The Gila Queen's Guide to Markets, edited by Kathryn Ptacek, continues to provide a solid listing of current markets in all genres plus news of the field, and short useful essays about writing. Gila Queen Guide to Markets, PO Box 97, Newton, NJ 07860-0097.
Necrofile: The Review of Horror Fiction is crucial for any serious reader of horror. It is the only critical magazine we have and it's a good one. Edited by Stefan Dziemianowicz, S.T. Joshi, and Michael A. Morrison. A regular column by Ramsey Campbell, in-depth reviews and minireviews of contemporary and classic horror, and listings of British and U.S. titles. Other Dimensions, edited by Stefan Dziemianowicz also published one issue, with an incisive article by Brian Stableford on goth music and the vampiric influence on it, an excellent analysis of the Alien trilogy by Scott Briggs, and other nonfiction pieces on nonprint horror; Crypt of Cthulhu, edited by Robert M. Price and published by Necronomicon Press continues to be a major source of nonfiction on Lovecraft. It is now exclusively nf; Studies in Weird Fiction 18,edited by S.T.Joshi, reprints three stories by Ambrose Bierce for the first time, an essay on Stephen King's novel Christine, a critical piece on Robert Aickman's theory of weird fiction, and two pieces on Clark Ashton Smith.
Horror: The News Magazine of the Horror and Fantasy Field is back, now published by Dark Regions Press and edited by Joe Morey and John B. Rosenman, who have taken over from John Betancourt. Interviews with King and Koontz are included. Some of the news items and reviews are dated, presumably awaiting publication during the transition. Hopefully, the new publisher/editors will succeed in making the magazine a viable operation because a magazine of this type (modeled on Locus, published for the sf genre) is much needed by the horror community.
The Scream Factory: The Magazine of Horrors Past, Present, and Future, edited by Bob Morish, Peter Enfantino, and John Scoleri is an important and always entertaining horror quarterly. The magazine covers all aspects of horror, including books, soundtracks, movies, and videos. There's usually at least one piece of fiction. Issue 17 is a theme issue on The British Invasion, an overview of British horror in books, film, and television. As usual, pretty thorough and quite interesting. The magazine and Deadline Press have unfortunately ceased publication, but look for back issues if you can find them.
Filmfax: The Magazine of Unusual Film and Television, edited by Michael Stein and Ted Okuda, is the place to read about and see photo stills of The Outer Limits, Mexican monster movies, the burlesque films of pin-up Bettie Page. Look here also for articles on people in front of the cameras and behind the scenes of the grade b's and c's. The bimonthly magazine has just celebrated its tenth year of publication; Outre: the World of UltraMedia, also from Stein and Okuda, seems to cover some of the same territory as its sister magazine. The premier issue celebrates the career of Jayne Mansfield and has an excellent piece on horror writer Charles Beaumont. The second issue's cover story is about Walt Disney's TomorrowLand and includes a piece on Joi Lansing. In more contemporary coverage, there are articles on Hong Kong movie heroes Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-Fat.
Cinefantastique, the monthly film magazine edited by Frederick S. Clarke, generally has the most in-depth articles on films of the fantastic. For example: An analysis of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as in inverted fairy tale; a detailed article on the making of 12 Monkeys; and an interview with the screenwriter of Seven.
Psychotronic Video R, edited by Michael J. Weldon, is probably the most fun of the movie magazines that cover b-movie (and lower) videos. This quarterly always has amusing covers and interviews with almost-stars of yesteryear such as Dolores Fuller (who acted in many Ed Wood films, then went on to write music). It also provides coverage of movie books.
Video Watchdog: the Perfectionist's Guide to Fantastic Video, edited by Tim and Donna Lucas, is a must for the sheer entertainment of reading detailed analyses on the differences between variant versions of hundreds of videos. Bimonthly.
Gauntlet:Exploring the Limits of Free Expression, edited by Barry Hoffman, attacks censorship and what it perceives as political correctness wherever it may be found. In the two issues published in 1996 there were articles about a body painter at a pagan festival who got into trouble for doing full body painting on children (with their parents' permission!); Howard Stern, who got into trouble with the FCC because his sex talk might be heard by children; and the touchy subject of statutory rape. Also includes a series of articles on the witch hunts started by those purporting to protect children from abuse. Usually provocative.
Nova Express, edited by Lawrence Person, is a fine, irregularly published nonfiction fanzine out of Austin, Texas. Although it mostly concentrates on science fiction, the fall/winter issue had an excellent bunch of reviews of Hong Kong cinema by Walter Jon Williams and various staff members of the 'zine, an article on Lovecraft by Don Webb, and reviews of several novels that could be considered dark fantasies. Nova Express, PO Box 27231, Austin Tx 78755-2231. Highly recommended.
Dark's Art Parlour: The Periodical of Dark Art is up to its third issue but I've just seen it for the first time. It's an art magazine dedicated to horror. Highly recommended for anyone interested in seeing what can be done with horror art--the best work is by Kevin Rolly, Stephen Kasner, and Ross Amador. Photographic manipulation and collage art, painting, and mixed media. Issue 3 contains an excerpt from the next Tim Powers novel, Earthquake Weather. Dark's Art Parlour, 5249 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, Ca 91601.
There was more original short horror fiction to be read than ever before and most of it was terrible. By terrible I mean badly written: poor characterization, nonexistent or unbelievable plots, and so on. In order to feel the frisson--the terror, the chill--of good horror, the reader must be able to relate to at least one character in the piece. I don't necessarily mean "like" a character; but if the reader isn't drawn in by a believable character, forget it. It also helps to have a story to tell--not just a scene/vignette. Despite my seeming negativity, things are not completely bleak.
Several professional magazines occasionally publish horror, but there are none that run horror exclusively. My definition of professional is a magazine published on a regular schedule with professional pay rates, and a circulation of five figures or more. On the other hand, there are dozens of semi-professional and non-professional magazines, some of which present professional-level fiction. Most of the small press magazines mentioned below are on very erratic schedules and, with all good intentions, only a few last longer than two years. A sampling of the best are given below:
Cemetery Dance is back after one and a half year's hiatus because of editor Richard Chizmar's extended illness. One of the horror field's few professional fiction magazines, it was sorely missed. This issue has a heartfelt essay on what being a writer means to Charles L. Grant and some very good fiction. The summer issue had an excellent piece on small press publishing by Bob Morrish. CD Publications, P.O. Box 190238, Burton, Michigan 48519.
Deathrealm edited by Stephen Mark Rainey is the other important regularly published horror fiction magazine. The fiction is reliable in its readability, although I think issue #30 had the best fiction and poetry overall. The essays and reviews are generally of a high quality. Interviews with William F. Nolan, F. Paul Wilson, Poppy Z. Brite, Clive Barker, Stephen Jones, and Tom Piccirilli. The eerie cover art on #27 by Ian McDowell was apparently cause for the magazine's censorship in Canada. Deathrealm, 2210 Wilcox Drive, Greensboro, NC 27405.
Worlds of Fantasy and Horror edited by Darrell Schweitzer is meant to be triannual but has been off schedule for quite some time. There were two issues in 1996--the first with a good splashy cover by Ian Miller and informative interview with Joe Lansdale. One issue contained a dynamite story by Thomas Ligotti, but unfortunately missed out on its first publication (Ligotti's collection came out first). In general, good fiction and a well-done interview with Peter Straub. Terminus Publishing Co., Inc., 123 Crooked Lane, King of Prussia, Pa 19406-2570.
Grue Magazine edited by Peggy Nadramia bills itself as publishing three times yearly, yet I've only seen one issue a year for the past couple of years (that I remember). A generally solid horror mix. Hell's Kitchen Productions, PO Box 370, Times Square Station, New York NY 10108-0370.
Phantasm edited by J.F. Gonzalez is back after a year's hiatus. It looks very good and has some fine fiction. This is the reborn Iniquities and is worthy of your support. Iniquities Publishing, 235 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 1346, Pasadena, Ca 91101.
Rictus edited by Mary E. Spock published some very notable fiction and poetry in its two 1996 issues. The art direction, which has been excellent, is by M. Leclair. With its next issue (number nine) it will be going electronic (http://www.rictus.com).
The Silver Web edited by Ann Kennedy tries to publish semiannually. Issue 30 is called the "music issue" and has a terrific art portfolio by up-and-coming horror artist Carlos Batts, who is also interviewed. This cross-genre magazine, always worthwhile, contains a good mix of highly readable fiction. Perfect-bound magazine size with 120 pages and good production values. The Silver Web, PO Box 38190. Tallahassee, Fl 32315.
Realms of Fantasy, the bimonthly magazine edited by Shawna McCarthy, hits its stride with the February 1996 issue, publishing two excellent darker stories and a smattering of dark fantasy/horror thereafter. The best was by Robert Silverberg, chosen for The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror: Tenth Annual Collection. Realms of Fantasy, PO Box 736, Mount Morris, Il 61054-8130.
Talebones: Fiction on the Dark Edge edited by Patrick J. Swenson debuted in October 1995 but I only started seeing copies in early 1996. This quarterly has good production values, including some very effective interior and cover art. The fiction is often cross-genre and experimental. Fairwood Press, 10531 SE 250th Place, H 104, Kent WA 98031.
Squane's Journal, edited by Simon Wady, is an excellent fanzine from England. The second issue (first I saw) had two excerpts from novels by Mark Morris and Peter James, one original story, two interviews, and an overview of Mark Morris's fiction. S.Wady, 209 Beacon Road, Chatham, Kent ME5 7BU, England.
The Third Alternative, edited by Andy Cox, is one of the best of the cross-genre quarterlies with generally excellent covers and interior art and interesting, if occasionally opaque, fiction. The magazine has been running a series of profiles of writers such as Joyce Carol Oates, Jeanette Winterson, Poppy Z. Brite, and Geoff Ryman. TTA Press, 5 Martins Lane, Witcham, Ely, Cambs CB6 2LB England.
Skin Tomb, edited by Rod Williams, hails from Australia. Although only published annually now, this mix of nonfiction and fiction gives an excellent overview of the horror scene from a different perspective, with reviews of movies, books, small press magazines, and a regular "censorshit" column. The fiction isn't bad but it's the incisive nonfiction that seems to be the editor's forte. PO Box 97, Southland Centre, Cheltenham VIC 3192 Australia.
The next two periodicals are must-haves for aficionados of the ghost story: All Hallows: The Journal of the Ghost Story Society. The Ghost Story Society and Ash-Tree Press officially moved from the UK to Canada in early 1997 with publishers/editors Barbara and Christopher Roden, but this should not affect either the society or the publication of magazines. The $23 membership fee includes thrice yearly issues of All Hallows, which contains fiction, essays, and reviews of material relating to ghost stories. Payable to the Ghost Story Society, P.O. Box 1360, Ashcroft, British Columbia, V0K lA0, Canada. Number 12 is disappointing because almost every story was well written, wonderfully atmospheric yet each ending was a letdown...too bad. The fiction in Number 13, on the other hand, was on the whole more effective.
The other magazine is Ghosts & Scholars, edited by Rosemary Pardoe. It specializes in the M.R. Jamesian ghost story, and features fiction, essays, and reviews on the subject. R.A. Pardoe, Flat One, 36 Hamilton Street, Hoole, Chester, CH2 3LJ England.
Peeping Tom edited by Stuart Hughes continues to be one of the more important fiction magazines running dark material. Number 21 had excellent cover art by Pete Queally and some very good fiction. Peeping Tom Magazine, Yew Street House, 15 Nottingham Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leiscestershire LE65 1DJ, United Kingdom.
Psychotrope edited by Mark Beech is in its second year and issue 4 is especially recommended, with a number of interesting, well-written stories. Psychotrope, Flat 6, 17 Droitwich Road, Worcester, WR3 7LG, England.
Bloodsongs edited by Steve Proposch continues to publish interesting reviews, articles, and fiction. Good art and splashy color covers. A welcome interview with David Borthwick, creator of the cult movie The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb. Issue 8 was stalled and the magazine has been taken over by Dave Bauer, U.S. publisher of Implosion: Journal of the Bizarre and the Eccentric. Although the magazine will be produced in Orlando, Florida, Propisch will continue to "control the majority of the fiction content" and the regular columns will remain the same. Issue #8 was scheduled for April 1997 and the magazine will be going quarterly. The magazine will be primarily distributed in the United States with limited distribution in Australia to start. Implosion, PO Box 533653, Orlando, Fl 32853. The chapbook "Olympia," by Francis Payne, also published by Bambada Press (Propisch's book company), won the 1995 inaugural Aurealis Award for Best Short Horror Fiction.
Aurealis: Australian Fantasy & Science Fiction edited by Dirk Strasser and Stephen Higgins continues to publish a rich mixture of science fiction and fantasy, although little horror. Book reviews and regular, extensive coverage of the Australian genre scene. Digest-sized with an attractive and readable design and excellent cover art by Shaun Tan. Published twice yearly. Chimaera Publications, PO Box 2164, Mt. Waverley, Victoria 3149, Australia.
Eidolon: The Journal of Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy is a uniformly readable and entertaining quarterly edited by Jonathan Strahan, Jeremy G. Byrne, and Richard Scriven. The 20th issue, in honor of Harlan Ellison's visit, contains mostly reprints. It also includes a long essay about women (or the lack of) in Australian sf, and a useful wrap-up of the year (1995) in Australian horror by Steve Propisch (who inappropriately raves about his own publications). The 21st issue (sixth anniversary) contains the usual eclectic mix of sf, fantasy, and dark fantasy. Well-designed by Byrne and excellent art direction by Shaun Tan. Number 22/23, a double issue, sports an excellent Tan cover illustrating 22nd Western Australian Science Fiction Convention Guest of Honor Howard Waldrop's story "You Could Go Home Again." Eidolon Publications, PO Box 225, North Perth West Australia 6006.
Interzone, the important British monthly edited by David Pringle, while concentrating on science fiction, generally has at least some excellent darker stories during the year. Interzone, 217 Preston Drove, Brighton BN1 6FL, England. This is the magazine that has been responsible for the resurgence of sf and fantasy in the United Kingdom. It finally and deservedly won the Hugo Award for Best semi-prozine in 1995.
Bones of the Children edited by Paula Guran was the first and last issue of that magazine. It debuted at the World Fantasy Convention with a good slick cover, literate fiction, and an overwhelming number of psychopathic characters. Contains book, movie, video, net, and music review columns. Guran has announced that the magazine will be reemerging in March 1997 as Wetbones. For information, write Paula Guran at PO Box 5410, Akron, Ohio 44334.
The Urbanite: The Strange Transformation issue edited by Mark McLaughlin has, as always, an entertaining selection of surreal-bizarre fiction. This issue features Joel Lane and Lawrence Schimel for their fiction and poetry, respectively. Urban Legend Press, PO Box 4737, Davenport, IA 52808.
Chills, a publication of the British Fantasy Society, is discontinuing after Issue 10. Dark Horizons, also published by the BFS, will continue, increasing in frequency. Chills, edited by Peter Coleborn and Simon MacCulloch, was excellent and will be missed. The British Fantasy Society is open to membership by anyone. It publishes a regular newsletter and several magazines containing fiction and nonfiction about fantasy and horror and organizes the annual Fantasycon in the United Kingdom. Membership costs fifteen pounds sterling payable to The British Fantasy Society, The BFS Secretary, c/o 2 Harwood Street, Stockport, SK4 1JJ, UK. U.S. membership is $32. The periodicals are free to members.
Cthulhu Codex Number 7, edited by Robert M. Price, has taken over the fiction mantle from Crypt of Cthulhu, also edited by Price, which no longer publishes fiction, concentrating instead on articles, parodies, and essays. From now on Cthulhu Codex will feature Cthulhu Mythos fiction, poetry, and art. Midnight Shambler, edited by Robert M. Price, is a good little magazine for Lovecraftian fiction fans. Number 4 had some readable stories. Both are published by Necronomicon Press, P.O. Box 1304, West Warwick, RI 02893.
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