Marie O'Regan

December

Marie has been busy putting the finishing touches to her ‘Suicide Bridge’ script this past month and hopes to have it completed by the end of the year. The poignant story, based on a location near where she lives, has just been published as a short story in Here and Now issue 4.

She also completed work on well-known horror author Tony Richards’ new website. Responsible for such novels as Night Feast and Postcards from Terri (recently published by Sarob books), the writer is a friend and supporter of Marie’s work. To visit the new site just click here.

Marie was at the Devereaux in London on November 12th for a BFS Evening with best-selling Fantasy Author Stephen Donaldson, a great writer and a lovely guy. He spent the evening chatting to fans and fellow writers, and Marie was also able to have a chat with people like Val and Les Edwards and Orion representative Jo Fletcher.

The next event Marie will be attending is the BFS Open Night on 3rd December at the Princess Louise, also in London, attended by such genre characters as Stephen Jones and Kim Newman.

November

The big news this month is that Marie has been approached to contribute to one of the biggest film books of next year. Cinema Macabre - edited by Mark Morris - will include essays by some of the biggest names in the genre, writing about their favourite horror movies. The line up includes: China Miéville's essay about Razorback, Ed Gorman talking about Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Ramsey Campbell on Lost Highway, Mark Chadbourn celebrating Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, Kim Newman on Let's Scare Jessica to Death, Les Edwards with I Walked with a Zombie, Stephen Jones tackling King Kong, Paul Kane on Hellraiser, Peter Crowther on Something Wicked This Way Comes, Stephen Laws' homage to Plague of the Zombies, Martin Roberts on Braindead, Peter Atkins on Orphée, Christopher Fowler writing about Witchfinder General, Lisa Tuttle with Repulsion, Tim Lebbon on Alien, Simon Clark's The Blackbird, Michael Marshall Smith dissecting Halloween, Neil Gaiman on The Bride of Frankenstein, Muriel Gray with The Thing, Jo Fletcher on Carousel, plus Shaun of the Dead star/writer Simon Pegg on Dawn of the Dead. The list also includes major SF author Brian Aldiss and Stephen King Biographer Douglas E. Winter. Marie has chosen to write about the 1980 film The Changeling starring George C. Scott.

The book will be available in three states from PS Publishing - a paperback copy (in conjunction with the BFS); a trade hardcover; and a slipcased hardcover signed by all the contributors.

Marie has also been busy working on two typesetting projects. The first is Angel Road, by Steven Savile, which has just gone to print and will be ready for publication on 1st November. The launch will be in Sweden, details on the Elastic Press website.

The second is Approaching Omega: a gripping and original science fiction novella from acclaimed science fiction novelist Eric Brown, twice winner of the BSFA short story award (2000 and 2002). For more information about this and other Telos titles, go to www.telos.co.uk

Finally, one of Marie’s personal favourite stories, ‘Suicide Bridge’, which has gathered much interest in industry circles, has finally been published in Issue 4 of Here and Now magazine, available from www.bradanpress.co.uk This story is also in the process of being turned into a film script by Marie.

October

On 24th-26th September Marie went along to the British Fantasy Society's FantasyCon, held this year at the huge Quality Hotel in Walsall. Attended by major editors, authors and artists working in the genre, the Con was a huge success and Marie had a chance to meet and chat to both of the Guests of Honour, Robert Holdstock and Muriel Gray. The BFS 2005 Calendar which Marie co-edited was also launched on the Friday night and Marie said a few words to send it on its way. Contributors were on hand to sign copies and answer audience questions. Winners at the BFS Awards included Marie's friend Christopher Fowler picking up two statues for Best Short Fiction and Best Novel, Stephen Jones for his Best New Horror Collection and Les Edwards for Best artist.

Award winners: Peter Crowther of PS Publishing, Ramsey Campbell, Gary Couzens(standing in for Peter Jackson), Christopher Fowler, Les Edwards and Stephen Jones.

And here's my favourite picture of the award winners:

Award winner pictures courtesy of Martin Roberts, PurpleRage Productions

Marie and Guest of Honour Muriel Gray trying very hard to be good. And failing.

As evidenced by their excitement at the Raffle. Lucky Muriel's expert at the bartering system.

Marie and Paul Kane get a chance to catch up with their friend, Christopher Fowler.

Chris was delighted to win two awards, for Best Short Story ('American Waitress', Crimewave 7) and Best Novel (Full Dark House)

Pictures copyright Paul Kane

For Marie, the big news of the Convention had to be her appointment as Chairperson of the BFS though. After a year of very hard work, Nicki Robson stood down from this position at the Annual General Meeting, and Marie has taken over this post. She promises to maintain the high standards set by her predecessor and is looking forward to taking on this new challenge.  

Artist Michelle Blessemaile's site, which Marie built and maintains, has just been updated with new material. To visit the site and see what's new just then click here.

Marie is currently typesetting a new Elastic Press Book (nominated this year for a BFS Award for Best Small Press). The publication is called Angel Road, written by Steve Savile and should be out in November. To visit the Elastic Press site, which Marie also maintains, click here.

September

Marie has been busy with co-editing duties during August, putting together the BFS 2005 Calendar (see previous news section for details and line-up). She will be attending FantasyCon on 24th-26th September at the Quality Hotel, Walsall, where the calendar will be launched during the opening evening. The Con also includes panels, interviews, 'Horror Idol', the famous BFS quiz and raffle, RPG demonstrations, readings, BFS Awards, and lots of drink and chat with editors, publishers and authors. This year's Guests of Honour are Muriel Gray and Robert Holdstock, and other attendees include Graham Joyce, Les Edwards, Steve Jones, Ramsey Campbell, Katherine Roberts, Christopher Fowler, Chaz Brenchley and many more. Some of the writers and artists involved with the calendar will be on hand during the weekend to sign copies, which will be on sale at the event.  

Marie has also been working hard editing the Fcon booklet, which features a gorgeous cover print by artist Steve Lines (called 'Dark Angel'). The booklet contains a Muriel Gray biography piece, an article about Robots in films, an interview with Neal - Line of Polity - Asher, an article on Robert Holdstock and lots more.

Marie will be attending the launch of Sue Phillips' new book The Waldorf Street Paradox in Hinckley on 4th September. The day will include a Terror Scribes quiz hosted by the infamous David Price (author of Evil Eye) and a charity raffle.  

August

Marie has been busy with co-editing duties on the British Fantasy Society's 2005 Calendar. Based on the Arthurian legeng of Gawain and the Green Knight the calendar features a stunning group of fantasy authors and artists who have teamed up to tackle each month of the year. The full line-up of authors are: James Barclay, Kim Newman, Graham Joyce, Steve Lockley, Neil Gaiman, Cherith Baldry, Chaz Brenchley, Katherine Roberts, China Miéville, Juliet McKenna, Jon Courtenay Grimwood and Mark Chadbourn.

And the artists are: Alfred Klosterman, Chris Leaper, Lara Bandilla, Michelle Blessemaille, Russell Dickerson, Dave Bezzina, Steve Lines, Tina Roberts, Bob Covington, Kathy Hardy, Ian Simmons and Sarah Zama.

The calendar also sports a stunning cover by award-winning artist Les Edwards, plus an introduction by none other than Abarat and Galilee author Clive Barker himself. This is one piece of genre history you don't want to miss out on so to order your copy visit the British Fantasy Society website. Marie's co-editor on the project is the BFS's Special Publications Editor Paul Kane. One of the contributors, Russell Dickerson, has published a fascinating online journal on his site, detailing the genesis of his piece for the calendar. Click here to see how it was all done.

Marie is also hard at work on the booklet for this year’s FantasyCon. The glossy production is due to have a terrific colour picture by Steve Lines called ‘Dark Angel’. You can book your place at the event and secure your copy by going here.

Marie’s story ‘Stay’ has received a rave review from popular horror magazine The Dark Side. For Issue 110 (August-September) James Whittington looked at the When Darkness Comes anthology, commenting that, ‘Standing out is 'Stay' from Marie O’Regan, which is a story you’ll appreciate more by reading it twice. I won’t give away its plot but it’s a memorable story full of drama and intrigue.’ For copies of the anthology contact the publisher Crystal Serenades directly at http://www.crystalserenades.co.uk

On Friday 16th July Marie attended the BFS Awards party to promote the work of those recommended for British Fantasy Awards this year. Also attending on the night were Les Edwards, Stephen Jones (Best New Horror editor), K.J. Bishop, Andrew Hook, Allen Ashley, Paul Kane, and Christopher Fowler, pictured here with Marie.

More pictures from this event can be seen on Paul Kane's website.

She was also at the launch of Allen Ashley’s new book, Somnambulists at the Cittie of Yorke pub, 31st July. Everyone had a great time and there was a performance of one of Allen's stories, ‘Pumpkin Coach’. Other attendees included: Des Lewis, Trevor Denyer, Gary Couzens, Alec Worley, Stuart Young, Elastic Press founder Andrew Hook and various members of the Weirdmonger writing group. You can order this book directly from the publishers here, and pictures from the launch will be added here shortly.

July

Marie travelled to Wales for one of the largest paranormal events of the year on 7th – 9th May, to help launch the When Darkness Comes anthology containing her very chilling story ‘Stay’. The event was attended by various psychics and paranormal investigators including Andrew Garley and the Ghosts UK team led by David Vee, and the 400 plus visitors were given the chance to go on ghost walks and investigations. Marie gave a reading of her story on the Saturday night and was on hand all weekend to sign copies of the book, published by Crystal Serenades Ltd .

Craig Y Nos Hotel

Kelly Burnell, of Crystal Serenades Publications

Marie reading from her story, Stay.

Marie, Paul Kane and Colin Parsons, contributors to
When Darkness Comes

Pictures copyright Marie O'Regan, Paul Kane and Kelly Burnell.

Marie is currently finishing off her ‘Suicide Bridge’ script based on her own short story of the same name, just recently published in Here and Now magazine Issue 4. She has also begun work on a longer scripting project in collaboration with Paul Kane.

Work has started on putting together a 2005 Calendar for the British Fantasy Society. Marie is involved as co-editor of the project which revolves around the Arthurian Legend of the Green Knight and Gawain. An impressive list of authors and artists has been assembled for the calendar and details of this will be announced by Marie at the BFS Tappit Hen Awards party on Friday 16th July. The Calendar will then be launched at FantasyCon 2004.

Marie is also in charge of editing the FantasyCon booklet for the event this year, which will feature, as always, a variety of interviews and articles reflecting the diverse nature of the BFS and their continuing support of the Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror genres.

Lastly, Marie will be stepping down as editor of the BFS news magazine, Prism, with the latest issue. Debbie Bennett will be taking this over while Marie goes on to edit a new publishing venture for the BFS which will include interviews, fiction and reviews.

June

Marie's story 'Bleed For Me' appears this month in Terror Tales 2, edited by John B Ford and Paul Kane. Please go to the Excerpts section for a taster of this tale.

May

Marie has been busy this month designing a website for talented French artist Michelle Blessemaille. Samples of her artwork can be seen on the site, here.

April

Marie's busy getting ready for the launch of When Darkness Comes at Craig Y Nos on 7th, 8th and 9th May. The castle was featured on Most Haunted on the Living channel at the end of March, and the event Crystal Serenades are planning looks like being very well attended, with paranormal investigators, tarot readers, mediums and clairvoyants running an investigation, as well as the launch itself. A report will follow in next month's news.

February