In lieu of real content, have a few random assortments from my commonplace book. Automatons, Italian cinema and a grimoire. All the ingredients for an interesting weekend. Brazen heads. Mechanical or magical automaton. Answers any question put to it, albeit in a 'yes or no' sort of way. Connected to alchemy and occultism. Also, 'the … Continue reading The Brazen Head of Frankenstein
The Black Pharaoh
Permit not thou to come nigh unto me him that would attack me in the House of Darkness.-Book of Dead Nephren Ka. The name of an old horror from a forgotten time. Little is known of the being known as the Black Pharaoh. Scattered references in ancient writings were all that remained to mark the … Continue reading The Black Pharaoh
The Ghost Seer
Does a night like this fill you with vague longings? Do you yearn to discover the secret of the universe-to know more than is good for man to know-perhaps to peer into the future?- Aylmer Vance Aylmer Vance made his first appearance on the nightmare stage in 1914. The creation of husband-and-wife writing team Alice … Continue reading The Ghost Seer
2020 in Review
https://youtu.be/G2URlDdDTMo What to say about this year that other, better writers have not already said? Still, I might as well try. Like most, it's been a year of ups and downs for me, professionally and otherwise. A professional partnership ended unexpectedly, but new opportunities arose and my career continued on much as it has for … Continue reading 2020 in Review
Invisible Empire
"An invisible man can rule the world. Nobody will see him come, nobody will see him go. He can hear every secret. He can rob, and rape, and kill!"-Dr. Jack Griffin The Invisible Man first hit theatres on the 13th of November, 1933. Directed by James Whale, starring Claude Rains and Gloria Stuart, based on … Continue reading Invisible Empire
Christmas 2020
Merry Christmas, folks. Y'all have a safe and happy holiday, and I'll see you on the other side. If you're in need of some entertainment, I've written a wee free holiday tale, involving everyone's favourite monster-hunter and the Icelandic beast known as the Yule Cat. Pour yourself some eggnog, cut a piece of stollen, and … Continue reading Christmas 2020
Casefiles of the Royal Occultist
For today's look at the Royal Occultist universe, we have a chronological listing of all of the short stories published so far, as well as those that are forthcoming in the near future, and where you can find some of them. The stories below are listed in a rough chronological order - or as near … Continue reading Casefiles of the Royal Occultist
The Last Wolf
Recently, I watched The Last Wolf: Karl Edward Wagner, a documentary about - well - Karl Edward Wagner. It was a fascinating and somewhat sobering 'warts and all' look at one of the most accomplished dark fantasy and horror writers of the late Twentieth Century. Wagner has always been one of my literary touchstones. Like … Continue reading The Last Wolf
The Hateful Hound
In today's look at the Royal Occultist universe, we examine one of Charles St. Cyprian's deadliest foes…the monstrous Hound of Mons. The first recorded appearance of the gigantic canine known as the Hound of Mons was in Belgium in 1914, when it reportedly stalked No Man's Land. An enormous black mastiff, driven mad by the … Continue reading The Hateful Hound
The Diehard
Lady of gentle birth, Scottish, young, penniless, possessing strong psychic powers, will devote her services to the solving of uncanny mysteries or the ‘laying of ghosts’. Offer quite genuine. Reply, with particulars and remuneration offered, to S. C. c/o Mrs Barker, 14b Air Street, Regent’s Park, London.- Shiela Crerar Shiela Crerar, psychic investigator and adventuress, … Continue reading The Diehard
