The paperback is £11.99, the kindle £2.99.
The paperback is available through most online retailers and direct from PUP.
Just like the hardcover version published recently, the book contains the following stories:
Three Eyed Jack
The Fragile Mask on his Face
Terror on the Moors
The Shade of Apollyon
Writer's Cramp
Fish Eye
Boat Trip
Prickly
After Nightfall
Here are just a few of the amazing illustrations, nineteen of which are full page.
"This is an entertaining anthology of new sword and sorcery with a diverse range of unique tales."
The Spiral Tower reviews Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy.
To read the full review click on this link.
Parallel Universe Publications
Despite or, maybe, because of lockdown 2020 has been a productive year for me, with two anthologies (Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume 1 and Kitchen Sink Gothic 2) published, along with two collections of short stories: Craig Herbertson's Christmas in the Workhouse & Other Gruesome Tales (illustrated by Chrissie Demant), in harcover, paperback and kindle, plus my own After Nightfall & Other Weird Tales, illustrated by Jim Pitts. The latter has so far only been published in hardcover, but paperback and kindle versions will be available in the first week of the New Year.
Hanuman in Phantasmagoria #16
Reprints:
Lurkers appeared in Phantasmagoria Special Edition #2 and Lovecraftiana Walpurgis Issue
Scrap appeared in Phantasmagoria #17
Old Grudge Ender appeared in The Vault of Evil Advent Calendar 2020
The Shadow by the Altar appeared in Lovecraftiana Halloween Issue
I managed to write a number of brand new stories this year, some of which still need a bit of polishing, while others are out at various markets awaiting a decision. I also have another story due for publication any time now under a pseudonym. More about that when it is published.
Already for 2021 I have several stories due to be reprinted in magazines. And, going off sales so far, it is looking increasingly likely that a follow-up collection of Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy Volume 2 will be published by Parallel Universe Publications in 2021, possibly as early as May or June.
The paperback will be available through most online retailers and direct from PUP.
Like the hardcover version published recently, the book contains the following stories:
Three Eyed Jack
The Fragile Mask on his Face
Terror on the Moors
The Shade of Apollyon
Writer's Cramp
Fish Eye
Boat Trip
Prickly
After Nightfall
Here are just a couple of the illustrations, many of which are full page.
I will announce immediately this book is available to order online.
 |
| Artwork by Chrissie Demant |
A
big Thank You to everyone who pre-ordered this book. There are still a small handful of signed copies left which can be ordered at the discounted price of £18,
inclusive of postage and packing within the UK. First come first served. After that it will have to be ordered either through amazon or through Parallel Universe Publications at the full price of £20, inclusive of postage and packing anywhere in the world.
Below are some photos of the interior of the book:
What is it About?
Human cloning. The dream of modern science. Or a nightmare?
DAY OF THE CLONES is new British feature film set in Manchester, England. This ambitious sci-fi horror movie asks the question: what happens when human cloning gets out of hand?
This is the story of a government scientist who tries to defend a rag-tag bunch of survivors in a remote farmhouse after the clones he has created have taken over the world.
The film combines the claustrophobia of George A Romero's “Dawn of the Dead” with the intense paranoia of John Carpenter’s “The Thing”, set against a realistic backdrop of the industrial North of England. The film has action, stunts, special effects and military vehicles galore!
We will use the latest technology as well as old-school practical effects. We will also be using experienced TV actors, a professional crew made up of local talent, using Hollywood-grade equipment, and a script written by a Hollywood screenwriter.
And now you can be a part of the story!
Why Do You Need Funds?
We try to pay for as much of the film as we can. But we are a tiny outfit, and in order to pay for the actors we want, and to achieve the special effects and exciting stunts we want to film, we need extra funding. This funding will also help us pay for postproduction facilities like editing and sound mixing.
Who Are We?
Writer/director Eric Ian Steele is the award-winning screenwriter of the thriller feature film “The Student” (2017), directed by Steven R Monroe (“I Spit On Your Grave”) and produced by The Cartel (“Creepshow”) which is currently on Netflix in the USA. He also wrote the sci-fi action film “Clonehunter” (2012). He made his last feature film, the body horror vampire movie “Boy #5” (2020) on a shoestring budget.
Producer Barry Morton is a professional filmmaker and photographer with 20 years of experience.
You can read about our amazing adventures making our first feature film “Boy 5” here.
The talented cast includes Sean Cernow of TV’s “Shameless”, Steven Coogan’s comedy feature “24 Hour Party People” and indie horror film “K-Shop”, alongside regulars of TV's “Emmerdale”, “Coronation Street” and “Peaky Blinders”.
What’s In It For You?
First of all, you get to see a feature film made, thanks to your support!
We also aim to make more feature films. So you will be helping to revitalize the British film industry and be supporting local indie filmmakers and actors!
And there’s more good news… due to the current situation, we have just as good a chance as any major Hollywood film to be selected for a major film festival or to get picked up by a large distributor like Netflix!
Finally, you get to choose one the semi-awesome perks listed below!
We welcome your suggestions and comments. You can contact us on our Facebook page here:
And finally..!
Any donation, matter how small, is always greatly appreciated. Just £4 will help go toward making this film a reality, and we will keep you constantly updated about the progress so far!
And even if you are unable to donate anything, you can still help! Just share this campaign with your friends and family and on social media. Every little helps!
Thanks again for all your time! Enjoy the teaser!
Eric Steele.
Click on this link to go straight to the film's official site.
A good buffet has something for everyone. Similarly, a good anthology treads the delicate balance of achieving a consistent feel while rewarding the reader with a mix of tales. “Swords & Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy” achieves this balance as one would expect from a veteran editor. David Riley has previously expressed his fondness for Lin Carter who almost single-handedly resurrected the fantasy anthology and its no surprise that this collection of stories seems a worthy successor.
After a fascinating introduction dedicated to the late Charles Black,
we have eight very different fantasy tales enhanced by the distinctive
art of Jim Pitts.
In the The Mirror of Torjan Sul by Steve Lines a
powerful necromancer sends his dubious apprentice to collect the
mirror. It has a plot reminiscent of Jack Vance and convolutes in an
interesting manner. Desert peoples, suspicious meteorites, sultry ladies
with a bloodthirsty bent and a hero entertain in The Horror from the
Stars by Steve Dilks.
Trolls are Different by Susan Murrie Macdonald, is a little gem
involving a head village lady in some subtle diplomacy to sort out the
bad guys. The tale departs some way from a conventional fantasy tale but
loses nothing by this..
I never got into the Grey Mouser or spoofs but Chain of Command by Geoff Hart is really a marvellous take on Leiber, brilliantly crafted, funny and slick. Suspiciously familiar heroines join with incompetent mages on a quest for the Chain of Office of a long dead king. Doesn’t work out well for most involved. Ten out of ten.
Disruption of Destiny by Gerri Leen had me yawning in the first page
and applauding by the last. It starts in an innocuous manner and then
takes on a maze of interesting twists. It’s a standout in a very good
anthology. Don’t be fooled by the tarot cards and the witch. It is a far
deeper and more interesting tale.
In The City of Silence by Eric
Ian Steele, The king Ariston and his loyal vizier, Obadiah seem to have
come to the end of their adventures. When the king loses his sword and
some other bits it looks like the end is nigh. But it ain’t.
Another standout is Red by Chadwick Ginther with its neat female
protagonist on the search for her recalcitrant brother in the
underground city. Funny at times, exciting at others this was one of
the most enjoyable tales.
The final tale, The Reconstructed God
by Adrian Cole, is an excellent and well plotted piece about the Key of
Keys. Elfloq comes to an arrangement with the merchant Aggrabal but who
will end up with the master Key? Keeps you guessing.
One of the
most cheering aspects of this anthology is ‘Volume 1’ on the front of a
striking cover. Thankfully, there is no boring literature here and no
mundane facts. There is action, intrigue, impossible places and unlikely
scenarios. In short if you like fantasy you are in the right place.
There is also a refreshing hint of the good old days in “Swords &
Sorceries: Tales of Heroic Fantasy” spiced up with the approach of a new
generation of fantasy writers – Let’s hope Volume 2 is not too long in
coming.
Parallel Universe Publications
The lineup is:
Lurkers - Walpurgis 2020
The Shadow by the Altar - Halloween 2020
Boat Trip - Candlemas 2021
Inside the Labyrinth - Lammas 2021
The Lurkers in the Abyss - Halloween 2021
Fish Eye - Candlemas 2022
