Richard Chizmar is the founder, publisher, editor, and owner of the magazine 'Cemetery Dance' and Cemetery Dance Publications, a renowned publisher of horror fiction.
Cemetery Dance Publications, situated in Forest Hills, Maryland, was founded in 1988 by Richard, who began working on the magazine 'Cemetery Dance' while still in college. His lifelong passion for horror fiction was sparked by a short story written by Stephen King, "The Monkey", in 1980.
In 1992, Cemetery Dance began publishing high-quality novels and novellas, including signed and limited or signed and lettered editions, often leather-bound with accompanying artwork by notable artists such as Alan M Clark and Bernie Wrightson. One notable edition was of Stephen King's novel "From A Buick 8". Cemetery Dance also publishes a comic book titled "Grave Tales", a homage to the 1950s EC Comics by William M. Gaines.
Richard is also a writer and has published numerous short fiction pieces, including "Dark Whispers", "Homesick", "Heroes", and "Only the Strong Survive", which he co-wrote with Barry Hoffman. His fiction is collected in "Midnight Whispers" and can be found in various anthologies, such as "Predators", "Night Screams", "Werewolves", "100 Tiny Tales of Terror", and "100 Twisted Little Tales of Torment". He has also contributed to publications like "Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine".
Throughout his career, Richard has received several awards, including the "Horror Writers Association Board of Trustees Award", two "World Fantasy" awards, and four "International Horror Guild" awards.
In addition to his work in publishing, Richard has ventured into the movie business with significant success. He began with the film "Heroes" in 2002, co-written with Jonathon Schaech, who also starred in the film alongside Djimon Hounsou. Next was "Road House 2: Last Call" in 2006, which was again co-written with and starred Schaech, along with Jake Busey. In 2007, he scripted the teleplay for "Masters of Horror", segment "The Washingtonians" based on a short story by Bentley Little, starring Johnathon Schaech and directed by Peter Medak.
Richard collaborated with Schaech again in 2008, scripting the teleplay for "The Poker Club" based on the thriller by Ed Gorman, in which 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 Jonathon Schaech, and their projects have included "Road House 2: Last Call" and Ed Gorman's "The Poker Club".
