Author and Producer Jeff Hayes’ Authoritative
Release Hits Shelves in October
New York, NY — On October 24, 2023, 1984 Publishing will release Sleepaway Camp: Making the
Movie and Reigniting the Campfire by Jeff Hayes, a 40th anniversary look at the ‘83 cult classic
Sleepaway Camp. A 4-song soundtrack EP will accompany the book’s release on vinyl (in three
colorways) and CD.
Longtime official Sleepaway Camp webmaster, writer, and filmmaker, Hayes goes behind the scenes
of the film like never before, revealing the development and making of the movie, its immediate
aftermath, and the more than four decades of fandom since its release. This definitive hardbound
Sleepaway Camp compendium includes interviews with much of the cast and crew (with many new
exclusives), more than 75 production and memorabilia images (including unreleased on-set stills),
and takes you backstage to the reunions, retro screenings, and convention events that have united
fans and reignited interest in this beloved horror tale.
When the film debuted in 1983, it was quickly disregarded by film reviewers. Variety called it a “tired
version of teen oriented horror film formulas,” The Philadelphia Enquirer “had more thrills untangling
paper clips,” and The Cincinnati Post branded it “more horrible than horrifying."
But fans saw something different. Very different. More than 40 years since its release, the film’s
unique blend of horror, tongue-in-cheek comedy, sexuality, and gender roles—along with an ending
to end all endings, was seemingly ahead of its time. Sleepaway Camp is now discussed and
debated more than when it was initially released, and continues to resonate with ’80s film buffs,
global horror fans, and the LGBT community.
Author Jeff Hayes: "What a wild trip down memory lane it has been writing this book and recapping
40 years of Sleepaway Camp. I first watched the film on HBO in ’87 (age 11), and like many of you
was wildly intrigued. Eventually I started the official website and tracked down the cast and crew in
the early days of the internet, when the details behind the film were virtually unknown. The film
subsequently became such a big part of my life. Decades later, I hope to give fans a much more
detailed look at the making of this beloved slasher classic, and also what has happened since its ’83
debut on the silver screen."
Accompanying the release is a 4-song soundtrack EP. All songs are by Frankie Vinci from the late
’70s power pop band Fotomaker. Included on the EP is a never-before-released punk version of
“Angela’s Theme (You’re Just What I’ve Been Looking For)” by Vinci, along with the original versions
of “Angela’s Theme,” “Tonight You’re Mine,” and “Take a Chance.” The 12-inch gatefold vinyl edition
will be available as a limited “Camp Arawak” blue/white split-colored variant, plus on “Full Frontal”
pink vinyl and “Aunt Martha Reminder String” red vinyl.
Both the book and music packaging were designed by Hagcult, who previously worked with 1984
Publishing on Clark Collis’ acclaimed You’re Got Red on You: How Shaun of the Dead Came to Life,
plus on artwork for officially-licensed Halloween and Vampira merchandise. The Sleepaway Camp
releases also feature the original hand-drawn one-sheet artwork by David Schleinkofer.
Pre-orders for the book, vinyl, and CD begin this upcoming Wednesday, August 9 (1 PM EST) at
1984 Publishing.com.
The book will additionally be available at local bookstores, Amazon and Barnes & Noble in the US,
Amazon in the UK and Canada, and more. Wholesale inquiries can be made to Consortium, Ingram
(UK and US), PGC (Canada), and Baker & Taylor.
Welcome to Sleepaway Camp. Meet you at the waterfront, after the social.
Jeff Hayes is a filmmaker who has made independent short films, documentaries, and even a handful of experimental feature-length films (mostly horror-related, of course). Jeff has run the official site SleepawayCampMovies.com for over two decades and co-produced Robert Hiltzik's Return to Sleepaway Camp. Jeff is also a vocalist and music producer who was lead singer for several bands and released two ’80s/’90s-influenced solo albums. He enjoys spending time with his cats Sadie and Dexter (named after another one of his favorite characters) and is a supporter of NeadyCats.org. Married to his lovely wife (and always his co-producer) Cheryl since 2005, the couple reside in picturesque Massachusetts. This is his first book.
1984 Publishing brings premium, hardbound pop culture books to bookshelves worldwide.
Its previous releases were two best-selling coffee table books on “Weird Al” Yankovic: Lights, Camera, Accordion!
(2022) and Black & White & Weird All Over (2020); Clark Collis’ You’ve Got Red on You: How Shaun of the Dead
Was Brought to Life; Blood on Black Wax: Horror Soundtracks on Vinyl; and Ad Nauseam: Newsprint Nightmares
from the 1980s. Founder Matthew Chojnacki wrote three award-winning art books of his own, Alternative Movie
Posters: Film Art from the Underground (volumes I and II), plus the '80s vinyl cover art book Put the Needle on the
Record: The 1980s at 45 Revolutions per Minute. Chojnacki also recently co-produced several documentaries,
including Scream Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street, 24 x 36: A Movie about Movie Posters, Justin Pearson’s
Don’t Fall in Love with Yourself, and 30 Years of Garbage: The Garbage Pail Kids Story.
Visit 1984Publishing.com, and follow 1984 Publishing on Instagram (1984Prods), Twitter (@1984Prods), Facebook
(1984Publishing), and Threads (1984Prods).