Issue 8

Nov/Dec 2005

I find myself in an unusual position with issue 8 - I've temporarily assumed editorial responsibilities for this issue while Angela directs her energies elsewhere, while I also have the honour of having a story appear within these electronic pages. Certainly not a first in small press circles, but in this case entirely the work of fate rather than design.

Angela will be back at the helm for our next issue, the special Redback edition featuring the ladies of Australian dark fiction. In the meantime, she and I have been very hard at work on various editorial projects, such as the newly-released Shadow Box charity e-anthology, and Macabre: The New Era in Australian Horror. The Shadowed Realms slushpile has been dwindling, albeit slowly, since the temporary closure of our reading period, but it is certainly at the top of Angela's priorities when she returns to active duty.

Now, back to the issue at hand...

In previous editorials, themes have been mentioned. Issue 7 had a gritty urban feel. Issue 4 captured altered perceptions and shifting realities. There is a theme, or more rightly, a feel, to this issue. In selecting these stories, Angela has provided me with a playground of feral delights.

It's been said other issues were dark.

We were wrong.

This issue is dark.

Nasty.

Mean-spirited.

Welcome to the 'visceral horror' issue of Shadowed Realms.

We conclude in bloody and dramatic fashion the serials by Robert Hood and Poppy Z Brite. We also have a strong Australian line-up, with original stories by Mark Barnes, Lee Battersby, and Matthew Chrulew.

And we couldn't let Halloween go by without at least a nod. Eric Christ, with his first professional sale, brings us Halloween as it's meant to be celebrated - in the Shadowed Realms.

Shane Jiraiya Cummings, Supporting Editor.

Read Issue 8