From Shortwave’s news release: “Deathrealm was, for a decade,
the leading small-press horror magazine in the United States. In 1995, it won
the International Horror Critics Award for best horror magazine. And in
the Spring of 1996, issue #27 was ‘banned’ in Canada when it was stopped by
customs on the grounds the cover art (by Ian McDowell) was too
‘disturbing.’ Deathrealm was edited by
Stephen Mark Rainey and published from 1987 to 1997.”
For decades — literally! — the question “Will you ever resurrect
Deathrealm?” has come at me on countless occasions. Many, many times after the final
issue (#31, Summer 1997), I toyed with the idea of continuing the title by
way of an anthology (or series of anthologies), but I knew I would never go
back to editing a magazine on a regular release schedule. A decade of that
was enough. Over the years, I pitched the anthology idea a couple of times,
and just a few short years ago, things were actually moving forward on that
front. However, due to various circumstances, things ultimately didn’t pan
out. However, fairly recently, the stars seemed to come right for another go
at it, and now... it’s a-coming!
We’ll be making regular announcements regarding contributors and any
relevant news all over social media. I guarantee you this: Deathrealm: Spirits features a killer line-up of authors.
This time around, I can tell you that Joe R. Lansdale,
Brian Keene, and Eric LaRocca are on board. There are
many more, to be revealed in time. Much like the magazine, the anthology
will feature tales of deep, personal dread, whether rooted in the
supernatural, the cosmic, the purely psychological, or other.
Do stay tuned...
