| Author | Message | ||
     Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.242.126 |
Just a little reminder that Simon's debut collection is now back from the printers and available to order: http://www.humdrumming.co.uk/upcoming.html | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.78.16.47 |
It is down on my list and I'm looking forward to it! | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.154.242.64 |
Oh yes - I'll definitely be picking up a copy of this next weekend. We're meeting up with Simon and Fran on wednesday evening to take them out for some pie and mash in an east end pub, don't you know old bean... Well, actually we're hoping to try Gourmet Burger Kitchen in Bayswater... | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.154.242.64 |
Bollocks - spoke too soon - looks as if our meeting on weds may well not go ahead now. Bloody work... | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.189.243 |
This is a book I'm really looking forward to. I've been trying to order a copy of this but the publisher's aren't responding to my emails about international shipping costs. I'll have to try getting through to them again after I get back from hospital. I was really hoping to get a personalised copy.  | ||
| Lincoln_brown (Lincoln_brown) Username: Lincoln_brown Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 121.219.157.75 |
Huw, Andy at 'Cold Tonnage' will be stocking it. | ||
| Adriana (Adriana) Username: Adriana Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.230.239.233 |
And I see for those of us stuck in TO (unable to make it across the ocean for the convention), on Oct 10 Simon will be doing a signing along with Richard Gavin and Michael Kelly and a few other authors at Titles Bookstore. | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.154.242.64 |
I called Simon an hour ago - they arrived safely in the UK around 10am. All being well I'll be seeing them tonight, so I'll get the dirt on all those Toronto folk who aren't coming! | ||
| Gary Fry (Gary_fry) Username: Gary_fry Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 129.11.76.230 |
First the credit crunch, now Strantzas! Can the country take any more trans-Atlantic battering? | ||
| Adriana (Adriana) Username: Adriana Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.230.239.233 |
He has no dirt on me. For one - he's afraid of me. Either that or terrified. So he avoids me at all costs. ;) | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.154.242.64 |
Boy were you wrong, A. - I spent around three and a half hours with Simon & Fran this evening - all we spoke about was you, and Simon hasn't even approached what he referred to as "the good stuff"! He thinks he'll be able to fit the rest in over the weekend. Just. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
Did you tell him I love him? :-) It's ok. he knows, he knows... | ||
| Mick Curtis (Mick) Username: Mick Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 86.154.242.64 |
Ah good - nice to know it's not one-sided... | ||
| Adriana (Adriana) Username: Adriana Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.230.239.233 |
There Zed goes, making me jealous again. Never in my life will I have anything so beautiful as the love affair he has with Simon. Sigh. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
It's kismet. :-) | ||
| Joel (Joel) Username: Joel Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 91.110.217.212 |
And they let me watch, Adriana. Not that I want to make you jealous or anything.  | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
It's a hideous sight, but mercifully brief. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 79.187.206.46 |
Good luck with the book signing, Simon. | ||
| Adriana (Adriana) Username: Adriana Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.230.239.233 |
Oh Joel, now you've got my crying again. Woe is me! They NEVER let me watch!!!!!!! | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 79.187.206.46 |
Hi Adriana, how's life? | ||
| Adriana (Adriana) Username: Adriana Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.230.239.233 |
Oh boy. I don't know, Frank. Kind of a roller coaster of uncertainty and anxiety. I took a craniosacral class yesterday though, and that was REALLY amazing! What about with you??? | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 79.187.206.46 |
What's craniosacral thingy mejiggy? Me, I'm also riding the roller coaster of unpredictability. Me, well..hmmm, thinking of going to South Africa because the love of my life is returning there soon. | ||
| Joel (Joel) Username: Joel Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 217.37.199.45 |
I didn't know Christina Ricci had plans to relocate there. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 79.187.206.46 |
Ah, tis Mr Lane fresh from his literary triumph. Congrats once more mate. I guess I let slip about Ricci in the past? Or do you have the third eye? | ||
| Adriana (Adriana) Username: Adriana Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.230.239.233 |
Frank - here's an article with the guy I studied with, which includes info on what it is... http://www.vitalitymagazine.com/the_gentle_power_of_craniosacral_therapy But basically, it's about working with/manipulating the body's pulse of cranio fluid (which is produced in the cranium and pumped over the brain and spinal column 6-12 times per minute) to repair the body. | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 79.187.206.46 |
Wow! So, are you able to legitmately practice it now? | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 79.187.206.46 |
Excuse the spelling mistakes. | ||
| Albie (Albie) Username: Albie Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 87.102.117.231 |
Don't worry, Frank. We know the scary colours of this website get to people. They slip up in fear of something about to appear. Something that looks human...but has never seen a human before. | ||
| Adriana (Adriana) Username: Adriana Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.230.239.233 |
No, I can't practice. I can put someone into the "still point" experience, but that's it. I plan on studying further though, as I find it fascinating. I'm going to have to find someone else to talk to about it with though, as every time I talk to Donald about his brain, he gets freaked out. ;) | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 38.113.181.169 |
Thank you all who bought the book. It means a lot to me. And thanks to Mick for taking my partner and I around a strange city, and listening patiently to all the dirt I had to share about Adriana. It feels good to unburden one's self. Adriana, I hope to see you on 10/10. I'll be doing my reading after 9pm at some point. | ||
| Adriana (Adriana) Username: Adriana Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.230.239.233 |
Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I totally want to go. Hey, wanna travel there together??? (I have no clue where the hell it is.) | ||
| Adriana (Adriana) Username: Adriana Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.230.239.233 |
I'm really looking forward to you reading, btw. I'd offer to film it, but somehow I don't think you'd take me up on it. Consider it though... For the grandkids. ;) | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 38.113.181.169 |
I'm leaving straight from work and picking my partner up at Yorkdale (thereabouts). I have no issue driving you to Hamilton, it's just a question of logistics. We can discuss this later if you wish. You're welcome to film the reading. Just don't post it to the internet. Alternatively, there is an HWA dinner this Saturday at the Madison. I'll have a very limited number of copies with me. No reading, though, I'm afraid. | ||
| Mark_lynch (Mark_lynch) Username: Mark_lynch Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 88.110.221.167 |
>>I have no issue driving you to Hamilton It's driving you back he has a problem with . . . (Hiya, Simon, sweetie. Looking forward to getting and reading your book . . .) | ||
| Adriana (Adriana) Username: Adriana Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.230.239.233 |
Yeah, thanks, Simon. I'm more likely (Donald too) to go if we can arrange something - and am happy to go wherever you and Fran suggest. In the meantime, do you mean tomorrow for the dinner? IF so, I think it's too short notice for me. Sigh. | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 38.113.181.169 |
Thanks, Mark. I hope it lives up to the hype. Adriana: yes, it's tomorrow. No worries. We'll figure Hamilton out. | ||
| Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin) Username: Richard_gavin Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 65.110.174.71 |
Hello, all, I'm bumping this thread about Simon's book (which I am currently reading, slowly, in order to savour each wonderful story) to remind everyone that Mr. Strantzas will be reading at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario tonight along with myself, fellow RCMB member Michael Kelly, and a slew of authors. For all of you in England, this event is FREE, so all you have to pay for is your air fare! We don't start until around 7:30pm EST, so there's still time to get here. ;-) Best, Richard | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 38.113.181.169 |
Golly, shucks, thanks Richard. I hope others feel the same way. And, yes, please you English-types, make the trip over. I'd do it for you, after all. I'm sure Richard would, too. You've still (checks his watch) 9 hours before I go on. I know they trip only takes 8, so don't try and fool me. I'm on to you McMahon!! | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.75.24 |
Have a great night! | ||
| Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin) Username: Richard_gavin Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 65.110.174.71 |
Oh, I wouldn't worry about Gary McMahon, Simon. He'll be here. It's my contention that he's secretly mastered the art of self-splintering. How else can he have stories in all those anthologies AND write novels AND be on message boards AND work a day job? Trust me: Gary (or some eerie simulacrum thereof) will be at McMaster tonight. ;-) See, I'm on to you too, McMahon! | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.242.126 |
Call me Dr. Manhattan... :-) | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.242.126 |
Hope it all goes swimmingly, btw, chaps! I'm sure Simon is aware of how much I dearly wish I could attend - because it would mean that I lived in lovely Canada! | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 38.113.181.169 |
Where we're all fatter, and don't care! Just picture me doing my reading, Zed. Just close your eyes and ... Hey! Picture me with CLOTHES, McMahon... geez! | ||
| Frank (Frank) Username: Frank Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 79.187.206.46 |
Actually, I think it'd be a good idea if Zed couldn't self-splinter...him and Simon would be like a pair of rutting rhinos. | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 99.225.111.224 |
Oh, ain't it the truth! | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.242.126 |
How did it go yesterday? | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 99.225.111.224 |
I got there late because of the rush hour, but we showed up just after Richard started reading. Smooth and confident, that's Richard, and I wished I'd been there from the start and was settled to give him the proper amount of my attention. Mike read from two short pieces that are currently unpublished and did his usual banter with the audience. He radiates friendliness and made it feel fun by his mere presence. It's hard to comment on my own reading, though, as I was the one at the front of the room, trying to ignore all the faces staring at me, but I think it went well. The store itself was a bit small for 10 authors, I think, and the row of us and the reading area were so close together than it discouraged interact with the writers. I mean, it was a great time, but I wonder whether there would have been more sales ... or at least more signings ... if things were further apart -- either spatially or temporally. | ||
| Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin) Username: Richard_gavin Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 65.110.174.71 |
It was a great night all around. I do agree with Simon that the "Writer's Row" was a bit strange, spatially speaking. My sincere thanks to Simon for his compliments on my reading. It was highly enjoyable. I love doing readings and only wish I could do more of them...unfortunately standing on a public park bench to recite horror stories doesn't have the same impact as organized events like last night's. Simon and Mike killed with their respective readings. Mike raised hackles with his Hallowe'en tale and Simon served up sinister mysticism in spades. Great stuff. A lot of different styles of horror were demonstrated last night. We all sold some books and (more importantly) gathered for some post-event brouhaha at a nearby restaurant. Next time I fully expect to see some of our British friends alongside us. ;-) | ||
| Michael_kelly (Michael_kelly) Username: Michael_kelly Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 207.188.65.209 |
Simon and Richard, You are far too kind. Your readings were terrific. I was nervous as all hell. Indeed, it was a fun night. If anyone would like to see a photo of Richard, Simon and myself, and read a short account of the evening, just hit my blog, here: http://lonesome-crow.livejournal.com/ | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 99.225.111.224 |
Ha ha! Okay, Mike. Joke's over. Who's that guy you have posing with you? The one who looks like a horrible claymation experiment gone arwy? People are going to think it's me if you keep it up, but everyone knows I don't appear in photographs. It's the soul, you see -- or rather the lack of one. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.242.126 |
Great stuff, gents. I love that photo, too: what an ungodly trio! :-) Richard's goatee is cool as fuck. | ||
| Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin) Username: Richard_gavin Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 65.110.174.71 |
Zed wrote: >>Richard's goatee is cool as fuck. Thanks, brother! I consider my goatee to be *almost* as prideful an achievement as my writing. Sad but true. | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 99.225.111.224 |
You should see MY goatee -- twice as long, twice as thick. I look like Osama Bin Laden. Down there. | ||
| Michael_kelly (Michael_kelly) Username: Michael_kelly Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 66.212.165.144 |
Simon, Um, indeed, everyone knows that is your doppelganger. I mean it isn't even a two-dimensional creature. Looks like a cardboard cutout. | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.183.174 |
I'm trying really hard to erase that whole image from my mind. Really looking forward to this collection, by the way. | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 99.225.111.224 |
And strangely enough, Huw, I'm really looking forward to you receiving it. I'll count it as a personal victory if you actually like it as I know you don't really care for much new fiction. | ||
| Adriana (Adriana) Username: Adriana Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 99.230.239.233 |
indeed the boys were all in fine form - better then I'd even hoped, actually. And frankly, imho they were the finest of the lot. | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 99.225.111.224 |
Say, could anyone here who preordered my collection (thanks, btw) let me know when it arrives? I know shipping has taken some time, but I'm told the book ought to be in the post by today, so I'd just like an idea if that's true or not. Many thanks. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
I wouldn't hold your breath. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
Btw:  | ||
| Alansjf (Alansjf) Username: Alansjf Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 93.97.93.216 |
Simon, I received an email this morning (from Paypal) letting me know my order had been posted - your collection + the 2nd HBoHS. Next working day, it said, so maybe tomorrow, though probably Monday ... | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.195.9 |
Will do, Simon. I enjoyed your story in Best New Horror, by the way. It's very well-written, with a nicely balanced style (clear and concise without being too sparse); in fact, it reminded me more than a little of Lisa Tuttle. I'm looking forward to Beneath the Surface. | ||
| Alansjf (Alansjf) Username: Alansjf Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 93.97.93.216 |
I should have been more optmistic - post's just been, and both books have arrived. Both will be well worth the wait, I'm sure. | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 99.225.111.224 |
Thanks Alan. That's great news, indeed. (in your face, Zed!!!) And thanks for the nice words, Huw. I've not been compared to Tuttle before, and the comparison warms me to no end. | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.82.226 |
Looking forward to reading the collection Simon! I know what you mean about spacing readings apart. When I, Gary M and John Travis did the ghost story readings a few weeks ago I made sure that they were 15 minute apart (mainly because of getting to the bar) but also so that the audience could interact and look at some books. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
It must be, what, a day since you mentioned that reading with Gary McMahon and John Travis, Ally.  Simon: feck you, buddy. But seriously, Simon's BNH tale is absolutely splended. One of his best, IMHO. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
Splendid, even... | ||
| Allybird (Allybird) Username: Allybird Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 79.70.82.226 |
I hate you Gary McMahon. Just talking about intervals....you 'orrible....doesn't take much to wind me up. I hate winder uppers. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 213.219.8.243 |
I hate you Gary McMahon So do I. | ||
| Joel (Joel) Username: Joel Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 217.37.199.45 |
Yes, the Tuttle comparison is very apposite. The story is rooted in acute character observation, then shifts its perspective to a metaphysical take on the broader theme of personal alienation. It's a metaphor, but somehow more than that: it includes the foreground situation but is not defined by it. Which beats the hell out of overly tactile entities chasing light-fingered antiquarians any day of the week. Let's hear it for the metaphysical ghost story. | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 38.113.181.169 |
Wow. The way you describe it, Joel, I sound like a real writer. When did that happen? In seriousness, though I've never cited Tuttle as a direct influence on what I write, she is certainly one of my favourite writers. I ecstatic that Ash Tree will be collecting some of her work.} | ||
| Alansjf (Alansjf) Username: Alansjf Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 93.97.93.216 |
Mr Strantzas, I demand recompense! Last night, after reading your short story 'Thoughtless', I had a nightmare. A genuine, wake-up-gasping nightmare. I won't go into too much detail, as folks reading this may not have read the story, but there were far too many mouths, and all but one of them were in the wrong place. Though it wasn't quite as bad as the nightmare I had after reading Poe's 'The Tell-Tale Heart' for the first time. Emergency services were called that night ... | ||
| Huw (Huw) Username: Huw Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 218.168.191.209 |
Wow - that's quite a compliment. Alan, I had a nightmare about The Tell-Tale Heart too, as a ten-year-old. Our English teacher played an audio reading of it to the class and it scared the hell out of me. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.242.126 |
Simon often gives me nightmares. Not his fiction, you understand, just him. And his grinning. | ||
| Simon Strantzas (Nomis) Username: Nomis Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 99.225.111.224 |
Alan, you flatterer you!  That's one of the best reviews I've ever had that I didn't have to pay for! | ||
| Alansjf (Alansjf) Username: Alansjf Registered: 09-2008 Posted From: 93.97.93.216 |
Don't speak too soon Simon, I'm sending you the bill for the night-light I went out and bought this afternoon. It has trains on it! Huw, I was around that age when I first read the 'Tell-Tale Heart'. It had never occured to me that there were gaps under floorboards, or that things could be hidden beneath them, or that those thigns might be alive ... It's actually a rare thing for me, to have nightmares after reading something, especially when you consider how much horror fiction I expose myself to. | ||
| Zed (Gary_mc) Username: Gary_mc Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.96.242.126 |
I'm having zombie nightmares at the minute. Every bloody night! :-( |