My new short story collection available on Kindle – 11 more tales of Dark Imagination – including 2 previously unpublished stories.
Full contents:
THE BOX
THE PATHOLOGICAL GOOD SAMARITAN
TRADITION
THE SARCOPHAGUS
A CHRISTMAS PILGRIM
CONVERSATION
THE KILLING TREE
YOUNG AT HEART
THE CLEANSING
TWO YEARS TO THE DAY
THE WARD ON THE HILL
Available from:
Detritus, the anthology from Omnium Gatherum which includes my short story Candy Lady, is available today!
The ebook is available now from amazon.com and amazon.co.uk – uk price is £2 which is a bargain (not sure of the US price because it doesn’t show for me).
The paperback version can be ordered right now direct from omnium gatherum and will be available on amazon.com in a couple of days. It will eventually be available from amazon.co.uk but that will take a little longer.
It’s a great collection of stories that I’m very proud to be part of so pick up a copy, read it, review it and I hope you enjoy my small contribution.
Here’s the description from the Omnium Gatherum website:
The impulse to collect springs from deep within the human psyche Squirrels gather acorns, rats collect shiny things, but only humans assign meaning to the objects they collect. Detritus is a collection of stories about the impulse to collect, preserve, and display gone horribly wrong.
Kate Jonez and S.S. Michaels have assembled a diverse range of exceptionally disturbing stories from authors from around the world. Each of the stories, whether about a collection that is world changing or intensely personal, is sure to linger in readers’ thoughts and make them consider the possibility that malice and evil just might lurk in their own hoard of stuff.
Featuring: Kealan Patrick Burke, Jeremy C, Shipp, Mary Borsellino, Brent Michael Kelley, Phil Hickes, L.S. Murphy, Michael R. Colangelo, Neil Davies, Louise Bohmer, Edmund Colell, S.P. Miskowski, Michael Montoure, Lee Widener, Pete Clark, and Opal Edgar
My short story Candy Lady has been accepted for the Detritus Anthology to be published soon by Omnium Gatherum (http://ogatherum.blogspot.com/p/detritus-anthology.html) – it looks like it’s going to be a great collection of stories and I’m proud to be among them.
My Halloween story Young At Heart is available now in the Halloween edition of Estronomicon, the free PDF magazine from Screaming Dreams. As well as my story there’s lots of other great Halloween tales and it’s all free, so go grab a copy right now. Hope you enjoy the story.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The best Guy N Smith book I’ve read (so far) – and that includes the ones I read many years ago before I ‘rediscovered’ him recently. I felt the scenes of locust devastation and people under siege in their own homes were vivid and extremely well done and the whole scenario and storyline(s) excellent. I’d actually had this book on my shelf for some time and, for some reason, had avoided reading it. I’m so glad I finally did. A highly recommended read for those of you with a taste for ‘disaster’ novels or who just like a good read. It would also make an excellent film, if anyone in the business happens to be reading 
I wasn’t able to attend this year so I can’t really comment, but the points raised in Stephen Jones’ blog (read here) are interesting to say the least. As to the merits or otherwise of Sam Stone’s work I can only give a personal opinion and say that I gave up reading her first novel after about three chapters – but it’s all subjective and I’m sure I haven’t agreed with some of the winners chosen in previous years either. I’m certain Ms Stone wouldn’t like my work if she was to read any of it, that’s just the way it goes – can’t please everyone.
(As a side point, none of this is in any way a comment on Sam Stone the person – I have met her a couple of times and she is very pleasant, friendly and good company. It is perfectly possible to separate the person from their work in my opinion.)
I think over the last few years the BFS Awards have gone increasingly to a very small club and I can’t believe that truly represents the breadth of talent in the genre. On the face of it this year simply continues that trend and, unfortunately, devalues the awards.
Next year? I think I’ll be saving my money to attend Guy N Smith’s get-together and not bother with FantasyCon – that seems a much more worthwhile investment.
The Sphinx by Graham Masterton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Sphinx is an easy and enjoyable read and one that keeps you going back for more but it doesn’t quite reach the very high standards set by other Graham Masterton books. The tale of an ancient secretive race in modern Washington is well done but the main character, Gene Keiller, is not particularly sympathetic in his attitudes and actions – no doubt partly because of when the book was written (1978). It detracted slightly from my involvement in the book. However, Mr Masterton is one of my all-time favourite authors and just because this book falls a little short by his standards does not mean it doesn’t do well when compared with most others books in the genre, despite its age. Worth checking out for yourself.
People who jump into their cars and immediately drive off!
Guess I’m just slow, but I have to get in, settle, put my seatbelt on, turn on the engine, check everything’s clear, and then drive off. People who are down the road before I’ve even had time to get comfortable piss me off. I know they shouldn’t, but that’s why it’s irrational
A Stir of Echoes by Richard Matheson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another excellent read from Matheson. I don’t think anyone does creepy ghost stories like he does. Right up there with I Am Legend and Hell House – what a pity the films never live up to the quality of the books. Very much a recommended read.
