Ex Occidente Press

[circe_of_evil_stars]

I am sorry to hear that wonderful books such as Cinnabar's Gnosis, The Nighfarers, The Silver Voices and The Mascarons of the Late Empire - which I am sure still adorn the selves of your library - have been maimed for life!

[Nigromontanus]

Circle of Evil Stars,

The need to dispel any excessive sympathy could be one of the reasons for which in the end I've decided not to include the author's notes at the end of the volume. I am being candid saying that, I know. Another reason for omitting them was the fuzzy lukewarm feeling I was getting while reading and editing some of these notes. Better to ignore them altogether, I've said and I think I've made the right decision. As Rhys aptly put it, this is a homage to Bulgakov not to the ego nor to the "auto-da-fe" of an author or another. However, all the Notes (and some extras too!) will be uploaded on the press's site somewhere in the near future, together with those two stories, by Mark V. and by Stephen J.C.

As for the readers being unfamiliar with the cultural, historical and political milieu of the The Master in Cafe Morphine, you certainly don't need an author's note to bring light into these ethereal matters (although Rhys's particular note is quite enlightening). That was not their task, to start with. My suggestion: go directly to the source. Start reading some Bulgakov and you will eventually get all the possible milieus you are looking for.

As a side note now: early next week I am going to be hospitalized. This last past month was hell. I will stay in the hospital perhaps for a week, perhaps for two. I knew this vital black blood made of dark tobacco will get the best of me one day. I was of course hoping that will happen rather later than sooner. At the age of 33, it seems it happened too late.

With that mind, I officially ask any customers who have the intention to order any books from the press not do so at the moment. If they will order any books there will be a delay of at least 10 days before I will be able to start shipping again.

Andy at Cold Tonnage should have plenty copies of my current titles for you. Simon at Fantastic Literature might still have some last copies. Mark Ziesing and Otto Filip should also receive soon their copies of my latest volumes.

The orders received while I was away in my hectic vacation will be all shipped this weekend.

Ah, but let's not end this message on such on a morbid tone. Better to play a riddle. Two weeks ago, while in Brasov, an old Romanian city at the Eastern frontier of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, I've stumbled upon a rather odd portrait. The portrait, almost an ikon, can be found inside the Black Church, an Evangelical Church. I could not believe my eyes. I believe I've stayed there on a wooden bench over half an hour, surrounded by old Ushak carpets and rosy German tourists, staring at the austere visage of this man. How can this be possible? Take a good look at the attached photo and tell me: what Ex Occidente Press author is this man? No, really! This gentleman, a kind of Bishop of the Superior Consistory of the Evangelical Church I think, is so much resembling a certain Ex Occidente author that it cant be real. Amazing! Take your guess (en private or here). The prize: a free copy of The Master in Cafe Morphine.

Salut!
Dan

[circe_of_evil_stars]

Take care and wishes for a speedy recovery, Dan.

And, just look on the bright side. As Elbert Hubbard wrote, "if you suffer, thank God! -- it is a sure sign that you are alive." ;)
...

Quote Originally Posted by Nigromontanus

The need to dispel any excessive sympathy could be one of the reasons for which in the end I've decided not to include the author's notes at the end of the volume. I am being candid saying that, I know. Another reason for omitting them was the fuzzy lukewarm feeling I was getting while reading and editing some of these notes. Better to ignore them altogether, I've said and I think I've made the right decision.

And thanks for the clarification. I just hope that you won't forget to upload the notes on your site in the near future.

[circe_of_evil_stars]

Quote Originally Posted by Nigromontanus

Take a good look at the attached photo and tell me: what Ex Occidente Press author is this man? No, really! This gentleman, a kind of Bishop of the Superior Consistory of the Evangelical Church I think, is so much resembling a certain Ex Occidente author that it cant be real. Amazing! Take your guess (en private or here). The prize: a free copy of The Master in Cafe Morphine.

I will agree with my only friend thus far here, Nemonymous. Your Bishop resembles Mark V., as the following entry may confirm:

http://nightjarpress.wordpress.com/2...tles-released/

[Nigromontanus]

Thank you all for the good wishes. Now, let's stop this before you compromise yourself entirely. Besides, many of you here have passed through seriously more dire deluges than me. I will be fine.

All my best wishes to you, Bendk. A copy of The Master in Cafe Morphine will wait for you when you will be back home, if it was not received already.

Thujone, you are right. But then again, since Stefan George's Algabal, all Germans are right. Anyway, my entire life is being spent under the fated words of "Milutz" Cioran: a quick degringolade. What a fascinating prospect. A quick degringolade as the solution to all problems. I live under the sign of this awesome quick degringolade. When you turn this into an excess, only then you start living; or so I thought. Release as many books as possible in the shortest time possible and be done. So far I think I've made it. Now I start thinking that I am too slow, ahahahaaha!

Rhys, phew, you almost had me there. Thanks gods for the Browning automatic. I was starting to panic at the thought that I will not be allowed with lighters into the hospital. Although I am more of a Mauser fan, a Browning automatic will do it nicely.

Apropos of the Bulgakov ghost, I don't recall ever narrating here my Meyrink experience, just two weeks before Cinnabar's Gnosis was released. Another time.

Mark Samuels, Reggie Oliver, Des, Charles Schneider, Rhys Hughes, Louis Marvick are only a few of the suggestions I've received in regard to the mysterious figure in the Black Church in Brasov. Thank you all.

Mark Samuels could be the second close guess but no. Not to mention that you will most probably need some special glasses, made from the translucent bones of an English gnostic saint, just to be able to look upon an ikon of Mark Samuels, let alone take a photo of it. Speaking of that, I've been long pestering Mark on the subject of a possible "Anti-Ligotti" book of mystic and Christian essays, a contemporary Hilaire Belloc like response to The Conspiracy Against the Human Race. Some day, when I will be ready, I will approach him again. I love and I honestly respect Mark S. for his bold and sincere commitment to the Holiest of Lights.

Des, congratulations, you've just won a copy of the Morphine book.

Indeed, Mark Valentine was the subject. The resemblances are absolutely striking. Ha!, now, when I will want to publish a new book by Mark, I will just pray to this five centuries old mystifying ikon and see what happens.

Salut to all & Soon,
Dan

[Nemonymous]

Quote Originally Posted by Nigromontanus

Des, congratulations, you've just won a copy of the Morphine book.

Oh dear, I didn't enter to win anything. Sorry! I already have my Contributor's Copy.
(I just recalled a photo of MV with a very long beard many years ago - but did I dream it?)

If I happen to receive another copy of Cafe Morphine, I shall give it away in a free competition of my own. It will hopefully be more popular than the current competition I'm running for a rare 'Weirdmonger' book.

[klarkash]

We wish you well, Dan.

[bendk]

Good luck with your health issues, Dan. (I know how you feel. This is being typed on my laptop from the hospital.)

[thujone]

All the best wishes for your health, my friend. Slow it!
No need to fit a lifetime's work into a few hectic years.
You know your work is being appreciated.

[rhysaurus]

Dan! I hope you get better soon and that your stay in hospital isn't too onerous. Do you think a young Mikhail Bulgakov will come to your bedside in ghost form to relive his experiences as a young doctor? Just make sure he has a competent feldsher with him!

If A Country Doctor's Notebook is to be believed (and I suspect it is) Bulgakov practised medicine in a time and place when the normal contents of a travelling doctor's bag were: morphine, camphor, bandages, surgical tools and a Browning automatic...

Anyway... to repeat: get well soon!

The figure in the icon looks like Mark Samuels. Am I right? If the beard is removed, then the similarities must be obvious. The same Chaucerian brow and theological gaze...