Secret Language by Neil Williamson

Secret Language

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Description

Secret Language is Neil Williamson’s first collection in ten years, but it has been worth the wait. A regular contributor to magazines such as Interzone and Black Static, Williamson’s short fiction has gained plaudits from critics and readers alike. In 2014, his debut novel The Moon King appeared to great acclaim. It was runner up or the BSFA Award for best novel and shortlisted for the Holdstock Award.

Secret Language gathers together sixteen stories, four of them written especially for this volume, that demonstrate why Neil Williamson is one of genre fiction’s finest writers. The BSFA shortlisted story “Arrhythmia” provides just one of the highlights in this exceptional collection.  

“Williamson’s territories are the liminal experience and the murky corners of the psyche. He is a virtuoso of the fleeting glimpse, a laureate of loss.” – Interzone

“Williamson nails style and structure to tell of high school hackers heisting music on the streets to create their own mixes.” – Speculation (of ‘Pearl in the Shell’)

“A talented writer who transcends genre, and should be bought, read and cherished.” – Shaun Green, Yet Another Book Review

“Williamson is one of the best Scottish short story writers alive today.” – Jim Steel

More Neil Williamson Books

  • Myriad Lands: Vol 2, Beyond the Edge

    Myriad Lands: Vol 2, Beyond the Edge

    Tanith Lee, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Neil Williamson, Phenderson Djeli Clark & Melissa Mead

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  • The Dark Issue 99

    The Dark Issue 99

    James Bennett, Neil Williamson, Libby Cudmore & Clara Madrigano

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  • Alfie the Mouse and the Silver Bell

    Alfie the Mouse and the Silver Bell

    Neil Williamson

    Animal Fiction for Kids

  • ParSec Issue #4

    ParSec Issue #4

    Ian Whates, Alexis Ames, Shih-Li Kow, Neil Williamson, Jane Rogers, Lavie Tidhar, Dame Gwyneth Jones, A.P. Howell, Teika Marija Smits, Simon Morden, Tim Newton Anderson, Bryony Pearce, Anne C Perry, Jared Shurin, Alistair Sims & Andy Hedgecock

    Horror

  • Infinity Plus: Quintet - : stories by Garry Kilworth, Lisa Tuttle, Neil Williamson, Stephen Palmer and Eric Brown

    Infinity Plus: Quintet - : stories by Garry Kilworth, Lisa Tuttle, Neil Williamson, Stephen Palmer and Eric Brown

    Eric Brown, Garry Kilworth, Lisa Tuttle, Stephen Palmer & Neil Williamson

    Fiction & Literature

  • The Dark, Issue 121, June 2025

    The Dark, Issue 121, June 2025

    Steve Rasnic Tem, Neil Williamson, Ogochukwu Bibiana Ossai & Thomas Ha

    Horror

  • No More Heroes

    No More Heroes

    Ian Whates, Keith Brooke, Ren Warom, Tim Lebbon, Storm Constantine, Alison Littlewood, Stephen Palmer, Gavin G. Smith, Maura McHugh, Michael Cobley, Allen Ashley, Vaughan Stanger, Neil Williamson, Jaine Fenn, Adam Roberts, Una McCormack, Martin Sketchley, Andrew Hook, Bryony Pearce, Chris Squire & Donna Scott

    Horror

  • ParSec Issue#2

    ParSec Issue#2

    Ian Whates, Angela Slatter, Neil Williamson, Aliya Whiteley, Ramsey Campbell, George Tom, Mike Carey, Gareth D Jones, Sean Mcmullen, Karen Brenchley, Anne C Perry, Jared Shurin, Stewart Hotston & Xueting Christine Ni

    Fantasy

  • The Dark Issue 30

    The Dark Issue 30

    Octavia Cade, Neil Williamson, L Chan & Lisa L. Hannett

    Horror

  • The Euonymist

    The Euonymist

    Neil Williamson

    Sci-Fi & Fantasy

  • Nova Scotia Vol 2

    Nova Scotia Vol 2

    Neil Williamson & Andrew J Wilson

    Sci-Fi & Fantasy

  • The Dark, Issue 125, October 2025

    The Dark, Issue 125, October 2025

    SL Harris, Angela Slatter, NM Whitley & Neil Williamson

    Horror

  • ParSec #11

    ParSec #11

    PS Publishing, Ian McDonald, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Aliya Whiteley, Allen Stroud, Neil Williamson, Ana Sun, Ian Whates, Ruth EJ Booth & Andy Hedgecock

    Horror

  • Blood in the Bricks

    Blood in the Bricks

    Neil Williamson, Angela Slatter, James Bennett, Ian Whates, Tim Major, Tracy Fahey, Ray Cluley, Dan Coxon, Penny Jones & Kim Lakin

    Horror

  • The Dark Issue 113

    The Dark Issue 113

    James Bennett, Alison Littlewood, Kay Chronister & Neil Williamson

    Horror

  • Secret Language

    Secret Language

    Neil Williamson

    Fantasy Short Stories

  • ParSec #13

    ParSec #13

    PS Publishing, Ian Whates, Neil Williamson, Paul Di Filippo, Maura McHugh, Garry Kilworth, Cécile Cristofari, K.B. Willson, Nina Allan & Mike Carroll

    Sci-Fi & Fantasy

  • Absolute Zero

    Absolute Zero

    Anne Woods, Matt Dodge, Neil Williamson, Bryan Holm, Jay T. Dane, E.J. Bramble, William Jensen, Marcel Feldmar, G.M. Garner, David Rider, Frederick Street, Marzia La Barbera & L. W. Young

    Fiction & Literature

  • The Ephemera

    The Ephemera

    Neil Williamson

    Short Stories