LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH Pre-Order Store

It's Award Season... want to help us out?
2 months ago – Fri, Apr 03, 2026 at 12:22:18 PM

Hello friends!

I hope this update finds you all doing well... and emotionally recovered from the stories you helped us bring to life in LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH with your wonderful support.

I'm dropping you all a quick note because -- given the incredible response we received to on this book -- I'm hoping we can ask for your support one more time in getting a little extra love for LOVE STORES ABOUT DEATH.

It's nomination season for the Ringo Awards, and this award is special because it's one of the only major awards where fan votes are a large part of the process. As such, I'm hoping you'll consider taking a moment to nominate LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH (as well as LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT) in the following categories at www.RingoAwards.com.

If you would be so kind, and feel we've earned it, we'd appreciate it if you could nominate us in the following categories:

BEST WRITER: Dirk Manning (LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH, LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT)

BEST ARTIST: Austin McKinley (LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH)

BEST COLORIST: Austin McKinley (LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH)

BEST SHORT STORY: "Nothing Else Matters" from LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH

BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL: LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT

BEST ANTHOLOGY: LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH

BEST PRESENTATION IN DESIGN: LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT

FAVORITE PUBLISHER: SOURCE POINT PRESS

Again, you can just drop us in these categories at www.RingoAwards.com right now.

(I fully realize that some of you hear may not have read LONSON AFTER MIDNIGHT, and if that's the case, I'll defer to your judgement in your voting. I had to admittedly "split the baby" this year in a few of the categories.)

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONCE YOU VOTE YOU'LL GET A CONFIRMATION FROM "CROWDSIGNAL" ASKING YOU TO CONFIRM THAT YOU'RE A REAL PERSON WHO PLACED THE VOTE. PLEASE OPEN THE EMAIL AND CLICK TO CONFIRM SO YOUR VOTES WILL COUNT!

Me and my teams have been fortunate enough to have four different books nominated in the Ringo Awards (they were BURIED BUT NOT DEAD, HAUNTED HIGH-ONS: "The Darkness Rises", HAUNTED HIGH-ONS: "The Curse of the Green Book", and HOMESTEAD respectively for those of you keeping track at home), and I'd love to see LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH (and LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT) both get some nominations this year.

Here's a few samples pages from the story in question if you need a reminder of which one it is... or perhaps want to cry a little again:

Thanks everyone! Please make your voices heard (and feel free to use the Copy/Paste option if it's easier) HERE, and hopefully we'll all be celebrating a nomination (or two) soon! 

Your friend in comics,
Dirk Manning

The world is a vampire...
6 months ago – Tue, Nov 25, 2025 at 02:43:20 PM

Hello friends!

I know that the holiday season is upon us, and that some of you have gotten this news through other means already, so I'm going to keep this quick note to all of you short and snappy!

My newest graphic novel TALES OF MR. RHEE Volume 6: "Blood for Blood" is now on Kickstarter with a limited edition KS Exclusive Hardcover Edition, possibly my favorite shirt we've created to date, and more... and you can check it all out at www.TalesOfMrRhee.comright now!

If you've yet to dive into the world of TALES OF MR. RHEE (which, for the record, is my favorite comic series I write), fear not! This new volume (which pits street-level magician Mr. Rhee against the Vampire Queen and her brood) is an instantly accessible jumping-in point (you'll know everything you need to know within the first few pages -- as should be the case with any book, be it a graphic novel or otherwise), and if you're a completist there's also a special "I'm New Here" pledge level that will get you the whole series to date at a special discounted bundled price, all with FREE U.S. SHIPPING!

TALES OF MR. RHEE -- and especially this volume -- is a book that weaves horror, humor, and heartbreak (sound familiar?) with gorgeous artwork by Austin McKinley(who illustrated the story "Nothing Else Matters" in LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH) and we would *love*it if you'd join us in this new campaign!

We're already fully funded and on the verge of starting the Round Two Stretch Goals which will unlock even more comic content, because, as you all know, my goal with these campaigns is paying it forward to all of you making the books possible.

OK? OK! I promised this would be quick... so that's that! Thanks all! Here's the LINK for you to join the Stretch Goal Party! I look forward to seeing you all there!

Your friend in horror comics,
Dirk Manning

An even fancier graphic novel for you? BELIEVE IT!
about 1 year ago – Tue, Apr 08, 2025 at 06:08:32 PM

I HEARD YOU LIKE YOUR BOOKS FANCY AND SPOOKY, SO...

Hello friends!

I hope this update finds you well and enjoying that nice and fancy edition of LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH.

In case you haven’t seen the news, my newest graphic novel is now running on Kickstarter – and it’s possibly even fancier than LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH is if you can believe such a thing, as the campaign is offering a Kickstarter Exclusive Lenticular Hardcover Edition that will be made print to order for the campaign!

If that’s all you need to know, click HERE to get your copy!

RSVP: E.S.P. is a para-psychological 120-page horror story written by me and adapted from a previously unpublished story by New York Times bestselling author (and one of my favorite voices in the world of prose and film horror) Josh Malerman, whose works include BIRD BOX, UNBURY CAROL, and most recently INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE (which is also now being adapted into a feature film)!

My frequent collaborators Joshua Ross (illustrator), Colin Johnson (colorist), Dave Lentz (letterer) and Drena Jo (editor) are joining us on this story about two omega level psychic preteens who each have a very different agenda in regards to the friendly scientist who’s trying to determine if their psychic powers are real.

RSVP: E.S.P. is a mind-bending story that combines my favorite things about Edgar Allan Poe, Junji Ito, and David Cronenberg in one long-form story that explores, stretches, and then may very well possibly destroy your perception of reality!

I am very, very excited about this book (which is already funded and unlocking Stretch Goals), and most sincerely hope you’ll join me – and us – in pledging for a copy of the KS Exclusive Lenticular Hardcover (and any other add-ons you want) at www.RSVP-ESP.com to help us unlock as many Stretch Goal upgrades and add-ons as possible!

This one is going to quickly become a collector's edition. Thanks, all… and happy pledging!

Your friend in horror comics,
Dirk Manning

The books have arrived... and all packages have shipped!
over 1 year ago – Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 08:00:14 PM

My lovely friends...

FIRST, A SHIPPING UPDATE...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so...

Late last week LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH arrived at the Whalebacker warehouse... and as I'm typing this I've been told all of the packages they have addresses for have been shipped!

If you have any questions about the status of your shipment please send an email to [email protected]and they can help you out!

(You are of course welcome to CC me on any such inquiries at [email protected], but please be aware that Whalebacker handles the shipping and logistics, so they'll be the one able to give you the most answers. I will monitor any situations regarding delayed packages, etc, and offer appropriate support to make sure you are all taken care of, as always!)

SECOND, A MINOR CONFESSION...

I hope at least one, if not several, of the stories in LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH evoke especially visceral emotional reactions from you... and ideally tears.

Despite being an unabashed horror guy, I'm also a big ol' crier under certain circumstances (as those of you who've seen some of my Facebook Live videos know), and I'm not at all ashamed to say it, as I believe in the cleansing and cathartic power of a good cry sometimes.

Have some tissues handy when you read this one, friends. Just in case.

FINALLY, A THANK YOU.

As I discussed in the afterword of LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH (titled "True Love Stories Never Die" -- which I hope you'll also read, too), this book has has a long journey to get to this edition, which represents its final form.

I never take for granted the support and enthusiasm so many of you show for my books -- especially on Kickstarter, and that's why I do so much to pay it forward to you all as much as possible... this time with the option to get a limited edition red leatherbound  hardcover with red gilded pages and a red ribbon bookmark.

I'm so thankful to you all, it's my honor to pay it forward to you, and I most sincerely look forward to having the opportunity to doing so again soon.

My next book launch on Kickstarter will be RSVP: E.S.P., a cerebral horror thriller I'm bringing to life based on a previously unpublished story by the modern horror maestro Josh Malerman (writer of modern horror classics such as BIRD BOX, UNBURY CAROL, and most recently INCIDENTS AROUND THE HOUSE) and illustrated by Joshua Ross (NIGHTMARE WORLD, TALES OF MR. RHEE) with colorist Colin Johnson (HOMESTEAD, LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH).

We'll be launching this one on Kickstarter Tuesday, April 1st (no foolin'!), and I'll send you all a note about it around then.

In the meantime, one last time, thank you for helping me give LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH life, friends. I remain in your debt, hope you enjoy the book, and look forward to seeing you April Fool's Day for the next one -- as it's another one I'm very, very excited about!

Your friend in comics,
Dirk Manning

The books have arrived... and shipping has begun!
over 1 year ago – Thu, Feb 20, 2025 at 07:40:13 PM

EXCITING NEWS!

Hello all!

I received word today that LOVE STORIES ABOUT DEATH arrived at Whalebacker yesterday... and that packing and shipping has already begun! w00t!

The books will be shipping from Whalebacker in Saginaw, Michigan... so keep your eyes peeled!

I haven't even seen them yet, but I will send photos and we'll do a proper postmortem (ha-ha!) on this campaign -- including what's next -- soon!

Thanks all! I am so excited for you to all get your books -- and to see them myself!

THANK YOU for making this possible! Talk soon!

Your friend in comics,
Dirk Manning