Category Archives: Japan

The Three Great Mysteries of Japan’s Art World

Posted on July 5, 2020 by J P Catton

A Japanese art critic once wrote: “If in the midst of (painting), a sword-cut had severed the brush, it would have bled.” From this we gather that to the Japanese artist, creating art was something vital, something religious. This force … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative History, Art & Design, Fantasy, Japan, Literature, Science Fiction | Leave a comment

Author Interview with Shogo Oketani: A Message from the First Tokyo Olympics

Posted on June 22, 2020 by J P Catton

Excalibur Books is proud to announce that the forthcoming Tokyo Olympics anthology, “Warriors of Olympia”, will include a contribution from award-winning author, poet and translator Shogo Oketani. Today’s blog post is an exclusive interview with Mr. Oketani, conducted by J … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Literature, Modernism | Leave a comment

Exclusive Science Fiction Preview: “The God Symbiote”, by Donald L. Flynn.

Posted on May 17, 2020 by J P Catton

Excalibur Books presents an excerpt from another story included in the forthcoming anthology “Dimensions Unknown 2020: Warriors of Olympia”. Here, Donald Flynn speculates on what changes could transform society in first Japan, and then the world, in years to come … Continue reading →

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New Movie: “Hokusai” – the Secret Life of Japan’s Artistic Genius!

Posted on May 8, 2020 by J P Catton

This month will see the release (hopefully) of a new Japanese movie (details here) exploring the unknown life of the artist Katsushika Hokusai, who lived in Japan’s late Edo period (the early 19th Century). His works, such as “The Great … Continue reading →

Posted in Art & Design, Fantasy, Japan, Japanese Movies, Mystery, Mythology | Leave a comment

Warriors of Olympia: Prologue

Posted on March 23, 2020 by J P Catton

The following is a (second draft) excerpt from “Warriors of Olympia” – to be published in the forthcoming “Dimensions Unknown 2020”! Captain Reiko Furukawa Bergman stood in full ceremonial armor, at the head of her squad of samurai guards, on … Continue reading →

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Author Interview: Barbara G. Tarn

Posted on March 18, 2020 by J P Catton

This week we have an interview from the incredibly prolific Barbara G. Tarn, whose historical fantasy “Olympia Nights” will be published in the forthcoming Olympic-themed anthology, “Tokyo 2020: Warriors of Olympia”. Could you tell us a little about yourself and … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Japan, Literature, Mythology, Short Stories | Leave a comment

We Have A Patreon!

Posted on March 10, 2020 by J P Catton

The exciting news is that we are about to relaunch our omnibus series of alternative history pulp adventure thrillers (including Steampunk, Dieselpunk and some other Punks ready to get in ya face) with striking new covers and bonus content! The … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative History, Art & Design, Dieselpunk, Fantasy, Japan, Modernism, Mystery, Mythology, Raygun Gothic, Science Fiction, Steampunk, The Occult | Leave a comment

Preview: “Appetite for the Unknown”

Posted on January 24, 2020 by J P Catton

This is an excerpt of a story taken from “Dark Lanterns”, a collection of short horror stories set in modern Tokyo, and featuring the “Yokai” – the rogue’s gallery of weird supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore and mythology! Image courtesy … Continue reading →

Posted in Horror, Japan, Mythology, Short Stories, The Occult | Leave a comment

A Serial Killer was released last weekend …

Posted on December 16, 2019 by J P Catton

The following is an excerpt from the novel “Dead Hand Clapping” by Zoe Drake, a crime thriller with supernatural elements, released Dec 15th 2019.  Detective Kondo never believed in the supernatural. But then, he’s never met a serial killer like Mabus.  … Continue reading →

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Short Story: Drowning in the Sea of Trees

Posted on November 28, 2019 by J P Catton

The following is a complete short story taken from Zoe Drake’s forthcoming collection, Dark Lanterns. SORRY, TIME’S UP! STORY NO LONGER AVAILABLE. Missing your Horror fix? Click here for … The Mists of Osorezan!   

Posted in Horror, Japan, The Occult | Leave a comment