I’ve not had a huge amount of time for writing these last few years, and what time I have made, I’ve spent on longer form stuff that will likely never see the light of day! The two shorter pieces I’ve written have been specifically for anthologies. The first, published last year in my local writer’s circle anthology. And now the second, submitted to an anthology edited by GSFWC stalwart Neil Williamson, and (thrillingly!) accepted.

The anthology brief was essentially folk horror but in an urban setting. As an example of an urban setting, Neil included “crumbling tower blocks”, which I took as my inspiration, having just witnessed the grim spectacle of another one such monolith being banished from the Glasgow skyline.

The result was Senga, a stubborn old crone, frustrating the council’s attempts to destroy her home. She was very much inspired by my own grandma, who for years resisted family concerns about her accommodation. Despite decades of arthritis, any visitors braving the steep steps to her flat were liable to find her hand whipping cream for her legendary scones.

It’s a horror story, so things do develop in a strange and dark direction, but I had a lot of fun writing it, and I’m told it’s a lot of fun to read.

I haven’t read the other stories yet. I’m waiting to have the book in my hands, with its beautiful, bone chilling artwork. But there are plenty authors in there I’m very proud to have my story sit alongside, and being well acquainted with Neil’s taste in horror, plenty more names I’m very excited to discover.

Its out on Halloween. Preorder it directly from Newcon Press, Waterstones, or Amazon