Today sees the UK publication of the brand new Titan edition of my book Ruby, formerly known as Stardust: the Ruby Castle Stories. (US readers will have to wait a week or two for this release but have no fear, copies are on their way.)
Ruby is a cycle of stories centred around the figure of Ruby Castle, a horror movie actor who ends up in prison following the murder of a lover. Through a series of shifting glimpses, we learn not only Ruby’s story but the stories and intertwined fates of those in her orbit. There’s a circus story, an alternate-Russia story with cosmonauts, an island horror story, a full-on piece of folk horror – in fact you could almost call Ruby a journey through the weird.
This new edition, which has been thoroughly revised and re-edited, also contains an extra story I wrote specifically to celebrate the book’s reissue and that I hope casts extra light on the fate and character of Ruby herself.
This book is very dear to me, for many reasons. I felt deep personal involvement in the stories at the time I was writing them, and the process of reappraising and revising them for new readers has been a real pleasure, offering many moments of surprise and recognition as I renewed my acquaintance with the varied cast of characters.
There’s a distinctly autumnal feel to Ruby – something about carnival in general, I think – and this October publication date feels particularly appropriate. So here’s to Ruby, at large in the world – I hope you grow to love her as much as I do. Huge thanks to Gary Budden, whose idea this was, and to Cath Trechman and the amazing team at Titan who brought the project to fruition.
