Flame Tree Fiction

This Way Lies Madness: Short Stories from the Edge of Darkness

We are excited to begin a new blog series, taking our readers on a tour of all of the authors who have contributed to This Way Lies Madness, an upcoming anthology edited by Lee Murray and Dave Jeffery which showcases "madness" in horror in ways that challenge stigma and promote understanding.

Comprising stories and poems from 23 authors, from well-established to new and emerging, the anthology serves as a vehicle for the development of quality genre literature on the theme of mental health. With accompanying vignettes revealing authors' reflections & personal experiences that inspired their stories, the book offers a valuable benchmark resource for horror creatives, while also offering insights for scholars, social groups and practitioners... and solace for sufferers.

When I stepped into Flame Tree Publishing's London office as their new writer-in-residence, I couldn't help but smile at the turn life had taken. Two and a half years ago, I traded Mumbai's relentless pulse for London's literary and artistic heartbeat - a journey that has been more than geographical. It's been a migration of perspective, pace, and creative purpose.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Shilpa Varma as our Writer in Residence, marking an exciting new chapter in our commitment to storytelling that crosses borders, cultures, and genres.

We’re delighted to present the authors featured in our new anthology: Robots Past & Future! Publishing August 2025 and available from September in North America, this latest book includes a foreword by Chris Beckett and joins our thriving Gothic Fantasy series. These beautiful hardbacks combine classic fiction on each theme with fantastic modern stories selected from submissions. As ever, we are grateful to all writers who submitted work for consideration for this anthology, with many congratulations to the selected authors below.

We’re delighted to present the contents list for our upcoming Beyond & Within anthology: Latin American Shared Stories. Edited by V Castro, Mexican-American speculative, horror and sci-fi writer extraordinaire and author of Mestiza Blood and The Queen of the Cicadas, this vibrant anthology presents a selection of speculative stories and fascinating essays curated by V, along with a small number from an open submissions round. The book highlights just some of the many voices, mythologies, folklore and storytelling prowess of authors from Latin American countries or writing in the traditions of the Latin American diaspora. Argentinian artist Jorge González provides the stunning frontispiece image and cover detail for this exciting new book.

Happy publication day, Morgana le Fay!

Morgana is a mysterious figure of Arthurian legend, found in Gawain and the Green Knight and Le Morte d'Arthur, she is variously described as half-sister of King Arthur, jilted lover of Lancelot, a foil of Merlin. A witch, a healer, she has deep roots in Celtic mythology and offers a fascinating canvas for the many writers in this new book. Created through open submissions and supported by an extensive introduction examining the origins of Morgana le Fay, is a wonderful new book in the 'Myths, Gods & Immortals' series.

We asked the authors in this collection to say a little more about their stories, what drew them to Morgana le Fay, and to let us know about their own favourite depiction of this Arthurian figure! Read more below...

Happy publication day, Achilles!

This gorgeous new book in our 'Myths, Gods & Immortals' series reveals the man behind the myth of Achilles, the great warrior of the Trojan War. Considered the epitome of heroism in Greek mythology, Achilles' bravery in combat is famously depicted in Homer’s Iliad, but every hero has their flaws. Authors from classical times all the way through to late Antiquity and the modern era have interpreted his character in a multitude of ways, and this latest book continues the tradition, exploring everything from his exploits in the war and interactions with Agamemnon, Patroclus, Hector and more, back to his early days as an infant dipped into the River Styx, exposing one vulnerable heel.

We asked the authors in this collection to say a little more about their stories, what drew them to Achilles, and to let us know about their own favourite depiction of this Greek hero! Read more below...

Looking for some books to add to your TBR this March? Well, look no further. Flame Tree have put together a comprehensive list of titles in honour of Women's History Month. Paying homage to the past and celebrating the immense contributions these women still make to the present. 

Our Top Pick:

The Open Heart is a collection of poems, short stories and the unfinished novella, The Open Heart, by Catherine Wells (1872–1927). A writer whose work was almost always overlooked because of the success of her husband, H.G. Wells. This collection offers a haunting study of a woman’s sense of unfulfillment that adds significantly to our knowledge of early 20th-century feminism. This is the first time that her novella, The Open Heart, has ever been published, making this the perfect book to read for Women's History Month. 

Collectable Classics