OFFICIAL
BRIAN LUMLEY NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3 |
JUNE - AUGUST 2008 |
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OFFICIAL
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Inside This Issue....
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FEATURES: |
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(BRAND NEW!) Well, we just got done implementing a changeover to the four issues/year publishing schedule for Necroscope News starting with the last issue. And now - I am implementing a new once-a-year (that would be annual) "Best-of" issue! Not that I planned on it (or should I say - 'Of course I planned it?'), but everyone's schedules have been busier this year than most. I'm not sure if that has to do with having to work longer hours to pay for the petrol in your vehicle or just life keeping us from doing the things we love (and God knows the contributors love to write their columns), but that's the way it worked out, so here it is. A mish/mash collection of older June articles from over the years along with a few new notable from myself, Bri and Silk (of course) and Silver managed to sneak a new one in as well for us. Hopefully you all enjoy what we have to offer this time around as well as enjoying the articles I picked out. For the reprints, I tried to stick with just the best-of from our current crop of columnists, but some were so new, they didn't have many to pick from! I felt like i was just republishing the June 2006 issue all over again with some new releases shown for good measure! Since I felt so limited, I had to throw in some of my all time favourites from past June issues. Before Debs became a full time drummer, she was the resident wordsmith and puzzle creator and we've republished one of her crosswords. If you missed it the first time around, it will keep you thinking! Good ol' Pybob got a little 'ancy' in his past column - and I have to say i didn't realize how 'ancy' he could get - so I had to show you all again to what extreme Nathan gives us his very objective opinion of one of brian's short stories - and doesn't take one side or the other at all, trust me! Tom - well, not sure what to say about Tom's freelance. Interesting what goes through our tech guy's mind, huh? We get to see the inaugural columns from Peter, John and Paul, all of which were great intros to what they have to offer. And finally, I rounded it out with a reprint of some of The Ginger Wookie's comic book art that hadn't ever seen the light of day. Again - a great thing to see if you missed it the first time around. To get to some current news - the new Necroscope figurine that was coming out this year - is now available. These are limited to 1,000 pieces and are retailing for $55. You will be able to purchase them online through the producers website in conjunction with us. Here is the link: http://hauntedhouseproductions.com/ And from the rumblings that I've heard, there may be another sculpture coming from this talented Mr. Romo. Keep your eyes and ears peeled! That's enough from me this time. Enjoy reading the new bits and news from brian and Silky as always and everyone else as well. Even if you saw it the first time around, I gurantee you forgot and it will be just as enjoyable reading again! See you next time - in September with, hopefully - all new columns from everyone! This is your Wolfe signing off..... |
(BRAND NEW!) Here we go again. My agent in the UK has notified various genre journals of the following list of foreign sales: Japanese rights to The Transition of Titus Crow. Spanish rights to Fruiting Bodies and Khai of Khem. Also to my original Spanish publisher relicenses for the first five Necroscopes.® Polish rights to Khai of Khem, also Beneath the Moors and Hero of Dreams. Russian rights to The Taint. German rights to Necroscope: The Lost Years and audio rights to The Source. French rights to The Source and relicences for Necroscope and Wamphyri!. And finally Czech rights to Defilers. Phew! My agent appears to be working overtime! In addition, TOR in New York will reprint the first three Necroscopes simultaneously in brand new, cheaper editions to try and capture a new audience, new generation. On top of which they'll do the original Necroscope® in their most prestigious Orb line of books. Harry and the Pirates is also forthcoming in the not too distant future from TOR, likewise from Solaris, UK. And Solaris also have The Taint and Haggopian scheduled for ... well, pretty soon. Finally I'm working on a looong novella for Bill Schafer at Subterranean Press. Ho-hum ... so much for retirement! Las Vegas was of course great. Silky and I celebrated our anniversary (at a roulette table) and availed ourselves of the fabulous food at various eateries in Bally's Hotel and Casino. Always good to be in Vegas, but the fact is my main reason for being in the States was business in Los Angeles. The thing is, I'm not really struck on LA ... I don't know why but I find it claustrophobic. Really Weird because the truth is there's just too damn much of it! Flying over LA on a night, the city lights seem to go on forever. But we had to see my movie agent, Marty Shapiro, plus Adrian Romo who has sculpted Thibor Rising, and I had a two hour signing session at "Dark Delicacies" in Burbank, (LA's biggest and best know specialist bookstore). All of which was great, but we really didn't want to spend too much time in LA, which is why we settled for Vegas, just an hour away from the Burbank airport, which itself is only a few miles from " Dark Delicacies" by taxi. Silky will have mentioned that in April we did Alt.Fiction, a one day con in Derby. They put us up at a very nice olde worlde hotel ... I read "Wratha's Story" from Blood Brothers (again), met old and new friends, did some business and passed the time of day with the guys from Solaris, even signed a few books. But it's a hell of a journey from Torquay, and frankly I'm no longer interested in travel. It hasn't got any easier to go ... well, just about anywhere! Did someone mention Snailiens? Some months ago Keith Thomas and Sarah were in Torquay for Sue's going away bash at Shedden Hall hotel. They came up to my place and "admired" some creations of mine -- the result of a hobby that originated in my fascination with seashells. I make small creatures out of these beautiful seashells; these molluscs or "snail" shells -- hence Snailiens. We'll get some pictures up sooner or later. Actually they're lovely little things if I say so myself. Bashful old me, eh? Cheers-- |
(BRAND NEW!) Fellow Lumlians... Well, here we go again ... June 1st. And I'm in the hopes that we will have a summer this year ... but then I always was and am a wishful thinker. The Business End... Brian has lots of things he's put into his article so I won't repeat. Lot's of new things happening. Brian is in the process of writing a novella for Subterranean Press. A Harry Keogh vampire story from The Lost Years. But we'll have to give it some time to see if it's going to come to fruition or not. Just letting you know that Brian is still working away ... just not writing novels. Then, of course, there is the Subterranean project for next year for The Thin People, Stilts and The Nonesuch. This will be a nice little book. Although The Thin People has appeared in various tomes, Stilts has only ever appeared in the World Fantasy Convention Book 2003, and The Nonesuch, well, that's a new one and it's first publication will be in the Sub edition. Totally different stories with the same narrator. This narrator is a lightning rod for strange and horrible things... Over the summer I'll be listing more things on Ebay. Some of the items will be reduced in price but there are many that can't be because while I'm not in it to make a fortune ... sometimes you just can't give things away. But I will say I need one of our spare bedrooms back because one quarter of the room is piled up with boxes of books I need to get rid of. (Stop drooling Paul.) If any of you are looking for anything specific ... drop me a line with your wants list. When I dig out the boxes and I have what you are looking for I can offer it to you for a reasonable price. Less than what I would list it on Ebay for. Ebay is great but unfortunately when you list something these days you have to take into account all the fees that are going to get deducted from the sale. I might eventually get around to opening an Ebay store. At least I wouldn't have to keep relisting the items ... we shall see. The Lighter Side: Well, the trip to Derby was long and tiring. We were happy to see Keith & Sarah, Sharon and Joanne and their fellas. We had a great time in the bar on the evenings ... would have been much better without the piano player ... but we didn't let him stop us. We went to Las Vegas for our holiday. Didn't tell anybody because we just wanted to spend quality time. We celebrated our wedding anniversary there. It's great to be with friends but we still can't get the quality time like we can when we are on our own. So don't anyone be disappointed that we didn't advertise we'd be there. We had a great time but we were actually there specifically for business.. We went to LA and Brian signed books steadily the whole time he was there at Dark Delicacies. We met Brian's movie agent, Marty Shapiro and Adrian Romo, soon to be of sculpture fame if he isn't already. So it was an interesting and pleasurable day despite the business. And this will be our next to last trip there. We'll probably only be going one more time after this. Again the stress of travelling despite all the enjoyment when you get there. We will be going to Greece this year. Once again, quality time. We didn't get to go last year because of travelling hassles ... having to stop off at another island and stick on the tarmac for an hour before we take off on to our island just wasn't acceptable. But this year we found someone going direct. We can't stay at the Thassos hotel any more because Stamatis doesn't use tour operators any more ... but we can stay close by and rent a car to take us back and forth. And since we've got the car we can always take one last drive around the island. This will be our last trip. We want to say our goodbyes to our friends face to face and tell them why we won't be coming back any more. While we enjoyed our trip the last time, Brian didn't get to enjoy his fishing because there was nothing there. You see, several years ago there were people parked in the dry river bed. Now normally this is okay ... but they were warned there was a big storm coming. Well, the storm came, the cars went ... right into the sea. What a mess. The sands in the sea were clotted with oil and the water was murky. When we want in 2006 the water was clearing up but no fish and only tiny octopus (Brian won't intentionally take the small ones). Normally the rocks are always covered with sea urchins ... well, even they were all killed off. So, Brian hopes that in our last year there he'll get to do some nice fishing and actually be able to catch something for Stamatis' taverna. One can but hope. Yes, Brian meant it when he's been telling folks that his travelling days are nearing an end. I even went to visit my parents back in March on my own. Actually, good thing that I did. I was supposed to get to my folks place on Wed. night and didn't get there until Thursday morning, and even late on that one. The whole travelling sector was a nightmare. The plane was 1 hr 40 minutes late taking off from Bristol. I had just made it to the Baltimore gate with 10 minutes to spare before boarding, and lo and behold, it was on time. Oh really, within that ten minutes the time was pushed back by an hour. Then another 10 minutes later it was cancelled. Fortunately the customer service desk was right next door to my gate so I quickly dashed over there and didn't have long to wait. I said to the rep, "Please tell me you can get me on the 7:00 flight to Baltimore." No such luck, cancelled as well. I was offered the next train to BWI but I didn't take it because I was on my own ... had Brian been with me we could have done it. Then I was offered a flight to DC Dulles, which would have been okay had Brian been with me because we'd done that before. It's only 45 minutes to my parents from DC ... but nope, couldn't do it on my own. So I just asked them to put me in a hotel for a night. So, off I went with my hotel voucher and $18.00 toward meals. But I was up at 3:00 AM the next morning and back to the airport, and that flight was late as well! Had a great time at the folks. Back to the airport Tuesday. My flight was for 1:10 PM which gave me six hours layover at Newark. I got down to my gate at 10:15 and had my breakfast and started to read my book. I had wondered why there were so many people there at that time. I looked up at the board and saw that the 10:05 plane hadn't taken off yet ... delayed. At 10:30 the rep announced that the plane wouldn't be taking off because there was a ground standstill at Newark. Thought nothing of it at the time because my 1:10 was still on time. Oops, I thought ... I got up and asked if I could go on standby for the 10:05 without giving up my seat on the 1:10. I couldn't do it that way but the rep told me the plane wasn't full so when eventually they started boarding I could just go up and they'd have a seat for me. Okay, great. Fifteen minutes later the rep comes on and makes the announcement that the plane will be boarding shortly as Newark was operating again. But ... the rep also announced "If there is anyone at the gate now waiting for the 1:10 flight ... I would suggest you take this flight because you will get there before your 1:10 gets there." Zippidy Do Dah, got my seat and on my way! The 10:05 was delayed so long that it got in exactly at the time the 1:10 was do to get in. Now while I was sitting in the President's Club relaxing ... I kept a check on my original 1:10 flight. That 1:10 flight was due to get in at 2:25 PM ... it didn't get in until 6:15 PM. I'm certainly glad I got the delayed 10:05. And then on the Newark to Bristol flight ... well, that boarded almost on time but we sat there on the plane for an hour while they waited for the paperwork to be completed because the pilot had to sign it! Thank goodness Brian wasn't there because all four of the flight segments were messed up. Well, if I bored you with that last section I do apologize for being long-winded ... but I believe I've gotten my point across as to why the travelling is coming to an end. Too many delayed flights, too many cancelled flights ... and too much time spent in airports overall. Naturally if Brian is asked to be a Guest of Honour and he reckons it's a good one to attend or it's someplace we really want to be, well, he'll do it. Until next time.... |
(From the June 2003 Edition) Cross Words from Goth GirlHo-hum... well, either my clues are too tough, or you're all too lazy! Either way, the prize from the last crossword went unclaimed, so I guess I'll find another home for it... I've a sneaky feeling it'll end up at KeoghCon 3 somewhere! So this will be the last crossword, at least for a while... with KeoghCon 3 looming, I'm sure I'll have plenty to talk about! But for now, if you're a fan of that adventurous steppes-man, Tarra Khash, why don't you test your knowledge of the Primal Lands...?
To Print out the Crossword so you can fill it out, click on the image, which will open a new browser window. Select print from the file menu in the new window - and you should be good to go! |
(From the June 2001 Edition) Brian is a prophet. He looked into the future and revealed to us Virtual Reality (Psychomech trilogy). He looked to the stars and scried the dangers (House of Doors). He looked into ourselves and built upon Lovecraft's interpretation of Jungian theory (Dreamlands). But what visionary methods does he use? He's often used oneiromancy (divination through dreams) in his novels - but that smacks of sleeping on the job to me. So necromancy? Nah - I like a steak rare - but raw? What are the other options, what methods of peeling back the mists of time are available? Can we use the same? I needed to research the matter, but all the books and resources I could find came from a New Age angle, and didn't cover the aspects I was interested in. Then I remembered an article by Dave Golder a couple of years ago where he was asked to contribute a tale to a collection about the same. According to his article he used a marvellous resource - a rhyming dictionary (before making up his own much more interesting scrying methods). So down to the local library, into the reference section and looking into an old, battered and worn volume called the Walkers Rhyming Dictionary of the English Language. And right from the start I realised I could have been looking into the future for years - Bibliomancy, divination by the Bible or by books. And people said I was wasting my time reading so much... And again I asked myself - what are our options, what methods are available? I randomly flicked through the leaves (Stichomancy) of the dictionary and looked at my fingerprints (Dactyliomancy) now covered with the ink of a cheap press. Gathering my thoughts, I looked out of the window, children were playing, running in circles making themselves dizzy (Gyromancy). I observed the animals (Zoomancy) as they too played, and reminded myself to watch out for their excrement (Scatomancy). As much as I love books and libraries it was a beautiful day outside and I wanted to enjoy it in the best way possible, going to the pub and drinking too much (nomancy). And so to my local, the Torch Flame (Lampadomancy), where I ordered a ploughman's lunch. Waiting for the sandwich and salad to come I looked around, at the clay mallards in flight (Ornithomancy) on the smoky wall, at the shadows (Sciomancy), at the light cast by the log fire (Pyromancy). And then it arrived - the nastiest, most unappetising ploughman's lunch you have ever seen, but being hungry I didn't complain and simply reached for the salt and promptly spilled it (Halomancy). Two old gents looked up from their cards (Cartomancy), shook their heads and exhaled copious amounts of smoke (Capnomancy). Dejectedly I looked to the ceiling at the crystal (Crystallomancy) chandelier and considered the futility of divination (Theomancy). While I tucked into the limp meal the landlord came out to clear the ashes (Spodomancy) from under the fire, not just the ashes of the wood but also the ashes of the sacrificed (Tephromancy) meals people had thrown upon it. Abandoning the food I joined the old men in their gambling; we threw dice (Cleromancy) as well as playing with the cards and as we drank our tongues loosened and we showed off our party tricks. The greatest trick performed was an act of incredible ventriloquism (Gastromancy) that one gent regaled us with. Hours later I left and made my way to the river to clear my head of smoke and beer. Watching the motions of the water (Hydromancy) my thoughts returned to writing my article, how was I going to get all the different Œ-mancies' into it? No matter - for now I'd enjoy the riverside setting. One woman was looking straight into the water, concerned I walked to her and noticed she had dropped a mirror into the stream and was examining her reflection (Catoptromancy). Backing away from the strange woman I heard a hiss about my feet, looked down and saw several serpents writhing (Ophiomancy), thankfully not after me but chasing numerous rodents scurrying (Myomancy) for all they were worth. Obviously I'd had too much to drink or the old men were smoking more than just tobacco - so off home I set. Past a gentleman with a divining rod (Rhabdomancy), past an ironmonger tossing straws on hot irons (Sideromancy), past a Robin Hood wannabe practicing archery (Belomancy), past a candlestick maker watching her wax melting (Ceromancy). Almost home I tripped beside the Spiritualist Church, inside the followers seeking guidance (Psychomancy). I turned to see what I had tripped on, a collection of stones (Lithomancy) left on the pavement. I kicked them onto the grass verge, scoring the ground (Geomancy) they passed over. So close to home I encountered that familiar odour from the fishmonger's I live over. There's a room at the back of the monger's where they do strange things with fish (Icthyomancy) that nobody but themselves knows what. Back in my flat I sat at my desk and looked through the scattering of notes I write for these articles - pages of numbers (Arithmancy), analysis of the letters of my name (Onomancy), photographs of sacrificed things (Hieromancy) and more. I was tired and drained and decided that I could divine the future using a specific method that seems ideally suited to me, Dormancy. |
(From the June 2002 Edition) Uncle George and the MisunderstoodWhat's with this guy anyway? Doesn't he realize that were it not for his twin sister, then that his other, younger sister would be dead? Would he have been able to pass his exams if not for her purely incidental help? Does he not care that his twin sister is ugly and misshapen and may never experience true love or intimacy on her own, without him to be her window on such things? Does he not understand that she only wants to be a part of his family? Her family? That she has realized her past errors (if you can even call it that) and only wants to see, for but a moment, what a real family is like? Sure, she has this nephew born of that younger sister who has come calling to discover exactly why it is she's been shunned for so long, but is that enough? Of course not! She wants to know her entire family. She has this twin brother, after all, who has removed himself so far away, and given her such a stern warning, that she dare not attempt any discovery of her unknown niece and nephew. It's just so sad and regrettable the things that tear families apart. Confused? Wondering what the hell I'm on about? Well no need, Ladies and Gentle-Lords. Stop right here and go pick up your copy of Aunt Hester. My copy is located in The Whisperer and Other Voices but I'm quite sure it can be found elsewhere as well. If you need a spoiler warning then I suppose this is it. But if it's at all available to you, I'd much prefer you take this little intermission to read the story, even if it's a re-read. Just stop now and get on it. Here...I'll read along. (Elapsed time: 16:48) No, no! I mean it! You didn't stop! Go on now... Okay...done? Now isn't that the biggest bunch of bull-hooey you've ever heard? I was astonished by Uncle George's audacity! Why, Hester isn't some sort of evil Demon, she's his sister and her powers were for the most part beyond her control. I mean, the first time was an adrenaline thing, right? You see your little sister on the verge of death and, if at all possible, you'd like to save her, right? Well, Hester saw her chance and took it! What else would any caring big sister do? Was she just supposed to watch as George let her die?! And the exam. Why, she was only concerned about her brother's anxiety; worried as he was about the whole thing. If not for her, he'd've been in big trouble with that one. She pulls his butt right from the proverbial sling and what's he do? Starts freakin' out and making a huge scene at home! Makes Hester look like the crazy! What a punk! Oh man, this guy just takes the cake as far as assholes are concerned. I just can't get over it. Yeah, it might've been a little freaky for him at first. But don't you think once he settled down and got used to it he might see how his and Hester's strange connection might prove advantageous to them both? Oh no, not little Georgie. Run to Mama, little Georgie. Steer clear of your misunderstood but incredibly gifted twin, little Georgie. That's the answer, sure! Sheesh! Now the next instance I might be able to see that Hester went a little too far. All right, okay. But little Georgie taunted her! Made her feel bad about herself. Sneered at her and basically forced her to do what she did! Unbelievable! And those few steps he took; that little hop, skip and jump that scarred her for life and left her even more undesirable than before: for what? Just because she was a little curious about his new ladyfriend! I don't even know if I can continue to talk about this. I mean, I know if I had a niece and nephew that I'd never met, a sister-in-law I'd only heard from through the mail, and a twin brother (however prickish) that I'd not seen for thirty plus years, I'd wanna see 'em too! Especially if I had Aunt Hester's particular means at my disposal! And what of the end? Why is it that she's left seeming like the bad guy, huh? The one member of her family she felt she could confide in and count on, the one who helped her in that last fateful connection. That nephew who came calling; why's he all of a sudden so high and mighty and beyond reproach? He's got the nerve to turn from her in her darkest hour? C'mon! Wouldn't you want to be out of the grave? Wouldn't you want to be out and away from the horror of dear brother George in his coffin? Away from that...that... I just dunno... *Stalks away outraged* |
(From the June 2006 Edition) Hey All, it's been a couple of months (four) since I last wrote an article, and I haven't got a clue what to write about, so this month, I might try something new – stream of consciousness. Will it work? Well I guess that depends on whether you are still reading or not? I'm not entirely sure if I haven't been down this road before, if I have you can write back and complain to me! -- 5 mins later -- I've been speaking to Exsanguinator about this idea, and he says it won't work for him, he has no consciousness to write about anymore ... which is a little odd, but that's what I've come to expect from that weirdo (sorry mate). -- got a cup of tea now -- We met up last month - it had been nearly 2 years since I last saw him, so it was good to catch up with my old buddy and talk about all things Lumley over another pint of beer :D. We did talk about other things (I doubt you want to hear about it), but I had a copy of The Touch, and he wanted to know my thoughts, at that point I'd only read the “Resume of Sorts”, which is the only thing I am going to mention with regard to the book as it's not out yet – the resume is vintage Necroscope, so I am very happy! -- I now have some toast -- Having read The Touch, and knowing it's the final one (at this point), I am now in the mood for more Necroscope. Luckily I hear that the limited edition is about to hit my door mat. Can't wait, all that leathery goodness – sounds a bit like a Wamphyri flyer! I wont be seeing if it can fly though!!! -- no tea now -- Other things of interest this month? I saw the Da Vinci code at the cinema, I thought it was a load of old tosh, but it was interesting – lets hope that when the Necroscope movie comes out they spend as much on the production as they did on what I saw... Anyway, that's enough from me for one month, or should that be two?? Two it is. Speak to you all soon, and don't forget KeoghCon is just around the corner! Tops |
(BRAND NEW!) Well it’s somehow got to that time of year again when everyone is talking about holidays. All my friends at work are telling me where they’re going, for how long and what they intend to do there and again, I don’t have any plans to go anywhere. It has been over 10 years since I’ve been out of the UK, and about 7 years since I’ve had 2 weeks off together and actually gone somewhere to spend that time. |
(From the June 2005 Edition) A great man once asked me to write an article for his 2 monthly newsletter, well obviously the mere fact that my all time literary hero had asked me to write something for his newsletter filled me with pride, yet paradoxically it also filled me with a sense of dread. What if what I wrote was boring, nonsensical and incoherent, a mere ramble through a barren void of unimaginative drivel... Well that was six months ago and only now am I even attempting to put a finger anyway near a keyboard, finally fighting back the fear and overcoming the weaker part of my nature that was always full of ideas and promise but never had the drive, determination or ambition to follow anything through, and who ultimately has so far failed to achieve anything. So what do I write about??? Well that's simple, of course: anything I want to. I can ramble on to my hearts content completely uninterrupted ... WAY HEY! Well that is enough about me; let me get on to the real reason I'm writing this here piece in the first place: BRIAN LUMLEY, the master himself. Well were to begin ... I suppose for my first venture out I should start with my all time favourite Lumley creation that he has so lovingly brought to life for us, the WAMPHYRI!!! Now I love all of the wonderful characters and creatures that Brian has brought to life on the page of a book: Garrison, Crow, Hero, Eldin and Tarra Khash to name but a few, but those vampire lords from an alien dimension stand out head and shoulders above the rest and for me are his greatest piece of work. But they're not only the best when compared against Brian's other works, oh no, for me the Wamphyri are the Harlem Globe Trotters of vampire fiction. From Anne Rice's Armand all the way to Zoltan the hound of Dracula these really can be no comparison between these mighty Lords of mayhem and mischief and the also rans... The Wamphyri are so diverse, colourful and vibrant when compared with mostly all other vampires, who are always drab and dreary and so nondescript and opaque that you can almost see through them. How could you possibly compare Blade, Lestat or Dracula to Shaitan the Unborn, Faethor Ferenczy and Wran "The Rage" Killglance??? YOU CAN'T!!! These blood sucking pretenders would be drained and devoured before the next sun up. Even Thibor Ferenczy sneered from his earthy prison at the mere thought of being compared to Vlad Tapesh (The Dragon/Dracul/Dracula). "And they called him the Impaler." But the icing on the cake for me is the wonderful Legends and Genesis Brian has created to go with his master race of vampires, making them so much more believable and frightening than anything seen before or since. He' s intertwined our own past and myths that were passed down from camp fire to camp fire with his own brand of magic and created a real monster that lurks forever in the shadows and on the peripheral of our very mind. The combination of Man and Leach creates the most frightening creature taking the worst in us and making itself the ultimate survivor. But that's not all. Brian has also taken and used another of my favourite old myths, that of the werewolf; he has incorporated it and made it one with the Wamphyri legend. His is so much better than Van Helsing's or Underworld's take on the subject, who by comparison makes them look like mere Andrex puppies when put up against the likes of the mighty Radu Lykan and that scourge among woman that is Canker Canison. Brian's stories seem to overshadow and envelope all other takes on the vampire myth like a loathsome shoggoth; he's brought about the definitive vampire legend, bringing to life (or undeath as you might have it) a universe full of my favourite things. I'll never look at the vampire myth the same way again, even though I've been fascinated with all things to do with vampires and werewolves since I first clapped my eyes on Hammer Horrors "Dracula has risen from the Grave" when I was but a very young thrall. Brian's works have tainted me and left an immovable stain across my mind obscuring all other takes on the subject from view. The Wamphyri are top of the vampire world food chain and I suspect they always will be. Thank you Brian for bringing these most terrible beings to the page and fingers crossed the big screen... |
(From the June 2004 Edition) We are fortunate enough to have images from an unreleased Necroscope comic that should have been available to the public many years ago. Well - it never happened, but now, thanks to the Ginger Wookie himself, Dave Kendall, they are seeing the light of day to the true fans of Brian's work. They will be available only to subscribers of the newsletter so consider yourselves lucky - and feast your eyes on these images... Click on the images for a larger picture.
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(From the June 2006 Edition) Well folks, Paul Wilson and I were asked to participate in the Brian Lumley Newsletter as a favour to Brian!!!! A favour? It was an honour to be asked!!! Of course I instantly said YES YES YES !!! I then got to thinking …. What am I going to write about? After much deliberation I decided the best thing was to start at the beginning and, for anyone thinking about attending a KeoghCon, describe how I started reading Brian’s books and ultimately ended up in the Lumley fold. Many moons ago, and I’m not saying how many, I was going on a trip abroad and needed some reading material, being an avid reader at the time. I called into a local chemist, which also had a newsagent, and was scanning the shelves for reading matter, when I spotted a cover that flirted with my imagination. The artwork was pretty cool compared to the other books and when I picked the book up and read the synopsis I was instantly hooked. The book was Necroscope!! At the time there were three of the Necroscope books out but I bought just the first, thinking that I may not like it and didn’t want to waste the money for three books until I’d read the first…. Big mistake!!! I read the book on the first three days of my holiday and fumed for the next 11 days wishing I’d bought the other two. Immediately upon my return I rushed to the shop and bought the other two books, Wamphyri and The Source, and Wow, was I not disappointed! They only got better. Now began the waiting game … waiting for Brian Lumley to write each new book was exciting but infinitely excruciating … like withdrawal. I needed my next fix of Necroscope … and I needed it now!!! Well, many years later I delved into the Comic Book industry by buying and running a comic shop in Sunderland city centre and one day I was chatting with one of my regular customers Tom Shearer, yes, the one and only Topol Sheap (now Tops) a student then at the University, when I mentioned in passing that I loved Brian Lumley books. Imagine my surprise when Tom said, not only did he know Brian but, he owned a signed hardback of The Lost Years volume one, and in addition he helped out on Brian’s website. Tom invited me around to his place near the University to see the book and I salivated for a while, intensely jealous at this beautiful signed hardback book, then went back to the shop and really thought nothing more about it other than dreaming of the day when I would own such a fantastic item. I’m sure I brought this up quite a few times over the next few months when Tom visited the shop for his coffee and a cigarette. Eventually Tom relocated back to London from Sunderland after gaining his degree and I closed down the shop after six or so years of business (I left with a few Necroscope comics under my arm). One day, many years later, Paul was discussing with me that he would love to produce a magazine and I thought it was a great idea. I suggested that we wrote to two people, one of whom I had been e-mailing for a while and found to be very nice, Jack L Chalker (my favourite science fantasy writer, the author of the brilliant Well World series; now passed away over a year, and a great loss to the industry) and of course my favourite horror writer Brian Lumley, to ask for interviews. We wrote to both authors after finding brianlumley.com, never thinking they would agree to an interview, and both Brian and Jack wrote back saying they would be delighted. Brian even added that there was to be a ‘KeoghCon’ in Manchester, a convention for Brian Lumley fans, if we wished to come along and do the interview in person. Well, I think it took us maybe a month to come down from our position somewhere over the moon and Lighthouse Magazine was born! We will be forever grateful to both Brian and Jack for their co-operation; for without their acceptance Paul would not be doing what he loves doing, currently publishing his 33rd book/magazine. We attended the convention in Manchester, which was held in a hotel near the airport, and we were amazed at how friendly Brian and his good wife Silky were. In trepidation on the night of the interview and the main convention, we walked into the hired room and I was as shocked to see Tom there as he must have been to see me, but it was really great to know someone among the 40-50 people who attended the first convention. Not that I needed to have been scared at all because everyone was so friendly, even though there was a vast variety of people and ages attending. Paul did the interview, Brian read an extract from one of his books, panels were held discussing Brian's work and all the while the drink flowed from the bar in the adjacent room. After a break for the free buffet it was the raffle for a plethora of signed books, games, artwork, book covers and the way Brian and Silky (and indeed Debs) had organised the convention, nobody went away empty handed. I was well and truly hooked!! Everyone then seemed to settle down into a drinking and socialising mood and I was again amazed at how easy it was to talk to Brian, Silky, their friend Keith Grant Evans ( a member of the amazing group The Downliners Sect from the 60’s to the present), Goth Girl (Debs), Shadoe (Dave McDougle) and everyone who we didn’t know as yet. It was truly an amazing experience and still continues to be after five KeoghCons (sixth coming up), which is why I guarantee any newcomers to a KeoghCon will be made welcome and enjoy themselves, and why, every year, we will make the 8 hour car journey to Torquay to see our fellow Lumlians and of course our good friends Brian, Silky, and Keith. And to prove that dreams can come true, I now own a few signed hardback Brian Lumley books of my own. |
(From the June 2006 Edition) A certain person once said, “I’m not a collector!” Well, that person wasn’t me. It was about two or three years ago, after coming home from KeoghCon that I turned to John Collinson and said, “I’m now a Brian Lumley collector!” No longer was I going to be watching and buying Stephen King special editions on Ebay, instead it was now Brian Lumley. How ironic then that we went on to release three Stephen King special editions of Lighthouse (which incidentally, in the process, evolved from being a magazine, to becoming a limited edition hardback and two different paperbacks – one lettered, the other numbered). But don’t forget, Lighthouse issue one was a Brian Lumley special, so perhaps in my subconscious mind, I knew the direction in which I was headed all along. Who knows – life is strange. And now, my bookshelves in the loft are stacked full, and the beams are groaning. To put it mildly, the headquarters of Lighthouse Media One now resemble a Brian Lumley shop (though none of it is for sale!) Part of the joy when it comes to collecting, is tracking down those hard to find, and rare Lumley items. So ‘In a Dark Place’ will henceforth examine what’s out there, what’s hard to find, and the collectables fundamental to any self-respecting Lumley collection. Here goes:
The build-it-yourself, paint-it-yourself, resin kit issued by Classic Plastic in 1993 has become very scarce over the years. Details on the box: 1/6 scale Collectors Edition hobby kit with full diorama display. Over 14 inches in height. Expect to pay between £80 to £150 ($150 to $270). UK buyers note that if ordered from the USA, there will usually be a customs fee of about £40 ($75) to pay on delivery. As with most rare items, the best place nowadays is Ebay. These resin kits do come up every once in a while, so be sure to search regularly, either under ‘Brian Lumley’, or under ‘Shaithis’. As for myself, yes, I’ve got one, but have not been able to bring myself to actually build or paint it for fear of ruining the thing.
A most rare CD set indeed! There are 4 CD’S with the following readings by Brian: Disk One: Wratha’s Story … from Blood Brothers – Convention Reading, approx. 54 minutes Disk Two: Nestor’s Story … from The Last Aerie – Convention Reading, approx. 55 minutes Disk Three: But Where is Harry Keogh? ... from The Lost Years Volume One – Studio recording, approx. 34 minutes, The Whisperer – Convention Reading, approx. 28 minutes Disk Four: Fruiting Bodies & The Thin People – Convention Reading, approx. 84 minutes. The total running time is approx. 4 hours and 21 minutes. The set is produced and designed by Barbara Ann Lumley (Silky) and was issued in 2003. Cover art is by Paul Stanczykowski. The chances are that you won’t find this set coming up on Ebay. The last I heard, Silky had very few left, but it may no longer be available. Perhaps it might be worth e-mailing Silky to check. And that’s all for now. Till next time, Paul Calvin Wilson |
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 PUBLICATIONS & WHAT'S IN THE WORKS: Due to the extensive Monthly Update and information in various locations on the site ... it's no longer necessary to list everything here. Just follow the link to the Monthly Update Forum: http://brianlumley.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=19 FOREIGN PUBLICATIONS: Now located on the site - http://www.brianlumley.com/books/foreign/ APPEARANCES: Thanks to all of you who have joined the mailing list. The list is now closed because I have more than enough to send out posts to. If we are anywhere Brian is of importance we shall send out the notice to the folks on the mailing list and we will also send personal emails to our friends. |
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Shaithis of the Wamphyri Resin Kit
Brian Lumley – The Readings
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