| Author | Message | ||
     Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.78.14.217 |
Available now - BULL RUNNING FOR GIRLS! As my publisher, Steve Upham of Screaming Dreams, is very ill at the moment it is up to me to promote BRFG as best I can. So .... A selection of adventure-horror stories set in many locations, from the excitement and danger of bull running in Pamplona, to small town life in Madison County, U.S. Stories set amidst the bustle of Hong Kong, on The Silk Road in China and under a hunter's moon in Bordeaux. Then there are those which are much closer to home. Wonderful cover by British Fantasy Society award winning artist 2007, Vincent Chong. Introduction by Gary McMahon. "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.” Laird Barron On sale now, but to be formally launched at the British Fantasy Society Convention, September 2008 by Screaming Dreams Press. About Shadow upon Shadow : When Alice Harwood committed adultery, she expected to pay for it one day but the form and the manner of that payment touched the essence of evil. "A dark tale indeed!" — Ramsey Campbell On In the Wake of the Dead : Set in 19th Century Sligo, where magic and ritual have terrible consequences for the occupants of Elsinore House. "A potent brew of historical facts and gruesome imaginings" — Simon Clark "Ally Bird's writing is as clean and crisp as a scalpel blade. Her stories have a firm sense of place and verisimilitude; it's as if we can see the locations she writes about through the eyes of a resident. It is also both refreshing and essential to see a female author embrace the dark side with such empathy and unflinching bravery." — Gary McMahon "Allyson Bird is a powerful and personal writer" - Andrew Hook You can read a full review by Laird Barron here: http://imago1.livejournal.com/ Or just hop over and buy it from here: http://www.birdsnest.me.uk/bibliography.htm I will be selling from my website for the time being until Steve Upham is well enough. I hope that you are tempted. Stev has managed to spend a little time at his desk today. The inactivity is driving him nuts! :>) www.screamingdreams.com | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.78.14.217 |
I mean Steve - that'll teach me to check :>) | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.157.91.38 |
Oo-er, well done m'dearioh! | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.21.111 |
Thanks Mick! I know it has been mentioned a few times on the board but I had to say it has finally been delivered. I've been out and about in my moorland market town, hand delivering books, and talking about it over a glass of wine or two. Actually - people keep giving me bottles of wine to celebrate :>) | ||
| Albie (Albie) Username: Albie Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 195.195.236.131 |
That sounds like a nice life. Do you have a theme tune?  | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.17.59 |
No - but I have as good looking book  | ||
| Albie (Albie) Username: Albie Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 77.86.104.231 |
Mmm. So your tv show opens with your book and no music. That's creepy. Do you have a hapless sidekick? Because Zed is doing nothing. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
I'm otherwise engaged playing David Jason's left knee in the new series of A Touch of Frost. | ||
| Albie (Albie) Username: Albie Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 77.86.104.231 |
I thought his knee looked hapless. I also heard typing coming from it. | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.98.194 |
Who is playing his right knee then? | ||
| Albie (Albie) Username: Albie Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 77.86.104.231 |
That would be Danzinger. Curse his leathery leather car! | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.81.170 |
I've put aside copies for members who have said they will pick one up at Fantasycon. A big thank you to you and all who have ordered. Much appreciated :>) | ||
| Albie (Albie) Username: Albie Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 87.102.81.183 |
Don't save one for Danzinger. He's a cad. | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.194.158 |
Just ordered a copy. Good luck with Bull Running at FantasyCon, Ally! | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.81.170 |
Thanks Huw! I'm going to the post office this afternoon so I'll get it off to you straight away. 18 days to go to the BFS launch - not that I'm excited at all :>) or counting. Steve Upham might be able to attend too as his operation isn't until after the con. He'll see if he is up to it just before. | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.194.158 |
Can you sign it for me, Ally? ;-) | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.81.170 |
I was just going to ask you that. I sent you an email but we can sort it out now - personalised (such a loaded suggestion) or signed and dated? :>) | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.194.158 |
Personalised would be nice. Signed in blood even better.... ;-) | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.81.170 |
Okay I'll just get the 'sharper knives.' Anyone into Chris Fowler? | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.194.158 |
Thanks, Ally! Watch you don't cut too deep. ;-) | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.81.170 |
Okay - I won't sacrifice the whole Bird :>) | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.78.7.101 |
Just a reminder for those not going to the convention that copies are selling quickly (1st print run of 200) - I'm happy to say that just after the convention (if the book continues to do well) we'll be on the 2nd print run. A big thak you to all who have bought a copy! www.birdsnest.me.uk | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.78.7.101 |
BRFG'S has been out and about for a few weeks now.... David Riley has very kindly commented. "Very impressed. You certainly get your money’s worth size-wise. A nice chunky volume! Steve Upham has certainly done you proud there. I’ve only read the first story yet, but it’s a beautifully written, moody, atmospheric tale which I thoroughly enjoyed. I look forward to reading the rest of them!" Followed by I've read another couple of the stories now and they certainly live up to the first! Thank you David! We also have Laird Barron's review here http://imago1.livejournal.com/ | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.154.242.64 |
Just a reminder for those not going to the convention that copies are selling quickly (1st print run of 200) - I'm happy to say that just after the convention (if the book continues to do well) we'll be on the 2nd print run. A big thak you to all who have bought a copy! Bloody hell, that's great news, Ally! | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.78.7.101 |
Thanks Mick! And first comments on the book, besides Laird's review are coming back to me now. From David Riley.... I'm up to the fifth story in this collection, having got my copy on Friday, and can honestly say it's one of the best collections I've read in a long time. A beatifully produced volume (all credit to Steve Upham, who published it), with some truly original, really well written stories. I am very impressed with it. David Riley. | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.78.7.101 |
Oh bollocks - I'm so tired I didn't remember that I'd already put a comment up.... | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.4.183 |
More reviews starting to come in now.... 'Horror has taken a severe battering in recent years - literature hierarchy choosing to ignore the depth of writing within the genre, prefering to concentrate on the splatter-gore element that makes up only a small percentage of the field. Genuine horror writers such as Conrad Williams and Tim Lebbon fail to achieve the sales they deserve, simply because their books are placed in the Horror section, rather than on the Crime or General Fiction shelves. Well, to all those snobs and ignoramuses out there, I urge you to turn away from the Richard & Judy lists and read a collection of stories that not only showcase the best in horror writing, but in writing as a whole. Granted, Allyson Bird has produced a dark collection, but that's no reason to look down upon it. If you ignore this anthology you are ignoring genuine talent. The stories are filled with great description, genuine characters, believable dialogue and intricate plots. If Allyson had chosen to call herself a writer of adult fiction rather than a horror writer, her name would now be known across the land. Butwell done to her for sticking to her principles. People need to realise there is horror in just about everything they read - from Cornwell to Murakami - and if they're struggling to do so, then starting with Allyson's book wouldn't be a bad idea.' Shaun Hamilton. | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.76.167 |
I just sold a copy of Bull Running to a BFS member who breeds bulls and wants it as a present for his daughter :>) |