5 minute read
CHARLES ROSENAY Turning a Unique Passion into a Book
Turning a Unique Passion Into a Book
WRITTEN BY: CAROLINA AMORE
When one ponders the horror genre, what typically comes to mind? Maybe scary movies, suspenseful music, or even tumultuous novels can keep the reader on the tip of their toes. Orange resident, Charles Rosenay brings to life all the different perspectives of the horror field with his new book, The Book of Top Ten Horror Lists.
Charles Rosenay is the owner and operator of Liverpool Productions, offering DJ services and tours. He organizes the FAB4 Music Festival, music-themed travel tours, Haunted Castle Tours, and founded Fright Haven, a seasonal haunted attraction. His newest endeavor is his first popculture book, The Book of Top Ten Horror Lists.
A FAMILY BOND
Rosenay’s love of the horror field was immersed at a young age through his family. He described growing up in the Bronx with his parents as a happy and supportive childhood. Rosenay spoke of the closeness between him and his parents and the shared bond they grew to have over watching movies together at the end of each day.
“I remember my mom saying, I love horror movies, it’s about time you watch them,” he said. Rosenay was not much older than 5 or 6 years old when he watched his first horror movie, Bride of Frankenstein, with his parents. He said, “I sat with my hands over my eyes the entire time. Back then, we had no cable or Netflix, so the same movies played every night, and after the third time, I watched the entire movie—I was hooked.” From that point forward, Rosenay’s love of the horror field grew exponentially and brought him to where he is today, publishing his first book.
CELEBRITY INPUT
Rosenay’s creation, The Book of Top Ten Horror Lists, contains entries from various celebrities that give the book several perspectives. He came to be involved with celebrities through the Beatles conventions he produced. In 2010 he produced The Weekend of 100 Rock Stars, a rock and roll extravagan-
Photo: Paula Severino
za, not unlike a Comic-Con, but with one hundred stars of the rock and pop music field performing, meeting fans, and signing autographs. It was during this time that he became friends with many superstars. He said, “When you become friends with someone from the Beach Boys, and then he introduces you to someone from The Turtles, or The Monkees-it snowballs.”
The Book of Top Ten Horror Lists, believe it or not, is not just about horror movies. There are eloquent intricacies that bring this book to life. Rosenay reached out to John Lennon’s sister in the hopes of getting a list from her to add to his creation. When prompted, she said she did not know any horror movies; instead, she wrote a thesis on the horrors of Shakespeare’s works.
There are numerous creative selections throughout the book that Rosenay captured to contribute to different dimensions. One addition was close to home for Rosenay as his all-time favorite horror persona is Frankenstein. Boris Karloff was the actor who played Frankenstein and Rosenay reached out to his daughter, Sara Karloff, to get her list. He said, “When I asked her for a list, she replied, ‘I hate horror movies, I don’t think I’ve ever watched beyond my father’s movie, but I want to contribute to your book. I am going to put in What makes Rosenay’s book special is not just the favorite horror movies by celebrities; it is the additions that are unique and at times of a personal nature. There are entries from people like Ed Asner, William Shatner, and much more. Some intriguing lists are about the ten sexiest scenes in horror movies or the funniest horror movies. Rosenay said, “People really thought out of the box and came up with amazing themes.”
THE WRITING PROCESS
The idea to create a book out of pop culture icons’ top ten horror lists was years in the making and began with an online newsletter called National Horror Happenings, where Rosenay reviewed horror movies. Once a month, the newsletter got a top ten list from an actor or writer in the horror field, and after years of gathering all this information, he accumulated about 80 lists. It was not until the rise of COVID-19 that Rosenay had the time to sit with this list and create a masterpiece with it. When speaking of the writing process, Rosenay said, “Had it not been for COVID-19, this book probably would not have come out. The time away from my busy work endeavors gave me the discipline to stay at the computer and work on my book.”
After over a year of Rosenay’s hard work, his book is now available on Amazon as well as the publisher’s website. He says, “I want people to order from the website from me directly so I can sign every copy and personalize it to the individual.” Once Rosenay starts meet and greets at horror conventions, his book will be available in different states.
Even with Charles Rosenay’s busy life and many endeavors, this is not the last that the literary community will be hearing of him. He has numerous book ideas, one being a sequel to his current book possibly titled, Bride of Top Ten Horror Lists, a callback to the movie Bride of Frankenstein. He plans to write about the top ten Beatles lists and paranormal Connecticut stories, sights, and hauntings.
For more information, call Charles Rosenay at 203-795-4737 or email Bookoftop10horrorlists@gmail.com. Books can be ordered via the website: www.BookOfTop10HorrorLists.com.
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