My very first short story, Dead Man Hocking, has made its debut into the world today and while I'm on the verge of biting my nails, pulling hair and drowning my anxiety of having people read my work, it's a good kind of sickness. I'm still amazed that my story was even chosen for this anthology. I remember when I first submitted it to Xchyler Publishing and wondering if I was making a huge mistake. That I had just probably hurt the readers' eyes with this god-awful story. And though I over-reacted (big time), I'm glad I took that gigantic leap and put myself out there. I'd never done anything so brave and it seemed like my little act of courage was rewarded. Now, I know how other authors feel when their babies are born. To undergo that process from its beginning stages to nurturing it and watching it grow until it reaches a stage where you're no longer needed. It kind of saddens me that I have reached that stage for DMH but I also couldn't be happier. I feel like I've made it the best it could be and I hope that anyone who reads it will be pleased as much as I am.
Okay, enough of the emotional babble. Without further ado, I give you...
Our 12 Grave Stories and the authors who wrote them:
Look, look!! I am right there ^. Yayayayay!!
OF MICE AND MONSTERS by Tirzah Duncan: Troubled by ghosts within and without, Benjamin struggles to become the man his girlfriend needs instead of the monster he is.
GO GENTLE by Julie Barnson: After the death of her boyfriend, a young musician uses her talents and a fabled violin to stop the fatal accidents at a dead man’s curve.
DEAD WATER by Amanda Banker: A stalled truck, an abandoned graveyard, and a town not found on any map take two brothers on a detour they’ll never forget.
COLD SPOT by Jay Barnson: When a laptop is stolen from their computer security company, two high school buddies go to extremes to investigate. But, will they manage to return?
WEEPING LADY by A. F. Stewart: Eva Douglas must face her mother issues, past and present, when the disappearance of her sister forces a confrontation with a terrifying ghost.
THE POLTERGEIST AND AUNT BETTY by Ginger C. Mann: Aunt Betty is eccentric, but how much is ghost, how much is medication, and how much is just plain crazy?
THE ‘GRIM’ REAPER by L. K. McIntosh: When a soul reaper loses the source of their power,
they must either find the witch who stole it or a new purpose for living.
SHRINE OF MIRRORS by F. M. Longo: A spy on a mission becomes a believer in the supernatural when the theft of three ancient relics.threaten to bring down the empire.
DEAD MAN HOCKING by T.N. Payne: A world-weary zombie learns to beware what you wish for, and not all sure bets are worth the gamble.
ST. PETER’S FISH by Alex McGilvery: Sam is a walking disaster of biblical proportions, but how much is he willing to sacrifice to escape, and will the Powers That Be allow it?
THE DIORAMA by Sebastian Bendix: 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.
DATE DUE by Danielle E. Shipley: A magic library’s guardian determines to protect her treasured books, whether their authors elect to do things the easy way . . . or the fatal one.
Seriously, I never thought this day would happen. It's just another dream that's recently coming true. It feels like I've reached a turning point in my life -one I hope only to get better from here. I'll keep doing my best in any case. Now I'm off to my writing cave. The voices in my head are getting fussy again. They want their stories told now. *sigh* A writer's work is never done. For I am merely the instrument used to tell stories no one else hears and enter the hearts of the ones who needs them.
Don't forget to order you copy of Beyond the Wail today. Also, keep an eye on the Blog Tour that started today. Each day, one of the authors will be featured. (Psst. I'm on Monday)
