Comedians write new horror compilation

A handful of top comedians are writing horror stories for a gruesome new anthology, titled Dead Funny.

Robin Ince and ‘horror historian’ Johnny Mains are editing the book, which is due to be released by Salt Publishing in October.

Comedians contributing stories include: Mitch Benn, Katy Brand, Bridget Christie, Richard Herring, Charlie Higson, Rufus Hound, Robin Ince, Phill Jupitus, Josie Long and Reece Shearsmith – with more expected to be announced before publication.

Mains told Chortle: ‘I first approached Robin Ince with the idea of co-editing Dead Funny backstage at his Night of 200 Billion Stars show.

‘I had known Robin for around a year at that time, we were connected through our mutual love of the Pan Book of Horror Stories. The idea for the book came around while talking to my wife about what kind of horror anthologies would help raise their profile in a dead market. Once upon a time you would see hundreds of anthologies on the shelves in bookshops; nowadays you’re lucky if you see five a year.

‘Horror stories by comedians had never been done before, and it was such a simple idea that I knew it would work.... I do hope that the public get behind it and that it catches their imagination.’

And Ince said of Mains, who has just finished editing the first volume of Best British Horror: ‘His knowledge of fantastical fiction is enormous and his instinct with narrative as powerful as a James Herbert rat propelling itself to an injured tube traveller.’

Published: 27 Feb 2014