Christopher Fowler RIP

[johnnymains]

Chris has died and the world feels emptier. From the spectacular CITY JITTERS to ROOFWORLD, SPANKY and his BRYANT AND MAY books - he was just a perfect writer. Of course, I discovered his work through the Pan Horrors and it was one of the proudest moments of my life when CHris agreed to write a short story for BACK FROM THE DEAD - and gave me the very disturbing 'Locked'. I'll treasure one of the last times I met him - at a paperback fair, we just bumped into each other and decided to sack off the books and go to the pub instead. He was funny, warm had a brilliant wit to him and London is a much poorer city for his passing.

If you haven't had the privilege - read through his blog. His writing is sublime and you'll come away with the sense of a man who lived his best life. www.christopherfowler.co.uk/

RIP, Chris. I'll miss you.

[Johnlprobert]

I found out last night & I'm still too gutted to post anything on Facebook. He really was 'one of us' - such a lovely guy. HIs short story collections are amongst my most treasured possessions - I have a first printing of City Jitters because that's when I started following his career and I bought everything that came out after it. When we finally met I was delighted when we got on really well although I shouldn't have been surprised - how was I and the author of 'The Vintage Car Table Mat Collection of the Living Dead' not going to get on like a house on fire? He was kind and generous, and when I got contacted by a London-based film company looking for a screenwriter for an anthology horror film I learned it was Chris who had recommended me off the back of Faculty of Terror. I never even knew he'd read it. Both in prose and in person he was the best ambassador British horror could have ever hoped for and it will take a long time for me to process that he's gone. But al; the Bryant and May, all the collections and all his novels are still there in my library and they will all get re-read eventually and they will all bring joy, which is the best legacy any writer could hope for.

[andydecker]

I first read about his illness two weeks ago when I stumbled upon his last blog entry; I was tackling Bryant & May again and considered with which one finally to begin. His last entry haunted me, to be honest; what do you do if mundane tasks like climbing a stair become a problem?

I read a few of his short-stories which I liked; the only one of his novels I read was Hell Train which I absolutley loved.

My condolences to his family and his friends; he will be missed.

[dem]

Mar 3, 2023 9:14:37 GMT Johnlprobert said:

He really was 'one of us' - such a lovely guy.

Such sad news. One of the great contemporary London writers and yes, "one of us" and a real pleasant guy on the few occasions I met him ("I write horror for people who don't like horror."). He was a regular at Milan's legendary, if short-lived, paperback stall in Spitalfield's market, very big on 70's horror paperbacks. Gave The Black Book of Horror a review in The Independent, too.

I hope he's at peace. My sincere condolences to his loved ones.

[tynebridges]

I was very sad about this, but knew it was coming. As a long-term fan, I think I've read all of his books (and particularly enjoy Bryant and May). His blog posts were always entertaining and insightful too. RIP.