In this post, we’ll be hearing from author, editor, and burgeoning horror YouTuber Jordan Blum. If you missed our original interview, read it here: Interview with Jordan Blum
Jordan’s author bio:
Jordan Blum is the Editor-in-Chief of The Bookends Review, an independent online creative arts journal founded in 2012 and dedicated to publishing the best original fiction, CNF, poetry, interviews, essays, book reviews, and visual/musical works from around the world. Outside of that, he’s an adjunct English professor at various colleges/universities in the Philadelphia area; the author of books on Jethro Tull, Dream Theater, and Opeth; a contributor to publications such as Loudwire, PROG magazine, and WhatCulture; and a burgeoning horror YouTuber.
Pauline: Fifteen years of The Bookends Review and going strong! What’s on your submission wish list for 2027 and beyond? How can interested writers get involved?
Jordan: It’s truly hard to believe that we’ve been around that long and going stronger than ever!
For 2027 and beyond, I’m hoping to receive more submissions in the music, video, book review, interview, and traditional/digital art categories. I’d say roughly 80% of our submissions are fiction, poetry, and CNF, and while that’s wonderful, I’d like to add more variety to what we publish and have pieces consistently published on Wednesdays (which is the day we devote to pieces that aren’t fiction or poetry).
Anyone who’s interested can find more information on our submissions page (which includes guidelines and a link to submit work via Submittable)!
P: The Bookends Review is open to multimedia submissions. Tell us about the guidelines and process for that format.
J: Sure! Multimedia submissions (including music, video, and art) must be original works. Music, video, and art (be it drawn, digital, photography, etc.) are limited to 5 pieces per submission per category, with each music and video piece being limited to 10 minutes.
I look over those submissions and make the decision, and ultimately, I choose pieces that have an original voice/style and are entertaining or provocative enough to sustain the audience’s attention and lead them to ponder what’s being presented. Honestly, I tend to not go for things such as ambient music, pictures of everyday objects, or films that are overly vague and lacking a clear narrative or intention. There should be something concrete, sophisticated, unique, and contemplative about the piece.
P: Do you prefer to read books in e-book or physical book format? What are you reading these days? Which authors do you recommend checking out?
J: Oh, definitely physical books, not only because reading digitally can make my eyes hurt but also because there’s something special about the feel and smell of physical books. (Not to sound weird, but I think you and your readers know what I mean.) I also encourage my students to always read and write physically before moving over to the digital space if needed.
As for authors, I grew up reading Chuck Palahniuk and Stephen King, so they’re always easy recommendations. (Well, their early works, at least.) I recently read A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Trembley, Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist, Legion by William Peter Blatty, and in a substantial change of pace, the Batman: The Long Halloween graphic novel by Loeb and Sale. Next, I’ll probably read another graphic novel since I’m too busy these days to commit to a traditional novel.
I loved all those books and recommend them, and if there’s one book that I recall loving years ago that hasn’t gotten enough attention, it’s one I reviewed during my time at PopMatters called The Life and Death of Sophie Stark by Anna North.
P: Jordan, what’s your current work in progress?
J: I hate to say that I’m not currently working on anything major (in terms of creative writing). I’m just teaching a lot and finding time to work on lists for Loudwire and WhatCulture in addition to various music reviews. Well, The Bookends Review is working on its first publishing collaboration with another journal, but I don’t want to say too much about that now. All details will be revealed soon! Haha.
P: What inspired your Hairless Horror channel? Tell us about your vision and where this project is heading.
J: Thanks for asking and putting more eyes on the channel!
I grew up loving horror and have been fortunate enough to write about the genre in various places. I also watch a lot of YouTubers who occasionally or primarily focus on horror (Cody Leach, WeWatchedaMovie, 3CFilms, Ghost Pirate Entertainment, Sledgehammer Horror, Splattercast, Spooky Astronauts, PossessedbyHorror, etc.) so I thought I’d try my hand at doing it myself. I’ve managed to befriend some of those creators, too, which has been amazing.
My vision is to do movie reviews for new films alongside lists, podcasts, and the like. I’ve just been so busy that I’ve not been able to keep up with it, but I’m hoping that will change once my current teaching semester ends. I’m still very new at this, so my stuff is quite amateurish, but I’m proud of how I’ve grown and think my Hope review is the best video I’ve done so far. I also want to do a list of non-English language movies that I hope never get remade, as I find that when movies are remade for a U.S. audience, they get ruined. (That’s why I will never watch the American remakes of New French Extremity movies such as Martyrs and Inside.)
If anyone is interested in collaborating, please reach out!
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