Astoria, Oregon was the scene of this year’s Bizarro Con. Organized and hosted by Cameron Pierce and Kirsten Alene, the majority of events took place in the Lovell Showroom at Fort George Brewery. We would like to thank all of the businesses in Astoria who opened their doors to our satellite events. Including Bridge & Tunnel, Dead Man’s Isle, Gaetano’s, Galactix, Salty Siren, Breakside Brewery, and The Columbian Theater. Bizarros made the trek to this Oregon coastal village to attend workshops and panels, perform readings, make merry, form bonds, and crush the competition during the Ultimate Bizarro Showdown. Most of all, to celebrate the best in Bizarro Fiction for works published in 2023.
Best Collection: All I Want is to Take Shrooms and Listen to the Color of Nazi Screams by John Baltisberger (Planet Bizarro)
“I killed my first Nazi at four years old. It wasn’t art; I didn’t discover the joy of a psychotropic kill until much later. Each moment that led up to it was the crescendo of a future lover screaming from around the bend of time, begging for the tantric orgasm that would define our future.” Thus begins the lurid, gore-filled memoir of the author. Tainted by miles of hallucinogenic inspiration and sprinkled with poetic interludes, SHROOMS & SCREAMS seeks to bind reality with vision, discovering the truth that lies somewhere between what happened and what should have happened.
Part memoir, part novel, part collection, All I Want is to Take Shrooms and Listen to the Color of Nazis’ Screams is more than a book, it’s a way of life.
John Baltisberger is an author of speculative and genre fiction that often focuses on Jewish Elements. Through his writing, he has explored themes of mysticism, faith, sin, and personal responsibility. He lives in Austin, TX with his wife and his daughter.
Though mostly known for his bizarre blend of Jewish mysticism and splatter, John defies being labeled under any one genre. His work has spanned extreme horror, urban fantasy, science fiction, cosmic horror, epic verse, and he has even written a guide for mindful meditation.
Best Novel: Edenville by Sam Rebelein (William Morrow & Company)
After publishing his debut novel, The Shattered Man, to disappointing sales and reviews, Campbell P. Marion is struggling to find inspiration for a follow-up. When Edenville College invites him to join as a writer-in-residence, he’s convinced that his bad luck has finally taken a turn. His girlfriend Quinn isn’t so sure–she grew up near Edenville and has good reasons for not wanting to move back. Cam disregards her skepticism and accepts the job, with Quinn reluctantly following along.
But there’s something wrong in Edenville. Despite the charming old ladies milling about Main Street and picturesque sunflowers dotting the sidewalks, poison lurks beneath the surface. As a series of strange and ominous events escalate among Edenville and its residents, Cam and Quinn find themselves entangled in a dark and disturbing history.
Told with equal parts horror and humor, Edenville explores the urban legends that fuel our nightmares and the ways in which ambition can overshadow our best instincts. Sam Rebelein is an exciting, sharp new voice, sure to terrify readers for years to come.
Sam Rebelein holds an MFA in creative writing from Goddard College, with a focus on Horror and Memoir. His work has appeared in places like Pseudopod, Bourbon Penn, Coffin Bell Journal, Press Pause Press, Ellen Datlow’s Best Horror of the Year, and elsewhere. Sam’s debut horror novel EDENVILLE was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. His follow-up collection of stories set in the same fictional universe, THE POORLY MADE AND OTHER THINGS, is coming for you in Feb 2025. Sam currently lives and teaches in Poughkeepsie, NY.
We support indie publishing and will always link to their direct stores whenever possible. If you should buy from another site, we strongly suggest Bookshop.org which has the same mission and also supports our work here at Bizarro Central. Pick up All I Want is to Take Shrooms And Listen to the Color of Nazi Screams and Edenville.
Congratulations to the winners, runners-up, honorable mentions, all the authors and publishers from your friends at Bizarro Central. We are excited to see what art blossomed in the wake of 2024 and what 2025 will bring.
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