Wyrd Kalendar by Chris Lambert & illustrated by Andy Paciorek
This short story collection by Ghastling author Chris Lambert invites you to experience the twelve months of the year as told by the Wyrd Calendar. This is folk horror at its best, arising from the North York Moors’ infamous Black Meadow, the tales are enchanting and terrifying and Chris’ writing really sings from the depths of a haunted well, and the haunting never really leaves you… while Andy Paciorek’s illustrations make turning each page a visual delight.
Buy this, you won’t regret it…
Price: £8
Can be found at: Wyrd Harvest Press
http://www.lulu.com/shop/chris-lambert/wyrd-kalendar/paperback/product-23371751.ht
Lost & Found Folk Customs of Britain – 2019 Calendar by Iain Paxon
This is an extensive and beautifully presented calendar marking each months’ particular customs, starting with the Mari Lwyd in Wales for January. The central spread opens up onto a calendar of Pagan and Christian Yearly Festivals, so you can mark your diary according to your choice of celebration. The Calendar finishes off the year with Scotland’s ‘First Footing’.
A wonderful gift for 2019 but something you will keep and return to again and again every year after.
Price: £12
Can be found at:
iainpaxon.com
Figurehead by Carly Holmes
Otherworldly and one of the most imaginative writers that has haunted the pages of The Ghastling. These are new folktales, folkhorrors and ghost stories. Presented as a large sumptuous hardback – it is such a pleasure to have Carly’s stories gathered together in one place like this.
It’s not cheap, but if you class yourself as a discerning reader of the macabre and uncanny you must put this on your Christmas list and make a space on your bookshelf.
Price: £35 hardback
Available from:
Tartarus press http://www.tartaruspress.com/
(ehem, also available as an ebook on A****n…)
A Brilliant Void edited by Jack Fennell
The Ghastling doesn’t publish science fiction but when this book landed on my desk, my interest was piqued considerably. This book is a selection of classic Irish SF, ranging from 1837 – 1960. With a considerable amount of lesser-known and female authors included such as Amelia Garland Mears, Margaret Wolfe Hungerford, Jane Barlow, Charlotte McManus and Dorothy Macardle. But what I like the most about this collection is the little nugget of info about the author/story at the beginning of each piece, where you learn things like: the New Frankenstein by William Maginn was allegedly the author’s ‘improved’ version of Shelley’s even though he had never actually read Frankenstein…
This is a slick, really nicely edited book.
Price: £12
Available from Tramp Press: https://www.tramppress.com/
Go forth and gather your gifts!
Merry Krampus!
Rebecca Parfitt
Editor
The Ghastling
(photographs by Gerald Alimon)
The Ghastling 