This is Horror - a.k.a. The Blood Fudge Incidient

So, on Friday night I was one of the guests at the launch of Joseph D'Lacey's new novel Blood Fugue, along with Pat Cadigan (who has once the coveted Arthur C Clarke award not once, but twice). The event was organised by Michael Wilson of This is Horror, and Den and Amelia of the Charing Cross branch of Blackwell's where the event was held.

Jasper Bark regaling the audience.

Jasper Bark - a.k.a the Voice of Horror - was compere for the evening and a very good job he did of it too. His research was thorough, his questions incisive and his faked allergic reaction to vegan Blood Fudge extreme. I know several people had 999 ready to go on their mobiles, until Jasper went completely 'zombie' and attacked Joseph. At that point, they just let him get on with it. (My copies of Blood Royal and Time's Arrow will never be the same again!)

Jasper Bark again, post 'zombie'.

I was first up and read an extract from White Rabbit - a certain Ulysses Quicksilver story of mine that earned me my commission for Jonathan Oliver's House of Fear - before Jasper probed me about my authorial voice, writing for different genres and properties, and the medium of short fiction.

Pat was up next. She gave an amazing reading of The Power and the Passion, which proved why she was never asked to write for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And then it was Joseph, an extract from Blood Fugue and the now already notorious Blood Fudge Incident.

Joseph D'Lacey reading from Blood Fugue.

It was my first This is Horror event and it was a bit of a baptism of fire, but I had a great time. The evening concluded with a panel discussion, about taboos and the breaking of them, and a few questions from the audience before Joseph got busy with his signing pen.

The authorial discussions continued down the road at the Spice of Life where I met Joseph's charming wife, Fiona, and got chatting with Robin the Pirate, Richard the Generous, and James De Carteret about everything from the human race as descendants of the most successful psychopaths to Mary Poppins as trickster deity, via zombies, fungi and dinosaurs.

The Unusual Suspects: (l-r) Pat Cadigan, Jonathan Green, Jasper Bark and Michael Wilson.

It just remains for me to thank Michael, Den, Amelia, Jasper, Pat and Joseph and I sincerely hope that there will be many more This is Horror events to come.

You can see more photos of the evening's shenanigans here.

This is Horror, at Blackwell's tonight!

Just a quick post to remind you that I'm one of the guest authors appearing at the launch of Joseph D’Lacey’s new novel, Blood Fugue, at Blackwell’s Charing Cross London branch this evening. The event kicks off promptly at 6.00pm and will run through until about 8.00pm.

It will also feature a reading by Arthur C. Clarke award-winner, Pat Cadigan, and the whole shebang will be curated by the voice of horror himself, m'colleague Jasper Bark.

So, maybe I'll see some of you there tonight...

Steampunk Thursday: Do you feel scared yet?

I know I do, looking at this awesomely creepy caricature of myself by Nick Gucker. (I'm the one in the middle by the way.)

As you can see, I shall be joining Joeseph D'Lacey for the launch of his new book Blood Fugue, along with Pat Cadigan. M'Abaddon colleague and ward-winning author Jasper Bark will be interviewing. Start time is 6.00pm on Friday 16 November and you need to confirm how many places you would like (if you want to attend) by emailing events.london@blackwell.co.uk.

I think I'm there because of the reputation my Pax Britannia books have for being quite horrific in places, but of course I also have a growing number of horror short stories in my published bibliography and my next novel could definitely be termed as horror.

Maybe I'll see you on the 16 November...

This is Horror: Hanging out with me at Blackwell's in November

As some of you with long memories may remember, I was interviewed earlier this year by This is Horror (back when I only had 35 books to my name, as opposed to 40, as I do now).

Well, I'm very pleased to inform you that the next This Is Horror event will take place at Blackwell’s Charing Cross, London branch on Friday 16 November 2012. Kicking off promptly at 6pm and running through until 8pm, the evening celebrates the launch of Joseph D’Lacey’s forthcoming, Blood Fugue.

The event also features readings from Arthur C. Clarke award-winner, Pat Cadigan, and the creator of Abaddon Books’ Pax Britannia steampunk universe, Jonathan Green (apparently). Proceedings will be curated by the voice of horror himself, m'colleague Jasper Bark.

So stick 16 November in your diary, and maybe I'll see some of you there...

The Kitschies' Gothic Evening - The Morning After

If you were reading this blog yesterday, you'll know that last night Blackwell's Charing Cross Road hosted the Kitschies' Gothic Evening. It followed a similar format to the Steampunk Evening that took place back in December only this time focusing on Gothic in art and literature. John Courtenay Grimwood read an extract from his new book and Christopher Fowler and Marcus Hearn then chatted about Hammer Horror's legacy and recent revival (or should that be resurrection?) of the gothic genre on celluloid.

There were also sorts of writers and creators there - including artist-author John Kaiine and photographer Joel Meadows - and the usual friends, enthusiasts and literary literati. I wasn't there as a guest this time but that didn't stop Den Patrick making sure I earned my Kraken Rum for the night!

Den's Pen was put to good use on the night.

Amongst those in a attendance (and who I spent all too little time talking to) were Tom Pollock, Will Hill, Jenni Hill (no relation), Sarah Pinborough (who I actually managed to say more than two words to), Philip Reeve (who I failed to speak to at all), Jon Oliver, David Moore, Bex Levene, James Wallis, Magnus Anderson, Lou Morgan, Scott Andrews, James Long, Emily Banyard, Celeste Sharp, Tom Hunter, Sophia McDougall and a whole host of others... apologies to anyone I've left off the list.

I was excited to meet author Tanith Lee. (Can you tell?)

Once the bookshop shut, proceedings moved across the road to the pub where Lavie Tidhar very sweetly tried to be my agent, brightly coloured drinks were drunk and generous offers of free editing expertise were made. Not to me, but a friend of mine. (I can't think why.)

Esther getting better acquainted with Abaddon Dave.

Thanks of course, must go to Jared and Anne of Pornokitsch who (along with Den) organised the evening, and Kraken Rum for keeping the conversations well oiled. Jared flattered me by saying that the twist ending of the story I have in the forthcoming Stories of the Smoke surprised even him - and that's saying something!

Anne in suitably Gothic bat earrings.

Should grown-up drinks really be this colour?

The Usual Suspects.

The Kitschies' Gothic Evening

On Thursday evening, I shall be at Blackwell's on Charing Cross Road for the Kitschies' Gothic Evening. To find out more about this event, click this link.