"We all of us like—even THRIVE on—a little hope and wonder in our daily grind. Heck, it’s the marmalade on our morning slice of toast, the bracing and blustery wind off the North Sea and the sunlight in our most darkened days (and we’ve had some of those these past few weeks) so I want to sign off this week’s Newsletter with a nod of appreciation in the direction of our chum Ian Whates, head honcho of Newcon Press on a remarkable project.
STORIES OF HOPE AND WONDER contains a rich and varied treasury of quality stories, from dark to light, humorous to menacing, clever to exciting. Fifty-three stories in all, more than a quarter-million words of fiction, including several pieces that are original to the book, featuring some of the finest writers of science fiction, literary fiction, fantasy, horror, and more.
All proceeds from the sale of this digital anthology are being donated to support NHS staff and other UK healthcare workers. So come on, folks, buy your copy by going here—do it now."
My wife and I have watched a number of programs on the work of the NHS, a recent favourite is "The Secret Life Of The Hospital Bed, is a unique 15-part series where, across the 45-minute episodes, fixed-rig cameras tell the story of patients who enter four different hospitals across the country."
The NHS is a great cause, and I was more than happy to purchase this item. I have several anthologies edited by Ian Whates, including 2001: An Odyssey in Words, so I also knew the collection would be a good one.
Followers of this blog can only imagine my delight when I found the story "Out of the Wood"s by Ramsey Campbell. I don't think I have discussed Campbell much on this blog. This is a glaring omission considering his status not just as one of the most important writers working within the Lovecraft mythos, but also as one of the most significant British horror writers of this generation. Campbell famously started writing Lovecraft pastiches as a teenager. He submitted some of these stories to August Derleth of Arkham House. Derleth published Campbell's first collection, The Inhabitant of the Lake and Less Welcome Tenants, when Campbell was just 18 years old.
I have been an enormous fan of Arkham House books for close to 40 years, I know that August Derleth ran the business from Sauk City Wisconson, where he lived. I do not know the physical details of the business, are there separate office buildings, warehouse etc. I like to think Campbell was attempting to capture some of the flavour of Arkham House in this story.
I found this reference after posting my original entry. The entire article is worth reading.
"Arkham House was never truly financially successful, but the publishing house grew in the decades following its founding nonetheless. August Derleth’s son, Walden, says his father’s success stemmed from his incredible work ethic, and helped the company grow far past the confines of his office.
“He stored books all over the house, but mainly the basement and upstairs in a spare room where he packed the books and got them ready to ship,” Walden said. “In 1968, business had grown so much that he built a warehouse on his land to operate out of, but from 1939- 1967, it was all done out of the house.”"
The story opens with Thirsk, the publisher of rather shoddily bound children's books is holding a business meeting with a new potential printer. Thirsk does not typically hold meetings so late, and being alone with this visitor seems to be unsetting him, as demonstrated by the way he is downing Scotch. The visitor "Little of whom was to be seen outside the heavy brown ankle-length overcoat except a wrinkled knotted face and gnarled hands." is not drinking since Thirsk does not have any untreated water. He also does not appear to be much of a salesman, when Thirsk asks why he should do business with him, he replies, "For you to say, Mr. Thirsk." He seems to be more interested in where Thrirsk's current printer gets his paper and how much Thirsk knows about it. The meeting continues to go downhill, and the visitor exits after leaving a sample book as a gift. Soon we learn the Thirsk's business, a combination office, home and warehouse is located in a wooded area on a deserted road into town. Once Thirsk is alone, things begin to happen; the book is not a typical printed book, noises start in the warehouse, etc. but I will leave you there.
I enjoyed the story; it is not mythos related. I would describe it as a weird tale, atmospheric without a lot of detail. The logic is intrinsic to the needs of the story itself, and the reader must supply their own explanation of the events. I enjoyed the story. Many of the other authors in the collection are well known, especially for their science fiction, and I am looking forward to finding some other gems here.
I do want to thank Ian and everyone who who contributed to the collection as well as PS Publishing for bringing it to my attention. Most of all I want to thank everyone trying to keep us safe during this rather trying time.
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