Undawnted Presents: Paul Kane's The Hanging Men for WordCrafter's Tales from the Hanging Tree Anthology

About Tales From the Hanging Tree

There exists a tree that is timeless, spanning across all dimensions, which absorbs every life as those who are hanged as they die… and it remembers every one. The stories within are a select few of the Tales From the Hanging Tree. Tales from the Hanging Tree is a wonderfully dark, themed anthology which revolves around an ephemeral and timeless hanging tree that absorbs the memories of all hanging victims. This WordCrafter Press anthology was created by invitation only and includes stories from authors Kaye Lynne Booth, Paul Kane, DL Mullan, C.R. Johansson, Joseph Carrabis, Sylva Fae, and Matt Usher.

 

Purchase through Books2Read. 

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Inspiration for “The Hanging Men”, by Paul Kane

As soon as Kaye mentioned that there was a Wordcrafter anthology coming up she was gathering stories for, called Tales from the Hanging Tree, something clicked. I remembered an old tale I’d started many years ago, in fact not that long after I’d begun writing and sending submissions off to small press magazines back in the 1990s. Back then, I’d also attend events with like-minded people, all chatting about their influences – such as MR James, Arthur Machen, William Hope Hodgson, Lovecraft and so on. 

I’d read a few of those kinds of tales growing up, usually in supernatural anthologies, but was really coming to horror/supernatural writing via ’70s and ’80s fiction by authors like Jim Herbert, Stephen King, Clive Barker, Anne Rice, Ramsey Campbell, Graham Masterton et al. So I went away and read some of those recommendations from my fellow writers, and loved it all – so much so that it influenced tales like ‘Shadow Writer’, ‘St August’s Flame’ and ‘Star Pool’. I eventually moved more towards the modern kind of horror writing again, but still liked to keep my hand in with the more old-fashioned style of tale. 

Which is where ‘The Hanging Men’ comes in. I began writing it in either the late ’90s, or early 2000s, aiming to produce something that was a mix of ghost story and folk horror; the kind of thing that might morph into a myth or legend itself. There’s definitely more than a whiff of James about the whole thing, probably also influenced by those wonderful BBC A Ghost Story for Christmas adaptations of the ’60s and ’70s.  

For some reason I can’t remember now – it might even have been to do with moving more towards a modern style, or perhaps it was because I was starting to teach around then and so my time was a bit limited – I never got around to actually finishing it off. But like something I might have mislaid during a house move, it niggled me. Those things tend to do that – I’ve just recently rediscovered a full-length novel I wrote in my early 20s, which I went through and sent out to be published: The Wet, which has just been released as a curiosity (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wet-Paul-Kane/dp/1953905935/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OT394GFS7A40&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Z5N5llZqAAvpsFpjpXneog.fasuXHPlidz2Ik_jjO2jXQ1AjZSPboqiOvAK0eudfm8&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+wet+paul+kane&qid=1724771978&sprefix=the+wet+paul+kane%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1). 

And while that one is not the novel I’d write today, when I finally laid my hands on ‘The Hanging Men’ in an old folder and re-read what I’d done – maybe 1000 wds or so – I found I slipped very easily into the voice again, like a pair of old comfy slippers. Maybe it’s because we’ve just been putting together an anthology called Beyond & Within: Folk Horror for Flame Tree (out now, folks! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Horror-Short-Stories-Beyond-Within/dp/1804177326/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VASDFLOSSYL1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JHGNriPdOKCpgs65pre9wQ._Df1E3MW5R_JlmdmOb5h7VnV9F3o-vM4NnovHRf-4mQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=beyond+and+within+folk+horror&qid=1724772064&sprefix=beyond+and+within%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1) that it felt so right. Or perhaps it was a simple matter of completing something that needed completing. 

Either way, I’m delighted Kaye took the story for Tales from the Hanging Tree, giving it a new lease of life. A tale that spans 25 years or more, not in the narrative itself, but in the writing of it. I hope readers enjoy this short shocker when they pick up the book! 

Purchase through Books2Read. 

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About Paul Kane

Paul Kane is the award-winning (including the British Fantasy Society’s Legends of FantasyCon Award 2022), bestselling author and editor of over a hundred and fifty books – such as the Arrowhead  trilogy (gathered in the sellout Hooded Man omnibus), Hellbound Hearts, Wonderland (a Shirley Jackson Award finalist) and Pain Cages (an Amazon #1 bestseller). His non-fiction books include The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy and Voices in the Dark. He has been a Guest at many conventions, as well as being a panellist at FantasyCon and the World FantasyConvention, and a fiction judge at the Sci-Fi London festival. A former British Fantasy Society SpecialPublications Editor, he has also served as co-chair for the UK chapter of The Horror Writers Association and co-chaired ChillerCon UK in May 2022. His work has been optioned and adapted for the big and small screen, including for US network primetime television and as the feature film Sacrifice starring Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, You’re Next, Suitable Flesh). His audio work includes the full cast drama adaptation of The Hellbound Heart for Bafflegab, starring Alice Lowe (Prevenge), and the Robin of Sherwood adventure The Red Lord for Spiteful Puppet/ITV. He has also contributed to the Warhammer 40k universe for Games Workshop. Paul’s latest novels are the sequels to RED – Blood RED & Deep RED (aka The RED Trilogy) – the award-winning hit Sherlock Holmes & the Servants of Hell, Before (an Amazon Top 5 dark fantasy bestseller), Arcana, The Storm and The Gemini Effect. In addition he writes thrillers for HQ/HarperCollins as PL Kane: the sellout novels Her Last Secret, Her Husband’s Grave and The Family Lie. Paul lives in Derbyshire, UK, with his wife Marie O’Regan. Find out more at his site www.shadow-writer.co.uk which has featured Guest Writers such as Stephen King, Catriona Ward, Dean Koontz, Olivie Blake and Guillermo del Toro.

Socials: Facebook, X (@PaulKaneShadow),  Instagram (@paul.kane.376) and Bluesky (@paulkane.bsky.social) 

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 Undawnteum Vlog: 

 Author News and Updates Playlist

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Tour Schedule

Monday Sept. 9 – Writing to be Read – Reading Excerpt by Joseph Carrabis & Guest Sylva Fae

Tuesday Sept. 10 – Roberta Writes – Guest Kaye Lynne Booth

Wednesday Sept. 11 – Carla Reads – Guest C.R. Johansson

Thursday Sept. 12 – Undawnted – Guest Paul Kane*

Friday Sept. 13 – Writing to be Read – Guest Matt Usher

Kurst Accepted into the Midnight Garden Anthology

Great news! 

Undawnted received word that DL Mullan's short story, Kurst, has been accepted into WordCrafter's Midnight Garden anthology. Due out this October 2024, this publication will be another installment in the dark fiction trilogy. 

Imagine if you inherited an age-old curse...

Kurst explores an insane, evil cryptid monster: 

Karen Kurst comes into the legal possession of her deceased grandmother's cabin in Salt Pines, Arizona. As she delves into the secrets of the quaint mountain village, she discovers that there is more than meets the eye. A mysterious creature roams the woods, a blended cryptid: Elemental, Sasquatch, and Skinwalker. The only way to contain this entity is through a magical spell passed down by her ancestor, Ralph Wallen. Teaming up with the local indigenous sheriff, Karen is determined to break the family curse. 

However, the question remains - will she have to sacrifice her own life to protect her newfound community?

Join this collection of writers in sharing their nightmares with you... 

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A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet. 

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series.

For news and updates, subscribe to the Undawntable Newsletter.

 

12 Angry Dead Accepted into The Hanging Tree Anthology

Great news! 

Undawnted received word that DL Mullan's short story, 12 Angry Dead, has been accepted into WordCrafter's The Hanging Tree anthology. Due out this September 2024, this publication will be the home to several authors' rendition of the hanging tree motif. 

Imagine if you were hung unjustly...

12 Angry Dead explores such a travesty of justice: 

When the souls of the wronged rise to avenge their premature deaths, is there anyone who can stand against them? 

 

Marilla Gibbs, an heiress and a director of the historical museum, is a descendant of Aida Worthington, a victim of one of these unjust homicides. The mid-1800s was a tumultuous time, especially with figures like Josiah King, who took lives with impunity. 

 

In the afterlife, his victims came together to form a jury. On All Hallows Eve, when the veil separating the living from the dead is at its thinnest, Aida and eleven other spirits took control of their descendants to confront their killer, who is now a seven-year-old boy.

 

With the aid of her assistant, Shaun, and Justin, the child's father, Marilla seeks to outmaneuver the twelve angry dead. Yet, will their combined efforts be sufficient to redirect the course from vengeance to authentic justice? 

 

The trio soon realizes that no one can escape a past life.

Join this collection of writers in sharing their nightmare scenario with you... not all of them have happy endings. 

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A writer at heart, Undawnted's own creative spark, DL Mullan, began writing short stories and poetry before adolescence. Over the years, Ms. Mullan has showcased her literary talents by self-publishing several collections of her poetry. She also writes novels, designs apparel, and creates digital art. Ms. Mullan‘s creative writing is available in digital and print collections, from academia to commercial anthologies. As an independent publisher, she produces her own book cover designs as well as maintains her own websites. She is an award-winning digital artist and poet. 

Currently, she has embarked on writing her multi-book Legacy Universe, Supernatural Superhero Series.

For news and updates, subscribe to the Undawntable Newsletter.

 

Undawnted Presents: WordCrafter Blog Tour for Midnight Roost: Christa Planko and MJ Mallon are Spooky Fun Authors

Video Reading from The Cull by MJ Mallon

 

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MJ's writing credits include YA, paranormal, best-selling horror, supernatural short stories, flash fiction, poetry, pandemic inspired poetry and best-selling anthologies. 

Poetry/flash fiction collections include Lockdown Innit, Mr. Sagittarius Poetry & Prose, The Hedge Witch And The Musical Poet and Do What You Love. 

Her eclectic blog shares her love of reading, reviewing, writing, poetry, photography, and travel: https://mjmallon.com.

Visit MJ's Social Media Sites: 

https://linktr.ee/mjmallonauthor/

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Giveaway

A chance to win a free digital copy of Midnight Roost at every stop. Just leave a comment at Writing to Be Read to show your support for the tour, the anthology, and all of the fantastic authors.

To buy the Midnight Roost anthology 

with both author's stories,

 visit: Books2Read.

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Interview with Christa Planko about her short story: The Easterville Glass Ghost


What inspired you to write “The Easterville Glass Ghost?”

My inspiration for “The Easterville Glass Ghost” began with a trip to the Estellville Glassworks, a historic site near me. I first visited the site when I moved to the area in 2008. It has haunted me ever since!

Today, the glassworks is more of a graveyard for the 19th -century factory that bustled with activity from 1825 to 1877. Most of its structures have nothing left beyond their foundations. But the most prominent structure, the melting furnace, has three stone walls remaining. The front of the building features four large arches. Beyond these walls lies brick and stone rubble and the deep pits where glassblowers would form molten glass into cylinders.

Imagine how eerie it is to walk through the woods and happen upon Estellville’s imposing arched structure! As many times as I’ve returned to hike in the surrounding woods, I always get chills when the ruins first come into sight. It has prompted many imaginative musings about the people that lived and worked there. What was it like to work among fiery furnaces, handling molten glass? Was it competitive work? Was it dangerous? So dangerous that anyone ever died?

These musings led to the creation of “The Easterville Glass Ghost.” The story came together based on my own research about the factory and 19th -century glassblowing, coupled with imagination and fictional characters.

Have you ever had a ghostly encounter?

I did have an unexplained experience once. It involved the sensation of a hand sliding down my shoulder to my back. And it so happened that it was at the site of the Estellville Glassworks. This experience is what I fictionalized in my story.

While I’m not sure I had an actual “ghostly” encounter, if a spirit was present that day, it was a protective one. Nobody else was around at the time. I was technically trespassing at the site, climbing on top of a brick pile for a better view. The hand I felt on my shoulder coincided with me losing my footing—kind of like a steadying hand, ensuring my safety.

So, do I believe in spirits? I’m not sure about ghosts, but I do believe in spirit. By that, I mean the spirit that comprises character and lives on after a person expires. Elements of the human spirit—such as love, joy, kindness, gentleness—transcend time and space. These are things that we remember about loved ones and others who have passed. They are the traits written about heroes in history books. They imprint on us, encourage us, and inspire us to be the same—to make a difference in others’ lives. This is also a theme I aim to capture in my story.

Thank you for your questions and the opportunity to participate in the blog tour for Midnight Roost!

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Christa Planko, MA, is a professional writer with a passion for creative expression. She has had her poetry and short stories featured in several publications, including Tanka and Haiku Journal, Poetry Quarterly, New Jersey Bards, and Every Day Fiction. Her story, “The Olde-Tyme Village,” won the 2021 WordCrafter Short Fiction Contest. Christa resides in South Jersey with her feline muses. 

Christa graduated from Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ) with a BA in English Literature and from Drew University (Madison, NJ) with an MA in English Literature.  

Website: https://christascorner.godaddysites.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristasCorner2023

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Purchase

To buy the Midnight Roost anthology 

with both author's stories,

 visit: Books2Read. 

 

 

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Undawnted's DL Mullan can be booked for your online Blog Tour, Book Event, Book Review (w/ARC), Interview, Writing Conference, or Genre Convention. Ms. Mullan has years of experience in public speaking, readings, presentations, events, and tours.

Book a quality author and presenter with Undawnted: Bookings online form.