Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer's Blog, page 3

Scary Snippets Halloween Anthology

Scary Snippets: Halloween Edition

Copyright © 2019 by Suicide House PublishingEdited by: N.M. BrownCover design by: Kyle HarrisonFirst Edition: October 2019
A delightful collection of new urban legends, thematically based around Halloween customs and history. The word length of these short stories is just right, each story is easy to read at one sitting, but unlike flash fiction collections that restrict writers to a strict one hundred words, the five hundred word limit allows the writers to use imagery to make the tales more ornate and provides scope for some rudimentary character development.
While there are some straight out murder stories, and trick or treating activities, I was pleased to note that my fellow authors had primarily concentrated on evoking the magic that is associated with Halloween. This is more than just a monster collection, it might best be described as a set of modern fairy-tales, of course more after the grim styling of the Brothers Grimm than the sugary sweet tones of illustrated children’s editions.
Outstanding tales (other than my own “All Hallows’ Eve”) include:  “Pumpkin Spice” by Joel Hunt which has an interesting take upon repentance, and “Past the Lantern” by Micah Castle which gives an excellent glimpse of a fantasy alternative. “The Cypress Queen” by Tor-Anders Ulven, represents a good example of myth creation and “A Day Late For Halloween” by Radar DeBoard, evokes a shiver from the past. “Dr. White” by Jay Levy incorporates a horrific twist, “Just in Time” By Dean M. King evokes a sense of Celtic mystery, and “A Bug in Amber Alert” By Angelique Fawns offers an interesting piece of characterisation. “Crossing the Stream” by Vonnie Winslow Crist weaves the authentic enchantment of folk-lore, and "From the Rooftop" by Brendan Wilhelm makes the most of communication technology as narrative device.  
Overall, this collection offers variety, and an awareness of the cultural clashes and mishmashes underlying our modern Halloween celebration. Although it is unrepentant horror, a few tales also reveal a sneaking sympathy for the outcast and underdog.
Holidays of the Dead by Greg BeattyThe Haunted House by Kyle HarrisonThe Package by Dan McKeithanTrue Halloween Experience by Mama CreepThe Pumpkins by Alanna Robertson-WebbJust Another Friday Night by Andra DillPaper Mache Man by Valerie PuriThrough the Veil by Michelle RiverSoul Bar by Kevin J. KennedyFetid Field by N.M. BrownPast the Lantern by Micah CastleDead Halloween by Thomas SturgeonBinge-Watch by Kyle HarrisonClassic Horror Night at the Angel by Charlotte O’FarrellSweet Tooth by Dan McKeithanThe Old Shoe Tree by AJ HorvathSilent Scream by James DorrThe Hallowed Place by Micah CastleRorrim by Alanna Robertson-WebbTrick or Trepidation by Thomas BakerTrick or Treat Street by Tor-Anders UlvenDig Deeper by Kim PlasketThe Victorian Mirror by Donna CuttressReverend Hanson by Jay LevyRepercussions of Destruction by Micah CastleLooking for Hiriam Wilkes by Vonnie Winslow CristOnce a Year by Alanna Robertson-WebbUnusual Jack-o-Lantern by Radar DeBoardThe Corn Maze by Kyle HarrisonThey Live Beneath the Stairs by Melody GraceThe Party at Laurel Valley by Eric NirschelBetter to Eat You With by Amber M. SimpsonFirst Halloween by Tor-Anders UlvenSomething Happened on Cedar Lane by Matthew A. St. CyrBobbing for Apples by Kyle HarrisonTricks for Treats by N.M. BrownA Little Skellington by P. OxfordReminder by Stephanie ScissomGraveyard by Gabriella BalcomThe Cypress Queen by Tor-Anders UlvenA Day Late For Halloween by Radar DeBoardWish It Be True by Michael BorgeThe Candy Bandits by T.L. BarrettPumpkin Spice by Joel HuntWitch’s Dream by Amber KeenerHalloween State of Emergency by James Marie Parker IIIThe Halloween Shift by Scott McGregorFestival of Skulls by Alanna Robertson-WebbPumpkin Carver by Tor- Anders UlvenThe Perfect Match by N.M. BrownFreeing the Flames by CJ Carter-StephensonThe Thing in Our House by J. AskewTrick or Treat by Ransom WallNumen by Trevor NewtonRipe & Reap by Tim SturkBest Costume by Aron BeauregardDapper John by Anthony GiordanoThe Joy of a Dark Day by Terry MillerThe Souler by Matthew A. St. CyrWish Upon a Paw by Tor-Anders UlvenJustice at Last by Cindar HarrellLost Soul by Drew StarlingHopping Halloween by Charlotte O’FarrellOld Mr. Novak by Nicholas RudThe Hanged Man’s Tree by Ronnie EnglerEvery Halloween Night by Matthew A. St. CyrThe Birdcage by Drew StarlingHalloween Hunting by Alanna Robertson-WebbPumpkin Patch by Kyle HarrisonUninvited by Jillian BostThe Costume Contest by Scott McGregorSeams by Sheryl NormandeauThe Red Cloaks by Michelle RiverA Romanian Tradition by Della SullivanCrack a Smile by DJ TyrerNight of the Seed by Matthew A. St. CyrThe Grim Reaper Passes by Stephanie LevyIn The Attic by Amber M. SimpsonDessert by Jay LevyThe Last Trick or Treater by Morgan GriffithAvast Ye Matey; Here Be Spirits by Matthew A. St. CyrAngel With Metal Wings By Stephanie LevyDr. White by Jay Levy In The Garden of Repose by Michael FassbenderReturned by Kim PlasketJust in Time by Dean M. KingHalloween Make Up by Mama CreepThe Plumber by Jay LevyA Spooky Party by Olivia ArietiDecorations by James Marie Parker IIIAll Hallows Eve Promise by Andra DillA Bug in Amber Alert by Angelique FawnsTake Just One by Charlie DavenportCrossing the Stream by Vonnie Winslow CristDown at the Calvary Tabernacle Autumn Jamboree by Anthony GiordanoThe Last Hallow’s Eve by N.M. BrownFor Henry by W.H. GilbertAll Hallow’s Eve by Cecelia Hopkins-DrewerGrandmother Nightmare by Rick McQuistonFatted Squash by Vonnie Winslow CristFrom the Rooftop by Brendan WilhelmElla’s Song by Scott Paul HallamKieran’s Costume by Joel HuntMy Guardian Demon by Carissa HarwoodBlack Rot by Mark JowellThe Standing Man by Corey LambHaunting Immortal by Tim J. FinnFomorian Fun by Tim J. FinnMonster by Kiki GonglewskiRetribution by Dan McKeithanHalloween Hunt by Michele FreemanHow to Tell the Scariest Halloween Story Ever by Adrian J. JohnsonScarecrow by J.L. KnightGutted by Kimberly ReiStupid Treaty by Nerisha KemrajIt Was Only Trick or Treating by C.L. WilliamsJack O’ Lanterns by Dan McKeithanPumpkins by Kim Plasket

Australian Authors.net and other interviews...

 

Australian Authors.netA fresh interview is available at Australian Authors.net. These questions were more "generic" than some sites ask, but I was able to mention my latest works in progress and plans for the future. https://australianauthors.net.au/author-interview-31/
Check out the Olto Books Page...OLTO BOOKS INTERVIEW: https://oltobooks.com/interviewfulldetails.php?ID=101

Storming Area 51 book trailer by ‎Raven Corinn Carluk‎

Unofficial Uravel Book trailer by Joe Wokoski

Love Always Hopes: The third of the Silver Springs series is released

Cara O’Brien is a bright, energetic girl who loves the outdoors. Her life has been placed somewhat on hold as she waits in faithful hope for her boyfriend Kaleb Proctor, to return from America.

In the meantime, Cara has to deal with her friend Dylan Perett, who was once her faithful suitor, but has become embittered by constant rejection. Is it too late for Cara to regain Dylan’s friendship and what does he mean to her really? 

Love always Hopes is the third installment in the Silver Springs Christian University Series. Each tale features a different heroine, and can be read as a standalone or serial continuation of the loves and losses of your favourite characters.  The preceding books were Faith and Love and Silver Springtime.

 ISBN: 978-0-6481160-7-3

 

Discover Storming Area 51

 Joe Wocoski posted the following on YouTube to promote our upcoming anthology inspired by social media and current events. The text reads "Discover our science fiction short stories in the Black Hare Press anthology 'Storming Area 51' edited by Dean Kershaw. Not since Ray Bradbury assembled his Martian short stories into the Martian Chronicles has anyone created a series of short stories all linked together in a series like this." (This is not a paid promotion it is a free author-created book trailer)

A Fantastic Collaborative effort from Black Hare Press

(Posted with permission from Jacob) (Posted with permission from Jacob) (Posted with permission from Dawn)

Discover Storming Area 51

My Books Featured at Christian Book Readers

Faith and Love was my first entry because the title sounded very Christian. The site also features the video I created for the series and asks me questions about my inspiration for the stories.

https://christianbookreaders.com/faith-and-love-by-cecelia-hopkins/#more-317677

True story, but worth a laugh!

I usually have a small Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance policy, but recently I tried to add my writing to it. The insurance company Rep called up and said something like, "What category do you write?" Me: "Fiction". Them: "What's that? Try a few other terms." Me: "Creative". Them: "Writers just write." Me: "No, I teach reading & writing. If I was taking out Artists insurance through one of the relevant associations, it would cover running groups & workshops." Them: "Writers are not artists." Me: "Of course they are. Look, the nearest thing I can get is through the Media Association - Journalists Insurance." Them: "No, try another term." Me: "Editors Insurance."
Them: "$685 / year." Me: "That is too dear, and I'm already with Vero, for my tutoring for $224!"