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Post by Michael Connolly on Sept 13, 2016 12:23:15 GMT
As contributors to the G&S Newsletter get their copy first it almost tempts me to write something for it again. However, as my letters and article were excruciating to write (and to read?), I don't think I can do it again. You shouldn't complain - at least you're towards the start of the alphabet (your copy of the G&S Newsletter has been posted). Pity poor Ziegfried Zyzygy, who is always grumbling about getting his copy last! Oh, and I've never published anything that is "excruciating to read". Have I? Er, have I?? I must explain. I find even writing a post like this very excruciating. You should have seen the first draft! I received my G&S Newsletter late yesterday evening (the postal service here is very erratic). I have just skimmed over the Newsletter. I see that your editorial refers to Mr Davis and his "young man" exactly as I did in my earlier post. About the sale of the supposed "lost" James McBryde illustration for an MRJ story, I had already read it about it through the Supernatural Tales website and saw the character on the left of the illustration as an obviously stereotypical Jew. The illustration sold for £495.00!! You can see the details here: suptales.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/caveat-emptor.htmlSome of the poems you printed were almost excruciating.
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Post by ropardoe on Sept 13, 2016 17:09:33 GMT
You shouldn't complain - at least you're towards the start of the alphabet (your copy of the G&S Newsletter has been posted). Pity poor Ziegfried Zyzygy, who is always grumbling about getting his copy last! Oh, and I've never published anything that is "excruciating to read". Have I? Er, have I?? I must explain. I find even writing a post like this very excruciating. You should have seen the first draft! I received my G&S Newsletter late yesterday evening (the postal service here is very erratic). I have just skimmed over the Newsletter. I see that your editorial refers to Mr Davis and his "young man" exactly as I did in my earlier post. About the sale of the supposed "lost" James McBryde illustration for an MRJ story, I had already read it about it through the Supernatural Tales website and saw the character on the left of the illustration as an obviously stereotypical Jew. The illustration sold for £495.00!! You can see the details here: suptales.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/caveat-emptor.htmlSome of the poems you printed were almost excruciating. Hang on - what poems? Aside from David Longhorn's clerihews of some years ago, I think the only poem I've ever published in G&S was MRJ's own. If, on the other hand, you're referring to what I published in my very earliest fanzines back in the late sixties, then guilty as charged. As for finding writing excruciating, believe me, you're not alone. I hate writing - I like having written!
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Post by Michael Connolly on Sept 14, 2016 12:08:58 GMT
I must explain. I find even writing a post like this very excruciating. You should have seen the first draft! I received my G&S Newsletter late yesterday evening (the postal service here is very erratic). I have just skimmed over the Newsletter. I see that your editorial refers to Mr Davis and his "young man" exactly as I did in my earlier post. About the sale of the supposed "lost" James McBryde illustration for an MRJ story, I had already read it about it through the Supernatural Tales website and saw the character on the left of the illustration as an obviously stereotypical Jew. The illustration sold for £495.00!! You can see the details here: suptales.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/caveat-emptor.htmlSome of the poems you printed were almost excruciating. Hang on - what poems? Aside from David Longhorn's clerihews of some years ago, I think the only poem I've ever published in G&S was MRJ's own. If, on the other hand, you're referring to what I published in my very earliest fanzines back in the late sixties, then guilty as charged. As for finding writing excruciating, believe me, you're not alone. I hate writing - I like having written! There's a poem in Ghosts & Scholars M.R. James Newsletter 3O. I haven't read Daniel McGachey's "By No Mortal Hand" (his sequel to "The Ash-Tree") yet, but I see it contains a rhyme about Mrs Mothersole. She "creeps when ye sleep". It's funny (in a good way).
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Post by The Lurker In The Shadows on Sept 14, 2016 12:47:49 GMT
The initial plan in 'By No Mortal Hand' was for a quite different 'poem' (if I may distinguish it with such a term), but it was completely wrong for the period and setting... and probably more suited to a character in 'The Uncommon Prayer Book' in some of its details, given that it was something I'd originally dashed off under the title 'Mr Spidereyes'.
The omitted 'Mistress Mothersole' version ran;
When she sits in darkness inside your wall, Mistress Mothersole is crouched and small, But after dark, when her power strengthens, She twists and turns as her body lengthens. And when she's quite sure you're at last soundly sleeping, Old Mistress Mothersole will begin her creeping. Skinny and silent, so no floorboard groans, Under the weight of her shifting bones, Till, crooked and gaunt, in her clothing of webs, She peers down on you as your consciousness ebbs. And in twin dark hollows of her long-dried-up eyes, Two squirming spiders, full up on fat flies. But hungry for more they grow now yet more bold, And unleash a torrent of webs to enfold, Like a silken blanket enshrouding your bed, Tangling up limbs, leaving only your head. Yet should you awaken, and yell out in fright, Table-manners guarantee that she'll remain quite polite. 'Welcome to my parlour,' she'll seem softly to sigh, Then - too late! - you're undone. Just like a fly.
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Post by Michael Connolly on Sept 14, 2016 13:02:49 GMT
I thought John Betjeman was dead.
The published version is more authentic.
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Post by The Lurker In The Shadows on Sept 14, 2016 13:36:06 GMT
I thought John Betjeman was dead. He is. And quite possibly spinning in his grave at being mentioned in association with the above. The published version is more authentic. Glad to hear it. The other version was more a place-holder till I had something that felt more suited.
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Post by ropardoe on Sept 15, 2016 17:52:26 GMT
David Longhorn is reviewing the third G&S Book of Shadows story-by-story on his blog (http://suptales.blogspot.co.uk/). He's got to four so far and likes them all. I'm well pleased. The stories are so varied that I don't imagine anyone will like the whole book, so I'm waiting with baited breath for David to reach a story he hates!
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elricc
Devils Coach Horse
Posts: 100
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Post by elricc on Sept 18, 2016 19:36:04 GMT
Finished, superb as usual, only one story wasn't to my taste, but stand out stories for me, Another Episode of Cathedral History by Peter Holman, The Brooch by John Ward and Blackberry Time by Peter Bell, so poignant to me there were hints of E.F Benson's Pirates... I can't wait to see where you go now Rosemary, how on earth can you top the last 3 volumes.
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Post by ropardoe on Sept 19, 2016 8:42:47 GMT
Finished, superb as usual, only one story wasn't to my taste, but stand out stories for me, Another Episode of Cathedral History by Peter Holman, The Brooch by John Ward and Blackberry Time by Peter Bell, so poignant to me there were hints of E.F Benson's Pirates... I can't wait to see where you go now Rosemary, how on earth can you top the last 3 volumes. How can I top them? Oh dear - I'm not the sort of person who sees that as a challenge I want to tackle, rather as a reason to run away and hide in a corner! Nevertheless, the next G&S/Sarob collaboration is in its early stages and I'm pretty excited about it. I've had it in mind now for six months or so, and was very pleased recently when Rob Morgan liked my proposal and gave me the go ahead. More news in a few months! Which story wasn't to your taste? I'd be hard put to pick my favourite in the book (though I'm allowing myself one from the book to vote for in the Ghost Story Award, so I'll have it choose it eventually). I do agree especially about "Blackberry Time" which is one of the best stories Peter Bell has ever written, I think (and that's saying something!).
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Post by mcannon on Sept 19, 2016 9:50:49 GMT
I received my copy in yesterday's post. It's gone to the top of the "to read" stack and I'm very much looking forward to starting on it!
Mark
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