Biography

Richard Chizmar is the founder, publisher, editor, and owner of the magazine 'Cemetery Dance' and of Cemetery Dance Publications, which publishes horror fiction. He is of the most successful editors working in horror fiction today.

Cemetery Dance Publications, which is situated in Forest Hills, Maryland was founded in 1988 by Richard, who began work on the Magazine 'Cemetery Dance' while still at college. He is a life-long fan of horror fiction and was particularly inspired by a short story written by Stephen King called 'The Monkey' (1980).

In 1992 Cemetery Dance began publishing high quality novels and novellas, signed and limited or signed and lettered editions, often leather-bound with accompanying artwork by the likes of Alan M Clark and Bernie Wrightson, including a stunning edition of the novel From A Buick 8 by Stephen King. Cemetery Dance further publishes a comic book titled 'Grave Tales', a homage to the 1950s EC Comics by William M. Gaines, such as _Tales from the Crypt (TV Series 1989-1996)_ and [error].

Richard is also a writer and has published a myriad of short fiction including 'Dark Whispers', 'Homesick', 'Heroes', and 'Only the Strong Survive' (the latter with Barry Hoffman). His fiction is collected in 'Midnight Whispers' (1996) and can be found in numerous anthologies including 'Predators' (1993), 'Night Screams' (1995), 'Werewolves' (1995), '100 Tiny Tales of Terror' (1996), and '100 Twisted Little Tales of Torment' (1998). He has further contributed to publications like 'Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine'.

His awards include the 'Horror Writers Association Board of Trustees Award', two 'World Fantasy' awards (one for his collection, 'Midnight Promises' in 1997), and four 'International Horror Guild' awards.

Over the years Richard has steadily moved into the movie business with considerable success. He began with _Heroes (2002)_, co-written with 'Jonathon Schaech' (the latter also starred in the film alongside Djimon Hounsou). Next up was Road House 2: Last Call (2006) which was again co-written with - and starred - Schaech and Jake Busey. In 2007 he scripted the teleplay to Masters of Horror (2005), segment 'The Washingtonians' based on a short story by Bentley Little: the episode starred Johnathon Schaech and was directed by Peter Medak. The series as a whole was created by Mick Garris.

He collaborated with Schaech again in 2008, the teleplay to The Poker Club (2008) based on the thriller by Ed Gorman: Schaech would again take a starring role. Ed Gorman has contributed many stories to and written regular articles for 'Cemetery Dance' magazine.

Richard Chizmar co-founded Chesapeake Films with Johnathon Schaech. Their projects have included Road House 2: Last Call (2006) and Ed Gorman's The Poker Club (2008).