Made a difficult decision today.
More and more, I see publishers embracing AI in one form or another. In this case, a publisher I have been working with on a future book has begun to licence its books to train LLMs.
I had the ability to opt-out, which I did, but my opposition to AI goes beyond it. I consider AI to be a blight on the planet, and I am unnerved about the way AI corporations are allowed to run roughshod over populations, stealing water for datacentres, stealing books and art to train their models on.
Our governments are already giving these corporations rights that exceed ours. They aren't listening to public opinion as they are in thrall to billionaires.
I cannot in good conscience be associated with this. Not even vicariously. I have made the decision to withdraw my book from this particular publisher (whom I shall not name, at least not for now). I do not see myself working with them in the future, either.
I must stand by my conscious, by my morals.
Allora listeners,
Check out yesterday’s bonus interview episode with author Matt Rogerson discussing his latest book:
FULCI’S INFERNO: FAITH IN THE FILMS OF A HORROR AND GIALLO AUTEUR
Click on the link in bio or download wherever you listen to podcasts to listen. Avanti!
#podcast #author #mattrogerson #giallo #fulci
One really cool thing about the community I'm in is that I can be writing something, need a reference, and I instantly think "oh wait, my awesome friend wrote about that in probably the best book of last year" and you can cite an incredible writer who is also your pal!
I've done it a bunch of times, this time, it was @paytplace and if you've slept on 'That Very Witch: Fear, Feminism, and the American Witch Film,' better wake tf up and buy it cos it really is that damn good.
As for me...manuscript #3 is now ready to send off to the publisher, and I couldn't be happier!
I am BEYOND excited to share that I am on the latest episode of @fearofgodpodcast , being interviewed about my book, Fulci's Inferno: Faith in the Films of a Horror and Giallo Auteur.
It was a really fun time talking with my new friend Reed (i'll have to catch you another time, Nathan, soz mate!) about the intersections between faith and the horror genre, and the complexities of an Italian filmmaker who really deserves his flowers.
Go check the podcast out at the link in their bio!
A HUGE THANK YOU to @horrordna@clurg for your review of FULCI'S INFERNO: Faith in the Films of a Horror and Giallo, written by yours truly and published by @mcfpub !
The book was reviewed back in March, but I had no idea and have just spotted it. It is a glowing review, and i'm so happy you enjoyed it!
If you'd like to review anything of mine in the future, let me at least send you a free copy so you aren't out of pocket!
/books/fulcis-inferno-faith-in-the-films-of-a-horror-and-giallo-auteur-matt-rogerson-book-review
28th May sees the return of CULT SCHOOL @cpxmcr !
I'll be delivering a presentation (and facilitating a discussion) about the VIDEO NASTIES controversy of the 1980s!
Places limited to 30, so get your tickets while they last! This one's going to be a banger, if I say so meself! for tickets - £10 each!
Introducing you to the ‘DEAD PRETTY: Beauty in the Horror Genre’ team! 📚
Son of a video nasties pirate, religious horror expert, author, and @1428publishing ’s phenomenal editor @bavalamp is joining us with his essay titled ‘A Sea of Glass: Neon Demon and the Superficiality of the Aesthetic’!
Matt explores how Nicolas Winding Refn’s 2016 horror, set in the exploitative, misogynistic, and toxic world of fashion modelling uses aesthetic, providing evidence for the theory that the apparent lack of depth is a feature, not a flaw.
Like the sound of this? Back the book on Crowdfunder today! Let’s bring this thing into the world.
🔗 crowdfunder.co.uk/p/deadpretty
What a night surrounded by “evil, h*rny people”. And some casual and normal ones, too.
Thanks so much to the horror community for coming out last night, we showed you the sights and you loved it. The support for @1428publishing ‘s book Darkest Margins was incredible, and what a panel lineup following one of the most disgusting, truly liminal horror films ever made! 🖤
Thanks to @noisyhearts@bavalamp@monstrous_flesh@sleightsofheart@kim_a_tron@commedesgargoyles@_aaminamahmood for the tantalising conversation 😏 and your incredible work on the book.
We proper love this city and its freaks 😍
Hope to see you all again for @broadwaycinema ‘s Horror All-Nighter on 20th June!
If you’re into liminal horror, get yourself a copy of Darkest Margins! @1428publishing
And consider backing our very first TNHC book on crowdfunder 🖤 DEAD PRETTY: Beauty in the Horror Genre
Until next time 🫶👻
Before the flowers begin to bloom and the giant man-eating insects rise from the Earth to take back what was theirs in the first place, make sure you catch up on MANOR’S releases from March 2026…
Estate of Fright 83 | What’s Under There? by @horrordad87 | The Static Man
If you missed the last two issues of original essays and original horror fiction, then subscribe before Estate of Fright 85 drops on Friday, May 1 at 6:00AMET. Brian Keiper @brianwaves42 will have you feeling the fire and brimstone with his existential essay, and T.J. Tranchell @t.j.tranchell will have you squirming with terror with new slimy horror fiction. Get your free subscription here🏠😱 /eof
Manor Vellum 292 | The Godfather of More: How Lucio Fulci Went Beyond the Gore by Matt Rogerson @bavalamp 🩸📜 /the-godfather-of-more-how-lucio-fulci-went-beyond-the-gore-cb1f937bfba4
Manor Vellum 293 | Misunderstood Monsters: Sailing into the JAWS of Fear and Projection by Matt Konopka @killer_horror_critic 🩸📜 /misunderstood-monsters-sailing-into-the-jaws-of-fear-and-projection-0387effb0b49
