THE QUIETUS - 25 BEST PIECES OPF HORROR FICTION OF THE 21ST CENTURY SO FAR ...
This was a pleasant Halloween surprise.
A panel of judges have cast their lots at a Halloween feature at The Quietus, to decide on their '25 best pieces of horror fiction of the 21st century so far'.
I've read around half of the books selected, have most of the other half, either on wish lists or on my shelves awaiting their turn. Another smaller section contains titles new to me. Though with the sheer volume of horror now pouring from the black gates, I don't beat myself up about that. I'm honoured, however, to see that one of my own horrors has cantered, whinnying and speaking in tongues to itself, into the number 3 slot. What an honour to have a book counted among some of these modern classics.
A two-horned salute to the judges, and to Sean Kitching and The Quietus, who have both long championed my books.
As a trad' midlist and indie horror author, who doesn't do book tours, have eye-watering marketing budgets, and has few of the trappings of a household name, quite simply it's appreciative readers and horror aficionados, recommending my terrors in their channels, that have kept me airborne since my first couple of books at Pan Macmillan, a decade gone. I cannot put a price on this kind of enthusiasm and support that I have enjoyed for twenty years now as a horror writer. Btw - 2025 is my 30th year as a professional writer, and twentieth first year as a horror novelist.
This support fills my black sails with a carrion wind and keeps me on course, albeit with the occasional outbreak of scurvy and odd encounters with cannibals. But I never take an appreciative reader for granted.
Also, I love lists (particularly if I get something on one)!