Chaz Brenchley message board archive
Mar 10, 1998 - Weird bit of synchronicity had me reading Dispossession just as they were finishing off the Angel of the North sculpture on the A1. Whatever you think of the money spent on it, it is a pretty powerful statement. I couldn't get the image out of my head when I read the book - I've renamed the Angel Luke! Sarah Cheffins
Mar 15, 1998 - Sarah: I know the monstrosity you mean... they were planning it just before I moved out of the Grim North ,) Actually, my mum runs a nursing home on the banks of Low Fell, Eighton Lodge, and since the Angel arrived one or two (actually quite a few more) of the inmates... I mean residents... have slipped from this mortal coil... so they're calling Luke the Angel of Death... coincidence? Steve Savile
Mar 22, 1998 - Sarah, I love it. Luke he is and shall be. Actually I love him too, and never mind the money: worth every penny. But then I'm big into public sculpture anyway, especially big public sculpture. Steve, here's a quote for you - typically, I scribbled it down without provenance and forgot it (actually on a rough map of my fantasy world), rediscovered it when we had to start thinking about a serious map for the book, and of course cannot remember who said it or where, but it goes thus: 'We live in the dark, we do what we can, the rest is the madness of art.' Smart, huh? - Chaz
Apr 13, 1998
I am not sure which book to start with first, any suggestions? Tanthonycm@earthlink.net I was thinking of maybe starting with Malltime
Apr 20, 1998
Well, my best suggestion is any book other than Mall Time, which is my own personal & private least-favourite of them all. Try Paradise, maybe, or Dead of Light - it depends where your preferences lie. Paradise is a big book about evangelical fundamentalism, about faith and power, what happens where they coalesce and what happens where they collide; it's also very much a book about Newcastle. Dead of Light is a sort of Mafia novel with added magic, about a family running a town - Newcastle again! - by magic rather than muscle. They're sort of equal-favourites at the moment. Dead of Light has a sequel - Light Errant - if you like it. Mall Time is my take on Michael Ryan & Hungerford, all set in a shopping complex not a million miles from the Metro Centre. T'ain't a bad book, but it's not really a novel, more a sort of disaster movie without a hero... - Chaz
Apr 25, 1998
People tell me I should post more news/gossip etc here, to keep the legions in touch. The temptation of course is to talk about my cats (poor Sophie went to the dentist yesterday, just for a scale-and-polish; came home four teeth lighter...), but if I have any readers in Israel, be told that Gwyneth Jones and I are doing a couple of gigs mid-May: in Tel Aviv on the 13th, and Jerusalem on the 14th. I don't know where, but the British Council at Tel Aviv does. - Chaz
Apr 27, 1998
I've read Dead of Light, Light Errant and Dispossession and I loved them all especally Dead of Light and Light Errant. Dispossession was a bit harder to get into, but the ending was great. So many books nowdays you can guess the ending during the first few chapters, Dispossession kept you guessing till the end. DoL and LE were great I like the Mafia aspects and how it was combined with the magic, It gave the books a diffrent spin and made them books you can't put down. Anyway I'd just like to say what great books these were and give my thanks and praises to the author. tatania tatania@xtra.co.nz
May 4, 1998
Tatania - thanks for that. God, how I love intelligent, perceptive, insightful readers... Everyone - do drop by the website, if you have a moment. www.geocities.com/soho/museum/3558 It's sort of demi-erect as I write - scaffolding all over the place, you know the sort of thing - but there's some stuff there that might be of interest. First chapter of my next book, anyone...? - Chaz
May 14, 1998
Chaz - visited your site a couple of weeks ago. It's great stuff (well done Simon) - AF. I'll include a link soon for those interested.
May 18, 1998
Hello Chaz
I wonder if you would be kind enough to tell us a bit about THE KEYS TO D'ESPERANCE. All I know is that it is a chapbook to be released by Subterranean Press and that it gives a chance for all the US visitors to this site to get a sample of your work! - Andy F.
May 23, 1998
Chaz: huge apologies... massive ones... everything went screwy and well, suffice it to say the school is moving to new facilities 20 miles from where it was... and right next to where I am as luck would have it... I go tinto stuff and couldn't get free for the online meet... I'm on your webpage as I type... very nice... I like the Northern Gothic... Technically I am Even More Northern Gothic ,) positively viking gothic... Right anyway, problem... I simply cannot get Light Errant in paperback overhere... something to do with distribution, the SF bookshop are excepting it NEXT YEAR!!!! Heeeeeeeeeelp--- Steve
May 23, 1998
Very nice cover for Tower.... very nice indeed... who's the artist... not Mr Crisp this time.... do tell.... Steve
May 23, 1998
Andy - THE KEYS TO D'ESPERANCE is an oddity, a long short story I wrote a while ago, intending it to be the first of a series of stories that would look at the history of Britain this century, from a fairly askance angle and via the medium of a very strange house indeed (D'Esperance, natch). Typically, I have still not written any more of the stories (though I entertain hopes, or perhaps dreams: this year, maybe...?). I persist in believing regardless that KEYS is one of the best pieces I've ever written, and I'm exceedingly chuffed that Bil Schafer has taken it for Subterranean Press. As you say, it'll be nice to have even a toe-hold in the States, especially with a work I'm really proud of. Steve - I forgive you. I do. I'm the forgiving type, as you know. As to who did the artwork for TOWER OF THE KING'S DAUGHTER, I really wish I could tell you. I did ask my editor, because like you I think it's wonderful. But it had been commissioned by my previous editor, when the book was coming from Legend; the list has now been sold in its entirety to Orbit, and Tim just didn't know. Soon as we find out, I'll post it here, okay? Book's still due in October. - Chaz
Jun 2, 1998
'lo all, Speaking of toe holds here in the US, 2 of Chaz' stories will be reprinted in Cemetery Dance magazine in the next year or so, and I've been badgering Chaz to get me a story for an anthology my press will publish next year. Oh, and in scanning the messages, didn't see anyone mention that the incomparable Pete Crowther has written an intro to Chaz' chapbook. -bil SubPress
Jun 16, 1998
Just finished my first Chaz novel, THE SAMARITAN and found it to be a great read. the first parts were a bit slow to unfold but once the killer is identified, the chase is on and the bodies pile up! Only complaints are I would have killed off Tina and/or had a more realistic and unhappy ending w/Tina and Paul. just my personal choices. A great novel. i have DEAD OF LIGHT waiting on my shelf to be read and will get to it ASAP...meaning a month or so from now. Congrats Mr. Brenchley! Paul J. Legerski......Hodgeite@aol.com
Jun 19, 1998
Paul - just to say thanks and I'm glad you liked The Samaritan; and when I first wrote it, no I didn't kill off Tina (too easy) but there was indeed a more realistic & unhappy ending for them. Like, no way were they going to survive this as a couple... But my agent - among many criticisms of the first draft - said that she thought it really needed a more upbeat ending. Why should poor Fenner struggle through a hundred thousand words of grief, she said, only to lose out so completely at the end? So - in addition to making all the other changes she suggested and/or demanded - I changed the ending. I reckon ninety per cent of what she asked for, she was right about; whether that includes the ending, I'm not sure. No one else has grumbled, you're the first; and I haven't read the bloody thing for ten years, so I'm not in a position to comment. Except to say that this is after all fiction we're dealing with here, which means that realistic endings can be sacrificed for the sake of story values... And Sarah - if you're still checking in - I'm just back from hearing Antony Gormley talk about the angel. And he talked about it as being a dispossessed, darkling figure (not his words, but that's what he meant), specifically in reference to its having no arms, no hands, being unable to touch or effect anything; and I thought 'Luke' - and I'm sorry, but I didn't say it. I chickened out. No way could I stand up there and say, 'Hey, I wrote this novel...' - Chaz
Jun 22, 1998
Hi Chaz, Yes I'm still checking in. Interesting info from Mr Gormley - we all three seem to have had the same feeling (even if he doesn't know about Luke yet). I read Tower by the way - it looks good but is it going to be gory all the way through? Cheers, Sarah
Jun 23, 1998
Chaz: When is Tower due out so I can order a copy over here, ISBN's and all the interesting stuff would help... so I can practice my fledgling Swedish tracking it down... Har det så bra, Steve
Jun 23, 1998
Paul: You'll love Dead Of Light, Chaz's 2nd best in my humble... look out for the death scene of one insignificant extra, the blonde, burly cousin Steve... coul dit be yours truly, and ask Chaz about the real life events that mirror it... good story ,) Steve Savile
Jun 26, 1998
Ben And the Art Of Motorcycle Maintainence... tut tut... hehe Light Errant just arrived in Sverige, love the beginning, what a predicament huh ,) You promise the fantasy is sans puns? Steve
Jun 26, 1998
I said I'd post it here as soon as I knew who the cover artist was for 'Tower' - and I always do what I say I will, if I wasn't typing with my fingers crossed. It's a guy called John Howe, and I think I love him. My editor's just decided to put something to the effect of 'a majestic new fantasy' on the cover, above the title yet, to be absolutely certain people get the point, but I don't think it'll work. If you don't find it, folks, look on the horror shelves... A propos of which, Sarah - is it going to be gory all the way through? No, honest. Gory in bits is all, but I wanted a bit at the beginning so's no one got sucked in without realising what they were in for. Besides, that's a pivotal moment for Marron, and hence the book. But Ch. 2 is all sweetness and light, two girls and a djinni... Puns, Steve? Well, no. And yes. Not upfront, obviously, one couldn't, the cultural integrity couldn't take the strain; but if you really want to dig around, you'll find I've just invented a new form of paronomasia, known as the buried or secreted pun. Like, my hero's called Marron. Look carefully, you will find Marron Glace, Sweet Chestnut, Horse Chestnut and more. And Knights in White Satin, you'll find those, and oh, all sorts. But none overt. Publication date is 1st October, ISBN is 1-85723-692-0, price I guess will be £6.99. God, how can you stand the wait...? And by the way, did you read all 'Light Errant' chapter titles first, just to pick out the puns...? xx - Chaz
Jun 27, 1998
Yes, I confess... I read all of the chapter titles first, explaining the concept of knight errants to Marie, along the way with the darkness and light powers of Ben and his family.... I like the first 50 pages buddy, a suitable sequel...I'm explaining the concept of puns in Swedish... for that, and for Ben's Back I owe ya ,) Steve
Jun 27, 1998
OK OK - so not too much gore - I'll be able to read it with my eyes open and not cowering behind the settee then. Question - Dead of Light is one of the rare times I come across a session in a book. Do you play or spectate? If you play, then I can point you in the direction of some good ones if you ever come south a little! Let me know. Cheers. Sarah (fiddle)
Jun 28, 1998
Steve- that's knights errant, if you don't mind. If you're going to teach the poor girl English, at least get it right.... Sarah: you can fiddle all you like, but all I can do is applaud. Like Ben, I'm a strict spectator. When I first moved to Newcastle, I lived for a year with folkie students and somehow I never quite escaped those circles. To be honest, it's not my favourite kind of music, but some of my favourite people play it. If you ever come across The Old Rope String Band, they're good friends of mine and extremely good value - excellent musicians who are excellently funny also. - Chaz
Jun 29, 1998
Hi Chaz, Absolutely nothing wrong with spectators - they give a session a bit more buzz. Old Rope String Band are one of my favourites at the festivals - I keep telling my band we ought to do the bit with the box player's head in the bucket of water but for some reason Eric won't buy that! Looking forward to seeing the book in Oct. Cheers. Sarah
Jun 29, 1998
Chaz: I take no corrections from a man who writes "cs the day..." the Dead Poets are turning in their graves... Steve
Jun 30, 1998
Chaz: finished Light Errant, you're just a fantasy writer in disguise buddy ,) 'Bout time you shed that horrible skin... a very suitable sequel... and nicely teed up for the hattrick after Shelter perhaps? Mind you, I think I've had my pun quota for this lifetime... you are a bad bad man... Steve
Jul 1, 1998
Chaz: Hot off the press news for Gavin, if you could pass it along, I don't know if he reads this, but Ellen Datlow gives The Special Favour an honourable mention... I see you are in there again... congtratz. Luv Steve
Jul 13, 1998
Dear Mr. Brenchley: Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read this letter! I'm contacting you in the hope that you find this interesting enough to participate in: I am working on a writing project that compiles the votes of people in various fields regarding subject matter pertaining to their areas of experience. For this particular category, "The Best Horror Films" of all time, I am contacting writers and publishers of short stories, novels, magazines, or comic books who have a little more familiarity with the horror genre than most other writers do. I would consider myself most fortunate if you would help me in this endeavor by casting your vote for the three best horror films of all time, whereupon I will then add them to the pool of submissions and continue the tallying process. Your comments are also welcome and encouraged. I thank you very much for reading this letter and hope that you will take part in the voting. Best of luck to you with all your own projects! Best Wishes, William Kozy c/o billkozy@juno.com or billkozy@aol.com
Jul 13, 1998
Hey, guys - this is very early warning, and there will be a tedious number of repetitions later; but reserve October 1st in your diaries, reserve tickets for train or plane or helijet, reserve hotel rooms in Newcastle and reserve £6.99. Big big launch party for 'Tower of the King's Daughter', first volume in the Outremer fantasy series, hurrah! Venue is Dillons in N'cle, time is 7.00 for 7.30, gig is unmissable... - Chaz
Jul 14, 1998
Hi Chaz, I've just read my firsy chunk of your fiction - Dispossesion - and thought I'd drop my thoughts in. I actually bought it because of the quite gorgeous jacket, I'm a sucker for packaging, and had absolutely no cause to regret being that shallow. Before I moved to Glasgow I lived and worked in Newcastle, and adore the place. You'll be pleased to hear that as I read through the first couple of chapters I found myself getting incredibly nostalgic for Newcastle. As soon as I realised i was feeling this I flicked back through what I read to see if the book's setting had been mentioned. Needless to say, it hadn't. I recognised it just from the feel of the place, and that, friend, is superb writing. I then went on to thoroughly enjoy the novel. I was a bit bemused by the inclusion of Luke though - his prescence seemed almost an afterthought. Don't get me wrong, it was an interesting one - and his very lack of prescence throughout most of the novel worked extremely well in buuilding up the anticipation of his performance. I was just surprised that he didn't feature more... Anyhow, I'm probably going to pick up Dead of Light next (if I remember from my last Waterstones trip, it too had a damn nice cover, and I expect to be impressed. No pressure or anything...
Richard Wright (rick.wright @dial.pipex.com)
Jul 21, 1998
Rick - thank you for those few kind words. I lurve compliments... You're not the only one to have had problems with Luke, and I did know right from the start that it was going to be a difficulty. The reason he's there is 'cos I was ill and almost hallucinating, while trying to sort out what the book was actually about; and my editor had asked for some kind of supernatural content, to follow on from 'Dead of Light'; and the idea of a fallen angel just sort of dropped into my head, entirely unattached to anything else. Which is almost his role in the book, he lives disattached and acts very much as a free agent, a deliberate angelus ex machina, and I make no apology for that, I thought it was interesting. In fact, I think he's the most interesting character in the book, and I may yet return to him sometime. If I can think of another pun (a sequel obviously ought to be called 'Luke, Back in Anger', but I've used that already...). Now, everyone, I have a little newsette for you: I've just got my first film deal, hurrah...! Sold an option on 'Dead of Light', to an independent British company you haven't heard of yet. And yes, I know that ninety-nine per cent of all known options are never taken up; that's not going to stop me jubilating. - Chaz
Jul 22, 1998
Gratz on the rights deal Chaz... erm.. how about Luke Homeward Angel for a sequel???? Luv Steve
Jul 22, 1998
LOL! Ill and hallucinating is one of the better justifications of plot I've heard! I know what you mean about his diattachment though, and agree that it was effective. I'd just like to know more about him. Glad you're considering telling us...
And congrats on the film option. You never know your luck, and even to get as far as the option being taken up is going great guns. Well done!
Rick
Jul 24, 1998
Congratulations on the film deal! How 'bout Rufus Sewell for Ben! Seriously though, any preferences for who would play who if you had your choice? Cheers. Sarah
Jul 26, 1998
Congratulations on the option signing, Chaz. Remind me to tell you the real-life horror story about the negotiations with Paramount for Nocturne. So, I hope the option includes a supporting role for you! - Mark Chadbourn
Jul 29, 1998
Thanks, Mark, but right now I don't need horror stories - I'm too busy dreaming beautiful dreams. Tell us at FantasyCon, over a drink or seven... Sarah - Rufus Sewell would be fine by me. Or any deeply gorgeous, bankable star. Little Leo di C, maybe...? - Chaz
Jul 30, 1998
Chaz - No please no - not Leo de C - he's American for a start - at least Rufus lives here so he can do a decent accent. It was funny seing him try to keep up a US accent in Dark City and slip every now and again - it's usually the other way round. A thought - would Ben have a Newcastle accent? Sarah
Jul 30, 1998
Heh. Jimmy Nail. Can't you just see it...
Rick
Jul 31, 1998
Hehe Jimmy Nail... yeah, I like that image... and Tim Healey as Uncle James, with Robson Green as Jamie ,) hehe Steve
Aug 1, 1998
Yeah yeah, everyone's hammering away at Jimmy Nail. If I have a vote, he don't get it, okay? Sarah, my director - ooh, I love saying that - my director is at one with you on this: he calls it the 'actually I was born here' syndrome, where supposedly-British films tag in an American star for the US market, and have him claim to be a Brit by birth only his parents emigrated when he was just a kid. Thing is, though, I don't really care. Whatever they do, the film (if it ever happens) is not going to be my book; so really all I want is for it to be a mega-hit, so's a few more people will actually read the book. I'm a novelist; I don't get too excited about films. But we are at least hoping to make it up here. Geordie accents I doubt, to be honest, but you never can tell. Watch this space, that's all I can say - but don't watch it too avidly. If it happens at all, it ain't going to happen for a while... - Chaz
Aug 14, 1998
Just a thought, but my film guy has asked me quite seriously if I have any ideas about casting - apparently he's got some money interested, but they want some names to give them a comfort zone - so anybody got any ideas? No one too expensive, but obviously no one too obscure either. Square that circle, if you can... - Chaz
Aug 14, 1998
Actually, if you're looking for a Geordie, I don't think Robson Green's a bad idea. Guy can act. Did you see 'Touching Evil'? On the other hand, he's unknown in the States...
Richard W
Aug 19, 1998
Hi, Chaz: First, let's get an admission out of the way...I've never read any of your material. However, having said that, I'd like to. Specifically, your shorter works to get the "flavor" of what you write. A recent review I read called you the "dark British answer to Ed Gorman." That was enough for me. So, what should I try? I've heard good things about BLOOD WATERS. I'm looking for your darker, grittier stuff... R.C.
Aug 20, 1998
RC - hi, hullo and welcome. Dark and gritty we can do you, by the yard. Metre. Whatever. Only question is, d'you prefer your grit with a twist of the supernatural, or simple downhome blood & stuff? 'Blood Waters' is the only short-story collection I have; that's contemporary crime & stuff, and I do of course recommend it highly. If you prefer supernaturalia, there are a few - a very few - short stories out there, but you'd have to work hard to find 'em. Some are under the name Daniel Fox, some not. Or send me an e-mail address (chaz.brenchley@virgin.net) and I just might send you something, save you the trouble of digging, if you can handle Word attachments. Or there's a chapbook forthcoming in a month or so, a rather wonderful thing called 'The Keys to D'Esperance'. Novella-length, and probably no bad introduction to my work. Glad you're interested, anyway - enjoy... - Chaz
Aug 21, 1998
There's also extract from Chaz's work at his website: Northern Gothic - http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Museum/3558
Aug 23, 1998
Just want to say - I checked out your site Chaz. It's great. Looking forward to hearing more about SHELTER. John L.
Aug 23, 1998
More about 'Shelter', John? Hell, what can I say? It's the shortest book I've ever written (with my name on, he added mysteriously, initiating strange misgivings in all those passionate collectors out there...), it's the one that's been around the longest time; it's been through three complete changes of style, content and intent, so that virtually nothing remains of the original concept bar the title and one or two events, which are always the least of my concerns in a book; it's something like a whodunit in form without that infamous final chapter where the author's mouthpiece sits down and explains everythig to the reader, so that if you're not actually paying serious attention throughout the truth of the thing will pass completely over your head and you'll be left utterly mystified (I hope...); it's really, really nasty, in an insidious kind of way (all the actual nastiness happens offstage, but oh boy...); I should finish it this week, if I'm good. I should actually have finished it five months ago, but that's a minor matter. It's been the slowest, hardest book to write, which is not a minor matter. It's made a financial disaster of this year, and possibly my entire life - also not a minor matter. I'll still be glad I did it, so long as someone - hopefully a couple of not-unimportant someones, my agent and my editor - read it and say it's okay. I'll try to put together some more thoughtful thoughts and post 'em on my site, but that's it for now. It's late, I'm tired and my cats want fussing (and what's new...?). - Chaz
Aug 30, 1998
Hi Chaz. Just discovered your board! I used to work as a journalist and recall interviewing someone about modern fiction. I mentioned that I'd just read one of your short stories in a magazine and this person said `Read his novel THE SAMARITAN. It's the best novel that I've ever read.' They also said that you were the only writer that they ever bought in hardback. This person wqas broke, so that's praise indeed! I'm looking forward to your next full length work.
Sep 6, 1998
Gawd, what a nice person that person must be. And so perceptive (those who are murmuring 'no, just badly read' may leave this message board, stand not upon the order of their going but depart...). - Chaz
Sep 15, 1998
Chaz: is it true???? Did ya, did ya???? Best Novel... BFS... Light Errant??? CONGRATULATIONS mate... love Steve
Sep 15, 1998
Oh goody, now I don't have to blow my own trumpet. Tarantaraa! I did, I did. August Derleth award (and don't say 'who...?') for best novel of the year. Am I chuffed? Supremely. Keep stroking it. It's sort of the size and shape of a generously-engorged penis, so what else can you do with the thing? Except frighten the cats, of course... - Chaz
Sep 16, 1998
Congratulations Chaz, That is one award well earned. Hope you get to write a film-script for that one too. Well done. Sarah
Sep 17, 1998
Hello. My name is Andrej Dolinka, and I live in Becej, a town in the north of Yugoslavia. Beeing a horror & sf reader, I decided to contact you, hoping you could help me. As you may know, Yugoslavia is closed to the rest of the world in means of merchandise, cultural and other links. It makes it very hard to follow the news in any aspect of life, and horror literature is not an exception from this rule. Besides, mail-order is something that we in Yugoslavia can only dream of, for we simply cannot make any payments to anyone outside the country. As you may see, our options are limited to the bottom line, and, sadly, there are no hints that this may ever change. All I can do, whitch is actually pretty hard too, is hope that you understand all of the above and that you're willing to help me by sending me a free copy of a book of yours. I am very sorry for being unable to offer you anything in return, but if you think of something, please, don't hasitate to let me know. Thank you very mutch. Sincierly, Andrej Dolinka Stevana Doronjskog 21 21220 Becej Yugoslavia mailto:dolinka@eunet.yu
Sep 19, 1998
Chaz - well done mate! I haven't got round to Light Errant just yet, but I now have added cause to bump it way up the list. Nice one.
Richard W
Oct 19, 1998
Yeah, right. Why do I regard this with such suspicion, I wonder? Could it be because chain letters have such a stinking reputation, or because I'm really pissed off at finding one creeping insidiously onto a messageboard that ain't supposed to be about crap like this, or...? - Chaz
Oct 21st 1998 - Thanks to the person(s) who have posted "get rich quick" and homophobic messages all over these boards at Masters Of Terror. My time would have been better spent working on various areas of this site for people's enjoyment but instead I have had to spend today downloading, editing and uploading virtually all of the message boards. Thank you very much person(s) unknown. - Andy Fairclough, editor.
Oct 21 1998 - Sorry I didn't get rid of the message earlier Chaz but it has now been vanquished, let's hope that such sad people will have a bit more respect for these private boards. Congrats on the award for LIGHT ERRANT. As most publishers (especially Hodder) are extremely uncooperative, do you have any indication of a release date for SHELTER yet? Thanks, Andy.
Oct 22, 1998
Chaz Sorry I left Fantasycon before the awards. Many congrats on a well deserved Award. Cheers Steve Lockley
Oct 25, 1998
Andy - I'm sorry if Hodder are being uncooperative - sometimes publishers just don't seem to want to sell books at all, at all... I've just delivered a second draft of 'Shelter' to my editor, and we're expecting it to come out first week in May next year. If they don't fling it back at my head and decline to publish it at all, at all... Me, I've just been having a wonderful time at 'Dead on Deansgate', a crime convention in Manchester; hangin' out with Jeff Deaver and Val McDermid and Reg Hill and such, gettin' drunk with anyone who'd stand still long enough for me to press a drink into their hands, you know how it is... And this week's good news is that 'Tower of the King's Daughter' is sittin' pretty at no 7 in the Forbidden Planet bestseller list, as published in SFX. Chaz is happy...
Oct 28, 1998
Chaz, Have about 60 pages left of DEAD OF LIGHT, so far it's bloody great!! let you know how it ends, heh heh. Paul
Oct 30, 1998
Big advert in SFX huh? You and Jenny Jones, very nice. Steve
Nov 7, 1998
Chaz, I finished DEAD OF LIGHT and loved it..does LIGHT ERRANT take place right after the events in DOL or does it give more background on the history of the Macallan's?? I hope it's more in the past,I'm dying for a family tree type exploration of this wonderful clan!! paul
Nov 14, 1998
Paul - 'Light Errant' is actually set a couple of years after DoL, after Ben's had some time to wander in the wilderness. I don't think it's particularly forthcoming about the family's early history - as normal, I know a lot more than I'm letting on - tho' there may be a hint or two. Actually, thinking desultorily about the putative film version has also helped to firm up some rather sloppy thinking I'd done before about where they came from & why they came; it's strange how one thing feeds into another. If I ever do write vol 3, I promise, I'll feed in a bit more background. - Chaz
Nov 17, 1998
Chaz, I've just finished Tower of the King's Daughter - I've got a fair few questions but don't know how to put them here without spoiling it for the others who haven't read it yet! Sounds like you have always had a thing about crusaders too. Am I right? Sarah
Nov 18, 1998
Sarah - if you want to send me a direct message, that's fine; I'm on chaz.brenchley@virgin.net, and I love e-mails. But yes, I've always always had a thing about the Crusaders. How not? A doomed enterprise from very mixed motives, stirred in with everything the Middle Ages is about - it's the epitome of romance. - Chaz
Nov 24, 1998
Dear Mr. Brenchley: Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read this letter! I found your listing on the internet while researching people who have a bit more familiarity with the horror genre than most others do. These have included writers, editors, publishers and others who have worked and published in the field of horror. I am working on a writing project that entails surveying these people, asking them to vote for their own personal choice of the three best horror films of all time. I am tabulating the votes as they come in, calculating the results,and determining the order of approximately the top 50 or 100 films to receive votes. I will of course be happy to furnish those results to all who have responded. The results will form the basis of a magazine article I will write on the very subject. I would be most honoured if you could therfore e-mail your response to this thorny question: What are the three best horror films? Best of luck to you in all your endeavors! Yours, William Kozy care of billkozy@aol.com or billkozy@juno.com
Nov 25, 1998
Hi Chaz-I read THE SAMARITAN last week and thought it was a fine fine novel. It's difficult for anybody to keep up today--so many good writers-- but I'll definitely read more of your books. Ed Gorman
Nov 26, 1998
Chaz, A fine, fine story in the latest Cemetary Dance mag. Enjoyed it very much. While I'm awaiting my Sub. Press' chapbook of your story...care to tease us with what it's about? Paul
Nov 26, 1998
Paul...Go to Chaz's website
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Museum/3558
For an extract from The Sub chapbook...and soon, an extract from his newly completed novel SHELTER
Nov 26, 1998
Chaz: Fantastic review in Starburst matey, 10/10 for Tower... and a couple of spots up... my latest hero, Ed Gorman is praising ya too... man I am jealous as hell sweetie... Ed, if you are looking for a second Chaz novel to read, I'd recommend Paradise, which is my personal favourite, a big ambitious book that got packaged as horror but was crime, or urban, or dark fantasy or just plain unputdownable... forget the labels... man, the wonders of the internet... just finished reading the Marilyn Tapes, lost the edge between fiction and reality for a while and believed every word... now... I don't know if Ed Gorman will check back, and forgive me Chaz for perverting your little space here, but will there be another Payne book? Steve Savile
Nov 26, 1998
Ed - Um, hi. Um, wow. Like, do you khow how much we love your books...? I've gone all gobsmacked and adolescent. But seriously, thanks, and I'm glad you liked the book. That was one long time ago, though; my first real book, and I was a bairn at the time. I'm glad it's holding up (and amazed that it's still around, to be honest). I sort of like to think I've got better since then - but I could be wrong. So many writers do their best work young, like physicists, and then it's just a long slide down. Hey-ho... - Chaz
Dec 13, 1998
Looking for Chaz Brenchley books. Check us out: http://members.tripod.com/~Relicbooks/HORROR
Dec 24, 1998
I have an extra copy of Chaz' THE KEYS TO DESPERANCE. E me at Hodgeite@aol.com if interested.
Jan 25, 1999
I spent most of last week ill with 'flu but fortunately for me I had THE SAMARITAN along for company. (Yes, I know we talk a lot of this novel here - but it's my turn now.) What a terrific book, it puts a lot of standard serial killer novels to shame. So thanks for this great novel Chaz and for allowing me to escape from the world of 'chills and shakes' for a few hours by living along with the ups and downs of your two lead characters. - Andy F.
Feb 21, 1999
http://www.inergy.com/VLADIOUS A COVEN OF GHOULS! e-mail henry789@webtv.net
Feb 21, 1999
http://www.inergy.com/VLADIOUS A COVEN OF GHOULS! e-mail henry789@webtv.net
Mar 21, 1999
Hey, Chaz - loving your North of the Book column in the BFS newsletter. Though I still think you should have called it Cock o' the North... - Mark Chadbourn
Mar 23, 1999
Chaz, Any more info on the Dead of Light film yet? Cheers, Sarah, Huddersfield
Apr 17, 1999
Mark - damn, why didn't I think of that...? I'm enjoying the column too, actually. Always nice to be given a platform to sound off on. If there's a difference between a writer and a show-off, I haven't spotted it yet. Sarah - well, I've got two pages of script. And I've got the cheque, too (don't get excited, it's only pennies for the option. I quite like pennies, though. Just as well, really...). My producer-man is worryingly confident that the film really will happen, but I guess that's his job. It just makes it harder for me to remain cynical. And I had LWT on the phone this week, asking to see a copy of my new book, 'Shelter', which has been garnering some rave early reviews. Repeat after me, 'I will not get excited, I will not...' - Chaz
Apr 25, 1999
You have every right to get excited - may as well make the most of it! Looking forward to getting hold of a copy of Shelter myself. Cheers. Sarah
May 22, 1999
I've read it - it's excellent - and one clue readers - in Shelter, leave no stone unturned, no page unread, then re-read again. Sarah.