Mark O Pilkington
banner
markopilkington.bsky.social
Mark O Pilkington
@markopilkington.bsky.social
Co-director / publisher at Strange Attractor Press. Author of 'Mirage Men' and 'Far Out' – still writing after all these years. Electronic music maker with Teleplasmiste, Luminous Foundation & others. Co-producer, Acid Horse micro music festival.
A fantastic obituary by Cathi Unsworth, for the legend Roger Burton, who left us just over a week ago. Without Roger and the Horse Hospital there may never have been a Strange Attractor...
www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
Roger K Burton obituary
Founder of the Horse Hospital arts centre in London who also styled pop videos and films, including Absolute Beginners
www.theguardian.com
August 13, 2025 at 11:58 AM
This is an engaging, important, and ultimately terrifying book – really can't wait to get it out into the world this autumn...
We're incredibly excited to announce a new title from long-standing Strange Attractor contributor Tom Bolton, author of London's Lost Rivers and Vanished City....

Pre-order now via strangeattractor.greedbag.com/buy/atomic-a... 🔗
July 31, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Well this is certainly the most remarkable thing I've seen in a while, thank you @nothingistrue.net

I did check and sadly there is only the one song, but frankly I'm not sure if the world was ready for any more...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-8T...
June 19, 2025 at 12:29 PM
We had a fantastic time being Teleplasmiste @theseanceradio.bsky.social event at Rose Hill Tavern, Brighton last Saturday, immersed in great music and surrounded by wonderful people.
Huge thanks to @markopilkington.bsky.social @roseio.bsky.social @kempernorton.bsky.social MAP 71, @smackmusic.bsky.social & Elkka Nyoukis. Psychotropic swarms, skewed bewitchments, end-to-end mutant moments summoned. Minds were blown. Hon mention to @nothingistrue.net & all attendees. More soon.
June 16, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Can't wait for this on Saturday – Teleplasmiste are on vibrant form - we'll hope to see a few of you in Brighton...
It gratifies the Séance quite likely beyond the reach of human language to be hosting the first Brighton manifestation of the preternaturally psychedelic Teleplasmiste as headliners at the Rose Hill this Saturday.
Late tickets for this delirious sonic miscellany now selling fast at bit.ly/4mRcXuL
June 12, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Reposted by Mark O Pilkington
Today on Getting Spooked: An exclusive preview chapter of my 2021 book The Fortean Influence on Science Fiction. This chapter specifically covers the life and work of Charles Fort, hinting at his future massive influence on the science fiction genre. tannerfboyle.substack.com/p/a-fortean-...
A Fortean Emergence: The Early SF/Forteana Relationship
A sample chapter from my book, The Fortean Influence on Science Fiction, covering the life and work of anomalist Charles Hoy Fort and the literature that spun off his writings
tannerfboyle.substack.com
May 21, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Next Tuesday I'm hosting a zoom presentation by Greg Eghigian, looking back at the alien abduction panic of the 1980s and 1990s. Greg's book 'After The Flying Saucers Came', published by OUP last year, has become the essential history of the UFO story.

thelasttuesdaysociety.org/event/alien-...
Alien Abduction: Postmortem of a Controversy – Greg Eghigian - Zoom - The Last Tuesday Society
Why did so many people believe they had been kidnapped by aliens? In the 1980s, stories from people claiming to have been abducted by aliens sparked animated public debate, […]
thelasttuesdaysociety.org
May 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Can’t wait for this, a first Brighton outing for Teleplasmiste, alongside some of the city’s brightest sonic beacons.
It pleases us mightily to announce a Séance for the Summer as manifest on Jun 14 in Brighton by Teleplasmiste @markopilkington.bsky.social, Rose Io, Kemper Norton @kempernorton.bsky.social Map 71, Elkka Nyoukis & Karen Constance @smackmusic.bsky.social
Tix! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-seance-f...
May 8, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Off to sunny Stroud for the mega #neoancients fest this weekend, kicking off tonight with a double bill of Rituals in the Dark, my witchcraft on film presentation, and a Luminous Foundation live set at Klangtone records. Tomorrow I speak to Rupert Russell about his film 'The Last Sacrifice'.
May 2, 2025 at 10:41 AM
I had a great time talking to the brilliant @tannerfboyle.bsky.social about UFO cultures, paranormal psyops and the abuses of enchantment. Tune in here…
Today on Getting Spooked: Author, publisher, and musician Mark Pilkington joins the podcast to have a chat on his seminal book Mirage Men, supernatural psychological operations, the current trajectory of ufology, and his present and future research. tannerfboyle.substack.com/p/16-musings...
[#16] Musings on the Mirage Men and Other Supernatural Psyops w/ Mark Pilkington
Listen now | Author, publisher, and musician Mark Pilkington joins the podcast to have a chat on his seminal book Mirage Men, the trajectory of ufology, and his current research
tannerfboyle.substack.com
May 1, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Very excited to be taking Teleplasmiste to Brighton in June for Séance for the Summer, alongside these other fantastic performers.

We're also playing Acid Horse on 24 May. We're up for doing more gigs, so do shout if you'd like us to entrance your event...
It pleases us mightily to announce a Séance for the Summer as manifest on Jun 14 in Brighton by Teleplasmiste @markopilkington.bsky.social, Rose Io, Kemper Norton @kempernorton.bsky.social Map 71, Elkka Nyoukis & Karen Constance @smackmusic.bsky.social
Tix! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-seance-f...
April 15, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Reposted by Mark O Pilkington
Our Spring Sale continues through the rest of April, with mind-bending bargains on some of our most (un)popular titles. Stocks are strictly limited to what's left in our London warehouse - catch 'em while you can!

strangeattractor.greedbag.com/dept/~spring...
April 14, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The AAA's aims and actions have never felt more prescient.
I wish I could make this - but hopefully some of you can.
I have fond memories of astronaut training with fellow travellers on Parliament Hill, and facilitating one of their closing sessions at the 1999 Fortean Times Unconvention.
Association of Autonomous Astronauts: 30th anniversary events April 2025:

www.uncarved.org/blog/2025/04...

I will be participating in these events alongside several other former autonomous astronauts. See you there or see you in space!
April 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Reposted by Mark O Pilkington
Thank you to everyone who has signed our petition, 6,000+! Authors deserve to have a livelihood and compensation from their work, if you haven't signed do so now 👇
Sign the Petition
Protect authors’ livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training
www.change.org
April 2, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Reposted by Mark O Pilkington
Hello Strangers! We're having an enormous Spring Sale on our web site, with deep discounts across a number of titles. These offers are only available direct from us, while stocks last, until the end of April. Click this link to discover what's reduced:

strangeattractor.greedbag.com/dept/~spring...
April 1, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I'm pleased to have played a small role in the unearthing of this Maltese psych monster - Hypogeum 68, by UFO67.

Can a recording that no one knew existed even be called lost? Who cares! All that matters is Hypogeum 68!

urthona.bandcamp.com/album/hypoge...
Hypogeum 68!, by UFO67
4 track album
urthona.bandcamp.com
March 25, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Last call for the launch event for this behemoth tomorrow night @treadwellsbooks.bsky.social An evening of occult post punk magic and memories with the one and only Phil Hine.

The special HB edition of the book will be on sale, along with the paperback.

www.treadwells-london.com/events-1/phi...
Phil Hine's Delinquent Elementals – Launch & Soirée | Treadwells
Hine launches his new book anthologising the best of the '80s/90s zine 'Pagan News'. A sofa interview and party follows.
www.treadwells-london.com
March 25, 2025 at 11:08 AM
What Leon Theremin did next
A remarkable story
In 1945, Soviet school children gifted a carving of the Great Seal of the USA to the American Ambassador, who hung it in his office at the US Embassy in Moscow. Seven years later, it was found to contain a concealed listening device.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thi...
March 22, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Looking forward to this!

I’ll also be there tomorrow evening, playing a selection of heroic tunes at the opening event - cuts from Hawk The Slayer to Final Fantasy VIII. Hoping for some suitably epic dance moves on display.
"The crocodile loves us. They eat our pain."

Opening 21st March 2025 (tomorrow!) at Bonington Gallery, Nottingham:

WEIRD HOPE ENGINES, featuring an army of TTRPG Luminaries: Angela Washko Scrap World @davidblandyrpgs.bsky.social @amandalee.bsky.social @andrewwalter.bsky.social and more. (Also me!)
March 20, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Keeping it weird out West-ish, another instalment of the fab Neo Ancient's festival in Stroud, Gloucestershire on Mayday weekend. I'll be presenting Rituals in the Dark: British Witchcraft on Film, on Friday, and performing in full kosmische mode with Neil Mortimer as Luminous Foundation. Join us!
March 20, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Release thee acid horse!
March 13, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Join us in The Village this May bank holiday weekend, for the third Acid Horse micro music festival, programmed by @jahduran.bsky.social and myself. We've got around 30 artists on the bill this year – here @thequietus.com select a few of their highlights.

thequietus.com/news/acid-ho...
Acid Horse 2025: tQ's 10 Essential Picks | The Quietus
Come all ye to the village of Pewsey in Wiltshire, home to all manner of bespoke festivities in its history no doubt. But forget everything you know about village fetes when it comes to Acid Horse, be...
thequietus.com
March 10, 2025 at 12:25 PM
I’m looking forward to listening to what I’m sure will be an insightful and entertaining conversation
It was a pleasure to chat with Emily, Tanner, & Erica about insights gained from examining conspiracy communities. There are valid points to be considered, even if they're not typically discussed within said communities.
Big, big thanks to Emily Louise @weirdreadsemily.bsky.social & Tanner F. Boyle @tannerfboyle.bsky.social for a thoughtful & informed conversation about research methods, UFO beliefs, & more. Hosted by Erica Lukes @ericalukes.bsky.social. View the show in its entirety: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZedC...
March 9, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Hope to see a few of you at what is sure to be a wonderful evening of post-punk occult history, humour and wisdom.
Join us, and co-editor Phil Hine in celebrating the publication of 'Delinquent Elementals: A Pagan News Anthology' at the wonderful Treadwells Books, London, on 26 March. Books, drinks and cakes of light will be served.

www.treadwells-london.com/events-1/del...
Phil Hine's Delinquent Elementals – Launch & Soirée | Treadwells
Hine launches his new book anthologising the best of the '80s/90s zine 'Pagan News'. A sofa interview and party follows.
www.treadwells-london.com
March 6, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Some fantastic photos from our Teleplasmiste performance on Friday by @pete23.com - the oscillators were really growling towards the end of the set.
This was amazing, although I had to make a rapid exit close to the end because I’d forgotten my earplugs for the 1,762th gig running and didn’t want to completely cook my hearing.
March 2, 2025 at 7:37 PM