S.P. Oldham's Blog, page 12

My Limericks and Where to Find Them.

I have had a couple of comments from people enjoying my limericks. If you want to see some more just clink the link. I also post a limerick most Sundays on Written Undead. Hope you have some fun reading them. If you do, please let me know, either here or on my blog. Silly Sunday Zombie Limericks

Urban Explorers - Abandoned Properties

Been watching some good Urbexers (that's Urban Explorers for those of you who are not young and hip like what I am) on YouTube lately. I watch for the intriguing back stories, the history, the beautiful houses, to see the material remnants of what were once vibrant, active lives of people long gone. Some of the homes were once murder scenes. Others bear evidence, even now, of the poor souls who died in them, alone, only to be found much, much later. So sad.

It always makes me wonder why family don't come forward to claim property, documents, photos, mementos and so on. Breaks my heart to see these things left to rot and fall apart. Some of the buildings are furnished with such great quality, expensive, truly beautiful items of heavy furniture I can't help thinking it would be better to let people just take it, rather than leave it to go moudly and eventually to collapse. Such a waste. Though I also understand the need for respect. The idiots who go in just to trash the place and break things, spray painting walls and smashing windows, are no better than the four-legged vermin who live there now, in my view.

Of course, there are a whole host of reasons why family might not want anything to do with the deceased's former home. Some interesting stories right there, I bet. My daughter in law Rebecca Oldham just happens to watch the same Urbexer as me. She was telling me of a local property which is often explored by people. I did not even know it existed! Only down the road from me. It was once a mental asylum. Such sad places, as I have said here before.

If I was in better shape, to climb over things, up dodgy stairs and so on, and if I could still run away from the angry individual who seems to be a self-appointed guardian of the place and regularly chases people away (with a gun once, allegedly,) I would go for a look myself! Have any of you ever done anything like this? Investigated abandoned mansions, hospitals, schools? Anyone want to do it but haven't taken the plunge yet? I would love to know!

Image credit: Jamison Riley for Squarespace.

Post Mortem - Available Now!

NEWLY PUBLISHED! September 2022Post Mortem - by S P Oldham

I am excited to finally say that my new book, ‘Post Mortem’ is up and running on Amazon! I hope you enjoy it. Let me know your thoughts!

Danny Davies is proud to work at ‘Winscombe Funeral Home, Crematorium and Cemetery.’ His job is not exactly run-of-the-mill yet in a curious way, Danny enjoys treating the dead with care and respect. Mr Winscombe, his employer, is meticulous in his work; a very private, much esteemed member of the community of Lychgate and somebody Danny looks up to.

When Mr Winscombe mysteriously disappears one afternoon, Danny is naturally concerned. After all, the man is usually such a stickler for routine. He goes to the police later that evening when there is still neither sight nor sound of his boss.

As a courtesy, the police despatch two officers to Mr Winscombe’s home. Little does Danny know that the town of Lychgate will be forever changed afterwards. As will his opinion of his boss.

Some things are meant to be buried.

Post Mortem on Amazon UK

Post Mortem on Amazon US

It’s Been a Funny Old Day, So Far…

Been a funny old day so far. Milo went to the groomers, but he has to have the cut completed on Thursday as his tired old legs started giving way on the table after such a long time, bless him. I am glad the groomer puts his well being above all else. Makes me think she is the right choice for us. She found a grass seed embedded in his leg and had to remove it. Damn grass seeds! I always try so hard to make sure he is clear of them when we come back from a walk. Then, when she asked me to write my contact details, I wrote my current house number followed by the street address of where I lived as a child! To coin a phrase, WTF?

Got caught in a monster downpour on the way to pick him up (yes, my roof is still leaking) when suddenly my right boot went all weird and floppy. Checked it to find a hole and a split right across the sole that wasn't there when I left the house. Ducked into the local charity shop, where a pair of black ankle boots in just the right size were sitting, waiting for me. Well worth the £2!

To top it off, I just bit into a snack bar that contains honey! Thankfully, I am okay. I am always vigilant about that stuff too, but the print is so small! There are so many varieties of honey that the chances are I would be okay with some kinds, but that is a risk I try hard not to take!

All in all, I have experienced flip sides of coins today, so to speak - the good and the bad of odd little situations. Like I said, it's been a funny old day, so far.

The Original Market (Special Events)

Click the link to visit my ‘Market Stall’ on Facebook. Loads of other sellers there too, selling everything from kids toys and sweets to clothing and toiletries, and everything in between!

I have just added some new merchandise to my store. T shirts in bottle green and pale blue, gilets and hoodies in the same colours, all at size XXL UK. Great quality clothing from brands such as Uneek and Regatta, to name but two. All sporting my new logo, of course! Find them and so much more on The Original Market on Facebook

Also, Halloween and Christmas are creeping ever closer! Be sure to keep a close eye on giveaways and competitions, not to mention my new book, coming very soon…

A Mystery Death at Montgomery Castle…

The curious death of Maud Vras, as told by Cadw. You may know by now that I love history as much as I love writing, and where possible I try to include or allude to historical periods, events, folklore and mythology in my work, when I can. As a side note, Montgomery in Wales is an incredibly pretty part of the world, crammed full of history. I should also add that I am not entirely sure that the photo above (I took it) is the precise spot of the incident.

Post Mortem - New Release ARC readers wanted

Okay, it's time to give out 'copies' of my new book, 'Post Mortem.' I have a few readers already lined up. If you are interested, let me know below and I will message you with the details. For transparency, I will be asking for timely and honest reviews when the book is finally published, but I offer no renumeration or payment of any kind in return.

The Blurb: Danny Davies is proud to work at ‘Winscombe Funeral Home, Crematorium and Cemetery.’ His job is not exactly run-of-the-mill yet in a curious way, Danny enjoys treating the dead with care and respect. Mr Winscombe, his employer, is meticulous in his work; a very private, much esteemed member of the community of Lychgate and somebody Danny looks up to.

When Mr Winscombe mysteriously disappears one afternoon, Danny is naturally concerned. After all, the man is usually such a stickler for routine. He goes to the police later that evening when there is still neither sight nor sound of his boss.

As a courtesy, the police despatch two officers to Mr Winscombe’s home. Little does Danny know that the town of Lychgate will be forever changed afterwards. As will his opinion of his boss.

Some things are meant to be buried.

Book Cover Credit: SelfPubBookCovers.com/ DesignzbyDanielle

The Mindless Trilogy - All in One Volume!

From S P Oldham.

Finally, all three books in one volume! Get The Mindless Trilogy for only £4.99/$6.06 on Kindle now!

An unlikely group of fellow survivors venture out into a changed world, the new reality one of horror and brutality. Lavender Gin, Bumper Scuffs, Rumble Strips and Mad Gasher make up a motley crew, with their strengths, weaknesses and weird monikers. But what better way to start a new life, than to leave old names behind?

The group come to the aid of Carson, a lone survivor in a very sticky situation. In return, he gives them shelter. Nothing can be taken for granted in this new world though. Pretty soon the group is faced with a shared danger; one they must overcome together.

Or die trying.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B9KCKM9X

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B9KCKM9X

Been away, going away…

I have just spent a lovely five days with my sister, helping to look after my nephew’s house, cats, dog and chickens in West Wales. A beautiful part of the world. Now I am home for ten days, before going away again, this time to Llanberis, with my oldest son, my youngest son and his wife, and our gorgeous little granddaughter! Lucky me!

I am editing at the moment, my new book due to be released around the end of September, with luck and a fair wind!

If you would like an ARC copy (download) in exchange for a timely, fair and honest review, just let me know below, or message me, whichever you prefer. It is another zompoc novel, my last for a while as I intend to move on to other things.

In the meantime, here is me on the beach at the stunning Pembrey Sands, because if there is not a photo, then we all know it didn’t happen!

The Colour of Magic on Audible - Sir Terry Pratchett

An early birthday present. Thank you Adam Oldham - this should be fun! Can't wait to hear Peter Serafinowicz as Death! (Oh and by the way, the A - Z of Horror featured in this screenshot is Volume E is for Exorcism, published by Red Cape Publishing House and featuring my story 'A Gave Mistake' in case you're wondering...) #discworld #terrypratchett #fantasy #fantasyfiction #birthday #audible #thankyou