Fantasy & Gothic Blog

Marvel’s Infinity War is rather aptly named. When they first said that there would be more than 50 characters from films gone by, I think the general reaction was that the film would be cluttered and unwatchable. If Justice League struggled to make six characters function in a single story line, more than 50 would be ridiculous.

Topics: film, film review, infinity war, marvel

We are delighted to present the authors featured in our upcoming Lost Souls and Robots & Artificial Intelligence anthologies, the latest books in the series of Gothic Fantasy short story collections. Once again, our call for submissions was met with a good response: with over 1200 stories to read, and only around 3% of those chosen for publication in the anthologies, it has been tough to narrow down the final selection. Nevertheless, we’re excited about the final results, due for publication this September. In the usual mix of classic and new fiction, Lost Souls hosts an array of restless, drifting or trapped spirits searching for connection and existence in this plane, or another. And, presenting lost souls of its own kind, Robots & Artificial Intelligence delves into the world of advanced technology, with tales that cast light (and doubt) on what it means to be human in realities and futures not so different from our own.

Topics: Gothic Fantasy, submissions, gothic, robots, lost souls

Adapted from an earlier play by Dyson and Nyman, Ghost Stories focuses on the tale of Professor Goodman (played by Nyman himself). Goodman works as an investigator and as an exposer of fake and fraudulent psychics. The film begins its main plotline when Goodman receives a mysterious package from a famed psychic investigator who is looking for closure about three cases he cannot explain.

 

 

Topics: gothic, film review, blog, ghost, ghost stories

 In recent years there has been a trend to make horror and thriller films that build in to long sagas with an extended mythos. Often, these films start with an interesting idea that is then complicated to enable a series of sequels and prequels. This not only hurts the initial film but leads to monotonous and repetitive future instalments.

Topics: alien, film, film review, review, blog

Next in our series of blogs delving behind the curtain of our Gothic Fantasy companion titles, we take a look at Bram Stoker Horror Stories. This exciting new collection is due to be published any day now.

Topics: Gothic Fantasy, Bram Stoker

Video games have always had a difficult time successfully transitioning to the big screen, but, in an underwhelming reboot for the Tomb Raider, the film does manage to remember its video game roots quite well.

Topics: film, tomb raider, film review, review

In the first part of this Q&A, authors featured in our new Alien Invasion anthology spoke about the inspirations behind their story. Today, we hear from them about their writing methods and the other Alien Invasion-themed stories that have really stuck with them the most. Like the previous books in the series, the new stories in this anthology will be accompanied by classic fiction from the genre: as well as the seminal work The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells, short stories and novel extracts from Voltaire, Jonathan Swift, A. Merritt and more will make an appearance – you can see the full list of included authors here, in what promises to be an exciting line-up of otherworldly creations! 

  

Topics: Gothic Fantasy, short stories, gothic horror, submissions, alien, gothic

Alien Invasion, the next book in our Gothic Fantasy anthology series, brings together a mix of adventure, horror, humour and sadness in short stories that explore what we imagine outside of ourselves and our world. Whether it’s an attempt to colonise new territory, an impulse to reach out and welcome, or a response to perceived threat, the complex dynamics at play are brought to the fore in these striking tales. Below, contemporary authors featured in the anthology shed light on the inspirations behind their story…  

Topics: Gothic Fantasy, short stories, short fiction, submissions, alien

With the short story anthology Endless Apocalypse all set to hit bookshelves this month, it’s time to hear more from the book’s authors for the second part of their Q&A! In our last blog, they shared details of the inspirations behind their featured story; here, they reveal treasured tales from the genre that have stayed with them, and the various methods they use to create their own work. As with other anthologies in the Gothic Fantasy series, the collection features classic tales too: this time the likes of H.G. Wells, Jules Verne and William Hope Hodgson, as well as a retelling of an ancient Babylonian myth, sit alongside the contemporary authors in their stories of thrilling voyages through and beyond the end of the world.

Topics: Gothic Fantasy, short stories, art submissions

March sees our Gothic Fantasy anthology range extended to include two new titles: Endless Apocalypse and Alien Invasion. A tome of haunting apocalyptic visions, the former of these collects fascinating tales of survival, desolation, and the undead: apocalypses personal and global, that scar landscape and character alike. To sate our appetite until the book's release, some of the anthology's authors have stepped in to shed light on how their story ideas came to fruition...

Topics: Gothic Fantasy, short stories, short fiction, submissions