About A queer, speculative tale inspired by the spellbinding painting of the same name by the artist Sir Lawrence Alma- Tadema . It follows the tyrant emperor, Heliogabalus, as he starves a city of his people so that he can grow thousands of roses for a banquet. His muse: the queer poet Abu Nuwas—an anachronism plucked from time. The banquet is filled with poetry and Bacchic opulence, and its apex depicts the moment in the painting where he smothers his guests to death under petals of roses. Limited Edition signed by Sofia Ajram. Cover illustration by Nadhir Nor . Description: Queer erotic body horror short story "The Roses of Heliogabalus". Saddle stitched, signed. Measures 5x7", 30 pages. -- "The Roses of Heliogabalus" first appeared in THE PLEASURE IN PAIN: A QUEER HORROTICA ANTHOLOGY (2024). Listing is for one zine.
