Calling all filmmakers, musicians and animators!

Are you a filmmaker or musician? Are you looking to flex your creative muscles in the name of the apocalypse?

THE END IS NIGH! is looking for talented individuals to pitch ideas for a special project to tie in with our next issue, which is being released in May 2007.

We are hoping to give away a free cover-mounted CD with each copy and we're looking for apocalyptic music, short films and animations to fill it!

Please do let us know your ideas at submissions at endisnigh.co.uk ... but remember - make it apocalyptic!

Doomsday Books #2

We return to our semi-regular look at the latest releases in apocalyptic literature.

We've just the one this time round:

THE MEANING OF THE 21ST CENTURY: A Vital Blueprint for Ensuring Our Future by James Martin

Here's a handy Sunday Times review and the Amazon listing.

Remember: if a new book pops up on our doom-o-scope we'll drop a mention in. If you are an author of an upcoming Doomsday Book, or know of one, then please do drop us a line!

'Doomsday clock' could shift forward for first time since 2001

The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago has said it is closely watching events following North Korea's alleged testing of a nuclear weapon recently.

The group sets the so-called Doomsday Clock, which metaphorically measures the danger the world faces from nuclear weapons (see Andrew Bartlett's excellent feature in issue two of THE END IS NIGH!)

"It started at seven minutes to midnight we are now back to seven minutes to midnight," said Kennette Benedict, the Bulletin's executive director, to the media. "It's really meant to convey a sense of urgency."

Though it was just two minutes from midnight during cold war tensions in 1953, Benedict says when the group meets next month it will consider changing the clock for the first time in four years. North Korea's actions, and Iran's affirmation Tuesday of its nuclear ambitions, are both major considerations.

"Having a weapon go off and a cascade of events… would lead to horrible destruction," he said.

Russian says comet to hit this month

According to Russian astronomer Nikolai Fedorovsky, a giant comet flying at top speed is bound for Earth. Should the comet stay on the collision course, it may hit the planet in late October. The impact will cause devastating tsunamis, earthquakes and avalanches, says Fedorovsky. He saw the killer comet in a telescope two weeks ago. He managed to calculate the comet’s trajectory.

The story is from Pravda, so make your own minds up whether you believe it or not ...

Contribute to THE END IS NIGH! #4 ...

Still disappointed that planes didn't fall out of the sky on January 1, 2000? Still waiting for the angels to whisk you away? Is Armageddon simply geddin' ya down?

Well, if waiting for the End of the World is getting a bit boring, you need THE END IS NIGH! - the official magazine of the apocalypse!

THE END IS NIGH! is on the look-out for contributors for its massive fourth issue – there's going to be a brand new format, more content, and even more 100% apocalyptic action!

And we're flinging the scope for submissions for this issue WIDE OPEN! So if you've got an apocalyptic idea, we want to hear from you! Whether it's based on the next scientific scare story, the latest religious rant about the Rapture, or you've got your own vision of the End of the World, let us know about it!

SUPPLEMENT IDEAS

In past issues, a 'theme' has taken over the whole magazine, this time we're accepting any apocalyptic ideas while also running a special When Nature Runs Amok! supplement. Global warming has never been 'hotter' news and we want to bring our readers the latest news, features and weird stuff about when nature gets its own back! Why not have a play around with:

• global warming (from submerged continents to worldwide draught to the new ice age!)
• pandemic diseases
• apocalyptic natural disasters (from a polar shift to cinsane weather to volcano meltdown!)
• humanity replaced by the next step in evolution (Mutant superheroes? Vampires? Homo superior? Animals taking over? It could happen!)
• Nature versus technology – which will destroy civilisation first?!

But remember – so long as it's about the End of the World, it's in THE END IS NIGH!

CAN YOU HELP US?

THE END IS NIGH!'s success has been built on the hard work of its army of contributors. From comic strip artists to feature and short story writers to people who chuck in the odd joke or two – they all make it the fantastic magazine it is! So why not join their ranks? We're on the look out for the following things:

Comic strips
We need writers and artists for comic strips from one page to six pages in length – get your ideas in print and your work seen by an audience the crosses genres and spans the globe! And don't just go for the easy old ideas – go crazy! After all, it is the end of the world ;)

Features
We need feature writers to explain all the latest, biggest and scariest End of the World scenarios – is there a scary new cult on the apocalyptic map? What's the latest thing scientists are saying will end all life on Earth? What new vision of Armageddon is being preached from the pulpit? What horrors does our planet, our solar system, or our own warped minds have in store for us? All ideas for features up to 1,000 words in length considered!

Spot illustrations
You don't have to do a strip for the next issue – why not let your imagination go mad with some spot illustrations? There will be features that need a visual to grab the reader's attention – your work could bring those words to life! Each issue needs dozens and dozens of images to illustrate our wide range of content. Get the chance to show off with some designs of your own!

Cartoons
The End of the World is no laughing matter – unless you read THE END IS NIGH! Got an apocalyptic gag that you want to share? Well make our readers laugh away their post-Millennial fears with a cartoon. Don't worry if you can't draw – we can put you in touch with artists to bring your sense of humour to the page!

Short stories
A budding Asimov or are you more John Wyndham? Bring your vision of the End of the World to life in your own words. We want to hear your pitches for short stories up to 1,500 words – just send a rough plot to submission@endisnigh.co.uk

Graphics
A whizz with the ol' Photoshop and Illustrator? Get in touch and put your design skills to making the apocalypse happen on every page!

News
Doomwatch needs you! Remember to keep submitting any news stories you see about the End of the World! Whether it's the latest environmental scare or news of the next asteroid with a one-way ticket for Earth, let us know via our blog at http://end-is-nigh.blogspot.com/ or by e-mailing a link to doomwatch@endisnigh.co.uk

Don’t worry if you don’t have an idea – we can match you with writers or artists who can help bring your work to the page! Just drop us a line, tell us a bit about yourself and we’ll see how you can contribute to the smash hit of the small press scene!

And please don't hesitate to ask if you have an idea, a suggestion or a question to submissions@endisnigh.co.uk - we're here to help!

Cheers

THE END IS NIGH! team

An amusing diversion ... or a horrific warning - you decide! ;)

Kenyan cult confused

Further to the posts about the House of Yahweh's September 12 prediction, members are apparently 'upset' that nothing happened.

The Kenyan branch of the US sect predicted the world would end in a nuclear war, but the day reportedly ended in some confusion. The Kenyan Standard reported some members of the House of Yahweh spent the day in concrete bunkers they had prepared. The group’s teaching was that the 1993 Oslo Accord between Israel and the Palestinian Authority would collapse, triggering a nuclear holocaust.

But the leader, Eleazor Kamotho Mugwe, said members of House of Yahweh spent the day in normal activities. He said the prophecy had been misunderstood and that Sept. 12, 2006, is the beginning of a seven-year period of collapse and destruction.
“What we know is that after the prophecy, we should be prepared for anything, but we do not know precisely when the war begins,” he said.

Baldrick's Guide to the Apocalypse

Tonight on Channel 4 (starting at 19.00) Tony Robinson presents a 2 hour guide to the End Times called "The Doomsday Code." Unusually Channel 4 don't have a mini-site up for this but their listings give this summary:

The Book of Revelation, with its apocalyptic imagery, is one of the most known
books of the bible. The Anti-Christ, The Great Tribulation and the blood-soaked
Battle of Armageddon are all part of St John's terrifying vision of the end of
the world. Tony Robinson uncovers the realities behind the Book of Revelation.