The Australian Horror Writers Association is hosting a Nightmare Ball at AussieCon4 (WorldCon). It’s a masquerade event, with the dress code being described as “formal / nightmare”. Do you think a Zombie Bride costume will suffice?

Date: 3rd September 2010

Time: 9.00 pm to 12.00 pm

Place: The Banquet Hall (Room 201) at the Melbourne Convention Centre in conjunction with Aussiecon 4, the 68th World Science Fiction Convention.

The event is open at all — you don’t have to be a member of either the AHWA or AussieCon to attend.

The AHWA has also just announced the publication of Midnight Echo #4. This issue was edited by Lee Battersby and has a juicy line up of stories, poetry, artwork and interviews. It’s available in hardcopy or PDF — the latter for the bargain price of just $3.50. Midnight Echo is the flagship publication of the AHWA and has come an incredibly long way in the short time since Ian Mond and myself co-edited the very first issue back in October 2008. Anyone interested in Australian horror and dark fantasy should not overlook this magazine. But there’s no need to take my word for it. Here try a taste of LL Hannett’s gorgeously horrific “Tiny Drops” from the current issue:

Some parents use razor blades. Others try sewing scissors, or reinforced darning needles, or pieces of heirloom-stained glass. Truth is, finely honed knives are most effective when it comes to slicing the delicate flesh inside a child’s mouth. A swift stroke along the inner cheek and the job can be done by a responsible parent in less than a minute.

Theresa hasn’t been responsible since the triplets’ first birthday.

How can you not keep reading a short story that begins like that? Midnight Echo #4 (as well as all back issues) can be purchased from the AHWA online store.