David Conyers
Science Fiction Author
DARK FICTION
DREAM MACHINE
Scenes from the Second Storey, Morrigan Books, 2010
Seventy years in Hell can change a man. For Mr. Adamson seventy years was long enough to experience every pain imaginable. Now when he has ceased to scream he has been promoted and sent to another layer of Hell, a labyrinth of cold stone and disturbing paintings where he has an important job to do.
THE GARDEN FORTRESS
Thrilling Tales #4, Rainfall Books, 2009
One morning that isn’t particularly special Eve discovers that the Garden of Eden is enclosed by a wall. She tries to climb over, to see what it hides but vicious vines attack her. When Eve peers through the cracks she discovers a decaying and corrupted world, full of suffering and misery. The serpent has answers but he’s not talking, and Adam has a secret or two of his own.
THE LORD OF THE LAW
Australian Horror Writers Assocations Short Story Award 2008 Commendation
The Fourth Black Book of Horror, Mortbury Press, 2009
Doug Skolling is trapped on the ceiling of his hotel room. Gravity has reversed for him, a curse inflicted by the enigmatic Lord of the Law. The Lord demands that Doug apologises, but for what reason Doug does not know.
SWEET AS DECAY
with David Witteveen
Macabre: A Journey through Australian Horror, Brimstone Press, 2009
Young and idealistic, Rebecca has campaigned hard to bring human rights to a small West African country. People disappear here everyday, but she's determined nothing of the sort will happen on her watch. When Rebecca discovers that her organisation's backer have more sinister ideals, and that they have endorsed far darker horrors perpetrated in this country, Rebecca finds she must examine what it is exactly that she beleives.
CACTUS
Midnight Echo #1, Australian Horror Writers Association, 2008
Ricky had never been that smart, so when he decides to rip off his criminal boss and steal his girl for the promise of a few quick bucks, he finds himself in the middle of a deadly situation and way out of his depth. In no time Ricky runs into his boss in a dusty forgotten outback town, where he’s quickly murdered, but death as Ricky soon discovers, is now the least of his problems.
HOMO CANIS
AHWA Flash Fiction Story Competition, Winner 2007
2008 Award Winning Australian Writing, Melbourne Books, 2008
Midnight Echo #2, Australian Horror Writers Association, 2009
Aaron Sedgwick broke the law, killing his wife in a car accident while intoxicated with alcohol. For his punishment, he is sentenced to eighteen years hard labor, remade as a dog.
HELL'S AMBASSADOR
Black Box, Brimstone Press, 2008
These five connected short stories, all under 120 words, follow the antics of Hell's Ambassador to the Earth, and proves once again that it is never worth selling your soul to a demon, even if they are your neighbor. The five tales forming the "Hell's Ambassador" arc include "Not Dead", "Higher Than This", "Artificial Demand", "Souls for Guns" and "Fat People".
Personal favourites include ... David Conyers' Hell’s Ambassador trilogy of tales is an eye opening and amusing look at things from the Devil’s advocate side. - OzHorrorScope
SUBTLE INVASION
The Black Book of Horror, Mortbury Press 2007
Australian Shadows 2008, Shortlist
The Writing Show, Halloween Ghast Fest 2008
Best New Tales of the Apocalypse, Permuted Press 2008
Aliens invade the earth on the same day that Carl and Kathy's daughter is stung by a wasp. What at first appears to strange alien growths in their backyard soon consumes their house. They are not alone, for the whole world is menaced by this expanding intrusion. As for the alien invadiers, they remain unseen, even though their intentions are remarkably hostile.
Conyers' "Subtle Invasion" represents an improved effort from this prolific author. Once again, Conyers' ability to describe horrific alien concepts and use them to maximum effect is what makes this story stand out from the pack. – Australian Shadows 2008
David Conyers weighs in with his excellent story, Subtle Invasion. Nice to see some Australian colour in a British anthology. It's a strong story with nice attention to detail and a central character that it's easy to empathise with. You'll never look at a wasp nest in the same way again. - Tony Owen. OzHorrorScope
‘Subtle Invasion’ by David Conyers starts with a wasp sting and develops into a bleak, end of the world scenario, one that offers a re-evaluation of man’s place in the great scheme of things every bit as disquieting as anything found in the oeuvre of Lovecraft. The feeling of hopelessness that pervades the story is almost palpable as its hero loses everything that he has, all whom he holds dear." - Peter Tennant, Case Notes, Black Static #2
Truly, the Triffids were just uppity stinging nettles compared to these unrelenting bastards. SF-horror crossovers don't always do it for me but I love this. It reads like a glorious 'fifties b-movie played completely straight. Norbert is adorable (I confess, I was really worried for him) and a brief cameo from a nasty biker gang is an unexpected bonus. - Demonik, Editor of Vault of Evil
THREE SHOTS
Horror Carousel, Issue 4, 2006
Casey is a success as a corporate high-potential in the Department of Liability Management. She works hard, is committed to her job, always strives to improve herself, and is constantly focused on promotion. Her only problem is her husband, for he does not fit into her new corporate image. Perhaps the Department of Liability Management can offer their services?
