Three Collections

[Helen]

Three distinct collections:

Take a pinch of humour, a touch of light-heartedness and a drop of whimsy and you have the perfect recipe to be savoured any time, anywhere.

Light Bites - a collection of satisfying and uplifting tales.



Kindle: £1.08/$1.71 Paperback: £3.99/$6.30

'Utterly delicious. Dahl-esque delight - ridiculously funny, yet intelligent. Weird and wonderful characters - a chocolate box of surprises.'

* * * * *

A collection of twelve slightly disturbing tales which encompass mortality, mentality, brutality... and reality.

Sleep tight...


Peace and Disquiet

Kindle: £1.54/$2.46 Paperback: £4.50/$6.30

'This is the work of an accomplished writer, one with true knowledge of the craft and it was a pleasure to read.'

* * * * *

I also have a new, third collection of dark tales and flash fiction which is called Minor Discord



Dare to visit the dark places at the edges of the map, places where you will feel unsettled and from where characters will follow you, whether you want them to, or not. This collection of stories and flash fiction will take you into the shadows. Don't get left behind...

This is available on Amazon as a paperback £5.31 / $8.55 and now as a kindle £2.27 / $3.50 edition.

[Helen]

Light Bites

'The author writes so well, in such a 'real' way that I found myself immersed in each tale.'

'Her characters are easy to relate to and there is lots of humour that keeps you entertained.'

'I thoroughly enjoyed every story and would definitely recommend it.'

'There is certainly something for everyone here.'

'A very good read.'

'Utterly delicious'

'Dahl-esque delight - ridiculously funny, yet intelligent. Weird and wonderful characters - a chocolate box of surprises.'

'When you read a collection of short stories and come away thinking "I wish each of those was a book in its own right" then you know the writing is good.'

'Written with a light touch and a dry sense of humour. I loved it.'

'A delightful, refreshing, and well written edition of short stories.'

'A wonderful read to lift you from the hum-drum of everyday life.'

'Ms Laycock makes the absurd seem real.'

'Absolutely wonderful.'

[Helen]

Peace and Disquiet

'the work of an accomplished writer, one with true knowledge of the craft'

'an outstanding collection of short stories'

'I was left open mouthed at the sinister realism and very brave and powerful writing'

'two of the very best stories of this kind I have ever read'

'I almost felt as if the words themselves were drawing me in and binding me to each and every syllable'

'Helen Laycock writes with a deep understanding of her characters'

'intriguing and is crafted with figurative, poetic language which flows beautifully'

'each one is a masterpiece that could only have been created by the master story teller that she undoubtedly is'

'Great short stories that send you through a host of emotions'

'Each story is unique and well crafted'

'a great collection of short stories that are well written and enjoyable'

'Well worth the price'

'I was held captive until the end'

'she can certainly send shivers up the spine!'

'this author writes in such a way that you can't help but turn the page'

'I found it very difficult to choose a favourite story amongst this collection'

'...stick in my mind long after reading them'

'The author has a wonderful clear-as-a-bell, way of writing with good finality to each story'

'These short stories are compelling reading...'

[Helen]

Minor Discord

This newly-released collection is awaiting reviews. Many of the entries have enjoyed competition success.

To give you a flavour of what's inside, here is the opening piece of flash fiction:


THE FERRYMAN

The dark water ticks as the rowing boat glides through, its lantern swinging in the pale green mist. Squatting there, a silhouette—a hunch of black—as though dropped from above.

At his feet, she lies like a puddle, draped over ropes, her face framed by lemon moonlight, her hair thickly stringed and river water bleeding into her dress. His boot is embedded into the cold cushion of her thigh.

With a clunk, the oars are hoisted and he shifts. He straddles the slurping boat, rocking them like babies. He clamps his fingers and makes shovels of his hands. She bends like a fish as he scoops, fronds of her hair stroking the bottom and her toes trailing the drenched wood like ballerinas’; she ripples over the side like a swathe of silk.

With a whispered swish, he’s swallowed by the night. She is gone – and so is the hole that opened and shut like a hungry mouth and left no seam. Her bones will dig their own grave in the river bed.

[Helen]

If you're really pushed for time,

Minor Discord is not only a collection of ten-minute short stories, but it is interspersed with flash fiction, too.
With around forty entries, it should keep you entertained for some time...


(Paperback: £5.50 Kindle: £2.27)

Dare to visit the dark places at the edges of the map, places where you will feel unsettled and from where characters will follow you, whether you want them to, or not.
This collection of stories and flash fiction will take you into the shadows.
Don't get left behind...

This is my most recent collection and has met with happy (if slightly traumatised!) readers:

'​...delighted to have purchased this collection of short stories and flash fiction.'​

'​...a gamut of emotion...'​

'The characters and scenery are well presented...allowing the characters to take you on their amazing journey...'​

'​...wonderful twists and turns as in Expectations and Cold Comfort. And then the darker tales, The Last Place and Two's Company, just the thought of that doll, ugh :( and then the brilliant tale, loved this, Taking Flight. These are a few that stuck in my mind.'​

'This book was a page turner for me, and kept me reading for longer than intended into the dark hours'​

'​... quirky, eerie tales that collude with the darker side of story telling.'​

'I have purposefully declined from using the word...twisted, though on the, QT, I think it should be in there somewhere.'​
'This didn't disappoint!'​

'Birds...death as a stalker in his personalised black car, really good story.
Cold Comfort...A spooky love story, enjoyed this & could have read a full book about this.
Soul Control...Lucifer & Gabriel, straight away this was a story for me, it was funny & bizarre right up my street, again, BOOK!
A Stitch in Time...an unfinished sampler causes a couple of problems, intriguing story.
Drop Dead Gorgeous...A really creepy story, skin crawling & freaky!'​

'​...all well written & so easy to get into.'​

'​...reading the many stories that make up Minor Discord was a challenge, and it is one that I have enjoyed.'​

'Helen Laycock's creative talent shines through...; her skills and creativity are to be admired.'​

'​...there were times when... I had to pause and re-read simply for the enjoyment of the imagery they conjured (e.g. White Light).'​

'I cannot say which was my favourite - there were too many!'

[Helen]

For more information about my short story collections, and to sample some of my flash fiction, please visit my website:

Fiction in a Flash | Helen Laycock
http://helenlaycock.wix.com/fiction-i...

[Helen]

I was recently a short story Featured Author on Goodreads, and last week did a reading to a very appreciative audience.

My three short story collections are available as kindle, or as paperback versions:

Each short story takes around 10 mins reading time.


Light Bites
Take a pinch of humour, a touch of light-heartedness and a drop of whimsy and you have the perfect recipe to be savoured any time, anywhere. Light Bites - a collection of satisfying and uplifting tales.
Paperback: £4.50 / $8.00
Kindle: £1.26 / $1.89




Peace and Disquiet
A collection of twelve slightly disturbing tales which encompass mortality, mentality, brutality... and reality.
Sleep tight...
Paperback: £4.50 / $7.00
Kindle: £1.99 / $4.93




Minor Discord
Dare to visit the dark places at the edges of the map, places where you will feel unsettled and from where characters will follow you, whether you want them to, or not.
This collection of stories and flash fiction will take you into the shadows.
Don't get left behind...
Paperback: £5.50 / $9.50
Kindle: £2.27 / $3.48

[Helen]

Here is my gift to you:
For 5 days of each month this year, I am going to offer a different book of mine free for kindle download. Look out for posts about this promotion. If you would like to return the gesture, then a review on Amazon would be wonderful. Thank you.

January 27th – 31st
Light Bites will be free for kindle download during this time.