Dave Higgins's Blog, page 62

The Van Helsing Paradox by Evelyn Chartres

Chartres fuses ancient conspiracies within the Church with urban fantasy to create a fast-paced horror adventure that doesn’t lack for depth. Clara Grey’s family live in decidedly ungenteel poverty in a small mining town; a poverty that slides toward destitution when her father dies. Everyone says his cough finally got him, but Clara is certain … Continue reading The Van Helsing Paradox by Evelyn Chartres

Time to Be Serious

The submission window for Fears of a Clown is now closed and I’ve emailed an acknowledgement for all the stories I’ve received. So, if you’ve submitted but haven’t had an acknowledgement yet, then let me know so I can confirm whether I received your story. Now the hard work begins for me. Because I’ve received … Continue reading Time to Be Serious

AMYM: The Mamluk Who Defied Death by K.D. McQuain

McQuain places the traditional tale of a person struggling to cope with vampirism in Nineteenth Century Cairo, creating a fresh perspective on the vampire tale to match his previous novel. This novel is a sequel to NYV: Punk. Potential spoilers ahead. The French driven back, Egypt seeks to embrace its place in the Nineteenth Century … Continue reading AMYM: The Mamluk Who Defied Death by K.D. McQuain

Twelve Rules for Life in an Uncaring Cosmos

All who bear the burden of unholy knowledge know that Yog-Sothoth, the gate and the key, is perceived in congruence, and that the reasoned half of the mind is our protection from horrific truths. Thus, when I encountered a headline about a forthcoming Lovecraftian project and read the producer not as Jordan Peele but as … Continue reading Twelve Rules for Life in an Uncaring Cosmos

Evergreen by Matthew S. Cox

Cox builds a very personal narrative on a foundation of modern science to create a post-apocalyptic story that captures the scale of nuclear devastation without losing its human impact. Two months ago, nuclear missiles struck towns and cities across the United States. Far enough from the nearest target to survive the attack, seventeen-year-old Harper Cody … Continue reading Evergreen by Matthew S. Cox

The IllumiNightie

Are you concerned about secret conspiracies not having enough fun? Do you think “They” are bored while watching you? If you answered Yes to either of these questions, you need The IllumiNightie. Unlike ordinary nighties, The IllumiNightie has an all-encompassing hood featuring the all-seeing eye so you too can look like a gentle pastiche of … Continue reading The IllumiNightie

The Correction Floor by Robert Scott-Norton

Scott-Norton creates a ghost story where the doubt doesn’t stop seeping in after the balance of probability has firmly tipped to the paranormal, and where no one is safe from permanent harm. Seth grew up next to Ravenmeols Hospital, former asylum then children’s home, closed after the discovery of a Satanic cult within the staff. … Continue reading The Correction Floor by Robert Scott-Norton

Not Shouting into the Void

I’ve been pondering creating a solo author mailing list recently. As the audience for this blog is likely to contain plenty of people who like my writing, I thought I’d ask you all about your experiences with mailing lists. Currently, Simon Cantan and I have a joint list: however—while I believe readers’ tastes often bridge … Continue reading Not Shouting into the Void

Fanya in the Underworld by Jordan Elizabeth

Mixing magic, steampunk, and colonialism, Elizabeth creates a fantasy tale that is fast-paced and personal without sacrificing depth and wider consequence. Fanya’s father was her father’s rightful heir; Instead the Council granted her inheritance to her stepmother; an inheritance that is being sold to unscrupulous men and the profits frittered away. Hoping to protect her … Continue reading Fanya in the Underworld by Jordan Elizabeth

This Is My Stop

In public transport as in so many other areas, I favour multi-sided, organic, and nuanced over sterile pseudo-utility. There’s a bus stop outside the Burger King near my house. The advertisement on the end has changed several times since we moved, but it’s always been for McDonalds. Which caused my wife and I to wonder, … Continue reading This Is My Stop