David A. Riley's Blog, page 36
December 31, 2020
"This is an entertaining anthology of new sword and sorcery with a diverse range of unique tales." The Spiral Tower reviews Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy
Thrilled to see yet another favourable review of Swords & Sorceries:"This is an entertaining anthology of new sword and sorcery with a diverse range of unique tales."
The Spiral Tower reviews Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy.
To read the full review click on this link.
Parallel Universe Publications
2020 - new stories published and old ones reprinted
Despite or, maybe, because of lockdown 2020 has been a productive year for me, with two anthologies (Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume 1 and Kitchen Sink Gothic 2) published, along with two collections of short stories: Craig Herbertson's Christmas in the Workhouse & Other Gruesome Tales (illustrated by Chrissie Demant), in harcover, paperback and kindle, plus my own After Nightfall & Other Weird Tales, illustrated by Jim Pitts. The latter has so far only been published in hardcover, but paperback and kindle versions will be available in the first week of the New Year.
On the writing front, new stories have appeared in the following publications:
Hanuman in Phantasmagoria #16
Grudge End Cloggers in Scare Me published by Esskaye Books
Three Eyed Jack is due to appear in Gruesome Grotesques, which was originally to have been published in November but has been delayed till January 2021. It is also included in After Nightfall & Other Weird Tales.
Reprints:
Lurkers appeared in Phantasmagoria Special Edition #2 and Lovecraftiana Walpurgis Issue
Scrap appeared in Phantasmagoria #17
Old Grudge Ender appeared in The Vault of Evil Advent Calendar 2020
The Fragile Mask on His Face appeared in Phantasmagoria #15
The Shadow by the Altar appeared in Lovecraftiana Halloween Issue
Terror on the Moors appeared in Phantasmagoria #14
Help-Plants appeared in The Martian Wave March 2020 issue
Corpse-Maker appeared in Jester of Hearts, Terror Tracts Publishing
I also had a new poem, He Thought He Was Dying in Phantasmagoria #16 and a reprint, As Silver Dusk Suffuses Red, in Phantasmagoria #15.
I managed to write a number of brand new stories this year, some of which still need a bit of polishing, while others are out at various markets awaiting a decision. I also have another story due for publication any time now under a pseudonym. More about that when it is published.
Already for 2021 I have several stories due to be reprinted in magazines. And, going off sales so far, it is looking increasingly likely that a follow-up collection of Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume 2 will be published by Parallel Universe Publications in 2021, possibly as early as May or June.
December 27, 2020
After Nightfall & Other Weird Tales by David A. Riley, Illustrated by Jim Pitts to be published as paperback and ebook January 1st
My collection After Nightfall & Other Weird Tales, illustrated by Jim Pitts, will be published in paperback and as an ebook (kindle) on the 1st January next year. The paperback will cost £11.99, the kindle £2.99. The paperback will be available through most online retailers and direct from PUP.
Like the hardcover version published recently, the book contains the following stories:
Three Eyed Jack
The Fragile Mask on his Face
Terror on the Moors
The Shade of Apollyon
Writer's Cramp
Fish Eye
Boat Trip
Prickly
After Nightfall
Here are just a couple of the illustrations, many of which are full page.
I will announce immediately this book is available to order online.
December 21, 2020
Old Grudge Ender published in the Vault of Evil's Christmas Bedside Companion
Artwork by Chrissie DemantToday's story on the Vault of Evil's Christmas Bedside Companion is my tale Old Grudge Ender, illustrated by Chrissie Demant. This was previously published in the Screaming Book of Horror edited by Johnny Mains.
https://vaultofevil.proboards.com/.../vault-christmas...
Scrap reprinted in Phantasmagoria 17
My short story Scrap has been reprinted in the current issue of Phantasmagoria (No 17). Scrap was first published in Dark Visions 1 edited by Anthony Rivera and Sharon Lawson for Grey Matter Press in 2013.
December 1, 2020
Eccentric, Impractical Devils: The Letters of August Derleth and Clark Ashton Smith
Many thanks to Jim Pitts who, while we were signing pre-ordered copies of After Nightfall & Other Weird Tales yesterday gave me a copy of this fabulous book from Hippocampus Press: Eccentric, Impractical Devils: The Letters of August Derleth and Clark Ashton Smith. I have already started delving into it and it is utterly fascinating.
Pre-orders signed and ready to post of After Nightfall & Other Weird Tales
Met up with Jim Pitts (carefully social distanced!) to sign all the pre-orders for After Nightfall & Other Weird Tales, which will be posted today when the book is officially published.
A big Thank You to everyone who pre-ordered this book. There are still a small handful of signed copies left which can be ordered at the discounted price of £18, inclusive of postage and packing within the UK. First come first served. After that it will have to be ordered either through amazon or through Parallel Universe Publications at the full price of £20, inclusive of postage and packing anywhere in the world.
November 20, 2020
After Nightfall & Other Weird Tales by David A. Riley, Illustrated by Jim Pitts
After a bit of a hiccup when the printer made a hash of the first copies ordered (inserting an extra, unwanted page before the Contents page), After Nightfall & Other Weird Tales will now be published on the 30th November. Up until then copies are still available for pre-order, all of which will be posted on publication. PRE-ORDER
Below are some photos of the interior of the book:
November 19, 2020
Received a copy of Jester of Hearts in the post today containing my story Corpse-Maker
Got a copy of Jester of Hearts, "A humorous horror anthology" published by Terror Tract in the post today, which contains my story Corpse-Maker, which makes it the 10th story I have had published this year, with three more to go. "With our world in a rage of true horror, we set out to bring you a book guaranteed to make you laugh! These side splitting stories are the best of the best! Grab your tissues you are gonna need them! Stories from: Ramsey Campbell, John Di Donna, C.M. Saunders, Timothy Wiseman, Edmund Stone, Tony Gilbert, D. Thomas Jerlo, Dale Hollin, Tim J. Finn, R.C. Mulhare, Patrick R. McDonough, Justin Boote, T.M. Brown, David A. Riley, Marge Simon, E.A. Black, Matthew Cash, Andrew Lenno, Matt Scott, Chris Miller."https://www.facebook.com/terrortract
November 18, 2020
Help support a new British horror feature film - Day of the Clones
What is it About?
Human cloning. The dream of modern science. Or a nightmare?
DAY OF THE CLONES is new British feature film set in Manchester, England. This ambitious sci-fi horror movie asks the question: what happens when human cloning gets out of hand?
This is the story of a government scientist who tries to defend a rag-tag bunch of survivors in a remote farmhouse after the clones he has created have taken over the world.
The film combines the claustrophobia of George A Romero's “Dawn of the Dead” with the intense paranoia of John Carpenter’s “The Thing”, set against a realistic backdrop of the industrial North of England. The film has action, stunts, special effects and military vehicles galore!
We will use the latest technology as well as old-school practical effects. We will also be using experienced TV actors, a professional crew made up of local talent, using Hollywood-grade equipment, and a script written by a Hollywood screenwriter.
And now you can be a part of the story!
Why Do You Need Funds?
We try to pay for as much of the film as we can. But we are a tiny outfit, and in order to pay for the actors we want, and to achieve the special effects and exciting stunts we want to film, we need extra funding. This funding will also help us pay for postproduction facilities like editing and sound mixing.
Who Are We?
Writer/director Eric Ian Steele is the award-winning screenwriter of the thriller feature film “The Student” (2017), directed by Steven R Monroe (“I Spit On Your Grave”) and produced by The Cartel (“Creepshow”) which is currently on Netflix in the USA. He also wrote the sci-fi action film “Clonehunter” (2012). He made his last feature film, the body horror vampire movie “Boy #5” (2020) on a shoestring budget.
Producer Barry Morton is a professional filmmaker and photographer with 20 years of experience.
You can read about our amazing adventures making our first feature film “Boy 5” here.
The talented cast includes Sean Cernow of TV’s “Shameless”, Steven Coogan’s comedy feature “24 Hour Party People” and indie horror film “K-Shop”, alongside regulars of TV's “Emmerdale”, “Coronation Street” and “Peaky Blinders”.
What’s In It For You?
First of all, you get to see a feature film made, thanks to your support!
We also aim to make more feature films. So you will be helping to revitalize the British film industry and be supporting local indie filmmakers and actors!
And there’s more good news… due to the current situation, we have just as good a chance as any major Hollywood film to be selected for a major film festival or to get picked up by a large distributor like Netflix!
Finally, you get to choose one the semi-awesome perks listed below!
We welcome your suggestions and comments. You can contact us on our Facebook page here:
And finally..!
Any donation, matter how small, is always greatly appreciated. Just £4 will help go toward making this film a reality, and we will keep you constantly updated about the progress so far!
And even if you are unable to donate anything, you can still help! Just share this campaign with your friends and family and on social media. Every little helps!
Thanks again for all your time! Enjoy the teaser!
Eric Steele.
Click on this link to go straight to the film's official site.
