Coelacanth
Published in March 2008 in issue 2 of the magazine Fissure, along with the DF pieces Never End Never End Never End and Tatter. See either the Fissure myspace page or Shadow Archer Press' website for more information and to buy a copy of the magazine.

This was written in September 2007, and first saw the light of day in January 2008 on DF's myspace page. 


Never End Never End Never End
Published in March 2008 in issue 2 of the magazine Fissure, along with the DF pieces Coelacanth and Tatter. See either the Fissure myspace page or Shadow Archer Press' website for more information and to buy a copy of the magazine.

Written November 2006.  This is a 'poemised' version of a text from God Thing (the full version of which can be found in DF's book Spell)  The title may or may not have significance to Silent Hill fans, though the poem itself is not related to Silent Hill in any way at all.



Spell
Paperback, published February 2008. Contains the stories Despite Straight Lines, Circulating, Red Room, The Golden Boy That Flew To Never, Binary, Disappear Here, Citizen, and God Thing.

For further information on this book, and to purchase it, click here.


Here To Here
Published in the October 2007 edition of Retort.  This was originally written as a prose piece in Summer 2006; its current form dates from Spring 2007.


Three Days
Published in the October 2007 edition of Retort.  This originates from DF's God Thing project (the full version of which you can read in Spell). This version was rendered in November 2006.  The title no doubt alludes to Jane's Addiction's finest moment from their Ritual De Lo Habitual album, which has DF associations we really have no desire to delve into.  Those seeking clarity as to the final line are referred to Belly's 1993 album Star, which has similar (though lesser; no offence, Tanya) associations.


Holborn, London, December 23 2006
Published in the October 2007 edition of Retort.  This started life as a prose piece some time in the mid to late 1990s, and was re-worked by DF for God Thing (the full version of which you can read in Spell).  This version was rendered (unsurprisingly) in December 2006.  The original was a staple of DF live performances in the late 90s and early 00s.  There are all manner of inferences and references here, but we'll leave it to the reader to decipher them.  None of them are too obscure, we think.


The Last Boss
Published in the October 2007 edition of Retort.  Written November 2006.  More God Thing (full version in Spell)  The title will, we hope, have significance to computer gamers.


Contact
Published in the October 2007 edition of Retort.  Yep, another piece sourced from God Thing.  We suspect that the core of this will be lost to anybody who isn't DF or doesn't know DF very well.  The obvious sources are Carl Sagan's Contact and Terry Gilliam's Brazil, by way of Kraftwerk.  You really had to be there.


Buy You A
Written August 2007.  Published in the September 2007 edition of Why Vandalism?


The Hills Are Alive (demo)
This is work-in-progress from DF's presently untitled spoken word project, that we thought we'd showcase here.  Partly because there hasn't been much new DF stuff put out for a while and partly because we fancied it.  It's labelled 'demo' because that is exactly what it is.  We may showcase other 'in transit' texts from this project between now and its completion.  It depends upon DF and his mood, which is - at present - good. Click here to read.  Written October 2006.  Published October 2006.

Addendum February 2008: The finished version of this found its way to Spell - we'll upload this early version again if we can find it as it seems to have disappeared from the site and from our directory.


Circulating
This is likely one of DF's most read pieces. It was first published on Pulp, in January 2006, under the title Circles.  Click here to read it that version, or download a pdf of it here. You can read an alternate version - DF's preferred 'monitor mix' if you will - in Spell. The Spell version was also published in issue 4 of Fissure magazine in October 2008. Fissure's myspace is here. Fissure's website is here. Thank you also to "peaceful" for posting a link to the Pulp version on the Crop Circle Connector forum, which no doubt attracted a fair number of readers who would otherwise have not encountered DF's work.

This was written over the afternoon and evening of 6th December 2005, and is certainly the swiftest interval DF has had between writing and publication.  The story concerns crop circles, and some ways of their manufacture. The original title was Circulating, which DF prefers. On the day DF wrote it, he'd just got Coil's final album, The Ape Of Naples, listened to on repeat whilst tapping out this piece.  This may have influenced the story in one sense or another.


Instead Of Stressed I Lie Here Charmed
Published on Sick Among The Pure, October 2004.  Like Tatter, Still Dead, If God Were A Goth, and Anything That Flies (see below for all), this is work-in-progress from the novel Cutting.  Yes, the title is a Placebo lyric.  On the SATP site, this and Tatter were published as parts one and two of a single piece (this being part two).

This story features as part of Despite Straight Lines in DF's book Spell.


Tatter
Published on Sick Among The Pure, August 2004.  Like various other pieces listed below, this is work-in-progress from the novel Cutting.  On the SATP site, this and Instead Of Stressed I Lie Here Charmed were published as parts one and two of a single piece (this being part one).

Reader feedback:  "Amazing story. I feel that few stories really take a gaze into the thoughts of people who don't just think complexly, but feel complexly also. I think that it was a great story. Very honest. I commend Darren Francis not only on his story but his small reference to Placebo's song "Every me, Every You" [sic.] in Part II [see above - DF]. Thanks darren, for the insight into the complex infrastructure that is your mind."

This story features as part of Despite Straight Lines in DF's book Spell. It was also re-published in Published in March 2008 in issue 2 of the magazine Fissure, along with the DF pieces Coelacanth and Never End Never End Never End. See either the Fissure myspace page or Shadow Archer Press' website for more information and to buy a copy of the magazine.

Still Dead
Published on Starving Arts, June 2004.  Like Anything That Flies and If God Were A Goth (see below), this story is work-in-progress from the novel Cutting, which concerns - amongst other things - self-harm.  Click the Starving Arts link above to read the story.

This story features as part of Despite Straight Lines in DF's book Spell.

If God Were A Goth
Published on Sick Among The Pure, June 2004.  Work-in-progress from the novel Cutting.

Some reader feedback, from Sick Among The Pure:

"I've been reading the SickAmongthePure articles for some time, but have never sent any feedback until now.  I've just read Darren Francis' short story, and I loved it, I believe that he should contiune [sic] the story and expand upon the characters, interesting read, I'd like some more.  The rest of the articles are excellent as usual, keep up the good work!"

and

"I'm not sure who this is going to, or what the point of responding to this story is, but I just felt I had to.  Almost every line reminded me of something about myself, or people I know, and at the same time made you feel like you were in love with Cassie at some party, or alone in your room.  Also, it was like reading about people who I could actually relate to, unlike most writing these days, and I really want to know what happens to them... I think it would be really cool if the author could add to it, or if SickAmongthePure could put another part in next issue, and I just would want to read more of the authors work, get inside his head."

This story features as part of Despite Straight Lines in DF's book Spell.

Anything That Flies
Published on Poetic Inhalation, March 2004.  Work-in-progress from the novel Cutting, which concerns - amongst other things - self-harm.  First draft Summer 2001, though much re-worked later.  It ought perhaps to be said that the title of this story (filched from Coil,from their Worship The Glitch album) bears little relation to the text, except perhaps obliquely.

Poetic Inhalation has since closed down, but you can read this story here.