HDNA: In addition to “The Rising” book, word is there are a movie, comic and video game in the works. It was a first novel and I wasn’t confident or skilled enough to pull off that style of ending. That’s what I wanted to do with “The Rising.” But I blew it. Like the ending to John Carpenter’s The Thing it was up to the viewer to decide what happened next.

I wanted the ending to be just as bleak, dark, and unsettling as it is. HDNA: Some people have accused you of ending “The Rising” the way you did in order to force sales of its sequel, “City of the Dead.” Set the record straight - was that your intention?īK: Nope. HDNA: What was the reaction from readers to “The Rising’s” controversial ending?īK: There was a lot of cursing and gnashing of teeth. I hope my new book, “The Conqueror Worms” (which just came out), is just as successful. The success of both has surprised the hell out of me. And the second printing of the sequel, “City of the Dead,” just came out as well. Did this surprise you?īrian Keene: Actually, the third printing just hit stores. Horror DNA: Your first novel, “The Rising,” is about to-if it hasn't already-sell out its second printing. His books include “The Rising,” “City of the Dead,” “Terminal,” “The Conqueror Worms,” “Fear of Gravity,” and many more, several of which are slated for film, video game, and comic book adaptations. It's not a bad gig, but it doesn't get him out of the house much. Best-selling author Brian Keene writes horror novels for a living.

The Rising by Brian Keene