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Carolinec (Carolinec)
Username: Carolinec

Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 82.38.75.85
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 05:32 pm:   

No, I don't mean "do you like him as a person?" I'm quite sure that anyone who's met/had dealings with him will like him - he seems like a lovely guy. But is there anyone here who likes his *writing*?

It seems to me that his writing doesn't get talked about enough - it's somewhat overshadowed by his role as editor/publisher at PS Publishing.

I think he's an absolutely brilliant writer too. I've just pre-ordered his soon-to-be-released novel "By Wizard Oak" from Earthling Publications, on the strength of his reading of the epilogue from this at FCon - it was brilliant! It's expensive (particularly taking into account what I've just been quoted for shipping from the US to the UK), but it was one of those "I've just got to have this" moments for me.

One of my favourite collections is Pete's "The Spaces Between the Lines" from a few years ago. He can write in such a wide range of styles, from beautiful/thoughtful stories like "Bedfordshire" to the self-confessed Campbellian story "We're All Bozos on This Bus" (both in the aforementioned collection). I enjoyed his novella "The Land at the End of the Working Day", and I currently have his collaboration with James Lovegrove "Escardy Gap" - which seems, from the cover art/blurb to be a Bradbury-inspired story, in the style of "Something Wicked This Way Comes" - on my TBR pile. I must bring it closer to the top of the pile soon. Oh, and I thoroughly enjoyed his novella "The Land at the End of the Working Day".

A few years back, I had the pleasure of a little email correspondence with Pete (when I complimented him on his reading from "Land at the End .. etc" at AltFiction - I had, apparently, been the only person to comment on it, and he was concerned that nobody liked it as no-one had said anything!). Anyway, as a "thank you" he sent me a copy of a story of his from Subterranean Magazine from way back, called "Thoughtful Breaths". By the end of the story, I was crying my eyes out - it must surely be the most beautiful and inspirational story of love and loss I've ever read.

So, anyone else here like his stories? What have you read and what do you think of them? My only regret is that he doesn't set more stories in his place of origin, Yorkshire, and sets most of them in the States - I do like stories set in places I know.
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John Forth (John)
Username: John

Registered: 05-2008
Posted From: 217.20.16.180
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 06:10 pm:   

I've enjoyed the few stories of his that I've read, and have been intending for a while to pick up a collection. Fully intending to order his new novel too, as I really enjoyed his FantasyCon reading. There was a great flow and punch to the segment he read, almost like being lifted up by a strong wind.

On a personal note, he's also responsible for one of the most encouraging story rejections I've had, and seems like one of the good guys.
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Stephen Theaker (Stephen_theaker)
Username: Stephen_theaker

Registered: 12-2009
Posted From: 62.30.117.235
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 06:31 pm:   

Forever Twilight: Darkness Darkness was really good fun, but that's all I've read so far.
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Steve Bacon (Stevebacon)
Username: Stevebacon

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 93.186.23.171
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 06:47 pm:   

I think he's a great writer. I have several of his books. He's a nice chap, too. I wished there were more like him.
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 92.16.38.116
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 09:55 pm:   

I like Pete a lot, both as a writer and a publisher. I've only met him briefly (when I introduced myslef at FCon, working on the principal that he's publishing my collection, so I ought to say hello!) but he and Nicky were both very nice to me (even though Pete initally couldn't remember that he was publishing me!). A real gent.

S
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 88.104.136.120
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 10:40 pm:   

I met Pete and Nikki on the plane to WHC Toronto. Good people. :>).
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Mark_lynch (Mark_lynch)
Username: Mark_lynch

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 217.171.129.73
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 10:56 pm:   

I really liked his collection The Longest Single Note, which was reissued by Leisure in an affordable edition, but haven't been able to afford any of his other collections... I've Escardy Gap but still haven't got around to reading it.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 88.104.136.120
Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 11:14 pm:   

'I've Escardy Gap but still haven't got around to reading it.'

I have too and will try to read it soon.
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Carolinec (Carolinec)
Username: Carolinec

Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 82.38.75.85
Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 11:25 am:   

Ooo, I'll have to look out for The Longest Single Note - I hadn't realised there was an 'affordable' collection out there somewhere.

It's funny how some of us have Escardy Gap but haven't read it yet. I was hoping someone could tell me if it's any good, but I'm sure it will be so I think I'll bump it to the top of my TBR pile.

Glad I'm not the only one who loves his writing!
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Peteatps (Peteatps)
Username: Peteatps

Registered: 10-2010
Posted From: 86.128.254.242
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2010 - 03:55 pm:   

Well, hi everyone! Many many thanks for all your kind words -- they mean a lot. It was tough for a while with regard to my own writing, with the business pretty much demanding every second of my time but things have improved now since Nicky joined me full time and we've recently appointed Mike Smith as my assistant. Thus this year has seen a collaborative story with Rio Youers ('Splinters' for Conrad's GUTSHOT anthology) and a short (60,000 words) Hallowe'en novel for Paul Miller's Earthling (By Wizard Oak, which Nicky assures me is my nastiest and rudest work ever -- hurrah!).

Caroline, I'm delighted that you so enjoyed 'Thoughtful Breaths'. It's one of my absolute favourite stories and will feature in the next collection . . . a very Bradburyesque set entitled Things I Didn't Know My Father Knew and other revelations.

John, nice of you to speak well of the rejection you received from me. Believe me, I hate having to reject *anything* cos I remember all too well the rejection slips I got myself in my early days. I'd prefer to be able to take everything I was sent but, of course, that's just wishful thinking. I'm sure you'll click with me somewhere down the line but always remember that I'm just one editor: the next guy may well *love* what you send and think I'm a putz for bouncing it. So it goes. But don't let my rejection or anyone else's put you off continuing. Read every day and write every day. You'll make it, no question.

Stephen, glad you enjoyed the first FOREVER TWILIGHT novella. There's a second one (WINDOWS TO THE SOUL) out from Bill Schafer's Subterranean Press . . . with DARKNESS RISING, the third part (probably of nine 40,000-word novellas though there could be more) due from Sub Press next year. They're a ball to write: I even have an outline if anyone's interested. (Maybe I should post it up someplace . . .)

"Nice chap", Steve? That's kind of you to say. I just try to treat folks the same way I like to be treated myself. It's an easy credo to fly by but you're right when you suggest that lots of folks don't follow it.

And Simon, how on Earth could I forget we were publishing your fine collection. What a tosser I am. Ah well . . .

Thanks for *your* generosity, Allybird. That Toronto convention seems like such a long ways off right now -- I wish we could all do it over again! You really should try to read ESCARDY GAP -- it was great fun working with James and we were overjoyed when SFX readers voted it in as #35 (if I remember correctly) in the Top 50 genre novels of all time (and you just wouldn't *believe* some of the titles that came below it!). We started the sequel (UNFINISHED BUSINESS, around 20,000 words of it done) and we were waiting for someone to throw some money at us . . . but they didn't. The novel is now long out of print: maybe I should reprint it under the Drugstore Indian imprint, along with THE LONGEST SINGLE NOTE, also out of print (glad *you* enjoyed that one, Mark). I'll see what folks say about that.

Well, I guess I've taken up enough of Ramsey's space so I'll get back to work. Nice talking to you all . . . and thanks once again for your very kind and generous words. It's made my day and my weekend.

Stay well . . .

Pete
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Carolinec (Carolinec)
Username: Carolinec

Registered: 06-2009
Posted From: 82.38.75.85
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2010 - 04:22 pm:   

Hi Pete,
Oh dear, I feel a little embarassed now after saying all those nice things about your writing - I didn't know you'd actually be reading them!

Glad to hear there's a new collection on its way. I still haven't confessed to my husband just how much I've committed to spend (including shipping from the US) on By Wizard Oak! If the rest of the book is half as good as the epilogue you read at FCon though, it's going to be worth it.
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Frank (Frank)
Username: Frank

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 85.222.86.21
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2010 - 04:43 pm:   

It's a shame that not all of the people involved in the SP are as decent and professional as Peter. It's always great to know there are good editors (as well as talented writers) out there.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 88.104.136.120
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2010 - 07:12 pm:   

Toronto 2007....here's to Texas 2011. Hope to see you there, Pete! And I'll catch up with ESCARDY GAP soon :.).
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.31.170.240
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2010 - 08:11 pm:   

I thought Pete's stories in British Invasion and Gathering The Bones were especially good.
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 92.16.38.116
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2010 - 10:20 pm:   

Pete, I wouldn't worry about it - you must have loads of people to try to remember! And, if I'm honest, there are times when I try to forget me as well...

S

PS Your story in Zombie Apocolypse is ace! Plus, I loved the episode of Urban Gothic you wrote!
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Frank (Frank)
Username: Frank

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 85.222.86.21
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2010 - 11:36 pm:   

Wow. I didn't know that. Excellent.
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.31.170.240
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 08:59 am:   

Simon Kurt . . . who?
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 92.16.38.116
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 09:29 am:   

...er, dunno.

S
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.31.170.240
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 10:04 am:   

Have you noticed that Pete's name was mentioned five times and then he appeared? A bit like Candyman.

Now then, let's summoned others . . .

Stephen King.
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.31.170.240
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 10:10 am:   

Zombie Apocalypse: Simon, does your copy have page numbers?
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 92.16.38.116
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 01:13 pm:   

Gary: no. Does that mean mine's special, or normal?

S
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.31.170.240
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 02:08 pm:   

Mine, neither. Which makes it hard to know who wrote what. Rather odd, I thought.
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Ramsey Campbell (Ramsey)
Username: Ramsey

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 195.93.21.68
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 03:11 pm:   

Pete who?............................................................................ ................................................................................ ................................................................................ ..................Seriously, a great chap and a fine writer.
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 92.16.38.116
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 05:30 pm:   

Last page has a copyright list, Gary - I'm working it out as I go along!

S
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John Llewellyn Probert (John_l_probert)
Username: John_l_probert

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.152.74.159
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 06:25 pm:   

Bet you can't guess which bit I wrote
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Ian Alexander Martin (Iam)
Username: Iam

Registered: 10-2009
Posted From: 207.6.255.47
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 07:24 pm:   

Lord P: it's probably the bit that's got a velvet jacket in the plot somewhere. Either that, or some sort of incredibly rare liquor.
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.31.170.240
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 09:40 pm:   

I saw that, Simon, yes. But why add pages numbers there when the book has none. Don't get it.

John, you wrote the chapter about the chavs on the council estate, yes?
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John Llewellyn Probert (John_l_probert)
Username: John_l_probert

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.152.74.159
Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 - 11:22 pm:   

GF - Spot on!

(Or was it the teenage girl writing in her diary? I forget now...)
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Skunsworth (Skunsworth)
Username: Skunsworth

Registered: 05-2009
Posted From: 92.16.93.139
Posted on Sunday, October 10, 2010 - 10:15 am:   

John: I assume you wrote the bit that was removed on the grounds of taste and decency and only appears in the unexpurgated version?

Gary: I assume (two assumptions in one day!) that it Steve J's way of confusing us mere mortals!

S
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.31.170.240
Posted on Sunday, October 10, 2010 - 10:30 am:   

I confused enough as it is. I don't need any help. :-)

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