Varney the Vampire of the Feast of Blood returns!

Bucks County Professor Releases Critical Edition of Nineteenth Century’s Most Notorious Vampire Novel, Penned by Sweeney Todd Author
Ferndale, Pa. – Curt Herr, Professor of Gothic fiction at Kutztown University, has written the critical edition of what is considered the most notorious novel of the 19th century: James Malcolm Rymer’s “penny dreadful,” Varney the Vampire; or, The Feast of Blood.

Herr, a resident of upper Bucks County, researched the novel and related Victorian vampire lore for more than three years. “It’s time Varney the Vampire gets the attention he deserves,” says Herr. “Varney was close to literary extinction,” he reveals, overshadowed by the more famous vampire creations of Bram Stoker, Stephen King and Anne Rice, Recently saved from the graveyard of lost books, Varney the Vampire returns in this turbocharged, first-ever critical edition.

According to Herr, Rymer began writing Varney in 1845. For two years, it littered the streets of London, published in affordable weekly installments. Sold at a penny a page, it kept England's working class readers enthralled. The story eventually become so popular, it was reprinted in 1847 and again in 1853. Due to the cheap paper and poor bindings, “penny dreadfuls” were literally read to pieces. Today, original copies are scarce, and can fetch thousands at auction.

Notably, author Rymer also penned another penny dreadful, the much better-known Sweeney Todd. Also titled The String of Pearls, this story found fame as the 1979 Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim. It is currently gaining notoriety as a Tim Burton film, starring Johnny Depp. Chronologically, the tale of Varney the Vampire; or, The Feast of Blood precedes Bram Stoker's Dracula by fifty years. Varney has the distinction of being the first vampire novel ever written in the English language. Historically, its importance in the world of Gothic literature is astounding, but amazingly, it withered under the more commercialized and successful publications of the era. This left Varney the Vampire forgotten by readers and academics alike. The new critical edition of Varney leaves no gravestone unturned. Editor Herr gives readers the complete tale in 237 unabridged chapters, with an introduction explaining the Penny Dreadful genre. Numerous appendices and contemporary essays of James Malcolm Rymer are also included, along with some newspaper articles written in the 1860’s. They reflect a time when penny dreadfuls were considered immoral and dangerous to the populous, and make for some amusing reading. At nearly 850 pages, Herr’s edition of Varney the Vampire may be larger than the Chicago phone book. The oversized publication is a remarkable read for the vampire or Gothic enthusiast. Herr's introduction outlines the fascinating history of Penny Dreadful publishing, the struggles of author Rymer, and the confusions over exactly who authored the tale. Herr believes more than one author is responsible for this sweeping tale of the Victorian vampire. The introduction also covers the histories of other writers who survived on the conflicted and corrupted marketing craze of the penny dreadful rags.

Chapter notes explain Victorian Vampire lore in walk-through detail, confusions in the storyline, historical references, and — remarkably — characters whose names and purposes mistakenly change as the story progresses. Herr explains, “Confusions in this tale are part of its notorious reputation. In Victorian England, penny publishing was not a respected business, and it’s clear why: Chapters went from pen to printing with no time for editing or revisions.” Herr’s guided footnotes clarify such puzzlements in the text.
The monstrous tome follows Sir Francis Varney, a horrifying vampire posing as an aristocrat. His nocturnal feeding on the blood of helpless maidens remains as terrifying to today’s reader as it was in Victorian times. Stalking London’s dark streets, Sir Varney battles between his hunger for blood and his deep compassion for humankind. Plagued by his vampiric nature, Varney travels through the centuries, searching for blood — and belonging.

Several other penny dreadfuls popular at the time are reprinted in this critical edition, along with examples of the Gothic woodcut illustrations that lured readers to buy the dreadfuls in the depressed streets of Victorian London. This content provides helpful and evocative context for the serious scholar as well as the reader simply seeking informed entertainment. Horror aficionados, vampire fans and Gothic scholars alike will find Varney a literary feast. The substantial volume revives the mystique of vampire lore, examining this famous monster’s relevance to contemporary social conditions and paving the way for the return of this lost Gothic literature genre to modern life. Varney the Vampire; or The Feast of Blood is published by Zittaw Press, and is available at Amazon.com, as well as through other book retailers. More information on this publication can be found at www.zittaw.com. ISBN 0-9795871-5-8.

Greatest Uncommon Denominator Issue #3 contest

News: Issue 3 Pre-launch Buzz Contest
Friday, July 18, 2008

Issue 3 is an amazing creation, crammed full of stories and art, with poems, Flash fiction and an entertaining report to leaven the mix. Whether we're battling a mechanical daemon in "A Song, a Prayer, an Empty Space" or experiencing jealousy towards unusual rivals in "Soon You Will Be Gone and Possibly Eaten", we're following the theme of Mechanical Flight into strange and unexpected places (and at times flying further afield).Here's the (self-referential) Pre-launch Buzz Contest: blog about the launch contest with a link back to this post--then leave a comment at this post with a link to your blog post.

You'll be entered to win A FULL SET OF GUD, HARDCOPY (Issues 0-3). If we don't receive at least 100 entries, we reserve the right not to award this prize, so BE SURE TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS! You've got seven days to help spread the word (give or take -- through the end of Friday, Pacific Standard Time)

BONUS: First ten entries win a PDF of Issue 3! And we'll spread a few more goodies around if response warrants it. :)

BONUS 2: Everyone creating an account gets a freebie from Issue 3 just for signing up (it'll be in your account, waiting). Everyone who already had an account? You've got a new freebie waiting for you, too.What's in Issue 3?

SO SPREAD THE WORD! :D

Tachyon Publications Releasing New Edition of Tim Powers' The Stress of Her Regard

Tachyon Publications Releasing New Edition of Tim Powers' The Stress of Her Regard
Tachyon Publications is proud to announce the August 2008 release of a new edition of Tim Powers' classic novel, The Stress of Her Regard.
A novel of secret histories and dark revelations, The Stress of Her Regard is the tale of a terrified young doctor who – after discovering his bride brutally murdered in their wedding bed – allies with the great Romantic poets, Byron, Keats and Shelley in a battle against a malignant apparition seeking her ultimate pleasure in their ravaged bodies and imperiled souls.
Originally published in 1989, The Stress of Her Regard received the World Fantasy, Mythopoeic, and Locus Awards. The book has been out of print since 1994.
While Tachyon Publications is well-known for publishing new work from some of the biggest and brightest names in fantasy and science fiction, the company also works to preserve in print some of the genre's most beloved classics. Through both innovation and preservation, Tachyon Publications has become one of the most respected publishing houses in speculative fiction.
This new 432 page trade paperback edition of The Stress of Her Regard features an evocative cover by artist Ann Monn, and is affordably priced at $14.95.
The Stress of Her Regard
Tachyon Publications / www.tachyonpublications.com
August 2008
978-1-892391-79-1
$14.95 trade paperback
Distributed to the trade by Independent Publishers Group.

Robert Dubar's The Pines Reissue

From Author Robert Dunbar:
It's here! Finally, it's here!
Okay, so maybe it's not actually here here, but it's on it's way. The new paperback edition of the restored version of THE PINES won't hit bookstores until Halloween, but it went up for pre-order on Amazon Books the other day. I am very excited.

http://www.amazon.com/Pines-Robert-Dunbar/dp/0843961651/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215629101&sr=1-1

News from author Michael Vance

News Release

Author Michael Vance has signed with Cornerstone Books and Airship 27 for publication of "Weird Horror Stories", an anthology of psychological horror, SF and fantasy short stories. Published in the style and tradition of pulp magazines from the ‘20s, ‘30s, and ‘40s, the book is scheduled for release in early 2009.

"Michael Vance offers up 12 tales of horror in the Lovecraft tradition with a deft sense of suspense and heart-pumping terror," said Ron Fortier, editor and producer of the Airship 27 line of books. "Perfect fare by candle light on a dark rainy night."

These short stories about his fictional town of "Light's End" have been published in dozens of magazines, and have also been recorded by legendary actor William ("Murder She Wrote") Windom.

"The assumption of these stories is that there is something Other," said the author, "larger than man and greater than our narrow view of reality. Each story, written to stand on its own, is related by setting, history, several prominent families, and a macro plot. It encompasses the Azrealites who work tirelessly to reinstate that something Other back on Earth through the manipulation of science and the occult."

Vance has written for national and international magazines, and as a syndicated columnist and cartoonist in over 500 newspapers. His history book, Forbidden Adventures: The History of the American Comics Group, has been called a "benchmark in comics history". He briefly ghosted an internationally syndicated comic strip, and his own strip for five years that was reprinted as a comic book. Vance has written several comic books, and is listed in the Who's Who of American Comic Books and Comic Book Superstars.

Vance’s weekly comics review column, Suspended Animation, has been continuously published for almost twenty years, currently reaching more than 700,000 readers. He also created the new Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection housed in the Toy and Action Figure Museum in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.

Cornerstone Books publishes Masonic and esoteric books, selected pulp fiction, art literature, limited children's books, and poetry collections. For more information about Cornerstone, go to www.cornerstonepublishers.com.
Airship 27 packages and publishes anthologies and novels in the pulp magazine tradition. In the past, Airship 27 has released "Witchfire", a series of "Captain Hazzard" pulp thrillers, more pulp fiction in "Brother Bones" and "Secret Agent X" and the WWII/SF thriller "The Light of Men". For more information on Airship 27, go to www.airship27.com.

News item: Tachyon Publications Goes to the Dogs!

Tachyon Publications Goes to the Dogs!
Photo contest winners to receive newest Nancy Kress novel and more
Tachyon Publications wants to see your dog. The "Dogs" photo contest has begun and readers worldwide are sending in pictures of their beloved pets. The contest celebrates the July 1st release of "Dogs," the thrilling new novel of bioterrorism and international intrigue by award-winning science fiction author Nancy Kress ("Beggars in Spain").

Skinny dogs, fat dogs, big dogs, little dogs, post your favorite pictures of them at http://www.flickr.com/groups/788140@N21/ or email them to dogs@tachyonpublications.com between now and July 31st . The team at Tachyon Publications will pick three very lucky dogs and their owners to win a special gift pack, including a signed copy of "Dogs" and some delectable doggy treats.
For more information about "Dogs" visit Tachyon Publications online at http://www.tachyonpublications.com/book/Dogs.html, or email publicist Matt Staggs: matt@tachyonpublications.com. Based in San Francisco, California, Tachyon Publications has been a leading publisher of quality science fiction and fantasy literature for over a decade

New Horror Titles from Virgin Books and Raw Dog Screaming Press announced

Isabel Burning by Donna Lynch from Raw Dog Screaming Press

As a young woman raised in the soot-covered mediocrity of an English industrial town, Isabel has led a common and directionless life. Secretly she yearns to be the center of something, anything, that is momentous and vital. She dreams of making marks on the world.

Her new job as housekeeper at Grace mansion is hardly exciting but does surround her with the accouterments of aristocratic lineage while allowing her to observe the habits of the enigmatic Dr. Edward Grace. Captivated by his tales of travel to Africa, Isabel is inexorably drawn into a tumultuous relationship which eventually reveals the Grace family's dark heritage and lays bare every secret, even the ones she keeps from herself.

Blankety Blank: A Memoir of Vulgaria by D. Harlan Wilson from Raw Dog Screaming Press

Rutger Van Trout has worse problems than his mundane existence in the all-consuming, all-suppressing Vulgaria of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It's not that his son might be turning into a werewolf, or that his daughter might be a nymphomaniac. The problem does not lie in his obsession with transforming his middle-class estate into a three-ring barnyard, nor in the shrunken head collection under the bed. He doesn't even mind his wife's (possibly) haunted skeleton or the freak-of-the-week superheroes and window-jumpers populating his neighborhood. The complication has invaded his community in the form of a new breed of serial killer, one who stalks from house to house throughout the Vulgaria leaving a bloodbath that would make Jack the Ripper himself blush. The killer's name is Mr. Blankety Blank, and Rutger Van Trout's neighborhood is on the wrong end of a killing spree...


BANQUET FOR THE DAMNED by Adam L G Nevill from Virgin Books

When students suffering from horrific dreams mysteriously vanish from their beds and body parts wash ashore, it seems an ancient darkness has stirred once more in Scotland’s oldest university town. Some suspect a professor of divinity’s meddling with the occult has unleashed a horror, banished by religious fire centuries before. Something eager to return and take a bloody revenge.

In this chilling occult thriller, a pair of unlikely heroes, a rootless musician and an American explorer, must find the courage to accept the impossible and do the unthinkable to prevent a demonic force from unleashing its dreadful rage upon humanity.

Combining elements of classic horror films such as The Omen and The Wicker Man, this chilling occult thriller is both homage to the great age of British ghost stories and a pacy modern tale of diabolism and witchcraft.


The Perils and Dangers of this Night by Stephen Gregory from Virgin Books

A Bleak mid-winter. An icy wind blows through the corridors of Foxwood Manor, a boys’ prep-school deep in the woodlands of Dorset. The school is empty. The boys have gone home at the end of the Christmas term. The old house is left to the headmaster, Dr Kemp, and his wife.

Cold silent and empty. No, not quite empty. One boy is left behind. Alan Scott, 12, abandoned by his feckless mother, faces the grim prospect of Christmas alone with the Kemps. Until, at dusk the following afternoon, a vision from the outside world arrives at the school: Martin Pryce, a suave, arrogant ex-pupil, and his bewildered girlfriend Sophie.

And, as the snow falls heavily on the house and the surrounding woods, a story of revenge and retribution unfolds. A web of half-truths and innuendos weaves into a bizarre game of hide-and-seek through the corridors and dormitories of the school, and a series of shocking revelations soon leads to inexorably, horrifically, to a bloody climax on a crisp, lovely Christmas morning.

TEATRO GROTTESCO By Thomas Ligotti from Virgin Books

‘An accomplished conjurer of nightmares in the tradition of H.P. Lovecraft’ The Times

Thomas Ligotti is one of the most original and remarkable figures in horror literature since H.P. Lovecroft. In Teatro Grottesco, Ligotti follows the literary tradition that began with Edgar Allan Poe: portraying characters that are outside of anything that might be called normal life, depicting strange locales far off the beaten track, and rendering a grim vision of human existence as a perpetual nightmare.

Just by entering his unique world where odd little towns and dark sectors are peopled with clowns and hideous puppets, and where tormented individuals and blackly comical eccentrics play out their doom, is to risk your own vision of the world.