Some new ghost stories are being collected, and I am currently writing the final original story in what may well be my (and our) last ghost story collection. This should be a slim hardback book. I am getting older, life is busier than ever and the time and inclination is dimming.
Because I have written several new ghost stories recently, that spurred me to re-visit a few old favourites that seemed to work well with the new ones, sharing certain themes, locations and moods.
So, in preparation for the new stories, here are several revised ones that are matched by mood and in some cases settings, Here is also some insight into what inspired each ghost story in the new collection, and the history behind it.
AT THE SETTING OF THE SUN book 2
book 2
A reading from story one – scroll down to hear more readings.
DEATH’S SWEET ECHO – A collection of ghost stories and strange tales
BUY the hardback
“These thirteen tales are not just your average ghost stories but a masterful blend of thought-provoking, chill-producing paranormal fiction. All in all, the thirteen tales in Death’s Sweet Echo are sure to have a little something to make everyone cringe in horror and will leave you well satisfied.” Hellnotes
Tickety Boo Press have published our tenth collection. Thirteen ghost stories and strange tales – only three previously published, so ten brand new – and all are our most recent stories.
A scratching at the door, but surely no-one is there. The house is empty, so the footsteps on the stairs must be in my imagination. The way that shadow just moved, like breathing, must be a trick of the light.
BUY the ebook
“13 creepy ghostly stories that kept me thoroughly entertained from beginning to end. In this memorable collection, Maynard and Sims have created vivid atmospheres that reminded me, on more than one occasion, of the great M.R. James.” REVIEW
“When the writing duo that comprises Maynard Sims sets out to terrorize, they bring their best game…and their best is as good as it gets. These stories will amaze, confound, and terribly frighten you. I am still trying to recover my peace of mind.” Mallory Heart
Published by William Kimber 1979 – Hardback book. This was our very first collection of stories, after we had been writing for about six years
“In this masterly collection of tales, the authors take us into that unquiet land, in the witching time of night, where malign presences seek to entwine the unwary in their web of evil. Their ghosts, or evil spirits, or gruesome influences – no one expression sums them all up – remain lingering in their chosen abodes, be it wardrobe, cradle or tomb, to threaten the existence of the innocent. But not all the spirits are terrifying. Some, like the laughing children of Border End, seek to enthral by cajolery, though their threat remains as great. The authors do not delve too far into explanations for their phantoms. Indeed how could they? For who can explain the midnight land?” William Kimber & Co, London
In April 1999 SHADOWS AT MIDNIGHT was reprinted, with the addition of two uncollected stories in a limited edition hardback book by Sarob Press. Original art by Douglas Waters
“The two authors have been writing together for more than twenty-five years, and produce some of the finest examples of supernatural fiction seen today. These stories can be described as coming from the same mould as the masters of the genre, James, Wakefield, and Benson. They are a fine collection of traditional ghost stories.” Sarob Press
Limited edition hardback by Sarob Press in 2000 with cover art by Iain Maynard
“The stories in the book possess that rare, but essential, gift that every reader searches for in a good ghost or horror story: namely, the ability to leave behind a persistent feeling (an echo, as the title says) of uneasiness.” Mario Guslandi, All Hallows, Canada
Paperback large format published June 2002 by prime books USA with cover by Simon Duric
Here is a new collection of diverse and intriguing supernatural stories that reveals the various arenas where good and evil do battle. Here is a new collection of stories that show the strength, depth and vision now emanating from this dual authorship. Enter a world of witches and demons, creatures and beasts, but most horrifyingly of all are the people; real people with emotions, problems, and torments. The authors give us a book of supernatural horrors that linger long in the mind, that brings the shadowed terrors into the light.
Trade Paperback from Cosmos Books USA – This is the complete Maynard-Sims back catalogue to 2000. Features work never before published in USA. Cover by Geoffrey A Priest. Introduction by Hugh Lamb This unique compilation – One of a pair with the companion volume THE SECRET GEOGRAPHY OF NIGHTMARE
“Maynard & Sims write with a voice that is both uniquely entertaining and profoundly disturbing. Their fiction reflects classic old-school style themes told with a decidedly modern perspective. Creepy and wonderful stuff!” Brian Keene, USA
‘Maynard & Sims write with a fluid graceful style and know how to involve the reader in their story.’ Masters Of Terror, UK
Trade Paperback from Cosmos Books USA – This is the complete Maynard-Sims back catalogue to 2000. Features work never before published in USA. Cover by Geoffrey A Priest. This unique compilation – One of a pair with the companion volume SELLING DARK MIRACLES Introduction by Stephen Jones
“Maynard & Sims have mastered not only the traditional ghost story, but have grown into accomplished authors of the modern horror story. The release of two massive collections of their work is surely a cause for celebration among all aficionados of tales of terror.” John Pelan, USA
Published by Sarob Press in 2004 in limited edition hardback.
Cover art by Gerald Gaubert “Their best collection yet, with some subtly unnerving ghost stories.” Ellen Datlow
7 stories from Falling Into Heaven gained Honourable Mentions in The Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror annual collection, edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling
Published by Enigmatic Press. First published 2011 – Cover by Emily Rose Sims
This collection contains stories that may be about the odd ghost or two. There are weird tales, strange stories, and stories of unease
Published by SAROB PRESS 2012 limited edition
hardback Illustrations by Paul Lowe
“A new volume of elegantly written, subtly unnerving stories. To meet again the original Maynard & Sims product is a reason for rejoicing, especially because of the top quality of the tales included. An excellent, ghostly collection, beautifully produced by Sarob Press.” Mario Guslandi
A small collection of ghost stories Published by ENIGMATIC PRESS 2012 hardback book with photographs 
“As with any Maynard Sims work, the prose is delicately crafted and beautifully delivered.” British Fantasy Society
“the whole book is a little treasure of pleasurable shivers and intriguing darkness… a real delight for the readers fond of elegant, subtly unsettling dark fiction.” Mario Guslandi
Until 2014 most of our ghost stories and stories of quiet fear were available only in limited edition hardcover. In 2014 Enigmatic Press brought out all the Maynard Sims stories and novellas as ebook for Kindle and as paperbacks, all available on Amazon. These are in uniform format so that the books can grow into a collection any fan of the supernatural can be proud to own. Covers are all designed by Iain Maynard: MAD Maynard Art & Design
SHADOWS AT MIDNIGHT the first collection, revised
ECHOES OF DARKNESS the celebrated second collection
INCANTATIONS a collection of ghosts and horrors
A WEAVING OF ANCIENT EVIL being the uncollected novellas The Seminar & His Other Son & The Hidden Language Of Demons
WEIRD CRIES FROM THE SOUL being uncollected stories and some new ones
FALLING INTO HEAVEN a much-praised collection
GHOSTS & HAUNTINGS being the two collections The Odd Ghosts & A Haunting Of Ghosts,
FLAME AND OTHER ENIGMATIC TALES a collection of ghost stories
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Contents VENEER |
“All the tales are totally intriguing – whether they are about a boy visiting his aunt, or a man inheriting his aunt’s house, a house purchaser, a vicar, a brass rubbings enthusiast, or a mother and her baby’s cradle.” Grimsby Evening Telegraph “Ten ghost stories for lovers of the supernatural. A book that will haunt you.” Manchester Evening News “Present the uncanny in a civilised way.” Yorkshire Evening Post |
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Contents ASHUSHMA novella |
“Echoes Of Darkness is a terrific book which I strongly recommend you purchase.” “…succeed in terrifying where some other more graphic authors fail. The pacing of (Moths) is near perfect.” Masters Of Terror “With the lingering persistence of shadow, or the stealthy vibration of echo, the stories of this brave, diversely satisfying collection linger long after the book snaps shut. A pleasure to read, the suspicions and threats aroused by its subtle (and not so subtle) frights may find you staring into corners of home and mind long after dark, each carefully sculpted tale a reflective echo of your own night-tide fears and doubts. Without reservation, I recommend lovers of ghost fiction (and dark Literature in general) take this ride into the darkness.” |
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Contents THE BUSINESS OF BARBARIANS novella |
“When it comes to horror, Maynard & Sims would rather chill the blood than churn the stomach. Quite simply, they give horror a good name; you give a damn what happens to the central characters, and that’s what makes a really good horror story.” David Price, UK “The authors have a grasp of craftsmanship which many a writer might envy, alongside an eye for detail and a knack for unobtrusive but telling characterisation.” “They are widely respected for their professional standards and excellent stories.” Strix, UK |
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Being the uncollected novellas THE SEMINAR
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“As horror writers they know their trade so well that by now they deserve to be numbered among the masters of the genre. So, if you are a potential author and want to learn how to produce good horror fiction…The Seminar.” Mario Guslandi “His Other Son is a fast paced thriller, mixing action, suspense and the supernatural, to create a potent blend of intense intrigue. Character driven, pacy and page turning stuff.” Reader “Maynard and Sims. Those are the guys who write ghost stories and traditional horror, full of quiet and subtle effects, whose work you describe as ‘atmospheric’ because you’re too old and self‑consciously macho to admit they scared the crap out of you.” Peter Tennant TTA |
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Contents KILLING ANONYMITY |
“fortunately for the genre, the talents of Sims and Maynard are more dazzling and available than ever.” Lisa DuMond “Maynard & Sims. The names are now inseparable and it cannot be too long before they are a permanent fixture on the shelves of the more discerning bookshops.” Steve Lockley “I found myself falling into their spell within a page or two of opening the book and did not want to put it down.” British Fantasy Society |
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CONTENTS Introduction by William P Simmons IMAGES |
“the authors have reached a new equilibrium in their writing style, cleverly manipulating hard material with a delicate touch and effectively blending different shades of terror into a deliciously frightening potion. Drink up, dear reader, you won’t regret it!” Mario Guslandi “Maynard and Sims revitalize the traditional thrills of haunted houses, ghosts, and witches by emphasizing the psychological turmoil of character’s minds. The result is a collection that works on several levels, appealing every bit as much to primal fears of the unknown as they do to our contemporary distrust of our neighbors, families, and ourselves.” William Simmons |
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Being the two story collections THE ODD GHOSTS & A HAUNTING OF GHOSTS THE ODD GHOSTS SLEEPING A HAUNTING OF GHOSTS THE MAN WHO WORE THE WRONG COAT |
“I have yet to read a Maynard Sims book and not enjoy it immensely. I love the atmosphere and visuals in their books and their writing always captures my imagination.” Scarlet’s Web Review “New Maynard and Sims work is always good news.” Reader “the whole book is a little treasure of pleasurable shivers and intriguing darkness.” ThirteenoClock |
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Contents DOUBLE ACT a novella |
“Supernatural stories, psychological stories, ghost stories, all strangely linked by the strands of emotion and human conflict that create an enigmatic and eclectic collection of experiences.” Sarob Press |
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“For twenty-five years, Maynard and Sims have been visiting shadows. To the delight and appreciation of readers, they bring back souvenirs. Like gentleman peddlers selling dark miracles, this long-time duet crafts fiction that reads like the secret geography of nightmare. With the subtle, undeniable persuasiveness of cold air slipping beneath the door, their supernatural stories display a subversive ability to stealthily chip away at those flimsy walls of logic and rationalization that the human animal uses to form illusions of control and safety; barriers that Maynard and Sims delight in crossing.” William Simmons, USA |
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“Maynard and Sims write much the kind of classic ghost tale and weird fiction they once chose to publish, stories positioned squarely along the Aickman-James axis. These nine well crafted shockers traverse the globe for various venues of horror, from tropical islands to suburban Britain. I was much taken with ‘An Office In The Grays Inn Road’ where a husband’s death brings ghostly revelations.” |
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