Horror Bits and Nasty Bobs
Given the current global financial apocalypse I assume that most of you are now eating shoe leather for dinner, wailing yourselves to sleep in damp & draughty cardboard boxes, and shaking your sore-encrusted fists at an indifferent god. While I can't guarantee that the following cheap/free bits 'n' bobs will rouse you from your wretched misery, they may provide some small crumbs of comfort.
1) A Ghostly Genre: Short Fiction and the Supernatural.
From some of the same team of mad geniuses who brought us "It Came from the 1950s: Popular Culture, Popular Anxieties" comes "A Ghostly Genre: Short Fiction and the Supernatural". Taking place in the august surrounds of Trinity College Dublin this coming weekend (24-25 October), the conference features tasty talks on Robert Aickman, Sheridan Le Fanu, Henry James, M. R. James, Edith Wharton and many more besides. Yummy.
It's the closest thing to "Dreadful Thoughts: The Conference" we're ever likely to see, so I encourage (nay, demand) attendance…even though I can't (alas) make it myself. Pester Bernice or Elizabeth at this address for more info (tell 'em I sent you).
2) Wordsworth Editions – Tales of Mystery & The Supernatural.
I gleefully spat in the pinched and mean face of the recession today by purchasing six books. On my meagre wage that may (at first glance) seem the foolhardy extravagance of a doomed man, but look closer. The volumes in question – part of Wordsworth's groovy "Tales of Mystery & The Supernatural" series – all clock in at well under €4.00. Thrift and classic horror – together at last.
While it is (of course) a giddy joy to be able to pick up the collected stories of renowned authors (Conan Doyle, Henry James, Ambrose Bierce etc) for a modest fee, I get even more of a kick out of snapping up lesser-known delights. Today, for example, I got my mitts on Night Shivers: The Ghost Stories of J. H. Riddell and H. D. Everett's The Crimson Blind & Other Stories. Two relatively obscure gems, with funky covers, for the price of a bog-standard lunch. How can you refuse…even if the bailiffs are kicking down the door?
3) Dreadful Thoughts: Where Do We Go From Here?
Last Monday's meeting of the story club witnessed sad and raggedy clumps of tumbleweed blow through the blog. Numbers were down. Spirits were low. Your host was deflated.
However, with the passing of a week (and the buying of the aforementioned books) a sense of reinvigoration and renewal is in the air. "Damn it", thought I the other day, "There are still so many nooks & crannies of horror to explore and discuss. Without this damn'd club I'll stop reading these lovely, lonely tales and move on to something else." I don't want to do that just yet. For one thing, it wouldn't be fair to J. H. Riddell.
And so…I ask you. Does enthusiasm for, and interest in, the project still remain? Would changing times and days make a difference in terms of gathering people simultaneously together? Are there any changes to the (low-tech) format that might jazz proceedings up?
I'm still (almost in spite of myself) feeling the love for Dreadful Thoughts. With Halloween rapidly approaching it's an apt time to ask – "Is there life in the old dog yet?".
P.S: Don't forget. It's completely free.
October 21, 2008
6 responses to Horror Bits and Nasty Bobs
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Well, when you put it like that, one could say we owe it to the country as nothing less than our patriotic duty to continue!
I’m a bit anxious though – I’m currently doing corrections, which involves drastic frantic work in the evenings to try and meetdeadlines. A wednesday might suit me better? I fear I need my Monday evening.
I think that’s fair to say. In fact, if anything you may be understating the case. Forget rain forests and ozone layers – this is the real preservation issue of our times.
Wednesdays are fine for me – as long as they don’t clash with the Champion’s League…
Whatever gets the punters flocking (or even dribbling) back.
I really like the idea of the Dreadful Thoughts club, but find the fact that it’s limited to only one evening a bit of a problem (I missed the last one because I was in Seville, and was tempted away by tapas and senoritas (much to the irritation of my partner)). Perhaps if the forum was to stay open for, say, a week, people who don’t get involved in the original discussion can still pop in a few ideas afterwards. I know it removes the cut and thrust of debate, but it also allows people with dismally slow computers and slower brain processes (like myself) to get involved. Possibly this flies in the face of the overall concept, though…
Doubtful,
Thanks for the input. The “forum” does remain open – indefinitely! It’s just another blog post ultimately and anyone can comment at any time. There’s no shut off point.
Having said that I’ve found that the comments always dry up in the days after the posts in question, so the “ongoing thread” idea (good as it is) doesn’t really work.
What I’d like ideally (and what we had until the last few weeks) is a lively “Live” conversation on a set night where the comments flow. The days after would have the odd comment being popped in as afterthoughts to the discussion – or even getting a new chat up and running. I’m keen to keep the live & spontaneous feel, to make it as close to a face-to-face book club as possible.
I’m more than happy to bow to collective opinion though, if people feel differently. Lots of parents of young kids involved, so I completely understand that time is precious!
Your writing is terrific, I only hope one day that my writing can be on par with yours. Everyone offer criticism but with nothing constructive. I guess need to align with new friends. I especially like this (I hope you don’t mind if I quote you) ” I gleefully spat in the pinched and mean face of the recession today by purchasing six books. On my meagre wage that may (at first glance) seem the foolhardy extravagance of a doomed man, but look closer. The volumes in question – part of Wordsworth’s groovy “Tales of Mystery & The Supernatural” series – all clock in at well under €4.00. Thrift and classic horror – together at last.” Excellent writing