Here’s a small selection of the horror and genre news that caught our eye during the last week …
New from writer John Baltisberger and Things in the Well, The Configuration Discordant, a collection of dark poetry
With an introduction by Angela Yuriko Smith (The Bitter Suites), John Baltisberger’s debut poetry collection, The Configuration Discordant, is the first in a new line of dark poetry releases from Things in the Well. Poetry in one form or another has been around almost as long as language. We have used it to communicate our joys and heartbreaks, our victories and our losses. But fear has also been a constant companion, and our ghost stories and monsters stretch their claws back into history as far as the eyes can see. The Configuration Discordant is an exploration of not only that fear, but of our global journey through poetry. 100 poems exploring 75+ forms of poetic expression from the humble haiku to the mysterious Qasida. Only through a full examination of our own fears and creative outlets can we ever hope to master, or give fully into, either…. You can pick up your own copy, here.
Occult Detective Quarterly relaunches as Occult Detective Magazine
Following the tragic and unexpected death of Sam Gafford in the summer of 2019, many of the titles lined up for publication under the Ulthar Press banner were in doubt. However, the editorial team behind what was previously known as Occult Detective Quarterly have taken on the publication, rebranding as Occult Detective Magazine. Edited by John Linwood Grant, this long-time staple of the occult detective sub-genre will continue to include dark and occult fiction, reviews, prose poetry, outstanding artwork, as it did before. You can find out more about the magazine, including submission calls for future issues, at the website, here. Issue six, the first with the new branding, is available now, here.
Artist Yves Tourigny brings the story, Music of the Mouldering, by Matthew M. Bartlett to stunning life in this illustrated edition
Released through Tallhat Press is this special edition of Matthew M. Bartlett’s 9,000-word novelette, Music of the Mouldering, featuring nine previously unpublished black and white illustrations by artist Yves Tourigny. Available in two sizes, an 8.5″ x 5.5″ regular edition and a larger, 10″ x 7″ edition, the story is available from $15 plus shipping. You can get hold of your copy of this limited edition release, here.
Hollow Men, an asian myth-inspired dark fantasy novel, with strong horror elements, is available now from writer Todd Sullivan
Men from South Hanguk undertake quests to gain social standing, to stand above their peers, to make names for themselves. To become heroes. Few ever return. Ha Jun, sixteen years old, possesses a glyph sword crafted in foreign lands. Alongside a soldier, a knight, and a monk, he travels across the country to destroy a demon lurking beyond the running trees of Naganeupseong Fortress. Accompanying them is the dark elf, Windshine, who emigrated to South Hanguk from her own war-torn country centuries ago. Distrusted by the people of South Hanguk, Windshine has the Emperor’s protection and is tasked with recording the valiant acts of quest groups battling creatures born from nightmares. Ha Jun becomes drawn to Windshine as they near Naganeupseong Fortress, but when he discovers the blood connection between the demon and the dark elf, he will either succumb to his fear, or rise up and become a hero. Hollow Men is available in paperback and eBook now, here.
KEV HARRISON
