The Bleeding Horse and other ghost stories

I've been a fan of Mr. Brian J. Showers' Swan River Press chapbooks ever since I first got hold of them at a Dublin convention a couple of years ago this time last year.

Brian is currently getting ready to launch his new book The Bleeding Horse and other ghost stories at the Phoenix Convention (Dublin) at the end of the month. After the launch, the Moonlight Theatre Company will present two tales from Edgar Allan Poe, "The Cask Of Amontillado" performed by Vincent Fegan and "The Black Cat" performed by Paul Kealyn, directed by Gary Egan.
Sadly, we won't be attending P-Con due to our heavy workload and lack of funds but we encourage anyone with the time and means to visit the con; it's always a good one and this year looks to be one of the best ever.


In the spirit of Le Fanu's classic trio of tales, Brian J. Showers' The Bleeding Horse and Other Ghost Stories infests his own Dublin neighbourhood with an authentic population of ghosts, ghouls, and goblins. Showers has filled each story with fascinating regional history, local atmosphere, and architectural details that are clearly visible today. While this gives the stories a factual flavour, the supernatural elements are entirely fictional. The result is a realistic and shadow-filled portrait of a modern neighbourhood, written in the traditional style of the classic literary ghost story.

Each story features a recognisable Dublin setting and infuses it with a spectral history. Among the mysteries you will be invited to unravel are: the origins of The Bleeding Horse pub's gruesome name ('The Bleeding Horse'); the mysterious events leading to the discovery of Jack B. Yeats' final painting ('Oil on Canvas'); the eerie and persistent repercussions of a tragic omnibus accident in 1861 ('Favourite No. 7 Omnibus'); the possible resting place of the stolen Irish Crown Jewels and what guards it ('Quis Separabit'); the identify of the strange entity that plagued a 19th c. curate ('Father Corrigan's Diary'); and more. The Bleeding Horse and Other Ghost Stories features black and white illustrations throughout by Duane Spurlock, an introduction by Le Fanu scholar Jim Rockhill, and a cover by Harvey Award winner Scott Hampton.

Read more and order your copy now at www.brianjshowers.com

Post P-Con 4

Last weekend saw the fourth annual Phoenix Convention take place in Dublin, Ireland and I'm happy to report that it was even better than last year's event.

Kim Newman.

2007's guest of honour was Kim Newman and somehow I ended up being the interviewer. Sadly, the dictaphone which I ordered specially to record the interview didn't arrive in time so I haven't actually got any way of transcribing the thing. Anyway, rest assured that it went very well.

John interviewing Kim.

Other guests included the editorial team from Albedo 1, Michael Carroll, Paul Cornell, Raven Dane, George Green, Conor Kostick, Oisin McGann, Juliet E McKenna, Ken MacLeod, Deborah J. Miller, C E Murphy, John W Sexton and Charlie Stross. And there were many, many very enjoyable and informative talks on subjects as varied as "Around the Writer's Block" and "Zombies".

C. E. Murphy and her husband Ted.

Leah and Paul Cornell.

Micheal Carroll, Leonia and Danielle.

There was even an "Alan Moore Show and Tell" curated by our old friend Mr. Pádraig Ó Méalóid which Leah was roped into (as a helper, not an exhibit).

Pádraig showing off.

During a weekend of meeting lots of new people and catching up with old friends I was especially pleased to make the acquaintance of Mr. Brian J. Showers whose Swan River Press chapbooks and Literary Walking Tours of Gothic Dublin I now heartily recommend.



All in all we had a fantastic time (for which we thank new P-Con chairman and organiser Frank Darcy) and sincerely hope that we get asked back again in the future.

If you can get over to Dublin in early April (when I believe the con is being held) next year then you should definitely check out P-Con 5 with guest of honour Catie Murphy.

J.