Blog Archives
New story coming in On Spec 2026
I’m deeply honoured to have a new story selected for On Spec 2026: New Canadian Literature of the Fantastic. “The Heavy Light of the Drowned” is a mix of horror and weird lit set in a small Canadian fishing village. It’s special to have it included in On Spec for a number of reasons:
- This is the first incarnation of the new On Spec run by Edward Willett, who took over On Spec after the long-running Canadian speculative journal published its last issue. It’s wonderful to see On Spec back!
- My first story sale ever was to On Spec, a horror story published many years ago. So this one feels like coming home to me.
- I’m honoured to be included in such an amazing lineup of writers!
More to come.
The Secret Library of Hell: New story out in Black Cat Weekly
My story “The Secret Library of Hell” is now out in Black Cat Weekly! Follow the adventures of the demon Molox and his imp Malachi as they visit the Secret Library of Hell and find themselves in a literary mystery that could transform the internal realm.
Featuring:
- Demons
- Angels
- Ghosts
- Magic books
- And more!
New stories on the way
I’ve had a lovely month on the writing front and have signed contracts to publish three new stories in some of my favourite magazines: Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Trollbreath and Black Cat Weekly.
Check out the magazines today and read some of the great stories published in them while you wait for my new tales.
“A rugged weird western edge”
Delighted at this Locus Magazine review of my latest weird western tale!
“Darbyshire’s Azrael stories are terrific reads, written in a tersely lyrical prose with a rugged weird Western edge, and a rich tapestry of worldbuilding as backdrop.”
“The Angel Azrael Visits the Trading Post at the End of the World a Final Time” was published in Beneath Ceaseless Skies. Link: https://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/stories/the-angel-azrael-visits-the-trading-post-at-the-end-of-the-world-a-final-time
Check out all my Azrael stories at peterdarbyshire.com/Azrael.
The Wonder Lands War is a spooky must-read!
I’m thrilled to have my new Cross book, The Wonder Lands War, included in this list of “9 Spooky Must-Read Books by Canadian Authors.” Watch for The Wonder Lands War soon!
Get Lit with The Mona Lisa Sacrifice
I had a great conversation with Canadian writer and radio host Jamie Tennant for his show Get Lit on 93.3 CFMU. We talked why anyone would ever want to be a writer, where the idea for my Cross series of supernatural thrillers came from, and what it’s been like to publish the books in new editions, among other things. The interview is only a half hour so check it out when you have time!
Related: My other radio interviews and assorted video pieces.
Read an excerpt of The Apocalypse Ark on The Civilian Reader
The Civilian Reader has posted an excerpt of The Apocalypse Ark, the third book in my Cross series of supernatural thrillers. The Civilian Reader previously posted excerpts of the first two books in the series, The Mona Lisa Sacrifice and The Dead Hamlets. If you haven’t yet read the books, here’s a chance to preview them. If you have read them, thanks for reading!
Read an excerpt of The Mona Lisa Sacrifice in The Civilian Reader
Interested in a preview of The Mona Lisa Sacrifice, my first book in the Cross series? Check out The Civilian Reader for an excerpt!
Don’t Quill the Messenger interview
My interview with Don’t Quill the Messenger is now live. It was a great conversation about my book The Dead Hamlets, who really wrote Shakespeare’s plays and the power of theatre. (Direct link: https://www.dragonwagonradio.com/dontquillthemessenger/2024/12/28/the-dead-hamlets)
New Cross editions make list of best book covers of 2024
I’m delighted to see my Cross series of supernatural thrillers make the list of best book covers of 2024 from the Hamilton Review of Books! I do love these covers.
peter darbyshire 