Zodiacs in Britain

At Mercurius, an arts, literary and current affairs magazine, my note on ‘Terrestrial Zodiacs in Britain’.

(Mark Valentine) 

The Ghosts & Scholars Book of Follies and Grottoes

Sarob Press have announced publication in mid-September of The Ghosts & Scholars Book of Follies And Grottoes, the latest in the series of Jamesian anthologies edited and introduced by Rosemary Pardoe. The architectural features of the title are among the most pleasing monuments in the English landscape, and sufficiently enigmatic in their history and traditions to offer themes for the antiquarian ghost story, as well as more contemporary approaches. 

The book includes thirteen stories, eight of them new, with five reprints, which 'range widely, from mysterious towers and classical temples to hidden grottoes; from revivals of the worship of ancient gods to unexpected distortions of space and time'.

This is a limited, hand-numbered edition with cover art by Paul Lowe. Previous Ghosts & Scholars anthologies have not remained in print for very long!

Grotesqueries - A Tribute to the Tales of L A Lewis now published

Zagava have now announced publication of Grotesqueries – A Tribute to the Tales of L A Lewis.

This anthology includes new stories from Reggie Oliver, Mark Samuels, Rosalie Parker, Rebecca Lloyd, John Howard, Jane Jakeman, Ron Weighell, D P Watt, R B Russell, Charles Schneider Jonathan Wood, Caroline Tyrrell, Colin Insole, and Mark Valentine, and the lyrics to ‘Lucifer Over London’ by David Tibet, with original artwork by Eli John.

The work responds to Lewis’ single remarkable volume, Tales of the Grotesque (1934), with its themes of other dimensions, cosmic entities and malevolent powers.

The hardback edition is limited to 178 numbered copies, and there is also a paperback edition. Pre-order copies should be en route to readers shortly.

Nina Antonia at The Atlantis Bookshop

The Atlantis Bookshop at 49a Museum Street, London, WC1A 1LY, have announced: 

'We are delighted to be able to host the author Nina Antonia this coming weekend, at 7pm on Saturday 13 August. Her book Dancing with Salome features a series of interlinking essays which take the reader on a journey to meet the Decadent demi-monde of the 1890’s with whom Wilde and Douglas mingled. 

Whilst eroticism and mysticism were key themes of the Decadents, there was also a surge of interest in ritual magic, enabled by the flowering of the “Golden Dawn” – the most significant esoteric order in England’s history. Wilde’s wife, Constance, was a member, as was W.B. Yeats, alongside Aleister Crowley and Arthur Machen. All would play a part, directly or indirectly, in the drama of Oscar Wilde’s enchanted & accursed life'.

The bookshop is also offering inscribed copies for those unable to attend in person, if ordered through their website.