Musings From Oblivion's Vault

I write almost exclusively to satisfy myself - unless I'm invited to contribute work to an anthology - so it is always extremely pleasing when I discover that something I have written finds a connection with someone out there in the wide and wondrous world. I would be the first to admit that my tales are not everyone's favourite tipple. So seeing my work in print is always, and I hope will always remain so, one of my ultimate thrills. So I was delighted a few week's ago to come across a very generous mention of Saraband of Sable and A Damask of the Dead  on a blog entitled oddly weird fiction . Many thanks Nancy O. Also, for those interested, Des Lewis has always been very kind to my work. His real-time reviews are always highly enjoyable. They can be read here and  here .

Saraband of Sable is now up for pre-order from the publisher, Egaeus Press . The volume is a highly pleasing production in their Keynote Series: the format is pocket-sized, a delightful elegance in a mournful black and gold that you can journey anywhere with and be the envy of everyone you meet. Of the eight titles that go to make up the contents of Saraband of Sable , two have never been published before. One of them, 'Protector of Thieves' , is a Clark Ashton Smith pastiche set in his Hyperborea series. This piece was originally written several years ago for a collection of new Hyperborean tales, but it wasn't used. On reflection, I'm quite pleased it was never accepted for its proposed destination because the stories used in the anthology were, barring the odd one or two, generally uninspiring fare. The second unpublished tale,  'In the Palace of the Lost Winter Stars', grew out of two phrases that I suddenly thought of  - "the rose-opal twilight

I would like to announce a new collection of my work due soon from the superb Egaeus Press . This will be in their Keynotes series: a small format volume in black cloth with a panel in gold for the title and author. A beautiful and elegant design and I am extremely pleased to be a part of this occasional series from an excellent small press. The title of the new book is Saraband of Sable and it will consist of a number of uncollected, unpublished and hard to find tales. I am very happy indeed with this collection and  I look forward eagerly to its publication. Currently Saraband of Sable is due for publication sometime during July 2018, When I have any further news I will of course announce it here. Pan Paramount, Laurence Housman http://www.victorianweb.org/art/illustration////housman/28.html