We’re delighted to present the contents list for our upcoming FLAME TREE PRESS Horror anthology, Elemental Forces, the fifth title in collaboration with editor Mark Morris. The follow-up to last year's Darkness Beckons, which Booklist called "Highly recommended for longstanding horror fans and those readers who may not think horror is for them. There is something for everyone in this one." This new anthology contains 20 original horror stories, 16 of which have been commissioned from some of the top names in the genre, and 4 of which have been selected from the 100s of stories sent to Flame Tree during a 2-week open submissions window.

Previous titles in the non-themed horror ABC series, all still in print are After Sundown, Beyond the Veil, Close to Midnight and Darkness Beckons.

 

What Mark says about the book: ‘My fifth annual horror anthology for Flame Tree Press continues to showcase the sheer richness and diversity of the genre. Within these twenty stories, some written by long-established writers, others by newcomers to the field, you will find ancient mysteries, gruesome body horror, wistful spectres, surreal nightmares, witchcraft, and more. In their many and varied ways these stories tap into long-established, and very human fears. Fear of death, and illness, and pain. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the loss of our identities, our personalities. But glimmering in the darkness is an occasional flame of hope, even of humour, to light the way. Be careful, though. Tread softly. And as you negotiate this dark and winding labyrinth of tales, pray that that flame doesn’t flicker… and go out.’

 

THE PEELER by Poppy Z. Brite

A HOUSE OF WOE AND MYSTERY by Andy Davidson

THE WRONG ELEMENT by Aaron Dries

JACK-A-LENT by Paul Finch

NOBODY WANTS TO WORK HERE ANYMORE by Christina Henry

THE CALL OF THE DEEP by Laurel Hightower

EIGHT DAYS WEST OF PLETHORA by Verity Holloway

THEY EAT THE REST by Jim Horlock

THE ONLY FACE YOU EVER KNEW by Gwendolyn Kiste

MISTER REAPER by Annie Knox

I MISS YOU TOO MUCH by Sarah Langan

UNMARKED by Tim Lebbon

THE DOPPELGÄNGER BALLET by Will Maclean

THE SCARECROW FESTIVAL by Tim Major

THE PLAGUE by Luigi Musolino

THE DAUGHTERS OF CANAAN by Kurt Newton

THE ENTITY by Nicholas Royle

RED MEAT FLAG by David J. Schow

THE NOTE by Paul Tremblay

A REVIEW OF ‘SLIME TUTORIAL: THE MUSICAL’ by P.C. Verrone

Mark Morris (editor)

In his 35-year career Mark Morris has written and edited around fifty novels, novellas, short story collections and anthologies, and his script work includes audio dramas for Doctor Who, Jago & Litefoot and the Hammer Chillers series. His most recent work includes a new novel, That Which Stands Outside, a 30th anniversary short story collection, Warts And All, new audio adaptations of the classic 1971 horror movie Blood on Satan’s Claw and the M.R. James ghost story A View From a Hill, the official BBC Books/Target novelization of the 60th anniversary Doctor Who special Wild Blue Yonder, and, as editor, four previous anthologies in this series: After Sundown, Beyond the Veil, Close to Midnight and Darkness Beckons. Blood on Satan’s Claw won the New York Festival Radio Award for Best Drama Special, and A View From a Hill won the New York Festival Radio Award for Best Digital Drama Program, and was also awarded Silver at the 2020 Audio & Radio Industry Awards. Mark has won two British Fantasy Awards, and has also been nominated for several Stokers and Shirley Jackson Awards. 

 

 

 

 We will take a deeper look at the authors featured in this anthology soon, so make sure to come back to our blog!