-
Horror Writers Association
I’ve been accepted as an Active member of the Horror Writers Association, which is based in the USA. I’ve been contemplating joining the organisation for a number of years, but decided I’d wait until I could enter as a professional, so it’s nice to hit that landmark. Throughout my life I have worked with, and for, societies, unions, and Guilds whose purpose is to bring people together to form a collective voice. I believe quite passionately in such groups, even when they have their failings. I also appreciate that the HWA changed its name a number of years ago from the Horror Writers of America to the Horror Writers Association…
-
Twisted Fairy Tales
I'm delighted to announce that my first collection, Twisted Fairy Tales, will be published by Barron's in the USA in Spring 2013.
-
Women in Comics, Europe
The fabulous Laura Sneddon (freelance journalist and Ph.D. student studying comic books) decided to set up a group on Facebook called ‘Women in Comics, Europe‘. I’m co-administrator of the group. It’s a group for women (i.e. anyone who identifies as a woman) who work in the comic book industry in Europe – be it as writer, artist, inker, colourist, publisher, letterer, journalist, academic, comic book seller, or comic book convention organiser. The purpose of the group is to allow women in the European comic book industry to become familiar with each other and their work, to network, and to promote their projects. I’m still maintaining the list of ‘Women in Comics…
-
2011 Shirley Jackson Awards Winners
The 2011 Shirley Jackson Awards winners were announced today at Readercon 23, Conference on Imaginative Literature, in Burlington, Massachusetts. Congratulations to all winners! Thank you for writing such great fiction. NOVEL Winner: Witches on the Road Tonight , Sheri Holman (Grove Press) Finalists: The Devil All the Time, Donald Ray Pollock (Doubleday) The Dracula Papers, Reggie Oliver (Chômu Press) The Great Lover, Michael Cisco (Chômu Press) Knock Knock, S. P. Miskowski (Omnium Gatherum Media) The Last Werewolf, Glen Duncan (Canongate Books, Ltd.-UK / Alfred A. Knopf-US) NOVELLA Winner: “Near Zennor,” Elizabeth Hand (A Book of Horrors, Jo Fletcher Books) Finalists: “And the Dead Shall Outnumber the Living,” Deborah Biancotti (Ishtar,…
-
The Hallowe'en Sessions
I’m delighted to announce that I’ve written part of an anthology play called The Hallowe’en Sessions, which will have a run in the Leicester Square Theatre, London, from 29 October – 3 November, 2012. Here’s the blurb: A group of mental patients gather for a therapy session to each recount the terrifying events that caused them to lose their minds. But is their mysterious therapist all she appears to be, and will her course of treatment prove to be kill or cure? Cigarette Burns and an award-winning team of horror/fantasy creators join forces to bring you a nightmarish evening filled with primal screams. Writers Kim Newman (Anno Dracula, Moriarty –…
-
Clarion West Write-a-thon 2012
In 2006 I attended the residential writing workshop called Clarion West, and can attest to it being a force for good as well as instrumental in my progression as a writer. This year’s workshop is now taking place in Seattle, and many of the CW alumni and teachers are setting writing goals for this period, and asking for sponsorship. We call this fund-raising drive the Clarion West Write-a-thon. All money from the fund-raiser goes to Clarion West – a non-profit educational organisation – so they can continue their excellent work. My goal during this period is to write ten short stories. I’m already writing story one. If you have the…
-
British Fantasy Awards 2012 – nominees
The short-lists have been announced for the 2012 British Fantasy Awards: Novel 11.22.63 by Stephen King (Scribner) Among Others by Jo Walton (Tor Books) Cyber Circus by Kim Lakin-Smith (NewCon Press) A Dance with Dragons by George R R Martin (Bantam) The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie (Gollancz) The Ritual by Adam Nevill (Pan) There will be two awards in the best Novel category: The August Derleth Award for best horror novel and The Robert Holdstock Award for best fantasy novel. Novella ‘Alice through the plastic sheet’ by Robert Shearman (A Book of Horrors, Jo Fletcher Books) ‘Ghosts with Teeth’ by Peter Crowther (A Book of Horrors, Jo Fletcher Books) ‘Gorel…
-
Jennifer Wilde 2 now available
The second issue of Jennifer Wilde – the comic book I’m writing for Atomic Diner – is on the shelves of SubCity Comics in Dublin. It’s wonderful to have the second issue out. As usual I’m indebted to Stephen Downey, the terrific artist who is bringing Jennifer’s world to life, and to Robert Curley for making the comic book happen. Jennifer Wilde issue 2 should be available from other retailers and the Atomic Diner web site very soon.
-
2011 Shirley Jackson Awards Short-list
For the past six months I’ve been serving on the jury of the Shirley Jackson Awards. It’s been time-consuming and far more work than I anticipated, but it’s also been richly rewarding. I’ve enjoyed reading extensively across the fields of dark fantasy and horror, I’ve discovered new authors, and developed a deeper appreciation for firm favourites. At last, the 2011 Shirley Jackson Awards Nominees has been announced: NOVEL The Devil All the Time, Donald Ray Pollock (Doubleday) The Dracula Papers, Reggie Oliver (Chômu Press) The Great Lover, Michael Cisco (Chômu Press) Knock Knock, S. P. Miskowski (Omnium Gatherum Media) The Last Werewolf, Glen Duncan (Canongate Books, Ltd.) Witches on the Road…
-
Eagle nomination
Yesterday the final short-list of nominations for the Eagle Awards was released, and much to my delight, Jennifer Wilde, the comic book I write for Atomic Diner, is one of the contenders in the Favourite European Comic Book category. A special shout-out to Stephen Downey, whose artwork brings Jennifer to life, and to Robert Curley at Atomic Diner, who also nabbed a couple of other nominations. Voting is open now in all sections until April 2nd. The final results will be announced at the Eagle Awards ceremony at London’s MCM Expo on Friday, 25 May 2012. It’s a fitting category for Jennifer Wilde, especially as the series is decidedly European…
