Philly Author Jonathan Maberry And Stephen King Win Top Book Awards

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jonathan Maberry
215-808-0945 (office)

Bram Stoker Awards for Best First Novel and Novel of the Year Awarded at World Horror Convention

March 31 2007 (Doylestown, PA) – Jonathan Maberry, a Philadelphia native now living in Bucks County has nabbed the award for “Superior Achievement for First Novel” issued Saturday March 31 by the Horror Writers Association at the World Horror Convention. Maberry’s novel, Ghost Road Blues, is a supernatural thriller set in Bucks County. This is one of the two top prizes awarded to outstanding novels published in 2006, along with Superior Achievement in a Novel, for which Maberry was also nominated but lost to Stephen King.

The Stokers are awarded by the Horror Writers Association, the world’s largest and most influential organization of professional horror writers, co-founded by Dean R. Koontz, Robert McCammon, Joe R. Lansdale and other horror luminaries. Thomas Harris, author of Silence of the Lambs, Red Dragon and Hannibal Rising received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jonathan Maberry, 48, a resident of Warrington and co-founder of the Writers Corner USA (a writers center in Doylestown) has been a nonfiction writer for thirty years and broke into fiction with Ghost Road Blues, the first of a trilogy of nail-biters set in the fictional town of Pine Deep, PA. Of his debut Publishers Weekly called it “Horror on a grand scale, reminiscent of Stephen King’s heftier works.” That comment seemed prophetic since Stephen King was also on the ballot for his bestseller Lisey’s Story.

The second book in the Pine Deep Trilogy, Dead Man’s Song, is set for a July 3rd release, and Maberry will be kicking off an extensive book-signing tour.

Maberry is a Board Member of the Philadelphia Writers Conference, a speaker for the National Writers Union, and a member of the Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. He continues to publish nonfiction, and his latest was Vampire Universe (Citadel Press), which discussed the myths and folklore of vampires and werewolves.

Ghost Road Blues has racked up some impressive reviews from some of the top writers in both the horror and mystery fields. Mega-bestseller Tess Gerritsen (The Mephisto Club) said, “Every so often, you discover an author whose writing is so lyrical that it transcends mere storytelling. Jonathan Maberry is just such an author.” Stuart Kaminsky, Bestselling author; 2005 recipient of the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America said, “Maberry belongs with the big names including King and Koontz.” And, J A. Konrath (Whiskey Sour) warned, “Move over Stephen King"

Other bestselling authors who have come out in support of Maberry’s first novel include Bentley Little, Steve Hamilton, Jeremiah Healey, Bill Kent, Jim Fusilli, Katherine Ramsland and dozens of others.

Maberry is the author of over 1000 articles, seventeen nonfiction books, as well as plays, short stories and video scripts. He teaches classes for adults and teens on all aspects of the writing craft and business, and is a frequent lecturer at libraries, colleges and bookstores throughout the region.

The complete list of Stoker winners include: Novel: Lisey’s Story by Stephen King; First Novel: Ghost Road Blues by Jonathan Maberry; Long Fiction: Dark Harvest by Norman Partridge; Short Fiction: “Tested” by Lisa Morton; Fiction Collection: Destinations Unknown by Gary Braunbeck; Anthology: (Tie) Retro Pulp Tales edited by Joe Lansdale and Mondo Zombie edited by John Skipp; Nonfiction: (Tie) Final Exits: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of How We Die by Michael Largo and Gospel of the Living Dead: George Romero’s Vision of Hell on Earth by Kim Paffenroth; Poetry Collection: Shades Fantastic by Bruce Boston; Specialty Press Award: PS Publishing; and Lifetime Achievement Award: Thomas Harris

For more information contact:
EDITORS NOTE: High-resolution photos are available.

Contact Information

Sara Jo West

Manager

Career Doctor for Writers

Contact via E-mail