This, That, and the Other : The Web Novel

A fantasy trilogy written by Remy Dean with Zel Cariad, This, That and the Other, is imaginative storytelling on an epic scale. The story follows the special friendship between two girls who embark on a magical adventure together, across the three realms. A modern fable inspired by fairy tales and folklore, in the tradition of The Neverending Story, The Box of Delights, The Chronicles of Narnia... 

Prologue and first two chapters are now live: 

“Highly readable... The characters are great and the sense of magic is very real.”

- Lu Hersey (author of Deep Water)

They say, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you,” right? Well, of course that’s not really true. They also say, “Knowledge is power.” Well that’s not always true either… because, somewhere between not knowing and knowing, there lies imagination. That’s the key… the key that unlocks secrets.

It did, once upon a time, and it still does today…

“This is a delight to read. A lovely depiction of friendship and of course there’s magic involved!”
- Kim Vertue (author of Welcome to the Dragon Café)

It began a long time ago, but for Rietta, it really began when she met Carla, another very special and extraordinary person, and realised that they shared the same dreams.

Or perhaps it all started when Rietta and Carla found the severely injured dog in the woods, becoming firm friends as they tried to nurse it back to health and happiness.

Then there was the thing that they glimpsed watching them from the shadows, and the mystery of the missing standing-stone… but when they find the key to another realm, well, then things really start happening!

“Imaginative Fantasy at its best... Wonderful work. Heartily recommended.”
- David Williams (author of the Ken Frane adventures)

IMPORTANT

Please note that there has been no Gen-AI involvement whatsoever in the creative process and writing of these web novels which will initially publish on a fortnightly schedule and remain free to read until after World Book Day 2026 (which falls on the 6th of March).

This, That, and the Other by Remy Dean with Zel Cariad is published in the UK by The Red Sparrow Press which also manages global rights. All rights reserved. 

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Why subscribe?

Firstly, it is more important than ever to support independent creatives and your support will not only be hugely appreciated, but will send a clear message and go some way to help ensure human-driven creativity remains championed in literature.

Secondly, it is my intention to add notes about the folklore and local histories that had inspired and informed the writing of these novels. This bonus material will be added in the notes and comments sections and will only be available to paid subscribers.

Subscribe to get full access to the web novel as it publishes and publication archives to catch up or re-read. 

Stay up-to-date

Never miss a chapter—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus I hope to add audio and community features in the future, get the Substack app.

Join Rietta and Carla and fellow readers on this magical journey and help build a community

Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription. (The first chapters of This, That, and the Other will be free to read for a limited time only.)

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To learn more about the tech platform that powers this the publication of this web novel, visit Substack.com.

SGWRS BACH: 'Tracing the Land'

 

I am pleased to be part of this varied and intriguing line-up... 

SGWRS BACH: 'Tracing the Land'

SPEAKERS: Ellis O'Connor (Painter and Artist in Residence at Mawddach Residency), Emma Barley (Photographer, Gallery Owner, Curator), Remy Dean (Author and Artist), Dr Joe Hope (Lichen Expert), Peter Ogden (UNESCO advisor), Jane Williams (Artist and Potter). 

More information and tickets via EventBrite 

Event organised by Mawddach Residency 

...and that be 2023

 

Wishing You Health, Happiness, and all the very Best for 2024! 

Here's an incomplete summary of what I did, made, and published in 2023: 

Well, that seemed a short year! Looking back, quite a lot was done although the outcomes don't seem to match my sense of unrelenting activity... What was I doing?

I'm not getting into global issues here which were a mixed bag, heavy with bleak and there's a review of the year here at BBC News if one needs reminding. In this post, I'll endeavour to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative... it's all about me and what I enjoyed doing and discovering. 

Published Fiction 

My short story Perceived Value was published in online magazine Horror Hounds which also published Final Bough in its entirety with reproductions of the original illustrations by Katie Hone that appeared in the first limited-edition print run, back in 2008.

illustration by Katie Hone for Final Bough (2008)

Behind the scenes, I wrote two full scripts and two additional short treatments for a potential television series that probably won't ever reach the production stage. In which case (focussing on the positive, remember) I have the groundwork for a set of short stories or graphic novels. Watch this space. They're something like magical realism, maybe. Difficult to sum-up the vibe... Horror but imaginative and uplifting? I hope I have conjured wonder and amazing creatures with a supernatural-folkloric fusion. So, if you are an illustrator looking for graphic novel scripts or an eager television producer, please do email me.  

Cinema Critique 

My contributions for Frame Rated have been predictably varied - my personal choice of six highlights are...  

A review of what may be my all-time favourite film, Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001), Christophe Gans' take on the Beast of Gévaudan folklore - a fantastic and rather surprising action-packed, martial-arts, monster-movie, period-drama, intrigue-thriller... and so much more! And for the newly restored Director's Cut debut on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD, I also had the opportunity to talk with Mark Dacascos about his starring role as the mystical Mani - you can read the interview transcript or watch the video HERE. 

The Fall of Akō Castle / Akô-jô Danzetsu (1978) is among the most important, and gorgeous, historical epics of Japan’s rich cinema heritage, telling one of the nation's most retold tales. It’s a perfectly paced, serious samurai movie based on what happened during the first years of the 18th-century and with this new high-definition restoration by Toei studios looks and sounds better than ever. 

Among the reviews I really enjoyed researching and writing last year were two early, highly influential, giallo-esque classics. One from the maestro, Mario Bava, with what is sometimes cited as the original and still definitive example of the genre: Blood and Black Lace (1964), with its beautiful use of expressionistic colour in some inspired cinematography and a twisty plot that was astoundingly original at the time. Another seminal psychological horror-thriller from Spain, one of too few from auteur Narciso Ibáñez Serrador: La Residencia / The Finishing School / The House That Screamed (1969) exploring themes of awakening sexuality and the subjugation of natural desires as a tool of authoritarian control, as well as being a great gothic horror. 

Finding inspiration in real historic events and persons, director Kinji Fukasaku was bold enough to fuse chanbara, period drama, Japanese ghost story, and Hammeresque supernatural gothic horror in the highly entertaining Edo-period fantasy Samurai Reincarnation / Makai Tenshô (1981). With very satisfying results. 

In my most popular extended review published in Frame Rated you get three-for-one with the boxset of newly restored versions of Tod Browning’s Sideshow Shockers (1925–1932) which comprises his infamous Freaks (1932): a controversial fusion of strange soap and horror - accompanied by two I had never sen before, and very few had ever seen these prints of The Mystic (1925): an entertaining and satisfying supernatural thriller - and The Unknown (1927): gruelling but absorbing intense psychological thriller and my personal favourite of the trio. 

Curating Contemporary Art and Illustration

I have also continued as curator for The Signifier : six : shot : gallery and was pleased to host some super fresh illustration showcases. Zel Cariad closed 2023 with her fascinating exhibition Creatures on show over the festive seasons and Nanae Kawahara rang-in 2024 with her whimsical yet profound exhibition View. And you can view both for free using the links below (click on the colourful images):

 

submissions guidelines for artist can be found in this edition of Signified newsletter: HERE

Writing on Art and Design

I have contributed several online articles about art, art history, design, and media. 
For Signifier my personal choice of six highlights are... 

Félix González-Torres and Depletion Art

Intersections with the works of Anish Kapoor 

Abram Games: Poster Boy 

Two Classical Chinese Scroll Paintings of Landscapes

Artists Using Light as Their Dominant Medium

Costume as Concept and Sculpture

   

My updates on this weblog are sporadic, with occasional bursts... To keep up with what I've produced, as well as information on forthcoming events and live appearances, the best SNS is my new Bluesky - if you are on Bluesky, too, come say "hello" - and of course, most of my long-form writing appears online at Medium sooner or later, so please do follow my account there.

I began using my YouTube channel more over the last few months - there are plans in the pipeline, so check-that out from time to time, or subscribe for what I think may be surprising content later this year?

                                  

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in memoriam 

Mr Barnum (2009 - 2023) 

A Relentlessly Loving and Energising Presence

Best Friend to the Whole Family