Deborah Sheldon's Blog, page 9
May 21, 2023
My poem "The Broonie" published in Nightmare Fuel magazine
Nightmare Fuel is an online magazine that publishes dark fiction and poetry from Australian writers. They recently published my poem "The Broonie" as part of their themed collection Don't Let Them In.
You can read the poem here: https://nightmarefuelmagazine.com/202...
The poetry form I used is the villanelle. My inspiration was the broonie (or brùnaidh) from Scottish folklore; a type of spirit or hobgoblin that, when angered, may haunt a household.
You can read the poem here: https://nightmarefuelmagazine.com/202...
The poetry form I used is the villanelle. My inspiration was the broonie (or brùnaidh) from Scottish folklore; a type of spirit or hobgoblin that, when angered, may haunt a household.
May 15, 2023
Editor interview about KILLER CREATURES DOWN UNDER with Paul Semel
Paul Semel has been writing about video games, books, music, movies, DVDs and Blu-rays, TV, toys, and other fun stuff for more than twenty years.
He has interviewed me about the anthology I conceived and edited, Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite (IFWG Publishing, 15 May 2023).
In his introduction, he writes, "Oftentimes, when there’s a collection of short horror stories about animals killing people, said animals are of the fictional variety. But in assembling the anthology Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories With Bite (paperback, Kindle), editor Deborah Sheldon decided that all of these tales had to feature real-life animals that live in Australia, including (but not limited to) the Quoll, the Goanna, the Blue Ringed Octopus, and the Rainbow Lorikeet. All of whom are pictured below in what I assume are photos found on the corpses of brave nature photographers. In the following email interview, Sheldon discusses what inspired this anthology, including why she went for real-life monsters instead of fictional ones."
https://paulsemel.com/exclusive-inter...
He has interviewed me about the anthology I conceived and edited, Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite (IFWG Publishing, 15 May 2023).
In his introduction, he writes, "Oftentimes, when there’s a collection of short horror stories about animals killing people, said animals are of the fictional variety. But in assembling the anthology Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories With Bite (paperback, Kindle), editor Deborah Sheldon decided that all of these tales had to feature real-life animals that live in Australia, including (but not limited to) the Quoll, the Goanna, the Blue Ringed Octopus, and the Rainbow Lorikeet. All of whom are pictured below in what I assume are photos found on the corpses of brave nature photographers. In the following email interview, Sheldon discusses what inspired this anthology, including why she went for real-life monsters instead of fictional ones."
https://paulsemel.com/exclusive-inter...
May 14, 2023
KILLER CREATURES DOWN UNDER anthology is OUT NOW!
The anthology I conceived and edited, Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite., is OUT NOW through IFWG Publishing! Here's a link to the press release: https://ifwgpublishing.com/2023/05/14...
The back-cover blurb:
Australia: the land where everything wants to kill you. A continent filled with some of the deadliest animals in the world.
From creepy-crawlies to crocodiles, you’ll have plenty to fear in this anthology penned by Australian authors. Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite offers disturbing tales that range from the action-packed and visceral, through the historical and futuristic, to the phantasmagorical and supernatural.
Prepare to confront your animal phobias… And perhaps develop some new ones.
The back-cover blurb:
Australia: the land where everything wants to kill you. A continent filled with some of the deadliest animals in the world.
From creepy-crawlies to crocodiles, you’ll have plenty to fear in this anthology penned by Australian authors. Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite offers disturbing tales that range from the action-packed and visceral, through the historical and futuristic, to the phantasmagorical and supernatural.
Prepare to confront your animal phobias… And perhaps develop some new ones.
May 12, 2023
My short story "The Palm Leaf" in AUREALIS #160
Aurealis is Australia's longest-running small-press science fiction and fantasy magazine. Issue #160 includes my short story "The Palm Leaf", inspired by 19th-century horror literature.
Back-cover blurb:
Aurealis #160 features the stylish ‘The Palm Leaf’ by Deborah Sheldon, the poignant ‘Dreams of You’ by John Davis and the engrossing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ by James Milton. We also have top non-fiction from Kris Ashton, David Ellrod and by Emmet O’Cuana. Our dazzling internal art comes from Leah Clementson, Chris Catlin and Andrew Saltmarsh, while our comprehensive Reviews section isn’t to be missed. Aurealis, unbelievable value for money.
https://aurealis.com.au/store/aureali...
Back-cover blurb:
Aurealis #160 features the stylish ‘The Palm Leaf’ by Deborah Sheldon, the poignant ‘Dreams of You’ by John Davis and the engrossing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ by James Milton. We also have top non-fiction from Kris Ashton, David Ellrod and by Emmet O’Cuana. Our dazzling internal art comes from Leah Clementson, Chris Catlin and Andrew Saltmarsh, while our comprehensive Reviews section isn’t to be missed. Aurealis, unbelievable value for money.
https://aurealis.com.au/store/aureali...
Aurealis Magazine reviews my novella MAN-BEAST
Aurealis is Australia's longest-running small-press science fiction and fantasy magazine. Issue #160 includes a terrific review of my novella Man-Beast (Severed Press, 2021).
In part, reviewer Belinda McDonald writes, “Sheldon’s prose plunges the reader into country Australia… The plot is well-paced, giving the reader enough time to know and care about the characters before chaos starts… Man-Beast is an immersive and complex story that will keep you hooked.”
https://aurealis.com.au/store/aureali...
The back-cover blurb for Man-Beast:
Taylor’s Travelling Troupe of boxers has set up its tent at an isolated sheep station: bored farmers always bet to excess. Headlining the bare-knuckle fighters is Bluey, marketed as ‘The Man-Beast’, a Sasquatch-like monster, chained and kept drunk enough to fight punters without killing them. But the troupe has returned to where Bluey was first captured. Recognising the mountains, he calls again and again. And when his call is answered, all hell breaks loose.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
In part, reviewer Belinda McDonald writes, “Sheldon’s prose plunges the reader into country Australia… The plot is well-paced, giving the reader enough time to know and care about the characters before chaos starts… Man-Beast is an immersive and complex story that will keep you hooked.”
https://aurealis.com.au/store/aureali...
The back-cover blurb for Man-Beast:
Taylor’s Travelling Troupe of boxers has set up its tent at an isolated sheep station: bored farmers always bet to excess. Headlining the bare-knuckle fighters is Bluey, marketed as ‘The Man-Beast’, a Sasquatch-like monster, chained and kept drunk enough to fight punters without killing them. But the troupe has returned to where Bluey was first captured. Recognising the mountains, he calls again and again. And when his call is answered, all hell breaks loose.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
May 9, 2023
Unsettling Reads review of my anthology KILLER CREATURES DOWN UNDER
The book review site Unsettling Reads posts a terrific review of my anthology, Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite. In part, reviewer Robin Knabel writes, "Readers will experience terror, suspense, thrills, and they’ll come face-to-face with some formidable monsters that inhabit Australia. I had high hopes before reading the book, and I was not disappointed. As a creature feature girl, this book made me very happy... Beware, some of the creatures in the anthology have a way of getting under your skin!"
https://unsettlingreads.squarespace.c...
IFWG Publishing will release Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite on 15 May 2023.
https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Creatur...
https://unsettlingreads.squarespace.c...
IFWG Publishing will release Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite on 15 May 2023.
https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Creatur...
May 7, 2023
LIMINAL SPACES: HORROR STORIES shortlisted for an Australian Shadows Award!
Great news! My collection Liminal Spaces: Horror Stories (IFWG Publishing) is a finalist in the Australian Shadows "Best Collected Work" Award!
Winners will be announced on Saturday 28 October.
For a full list of all the categories and nominees, please click here:
https://sinisterreads.com/2022-austra...
Winners will be announced on Saturday 28 October.
For a full list of all the categories and nominees, please click here:
https://sinisterreads.com/2022-austra...
May 2, 2023
Part Three: Ginger Nuts of Horror "Behind the Scenes" of KILLER CREATURES DOWN UNDER anthology
What inspires horror stories?
In this four-part series exclusive to Ginger Nuts of Horror, the contributors of Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite (edited by yours truly) have agreed to pull aside the curtain and reveal the inspiration behind their nightmarish tales.
PART THREE includes insights from Renee De Visser, Charles Spiteri, Robert Mammone, Paula Yates, and J.M. Merryt.
https://gingernutsofhorror.com/featur...
IFWG Publishing will release my anthology on May 15th. To pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Creatur...
In this four-part series exclusive to Ginger Nuts of Horror, the contributors of Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite (edited by yours truly) have agreed to pull aside the curtain and reveal the inspiration behind their nightmarish tales.
PART THREE includes insights from Renee De Visser, Charles Spiteri, Robert Mammone, Paula Yates, and J.M. Merryt.
https://gingernutsofhorror.com/featur...
IFWG Publishing will release my anthology on May 15th. To pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/Killer-Creatur...
April 27, 2023
Author interview with PSYCHOTOXIN PRESS
PsychoToxin Press prides itself on find the freshest voices in the shadows and bringing them to you in both digital and print formats.
https://www.psychotoxin.com/
The April issue of Whispers From the Dark, the monthly newsletter of PsychoToxin Press, features an author interview with me, plus a reprint of my short story, “The Brightest Place”.
https://shoutout.wix.com/so/37OTIlIyX...
https://www.psychotoxin.com/
The April issue of Whispers From the Dark, the monthly newsletter of PsychoToxin Press, features an author interview with me, plus a reprint of my short story, “The Brightest Place”.
https://shoutout.wix.com/so/37OTIlIyX...
April 23, 2023
Part Two: Ginger Nuts of Horror "Behind the Scenes" of KILLER CREATURES DOWN UNDER anthology
What inspires horror stories?
In this four-part series exclusive to Ginger Nuts of Horror, the contributors of Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite (edited by yours truly) have agreed to pull aside the curtain and reveal the inspiration behind their nightmarish tales.
PART TWO includes insights from Steve Paulsen, Helena O’Connor, Antoinette Rydyr, and Fox Claret Hill..
https://gingernutsofhorror.com/featur...
IFWG Publishing will release my anthology on May 15th.
In this four-part series exclusive to Ginger Nuts of Horror, the contributors of Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite (edited by yours truly) have agreed to pull aside the curtain and reveal the inspiration behind their nightmarish tales.
PART TWO includes insights from Steve Paulsen, Helena O’Connor, Antoinette Rydyr, and Fox Claret Hill..
https://gingernutsofhorror.com/featur...
IFWG Publishing will release my anthology on May 15th.
