"The triumph of Everington’s first novel is that, while hinting at lofty literary precedents, it cumulatively takes on an unsettling voice all of its own." The Guardian
My story 'Defensive Wounds' will (hopefully) be appearing in the Haunted Dawn anthology... if enough people pledge on Kickstarter. I hope you'll consider taking a look and maybe pledging; the anthology will be published by the excellent Uninvited Books and the proposed lineup looks genuinely fantastic.
Rob used this photo of me in moody black & white for the promo video,
so here it is in its original, uh, glory.
Traditional ghosts fade with the dawn. The fears that haunt our dreams evaporate by first light, but there are worse things, worse specters. Far more fearsome are those spirits that do not flee the daybreak. They stay with us. They torment us. They blight our lives, plague our minds. They linger.
They become part of us. Each of the authors presented here understands this fact … only too well. HAUNTED DAWN: A Literary Horror Anthology features work by Paul G. Bens, Jr., Lisa von Biela, Justin Bogdanovitch, Chesya Burke, Kealan P. Burke, Nickolas Cook, P.D. Cacek, Jameson Currier, Keith Deininger, Sandy DeLuca, Robert Dunbar, James Everington, Greg Gifune, John Grover, Gerard Houarner, Lauren James, Kevin Lucia, Ronald Malfi, Lisa Mannetti, Elizabeth Massie, and B.E. Sculy. Does horror have to be the same old thing? Over and over? So many books seem like variants on a theme. Seriously? How many “totally new twists” on zombies or werewolves could there be? Maybe a vampire romance? How about some more stories “inspired” by Lovecraft? Oh please. Wouldn’t you like to read something… different… for a change? Something original? Here’s a radical idea – how about cutting-edge authors who have already invested their considerable talents in pushing the boundaries of the genre? How about literary artistry, creative intelligence … and transcendent chills? How about paying the writers? (Now there’s a concept.) Here’s your chance to help Haunted Dawn see the light of day.
My story Home Time has been reprinted in Morpheus Tales: The Best Weird Fiction #4 which is out now and features a whole host of good writers. Home Time originally appeared in Morpheus Tales #11 - my first ever story acceptance, so it will always retain a special place in my heart. (UK | US).
Secondly, I wrote an introduction for Algernon Blackwood's The Willows (for me, the finest cosmic horror stories ever written) for a new anthology of classic rural horror, Dark Forest. Released by Uninvited Books, it contains stories from the likes of Arthur Machen, Ambrose Beirce, and E. Nesbit, each introduced by a contemporary author. (UK | US).
On the day I was born, the headline in The Daily Mail was "WEREWOLF KILLER CAUGHT."
This is just one of many things I have learnt from Robert Dunbar's new book, Vortex.(UK | US)
Vortex is a non-fiction book, and it is Dunbar's personal exploration of the roots of many of contemporary horror's best known beasts, plus a few lesser known ones as well. From the Jersey Devil to vampires, from sirens and mermaids to were-creatures of all kinds, Dunbar examines the roots behind these legends - how the stories have changed over time, and how they have remained the same. There are also some chapters on film, the most interesting being the one about the theme of 'the other' in horror movies - which groups society marks out as its 'monsters'.
Regular readers will know that Dunbar is one of the favourite horror authors I've discovered in recent years, so I wasn't surprised to discover how well written Vortex is. However, the tone is very different to his dense, thoughtful fiction, being a witty and frequently self-mocking read. It's certainly no dry-as-dust academic piece; in fact given that half the time he's talking about real life cannibals or witch-burnings or mass-murders, it's a very gleeful book. My favourite section was that about The Jersey Devil, a monster Dunbar has made very much his own in an early novel, in a deliberate attempt to move away from the over-used, over-European monsters that still rear their heads in such a great deal of horror fiction. Being a boring old European myself, this was all new to me. Like many other parts of this book, I learnt a lot, and had a blast doing so. So, a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable ride through some of the most horrific myths and real-life events imaginable. Very much recommended for anyone with an interest in Dunbar's work, or in horror fiction in general. There were some sections I wish were longer and went into more detail, but maybe I'm just wishing for a sequel.
Here's a little trailer to watch, for those who wish to do so:
A quick heads up on a new book that might be of interest. Regular readers will know how much I rate Robert Dunbar's fiction. Well now he's written a non-fiction book about the origins of horror, and very interesting it looks too:
They say a basis in fact underlies most legends. They say it all the time, all those Wise Elders in all those old horror films, the high priests, the scientists, the gypsy fortune tellers. On this single issue they agree unanimously. Deep currents of tradition and superstition swirl through mostclassic works of horror fiction. They spring from deep within us, these nightmares, these folktales. They speak of our deepest needs, the ones we have all been taught since childhood never to put into words, because dreams reveal our other face, the one we keep hidden, the Hyde to mankind’s collective Jekyll. Our most primitive ancestors never died, the ones who killed with rocks and clubs and clawing hands. No, they remain within us still. And when we sleep, they speak.
So, I've been nominated by Martin Cosby (a new weird fiction author who I suspect you might be hearing more of...) for one of these blog thingies; it's called a Leibster apparently, and I have to:
a) reveal eleven facts about myself
b) answer eleven questions from Martin
c) set eleven questions for eleven other people
So without further ado, eleven facts:
Six days out of seven I will be wearing a Fred Perry polo shirt.
As I type this I am listening to the song Wonderful Excuse by The Family Cat. I also own a cat called George (or as much as anyone ‘owns’ a cat, at any rate).
I have never broken any bones. Well, not my own.
I suffer frequently from déjà-vu.
I once dressed as ‘boy from Kes’ for a film themed fancy dress party. This involved hasty manipulation of a rubber glove, some shoe-laces, and a kestrel I coloured in with felt-tips on some cardboard.
The first film I ever saw at the cinema was The Empire Strikes Back. It was a double-bill with the first film but my parents got the times wrong, so I saw them the wrong way round. I suspect this explains a lot.
My favourite cocktail is a Whisky Sour.
I am 89% sure that my life is not a Truman Show style hoax.
I contend that the best album of the 90s is Giant Steps by The Boo Radleys.
I suffer frequently from déjà-vu.
Martin's questions for me: 1. Do you write your first drafts by hand?
Yes I do. Writing by hand has lots of pluses (more speed, less distractions) and few negatives. I know some people would view having to type it up the first draft as a negative, but for me that's a plus too: it means going over every single line of prose again at least once.
2. Do you follow more than 10 blogs?
Yes - see sidebar >>>>>>>>
3. Do you play a musical instrument?
No. I'd love to be able to play guitar but I tried a few times as a teen, and good Christ I was bad. And not even bad in a sounds-cool-feedbacky kind of way, but just bad.
4. Given the choice, which opera would you attend?
Ummm, I know nothing about opera. Nothing. What was that one Mark Twain compared to an orphanage burning down? I'll go for that one.
5. e-book or paper book?
Both. I don't care if it's against the rules - both!
6. Do you use an electric blanket?
No. I don't know how to expand on that answer to make it vaguely interesting, sorry.
7. Do you write in cafes?
No, but I'd like to. Life isn't that luxurious at the moment.
8. Is there a film that has influenced you greatly?
The Empires Strikes Back - see above.
9. Do you keep a diary?
Not a personal one, but I do have a 'writing diary'. Like so much else in my life it is sporadic, partially illegible, and woefully behind schedule.
10. Which foodstuff do you like the least?
I had something in France - the name escapes me - I love most French food, including snails and the like, but this was vile. It stank to high heaven and ruined a perfectly good piece of fish beneath it. When we looked up the translation, it just said it was a dish consisting of 'innards stuffed with innards'.
11. Do you listen to music while you work? If so, what?
Yes, all the time unless I'm doing final editing of a story. Favourite artists include The Auteurs, Laura Marling, Bob Dylan, EMA, Pavement, Viva Voce, Radiohead...
And now, my eleven questions for eleven fine people:
Who’s the most underrated author out there that you know of?
You need to pick one song to be used to torture unpleasant terrorist types, by playing it to them full volume 24/7. What do you pick?
As a writer, what is your own personal definition of success?
How do you like your steak?
A genie grants you get an extra hour every day, meaning your days are 25 hours long. The condition is you must use this hour to take up a brand new hobby. What do you pick?
What’s the most overrated piece of writing advice you’ve ever been given?
If you were in a band, what would your band name be?
Oxford Commas – yes or no?
What’s the most embarrassing typo or mistake you’ve ever found in your work after publication?
