Back on the 10th of April I listed my favourite stories ‘so far’ of 2012, and three months on it’s time to update that list.
The situation remains as in the previous post – while I’ve read a lot of stories, very few of them have a publication date of 2012 – though I have managed to read enough that there are actually twenty titles in my Top Twenty, which is an achievement not to be sniffed at.
Some context – so far this year I’ve read a total of 51 stories with a 2012 publication date (three magazines, one anthology, a few chapbooks, plus a smattering of previously unpublished pieces from collections). And I’m not including anything published by TTA in these listings.
It remains a bit of fun, though if anyone wants to regard appearing on this list as a feather in their cap, then that’s cool too.
Okay, here are my favourites of the year so far:-
Us, After the House Came Back by Felicity Dowker – Bread and Circuses
Our Island by Ralph Robert Moore – Where Are We Going?
The Sick Mannes Salve by George Berguno – Shadows & Tall Trees #3
A Guide To Surviving Malabar by Ian Shoebridge – Where Are We Going?
To Wish on a Clockwork Heart by Felicity Dowker – Bread and Circuses
The Eyes of Water by Alison Littlewood – Spectral Press chapbook
The Elephant Girl by Nina Allan – Shadows & Tall Trees #3
L’Anneau de Verre by Don Tumasonis – Shadows & Tall Trees #3
The Discord of Being by Alison Littlewood – Where Are We Going?
Lilies by Gary Budgen – Morpheus Tales #16
Rough Music by Simon Kurt Unsworth – Spectral Press chapbook
Kill All Monsters by Gary McMahon – Shadows & Tall Trees #3
Night Fishing by Ray Cluley – Shadows & Tall Trees #3
Joe & Me by David Moody – This Is Horror chapbook
The Female of the Species is More Deadly Than the Male by Felicity Dowker – Bread and Circuses
Overnight Bus by Marion Pitman – Where Are We Going?
Underpass by Daniella Geary – Where Are We Going?
Xana-La by Stephen Palmer – Where Are We Going?
The Chain by Frank Roger – Where Are We Going?
A Faraway City by Joel Lane – Where Are We Going?
Thanks so much, Pete. Allen Ashley, editor of Where Are We Going?, is a joy to work with. (And he confirms my theory that the best editors are those who are also great writers.) Another of Allen’s projects I contributed to, Allen as guest editor of the Unnatural World issue of Sein und Werden, should be out any day now.
You’re wlecome Rob.
That reminds me, I need to buy Felicity’s collection.
It’s an excellent collection Cate, and unless it gets squeezed out for reasons of space I should be reviewing it in #30 (September).
Well, that’s my day made. Thank you kindly, Pete.
You’re welcome, Felicity. As I mentioned to Cate, space allowing, I’ll be reviewing “Bread and Circuses” in the September issue of Black Static, and assume that Ticonderoga will send a copy of the review on to you.
Well I’m definitely considering it a feather, yes indeedy. Thanks Pete, I’m glad you liked the story.
You’re welcome Ray – and as somebody who is hellishly ticklish, please feel free to take all the feathers you wish and keep them well away from me
Pingback: Catch of the day | probablymonsters
Pete, very pleased you liked the S&TT stories. Thank you. Rob will have a tale in the next issue. Looks like I’ll have to pick up “Where Are We Going.”
You’re welcome Mike. BS#29 is off at the printers now I believe. I’ll send you a PDF of the full review as soon as I get the go ahead from Andy.
“Where Are We Going” might be reviewed in #30, which is intended to be a short story special, but I suspect we are going to be short on space so it could be put on the Case Notes blog instead.
A pleasure to see “The Chain” listed here. Thank you very much.
You’re welcome, Frank.
Hi Peter,
If you’re into horror, check out my scariest story ever: “Darkness, Darkness, Swallow Me”, in the anthology Uncanny Allegories, out from US small press Post Mortem Press (http://www.postmortem-press.com/our-books.php).
Pingback: Where Are We Going? new « stephenpalmersf
Hi there. Just to let you know, in response to Ralph Robert Moore’s comment (thanks Rob!) that Sein und Werden / The Unnatural World certainly is due out any day. As soon as I get my new printer delivered as the other one went kaput on Tuesday. Grrrrr.
Noted dear lady, but in practical terms probably too late. The dance has moved on, and I fear this post is now just Billy-no-readers.
But you’ve reminded me that I got a new printer back in November 2011 and really should take it out of the box.
Pingback: Pete’s Favourite Horror Stories of 2012 – Part Three | Trumpetville
Thanks for the recommendations, Pete! Based on this list, I was spurned to do some research and ended up buying Felicity Dowker’s Bread and Circuses and issues 3 & 4 of Tall Trees and Dark Shadows. I’ve been very pleased with both and hope to do a write up of my thoughts on these soon.
Also, if people who enjoyed this list weren’t aware, Michael Kelly (editor of Tall Trees and Dark Shadows) has an Indiegogo campaign up for producing a new ghost anthology Apparitions 2. If anybody wants to catch up on 5 of your picks (as well as a whole bunch of other perks), they can do it WHILE CONTRIBUTING to the small press renaissance.
The like is http://igg.me/p/243875?a=1796621 and it goes until January 15, 2013.