I posted this at Facebook earlier on and it's getting a great reaction. I know some of you don't favour FB, and this forum is the proper place for such news, so:
The BHF gang will remember, and indeed may have participated in, Chris Wood's two volumes of Horror Stories. And you may have volunteered to write for the proposed third collection, which ultimately never happened - and which was going to depart from the 'anything goes' approach of vols 1 and 2, and instead focus on your stories based on old British horror movies, maybe with a slight spin or twist (was it James who planned to contribute something entitled 'Dracula A.D. 1982', for instance?) The literary types among you may have noticed that this sort of caper has, out of the ether, suddenly become all the rage! We've got Sean Hogan's two collections, 'England's Screaming' and 'Three Mothers, One Father' mixing and matching characters from classic Brit horror and Euroshock; and 'Studio of Screams' is upcoming from messrs Bissette, Golden, Lebbon, Morris and Volk, a bid to do a fake collection of John Burke-style novelisations of films that never existed (again, we pre-empted all this at the BHF ages ago with Albie's creation of 'Village of the Mist Ghouls' and the ensuing book-of-the-film!) So, I think it's time for The Third BHF Book Of Horror Stories to rise from the tomb. I'm happy to put myself forward as project co-ordinator/editor. I may even have access to some of the previous submissions, if any of you wrote stories for the original project that were posted at the board's 'Your Creations' forum! And I know I've still got the three tales I wrote. While in lockdown, then, take a few days to pen a yarn and send it in for consideration, or to email me with concept ideas. Guidelines: Wanted - original short fiction, preferably between 1500-5000 words. If you want to write more than 5000 it had better be Shakespeare. The stories should be somehow based on one or more British horror films, but given an unusual treatment or twist. (For example, I penned a tale called 'Mister Fixit', all about a hardware store owner who supplies the fictional characters from The Abominable Dr Phibes, The Face of Fu Manchu, Horror Hospital and The Mutations with all of their lab equipment and fiendish devices - well, they have to acquire these items somewhere). So, tell us all about Karswell attempting to get bookings at children's parties in between passing runes; what Dracula gets up to on his day off; what happened on board the Event Horizon; how the rulers of Kator's home planet responded to his message about humans being 'easy prey'; etc, etc. Write a prequel, a sequel, an 'equal' (set in between the scenes of a familiar Hammer or Tigon production, perhaps), or a concoction of your own using one or more familiar characters. If you have a completed story that fits all of the above criteria, or if you wish to pitch a concept before starting out, email me at darrellpbuxton@gmail.com This is an open call, anyone is welcome to contribute (though it would be great to see plenty of the old BHF gang involved). Stories are subject to editing, and there is no guarantee that a submission will be used in the finished book. As yet there is no deadline, but if you want to be involved, let me know as soon as possible. Open to professional authors (though no fees are involved, this is purely an amateur venture for the fun of it), beginners, and everyone in between.
I absolutely love horror anthologies like this! There's something about short horror stories that capture so much intensity in a limited space. I can't wait to dive into Volume 3. The different narratives from various authors keep things fresh and exciting.
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That said, while Clerics are accurate for solo gamers, they still shine the brightest when in a crew due to the fact they are able to heal their harm sellers mid-combat and even revive teammates with a spell. But for anyone simply trying to play on their very own and survive towards enemy squads, a Cleric is a pretty good elegance desire.
Why Not Barbarian Or Rogue?
And ultimately, it need to be stated that each Barbarian and Rogue can work in solo play, they can even dominate in the proper hands. In fact, with how regularly players see Rogues jogging round by themselves, it'd appear peculiar not to have them on here. But, in phrases of their standard playstyle and available Skills/Perks, Barbarians and Rogues simply war more in solo vs squad play than the other instructions do.
A Barbarian's slow interaction velocity, sluggish motion speed, and overall awkward weapon hitboxes make it hard to chase or break out enemy gamers. Meanwhile, the Rogue can sneak up on a player without difficulty or even melt them before they have a hazard to react relying on what number of stabs they get in, but in the event that they get hit even as soon as, they're essentially completed for. They're just lessons that shine so much extra in a group scenario that it would be a chunk silly to simplest use them in solo play.
The Fighter in Dark in Darker is largely the Mario-type person in Super Smash Bros Ultimate of this recreation if that makes sense. It's the elegance alternative gamers select to analyze the game earlier than moving directly to the extra robotically unique training. Or, rather, they grow to be sticking with it and coming across the man or woman or class' internal complexities. It's the Ryu from Street Fighter or the Sol Badguy of Guilty Gear, just to provide a few different examples.
All servers of Dark and Darker Gold Coins on MMOexp.comCheers Darrell, will do
Hi Darrell, As suggested, I've written a couple of new 'tribute' stories, with illustrations. Do you want them, or is there a submissions window to watch out for?
Hope you've all got a copy now. My story was originally for Chris's book and appeared on the old website, not one of those new fangled things. Darrell on FB has mooted a 4th book doing the same thing and a book inspired by songs.
Moo.
I've got a vested interest too but have to say that the finished book has exceeded my wildest dreams. It's a quality collection with an eye-catching cover, and a varied and well-written assortment of tales, ranging from the comic to the relentlessly grim. My favourites in the book are 'Nuggets' by Jez Conolly (a sordid, Beckett-like study of a renowned true-life murderer of some notoriety, in a stunning piece of prose which imagines that this monster has survived through to the early 1970s, just at the time when the events of FRENZY and DEATH LINE are taking place elsewhere in the capital), and 'Pillage of the Damned' by our very own Sataness, which pitches legendary punk group The Damned into a Midwich Cuckoos sequel (this is like experiencing a 1978 movie starring the band members playing heightened versions of themselves, with an appropriate role for the none-more-dark Dave Vanian. I'd love to think that he, Captain Sensible, and Rat Scabies have had this brought to their attention). The book is selling steadily, and is to be reviewed soon on Hannah Kate's literary show on North Manchester FM radio, and on the Horrified Magazine website.
I know I've got a vested interest in this but it really is a good 'un.
BHF Book 3 now available!
https://www.lulu.com/en/gb/shop/darrell-buxton/the-third-bhf-book-of-horror-stories/paperback/product-7jvewm.html
Hi Darrell - will 3rd BHF Book of Horror be available via Am*z*on? Looks like it's gonna be a tasty read and I hope it does well for you!
Dem
Cheers Darrell
Hi Darrell,
Do you envisage the fourth book being general stories, like numbers one and two, or fan fiction, like number three?
Here's our cover (graphic design and text by me, astonishing artwork by moodie). Yes Sam, CMM is right - it's very likely that there will be a fourth volume in a few months, so hold that story, and write a couple of new ones while you're at it. If you're on FB, join the 'Third BHF Book of Horror Stories' page for all the latest news.
I've ordered a proof copy of the book, and hope to have it on sale in the next few days as soon as I've done a final check.. Here's a list of the contents:
Cold Snap - Richard Freeman
The Cold Hunger of Dead Wastelands - Paul Newman
Night of the Raven - Tom Lee Rutter
There's No Businessss Like Showbusinessss - Neil Pike
Polish - Darrell Buxton
An American Premonition in Lindos – Ian Taylor
Fattening Frogs for Snakes – Ken Shinn
The Connoisseur – W.R. McKay
Death’s Head – Fritz Maitland
The Half-Deads – The Third Chronicle of Pain – James Stanger
Special Weapons Division – Tony Earnshaw
Last Departure from Hobbs End – Daniel McGachey
Mister Fixit – Darrell Buxton
It Could Have Been So Different… – Eric McNaughton
A Modest Proposal – Ken Shinn
Mr Hillsings’ Dinner – Wayne Mook
Good for the Soul – Darrell Buxton
The Naked Ape: A Tale from the Monster Club – Ken Shinn
Blood Ties – Paul Newman
The Beast Must Live…! – Martin Dallard
Cruelty Free – Jolyon Yates
The First Horror Movie – Darrell Buxton
Pillage of the Damned – Samantha Crosby
Nuggets – Jez Conolly
Raw – Tony Earnshaw
OfficeTech Intra-Personal Relationships Course – October 30th 11 p.m. – Franklin Marsh
Painting With Light – Darrell Buxton
Eden: The Paradise That Never Was – Martin Dallard
Taking it Seriously – Ian Taylor
Incident Report: The Halley Incident – Ken Shinn
The Shop – Nadia Mook
Death and Loneliness – Jason D. Brawn
Dog Star – Neil Pike
A Hungarian Vampire in London – Ian Millsted
Minister of the Sinister – Ian Taylor
Sadly I didn't see this in time, or I could have resubmitted the story that Chris accepted for publication back in 2006, but good luck to all the members of the old board.
Sam
The main problem was that I couldn't think of a logical motive for Dracula wanting to go to Mars, other than the mental image of him on the Martian surface sans-life support gear, grinning triumphantly as he feels sunlight prickling his skin for the first time in centuries (it isn't as potent an additional 225 million kilometers out from Earth.) I mean, it's not as if there'd be a fresh supply of food for him out there. I suppose the "soul" angle could be dropped and instead I could have Dracula and vampire cohorts taking over an established Mars base instead, turning the crew into "cattle", much to Professor Q's dismay. I'll stop now cos my brain hurts.
I always wish I had the time to write a contribution, but what with work and other stuff, plus a lack of self discipline I never get my arse in gear.
Can't wait for this! In some ways I wish I'd been able to contribute, but I don't have enough confidence in my own writing abilities... yet. I did have a vague idea for a Quatermass / Dracula crossover, with the Prof having difficulties with his manned Mars space programme (exploring the Red Planet being a matter of urgency to him following the Hobbs Lane Incident.) At a certain distance past the Moon, the astronauts keep dying, and after two failed attempts, Quatermass is stumped, as well as unwilling to risk further crews. Cue mysterious millionaire D. D, Denham, who as well as offering much-needed funding, has a proposition. Somehow, Denham knows that the problem is due to the life-force (or "soul") of humans being connected to the Earth. At a certain, full-stretch distance from the planet, the connection breaks, with fatal consequences. However, suggests Denham, if a space vehicle could be crewed by beings who are not really alive, and therefore have no souls...
...and that's as far as I got with Quatermass AD1973... I'll get me coat...
There's a PDF ebook sampler of BHF Book 3 available for £1.99, with profits going to the NHS. This contains 13 of the 35 stories that will appear in the print version next month, plus two exclusive stories (which may be familiar to you as they were both penned for the original abandoned book 3 fourteen years ago)
https://www.lulu.com/en/gb/shop/darrell-buxton/the-third-bhf-book-of-horror-stories-sampler/ebook/product-ej8799.html
Well, a new phenomenon in the world of BHF maybe, but the sort of parallel universe / fact-fiction crossover stuff has been around a while (cf Kim Newman et al). I recall there was a book by a Spanish writer published some years ago which I seem to remember centred on Peter Cushing, while shooting a Hammer film, involved in investigating a crime...
Anyway, a third BHF book in similar vein sounds good. I'd started writing one back in BHFb days about Chris Lee's character in Night Of The Big Heat, but it's long since vanished into the entrails of some old CPU. I might give it a go, but in view of how my 'Photographing ghosts' commissions stalled and nose dived, I can't make any promises.
Speaking of Photographing ghosts, is that still ongoing? I've penned a few pieces, but don't remember if I ever sent them...