News 25:03:2015

First let’s have some acquisition news:

We are immensely pleased to announce that Paul Meloy will be joining the roster of Theatrum Mundi with a novella, called Junction Creature, the first of a series set in the same universe. If any of you subscribe to Black Static then you will have read his Reclamation Yard contribution in #40 of that magazine. In fact, the story called Junction Creature is mentioned the Black Static story, in a neat twist of meta-fictionalising. Paul’s novella will be available towards the end of next year, but we’re already looking forward to it.

Now, in a slight departure from our regular schedule, here’s some news about Spectral Press boss Simon Marshall-Jones:

“The Black Ship” by Jim Burns ©2015

Not only does Simon edit fiction, but he also writes it.  His debut collection of short science-fiction/contemporary fantasy/magico-fantastic realist stories, Biblia Longcrofta. will be published by Tickety Boo Press on April 30th 2015, and features an introduction by Steven Savile and cover artwork by esteemed and very well-known artist Jim Burns (see image above). The huge vessel seen in the image is featured in one of the stories, and Simon avers that Jim has captured its bulk and immensity absolutely perfectly. Copies are available to preorder, available in limited hardback in handmade wooden box (£75), normal hardback (£25), and paperback (£9.99). You can order them HERE or by emailing gary.compton@ticketyboopress.co.uk.

Theatrum Mundi: the first titles

We don’t like to stand still here if we can help it, and so we’re going to begin the new working week with some news of the books which will be launching the new Theatrum Mundi imprint.

Ray Cluley’s Within the Wind, Beneath the Snow is a novelette set in the frozen wastes of the far north, and it will be graced with a cover by the legendary science fiction artist Jim Burns. It will be published in November 2014 in a limited signed hardback with dustjacket only. Here’s the blurb:

Gjerta Jørgensen patrols the frozen coastline of Greenland.  She is the first woman to do so as part of Slædepatruljen Sirius, an elite dogsled team pushed to the limits of physical survival, risking hunger, exhaustion, frostbite and attack.  But out here, where beautiful frozen desolation shows you little but snow, ice, and darkness, there is more to fear than this.  She can hear it within the wind.  It waits beneath the snow.

The darkteeth.

With only Søren Olsen and a dozen dogs for company, Gjerta must face these dangers and the darkness that hides in her past.  Or else succumb to the cold and all it brings to haunt her.

This will be followed by Tim Dry’s Ricochet, a novella-length blasphemical wedding of fevered edginess, violence, drug-fuelled nightmares, psychedelia, and madness, set in London and Paris, and written in the mould of a collision between Hunter S. Thompson and William Burroughs. This one, too, will only be available in limited signed hardback with dustjacket. Tim Dry was one half of the early-eighties robotic dancing phenomenon Tik & Tok as well as being a member, along with Barbie Wilde (Female Cenobite in Hellbound: Hellraiser II) of the mime/dance troupe Shock who toured the world and supported Gary Numan, and he has also appeared as the creature in the 1982 film Xtro and portrayed J’Quille and a Mon Calamari officer in Star Wars VI: The Return of the Jedi. Latterly however, he has turned his considerable talents to writing, having had short stories in three horror anthologies: The Bestiarum Vocabulum, Demonology, and Phobophobias, all edited by Dean M. Drinkel. Ricochet is the first volume in a projected series of novellas based in the same universe. This one will surprise, enlighten, anger and repulse in equal measure.

We will also be publishing the imprint’s first ever novel, Steven Savile’s epic urban fantasy/horror Glass Town. More specific details will be forthcoming on that one over the coming months, but suffice to say that not only will the story itself be epic, but also the production values – expect a very special volume with this one.

The above is just a small indication of the new imprint – a line of books which would not necessarily fit in with the normal run of Spectral material but which definitely deserve an equal opportunity of being disseminated and read. It’s going to be a heady mix of every possible ingredient and emotion imaginable, designed both to enrage and enrapture. It promises to be maddening and exciting – so why not join us on the adventure?

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!

News 05:08:2013

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

So, to brighten up this dreary Monday morning, let’s give you some news about some forthcoming publications…

The cover picture above is from Paul Kane’s Ghosts supernatural fiction collection due to be launched at World Fantasy Con in Brighton in November. It’s by Edward Miller, and we think it’s a wonderfully evocative piece which conveys the atmosphere of the book admirably. The hardback edition will also feature Paul Kane’s script to the  Wind Chimes film, which has been featured on TV and in Fangoria magazine, and there’ll be a little introduction by the film’s director Brad Watson. Even better than just reading the script, you will be able to watch the film as there will be a DVD of Wind Chimes as a bonus extra.

Launching at the same event will be Tim Lebbon’s Still Life novella, and that one will be wrapped up in a cover by renowned artist Jim Burns, whose work has graced many bestsellers over the years. As soon as we have the cover concept we’ll be sure to show you right here!

Spectral is planning to put HALF of each hardback print run on pre-order next month, while the rest will be for the WFC launch – this is to give EVERYONE a chance to get hold of copies. If you want to maker sure of your copy now please email spectralpress[AT]gmail[DOT]com to reserve your copy. They are expected to retail around £20 each (plus p+p), but a special price will offered if you pre-order both (and you’ll save on postage that way, too).

Roll on World Fantasy Con 2013!