| Author | Message | ||
     Robert_mammone (Robert_mammone) Username: Robert_mammone Registered: 07-2010 Posted From: 220.253.155.180 |
If you'll excuse me blowing my trumpet a little, I'm happy to see that a story of mine is appearing in issue 5 of Midnight Echo, the magazine of the Australian Horror Writers Association. The mag is edited by Leigh Blackmore and I've reproduced the press release (I think they're excited with their first print edition!) below. All the contributors received a pdf copy (print versions later in the month) and it's an impressive looking publication. Review copies are availabe via e-mailing Leigh (I've removed his mobile number). I think you have to be a member of AHWA to get a copy, but if this inspires a couple of you to join, all to the good (I'm not a member, by the way). Australian Horror Writers Association www.australianhorror.com MEDIA RELEASE NO EMBARGO. MIDNIGHT ECHO # 5 RELEASED The fifth edition of the Australian Horror Writers Association’s fiction and poetry magazine, Midnight Echo, showcases the diversity of horror and should cement the publication’s reputation as a genre leader, according to editor and new AHWA president Leigh Blackmore. Leigh Blackmore, widely-published author, poet and anthology editor has revealed details about his edition, which was released for sale today and offered a glimpse of its promising future. “There is no overall theme for the issue – the stories range over a wide gamut of horror themes and approaches,” Leigh said. “For issue five I concentrated on stories of psychological and supernatural horror, a bit of Cthulhu Mythos, some post-apocalyptic scenarios and anything that was well written enough to rivet my attention as a reader who has been absorbing horror for well over 45 years. As to standouts, that will vary with individual reader’s tastes, so I won’t try and sway them.” “I wanted to build on what has come before (in previous issues), in terms of presentinga range of quality writing in the genre. That said, I applied some of my own preferences to selecting the stories, although I endeavoured to be even-handed about presenting stories ranging from the supernatural to the visceral. “Horror is in many ways such a diverse genre that I wanted issue five to represent this diversity.” Readers will notice an abundance of darkly delicious poems in issue five as well. “In the shake-up due to space limitations there are now a few less of each genre, but it was deliberate on my part to include numerous weird and darkly fantastic poems as well as stories,” Leigh said. “As a horror poet myself, who also writes stories, I’m aware of the fantastic talent poetry out there, and think the AHWA should be supporting this often-overlooked aspect of the genre. “We also have a graphic story in the issue which helps us support our claim that we promote horror in all media and manifestations.” Leigh received 150 submissions from authors across the globe for issue five and while he couldn’t publish all of them, he was overwhelmed by the plethora of talented scribes coming out of the shadows. “The talent out there is very promising. Lots of new and emerging writers who still need to hone their craft, but many writers who are publishing widely and producing material that expands the genre’s boundaries in terms of quality and entertainment value,” Leigh said. The first edition of Midnight Echo was released in October 2008 and Leigh believes the publication has well and truly earned its place among the world’s best speculative fiction magazines. “The magazine is definitely cementing its reputation, which I believe is in large part due to the high benchmark set by the magazines founders and early editors,” he said. “There are also some big changes afoot for Midnight Echo. With issue five we are bringing printing onshore to Australia, which will enable better quality printing and distribution in this country. “We also have some new distribution and promotional ideas which should improve our visibility – so watch this space for announcements! “Putting out two issues a year is a realistic goal for us at present. Everyone donates their labour out of love of the genre, and I have to say that without the fantastic art team we have, and their many hours of toil, the Echo would not be nearly as attractive and well-packaged as it is.” “When Midnight Echo becomes more financially viable, we might look at producing more than two issues per year, but that is still some way off.” But as President, Leigh wanted to assure readers and AHWA members that the Echo still had plenty of room to grow. “We are going to do some bookstore and newsagent testing on sales. I hope to push the magazine more at local conventions, and make it available in other venues, as well as continuing to run our online shop and have international copies available via lulu.com to save on international postage. “Midnight Echo is an important voice for new horror in Australia, and I believe the AHWA has the vision and commitment to seeing it continue for quite some time. “It’s great that members of the Association can download copies of the PDF version absolutely free, and I hope that alone may encourage some people interested in horror to join the AHWA. Midnight Echo #5 is on sale now at AU$S3.50 for PDF and AUS$11 (+$3 postage) for a printed copy. Log on to http://midnightecho.australianhorror.com now to purchase your copy. AHWA members receive a free PDF of the Echo or a print copy at a discounted price of $10 plus postage. Review copies (PDF only) can be obtained by contacting AHWA president Leigh Blackmore at lynvox@gmail.com About the Australian Horror Writers Association The Australian Horror Writers Association (AHWA) is the peak professional body for Australian authors of dark fiction (horror, dark fantasy, and paranormal fiction) and has 300 members. The AHWA was founded in 2003, and since its incorporation in 2005, the Association has implemented an annual short story competition, a mentorship programme, online writers forums, news and article archives, the fiction magazine Midnight Echo, and The Australian Shadows Award. For further information on the AHWA, visit www.australianhorror.com Available for comment/interview: Leigh Blackmore – Email: lvxnox@gmail.com | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.143.134.154 |
Ha! You not only blew your own trumpet but we didn't know who it was blowing it! Intros before ads? You'll get popped into Ramsey's Amazing Rubbish thread this way... ;) I reckon we should have a 'plug' section for this board. Anyone looking for stuff to buy can go there. Sorry to be grouchy, Robert...  | ||
| Robert_mammone (Robert_mammone) Username: Robert_mammone Registered: 07-2010 Posted From: 220.253.155.180 |
Sorry Tony, I have posted here before, very briefly. If the mods would like to delete this thread, fair enough. | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.31.184.78 |
Robert's a member from the past, Tony, so I said it was OK if he posted this. However, I didn't quite know how loooong the message would be.  No harm done. | ||
| Weber (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.56 |
Don't worry Robert. We all promote stuff when we've got it to promote. When the next antho with one of my stories in goes on sale I'll be shouting it from the rooftops | ||
| Weber (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.56 |
Welcome by the way | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.31.184.78 |
Don't forgot to jump directly afterwards, Weber! Hahahaha. | ||
| Weber (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.56 |
It may well be in the same collection as one of Mr Bestwick's...  and quite possibly Mr Probert. Me... in between the covers with simon and Lord Probert... | ||
| Weber (Weber_gregston) Username: Weber_gregston Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.176.105.56 |
do they need to jump as well... | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.31.184.78 |
Yes, everyone should jump. Like lemmings. In velvet dinner jackets. | ||
| Degsy (Degsy) Username: Degsy Registered: 08-2010 Posted From: 86.134.48.64 |
I've read a draft of Robert's 'Midnight Echo' story via the 'Workshop of Filthy Creation' crit site and it's a fine tale indeed. (You can hardly call him guilty of self-promotion since he forgets to even mention the title of said story!) | ||
| Robert_mammone (Robert_mammone) Username: Robert_mammone Registered: 07-2010 Posted From: 220.253.155.180 |
Thanks Degsy for the kind comment. Obviously repeating the 'press release' verbatim was a mistake, but I hope that a tiny bit of interest at least in Australian horror has been generated. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 85.222.86.21 |
Robert - I'm that clued up with regards to Australian horror, are there any writers you might recommend, any websites I might want to check out? | ||
| Steve Bacon (Stevebacon) Username: Stevebacon Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 90.209.11.187 |
Rob's tale in the last BFS journal was a fine one, too. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 85.222.86.21 |
Should have read, 'not that clued up...' | ||
| Robert_mammone (Robert_mammone) Username: Robert_mammone Registered: 07-2010 Posted From: 220.253.18.210 |
It's been pointed out to me that issues of Midnight Echo can be purchased by non-members of the AHWA through the website. Apologies for the incorrect information. Kaaron Warren has written some very fine work in reent years. David Conyers and Lee Battersby are also names that come to mind. The editor of ME #5, Leigh Blackmore, has been writing for many years. James Doig has put together a fine collection of early Australian short horror (from convict days to the early 20th century) and has done a lot of non-fiction writing in the genre. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 85.222.86.21 |
Thanks, Robert. I'll be checking them out asap. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.166.117.210 |
Kaaron Warren is a bloody excellent writer. |