Exploring Dark Short Fiction

For over four decades, Steve Rasnic Tem has been an acclaimed author of horror, weird, and sentimental fiction. Hailed by Publishers Weekly as "A perfect balance between the bizarre and the straight-forward" and Library Journal as "One of the most distinctive voices in imaginative literature," Steve Rasnic Tem has been read and cherished the world over for his affecting, genre-crossing tales. Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to his work, the first in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover-or learn more of-the rich voice of Steve Rasnic Tem, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich. Included within these pages are:Six short stories, one written exclusively for this bookAuthor interviewComplete bibliographyAcademic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)... and more! Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Steve Rasnic Tem. Table of Contents includes: • Introduction by Eric J. Guignard • Steve Rasnic Tem: A Biography • Hungry (fiction) • Hungry: A Commentary • The Last Moments Before Bed (fiction) • The Last Moments Before Bed: A Commentary • In These Final Days of Sales (fiction) • In These Final Days of Sales: A Commentary • The Giveaway (fiction) • The Giveaway: A Commentary • Rat Catcher (fiction) • Rat Catcher: A Commentary • Whatever You Want (fiction) • Whatever You Want: A Commentary • Why Steve Rasnic Tem Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD • In Conversation with Steve Rasnic Tem • The Subject Matter of Horror: An Essay by Steve Rasnic Tem • A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Steve Rasnic Tem.

For over four decades, Steve Rasnic Tem has been an acclaimed author of horror, weird, and sentimental fiction. Hailed by Publishers Weekly as "A perfect balance between the bizarre and the straight-forward" and Library Journal as "One of the most distinctive voices in imaginative literature," Steve Rasnic Tem has been read and cherished the world over for his affecting, genre-crossing tales. Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to his work, the first in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover--or learn more of--the rich voice of Steve Rasnic Tem, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich. Included within these pages are: - Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book - Author interview - Complete bibliography - Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University) - ... and more! Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Steve Rasnic Tem. Table of Contents includes: • Introduction by Eric J. Guignard • Steve Rasnic Tem: A Biography • Hungry (fiction) • Hungry: A Commentary • The Last Moments Before Bed (fiction) • The Last Moments Before Bed: A Commentary • In These Final Days of Sales (fiction) • In These Final Days of Sales: A Commentary • The Giveaway (fiction) • The Giveaway: A Commentary • Rat Catcher (fiction) • Rat Catcher: A Commentary • Whatever You Want (fiction) • Whatever You Want: A Commentary • Why Steve Rasnic Tem Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD • In Conversation with Steve Rasnic Tem • The Subject Matter of Horror: An Essay by Steve Rasnic Tem • A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Steve Rasnic Tem

Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to her work, the second in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover, or learn more of, the distinct voice of Kaaron Warren, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich. Included within these pages are: • Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book • Author interview • Complete bibliography • Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University) •... and more! Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Kaaron Warren. Table of Contents includes: • Introduction by Eric J. Guignard • Kaaron Warren: A Biography • Guarding the Mound (fiction) • Guarding the Mound: A Commentary • Born and Bread (fiction) • Born and Bread: A Commentary • Death's Door Café (fiction) • Death's Door Café: A Commentary • The Wrong Seat (fiction) • The Wrong Seat: A Commentary • Sins of the Ancestors (fiction) • Sins of the Ancestors: A Commentary • Crisis Apparition (fiction) • Crisis Apparition: A Commentary • Why Kaaron Warren Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD • In Conversation with Kaaron Warren • Tips for Finalizing Your Short Story: An Essay by Kaaron Warren • A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Kaaron Warren

Praised by literary journals, news outlets, and leading fiction magazines, Nisi Shawl is celebrated as an author whose works are lyrical and philosophical, speculative and far-ranging; "...broad in ambition and deep in accomplishment" (The Seattle Times). Besides nearly three decades of creating fantasy and science fiction, fairy tales, and indigenous stories, Nisi has also been lauded as editor, journalist, reviewer, teacher, speaker, afrofuturist, and proponent and mentor of feminism, African-American fiction, and other pedagogical issues of diversity. Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to her work, the third in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover-or learn more of-the vibrant voice of Nisi Shawl, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich. Included within these pages are: Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book Author interview Complete bibliography Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)... and more! Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Nisi Shawl. Table of Contents includes: • Introduction by Eric J. Guignard • Nisi Shawl: A Biography • The Beads of Ku (fiction) • The Beads of Ku: A Commentary • Otherwise (fiction) • Otherwise: A Commentary • Just Between Us (fiction) • Just Between Us: A Commentary • At the Huts of Ajala (fiction) • At the Huts of Ajala: A Commentary • Street Worm (fiction) • Street Worm: A Commentary • Conversion Therapy (fiction) • Conversion Therapy: A Commentary • Why Nisi Shawl Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD • In Conversation with Nisi Shawl • Written On The Water: An Essay by Nisi Shawl • A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Nisi Shawl.

Author of the fantastic and the bizarre, Jeffrey Ford's work has won awards and acclaim across the globe for his stories of humor, horror, and unconventional beauty. "Powerful and disturbing in the best possible way" (Gawker) and "Intensely engaging" (Publishers Weekly), Ford crosses speculative genres with literary ideals, which has earned him the World Fantasy Award (seven times), the Shirley Jackson Award (four times), the Edgar Allan Poe Award, and France's vaunted Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire. Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to his work, the fourth in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover-or learn more of-the extraordinary voice of Jeffrey Ford, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich. Included within these pages are: • Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book • Author interview • Complete bibliography • Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University) • … and more! Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Jeffrey Ford. Table of Contents includes: • Introduction by Eric J. Guignard • About Jeffrey Ford • A Natural History of Autumn (fiction) • A Natural History of Autumn: A Commentary • Malthusian's Zombie (fiction) • Malthusian's Zombie: A Commentary • Boatman's Holiday (fiction) • Boatman's Holiday: A Commentary • The Night Whiskey (fiction) • The Night Whiskey: A Commentary • A Night in the Tropics (fiction) • A Night in the Tropics: A Commentary • Incorruptible (fiction) • Incorruptible: A Commentary • Why Jeffrey Ford Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD • In Conversation with Jeffrey Ford • Scratching the Surface: An Essay by Jeffrey Ford • A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Jeffrey Ford

Considered one of the three most important voices in contemporary Chinese science fiction (along with Liu Cixin and Wang Jinkang), Han Song is a multiple recipient of the Chinese Galaxy Award (China's highest profile sci-fi prize), as well as the Chinese Nebula Award and Asian-Pacific Sci-fi Gravity Award. Song bridges new developments in science and subjects of cultural and social dynamics with stories of dystopia, governmental conspiracy, and subversive horror, earning praise for his work as "absurdly dark," while also reigniting a science fiction renaissance. Including original English translations by Nathaniel Isaacson, PhD, Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to Han Song's work, the fifth in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover-or learn more of-the enigmatic voice of Han Song, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich. Included within these pages are: • Six short stories, three translated exclusively for this book • Author interview • Complete bibliography • Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University) • ... and more! Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Han Song. ### "A fascinating study for fans seeking new reads and for librarians developing wide-ranging collections." -Library Journal "Refreshing and much-needed... Addresses significant themes and figures within the horror field." -Locus Magazine

Considered one of the three most important voices in contemporary Chinese science fiction (along with Liu Cixin and Wang Jinkang), Han Song is a multiple recipient of the Chinese Galaxy Award (China's highest profile sci-fi prize), as well as the Chinese Nebula Award and Asian-Pacific Sci-fi Gravity Award. Song bridges new developments in science and subjects of cultural and social dynamics with stories of dystopia, governmental conspiracy, and subversive horror, earning praise for his work as "absurdly dark," while also reigniting a science fiction renaissance. Including original English translations by Nathaniel Isaacson, PhD, Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to Han Song's work, the fifth in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover-or learn more of-the enigmatic voice of Han Song, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich. Included within these pages are:Six short stories, three translated exclusively for this bookAuthor interviewComplete bibliographyAcademic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)… and more!Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Han Song.

Hailed by The Oxford Companion to English Literature as "Britain's most respected living horror writer," Ramsey Campbell has authored an astounding body of work for over half a century that embodies the weird, the supernatural, and the subtle, much of which is widely considered classics of dark fiction today. He has been given more awards than any other writer in the field, including being made an Honorary Fellow of Liverpool John Moores University for outstanding services to literature. Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to his work, the sixth in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover-or learn more of-the remarkable voice of Ramsey Campbell, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich.

Named "One of the genre's most original and innovative voices" (L.A. Review of Books) and "An expert at terrifying prose" (LitReactor), Canadian author Gemma Files has been penning gritty and macabre fiction since 1993, earning industry awards and critical acclaim from sources such as National Public Radio, Publishers Weekly, and The National Post. Files imbues her cross-genre work with layers like dark stratum: heartbreak upon horror, built over the vignettes of life we may find ourselves in, but for one slight turn of reality. Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to her work, the seventh in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover-or learn more of-the evocative voice of Gemma Files, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich. Included within these pages are: • Six short stories, one written exclusively for this book • Author interview • Biography and bibliography • Academic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University) • ... and more! Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Gemma Files. Table of Contents includes: • Introduction by Eric J. Guignard • About Gemma Files (A Biography) • In The Poor Girl Taken by Surprise • In The Poor Girl Taken by Surprise: A Commentary • Slick Black Bones and Soft Black Stars • Slick Black Bones and Soft Black Stars: A Commentary • Venio • Venio: A Commentary • Sown From Salt • Sown From Salt: A Commentary • Guising • Guising: A Commentary • Yol • Yol: A Commentary • Why Gemma Files Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD • In Conversation with Gemma Files • Stories in Pieces: Found Footage Storytelling, or Writing Epistolary Narratives for the 21st Century: An Essay by Gemma Files • A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Gemma Files

Named "One of the genre's most original and innovative voices" (L.A. Review of Books) and "An expert at terrifying prose" (LitReactor), Canadian author Gemma Files has been penning gritty and macabre fiction since 1993, earning industry awards and critical acclaim from sources such as National Public Radio, Publishers Weekly, and The National Post. Files imbues her cross-genre work with layers like dark stratum: heartbreak upon horror, built over the vignettes of life we may find ourselves in, but for one slight turn of reality. Dark Moon Books and editor Eric J. Guignard bring you this introduction to her work, the seventh in a series of primers exploring modern masters of literary dark short fiction. Herein is a chance to discover-or learn more of-the evocative voice of Gemma Files, as beautifully illustrated by artist Michelle Prebich. Included within these pages are:Six short stories, one written exclusively for this bookAuthor interviewBiography and bibliographyAcademic commentary by Michael Arnzen, PhD (former humanities chair and professor of the year, Seton Hill University)… and more! Enter this doorway to the vast and fantastic: Get to know Gemma Files. Table of Contents includes: • Introduction by Eric J. Guignard• About Gemma Files (A Biography)• In The Poor Girl Taken by Surprise• In The Poor Girl Taken by Surprise: A Commentary• Slick Black Bones and Soft Black Stars• Slick Black Bones and Soft Black Stars: A Commentary• Venio• Venio: A Commentary• Sown From Salt• Sown From Salt: A Commentary• Guising• Guising: A Commentary• Yol• Yol: A Commentary• Why Gemma Files Matters by Michael Arnzen, PhD• In Conversation with Gemma Files• Stories in Pieces: Found Footage Storytelling, or Writing Epistolary Narratives for the 21st Century: An Essay by Gemma Files• A Bibliography of English Language Fiction for Gemma Files Eric J. Guignard has twice won the Bram Stoker Award, been a finalist for the International Thriller Writers Award, and is a multi-nominee of the Pushcart Prize for his works of dark and speculative fiction. He has over one hundred stories and non-fiction author credits appearing in publications around the world; has edited multiple anthologies (including the current series, The Horror Writers Association's HAUNTED LIBRARY OF HORROR CLASSICS with co-editor Leslie S. Klinger); and has created an ongoing series of author primers championing modern masters of the dark and macabre, EXPLORING DARK SHORT FICTION through his press, Dark Moon Books. His latest books are his short story collection, THAT WHICH GROWS WILD (Cemetery Dance) and novel, DOORWAYS TO THE DEADEYE (JournalStone). Visit Eric at: www.ericjguignard.com, his blog: ericjguignard.blogspot.com, or Twitter: @ericjguignard.