Halloween is in the air so I thought I’d present a series many people don’t know about: the Borderland series edited by the talented Thomas F. Monteleone. The first volume was published in 1988, the second appeared in 1991, the third in 1993. They were published by White Wolf Books and distribution was spotty. Some people have never seen these books. White Wolf folded and the fourth and fifth volumes of the Borderland series were published by Borderland Press. The fifth volume was reprinted by Warner books in 2004 in as From the Borderlands, but the Table of Contents is identical to Borderlands 5. Contributors to the series included Stephen King, Ed Gorman, John Farris, Whitley Strieber, David J. Schow, Poppy Z. Bright, Harlan Ellison, Kathe Koja, Charles Grant, Joe R. Lansdale, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Ramsey Campbell, Dennis Etchison, and Peter Straub. The quality of these horror stories is high as you would expect from the reputations of the contributors. This is a little-known series that produced some scary horror fiction that would get you in the Halloween mood.
The writers included sound impressive to say the least.
You’re right about the impressive roster of writers in the BORDERLANDS series, Patti. This was sophisticated story-telling at its best.
I really, really dislike the covers of the first 4 of them, though the artist’s work looks somewhat familiar. Who it is, do you know?
The creepy cover art is done by Dave McKean, Rick. McKean did the artwork for DC’s Sandman series (Neil Gaiman, author).
The Monteleones have proven themselves to be good editors, indeed…and bootstrapped themselves pretty wall as a small-press (probably inspired in part by near-neighbor J. N. Williamson). The Maryland School of Horror Anthologies and Such, also including CEMETERY DANCE and its press…
You’re right, Todd. The Monteleones edited excellent anthologies. I hope more of their fine work is on its way.
I checked our local library just now, and didn’t see any of the Borderlands series, although they do have a book titled “Horrorscape : new masterpieces of horror” edited by John Betancourt and including a story by Thomas F. Monteleone (along with others by Harlan Ellison, Joyce Carol Oates, Joe R. Lansdale, Peter Straub et al), so I may have to go get it to read on Sunday while I’m munching on chocolate (dark, of course).
Thomas Monteleone as fiction-writer is a much more hit and miss affair. But the rest of the folks you mention might well make up for one of the weaker TMs, if it turns out to be one.
I love dark chocolate, BV! The Borderlands books were paperbacks that usually don’t last long with heavy reading in a library setting. But HORRORSCAPE sounds like it will do the job for Halloween!
I wonder if BORDERLANDS PRESS is still operating, Todd. Or have the Monteleones moved on…