THE DARKNESS WITHIN - Final Cut

I'm delighted to share with you today the cover for The Darkness Within - Final Cut. Artwork by Martin Baines.

This book is a reworking of the original audio I wrote for AudioGo last year - an audio that has been taken over by Audible and is still available from them.

However, I digress ...

For those of you who already bought the previous version on kindle or audio, there are some additions you might be interested in. The content has been extended by approx 5000 words. This contains some salacious and gruesome content that was too strong for the audio version. There is an author's introduction outlining the origins of The Darkness Within, how it was sold to AudioGo and the unfortunate circumstances that led to AudioGo's closure.

This Telos edition is available now on Kindle and will also be released in  paperback next week.  It will be launched for the first time at Gallifrey One Convention in Los Angeles.



So, what is The Darkness Within - Final Cut about?

ZOMBIES ON A SPACESHIP!

Chief Engineer Madison Whitehawk suspects foul play when a series of small anomalies occur aboard the ark ship Freedom. But Madison’s fears are nothing compared to the impending disaster heading their way.

As the team of scientists, engineers and crew take their precious colonist cargo towards New Earth a deadly parasite has found its way onboard.

Soon Madison, Second Officer Crichton and colonist Syra Connor are fighting for their life’s against trusted friends and former lovers.

What is the parasite that changes the minds and behaviour of those it infects? And how can the crew of the Freedom destroy the darkness within? 

To buy on Kindle click the appropriate link below:

Kindle UK 

Kindle USA

Paperback out soon with TELOS PUBLISHING LTD - More to follow ...

Goodbye 2013 ... Hello 2014

What a year!

The beginning of 2013 started with an interesting and rapidly filling schedule for event attendances.

January was reasonably quiet: it gave me time to think, plan, write. And work wise I had lots on. I had story commissions, a six-parter novel to shape, and an original audio for AudioGo to write. My career was moving in the right direction again after what had felt like something of a false start the previous year.

February and David J Howe, Frazer Hines and I were booked to guest at Galaxyfest in Colorado Springs, followed by Gallifrey convention in Los Angeles. A whirlwind two week trip to the US that mean we got time to spend with our lovely friend Kevin J Anderson and Rebecca Moesta in Colorado, and Chase Masterson, Joshua Lou Friedman and Dean Haglund in LA. In LA we got to sing 'scary-oake' with some interesting friends of Josh's. Colorado we had a fab sight-seeing trip with Kevin and meals out with him and Rebecca: they are such great company. Gallifrey Convention was, a particular highlight for us. We got to catch up with people we really care about but only manage to see once a year. Our friends Tony and Jane Kenealy, Ben and Kim Adams, Ed and Jen Comstock among many!

In March we attended Sci-Fi Weekender at Hafan Y Mor. A great event! Packed to the doors with approx 6 thousand people. David and I had a great presence at the event and were involved in many panels, onstage interviews and we judged the masquerade with the lovely Chase Masterson. We met some new people, and caught up with the unique Brian Blessed. We also took part in BIG FINISH DAY in Barking. Here we met some of the cast of 'Allo, 'Allo and I had a brief chat with the lovely Tom Baker for the first time. I signed the contract with AudioGo for my novella The Darkness Within and my short story Urban Wolf was published in an interesting anthology called The Demonologia Biblica. I also took on the role of Commissioning Editor for Telos Publishing's new digital imprint Telos Moonrise.



April brought us back to Wales Comic Con. This event has been rapidly gathering momentum over the last few years, and this year the event topped it's previous attendance with around five thousand people I think. I also met Nicholas Brendan (Xander - Buffy The Vampire Slayer).

This month I was approached by German publishers Verlag Bucheinband Ines Neumann and the rights for my first Vampire Gene novel, Killing Kiss, were sold for translation.


Life change events also happened: David became a grandfather for the first time! And his grandson, Benjamin, is a constant source of delight.

I also commissioned my first piece for Telos Moonrise - Absinthe And Arsenic a Victorian Horror Collection by Raven Dane.


May was a quiet month for events but I was working really hard reading submissions for Moonrise. We commissioned the intriguing YA steam/diesel punk novella DOCTOR TRIPPS: KAIJU COCKTAIL by Kit Cox, two crime novels by Andrew Hook, The Immortalists and Church of Wire, and the erotic novel, BYTE ME! by new writer Roberta Steele. All of which made varied reading.

As well as working on these I was continuing to write a Victorian Supernatural Thriller called The Soul Thief.

In June we went to David's grandson's baptism in Cambridge. A lovely day and Benjamin is absolutely gorgeous!

My short story Imogen, originally published in Hersham Horror's PentAnth Siblings had been chosen for Salt Publishing's Best British Fantasy 2013 Anthology. It came out this month. Telos Publishing commissioned me to write the second steampunk short novel, Kat On A Hot Tin Airship, which was the sequel to Zombies At Tiffany's.

July saw me frantically writing Kat On A Hot Tin Airship as well as prepping Kit's and Raven's books for publication. We also went along as guests to Who@Hoylake, and I met Terrance Dicks for the first time. A totally adorable man.


In August we attended our first Lammas Party hosted by the lovely writers and editors, Jan and Peter Coleborn. And we went for a barbeque at crime writer Debbie Bennett's home. In fact it was a truly wonderful summer.

Events-wise we revisted the historical library at Leeds for Steampunk At Central Library. Here I read extracts from Kat On A Hot Tin Airship, and Doctor Tripps: Kaiju Cocktail and Absinthe and Arsenic got their first outing.
 
We also had a lovely visit from David's family and we were able to take them sightseeing. The weather held out and was glorious for most of the time. It was a relaxed visit that ended with a large party on 24th August at our local Chinese to celebrate David's birthday.

On the 31st we launched Kat On A Hot Tin Airship  at Browsers Bookshop in Porthmadog. Copies literally just arrived the day before - so it was a tense week!

At the beginning of September we had a visit from my German translator, Gunter Olchowsky and his lovely wife, Ines and son, Max. it was really great to get to know them and to start building a relationship that I hoped would grow with future books. We had a signing at Waterstones, Bolton and a visit from David's son James and his wife Rachel, with their lovely son, Ben. On the 13th we drove up to Lincoln and put on our best Steampunk clothing as we joined in the fun at Asylum Steampunk Weekend. Here David announced the forthcoming publication of Robert Rankin's new book, The Abominable Showman, we launched Absinthe and Arsenic, Doctor Tripps, and Kat On A Hot Tin Airship and they were all received extremely well. As always David and I were on the naughty table at the ball! Brilliant event as always. Can't wait until the next one!

On the 22nd we had a Telos Publishing signing at Forbidden Planet attended by myself, Raven Dane, David Howe and Stephen James Walker. And at the end of the month we went to Harlech Festival and I hopped on a train to London to attend the recording of Zombies At Tiffany's, which had been bought by Spokenworld Audio and to take part in a reading/signing to launch Best British Fantasy 2013, with Salt publishing, in which I read some shocking content from my story Imogen.

At the start of October, David and I hosted the screening of Hellraiser 2 and did a Q and A with Barbie Wilde and Nick Vince at Grimm Up North Film Festival. We also appeared as guests at Tenth Planet's brilliant Doctor Who convention, DIMENSIONS.

Then on 28th we flew to Florida to begin another fantastic two weeks in the USA. We arrived in Florida to be met at the airport by Stephen Sigal who took us to Jen and Ed Comstock's lovely home to stay for a few days.

After hitting the malls, getting over jetlag, and drinking copious amounts of wine, we moved over to the Double-Tree Hilton, at Orlando and joined the other guests to take part in HURRICANE WHO. Guests included Colin Baker, Frazer Hines, Colin Spaull, Daphne Ashbrook, Chase Masterson, Tony Lee, Paul Bradley, Ian McNeice, terrence Dick, Bob Baker and many more ... It was a fantastic weekend full of fun, laughter and we forged some new friendships there that I hope will continue into the future. The weekend ended with a terrific meal provided by the convention organisers for the guests and helpers, and David, Frazer, Chase and I all stayed on for a few days to rest a little. So we actually did a little bit of sunbathing (I had ultimate sunblock on - as I don't do sun!!)


This month also saw the publication of two more of my stories. The Jealous Sea that appeared in Terror Tales of the Seaside, Edited by Paul Finch and published by Gray Friar Press, and The Last Resort, Published by Crystal Lake Publishing in their Fear The Reaper anthology.

Also AudioGo launched The Darkness Within on audio, in ebook and in large print hardback.


We flew onto to Long Island on 6th November to take part in LONG ISLAND WHO. The organisers took all of the guests on a winery trip. We had a truly wonderful time, and hooked up once more with Daphne Ashbrook and Ian McNeice, and we were joined by Sylvester McCoy. This event was also great fun. Extremely well attended, and was slick in it's organisation. One of the highlights of the event was the Match Game that David, Frazer, Ian, Sylvester, Daphne and I took part in. It was rude, it was funny, and people kept talking to us about it all weekend so I think they must have enjoyed it. David, Frazer and I also got to be Daphne Ashbrook's pips when she sang We Don't Need No Doctor to Sylvester. We also had an early thanksgiving dinner on the last night, which was put on by the organisers for the guests. A great weekend!



But our events calendar was far from complete. We flew home and attended Who@Avoncroft, and I was invited to guest at Memorabilia in Birmingham, while David took part in the Doctor Who Anniversary weekend over in London.

In Birmingham my sister, Adele and I met Barry Bostwick - who was definitely someone we both wanted to meet. And this man did not disappoint. He was totally adorable. A real gentleman.

But not everything was going well. We also had some very bad news mid November: AudioGo were going into liquidation ... and so The Darkness Within's future seemed bleak. No writer wants to see their works fail or fall into the ether. So I was fairly stressed about this. Not least because I didn't know where I stood with the whole thing in terms of the continued sales of Ebooks on line and the Audio which was also still being sold.



December came and David and I flew to Canada for 5 nights to appear as guests at Pop Expo, Ottawa. I also took this opportunity to meet up with an old friend I hadn't seen for 24 years! My childhood friend, Wendy Allen, spent the day with us on the Friday 6th Dec and we tried the local dish Poutine, which is chips, gravy and cheese curd/Sounds weird but it was delicious. We saw the Canada parliament buildings and had the most fun day which also included a convention commitment to go to a press release. At the event we met some wonderfully interesting people, some really nice chaps who worked for Paramount, and one of my facebook friends, Writer/Editor Neil Baker. It was an event to cosplay at - and there were some super costumes.

We flew home and three days later were back on a plane, this time flying a little nearer to home as we set off to Berlin and the launch of Todeskuss, the German edition of my novel Killing Kiss.


In Berlin we were met by Gunter Olchowsky who took us to the hotel to check in, then came back to drive us to the bookshop. There we met up with Angelika Timme, who worked with Gunter on the translations, and a queue of lovely people who had been waiting for the book to hit the shelves. It was really great!

After the launch Angie and Gunter took us to a typical German restaurant and we had some interesting and tasty dishes. Mine was a veal dish with noodles, and David had some sort of frankfurter dish.


We went to a German Christmas Market: it was superb. We ate this wonderful salmon sandwich, and drank copious amounts of Gluhwein. On our last day we visited Checkpoint Charlie and the city center of Berlin, standing on the border between east and west - a sobering experience. We also hit the local supermarkets and bought Christmas presents to bring home.

Another of my short stories was published in Chaosium Anthology, Eldritch Chrome. The story, Sonar City, was chosen by editors Brian Sammons and Glynn Owen Barass.

We also received some very good news regarding The Darkness Within: Audible had bought the masters for the audio and I had my rights for ebook returned, which meant that I could now sell them on elsewhere. Look out for the new version paperback in Febuary 2014 - This version is called The Darkness Within Final Cut and is extended with scenes that had previously been too extreme for the audio and had been cut. No they are reinstated the book is no longer a novella but a short novel.

As you can imagine with all of this travel I didn't have much writing time in the latter part of the year - something I've been making the most of since the beginning of 2014.

So 2013 overall you have been an excellent year for me! Let's do it again in 2014 ... but perhaps bigger ... what do you think?


Publications for this year:

Novels
Kat On A Hot Tin Airship, Telos Publishing, August 2013
Todeskuss, Verlag Bucheinband Ines Neumann, December 2013


Novellas 
The Darkness Within, AudioGo, September 2013 (Hardback)

Audio
Zombies At Tiffany's, Spokenworld Audio, October 2013
The Darkness Within, AudioGo, October 2013

Short Fiction
Sonar City, (Eldritch Chrome), Chaosium, December 2013
The Last Resort, (Fear the Reaper), Crystal Lake Publishing, October 2013
The Jealous Sea, (Terror Tales of The Seaside) Gray Friar Press, Sept 2013
Imogen, (Best British Fantasy 2013), Salt Publishing, June 2013
Urban Wolf, (Demonologia Biblica), Western Legends, Mar 2013

HAPPY HOLIDAYS - 15% Off ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S

Spokenworld Audio would like to give you all a Christmas gift of 15% discount off the audio download of my Steampunk/Horror novella ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S.

All you need to do is use the following code at checkout. F9136102

Log onto Spokenworld Audio here http://www.spokenworldaudio.com/zombiesattiffanys.html 

Place your order and paste in the code above to receive your 15% discount.

The code is valid until 31st January 2014.

Wishing you all a happy holidays.

Sam :)

TODESKUSS LAUNCHES IN BERLIN

This has been an incredibly exciting year for me career-wise coupled with a hugely successful, somewhat international, tour that began in the UK, went swiftly onto the USA and Canada, and will end with the launch of the German edition of Killing Kiss in Berlin on 14th December 2013. 

The book has been named Todeskuss and I can now reveal the cover for the first time. 
 

The launch takes place here:

THE OTHERLAND BOOKSHOP, BERLIN, 14th DEC 2013
 
Date: 14th December 2013
 
Time: 2.30pm
 
Address: Otherland Buchandlung, Bergmannstraße 25, 10961 Berlin, Germany



As you can imagine I am very much looking forward to seeing the physical copies first hand and this will definitely go down as a landmark moment. Not only is this my first translation, but I have also never been to Germany before. 

This could be, I hope, the first of many trips there and I am very much looking forward to meeting what I hope will become new friends and readers.

Huge thanks go to Gunter Olschowsky, Commissioning Editor for Verlag Bucheinband Ines Neuman, and the co-translator Angie Timme for all the work they have done on carefully translating my words.

See you soon in Berlin! 



 

This Week I'll be At ...

MEMORABILIA, BIRMINGHAM. 23-24th NOV 2013
Sam Stone joins the line-up of Media guests at this huge event at Birmingham NEC.

Date: 23-24 November 2013.
Time: ALL Day Sat & Sun
Address: Birmingham NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT.

More Information Memorabilia

This Week I'll be At ...

DIMENSIONS 2013, Newcastle, 25-27th October 2013. 
Sam Stone and David J Howe join the line-up of guests for this special celebration convention - which will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who.

For more information : Dimensions http://www.tenthplanetevents.co.uk/index.asp

Time: All Weerkend!
Address: The New Holiday Inn, Great North Road, Seaton Burn, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE13 6BP
Date: 25-27 October 2013.

RIP DOROTHY LUMLEY

I was very sad to hear the news of Dot Lumley's death this week after a brave battle with cancer.

Dot Lumley. Picture courtesy of and (c) Ellen Datlow.

Dot and I have a history going back to 1993 when I wrote a novel in my spare time and began to send it out to various agents and publishers. The novel was called The Brunette Murders and was my first, not very good, attempt at writing a vampire story.

I knew nothing then of the world I would later become very a part of, but Dot looked at that manuscript and was the only person out of many letters and submissions that I sent out to actually have the decency to reply. I knew then she was a very special person.

The letter that came told me I had 'a lively writing style which was very readable and very saleable ... it was just the content that didn't appeal'. Dot wasn't interested in vampire fiction you see, and she never really changed her mind about that over the various times we conversed.

I never forgot her and periodically sent things her way. She always replied and was kind and encouraging.

In 2010 I met Dot in person for the first time. I knew instantly that I liked her. As others have said she always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. A rare quality indeed. And I shared with her that experience I'd had and how her brief reply had encouraged me so much. By then of course I had three novels published through The House of Murky Depths, and I was launching the third one Demon Dance at the event we were all attending. Dot took interest in me. She spent some time talking about how my career was going and what she might be interested in. I gave her copies of all of the books and some time later received a long and detailed letter from her in the post, telling me what she felt about them and giving really wonderful feedback.

I was so impressed that she had taken the trouble to write to me that I contacted her and thanked her. Then, I got up the courage to try and send her something new. I sent her the opening of a new novel idea and a full synopsis which also outlined two other books. This book was called Jinx Town and it was a planned first book in an epic Portal Fantasy trilogy that I really believed in.

Dot was enthusiastic about the idea from the start. She sent me detailed emails giving feedback and advice, and because I responded to that advice positively, taking her comments and running with them, the first novel sprang into life and was completed. Dot received the finished manuscript and loved it. She chose then to represent me, and very quickly we had five publishers who were interested in the book.

Unfortunately, for reasons beyond both of our control, the book was not picked up. Even so, Dot stayed with me. She gave me advice and ploughed on trying her best to find a home for the book. She believed in it as much as I did you see.

About 18 months ago we parted ways professionally. I now wonder if this was because she knew she was ill. I will probably never know for sure, but we parted amicably and Dot told me then she believed I deserved success and someone to represent me that could 'devote the time and energy' needed. We always planned to get together again and Dot had said she really wanted to come and visit David and I in Wales. She would have always been welcome.

I will always remember her as a kind, caring devoted person. Who would give generously of her time and really enjoyed shaping new and aspiring talent.

RIP Dot. I'm proud that we worked together but I miss you and wish I'd had an opportunity to talk to you again before the end.

CURRENT KINDLE BARGAINS ...

Zombies in New York and Other Bloody Jottings


ZINY At Amazon UK £2.01

ZINY Amazon USA $3.12

Zombies At Tiffany's
 
Tiffany's At Amazon UK £2.59

Tiffany's At Amazon USA $4.11

Hateful Heart (Vampire Gene Series Book 4)

HH At Amazon UK £2.01

HH At Amazon USA $3.24

Silent Sand (Vampire Gene Series Book 5)

SS At Amazon UK £2.02

SS At Amazon USA $3.14

Talespinning By David J Howe

TS At Amazon UK £2.59

TS At Amazon USA $4.11

New to the VAMPIRE GENE SERIES?

Catch up here VAMPIRE GENE TRILOGY - The First 3 Books in one compendium.

VG Tril Amazon UK £18.94

VG Tril Amazon USA $26.99

This Friday I Will Be At ...

GRIMM UP NORTH, 3rd-6th October 2013,

Sam Stone and David J Howe will be resenting HELLRAISER II at Grimm Up North this Friday.

For Further information on their schedule or buy tickets  Hellraiser.

 

Next Week I'll be at ...

WATERSTONES, Piccadilly, London, 30th September, 2013 

I will be doing a reading and signing THE BEST OF BRITISH FANTASY 2013 published by Salt Publishing earlier in the year.

The doors open at 6pm - there are refreshments and then the first readings. After this a short break and the second round of readings. Ending with a signing session.





Time 6-9pm
Address: Waterstones Piccadilly, 30 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6WW
Date: Monday 30th September

For further details Waterstones,

This weekend I'll be at ...

PENDAU HARLECH Chapter 1. (Harlech Literary Festival) 28-29 September 2013
Telos Publishing with David J Howe and Sam Stone have been invited to give readings, talks and book signings at this first Harlech Literary Festival.

There will be stalls, readings, traditional Welsh music in and around the town and Memorial Hall.

Date: 28th & 29th Sept (Saturday & Sunday)
Address: Memorial Hall, 15 Cae Gwatad, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2GY. (Readings & Stalls)

Times: Sat 10-5pm

ZOMBIES ATTACK YOUR EARS

I'm thrilled to finally be able to share the news that ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S will be available in Audio via Spokenworld. This is going to be recorded on 20th September and I will be there to enjoy the fun  and meet Director/producer Neil Gardner and reader Stephanie Cannon (You'll remember her from the ZOMBIES IN NEW YORK AND OTHER BLOODY JOTTINGS AUDIO).

A blog, photos, and possibly a podcast of events from the day to follow. Should be fun!

Press release below for full details:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Zombies Attack Your Ears!

Stephen James Walker and David J Howe, Editorial Directors of Telos Publishing are delighted to announce that audio rights to Sam Stone's Steampunk horror novella ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S have been picked up by Neil Gardner at Spokenworld Audio.

'We've long been an admirer of Neil's work in the audio field,' says David Howe. 'He's a great supporter of genre fiction and audio, and so when he approached us about whether the rights to Sam's book were available, we were over the moon.'

'I am extremely excited to be bringing the zombie-infused adventure of Kat Lightfoot to audio,' says Spokenworld Audio MD and lead producer Neil Gardner. 'Having previously produced Sam's short horror story collection ZOMBIES IN NEW YORK AND OTHER BLOODY JOTTINGS on behalf of AudioGO, I jumped at the chance to work on another of her brilliant stories, and bring Sam to my own audiobook label. We have the fantastic Stephanie Cannon back to read, and will be indulging our love for adding music and sound effects.  Hopefully this will be just the first of many Sam Stone audiobooks that Spokenworld Audio will be producing ... she is a unique talent who brings creativity and incredible imagination to everything she writes.'

'I can't wait to hear what Neil and the crew at Spokenworld do with my Zombies,' says Sam Stone. 'I was absolutely delighted with their work on my short story collection, and I know that they will do a fantastic job on this book too. It's a pleasure hearing my characters come alive in this way ...'

Autumn 2013 sees Spokenworld Audio rapidly expanding its audiobook range, with a whole host of titles including factual history, science fiction and anthology horror. Leading this slew of great releases will be ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S by leading UK horror author Sam Stone.

ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S - the audiobook, will be released on 31st October 2013, exclusively at www.spokenworldaudio.com

ABOUT SAM STONE

Sam Stone’s first novel, Killing Kiss, won the silver award for Best Horror Novel in ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year competition, and her subsequent novels and short stories have gained her much acclaim, including winning the British Fantasy Award. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and is a noted public speaker and lecturer. Sam’s website is at www.sam-stone.com.

ABOUT TELOS PUBLISHING

Telos Publishing was formed in 2000 by David J Howe and Stephen James Walker, and since then has published novels and novellas by many authors including Christopher Fowler, Graham Masterton, Stephen Laws, Simon Clark, Paul Finch, Steve Savile, Kim Newman, Paul McAuley and Stephen Gallagher. They are also known for an extensive range of unofficial guides to film and television, including Doctor Who, Space 1999, The Rocky Horror Show, Battlestar Galactica, Tarzan and A Song For Europe. www.telos.co.uk

ABOUT SPOKENWORLD AUDIO

SpokenWorld Audio is the new home for audio fans...a safe-haven for forgotten and ignored audio...a commissioner of new audio productions...and your one-stop shop for independently-produced audiobooks and radio programmes! High-quality, innovative and original audio for all ages. We are starting a revolution in audio and you are invited to join us...as a listener, as a contributor and as a supplier. Transforming the written word to spoken word. Spokenworld Audio was formed in 2010 by Neil Gardner and is wholly owned by Ladbroke Audio Limited. www.spokenworldaudio.com

THE DARKNESS WITHIN RELEASE

This has been a very exciting week for me. Firstly I discovered that my novella THE DARKNESS WITHIN, bought by AudioGo and due for release this October in Ebook and Audio, had already found it's way onto Ebook.

But the news didn't end there ... it's also gone to Hardback in large print format with Chivers. Due for release on 7th October.

I didn't know they had a hardback planned - so a very exciting surprise for me as this is the first title I've had in hardback!

Hardback ISBN 978-1471359149 (Order from your local book store now!!) £16.49 RRP


Kindle for £4.62 UK
Kindle for $7.16 USA
Barnes & Noble $6.49 Nook

Needless to say I'm over the moon to have my first Hardback out there!

This Week I'll Be At ...

WATERSTONES, BOLTON, LANCS, SAT 7th SEPT 2013.
Sam Stone will be launching her new novella KAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Waterstones Bolton.
Hot off the printing press. Copies of ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S will also be available as well as some Vampire Gene titles.

Address: Waterstones, 34-36 Deansgate, Bolton BL1 1BL.
Date: 7th Sept 2013
Time: 2-4pm

Signing Schedule - A Crazy Time of Year

Here is an updated list of all of my forthcoming events. It's a crazy time of year for me now but I wouldn't have it any other way.

'AIRSHIP' TOUR BEGINS HERE ...

BROWSERS BOOKSHOP, PORTHMADOG, SAT 31st AUGUST, 2013
Sam Stone and David Howe are delighted to be attending this friendly Independent Book store in the seaside resort of Porthmadog.

Address: 73 High Street, Porthmadog, LL49 9EU
Date: 31st August 2013
Time: 11am onwards

WATERSTONES, BOLTON, LANCS, SAT 7th SEPT 2013.
Sam Stone will be launching her new novella KAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Waterstones Bolton.
Be the first to buy this book, newly off the printing press. Copies of ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S will also be available.

Address: Waterstones, 34-36 Deansgate, Bolton BL1 1BL.
Date: 7th Sept 2013
Time: 2-4pm
 
ASYLUM STEAMPUNK CONVENTION, 13-15th Sept, 2013
Sam Stone and David Howe will be attending this fantastic event, which has become a welcome part of their yearly calendar. 

The event takes place in various locations around Lincoln Town Centre.

Come and join in the fun, wearing your steampunk finery, and join the party at one of the many wonderful evening events.

For full information on the programme of events : ASYLUM http://steampunk.synthasite.com/

Time: ALL WEEKEND
Address: Lincoln Town Centre
Date 13-15th September 2013 

FORBIDDEN PLANET, London, 21st Sept 2013
Telos Publishing Authors Sam Stone, Raven Dane and Stephen James Walker will be signing their latest books at Forbidden Planet.

This event will appeal to fans of Doctor Who, Steampunk and Horror.

Time 4-5pm
Address Forbidden Planet, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR
Date 21st Sept 2013.

WATERSTONES, Piccadilly, London, 30th September, 2013 
6pm onwards - I will be doing a reading and signing THE BEST OF BRITISH FANTASY 2013 published by Salt Publishing earlier in the year.

For further details Waterstones,

GRIMM UP NORTH, 3rd-6th October 2013,
Sam Stone and David J Howe will be attending this year's Grimm Up North.

Further information to follow on their schedule but you can buy tickets for this year's event HERE

DIMENSIONS 2013, Newcastle, 25-27th October 2013. 
Sam Stone and David J Howe join the line-up of guests for this special celebration convention - which will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who.

For more information : Dimensions http://www.tenthplanetevents.co.uk/index.asp

Time: TBA
Address: The New Holiday Inn, Great North Road, Seaton Burn, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE13 6BP
Date: 22-24 November 2013. 

HURRICANE WHO, Orlando, Florida, 1-3rd November 2013
Sam Stone and David J Howe join the line-up of great guests for this convention. There will be panels, a dealer's room, cosplay, and great guests!

For more information : Hurricane Who http://www.hurricanewho.com/guests/ 

Time: Friday to Sunday 
Address: Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at Sea World
Date: 1-3rd November 2013.

LONG ISLAND WHO, New York, 8-10th November 2013
Sam Stone and David J Howe our delighted to be guesting at this new convention in Long Island, New York.

For more information : L.I. WHO http://longislanddoctorwho.com/about/

Time: All weekend
Address: The Long Island -Islip Airport Holiday Inn, 3845 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY, 11779.
Date: Friday 8th- Sunday 10th Nov 2013.

OTTAWA, CANADA 7-8th Dec
Info to follow shortly ...


GALLIFREY CONVENTION, Los Angeles, 14th-16th Feb, 2014
Awesome! Sam Stone, David Howe and Frazer Hines return to this much loved convention to celebrate 25 years of Gallifrey Convention in Los Angeles. 

Time : ALL Weekend
Address: LA Marriot Hotel, Los Angeles
Date: Friday 14th Feb-Sun 16th Feb 2014.

EM-CON, NOTTINGHAM, 16th March 2014
A fantastic fun-filled Sci-Fantasy day in Nottingham. Sam Stone and David J Howe, join the guests at this new and exciting event.

Time: 10am (earlybirds) 11am-5pm
Address: Albert Hall, North Circus Street, Nottingham, NG1 5AA, 0115 950 0411
Date: 16th March 2014

For more information visit : http://www.em-con.co.uk

SCI-FI WEEKENDER 5, Hafan Y Mor, North Wales, 27th-30th March 2014
Sam Stone and David Howe are delighted to be returning to Sci-Fi Weekender!
More news to follow.

OTHERWORLDS CONVENTION UK, 5-6 APRIL 2014.
Sam Stone and David Howe join the already growing line-up of guests at the first Otherworlds Convention in Warrington. Cosplay, Panels, traders of all kinds.

Time: Starts 10am Sat end 4pm Sunday.
Address: Chester University, Lance Dobson Exhibition rooms, Crab Lane, Warrington, WA2 0DB
Date: 5 & 6 April 2014.

For further Information visit: http://www.otherworldsconv.co.uk/
To buy tickets http://otherworldsconv.eventbrite.com/

This Week I'll be At ...

This weekend I will be driving to Porthmadog to visit BROWSERS BOOKSHOP. This is a lovely seaside resort in North Wales and I am very much looking forward to being there.

This is the first outing for my new novel KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP. Copies of ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S and the Vampire Gene Series novels will also be available. VG novels will be going at the bargain price of 3 for 2 so this is a good opportunity to try them if you haven't already.

BROWSERS BOOKSHOP, PORTHMADOG, SAT 31st AUGUST, 2013


Address: 73 High Street, Porthmadog, LL49 9EU
Date: 31st August 2013
Time: 11am onwards

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Sam x

New Products

I thought it might be useful to list the some of the new products I now have available.

The Vampire Gene Trilogy 
The first three books in the Vampire Gene Series (Originally a trilogy) are now available in a compendium.

VG Blurb

Enter the dark and sensual world of Sam Stone. Discover her unique family of vampires in this compendium edition of the first three books of the award winning Vampire Gene series.

Killing Kiss : Four hundred year old vampire Gabriele Caccini searches for a mate in twenty-first century Manchester while reflecting on the events that led to his immortality.
Futile Flame : Gabriele seeks out his maker Lucrezia Borgia when a mysterious entity threatens to ruin the happiness he has found with Lilly. But can he believe anything she says?
Demon Dance : Waking in the Garden of Eden, Lilly discovers that mysterious forces have contrived to separate her from Gabriele. Thrown through time against her will, she has to fight to regain control of her own destiny.

Buy at Amazon UK  Price £18.94 (RRP £19.99)
Buy at Amazon USA Price $26.99


Poetry CD (Only Available in USA)

Demon Lover & Other Eroticisms
Poetry written and performed by Sam Stone (featuring David J Howe).
Music devised and performed by Penny Nicholls

1) Not All Vampires Drink Blood (Sam Stone)
2) Demon Lover (David J Howe)
3) Werewolf (Sam Stone)
4) Vampyre (Sam Stone)
5) In Lust  (Sam Stone)
6) Phoenix (David J Howe)
7) I Wish I Was Dead (Sam Stone)

Buy at Amazon USA Price $12.99

I hope you give these a try ...

This Week I Will Be At ...

The first of our many events is on Saturday 17th August at Leeds Central Library - STEAMPUNKS AT CENTRAL LIBRARY

If you are in, or near, the Leeds area I can heartily recommend this event. It will be populated by splendid people in their Steampunk finery and there will be readings as well as many authors selling and signing their books.

David J Howe and myself will be the first readers of the day from 11.30am. I will be reading from my new novel KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP which will be available by 31st August. This will be the first time anyone other than my publishers has heard/seen the content. So stop by for a sneak preview!

Pre-Orders for signed copies of this book will be available from TELOS PUBLISHING, Amazon or all good book stores.

You can also buy one and get it signed personally on 31st August at Browsers Bookshop in Porthmaddog or see Appearances and Bookings for a list of forthcoming events in your area.

The first two Telos Moonrise books will be available to buy (hopefully if they arrive from the printers in time). This will be Raven Dane's ABSINTHE & ARSENIC and Kit Cox's DOCTOR TRIPPS:KAIJU COCKTAIL. Both authors will be reading an extract from their books at the event.

I'm looking forward to being with my Steampunk friends old and new this week.

I hope to see you there!

GRIMM UP NORTH - EARLY BIRD TICKETS

Due to unprecedented demand for our of amazing value early bird passes this year, Grimmfest have decided to keep open the offer for just one extra day, just in case any horror fans out there haven’t yet taken the plunge. Early bird passes were set to close on Thursday 8th Aug but we’ve added an extra day, giving  a further opportunity to pick up a pass before midnight Friday 9th August.

 

The Dancehouse theatre venue only allows us a limited amount of these special passes to sell to our regular fans. Were happy to give your readers the opportunity to take advantage of this offer but they must act fast. Full price tickets become available from the venue box office next week at the regular price.

 

If you love movie premieres and your able to make it to central Manchester between 3rd and 6th Oct, you’d be a fool to miss this great offer. Wallow in movies for one long weekend for an incredible price.

BOOK NOW!

Announced so far
Movies: HELLRAISER, JUG FACE, HANSEL AND GRETEL GET BAKED, THE BODY, SHELLSHOCKED
Guests: ALFIE ALLEN (Game of thrones), DOMINIC BRUNT (Before dawn, Emmerdale), NICHOLAS VINCE (Hellraiser), WAYNE SIMMONS (Author of Flu, Fever), SAM STONE (Author of The Vampire gene series & Zombies at Tiffany's.)
Events: SFX Experts from World war Z, Starwars and Harry Potter movies, talk and exhibit work. More info here.

 

“4 days of horrifically guilty pleasure no self respecting horror fan should miss.” HORRORTALK

“Year in and year out, the Grimmfest team put together one of the best lineups in horror! Grimmfest 2013 promises to be another four days of the best horror has to offer! DREADCENTRAL

‘A sublime selection of independent and undiscovered gems, all showcased in a suitably macabre setting. Grimmfest is the business!’ ZOMBIEHAMSTER

 

Grimm Entertainment, Ltd.
Grimm Up North Ltd.
Not a Number productions, Ltd.

Z Film Studios
Studio House
Battersea Road
Stockport SK4 3EA
Manchester UK

Tel: 0161 300 7052
Mob: 07721 529947

www.grimmfest.com
www.grimmentertainment.com
www.notanumber.com
www.splinteredthemovie.com

PRE-ORDER 'KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP'

My new short novel, KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP'S official publication date is 31st August.

You can pre-order SIGNED copies from Telos Publishing HERE.

Cover art is by the fantastically talented Martin Baines. (I love his pulpy style, which seems to compliment my work so well.)

Also still available ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S - which can be purchased from Telos (SIGNED), Amazon, and all good bookstores or on kindle.

Hope you enjoy this revisit to the world of Kat Lightfoot, George Pepper and Martin Crewe.




KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP

It is 1865 and the American Civil War has come to an end. Now Kat Lightfoot finds herself in the middle of another kind of war: a family feud involving her brother Henry and his new wife. But what is behind the strange behaviour of this affluent Southern family?

Caught in the crossfire of an implacable spirit's attempt to wreak vengeance on the Pollitt family, Kat must once again enlist the help of journalist George Pepper and the inventor Martin Crewe to find out what really haunts the family's past.

In order to learn what devastating secrets the Pollitts are hiding she must first explore her own feelings for Maggie's brother Orlando, who is one of the seductive Nephilim.

A GHOSTLY STEAMPUNKED TALE OF FAMILY SECRETS, VOODOO AND VENGEANCE FROM THE AUTHOR OF ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S.

KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP

Okay guys,

The proper reveal ...

Here is the cover and the blurb for KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP. Can't tell you how pleased I am with the artwork of Martin Baines. 

Blurb 

It is 1865 and the American Civil War has come to an end. Now Kat Lightfoot finds herself in the middle of another kind of war: a family feud involving her brother Henry and his new wife. But what is behind the strange behaviour of this affluent Southern family?

Caught in the crossfire of a implacable spirit’s attempt to wreak vengeance on the Pollitt family, Kat must once again enlist the help of journalist George Pepper and the inventor Martin Crewe to find out what really haunts the family's past.

In order to learn what devastating secrets the Pollitts are hiding she must first explore her own feelings for Maggie’s brother Orlando, who is one of the seductive Nephilim.

A GHOSTLY STEAMPUNKED TALE OF FAMILY SECRETS, VOODOO AND VENGEANCE FROM THE AUTHOR OF ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY’S.

APPEARANCES UPDATED!

BROWSERS BOOKSHOP, PORTHMADOG, SAT 31st AUGUST, 2013
Sam Stone and David Howe are delighted to be attending this friendly Independent Book store in the seaside resort of Porthmadog.

Address: 73 High Street, Porthmadog, LL49 9EU
Date: 31st August 2013
Time: 11am onwards

WATERSTONES, BOLTON, LANCS, SAT 7th SEPT 2013.
Sam Stone will be launching her new novella KAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Waterstones Bolton.
Be the first to buy this book, newly off the printing press. Copies of ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S will also be available.

Address: Waterstones, 34-36 Deansgate, Bolton BL1 1BL.
Date: 7th Sept 2013
Time: 2-4pm
 
ASYLUM STEAMPUNK CONVENTION, 13-15th Sept, 2013
Sam Stone and David Howe will be attending this fantastic event, which has become a welcome part of their yearly calendar. 

The event takes place in various locations around Lincoln Town Centre.

Come and join in the fun, wearing your steampunk finery, and join the party at one of the many wonderful evening events.

For full information on the programme of events : ASYLUM http://steampunk.synthasite.com/

Time: ALL WEEKEND
Address: Lincoln Town Centre
Date 13-15th September 2013 

GRIMM UP NORTH, 3rd-6th October 2013,
Sam Stone and David J Howe will be attending this year's Grimm Up North.

Further information to follow on their schedule but you can buy tickets for this year's event HERE

DIMENSIONS 2013, Newcastle, 25-27th October 2013. 
Sam Stone and David J Howe join the line-up of guests for this special celebration convention - which will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who.

For more information : Dimensions http://www.tenthplanetevents.co.uk/index.asp

Time: TBA
Address: The New Holiday Inn, Great North Road, Seaton Burn, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE13 6BP
Date: 22-24 November 2013. 

HURRICANE WHO, Orlando, Florida, 1-3rd November 2013
Sam Stone and David J Howe join the line-up of great guests for this convention. There will be panels, a dealer's room, cosplay, and great guests!

For more information : Hurricane Who http://www.hurricanewho.com/guests/ 

Time: Friday to Sunday 
Address: Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at Sea World
Date: 1-3rd November 2013.

LONG ISLAND WHO, New York, 8-10th November 2013
Sam Stone and David J Howe our delighted to be guesting at this new convention in Long Island, New York.

For more information : L.I. WHO http://longislanddoctorwho.com/about/

Time: All weekend
Address: The Long Island -Islip Airport Holiday Inn, 3845 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY, 11779.
Date: Friday 8th- Sunday 10th Nov 2013.

GALLIFREY CONVENTION, Los Angeles, 14th-16th Feb, 2014
Awesome! Sam Stone, David Howe and Frazer Hines return to this much loved convention to celebrate 25 years of Gallifrey Convention in Los Angeles. 

Time : ALL Weekend
Address: LA Marriot Hotel, Los Angeles
Date: Friday 14th Feb-Sun 16th Feb 2014.

EM-CON, NOTTINGHAM, 16th March 2014
A fantastic fun-filled Sci-Fantasy day in Nottingham. Sam Stone and David J Howe, join the guests at this new and exciting event.

Time: 10am (earlybirds) 11am-5pm
Address: Albert Hall, North Circus Street, Nottingham, NG1 5AA, 0115 950 0411
Date: 16th March 2014

For more information visit : http://www.em-con.co.uk

SCI-FI WEEKENDER 5, Hafan Y Mor, North Wales, 27th-30th March 2014
Sam Stone and David Howe are delighted to be returning to Sci-Fi Weekender!
More news to follow.

KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP

Kat Lightfoot returns ... but this time she's fighting a new darkness.

Last Friday I signed the contract with Telos Publishing for my new novella, Kat On A Hot Tin Airship which is the sequel to Zombies At Tiffany's.

To celebrate this forthcoming September 2013 release, you can now buy Zombies At Tiffany's on Kindle.

Amazon UK for only £1.96

Amazon USA for only $3.08

 So help us celebrate this new release and catch up on The Kat Lightfoot Supernatural Mysteries series now!
 

 Zombies At Tiffany's ...

Kat Lightfoot thought that getting a job at the famed Tiffany’s store in New York would be the end to her problems ... she has money, new friends, and there’s even an inventor working there who develops new weapons from clockwork, and who cuts diamonds with a strange powered light. This is 1862, after all, and such things are the wonder of the age.

But then events take a turn for the worse: men and women wander the streets talking of ‘the darkness’; bodies vanish from morgues across town; and random, bloody attacks on innocent people take place in broad daylight.

Soon Kat and her friends are fighting for their lives against a horde of infected people, with only their wits and ingenuity to help them.
A steampunked story of diamonds, chutzpah, death and horror from the blood-drenched pen of Sam Stone.