My new short story collection available on Kindle – 11 more tales of Dark Imagination – including 2 previously unpublished stories.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:

amazon.co.uk

amazon.com

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

Already in place for 2012: my short story Candy Lady included in the Detritus anthology due out January 13th from Omnium Gatherum; New book coming soon, all set to work with the editor to get it ready.

Planned for 2012: Write more short stories (let this slip the last couple of years); get the rewrite if A World Of Assassins out in ebook format; get writing on next novel.

And in non-writing plans: finish mixing on next 1850 Project CD and get it released.

Should be a good year (despite the Olympics)

http://www.screamingdreams.com/ezine/Halloween2011.pdf

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

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(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.

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.

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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

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.

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