New Lovecraftian Anthology Black Wings Nears Completion

Black Wings, an anthology of new Lovecraftian fiction edited by notable scholar S.T. Joshi, is set to make its appearance later this year or in early 2010. The nearly complete table of contents was released online several weeks ago, unveiling the impressive lineup of weird writers set to appear in this new volume:

• "Pickman's Other Model (1929)" - Caitlín R Kiernan
• "Desert Dreams" - Donald R Burleson
• "Engravings" - Joseph S Pulver, Sr.
• "Copping Squid" - Michael Shea
• "Passing Spirits" - Sam Gafford
• "The Broadsword" - Laird Barron
• "Usurped" - William Browning Spencer
• "Denker's Book" - David J Schow
• "Inhabitants of Wraithwood" - W H Pugmire
• "The Dome" - Mollie L Burleson
• "Rotterdam" - Nicholas Royle
• "Tempting Providence" - Jonathan Thomas
• "Howling in the Dark" - Darrell Schweitzer
• "The Truth about Pickman" - Brian Stableford
• "Tunnels" - Philip Haldeman
• "Violence, Child of Trust" - Michael Cisco
• "Lesser Demons" - Norman Partridge
• "Black Brat of Dunwich" - Stanley C Sargent
• "An Eldritch Matter" - Adam Niswander
• "Susie" - Jason Van Hollander

Given the discerning tastes of Joshi in weird fiction, this anthology should contain exceptionally high quality stories that sprout far beyond Cthulhu Mythos pastiches of the past. The diversity of writers from across the spectrum in speculative fiction here is also of interest. We find old names like Darrell Schweitzer, Caitlin R. Kiernan, and Jason Van Hollander returning to the periphery of Lovecraftiana. Meanwhile, writers like Michael Cisco, Michael Shea, and Laird Barron hail from the depths of what has been called the "high weird" and "dark fantasy." Others, such as W.H. Pugmire, who has spent his career carving out a unique vision of latter day Lovecraftian horror, round out the anthology. With such a talented group of writers assembled under Joshi's watch, it seems unlikely that this endeavor from PS Publishing can fail.
Of course, this also means expectations from readers are likely to be very high indeed.

Fingers crossed, this could be the best volume of Lovecraftian fiction published in years, but to say much more may raise the bar unfairly before the book even hits the desks of professional critics. Still, in the event one has to choose between forthcoming books of Lovecraftiana and weird fiction in the near-term, Black Wings should best most competition.

-Grim Blogger