The Shroud Underground

I've invited the authors of our first Anthology to jump in here and discuss the inspiration etc. of their contributed stories. Here is some info on the book:



By Timothy Deal, Scott Christian Carr, Derek M. Fox, Scott William Carter, Malon Edwards, Ian Whates, J.T. Glover, Philip Roberts, Richard Wright, Justin McMahon, Efraim Z. Graves, Marie Brennan, Angeline Hawkes, Jake Burrows, John Bushore.

Shroud Publishing has compiled 13+ of the eeriest and most terrifying works of short fiction into a classically-themed trade paperback titled "Beneath The Surface."

"Beneath The Surface" represents the first in a series of limited edition anthologies intended for discerning horror readers.

In this collection of stories, readers will be tantalized and thrilled by tales of supernatural beings, Gothic settings, shadowy creatures, and atmospheric haunts.

"Beneath The Surface" will serve as the perfect companion to cold nights by the fire or snowed-in days off from work.

"An anthology of old school tales containing stories which are, by turns, spooky, gripping, insightful, pulpish, and just downright fun. A first offering from Shroud Publishing that will hopefully be followed by plenty more in the same vein."

--Tom Piccirilli, author of THE COLD SPOT and THE MIDNIGHT ROAD

Table of Contents:

INTRODUCTION, Tim Deal 1. THORGUSON, Scott Christian Carr 2. RAW MATERIALS, Derek M. Fox 3. STONE CREEK STATION, Scott William Carter 4. THE DRAWER, Malon Edwards 5. HANGING ON HER EVERY WORD, Ian Whates 6. HER SWEET SOLACE, J.T. Glover 7. THE APARTMENT’S BEST FEATURE, Philip Roberts 8. SECRETS (NEVER TOLD), Richard Wright 9. THE MONEY TREE, Justin McMahon 10. MULÓ, Efraim Z. Graves 11. KISS OF LIFE, Marie Brennan 12. THE RELIC: FATHER SANTIAGO’S BONES, Angela Hawkes 13. THE DEEP END, Jake Burrows BONUS TALE: WHERE THERE'S SMOKE..., John Bushore

Publication Date: Feb 05 2008 ISBN/EAN13: 0980187001 / 9780980187007 Page Count: 160 Binding Type: US Trade Paper Trim Size: 6"x9" Language: English Color: Black and White Related Categories: FICTION / General

YOU CAN PURCHASE IT HERE:

http://www.shroudmagazine.com/beneath-t ... -terr.html

Hi Readers/Writers at Shroud,

I wrote "Mulo" after I did some research on Gypsies. Besides Jews, homosexuals and Communists, I wanted to see why Gypsies were so hated by Germans during WW II. I not only learned about Gypsies, I also learned about some of their cultural practices and mystical beliefs. As a result, I created a few characters, stirred in a plot and voila! My story was completed. I hope you enjoy(ed) it.

Hi, Shroudites,

The title of my story, Where There's Smoke. . . (the bonus story in Beneath the Surface) has more than one meaning. I wanted to provoke horror with something familiar, a la Hitchcock's "The Birds," but not copy the master in any way. My story has a more intimate tone to it as only one household, rather than an entire town, is threatened. Nor did I use something as benign as birds.

Not wanting to spoil any initial tension, let's just say my antagonistic force is something scary to most people, but not deadly -- not usually deadly, I should say.

You can keep your vampires, werewolves, zombies, etc, as far as I'm concerned. What about REAL danger that people confront every day, without much thinking about it? Oh, never mind. It could never happen to YOU, could it?

JohnB

My own story for the book, 'Secrets (Never Told)' is a dark fantasy following the beats of the superstition listing the various events that will befall you depending on how many magpies you can see (one for sorrow, two for joy, and so it goes). It's also about responsibility and sacrifice, and what happens when they drop unexpectedly into your lap.

At least, that's what it's about for me. Your mileage may vary considerably, and that's not a bad thing.

I wrote this story back in 2002, it was actually my first pro sale, but then the publisher went belly up, as publishers tend to do, lol...and the story never saw publication. Of course, over the years I've poked and prodded, picked and jabbed at it until it is what it is today.

I just received my contributor copy of the book about 10 min ago...looks great.

I'm excited about Shroud Publishing! So far, Tim has done everything right. As they have more stories of mine in the slush for various other anthos/magazine, I hope to work with Shroud again in the future. It's always great when you find a good publisher who does what they promise and produces a quality book.

Looking forward to reading the other tales in Beneath the Surface!

~Angeline

Angeline Hawkes wrote:I wrote this story back in 2002, it was actually my first pro sale, but then the publisher went belly up, as publishers tend to do, lol...and the story never saw publication. Of course, over the years I've poked and prodded, picked and jabbed at it until it is what it is today.

I just received my contributor copy of the book about 10 min ago...looks great.

I'm excited about Shroud Publishing! So far, Tim has done everything right. As they have more stories of mine in the slush for various other anthos/magazine, I hope to work with Shroud again in the future. It's always great when you find a good publisher who does what they promise and produces a quality book.

Looking forward to reading the other tales in Beneath the Surface!

~Angeline

I am very glad that the contributor copies are making their way into all of your hands. You all have been waiting so patiently. Angeline I do sincerely appreciate the kind words and I also look forward to working with you n the future.

I received my contrib. copy last night. VERY nice. I'm looking forward to reading the stories. And I agree that Tim has been great to work with. It's rare in this business that someone actually puts out something on time and meets commitments promptly.

JohnB

I'm leaving for a family vacation sunday, and wanted a paperback to read on the flight. I had ordered my copy, but figured it would be here till after I got back.

It's here baby!! I want to rip into it right now, but I am going to be good and put it in my carry on. I can't wait to read this, it id professionally done and the titles alone make it hard to resist. (maybe just one story tonight).

Delighted to find my copies of BTS waiting for me when I got home tonight, so they've successfully crossed the Atlantic. It's a lovely looking book Tim, and I'm delighted to be associated with it.

Richard_Wright wrote:
Delighted to find my copies of BTS waiting for me when I got home tonight, so they've successfully crossed the Atlantic. It's a lovely looking book Tim, and I'm delighted to be associated with it.

I am absolutely delighted and honored to be working with all of you. Thank you Richard.

Ah! Here's the place to discuss "Beneath The Surface"! I should have found this right away, but I'm generally not the most observant individual.

I am the author of "The Money Tree" (p. 89!). It's about a man who stumbles upon a tree which grows 100-dollar bills. (It sounded cheesy to me, too, but it was a lot of fun to write and the response has been good.)

I've been catching up with life after two weeks in Europe, so I haven't gotten through all the other stories yet . . . but I'm working on it, and what I've read so far, I've truly enjoyed; I'm glad to be included here with such established and talented people!

I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a copy of this as soon as possible, as well as Abominations and Northern Frost (not just because I have a story in it). The covers look absolutely great and there just seems to be a very good feeling to the whole shroud thing.

So what other styles of Anthology books are you guys pondering putting together over the next year or so?

I'm also very excited to have this chance to work with you and Shroud, Tim. There's the way everyone else does things, and then there's the right way of doing things. You do things the right way, so I think you're going to be around for quite awhile.

I like to think that Shroud is the genesis of another Cemetery Dance.

There should be a review of Beneath The Surface in issue #60 of Cemetery Dance, sometime this fall.

Steve Vernon wrote:There should be a review of Beneath The Surface in issue #60 of Cemetery Dance, sometime this fall.

Thanks Steve!