Astrologica edited by Allen Ashley

What's your star sign? Is our fate pre-determined by the constellations and the position of the planets? Can astrology really present an alternative vision to the apparent certainties of science, politics, religion and celebrity culture? Or should its claims of determinism, fate, fortune and personality profiling perhaps be taken with a large pinch of salt?

Here are fourteen brand new astrologically themed stories to delight and enthral, spanning the range of science fiction, fantasy and horror, with stories by Doug Blakeslee, Mark David Campbell, Storm Constantine, Adam Craig, Megan Kerr, Joel Lane, Bob Lock, Jet McDonald, David McGroarty, Ralph Robert Moore, Christine Morgan, David Turnbull, Neil Williamson and Stuart Young.

What is the secret of the white bull and his labyrinthine ranch? Why should you never trust gifts you win at a funfair? And why are twins always apparently at war with each other? Read on and find out...

Astrologica: Stories of the Zodiac edited by Allen Ashley is official launched at the World Fantasy Convention later this month (The Alchemy Press £10.99).

Where Are We Going?

Where Are We Going?, edited by Allen Ashley and published by Eibonvale Press, is officially launched on 2 March 2012 at the BFS Open Night (from 6.00 pm at The Mug House, 1-3 Tooley Street, London Bridge, London SE1 2PF. Their phone number: 020 7403 8343). The anthology’s theme is “Journeys. On Earth. No quests.” There are sixteen stories and one poem, all original to the book:

Dead Countries - Gary Budgen  

A Faraway City - Joel Lane

The Way The World Works - Ian Sales

A Guide to Surviving Malabar - Ian Shoebridge

The Human Map - Andrew Hook

 Journey to the Engine of the Earth - Terry Grimwood

The Discord of Being- Alison J. Littlewood  

Xana-La - Stephen Palmer

At the Rail - Andrew Coburn

The Bridge - A. J. Kirby

The Chain - Frank Roger

Our Island - Ralph Robert Moore

Underpass - Daniella Geary

Overnight Bus - Marion Pitman

Wake With The Light - Jet McDonald -

Future Prospects? - Geoff Stevens (poem)

Entanglement - Douglas Thompson

The book’s price is £16 hardback and £7 paperback on launch night, and all attending authors will be asked to sign copies of the book.

At some time between 6.30 pm and 7.00 pm, Allen Ashley will be announcing the “Postcard Competition”. This is a free to enter competition with simple rules - write an interesting postcard and win an Eibonvale prize.

Allen Ashley

I received an email from Allen Ashley, bemoaning the lack of a photograph of a certain individual. In the meantime, here is Allen selling Elastic Press books at Fantasycon. Allen is generally a good sort -- even if he is an Arsenal fan.

Check out the Elastic Press website -- they publish some nice books, including a new one due in a month or so, edited by Mr Ashley.

Photo (c) Peter Coleborn