I am excited to help spread the word that Mark Matthews’ stellar novel Milk-Blood has been optioned for film by Monkey Knuckle Films! I am extremely happy for Mark on his huge accomplishment, he is one hell of a writer and I highly recommend picking up his books. The option also includes the rights to The Damage Done, a prequel story that introduces readers to the mentally ill heroin addict Jarvis. I remember when I read Milk-Blood last year and I was impressed with the originality and rawness of the story. Matthews’ strong characterization and descriptions of Brentwood – a dangerous part of Detroit that is filled with abandoned, burned-out homes and drug dealers – seem like they will translate extremely well to the big screen. Here is the announcement:
MILK-BLOOD, a novel by Mark Matthews, has been optioned for a full length feature film by Monkey Knuckle Films. The option includes rights to the short story, The Damage Done, a companion piece to the novel.
“MILK-BLOOD is true reality horror with supernatural elements that only serve to make it more believable,” explains executive producer Michael Bradford. “The story will certainly hold an audience.”
MILK-BLOOD is the story of a ten-year-old girl named Lilly, born with a heart defect, who lives on a Detroit street where poverty, urban despair, addiction, and both the living and the dead threaten her outside her doorstep. The author has tapped into this experience as a social worker to create what one review site calls, “an urban legend in the making.”Monkey Knuckle Films is a newly created LLC, but the founders have a long history of horror, and have worked with actors such as Sid Haig from The Devil’s Rejects, and much of the cast of The Evil Dead. They are currently in post-production for the horror film, “Elder Island“, set for release in 2016. MILK-BLOOD was a semi-finalist for the 2015 Best Kindle Book Awards and is available in paperback, Kindle, or audiobook on Amazon.
I praised the novel in my review and the balance of real-life horror and supernatural made this one of the most original horror novels I have read in years. I didn’t formally publish a “Best of” list last year, but if I did, Milk-Blood would have easily been near the top. I promise that I am not just saying that because Mark was kind enough to put my blurb on the cover, which has to rank as one of the coolest achievements in The Horror Bookshelf’s history. If you want to get a head start on the story, pick up a copy of The Damage Done, which is currently being offered as a free download on Amazon. You won’t be disappointed!
Mark’s announcement also comes with a few other surprises for fans of his work. He revealed that a sequel to MILK-BLOOD is scheduled for release in early 2016. Here is what he had to say: “The sequel is some twisted material,” says Matthews, “but with a purpose. Horror without heart doesn’t appeal to me, and I don’t think to many readers.” In addition to the big news, Mark is offering up a free download of Milk-Blood to the first ten people to email him at WickedRunPress@gmail.com . No word yet on distribution for the film, but I will definitely be watching when the film is released! Be sure to stop by Mark’s blog for more information about his writing and check out some of his other great books on his Amazon page.
The Horror Bookshelf 