Kealan Patrick Burke

Kealan Patrick Burke was born and raised in Dungarvan, Ireland. He is best known as an award-winning author described as "a newcomer worth watching" by Publishers Weekly. Some of his works include the novels Currency of Souls and The Hides (Bram Stoker Award nominee), the novellas The Turtle Boy (Bram Stoker Award Winner, 2004) and Vessels, and the collection Ravenous Ghosts. He has also sold fiction to a number of publications, including Postscripts, Cemetery Dance, Grave Tales, Shivers II, Shivers III, Shivers IV, Looking Glass, Masques V, Subterranean #1, Evermore, Inhuman, Horror World, Surreal Magazine, and Corpse Blossoms.

Aside from his accomplishments as an author, Kealan also edited the anthologies: Taverns of the Dead (recipient of a starred review in Publishers Weekly), Brimstone Turnpike, Quietly Now: A Tribute to Charles L. Grant (International Horror Guild Award Nominee, 2004), the charity anthology Tales from the Gorezone and Night Visions 12. He is also an associate editor for Subterranean Magazine.

An 8 minute short film based on his short story "Peekers" is currently doing the festival circuit (including Dead by Dawn 2008, Edinburgh's horror film fest). The screenplay was written by Rick Hautala, and it is directed by Mark Steensland. Another movie based on his short story "The Quiet" was in production at Artificial Films in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but that fell through. In 2009 has his first acting role in the Independent film Slime City Massacre, who stars on the side from Debbie Rochon. Burke won Best Actor at the 2010 PollyGrind Film Festival with his portrayal of Cory.