Richard Wright

Blogging takes me in waves, it seems. Sometimes I do lots, and sometimes I do little. C’est la vie. There won’t be much happening around here for the rest of this month, as I’ll be on the move lots, but I’ll catch you all up around the start of June with what’s been going on. Meantime, there have been a few developments on projects behind the scenes, most of which is not yet ready for announcing (although among them, one particular project is steamrollering ahead with impressive zest). A couple of other things of note though.

Beneath the Surface

Still no official reviews for this rather splendid recent anthology from Shroud Publishing, which features my story ‘Secrets (Never Told), though customer reviews at Amazon.com have been pretty good. Have you bought it? What do you think?

Short Trips: Transmissions

I heard the other day that the final edits of the stories in the books, including my own ‘Lonely’, have been approved by the BBC, so the book is good to go in July. A huge sigh of relief (the BBC own the character in absolute terms, and would have no hesitation in asking for stories to be removed if they clashed with the ethos or history of the character and the series), and a little thrill inside, as there is nothing to do now but wait for the book, my first hardback as well as, dammit, a Doctor Who book, heads to the printer. Why not pre-order the book from Big Finish, and be among the first to read it?

A pleasant surprise when I got home tonight – my contributor copies of Beneath The Surface were waiting on my doorstep. It looks very nice indeed, and I’m looking forward to firing into it when I get the chance. You should be too. Why not grab your copy right now?

Word came through today that Beneath The Surface, Shroud Publishing’s new anthology, is officially shipping. Being the wrong side of the Atlantic, it will be a few days yet before I actually see a copy, but it’s happy news nonetheless. It has my story ‘Secrets (Never Told)’ inside, nestled among thirteen other lovely tales, and right now you can get hold of it from the publisher, or from Amazon.com, as takes your fancy.

A quick update on two projects. Firstly, Shroud Publishing now have a full product page up for the forthcoming anthology Beneath The Surface. Apart from a full list of contents, there are some intriguing story teases up as well. It’s one of the things that always excites me about being in a new anthology – what else does the book have to offer other than me? In most cases, this one included, I only get to find out what those stories are at the same time as you do, when the book is in my hands. The teases then, intrigue me greatly (none seem to relate to my contribution ‘Secrets (Never Told)’), and I can’t wait to tear into the finished book and find out more about them. There are some writers whose work I know and enjoy there (Hawkes and Fox particularly), and some who are going to be new to me, so the book should hopefully be a pleasing voyage of discovery. As mentioned previously (and as I’ll keep mentioning it, because it’s the sort of thing that can really help a new book), Beneath The Surface is due imminently, with the final proof in the hands of the printer, and you can pre-order it today.

Second bit of news is a brand new review of Tattered Souls over at Horrorworld (scroll to the bottom of the page), courtesy of regular reviewer Patricia Snodgrass. It’s a very good one, and concludes with “All of these stories are top quality, guaranteed to give you a shudder or two. Certainly, after reading Other People, you’ll never look at your dishwasher in the same way again. I loved Tattered Souls, and I think you will too. It’s a great winter read.” It’s the sort of review that might very well tempt the discerning reader to purchase a copy to enjoy for their very own. Those curious readers should follow this link. At the far end, they will be able to gratify themselves entirely.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about some stories I have upcoming, two of which I wasn’t in a position to tell you much about. Both were in anthologies, and one of those I was expecting very soon indeed. After corresponding with editor Tim Deal today, I can confirm that this was not just wishful thinking, and that Shroud Publishing’s new anthology Beneath The Surface will be going to the printers any day now. The trade paperback contains thirteen short stories, including my own ‘Secrets (Never Told)’.

The title of my tale refers to an age-old superstition about magpies (encapsulated by a rhyme beginning ‘One for sorrow…’ – does this exist outside of the UK?) that still makes even the most rationally minded feel a bit paranoid when they see a single bird. The story is about fate, and how heroes are born, and you should check it out.

At the moment, you can pre-order the book direct from the publisher, and they’ll pop it in the post as soon as it’s ready.  I suggest you do. Not only are you ponying up for my latest fiction alongside twelve other discoveries (some of who may be new to you, some may not), you’re supporting a new publisher who is trying to get a foot on the ladder. So far, Shroud Publishing have been a pleasure to deal with, and I’m glad to be a part of thier first book venture (they have more in the offing, as well as promising looking magazine).

Oh, and while it’s a little early for reviews, author Tom Piccirilli, himself a Bram Stoker Award winner who knows a thing or two about this sort of thing, has paged through and offers the following: An anthology of old school tales containing stories which are, by turns, spooky, gripping, insightful, pulpish, and just downright fun. A first offering from Shroud Publishing that will hopefully be followed by plenty more in the same vein.

So there. Now go forth. Spend a penny, and tell them I sent you.