NI Books - for Northern Ireland writers

 Review by Jonathan Traynor With Simon Maltman’s Short Grift there is a sense of taking zeitgeist and mocking it amidst blood stained pages. Yet, for all the murders and madness there is a wit withing the finely crafted pages. Maltman’s considerable track record of publications notwithstanding this a glorious collection of short stories that interprets modern events and cultural touchstones, such as Port Merrion’s Prisoner, with an Ulster twist (are baked beans part of an Ulster Fry?) Leaving aside the content Maltman’s tight prose allows one to absorb each story in and of itself and the character’s motivations, or lack thereof. Slay Ride, for example, is a dark, witty and murderous Christmas tale with a twist. However, Devolution Z is a zombie tale with its rotting feet planted firmly in Stormont’s Parliament Buildings. Any follower of Northern Ireland politics will find it impossible not to smile at the character traits laid bare. That the tales range from the 19 th Centur...

. Four books published, more to come  Interview by Jonathan Traynor Author Christopher Owens has risen to prominence in recent years with a series of books that have earned acclaim and praise for their themes and settings, as well as powerful but flawed characters. With four books under his belt, and a further one set for release in 2027, he has spoken about his work, and how he bases much around Belfast. Christopher’s writing journey began, when aged just 12, he read Eoin McNamee’s Resurrection Man. “At the time, the film had just come out and there was a huge controversy around it for a variety of reasons,” he explained. “I ended up reading the book at the age of 12, and I would safely say that it changed my life, even though I probably only understood about one third of it. “But I think that feeling is quite important: that feeling of if this is what books can do, this is something I want to do. Not long after I started writing short stories of my own, not very good ones...

Writers notebooks sit containing scraps of ideas, wild fantastic journeys of the mind, dreams and ideas of stories, not to mention fragments of previous works and 'flash fiction'. Most keep these scribblings to themselves, dark fantasies and internal discussions that were never meant to see the light of a reader's eyes. However, why should these rambling note stay hidden? After the death of famous writers such a trove of notes would be pursued by critics and literary nerds.  Unlikely to achieve the interest of academia amidst the plethora of independent writers I have decided to publish some of the random notes from two years of notebooks. And, they will shock, disturb, cause concern about my mental health, and cause some to suggest I need some 'professional help'. But there are some parts of stories that did not 'fit' in previously published works. And there is some experimental poetry. The SLF t-shirt I am wearing at present declares "Go On Ya Fuckers...

 Two weeks ago, give or take a day, the official launch of my latest book, Earl Black and the Daemons of the British Empire, took place at Strange an Unusual: A Celebration of Science Fiction and Horror. It was the first exhibiting my books, and to be honest, it was with a certain amount of trepidation that I walked from home to Braid Arts Centre, compounded by going to the vendors area, not the authors' area. Messing up my pop-up stand, and much more, I sat down at my stand, expecting fuck all - and maybe less than that as people clamoured for pics with Ghostbusters NI or the Star Wars 'stars' of the 501st Legion. Munching on sandwiches, and chatting with other authors, I resigned myself to a long, boring afternoon...but then something weird happened...People started asking what my books, I had all five there. were about. As every writer is something of an egotist this was flattering. Then to see people reach for their wallets, purses or send PayPal payments knocked me for...

 It's finally here, the fifth book by Jonathan Traynor (that's me). Earl Black and the Daemons of the British Empire . Available from Amazon as a paperback, ebook and Kindle Unlimited. The official launch takes place at Strange and Unusual: A Celebration of Science Fiction and Horror on April 18th at Braid Arts Centre. Here's the release press release: Ballymena author releases fifth book Victorian Gothic horror novella explores the dark side of the 19 th century Ballymena author, Jonathan Traynor officially launches his fifth book, Earl Black and the Daemons of the British Empire, at Strange and Unusual Celebration of Science Fiction and horror at Braid Arts Centre on April 18 th . The novella is based on the Victorian Penny Dreadful books, but with a cast of daemons, faeries and other supernatural creatures. Jonathan is a multi-genre writer, whose previous work includes a novel about zombies in County Antrim, and a short story collection. “I always want to try new i...

  Bringing the fright to Ballymena Strange and Unusual: A Celebration of Science Fiction & Horror The Fright Club NI, Ireland's premier horror film fan club, invades The Braid Arts Centre on Saturday, 18th April for Strange and Unusual: A Celebration of Science Fiction and Horror A brand new fan event, the first of its kind in Ballymena. Special guests include Hugh Ross, star of Clive Barker's cult fantasy horror Nightbreed, Hannibal Rising, Bronson and Outlander. There will also be and appearance by Luisa Guerreiro, the woman who personified Toxie in the 2023 version of The Toxic Avenger. She also appeared in The Witcher, Baldurs Gate III and was a puppeteer in Wicked. There will also be expert talks, 20 traders, small press, local authors and, of course, cosplay. Tickets are available now from https://www.thefrightclubni.com/strange-and-unusual or by scanning the QR code at the end of this article. 🏛️ The Braid Arts Centre 🗓️ Saturday 18th April ⏰ Sta...