It's that time of the month again, and our Beloved Editor and the Esteemed Readers [that's you lot] are waiting with bated breath for the sequel to October's Tuppence, tentatively titled Sex for Fun and Profit. Once again circumstance beyond my control compel me to postpone that sequel. Fortunately, this time the circumstances are happier.
As the regular Tuppence readers are aware, I have pretty much a free rein here. Because this is February, I thought it appropriate [hey, Valentine's Day, remember?] to talk about True Love. And, as we all know, one of the potential by-products of love is offspring. This Tuppence, therefore, becomes a Birth Announcement. Twins. Alive and Kicking.
On 1 April 2K+2, two months from now, an electronic magazine called Champagne Shivers, edited by Cathy Buburuz, makes its debut with ProMartian Publishing. It is a quarterly online horror magazine. In Cathy's own words, Champagne Shivers "will showcase the work of poets, writers, artists, and photographers with the ability to inspire shivers in readers and viewers," and who can do so with work done in good taste. Champagne Shivers is intended to evoke shivers, chills, and shudders by the proper application of eloquent and poetic language. The illustrations in the e-zine are well-rendered and done in reasonably good taste, their purpose to augment the feelings of horror that permeate the e-zine like a cold fog. "Champagne" signifies quality and good taste, thus the title Champagne Shivers.
Cathy, of course, is much too shy, demure, and reticent to reveal the true lineage of Champagne Shivers. Let't take a look at what she has not told us.
Way back in 1990, Cathy Buburuz put together a print magazine called Champagne Horror [with Randy Nakoneshny, the art editor]. It was intended to be an annual magazine. It turned out to be millennial, for various reasons. Production was limited. I happen to have a copy. How best to describe it? Think Victoria's Secret meets The Exorcist, with theme music by The Goblins [they recorded the soundtrack for Suspiria, for those of you who neglected to study last night]. Think skulls, and lissome lasses in lingerie...strategically arranged lingerie. Think curdles and whey...think blood and knives...think chills. Champagne Horror is a marvelous anthology.
Comes now in its wake Champagne Shivers. You see, Cathy loved editing its predecessor. She loves the genre, and has been remarkably successful in it as a writer and as an artist. She knows what she wants, and she loves what she knows. It shows in her work. Champagne Shivers will be the best horror e-zine on the market.
I said "twins," didn't I?
On 10 June 2K+2, another ProMartian Publication will make its debut, in both electronic and print versions. It is called Aoife's Kiss. It is a quarterly in both versions, which, by the way, are not identical. It features fantasy and science fiction, with some horror and sword and sorcery thrown in for seasoning. It features short stories, poetry, and art, all of the highest quality.
And I'm the editor.
Aoife's Kiss began as [and still is] a novel. It is a dark fantasy about escape from one reality to a better one, and about those forces which, for one reason or another, prevent or impede that escape. The title character, a mathematician named Aoife [pronounced EE-fah], has discovered a way out of her own darkness, her own dreadful past, and has decided to save as many others as possible. It is said, in the urban legends whispered in alleys and all dark places, that she "kisses" them. Afterwards, they are seen no more.
The novel is a collaborative effort. Composition of the poetry has fallen primarily to Erin Donahoe, while I am writing most of the text. Illustrations are being created by JAC, Cathy Buburuz, and [perhaps] others. Time constraints indicate that the final draft might be ready for submission before the end of the year. That, however, is as may be.
During the development of the first draft, it became apparent that the theme of the novel would also provide the basis for a magazine. The notion lodged in the back of my mind, and there it simmered, slowly evolving, until James B. Baker decided to expand ProMartian Publishing. I suggested the expansion might best be accomplished via a new magazine, he decided on two, and he asked me to edit one of them. Having already developed the thematic foundation, I accepted. Here we are.
The electronic version of Aoife's Kiss will be a blend of formats derived from ProMartian's two current publications and the print version [see below]. While Aoife's Kiss will not feature voting for favorite works, I highly encourage all readers to comment on the stories, poems, and art, either in the ProMartian message board or to the editor [me]...because Aoife's Kiss will also publish fan letters!
Aoife's Kiss also has the honor of being ProMartian's first quarterly print magazine of the new millenium. In addition to excellent stories, poetry, and art, it will also feature non-fiction articles, including essays, interviews, and reviews, as well as thematic pages devoted to special fantasy topics. Note that the electronic and print versions of Aoife's Kiss are different. To read the print version, you have to buy it. [Subscription prices and payment methods will be announced later]. It's worth the investment, Esteemed Readers [that's you lot]. Think of it as, say, eighteen losing lottery tickets you won't have to purchase. Think of it as an inexpensive way to quell the darkness in your souls, provoke your sense of the macabre, or lift your spirits, or to transport yourselves to another world...to "escape," just for a moment. Just for a moment, let Aoife kiss you. She's coming for you in June. Watch for her.
PAST TUPPENCE
December
October
August
Read the beginning of Tyree's novel NYX