local writer’s ‘Shroud’ haunts magazine stands

“Shroud” is casting horror stories out of darkness and onto the pages of its new literary journal. The magazine and publishing company based in Milton is the latest project of Seacoast musician and writer Tim Deal.

The journal is a collection of fiction stories, including horror, suspense, noir and dark literary tales. It also features nonfiction articles on history, the supernatural and dark mythology, as well as reviews and interviews. It’s all complemented by artwork inside and on the glossy, full-color cover.

The second and most recent issue, dated March/April, includes a perspective piece on why 1968 was the greatest year for horror, an interview with bestselling author Tim Lebbon and the haunted art of Thomas Straub, along with a number of original short stories.

The publishing company of the same name is focused on anthologies, novels and limited edition publications. Future releases include a limited edition hardcover by Bram Stoker Award-winning author Tom Piccirilli, illustrated by Alex McVey and introduced by Brian Keene.

A new novel series launching later this summer will introduce “Hiram Grange,” a self-loathing anti-hero who is deadly, but flawed. The novels will set action, adventure and humor against a horror backdrop in New Hampshire. An anthology of frightening campfire tales set in New England is also on the way. “Northern Haunts” will be ideal for outdoor reading with a flashlight. Deal says he plans to seek more New Hampshire material, so local writers are encouraged to submit.

The company began in November 2007, and the first issue of “Shroud Magazine” was published in January 2008. Deal is the publisher and editor, and also is a contributing writer. He has previously written for various Seacoast publications and has played in area bands. He said he hopes the intricacies of the publishing business will hold his interest.

“It’s a thrilling subject matter, and being surrounded by it is like celebrating Halloween everyday,” Deal said in an e-mail. “I am fascinated by the theme of good versus evil, and of normal, everyday people faced with the dark and fantastic. The juxtaposition of the normal and the fantastic is extremely interesting to me.”

“It’s an exploration into the behavior and response generated by fear. Fear is such a powerful force in our psyche that it can completely reshape our perceptions and reactions to things. I enjoy seeing how creative people make fear manifest, and how they make their protagonists manage that fear,” he added.

Deal’s favorite kind of horror story taps into a deep and rich mythos, so that a seemingly bizarre event on the surface possesses a connection to an elaborate otherworld that lays concealed behind the veil of normalcy.  In this respect, he says, H.P. Lovecraft was the master, and his legacy lives on in the writing of a number of horror authors.  

Deal intends to open up this type of fiction to a much broader audience.  “I honestly believe that you don’t need to be part of a specific demographic to enjoy the thrills of dark fiction, and you don’t have to belong to some goth counterculture subset of society to appreciate a good scary read,” he said.

“Shroud” is available at Bull Moose in Portsmouth and Baldface Books in Dover. A recently signed distribution agreement will make the books available at Barnes & Noble and other major retailers. Both can also be purchased online at www.shroudmagazine.com.