PUBLICATIONS
Matthew is an award-winning bestselling author of nonfiction. He specializes in exploring the intersection of the arts, storytelling, and pop culture. He has published numerous books, volume chapters, and articles in academic journals and magazines with over half a dozen international publishing companies.
Matthew's recent works have earned several writing awards and recognitions, including a 2022 LITERARY TITAN GOLD AWARD, 2021 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD (Music Category), a 2021 NYC BIG BOOK DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE AWARD (Music Category), a 2020 NFAA GOLD AWARD (Nonfiction Authors Association), a 2020 BIBA BEST INDIE BOOK AWARD (Nonfiction Category), a 2020 LITERARY TITAN SILVER AWARD, and a nomination for the 2021 ARSC AWARD (Association for Recorded Sound Collections), as well as AMAZON BEST SELLER book rankings in both Kindle and Paperback formats (including Top 10, Top 30, Top 50, and Top 100 category rankings).
Matthew's writings offer readers educational, entertaining, and accessible approaches to such fascinating topics as Disney, comic books, film, broadway, fairy tales, jazz, horror, greek mythology, classical music, animation, and more!
BOOKS
Cool Cats and a Hot Mouse:
A History of Jazz and Disney
FOREWORD BY EMMY-NOMINATED COMPOSER DON DINICOLA
This award-winning best-selling book details the fascinating true stories behind Disney's historic works with pioneering music artists -- sure to entertain and inspire both Disney fans and music lovers alike!
Exploring the Macabre, Malevolent, and Mysterious
CO-EDITED WITH DR. ELIZABETH KUSKO
This academic collection of scholars spanning diverse areas discuss cultural fascinations and impacts regarding horror-related subject matter, including monsters, zombies, witches, voodoo, serial killers, vampires, cemeteries, films, spiritualism, and much more!
A Critical Companion to
Julie Taymor
WITH ANTONIO SANNA & ADAM BARKMAN
This academic collection of scholars spanning diverse backgrounds and subject areas offer fresh insights into the works of award-winning visionary Julie Taymor (as part of the Lexington Books series Critical Companions to Contemporary Directors).
BOOK CHAPTERS
The Psychosocial Implications of Disney Movies
EDITED BY LAUREN DUNDES
Is Disney guilty of westernizing music? Matthew Hodge's chapter explores the presence of musical westernization within Disney World -- with a specific focus on musical representations of 'world' music heard in EPCOT's nighttime entertainment.
Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Media Fandom
EDITED BY ROBERT ANDREW DUNN
Does music help fans relate to villains?
Matthew Hodge's chapter explores how the musical scores of on-screen Batman villains impact fan audiences. This chapter also serves as the inspiration for Matthew's latest upcoming book Gotham City Sounds!
Aestheticization of Violence, Horror, and Power
EDITED BY NUR M. ERDEM et al.
Does theatre violence ever go too far?
Matthew Hodge's chapter dives into the responsibility of aesthetic ownership when executing theatrical imagery that disturbs audiences -- using the controversial play The Pillowman as a prime case study.
"A Hero Will Endure": Essays at the 20th Anniversary of Gladiator
EDITED BY RACHEL L. CARZO
How much legacy can a film score leave? Matthew Hodge's chapter discusses the lasting impact of the famous score heard in the Academy Award-winning 2000 film Gladiator and how its popularity helped solidify Hans Zimmer as one of Hollywood's most influential composers.
Mythological Equines
in Film
EDITED BY RACHEL L. CARZO
COMING 2023!
Beethoven, Pegasus, and Horse Crimes?
Matthew Hodge co-writes TWO contributing chapters. One chapter interprets Disney's synchronization of Beethoven's music with animation in the 1940 film Fantasia, while the other chapter deconstructs staged symbolism in Peter Shaffer's 1973 play Equus.