Lore of the Jack-O’-Lantern, with Brian Serven and Doctor Gasp (Dan Blakeslee)

Join us for a theatrical reading and music performance to celebrate the audiobook release of Lore of the Jack-O’-Lantern!

Inspired by the spirit of Halloween and inherent nature of humans to share scary stories, the night opens with a reading of the Lore of the Jack-O’-Lantern, a novella written and narrated by Brian Serven, who will be joined on stage by character voice actors. While the story is being read, each of the book’s 14 full-page illustrations, by Dan Blakeslee (a.k.a. Doctor Gasp), will be projected upon a screen, along with sound effects and live music! The audiobook features an original music score, composed by Brian Serven, which will be performed live between chapters, just as it is in the audiobook. 

Then, when your chattering teeth quiet and you’re ready for more frights, the evening will conclude with a live music performance by Doctor Gasp! (aka Dan Blakeslee). 

The event is appropriate for people of all ages, although especially for children 8 years and older and nostalgic adults. If the stories were to receive a movie rating, it would be PG. For fans of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Goosebumps, Grimm’s Fairy Tales, and stories by Edward Gorey, and Lemony Snicket. 

Novella synopsis:

Lore of the Jack-O’-Lantern, written by Brian Serven and illustrated by Dan Blakeslee, is a thriller/horror novella set on Halloween night in a small town in New Hampshire. As seething sweets seekers troll the streets, a local gang of outcasts known as the Ferals desperately search for their missing friend. It seems Grandma Collins’ old-country stories about Stingy Jack have come true and the carved pumpkins on porch steps aren’t warding off evil…the Jack-O’-Lanterns seem to be inviting it.

The veil between the living and dead is thin and children’s souls are irresistible. The Ferals must face the thing that lurks in the dark to rescue their friend…before it’s too late.

About the author, Brian Serven:

Brian Serven has been fascinated with spooky stories, ancient myths, and eerie lore since he learned to read. Every printed word provided insight into the mystery of the unknown. Brian soon realized that the only thing more thrilling than reading these exciting stories was writing them. When not writing, Brian composes music, studies the art of the empty hand, explores small towns, and revels in the company of family. 

About illustrator Dan Blakeslee and his alter ego, Doctor Gasp and The Eeks:

Do you distaste the flavor of wax lips? Throat sore from cackling like a phantom? Well… don’t lose your head! Haunting can be daunting… and to be Frank; a pain in the neck! This season leave all the ghoulishness to that maniacal minstrel… Doctor Gasp! Beneath the mask of this phantom is New England musician Dan Blakeslee with his unique bag of all original songs of Halloween oozing with vampires, Jack-O’-Lanterns and ghastly creeps. Blakeslee’s songs are a throwback to old-time cult horror themes, giving nods to Bobby Pickett (Monster Mash), Alfred Hitchcock, John Zacherle and the cavernous voice of Paul Frees. Every October the unexpected spectacle Doctor Gasp rises from the shadows delivering an earful of eerie for the young, old …and immortal.

In October of 2001, Dan Blakeslee wrote a song “Witchtrot Road” about a street of local legend in South Berwick, Maine. He presented this ghoulish tale a few days before Halloween and was asked about releasing it on vinyl. With a few more spooky morsels the collection was released in 2003. After 10 years a new album, Vampire Fish For Two!, has surfaced with his band Doctor Gasp & the Eeks! Rawr!