Introduction

Most of my life has been consumed by short stories. My first book, as editor, was a tribute to my love of the Pan Horror books. From there I started experimenting with the short form as a writer of three collections of Pan Horror tributes, homages, knock-offs; call them what you will. However, it’s through editing Best British Horror, first for Salt Publishing, then Newcon Press, that I’ve found my true calling as an editor, a compiler, a navigator to the myriad of nightmares that can be yours with a simple turn of the page. I suppose that every book I edit is my own personal anthology – however, to be given carte blanche like this has sent me into a mild panic. I can pick any short story I want? Where to begin, where to be…