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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 89.242.27.56
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2009 - 09:47 pm:   

Just a cheery message: my story Traffic Stream has been accepted for inclusion in the next Black Book of Horror! Due out in time for World Horror 2010, with luck.

S
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Steve Jensen (Stevej)
Username: Stevej

Registered: 07-2009
Posted From: 82.0.77.233
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2009 - 10:08 pm:   

Well done, chief. :-) Lovely to read such good news. :-)
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Carolinec (Carolinec)
Username: Carolinec

Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 82.38.75.85
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2009 - 10:16 pm:   

Super! I'm a big fan of Charles Black's Black Books of Horror - a great series of books. Good news indeed!

PS: He rejected one of mine for the 5th, but I won't hold that against him! When I read the quality stories in the 5th BBoH, it was pretty obvious to me mine wasn't up to the required standard.
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John Llewellyn Probert (John_l_probert)
Username: John_l_probert

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 88.202.210.68
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2009 - 10:59 pm:   

Well done Mr Unsworth! I'm going to be in there with you with my story 'Six of the Best'!
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Paul_finch (Paul_finch)
Username: Paul_finch

Registered: 11-2009
Posted From: 195.93.21.74
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2009 - 11:47 pm:   

Proud to be able to boast that I'm in there too, chaps, with THE DOOM.
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Paul_finch (Paul_finch)
Username: Paul_finch

Registered: 11-2009
Posted From: 195.93.21.74
Posted on Sunday, November 29, 2009 - 11:50 pm:   

Proud to be able to boast that I'm in there too, chaps, with THE DOOM.
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.96.240.106
Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 - 12:43 am:   

Congrats, chaps. Not in this one myself, but have been in several of the earlier volumes. They're terrific books - and, hey, I've read Simon's tale: it's very good indeed.
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Carolinec (Carolinec)
Username: Carolinec

Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 82.38.75.85
Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 - 12:54 am:   


And my only claim to fame is that I've had a story rejected for it. I'm not sure I'm worthy to lick the boots of you chaps.

But seriously, congrats to all, and I look forward to reading all your stories.

BTW Paul, is your story in there twice (like your post)?
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.50.55
Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 - 02:03 am:   

Congrats to all! Really looking forward to reading the stories.

I've read Simon's too - it is an excellent tale and a Mr. Bird in there too.
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Alexicon (Alexicon)
Username: Alexicon

Registered: 10-2009
Posted From: 88.106.12.15
Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 - 03:59 am:   

Hey,turn it in,chaps! Haven't dipped my beak into BB5 yet,let alone BB6. Speed Publishing,or what?

This is terrific; the talent's getting out there in a fast and furious way.

Warmest congratulations to all you dreamboats with stories in BB6.

lol Fanboy Alex
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Karim Ghahwagi (Karim)
Username: Karim

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 193.89.189.24
Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 - 09:23 am:   

Congrats!
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 89.242.27.56
Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 - 09:24 am:   

Ta All!

Looking forward to being in this with such a fine set of dudes!

Zed: I love you. Ally: The names have been left the same to take pseudo revenge on the guilty!

S
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.50.55
Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 - 09:35 am:   

And so they should. It was a very bad time for me. I have yet to write my story...
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.50.55
Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 - 09:37 am:   

It will be for a different anthology though.
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Carolinec (Carolinec)
Username: Carolinec

Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 82.38.75.85
Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 - 01:05 pm:   

>>Haven't dipped my beak into BB5 yet,let alone BB6.<<

You'll love BBoH5, Alex - I reckon it's the best one yet. Charles says he thinks it's the most Pan-like one he's done, and he's right.
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Alexicon (Alexicon)
Username: Alexicon

Registered: 10-2009
Posted From: 88.106.107.216
Posted on Monday, November 30, 2009 - 02:17 pm:   

Caroline:- No,BB5 is actually in the house. Part of the Xmas package - not allowed to see it till then.
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Steve Bacon (Stevebacon)
Username: Stevebacon

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 90.209.220.55
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 02:53 pm:   

Just found out that my story 'Room Above the Shop' has made the cut for this book. Glad to be amongst such esteemed company.
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 02:55 pm:   

Good stuff, mate.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.27.75
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 02:58 pm:   

Congrats Steve!!!
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Paul_finch (Paul_finch)
Username: Paul_finch

Registered: 11-2009
Posted From: 92.20.198.95
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 02:59 pm:   

JLP wrote: "Well done Mr Unsworth! I'm going to be in there with you with my story 'Six of the Best!"

LOL - more fond memories of your school days, John?

On a more serious note, glad to see so many deserving folk in there. It's going to be another cracking volume from the one-man publishing industry that is Charlie Black.

Talk about tireless efforts to resurrect the look, flavour and feel of the late lamented Pan Horrors. Well done that man.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.27.75
Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 03:03 pm:   

'On a more serious note, glad to see so many deserving folk in there. It's going to be another cracking volume from the one-man publishing industry that is Charlie Black.

Charlie has worked so hard to establish BLACK BOOKS....and 'Talk about tireless efforts to resurrect the look, flavour and feel of the late lamented Pan Horrors. Well done that man.'

Very much agreed!
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Nathaniel Tapley (Natt)
Username: Natt

Registered: 11-2009
Posted From: 78.145.31.28
Posted on Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 03:37 pm:   

Congratulations to all, looking forward to this no end...
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 82.3.226.105
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 08:52 am:   

I'm in it, too. There, that's knocked the smirks off your faces, hasn't it? :-)
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Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin)
Username: Richard_gavin

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 65.110.174.71
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 11:39 am:   

"Congratulations, all," he said enviously.

Does anyone know if the BBoH anthologies are by invitation only?
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Joel (Joel)
Username: Joel

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 217.37.199.45
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 01:07 pm:   

They're not as far as I know, Richard. Have a look at the Mortbury Press website. It's a semi-pro operation and I think they are getting lots of submissions, but each volume has included some newcomers to the series.
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 01:08 pm:   

Richard - I've emailed you.
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Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin)
Username: Richard_gavin

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 65.110.174.71
Posted on Monday, December 21, 2009 - 01:59 pm:   

Cheers, Joel and Zed. Greatly appreciated.
Best,
Richard
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.103.170
Posted on Monday, March 15, 2010 - 05:06 pm:   

Reviews for the sixth book....from Colin Leslie.

http://talesfromtheblackabyss.com/2010/03/14/the-sixth-black-book-of-horror-edit ed-by-charles-black/
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Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.163.170.179
Posted on Thursday, April 01, 2010 - 06:59 pm:   

I've started a real-time review of the sixth book:
http://weirdmonger.blog-city.com/6thbboh.htm
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.29.110.205
Posted on Thursday, April 01, 2010 - 08:21 pm:   

I've read a bit of this. Lord P's tale is fun, as ever. Lockley's is effective: great last line. Simon U's is a solid piece of savage horror - reminded me of a Matheson short. Finch's The Doom was pretty good, too - good in the sense of utterly nasty, natch. I really enjoyed Stephen Bacon's story: perhaps the end left me feeling as if it needed . . . oh, I don't know . . . a little more edge and bite; but the prose is a delight and the characterisation strong. I liked Samuels' tale until the end, which seemed a little crude given the typically elegant built up.
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Carolinec (Carolinec)
Username: Carolinec

Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 82.38.75.85
Posted on Thursday, April 01, 2010 - 08:32 pm:   

Is this book available from the website yet? I had a look the other day (after missing WHC so not getting it at the launch) and it didn't look like it could be ordered from the site yet. Must dash off and take a look again ..
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Carolinec (Carolinec)
Username: Carolinec

Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 82.38.75.85
Posted on Thursday, April 01, 2010 - 08:57 pm:   

.. just answered my own question, popped over to Mortbury Press and ordered a copy. Looking forward to this.
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Steve Bacon (Stevebacon)
Username: Stevebacon

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 90.210.209.136
Posted on Thursday, April 01, 2010 - 10:33 pm:   

Gary, thanks for the comments. I was telling Des on saturday night, most of my stories get rejected due to an inability to write endings correctly. The problem is, I also struggle with beginnings and middles...

Simon K U's tale reminded me of a Marc Laidlaw story from several years ago. Haven't yet read any of the other tales. My WHC bookbag is bursting at the seams. Here's what I bought -

Wicked Delights by JLP
Beneath the Ground edited by Joel Lane
Just Behind You by Ramsey Campbell
Lost Places by Simon Kurt Unsworth
The Harm by Gary McMahon
Back From the Dead edited by Johnny Mains
The Red House by David J Thacker
The Mask Behind the Face by Stuart Young
The Thief of Broken Toys by Tim Lebbon
Tragic Life Stories by Steve Duffy
The Beautiful Red by James Cooper
The Terror and the Tortoiseshell by John Travis
Twisthorn Bellow by Rhys Hughes
Feral Companions by Maginn and Fry
Gaslight Grotesque edited by Campbell and Prepolec
Anno Mortis by Rebecca Levene (freebie from the book bag)
El Sombra by Al Ewing (freebie from the book bag)
The Mammoth Book of Zombie Comics (freebie from the book bag)
Where Or When by Steven Utley (freebie from the book bag)
Time Hunter by Stefan Petrucha (freebie from the book bag)
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 89.240.71.160
Posted on Thursday, April 01, 2010 - 11:34 pm:   

Thanks for the kind words Gary and Des, glad you like the tale - it's a great book to be in! My post-WHC reading pile is (literally) about 4 feet high so the only two I;ve managed to read from BBoH6 are Lord P's (which I loved!) and Mark Samuels (which I thought pretty good and amusing when I first read it). I'm hoping to get to the other stories in the next week or so, and I'm looking forward to all of them.

S
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John Llewellyn Probert (John_l_probert)
Username: John_l_probert

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.142.146.96
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 09:10 am:   

Thanks for the kind comments about 'Six of the Best' chaps! I've yet to get to grips with BB6 as my reading pile from World Horror has started with HH Ewers' Alraune and Joshi's Black Wings antho.
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Paul_finch (Paul_finch)
Username: Paul_finch

Registered: 11-2009
Posted From: 195.93.21.74
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 09:34 am:   

I'm in a similar predicament. My reading pile now fills all four shelves in a bedside cabinet. There are still collections and anthologies in there from several Fantasycons ago. My solution is to try to read one story per book, each time puttng that book to the back of the queue. I'm getting through everything, but only at a snail's pace.
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 89.240.71.160
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 12:08 pm:   

So you'll get to Traffic Stream in about 2016 then, Paul? Excellent! I shall await your feedback with interest!

S
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.98.220
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 12:11 pm:   

I'm only going to mention this briefly as Simon has touched upon it. The story by Samuels in the sixth book. I would have just shrugged aside the offensive digs at me in the story but Samuels used ny dead sister's name in that spiteful tale. He took Maitland from my fifth story in BRFG's and Sylvia from the 13th story which mentioned at the bottom of the page that she died 1st March 2008 and gave the character the name of Sylvia Maitland. He has since said this was a coincidence which it isn't. There are too many other things going on in that story that I recognise. Many of my friends on this board have written or will be writing to him to shown their concern for the grief it has caused me. I thank you all for helping me through that over this last week.

I've talked to Charlie about this and he is utterly blameless and did not know it was my sister's name that Samuels used.

I've also gone public with this because it has to stop. Over the last six months I've been hauled across various boards by Samuels and will stand for it no longer. I have a pretty reasonable case for libel and there is a deliberate intention to harm my career.

So I hope that this all going to stop now. I've got the anthology coming out with Joel Lane in September, my new collection coming out at the same time and my novel a little later.
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Mick Curtis (Mick)
Username: Mick

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.179.60.206
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 01:02 pm:   

Thanks for the kind comments about 'Six of the Best' chaps! I've yet to get to grips with BB6 as my reading pile from World Horror has started with HH Ewers' Alraune and Joshi's Black Wings antho.

Yep, I picked up Alraune as well - didn't even know it'd been published 'til I saw it on Side Real's table in the dealers' room.
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.29.110.205
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 01:03 pm:   

>>>Yep, I picked up Alraune as well

I think penicillin helps. If it hasn't cleared up after a week or so, consult your GP.
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Mick Curtis (Mick)
Username: Mick

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.179.60.206
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 02:25 pm:   

...and blame Lord P. for getting it in the first place...
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Mark_samuels (Mark_samuels)
Username: Mark_samuels

Registered: 04-2010
Posted From: 86.172.55.163
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 02:56 pm:   

Firstly, can I apologise for all this. I'm sorry this has gone public, Allyson refuses to communicate with me directly, claiming I would be "abusive" towards her. Which I wouldn't.

Anyway, I have tried to explain my position to Allyson, via some of our mutual friends, since I was alerted to what was being said about me (without my knowledge, in places like Facebook, in emails and so on).

I am not engaged in any feud or vendetta. The worst that can be said is that I avoid her. I simply don't find her work of much significance. This has been translated into the idea that I am on some mission to discredit her. I don't see how that's possible. People will make their own minds up without looking to me.

Anyway, here's what I came to say about the story she mentions:

"I really did not remember what Allyson's sister's name was when I wrote the story. I admit she may have mentioned it to me in the past in email correspondence, when I sympathised with her, at the time, about her loss last year. The character in my story was not intended to represent her sister. It is a fictional person who was a horror film actress and a hotel owner. Had I remembered "Sylvia" was her first name I would never have used it. I choose the name "Sylvia" at random, without making any connection between the two. There's no way I would do something that despicable. That's the whole truth of the matter."

If Allyson insists on believing I am enough of a bastard not only to actually use the memory of her sister to point-score, but also to then lie and lie about having done so, well, I really don't know what the solution to all this is. I can scarcely apologise for something I have not, and had no intention of, doing.

Mark S.
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Joel (Joel)
Username: Joel

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 91.110.137.173
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 03:28 pm:   

Mark, I'm afraid you're avoiding any mention of the nucleus of the offence caused, which is the "frustrated housewife" passage in the story. I was shocked by that, and if you're going to discuss the issue here (which I'm glad you're doing) then you can't just shrug it off. When you've placed a blatant personal attack at the heart of a story, you shouldn't be surprised if people then see further offensive implications in the story. You're directing those interpretations with your own words.
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Mark_samuels (Mark_samuels)
Username: Mark_samuels

Registered: 04-2010
Posted From: 86.172.55.163
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 03:32 pm:   

Joel

Having gone through a painful marital separation perhaps it might be enough for me to add that there are many elements in that tale directed at myself. But I don't want to go into details, as you might easily imagine.

Mark S.
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.29.110.205
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 03:32 pm:   

Really enjoyed 'High Water' in Apparitions, Joel. Love your description of a canal in Venice as being like a tape in a casette. The teenage Playboy addict line was maybe a pun out of place, though I know how difficult these great lines are to resist. :-)
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 89.240.71.160
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 03:36 pm:   

And, Mark, didn't you post on your blog at one point that you only had two enemies, Chris Barker and Allyson Bird? I can't find the reference now because I appear to be blocked from your blog, but it was in the post where you removed the stuff between you and me and and put the names of your only enemies up 'to clarify' the position.

For the record, I think Mark's story is amusing (if slight), but I find the names thing disturbing, and (I'm sorry to say, given the previous way Mark has spoken about Allyson and the other reference in the story, as Joel says) unlikely to be a complete coincidence. I may be maligning Mark here, but given the history, I can't see any other way to interpret it.

S
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.98.220
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 03:38 pm:   

And I suppose the 'frustrated fifty-year-old old housewife hobby writer' isn't me or 'she possessed little talent beyond an amazing knack for self- promotion and for eliciting sympathy when her shortcomings as an author were exposed.'isn't either....in the same story and the title and that Sylvia in real life is older than me as the Sylvia is sixty in your story. I really don't believe you.
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Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.163.170.179
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 04:04 pm:   

This, inter alia, is something I wrote on Ally's Facebook last Tuesday soon after I first heard about this allegation:

"Since writing here yesterday, I have read the story, one I knew nothing about till now. It seems to be a complex mishmash of satirical references to many people Mark has known over the years, including himself! I have long believed in 'The Intentional Fallacy' in literature, but I will say, Ally, since you recognise your late sister in one of the characters, you have my deep sympathy. Anything I can do, let me know."

I also said to try to forget the incident and focus energies on the valuable task of writing fiction.

There is a short answer to anyone interested in this argument. Read Ally's book and Mark's story and make your own mind up. Keep it to yourself, I say, with the admittedly desperate hope that Mark and Allyson may come to some closure in the privacy of personal emails.
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Mark_samuels (Mark_samuels)
Username: Mark_samuels

Registered: 04-2010
Posted From: 86.172.55.163
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 04:06 pm:   

Simon

You’re not specifically blocked from my blog! Everyone is. It’s shut down for now, but I may re-open it. As for the remark, if you go back over the board you’ll see that Ally used the word “enemy” to describe me: saying something like “he’s making enemies, including me.” I only referenced it in a Xmas post saying “I also wish those who regard me as their enemy, Allyson Bird and Chris Barker, a happy Christmas”.

Allyson

I’m not going into detail about the “frustrated housewife” thing. It’s no-one else’s business. Please respect my privacy.

For the record, should the BB story be reprinted, I will ensure that the name “Sylvia” is changed, because of the really unfortunate coincidence. Again, I did not have Allyson’s sister in mind. I wrote the story and only I know the truth. Let me say this: my conscience is clear.

Mark S.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.98.220
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 04:15 pm:   

Unbelievable. I'm simply speechless.

Why would I correspond in private when I've been belittled and ridiculed openly on boards and in text.
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 89.240.71.160
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 04:19 pm:   

Mark - Given that your blog is closed, I can't prove either way, but your blog clearly stated that you have two enemies, Allyson Bird and Chris Barker.

As for the rest of it, perhaps you might try an apology for hurt caused, unintentionally or otherwise?

S
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Mark_samuels (Mark_samuels)
Username: Mark_samuels

Registered: 04-2010
Posted From: 86.172.55.163
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 04:26 pm:   

Actually my blog said "those who regard me as their enemy". There's a difference. I never said they were my enemies. Not a word I tend to use.

Certainly. For any unintentional hurt caused on my part, I hereby apologise to Allyson.

Mark S.
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 89.240.71.160
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 04:34 pm:   

My memory differs on the wording you use, but I suppose I have no choice but to take your word on the matter.

And the apology is a start.

S
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.98.220
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 06:22 pm:   

'I'm in a similar predicament. My reading pile now fills all four shelves in a bedside cabinet. There are still collections and anthologies in there from several Fantasycons ago. My solution is to try to read one story per book, each time putting that book to the back of the queue. I'm getting through everything, but only at a snail's pace.'

I'm going to do that too. I picked up all the Ashtree collections and happily picked up Barbara's collection too. I keep looking at the six of them next to me and don't know where to start. I also have a copy of Joel's Beneath the Ground....Steve.


Not only did I get my much valued Nest Of Nightmares I picked up (thanks to Joel for telling me) Familiar Spirit and Memories of the Body.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.98.220
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 06:37 pm:   

My daughter took The Terror and the Tortoiseshell by John Travis from me. Read it all in two days...shouted Machenites!...from the top of the stairs and won't give it back.
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Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 220.138.165.158
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 06:41 pm:   

'Joel's Beneath the Ground' sounds a bit ominous!

Glad you managed to get your hands on some more of Lisa Tuttle's work, Ally. Memories of the Body is an excellent collection.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.98.220
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 06:59 pm:   

I'm going to get a glass of wine and settle down with it soon, Huw. Wonderful to meet my hero, Lisa Tuttle, at WHC. She bought my book which is rather cool..
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Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.163.170.179
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 07:00 pm:   

I did a real-time review of Joel's BENEATH THE GROUND last year ( a bit late!).
I couldn't carry much from Brighton, so I've been buying stuff since then on the internet, including John Travis's book on which I also intend to do a real-time review before long. :-)
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.98.220
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 07:09 pm:   

My daughter sent this to John about him after she read it.

You are a 'Feline genius in human form.' :>)
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Joel (Joel)
Username: Joel

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 91.110.243.105
Posted on Friday, April 02, 2010 - 11:19 pm:   

Inaccurate, of course. John's stories have clauses that end in pauses, whereas a cat has...

[sorry]
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.29.110.205
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 10:59 am:   

Thanks for the kind comments in your review, Des.

Feral Companions is now out - including a 24K novella by me - if you're interested in more from me. I think it's still a tenner for a signed HC with ribbons and endpapers and other fancy stuff.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.98.220
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 11:04 am:   

And as for this ...
'I simply don't find her work of much significance.'

Six honourable mentions from Ellen Datlow, praise from Joe R Lansdale, Laird Barron, Des Lewis...an award, and numerous other people whose opinion I respect is what I value. I'll finish with some quotes...'This is very good work by a new author. There's a great deal to love about Bull Running For Girls, not the least of this being its promise that we've only seen the beginning of a remarkable career.' Joe R Lansdale's comment, 'If there is any justice, she's on her way to real recognition.' and Pete Tennant's remark about Bull Running for Girls...
BRG's 'impressively showcases the considerable potential of this fresh voice in genre fiction.'
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.29.110.205
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 11:04 am:   

And gadzooks, if the publisher isn't offering free postage: http://www.pendragonpress.net/
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.98.220
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 11:10 am:   

'I’m not going into detail about the “frustrated housewife” thing. It’s no-one else’s business. Please respect my privacy.'

I'm still considering the above after much consultation with various people about libel the above simply isn't an adequate explanantion.
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Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.163.170.179
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 11:19 am:   

If this is coming to law, I personally suggest any comments and evidence are now kept for the solicitors...not on any public forums from this point onward. IMO
des
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Mick Curtis (Mick)
Username: Mick

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.179.60.206
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 11:27 am:   

Gary F. - managed to miss your (and Simon Maginn's) book at WHC - just ordered it now. Seem to have missed a few, but slowly catching up!
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Steve Bacon (Stevebacon)
Username: Stevebacon

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 90.210.209.136
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 12:24 pm:   

Mick, I missed a few as well - Paul Finch's ATP collection, the Best of the Best New Horror, the Nightjar chapbooks, the Tom Fletcher novel, etc.
Have to correct that in the next few weeks.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.98.220
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 12:35 pm:   

Des. I'm probably not going to take legal action. Charlie didn't realise the significence of much of what was in that story.
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Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.163.170.179
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 12:40 pm:   

I'm glad, Ally. It was just that you yourself mentioned 'considering the above after much consultation with various people about libel '.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.98.220
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 01:05 pm:   

Indeed. Not a problem, Des. Although I'm keeping in touch with the editor of my new collection about it all. He was a litigation lawyer and judge in Chicago for twenty five years and he isn't happy about what he's seen over the last six months.
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Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.163.170.179
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 01:07 pm:   

In that case, I go back to my earlier suggestion, today.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.98.220
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 01:44 pm:   

As I said Des. I'm not going to do anything - just making my feelings and his, quite clear.
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.29.110.205
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 06:36 pm:   

Thanks, Mick!
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.96.240.106
Posted on Saturday, April 03, 2010 - 09:09 pm:   

I thought Gary Fry's story was brilliant, and I haven't even read it.
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.29.110.205
Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2010 - 09:09 am:   

Dead Bad Things is splendid, especially the ending.
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.96.240.106
Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2010 - 01:06 pm:   

Could you tell me what happens at the end, so I can write it. Feels like typing in a bath full of golden syrup while wearing a scuba suit at the minute.
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Simon Bestwick (Simon_b)
Username: Simon_b

Registered: 10-2008
Posted From: 86.24.165.4
Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2010 - 01:27 pm:   

I know some guys who'd pay to see that, Zed.
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Steve Bacon (Stevebacon)
Username: Stevebacon

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 90.210.209.136
Posted on Sunday, April 04, 2010 - 09:52 pm:   

Another review http://dochorror.blogspot.com/2010/04/sixth-black-book-of-horror.html
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 89.240.71.160
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2010 - 09:45 am:   

Stephen - well done! Your story is going down a treat in all corners, as far as I can tell!

S
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Mark_samuels (Mark_samuels)
Username: Mark_samuels

Registered: 04-2010
Posted From: 81.129.143.153
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2010 - 02:17 pm:   

Oddly enough (well, not oddly, more a case of the GPO being useless) I haven't read any of the other tales in the book. My only look at the book so far was a quick glance-through during the launch.

But I'm all on edge to read Stephen's tale, which sounds very good indeed.

Mark S.
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Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.163.170.179
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2010 - 03:48 pm:   

Stephen's tale I envisage being re-readable several times without getting to the bottom of sonething that is essentially so simple. No mean feat that. The H.E. Bates and A.E. Coppard comparisons are not lightly made, either.
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 89.240.71.160
Posted on Monday, April 05, 2010 - 05:17 pm:   

I've managed John Probert's and Mark Samuels so far and enjoyed both - BBOH6 is now in the enormous 'to be read' pile that followed me back from WHC...
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Steve Bacon (Stevebacon)
Username: Stevebacon

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 90.210.209.136
Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2010 - 09:27 pm:   

Thanks, fellas. I feel like a non league footballer that's been called up to play in the Premier League with all you pros. And I managed to knock the ball into the net with my arse.
I appreciate the encouragement though. :-)
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.96.240.106
Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2010 - 09:41 pm:   

Don't be silly, Steve. You're a very fine writer indeed.
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Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 86.163.170.179
Posted on Tuesday, April 06, 2010 - 10:10 pm:   

I'd vouch for that.
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Kate (Kathleen)
Username: Kathleen

Registered: 09-2009
Posted From: 86.142.146.96
Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2010 - 12:48 am:   

Hear, hear! Your story was one of the first I went to in the collection, Steve, as I'd not read anything by you yet. Very atmospheric and haunting - just my kind of story! I look forward to many more.
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Joel (Joel)
Username: Joel

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 217.37.199.45
Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2010 - 01:35 pm:   

Des, your review highlights that there are two kinds of 'Pan story' recurring in this anthology. I mean Pan as in van Thal and Pan as in Dionysus. I'm halfway through the stories (not reading in order of contents, because that could never happen) and so far particularly struck by Steve Lockley's 'Imaginary Friends' (which isn't a Pan story in either sense, but a quietly unnerving weird tale with an ending to die for).

Paul Finch's 'The Doom', another relatively quiet story, is as engaging and skilful as one would expect. I think different readers will read it in different ways: some as a critique of Anglican moral relativism, others as a critique of organised religion as such (for the cleric in the story, rape is purely a theological issue: all that matters is what 'God' thinks).
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Karim Ghahwagi (Karim)
Username: Karim

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.163.17.104
Posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2010 - 10:53 pm:   

Joel, when you write 'not reading in order of contents, because that could never happen', do you mean to say that you prefer to deviate from the sequence of the stories as they are arranged in the anthology? Sorry if I have misunderstood your meaning if this isn't the case, but I've also read comments here that some enjoy reading several single author collections for example, at the same time. I have to admit that I like to start a collection, and read the sequence of stories as they are presented, all the way to the end because it does often (not always- ha!) reveal additional aesthetic concerns...This goes for anthologies as well, where the editor's intentions are just as interesting. I do also think however that it is just as interesting of course to dip into various collections at different points, however I prefer to work my way into a single collection and follow it as the author/editor envisioned it...
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Joel (Joel)
Username: Joel

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 91.110.130.150
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2010 - 01:24 am:   

Karim, you're right and I can't justify my habit of reading the stories in an anthology in an order of my own choosing. My phrasing was also an obscure Buffy quote.
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Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 217.43.30.125
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2010 - 09:06 am:   

Each order of stories chosen in anthology or collection - random, arbitrary, instinctive, whimsical, counter-whimsical, perverse or as set by the book itself - they all have their own serendipity or synchronicity of synergy. So, no matter, Joel.
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Karim Ghahwagi (Karim)
Username: Karim

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 193.89.189.24
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2010 - 09:40 am:   

Joel, :-)
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Des (Des)
Username: Des

Registered: 06-2008
Posted From: 217.43.30.125
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2010 - 12:29 pm:   

BTW, an example of 'counter-whimsical' ordering of stories: the alphabetical order by title in 'The Weirdmonger' book.
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Carolinec (Carolinec)
Username: Carolinec

Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 82.38.75.85
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2010 - 04:31 pm:   

I'm the same as you, Joel - I dip in and out of anthologies/collections as the fancy takes me, and never in the "correct" order. I tend to start with the shortest stories first - which might explain why I've read so many of Des' stories!

My BBoH6 arrived yesterday and I started dipping into it last night. No time now to comment on the stories I've read so far, but I am certainly enjoying it.

Johnny Mains' Legacy.. book arrived by the same post, so I'll be dipping into that tonight (unless I get sidetracked, as I've just bought a Wii! )
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Mick Curtis (Mick)
Username: Mick

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.176.102.176
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2010 - 04:51 pm:   

I tend to read collections in the order the stories come in, but if they're single author books I'll read other stuff after each tale, as I've done with Steve Duffy's marvellous "Tragic Life Stories", although in this case it was partly because I didn't want it to end.
Now, onto the Unsworth (not literally, of course)...
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 80.47.23.254
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2010 - 08:52 pm:   

I dip in and out of collections...first one up and dipped into is...Simon Kurt Unsworth's story, THE LEMON IN THE POOL. Wonderful example of how to build a story to a satisfying end.
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 78.144.73.107
Posted on Friday, April 09, 2010 - 12:44 pm:   

I'm got Mick on me! Oh Hell!

S

PS Thanks, Ally!
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Joel (Joel)
Username: Joel

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 91.110.128.82
Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 11:16 am:   

In contrast to one of the reviewers, I'd like to put in a word for Anna Taborska's 'Bagpuss': a bitter, sensitively written portrait of a disturbed child that may have been influenced by Bela Tarr's great film Satantango.

Great to see this series taking on more seriousness within a popular format. It's starting to feel like one of those classic small press horror magazines from the 1990s.
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Simon Bestwick (Simon_b)
Username: Simon_b

Registered: 10-2008
Posted From: 86.24.165.4
Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 01:00 pm:   

Yes- really enjoyed 'Bagpuss' and also Anna's story in Black Book of Horror #5, 'Schrodinger's Human'. 'Bagpuss' is quite definitely the best of the two. Promising write, I think. She seems to have a thing about cats. Not that this is any kind of a bad thing.
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Simon Bestwick (Simon_b)
Username: Simon_b

Registered: 10-2008
Posted From: 86.24.165.4
Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 01:52 pm:   

'Promising writer', that should have been. Argh!
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Joel (Joel)
Username: Joel

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 91.110.171.97
Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 02:04 pm:   

Thought the clause read strangely. Or was that just the strange red claws?
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Mark_samuels (Mark_samuels)
Username: Mark_samuels

Registered: 04-2010
Posted From: 81.129.143.153
Posted on Sunday, April 11, 2010 - 01:39 am:   

I'm a big fan of Anna Taborska. She's a marvellous author---her tale in BBoH#5 reminded me of Bloch's "Enoch", but was developed entirely independently.

Mark S.
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Steve Bacon (Stevebacon)
Username: Stevebacon

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 90.210.209.136
Posted on Sunday, April 11, 2010 - 06:03 pm:   

I met Anna at Brighton. She's a lovely girl. Quite a talent.
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Simon Bestwick (Simon_b)
Username: Simon_b

Registered: 10-2008
Posted From: 86.24.165.4
Posted on Sunday, April 11, 2010 - 06:34 pm:   

Likewise, Steve. A really nice lady. Also a filmmaker- this one looks very interesting:

http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi154599961/
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.96.240.106
Posted on Sunday, April 11, 2010 - 08:16 pm:   

Sorry chaps, but "Bagpus" didn't do much for me. I hate stories about cats anyway, so that may have clouded my judgement.
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.96.240.106
Posted on Sunday, April 11, 2010 - 08:28 pm:   

JLP's story is excellent, though. I read it with a shudder and a grin.

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