David A. Riley's Blog, page 108
June 7, 2013
The Screaming Book of Horror - to be reprinted as a paperback and an ebook
It looks as if The Screaming Book of Horror will have a further lease of life. After having completely sold out as a limited edition hardback, Steve Upham of Screaming Dreams now plans to reprint it as a POD paperback and an ebook.
That's great news, as I think this is one of the best anthologies I've been in over recent years, especially with the likes of the late John Brunner in it (his story Larva was originally planned to be in the never-to-be-published 4th issue of Beyond). I'm also pleased, of course, that my story Old Grudge Ender will get another airing, as it's a particular favourite of mine.
June 5, 2013
Goblin Mire
This fantasy novel was first published a few years ago by Renaissance E Books with a different cover - a pretty terrible one actually!
I ended my contract with them a while ago, but for some reason the link to buy it through Amazon remained active. Anyway, with the assistance of Jean Marie Stine, that link has finally been ended and I am completely free to have it republished elsewhere.
Although I think the book has a lot of good points, it is overwritten and needs a complete overall with something like 10,000 words taking out of it. Which is what I'll be doing over the course of the rest of this year, making it available again in 2014, probably as both a paperback and an ebook.
Joe Young has kindly provided the above cover.
June 2, 2013
Eastercon 1971
This is a picture of the fancy dress prize winners at British Science Fiction Easteron 22, held in Worcester in April 1971. It was the first and last time I ever took part in the fancy dress competition.Fancy dress events was something which the BFS frowned upon and wouldn't accept at Fantasycon. I sometimes wonder whether this lack of fun for fun's sake was at their own loss. Science Fiction conventions tend to take themselves a little less seriously yet still get the business done.
Blast from the past
Just came across this old photograph taken in London in 1976 of, in order, Jim Pitts, Jon Harvey, Steve Jones and me.
May 30, 2013
The Lurkers in the Abyss & Other Tales of Terror - update
Things are moving along quite smoothly for the publication of my short story collection in October by Shadow Publishing. Cover artwork has been commission by Dave Sutton for my artist of choice, Paul Mudie, whose fantastic paintings have graced the covers of all the Black Books of Horror.
After some discussion it now looks as if Paul will be basing his painting on my story Fish-Eye, which is possibly the most Lovecraftian one in the book (it was first published in the Lovecraft eZine) with my own turn on the Deep Ones.
After some discussion it now looks as if Paul will be basing his painting on my story Fish-Eye, which is possibly the most Lovecraftian one in the book (it was first published in the Lovecraft eZine) with my own turn on the Deep Ones.
May 29, 2013
The Unspoken edited by William Meikle - my review
Although this is a charity anthology, don't be misled into thinking any of the stories are castoffs. From writers like Tim Lebbon, Simon Kurt Unsworth, Steven Savile, Steve Lockley, John Shirley, Anna Taborska, Stephen James Price, Scott Nicholson, Stephen Laws, Nancy Kilpatrick, Barbie Wilde, Johnny Mains, Guy N. Smith, Pete Crowther, Steve Duffy, William Meikle and Gary McMahon that just isn't going to happen. There isn't a second rate story here.
And, though cancer is an underlying theme, there is a great variety in what we are offered, from true physical horror, science fiction, fantasy, to psychological horror of a high order.
Indeed, for me the highlight of the collection is a psychological horror story. Photographs of Boden by Simon Kurt Unsworth is a gem that would shine out in any anthology. Boden's memories of himself, his character, his past history, are undermined as family photographs are corrupted by some unknown force. Or are they? In his memories it was always his sister who managed to spoil every family event with her selfishness, endlessly arguing and sulking over everything that didn't suit her own wishes. Subtly, though, their roles appear to be being reversed, not only now, but at every event that Boden can remember. Even his own memories become corrupted by this metamorphosis. It is a frightening story, undermining the past - and the present. It's a story that has lingered with me ever since.
Polyp by Barbie Wilde is another standout story. Crazy, gut wrenchingly horrible, it is one of the wackiest tales I have read in a long while.
Pete Crowther's Cankerman, on the other hand, is a story of loss and self sacrifice, and is touchingly poignant. The Cankerman is a horrific creation, genuinely the stuff of nightmares but sometimes the human spirit - and love - can face up to and challenge, if not totally defeat even the worst thing that can be thrown at us.
Johnny Mains is well known for his over the top horrors, often written with a blood-soaked tongue in his cheek. The Cure is surely one of his most horrible yet, a strange story of what could be described as medical malpractice taken to its nth degree. I can guarantee you won't forget this one easily.
Though these are my own particular favourites, there are plenty of others that are almost as good, which other readers would probably like even more.
All profits from this book will go to the Beatson Cancer Research Institute and I am proud to have a story of my own in it.
kindle edition UK
kindle edition USA
May 21, 2013
Cancer Charity Anthology The Unspoken edited by William Meikle
This charity anthology is available now via kindle for £2.88 at Amazon.co.uk and at Amazon.com
Contents are:
Ramsey Campbell – Introduction
Tim Lebbon – Just Breathe
Simon Kurt Unsworth – Photographs of Boden
Steven Savile & Steve Lockley – The Last Gift
John Shirley – Where the Market’s Hottest
Anna Taborska – Underbelly
Stephen James Price – Pages of Promises
Scott Nicholson – Heal Thyself
Stephen Laws – Harbinger
William Meikle – The Unfinished Basement
Nancy Kilpatrick – Alien Love
David A. Riley – A Girl, a Toad and a Cask
Barbie Wilde – Polyp
Johnny Mains – The Cure
Guy N Smith – The Big One
Pete Crowther – Cankerman
Steve Duffy – X for Henrietta
Gary McMahon – Bitter Soup
Edited by William Meikle
Cover art by Simon Marshall Jones
The book is being published by Karoshi Books, first as an ebook, followed by a POD paperback. All profits go to The Beatson Cancer Research Institute.
May 19, 2013
Under the Knife edited by Kevin G. Bufton
May 17, 2013
Dark Discoveries
Just received the latest issue of Dark Discoveries in the post this morning - and it's even bigger than ever. This is one magazine that definitely looks to be improving all the time. Pleased to see, too, that Hazardous Press have an advert in it, including for my collection of short stories, His Own Mad Demons.I'll be doing a review of the magazine later as soon as I have managed to read it, though at over 100 A4 pages that's going to take a couple of days.
May 13, 2013
Cancer Research Charity Anthology - The Unspoken edited by William Meikle
The cancer research charity anthology, The Unspoken , edited by William Meikle is finally, after a few ups and down, scheduled to be published in the near future by Karoshi Books, first of all as an ebook, followed by a POD paperback. All profits will go to The Beatson Cancer Research Institute.
The anthology includes:
Ramsey Campbell - IntroductionTim Lebbon - Just BreatheSimon Kurt Unsworth - Photographs of BodenSteven Savile & Steve Lockley - The Last GiftJohn Shirley - Where the Market's HottestAnna Taborska - UnderbellyStephen James Price - Pages of PromisesScott Nicholson - Heal ThyselfStephen Laws - HarbingerWilliam Meikle - The Unfinished BasementNancy Kilpatrick - Alien LoveDavid A. Riley - A Girl, a Toad and a CaskBarbie Wilde - PolypJohnny Mains - The CureGuy N Smith - The Big OnePete Crowther - CankermanSteve Duffy - X for HenriettaGary McMahon - Bitter Soup
Edited by William MeikleCover art by Simon Marshall Jones
