Ellen Datlow's Blog, page 37
January 12, 2011
Sophie has shown her face
Happy to report that my house sitter (the fantastic artist Rick Lieder) has sighted Sophie, who had been invisible since I left home Monday morning. We knew she was around as the hard food disappeared but she didn't come out till this evening. He fed her pounce--so she will now be his friend for life. (sigh of relief).
Bella, of course, remains on her perch at the top of the book shelf in the library.
Bella, of course, remains on her perch at the top of the book shelf in the library.
Black Swan and me
What a fantastic shout out this is from SF Signal's review of Black Swan:
"This is not to say that Aronofsky is unfamiliar with genre territory. Pi, for all of its artistic flourishes, can easily be seen as a marriage of science fiction and horror. The Fountain, though not technically science fiction, used many of the genre's images and conventions to tell a story of obsession, love and loss; watching it is like watching an adaptation one of the best Harlan Ellison stories that Ellison never wrote. Similarly, Black Swan, with its emphasis on sexuality, dark surrealism and the world of art, seems transliterated from an unwritten story not yet collected in a killer horror anthology edited by Ellen Datlow. Make no mistake: for all of its indie drama cred, Black Swan is a horror movie, though its horrors are the Second Stream ones explicated by Kathryn Cramer in her introductory essay of David Hartwell's The Dark Descent. Psychological terror in the tradition of Roman Polanski's Repulsion or the works of Dennis Etchison rather than the overtly supernatural."
I don't know what the actual theme would be but I love the idea of an anthology inspired by the movie.
From: Review of Black Swan
"This is not to say that Aronofsky is unfamiliar with genre territory. Pi, for all of its artistic flourishes, can easily be seen as a marriage of science fiction and horror. The Fountain, though not technically science fiction, used many of the genre's images and conventions to tell a story of obsession, love and loss; watching it is like watching an adaptation one of the best Harlan Ellison stories that Ellison never wrote. Similarly, Black Swan, with its emphasis on sexuality, dark surrealism and the world of art, seems transliterated from an unwritten story not yet collected in a killer horror anthology edited by Ellen Datlow. Make no mistake: for all of its indie drama cred, Black Swan is a horror movie, though its horrors are the Second Stream ones explicated by Kathryn Cramer in her introductory essay of David Hartwell's The Dark Descent. Psychological terror in the tradition of Roman Polanski's Repulsion or the works of Dennis Etchison rather than the overtly supernatural."
I don't know what the actual theme would be but I love the idea of an anthology inspired by the movie.
From: Review of Black Swan
January 11, 2011
Peek-a-boo
I've been away from my own blog/facebook account and haven't looked at anyone else's for the past few days as I tried to complete The Best Horror of the Year Volume Three before leaving for Florida this morning. Unfortunately, although I've chosen almost 106,000 words (and have 34,000 to go) I couldn't finish all my reading and so have brought down a LOT of it with me. My deadline --to hand in the finished ms-- has been extended to the weekend after I get home so I can finish writing up my summary.
I hate missing deadlines --the only deadlines I ever have missed and continue to miss are for YBFH and Best Horror. Each year there is more and more horror fiction to read--which of course means I have more to choose from and have more new writers and publications to recommend toreaders. But it of course also means that if I want to check out everything out there that can be considered dark fiction it takes more time and focus on my part.
So here I am with my family --I had no idea what I'd do while down here--now I know. I slog on.
I gather that at least one writer whose story I've chosen has already announced it on FB --I'd rather just be able to announce the entire TOC once I'm done, but hey, I'm not going to come after you if you happen to mention it around:-).
And I promise to catch up on lj and fb so I know what everyone else is up to.
I hate missing deadlines --the only deadlines I ever have missed and continue to miss are for YBFH and Best Horror. Each year there is more and more horror fiction to read--which of course means I have more to choose from and have more new writers and publications to recommend toreaders. But it of course also means that if I want to check out everything out there that can be considered dark fiction it takes more time and focus on my part.
So here I am with my family --I had no idea what I'd do while down here--now I know. I slog on.
I gather that at least one writer whose story I've chosen has already announced it on FB --I'd rather just be able to announce the entire TOC once I'm done, but hey, I'm not going to come after you if you happen to mention it around:-).
And I promise to catch up on lj and fb so I know what everyone else is up to.
January 5, 2011
Call for Submissions for The Best Horror of the Year volume Four (2011)
For those of you who just can't wait, here are the guidelines.
I am NO LONGER ACCEPTING ANYTHING FOR 2010.
Please read the below guidelines carefully. It should answer any of your questions. (I'll be very surprised if it doesn't and really grumpy if you query me about something clearly covered). Please pass them around although they should be appearing in various online market reports, news threads/venues, etc.
Call for Submissions
I am editing the anthology series Best Horror of the Year (Night Shade Books) and am currently reading for the fourth volume, which will include all material published in 2011.
I am looking for stories from all branches of horror: from the traditional-supernatural to the borderline, including high-tech sf horror, supernatural stories, psychological horror, dark thrillers, or anything else that might qualify. If in doubt, send it. This is a reprint anthology so I am only reading material published in or about to be published in 2011. Submission deadline for stories is November 30th 2011. Anything sent after this deadline will reach me too late. If a magazine, anthology, or collection you're in or you publish is coming out in December, you can send me galleys or manuscripts so that I can judge the stories in time. No email submissions. I strongly suggest that authors check with their publishers that they are sending review copies to me as I don't have time or energy to nag publishers to get me material. I request it once (maybe twice) and that's it.
There will be a summation of "the year in horror" in the front of the volume. This will include novels, nonfiction, art books, and "odds and ends"-- material that doesn't fit elsewhere but that I feel might interest the horror reader. But I must be aware of this material in order to mention it. The deadline for receipt of material for this section is December 15th, 2011.
Ellen Datlow
Best Horror of the Year Volume Four
PMB 391
511 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10011-8436
****I do not want to receive manuscripts from authors of stories from venues that it's likely I already receive (like Interzone, Black Static, Crimewave, Cemetery Dance, Realms of Fantasy, Postscripts, Weird Tales, F&SF and the other digests, etc) or from anthologies and collections, unless I don't have or can't get that anthology or collection. Please contact your publisher and ask him/her to send me the magazine or book.
For online publications, I prefer print submissions, so if your publisher doesn't send them out please do so yourself.
Please do not send a SASE. If I choose a story you will be informed. If you want to confirm that I've received something, enclose a self-addressed-stamped postcard and I will let you know the date it arrived. For stories that appear on the web, please send me (or have the publisher send me) print-outs of your story.
thanks
Ellen Datlow
I am NO LONGER ACCEPTING ANYTHING FOR 2010.
Please read the below guidelines carefully. It should answer any of your questions. (I'll be very surprised if it doesn't and really grumpy if you query me about something clearly covered). Please pass them around although they should be appearing in various online market reports, news threads/venues, etc.
Call for Submissions
I am editing the anthology series Best Horror of the Year (Night Shade Books) and am currently reading for the fourth volume, which will include all material published in 2011.
I am looking for stories from all branches of horror: from the traditional-supernatural to the borderline, including high-tech sf horror, supernatural stories, psychological horror, dark thrillers, or anything else that might qualify. If in doubt, send it. This is a reprint anthology so I am only reading material published in or about to be published in 2011. Submission deadline for stories is November 30th 2011. Anything sent after this deadline will reach me too late. If a magazine, anthology, or collection you're in or you publish is coming out in December, you can send me galleys or manuscripts so that I can judge the stories in time. No email submissions. I strongly suggest that authors check with their publishers that they are sending review copies to me as I don't have time or energy to nag publishers to get me material. I request it once (maybe twice) and that's it.
There will be a summation of "the year in horror" in the front of the volume. This will include novels, nonfiction, art books, and "odds and ends"-- material that doesn't fit elsewhere but that I feel might interest the horror reader. But I must be aware of this material in order to mention it. The deadline for receipt of material for this section is December 15th, 2011.
Ellen Datlow
Best Horror of the Year Volume Four
PMB 391
511 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10011-8436
****I do not want to receive manuscripts from authors of stories from venues that it's likely I already receive (like Interzone, Black Static, Crimewave, Cemetery Dance, Realms of Fantasy, Postscripts, Weird Tales, F&SF and the other digests, etc) or from anthologies and collections, unless I don't have or can't get that anthology or collection. Please contact your publisher and ask him/her to send me the magazine or book.
For online publications, I prefer print submissions, so if your publisher doesn't send them out please do so yourself.
Please do not send a SASE. If I choose a story you will be informed. If you want to confirm that I've received something, enclose a self-addressed-stamped postcard and I will let you know the date it arrived. For stories that appear on the web, please send me (or have the publisher send me) print-outs of your story.
thanks
Ellen Datlow
This and that and finishing up the Best Horror #3
I haven't posted since December 31st because I've been working on the Best Horror #3, which is due this week. I still have too much to read, re-read, skim. I've made some choices and have more to make. Once I do, I'll be posting the TOC here.
In the meantime, a mind-meld about books people are looking forward to in 2011 can be found here . As you can see, many are hoping to catch up with 2010 or older titles. For me this isn't an option. I've got to start reading for 2011 as soon as I finish up 2010.
I'm pleased to say that Terri and my anthology Teeth has sold to a few foreign publishers (can't say more until the deals are done) and that has sold to Mondadori in Italy.
In the meantime, a mind-meld about books people are looking forward to in 2011 can be found here . As you can see, many are hoping to catch up with 2010 or older titles. For me this isn't an option. I've got to start reading for 2011 as soon as I finish up 2010.
I'm pleased to say that Terri and my anthology Teeth has sold to a few foreign publishers (can't say more until the deals are done) and that has sold to Mondadori in Italy.
December 31, 2010
Today it's my birth-day!!!
Yes it is. And even though I wasn't born until 2:40 am or so, people on FB have been sending the congrats.
I expect a birthday wake up call from Ellie Lang to sing me the REAL birthday song. (if you're reading this --don't wake me up!!! Wait till about 10am!.
I am planning on both working (reading, that is) and doing a few errands later today but then will spend the evening with friends in Brooklyn where I expect delicious food and wonderful company at a birthday dinner party.
Today I saw The King's Speech and heartily recommend it. I loved all the actors in it and expect Colin Firth to nab an Academy Award nomination and possibly a supporting nod for Helena Bonham-Carter.
I expect a birthday wake up call from Ellie Lang to sing me the REAL birthday song. (if you're reading this --don't wake me up!!! Wait till about 10am!.
I am planning on both working (reading, that is) and doing a few errands later today but then will spend the evening with friends in Brooklyn where I expect delicious food and wonderful company at a birthday dinner party.
Today I saw The King's Speech and heartily recommend it. I loved all the actors in it and expect Colin Firth to nab an Academy Award nomination and possibly a supporting nod for Helena Bonham-Carter.
December 28, 2010
update of the NYC blizzard of 2010 and other stuff
Weather much warmer, snow moving into major slush zone, which means ankle deep water at most corners.
Fedex picked up four cartons of books; yesterday and today's mail arrived--bringing money expected and unexpected-thank you Italy for buying The Best Horror of the Year volume One.
I waited 20 minutes in the street (bus stops/sidewalk, to--still not cleared) for the bus to my bank, walked to Whole foods (where they shockingly have ISLE OF MULL CHEDDAR, which I of course bought), and then backtracked to my po box to pick up that mail. (for anyone wondering, yes it is too late to send me anything for Best Horror #3 so please stop unless I've specifically asked for something at this point. I am making final decisions this week and the book will be done very soon after that).
Came home with soaked feet--so much for my ahem, snow boots. Tomorrow I dig out a different pair of boot to see if they work better.
Oh and more good news: One of the reviewers at Bookgasm has called Haunted Legends "the anthology of the year" CUGA'S CUTS >> Be(a)st Horror of 2010.
Fedex picked up four cartons of books; yesterday and today's mail arrived--bringing money expected and unexpected-thank you Italy for buying The Best Horror of the Year volume One.
I waited 20 minutes in the street (bus stops/sidewalk, to--still not cleared) for the bus to my bank, walked to Whole foods (where they shockingly have ISLE OF MULL CHEDDAR, which I of course bought), and then backtracked to my po box to pick up that mail. (for anyone wondering, yes it is too late to send me anything for Best Horror #3 so please stop unless I've specifically asked for something at this point. I am making final decisions this week and the book will be done very soon after that).
Came home with soaked feet--so much for my ahem, snow boots. Tomorrow I dig out a different pair of boot to see if they work better.
Oh and more good news: One of the reviewers at Bookgasm has called Haunted Legends "the anthology of the year" CUGA'S CUTS >> Be(a)st Horror of 2010.
December 27, 2010
reminder of books for sale
Just a reminder that I'm selling some of my anthologies until December 31st. For details read my earlier post here:
Books for sale
There were three titles on reserve for someone how said she would pay by December 24th. She did not, so those books are now again available. (they were books from the "mythic series" edited by me and Terri).
Books for sale
There were three titles on reserve for someone how said she would pay by December 24th. She did not, so those books are now again available. (they were books from the "mythic series" edited by me and Terri).
Snow report from my neighborhood
I just trekked the three blocks to my closest supermarket and back--for the essentials: cat litter and fresh half and half. Main thoroughfares plowed. Side streets--somewhat. Bus stops not at all so IF you can get to the street through the 6 foot high piled up snow a bus might see you and stop for you. Some cars along 14th street were being dug out. I pity the ones that haven't been yet, as the snow freezes tonight. Ewww.
Landlords and storeowners are required to shovel from in front of their buildings/stores. But if the super isn't around for the building and/or the store is not open...the area is not shoveled and the passerby must get through the snow on her own. Which makes for uneven trekking (which is why I had wanted to take the bus back--it leaves me right across from my building). I didn't wait for the bus as I didn't see one coming and walked west on 14th street (in the street as the sidewalks had too much snow on them) to 9th avenue and walked home from there--again, in the street mostly. Not so windy or cold any more. I'm glad I didn't try for my post office box on 6th avenue.
No mail so far today.
If the temperature goes up to 36 tomorrow as forecasted and the sun comes out--expect huggggge slush puddles.
I ended up not going to the theater last night. It just looked too cold, windy, and snowy out to get up to 42nd street and back.
Landlords and storeowners are required to shovel from in front of their buildings/stores. But if the super isn't around for the building and/or the store is not open...the area is not shoveled and the passerby must get through the snow on her own. Which makes for uneven trekking (which is why I had wanted to take the bus back--it leaves me right across from my building). I didn't wait for the bus as I didn't see one coming and walked west on 14th street (in the street as the sidewalks had too much snow on them) to 9th avenue and walked home from there--again, in the street mostly. Not so windy or cold any more. I'm glad I didn't try for my post office box on 6th avenue.
No mail so far today.
If the temperature goes up to 36 tomorrow as forecasted and the sun comes out--expect huggggge slush puddles.
I ended up not going to the theater last night. It just looked too cold, windy, and snowy out to get up to 42nd street and back.
