The oncoming storm — revised

Well, maybe this won't be completely interesting to anyone but me, but right now is a busy time for my local postal carrier as I'm expecting a lot of things to arrive at the same time. Things like:

1. My contributor copies of THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF BEST NEW HORROR. I think the book isn't due in stores for another month or so, but apparently copies are shipping to the writers included.
   
   


2. John Llewellyn Probert's COFFIN NAILS from Ash Tree Press. Not only is John a good friend but a fantastic writer. Unlike a lot of modern horror fiction (my own included!) John writes with a sense that he actually enjoys doing so, and it's refreshing and sinister. Even his home-grown commercial for the book give the sense of gleeful sinisterness.
   
   


3. The advance proof of BENEATH THE SURFACE, the last stage before the final printing occurs and any little mistakes can no longer be fixed.
   
   


4. Artist Guy Davis's latest, SKETCH MACABRE 3. Guy is a fantastic illustrator whose work quite often slips into my brian and rattles it for long after. His sexualised-Lovecraft work in his series THE MARQUIS (due to be re-released this year) is staggeringly beautiful and awful.
   
   


5. Paul Finch's GHOST REALM, the latest collection and the second from Ash Tree. Paul's work ranges from the quiet to the in-your-face, and he manages each atmosphere with awe-inspiring finesse. Those who don't know Paul's work are really missing out.
   
   


6. And lastly, the one I'd forgotten for a few hours, my contributor copy of BITS OF THE DEAD, the flash-fiction zombie anthology from Coscom Entertainment of which somehow I became part.