Showing posts with label Phil Ambler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phil Ambler. Show all posts

Tuesday, 29 January 2013

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.

___________________________

Saturday, 6 October 2012

Horror Overload - Cons, Comps and Fests

What a week. What a month!

FantasyCon 2012

FantasyCon 2012 at Brighton was excellent. I came back with some hellacious memories, more books than I intended acquiring and a stinking cold.

Finally got to meet up with the charming, chatty Phil Ambler and we extolled the virtues of many of our Prediction friends, other authors and the horror scene in general over a pint or two.

The tentacles of Lily Childs' hair sneak toward Phil Ambler's throat at FantasyCon


Marvellous to say hello to Jan Edwards from The Alchemy Press, Stephen Jones, Gary McMahon, Thana Niveau, Kim Newman, Tim Lebbon, Alison Littlewood, John Llewellyn Probert and Spectral Press's Simon Marshall-Jones. And whilst I'm sure Sarah Pinborough wasn't really disappointed that I didn't stay to join her on the dancefloor that night it was great to meet her (if briefly).

James Herbert sat behind us too, signing copies of his new book, Ash.

Lots of superb new horror out there, everyone. Best start saving your pennies!


Thrillers Killers 'n' Chillers Halloween Horror Competition

We all know October is the time of year when the veil between the real and 'other' worlds (whatever that happens to mean to you) is thin, building up to the horror frenzy that is Halloween.

We couldn't let the month go by without a special nod to the celebrations so:


London Horror Festival 2012

The London Horror Festival at the Etcetera Theatre, Camden - only two weeks to go!

Horror theatre, comedy, magic and performance art, from psychological spine-chillers to all-out splatter. The festival's purpose is to "foster new talent as well as nurturing the already burgeoning live horror scene within the UK."


Promises to be a spectacular event.

Sunday, 5 August 2012

Flash Fiction Podcast - Me and The Boys!


A little while ago I was interviewed by Dion Winton-Polak and Phil Ambler on the subject of flash fiction for a podcast called Geek2Geek, which is part of The Geek Syndicate.

You can now download Geek to Geek - Issue 5 for free from iTunes

Our discussion starts at about 57 minutes into the podcast - you should be able to 'slide' to it. Our wonderful writer friends Matt Hilton, Col Bury, David Barber, A.J. Humpage and Sandra Davies all get a mention, as does The Prediction of course.

It'll be on the Geek Syndicate website soon too (it's got the wrong link on there at the mo. but this will be corrected shortly) so I'll add the link when that's up.

Additionally, there will be a longer version coming soon where we each do readings of our, and other people's work.... to be revealed ;-)

Sunday, 1 July 2012

News and Updates

"It's been a while, it's been a while, it's been a while and OH!" As sang Rev Hammer and the Levellers of Freeborn John, one of England's most controversial freedom fighters.

I've been away from The Feardom for a few weeks, getting myself together and tying up loose ends - all with the aim of getting stuck into the novels once I'm finished.

What Has Lily Been Up To?

Thank you for asking. Succinctly:
  • I've recorded a podcast as guest of Feardom friends Phil Ambler and Dion Winton-Polak for The Geek Syndicate on the subject of flash fiction. Two versions will be released - the first will be interspersed within the next Geek2Geek issue during late July/early August, and a longer one with readings of microflash fiction from The Prediction will be published soon at Scrolls
  • Another Feardom friend John Xero is celebrating the second Xeroversary which starts today 1st July and runs for 8 days. He invited me to contribute and I'm proud that he accepted my debauch myth, A Song of Restoration which will be published on 7th July 2012.
  • After working on a lengthy short story for a Spectral Press competition I finally completed, edited and submitted the 5,560 word tale with 1 hour and 5 minutes to go before the deadline. I have enormous respect for Spectral Press which publishes beautiful, limited edition chap books, as well as a great admiration for its owner - the inimitable Simon Marshall-Jones.
  • I have been interviewed by Mr. Glamour author Richard Godwin for his Chin Wag at The Slaughterhouse. His patience has been unbelievable and I'm really looking forward to reading his interpretation of my gabble during July.
  • My husband and I have been outlining plans for an exhibition of artwork and dark fiction. Lots more to come on that - in the meantime, here's his latest painting - a black and white watercolour interpretation of the Charles Bargue drawing of a horse-head from the Parthenon:


So, as you see - I've not been slacking!


Other Feardom Friend News

There's been lots going on with other Feardom friends and Thrillers Killers 'n' Chillers contributors too. Good luck to everyone with your self-publishing endeavours! Please share your support.

The links below go to Amazon.co.uk - just swap the the co.uk in the link for .com to access them in Canada/USA.
  • Edited by Joe Hunter best-selling thriller author Matt Hilton, Action: Pulse-Pounding Tales Vol. 1 is packed with old-style, non-stop crime/action stories by some of the best in the business at the moment, and includes some of our friends - Matt Hilton himself, Col Bury, Absolutely*Kate, David Barber, Keith Gingell, Paul D. Brazill, Graham Smith, Richard Godwin and many more. Suspend belief - and step into the extreme - you won't regret it.
  • David Barber's new eBook From a Crowded Mind includes a fine contradiction of gritty and emotional short crime stories
  • Chris Allinotte's Gathering Darkness eBook promises 230 pages of short horror madness
  • Shaun Adams's eBook Jack Is Writing includes eight short stories and six 100-word flashes of gruesome horror and twisted evil. As is only right.
I'm also hearing lots of exciting rumours about forthcoming novels, agents and contracts from a few of you. A huge - yet tentative - congratulations. The bubbles, or perhaps in most of our cases - the Merlot - is awaiting. Onwards and upwards my dear friends - how times are changing. And that comes with a smile.


Friday, 21 October 2011

Lily's Friday Prediction


It's all about Halloween at the moment - as is right and correct. There are loads of comps/anthos out there but the ones that tickle my synapses are:


I've something brewing for the first two, and collecting entries for the last. 

Now down to Prediction business (can you tell I'm procrastinating? By gumbo this is a hard week)

Winners of Last Week's Prediction

Outstanding! Excruciatingly powerful words from such talented writers. You are cruel, you hear me? Cruel.

My winner from last week is Phil Ambler with Host. It takes a lot to seriously creep me out; this did it - in waves. How you've achieved that extreme sense of disquiet in 100 words... well, that is talented writing indeed. Congratulations Phil..

I have two runners-up: they are very different to each other and unusual for The Prediction challenge too. Very well done to Absolutely*Kate for her clever and cheeky EXTRA! EXTRA! Also to Chris Allinotte for his charming and strange poem Newspaper Hat.

Words for 21 October 2011

Last night the big book fell over, all by itself. What was it trying to say...?

  • Grateful
  • Drape
  • Stonehenge (Yes! Stonehenge!!!)

Rules

The rules are: 100 words max flash fiction or poetry using all of the words above. Please add your entries in the Comments box below. You have the whole week until 9pm UK time on Thursday 27th October to enter.

Winner will be announced next Friday 28th October. If you can, please tweet about your entry, using the #fridayflash hashtag, and blog if you feel like it.

Tremble my heart, touch my fears. I can't wait...

_________________________________________

Thursday, 22 September 2011

Prediction Winner

Great to have been a bit more involved, not that time has been particularly kind -just more lenient perhaps. There are some truly heart-rending entries this week - I've even woken up at night with one or two still stirring in my head.

I shall cease blathering and do a quick summary instead (because I actually managed to comment already - hurrah!) So...

  • Michael, Morning Tea - a poisonous tale of murder as 'she' slurps herself to death.
  • My Amour Nocturnale speaks of dangerous love, but the visitor had been warned.
  • Zaiure, everyone welcomes the final gifts of Death's Mistress as she flails in whipping ecstacy.
  • Patsy, Ransomed paints a haunting picture of senility; occasional but inevitable.
  • Aidan, throwing up a fountain of questions Night GhÅ«l demands the impossible choice. Too late, Maggie.
  • Veronica, love conquers all - except a husband on the wrong side of a zombie conversion in Once Bitten.
  • Antonia, a revenant with revenge on his mind that no priest could heal, such is his Mission.
  • John's Billy makes the mistake of sipping from Alice's bottle (don't we all) and is instantly Hounded by bad dog Chester.
  • Phil turns our lives upside down with the most real of horror in Loss, and a guilt of which you could never be free.
  • Chris offers up a lush marital (maybe) dispute as the pair prepare to dance to their own deadly tune, in Shirts, Skins and Violins.
  • Ravenways declares the mystery of loup garou, with an August Moon death - one too many in This Is War.
  • AJ sees the world through the glazed eyes of tragic streetlife, true streetlife - in the tragic Just Another Echo.

Emotion has won my heart over the last seven days. I suspect you won't be surprised to hear that my winner this week is Phil Ambler with the terrifying Loss. Phil - the odd thing is I really did dream something similar, but the night before - not after you submitted this piece. Love our babies - always and forever.
'Congratulations' doesn't seem like the right word, but being able to reach into our souls like that with simple words is a true talent.

Equally disturbing is runner-up AJ Humpage's Just Another Echo; such dancing descriptions for this horrid reality. Well done for such wonderful penning and also for reminding us all.

I must make my escape - slip beneath the quilt and hope against hope that I don't travel the astral plane again this night, for I am so, so tired. I'll return with the dawn and a new challenge. Good night, dear friends.

Thursday, 11 August 2011

Prediction Winner

Hell, that was quick!

No sooner had the Feardom closed its doors on the Prediction Challenge than I was back to announce the winner.

Tsk, it was easy. I simply stopped time.

Here we go, a summary...

  • Asuqi sings with the Voice of Lilith from the depths of nature.
  • Aidan's origami insects scuttle and leave a tragic message in Grandma's Legacy.
  • Antonia's stuffed stag head is desperate to expose the cheat as watches the game in Card Sharp.
  • Phil whips the revellers into a frenzy of frolicking feasting and fuckery atop the Tor in The Devil's Stag.
  • Veronica has no Regret in mounting the pretty boy on Audra's wall.
  • My Dance of the Spiral Girdle sees lovers transcend earth-bound caresses.
  • Chris reveals himself through interpretation and becomes a true verbal Brit in The [strange and] Continuing Adventures of Ink and Blot.
  • Kim's victim deals a dainty dose of death with her foxglove favours at the Summer Ball.
  • AJ's stag sniffs out wrong-doing and takes nature's revenge in Fresh Meat.
  • William's yob raises a faux-rebel yell of excuses and lies in Mob Rule.
  • MuckieDuckie's Datura takes to the hills for a very tasty Picnic in the Park whilst Mother smiles on.
I took an unearthly delight in these entries. I confess I was concerned the combination of words might have been tough, but buy, did you nail it.

My winner this week is the wicked and debauch celebration The Devil's Stag by Phil Ambler. Gorgeously indulgent and wonderfully written, I loved it (perhaps too much.) Congratulations Phil.

A very close runner-up was Aidan Fritz's exquisite Grandma's Legacy; I truly cannot get the images of the blood staining the paper insects out of my head. Beautiful, and well done.

Thank you, all. Sleep well; may your dreams fill you with inspiration.
__________________________________

Lily Childs is a writer of horror, esoteric, mystery and chilling fiction.

If you see her dancing outside in a thunder storm - don't try to bring her in. She's safe.