Back from the void
New episodes of Bleakwood and The Sunset Chronicles
Hello, dear reader. Hello, dear listener.
I’m back from an inordinately restorative week away in Pembrokeshire, which now rivals Whitby for ‘my favourite place on earth’ status. I sat on beaches. I read my books. I ate well. All was good with the world, so long as I didn’t have to know about the rest of it. As a consequence, I missed most of my own country being on fire from a group of thugs who wanted to ‘protect the kids’ by looting bakeries and burning down libraries.
But after a week away, my whole release schedule got thrown out of whack a little, so now you get not one but TWO new releases this fine Wednesday. *checks window* Sorry, this inexplicably drizzly and grim Wednesday.
First, we’ve got Adrift, the eighth episode of The Sunset Chronicles. So far, things have not been going Judd’s way. When he met up with his kind, they left him hospitalised and half dead. When he met up with the other side of the teep war, they didn’t see him as anything more than a weapon. But things might be looking up for Judd. He’s got answers, he’s got a mission, and he’s even met someone who can stand to be in a room with him. Surely, it can’t last? You can find out, and catch up with Wyn’s adventures under the ice on Europa by picking up Adrift at your favourite webstore.
Secondly, we’ve got a new episode of Bleakwood. The Clearing is written and performed by me and sees our narrator in a bit of a pickle before he reads the tale of Charlie, a young boy who’s lost his Mum. In trying to get her back, however, he must face the evil at the heart of the woods in Bleakwood, and he might find he’s got more to lose than he thinks.
Now, that’s probably enough news for now except… wait!
How about a cover reveal for Darkness Come Alive, my vampire horror novel, which is coming at the end of September?
The cover is designed by myself and is an homage to vintage horror styles and the promotional work behind Robert Egger’s films, and I’m really excited to get it, and the book out into the world.
I even have my first blurb for the book, by the inimitable horror author Dan Howarth, author of Territory and the upcoming Lionhearts, who says: “With sharp teeth and even sharper writing, Paul Stephenson tears the throat out of the vampire subgenre to make it truly his own.” Which was nice of him.
I‘ll have more news about that book over the coming weeks, so make sure if you’re not already subscribed to the Hollow Stone that you sign up today.
One other thing: In the wake of the UK riots it’s clear that the X-odus of British people away from the Musksite is headed mostly over to Threads, so I’ve decided to follow people there. If you’re on Threads too, make sure to give me a follow, say hi, and tell people all about Sunset Chronicles and Bleakwood if you’re enjoying them.
Recommendations:
Reading: While I was on holiday I finished re-reading Salem's Lot, the first time I've gone back to it after reading it as a callow youth. I can see the roots of so much of what I love about storytelling, myths, and character in it, but also - holy hell that man can write. Just an absolute page-turner throughout, with these incredibly observed small character studies peppered throughout.
#nowplaying: Sunnata - Chasing Shadows. I went into this expecting a doom album but came away with so much more. Weaves together post rock and doom with Mark Lanegan and Layne Stayley-esque melodies. Gloomy as fuck music for sunny days.
Watching: Recently watched the Russian 2020 film Sputnik, which was a really creepy and different creature feature about a cosmonaut who brings back something unexpected from his space walk. As well as having some genuinely taut and odd moments, I really enjoyed seeing a Russian take on Cold War era paranoia, even if it did fall apart a little at the end. Much like the Soviet Union, AMIRITE?
That’s about all from me next week. I’ll be back again next week with a new episode of Bleakwood, so until then, happy reading, and happy listening.
Cheers
Paul