Two Weeks Left to Enter September's Short Fiction Contest

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons Author - Shubi

There are only two weeks left to enter September's short fiction contest - so it's time to get those entries in! The rules are simple. Write a story of no more than 500 words based on this month's image of an old tome. The story can be of any genre it just has to relate to the image in some way. Once you have written the story you submit it through the form provided on the contest page here:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/september-short-fiction-contest.html

The winning story will receive a £50 prize as either an Amazon gift card or PayPal payment. There are also prizes for second and third place.

If you haven't read August's fantastic winners then you need to go to the winner's page immediately and enjoy the three amazing stories:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/august-short-fiction-contest-winners.html

Guest Post - The Clock Strikes Midnight by Joan C. Curtis

Today Joan C Curtis provides a guest post introducing her blog and soon to be released novel 'The Clock Strikes Midnight' Discover more below:

I’m excited to be part of The Cult of Me blog today. I love blogs that introduce readers to new authors and much more. I started blogging regularly about three years ago. My goal was to create a blog where people would learn not only about me but also about writing and other writers.

Many readers have no idea what it takes to write, publish and then sell a novel. My blog, Joan Says, helps them get a better picture of that process. I not only feature writers and ask them questions about what they write, how they write, and what challenges they face, I also provide newsy posts about writing. For example, one of the most popular posts I wrote was “Five Misconceptions about Fiction Writing.” It was fun to write and I had a lot of writers chiming in.

Because of my interest in other writers, I try to feature a new writer every Wednesday on my blog. Author Pat Gligor was one of the most popular. Many of her readers joined us that day.

Now my blog is retweeted throughout the Twitter world as there is so much to learn about writing and publishing.

As I approach November 25 when my publisher will release my first novel, The Clock Strikes Midnight, I am thankful for the friend’s I’ve made through my blog. I’ve created a very supportive community of readers and writers.  

Here is what one reader said about The Clock Strikes Midnight:

“With The Clock Strikes Midnight, Joan Curtis has written a true page-turner. The plot follows a successful businesswoman named Janie as she takes a journey back over her life. The diagnosis of terminal cancer (given on the opening page, so no plot spoiler there) rouses Janie's determination to take care of unfinished issue from an early period in her life. The story begins in Savannah, Georgia, but quickly moves to Atlanta where the author deftly describes the contrasts of various parts of that city.

Joan Curtis takes the reader through Janie's life story and that of the previous generation. The characters of her family and friends are developed with sensitivity, even though some of them are very unattractive. Central to the plot is an understanding of Janie's family - her mother, stepfather and her sister, in particular.

In the process, the author describes Janie's determination and her progress towards settling the old issue before the cancer causes her death. Exactly what that issue is does not become clear until the final pages. But it becomes obvious that it involves the murder of Janie's mother by her step-father, Ralph. Ralph's plea of innocence only adds to the uncertainty and suspense.

On a number of occasions, the reader may anticipate the ending, but each time a new variable is introduced to maintain the uncertainty and tension! The result is a fast-moving suspense-filled yarn. Those who like a good mystery story will enjoy this book.”

Jeffrey Brook Stewart of http://www.Readersfavorite.com

Joan

joan@joancurtis.com

New Drabble - A Friend at the End

A new stand alone drabble of mine has been posted in the latest Indie Book Bargains newsletter and posted below. You can find my other stand alone drabbles here:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/p/100-word-stories.html

A Friend at the End

Ah fear my old friend. It is so good to see you after so many years apart. We enjoyed such wondrous times you and I amidst the squalor of London’s streets. I sensed your presence beside me in the quickened pulse jetting from their beautifully slender necks. Together we dined on the rarest and most delightful of screams.

But your arrival at this time disturbs me. Why cast your fell shadow upon me on today of all days? You traitorous fiend! We were allies once and now you cloud my passing with dread of what will follow my dying breath.

Book Impressions - Drabbles 'n' Shorts by Rick Haynes

As everyone who knows me will testify I am a huge fan of drabbles. If you've never encountered drabbles before then they are stories that are exactly 100 words longs - not including the title. I'm familiar with the author's dabbles from various places but here we have a collection of them in one handy place. There's a good mix here covering a number of genres and many of them showing that most remarkable drabble trait of the twist in the tale.

I think it's also fair to warn potential readers that there's some ancient jokes in here as well, all told in drabble form. Their inclusion is quite clever as they provide a timely change in tone and lift you ready for the next.

However it wasn't the drabbles that provided the highlight (as good as they were). No the prize goes to the short story about Alfred the Great which had a bit of a Plague Dogs feel to it. It's a simple yet very effective story and worth picking up this collection for alone.

Welcome to my world of Drabbles* and Short Stories. My anthology of short fiction is certain to entertain you with its diverse range of genres.

Some will make you smile!
Some will make you sad!
Some will make you think!
Some will make you blink!
But all will keep you interested, for there is something for everyone!

So why not Buy – Read and Enjoy?

*Drabbles are little gems. Short stories of exactly 100 words.

Click here to buy Drabbles 'n' Shorts from Amazon US / Amazon UK (and it's a delightful read of short tales)

Book Impressions - Dark Hall Press Cosmic Horror Anthology

I'm a big fan of Lovecraft's horror and in particular his Cthulhu mythos. This is a collection of short stories inspired by Lovecraft's range of cosmic horror. This isn't a collection of Cthulhu tales, there's some that are related but also some taking a wider view. I was surprised by the latter ones being more effective than the former.

They're all decent stories although some stood out more than the others. Two stories in particular impressed me. The first tells the story of a world filled with yellow dust and it was a poignant and melancholy story that is superbly written.

The other story that really stood out for me was the closing one. This was the story of cavemen under attack by minions of the elder gods. It was the unusual perspective that attracted me to this one. The fact it was well written helped too of course!

One of the reasons I enjoy this style of horror is the twists in logic and perception which gets me thinking as I read them. On that count this is a fine collection of stories and one for any Lovecraft fans or those looking for something a little different with their horror.

In his essay “Supernatural Horror in Literature,” H.P. Lovecraft famously noted that “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.”

Dark Hall Press is proud to present our Cosmic Horror Anthology, ten tales of nameless terror from some of the most exciting voices in the field.

It’s all here, from stories of subtle, invasive menace to tales of full-fledged cyclopean horrors; from alien worlds to the yawning holes in perception where strange forces lurk; where nature takes on a terrifying sentience and one is not safe even in dreams.

We at Dark Hall invite you to join us in celebration of the modern weird tale, to cast off the veil of reason and see the universe for what it truly is – frightening and uncontrollable.


Click here to buy Cosmic Horror Anthology from Amazon US / Amazon UK (and it's a decent horror read)