Michael Kelly's Blog, page 29

The Statue

Happy to announce I’ve bought Myriam Frey’s ‘The Statue’ for volume 6 of Shadows & Tall Trees.

On Joel Lane

I never met Joel Lane, but I felt like I knew him. That is powerful testament to his work. His writing was, I think, very personal. Like all great writers he put it all on the page. I think the first story of his I encountered was ‘The Country of Glass,’ in the late 90’s, and it floored me. At the time, I’d been binging on Ray Bradbury, and Raymond Carver.  This then, ‘The Country of Glass,’ was something else entirely. Dense, dark, bleak, and humane, all at once. I sought out all the Joel Lane stories I could find.

A few years later I was putting together an anthology, “Songs From Dead Singers.” I knew I wanted a story from Joel, and he was the first author I approached about contributing to the anthology. I was a very green editor. This was my first book. Yet Joel was gracious and enthusiastic about the project and contributed the terrific story ‘An Unknown Past.’ Six years later I edited my second anthology, “Apparitions,” and again the first author I approached was Joel Lane. At the time, around 2008, I sensed from our communication that Joel was going through some personal difficulties. As we all do. Despite this, Joel contributed another fabulous story, ‘High Water.’ The anthology went on to be a finalist for The Shirley Jackson Award, thanks in no small part to Joel. Shortly after this I decided I was going to publish a small literary magazine, ‘Shadows & Tall Trees.’ Issue one of that journal contained Joel’s tale ‘Crow’s Nest.’ As with the previous books I’d edited, Joel was once again the first author I approached about contributing. In our correspondence Joel came across as intelligent, funny, amiable, earnest, and kind. He was socially conscious, and actively tried to make the world a better place for those he felt were mistreated. He was, in short, a joy to work with. A true professional. A rare and blazing talent.

One of my main reasons for attending the World Fantasy Convention this year was to meet Joel. Alas, Joel had to attend to his ailing mother and could not attend. But I was pleased to be at the awards banquet and hear his name read out as a winner of the World Fantasy Award. It’s very much deserved, and long overdue.

I am deeply saddened at Joel’s passing. Saddened for my own selfish reasons — I won’t be able to ask him for any more stories. Saddened for the readers and fans who will be deprived of new Joel Lane fiction. And saddened for his friends and family who will miss his friendship, his compassion, his kindness.

I urge you to read his collections ‘The Lost District,’ and the World Fantasy Award-winning ‘Where Furnaces Burn.’

I never met Joel Lane, but that’s how I knew him – from his words.

Long may they live.

Year’s Best Weird Fiction

Call For Submissions: Year’s Best Weird Fiction

 

This is a reprint fiction anthology. Editor Laird Barron is only seeking material that was first published in 2013.

 

Publishers only are encouraged to send PDF’s to: bestweirdfiction@gmail.com

 

Deadline for all material is January 7, 2014, but sooner (much sooner) is better. Late submissions may not receive proper consideration, especially if we receive a majority of the material at deadline.

 

Writers: Please do not send unsolicited material. Urge your publisher to send in any relevant work. Feel free to query with any questions or recommendations.

 

Please note: Only writers whose work is selected for the volume will be contacted.

Shaddertown

Delighted to announce I’ve taken “Shaddertown” by Conrad Williams for volume 6 of Shadows & Tall Trees.

Writings Found in a Red Notebook

Very happy to report I’ve bought David Surface‘s story ‘Writings Found in a Red Notebook’ for Shadows & Tall Trees #6.

Recent fiction

I’ve a few stories published recently:

 

“The Beach” appears in Psycho Mania!, edited by Stephen Jones.

“October Dreams” appears in The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror #24. (Stephen Jones, ed.)

“Something Red, Something Ruined” appears in Here Be Monsters #8.

Temporarily closed to submissions

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I am going to have to temporarily close submissions to Shadows & Tall Trees until I catch up on the back-logged material.

Another tale bought for volume 6

Happy to announce I’ve bought Robert Levy’s “The Vault of the Sky, the Face of the Deep” for volume 6 of Shadows & Tall Trees.

Response times to submissions to increase

I’ll be away travelling from October 20 through to November 10 with limited access to e-mail. It’s unlikely I will be able to do any reading for Shadows & Tall Trees. You are still welcome to send material, of course, but I will not be able to review it until I return.

Another tale accepted for S&TT6

Very pleased to report I’ve bought V. H. Leslie’s ‘The Quiet Room’ for publication in volume 6 of Shadows & Tall Trees. This will be Victoria’s second appearance in S&TT.