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Articles / Interviews

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Sam Asher and The Cosmic Background Kickstarter

Sam Asher and The Cosmic Background Kickstarter

By Angelique Fawns

Sam Asher writes strange, beautiful, and slightly disturbing prose. (I bought his collection of short stories Really, Shockingly Bad Things at the mass autograph session at World Fantasy Con 2024.) He also runs an e-zine called The Cosmic Background where he bought a story of mine when the magazine first launched, called “The Sentient Sea of Sargassum.”

You can read it here: https://www.thecosmicbackground.com/stories/angelique-fawns-the-sentient-sea-of-sargassum

This is my second time interviewing Asher, and I thought it would be nice to touch base again as he is running a kickstarter. 

Check it out here!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thecosmicbackground/the-cosmic-background-year-two/rewards

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Articles / For Readers / Reviews

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Epeolatry Book Review: The Crimson Road by A.G. Slatter

Disclosure:

Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.

Title: The Crimson Road
Author: A.G. Slatter
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Publisher: Titan Books
Publication date: 11th February, 2025

Synopsis:  A captivating dark gothic fantasy set in the same universe as the award-winning author’s All The Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns and The Briar Book of the Dead. A tale of vampires, assassins, ancient witches and broken promises. By turns gripping and bewitching, sharp and audacious, this mesmerising story takes you on a journey into the dark heart of Slatter’s sinister and compelling fantasy world.

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Articles / For Readers

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Indie Bookshelf Releases 01/10/2025

Got a book to launch, an event to promote, a kickstarter or seeking extra work/support as a result of being hit economically by life in general?

Get in touch and we’ll promote you here. The post is prepared each Thursday for publication on Friday. Contact us via Horror Tree’s contact address or connect via Twitter or Facebook.

Click on the book covers for more information. Remember to scroll down to the bottom of the page – there’s all sorts lurking in the deep.

 

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Articles

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Honoring Excellence: Lee Murray Appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit by King Charles III

Honoring Excellence: Lee Murray Appointed Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit by King Charles III

We are overjoyed to share some truly remarkable news from the world of speculative fiction! Celebrated Kiwi author Lee Murray has been appointed by King Charles III as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the 2025 New Year Honors. This prestigious accolade recognizes her extraordinary contributions to literature, particularly in the realm of speculative fiction, and cements her legacy as a visionary force in the genre.

Equivalent to royal honors in other Commonwealth nations, the New Zealand Order of Merit celebrates individuals who have made distinguished contributions to their field. Murray is not only the sole honoree in literature for 2025 but also one of the rare few to receive such recognition specifically for speculative fiction—an accomplishment that speaks volumes about her impact on the genre.

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Articles / For Readers / Reviews

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Epeolatry Book Review: Behind the Shadows by Ray Van Horn, JR.

Disclosure:

Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.

Title: Behind the Shadows
Author: Ray Van Horn, JR.
Genre: Horror
Publisher: Raw Ink Earth
Publication date: 26th November, 2024

Synopsis: Conjuring ten haunting tales to bring a shiver down your spine, author Ray Van Horn, Jr. shares a mixtape blend reminiscent of EC Comics and 80s horror: unsettling narratives to invade your dreams and keep you up at night.

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Articles

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Corvids upon Corvids

Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Corvids upon Corvids

Welcome to “Writing Prompt Wednesdays,” a haven where your imagination can roam free in the realms of speculative fiction. As we embark on this weekly journey, it’s thrilling to think about the untold stories waiting to be penned in the domains of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a budding wordsmith, these prompts are your gateway to unexplored worlds and untapped potentials.

Every Wednesday, we’ll serve up a fresh, thought-provoking prompt designed to ignite your creative spark and challenge your storytelling prowess. Think of these prompts as a key, unlocking the doors to uncharted territories where your creativity is the only limit. From eerie, shadow-laden corridors of Gothic horror to the farthest reaches of interstellar space, and the mystical depths of high fantasy, our prompts are a kaleidoscope of possibilities.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to approach these prompts. They are mere stepping stones, guiding you towards the vast landscapes of your imagination. Use them to break free from writer’s block, to experiment with new ideas, or simply as a fun exercise to keep your writing skills sharp.

This week’s writing prompt:

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Articles / Interviews

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An Interview With Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane On Death Comes at Christmas

Death Comes at Christmas is mystery anthology edited by Marie O’Regan and Paul Kane. It is a wonderful seasonal piece that has everything from locked room mysteries to cozies to real mind benders. It’s an anthology worthy of a good binge read with several cups of hot cocoa (make sure you prepare that cocoa yourself).

 

JG: You both have a big background in horror. Why a mystery anthology? Do you have a genre preference? Why these authors?

MO/PK: As much as we love horror, we also both grew up reading fantasy, SF and crime – and are big fans of the latter. We’ve both written crime fiction before in the past, and of course co-edited the Titan anthology Exit Wounds, featuring Lee Child, Val McDermid and Jeffery Deaver. The Times called that one ‘impressive’ so we must have been doing something right. All of which made us want to dive into another one. The authors we approached had either worked before in this kind of area, or we thought would fit the brief very well. It helps that they’re all superb writers at the top of their game, of course. Each one delivered something unique that just went together as a whole. As for which we prefer, we love them both – and of course the other genres we mentioned too. It’d be hard to choose between them, frankly.

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Articles / For Readers / Reviews

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Epeolatry Book Review: Creatures of the Night: Vicious Vampire Tales by Simon Clark, Kevin J. Kennedy, and Gord Rollo

Disclosure:

Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.

Title: Creatures of the Night: Vicious Vampire Tales
Authors: Simon Clark, Kevin J. Kennedy, and Gord Rollo
Publisher: Crystal Lake Publishing
Genre: Horror
Release Date: August 9, 2024

Synopsis: Immerse yourself in a world of terror and darkness with three vampire horror novellas.

“Return of the Blood-Feeders” by Simon Clark: Viking vampires, and their latest vicious recruits, swarm through tunnels beneath the present-day town of Leppington. The Norse gods have created a Vampyrrhic army to wreak vengeance on people that turned their backs on Odin. Just two fragile humans stand in their way—a down-at-heel drifter who is struggling to recover from a severe head injury, and a dreamer with a drink problem. Together, they must become extraordinary. Together, they must defeat something that is much, much worse than vampires.
‘Return of the Blood-Feeders’ is set in the world of Simon’s Vampyrrhic series of novels.

“Perspective” by Kevin J. Kennedy: “This is a story of my re-awakening, and vampires.” A couple’s lives are thrown into turmoil when a body is dumped at their door. The vampires are catapulted into a blood-drenched journey to the gates of hell. Fortunately, they have some werewolf friends who want to come along for the ride.

“Beneath Still Waters” by Gord Rollo: On May 16, 2020, disaster struck the small Canadian mining town of Beckley, Nova Scotia. An explosion deep in Shaft 3 unleashed a massive torrent of water from an underground stream, quickly flooding the lower levels and dooming the workers below. Sixty-five people lost their lives that night, the tragedy one of the worst mining disasters in the province’s history. The Red Spruce Gypsum Mine would never reopen.

The town tried to turn the heartbreak into something positive, converting the flooded quarry into a natural swimming hole for people to cool off in during the hot summer months. But something has awakened from within the abandoned mine shafts and staked its territory in the deepest part of the lake. Something ancient. Something savage. Something hungry…

If you’re a fan of extreme horror books, gothic suspense, and supernatural terror, this collection is your gateway to fear. Dive into these suspenseful gothic horror novellas and discover why this horror anthology is a must-read for lovers of vampire fiction.

Don’t miss out on this dark adventure. Order your copy now and let the nightmares begin!

Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Tales from the Darkest Depths.

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