David A. Riley's Blog, page 134
January 25, 2011
The Sixth Black Book of Horror
The good news is that Reggie Oliver's story from this collection has been chosen by Ellen Datlow to be included in The Best Horror of the Year volume 3.
The full list of contents are:
At the Riding School by Cody Goodfellow
Mr. Pigsny by Reggie Oliver
City of the Dog by John Langan
Just Outside Our Windows, Deep Inside Our Walls by Brian Hodge
Lesser Demons by Norman Partridge
When the Zombies Win by Karina Sumner-Smith
-30-by Laird Barron
Fallen Boys by Mark Morris
Was She Wicked? Was She Good? by M. Rickert
The Fear by Richard Harland
Till the Morning Comes by Stephen Graham Jones
Shomer by Glen Hirshberg
Oh I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside by Christopher Fowler
The Obscure Bird by Nicholas Royle
Transfiguration by Richard Christian Matheson
The Days of Flaming Motorcycles by Catherynne M. Valente
The Folding Man Joe R. Lansdale
Just Another Desert Night With Blood by Joseph S. Pulver, Sr.
Black and White Sky by Tanith Lee
At Night When the Demons Come by Ray Cluley
The Revel by John Langan
The full list of contents are:
At the Riding School by Cody Goodfellow
Mr. Pigsny by Reggie Oliver
City of the Dog by John Langan
Just Outside Our Windows, Deep Inside Our Walls by Brian Hodge
Lesser Demons by Norman Partridge
When the Zombies Win by Karina Sumner-Smith
-30-by Laird Barron
Fallen Boys by Mark Morris
Was She Wicked? Was She Good? by M. Rickert
The Fear by Richard Harland
Till the Morning Comes by Stephen Graham Jones
Shomer by Glen Hirshberg
Oh I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside by Christopher Fowler
The Obscure Bird by Nicholas Royle
Transfiguration by Richard Christian Matheson
The Days of Flaming Motorcycles by Catherynne M. Valente
The Folding Man Joe R. Lansdale
Just Another Desert Night With Blood by Joseph S. Pulver, Sr.
Black and White Sky by Tanith Lee
At Night When the Demons Come by Ray Cluley
The Revel by John Langan
January 20, 2011
My review
Okay, I'll do it. This is what I wrote about Wine and Rank Poison, before I decided not to use it.
Bull Running for Girls won accolades and a BFA. In many quarters a second collection from Allyson Bird was looked forward to with some eagerness.
Now I don't know how long Allyson spent writing the stories in her first collection. Several years I presume. There was definitely an impression some time had been spent writing and rewriting them till they had been honed as good as the author could make them.
The stories in this slim volume, bulked up by a big extract from her soon to be published novel, Isis Unbound, have a raw, unfinished feel about them, of having been rushed. The writing is minimalist at times and awkward at others, with characters that are barely sketched in, who rarely, if ever, come alive. Which is a shame, as some of the stories, given more work, had potential. As it is, apart from the overlong, oddly-written opening story set in Russia during the early years of Communism, they barely gripped this reader's attention and I had to struggle with most of them. Perhaps, in all fairness, she was set a tight schedule to have this collection ready, hence the use of twenty-odd pages of Isis Unbound to pad it out. I don't know. Perhaps with no back catalogue to draw from for this second volume, and with a novel to be finished, it would have been better to have left this collection till such time as the stories in it had been made ready for publication. As it is, I don't think this has done anything to help Allyson Bird's reputation. If you haven't read any of her stories yet, seek out Bull Running for Girls first. It's a much better book.
Bull Running for Girls won accolades and a BFA. In many quarters a second collection from Allyson Bird was looked forward to with some eagerness.
Now I don't know how long Allyson spent writing the stories in her first collection. Several years I presume. There was definitely an impression some time had been spent writing and rewriting them till they had been honed as good as the author could make them.
The stories in this slim volume, bulked up by a big extract from her soon to be published novel, Isis Unbound, have a raw, unfinished feel about them, of having been rushed. The writing is minimalist at times and awkward at others, with characters that are barely sketched in, who rarely, if ever, come alive. Which is a shame, as some of the stories, given more work, had potential. As it is, apart from the overlong, oddly-written opening story set in Russia during the early years of Communism, they barely gripped this reader's attention and I had to struggle with most of them. Perhaps, in all fairness, she was set a tight schedule to have this collection ready, hence the use of twenty-odd pages of Isis Unbound to pad it out. I don't know. Perhaps with no back catalogue to draw from for this second volume, and with a novel to be finished, it would have been better to have left this collection till such time as the stories in it had been made ready for publication. As it is, I don't think this has done anything to help Allyson Bird's reputation. If you haven't read any of her stories yet, seek out Bull Running for Girls first. It's a much better book.
The shit storm continues
It now appears that my earlier posting on this topic has been interpreted by one person as being couched in "a tone of relish" over what has happened. Astonishment at what some people have said would be nearer the mark, though not quite. I had a strong feeling there would be a reaction like this - and that it would have happened whether the reviewer used a pen name or not. The effrontery of publishing a fairly negative review would have been enough.
Check out some of the hysteria here. Thank goodness for some calm heads, like Stephen and Caroline.
I have also, absurdly, been accused of bullying. I completely fail to see how this can be justified. It was a fair review (far fairer perhaps than the one I had written). Nor do I think it was nasty either in tone or interpretation. I have seen far worse. I have written far worse. I would have preferred to have seen it published with the reviewer's name attached to it, but I can - and definitely now I do - understand the reason for their reticence. Perhaps all reviews should be anonymous. They might be more honest if they are.
You know, it's okay to say what you like about certain writers. For instance, I could criticise Stephen King's latest novel as much as I like and no one will say anything about it. But this isn't the case with every writer, even though it should be.
Check out some of the hysteria here. Thank goodness for some calm heads, like Stephen and Caroline.
I have also, absurdly, been accused of bullying. I completely fail to see how this can be justified. It was a fair review (far fairer perhaps than the one I had written). Nor do I think it was nasty either in tone or interpretation. I have seen far worse. I have written far worse. I would have preferred to have seen it published with the reviewer's name attached to it, but I can - and definitely now I do - understand the reason for their reticence. Perhaps all reviews should be anonymous. They might be more honest if they are.
You know, it's okay to say what you like about certain writers. For instance, I could criticise Stephen King's latest novel as much as I like and no one will say anything about it. But this isn't the case with every writer, even though it should be.
Shit storm hits over review in Prism
Well, I knew it would be controversial. Any criticism of Wine and Rank Poison, from anyone, would have gathered the usual responses of how unfair it all was, as if Allyson Bird was for some reason above criticism. Now I have nothing against her. Indeed I applauded her efforts to help promote the sales of her first collection, Bull Running for Girls, when her publisher took seriously ill. Nor did I join in the negative criticisms of this book being given a British Fantasy Award.
Initially, after my own rather disappointed reaction to this new collection, I was wary of saying anything about it. However it was something that inevitably got discussed amongst people I know and the upshot was that I did, indeed, do a review of my own, but I was not happy with the end result. It was far too negative. Someone else, though, when I mentioned this to them, offered to do one for me, though they were unwilling to have their name put to it, knowing the kind of reaction it would get. There is a well perceived track record of detractors being hounded for what they say, either by Allyson herself, unfortunately, or by her posse of supporters and friends. I suggested using a pen name and for some perverse reason offered the one of Ian Redfern - which is one I used years ago myself. I'm not sure why I chose this, since it is documented and, in fact, is referred to on this blog. Perhaps I wanted some of the shit to spread. There's an Imp of the Perverse in all of us.
Was I right to do this? I don't know. The review in question I stand by. In fact, it could have been a lot more critical - I personally would have added some caustic comments about the novel extract that ended the collection as a kind of protracted (and painful) advert. Was it right to hide the writer's name behind a pen name? Considering the reaction, I don't think so. If someone wants to lambast me over it, so be it. I really don't care. As editor, I knew I would take it on the chin anyway. After all, it was my decision to publish it. Mea culpa. I discussed the book at some length with the reviewer and we were in accord over it. And I respect his wish not to be named. If that means I've to take all the flak, that's fine by me. If it means I'm forced out as editor of Prism that's fine by me too. That's an unpaid job anyway, with very little kudos, with loads of time and energy to be expended on it. It was never anything I aspired to, but was offered it by Guy Adams when I told him I would like to volunteer my services to the BFS a couple of year ago (I was expecting to be offered some boring administrative job).
Will I reveal who the writer was? No. That's between him and me. Whatever the consequences, that's how it will stay unless the person in question decides otherwise. Do I regret publishing this review? No. The reaction is just as I expected and reveals the depths to which some people will go to defend something against criticism because they don't think criticising certain people's books are right. How this sad state of affairs has come about, I really don't know, though I have perceived it developing over the past couple of years. So have others. I was recently emailed by a reviewer who published a brief piece about WARP in a magazine and was contacted by both Allyson and her publisher over his comments about the number of typos in the collection, slamming him for possibly damaging sales - and also denying these typos existed. He was able to reply with ample examples within the first dozen or so pages. He told me his review was quite brief because he had run out of positive things to say about the collection and didn't want to say much that was negative, which he would have had to do if he had written any more.
So there we have it.
I knew there would be a sharp reaction. I stated this in several places on the internet over the past few months. I was not disappointed. As for my own feelings about this collection, they are there to be read in several places and are firmly on record, especially on The Vault of Evil, which is visited by quite a number of people, including from the BFS.
Initially, after my own rather disappointed reaction to this new collection, I was wary of saying anything about it. However it was something that inevitably got discussed amongst people I know and the upshot was that I did, indeed, do a review of my own, but I was not happy with the end result. It was far too negative. Someone else, though, when I mentioned this to them, offered to do one for me, though they were unwilling to have their name put to it, knowing the kind of reaction it would get. There is a well perceived track record of detractors being hounded for what they say, either by Allyson herself, unfortunately, or by her posse of supporters and friends. I suggested using a pen name and for some perverse reason offered the one of Ian Redfern - which is one I used years ago myself. I'm not sure why I chose this, since it is documented and, in fact, is referred to on this blog. Perhaps I wanted some of the shit to spread. There's an Imp of the Perverse in all of us.
Was I right to do this? I don't know. The review in question I stand by. In fact, it could have been a lot more critical - I personally would have added some caustic comments about the novel extract that ended the collection as a kind of protracted (and painful) advert. Was it right to hide the writer's name behind a pen name? Considering the reaction, I don't think so. If someone wants to lambast me over it, so be it. I really don't care. As editor, I knew I would take it on the chin anyway. After all, it was my decision to publish it. Mea culpa. I discussed the book at some length with the reviewer and we were in accord over it. And I respect his wish not to be named. If that means I've to take all the flak, that's fine by me. If it means I'm forced out as editor of Prism that's fine by me too. That's an unpaid job anyway, with very little kudos, with loads of time and energy to be expended on it. It was never anything I aspired to, but was offered it by Guy Adams when I told him I would like to volunteer my services to the BFS a couple of year ago (I was expecting to be offered some boring administrative job).
Will I reveal who the writer was? No. That's between him and me. Whatever the consequences, that's how it will stay unless the person in question decides otherwise. Do I regret publishing this review? No. The reaction is just as I expected and reveals the depths to which some people will go to defend something against criticism because they don't think criticising certain people's books are right. How this sad state of affairs has come about, I really don't know, though I have perceived it developing over the past couple of years. So have others. I was recently emailed by a reviewer who published a brief piece about WARP in a magazine and was contacted by both Allyson and her publisher over his comments about the number of typos in the collection, slamming him for possibly damaging sales - and also denying these typos existed. He was able to reply with ample examples within the first dozen or so pages. He told me his review was quite brief because he had run out of positive things to say about the collection and didn't want to say much that was negative, which he would have had to do if he had written any more.
So there we have it.
I knew there would be a sharp reaction. I stated this in several places on the internet over the past few months. I was not disappointed. As for my own feelings about this collection, they are there to be read in several places and are firmly on record, especially on The Vault of Evil, which is visited by quite a number of people, including from the BFS.
January 14, 2011
January 13, 2011
His Pale Blue Eyes
Found out last night in a telephone call from Johnny Mains that my short story, His Pale Blue Eyes, will be included in an anthology he has put together for April this year called Bite-Sized Horror. Other writers in the book are Reggie Oliver, Conrad Williams, Paul Kane and Marie O'Regan. A small, select group I'm more than pleased to be included amongst.
I can't reveal the publisher yet unfortunately.
I can't reveal the publisher yet unfortunately.
January 12, 2011
Kicking the Flu Bug
Still suffering a bit, though I have continued to go to work for the past week. And went to last night's rehearsal for The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. Thankfully the room where we do that was a lot warmer than last Thursday! We did the whole of Act 1, which is more or less me done, as I am only in one scene with my main character, Fleet, who gets murdered off stage shortly afterwards. I got a small additional part last night as body guard number one for Arturo Ui, but all I had to do was stand behind him with my arms folded after introducing the Actor character with the one line: "It's an actor, boss. Unarmed."
Need to get stuck into some more writing. Haven't done anything since Christmas. Must also look into what's happening with my long delayed collection from Midnight House, which seems no nearer being published, especially since the Midnight House site has been down for months now.
Currently reading Lee Child's thriller 61 Hours. I have a soft spot for his Jack Reacher novels.
Need to get stuck into some more writing. Haven't done anything since Christmas. Must also look into what's happening with my long delayed collection from Midnight House, which seems no nearer being published, especially since the Midnight House site has been down for months now.
Currently reading Lee Child's thriller 61 Hours. I have a soft spot for his Jack Reacher novels.
January 7, 2011
Mary Danby - Party Pieces
Johnny Mains, whose imprint Noose & Gibbet Press will be publishing this collection, has just announced a change of cover. I must admit I like the new version much better than the first, although this is still only a rough draft.
New cover:
Old cover:
New cover:
Old cover:
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui - First Rehearsal
We had our first rehearsal for
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui
last night in the upstairs concert room of Lock Street Club (St Mary's Parish Centre) in Oswaldtwistle. Two hours without any heating! Needless to say I didn't remove my coat, scarf or gloves - and was still perishing by the time I got home two hours later - which was a good excuse for a hot toddy!
Still, it went well and it was interesting as this was our first full read through.
I only have a small part, Sheet, a shipyard owner whose one appearance - alive - is in scene 1, b. He has 48 lines of dialogue.
But I have also been promised a few other small parts later in the play after my character makes his off stage demise, a victim of the gangster Arturo Ui.
Our next rehearsal is on Tuesday. I intend to make sure I have learned my lines thoroughly by then. No excuse for not doing really.
Still, it went well and it was interesting as this was our first full read through.
I only have a small part, Sheet, a shipyard owner whose one appearance - alive - is in scene 1, b. He has 48 lines of dialogue.
But I have also been promised a few other small parts later in the play after my character makes his off stage demise, a victim of the gangster Arturo Ui.
Our next rehearsal is on Tuesday. I intend to make sure I have learned my lines thoroughly by then. No excuse for not doing really.
January 6, 2011
First Day Back At Work
Today's my first day back at work after a bout of flu, even though my wife said I should stay off a bit longer till I'm fully okay.
Sometimes, though, I feel that you start to get better that bit quicker when you try and get back to normalacy again. I'll see if this theory holds by how I feel tonight when I get back home!
I've done no writing since the flu started, but I have done quite a bit of reading, including Simon Scarrow's The Legion and a good bit of H. P. Lovecraft's Arkham House collection from the 60s, The Dunwich Horror. It's decades since I last read most of these tales, and it was a bit of a revelation to reread them again, especially The Colour Out of Space. In fact, rereading this particular story made me wonder at times whether I had ever even read it at all! Fabulous tale, and even better than I remembered. I have just reached the final pages of the title story, which is an outstanding tale that could make you question why anyone even bothers to try and copy his mythos stories. Like most movie sequels, they're doomed to failure.
Talking of which, I watched a DVD of Iron Man 2 last night. I remember enjoying this when I saw it at the cinema last year, but how it pales on the small screen. Not a patch on the first movie. Robert Downie Jnr was still the best thing in it, but the story sags in the middle and Mickey Rourke is underused.
Sometimes, though, I feel that you start to get better that bit quicker when you try and get back to normalacy again. I'll see if this theory holds by how I feel tonight when I get back home!
I've done no writing since the flu started, but I have done quite a bit of reading, including Simon Scarrow's The Legion and a good bit of H. P. Lovecraft's Arkham House collection from the 60s, The Dunwich Horror. It's decades since I last read most of these tales, and it was a bit of a revelation to reread them again, especially The Colour Out of Space. In fact, rereading this particular story made me wonder at times whether I had ever even read it at all! Fabulous tale, and even better than I remembered. I have just reached the final pages of the title story, which is an outstanding tale that could make you question why anyone even bothers to try and copy his mythos stories. Like most movie sequels, they're doomed to failure.
Talking of which, I watched a DVD of Iron Man 2 last night. I remember enjoying this when I saw it at the cinema last year, but how it pales on the small screen. Not a patch on the first movie. Robert Downie Jnr was still the best thing in it, but the story sags in the middle and Mickey Rourke is underused.
