I wrote a quick blog post about my thoughts on this quote. In it, I look at how the reasons I love writing at night
However, you’ll have to go visit my new site to be able to read it…
H.P. Lovecraft on “Writers”
horror
Stephen King on “Monsters”
I wrote a quick blog post about my thoughts on this quote. In it, I look at how the ghosts and monsters it references play a part in shaping my own as a writer.
However, you’ll have to go visit my new site to be able to read it…
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Book Spotlight – “Unconfined Delusions, Beyond the Threshold” by Angela L. Lindseth
Book Blurb
Unconfined Delusions, Beyond the Threshold, contains snippets of fast-paced, twisted fiction mingled with short stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat. “Broken Heart” questions the morality of organ transplantation. “The Basement” corners you in a dank basement with the tools of torture openly displayed. “My Last Sixteen Hours” counts down the last
minutes before execution. “Seeing Things” warns of a malignant aura
wrapping its inky hands around your throat. “The Clutching” will send
fingernails searching for a vein.
The words slither across the page,
feed on insecurities, and corrupt dreams. Savor the weird deliciousness
but read with the lights on. The land of Happily Ever After doesn’t
exist behind this cover. Don’t let your guard down because the next page
might bite.
Angela L. Lindseth’s first collection of flash fiction, Sanity’s Threshold, Slivers of a Twisted Mind, is available on Amazon.
Buy Your Copy Now! E-Book, Paperback, Hardback
At These eBook Retailers: Smashwords, Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, iBooks
From the Author
Angela L. Lindseth was raised on the plains of South Dakota, and though she spent most of her life away, the draw of the Black Hills brought her back. She has a marvelous sense of humor, loves to sing, and has a great fondness for good beer. When not scrapbooking or making jewelry, she works on her dystopian novel, The Contraption, and writes flash fiction, some of which make her question her sanity.
Where To Find Angela L. Lindseth
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website (Angela L. Lindseth)
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Short Story: “After Dark”
This story was written specifically for the “31 Days of Halloween” event.
The original idea actually came from the ending of the story, and me trying to figure out what had happened to reach that point.
I’m deliberately presenting this story in draft form, with minimal editing. I may decide to develop it further, but for now, it seems as complete as it plans to be.
“After Dark” by Timothy Bateson
It was overcast the night my friends and I walked to the cemetery on the edge of town. Everyone told me that it was going to rain tonight, but I couldn’t smell it in the wind.
I’d lived in the city for most of my youth, and knew every smell and sound that the city was capable of producing. I also knew most of the streets, but the outskirts of the city were a mystery at times. And that’s why I’d brought Jenks along, even though he really wasn’t part of my circle of friends.
Jenks had grown up on this side of town, and had talked about how special the graveyard was on Halloween night. He’d regaled us with stories of nights spent wandering between gravestones reading the inscriptions. Though I didn’t really believe him, several of my friends had, and Jenks was labeled a weirdo.
I had my reasons not to believe him but I kept them to myself. After all, Jenks was the weirdo, not me. Somehow, despite everything, I was the popular one.
I was lost in thought as we approached the cemetery, and I missed whatever they were discussing, until Rollo asked how we were going to get in.
It was after dark, and I was interested in hearing the answer myself. So I turned to Jenks and asked him what his plan was to get all of us over the wall.
“There’s a loose section that I climb over, and it should hold even Rollo’s weight.”
Yeah, there was the other reason why Jenks wasn’t part of our circle. He spent a lot of time picking on Rollo and I didn’t like it. Rollo was one of the kindest people I knew, and didn’t deserve the kind of crap that Jenks gave him for his weight problem. The kid liked to eat, sure. But then when it came to mealtimes, he usually brought something that the rest of us could share.
I had Jenks show us where to climb, and we scrambled over, one after the other. I landed on the other side of the wall last amid nervous giggling and glances back toward the street. Smiling I called everyone to order, and waited for the merriment to quiet.
This wasn’t a normal night, and the reduced level of light made everything seem eerie, especially with the low-lying fog. But I knew that there were no reasons for most of us to be nervous.
The only people here, other than us, were long dead, and I was okay about that. The dead were nothing to be afraid of, and I reminded everyone of that. As nerves seemed to settle Jenks suggested that we should head deeper into the cemetery so he could show us his favorite headstone.
I nodded, and gave him the illusion of being in charge, if even for a few minutes. There was no harm in it, especially after his dig at Rollo. In fact, if anything that cemented my resolve to let him lead us deeper, if he dared. I still had my doubts about his claims.
Five minutes later, we were standing over a grave that looked freshly dug, even though the inscription indicated that it was much older. In fact, according to the headstone this was where an eighteen year old boy had been buried over sixty years ago.
I looked around my circle of friends, and decided to end the charade, and kick off the main event of the night.
I let my incisors extend, and watched the others do the same. That’s the moment we all turned on Jenks, and I grinned.
And then I started the countdown. “Ten… Nine…” It was on seven that Jenks finally took the hint, and ran. It would be a good hunt, as long as he didn’t fall into any of our graves, or faint like last year’s prey.
If he made the wall, he was safe, and the rules said we had to offer him the chance to join us. If he refused, he’d die anyway. But after his dig at Rollo, I wasn’t going to give him the chance to be one of us. Jenks did love graves, so maybe we’d hide his remains in one when we were done feasting.
“Dinner’s on me tonight boys. And no playing with your food, you have to be back in your graves before morning.” Of course, they didn’t need the reminder – we’d played this game for six decades.
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Book Spotlight – “The Greatest of Books” by Rosa Marchisella
Book Blurb
To clear his name, disgraced knight, Baxton Al’Mur is magically bound to an impossible task: Retrieve The Greatest of Books from a legendary troll or die horribly. No one has ever faced the troll and lived. Soldiers have fallen. Wizards have failed.
Death would be a blessing for Baxton, but the Curse of Life has bound his best friend’s fate to his
own. For Lenigh’s sake, Baxton must succeed. But, success has a terrible price. Wherever Baxton and the book go, so follows the unstoppable troll.
As the body count rises, Baxton has to make a terrible decision: Sacrifice hundreds of innocent people to complete his mission or betray the last person he loves to keep his world safe from the troll.
Buy Your Copy Now! E-Book, Paperback
At These eBook Retailers: Smashwords, Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, iBooks
From the Author
Rosa Marchisella is an author of both fiction and non-fiction books (under the name Rosa Arcade). Her other written work include 4 co-authored publications, over 200 web articles, marketing and media projects, as well as promotional and educational tools. Her poetry has appeared in several anthologies and
websites and over a dozen of her scripts have been produced to date. Rosa is also the creator of the animated series, Zomb-Eh?
Where To Find Rosa Marchisella
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Blog (I Am Rosa: Official Blog Site), Website (Rosa Marchisella: Official Author Site), Newsletter (Rosa Marchisella: Official Author Site)
Note: The Newsletter is a Reader’s List via Books2Read. It will only notify you when the author publishes a new book. No spam.
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Book Spotlight – “Carousel of Nightmares” by Kerry E.B. Black
Book Blurb
In Carousel of Nightmares, author Kerry E.B. Black corralled a collection of scary short stories. She hopes you may find the beauty in the nightmarish coats, the sparkle in their malignant eyes, and the magic in the rhythm of accelerated heartbeats. May the ride they offer lead to the adventure you seek!
Buy Your Copy Now! Paperback
At These eBook Retailers: Amazon
From The Author
Kerry E.B. Black resides in a swamp along a foggy river outside the city of steel and three rivers. This enthusiastic short story writer recently released (or will soon release) a YA paranormal adventure novel, Season of Secrets, through Rhetoric Askew Publishing, and a collections of her short stories will be storming the market place through Tree Shadow Press. Please follow this “Rough Writer” and one-time first reader for Postcard Poetry and Prose at any of the sites below.
Where To Find Kerry E.B. Black
Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Website (Allusionary Assembly – The Writings of Kerry E.B. Black)
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Book Spotlight – “The 13: Tales of Macabre (Book 2 in The 13 series)” by Stephanie Ayers
Book Blurb
Can you survive all 12?
Killer watermelons, murderous jewelry boxes, centenarian sea whisperers, creatures of myth/legend, and more…
This supernatural story collection will make you reconsider everything you thought you knew. At night you’ll hover under your covers while looking over your shoulder in the day.
Down, down in the depths they fell; bodies in the dark of a liquid hell.
Can you survive all 12?
This is the second short story collection of 13 in The 13 Series.
Buy Your Copy Now! E-Book, Paperback (Coming October 26th)
At These eBook Retailers: Smashwords, Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, iBooks
From the Author
A published author with a knack for twisted tales, Stephanie Ayers is a full-time world-building ninja and part time freelancer living in Ohio while crafting her own story and resists growing up at all costs. She mothers her children, loves her husband, attends church, and avoids all things housework and zombies.
Where To Find Stephanie Ayers
Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, Street Team (Facebook Group), Website (Growing Up Stephanie), Newsletter (The Unicorn Herd)
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Book Spotlight – “Ghostly Writes Anthology” by Ghostly Writers
Book Blurb
ENTER IF YOU DARE. A new Ghostly Writes Anthology for 2017, gives you sixteen authors from around the world with ghostly stories and poems for you to read. Each short story will take you to a new place, be it the future, present or past.
Plaisted Publishing House is happy to present this book to you – our readers. Please note that all stories are written in the English of the country the Author resides in.
Buy Your Copy Now! E-Book
From the Author
Ghostly Writers are a group of Indie Authors from all over the world who come together to write short stories to thrill and scare you during Halloween. Each year we put together a FREE eBook Anthology with scary tales.
This is our 2nd Anthology and our thrid book (we put together a ghostly anthology for Valentines as well.
Where To Find Ghostly Writers
Facebook, E-mail, Website, Newsletter (Indie Publishing News)
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31 Days Of Halloween – Happy Halloween
It’s Halloween At Last!
And, yes, this post is going live 4 hours earlier than usual, and you’ll see why shortly…
This month has been an amazing ride, and I’ve loved being able to bring so many authors, books, and stories to you all. (Click here for a list of everything that’s happened this month).
This entire month was about celebrating the 3rd Anniversary of “Under A Hunter’s Moon” being in print. So, don’t forget to get your FREE copy of “Under A Hunter’s Moon (Shadows Over Seattle: Prequels #1)” before the end of the night.
After midnight on Halloween night, the price will go back up to it’s usual $0.99 (USD). If you’re unsure this is the story for you, there’s a preview of the story at the bottom of this post.
So 31 Days, 31 Posts? Challenge Accepted… And Defeated!
When I first challenged myself to do this event, 31 posts in 31 days looked like such a daunting challenge. And there were ups and downs along the way. I had some posts planned with authors, which for didn’t make it into the line up, for different reasons. But there was always someone willing to step up and fill the slot.
I may have had to rush to make sure some of the posts went out on the days I’d promised, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Everyone I’ve worked with has been amazing.
Here’s To All My Wonderful Contributors, And Readers
I want to put out a HUGE thank you to all the authors who took part, without whom I’d have been writing a blog post every day for an entire month… And I suspect I’d have failed miserably…
I’d also like to thank everyone who dropped in, took the time to comment on posts, share them, and click those like buttons. It means a lot to me that so many people came by and helped make this a blog event I’ll remember for a long time to come.
As a surprise to the contributing authors, I wanted to do something special, and this video is my way of showing my gratitude. I dug deep into author interviews, websites, blog posts and more to find some things about them that may people might not know…
So take a peek behind the scenes of the event, and learn a little about everyone who helped make this such a huge success.
And that’s a wrap…
But, I wouldn’t have even DARED to try something like this, if it wasn’t for you, my followers and readers. So, as a thank you, I decided to do something crazy… “Under A Hunter’s Moon” is STILL free, until MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!
Grab Your Copy NOW!
Want a preview of what to expect? Then check out the preview below… And if you like what you read, PLEASE leave a review, and tell your friends how much you enjoyed it.
https://bublish.com/bubble/stream/14467?embed=1
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Halloween Movie Marathon – Myk Pilgrim
I’m very excited about today’s slot, because not only is Myk Pilgrim a horror writer, but he’s also one of those people who LOVE horror films. As part of his Halloween celebrations, he picked 31 Halloween films, and has posted a review each day.
I’m very grateful to Myk for letting me bring you that very list, along with his Top 8 picks. So without further delay, I hand you over to Myk Pilgrim… And try not to blink… It might just get you killed…
Happy Halloween boils & ghouls!
In celebration of the most wonderful time of the year (spoilers it’s NOT the one with the mince pies) I’ve put together a Halloween Horror Movie Marathon to keep you creepy for October. It’s a pretty wide list, the impetus behind my choices it being particularly focused on popcorn munching horror flicks. The name of the game here being fun and (as much as I hate to use the word given its stigma in the current climate) inclusive.
Hope you have a Spooktacular Samhain and remember folks: Every day is Halloween.
Visit MykPilgrim.com to see the full list and download the PDF.
http://www.mykpilgrim.com/horrormarathon2017
And Here’s Myk’s Top 8 Films From The Lineup
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Day 1 – Tales of Halloween (2015)
Tales of Halloween is a sweet anthology flick, a perfect start for the season. There really is a mixed bag in this one, flesh eating pumpkins, monstrous demons, murderous children and a Halloween joy-ride to end all joy-rides. Tricks for everyone!
Day 3 – Orphan (2009)
A multi-layered flick about the horrors of parenthood – this really is a criminally unsung horror gem. Also, the little girl, the youngest of the three kids, is so sweet you can almost feel your teeth falling out. The tension throughout the film is tangible and the payoff worth the wait.
Day 10 – Oculus (2013)
Oculus ploughs ahead at top speed managing expectations as it goes. Two grown siblings return to their childhood home to face the demons whose shadows have tarnished their whole lives. You may never see light bulb quite the same way again. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Also, did I mention that Karen Gillian is in it?
Day 11 – Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil (2010)
I’m not going to guild the lily here, Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil is one of, if not my favourite horror comedy. This hill billy bromance stacks one laughable misunderstanding on another with hilariously bloody results. What do you get if you combine a bee hive & a chainsaw? You’ll have to watch it to find out.
Still not convinced? Here’s a review I did a few years back that should tip you over the edge.
http://www.mykpilgrim.com/unspoiled-reviews/tucker-dale-vs-evil-2010-review
Day 13 – Troll Hunter (2015)
After I first saw this it stuck to the insides of my skull for weeks – I hope it does the same for you. The way this found footage film uses Nordic folklore in its narrative is ingenious. I went into it completely blind and my experience was all the better for it. You may never look at the woods quite the same way again.
Day 21 – Hush (2016)
Hush A deaf writer working in her new book in a secluded cabin in the woods finds herself under siege by a masked lunatic with a crossbow. The use of silence in this one is remarkable. The danger is visceral.
Hush trailer link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_P8WCbhC6s
Day 26 – The Void (2016)
Probably the most decent Lovecraftian film in recent years. A group of strangers find themselves besieged in a hospital by one of the creepiest cults you’ve seen on film.
Trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2ot6ogGZNc
Day 30 – Night of the Demons 2 (1994)
A bunch of dumb kids decide to skip out on the naff school Halloween disco to drink beer and bump uglies in the local allegedly haunted house. The creature effects are fun, the demons hilarious and creepy. But really though, if you only need only ONE reason to watch this flick, I have three words for you: Bad Ass Nun.
Introducing Myk Pilgrim
A.L. Mabry is a publisher and multi-genre author. She is currently working on several projects, including a short story collection, Darker Daze: The Storms Within (dark fiction) and the first book in her Chthonian Guardian trilogy, Soul Purge (fantasy). Darker Daze is being released exclusively on Patreon while Soul Purge will be published in 2018 by OWS Ink, llc. She has a sci-fi project in the works, Vivamus (science fiction), which will be released in early 2019.
Where to find Myk Pilgrim:
Website (Myk Pilgrim), Twitter, Instagram, Blog, Facebook, YouTube, Google+
Timothy Bateson (ramblings of an author) 