Richard Gavin's Blog, page 6
July 28, 2021
BEST HORROR OF THE YEAR cover reveal and pre-order
The cover for Ellen Datlow's The Best Horror of the Year Volume Thirteen has been revealed. It is, as always, stunning and evocative. This year's volume includes my story "Scold's Bridle: A Cruelty", which was originally published in grotesquerie.
Best Horror is slated to be released on November 16th, courtesy of SkyHorse Publishing. Copies may be reserved here.
In other news, I remain immersed in new writing projects large and small. These are works of both fiction and non-fiction. As publishing details are confirmed, all new endeavours will be announced here.
My heartfelt thanks to all my readers. I am deeply appreciative of the continued interest and faith in my work.
June 13, 2021
'grotesquerie' Reviewed by Oldenword Books
Oldenword Books has posted an in-depth video review of grotesquerie, which can be viewed above. I greatly appreciate their taking the time to read and reflect upon the book.
The review raises some interesting points concerning ambiguity in my fiction.
I have often said that my fiction is a form of reportage. I transcribe the visions as they appear before my mind's eye. I never plot anything in advance, opting instead to get my intellect/ego out of the way and follow the images as they unfold. Ambiguity is never inserted for its own sake, instead it radiates naturally from the visions themselves.
But more than this, my Horror fiction deals with unmaking, with one's assumptions about life being forcefully eclipsed by larger, darker forces. This loss of apparent meaning, this unravelling of neat and familiar life-patterns, is inflicted not only on my characters, but also on my readers. How one makes sense (or not) of these motifs is up to the individual reader.
April 5, 2021
'Scold's Bridle: A Cruelty' chosen for BEST HORROR OF THE YEAR
I am delighted to announce that the esteemed Ellen Datlow has chosen my story "Scold's Bridle: A Cruelty" (originally published in grotesquerie) for The Best Horror of the Year Volume 13, to be published later this year by Skyhorse Publishing.
This marks my second appearance in Ellen's distinguished Best Horror series and I'm honoured to be included among so many fine writers.
Here is the complete Table of Contents:
Summation 2020—Ellen Datlow
Exhalation #10 — A. C. Wise
A Hotel in Germany — Catriona Ward
A Deed Without a Name — Jack Lothian
Lords of the Matinee — Stephen Graham Jones
Cleaver, Meat, and Block — Maria Haskins
The Eight-Thousanders — Jason Sanford
Scold’s Bridle: A Cruelty–Richard Gavin
Come Closer — Gemma Files
It Doesn’t Feel Right — Michael Marshall Smith
Mine Seven — Elana Gomel
Sicko — Stephen Volk
Mouselode Maze — Christopher Harman
Heath Crawler — Sam Hicks
The Devil Will Be at the Door — David Surface
Let Your Hinged Jaw Do the Talking — Tom Johnstone
Scream Queen — Nathan Ballingrud
We Do Like to Be Beside — Peter W. Sutton
Contrition (1998) — J.A.W. McCarthy
Tethered Dogs — Gary McMahon
Bloody Rhapsody — Alessandro Manzetti
In the English Rain — Steve Duffy
A Treat For Your Last Day — Simon Bestwick
Trick of the Light — Andrew Humphrey
Two Truths and a Lie — Sarah Pinsker
The Whisper of Stars — Thana Niveau
Honorable Mentions
About the Authors
Acknowledgment of Copyright
About the Editor
Ordering details will be announced here in due course.
March 7, 2021
Thoth-Hermes Podcast
In October I had the pleasure of speaking with Rudolf Berger of the Thoth-Hermes Podcast. Our conversation delved into art, Initiation, mysticism and much more. The episode is now available for streaming and downloading here.
It may also be listened to via YouTube:
February 23, 2021
Spanish Edition of AT FEAR'S ALTAR
I'm delighted to announce that my collection AT FEAR'S ALTAR will be published in a Spanish edition next year, courtesy of the excellent folks at Dilatando Mentes Editorial. This book marks the first in a projected series of Spanish-language editions of my fiction, which is thrilling for me.
Details on this project will be announced here in due course.
November 15, 2020
Lovecraft eZine Podcast
November 11, 2020
'grotesquerie' reviewed in 'Rue Morgue' #197
October 31, 2020
‘grotesquerie’ Featured in ‘Toronto Star’
Literary critic James Grainger glowingly recommends grotesqrierie in today’s edition of the Toronto Star, placing the book in the uncanny tradition of authors such as Hoffmann and Poe.
The full column may be read here.
Bidding you all a Happy Hallowe’en...
September 26, 2020
'grotesquerie' Reviewed in 'Hamilton Arts & Letters'
Critic Danny Jacobs delves deep with this excellent review of grotesquerie for Hamilton Arts & Letters.
The review may be read here.
September 16, 2020
New Reviews of 'grotesquerie'
I'm pleased to report that grotesquerie has thus far been well-met by readers, a few of whom were good enough to publish their impressions of the book.
Dead Head Reviews can be read here.
D.F. Lewis offers one of his inimitable Gestalt Reviews here.
Dr. Rinaldi's Horror Cabinet shares their insights here.
I want to express my appreciation to these reviewers, and to all those readers who have bought the book, spread the word, and taken a moment to rate it on Goodreads, Amazon, or other platforms. Both myself and Undertow Publications are thankful.
Copies of grotesquerie may be ordered here.
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