Mon, 01 March 2010 a terrible treasure
I decided to pick a work to feature in a “Horror’s Hidden Treasures” section of my own since SFX failed so spectacularly to ask women to promote an under-rated horror gem.
I’d encourage other women to do the same. There’s no pressure to pick a woman’s work, but I’m doing so because this writer hugely [...]
Sun, 21 February 2010 SFX forgets women in horror
It’s ironic that during Women in Horror Recognition Month I have to draw attention yet again to another major publication that has a blind spot when it comes to women in horror.
Five months ago I was irked when the British Fantasy Society published a collection of interviews of horror writers that omitted women. A minor [...]
Tue, 09 February 2010 die die die die die die
Continuing the topic of Women in Horror Recognition Month, I want to pivot the lens towards a fantastic little animated short film called “Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty”, which was written by Kathleen O’Rourke and directed by Nicky Phelan. O’Rourke also provides the voice acting for Granny O’Grimm herself.
The piece is delightfully animated, switching from 3D [...]
Mon, 08 February 2010 monstrous women are rarely rewarded
I’ve been meaning to write something for Women in Horror Recognition Month, which is a campaign to promote women who work within the horror genre during the month of February.
I’m going to look at two films that I think deserve some attention and discussion: Ginger Snaps (2000) and Jennifer’s Body (2009). These two films serve [...]
Fri, 09 October 2009 death and taxes
It’s been a strange week. There have been two deaths, and I’ve attended one funeral (neither of the deceased were close to me, so don’t proffer sympathies), and a major row erupted in the Irish sf scene that involved a lot of people I know.
My mother had been away on holiday, and she called me [...]
Wed, 02 September 2009 a weekend of horrors
I’m back from my trip to London for the horror film festival FrightFest, and I had a lovely time. The weather was great, mostly, and I avoided the occasional showers. When I wasn’t watching movies, I strolled around Soho in the sun, bought a bowler hat, and met up with mates who’ve moved to the [...]
Mon, 18 May 2009 d day
On this day in 1897 a book called Dracula was published for the first time. In a strange bout of synchronicity my screenwriting group is looking at three screen adaptations of Dracula: Dracula (1931), the BBC mini-series Count Dracula (1977), and Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992). Afterwards, we’re going to a screening of the marvellous Swedish [...]
Thu, 14 May 2009 look around you
I haven’t forgotten it’s Thurday. Here’s today’s micro missive:
Houdini’s first afterlife message, delivered by email: Lack of limbs renders escape awkward but not impossible. Flexibility of will, vital.
Sometimes I like to have fun with these little splashes of words.
After signs of an incipient summer we’re back to monsoon rains. I was thinking of hitting [...]
Mon, 04 May 2009 uplifting
Another one of my twitter stories has been published on Thaumatrope: if you’re hungry for a fictional nibble.Reviews of Black Static, issue 10, have been appearing online. I realised before reading the first one that I had been bracing myself: like how you involuntarily clench your muscles when you expect a terrible blow.
My [...]
Thu, 19 March 2009 “Beowulf got ready, donned his war-gear, indifferent to death;”
I’ve come down with some manner of plague, which is a shame considering we’re experiencing unexpected (but not unwelcome) balmy weather in Ireland.
Still, the sunshine cheers me up as I lumber around the house, the pockets of my red dressing gown bulging with tissues.
I haven’t forgotten it’s Thursday, so that means another piece [...]
