Archive for Scary Tales

James Preller Reads SCARY TALES: GOOD NIGHT, ZOMBIE

September 24, 2026 / / No comments

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During the pandemic, if you can recall that strange period in our lives, many authors and illustrators wrestled with the appropriate response. We felt for those students at home. We felt for the teachers and parents, too. We wanted to do something. But what?

In my case, I read a couple of books and put them on Youtube. Did a few other book talks, also on Youtube. Sort of: “Here, for free.”

I don’t look at numbers, don’t chase clicks, and I don’t expect that many people found my videos, or cared. But, hey, I did a small thing and maybe it was good for somebody.

Here’s the first of four or five videos, where I read the entirety of SCARY TALES: Good Night, Zombie. 

It’s that time of year. Enjoy.

There’s also a complete reading of the first (and therefore best) Jigsaw Jones title, The Case of Hermie the Missing Hamster. It’s been out of print forever, despite being the most popular book. I always wished it would be made into a graphic novel, but . . . no dice. You can find it all on Youtube. 

 

 

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Category: Scary Tales / Tags: , , ,

A QUIZ: “Stay gold, Ponyboy”

August 2, 2026 / / No comments

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I had the great pleasure of seeing “The Outsiders” on Broadway last night. I enjoyed it even more than I expected. The stagecraft, choreography, and youthful vitality were especially impressive. It hones close to the original book.

And, of course, I loved the novel by S.E. Hinton, both times I read it. That great theme of a young man struggling to find himself, to realize there’s more to the world than the narrow hometown where he’s been raised, to finally break free and find himself.

If you can tell that story, you’ve got something. And it is a story that needs to be told over and over again in a thousand different settings.

Anyway, here’s a shirt they were selling in the lobby. 

And, yes, there will be a quiz:

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In one of my Scary Tales stories, i named a minor character after a character from The Outsiders. 

Can you name the character?

Can you name the story?

You’ll find it, along with two other stories, in this (cheap!) paperback collection. The answer is below. 

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Answer: I named a character “Soda Pop” in the story, One Eyed Doll. No real reason, just a little tribute. It’s a thing that writers do. I guess they call them “Easter eggs” nowadays.

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Category: Current Events, Scary Tales / Tags: , , , , , , ,

The Right Book at the Right Time: Halloween Edition

October 8, 2024 / / No comments

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As a parent, I always felt that Halloween was insane. Our kids would go off trick-or-treating, gather up ridiculous amounts of candy, and we’d stress about them actually eating it. In fact, we made up a whole story where they would “trade in” their candy — leaving it out for the Great Pumpkin — and discover a new toy or gift the next morning. The epic wastefulness of it all! What’s better, you might ask? My new “Scary Tales” collection. Three full book-length stories in one (cheap!) paperback compilation. 304 pages for grades 3-6, and no one dies, wonderfully illustrated by the great Iacopo Bruno. Only $8.99 and NO CAVITIES!
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Halloween before my time: The three oldest from my family, Barbara, Neal, and Billy. America in the 1950s.

 

My two youngest, Maggie and Gavin, close to 20 years ago. Let’s go, Mets!

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Whatever really happened to all that candy, I wonder? I do like a frozen mini Milky Way bar. Sue me.
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Category: Family, Scary Tales / Tags: , , , , ,

A Horrifying Way to Kickoff Summer Reading

June 7, 2024 / / No comments

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Good News! Here’s a horrifying way to kick off summer reading and a great gift idea.
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In about two weeks, on June 25th, Square Fish/Macmillan will be putting out a 304-page compilation that brings together three of my “Scary Tales” books in one volume: One-Eyed Doll, Nightmareland, and Swamp Monster. All for only $8.99 (cheap!).
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For this series, I wanted more freedom than I had with Jigsaw Jones (42 books!), so each story features different characters and unique settings. I love that three of these stories can now be read in one big book. Best for grades 3-5, though I’ve met many middle-school readers who’ve loved the books. This larger volume will not look at all “too young” or “babyish,” removing any stigma an older reader might experience reading what looks like an “easy” book. 
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I wrote these in the tradition of the great old “high-lo” concept. Fast-paced, high-interest stories, easy to read text, amazing illustrations by Iacapo Bruno, in the hopes of appealing to those hard-to-reach reluctant readers.
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Thanks!
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Category: Scary Tales / Tags: , , ,

GREAT NEWS: Four Books Coming in 2024!

March 11, 2024 / / No comments

 

Four new books? Well, ish.

I’ll explain.

 

COMING APRIL 23rd . . .

BLOOD MOUNTAIN

 

 

Not quite new, but . . . a new cover and new in paperback. Surely that counts for something. Grace and Carter and their dog, Sitka, struggle to survive in a mountain wilderness. Ages 9-up.

A Junior Library Guild Selection!

 

COMING JUNE 25th . . .

SCARY TALES: 3 SPOOKY STORIES IN 1

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I’m thrilled about this 300-page collection, which brings together Nightmareland, One Eyed Doll and Swamp Monster in one heart-stopping, fast-paced collection. All for only $8.99. It is literally the deal of the century. Featuring the incredible art of Iacopo Bruno. Ages 8-up.

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COMING SEPT. 10th . . .

SHAKEN (Hardcover)

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For 7th-grader Kristy Barrett, soccer is life. It has always been at the center of Kristy’s world. Her friendships and self-worth, her dreams and daily activities, all revolve around the sport. Until she suffers from a serious concussion and has to set soccer aside. Kristy begins to experience stress, anxiety, and panic attacks which ultimately bring her to some questionable decisions . . . and the care of a therapist. Ages 10-up.

 

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST . . .

 

COMING IN SEPTEMBER 24th . . .

TWO BIRDS . . . AND A MOOSE!

 

A Level 1 easy-reader featuring an aspirational moose! I’m so happy to have a new book out for the youngest readers. My first at this age level since Wake Me In Spring and Hiccups for Elephant. Ages 3-6.

 

So that’s that.  My year in books. 

 

I’m proud of the range here. A well-reviewed wilderness survival thriller . . . three popular “horror” tales for readers who can’t get enough of heart-pumping, scary stories . . . an ambitious hardcover about a 7th-grade athlete whose life spirals after suffering from post-concussion syndrome . . . and an irrepressible moose who only wants to go up, up, up!

 

It’s not too early to think about school visits in 2024-25!

 

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Category: And a Moose!, Blood Mountain, Scary Tales, Shaken / Tags: , , , , , ,
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