Dave Bezzina's got a new website
Features a selection of his Fantasy and Horror artwork in paints, inks and pencils.
Apart from being a British Fantasy Award nominee Dave provided half of the illustrations for my debut collection Spare Parts. (But don't hold that against him).
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Dear Santa
So once again it's that time of year when people feverishly scribble out lists detailing what they desire most in the whole world. A time when people rely on the goodwill of others to restore their faith in humanity.
I refer of course to the recommendations process for the British Fantasy Awards. I've only just discovered that it started over a month ago. That's me, finger on the pulse as ever.
Anyway, here's what I've got eligible this year:
BEST NOVELLA -- 'Bliss' From We Fade to Grey
BEST SHORT STORY -- 'Nothing is Forever.' From the Pendragon FantasyCon chapbook which I've forgotten the name of. And which, due to a cock-up with the delivery, hardly anyone received a copy of. And even if they did the printers screwed up my story by presenting random passages in italics for absolutely no reason whatsoever. So obviously it stands a really good chance of winning :-/
BEST HUMAN BEING -- Me. Okay, I made this one up. But if anyone did vote for me in this category then that would be the best Christmas present ever. (Just kidding, I really want one of the awards.)
I refer of course to the recommendations process for the British Fantasy Awards. I've only just discovered that it started over a month ago. That's me, finger on the pulse as ever.
Anyway, here's what I've got eligible this year:
BEST NOVELLA -- 'Bliss' From We Fade to Grey
BEST SHORT STORY -- 'Nothing is Forever.' From the Pendragon FantasyCon chapbook which I've forgotten the name of. And which, due to a cock-up with the delivery, hardly anyone received a copy of. And even if they did the printers screwed up my story by presenting random passages in italics for absolutely no reason whatsoever. So obviously it stands a really good chance of winning :-/
BEST HUMAN BEING -- Me. Okay, I made this one up. But if anyone did vote for me in this category then that would be the best Christmas present ever. (Just kidding, I really want one of the awards.)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Invasion of the Seagal Snatchers
As I'm sure you're all suffering withdrawal symptoms due to me not bragging about how wonderful my stories are for a while here's a quick snippet from a review of 'Bliss' in Black Static #8:
"Young tells it like a retread of Invasion of the Body Snatchers with Steven Seagal in the lead role. The result is something eminently readable and engaging, a plot driven narrative with dollops of sex and violence, but dig beneath the surface and you discover that he is addressing some serious and genuine concerns about the nature of human existence and the values that we cherish."
"Young tells it like a retread of Invasion of the Body Snatchers with Steven Seagal in the lead role. The result is something eminently readable and engaging, a plot driven narrative with dollops of sex and violence, but dig beneath the surface and you discover that he is addressing some serious and genuine concerns about the nature of human existence and the values that we cherish."
Friday, December 05, 2008
Customer Service
In response to Elizabeth's comment on my last post I offer this news from Chris Teague:
"In other news, the paperback edition of We Fade to Grey has sold out - a reprint is on it's way, due in the New Year - to compensate, and until Christmas, anyone who orders the hardback edition will also receive a copy of New Writings in the Fantastic (and a "subscription" to the first 3 Triquorum chapbooks). "
So hop on over to Pendragon Press.
"In other news, the paperback edition of We Fade to Grey has sold out - a reprint is on it's way, due in the New Year - to compensate, and until Christmas, anyone who orders the hardback edition will also receive a copy of New Writings in the Fantastic (and a "subscription" to the first 3 Triquorum chapbooks). "
So hop on over to Pendragon Press.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Hot Cakes
Just heard that the paperback edition of We Fade to Grey has sold out. A second print run is due in the New Year.
Obviously everyone is rushing to buy the book 'cos I'm in it.
Blimey, I managed to say that with a straight face ...
Obviously everyone is rushing to buy the book 'cos I'm in it.
Blimey, I managed to say that with a straight face ...
Sunday, November 16, 2008
WFTG review
Nice review of We Fade to Grey up at Matthew Fryer's blog.
He also compares 'Bliss' to "an ultra-violent, X-rated episode of Doctor Who." Which I feel is a pretty fair comment.
He also compares 'Bliss' to "an ultra-violent, X-rated episode of Doctor Who." Which I feel is a pretty fair comment.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Hollywood Here I Come!
As you can always trust quizzes you did on the internet to guide you in the path your life should take I'm off to make my fortune in Hollywood.
You Should Be a Film Writer |
 You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen! |
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Out to Launch
The We Fade to Grey launch went well. Even though Gary and Chris decided not to tell any of the contributors that we were going to have to give presentations about our individual stories -- and then picked me to go first even though they know I hate speaking in public. Bastards.
Anyway, just a reminder that the Horror World review has been archived at www.horrorworld.org/september_2008.htm
Anyway, just a reminder that the Horror World review has been archived at www.horrorworld.org/september_2008.htm
Sunday, September 14, 2008
We Fade to Grey comp
Look! Over there! Chris Teague's running a We Fade to Grey competition!
"To celebrate the impending launch of this literary feast of supernatural thrills, which shares it's title with a well-known early 80s pop-song, both myself and the fount of 80s trivia Mark West have racked our brains to ask thee a single question:
"Who links 'One man on a lonely platform, one case sitting by his side, two eyes staring cold and silent, show fear as he turns to hide' with 'It's five and I'm driving home again, it's hard to believe that it's my last time, the man on the wireless cries again, it's over, it's over'?"
The winner shall receive the following:
- A free copy of the hard cover edition of We Fade to Grey, which will not only be numbered and signed by all contributors, but shall also be personally inscribed with whatever message they desire;
- Also, a free copy of any other Pendragon Press title (check out www.pendragonpress.net to choose).
Send your entry by e-mail to: chris at pendragonpress dot net - preferably with your message, just in case you're the happy winner...
Closing date for entries is midnight (GMT) Wednesday 17th September 2008 - the winner shall be notified on Thursday, with their books posted on Monday 22nd September 2008.
No correspondence shall be entered into and the decision shall be final.
So there. :)"
Of course everyone here will want to pay for their copy.
"To celebrate the impending launch of this literary feast of supernatural thrills, which shares it's title with a well-known early 80s pop-song, both myself and the fount of 80s trivia Mark West have racked our brains to ask thee a single question:
"Who links 'One man on a lonely platform, one case sitting by his side, two eyes staring cold and silent, show fear as he turns to hide' with 'It's five and I'm driving home again, it's hard to believe that it's my last time, the man on the wireless cries again, it's over, it's over'?"
The winner shall receive the following:
- A free copy of the hard cover edition of We Fade to Grey, which will not only be numbered and signed by all contributors, but shall also be personally inscribed with whatever message they desire;
- Also, a free copy of any other Pendragon Press title (check out www.pendragonpress.net to choose).
Send your entry by e-mail to: chris at pendragonpress dot net - preferably with your message, just in case you're the happy winner...
Closing date for entries is midnight (GMT) Wednesday 17th September 2008 - the winner shall be notified on Thursday, with their books posted on Monday 22nd September 2008.
No correspondence shall be entered into and the decision shall be final.
So there. :)"
Of course everyone here will want to pay for their copy.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Launch update
Apparently the We Fade to Grey launch has been rescheduled for 1600 on the Saturday. Just thought I'd mention it because I know you'd all be distraught if you missed the launch.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Michael Davis
When I was a kid I thought Michael Davis was one of the funniest performers I'd ever seen.
There's another comic in this first video, skip ahead to 3:30 if you want just see Davis.
This video shows a great trick with a pingpong ball. (If Chris Teague is reading this, don't get excited Chris, it's not the trick you usually pay to see done with a pingpong ball.)
This clip features a crappy framing device for the comedy and uses some of the same gags from the previous videos but still contains some other funny lines.
There's another comic in this first video, skip ahead to 3:30 if you want just see Davis.
This video shows a great trick with a pingpong ball. (If Chris Teague is reading this, don't get excited Chris, it's not the trick you usually pay to see done with a pingpong ball.)
This clip features a crappy framing device for the comedy and uses some of the same gags from the previous videos but still contains some other funny lines.
Monday, September 01, 2008
We Fade to Grey review
Chris Teague has just pointed me towards We Fade to Grey's first review at http://www.horrorworld.org/reviews.htm
Scroll about halfway down the page for Mario Guslandi's comments on the book.
And for those too lazy to do that here's the most important part of the review:
"Stuart Young contributes "Bliss"a novella graced by excellent characterization and smooth narrative flow featuring two brothers facing the shocking reality of a surreptitious alien invasion of human bodies."
Scroll about halfway down the page for Mario Guslandi's comments on the book.
And for those too lazy to do that here's the most important part of the review:
"Stuart Young contributes "Bliss"a novella graced by excellent characterization and smooth narrative flow featuring two brothers facing the shocking reality of a surreptitious alien invasion of human bodies."
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Saturday, August 09, 2008
We Fade to Grey launch
Just heard from Chris Teague and Gary McMahon. Apparently the We Fade to Grey launch is scheduled for 3.00 Saturday afternoon at FantasyCon. Should last for about 45 mins.
For some reason it's being held in the bar. It's almost as if they think getting all the punters drunk will help sell the book.
For some reason it's being held in the bar. It's almost as if they think getting all the punters drunk will help sell the book.
Monday, July 28, 2008
FantasyCon booklet
Over the weekend I put together some story notes and a bio for a promotional booklet Chris Teague is planning. At FantasyCon he's giving away these booklets featuring stories by Paul Finch, Gary McMahon and me. (Apologies to any other authors who might be included but these are the only ones I know about.)
My story, 'Nothing is Forever', is a cosmicy horrory type thingie. No idea what the others have done, but knowing those two it's bound to be horror of some kind.
The whole thing is to promote Pendragon Press and more specifically We Fade to Grey.
Normally I'd tell you to buy one but seeing as they're free that'd be kind of pointless. That said, if you did offer to buy I'm sure Chris would be happy to take your money.
That's our Chris, always looking to put the con into FantasyCon.
My story, 'Nothing is Forever', is a cosmicy horrory type thingie. No idea what the others have done, but knowing those two it's bound to be horror of some kind.
The whole thing is to promote Pendragon Press and more specifically We Fade to Grey.
Normally I'd tell you to buy one but seeing as they're free that'd be kind of pointless. That said, if you did offer to buy I'm sure Chris would be happy to take your money.
That's our Chris, always looking to put the con into FantasyCon.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Sign o' the Times
I recently stuck my autograph on the signing sheets for the hardback limited edition of We Fade to Grey. Would have been an exciting moment -- the first time I've done a signing sheet! -- if my arm and shoulder muscles hadn't been all cramped up due to postural problems. This led to severe writing cramp by the time I signed the second sheet. Fortunately that left me with a mere 98 to go.
I couldn't even pace myself as there had been a delay posting the sheets round to the book's contributors so I needed to sign all the sheets in one go and post them back to the publisher. So by the time I finished I was walking around doubled over in pain, my face screwed up in agony, looking like a cross between Quasimodo and Wayne Rooney. Even more so than usual.
I wouldn't have minded so much if my signature had turned out okay but it looks awful at the best of times. A microscopic scrawl that would still be illegible even if written at a size that didn't make subatomic particles look the size of Mount Everest.
It didn't help that all the other writers had these elaborate sweeping signatures, all elegant loops and sweeping curls, that looked less like autographs and more like diagrams on how to tie the Gordian knot. Whereas my signature looked like someone had just scribbled on the page to make sure their pen was working.
Sigh.
In future I'm just going to use a rubber stamp.
I couldn't even pace myself as there had been a delay posting the sheets round to the book's contributors so I needed to sign all the sheets in one go and post them back to the publisher. So by the time I finished I was walking around doubled over in pain, my face screwed up in agony, looking like a cross between Quasimodo and Wayne Rooney. Even more so than usual.
I wouldn't have minded so much if my signature had turned out okay but it looks awful at the best of times. A microscopic scrawl that would still be illegible even if written at a size that didn't make subatomic particles look the size of Mount Everest.
It didn't help that all the other writers had these elaborate sweeping signatures, all elegant loops and sweeping curls, that looked less like autographs and more like diagrams on how to tie the Gordian knot. Whereas my signature looked like someone had just scribbled on the page to make sure their pen was working.
Sigh.
In future I'm just going to use a rubber stamp.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Information Overload
It's that time again when I do tons and tons of research for a story with absolutely no idea which bits are actually going to make it into the final plot.
Urgh, I think my brain is going to explode.
Urgh, I think my brain is going to explode.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Spare Parts
My old collection Spare Parts has been out of print for a couple of years but I've just stumbled across a retailer who still has a few copies. So if anyone is interested in seeing what I was doing before I won the British Fantasy Award here's a chance to find out. Wait, that won't convince anyone to buy it -- um, the book has an introduction by Tim Lebbon. No, still no good -- er, it's got illustrations by BFA winning artist Bob Covington and BFA nominated artist Dave Bezzina. No, still no interest -- wait, I've got it! The retailer, Fantastic Literature, has knocked several quid off the cover price so you'd be getting the book dirt cheap.
Anyway, here's where to go if you fancy looking up my book.
Or you can just point and jeer -- "No one's publishing your book anymore!"
Anyway, here's where to go if you fancy looking up my book.
Or you can just point and jeer -- "No one's publishing your book anymore!"
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Full-sized quotes
Just realised that the Nicholas Royle and Stephen Gallagher quotes have been edited down to fit on the back cover. Here are the quotes in full:
"Gary McMahon signally fails to keep the unpleasant and horrifying tendencies of his contributors in check in this maelstrom of evil curses, sickening violence, inevitable death, bereavement and the end of the world." Nicholas Royle
"I picked up WE FADE TO GREY last night and was kept reading way beyond any reasonable hour. As strong a collection of solid horror tales as I've read in a long time, and a great reminder of the unique qualities that British writers can bring to the field." Stephen Gallagher
"Gary McMahon signally fails to keep the unpleasant and horrifying tendencies of his contributors in check in this maelstrom of evil curses, sickening violence, inevitable death, bereavement and the end of the world." Nicholas Royle
"I picked up WE FADE TO GREY last night and was kept reading way beyond any reasonable hour. As strong a collection of solid horror tales as I've read in a long time, and a great reminder of the unique qualities that British writers can bring to the field." Stephen Gallagher
Monday, June 02, 2008
We Fade to Grey trailer
Just discovered a trailer for We Fade to Grey at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWa_Gr6wu8I
As my oh so wonderful blog is still refusing to let me post links to Youtube I'll just mention that the trailer conatins a new cover quote from Stephen Gallagher -- "As solid a collection of horror tales as I've read in a long time."
As my oh so wonderful blog is still refusing to let me post links to Youtube I'll just mention that the trailer conatins a new cover quote from Stephen Gallagher -- "As solid a collection of horror tales as I've read in a long time."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
