Writing Prompt #2.5!

No, you didn’t miss it. Last week’s writing prompt was preempted by Valentines. I did post on a prompt on social media, but even I didn’t like it. Instead I wrote up what I think is a killer Valentines poem (could have been on a Hallmark Card!). Too bad, you’ll never get to see it though as it is securely in the hands of my dearest 😉

This week however, the Random Word Generator gives us something good to work with. Here are three images that work horrifyingly well together. Have at it and remember to post your work, or a link to it, in the comments below!

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Intelligentsia – Peom

In response to this weeks Writing Prompt Challange:

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Intelligencia

by J. Aurel Guay

Aged and bent through the lens he peers

It moves, it twitches, it disappears,

Desperate it pushes new from old

Through the struggle delicate wings unfold,

‘Eureka I’ve found it!’ he declares his success,

But, his words only echo in the empty recess,

How long has he slaved in this empty tomb?

Which nurtured his theories much like a womb,

What has transpired beyond the wall?

How can his revel on deaf ears fall?

The door he finds locked, there’s no way out,

Desperate he pushes ‘till the door gives out.

A light pierces through, the sun blinds his eyes,

And casts it’s truth on the mausoleums’ lies ,

He sees a new world with mysteries untold,

And deep within him hope delicately unfolds.

Hiatus No More

71c036d8319bc68b958256a67946ae1dSo… This place has gotten dusty…

It’s been a rough year or two folks. I’m not going to make excuses or promise to be more active as an online author and marketer of indie books. But this space and what I do here are good for me, and I need some good right now.

So here we go.

I’ve already added a new section for Works in Progress (WIPs). There I’ll put up new inspirations for both the back-burner and front runner projects as they come to me. I’d like to get a few more reviews up also, and maybe even another fun interview.

While I’ve been absent I haven’t been totally idle though. I’ve helped my Dad market his memoir that came out this spring. You can find out more about ‘A Good Man with a Dog’ and the authors behind it at his website.

Here’s hoping for good health, productivity and many words for all in 2017!

Beyond the Wail – Blog Tour – Spotlight on Sebastian Bendix

I’ve been quiet about this for too long. Mostly because I’ve been working so busily on it! But finally it is time to tell you about BEYOND THE WAIL, my first editing project through Xchyler Publishing.

Blurb

10660158_936611713079316_3236763116898589905_nNot only do I get to announce it today, but I also have the privilege of introducing one of the amazong authors in the anthology, Sebastian Bendix, and his story:

The Diorama
A play set turns life around for Martin Taper, but things take a turn for the worse when he neglects it and the lonely child obsessed with it.

As editor of the anthology, I can tell you that when I read ‘The Diorama’ I knew it was going to be one of the scariest in the collection. Bendix has a way of casting a dark foreboding that just goes deeper and deeper as the story unfolds. Unlike many stories, there is nothing cliche about about the strange circumstances that Bendix’s character Martin Taper finds himself in. In contrast, Martin himself personifies the experiences we have all faced in our lives when struggling through mundane and seemingly endless drudgeries of life. This makes the story all the more intriguing when those mundanities take a sudden turn toward the terrifying.

Be sure and check out all the mANY prizes you can WIN on our RAFFLECOPTER Giveaway!
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SEBASTIAN BENDIX

Sebastian-Bendix_200x274Sebastian Bendix is a Los Angeles-based writer and musician, as well as host of a popular midnight horror film series, Friday Night Frights at the Cinefamily. He attended school at Emerson College for writing and has had pieces published both in print (Mean Magazine, Sanitarium Magazine) and online (CHUD.com and Encounters Magazine). He has written several screenplays in the fantasy/horror genre, one of which, The Black Cradle, is in development as an independent feature. The Patchwork Girl was his first foray into the world of prose fiction. His second novel, The Stronghold, is nearing completion and will be out to publishers in 2015.

Q/A with Sebastian Bendix:

  1. How did you come up with the concept of your story?

Continue reading →

A short story contest to share!

K. M. Warfield

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First time authors have a hard time getting their first contract. Many of us have been there and it is discouraging to say the least. Solstice Publishing has published many first time authors and are actively seeking fresh new writers to add to our Solstice family. Many authors got their foot in the publishing door by writing short stories. This is a great way for authors to build their catalog while they work on their longer novels. At Solstice, we believe every book has a home. It may or may not be with us but we invite you to see if we’re the right home for your story.

Solstice Shadows publishes Fantasy, SciFi, Paranormal, Horror, and all sub-genres therein. If you have a short story that falls into one of these genres, we welcome you to read on and consider entering our short story contest.

Official Contest Information:

Solstice Shadows…

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Beyond Books Takeover Treasure Trail Question Eigh

My good friend Joanne Kershaw is doing a scavenger hunt to celebrate the release of the final chapter in her Vanguard trilogy and invited me to participate!  If you are not already on the trail, then start here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1562055274045245/?

Otherwise here’s my question!

Q8 What paranormal baddie was my first published short story about?

a) Ghosts/Spirits

b) Werewolves/Werekind

c) Vampires/Undead

Hint: Try the ‘Books’ tab above – look at the picture 😉

Now, go check out Jodi L. Milner at https://www.facebook.com/JodilMilnerAuthor? for question 9!Fated_Webkit_blurb-2

Tête-à-Tentacles (Will Scarlet’s Kiss & Tell)

Hey look, it’s me! And everyone’s favorite feisty inventor!

Ever On Word

“From the stage that brought you Will & Allyn’s Interactive Theatre,” Will Scarlet proclaims before the curtain, “here’s Ever On Word’s original talk show, Will Scarlet’s Kiss & Tell.”

Danielle whipped up a logo for me, because she is awesome first class.

The curtain rises, the studio audience applauds, and Will steps back onto the bright, cozy set with a broad smile and wave.

“Now, as regular viewers will know, that announcement is usually Allyn-a-Dale’s to make. But our little minstrel friend’s decided to take a mental health day, whatever that’s supposed to mean. So for this episode, I’m flying solo. Jumping right into it then,” he says, leading by example by hopping into his armchair. “Here courtesy of author J. Aurel Guay, let’s give it up for today’s guest, Miss Elizabeth Carter!”

The young woman enters from the other side of the stage and takes a seat in the chair across from Will’s.

“Welcome, Miss Carter! Won’t you give us…

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FATED by Joanne Kershaw

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My dear friend Joanne is celebrating the release of the final installment of her fantasy trilogy! She has been kind enough to allow me to share an excerpt from this exciting YA fantasy novel.

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EXCERPT

(Note from the author) – Elora gets a chance to explore her life beyond her friends and family in a new posting in Fated.  Her new commander, Marcus, asks her to share the events in Africa (at the end of Reflected).  This scene was interesting to write for me, to explore the sensations of being trapped in the power that consumed Elora at the end of the previous book. It was also exciting to explore the link between Elora and Zak. Enjoy!

The light. The power. It burns.
Save me! Save her! Siva? Mom?

Falling! Falling!

The arms. The arms that saved me. My eyes scoured the ground for him, for his body. Tendrils of fear squeezed my already exhausted heart and the threatened tears now fell furiously.

Then I realised where he must be.

I ran forward to the edge of the pit where the circle had been formed.

“Zak!” It was more a gasp than a word.

Lying at the bottom in a crumpled heap of blood and cloth was Zak.

“On the Spirits, no!” I couldn’t feel him within me. I pushed aside each person, forced out each voice, searched desperately for his mind.

There was nothing.

“NO!” I gasped as I tore myself from my own thoughts. Marcus rocked away from me, clearly shaken by everything he had seen. It had been mere seconds, such a lot to process in such a short space of time. Zak. All I wanted right here and right now was him. The need was core deep and binding. I leapt to my feet and stumbled as the blood pounded into my over-exhausted skull. Frantic, I looked around, needing to see Zak. Needing to be sure he was safe.

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