| Title | : | These Black Winged Ones |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 48 |
| Publication | : | First published October 1, 2014 |
Written by Wilum H. Pugmire
Introduction by Peter Rawlik
Illustrated by Luke Spooner
The setting for These Black Winged Ones is found in Section II of Lovecraft's "The Call of Cthulhu," which is entitled "The Tale of Inspector Legrasse."
"All denied a part in the ritual murders, and averred that the killing had been done by Black Winged Ones which had come to them from their immemorial meeting-place in the haunted wood."
Mr. Pugmire's tale is that of a young woman who is taken to the aforementioned haunted wood by a mad poet, in order to pay homage to the formless white thing that inhabits the hidden lake. The woman is anxious to dwell there, because she has never learned the art of dreaming, and legend tells that this lake creature inspires mortals to dream.
W. H. Pugmire has been writing Lovecraftian weird fiction since the early 1970s. He was lucky, during a three week tour of New England and New York in 2007, to visit the churchyard mentioned in his story, which was also visited by H. P. Lovecraft and inspired the writing of ‘The Hound.’ Pugmire has written for many anthologies, and his books include THE TANGLED MUSE, UNCOMMON PLACES, BOHEMIANS OF SESQUA VALLEY, and THE STRANGE DARK ONE. His story, The Hand of Bone, will soon be released as part of the DARK TALES FROM ELDER REGIONS: NEW YORK Urban Horror Anthology from Myth Ink Books.
Pete Rawlik has been reading and collecting weird books and literature since the Seventies and ran a bookstore dedicated to the genre for twenty years. In 2011 gave it all up to pursue writing Lovecraftian fiction. His first novel Reanimators was published in 2013, the sequel The Weird Company was released in 2014. He lives in South Florida where he studies Everglades ecology and tries to keep three children from being eaten by crocodiles. His wife has recently assured the public that his collection of Lovecraftiana poses no public health threat.
Read More of Wilum H. Pugmire
http://lovecraftianhorror.blogspot.com/
Visit the haunting work of our illustrator Luke Spooner
http://www.carrionhouse.com/
Peter Rawlik
Introduction/Author of ReAnimators
http://www.peterawlik.com
TO BE RELEASED ON HALLOWEEN
October 31st, 2014
These Black Winged Ones Reviews
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Previously published on Darkofthings.com
These Black Winged Ones is the first chapbook released by Myth Ink books. The initial printing was limited to a mere 100 copies, though a second printing is still available for order as of this writing.
Within the first few pages we are greeted with a rather touching introduction from Pete Rawlik, a tremendous author in his own right that more people should be reading. To be honest, his foreword is as beautifully crafted as the story it introduces.
Pugmire's tale begins by acquainting us with a young woman willing to do whatever necessary to acquire the ability to dream. Her obsession leads her to a neglected bookshop, replete with dusty tomes of occult lore and a mysterious gentleman willing, at least initially, to assist in her quest. As the two characters converse, we are given an underlying sense that both are harboring secrets and their coming together will likely not end well. The setup reminded me of something out of a Machen or M.R. James story, and I quite enjoyed the antiquated atmosphere.
This being a short story, I am hesitant to speak too much of the plot for fear of spoiling the fun for those yet to read it. What I will say is that, in the span of just over 3,000 words, Pugmire guides us expertly from the dimly-lit bookshop and into a place of even deeper shadow; a place where things are waiting, and have been waiting for a long time.
Wilum H. Pugmire has accomplished something exceedingly difficult with his fiction: he has mastered the art of writing a Lovecraftian tale without it becoming a pastiche. His word choice, his dialogue, even his themes are at times quintessential Lovecraft; however, when he chooses to show that influence, it never detracts from the seriousness of the story, and most certainly never overshadows the confidence of his own voice.
I'd also like to give quick mention to illustrator Luke Spooner's beautiful cover artwork. Not only has he provided a captivating illustration that complements the story, he has visualized the theme of the tale without spoiling it. I hope to see more of his work in the future
