp. Next would come Ricky Cooper's Law and Horror followed by Gray Dawn by Kelli McKillin.
 
The reviews were of a good standard this issue as was the general layout.
 
You can inform Elizabeth, if you care to do so, that I felt the art on page 76 nicely complemented my story.
 Rod Marsden

 

Dear Barbara,
 
I am sorry, but with the month of March things get out of hand for me. I certainly did receive the issue and I thought it was amazing!  I love seeing my work among such talented artists and authors.  As usual, Tom is always right about seeing familiar friends and writers back at their desks and to see fresh "blood" (as it were) to enter the dark world that you have created, is always fun!  I know I have to up my game to compete with such great talent.
 
By the way, I am nearly finished editing "Hated" and I think the new angle I have is going to make this chapter very scary.  I hope the readers are ready!
 
Thank you for checking in on me.
 
Sincerely,

 

Hello Barbara. :)

I received my copy of Issue 13 today. It looks great!

Thanks much!
trev  

Matter is what mind looks like from the outside.
---
Book: The Forgotten Disturbed
Musings: viereckschanze.blogspot.com
Writing blog: AnInnocuousConversation.blogspot.com


I also got the latest copy of NtD in the mail the other day.  I enjoyed the issue a lot. 

Take Care,

Kevin


Dear Barbara

I really love the magazine. Im very proud of being in it with so many talented people.

Was wanting to know if you would ever like an article or two on vampire folklore. im kind of an expert. The Undead in folklore and legend is a hobby. Also, can do review of Daughters of Darkness or some other cult horror classic.

Think it over.

Best Chris.

By the way I loved Cathy Buburuz's drawing on page 42 and Simon and Buburuz's work on 61, But Liked it all.


Night To Dawn #13 arrived in time for the weekend, so I had a very pleasant two days to read and enjoy the latest issue. At 88 pages, plus covers, this is a meaty magazine with short stories, poetry, art, and book reviews. There is enough material to kill (ah hum) a few hours. But I suggest you read these tidbits only during the hours of daylight. They are not for a dark, eerie night.

            My favorite authors are back with some blood-chilling vampire tales, and other goodies to keep you awake at night. Gerald Browning, Ricky Cooper, and Rod Marsden, three familiar names to Night To Dawn readers continue to grace the pages. And their stories don�t disappoint. Kristine Ong Muslim is back, as is JoAnna Senger. We also have Damien Kane, Kelli McMillin, Eric R. Lawther, Christopher Allen Death, and Caroline Bernard-Smith. With a line up like that, Barbara Custer has another winner on her hands! I enjoyed all of the stories this time around, so I�m not going to make the mistake of trying to pick one over another. Suffice it to say, NTD continues to pull in top-notch writers and artists.

            As always, I don�t feel qualified to comment on the poetry, but I recognize many familiar names, as well as a few new contributors to the pages. I�ll leave comments for those more qualified to do so.

            Normally, I don�t like to say anything about the art, either, as I do not have an eye for what most viewers consider fair, good, or outstanding. I�m afraid that if I were to comment, I might say the wrong thing, and offend an outstanding artist. So I try to keep my mouth shut. It�s usually a good policy. However, I do know when a piece of art catches my eye (whether it�s better than another piece or not is immaterial). If something catches my eye, I want to tell the artist that I liked it. By doing so, please don�t feel that I am putting down any of the other artists. I�m not. Again, it�s likely I wouldn�t be able to pick a Rembrandt from a Picasso. I don�t know anything about art. I really liked page 61 by Cathy Buburuz and Marge Simon, and page 2 & 88 by Elizabeth Hattie Pierce. Those three pieces were my favorite in the issue.

Tom Johnson


Hello all,

After a pretty hectic period of several weeks, I finally got around to
Reading Issue #12 of Night to Dawn, edited by Barbara Custer. I
Thoroughly enjoyed the magazine. From cover to cover I found it
Packed with great stories. I would rank NTD right up there with the
Best of 'em.

Sully

Hi Barbara,

I got the contributor's copy (and check) for Night to Dawn #12.  Beautiful work.  I'm happy to be in such great company.  I haven't read it all yet but am looking forward to digging into the contents.  Thanks again for including me.

Best wishes, Charles Gramlich

Hi Barbara. I got my copy of Night to Dawn today. It looks great, I've been reading it tonight. The review is super cool. Everything is good here, my fifth poem in the Kansas City Star comes out in a couple of weeks. I got inspired by seeing your magazine and wrote a vampire poem tonight. I thought you might consider it for a future publication. Baobhan Sith was an English vampire myth.

Hi Barb,

NTD #12 was just like a school reunion; a room full of old friends
Gathered for the party. And what a party it was! The usual great bunch of
Writers are all present: JoAnna Senger, Donna Johnson, Mike Howard,
Sophie Playle, Gerald Browning, Rod Marsden, Ricky Cooper, and now you've
Added Donald Sullivan, Charles Gramlich, and K.G. McAbee! Talk about a
Collector's Edition. ERB and Howard fans would love Charles Gramlich's
Swords of Telera series, and K.G. McAbee's fantasy novels of "A Fine
Impersonation" and "Escape The Past" just to name a couple of hers! This
Issue is really loaded with talent of the First Order. I won't even try
To pick a favorite out of this line up, they were all great! As always,
Though, I don't feel qualified to comment on the poetry or art, those are
Not my areas. I'm sure someone else, more qualified, will comment on
Those areas. Really, I know I keep asking this, but how will you ever top
The current issue!?!? All I can say, is just keep doing what you're
Doing. You must be doing something right!!!
Tom
P.S. The cover was striking!

 

Night To Dawn #11: Since Barbara Custer has taken over, this magazine has improved by leaps and bounds, and people are taking notice. Not only is there more pages, which means more art, more stories, and more ads, but the magazine just plain looks better! Although I am not a big fan of vampire art, I do want to comment on the solid piece by David Transue on page 16. This may have only been a profile, but it was a solid piece of art, and one that I particularly liked. David is a professional paperback

cover artist, comic book artist, and wild life illustrator, and one of
the best in the business.

I am continously amazed at the quality of

writing in this magazine. Here are names that you normally see on the
covers of novels, anthologies, and nationally circulated magazines. Some
of my favorites continue to turn out top stories for Night To Dawn, like
Gerald Browning, Ricky Cooper, Rod Marsden, and John Bruni. With a line
up like that, Barbara can't miss. Night To Dawn will always be at the top
of my reading pile. In closing, let me again state, that I am not really
into art or poetry, so I will let someone else, who knows that area
better than me, comment on those areas.

Tom Johnson


Barbara,
 
I just received my copy of NTD 11, and I am very
Impressed.  I love the new binding.  It's a beautiful
Magazine, and the presentation of my story is superb. 
It was also good to see stories by some of the old
DETECTIVE MYSTERY STORIES crew, in particular Tom
Johnson, who was kind enough to publish a couple of my
Stories in DMS.
 
I am fortunate enough to work at a job where there is
A lot of down time, and I was able to read the entire
Magazine in the space of a couple of hours.  Great
Work, and thank you, as usual, for your interest in my
Stories.
 
Best wishes,
John Bruni

Dear Barbara,

I would like to tell you that I have just received my copy of Issue 11 and it is phenomenal!  Putting my work behind such a great tale as "Thirsty" by Jodi Lee (a creepy and entertaining read) is such an honor!  I thoroughly enjoyed the work as Jennifer DiCamillo and Carl Palmer!

Thank you for your help in bringing Gabriel Brimstone to light, as much as he loves cringing in the shadows!

Gerald Browning


Barbara, I got your magazines today. Looks great. I'll give it all a read. The artwork is really interesting and exciting. The covers look great, also, just the general magazine appearance and all. Could my artist Juan do a vampire picture and send it? He's very good. I think up a lot of the ideas for our pictures. We get together two or three nights a week for art nights, and usually work well into the morning hours.

Todd Hanks


Hi, Barbara,

    Sorry to be so slow in telling you that I loved the new issue and seeing my story with that marvelous pen and ink drawing at the end...delightfully scary! 

    I would like to order 10 copies of that issue.  Can you send me the amount and confirm the address?

    All the best,

 

JoAnna


Dear Barbara,

Great job on the latest issue.  I have enclosed two separate checks – one for my subscription renewal and one for ten more issues.

Ricky D. Cooper


Popple [Barbara Custer] did an excellent job on Issue 11. The new binding is really Nice. Thank you, Popple, for featuring my excerpt and book cover For "Catharsis." Maybe the critter will rise again!
 
Great job on the publication and interesting short stories.

Minnie E Miller
Author of The Seduction of Mr. Bradley and Catharsis
www.millerscribs.com

I just thought I would let you know that two issues of Night to Dawn 10 have arrived at 1/10 Railway Street, Corrimal, NSW, Australia.
 
This issue looks good. The binding does look professional. It seems quite an adventurous issue both in terms of story and art work.  I take it that is what your readers want. Well that's fine with me. I liked the Egyptian vamp illo. I like the in-jokes on the punk vamp illo on page 21. Morte Street = Death Street. For a good time call Elizabeth Bathory? For a bloody good time I reckon. Bathory being the bloody countess.
 
I haven't had a chance to do more than glance at the stories but mine seems to fit in nicely with this lot. Yes, very adventurous issue. I guess I am a bit late with any comments but such is the toss of the coin,
 
Rod Marsden

Hi, Barb,

Just got Night to Dawn # 10 today, and it's a real nice issue. Some great artwork and short stories. I just thought how nice it would be to have more artists and writers from this group involves with Night to Dawn.
I'm still going over issue # 10. It's a great issue! A nice variety of art and articles. Several names stick out already, Rod Marsden, Ricky Cooper, and Gerald Browning. With those three, you already have a winner on your hands, and then add all the other great writers in this issue, and it's an explosive read.
Tom


Barbara:

Received it and have to say there's some very nice stories in the issue. Very nicely done.
No questions but a observation, if you don't mind, feel free to ignore it. On the "About the Authors" pages have you thought about shifting from the standard 12-point font to, say, a 10- or 11-point font? With the number of contributors that might save a few pages, if you ever need to.

Again it looked good. No complaints.
Kind Regards,
Chris Morgan


Barbara,

Thank you for the galley of "Wronged". It looks great as is. I am excited to see it in the new issue. By the way, I am thoroughly enjoying #10. I am so humbled to see my work amid such great talents. Keep up the good work, and congrats on the blog!

Gerald


Barbara:

I just got my copies in the mail today, and wanted to say first off - thanks for sending them so quickly. Also, I'm very pleased/impressed with the layout of the magazine and the way my Art is presented in it. Obviously a lot of hard work went into putting it all together and it defintely paid off - so kudos to you on a job well done!

I defintely am looking forward to reading it later this weekend.

By the way if you're ever interested in using any of those digital photos on my site that you mentioned feel free to get in touch whenver.

This new issue will be available through Lulu in October won't it? Or is it available now?

Thanks again for using my Art, it is great to be part of such a quality publication.

Take Care,

Kevin