David A. Riley's Blog, page 79
March 4, 2015
Weirdbook Relaunched
I can now announce that Douglas Draa and I have received W Paul Ganley's permission to restart Weirdbook magazine. Though it will only be a small magazine, it will be a paying one, and we hope to reach the same high standards it originally had. Started in 1967, Weirdbook ran for 30 issues, the final appearing in 1997.More information soon.
Pandaemonian - Scribbles on the Pan Book of Horror Stories Collection
For anyone interested in the Pan Books of Horror I have just come across a great site, which covers all of the books, their stories and covers: Pandaemonian - Scribbles on the Pan Book of Horror Stories Collection.
I particularly liked the write-up of the Eleventh Pan Book of Horror Stories , since I had a story in that one:
THE LURKERS IN THE ABYSS By David A. Riley
Ian Redford is making his way home from the library after dark when he encounters a group of youths looking for trouble. Following a brief but violent struggle he breaks free, but is chased into a graveyard. Taking refuge in a disused building, he soon discovers there are worse things in the world than fist-wielding thugs.
A quality piece of writing this one, with Riley effortlessly creating a threateningly sinister town, Pire, set in a dystopian not too distant future. Marvelously evocative descriptive prose abounds with much of the narrative a remember-to-breathe-when-reading roller-coaster ride.
The Lurkers, when they finally put in an appearance are a truly loathsome bunch, and I should not be surprised if they turned up in some of the author’s subsequent writing. Indeed, I think may actively go seeking them out.
If I do have a criticism of the story, it is that old chestnut: characterisation. For although the author does attempt to imbue Redford with some character – he reads “Escapist fiction” to help escape the monotony of his daytime job, and we learn he is saving hard for a car – ultimately I found it difficult to engage with the running man.
But this is a minor quibble with a really rather memorable yarn.
March 3, 2015
Goblin Mire reviewed by Simon Ives on the British Fantasy Society website
There's an excellent review of Goblin Mire by Simon Ives on the British Fantasy Society website.
"Had enough of trying to get your brain round the latest sci-fi epic, chockfull of phantasmagoria? The sort that leaves you, well, frankly confused about what you have just read? Then jump aboard this roller coaster of a tale, firmly grounded in old style fantasy and primarily told from the viewpoint of goblins and elves."
Click on this - review - to read the full version.
Trade paperback
Amazon.co.uk £8.99
Amazon.com $12.00
Kindle:
Amazon.co.uk £2.97
Amazon.com $4.50
March 2, 2015
Their Cramped Dark World and Other Tales - Hazardous Press
I just learned today that Thei r Cramped Dark World and Other Tales, my second short story collection from Hazardous Press will be published on Monday the 8th March.
My first was His Own Mad Demons.
The stories included in Their Cramped Dark World will be:Hoody (first published in When Graveyards Yawn, Crowswing Books, 2006)
A Bottle of Spirits (first published in New Writings in Horror & the Supernatural 2, 1972)
No Sense in Being Hungry, She Thought (first published in Peeping Tom #20, 1996)
Now and Forever More (first published in The Second Black Book of Horror, 2008)
Romero's Children (first published in The Seventh Black Book of Horror, 2010)
Swan Song (first published in the Ninth Black Book of Horror, 2012)
The Farmhouse (first published in New Writings in Horror & the Supernatural 1, 1971)
The Last Coach Trip (first published in The Eighth Black Book of Horror, 2011)
The Satyr's Head (first published in The Satyr's Head & Other Tales of Terror, 1975)
Their Cramped Dark World (first published in The Sixth Black Book of Horror, 2010)
Kitchen Sink Gothic - first acceptances
Linden and I have made our first nine acceptances for Kitchen Sink Gothic, filling 113 pages. We won't be making the rest till after the end of May, which is the deadline for submissions.So far we have stories by Franklin Marsh, Andrew Darlington, Stephen Bacon, Gary Fry, Benedict J. Jones, Kate Farrell, Charles Black, David A. Sutton and Walter Gascoigne.
February 21, 2015
Penny Dreadful
I must admit I did not initially expect to like this TV series, but after hearing a number of positive comments about Penny Dreadful from people whose judgement I respect say how much they liked it I decided to give it a chance and ordered copies of the DVD from Lovefilm. I am so glad I did. It's a wonderful series, with some excellent acting, intelligently-written scripts, amazingly atmospheric sets and some of the best music I have heard for a TV series for ages. I am about two thirds of the way through the first series now and am impressed at how cleverly the various horror icons have been interwoven, from Frankenstein, Dracula, Dorian Grey, etc., so much better than in any recent movie.Proofs of Their Cramped Dark World and Other Tales
Received the proofs for my next collection of short stories from Hazardous Press today. Their Cramped Dark World and Other Tales will be published shortly with a stunning front cover by Luke Spooner.The collection includes:
Hoody (first published in When Graveyards Yawn, Crowswing Books, 2006)
A Bottle of Spirits (first published in New Writings in Horror & the Supernatural 2, 1972)
No Sense in Being Hungry, She Thought (first published in Peeping Tom #20, 1996)
Now and Forever More (first published in The Second Black Book of Horror, 2008)
Romero's Children (first published in The Seventh Black Book of Horror, 2010)
Swan Song (first published in The Ninth Black Book of Horror, 2012)
The Farmhouse (first published in New Writings in Horror & the Supernatural 1, 1971)
The Last Coach Trip (first published in The Eighth Black Book of Horror, 2011)
The Satyr's Head (first published in The Satyr's Head & Other Tales of Terror, 1975)
Their Cramped Dark World (first published in The Sixth Black Book of Horror, 2010)
February 20, 2015
Psychomaniacs
Psychomaniacs: Tales from the Dark Side of the Human Psyche, is the tentative title for a forthcoming anthology from Parallel Universe Publications after our next anthology, Kitchen Sink Gothic is in print.
An open call for submissions will be made in June. Payment: £5 per thousand words.
Think of Robert Bloch's novel Psycho. Think Hannibal. Word length: 3,000 to 8,000 words, though we would consider longer stories if they are exceptionally good. Reprints will be considered.
The book will be edited by David and Linden Riley.
An open call for submissions will be made in June. Payment: £5 per thousand words.
Think of Robert Bloch's novel Psycho. Think Hannibal. Word length: 3,000 to 8,000 words, though we would consider longer stories if they are exceptionally good. Reprints will be considered.
The book will be edited by David and Linden Riley.
February 18, 2015
The Bates Motel
Watched the final episodes of the second series of
The Bates Motel
last night. An excellent finish to what has all along been a grippingly well written and well acted series. The leads are without exception well cast, especially Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates. I can't help feeling sad for the character, knowing what fate has lined up for her. Freddie Highmore as Norman is brilliant too, especially when his mental illness starts to take him over as the series progresses. Looking forward - with some trepidation - to the third series.
February 17, 2015
Fifth and final day of free kindle downloads of Goblin Mire
Today is the fifth and final day of free kindle downloads of Goblin Mire.trade paperback:
Amazon.co.uk £6.99
Amazon.com $12.00
ebook:
Amazon.co.uk £0.00 from February 13th
Amazon.com $0.00 from February 13th
