The Thirteen Signs

The Thirteen Signs is a new anthology from editor Dean M. Drinkel, and contains horror stories based around different signs of the Zodiac. I was given Pieces as mine, and my story 'Hooked' is set on Majorca and describes a birdwatcher caught up in a sinister trap. But is he the prey or the bait?

I had fun writing this one, and gleefully slagging off astrology (which I think is purest bollocks) in the process. The book has some other great writers in as well, including Lily Childs, Mark West, Tim Dry, Steve Byrne, Jan Edwards and Amelia Mangan. Ebook is out now from Nocturnicorn Press with a paperback to follow very shortly.

The Thirteen Signs (UK | US) 

Edge-Lit 5 / The Thirteen Signs

I'll be at Edge-Lit 5 at the Derby Quad on Saturday 16th July. I'll be part of the Boo Books launch event, where I'll be talking about, and reading from, Trying To Be So Quiet, alongside Tracey Fahey who will be doing the same from her forthcoming collection The Unheimlich Manoeuvre. The launch takes place at 11am, which means I'll then have the rest of the day free for socialising, buying books, and attending panels and launches. Hope to see a few of you there - say hello!

One event I'll definitely be attending is the legendary Edge-lit raffle, hosted by Sarah Pinborough and Conrad Williams. Can't wait for the irreverent, abusive and foul-mouthed descriptions of the prizes... even though one of my books is up for grabs this year. *Gulp*


In other news, I'm pleased to say my story Hooked will be appearing in the anthology The Thirteen Signs, in which each author has written a story based on a sign of the zodiac. Mine was Pisces; just for the record, I hate all that astrology bumpkin, a view I've tried to subtlety work into my tale...

The anthology is edited by Dean M Drinkel and the full lineup is below:

The Order Of Aries - Mark West
Come Join The Blood Parade - Lily Childs
Seven For Eight - Romain Collier
Carapace - Raven Dane
Leo - Tim Dry
Solomon Carson And The Death Of A Virgin - Trevor Kennedy & Robert E. Tate
Leeber - Christine Dougherty
The Scorpion Dance - Amelia Mangan
One in Twelve - Steve Byrne
A Sorrow Of Sweet Pipings - Jan Edwards
Ganymede - Emile-Louis Tomas Jouvet
Hooked - James Everington
Worshipping The Snake- Dean M Drinkel

News x 3

A few bits and bobs:

Firstly, the anthology Masks, which features my story Porcelain, is out now (UK | US). Edited by Dean M Drinkel and featuring stories from Icy Sedgwick and Phil Sloman amongst others, it also has some great cover art from James Powell, who sadly passed away earlier this year - Masks is dedicated to his memory.

Nextly, my story Red Route is included in a new anthology Another Dimension, which features fiction and non-fiction pieces in the spirit of The Twilight Zone. Honoured to be included in a book alongside ST Joshi, Kit Power, Gary A. Braunbeck and a whole host of others. You can currently pre-order Another Dimension with 50% off here.

And finally, I'm thrilled to see that The Man In Blue Books (from the Hic Dragones anthology Hauntings) got a mention in Ellen Datlow's latest recommendation list for Best Horror Of The Year #7. Like almost everyone working in the horror genre, Datlow's anthologies are ones I admire immensely, so it's a real surprise just to see my name included on the recommended list, especially alongside such fantastic company.