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.

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.

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...

We're delighted to announce a call for submissions which is now open! The theme is Afrofuturism Short Stories. Please read through the submission details carefully as we’ve changed some of our guidelines and it could result in your submission not being acknowledged if you do not follow them.