K.S. Dearsley's Blog, page 3
December 30, 2018
In Limbo
We're in that strange period between 'Merry Christmas' and 'Happy New Year' when it's easy to feel torn between lingering in lounge-around mode and get-on-with-it mode. There is a way to be in both at the same time. Put your feet up, and visit the Smashwords sale, so you can get on with reading by taking advantage of some great offers on hundreds of books. Until the end of 1st January, you can download Artists and Liars and Discord's Child FREE, and Discord's Apprentice at 50 % discount. Visit https://www.smashwwords.com/profile/v..., and see in 2019 the way you'd like it to go on.
I wish everyone a fantastic year ahead.
I wish everyone a fantastic year ahead.
October 28, 2018
Make Your Mark
If you're one of those people who always thinks that awards are given to the wrong people, you have a chance to redress the balance by voting for your favourite entries in the Pen 2 Paper contest. Until 9am CST on 3rd November, you'll find the finalists FREE to read at https://www.txdisabilities.org/pen-2-.... There are sections for non-fiction, fiction and poetry that is about disability in some way, and I'm happy to say that my story, 'The Chasm', is amongst them.
The aim of the competition is to raise awareness and dispel misconceptions about mental and physical disabilities, so you can expect to be surprised and challenged as well as entertained and amused.
Have your say, and make an author's day, by taking a look and choosing for the one's you like the best.
The aim of the competition is to raise awareness and dispel misconceptions about mental and physical disabilities, so you can expect to be surprised and challenged as well as entertained and amused.
Have your say, and make an author's day, by taking a look and choosing for the one's you like the best.
July 29, 2018
Decisions, Decisions
There are so many books to choose from in the Smashwords Summer-Winter Sale that you could be tempted to put off making your choice. That could be risky. Wait until Wednesday and you'll have missed your chance.
There are long books, short books, novels, short stories, plays, books from around the world, books in every genre–even books by me! So take a look. You'll find my books at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
After all, what else are you going to do on a wet Sunday? Er, perhaps you'd better not answer that.
There are long books, short books, novels, short stories, plays, books from around the world, books in every genre–even books by me! So take a look. You'll find my books at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
After all, what else are you going to do on a wet Sunday? Er, perhaps you'd better not answer that.
July 4, 2018
Armchair Traveller
The best way to travel in comfort is to make yourself a drink, settle in your favourite chair and read a book. That way you can share the journeys of the characters without getting cold and wet, or hot and dusty, or tired. Best of all, you can do it for free!
Smashwords' Summer/Winter Sale is on throughout July with hundreds of books either free or discounted–including mine! Visit https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Here's another Iyessi song to get you in the right mood.
Away all you who'd have me go!
I'm weary of the struggle.
Let me lie awhile and take my ease–
Eyes closed against the darkness,
Ears stopped against the cries
That urge me on.
Oh, to stretch upon a featherbed,
Listening to sweet music!
Let me forget the troubles of the world
And rest awhile in peace.
Smashwords' Summer/Winter Sale is on throughout July with hundreds of books either free or discounted–including mine! Visit https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Here's another Iyessi song to get you in the right mood.
Away all you who'd have me go!
I'm weary of the struggle.
Let me lie awhile and take my ease–
Eyes closed against the darkness,
Ears stopped against the cries
That urge me on.
Oh, to stretch upon a featherbed,
Listening to sweet music!
Let me forget the troubles of the world
And rest awhile in peace.
April 15, 2018
Snack Reading
If trilogies are three course meals, then what are short stories? Appetisers? Toast? They are definitely more in the snack category, if you consider the length of time it takes to read them, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are lighter fare.
My story, 'Flying True', is now on SFReader, having been awarded an Honourable Mention in the site's annual contest. I wouldn't characterise it as a burger, or a bag of crisps. Maybe it's the literary equivalent of trail mix, or a smoothie you savour to identify the individual flavours that make up the satisfying blend. Maybe I'm kidding myself.
Please read it yourselves, but if it makes you reach for an ice-cream or chocolate, don't blame me! 'Flying True' is FREE at http://www/sfreader.com/r/
My story, 'Flying True', is now on SFReader, having been awarded an Honourable Mention in the site's annual contest. I wouldn't characterise it as a burger, or a bag of crisps. Maybe it's the literary equivalent of trail mix, or a smoothie you savour to identify the individual flavours that make up the satisfying blend. Maybe I'm kidding myself.
Please read it yourselves, but if it makes you reach for an ice-cream or chocolate, don't blame me! 'Flying True' is FREE at http://www/sfreader.com/r/
March 6, 2018
More for Less
No sooner does one offer end than another one begins. It's Smashwords' Read an Ebook Week, so if you missed your chance to use the code to get Discord's Apprentice free last month, you have until midnight on 10th March (Pacific Time) to download Discord's Child and Artists and Liars instead. Visit https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi....
Here's an Iyessi song to whet your appetite:
The rain was soft on my face.
The feathery touch, a dream of him
Caressing me awake.
The day began so well.
By noon the day had darkened.
Rain drummed on my shoulders.
He'd left while I was sleeping,
Afraid that I would follow.
By night the rain beat on my back,
As I looked for his return.
It washed away all trace of him,
Drowning my hope.
But, look! The clouds are parting.
Steam rises from the land.
Light gleams upon the flood,
The still surface breaking
As he wades back to me.
Here's an Iyessi song to whet your appetite:
The rain was soft on my face.
The feathery touch, a dream of him
Caressing me awake.
The day began so well.
By noon the day had darkened.
Rain drummed on my shoulders.
He'd left while I was sleeping,
Afraid that I would follow.
By night the rain beat on my back,
As I looked for his return.
It washed away all trace of him,
Drowning my hope.
But, look! The clouds are parting.
Steam rises from the land.
Light gleams upon the flood,
The still surface breaking
As he wades back to me.
February 20, 2018
Barking!
It's the year of the dog, so what better time to celebrate dogs in literature? They turn up everywhere as heroes, villains, sidekicks or comedians.
I confess to having a soft spot for Timmy in Enid Blyton's Famous Five books. I don't think he was ever given enough credit for the part he played in solving cases and apprehending the baddies.
Never let it be said that the dogs in Discord's Child and Discord's Apprentice don't receive their due. They turned up out of the blue and made themselves indispensible. Who knows what part they'll play in the next novel, if any? They might disappear as unexpectedly as they arrived, but somehow I doubt it.
Meanwhile, there's still a chance to get a FREE copy of Discord's Apprentice before 1st March, by using the code at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view....
I confess to having a soft spot for Timmy in Enid Blyton's Famous Five books. I don't think he was ever given enough credit for the part he played in solving cases and apprehending the baddies.
Never let it be said that the dogs in Discord's Child and Discord's Apprentice don't receive their due. They turned up out of the blue and made themselves indispensible. Who knows what part they'll play in the next novel, if any? They might disappear as unexpectedly as they arrived, but somehow I doubt it.
Meanwhile, there's still a chance to get a FREE copy of Discord's Apprentice before 1st March, by using the code at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view....
February 14, 2018
With Love
In case you haven't noticed all the red roses and boxes of chocolates in the shops, here's some news–today is St Valentine's Day. What can I give you? Flowers would wilt and chocolate might melt. I know, I'll give anyone who visits https://www.smashwords.com/books/view... a code number for a FREE copy of Discord's Apprentice, valid until 1st March. Already have a copy? Here's another Iyessi song instead. Enjoy!
Whispers run around the walls
Down the stairs and through the halls.
Well I never!
Did you ever?
It shouldn't be allowed.
He said, she said that she saw
Things good folk never had before.
Well I never!
Did you ever?
It shouldn't be allowed.
She said, he said that he knew
They had told him it was true.
Well I never!
Did you ever?
It shouldn't be allowed.
Who knows where the tale began,
But once begun it ran and ran.
Well I never!
Did you ever?
It shouldn't be allowed.
The echoes of it still are heard
'Though now we know that it's absurd.
Well I never!
Did you ever?
It shouldn't be allowed.
Whispers run around the walls
Down the stairs and through the halls.
Well I never!
Did you ever?
It shouldn't be allowed.
He said, she said that she saw
Things good folk never had before.
Well I never!
Did you ever?
It shouldn't be allowed.
She said, he said that he knew
They had told him it was true.
Well I never!
Did you ever?
It shouldn't be allowed.
Who knows where the tale began,
But once begun it ran and ran.
Well I never!
Did you ever?
It shouldn't be allowed.
The echoes of it still are heard
'Though now we know that it's absurd.
Well I never!
Did you ever?
It shouldn't be allowed.
February 1, 2018
A Big Apology
There are times when I really can't believe how stupid I am. Today, I reopened the file for the Smashwords edition of Discord's Child to remove the code for a free copy of Discord's Apprentice, as it was no longer valid, and what did I find? That it wasn't there.
Anyone who downloaded a copy of Discord's Child from Smashwords since the Christmas sale has a right to be angry with me–I'm angry with myself. Please believe that it was not my intention to mislead or cheat anyone.
The only way I can make it up to you, is to create another coupon for a FREE copy of Discord's Apprentice. It's valid until 1st March 2018, and no is purchase required. Go to: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view....
Once again, please accept my apologies.
Anyone who downloaded a copy of Discord's Child from Smashwords since the Christmas sale has a right to be angry with me–I'm angry with myself. Please believe that it was not my intention to mislead or cheat anyone.
The only way I can make it up to you, is to create another coupon for a FREE copy of Discord's Apprentice. It's valid until 1st March 2018, and no is purchase required. Go to: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view....
Once again, please accept my apologies.
January 22, 2018
Something to Sing About
You turn your back for a moment and what do you find? A twelfth of 2018 has almost gone already. That means you'll have to get your skates on if you'd like a free copy of Discord's Apprentice. The code at the end of the Smashwords edition of Discord's Child runs out on 31st January, so don't delay! Visit https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi....
Here's another Iyessi song related to Discord's Apprentice chapter 8.
How can I be close to you
Now that you've gone?
I seek you where we used to go,
Where once we shared out love.
All I hear are echoes,
Shadows live there now.
Only one way remains to see your smile,
Or feel your touch once more.
I look at our son
And know your love lives on.
Here's another Iyessi song related to Discord's Apprentice chapter 8.
How can I be close to you
Now that you've gone?
I seek you where we used to go,
Where once we shared out love.
All I hear are echoes,
Shadows live there now.
Only one way remains to see your smile,
Or feel your touch once more.
I look at our son
And know your love lives on.
