I first met Simon Kurt Unsworth in 2008, at the World Fantasy Convention, held that year in Calgary.
While there, we did a reading together, during which Simon shared an excerpt of his story “Old Man’s Pantry” (from the Ash-Tree Press anthology Shades of Darkness, edited by Barbara and Christopher Roden). Spare, gripping, and imbued with a powerful sense of dread, the story convinced me that Simon was a writer to watch. I have been a fan ever since.
I should also mention that 2008 was the same year that Simon’s first story, “The Church on the Island” (from the Ash-Tree Press anthology At Ease with the Dead) was in the running for . . . [Read and hear more at The 21st-Century Scop].