Esoterica? Oh yes.

Original artwork by Laurence Ranger

Hubby Laurence, being an esoteric artist, has been a long-time follower of Robert Ansell - who is obviously immortal because he looks younger now than he did 30 years ago. Hell, that's alchemy for you. And he's still only twelve.

Ansell's extraordinary Fulgur Press produces exquisitely bound, limited edition books containing words from wondrous minds and artwork by, or inspired by Austin Osman Spare, Michael Bertiaux, Steffi Grant, Andrew Chumbley, Orryelle Defenestrate-Bascule and Barry William Hale, amongst others.

We came across news of Fulgur at the 2010 Esoteric Book Conference at Ouroboros Press' blog - The Serpent Bites Its Tail - and wished we could have gone along.

Laurence, a printmaker by desire, was particularly taken with an older post from March 2010 showing the print process for Tabula Lunarium. "Sniff it", he said. "I'm there."

Laurence's own artwork will be online soon.

__________________________________

13 Days of Horror features Mark Anthony Crittenden

Red Skies Press founder and editor, Mark Anthony Crittenden graces the brilliant bloglight of Erin Cole's 13 Days of Horror today.

Mark's deliciously-told tale Fourteen Ounces of Vinegar is also a taster from the eagerly awaited horror anthology Their Dark Masters, which will be available in December on Amazon.
_____________________________

• Red Skies Press
• Erin Cole's 13 Days of Horror

_____________________________

Lily's Friday Prediction

The moon draws full today, here in the south of England. Last night I watched her pendulous glory rise in the red sky. From now until mid-November the veil is at its very thinnest - and I for one can't wait to go exploring.

Well done to Sulci Collective for winning last week's challenge (see previous post). Today's words plucked from my battered encyclopaedic dictionary are:

• Doom (honest!)
• Throne
• Intrusive

100 words max, please - flash fiction or poetry using all of the words above. You have all week to enter. Winner will be announced next Friday. Please tweet about your entry, using #fridayflash if possible.

Is it safe to invite you in...?

___________________________________

Prediction Winner

I've decided to announce the winner of last Friday's challenge on a short post before today's Friday Prediction starts.

Last week saw two newcomers Sulci Collective and AidanF who both gave us stunning little flashes, so thanks to them.

I, and other contributors commented fully at the time, so here is a summary:

• Sulci Collective's torrent of words took us into the primal fire of destruction and rebirth.
• Chris Allinotte's The Final Sitting playfully mixed art and demons - as is only right.
• AidanF captured us with a magickal dark fairytale of blood and mirrors.
• My piece Burning Shame saw a neglected toddler reaching for her smouldering baby-doll.
• David Barber's Peace, At Last painted a haunting picture of a living portrait.
• Joleen's The Victory Bonfire declared vengeance with execution by fire.

Excellent flash fiction, all. And whilst each and every piece evoked emotion and atmosphere the winner is Sulci Collective. Sulci's words had me bathing in primordial energy, raging fire feeding the salamander as man-made creation died all around. Congratulations Sulci!

_______________________________

Oh, The Mission Predicted It All

One of my fave old (true) Goth bands The Mission wrote a fantastic, vicious, hateful song Mercenary. It's full of invective, spitting anger and lots and lots of 'F' words (ooh!) It was written in 1990 - when I left the UK after Thatcher screwed the country and sent it to its knees.

After today's Spending Review in the UK this is the song I've been playing all evening. Indulge me and view it below if you fancy joining me in a rant. No proper vid I'm afraid but it helpfully provides the marvellous lyrics to sing along to. It so helps when chopping the veg...

__________________________________

The Infanta Triptych

I am exquisitely pleased that a piece I've been working on for weeks The Infanta Triptych has been accepted into Red Skies Press' Their Dark Masters anthology. Editor Mark Anthony Crittenden asked for my piece Walls of Flesh a little while ago and I promised him something extra.

The story's about an ancient set of three conjoined paintings, the subjects of which are vicious, bloodthirsty and diabolical. And they like to play.

I'm very proud to be part of this antho. It has some great authors - Lee Hughes, Barry J. Northern, Mark himself, Erin Cole, Tyree Campbell, Gregory Miller, Melissa Farrar and others. It's going to be a tight fright and I can't wait to see it in print.

Thanks Mark for being such an encouraging and supportive editor.

Might post a teaser shortly before the book is published...

___________________________________

Pustula Peculiar joins Daily Bites of Flesh

So I'm watching some dark and dirty Kings of Leon vids and get an email from Jessy Marie Roberts, Pill Hill Press editor to say my Zombietta short story Pustula Peculiar has been accepted into Daily Bites of Flesh 2011. The track I'm listening to is the perfect theme tune.

Pustula Peculiar joins my earlier piece Spangles. It's always nice to double up.

There are loads of great authors in this 365 day anthology. Can't wait to get it.

Thanks Jessy!

_______________________________________