A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 59
April 8, 2022
Guest Post – 7 Reasons Why Short Stories Help You Grow as a Writer
Short stories have often been tragically overlooked by new writers in their ambition to get their first novel published. This is a shame, because short stories are a craft of their own. Learning how to write a good short story is an important step in understanding what it takes to tell a story: with only a limited space, you must learn to still convey the story’s key elements while making it gripping and emotionally touching. What more of a challenge could a writer want?
These are seven of the key reasons to practice short story writing. Hopefully you’ll feel inspired to start your own short story by the end — you’ll love the way your writing changes after you get a few under your belt.
They teach you to be conciseStop me if I’m stating the obvious, but the great thing about short stories really is that they’re short! Unnecessary words and clichés have to go. Cut down scenes that drag on — or cut them entirely if they don’t serve the story. Editing is your best friend, now more than ever.
It’s a great skill to master, because if you graduate to longer works, you’ll have a deeper knowledge of balancing pacing so that readers remain engaged throughout the novel. You can say exactly what you need to, in the fewest amount of words possible. Consider Ernest Hemingway and his famous short sentences. Reading his work, you know exactly what you need to, nothing more and nothing less, and it works perfectly.
You learn how to build a gripping plotWhether you’re a planner or a pantser, as you write a short story you have to figure out which plot points matter and which don’t. You have to look at the scope of your story, everything needs a purpose. You might think of a great scene that develops your characters, but if it doesn’t do much for the story, or it’s too much of a diversion, you probably need to cut it.
Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to cut chunks of your story out at one time! I was editing a short story the other day, and in one satisfying click I deleted a third of my word count — my story is much better for it. Of course, if you think you can use that content in a later story, it’s always useful to have a notes document where you can paste anything useful you cut.
You can create lovable characters with lessAs you write short fiction you’ll learn to accurately discern what readers need to know, what they don’t, and what you need to know. You’ll still need to know your characters well — their origin story, what they want in life, what they need, and whether or not they’re going to get it. In a novel, a lot of this information would eventually come to light, but in a short story, the reader should only know what they need for the scope of that story. If your character is an adult who has just moved to a new city, you might explain that they moved a lot as a kid, but readers don’t need to know about their childhood dog and the bond they had.
They let you experiment and find your voiceWriting short stories helps to find your writer’s voice before diving into a longer work. If you start writing a novel, but you’re not really sure what your voice is, you’ll have a lot of editing to do along the way. But the great thing about short stories is that they’re often one-offs, each one standing alone. You can play around with different tones or moods or genres without muddying a longer work. If you find something works really well, feel free to stick with it!
You can potentially get published quickerPublishing a novel takes a long time. You either have to find an agent and a publisher, or find an editor, a proofreader, or a cover designer (and that’s a relatively small team!) all the while worrying about marketing your book — the list of tasks goes on.
Publishing stories is a different game. You can submit short stories to any of the thousands of online and print journals, magazines, or anthologies. While they might work with you on editing your story, it’s far less time and effort in comparison to how much it builds your credibility as an author — which will look great to agents when you’re ready to publish and market a novel.
They’re easier to get feedback onGetting feedback on a novel can be hard because of the sheer length of the work. Whereas, with a 20 page short story, you’re far more likely to find people willing to give feedback. Whether you’re in a local writing group or part of an online writing community, a short story should be feasible for people to take the time to review — and it’ll be less money out of your pocket if you decide to ask a professional editor to look over it.
You can build up a portfolioAs a final point, writing and publishing short stories is a great way to build a portfolio. For example, it’ll look good in a book publisher’s eyes if you’re already published in multiple journals or magazines. Even if you decide not to publish your short stories, it’s great to have writing samples prepared for future jobs or collaborations down the road. These stories show that you understand the fundamentals of creative writing, that you’re passionate about your craft, and that you’re willing to put the practice in. You never know what opportunities might come your way, so it’s great to be prepared and have something to show.
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Feeling inspired yet? The benefits to writing short stories certainly outweigh any negatives, so I hope you’ll take a little time out of your week to practice this often overlooked format. I can’t wait to see what you make!
Rose Atkinson-Carter is a writer with Reedsy , a marketplace that connects authors with the world’s best self-publishing resources and professionals like editors, designers, and ghostwriters. She lives in London.
April 6, 2022
Swift Six Author Interview – Abigail Manning #Fantasy
Name: Abigail Manning
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
Hello! I’m Abigail Manning and I’m a wife, nanny, and romantic fantasy author of a sered of retold fairy tales. I began writing in July of 2021 and have since fallen in love with it. When I’m not writing, I enjoy spending time with my quirky pets and baking horrifically unhealthy (but delicious!) treats. Although it feels like writing is my full-time job, I actually have worked in childcare for over eight years now and have the priveldge of spending my mornings caring for an adorable set of siblings. Life is certainly never dull between toddler wrangling and story crafting, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
Currently, I have three books available for order/pre-order that are a part of The Emerald Realm Series which is a set of romantic fairy tale retellings based in a fantasy realm.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
I only started officially writing in July of 2021, but always had ambitions to write stories someday. The final inspiration that stirred my ambitions to life was actually reading children’s fairy tales to the kids I nanny and wondering if I could rewrite them for an older audience. As the time the kids were reading the story of goldilocks and I just felt inspired to try and retell it from new eyes.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I am currently working on my second and third romantic fantasy series simultaneously! I hope to continue producing books for as long as I have stories to bring to life.
What do you like to read?
Unsurprisingly, I enjoy reading fairy tale retellings! It’s always fascinating to read another author’s take on the original tale, I never seem to tire of it!
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
Don’t keep it to yourself! When I first started I was too shy to tell anyone other than my immediate friends and family, and found out later that I would have really benefited from sharing about my stories even before publishing them.
Author bio and book synopsis
Abigail Manning is a wife, nanny, and author of YA romance. She resides with her husband, Marcus, in the beautiful state of Tennessee. In school, she studied both Early Childhood Development and Theatre Arts, both of which aided in the development of her Emerald Realm series, based off of retold fairy tales. Abigail has always adored working with young children and drawing inspiration from their creativity. Her stories are geared towards young adults, but inspired off of children’s tales. She greatly enjoys the challenge of reinventing stories that most readers grew up with. She has only recently begun her career in writing, but already has growing ambitions revolving around her blossoming stories.
Synopsis- Poisoned Heart:A Retelling of Snow White
Princess Arabella is truly the fairest in all the land, and she knows it. With her pretty face, elaborate ball gowns, and glorious castle, she truly lives the perfect royal life. That is, until she is forced out of her home by a mysterious assassin.
With only the clothes on her back and the tiara on her head, Arabella flees from her castle in the dead of winter. As a last resort for shelter, Arabella takes up work in a laundry mill with seven other women. The once adored princess is now subjected to sleeping in piles of dirty laundry, but at least she is hidden. Well, she hopes so…
In the midst of her deadly game of hide-and-seek, she discovers that her kingdom is endangered by her absence. With the help of a dashing captain, a quirky noble, and her seven new companions, she must protect both her life and her kingdom. Will Arabella learn what true beauty is as she navigates her new life as a nameless commoner? While evil builds and secrets unfold, there may be more than her heart that’s poisoned.
Links/Social media
Abigailmanningauthor.com
https://www.instagram.com/abigailmanningauthor/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074816973438
April 4, 2022
Swift Six Character Interview – Sidney Stanley #ScienceFiction #Timetravel
Character Name
Sidney Starley
Which book/world do you live in?
The Lazarus Taxa, by Lindsey Kinsella.
Tell us about yourself:
I am a world-renowned field mechanic. You might not have heard of me, not yet at least, but I’m the best in the business at what I do. Any terrain in the world—I’ll keep your expedition on the move. I grew up on a small, isolated Scottish island, so naturally I couldn’t wait to get out and see the world. Everyone said I couldn’t do it, my own father even said so, but I’ve proven them wrong. I’ll keep proving them wrong.
Recently I’ve been hired by a secretive billionaire who claims to have invented time travel and requires my services. First man to set foot in another time? To walk around in the time of the dinosaurs? Now, that has a nice ring to it.
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths? Well, we’ve already covered that I’m a fearless explorer and a master mechanic, but what are the qualities that drive those? Determination—you don’t get as far as I have by giving up when the going gets tough—and sheer, unfiltered bravery. Some have called it stupidity, but what do they know?
Weaknesses? Now, this is just between us, right? I have a reputation to uphold, after all. I can’t read especially well. I know now that I’m dyslexic, but as a child, my peers had another name for me—stupid. I guess you could say that gave me some self-doubt and maybe I over-compensate, but when a teacher tells a young boy that he’ll never succeed in life, that sticks with him. I’ll show them they were wrong about me. I’ll show them all.
Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc).
As far as my personal life goes, I’ve always been somewhat of a loner. The closest I have to a friend is my buddy Ed. If I’m being honest though, I think he holds me back. He means well, but I can’t always play it safe—I’m more ambitious than that.
Neil Armstrong is my inspiration. The first man to walk on the moon—that will always be incredible. I mean, can you imagine? He was a hero, a rock star. I used to stare up at them moon and then back down at the muddy old farm of my youth. God, how I wished to be up there instead. I want to do what he did. I want to be the first.
Despite my grand ambitions, I do have some humbler pursuits. When I do have some down time I like to unwind with my trusty VW Beetle. It’s a simple machine, but it helps me to relax. I could take the whole thing apart and rebuild it in a couple of hours which is oddly therapeutic—as is the burble of its flat-four boxer engine.
What does ‘heroism’ mean to you?
To be a hero is to be successful. Most people’s heroes are so because they’re the best at what they do. They’ve reached the top, they are rich, famous, and respected. They’ve made it.
What do you think of your ‘creator’?
He’s pretty unambitious, really. Writing a book? It’s been done—nothing special. I bet it doesn’t even get made into a movie. Come back to me when he’s spent three months in Antarctica.
Give us your favourite piece of advice:
Never back down, never quit, never wait for tomorrow. Success doesn’t wait for anyone, you have to take your chances, no matter the cost.
Links to book
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NP1M1S9/
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60043780-the-lazarus-taxa
Barnes & Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lazarus-taxa-lindsey-kinsella/1141049864?ean=9798765533536
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindseyKinsellaAuthor
April 3, 2022
Swift Six Author Interview – Elizabeth Morris #Fantasy #YoungAdult
https://libraryoferana.wordpress.com/
Name: Elizabeth Morris
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so): Hi! My name is Elizabeth or Liz for short. I currently am 23 years young and I love to write. I grew up all over northern Virginia but now I will be traveling from Texas to Wyoming to live and work temporarily. I have three siblings, two older than me and one younger, so I am the middle child. I have four handsome nephews whom I adore. I also have four cats at my Virginia home, one of which is my fur baby and I miss him dearly. My hobbies include (besides writing) reading, playing on my Nintendo Switch, going on nature walks, and scrapbooking. I love to listen to music and play board games. I graduated from an online high school when I was 16, then started college at 17. I graduated from Southern New Hampshire University in 2020 with my Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and English. My favorite season is winter, favorite color is purple, and favorite food is sushi. One thing people might not know about me is that I am schizophrenic and have been since I was a teenager.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short): My books are called Tiger’s Blood and Rise of the Rebels. They are a young adult-teen fantasy series about shapeshifters called Bloods.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it? I started my writing adventure when I was in middle school. I was around 12 when my English teacher told me that my writing was amazing and I could write a book. Around that same time I had a dream that I was a human who could shapeshift into a white tiger which is my favorite animal. I took that dream and created my first character, Kira. A lot of the inspiration for my first book Tiger’s Blood came from dreams and the people who I surrounded myself with like friends and family.
What writing plans do you have for the future? I plan on finishing my Blood of the Beast series, currently on book 3 out of 5 for my series. I would like to do a prequel to the series after I finish book 5. I would like to branch out and write more books involving the universe that is set in my current series. I’d also like to write a children’s book when the time comes.
What do you like to read? I mostly like to read fantasy books. I’m starting to read more indie books so I can support other indie authors like myself. My favorite book series is A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. I have one of his book quotes tattooed on my arm.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure? A piece of advice I wish I had is “write first, edit later.” I was so caught up in trying to make my book perfect that I lost touch with my writing. That’s why I always write my story first then edit when it’s complete. If you’re not enjoying what you are writing then you are doing it wrong.
Author bio and book synopsis
Bio: Elizabeth Morris graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University in 2020. Her first book Tiger’s Blood she self-published in 2016 when she was 17 years old. She loves her cats and her family. She is currently working on the Blood of the Beast series and finds inspiration through music, nature and traveling.
Synopsis: In the world of Bitotem live mysterious creatures called Bloods. Bloods are half animal and half human shapeshifters. After the death of her younger sister and disappearance of her father, a young White Tiger Blood named Kira sets off on a difficult journey to the Lion Blood Kingdom to murder King Andrew Kingsley for killing all of the Tiger Bloods left on Bitotem. She remains the last living Tiger Blood. On her expedition, she befriends Noah, a Wolf Blood, Ethan a Lion Blood and Chase an Eagle Blood.
Links/Social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.morris.1401/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizlovestowrite/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lizlovestowrite
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18473321.Elizabeth_Abigail_Morris
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lizlovestowrite
Tiger’s Blood: https://books2read.com/u/49lR7d
Rise of the Rebels: https://books2read.com/u/mKRRBB
April 2, 2022
Book Spotlight – Poisoned Heart: A Retelling of Snow White
Title: Poisoned Heart: A Retelling of Snow White
Author: Abigail Manning
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
Main character description (short).
Princess Arabella is the fairest in all the land, and she is well aware. As a rich and beautiful princess, she is dreadfully spoiled and often refuses to acknowledge those below her, but will that change when she is forced out of the crown she’s learned to love?
Synopsis:
Princess Arabella is truly the fairest in all the land, and she knows it. With her pretty face, elaborate ball gowns, and glorious castle, she truly lives the perfect royal life. That is, until she is forced out of her home by a mysterious assassin.
With only the clothes on her back and the tiara on her head, Arabella flees from her castle in the dead of winter. As a last resort for shelter, Arabella takes up work in a laundry mill with seven other women. The once adored princess is now subjected to sleeping in piles of dirty laundry, but at least she is hidden. Well, she hopes so…
In the midst of her deadly game of hide-and-seek, she discovers that her kingdom is endangered by her absence. With the help of a dashing captain, a quirky noble, and her seven new companions, she must protect both her life and her kingdom. Will Arabella learn what true beauty is as she navigates her new life as a nameless commoner? While evil builds and secrets unfold, there may be more than her heart that’s poisoned.
Brief Excerpt 250 words: “I take great pride in hunting down my victims, but you were no challenge.” He eyed me with annoyance. He spoke as if he was disappointed that I was too easy to kill. “I desire more excitement in my hunt than a pompous brat can offer, so princess, I am offering you a chance at escape.”
I gasped through my tears. It sounded like he was going to let me run just so he could catch me again, delaying my death long enough for me to potentially freeze in the cold on my own. My breathing grew unsteady as panic filled my every bone.
“So, here’s my deal, princess. I’m going to let you run, and after twenty-four hours, I’m going to come looking for you, just like a game of hide and seek.” I couldn’t see his mouth, but I imagined a sick smile on his face. “If I can’t find you after fourteen days, then congratulations, you win. I’ll return to my kingdom and explain that you got away, but if I find you…” he raised the dagger to my throat and my breath hitched, “then I’ll finish the job I was assigned.” He dropped the dagger and took a step back. I allowed myself to breathe again, filling my lungs with the icy air.
“Time starts now, princess. Better start running.”
Why should readers buy this book (50 words max)?
If you enjoy a good clean romance, paired with riveting adventure and peril then this series will be perfect for you! Poisoned Heart offers all the nostalgia of the Snow White you already know and love, while simultaneously twisting your expectations with endless turns.
Links etc.
Abigailmanningauthor.com
https://www.instagram.com/abigailmanningauthor/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074816973438
Swift Six Character Interview – Jane #Fantasy
Character Name: Jane
Which book/world do you live in? Why don’t you ask the author?!
I had quite a normal life on earth! And what did she do?! Throw me head over heels into this, this- what should I even call it?! Ha! I don’t know the name of this world… Damon is the name of the land we left on our way north, but that’s as much as I can say…
Tell us about yourself: I was working as an emergency room nurse for about seven years. I loved my job! Loved my staff, the work, the crazy hours. Sounds crazy? Maybe, but I truly felt alive every time something entered through the doors!
I practiced martial arts since high school. It’s a mix of Aikido and Jujitsu. I feel it gives me the best of both. Love my sensei! Really, he is like a father figure to me. A father I never had…
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? You know this is really hard to answer… do you ask all characters these questions? Okay then, let’s see…
Strengths- I think fast, I can take in quite a lot of information and come to the right conclusions real quick. I have good intuition. I take my job seriously, actually most things I put my mind to. I am not afraid of hard work or getting my hands dirty.
Weaknesses- well, I guess I am not the best judge of character, and after being hurt in the past, I have a hard time putting my trust in others. I think sometimes I bite more than I can chew and swallow.
Name three important people/creatures/institutions in your world (such as lovers, pets, government institutions, leaders, gods etc). My world? I really can’t say which is my world… but just for the sake of this interview, let’s say it’s this world I am now stuck in.
Owen- my anchor and connection to this world. I have no idea why we keep hurting each other… why do we act so stupidly around one another…?
Lord Kiran- saved my life. More than once. I owe him at least that.
A certain creature, but I will not name it. I shudder just being reminded of it… it’s a type of entity, but I can’t say much more. Only that we’re not on best terms…
What does ‘heroism’ mean to you? Heroism? I don’t know. I don’t like referring to someone or being referred to as a hero.
I was called a hero several times in the ER, but I don’t think myself as one. I was just doing my job. I enjoyed doing it and I dare say I was quite good at it.
But I guess it might mean giving something of yourself for the good of others without expecting to be repaid.
What do you think of your ‘creator’? If you can hurl her also into this world, I will gladly show her, in person, what I think of her! What do you think I might think of her after everything she put me through?! My intuition says it’s not getting better in the sequel, and as I told you before- I got good intuition…
Give us your favourite piece of advice: Right now it would probably be-
Don’t go training in the ruins of old watchtowers.
But as I built everything in my life by myself, I guess my advice would be- trust your arms, for they will always be by your side. Trust your legs, for they will support you and finally your fingers, because you can always count on them!
Yeah! Always loved that one!
Links to book
https://amzn.to/3uOWtJh – Jewels of Smoky Quartz
March 29, 2022
The Ravencrest Saga Blog Tour #Paranormal #Gothic
The Ravencrest Saga: Volumes I, II, III
by Tamara Thorne & Alistair Cross
Genre: Gothic, Paranormal
Book 1: THE GHOSTS OF RAVENCRESTRavencrest Manor is the most beautiful thing new governess, Belinda Moorland, has ever seen, but as she learns more about its tangled past of romance and terror, she realizes that beauty has a dark side. Ravencrest is built on secrets, and its inhabitants seem to be keeping plenty of their own — from the English butler, Grant Phister, to the power-mad administrator, Mrs. Heller, to Belinda’s mysterious and handsome new employer, Eric Manning, who watches her with dark, fathomless eyes. But Belinda soon realizes that the living who dwell in Ravencrest have nothing on the other inhabitants — the ones who walk the darkened halls by night … the ones who enter her dreams … the ones who are watching … and waiting …
Book 2: THE WITCHES OF RAVENCRESTGoverness Belinda Moorland has settled into life at Ravencrest and, as summer gives way to autumn, romance is in the air. She and multi-millionaire Eric Manning are falling in love … but powerful forces will stop at nothing to keep them apart. As the annual Harvest Ball is set to begin, evil abounds at Ravencrest. Murder lurks in the shadows, evil spirits freely roam the halls, a phantom baby cries, signaling a death in the mansion, and in the notoriously haunted east wing, three blood-soaked nuns, Sisters Faith, Hope, and Charity, tend to the demented needs of a maid gone mad.
Ravencrest has come to life. In the gardens below, granite statues dance by moonlight, and a scarecrow goes on a killing rampage, collecting a gruesome assortment of body parts from unwilling donors … But Belinda’s greatest danger is the vengeful spirit of Rebecca Dane. Once the mistress of Ravencrest, Rebecca Dane has a centuries-old axe to grind with the powerful witch, Cordelia Heller — and Belinda becomes her weapon of choice.
Book 3: EXORCISMIn the 1920s, Henry Manning ruled Ravencrest with an iron fist. He held debauched parties that would have inspired Jay Gatsby himself. From the Manning fortune to a beautiful wife, the silent film star known as the White Violet, Henry had it all … including a loyal cult that worshipped him, and the demon Forneus. Violet lost her life putting a stop to the demented perversions that Henry and his demonic familiar visited upon Ravencrest … but now that evil has returned.
In the night, an innocent maid is seduced by a demon lover. A child is born, but it is not of this earth. Father Antonio DeVargas is summoned as ghostly parties light up the old poolhouse and phantom screams rip open the night. Meanwhile, the White Violet wanders the halls of Ravencrest warning the inhabitants of death and disaster to come. . . and the current master of Ravencrest, Eric Manning, is decidedly not himself.
Tamara Thorne’s first novel was published in 1991, and since then she has written many more, including international bestsellers Haunted, Bad Things, Moonfall, Eternity and Brimstone. A lifelong lover of ghost stories, she is currently working on continuing collaborations with Alistair Cross as well as a new solo novel, Old Wives’ Tales, that kicks off a series starring Sheriff Zach Tully from Eternity. Learn more about her at: http://tamarathorne.com
Alistair Cross’ debut novel, The Crimson Corset, a vampiric tale of terror and seduction, was an immediate bestseller earning praise from veteran vampire-lit author, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, and New York Times bestseller, Jay Bonansinga, author of The Walking Dead series. In 2012, Alistair joined forces with international bestseller, Tamara Thorne, and as Thorne & Cross, they write the successful Gothic series, The Ravencrest Saga as well as bestselling novels including The Cliffhouse Haunting, Darling Girls, and Mother. They are currently completing their next thriller, Spite House, and working on several other novels. In addition to writing, Alistair and Tamara host Thorne & Cross: Carnival Macabr e. Join them as they explore legends and lore, monsters and myths, and hauntings and horrors. They’re digging deep in their research files to bring you face-to-face with the unknown, the unusual, and the bizarre. From 2014-2020, Alistair and Tamara hosted Thorne & Cross: Haunted Nights LIVE!, which featured such guests as Anne Rice, V. C. Andrews, Preston & Child, Christopher Moore, and Laurell K. Hamilton. You can listen to every show at either of their websites. The Purple Probe is the official newsletter of the Thorne & Cross Universe and it’s the strangest thing to ever hit your inbox. You’ll get exclusive content, including articles written by the Thorne & Cross cast, like Jojo’s Catty Corner, Essie to the Rescue, and a Roving Reporter who thinks he knows it all. Additionally, you’ll get news of sales, appearances, and inside looks at all sorts of things. Just visit: http://eepurl.com/ckaBrr
Author Links:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Podcast
Tamara’s Links:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Alistair’s Links:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner,
ebook of The Ghosts of Ravencrest – 3 winners!
March 28, 2022
The Crymost Blog Tour #Supernatural #Horror
The Crymost
by Dean H. Wild
Genre: Supernatural Horror
The town of Knoll has a dark secret…
A pact made over fifty years ago to protect the town has expired and a slumbering evil is about to awaken in a sorrowful place just outside of town, The Crymost.
When the last surviving resident of the pact is murdered, it’s up to Mick Logan and a small group of friends to decipher the mystery left behind.
Long-kept secrets will need to be unearthed before the entire town succumbs to the will of a powerful stranger who works hand in hand with the hungry entity crossing Knoll’s borders, invading its homes and executing a soul-draining grip on its citizens.
Join Mick Logan and his small band of friends as they battle The Crymost!
Dean H. Wild grew up in east central Wisconsin and has lived in the area, primarily in small towns surrounding the city of Fond du Lac, all his life. He wrote his first short horror story at the tender age of seven and continued to write dark fiction while he pursued careers in retail, the newspaper industry and retail pharmacy. His short stories have seen publication in various magazines and anthologies including Bell, Book & Beyond, A Feast of Frights, Night Terrors II and Horror Library 6. His novel, The Crymost is an exploration of tradition, superstition and encroaching horror in a small Wisconsin town. He and his wife, Julie, currently reside in the village of Brownsville.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
March 27, 2022
The Guidal – Blog Tour #YA #Dystopian #Fantasy
The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis
The Guidal Book 1
by Roxy Eloise
Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy
In a future where the mention of magic is banned, one paranoid man rules the entire country.
Adopting children to become his private bodyguards, they are raised together in a strict institute where sixteen-year-old Aurora struggles to follow the rules. Finding herself disciplined often, she doesn’t particularly like her endless life of servitude.
Soon, she will have to take part in the institute’s annual Unity ceremony where she could end up engaged to a complete stranger!
Aurora’s fears of being different are realised when she discovers something about herself, something which will make most fear her, and her adoptive father will want her killed for.
Friends, bullies, and a touch of something magical, Aurora’s first year in the grown-ups’ quarter is far from ordinary.
Roxy Eloise is a successful participant of Pitch Wars held quarterly on Twitter. During this event, she created a pitch that stood out from the hundreds of thousands, landing herself a traditional publishing contract.
Her debut novel, The Guidal: Discovering Puracordis, is the first in a 3-book series. Coming April 2022, this exciting new novel was inspired by a dream. Roxy writes the stories she really wants to read. If she finds it boring to write, she’ll find it boring to read, so she’ll always make sure her novels are binge-worthy! Her favourite place to write is in bed with country music and a hot drink. On the weekends, you’ll find her out walking her dog, filming videos for YouTube, or spending time with her family.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Youtube * Amazon * Goodreads
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March 24, 2022
Excerpt – Tales of Erana: Just One Mistake – A. L. Butcher #Fantasy
Excerpt – Tales of Erana: Just One Mistake – Adult Dark Fantasy
(c) A. L. Butcher
*Adult rated
https://www.books2read.com/Justonemistake
The candle spluttered in the attic as the wind curled about the badly thatched roof. Glowglobes were currently beyond Coel’s means so in the small flickering circle of meagre light Coel assessed his night’s takings. The tavern wench had gone to her own bed or someone else’s and in many ways he was glad; any undue attention would be unwelcome in the circumstances. Coel had got away with the theft, at least he could hear no hue and cry from below or boots on the stairs. With luck, the fellow would either not miss the trinket or simply not recall his movements that evening. There had been no mistake, not this time.
Darkness oozed lazily in the remainder of the room, nosing into corners, under furniture and behind Coel, unseen, part of it detached. “That was quite a performance, bard. You have some talent, and not just your music. Although your judgement is flawed, it is never wise to steal from a thief,” the voice was smooth, like liquid velvet and very sure of itself.
Coel’s hand moved towards the dagger nestling in his belt; it would not be the first time he had been called on to defend himself, although that was how he had ended up in this mess he thought bitterly. Just one mistake, then another and now, it would seem, another.
“I do not know of what you speak! I am not a thief.” His brain caught up and he continued, “How did you get into my room? The door was locked. I’m not a bloody fool.” Coel could hear his own heart pounding. There was something about this man which frightened him. He felt like a mouse beneath the gaze of a cat. Perhaps the hangman’s noose would have been the better option.
The slate-grey cloak swirled around boots of ebony leather and the cowled figure chuckled. “That lock was barely a moment’s work. I must have a word with the owner of this place about his security. I have yet to find a door in Erana which will not yield to me. You may as well remove your hand from that blade, or would you bet your life you are swifter than the Thiefmaster? I doubt it, boy, I doubt it. Believe me when I say you would be dead before that knife left its scabbard. It would be a pity to waste such talent, would it not?”
Coel removed his hand from the dagger, his sense telling him that continuing to draw it would be a terminal decision. Instead, he placed his hand on the table and the voice breathed into his ear, Coel shivered, he had not heard the man move.
“I thought not. Sensible lad, if a lying one. This too can be a skill which can save your life, if it is used correctly and with assurance,” Darius told him.
This menacing shape was right behind him and Coel began to turn, opening his mouth to protest, and found a gloved hand on his jaw, firm but not unduly painful. “Curious are we not? This may sometimes serve you well. As for other occasions, it is wise to accept things as they are, this is one such occasion… Coel.”
The bard caught his breath, how did this man know his name? The sweat began to pool in his back, making his shirt stick unpleasantly to his skin. Had this man been hired to kill him? Had his mistake finally caught him up? Yet as Coel’s brain frantically grasped at any hope and his fingers tried to overrule his brain and reach for the dagger he realised the man had said he was a thief. A robbery, that was not so bad. It would not be the first time.
“This is not merely a social call; you are honoured for the Master of Thieves does not always test a potential recruit’s skills for himself.”
“I usually charge for my skills, music and other kinds, if that is what you prefer. I can be flexible, and my tastes are…varied. Perhaps just this once I might offer them for free. Take the coin and the trinkets, take it all.” Coel’s brain finally caught up with the conversation, “What do you mean potential recruit?”
