Author and reviewer Gabino Iglesias reviewed The Nectar of Nightmares for the September 2022 issue of Locus Magazine. I can only share a little bit of the review–you can purchase an issue of the trade magazine.
The book came together quickly, at the request of the editor Darin Bradley (who’s an author in his own right). It collects my most recent publishing credits. The book is dedicated to the memory of a friend of mine, Eric Mueller, who suddenly died in 2020. I am proud of this little book of stories.
Below, I’ll share some brief non-spoiler notes.
Beneath the Briar Patch
This is a retelling of an African-American folktale, and is injected with some Cosmic Horror
Myth and Moor
This gothic tale stars the Queen of gothic fiction, Miss Emily Brontë
Fur and Gold
This is a horror-touched queer retelling of a fairytale. (The title comes from a Bat for Lashes song).
Black-Winged Roses
Set in the Harlem Renaissance, this story exists in the same ‘universe’ as my previous stories ‘Zoe Coalrose’ and ‘Conjuring Shadows’. (The title comes from a Tori Amos song).
Underglaze
This Weird Fiction is inspired by my Aunt Evelyn’s collection of Flo-Blue (or Flown Blue) plates
Mirror-Bias
Flowers and mirrors feature in this queer horror tale. (Title courtesy of the late Tanith Lee).
Eidolon Realty, LLC
A flash piece inspired by the time I worked in the investment industry
(K)naiveity
Flash piece — Jack Vance meets Jean Genet
Sigilance
Secondary world queer horror fantasy
The Magus Club
Inspired by the queer playwright Joe Orton’s lone weird novel, Head to Toe
Spyder Threads
Cosmic horror meets drag couture
Desiccant
My vampire story with a trans heroine
Sacred She-Devil
Inspired by Umdanba mythology
The Nectar of Nightmares
An oneiric horror novelette
Advance copies of The Nectar of Nightmares have arrived. There will be another ‘version’ of the book coming, this one with a blurb from Elizabeth Hand. I will be bringing some copies to Balticon to sign!
For the week of November 30, I am making my digital illustrated novelette THE NECTAR OF NIGHTMARES free to celebrate my new status as an agented author.
Feel free to tip me on my Ko-Fi page!
I’ve long admired the work of artist Michael Bukowski and his unique take on the creatures that dwell in the annals of Weird Fiction. In addition to illustrating the creatures of the Lovecraftian Mythos, he’s also tackled the work of more contemporary writers, such as Nnedi Okorafor and Ursula LeGuin.
He’s gone ahead and rendered a portrait of the Grey Boy in The Nectar of Nightmares!
I’m so honored!
You can check out more of his work here and on his Instagram!
Craig Laurance Gidney 
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