Once again, I’ve had the pleasure to quiz horror master, Shaun Hutson, as part of his GOREFATHER column for THIS IS HORROR. Click here to check out Shaun’s thoughts on whether traditional horror has lost its identity…

And you can read my reviews of some of Shaun’s work here and here.

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Very honoured to be contributing to the forthcoming SPLATTERPUNK Magazine.

I’ll be writing a regular feature named PUNK ON PUNK, as well as interviewing some key players in the SP subgenre.

The 1st issue of the mag should be available in paper fromat from March 2012 – you’ll be able to order it online or pick it up at various stores within the UK.

For now, why not visit the mag’s blog to talk about your favourite Splatterpunk novel. Click here for more details.

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There’s a nice review of FLU over at the excellent DAWN OF THE LEAD blog.

Says reviewer Mikko Meriläinen: ‘FLU is an intense, compact book, and well worth your reading. I ate it up in two days, and am still hungry for more.’

You can read the review in full right here.

Thanks for the support, Mikko!

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Delighted to have Gerard Brennan over at the blog today, author of THE POINT, and the face behind NI’s greatest online crime fiction resource, CSNI. Gerard’s novella has just been nominated for the prestigious Spinetingler award so no better time to talk with the man!

So, Gerard, tell us a little about THE POINT.

THE POINT is a fast-paced crime caper that sees two brothers try to start a new life in Warrenpoint after being chased out of Belfast. Unfortunately, trouble always seems to find this pair and it’s not long before they’re up to their necks in it. One gets caught up with a crime boss and the other with an Irish femme fatale.

You’ve set the story in Northern Ireland, which – from what I can see – is starting to really boom when it comes to crime fiction writers. What were the challenges and rewards to writing so close to home?

The main challenge I usually face is getting people who are fed up of hearing about Northern Ireland on the news for all the old reasons to sit up and take notice of the stories I’m putting out there. Stories that are about more than the boys in balaclavas. The reward? When readers ‘get’ that there’s more to this place than they think.

Like myself, you’re a huge fan of pulp fiction, and it’s very fitting therefore that your debut comes out through PULP PRESS. What writers have inspired you most in creating THE POINT?

The late, great Donald E Westlake would be the first to spring to mind. Such a prolific writer with many different facets. He’s written more books than I’ve read, I think, but I’m determined to read everything of his I can get my hands on. Also, was very impressed by Christa Faust’s Money Shot when I read it last year. Rachel, my femme fatale from THE POINT had to get a little tougher after reading that gem.

THE POINT has been nominated for the prestigious Spinetingler awards for BEST NOVELLA (to vote, click here). With all this success you’re enjoying, surely there’s more to come from Gerard Brennan?

Well, I’ve just released an e-book through Blasted Heath titled WEE ROCKETS and I’ve another coming out from them this year titled FIREPROOF. I’m rewriting a novel at the moment but when I’m done with that I plan to work on a follow-up to THE POINT for Pulp Press. Basically, I’m gonna keep on writin’.

Keep on keepin’ on, as they say, sir! Thanks again for visiting the blog today.

Visit Gerard’s blog

Visit CSNI

Visit PULP PRESS

Delighted to have my short story, KELLY WANTS TO BE FREE, included in the SLICES OF FLESH charity horror antho from Dark Moon Books.

KELLY is a high-tempo piece of flash fiction, set within the world of my zombie series, FLU.

Lot of big names in the antho alongside lil ol’ me so real honour to be included.

The book will be launched at 2012′s WORLD HORROR CONVENTION.

Full details right here.

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