NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES Cover Reveal
Heavy Oceans Audiobook Giveaway
I am so proud and excited to reveal the cover for my new novel Night of the Long Knives, coming from Earthling Publications in December 2024.
Here is the stunning artwork by the one and only Vincent Chong.
Description:
The Cabin at the End of the World meets I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, Night of the Long Knives is the thrilling and horrifying new novel from the author of Heavy Oceans, Midas, and Burn the Plans (one of Esquire’s Best Horror Books of 2022.)
After enduring a personal tragedy, Andy Ferris loses himself in making videos that explore the history behind local hauntings—videos that grab the attention of a wealthy eccentric with an obsession for collecting objects that belonged to famous killers. Hired by this man to locate a particular weapon, Ferris finds himself entangled in a mystery that spans history and drags him through a museum of death, a doomsday cult, an underground bunker, and brings him face to face with a serial killer as he unravels the truth behind an insidious conspiracy.
Tyler Jones blends horror and true crime in a story about loss, redemption, and the hidden threads of the world that pull us ever closer toward an inevitable end.
A little background on the artwork (for those who like to nerd out on art):
When Paul Miller (Earthling guru) and I first worked together on Midas, he asked for a list of artists I’d want to work with for the cover art. My top choice was Vincent Chong. Many book collectors know his work, whether it’s from limited editions by Joe Hill, or Stephen King, or covers for Josh Malerman and Robert McCammon. I knew what I wanted the Midas cover to look like, and I also knew there was only one artist who could pull off the combination of visceral pain and beauty we wanted to see. It turned out even better than I imagined.
When it came time to decide to approach an artist for Long Knives, both Paul and I knew Vinny would be the best, and only choice. Thankfully, he was up for the task.
Cover art is immensely important to me. I often find the simple and minimalistic to be as effective (if not more) than the complex. But I knew what the Long Knives cover needed to be back when I was writing the first draft. I saw it so clearly that I sketched it out. Now, keep in mind I am a terrible artist. Like, not even a little talented. So I sent Vinny the sketch along with a two thousand word letter explaining what I saw:
The title would be the art, inside an old picture frame, and every single letter would be created using weapons from across history. Guns, knives, bombs, swords, arrows, brass knuckles, and even one particular jade axe that may be familiar to those who have read Midas.
I thought I had an idea of what it would look like, but what Vinny did was so much more complicated and beautiful than what I’d envisioned. And maybe that’s what I love so much about the creative process behind cover art. An idea, really just words in an email, gets filtered through the experience and instinct of a gifted artist, who then creates something stunning. When I look at this cover I see something special, and I sincerely believe I’d feel that way even if it were the cover for a book I didn’t write.
Anyway, scroll back up and take another look. Get lost in it for a while. Take note of the way Vinny used bullets and throwing stars. Amazing.
I am beyond grateful to Paul Miller for giving me the chance to work with Vinny again, and of course, to Vinny himself for giving this book such stunning art.
Thank you both.
A little more about the book…
Night of the Long Knives will be published in a signed, limited edition of 500 numbered copies, and 15 lettered copies.
It will feature an introduction by Ronald Malfi (one of my favorite writers) and will be signed by both me and Malfi.
Preorders will open at noon EST on Tuesday, September 24th.
Here is a small taste of Ronald Malfi’s introduction:
Stridor on the Short Stack Intention List
For those of you who are part of the Books of Horror Facebook group, my novella Stridor is on the intention list for the “Short Smack Brawl.” There will be hundreds of entries that you can read and vote on later in the year.
If you’re part of the group and interested, Stridor is available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook on Amazon.
Heavy Oceans Audiobook Giveaway
I currently have 25 Heavy Oceans audiobook codes that I’d like to giveaway to those who purchase (or have have already purchased) Heavy Oceans directly from Lethe Press. They are also running a promo until Halloween where you get a free paperback of Philip Fracassi’s Sacculina with each order of Heavy Oceans. So not only do you get two books for the price of one, you have a shot to get a free audiobook too!
Please email a screenshot of your receipt from the Lethe Press site to tylerjonesgiveaway@gmail.com, and I’ll send you a code. First come, first served.
Misc.
I finished a brand new story this week called “Wait in the Car,” and I’m really happy with how it turned out. Hopefully, I’ll find a good home for it soon.
Oasis (my all time favorite band) is back together for a reunion tour. Let’s hope the Gallaghers can keep the hatchet buried long enough to play a few dates in the US, and maybe even record a new album.
Luis Elizondo (former head of AATIP-government program that investigated UFOs) has a new book out called Imminent. Well worth a read for anyone interested in the subject.
Currently reading Nathan Ballingrud’s The Atlas of Hell and Pines by Blake Crouch.
As for music, I can’t get enough of Rat Boy right now—British artist who is a unique blend of punk, Brit pop, and Beastie Boys with his own unique spin.
That’s it for now, until next time…look out for each other.
TJ