June 2010

And… hello – Three months later, she puts something on her site about the World Horror Convention in March 2010.
She will, concerning the delay, of course plead pressure of work – several mounds of proof reading, finishing and typing up a largish (contemporary) novel, writing generally, domestic life, etc: etc:-
Anyhow.
The convention, Brighton Shock was quite wonderful. Most pictures appearing here have been received from fellow attendees, and are reproduced with their gracious permission.
The two hotels involved, the Royal Albion and the Radisson Blu, were comfortable and fun, and the proximity to the ever-alluring sea a delight. It was also marvelous for me to meet, in physical person, so many interesting and vivid new people. Plus several who, although we've continued to correspond through the years, I haven't re-met in the flesh since the '80's. Notably Ellen Datlow, in so many of whose excellent anthos I've had the vast pleasure of being. And my great friend, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, whom I first met around 1977!!!
The audiences too, I have to say, were certainly stars of the show. To all those who took time to see me, and to talk to me, I extend warmest thanks. It was really good to meet you – until next time!
Also vast apologies to anyone who anticipated being able to get hold of my recent horror collection, Sounds and Furies, at the Con. Somehow dealers just couldn't get the books on time – I haven't been able to dive to the bottom of what went wrong – both the publishers, Norilana, and I tried extremely hard to make it work. At least anyone who's interested can still buy the book online via Amazon.

One of the Convention highlights for me, obviously, was when I received my (last year's) award of Grand Master of Horror 2009. It's a glory – and so far I'm only the third woman to be honoured.
Also, I LOVED, as last time, doing my reading – the story was, appropriately, the very horrible: These Beasts.

Back on the work front, I should be able to supply republication dates for my novels <b>Sabella and Kill the Dead ( both with new covers by John Kaiine) from Wilder Publications. Norilana's reprint Death's Master should be escaping captivity very soon, and The Birthgrave will be loosed, I think, in November (also with a Kaiine cover).

I should have news too of the Lethe publication date of Esther Garber's new collection of short stories – Disturbed by her Song - ( which include some works by her – also gay – brother Judas, and a couple of stories written by Esther and me together.) (Sure, Schizophrenia Are Us.) Publication is July 2010.

I also now have five (truly weird) contemporary novels finished and neatly lined up in my cupboard, only one of which has ever been published so far.
To recap, their titles are:
Killing Violets
L'Amber
Greyglass
To Indigo
Ivorian

And now, to close, a limerick.

There was a young lady, liked gin,
Who committed a terrible sin
When – the booze past her glottal –
She curled up with the bottle –
While her lover she'd thrown in the bin.

February 2010

Eighteen months later, the notorious Lee returns to put something on her site…

There are reasons. Always.

First, a few images from Summer Past (2009).

At Herstmonceux – http://www.mgel.com/:

Meanwhile on the work front, the 2nd volume of my short stories from Wildside, Hunting the Shadows just came out, initially with page 174 blank. I've been told this has now been corrected. But daughterofthenight.com has a facsimile of this page available.

Other stories, short and long, are out there, appearing soon, I think, or due this year or next. And Norilana reprints of the Flat Earth series began and will continue at approximately one a year - www.norilana.com/norilana-taleka.htm - 2010 being Death's Master and Delusion's Master will be available 2011. There should be news too I can give soonish on reprints of The Birthgrave and The Storm Lord. No fixed dates yet.

As for new novels, earlier plans are becalmed. When I know I'll let you know. Otherwise, no 'large' house at the moment has taken any interest in any of my work. Macmillan and Hodder both refused/dropped offered proposals. Tor passed on reprinting Red as Blood. Others I have approached don't reply at all.

There are plans for reprints of Sabella and Kill the Dead from a reputable small press; but again when I know, I'll signal.

One extra. Norilana is also bringing out a Lee collection, this one of horror stories – Sounds and Furies – to coincide with the World Horror Convention 2010 – Brighton Shock - in Brighton, this March, where I am one of the GoH's. You may have heard/seen, last year I was honoured by being awarded the title Grand Master of Horror 2009. This was a great pleasure and thrill for me. By the way, another Grand Master, the remarkable Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, creator of the extraordinary Saint Germain series, will also be at the con. She'll be interviewing me there: She and I, I am proud to report, have been friends for years. Which doesn't stop me from being delighted and quite scared at this prospective interview.

Aside from that, though I'm still writing, there is little or no other real publication news to pass on. However. I do need to tell you a few things.

* * *

I have never, and never would have, intended this site to be any sort of 'blog'. Many excellent writers do keep blogs. But for me, time-and energy-wise, the choice has always had to be between writing books and stories, or writing a blog. I prefer the books and stories.

Yet, sometimes things occur, beyond even bereavement and taxes, that create such interruptions, not to mention shadows, that having an additional outlet prompts one to speak the truth which one perhaps – not owes – but is obliged to give.

In 2000, just past the century's turn, I was found to have breast cancer. It was active, but very early caught. The operation removed the tumour but left me intact, and the resultant (aggressive) chemotherapy and radiotherapy, followed by the then-wonder tablets, cleared the matter up. After which I had over seven years free. Then, in 2008, the cancer returned, this time above the breast in the muscle tissue, so making another operation fairly impossible – it might have rendered my arm useless; I write longhand, as you may know. Nevertheless the tumour on this occasion, seemed rather inactive, and had not spread. A course of the now latest wonder pills shrank it swiftly to virtually undetectable proportions. Of course, like the first sequence of life-saving medication, they may cause some collateral damage – not inevitably, but very likely. Side effects too, as with the last drugs, are not very enjoyable.

So far though, I am clear, if losing lots of time back on the hospital-test-X ray carousel. I may, and could, flourish for years to come. But once more, I don't know how long I've got. As it says in the wonderful Blade Runner, 'Who does?'

* * *

For ages, as you see, I've held off from putting this on my site. Partly this was in order to prepare close business friends who hadn't yet been told. Also in order not to bore you and me, kind reader.

Even so, I felt at last the time had come.

I must add one proviso though. I'll still be trying to keep you posted on developments of a writing and publication nature. But if there is another long gap, as anyone who still has the patience to check out this site will normally know, silence does NOT mean that Lord Death, done up in his best black, has carted me away. It just means that, as usual, the World's Worse Website-Upkeeper, Tanith Lee, is busy writing, lost in her own wild worlds.

So then, as they jargonistically say, let us move on, in this case back on to the golden dancing floor of life and into the well-stocked bar of Good Hope. Cheers! Here's looking at you, kid.