Black Static

In the Case Notes section of Black Static #19 I review two anthologies edited by Ellen Datlow. Unfortunately space did not permit me to discuss every single story, but by way of a consolation prize, and for the benefit of those who may want to know if a particular author was included, I'm going to reproduce the Table of Contents for each volume.

The Best Horror of the Year Volume Two (Night Shade Press paperback, 310pp, $15.95)

Edited by Ellen Datlow

Seventeen stories, plus 'Summation 2009', an overview of the year in horror by the editor, and Honorable Mentions.

Lowland Sea - Suzy McKee Charnas
The End of Everything - Steve Eller
Mrs Midnight - Reggie Oliver
each thing I show you is a piece of my death - Gemma Files & Stephen J. Barringer
The Nimble Men - Glen Hirshberg
What Happens When You Wake Up in the Night - Michael Marshall Smith
Wendigo - Micaela Morrissette
In the Porches of My Ears - Norman Prentiss
Lonegan's Luck -  Stephen Graham Jones
The Crevasse - Dale Bailey & Nathan Ballingrud
The Lion's Den - Steve Duffy
Lotophagi - Edward Morris
The Gaze Dogs of Nine Waterfall - Kaaron Warren
Dead Loss - Carole Johnstone
Strappado - Laird Barron
The Lammas Worm - Nina Allan
Technicolor - John Langan

Darkness: Two Decades of Modern Horror (Tachyon Publications paperback, 472pp, $15.95)

Edited by Ellen Datlow

Twenty five stories, plus an Introduction by the editor and a Foreword by Stefan Dziemianowicz giving an overview of the period covered by the book, 1984 to 2005.

Jacqueline Ess: Her Will And Testament - Clive Barker 1984
Dancing Chickens - Edward Bryant 1984
The Greater Festival of Masks - Thomas Ligotti 1985
The Pear-Shaped Man - George R.R. Martin 1987
The Juniper Tree - Peter Straub 1988
Two Minutes Forty-Five Seconds - Dan Simmons 1988
The Power and the Passion - Pat Cadigan 1989
The Phone Woman - Joe R. Lansdale 1990
Teratisms - Kathe Koja 1991
Chattery Teeth - Stephen King 1992
A Little Night Music - Lucius Shepard 1992
Calcutta, Lord of Nerves - Poppy Z. Brite 1992
The Erl King - Elizabeth Hand 1993
The Dog Park - Dennis Etchison 1993
Rain Falls - Michael Marshall Smith 1994
Refrigerator Heaven - David J. Schow 1995
---- - Joyce Carol Oates 1995
Eaten (Scenes from a Moving Picture) - Neil Gaiman 1996
The Specialist's Hat - Kelly Link 1998
The Tree is My Hat - Gene Wolfe 1999
Heat - Steve Rasnic Tem 1999
No Strings - Ramsey Campbell 2000
Stitch - Terry Dowling 2002
Dancing Men - Glen Hirshberg 2003
My Father's Mask - Joe Hill 2005

Throughout October I'll be posting about anthologies on this blog, and as part of that I've asked various anthology editors to tell us about their favourite horror anthologies. So far I've asked fourteen editors, and I'd intended to ask some more, but it's now looking like I won't have time for that. However, this is not an 'invitation only' party, but an almost open house. Should anyone wish to contribute, then please send something to me via whitenoise@ttapress.com. I want a bit about you (primarily, what you've edited), a paragraph or three about your favourite horror anthology, and lastly a plug for any current projects or work in the pipeline (network, my dears, network). No need to be shy - any and almost all comers are welcome.