Atomic Fez Press Release: "Atomic Fez is quite pleased about the today’s starred review in Publishers Weekly of Wicked Delights by John Llewellyn Probert. The collection is Mr. Probert’s fifth, and is published by Atomic Fez officially on the 2nd of April, 2010. Pre-orders for the title are being accepted now, with copies being made available for purchase at World HorrorCon in Brighton and EasterCon 2010 in Hayes; the two events being held in the UK on successive week-ends.

Wicked Delights. John Llewellyn Probert. Atomic Fez, $39.99 ISBN 978-0-9811597-2-0

Prolific horror writer Probert (The Faculty of Terror) offers up 18 gruesome, unsettling, and often unnervingly funny tales in his wide-ranging fifth short story collection. In "At Midnight, I Will Steal Your Soul," a terrifying choir rehearsal in a haunted asylum leads an anxiety-plagued woman to a profound realization. "Two for Dinner" is a heart-pounding tribute to revenge horror films with a gleefully disturbing punch line. "The Mirror of Tears" is a haunting family drama about childhood terror and the sometimes damaging power of love. Vividly creepy images—the pages of a cookbook sucking on a child like leeches, an entire company being reduced to a sculpture of body parts as part of a corporate takeover—are all the more compelling when rendered in Probert’s breezy style. An illuminating and frequently hilarious afterword ends the collection on a gentle note.  — Publishers Weekly, February 8th, 2010, ‘Fiction Book Reviews (SF/Fantasy/Horror)’

Another reaction recently received about Mr. Probert's book is the from Britain's long-respected Master of Horror Ramsey Campbell:

The delightfully wicked Mr. Probert wields his prose like a scalpel. His imagination is impressively warped and gruesome, and yet his tales have an unrepentantly English reticence. There’s dark humour here, and unexpected poignancy — indeed, the book is as full of surprises as the man himself. Horror is lucky to have him. – Ramsey Campbell

Wicked Delights is the third book to be published by Atomic Fez, the third to be reviewed by Publishers Weekly, and the second title Publishers Weekly has awarded a star (denoting "recommended" status)."

The World Horror Convention next year relocates to the USA -- Austin, Texas to be exact. The Guests of Honour include Joe Lansdale, Joe Hill, Brian Keene, Steve Niles, Sarah Langan and our own Vincent Chong. Registration is currently $90 but this rises next month. Check out the WHC2011 website.

The search for the next crime writer: "Do you fancy becoming the next Stuart MacBride, Raymond Chandler, Agatha Christie or Dashiell Hammett? Do you have the next great gumshoe detective or amateur sleuth character under wraps and just need an opportunity to tell the world? Now's your chance. Alibi has teamed up with world-renowned publisher HarperCollins and Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, Harrogate to unearth some of the country's hottest new crime-writing talent and we're starting by asking you to submit your very own crime fiction short story." For a lot more information on this competition visit the Alibi website.

The Festival of Writing  "is for you, the writer. We know how hard it is to break into print, and the Festival is designed to give you everything you need to succeed. The Festival has a host of workshops led by top authors on how to write - how to self-edit your work - how to approach agents - and much else. We've also got numerous agents coming along to the event and you'll be invited to pitch your work to them one-on-one. We'll also have loads of top editors, publishers and other industry experts. You'll be listening to them, asking them questions - and have loads of opportunities for informal meetings too" (taken from their website).

The festival takes place in York in April 2010. To book go to the festival's website.  John Jarrold is leading a workshop on the SF and fantasy market and Sally Spedding is giving an introduction to horror. And if you like ravens (or crows) pop over to Sally's blog.

"Founders of British obstetrics 'were callous murderers'. William Hunter and William Smellie commissioned a regular supply of corpses so they could study the physical effects of pregnancy, argues a respected historian." OK, not exactly hot news -- these events occurred 250 years ago. But if you want inspiration for your next medical thriller/horror visit this site  -- or obtain the recently published paper from the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. Or Google the names and you'll find loads of info. Apparently, they were responsible for the murder of up to 40 pregnant women. Gruesome stuff.

 

Coming soon from PS Publishing: BLACK WINGS: NEW TALES OF LOVECRAFTIAN HORROR edited bt ST Joshi. PS says: "The work of H. P. Lovecraft continues to inspire many of the leading contemporary authors of horror and the supernatural. In this anthology, S. T. Joshi, the world's leading expert on Lovecraft and the author of the lively treatise The Rise and Fall of the Cthulhu Mythos, tries his hand at assembling a modern-day Lovecraftian anthology, casting his net on both sides of the Atlantic and producing a volume that radically expands our notions of what constitutes "Lovecraftian" fiction. Caitlín R. Kiernan, Brian Stableford, and Nicholas Royle produce innovative deconstructions of Lovecraft's "Pickman's Model" and "The Hound." Michael Shea transfers the Cthulhu Mythos to San Francisco, Laird Barron and Philip Haldeman set their Lovecraftian horrors in the Pacific Northwest, and Donald R. Burleson and William Browning Spencer enliven the parched Southwest with cosmic monsters. Ramsey Campbell, Jonathan Thomas, Jason Van Hollander, and others make Lovecraft himself a character in tales of cosmic menace, while David J. Schow and Michael Cisco ring new changes on the Lovecraftian concept of the forbidden book. These and other stories by Michael Marshall Smith, Norman Partridge, W. H. Pugmire, Joseph S. Pulver, Sr., Darrell Schweitzer, Donald R. and Mollie L. Burleson, Sam Gafford, and Adam Niswander all reveal how vital and vibrant the Lovecraftian idiom remains . . . and how terrifying." More info here.

Subterranean Press news: "Copies of Charles de Lint's epic fantasy novel, Eyes Like Leaves, are due in our offices late this week. We have thousands of copies to ship to customers, so beg everyone's patience as we do so. Look to the news page and our email newsletter for regular updates on shipping progress. Please note that both the signed trade and limited editions are both over 80% sold out, with more orders arriving all the time.", Visit Sub Press's website for more details.

BFS Award-winning artist Vincent Chong's new blog is now online.  Vincent says that the blog will be updated regularly and will feature posts including news updates, artwork, behind-the-scenes material such as sketches, insights into my working methods/inspirations, tips and info on life as a freelancer and much more.  There's also free downloads including desktop wallpapers, so please stop by for a visit and check it out.  

Vincent is excited to announce that the first art book collecting my work will be published by Telos Publishing.  ALTERED VISIONS: THE ART OF VINCENT CHONG will be a 48 page, A5, full colour hardback edition. Further details can be found on his blog.

The book will be published 25th March and launched at the World Horror Convention 2010 but you can pre-order a copy now direct from the publisher's website under the 'Original and Classic Fiction' section.  Copies are expected to be limited so place your order now to avoid disappointment.

FantasyCon 2010 is delighted to annnounce that THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES will be JAMES BARCLAY.

And to whet your appetite you can see James in action from FantasyCon 2008 below...

Best Novel 2008: Ramsey Campbell

Martin Roberts | MySpace Video

From the NewCon press:

"The Bitten Word is a collection of all-new vampire stories by some of the best known authors in the genre plus some up-and-coming future stars, with front cover art by John Kaiine and back cover art by award-winning artist Les Edwards.

The book will be available in two editions: A5 paperback, and a special signed hardback edition, with dust jacket, limited to just 150 copies, with each copy individually numbered and signed by all the authors. The limited edition hardback includes a bonus story by award-winning author Ian Watson, plus a colour plate of Les Edwards' wonderful back cover picture, Descending Les Edwards Fantasy Art :: Gallery

Full contents:

1. Ian Whates -- Introduction
2. Simon Clark – Vampithecus
3. Kelley Armstrong – Young Bloods
4. Sarah Singleton – A Winter’s Tale
5. Gary McMahon – Those Damned Kids
6. Storm Constantine – Where the Vampires Live
7. John Kaiine – English Spoken
8. Chaz Brenchley – Hothouse Flowers
9. Nancy Kilpatrick – Traditions in Future Perfect
10. Andrew Hook – Red or White
11. Freda Warrington – Fall of the House of Blackwater
12. Tanith Lee – Taken at His Word
13. Kari Sperring – Cold Rush
14. Donna Scott – Lord of the Lyceum
15. Sam Stone – Fool’s Gold
16. Jon Courtenay Grimwood – Wuthering Bites
17. Ian Whates – The Abomination of Beauty
18. Gail Z Martin – Vanities
19. Ian Watson – My Vampire Cake* (*Available only in the special signed limited edition)"

The book will be launched (with a party) at WHC2010, but can be ordered in advance from the NewCon Press website

From Glenn Jame's website (Glenn is a fine artist who's work has been featured in Dark Horizons):

"There is an eternal struggle in our imaginations, between the brave Knights of fable, and the Dragons of our Dark Age nightmares.  Glenn was very much raised on Arthurian romances, and since having completed his first Dragon illustration in 'Marlborough Knight', he wants to develop a series depicting these struggles and conflicts.

But not always in a conventional sense.  All is fair in love and war, they say, and there is no reason why a knight must stick to the old weapons of choice, when faced with a 90 foot long, flying, fire-breathing reptile.  More than a hint of mischief went into the inspiration behind this drawing, and the knight's choice of weapon obviously does not amuse his opponent."

Prints of Glenn's work are available.

 

Additional to the information in Progress Report #3 (being mailed to all registered members this week), National Express Coaches (www.nationalexpress.com/Airport/heathrow.cfm) runs a regular service to Brighton and Gatwick Airport from the central bus station at Heathrow Airport (which can be reached by the walkways linking Terminals 1, 2 and 3). The central bus station is well sign-posted from all terminals and is located next to the London Underground station for Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

A return journey on National Express is approximately £30.00 ($50.00) and the journey will take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. You will want to get off at the "Pool Valley" stop, directly outside the back of the Royal Albion Hotel and adjacent to the Radisson Blu hotel.

If you are 60 years old or over, the return journey is approximately £15.00 ($25.00).

Also, easyBus is having a sale (ending midnight February 8) for 450,000 seats from various locations (including a number of locations in London) to Gatwick Airport at 50 pence ($1.00) per seat. For more information go to: www.easybus.co.uk/?ReferURL=010&gclid=CKnQioyE1p8CFdkB4wodCXSYdA

 

NOTE: The hotel does not have its own car park. There is car parking info available on the WHC2010 website.

 

Tickets for The Horror Writers Association’s prestigious annual BRAM STOKER AWARDS are selling fast, with fewer than 40 now remaining. The awards will be presented at a gala Fish & Chips Banquet on the evening of Saturday, March 27. This event will be one of the highlights of the convention, and will include past Grand Masters, Stoker Award winners and our Guests of Honour as presenters. Seating is strictly limited, so if you have not booked yet and still want to attend, please go to: www.whc2010.org/banquet-tickets01.html and register now via the PayPal buttons.

Memberships to the convention are SOLD OUT. There may be a few transferable memberships available at various prices. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information or to be put on a waiting list. Also note: There will be no day or supporting memberships, nor any press passes available.

Nasrullah Anwar is planning a new quarterly eJournal of Fantasy, SF and Horror fiction to help emerging writers, particularly from the BME community. For more details see www.trollking.co.uk.

Also from Sub Press is MIRROR KINGDOMS, a 200,000 word collection of Peter S Beagle's short stories. This volume has been on my wants list for months, and I can hardly bear the waiting. From Sub Press's website:

'When New York Times Bestselling writer Tad Williams described Peter S. Beagle as a “bandit prince out to steal reader’s hearts” he touched on a truth that readers have known for fifty years. Beagle, whose work has touched generations of readers around the world, has spun rich, romantic and very funny tales that have beguiled and enchanted readers of all ages.

During the first forty years of his career Beagle also wrote a small handful, scarcely a dozen, short stories. Classics like “Come Lady Death”, “Lila and the Werewolf”, “Julie’s Unicorn”, “Professor Gottesman and the Indian Rhinoceros”, and the tales that make up Giant Bones. And then, starting just five years ago, he turned his attention to short fiction in earnest, and produced a stunning array of new stories including the Hugo and Nebula Award winning follow up to The Last Unicorn, “Two Hearts”, WSFA Small Press Award winner “El Regalo”, and wonderful stories like the surrealist “The Last and Only”, the haunting “The Rabbi’s Hobby” and others.

Mirror Kingdoms: The Best of Peter S. Beagle collects the very best of these stories, over 200,000 words worth, ranging across 45 years of his career from early stories to freshly minted tales that will surprise and amaze readers. It’s a book which shows, more than any other, just how successful this bandit prince from the streets of New York has been at stealing our hearts and underscores how much we hope he’ll keep on doing so.'

 

Subterranean Press Announcement: the press has two new Robert Silverberg titles on our schedule later this year. The first, The Palace at Midnight, is volume five of his Collected Short Stories Series, and, at over 150,000 words, the longest of the volumes thus far. This one focuses on the early 1980s, and includes such now classic stories as "The Pope of the Chimps", "Basilisk", the Majipoor novella, "Thesme and Ghayrog", and ultimate giant lobster tale, "Homefaring".

Limited: 150 signed numbered copies, bound in leather and cloth: $65
Trade: Fully cloth bound hardcover copies: $35

The second Silverberg offering is truly special. The Last Song of Orpheus is a 30,000 word novella, his longest work in over a decade, which is one of his most remarkable accomplishments, a resonant recreation of one of the central myths of western civilization.

Limited: 200 signed numbered leatherbound copies: $45

To order go to the Sub Press website.

 

The Bram Stoker award-winning author Lisa Morton's haunting novel THE CASTLE OF LOS ANGELES is out now in paperback from Gray Friars Press, with the hardcover edition to follow very shortly.

Visit the Gray Friars wesbite for more details.

 

"Theatre director Beth Ortiz is the newest resident of The Castle, an exclusive Los Angeles artists’ community. Anxious actors aren’t all Beth has to worry about in her new space, however, for The Castle has a secret history of madness and murder, and a celebrity artist who develops a strange fixation on Beth. And The Castle also happens to be haunted. By some particularly uneasy spirits."

The closing date for the Huddersfield Literature Festival writing competition is very close, don't forget to get your entry in before the 10th February to be in with a chance of winning £200!! The aim of this year's event is to write a story in fewer than 1,000 words or a poem with 10 lines or less. The prizes in each category are as follows:

1st prize - £200

2nd prize - £100

3rd prize - £50

The best entries will also be published in the next Grist anthology.

To enter please send your entrance fee (£3) to:

Huddersfield Literature Festival,
School of Music, Humanities & Media,
University of Huddersfield
HD1 3DH.

The deadline for entries is 10th February 2010.

For more information please visit www.litfest.org.uk

Meet James Purefoy - We are thrilled to announce a signing event by James Purefoy, the star of the forthcoming movie 'Solomon Kane'.

To celebrate the UK film release, James will be meeting fans and signing 'Solomon Kane' merchandise in our London store from 1:30 on Saturday 20th February.

Find all the details here.