Newsletter No 7

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Celebrating the Life and Works of Guy N Smith 1939-2020

A Warm Welcome to Fans, Friends and Fiends From Black Hill Books Ltd

Here is our long-awaited seventh GNS newsletter! We have an overflowing basket of goodies for you, including details of the upcoming Crab-themed Fan Convention in Knighton on Sunday September 1st (have you registered yet?); a peek at some of our favourite author-fans’ latest works, from blog posts and zines to articles and books; a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the creative team behind the relaunch of the Crabs series books 1-3; and the book cover reveals, unveiled here first for our most devoted fans! And of course, there is the next instalment of Guy’s teenage Mystery Man Diary. Dig in!

Come to the Crabaret!

True to decades-long tradition, the next GNS Fan Con will be held on the first Sunday of September which, this year, falls on September 1st. Our chosen venue is situated in the picturesque Welsh town of Knighton, Powys, one of Guy’s favourite haunts, where he set his horror novel The Knighton Vampires. This free-entry event will kick off at midday and includes:

  • GNS readings – excerpts from the first three Crabs series books, read by Tara Paulsson (Guy’s daughter)
  • Guest author Mark Morris reads from his latest novel That Which Stands Outside
  • Crustacean-themed quiz – impress us with your razor-sharp and snappy answers to win a prize!
  • Raffle! You could win a Doctor Who: King Crab fantasy film poster
  • Auction – bid for a one-off leather bound Night of the Crabs edition, handmade by our very own web wizard, ‘Reverend Doom’, and other items including the marked-up manuscript of the latest Night of the Crabs, Guy’s own crab-patterned tie and his I Bought A Vampire Motorbike film t-shirt (see pics below)
  • Free savoury buffet for those on a see-food diet (ho ho!), including vegetarian and dairy/gluten-free options, provided by Julie at the Little Black Sheep Café.
  • Merchandise and books for sale at our One-Night-of-the-Crabs-Stand. Grab a claw full of key rings, pens, fridge magnets and postcards. New T-shirts and mugs also available, thanks to Ceri Brown of Ceri’s Creative Designs.
  • Screening of the prizewinning short film from the competition we are launching with Shortly.film (see below and Guy N Smith website for more details).

To register your attendance, email FanCon2024@guynsmith.com with your name and number of attendees.

The Guy N. Smith Short Film Challenge

Presented by Shortly.film and Black Hill Books

Are you an aspiring film maker with a passion for horror? Shortly.film and Black Hill Books proudly present The Guy N. Smith Short Film Challenge, inspired by the legendary horror writer’s short story, The Vigil. This is your chance to create a 15-minute film that captures the chilling essence of Smith’s tale.

How to Enter:

  1. Read the Story: Access The Vigil for free online at Shortly.film or Guy N. Smith’s official website. This story will be available for a limited time, so don’t miss out.
  2. Create Your Film: Use your creativity to bring The Vigil to life in a 15-minute horror short.
  3. Submit Your Entry: Ensure your film meets all requirements and is submitted by 23:59 on August 20, 2024.

Prizes:

  • Screening at the Guy N. Smith Fan Convention: Your film will be showcased on September 1, 2024, in Knighton, Wales.
  • Cash Prize: £200.
  • Recognition: Featured on www.shortly.film.
  • Crabby Kudos: Earn the admiration of horror fans worldwide.

Rules and Requirements:

  • Story Basis: The film must be based on the short story The Vigil and properly credited in the opening text.
  • Format: MP4.
  • File Size: Must not exceed 2 GB.
  • Subtitles: If not in English, subtitles must be burned in.
  • Length: Maximum of 15 minutes.
  • Deadline: Submit by 23:59 on August 20, 2024.
  • Screening: All submissions may be screened on www.shortly.film.

Don’t miss this thrilling opportunity to showcase your talent and pay tribute to Guy N. Smith’s horror legacy. Start filming today!

For Terms and Conditions and more details, visit www.guynsmith.com and www.shortly.film.

Fellow Creatives – Their Work

Chris Elphick

In our GNS Newsletter No.6, we introduced Chris Elphick – writer, photographer and GNS fan – who in recent times has entertained us all on social media groups with his excellent Lego diorama and blog posts. You can view them on his website The Pixie-Led Blog (do visit!). Elphick has just written his ‘Personal Fanzine’ on Guy, which is full of wonderful facts, insights and images and includes a Smith short story (courtesy of Black Hill Books Ltd) called Toby’s Way. The zine was released for sale on August 1st and can be bought either directly from Elphick via his website or on Amazon.

Richards Daniels

We are also honoured that Richards Daniels, who produces and records the intriguing Occultaria of Albion Podcast, which explores all things mysterious from UFOs and paranormal events to conspiracies and folklore, is to publish an article about Guy in Phantasmagoria magazine. The article celebrates 50 years of Guy N. Smith pulp horror novels, which began with his first published book, Werewolf By Moonlight. Daniels – a seasoned writer and creative, has an upcoming event called The Filing Cabinet of Fear (Live Show) at Louth Town Hall (Lincolnshire) on August 10th. Visit the Occultaria of Albion website for more details.

Mickey Lewis

The charismatic author/actor Mickey Lewis (see Newsletter No. 5) pops up again with an interview about Guy in The Dark Side magazine (out August 29th – see photo below) and his new book of collected stories, out later this year. The book, called Lucifer Sam 2: The Beast Sides, is a sequel to his novel Lucifer Sam about a punk band that battles demons and monsters. The opening story features Guy as an evil James Bond-type villain who unleashes the monsters from his books onto the public – in real life. Lewis’s story is written as an affectionate pastiche and even though the band in the novels love his books they soon find themselves fighting for their lives against a Slime Beast and a Werewolf by Moonlight – in Waterstones! And Mickey has given us an exclusive extract! Enjoy…

‘Fuck ‘em,’ Guy says, as he slams down his coffee mug (it has a picture of him on it with the byline ‘Writer By Moonlight’ and an inscription which says: smoking is my right, and my choice, and this is my house so anyone who doesn’t approve can go fuck themselves.) on top of the rejection letter from Orbit and draws angrily on his pipe. ‘Let’s do it!’

Jean looks up nervously from the sink where she is washing the breakfast dishes. She is tense, her eyes wary behind the wisps of hair that trail down like ivy from the coiled bun on her hair. ‘Do what, dear?’

He darts a furious, exasperated glance at her. ‘Unleash the Beasts of course, and open the Sucking Pit.’

Well, now we will all HAVE to buy this book!

Fiends with Benefits (well, blogs…)

There are many excellent review/blog sites featuring Guy’s work. Here are a few:

The Crabs Are Coming!

The first three books in Guy’s Crabs series are due to be re-published as ebook and paperback on September 1st (with an audiobook of Night of the Crabs in production), and there’s an intention to release the next three (books 4-6) in these formats by Christmas, and the hardback versions next year, hopefully featuring some colourful Rick Melton artwork. Let us introduce you to the current contributors!

Brian Keene – Night of the Crabs Foreword

As you will know from Newsletter 6, American bestselling and award-winning novelist, comic book writer and film producer Brian Keene has written an insightful foreword for the new edition of Night of the Crabs. Keene looks after the literary estate of the late J.F. Gonzalez of Clickers fame. Since Gonzalez had himself provided a foreword for a previous edition of Night of the Crabs, it’s fitting that the baton has now been passed on to Keene, with whom Gonzalez co-wrote several Clickers novels. Keene runs Vortex Books & Comics with his partner and co-writer Mary SanGiovanni in Columbia PA.

Anthony O’Connor – Killer Crabs Foreword

Australian writer Anthony O’Connor, who wrote post-apocalyptic cult classic novel Straya (now in development as an animated movie) referencing Guy and his Crabs novels, has graced us with a characteristically entertaining and Aus-tastic foreword to Killer Crabs. O’Connor excels in writing genre-bending movies and books. He wrote original screenplays for the inner city black comedy Angst and the blood-soaked office horror Redd Inc. (aka Inhuman Resources in the US/UK). More recently, he has released spooky YA ghost yarn Emma After. O’Connor is currently developing a quiet horror film project and is finishing his third novel. He regularly reviews film, TV and video games for various outlets including IGN, Flicks and FilmInk.

Anthony’s Website

Mark Morris – Origin of the Crabs Foreword

The foreword for the third book in the series, Origin of the Crabs, is offered up by Mark Morris, another leading light in the horror fiction world. Morris has written and edited around fifty novels, novellas, short story collections and anthologies, and his script work includes audio dramas for Doctor Who, Jago & Litefoot and the Hammer Chillers series. His latest oeuvre, from Flame Tree Press, is folk horror novel That Which Stands Outside, from which Morris will read at the GNS Fan Convention in September, where he is making a guest appearance and will even sign copies of his own books for fans! Mark has won two British Fantasy Awards, and has also been nominated for several Stokers and Shirley Jackson Awards.

Neale Thomas – Cover Artist

The Crabs book cover artwork has been created by Neale Thomas from Liverpool.

Neale gained a BA (Hons) in Illustration at Kingston Polytechnic, London. He worked as a freelance illustrator for 20 years and his work has appeared in numerous magazines and national newspapers. Since 2010, he has developed a focus on the golden era of motor racing and has exhibited his work in the Revival Market, the Silverstone Classic, Race Retro and the Brooklands Museum.

Andrew-Mark Thompson – Graphic Designer

Andy is based in East Midlands UK and took up graphic design after studying media at university. He specialises in retro designs based on themes and images from mid-20th century commercial design. He has contributed full covers for Telos Books, Headpress Books, Obverse Books and Scatola Publishing, amongst others, and has also supplied design work for BBC4 and Matthew Sweet about Amicus Film’s King Crab script, which was based on Night of the Crabs. He also published his first book This Is A Fake ( Telos Publishing) which puts together humorous design pieces based on the television culture of the 20th century. He lives alone with no cats.

Pete Gold – Audiobook Narrator

Pete is one of Britain’s busiest and most widely-recognised voice actors. From TV documentaries to radio commercials; stadium announcements to video games; he’s lent his voice to thousands of projects over the last 25 years. His passion is storytelling, and he has featured in many full-cast audio dramas for Audible, as well as several audio books. He is very excited to be narrating Night Of The Crabs, and hopes he will do justice to this key part of the Guy N. Smith legacy. Originally from Sheffield, Yorkshire, he now lives in Hertfordshire, with his wife, son, goofy-looking dog and aloof cat.

Reverend Doom – IT and slow painful deaths

IT Manager, exorcist, a man with a dreadful mission. Doom was an orphan. His parents died in a plague that went through when he was small and, to care for him, the town council apprenticed him to the local gravedigger. For years he served, learning the ins and outs of the physical and spiritual side of dealing with death. He learned about his god, the patron of death, from the gravedigger. But the gravedigger’s worship always seemed a bit hollow, a little too rote. One night Doom picked up the sacred text the gravedigger kept on the small shrine in their shared chambers and read it. He became shocked and dismayed at the disparity between the soft platitudes his guardian parrots and the dire truths uncovered in his god’s scriptures. That night the gravedigger, his home and Doom’s entire life burned to the ground as he set off to become the god of death’s most faithful servant ever. Doom also maintains the website.

Tara Paulsson – Editor and Composer

Tara (Guy’s daughter) gained a First in English Literature at York University and worked as an actress and theatre composer for 10 years after leaving Mountview Theatre School. She has written music for over 30 theatre productions and was Resident Composer with Wildcard Theatre Company for a number of years. Tara later attended the London School of Publishing where she studied Editorial and Proofreading and worked at legal publishers Chambers & Partners as a Researcher/Editor before leaving to start a family and work as a private music teacher. She now lives in Sweden and combines running Black Hill Books Ltd with private teaching and writing/composing. Tara worked on the editing and production aspects of the new GNS publications, with help and advice from seasoned book editor Nancy Webber. She also composed and recorded the title music for the Black Hill Books Night of the Crabs audiobook, which features percussion, fx and marimba arrangements with West Limerick-based musician Dr Boris Hunka.

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for – The Crabs Cover Reveals!

We’ve gone for a non-AI retro feel for this series – hope you like them. We do! Of course, they don’t replace or eclipse the many amazing covers that have gone before, which are now part of 70s/80s pulp horror history, but (we hope) they add variety and classic style. Thanks to Neale and Andy for their artistry, professionalism and, most of all, patience!

And Last But Not Least – “Mystery Man” Diary 1957

Here is the fifth instalment of Guy’s secret teenage diary, originally handwritten and published in the GNS newsletters for the first time. Guy would have been just 18 years old when he wrote it and was already working in the Midland Bank. Enjoy!

Friday March 8th

I came home on the 5.15 train with Don Stevenson. I have bought some loose shot & tonight I took the pellets oout of six No. 6 cartridges & made myself three No.4 cartridges and three BB cartridges. I shall take them tomorrow. I have got a strong liking for Gillian Evans & I’m not sure that she isn’t a bit keen on me!!!

Saturday March 9th

We did fairly well on States today and I got the five-to-one train home. I rained consistently. I had the gramophone out in the shed for an hour then I went round to see Coles. Fred didn’t think he would come with me so I went into Hopwas Wood on my own. I went over the three hills and along by Pearce’s. I saw some partridges in one of Pearce’s fields. I also saw some cock pheasant. I did not get a shot. They have cleared most of the rhododendrons in Rookery Nook. Played subbuteo with Lance. I won 5-4.

Sunday March 10th

Went round to see Billy & Nellie. He told me the story about the little boy who wanted to watch Pauline Trimby kiss Tony goodbye. Dale’s air raid shelter roof fell in & Billy & Nellie are quite sure that I splodged it in with a fork. We took Daddy down to the hospital at 5 0/c today. We met one of the sisters & the matron. In the evening I wrote for various free specimens as advertised in the “National Weekly.”

Monday March 11th

A fairly peaceful day. I got the 5.5 bus home. I went into the wood at dusk with the gun. It was moonlight. A carrion crow passed fairly near but not near enough for a shot. Dr Raybould rang up to say Daddy had had two hernias done, his piles & his appendix taken out. We rang up the hospital at 10 o/c and they said he was sleeping peacefully. I went down to Grandma’s this evening. Also rang up Mrs Cole to tell her the news about Dad.

Tuesday March 12th

I went up to Mrs Wiinfield’s with Sam Loughead tonight. He liked it very much. I like a girl with a “ponytail” hairstyle very much indeed. Next week I shall offer her a lift back to Tamworth with us afterwards. Sam is getting to know the steps. Daddy is progressing well and the hospital is very pleased with him. I shall see him tomorrow.

Wednesday March 13th

We balanced nice & early & I was getting ready to go at 4.45 when old Tovey came & told me I’d got to take the registered letters up at 4.45. I just got the 5.15 train. I went out with the gun but didn’t get a shot. I walked down to the hospital & saw Dad. He looked very much better than I had expected. I got the 9.15 bus up. Auntie Daisy rang.

Thursday March 14th

We balanced O.K. today & I got the 4.42 train home. I received a letter today telling me I was on the permanent staff. That’s a relief!!! I had a 2/6d P/O from Stockwells!!! I went in the wood with the gun but didn’t see anything. Helen came to teach me book-keeping & I walked down the road with her to meet her friend outside the Chequers. Dad is progressing well. Mr Outhwaite rang up.

Friday March 15th

Caught the 4.42 train home. I missed the bus up home but Mum was in town & she gave me a lift up. I got a record of Gerry Grant singing “Moonlight Gambler.” I went in the wood with the gun but didn’t get a shot. Went down to see Dad tonight. He is looking very much better. I am looking forward to the weekend.

Saturday March 16th

Mr Brewster drove the ‘bus into B’ham today. I had a chat to him. I came home on the 1.5 ‘bus. The 2.15 was just moving out as I ran up. He saw me but wouldn’t stop. I walked home & rang up the Midland Red and reported him. I did some digging in the garden. Went shooting up Hopwas Wood with Fred Cole. Had 4 shots at crows but got nothing. Went down with Grandma to see Dad. He is going along nicely.

Sunday March 17th

Did some gardening in the morning. Put in 1 row of peas, 3 of lettuce, 2 of radishes & 4 of parsnips. Saw Billy & Nellie in the afternoon. Stayed there till 4.30pm then I came home. I didn’t feel too well then, but I took no notice. Went down to the hospital to see Daddy at night. Saw the play on T.V. “The Cask of Amontillado.” Felt lousy. Went to bed early.

Monday March 18th

Had a rotten night & in the morning I had a temperature of 99°. I stopped in bed for the day. Mum rang up the office & spoke to Ray Maskell. As the day went on I began to feel better. I shall go to work tomorrow. I am looking forward to going dancing tomorrow evening & seeing that girl again.

Tuesday March 19th

Felt much better. Went to work. Got back on the 4.42 train. I went up to Mrs Winfield’s with Sam Loughead. The usual crowd of girls were working ‘afternoons’ at de Hamill’s factory & there were only about eight couples up there. I had to rely mainly on “excuse me” dances. Next week should be better – then I’ll see that girl again!

Newsletter written and compiled by Tara Paulsson. Black Hill Books Ltd would like to say a big thank you to all our guest contributors.

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