Author Archives: J P Catton

About J P Catton

Speculative storytelling and skewed fiction: the blog and website of author John Paul Catton.

Apparitions of Arakawa

Posted on August 25, 2021 by J P Catton

The story “The Arakawa Meat Wagon” by Ross Baxter takes place in the ward of Arakawa, located in the heart of Shitamachi – the oldest part of Tokyo and the location of the feudal capital of Edo. Here, memories and … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Literature, Modernism, Mythology, Short Stories | 58 Comments

Excalibur Author Interview – Bruce Golden: “A World where Movie Monsters are Real People”

Posted on August 15, 2021 by J P Catton

Today Excalibur books features an interview with Bruce Golden, author of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, and contributor to “The Phantom Games”. Please tell us something about your background. I’ve been a professional writer for more than 40 years. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative History, Cyberpunk, Dieselpunk, Fantasy, Horror, Literature, Science Fiction, Short Stories | 50 Comments

Excalibur Author Interview: C. W. Hawes – “We have the Solution right in front of Us”

Posted on August 13, 2021 by J P Catton

Today Excalibur Books is thrilled to have an interview with C. W. Hawes, best known for his Justinia Wright Private Investigator Mysteries series, set in Minneapolis, Minnesota; The Rocheport Saga, a post-apocalyptic series set in America’s Midwest; and the Pierce … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative History, Art & Design, Dieselpunk, Fantasy, Horror, Literature, Modernism, Mystery, Raygun Gothic, Science, Science Fiction, Short Stories, Steampunk, The Occult, Weird World War | 55 Comments

Excalibur Author Interview – Cody L Martin: “Hope in a Stressful and Turbulent Time”?

Posted on August 3, 2021 by J P Catton

An exclusive interview with Science Fiction and Fantasy author – Cody L. Martin! As a general introduction, could you tell us a little about yourself and your background? Sure. I’m an American expat living in Yamaguchi prefecture. I write mostly … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Japan, Science Fiction | 56 Comments

Excalibur Author Interview: Regina Glei – “Good Drama Never Gets Old”

Posted on July 25, 2021 by J P Catton

Today, Excalibur Books is proud to have an interview with the author who contributed the introduction to “The Phantom Games”. That introduction set the scene for the whole anthology, and recent events have proven it to be scarily accurate. Please … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Horror, Japan, Literature, Music, Science Fiction | 58 Comments

Excalibur Author Interview: Hugh Ashton – “Some of us have learned to be better …”

Posted on July 15, 2021 by J P Catton

Excalibur Books is delighted to feature an interview with best-selling and multi-talented author, Hugh Ashton.  Could you tell us a little about yourself and your background? Born in the UK, and graduated from Cambridge University (a mediocre Philosophy degree, if … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative History, Dieselpunk, Japan, Literature, Science Fiction, Steampunk | 66 Comments

Excalibur Author Interview: Gerri Leen – “It’s a Balancing Act”

Posted on June 22, 2021 by J P Catton

Excalibur Books presents an interview with Gerri Leen, author of the tale “Foxfire”, which can be found in the Japan-themed anthology “The Phantom Games”. What inspired the story, “Foxfire”? I knew I wanted to write a story set in Japan … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative History, Fantasy, Japan | 57 Comments

Excalibur Author Interview: Ross Baxter – “The Width of the Canvas”

Posted on April 18, 2021 by J P Catton

Today we have an interview with another author from “The Phantom Games” anthology – ROSS BAXTER, who write the story “The Arakawa Meat Wagon”. MINAMI-SENJU … the area of Tokyo where the events of “The Arakawa Meat Wagon” take place. … Continue reading →

Posted in Horror, Japan, Literature, Mystery, Short Stories | 60 Comments

Mystery and Horror … beneath the “Cold Skies”!

Posted on April 4, 2021 by J P Catton

The latest release from Excalibur Books is the psychological horror novel “Cold Skies” by Zoe Drake, out April 21st! It was supposed to be a simple assignment …  Professional photographer Gareth Manning takes on an assignment in the Fenlands, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Horror, Japan | 58 Comments

Author Interview – Charles Kowalski: “A Profoundly Connecting Experience”

Posted on March 7, 2021 by J P Catton

Today we welcome Charles Kowalski, who contributed an exclusive preview of Book 2 of the “Simon Grey” series to “The Phantom Games,” the Tokyo 2020/2021 Olympics anthology.  Charles Kowalski writes contemporary thrillers, including MIND VIRUS (winner of the Rocky Mountain … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Japan, Literature, Mystery, Mythology | 73 Comments