Gradually shutting down Lost Pages

This blog and the Lost Pages domain will be gradually phased out and shut down, as Lost Myths becomes my primary creative focus and as the web landscape changes.

From now on, lostmyths.net/claude will function both as my website and my publications/news/events blog & index.

Facebook will become the sole site for my social networking. (BTW, if you friend me but we don't actually know each other, or if we only met briefly in a context where I might not have learned your name, it's a good idea, if you want a response, to include a brief message to identify or introduce yourself)

As for cultural blogging, I expect to ramp that up considerably very soon. There's something in the works. As soon as I can announce it, I will.

And on 1 April 2010, Lost Myths launches, in collaboration with Rupert Bottenberg. We're accumulating material now, in order to bring you an uninterrupted flow of mythological comics, fiction, art, readings, and more.

final OBJECTS OF WORSHIP paperback cover

Click on the image to see the cover larger:

Now, ain't that just beautiful? Designer Erik Mohr is a fucking genius. And my publisher CZP totally rocks.

I can't wait to hold one of these babies in my hands....

All you WorldCon-goers, don't forget the certain-to-be-amazing Saturday-night 5-book CZP launch, where OBJECTS OF WORSHIP will debut.

Objects of Worship

My debut collection, Objects of Worship, brings together 12 strange tales around the loose theme of gods and religions. Interior illustrations by Rupert Bottenberg (my Lost Myths collaborator). Introduction by World Fantasy Award-winning author James Morrow. Published by CZP. Cover design & illustration by Erik Mohr.

CONTENTS
"Gods of Desire: The Erotic Theology of Claude Lalumière" — introduction by James Morrow
The Object of Worship | The Ethical Treatment of Meat | Hochelaga and Sons | The Sea, at Bari | The Darkness at the Heart of the World | Spiderkid | Njàbò | A Place Where Nothing Ever Happens | A Visit to the Optometrist | Roman Predator's Chimeric Odyssey | Destroyer of Worlds | This Is the Ice Age
bonus stories — hardcover edition
The World's Forgotten Boy and the Scorpions from Hell | Motherfucker

The limited-edition hardcover is available for pre-order at The Horror Mall; the ordering window for the limited-edition hardcover closes in late June 2009.

The advance launch of the paperback will be in August 2009 at WorldCon/Anticipation.

Wider paperback release in autumn 2009.

in honour of J.G. Ballard: my 5 favourite JGB books

5. The Crystal World
4. Super-Cannes
3. The Drowned World
2. The Complete Short Stories
1. Crash

The Spinetingler Awards

In 2008, my first crime story was published, and to my complete surprise and astonishment it's been shortlisted as best online crime short story of the year.

The story is called "She Watches Him Swim."

The Spinetinglers are popular vote awards; anyone can vote!

Objects of Worship

I'm proud to announce that ChiZine Publications, a new press out of Toronto that specializes in weird fiction, will be releasing my first collection later this year, with plans to launch it at Anticipation, the 2009 WorldCon in Montreal. CZP has recently announced its slate of 2009 books, and, among other goodies, it also includes two other collections, one by David Nickle, the other by Douglas Smith, two excellent Canadian writers of weird and wonderful fiction.

My book is called Objects of Worship, and it collects 12 of my stories (including two never before published) that deal, in some way, with gods and/or religion. So, appropriately, the book will also include an introduction by one of my favourite atheists and satirists, James Morrow: "Gods of Desire: The Erotic Theology of Claude Lalumière".

The stories:

1. The Object of Worship (from Tesseracts Eleven)
2. The Ethical Treatment of Meat (from The Book of More Flesh)
3. Hochelaga and Sons (from Electric Velocipede #13)
4. The Sea, at Bari (from On Spec #72)
5. The Darkness at the Heart of the World (all new!)
   
6. Spiderkid (from Reflection's Edge #22)
7. Njàbò (from On Spec #54)
8. A Place Where Nothing Ever Happens (from Interzone #182)
9. A Visit to the Optometrist (from SDO Fantasy: Far, Far Away)
10. Roman Predator's Chimeric Odyssey (all new!)
11. Destroyer of Worlds (from Electric Velocipede #15/16)
12. This Is the Ice Age (from Mythspring)

bonus stories for the limited-edition hardcover:
- The World's Forgotten Boy and the Scorpions from Hell (from Twilight Tales)
- Motherfucker (from Red Scream #0.2)

-- order Objects of Worship @ The Horror Mall

in honour of Philip José Famer: my 5 favourite PJF books

5. The Stone God Awakens
4. Tarzan Alive
3. Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life
2. Riverworld and Other Stories
1. A Feast Unknown

Top 10 Films of 2008

In ascending order:

10. The Wrestler
directed Darren Aronofsky
written by Robert Siegel
starring Mickey Rourke

Great performance by Rourke, and an interesting look at a truly bizarre subculture.
















9. Cloverfield
directed by Matt Reeves
written by Drew Goddard
ensemble cast

Despite a few missteps near the end (the film suddenly shows a bit too much), this is a dizzying, thrilling, fun, and scary ride.
















8. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
directed by David Fincher
written by Eric Roth & Robin Swicord
based on the story by F. Scott Fitzgerald
starring Brad Pitt

This film aims very high but doesn't quite achieve it. Nevertheless, there's a lot to love here, and there are plenty of truly evocative, strange, and moving moments.















7. The Visitor
written & directed by Thomas McCarthy
starring Richard Jenkins

A polemical film filled with quiet, human moments and unexpected passions.


















6. Quantum of Solace
directed by Marc Forster
written by diverse hands
based on the James Bond book series created by Ian Fleming
starring Daniel Craig

A more than worthy sequel to Casino Royale. Craig is a fascinating Bond whose wit is so dry it can only be called arid (that's a compliment). Dark and darkly humorous, and faster paced than any other Bond film.














5. Iron Man
directed by Jon Favreau
screenplay by diverse hands
based on the Marvel Comics series by Stan Lee et al.
starring Robert Downey, Jr.

Iron Man is a thoroughly enjoyable blend of action, adventure, intrigue, SF, humour, drama, and superheroics. And Robert Downey, Jr. totally rocks as Tony Stark. Easily one of the best superhero films ever. And surprisingly faithful to the source material.













4. The Band's Visit
written & directed by Eran Kolirin
starring Sasson Gabai

This quiet, tender, charming, and funny film appealed to the utopian in me -- what a lovely dream of peace! And what a curious and clever idea, wonderfully brought to life by a great ensemble cast.
















3. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
written & directed by Woody Allen
starring Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Rebecca Hall, and Scarlett Johansson

This is one hell of a sexy film. Scorching, in fact. Who knew Allen had this film in him? The sexual politics are daring, mature, and well presented. A very literary film that sizzles with sexual energy from beginning to end.
















2. Son of Rambow
written & directed by Garth Jennings
starring Bill Milner & Will Poulter

A thoroughly entertaining ode to childhood imagination that never descends into sentimentality. Funny and gorgeous. With killer performances by the two boys.

















1. In Bruges
written & directed by Martin McDonagh
starring Colin Farrell, Ralph Fiennes, and Brendan Gleeson

Winning performances; great writing; gorgeous cinematography; sharp dialogue ... this film just piles on the good stuff. A relentlessly pleasurable crime romp and comedy of errors.

Tempeh Chili

2 tbsps vegetable oil
240 grams tempeh
2 onions, chopped
2 bell peppers, any colour, chopped
5 cloves garlic, chopped
7 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
800 ml canned crushed tomatoes
400 ml canned black beans
400 ml canned red beans
150 ml tomato paste
1 cup corn kernels
¼ cup cider vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard (or any other mustard)
1 tbsp ketchup
2 tsps chili powder
2 tsps crushed chillies
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp dry mustard
black pepper, to taste
150 ml water

• in a large pan, heat oil on medium heat.
• Add tempeh and water, stirring for 5 minutes, or until tempeh browns
• Add onions, bell peppers, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato
• Cook covered for 5 minutes
• Add crushed tomatoes, stir, cook for two minutes
• Stir in beans, tomato paste, corn, vinegar, soy sauce, mustard, ketchup, and spices
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 15 minutes.

Spicy Pasnip Soup

1 large tomato, chopped
1 onion, chopped
½ bulb garlic, chopped
3 parsnips, sliced
2 carrots, sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cups vegetable stock
1 tbsp thyme
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp ginger
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp allspice
½ tsp crushed chillies
pepper (to taste)
salt (to taste)

• In a large, covered pan, sauté tomato, onion, parsnips, and carrots at medium heat until onion is well cooked.
• Reduce heat and stir in garlic and spices; cook, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
• Stir in vegetable stock,
• Raise heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, until roots are tender (around 10 minutes)
• Remove from heat and puree with a hand blender.
• Reheat at medium-low and bring to serving temperature.

spicy peanut-butter banana brownies

3 ripe bananas, mashed
3 tbsps peanut butter
1/3 cup soy milk
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup kamut flour
1/2 cup raw sugar
1/2 cup raw cashews, crushed
2 tsps vanilla
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp baking powder
grated orange zest (from 1 orange)
Earth Balance buttery spread

• preheat oven at 350F
• grease a pyrex pan with Earth Balance
• in a first bowl, sift together flours, sugar, and baking powder
• blend in cocoa powder, allspice, zest, and cashews
• in a second bowl, mix together bananas, peanut butter, soy milk, and vanilla
• pour the liquid mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients
• blend thoroughly with a spoon
• pour into pan
• bake for 30 minutes
• remove, cover with a cloth, let cool, and cut into squares

Tesseracts Twelve is out and getting great reviews!

TESSERACTS TWELVE
NEW NOVELLAS OF CANADIAN FANTASTIC FICTION

edited by Claude Lalumière
published by Edge Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing

"These stories represent some of the best of the best ... and all are excellent. I won't pick favourites here; it seems inappropriate in a long-form medium where every story is radically different from all the others. But this could be the best Tesseracts anthology yet. If you're not familiar with the series, this is the place to start." -- Karl Schroeder

"There’s a persistent theme of veneration for or at least influence by previous generations ... A very respectable array of tales." -- Don D'Amassa

"A wide range of styles and themes is presented here, making this is a smorgasbord of literary delights ... There is much to enjoy in Tesseracts Twelve, from its myriad themes, superb writing and colorful characters ... Get your copy of Tesseracts Twelve today and enjoy its variety and enthralling works." -- SFRevu

----------------

Cavemen and woolly mammoths invade Yukon! Mythological creatures cause havoc in ancient feudal Japan! Women with power over love and death stalk the streets of Montreal! A modern Scheherazade seeks to understand love in a Toronto suffused with magic and fable! A small town in Alberta is rife with pagan rituals! Superheroes tackle Korean politics, maniacal supervillains, and corporate downsizing! As the world faces environmental collapse, reality-TV adventurers battle giant beasts from the ocean depths!

All-new exciting, entertaining, and thought-provoking fiction by:
E.L. Chen, Randy McCharles, Derryl Murphy, David Nickle, Gord Sellar, Grace Seybold, and Michael Skeet & Jill Snider Lum.

Njàbò walks again and other fiction news

-My 2003 On Spec story "Njàbò" is now online at the new zine Expanded Horizons
-Crime zine The Back Alley will publish my noir short "She Watches Him Swim" in its next issue
-Check out my story "Destroyer of Worlds" in the imminent Electric Velocipede #15/16 -- and isn't that cover amazing?
-Reflection's Edge recently published two stories in my Lost Myths series: "The Cornucopia of Dionysus" and "A Rumbling Deep in the Bowels of the World"
-Yet another Lost Myth -- "What to Do with the Dead" -- will pop up in the next issue of Shimmer
-According to the Solaris website, the autumn 2008 issue is out, which includes the French translation of my story "This Is the Ice Age": "Voici l'âge de glace"