Tanith Lee RIP

We at The Alchemy Press are saddened by the death of Tanith Lee (she passed away last Sunday). Her short story “The Mermaid” featured in The Alchemy Press Book of Urban Mythic 2, edited by Jan Edwards and Jenny Barber.  In his review of the book in Interzone, Ian Hunter describes this story as “…beautifully written and quite, quite shudderingly horrible.” Tanith was interviewed by us last September:

Tell us a little about yourself and your writing. How long have you been writing and how did you get started?

I’ve been writing since the age of 9 – about 57 years. Being slightly dyslexic (something unrecognised in my childhood) the school couldn’t teach me how to read. My father stepped in and taught me in a few months. About a year later, by then reading as a locust feeds, I began – as if logically – to write.

Read the full interview here.

We’ve met Tanith several times over the years. She was a lovely person, always charming and supportive. She is survived by her husband John Kaiine.

 

Urban Mythic 2 reviewed

Ian Hunter has reviewed The Alchemy Press Book of urban Mythic 2  for the latest issue of Interzone (# 258). It’s a fantastic, complimentary review, one that ends with his asking for volume three. Can’t be bad.

Of Tanith Lee’s story: “…beautifully written and quite, quite shudderingly horrible.”

Of K T Davies’ story: “…opens with some of the best writing I’ve read in a long time.”

Of Adrian Tchaikovsky’s tale: “What is really enjoyable about this story is the voice…”

And of Sarah Ash’s story: “…so well written you hope both of them will get together…”

And more…

Urban Mythic 2, along with the first volume, is available via Amazon and other good online stores.

 

Tanith Lee interviewed

 

Tanith Lee’s “The Mermaid” is the lead story in The Alchemy Press Book of Urban Mythic 2.

Tell us a little about yourself and your writing. How long have you been writing and how did you get started?

I’ve been writing since the age of 9 – about 57 years. Being slightly dyslexic (something unrecognised in my childhood) the school couldn’t teach me how to read. My father stepped in and taught me in a few months. About a year later, by then reading as a locust feeds, I began – as if logically – to write.

What is at the root of your Urban Mythic story?

The story came from an idea a friend told me and said I might use. It was so straightforward – shocking.