Peoria, IL, September 29, 2015:  Joe Chianakas, professor of communication at Illinois Central College, signed a contract for a horror fiction series through Distinguished Press. The first book,Rabbit in Red, releases on September 29.

Illinois Central College recently awarded Chianakas with their Gallion Award, the highest teaching honor for full-time faculty. While working on Rabbit in Red, Chianakas collaborated with a variety of local artists, most notably local pop-punk band Terribly Happy, comprised of current and former ICC students, who produced “Enter the Rabbit,” an adrenaline-pumping song inspired by the novel.

Here is the current back of the book synopsis: Bill Wise has blood in his past, so he turns to horror films to wipe it clean. Jaime Stein has felt the betrayal of death, so she too takes refuge in the on-screen deaths of others. Now Bill, Jaime, and seventeen other horror-loving teens have gathered at Rabbit in Red Studios, the brainchild of eccentric horror producer Jay “JB” Bell, for the terror-filled, blood-drenched contest of their lives. JB has presented this competition as a race between the best of the best that will reward the winners with cash, internships, and a career making the movies they love. But things aren’t always as they seem at Rabbit in Red, and soon life starts to imitate art. Will Bill and Jaime be strong enough to confront real horror to save their friends, or will they all fall victim to JB’s twisted plans?

The book will be available online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other major online booksellers beginning September 29. I Know You Like a Book in Peoria Heights will host Chianakas for a party and book signing Saturday October 17 at 4:00 p.m. The party will include live music by Terribly Happy and a costume contest—dress as your favorite horror character for a chance to win prizes.

Previously, Chianakas taught English at Metamora High School. In addition to teaching, Chianakas, 36, runs the Cougar Karate Club at Illinois Central College and teaches fitness classes at the ICC CougarPlex. He loves to write and is excited to introduce the world to Rabbit in Red.