The Horror Tree Recent Markets, Articles, Interviews, and Fiction!

Articles

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Indie Bookshelf Releases 07/19/2024

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 / Reviews

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Epeolatry Book Review: The Horror Aesthetic: Essays From The Dark Corners Of The Genre by L. Marie Wood

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 Horror Aesthetic: Essays From The Dark Corners Of The Genre
Author: L. Marie Wood
Genre: Non-Fiction Horror
Publisher: Mocha Memoir Press
Publication Date: 4th October, 2024

Synopsis: Many creatures lurk in the dark, weaving on top of one another, roiling together like waves on the night sea. The darkness forms in layers to encompass the land, fill the corners, and obscure angles. Untold mysteries lie just beyond reach spoken in many tongues, many inflections, many rhythms.

The stories are many.

Innumerable.

Legion.

The Horror Aesthetic: Essays from the Dark Corners of the Genre shares perspectives from the darkest corners of the horror genre, providing study and nuance to the mythos, antagonists, and storytelling we love. This is a book that celebrates the craft of writing horror, explores the oral traditions that gave life to the written words of the gothic and the tortured, shines a light on what has been left in the obscurity of the dark. From the classroom to the far corners that only shadows reach, The Horror Aesthetic: Essays from the Dark Corners of the Genre examines the horror genre in rich context, contemplative zest, and dark humor.

It’s the horror research you never knew you needed until now.

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Articles

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Lens of the Unknown

Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Lens of the Unknown

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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Let’s talk ‘Supernatural Noir’ with Steven S DeKnight

Let’s talk ‘Supernatural Noir’ with Steven S. DeKnight

In his own words, Steven S. DeKnight has a “love of two-fisted, hard-boiled detective stories and matinee creature-features of days gone by”. HARD BARGAIN, his debut graphic novel, is a dream thirty years in the making.

Time to close those blinds, grab a glass of something smooth, dim the lights even further and let’s get into some supernatural noir with Steven S. DeKnight.

“Tough talking P.I.’s and double crossing dames, along with demons, magic and monsters, both the inhuman and human kind. Steven S. DeKnight’s HARD BARGAIN, loaded with hairpin turns, crackling dialogue, humor, horror and tragedy…James Ellroy meets Stephen King, with a healthy splatter of Sam Raimi.”

–       Eric Kripke, creator of the hit show The Boys

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Articles

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Defining High Fantasy Characters

The Importance Of Defining High Fantasy Characters

High fantasy gives us amazing fantasy worlds, and it is the characters that populate these worlds that are truly the lifeblood of the stories. As much as the plot and settings captivate us, it’s the characters—our heroes and villains—who truly draw us in. In these extraordinary worlds, being able to relate to and understand these characters is key to our love for the stories being told. These characters often start with archetypal roles, such as heroes, villains, and mentors, which provide a foundation for their development and impact on the plot. But to create truly memorable and unique high fantasy characters, writers must push beyond these archetypes, infusing them with depth, complexity, and originality.

Let’s dive into the core aspects of defining high fantasy characters. We’ll explore their roles, traits, motivations, relationships, and the balance between archetype and individuality. By understanding these elements, we not only uncover why we love fantasy worlds but also learn how, as authors, we can craft characters that readers will cherish and remember.

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Trembling With Fear

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Trembling With Fear 7-14-24

Greetings, children of the dark. It’s all deadlines in TWF Towers this week, with our short story submissions window closing at the end of today (wherever you are in the world), and our summer special closing to subs tomorrow, 15 July. Get ‘em in quick, or miss out! If you’ve subbed over these windows, you’ll get your acknowledgement in the next few days. Everything is manual here; we don’t have any of those handy auto-response systems so your first hurdle, after getting the courage to hit submit, is to wear your most patient trousers.

The summer special will be Shalini’s last issue with us, and I am sad. But, as hinted a few weeks back, we’ve got a slew of new faces moving into TWF Towers and I can’t wait to introduce you to them. Just waiting on the boss being available to chat to people in a different time zone / not being on holiday. (I mean, how dare he, right?!)

My battery is very much drained today, so I’m going to send you straight into it.

This week’s menu of dark speculative fiction kicks things off with Alice Yustas, and a heartbreaking tale that goes to a place you’re not expecting. Note the content warning here for domestic abuse. That’s followed by the short, sharp speculations of:

  • Alice Lawson’s eco lament,
  • Ryan van Ells’s buggy grossness (seriously; it’s not for anyone with insect phobias), and
  • Jack Fennell’s test subjects.

Over to you, Stuart.

Lauren McMenemy

Editor, Trembling With Fear

Hi all!

First off, I’d like to thank our upcoming newsletter sponsor for the next year! Please check out Charlotte Platt’s ‘One Smile More’!

Ena Sinclair, a Scottish mage and spy, abandons her role in a prominent Edinburgh college and escapes to London to avoid an arranged marriage.

But London is not safe: a mage killer is on the hunt…

Abducted by vampires ‘for her safety’, Ena is terrified the nest owner will drain her to fuel his power but also curious to learn about his magic. Taking this once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn more about what her college had warned were dangerous creatures, Ena finds herself fond of the nest, particularly their bonded leaders, Addison and Tobias.

As survivors of the Immortal War, the pair still navigate a schism in vampire society that they are trying to heal. They now seek a peaceful life and offer Ena protection until she finds her own path.

…and dark things await them all.

Ena’s college seeks to forcibly return her to Edinburgh, and a killer is still on the loose. Hidden resentments surface, and Ena pays the price. Magically unstable and isolated, she must rely on her non-magical training to avoid being turned or used as a weapon to harm the nest she has grown to care for.

 

Be sure to order a copy today!

Whew. I was on vacation all of last week so am currently in the vast realm of catching up on everything under the sun. I don’t have much in the ways of updates this week though promise that we’ve got some big news coming up! 

Now, for the standards:

  • Thank you so much to everyone who has become a Patreon for Horror Tree. We honestly couldn’t make it without you all!
  • The paperback is now live! Please be sure to order a copy of Shadowed Realms on Amazon, we’d love for you to check it out!

Offhand, if you’ve ordered Trembling With Fear Volume 6, we’d appreciate a review! 🙂

 

Stuart Conover

Editor, Horror Tree

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Articles

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Spectral Cities: Urban Decay through the Lens of Horror

Spectral Cities: Urban Decay through the Lens of Horror

In the crevices of urban landscapes, where the vibrancy of city lights dims, a different, more haunting beauty emerges. Spectral cities, or metropolises exhibiting signs of urban decay, often serve as the perfect backdrop for horror tales and the macabre. Through the lens of horror, these cities are not just spaces of neglect but realms where the past and present coalesce, birthing stories that captivate and terrify.

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Articles

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Indie Bookshelf Releases 07/12/2024

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.

 

(more…)