I heard from editor, Peter Coleborn, that my story Persistence of Vision has been accepted for publication in the next issue of Dark Horizons, the journal published by the British Fantasy Society. To get this you have to a member of the BFS, which I am. I assume you are too, aren’t you? Well, if you’re not, you should be. I wrote the story several years ago, and it’s been kicing around my hard-drive for ages. Just recently I decided to edit it into shape (with the help of the nice Mr Coleborn) and I’m delighted it’s finally found a home.

As you may know, I’m a huge fan of the chapbook – short stories published in dedicated pockets of fiction. Nightjar Press is just one fine example of what’s good in the genre, and I’ve mentioned it before on this site. What I want to briefly speak about today is the newest kid on the block.

Spectral Press, the brainchild of writer/editor/artist Simon Marshall-Jones has just released its inaugural chapbook, “What They Hear in the Dark” by Gary McMahon.

I’m a dedicated fan of Gary McMahon’s fiction. If you’ve ever read anything written by him, all I’ll say is that this story achieves his usual standards of quality and style. I won’t bother to summarise the set-up, suffice to say its themes of grief and humanity are starkly compelling. It’s easy to take McMahon for granted; he never disappoints, but what impressed me more than anything with this release was the production quality.

The artwork is beautiful, and perfectly suits the story. The paper stock is good, the typeset is clear and perfect. Spectral Press obviously values quality in its products, and that is apparent in this release. The individual chapbook costs £3.50 including postage but you can purchase a yearly subscription, which bags you the first 3 releases – as well as McMahon’s, there is one by Gary Fry and one from Cate Gardner – for just £10. That, my friends, for a limited release of just 100 signed copies, is an absolute bargain! I’ve seen a list of the writers that are lined up for forthcoming chapbooks, and I can tell you there’s some serious talent in there. You won’t want to miss out. Click here for more info.

While I’m on the subject, I also recently finished reading McMahon’s novel from Angry Robot, Pretty Little Dead Things. Its central character, Thomas Usher, is damaged in many ways, none more so than the fact that he is haunted by the ghosts of the recently departed. With his wife and daughter dead – and Usher tormented by guilt and loss – his only solace is the manner in which he aids those that need help.

The theme that fuels this novel, and indeed much of McMahon’s fiction, is momento mori – remember that you will die. It’s a theme that reminds us exactly why we do what we do. McMahon is never afraid to shine light on the places that we’re afraid to see, to tell us the things we don’t want to hear. The honesty in his storytelling, and the skills he uses to tell that tale, are what make him one of the best writers working in the genre today. This is the Amazon link to order it.

I’m unbelievably delighted to report that my story Husks is due to appear in an anthology of weird/Gothic bird stories, to be released next year. Edited by a writing hero of mine, Nicholas Royle, the book will be published by Two Ravens Press. I can’t begin to describe how chuffed I am with this acceptance; Nicholas Royle is one of my favourite authors, and possibly the main reason why I was drawn to dark fiction in the first place. Since I first read a story of his in Fear magazine back in the late 80s, I’ve loved almost everything he’s done, so it is a huge honour to be appearing in one of his books.

More information as I get it.

Just wanted to quickly mention that I heard ages ago – but have only now been able to report – that my story Home By the Sea will be appearing in the forthcoming Mortbury Press anthology The Eighth Black Book of Horror, edited by Charles Black.

I’ve read about 3 or 4 other writers who will also be appearing and I’m a huge fan of their work, so it’s shaping up to be another good ‘un. I’ll keep you posted on the final table of contents, ordering info and release dates as soon as I get them.

I don’t normally like to talk about things that I’m currently working on, for a number of reasons; firstly, just in case it doesn’t work out and I ‘shelve’ the project for a future attempt. Or possibly I might finish the piece but I can’t find anyone who’s interested in publishing it. I suppose I’ve come to the conclusion that until it’s published, it doesn’t exist (other than in my mind). BUT (you knew there was a but, didn’t you?) I just wanted to mention something that I’m working on at the minute.

My friend and fellow writer, Mark West, and I are working on a novella each, both involving the theme of ‘lost films’. Mark’s a fine writer, and I’m honoured he’s trusting me to be involved in this project. In fact, that was the part that attracted me when I heard about it; it’s only a mild collaboration, but the fact that we’re writing these two independent stories, with several crossover points, means I feel far more enthusiastic about finishing them. Even if they never see the light of day, I get the feeling that we’re both having a blast writing them…

More information as it arrives.

Hot on the heels on my forthcoming appearance in the anthology, DARK MINDS, comes the news that my story The Other Side of Silence will appear in the British Fantasy Society publication, DARK HORIZONS 57, edited by Stephen Theaker and Ian Hunter.  The stunning cover art is by Martin Hanford. Here is the table of contents –

and the articles –

• Mark Charan Newton, interviewed by Louise Morgan
• The Sign of the Unicorn’s Head: the Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series, Mike Barrett
• Aliette de Bodard, interviewed by Jenny Barber
• Catastrophia: Allen Ashley, interviewed by Stephen Theaker

and some poetry –

• TWTMC by Allen Ashley
• Pretty Little Things, and Blood Pearls by J.R. Salling
• Folded in Darkness by Graylin Fox
• Circe Poisoning the Sea by Sarah Doyle
• The Giftshop Off the Multiverse by Ian Hunter
• Younger Gods by Roy Gray
• Witnessing’s End by Alessio Zanelli
• Addendum by Rick Coonrod

and more artwork than ever before by –

The publication is available only if you’re a member of the BFS. What’s that? You’re not a member?! Why ever not? You can join by going here.

I’m pleased to report that a story of mine, The House of Constant Shadow is due to appear in a forthcoming anthology called ‘Dark Minds’ edited by Ross Warren. It has a wonderful Vincent Chong cover, as you can see. Here is the table of contents –

The Ghost of Rain by Gary McMahon
Berlin Sushi by Benedict J Jones
The House of Constant Shadow by Stephen Bacon
The Rat Catcher’s Apprentice by Ross Warren
The Anchorite’s Daughter by Shaun Hammel
Gehenna by Anthony Watson
Last Laugh by Colin Hersh
The World Shall Know by Jason Whittle
Blood Loss by Colin Drewery
Vengeance of Hades by Joe Mynhardt
Under A Setting Sun by Clayton Stealback
Bury The Truth by Carole Johnstone

It is due to be published in December by Dark Minds Press at £7.99, and has free postage on all pre-orders. Click here to order by Paypal.

Just wanted to mention here how impressed I’ve been with the chapbooks that Nightjar Press have published. So far they’ve released ‘What Happens When You Wake Up in the Night‘ by Michael Marshall Smith (reprinted in Best Horror of the Year 2, and Best New Horror 21 soon) and Tom Fletcher‘s ‘The Safe Children‘ (honourable mention in Best Horror of the Year 2), Joel Lane‘s ‘Black Country‘ and ‘When the Door Closed, It Was Dark‘ by Alison Moore. The first two are now sold out, though I believe there’re copies of the latter two still available from the Nightjar Press website. As signed and numbered editions that cost only £3 each plus 30p postage (or 50p for two) I’d say they were remarkable value, given the quality of the fiction contained within. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all four of the chapbooks so far, and I was pleased to hear that the next two are due out early next month – Mark Valentine‘s ‘A Revelation of Cormorants‘ and RB Russell‘s ‘The Beautiful Room‘. Both these writers are among my favourites, so I think it’s time to hit the chequebook again!

Over on The Hellforge, writer and reviewer Matthew Fryer has reviewed Nemonymous 10. He has many good things to say about the anthology, including this to say about my own story –

“Another peak is “The Toymaker of Bremen” by Stephen Bacon. In this polished work, a boy loses his parents on a trip, and is strangely adopted by a rural family and their house of toys and creepy artefacts. The 8-year old’s innocence regarding the sinister descent makes for a powerful read and I didn’t want it to finish.”

You can read the full review here.

Filthy Creations 6, edited and wonderfully illustrated by the brilliantly talented Rog Pile, is finally out. I got my contributor copy yesterday and I’m chuffed to bits to say it’s outstanding, and a bargain at only £2.25 including postage!!! Click here to purchase. There’s an offer to purchase it together with issue 4 of The Thinking Man’s Crumpet, edited by Coral King for just £3.50 for BOTH! –

Both David A Riley and Craig Herbertson had their first stories appear in the now-lendary Pan Books of Horror. Both novels will be serialised in their entirity, and this will be their first appearance in print.  

Dedicated to D F Lewis, this issue also contains:
 

The Devil At Your Heels by Robert Mammone
Easy Money by Penni McLaren Walker
Rage and The Fat Shrike by D F Lewis
Bad Manners by Colin Leslie
There’s a Riot Going On by Franklin Marsh
Grey by Charles Black
Crocodile Tears by James Stanger
A Solace of Winter Rain by Stephen Bacon
Night Tide by Rog Pile

With five mono illustrations plus a colour cover drawn by Rog Pile. Get it while you can.