Short Story Saturday: Shakespeare Vs. Cthulhu

Shakespeare Vs. Cthulhu is an anthology of short stories inspired by the works of Stratford's most famous son and the literary endeavours of cosmic horror master H. P. Lovecraft.

Shakespeare Vs. Cthulhu includes stories by the likes of Adrian Tchaikovsky, Graham McNeill, James Lovegrove, Jan Siegel, Andrew Lane, Jonathan Oliver, and John Reppion. So, if you've not already picked up a copy, do so today and treat yourself to what one reviewer called "a fun concept, that delivered on its premise."

And if you have read the book, a review on Amazon is always much appreciated.

Happy Birthday, Mr Shakespeare!

It's that time of year when I like to remind everyone that I edited an anthology of short stories called Shakespeare Vs Cthulhu, back in 2016, featuring tales inspired by the Bard and the literary endeavours of H. P. Lovecraft.

Shakespeare Vs Cthulhu includes stories by the likes of Adrian Tchaikovsky, Graham McNeill, James Lovegrove, Jan Siegel, Andrew Lane, Jonathan Oliver, and John Reppion. So, if you've not already picked up a copy, do so today and treat yourself to what one reviewer called "a fun concept, that delivered on its premise."

And if you have read the book, a review on Amazon is always much appreciated.

Something Wicked This Way Comes... Shakespeare Vs Cthulhu

Today is possibly* William Shakespeare's birthday but it is most definitely his deathday.

As is traditional at this time of year, I like to remind people that you can read an alternative take on Shakespeare's life, work, and even death, in Shakespeare Vs Cthulhu, an anthology of stories inspired by the Bard and the literary endeavours of H. P. Lovecraft.

Featuring stories by the likes of Adrian Tchaikovsky, Graham McNeill, James Lovegrove, Jan Siegel, Andrew Lane, Jonathan Oliver, and John Reppion, if you've not already picked up a copy, do so today and treat yourself to what one reviewer called "a fun concept, that delivered on its premise."

And if you have read the book, a review on Amazon is always much appreciated.

* I say 'possibly' because we know when he was baptised, 26th April 1554, but not actually when he was born.

Happy Birthday, Mr William Shakespeare!

Today is possibly* William Shakespeare's birthday but it is most definitely his deathday.

As is traditional at this time of year, I like to remind people that you can read an alternative take on Shakespeare's life, work, and even death, in Shakespeare Vs Cthulhu, an anthology of stories inspired by the Bard and the literary endeavours of H. P. Lovecraft.

Featuring stories by the likes of Adrian Tchaikovsky, Graham McNeill, James Lovegrove, Jan Siegel, Andrew Lane, Jonathan Oliver, and John Reppion, if you've not already picked up a copy, do so today and treat yourself to what one reviewer called "a fun concept, that delivered on its premise."

And if you have read the book, a review on Amazon is always much appreciated.

* I say 'possibly' because we know when he was baptised, 26th April 1554, but not actually when he was born.

Shakespeare Week - Exit, Pursued By…?

I have been keen to have James Lovegrove contribute to an anthology of mine for some time, so I was delighted when he agreed to be a part of Shakespeare Vs Cthulhu.

His story takes its inspiration from Shakespeare's most famous stage direction, and here's an extract for you to enjoy...

I will tell you this, scribe: it is not as I have always said it was.

For nigh on twenty years now, whenever anyone asks me how I came by my injury, I have lied to them. I have rigorously maintained that the stiffness in my shoulder, the jagged scars which extend from it halfway up my neck, the chunks of missing meat, are all the gruesome handiwork of a bear. The culprit was no more uncommon a creature than that. A roaming black bear pursued me, caught me up in its claws, and tore a pound of flesh from my body with its ravening teeth.

No one queries this reply. Bears are a familiar enough sight in these parts. Bohemia’s forests are riddled with them. Few who dwell in the country’s rural areas can say they have not encountered one at some point in their lives. Most, fortunately, have lived to tell the tale, although some have not been so lucky.

At any rate, with this explanation I have been able to deflect such slings and arrows of curiosity as are loosed at me. Upon hearing it people will offer sympathy, perhaps, or wince as they contemplate the agonies I suffered. I will in turn dismiss their coos and blandishments. “Let us not make a fuss about it,” I will say, sounding brave. “It is much ado about nothing.”

Now, at last, as I lie upon what must surely be my deathbed, I wish to confess the truth. For the first and final time in my life since the terrible events of that night on the storm-tossed southern shore of this land, I, Lord Antigonus, formerly a noble of Sicilia and once close associate of and trusted advisor to her monarch King Leontes, hereby state for the record that I was not attacked by any bear.

No, it was no bear.

It was something stranger and much worse.

Shakespeare Vs Cthulhu - 5 days to go!

There are just five days left to run for the Shakespeare Vs Cthulhu Kickstarter, but why should you back the project (if you haven't done so already)?

Well, how about because the anthology will feature over a dozen brand new short stories by the likes of NYT best-selling authors James Lovegrove and Graham McNeill? Or because it will feature brand new poetry by Jan Siegel and Danie Ware?

Some of the stories have already been written, including Adrain 'Shadows of the Apt' Tchaikovsky's Something Rotten, which involves a very dark re-telling of Hamlet, and A Madness Most Discreet, a Lovecraftian re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet by 2000AD's Michael Carroll.

And don't forget, everyone who backers the Kickstarter will receive a bonus short story digital download.*

So don't delay, and back the Kickstarter today!


* And if that's not enough, you could also bag yourself a Shakespeare Vs Cthulhu T-shirt.

Short Story Saturday: "An anthology with byte" - GAME OVER reviewed in the Financial Times

I am very pleased to be able to report that GAME OVER, my second anthology as editor, has been reviewed by James Lovegrove in the Financial Times.

"The theme is classic arcade games, which will appeal to anyone with fond memories of spending countless 10p pieces on Space Invaders, Pac-Man and the like. The authors Green has selected, though not household names, are respected in their fields or notable up-and-comers, and their stories delve beneath the clunky graphics to find paranoia, madness, murder and ghosts."

To read the rest of the review, click this link.

To pick up a copy of GAME OVER, click this link.

Short Story Saturday: The Solaris Rising 2 launch

On Wednesday evening I was fortunate enough to attend the book launch of Solaris Rising 2, edited and compiled by Ian Whates and published by Solaris Books, at the Gower Street Waterstone's in London.

The line of up guest authors included James Lovegrove, Paul Cornell and Adrian Tchaikovsky. Proceedings began with Ian briefly discussing with each of the authors present their particular stories and motivations behind writing them. Then it was down to the serious business of signing books.

The line up of authors in attendance.

Ian Whates waxing lyrical with glass of wine in hand.

The serious business of signing books, overseen by Ben Smith of Solaris Books.

Of course the evening didn't get going until we all retired to a local hostelry where I talked about Clemency Slaughter and Pax Britannia (and everything in between) with the likes of the members of the Abaddon/Solaris team in attendance (publishing manager Ben Smith, newly-promoted Abaddon commissioning editor David Moore, and PR guru Mike Molcher), as well as old friends and new.

All in all a most pleasant evening, and congratulations to Ian for putting together such an excellent anthology.

You can pick up your copy of Solaris Rising 2 here.