Beastly Offerings - The Bestiarum Vocabulum

The Bestiarum Vocabulum, the long-awaited second book in Western Legends Publishing's TRES LIBORUM PROHIBITORUM series, has finally seen the light (or dark) of day.

Edited once again by Dean M. Drinkel, the new anthology brings together 26 writers to present an A - Z of mythical beasts and creatures of urban legend.

A catalog of mythic beasts and demons that were summoned by esoteric means. Once owned by Count Allesandro Di Cagliostro, it was thought forever lost in a fire at the Chateau de Versailles. Two hundred years later, twenty-six modern day masters of the macabre bring The Bestiarum Vocabulum back from the ashes.

My story, RAPTURE, comes under 'V' for Veltis. Set between wars in the suburbs of a London-like city, Richard Walters has tired of his once-exotic wife, and the tedium of everyday life. Succumbing to a voyeuristic bent, Walters is drawn to a sleazy drinking club, The Rapture, where a sweet cheroot-sucking stranger offers him a dream - at an undisclosed price.

The secrets Richard uncovers and the place he encounters the mysterious Veltis are far from a dream, and yet so much more. Love, lust or horror - you be the judge.

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Please enjoy The Bestiarum Vocabulum. The authors are true masters and mistresses of darkness. Their words will chill, thrill and excite you; sadden, worry and terrify you. Such is the deal. Your reviews and opinions are, as always, welcome.

Buy The Bestiarum Vocabulum on:

Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

Thank you.

Authors:

Emile-Louis Tomas Jouvet, Jan Edwards, Martin Roberts, Lisa Jenkins, Peter Mark May, Raven Dane, Joe Mynhardt, Rakie Keig, D.T. Griffith, Mark West, John Palisano, Amelia Mangan, Robert Walker, Christine Dougherty, Tim Dry, Nerine Dorman, Dean M. Drinkel, Christine Morgan, Tej Turner, D.M. Youngquist, Jason D. Brawn, Lily Childs, Andy Taylor, Sandra Norval, Adrian Chamberlin, and Barbie Wilde.

More:

• Western Legends Publishing
• Dean M. Drinkel
• The Demonologia Biblica: the first book in the Tres Liborum Prohibitorum

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Fresh Fear in paperback - and the first reviews

You can now buy Fresh Fear: Contemporary Horror, edited by William Cook in paperback from:

Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com

Reviews

Reviews have started to trickle in, and make very interesting reading:

"Into the dark corridors of an urban cannibal’s lair we dare to tread with “Strange Tastes” by Lily Childs...

...These are all talented writers, with Scathe meic Beorh, Lily Childs, Charlee Jacob, and D. F. Noble being the undisputed stars."

Read the full 4* review...

Joshua Skye for Dark Media

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"I love horror anthologies, and I can honestly say I have never read one where I enjoyed every single story. There always tends to be one or two duds, right? With "Fresh Fear", this just wasn't the case!...

...a few stories that stuck with me for days after reading, especially "So Much Pain, So Much Death", "The Door", and "Strange Tastes".

Read the full 5* review...

Marianne Reid on Goodreads

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"I normally tear through these anthologies, but this one requires a little more time due to how amazing each and every story is...

,,,there is not a single story I would pass on during a second reading of this. It really is one of the best anthologies of the year."

Read the full 5* review...

Dave Granger on Goodreads

A huge thanks to readers - all reviews are very welcome!

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Tasty... FRESH FEAR!

The wait is over! FRESH FEAR is out! And my gritty tale of cannibal love, murder and theft, STRANGE TASTES is one of the first stories in line, right below that of a certain Mr. Ramsey Campbell.

Hell, you can even read a good, fat chunk of Strange Tastes with Amazon's 'Look Inside' feature. It starts, "She's so bloody articulate. I want to slice out that petty tongue and lay it on my leather strap. I will - later..."

Book Description:

"...a collection of horror from some of the genre's best writers of dark fiction. This collection has no central theme other than the stories' ability to scare the hell out of the reader! 

Tales steeped in psychological horror sit alongside visions of strange worlds and inner landscapes drenched in blood. 'Quiet horror' sits comfortably next to more visceral portrayals of the monsters that lurk deep within the human heart. 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, famously once said, "where there is no imagination there is no horror" - the horror expressed by the authors in Fresh Fear show that imagination is indeed tantamount to excellent story-telling. Prepare yourself for 28 tales of terror-inducing fiction that will have you checking the locks on every door and window of your abode!"

This is the Kindle version, for the moment. Fresh Fear will also be out in paperback very soon for those of you that prefer to stroke than click.

• Buy Fresh Fear on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy Fresh Fear on Amazon.com

Read and enjoy. And if you do enjoy, please add your review. Thank you.

Authors

Fresh Fear is published by James Ward Kirk Publishing, and edited by William Cook. The fantastic line-up of writers includes:

• Scathe meic Beorh 
• Ramsey Campbell 
• Lily Childs   
• Lincoln Crisler   
• Jack Dann   
• Robert Dunbar   
• Thomas A. Erb   
• Brandon Ford   
• Carole Gill   
• Lindsey Beth Goddard   
• J. F. Gonzalez   
• Dane Hatchell   
• E. A. Irwin   
• Charlee Jacob   
• K. Trap Jones   
• Tim Jones   
• Vada Katherine   
• Roy C. Booth and Axel Kohagen   
• Shane McKenzie   
• Shaun Meeks   
• Adam Millard   
• Christine Morgan   
• Billie Sue Mosiman   
• D.F. Noble   
• Chantal Noordeloos   
• W. H. Pugmire   
• William Todd Rose   
• Anna Taborska

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Cut-Price Cabaret - Grab Yourself a Bargain

Yup, for just three days over Hallowe'en, the Kindle e-book version of CABARET OF DREAD has been reduced to the (rather odd) price of £1.02. But hey - that two pence isn't going to kill anyone.

BUY CABARET OF DREAD FROM AMAZON UK NOW!
(If you please.)

By this evening it should have also dropped in price to $1.65 in the US, and 1.11 euros in... erm, Europe.

Enjoy the book. And as always, your thoughts and reviews are more than welcome.

THANK YOU

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February Femmes Fatales - THE BOOK!

Whatever happened to the February Femmes Fatales? Oh, we linger – never fear. And now – we’re back, working hard together to bring out FEBRUARY FEMMES FATALES - THE BOOK! Working title, obviously.

Regular visitors to The Feardom in the Februarys of 2011/12 would have read the daily dark fiction and poetry I published here, written by some astoundingly talented female writers. A troubling blend of the wicked, the disturbing, the horrific and the sinister, with a good splatter of black humour.

My intention was always to produce a collection of our work, and now – it’s happening. The book will be available in paperback and ebook format in readiness for February 2014. Most of the stories and poetry from FFF 2011/12 will be included plus new ‘bonus material’ from many of the authors:

* Absolutely*Kate

* Asuqi

* Lily Childs

* Erin Cole

* Dorothy Davies

* Sandra Davies

* Marissa Farrar

* Ellie Garratt

* Sue Harding

* Anna Harris

* Helen A. Howell

* A. J. Humpage

* Susan May James

* Veronica Marie Lewis Shaw

* Jodi MacArthur

* Marietta Miles

* Laurita Miller

* Katherine Moriarty

* Tania Redd

* Icy Sedgwick

* Lou Treleaven


Watch out for a FFF Facebook page soon, plus other announcements and news.

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Make No Bones About It... An Award!

Where have I been? I've asked myself the same question. Great swathes of time seem to have been torn away from me this summer as the day-job overshadowed real life with a massive quilt of commitment.

But... I didn't stop writing. I am almost 50,000 words into the 'Asylum' novel - and frankly - it's a race between me and good writing friend and fellow ex-Prediction host Phil Ambler to see who gets there first. Keep running boy!

BONES cover, artwork by Tais Teng

Short Stories and An Editor's Choice Award

I'd vowed to keep away from short stories as I hit novel madness - but sometimes - you just can't help it.

And this week, I'm honoured to announce that one of my latest stories, THE OSSILLATRICE SHIFT has received the Editor's Choice Award from James Ward Kirk Fiction, who have published the story in brand new anthology, BONES.

Buy Bones

Bones is out in paperback and ebook:

• Bones on Amazon.co.uk: Paperback | Kindle
• Bones on Amazon.com: Paperback | Kindle

Other Writing News

• My cannibal crime thriller STRANGE TASTES will be out in the FRESH FEAR anthology any day now. Edited by William Cook and published by James Ward Kirk Fiction again, you can read the amazing list of contributors and I'm just thrilled my name is listed beneath the great Ramsey Campbell.
• RAPTURE will appear in the second of Western Legends Publishing's 'Tres Librorum Prohibitorum' series, edited by Dean M. Drinkel, THE BESTIARUM VOCABULUM. Out October 2013.
• Plus three further short stories - two horror, one crime - will be published in anthos before the end of 2013!
• And... Something VERY exciting is happening with the February Femmes Fatales, ain't it, ladies? A secret? Surely not. More soon.

Keep writing. Keep reading. Have fun. x

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CABARET OF DREAD - Now in Paperback!

It's been a while coming - and a lot of work - but, as requested... Cabaret of Dread: a Horror Compendium. Vol.1 is finally available to buy in paperback from all Amazon stores!

Please join me in raising a celebratory glass - be it real or virtual - of champagne, absinthe, cha - or whatever trembles your taste buds. Many, many thanks for your support - and CHEERS!!!

Should you wish to buy Cabaret of Dread, recommend it to friends, or simply 'Like' the book on Amazon, you can do so at:

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cabaret-Dread-Horror-Compendium-Volume/dp/1475100477
Available at a special opening price of £5.49 - with free delivery

US: http://www.amazon.com/Cabaret-Dread-Horror-Compendium-Volume/dp/1475100477
Available for $6.49 - plus shipping.

Or 5.99 Euros in Europe.

The book is still available as a Kindle ebook too, if you prefer.

Thank you. Comments and reviews are very welcome.
Lily/x

The Demonologia Biblica. OUT NOW!

Time to tell it like it is - HORROR - where you want it, how you want it.

I am delighted, nay - delirious to announce the release of the long awaited anthology THE DEMONOLOGIA BIBLICA (TRES LIBRORUM PROHIBITORUM) from Western Legends, edited by Dean M Drinkel.

Dead proud for my nasty tale THE TWISTWEAVER'S SON, featuring ravenous demon the 'Kilcrops' to be appearing alongside stories from the likes of British Fantasy Society authors Mark West, Barbie Wilde, Simon Kurt Unsworth, William Meikle, Jan Edwards, John Palisano, Adrian Chamberlin, Raven Dane and more.

Buy THE DEMONOLOGIA BIBLICA in paperback from:

• Amazon.co.uk
• Amazon.com and all other Amazon platforms

Download THE DEMONOLOGIA BIBLICA to your Kindle from:

• Amazon.co.uk
• Amazon.com and all other Amazon platforms

Do help spread the word, These demons are in need of a good home.

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Book News - a Double Whammy

I'm very pleased and excited to tell you that the paperback version of CABARET OF DREAD: A HORROR COMPENDIUM. VOL.1 will be released this month, published by Ganglion Press.

The book will be available across all Amazon platforms and to order through bookshops.

More news soon, but in the meantime, here's the full cover:

Also, the previously announced anthology, THE DEMONOLOGIA BIBLICA has been scratching with the sharpest of claws to get out there. It's ready! More news by the end of the week.

And finally, a reminder that COURTING DEMONS - A COLLECTION OF DARK VERSE in now available in paperback.

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Huge thanks to all my readers for your support. It means the world.

COURTING DEMONS - IN PRINT!

Today I approved the print, proof copy of COURTING DEMONS - A COLLECTION OF DARK VERSE.

Published by my own imprint Ganglion Press at the request of those of you that don't own a Kindle, or have asked for a 'real' book, if I might be so kind, I spent a fair amount of time getting the book correctly formatted for print, and redesigning the cover before finally giving the go-ahead for distribution.

I held the proof copies in my hands for ages, and still haven't stopped stroking the cover with its beautiful demonic artwork by Loz Ranger.

And now - I'm so excited!!!! Such is the magic of CreateSpace that the book is already available to buy from:

• Amazon.co.uk - at £3.99, with free delivery (Super Saver)
• Amazon.com - at $4.99, FREE Super Saver Shipping (on orders over $25)

and will be coming soon to Amazon's other European platforms. Your comments and reviews would be very welcome but most of all I hope you enjoy these dark poems.

Listen to the Poems?

I'm considering reading and recording some of the poems for you to download, should you wish?

Thank you!

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Skin Seeker Goes Pulp

Last year, Pulp Metal Magazine editor Jason Michel threw me an invitation I found hard to resist. He was playing with the idea of a ladies-only issue of his gritty online magazine, and would I like to contribute.

At the end of January, with an introduction by Kate Laity, Pulp Metal's 'Deadlier Than the Male' issue went live, featuring a great mix of stories by Feardom friends AJ Humpage, Jodi MacArthur, Carrie Clevenger and Absolutely*Kate as well as Pamila Payne, Katy O'Dowd, Julia Madeleine, Mav Skye and Aleathia Drehmer. Oh, and me.

SKIN SEEKER

You can read Skin Seeker, my nasty tale of demons, victims and retribution at Pulp Metal now. It's vicious, sweary and not for the faint-hearted. That's the warnings over. Here's a taster...

***

“Shit.”

She was smiling back at him, no tape over the mouth, arms still shackled to the seat. Romeo’s dick shrivelled to a worm as he tried to take in what he was seeing. The woman’s head had rotated on her neck in a spiral of twisted skin.

Still chasing eighty Romeo turned in his seat to stare. The car was empty save for him and an ammonia stench. He wrenched his sticky hand from his jeans, attempting to wipe it clean and not have a heart attack. Where the fuck had she gone? The locks were on – no way had she jumped. The next exit was still another fifteen miles north but he had to get off the road. Right here. Right now.

Outside, a cold mist began to rise. Romeo slowed his speed, suddenly sober; his breath juddered in his chest. The Chevy pitched past him, straight into the fog. Romeo raised a fist but the words stayed tight in his mouth. He felt across to the passenger seat for the bottle of Jack. Instead he found flesh.

*** and later***

“Ya see this, Bigs? They think they caught the fucker that killed your sister.”

Charlie ‘Bigs’ Chivas snatched the newspaper from his colleague’s hands.

“Who is it? Where’s his fuckin’ face?”

Charlie scanned the words then realised the bastard was already dead. They’d got him on DNA and teeth. His sister Lara had been bitten where no human being should – it was the worst of indignity and the Chivas family had only been relieved that the murderer had eaten part of his victim after killing her. Frustration knotted in Bigs’s gut. Romeo Carnalli had been scalped, skinned and thrown to the elements before his corpse was picked up. But a vague promise of post-mortem revenge sparked his soul into action. Someone did this to the spineless little shit; somebody knew. And Bigs intended to find out who...

Find out who the victim was, and whether Charlie got closure in Skin Seeker

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Predictions and Poetry

The legacy of the weekly fiction Prediction challenge is that this week it has spawned bountiful fruit, in book form.

Firstly, I was absolutely delighted to receive through the post, a signed and dedicated, fully-illustrated booklet of Prediction contributor and artist Sandra Davies's extraordinary series:
The blacksmith's wife.

Such was the rolling, roiling emotion of this epic tale - packed with debauchery, manipulation and vice - that we were carried along on the journey with the characters as they battled between love and hate, passion and abuse.

How anyone could perpetuate such a story using only 100 words at a time, that had to include three words given by myself or Phil Ambler - well, it is a stunning skill.

Fans of The blacksmith's wife can buy a copy of Sandra's book from Lulu.com. And Sandra? Thank you for this wonderful gift. I shall treasure it.

~ * ~

The second pleasure of the week was to finally see William Davoll's unique poetry up on Amazon, as a Kindle ebook. I am conscious of the pain and experience that went into writing The Five Daughters of Spite, some of which made their way onto The Prediction in one form or another.

William has brought together fifty poems under the headings of Fear, Revenge, Betrayal, Injustice and Loss. Some will chill your soul, others make you laugh in dark appreciation. And then more will make you question your own moral responses or perhaps bring a tear to your eye.

William was kind enough to thank me in his opening acknowledgements; it was genuinely a pleasure.

Please support our writer friend, and poetry as a whole by downloading The Five Daughters of Spite ebook from Amazon. As they say, you won't regret it.

~*~

As a last nod to The Prediction; it is on the move again. Phil Ambler kindly took on the reigns from me last year and did a mighty fine job of posting the words from the old tome and judging the many posts from loyal and new 'Predictioneers.'

Phil's final judgement comes on Thursday 31 January - so rush on over, there's still time to enter! From Friday 1st Feb the tome will fall into the capable and talented hands of Colleen Foley over at http://predictionfiction.blogspot.co.uk. Do pay her a visit and perpetuate what has now become a tradition.

Thank you Phil; thank you Colleen! And the very best of luck and success to all Predictioneers.

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Demonologia Biblica - K is for Kilcrops

2013 has only just begun and I have news!

Back in August 2012 I was approached by Dean M Drinkel, editor and author (and award-winning screenwriter and director, blimey!) to ask if I'd be interested in contributing to an exciting anthology "about demons" for new publisher, Western Legends.

I um'd and ahh'd then bit his hand off and said "yes please", all very polite-like.

The remit was to write a story of around 5000 words to a given letter of the alphabet relating to demons, which would form The Demonologia Biblica. The cover would come from extraordinary artist James Powell. How could I possibly resist?

K is for Kilcrops

I was allocated the letter K, and despite a thorough trawl through the Malleus Maleficarum, Crowley tomes and a whole library of dark material I've accumulated over the years only one name really caught my attention. A Kilcrops, put simply - the offspring of an incubus and a mortal woman that roams, ravenous - ever suckling, ever hungry.

My tale, The Twistweaver's Son is the story of two Victorian sisters separated by the sea, by lust and by obsession.

In the depths of a French forest roams Le Chênard – Oak Man, or Twistweaver – an entity  that seeks out human souls, ever creeping, ever entwining itself into the fronds of mortal minds. And in the village of Noirchapel waits the Twistweaver's English lover Carolyn, nurturing a son like no other, Jacques - and Jacques is desperate to feed.

Contributors

I am so proud to be amongst the contributors to this exceptional anthology, which includes authors I greatly admire such as Mark West, Simon Kurt Unsworth, Barbie Wilde, Dave Jeffery, Jan Edwards, Adrian Chamberlin, Raven Dane, William Meikle, John Palisano... I cannot wait to read all the stories from these hugely talented writers.

Coming soon to Amazon...