Being nominated...

Attentive visitors to this blog will know that I publish books under The Alchemy Press imprint. After a hiatus of about a decade the Press started to published books again, and last year saw the publication of Rumours of the Marvellous by Peter Atkins (co-published with Airgedlamh). This was -- still is, in fact -- a signed limited edition of 250 copies; signed by the author plus Glen Hirshberg (for the introduction) and Les Edwards (for the cover art).

My first book in ten or so years! And even better news: the book has been short-listed for the British Fantasy Awards (Best Collection). Admittedly it is up against stiff competition from Reggie Oliver, Robert Shearman and Liz Williams. Even if Rumours doesn't win, it is great to be nominated. The winners of all the various categories will be announced this September at FantasyCon 2012.

In addition, as already mentioned, Stephen Jones has selected "Dancing Like We're Dumb" from Rumours for his Mammoth Book of Best New Horror.

Both Peter Atkins and I are delighted with the double.

End of year round up

Just recently I ended a stint as BFS Journal editor (incorporating Dark Horizons). My final issue was published just before Christmas 2011 (as previously blogged). I edited four issues of DH during the year. It was mostly a rewarding experience – sadly tainted by the struggle for control of the BFS. I have no intention of raking over this sorry episode here. Suffice it to say, the Society has experienced similar events in the past and rose above the squabbles; in fact it is doing so as I type these words.

In 2011 I revived the Alchemy Press. In conjunction with Airgedlámh Productions, the press published a signed, limited edition of tales by the inimitable Peter Atkins: Rumours of the Marvellous. I was thrilled to publish this book. Not only is Pete Atkins an affable, charming chap (with a lovely wife), these are some of the best short stories I’ve read in many a long year. The publishing “job” included several long, long-distance, trans-Atlantic phone calls (Pete lives in Los Angeles, I in the West Midlands, UK) – a major plus in my opinion. Pete was a GoH at FantasyCon 2011, at which the book was launched. Also on hand at the convention to personally dedicate the book was the cover artist, the wonderful Les Edwards. For more details on this collection, pop over to the Alchemy Press blog.

I also helped Pete to set up his own website / blog. It's basic -- no flashing images -- but it does its job. Read it here.

I write very few stories – I seem to spend so much of my time editing other people’s. So I was delighted to see my horror tale “Who Wanders in the Mire” appear in the Christmas 2011 edition of Estronomicon, edited and published by Steve Upham’s Screaming Dreams Press. I acquired the title from the “Wassail Song”: “Pray think of us poor children / Who wander in the mire.”

Perhaps the lowest point of the year came about seven weeks ago. I slipped on some wet grass and snapped the tibia and fibula just above the ankle in my right leg -- I also managed to tear the tendons that hold the joints together. I had to wear a non-weight-bearing cast for six weeks, and only this week have I managed to use that leg for support when hobbling around. I was more-or-less restricted to one room for over a month -- it felt as if I was "doing porridge". There is a metal plate in my leg, and a dozen screws, securing the bones as they heal. Not fun.

That’s it for now. I’ll go into more details about the BFS Journal and DH in a later post. In the meantime, I’ll start posting items about my previous exploits as a BFS editor, starting with Masters of Fantasy 2. 

Rumours of the Marvellous available for pre-order

The 250 copies of Peter Atkins' limited edition book, Rumours of the Marvellous, have finally arrived here at Oldhaven House, in good time (just) for its official launch at FantasyCon 2011. I know I'm biased, but I have to say, I am very pleased with this book -- looks beautiful.

For details on how to buy this great collection, pop over to the Alchemy Press website.

Rumours of the Marvellous -- cover artwork

This is the fabulous cover artwork for the forthcoming Peter Atkins collection, Rumours of the Marvellous. The artist is the brilliant Les Edwards.

Rumours of the Marvellous -- promo video

I've posted a promo video for the upcoming Alchemy Press book -- Rumours of the Marvellous by Peter Atkins -- on the Alchemy Press blog.

Rumours (no relation to the Fleetwood Mac one) collects fourteen of Peter Atkins' finest short stories, in a limited edition book (250 copies). It is signed by Peter Atkins, Glen Hirshberg (for the introduction) and Les Edwards (for the cover artwork).

The book is due to be launched at FantasyCon 2011.