Duet for the Devil was published October 1, 2000, by Necro Publications.
Before that, bits and pieces of the unruly opus were published in various small-press magazines and indie journals, often in somewhat different forms.
By the time the novel made it between hard covers, its length had been considerably shortened. Some significant characters were lost altogether as their scenes got the ax.
Subsequently, much of the "lost" segments from Duet for the Devil were published by Jasmine Sailing as The Forbidden Gospels of Man-Cruel Volumes I & II. These modest chapbooks also contained several scenes as they appeared before they were edited or reworked for the novel.
Forbidden Gospels: The Devil's Cut presents Volumes I & II as they originally appeared in chapbook form, including the introductions by Brian Hodge and Don Webb. Also included is an all new addition to the Gospels: "The Devil's Cut-Up."
Then comes the Prophet of the Perverse section--a tribute, of sorts, to the late t. Winter-Damon. It also includes Damon's long and rambling preface to Duet for the Devil, which until now has only appeared in the Advanced Uncorrected Proof and on the Necro Publications website. Plus some of Damon's best poetry and several poems he wrote with award-wining poet Bruce Boston. This section also includes moving remembrances by some of the people whose lives were touched Damon.
"Forbidden Gospels: The Devil's Cut is a literary remix of Duet For The Devil. If it were a movie, this would be the Director's Cut. But of course it's not a movie or a musical remix. It's damned book. The kind of book, according to one reviewer, that made a true book-lover throw the damned thing across the room. The dirty little secret is, that is exactly the reaction Damon and I wanted. The devil made us do it." --Randy Chandler
Contributors and Acknowledgements:
Jasmine Sailing, editor-publisher of Cyber-Psychos AOD
Brian Hodge, contributing author
Don Webb, contributing author
Bruce Boston, poet and contributing author
Peter H. Gilmore, High Priest of the Church of Satan and contributing author
Peggy Nadramia, High Priestess of the Church of Satan and contributing author
David L. Tamarin, contributing author
David G. Barnett, editor-publisher of Necro Publications
Thomas Ligotti, author and living legend
Prophet of the Perverse himself: t. Winter-Damon
WARNING! Not For Sensitive Souls. Do Not Open, Evil Inside.
