Shroud (Magazine)
Steve Barton
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Reviewed by Elaine Lamkin
Edited by Timothy P. Deal
Published by Shroud Publishing
Have you ever come across something SO amazing that you wanted everyone to know about it? Well, that happened to me recently when I received the latest issue of Shroud magazine. Looking nothing like a traditional magazine – more like a trade paperback-size book – Shroud is the brainchild of Timothy Deal, and his love for the literary and artistic world of horror is evident in how beautiful this magazine looks.
Similar to Cemetery Dance in publishing short stories and novellas as well as having reviews of both films and other works of fiction and non-fiction, Shroud, which launched in 2007 as a bi-monthly magazine, also has a regular column from Stoker Award-winning author Brian Keene and in the issue I received (number 7 – the magazine is now quarterly), there are interviews with author Weston Ochse and a column from Woodland Press’ Michael Knost where he introduces the reader to new talent – Maurice Broaddus in this issue. The Saw franchise is also discussed as well as the upcoming film adaptation of Brian Keene’s Dark Hollow, to be directed by Paul Campion and produced by Elisabeth Pinto.
Looking at the back issues of Shroud (which I hope to obtain), one sees that the magazine covers everything from creepy art (Tom Straub) to horror short stories to interviews and/or novel excerpts with/from such horror luminaries as John Shirley, Rick Hautala, Tom Piccirilli, Nate Kenyon, Michael Marshall Smith and more. And retailing for a mere $6.99, Shroud is less expensive than most other horror magazines (you know who you are) and it is a work of art to own. The magazine is available at Amazon as are the first two books in a new series Shroud Publishing is bringing out, Hiram Grange and the Village of the Damned and Hiram Grange and the Twelve Little Hitlers as well as two anthologies, Abominations and Beneath the Surface which was a 2008 Stoker Award nominee for Best Anthology.
I REALLY recommend this publication (again, magazine just doesn’t really describe Shroud) and you should be able to find a copy at your local Barnes & Noble if you haven’t already ordered a copy (or 7) from Amazon. And the publishing branch is cranking out some solid horror itself.
One more plus for Shroud and Tim Deal is the encouragement for new, unpublished authors to submit their work. Information for aspiring writers as well as those of us who just love, in Shroud’s own words: “…intelligent and dark speculative fiction as well as original art, film, music reviews, and articles that illuminate the thin veil between reality and fantasy” can be found at their website.
4 out of 5
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