The Autumn Myth - Tapa dura

'The Autumn Myth' attempts a reality check on the myths and dreams that permeate our world. It attacks the culture of political and corporate mendacity in modern Britain, then goes on to consider the more ambiguous myths that sustain our personal lives. The poems explore the human experience of time, the lessons of grief and the evocative power of music. They look beyond a bitter society governed by lies towards a more creative use of imagination. The title poem suggests that global warming has eradicated autumn - and Lane's third collection celebrates an October of the heart, a revolutionary glow.

Joel Lane is a British author, poet, critic and anthology editor. Born in Exeter, he currently resides in south Birmingham (the latter city frequently provides settings for his fiction). Lane's poetry earned him the Eric Gregory Award in 1993. He has had two full-length collections published, 'The Edge of the Screen' (Arc, 1999) and 'Trouble in the Heartland' (Arc, 2004), and two pamphlets, the most recent in 2006. He edited the fantasy anthology 'Beneath the Ground' (2002) and, with Steve Bishop, 'Birmingham Noir: Urban Tales of Crime and Suspense' (2002). Although the majority of Lane's short stories can be categorised as urban fantasy / supernatural, his novels are more overtly mainstream: 'From Blue to Black' (2000) is a portrait of a disturbed rock musician, whilst 'The Blue Mask' (2003) follows the aftermath of a brutal and disfiguring attack.