Authors A to Z - Paul Finch

Former police officer and journalist Paul Finch is widely published in the British and North American anthology and independent press markets; he is the recipient of numerous 'honourable mentions' in Ellen Datlow's annual Year's Best anthology, and his own collection, After Shocks, was recommended for both British Fantasy Society and Horror Writers Association awards.

His forte is horror and dark fantasy, but he has also contributed extensively to the detective, thriller and sci-fi genres, has written TV scripts for the long-running British crime series, The Bill, and for several popular cartoon shows; in addition, he has now sold a full-blown horror movie script to Talisman Films.

He lives in Lancashire, England, with his wife Cathy, and his children Eleanor and Harry.

What they've said about Paul's books:

General Comments

"Consistently inventive. Consistently excellent. Paul Finch writes distinctive dialogue-driven horror that truly grips. Satisfying stories, tautly written with a real sense of authority." - Simon Clark (author of The Fall and Vampyrrhic)

"Paul Finch is an exciting new voice in the realms of macabre fiction. He sketches out a disturbing landscape, filled with deep shadows and uneasy emotions where stories both traditional and modern are played out to chilling effect. Highly recommended." - Mark Chadbourn (author of World's End and Scissorman)

"Paul Finch's supernatural stories combine a poetic imagination with a sharp eye for the complexities of human evil." - Joel Lane (author of The Earth Wire)

"Proclaiming an individual as the future of horror is a chancy business at best. However, unless I'm very much mistaken, the future of horror is bound to be much brighter due to the presence of Paul Finch." - John Pelan (editor, Darkside and Children of Cthulhu)

"There is no doubt that Finch is one of the leading writers of the supernatural working today." - Tim Lebbon (author of Mesmer and As The Sun Goes Down)

"Paul Finch is unique. He creates modern thriller and crime stories with supernatural overtones one minute, and sparkling traditional horror stories the next. One of the most exciting story writers in the business today." - Andy Fairclough (webmaster, Horror World)

"Paul Finch is one of the finest new talents rising through the ranks of British horror writers." - Chris Reed, BBR

Reviews

After Shocks - reviewed for All Hallows by John Pelan

"... a masterfully understated piece that stands comparison with Aickman or Campbell. ...In keeping with the tradition of M.R. James.

... Highly recommended!"

After Shocks - reviewed for Cemetery Dance by William P. Simmons

"After Shocks [has] a chilling intimacy capable of evoking physical thrills and subtle emotional terror.

... a first rate continuation of both the English ghost story tradition ... and shocking urban suspense, these stories are both timely and timeless.

... he makes fear fun again - no small task for no small author."

The Dark Satanic - reviewed for Hellnotes by Brian Hodge

"...a welcome new voice from across the pond."

The Dark Satanic - reviewed for All Hallows by John Pelan

"...That Finch is able to impart so much so much detail in to a piece of less than 10,000 words is quite remarkable."

The Shadows Beneath - reviewed by William P. Simmons

"...a sublime collection ... dismisses the claim that supernatural and weird horror fiction has lost it's vital power to amaze and enthrall."

The Shadows Beneath - reviewed for Terror Tales by Brian Keene

"Paul Finch ... has the ability to unearth all those nasty things that lie far beneath the human subconscious. ...His ideas blaze with originality."

Desecration Day - reviewed for Horror World by Andy Fairclough

"... you are bowled away by the characterisation, atmosphere and damn it - art - contained within Finch's prose.

... Absolutely, bloody terrific."