First review ...

Okay, the first review of Voyeurs of Death is in. The book should be available very soon now, and I'll let everyone know when and where it appears. For now, I hope you'll check the review out and that it will leave you salivating to purchase a copy: Necro Carnival

EVILUTION book trailer

I thought I would have a go at doing a book trailer for Evilution, and this is what I came up with:

MagusZine

I just want to give a shout out to a new FREE online zine called MagusZine. It will be available for download from Magus Press and will also be e-mailed to those who subscribe. The first issue is due out in July, and I have a story entitled, 'Not so Different' appearing in the September issue.

So sign up now if you want FREE fiction delivered to your inbox every month.

And did I mention, it's FREE ...

Voyeurs of Death available to pre-order

In the words of Linkin Park, I'm one step closer to the edge, and Voyeurs of Death is now available to pre-order from online bookstore, Shocklines:
http://shocklines.stores.yahoo.net/voofdebyshje.html

Some samples of Zach McCain's interior illustrations:

Interview and sale

I recently made the front page of a newspaper in my old home town of Uttoxeter (or at least my photograph did), and I didn't have to rob a bank to get there: Uttoxeter Post and Times In other news, I've just sold a second story entitled Sweet Music to Shadowed Realms

Cover art

Here's the preliminary wraparound cover by artist Zach McCain for my collection, Voyeurs of Death.

Happy New Year

Just a quick note to wish all those who pass through in the shadows a very happy New Year.

Deadfall

Well I've just finished the first draft of my latest novel, Deadfall. It's a zombie story, and I'll lay it to rest for a few weeks before reanimating it for the rewrites (I know, terrible but intentional pun)

Latest publications

I would just like to give a shout out to the recently published Wicked Karnival #7 featuring work by Edward Lee, Wrath James White, John Everson, Graham Masterton, Ramsey Campbell, Greg Lamberson and me, and another shout out to the new mass-market paperback anthology, Book of Shadows, Volume One that features work from the first six issues of "Shadowed Realms" online magazine along with some originals, including work by Poppy Z. Brite, Kurt Newton, Mark Zirbel, Josh Rountree, Craig Wolf, Stephen Dedman and me! Both of these are available through the greatest online horror bookshop in the world, Shocklines.

Update time

Okay, I thought it was time for a quick update on what I’m up to. Well, the zombie novel that I’m writing, tentatively titled ‘Deadfall’ has entered the home straight. The first draft should be finished within the next couple of weeks. Then I’ll lay it to rest, probably until after Christmas before bringing it back to life to do the revisions. I’ve had a blast writing this one.

I’ve had a new short story called ‘Clockwork’ published in the latest and last issue of Wicked Karnival. Clockwork is also one of the stories that’ll feature in my collection ‘Voyeurs of Death’ (you remember the collection; I've mentioned it before - keep up;-)) which is slated for release early 2007. The artist, Zach McCain is working on the interior illustrations and the cover, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he comes up with. The list of stories appearing in Voyeurs of Death is:

The Flibbertigibbet (previously published in DeathGrip: Legacy of Terror #2003 and reprinted Dark Tales #2005)

The Watchers (previously published in Dark Discoveries #Volume 2 issue 2 2005)

Paranoid (unpublished)

The Tunnel (previously published in Hauntings #2004)

Sin Eater (unpublished)

Voyeurs of Death (previously published in Black tears #7 1995)

Life Cycle (previously published in Surreal Magazine #1 2005)

Clockwork (previously published in Wicked Karnival #7 2006)

Peacock Lawn (previously published in New Voices in Horror #2004)

Envy (unpublished)

Snake Charmer (previously published in Peep Show #2004)

Venetian Kiss (previously published in Monsters Ink #2005)

The Quilters of Thurmond (previously published in Grotesque #3 1993)

Dark Inside (unpublished)

Park Life (previously published in Shadowed Realms #2005)

As for my other unsold novels, The Kult and Fangtooth, my agent is shopping them around. There’ve been a few nibbles, but I know she’ll get them to bite eventually. I guess the publishers are just wondering how they’ll be able to keep up with demand if they take them on:-) Anyone interested in reading the first chapters of either novel can visit my website www.shaunjeffrey.com and click on the stories link.

Exorcising the Demon

In the spirit of Halloween, and to celebrate, I've posted a micro-length short story below for the 99 words of horror contest.

Father Doherty stood beside the door, his ear pressed to the cold wood. Grunts, groans and the odd scream emanated from the room beyond and he nodded approvingly. The doubts he harboured at the young priests ability to conduct the ritual seemed unfounded, and he opened the door to watch him in action, only to roll his eyes in dismay at the sight of the woman sweating on the treadmill.

“Father Freer,” he shouted, addressing the man with the whip stood behind the woman. “This isn’t what I had in mind when I asked you to exorcise the demon!”

Shocklines bookshop

Anyone who purchases horror books should check out Shocklines. You will not find an online store with more choice. From small press to large press, this store has it all. From advance orders to new releases, you'll find it all here.

If you do purchase any books, please mention my name in the "Comments" section of the checkout process.

Limited Edition Halloween T-Shirt

Anyone interested in purchasing a limited edition Halloween t-shirt designed by Alex McVey should check this out: Click me!!!

There are only going to be 200 of these bad boys printed.

Voyeurs of Death update

Grafika Press are no longer associated with my collection, Voyeurs of Death - it's now going to be published solely by Wicked Karnival. I'll post further details as they are released.

Horror Fest UK

Horror Fest UK is a new film festival that is taking place from November 16th - 18th in Portsmouth, England.


Horror Fest

Creepycast

For anyone interested in listening to a paranormal variety show with interviews of dark musicians, artists and writers, then check out: Creepycast

Horror Day

Creators in the horror community have launched the "Horror Day of Action," a campaign to inspire all lovers of the horror genre to reach out to the world on Friday, Oct. 13, 2006. The idea caught fire and spread to every area of horror, from haunted house operators to videogame designers to movie makers and writers. But the most important and basic ingredient of Horror Day is each fan's participation.

On Oct. 13, fans are asked to buy a horror book, give away a horror book, rent a horror video, read ghost stories to children, host an art show, or talk to the nearest library, bookstore, video store, newspaper and to call your local radio station.

The official site for Horror Day, along with suggestions for action, can be found at Horrorday.

"We expected this idea to gain momentum quickly because it's so simple," said a volunteer, "But to see it grow so rapidly, and to see the enthusiasm of the people who love this genre has been totally amazing. Horror is often considered a fringe taste, but the reality is it has millions of fans in every sector of society. And our combined voices can have a positive effect on the world at large."

While the Horror Day site has action tips, creativity is the key to the event's success. Fans are asked to come up with their own imaginative spin to promote the genre and share them in the "Comments" section of the MySpace site and on all the various horror message boards.

Most importantly, remember this year Friday the 13th is HORROR DAY!

Evilution (revised edition)

There is now a revised edition of my novel Evilution available. After listening to the constructive comments people kindly offered, I sat down and made some changes that have now been implemented. Hopefully this has addressed the problems people picked up on. As there are a lot of old copies floating around, the best option with regard purchasing a new copy is probably to buy direct from Amazon.co.uk or from Amazon.com.

Fangtooth

I've updated the story page on my website and added the first chapter of my latest novel, Fangtooth. Any comments/feedback would be appreciated. The novel is with my agent at the moment, and she's shopping it around.

The Frontlist

Among the many ways to try to reach the editor's desk, I've just been informed of a new one: The Frontlist. In their words: 'The Frontlist is, we believe, the first serious online route for an unpublished novelist to get a completed fictional novel considered by a publisher. It allows a new writer to test samples from a completed manuscript within a community, and to have it undergo structured critiques by other writers. All work will move up and down a list within its genre, according to the reviews that have been written. We have an informal agreement with a senior editor at Picador to consider top reviewed work from the site each month. The process is free - no upfront money, and we don't climb into any deals that may subsequently emerge between writer and publisher. To fund the project, we simply ask that if a writer wishes to read the individual reviews on his or her work, then they pay a one-off fee. But if they chose not to, that's fine - it will have absolutely no impact on their chances of being considered by the publisher. So writers are able to use The Frontlist completely and utterly free.'

So far they are only accepting submissions under two genres: Crime and General fiction, but hopefully the list will grow if they get enough support and interest.