I have a new novelette called “Harold the Hero and the Talking Sword” written in collaboration with Jack Dann in the forthcoming cross-genre anthology And Then… (ed. Ruth Wykes and Kylie Fox), from Clan Destine Press early in 2017.

Jack Dann and I had been talking for a while about doing a project together when the opportunity to write a story for the Clan Destine Press And Then… anthology came up. He showed his story “The Talking Sword” to Lindy Cameron and she loved it, but suggested it be expanded because the theme of the anthology was for stories with two protagonists, and the demon sword held sway over his “sidekick” in Jack’s original tale.

As Jack and I talked about it, we soon found ourselves brainstorming the further adventures of not just the time-travelling sword, but having his unlikely wielder, Harold the Hero, come to the fore. We took our inspiration from Homer’s Odyssey, and asked ourselves what would happen if the sword somehow lost its powers. The result was “Harold the Hero and the Talking Sword”. It was great fun to write and hopefully great fun to read.

Last night’s Words Out Loud at the Babushka Lounge in Ballarat was a blast! People from all walks of life coming together to share their stories and poems. Great company, it was friendly, warm and welcoming. Drop in next time if you’re in neighbourhood.

Entry is free, though a gold coin donation would be appreciated for this non-profit, community event.

Keep up to date at the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wordsoutloud/.

Hell’s Bells, stories of festive fear written by members of the Australian Horror Writers Association was published this week.

The Christmas-inspired ghostly anthology of flash fiction contains forty works from emerging and established Aussie authors, and includes my little ghost story Christmas Morning.

Thanks to Paul Collins, a great time was had by all at the Ford Street and CreativeNet Christmas party (Photographs courtesy of Paul Collins and George Ivanoff).

Some of the Cthulhu: Deep Down-Under at Armageddon:

The long-awaited anthology Cthulhu: Deep Down-Under, edited by Christopher Sequeira, Steve Proposch and Bryce Stevens, is being launched on October 18 & 19 at Armageddon Con in Melbourne.

Here’s Armageddon’s announcement:

http://armageddonexpo.com/au/comics-sci-fi-fantasy-trading-cards/cthulu-deep-down-under/
H.P. LOVECRAFT’S TITANIC MONSTROSITY RISES IN AUSTRALIA – AT ARMAGEDDON CON, MELBOURNE 2014!

24 of the best Writers of horror and fantasy in the country, and 25 amazing Artists, are proud to launch a MONSTROUSLY HUGE collection of stories: CTHULHU: DEEP DOWN UNDER!  A new tome with an original introduction by world literary legend RAMSEY CAMPBELL!  And a PROSE piece by legendary Australian singer songwriter STEVE KIBEY of THE CHURCH!

Come to the launch, find out about this massive, more than 500 page project, and its stunning 25 full-colour poster style illustrations of terror and suspense that will be available as SIGNED prints at Armageddon!

An incredible collection, featuring the work of the following talents slated to appear at Armageddon:

Writers/ Editors like

AARON STERNS (WOLF CREEK 2)!
KAARON WARREN (SLIGHTS, THROUGH SPLINTERED WALLS)
CHRISTOPHER SEQUEIRA (X-MEN VS VAMPIRES!)
JASON FRANKS (BLOODY WATERS! MCBLACK COMICS SERIES!)
G. N. BRAUN (HAMMERED!, COHESION PRESS)
LUCY SUSSEX (THE SCARLET RIDER, THIEF OF LIVES)
JANEEN WEBB (DEATH AT THE BLUE ELEPHANT)
DMETRI KAKMI (MOTHER LAND)
STEVEN PAULSEN (THE STRAY CAT)
STEVE PROPOSCH (BLOODSONGS MAGAZINE)

Artists like

JAN SCHERPENHUIZEN (THE TWILIGHT AGE COMIC SERIES)!
BRUCE MUTARD (FAMED WRITER-ARTIST OF THE SACRIFICE!)
W. CHEW CHAN (SUPERMAN RETURNS STORYBOARD ARTIST)
PAUL CAGEGGI (PANDEIA COMICS SERIES!)

Come and meet these creators for the story behind a ground-breaking new Australian anthology! [October 18 & 19]

I am thrilled to have a story in the exciting Australian Horror Anthology CTHULHU: DEEP DOWN UNDER. It contains hundreds of pages of superb storytelling by 24 of the best Australian genre writers, backed by 24 brilliant artists producing amazing full colour plates for the book.