BIG NEWS – 09/05/2014

It’s a warm sunny day here at Chateau Spectrale and, to make it even sunnier, it gives us immense pleasure to be able to announce some really BIG news:

Stephen Volk’s highly-acclaimed novella Whitstable, released to coincide with the centenary of Peter Cushing’s birthday last year on 26th May, has been nominated for a British Fantasy Award in the Best Novella category. We here at Spectral are exceptionally thrilled at this – it’s an exceptional piece of work, one which has won praise from all quarters for its emotional depth and sensitivity, and also acclaimed for its brilliant portrayal of the great man himself. We still have copies available in the Spectral Shop (see menu bar at the top of the home page), so why not buy a copy today and see for yourself why this has become one of Spectral’s bestselling titles.

We are ALSO thrilled and excited to announce that, for the third year running, Spectral Press itself has received a nomination in the Best Small Press category of the same Awards. We couldn’t be more pleased with this nomination – once again, it shows that all the hard work we put in here has been more than worthwhile. We are slowly conquering the universe one step at a time.

Another Spectral connection, which I was reminded about, is that the cover artist of Whitstable, Ben Baldwin, has also been nominated in the Best Artist category. Would be great to have a triple whammy! =)

OTHER NEWS

Talking of Stephen Volk, it was announced last week that there was to be a ‘follow-up’ novella from him, Leytonstone, the second volume in the Dark Masters trilogy, all of which will be published by Spectral. We are greatly pleased that Ben Baldwin, creator of the cover artwork for Whitstable, will be bringing his skills to the cover image for the new work. He will also be doing the same for Mark Morris’ Albion Fay novella.

Both novellas will be available next year.

Home and Hearth by Angela Slatter: cover reveal

To start this new week, here’s something to entice you – the cover artwork (minus blurb) to the latest edition of Spectral Press’ chapbook line, Home and Hearth by award-winning Australian writer Angela Slatter. Once again, the cover has been designed by the extremely talented Neil Williams.

Home and Hearth © Angela Slater/Spectral Press. Artwork © Neil Williams 2014

Caroline’s son returns to home and hearth at last. She’s a good parent or so she tells herself. She did everything a mother could to bring Simon back, even lied for him. The only problem is that Caroline’s not sure she actually wants him here anymore.

Has Simon changed? Or is he still a danger? And does it matter now that the shadows are beginning to stir in the empty rooms of Caroline’s house?

Due out within the next ten days or so – there are just eleven copies left at time of writing: contact us on spectralpress[ST]gmail[DOT]com if you would like a copy. ACT NOW!

The Christmas Ghost Stories of Lawrence Gordon Clark Deluxe edition: the cover

We know that this has been a long time coming, and that there has been delay after delay, for which we apologise most profusely, BUT we are also very concerned with bringing you the best product we can. That is very much so in this case, so may we present to you the cover to the Deluxe very limited edition of The Christmas Ghost Stories of Lawrence Gordon Clark, designed for us by John Oakey:

As you can see, the book features quarter-cloth binding in black and red, with gold foil blocking to front and spine (featuring one of Nick Gucker’s wonderful vignettes and Lawrence’s signature). There will also be a slipcase to go with this, making it a very special item indeed. There are only SEVENTEEN copies of the Deluxe edition left to order – if you want one then please hurry as they will soon be gone. Details of contents and other editions available, plus purchasing links, can be found below

PURCHASING LINKS:

CONTENTS:

DELUXE EDITION (50 only- 17 left) (available April):

Foreword by MARK GATISS

Introduction by TONY EARNSHAW

Seven short stories by M. R. JAMES: The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, A Warning to the Curious, The Ash Tree, Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, Count Magnus, The Signalman.

Exclusive new introductions to each story by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Count Magnus teleplay by BASIL COPPER

Lost Hearts short stage play by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Q&A with LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Filmography, awards, of LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Illustrated with unseen behind the scenes photographs, chapter heading vignettes by Nick Gucker,  as well as examples of storyboards by Lawrence Gordon Clark.

SIGNED, SLIPCASED DELUXE EDITION:

£85 UK

£87 EU

$145 US

UNSIGNED HARDBACK (100 only) (available February):

Foreword by MARK GATISS

Introduction by TONY EARNSHAW

Seven short stories by M. R. JAMES: The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, A Warning to the Curious, The Ash Tree, Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, Count Magnus

Exclusive new introductions to each story by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Q&A with LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Illustrated with photographs as well as chapter heading vignettes (by Nick Gucker)

UNSIGNED HARDBACK EDITION

£45 UK

£47 EU

$80 US

PAPERBACK (Unlimited) (available now):

Foreword by MARK GATISS

Introduction by TONY EARNSHAW

Seven short stories by M. R. JAMES: The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, A Warning to the Curious, The Ash Tree, Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, Count Magnus

Exclusive new introductions to each story by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Filmography, awards, of LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Basic edition – text only plus chapter heading vignettes by Nick Gucker.

PAPERBACK EDITION (unlimited – available now):

£17.50 UK

£19.50 EU

$30 US

The Christmas Ghost Stories of Lawrence Gordon Clark; paperback cover reveal

“The Christmas Ghost Stories of Lawrence Gordon Clark”, Cover image © 1971 – 2013 Graeme Morris. Design by John Oakey.

So, here it is, my good people – the cover to the paperback edition of The Christmas Ghost Stories of Lawrence Gordon Clark – featuring actor Robert Hardy in The Stall of Barchester, the first of the Ghost Stories for Christmas dramas, broadcast in 1971. The  book itself will be available later this month.

Purchase your copy today – choose from one of three editions:

CONTENTS:

DELUXE EDITION:

Foreword by MARK GATISS

Introduction by TONY EARNSHAW

Seven short stories by M. R. JAMES: The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, A Warning to the Curious, The Ash Tree, Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, Count Magnus

Exclusive new introductions to each story by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Count Magnus teleplay by BASIL COPPER

Lost Hearts short stage play by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Q&A with LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Filmography, awards, of LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Illustrated with unseen behind the scenes photographs, chapter heading vignettes by Nick Gucker,  as well as examples of storyboards by Lawrence Gordon Clark

UNSIGNED HARDBACK

Foreword by MARK GATISS

Introduction by TONY EARNSHAW

Seven short stories by M. R. JAMES: The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, A Warning to the Curious, The Ash Tree, Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, Count Magnus

Exclusive new introductions to each story by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Q&A with LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Illustrated with photographs and chapter heading vignettes (by Nick Gucker)

PAPERBACK:

Foreword by MARK GATISS

Introduction by TONY EARNSHAW

Seven short stories by M. R. JAMES: The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral, The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, A Warning to the Curious, The Ash Tree, Lost Hearts, Casting the Runes, Count Magnus

Exclusive new introductions to each story by LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK

Filmography, awards, of LAWRENCE GORDON CLARK by TONY EARNSHAW

Basic edition – text only.

SIGNED, SLIPCASED DELUXE EDITION:

£85 UK

£87 EU

$145 US

UNSIGNED HARDBACK EDITION

£45 UK

£47 EU

$80 US

PAPERBACK EDITION

£17.50 UK

£19.50 EU

$30 US

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Tim Lebbon’s Still Life: cover reveal!

We here at Spectral Towers know that it’s been a while in coming, but we can assure you the wait has been absolutely worth it. So, without further ado, we are proud to present the cover artwork for Tim Lebbon‘s Still Life novella, due to be launched at the World Fantasy Convention in Brighton at the end of next month

“Still Life” cover artwork © 2013 Jim Burns. “Still Life” © 2013 Tim Lebbon. All rights reserved. © Spectral Press 2013

The painting’s by the legendary science fiction artist Jim Burns, whose work has graced many of the finest writers’ books for many decades and which can be found in bookshops all over the world. The actual launch of Still Life (alongside the other book being debuted at WFC, Paul Kane‘s Ghosts collection) will not only include the authors themselves signing copies, but also Jim and Edward Miller (cover artist for Ghosts) as well as Nancy Kilpatrick, who wrote the introduction to Paul’s short story volume. Now, that’s a package no one could possibly refuse!

Both books are now available on preorder – for those who can’t make it to the Brighton event. You can either order them separately OR take advantage of the SPECIAL COMBINED OFFER where you pay £15 each rather than £17.50, plus £5 postage, thus making a little saving. The Paypal buttons are below – but if you want to pay by cheque or bank transfer, please contact Simon Marshall-Jones at spectralpress[AT]gmail[DOT]com for more information.

STILL LIFE by Tim Lebbon

Jenni’s husband was part of the Road of Souls––his flesh swarmed by ants and pecked by rooks, bones crushed to powder by wheels of dread––and yet she still saw him in the pool.

            The incursion has been and gone, the war is over, and the enemy is in the land, remote and ambiguous.  The village outskirts are guarded by vicious beasts, making escape impossible.  The village itself is controlled by the Finks, human servants to the enemy––brutal, callous, almost untouchable. 

            Everything is less than it was before… time seems to move slower, the population is much denuded, and life itself seems to hold little purpose.  This is not living, it’s existing.

            But in a subjugated population, there is always resistance. 

            For Jenni, the happiest part of this new life is visiting the pool in the woods, seeing her dead husband within, and sharing memories of happier times.  It calms her and makes her feel alive.

            But the resistance comes to her for help. 

            And when her dead husband tells her it is time to fight, Jenni’s life is destined for a shattering change.  

“Tim Lebbon conjures up the horror of a world distorted by fear, distrust, and something unspeakable. With respectful nods to H.P Lovecraft Still Life rubs reality up against nightmares in this compact, engrossing treat.” Muriel Gray

Available in a limited signed hardback edition of 125 only.

UK £21

EU £23.50

US & RoW $42

COMBINED OFFER – order both STILL LIFE and GHOSTS and save money!

Why not save yourself a little money by purchasing both books in hardback at the same time – just order via the Paypal buttons below and the books will be sent to you as soon as they’re ready.

SPECIAL COMBINED OFFER (Still Life by Tim Lebbon [Spectral Visions IV] + Ghosts by Paul Kane [Spectral Collection I])

UK £35

EU £42

US & RoW $90

Safe Harbour by Edward Miller ©2007 – 2013. All rights reserved

They are all around us all the time. But only a few make contact, and only certain people are destined to see the Ghosts. Here, you’ll read a lonely shade’s tale… a deceased old man’s house being invaded… how one person discovers the true meaning of the Christmas spirit, while a parent struggles to come to terms with the sad loss of a child… and what happens when the ghosts of war go on the rampage, or when a monstrous wraith stalks the streets looking for revenge. Gathering together all of award-winning and bestselling author Paul Kane’s supernatural fiction, including three brand new stories–one a sequel to Charles Dickens’ ‘The Signal-Man’–and featuring an introduction from bestselling horror author Nancy Kilpatrick (Power of the Blood World series), the script of Wind Chimes introduced by its director Brad Watson (7th Dimension) as well as a DVD of the film itself, plus suitably atmospheric cover art from Edward Miller, this is one collection that will haunt you forever.

Ghosts by Paul Kane (Spectral Collection I) – Available in a limited signed hardback edition of 125 only.

UK £21

EU £23.50

US & RoW $42

Ger ordering now!

The Way of the Leaves: cover reveal

Here it is – the cover to December’s chapbook, The Way of the Leaves by David Tallerman, the winner of the Spectral Press/This is Horror short story competition held earlier this year. The photo was taken by a very good friend of ours, Lyn Jenner, and once again the talents of the magnificent Neil Williams have made it into something spectacularly spooky. It’s a particularly apposite image, given the theme of the story, hints of which you’ll be able to glean from the back cover blurb quoted below:

“The barrow. The hill upon the hill. A place that was old when the Normans came to England. A place of mystery and secrets and uneasy truce.

Now, two children find themselves drawn to the ancient tor, caught in events beyond their understanding. And what they find in the darkness beneath will shatter the course of their lives forever.”

This is going off to print today so should be available early next week. There are a few individual issues left for sale, but not many – so, if you’re interested in acquiring a copy please contact us on spectralpress[AT]gmail[DOT]com.

More soon – onwards and upwards!

The 13 Ghosts of Christmas: cover reveal

On this cold but sunny Monday morning, let us brighten the start to your week by showing you the stunning artwork that will be gracing the cover to the very first Spectral Christmas Ghost Story Annual, created specifically for it by Vincent Shaw-Morton. Let’s say right here and now that Vincent has captured the exact vibe we were looking for with this thoroughly evocative piece.

The 13 Ghosts of Christmas © 2012 respective authors/Spectral Press. Artwork © 2012 Vincent Shaw-Morton

A reminder of the stories going into the collection:

Where the Stones Lie – Richard Farren Barber
A Taste of Almonds  – Raven Dane
All that is Living – Nicholas Martin
And May All your Christmases  – Thana Niveau
Carnacki: A Cold Christmas in Chelsea – William Meikle
Concerning Events in Leinster Gardens – Jan Edwards
December  – Paul Finch
An Odd Number at Table – John Costello
We are a Shadow  – Neil Williams
Lost Soldiers – Adrian Tchaikovsky
Ritualism – Gary McMahon
Now and Then – Martin Roberts
The Green Clearing by John Forth

HARDBACK EDITION: Limited, numbered edition, with an introduction on the ghost story by Johnny Mains, then a preface by Simon Marshall-Jones followed by the thirteen stories, each of which will feature a brief introduction before them. Cover image will feature artwork by Vincent Shaw-Morton, with gold-foil stamping on the title on cover and spine. There will also be coloured endpapers and a silk ribbon bookmarker to set things off nicely. As an exclusive bonus, the hardback will include a preview of Stephen Volk’s Spectral Visions novella Whitstable, due to be published in May 2013.  Edition size 100 numbered copies only!

You can now pre-order this volume – but hurry, as nearly half of the print run have been already claimed or reserved. Secure your copy today!

All prices are inclusive of p+p.

£27.00 UK

40€ EU

$50.00 US & RoW

PLEASE NOTE: This is a very special edition of the annual, hence the prices, coupled with the rather high postage rates that have been decided by the powers-that-be at Royal Mail.

Stephen Volk’s Whitstable: cover revealed!

We here at Spectral Towers have been excited about this particular book for a  long time now, ever Stephen Volk sent us the manuscript earlier this year – it truly is one of the best books we’ve read in a very long time. Imagine, then, how much MORE excited we became when Ben Baldwin, whose artwork has graced many a story in the award-winning Black Static magazine (published by TTA Press), agreed to provide the cover image – and did he ever come through with the goods! So, without further ado, we are immensely proud to present to you the amazing front cover image that will grace Spectral Visions III:

“Whitstable” by Stephen Volk © 2012 Stephen Volk/SpectralPress. Artwork © 2012 Ben Baldwin.

“Peter Cushing was my first hero, and in my opinion Stephen Volk has done something heroic by putting the man who fought onscreen monsters at the heart of a very human drama. Sad, tinged with a palpable sense of loss, beautifully written, and blessed with an unerring eye for crucial detail, Whitstable is a story to savour. If I may be so bold, I’m convinced that Peter Cushing would have approved.” – Gary McMahon

“This will engross and enthrall all Hammer fans and those who adore and revere Cushing. it brings his screen persona vividly to life in a modern context when the monsters are all too real – Tony Earnshaw, author of Beating The Devil: The Making of Night of the Demon and An Actor and a Rare One: Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes

Praise for Stephen Volk:

“One of the most provocative and unsettling of contemporary writers” – Andy Hedgecock (Interzone)

PUBLISHED TO MARK THE CENTENARY OF PETER CUSHING’S BIRTH, 2013.

More soon!

What Gets Left Behind: cover and video trailer

“What Gets Left Behind” by Mark West © 2012 Mark West/Spectral Press. Cover image by Neil Williams © 2012

A beautiful Wednesday morning here in the UK, which means that we are getting our summer later in the year like we did in 2011. To add to the general feelgood factor we proudly present to you the cover, by the inestimable Neil Williams, of the latest Spectral chapbook, What Gets Left Behind by Mark West (who also created the accompanying video trailer, with original music by Gary Cole-Wilkin, shown below) which will debut at this year’s FantasyCon in Brighton (subscribers not attending the event will most likely get their copies in early October).

Enjoy, and please do let us know what you think!

The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine: the final cover!

“The Nine Deaths of Dr. Valentine” by John L. Probert © 2012 John L. Probert/Spectral Press. Cover image by JD Busch © 2012. Graphics by Neil Williams © 2012.

So, feast your eyes on the graphic gorgeosity of the cover to the limited hardback of John L. Probert’s Spectral Visions novella above (is gorgeosity a real word?Well, if it isn’t, we don’t care, because it fits absolutely perfectly with what we think of the image…), courtesy of the brilliant JD Busch with graphics and type by the immensely talented Neil Williams. We here at Spectral Towers would like to publicly record our thanks to JD and Neil for the fabulous effort – the finished article will look stunning!

The paperback will be on its way very soon – just one or two little details to attend to and it’ll also be unleashed into the wild at FantasyCon in Brighton next month. Keep watching this blog for details of how to purchase a copy soon  – alternatively, if you would like to reserve one, then please let us know by emailing us at spectral[ress[AT]gmail[DOT]com as soon as possible.

Onwards and upwards!