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Simon J. Ballard

@simonjballard.bsky.social

200 followers 240 following 32 posts

Co-writer of 'Edgelands of Fear' horror short story collection with David Huckvale, contributor to The BHF Books of Horror Stories, non-fiction writer for We Belong Dead, The Dark Side, Infinity, Cinema of the 70s/80s.

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Aug 4

The files for for my book ‘Action! The Life and Dynamic Career of David Wickes’ so far! I’m 62,774 words in since 24th May. Sorry to show off, but I’m a bit giddy about that! Next stop, THE SWEENEY, and there will be a few words on that, I can tell you.
#thesweeney #jacktheripper #theprofessionals

Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · May 9

Contract with New Haven Publishing officially signed together. ‘Action! The Life and Dynamic Career of David Wickes’ is go, go, go! #britishtv #jacktheripper #thesweeney #theprofessionals

Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Apr 17

Umbrella Entertainment announce the 6th August release of Japanese found footage horror NOROI, THE CURSE. Includes an essay by me!!
Thank you to Andrew P. Kirkham for the opportunity.
#foundfootage #horror #horrorwriting

Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Mar 18

It showed! That's how I like to write when doing horror articles for The Dark Side, Scream and We Belong Dead (showing off a bit there!!)- thoughts from a geeky fanboy!

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Mar 18

Hi! Been dipping into your book, and really loving it. Not too cynical, nice one!

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Mar 6

Will let you know :).

Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Mar 6

Just ordered!

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Mar 6

As it's World Book Day, here's the short story collection written with David Huckvale! 50 tales of shattered nerves and cracked concrete set around the liminal spots that exist at the corner of the eye. With an intro by 70s icon Judy C. Matheson! #horrorwriting

l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Feb 3

Cheers, lovely thing to say! :)

Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Feb 1

Always a delight to meet up with my mate Judy Matheson! Such a lovely lady, and not a bad dancer, it must be said.

Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Jan 28

Out in three weeks, with my piece on DRACULA AND SON!
#screammagazine #christopherlee #horrorwriting #dracula

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Jan 13

Frosty Oxford.

Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Dec 12

New book from We Belong Dead! Features my pieces on THE VAMPIRE BAT, THE RETURN OF TUE VAMPIRE, ISLE OF THE DEAD, I VAMPIRI, THE KISS OF THE VAMPIRE, EL CONDRE DRACULA, CAPTAIN KRONOS VAMPIRE HUNTER, LIPS OF BLOOD, THE MONSTER SQUAD, THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER! #horrorwriting #vampires #hammer

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Nov 21

New Scream coming out Dec. 19th, with my piece on Hammer favourite 'The Devil Rides Out'! #hammerhorror #thedevilridesout #denniswheatley #screammagazine

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Nov 18

'Hope It Rains,' possibly the most hauntological and edgelandy sitcom! Set in the faded splendour of a wax museum in a seemingly permanently out of season seaside resort. Starring the wonderfully laid-back and acerbic Tom Bell. #hauntology #edgelands #liminalspaces #waxworks

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Nov 16

I can't help it. It is a blatent plug. The short story collection I wrote with Hammer music expert David Huckvale is available from lulu.com. 50 tales of shattered nerves and cracked concrete, all set in abandoned spaces. #liminalspaces #urbanwyrd #horrorstories #hauntology #psychogeography

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Nov 16

Ooh, it's nice here. Think I'll drop by more regularly! Have a bit of Oxford autumn.

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Jul 19

Tempted to take a shower in the hot weather? Think again! Part One of my look at the Psycho saga, August 22nd in Scream! #psycho #horrormovies #hitchcock #normanbates #screamthemagazine

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Oct 26

Thank you!

Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Oct 26

So happy to have written the cover feature for Scream. I've adored Hammer's modern Draculas since I was 13! #hammerhorror #screamthemagazine #petercushing #christopherlee #HorrorCommunity #horrorwriting.

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Oct 8

The day I ventured onto the foreshore of the Thames in Wapping.
The Doctor Who story 'The Talons of Weng-Chiang' and The Sweeney pilot 'Regan' were partly shot here!

Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Oct 5

That Dalek hovering up the stairs got me intruiged by WHO- by 'Silver Nemesis', I was hooked for life!

Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Sep 23

Thank you! Bit giddy with the excitement, I must say!

Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Sep 23

I’ve been given permission by Scream director Richard Cooper to announce that the next issue features my cover article on Hammer’s DRACULA A.D.1972 and THE SATANIC RITES OF DRACULA. Excited!!
Can be pre-ordered from screamhorrormag.com/store, and will be out mid-October.

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Simon J. Ballard @simonjballard.bsky.social · Sep 17

Brutalist explorations around London.