This Week's Free Photo - Night Snow

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This is a bit of a surrealistic scene in the snow this week. It almost looks like a squadron of UFOs, but they're just the lights in a parking lot. The snow was coming down quite heavily at the time - which it seemed to be doing all week. I've shoveled enough this year...

Stop back again! I'll have another photo for you next week (or fairly soon thereafter...)!

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Image "IMG_9531_C.JPG" ©2014 K. R. Smith - www.theworldofkrsmith.com - may be used, in whole or in part, with attribution.

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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© 2012-2014 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Another Submissions Update

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This is another update on my submissions...

I noticed that Fringeworks has posted Newsletter #5 Winter/Spring 2014 on their site, and it has updates for both of the following stories:

The Fisherman and His Wife: (Short story - humor/fairy tale) Accepted a long time ago for inclusion in Fringeworks Grimm and Grimmer series (in volume 4), it is now scheduled to be published sometime before 09/30/2014 (which for some reason they consider quarter 2). That's about a year later than the original schedule, but at least I have a date.

 

Skarett's Treasure: (Short story - humor/horror/pirates) Also accepted a long time ago by Fringeworks (for the KnightWatch Press imprint called Dead Men's Tales). They now list it as a Fringeworks project to be published before 12/31/2014. That's a long time away, especially since the new editor, Mellissa Black, sent me an e-mail a few weeks ago saying there were only four more stories (including mine) to edit. While it could be out earlier, if it does take that long, it will be over a year past the original planned publication date. But again, at least I have a date and some news. If or when it does show up, it's hard to say if it will be a Fringeworks or KnightWatch imprint.

 

While I do think the folks at Fringeworks are honest and working hard (a number of problems were beyond their control), I do think they took on more than a two person team could handle. They have added staff, so maybe they will be more responsive in the future. It does make people think twice about submitting to them. From their blog, they make note that:

•  19 books are currently available to buy
•  41 books in development are (sadly) behind schedule
•  18 more books are in development (but not behind schedule)
•  17 further books are planned (But not yet scheduled)
•  1 book was withdrawn pending revision (New Tales of the Old Ones)
•  2 books were cancelled (Descent of Fan & Letters from the Lodge)

That's a lot of work for a small crew. And there has been little visible promotion of the books that are available. I'll let you know how things (eventually) work out!

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

The zombie anthology, Haiku of the Dead by Dreamscape Press, includes my poem, Hunting Season. Available on Amazon in paperback.

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Writers! Share the best blog post, story, or poem you've written in 2013 here: Best of 2013

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Image "Feathered Quill And Ink Pot" courtesy of Simon Howden at www.freedigitalphotos.net

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© 2012-2014 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

FSF Challenge - Ache

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This week's writing challenge from Five Sentence Fiction ( Lillie McFerrin Writes ) is based upon the prompt: Ache

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie posts one word for inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word.

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A sad tale this week, with no picture. I couldn't find one that fit the mood.

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Visions of the Past

Donna watched him jog by with a girl she didn't know, her ponytail bouncing in unison with her steps, his smile visible even from across the street. Her legs, strong and shapely, carried her down the lane, moving effortlessly through the morning mist. They made an attractive couple, or would have to anyone else. Donna looked down at her bent and useless limbs and realized that was her life, the life before the accident, when Brad used to smile at her. She rolled her wheelchair away from the window and into the darkness.

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

The zombie anthology, Haiku of the Dead by Dreamscape Press, includes my poem, Hunting Season. Available on Amazon in paperback.

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Writers! Share the best blog post, story, or poem you've written in 2013 here: Best of 2013

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© 2012-2014 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

FSF Challenge - Frozen

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Writers! Share the best blog post, story, or poem you've written in 2013 here: Best of 2013

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This week's writing challenge from Five Sentence Fiction ( Lillie McFerrin Writes ) is based upon the prompt: Frozen

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie posts one word for inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word.

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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What could be more appropriate than this prompt. I got up this morning and checked the thermometer and it was reading 6°F (that's about -14° Celsius). Brrrrr... I've been way over my head with work to do, and thus short on time, so I thought I'd toss out a quick poem instead of a story -  free-form this week.

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Winter Walk

Along the path,
  there are few reminders
  of a previous life.

Bare twigs,
  brown grass,
  the tips of dry and brittle leaves poking through the snow are the only clues.

I remember blue bells blossoming in this glade,
  a flash of gray as squirrels chased between those trees,
  and minnows darting to and fro in the stream.

Where they have gone I am not sure,
  but a single, transient robin promises their resurrection
  before it, too, flies away.

With evening's approach, I walk on,
  my thoughts of another time
  replacing the frozen world around me.

                                                      K. R. Smith

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Original image source: http://savoringservant.blogspot.com/2011_01_01_archive.html

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© 2012-2014 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

FSF Challenge - Sparks

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Writers! Share the best blog post, story, or poem you've written in 2013 here: Best of 2013

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This week's writing challenge from Five Sentence Fiction ( Lillie McFerrin Writes ) is based upon the prompt: Sparks

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie posts one word for inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word.

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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This is Part III of a Five Sentence Fiction story I wrote some time ago called Wardrobe Malfunction. It was based on a dieselpunk/steampunk story from another FSF writer, Rogue Tinker. It was followed by Part II, called Escape. And by continuing the story, I get to use the word dieselpunk again, which for reasons unknown, excites me.

When we last left our heroine, she was hanging on to the side of the enormous analog computational engine that controlled the city's infrastructure, and though having freed herself, was still in danger as the section she was holding on to was slowly rotating.... What will she do?

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Buckle Down!

     As the section of machinery to which Ysabelle was clinging slowly rotated, she heard a metallic ping as the buckle from the goggles that had held her captive fell into the huge clockwork, finally depositing itself in the small area between one of the precisely balanced flywheels and its supporting structure, alerting the world to its location by a high-pitched squeal emanating from within the shower of sparks produced as the metal of both ground away. Easing her way to the edge of the moving section, careful to keep her feet under her while holding tightly to the framework high above the ground, she hoped to be able to dislodge the old buckle as the rotation brought her close the whining flywheel before it became unbalanced, destroying the entire device like some huge demonic dreidel. As it passed in front of her, Ysabelle took her knife and deftly flicked the errant bit of metal from its lodgings, ending the noise and fireworks, and bringing a bit of surreal peace to her lofty perch. Taking advantage of her location at the edge of the rotating section, she slipped the knife back into the sheath within her boot and reached out for the relative stability of the adjacent framing, stepping off onto the solid beams that held the heavier pieces in place with a nonchalance that defied the altitude at which the acrobatics took place. Quite pleased with herself, and finally able to rest her weary body, Ysabelle didn't seem to mind what felt like a few drops of rain on her arm—until she looked up to see oil dripping from a gearbox even farther above and realized her job was just beginning.

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© 2012-2014 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

This Week's Free Photo - Sunset Near DC

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It's been well over a week since my last "weekly" image, so I'm posting two pictures for the price of one!

The sunset was quite nice this evening - although it was starting to get quite cold. The sun on the wispy clouds gave them a beautiful color, and with the deep blue of the sky in the background, I had to get out the camera and take a shot.

Here's the second one. 

You can click on the picture to see a larger version. And if you do use it, the red text below can be used for attribution.

Stop back again! I'll have another photo for you next week! Well, maybe...

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Top image "GB_SUNSET_1.JPG" ©2014 K. R. Smith - www.theworldofkrsmith.com - may be used with attribution.

Bottom image "GB_SUNSET_2.JPG" ©2014 K. R. Smith - www.theworldofkrsmith.com - may be used with attribution.

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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© 2012-2014 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

FSF Challenge - Clutch

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Writers! Share the best blog post, story, or poem you've written in 2013 here: Best of 2013

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This week's writing challenge from Five Sentence Fiction ( Lillie McFerrin Writes ) is based upon the prompt: Clutch

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie posts one word for inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word.

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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Hot romance - well, almost...

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Hold On!

     Jack was deeply entangled in a kiss with his girlfriend Tricia, the first one he'd had since returning from his deployment, when he felt something warm on the inside of his thigh. He broke off the kiss and smiled at her, saying, "Not that I mind, but a train station is a bit public, don't you think?"
     When Tricia could only reply with an expression of complete confusion, Jack glanced down to see a small boy hugging his leg.
     Tricia, still perplexed after spotting the child, looked back at Jack said, "Well—he's not mine!"
     A moment later, an embarrassed young woman came over to grab the boy away saying, "I'm terribly sorry—you see, he was born after my husband was sent overseas, and he thinks every man in a uniform is his father."

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Original image source: http://lilliemcferrin.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/761px-A_youngster_clutching_his_soldier_father_gazes_upward_while_the_latter_lifts_his_wife_from_the_ground_to_wish_her..._-_NARA_-_535527.jpg

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© 2012-2014 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

January Submissions Update

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This is just a brief update on my submissions...

The Fisherman and His Wife (Short story - humor/fairy tale) Accepted a long time ago, and I'm still waiting for something back from Fringeworks... Perhaps being published posthumously is an option.

Skarett's Treasure (Short story - humor/horror/pirates) Also accepted a long time ago by Fringeworks (for the KnightWatch Press imprint). Mellissa Black, the editor, just sent me an e-mail promising the edits would be on their way to me soon. Apparently, I'm one of the last four to be worked on. At least there is some progress! Hallelujah!   

A Matter of Personal Taste (Short story - horror) was submitted to Penumbra - actually a re-submission of a slightly reworked version of what was posted on The Were-Traveler. Waiting for a response at this time, but they've just closed submissions, so it might be a while.

The Disappearance of Mr. Becker (Short story - horror) Submitted to The Were-Traveler  for their Lovecraft/Poe issue - awaiting acceptance/rejection.

Hunting Season (poetry - haiku) - A haiku about zombies for the Dreamscape Press anthology, Haiku Of The Dead, has been accepted! (virtual high-five here) A haiku about zombies... Yeah, me and Tennyson, we're like buddies. Funny, though, how any acceptance makes you feel so good.

Metal Monsters (poetry - haiku) - A steampunk haiku, also for a Dreamscape Press anthology called Clockwork Kiru, has been submitted. Still waiting on that one. Yes, a steampunk haiku. I'm very versatile. And desperate...

Todd's Little Friend (flash fiction - horror) - A flash fiction story based on a visual prompt for Massacre Publishing - just submitted for their Spring Contest. Their acceptance period is still open, so I'll have to wait - "ever so patiently," he said while tapping his fingers on the desk. With a publisher name like Massacre Publishing, I probably didn't have to tell you it was a horror story.

I have a few other things in the works, and I'll put an update out when something really exciting happens. Okay, so it might be a while...

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Image "Feathered Quill And Ink Pot" by Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

A Tale Of Two Magazines

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Writers are always looking for two things: a place to sell their work and a source of fresh reading material. Within the last few months, the pool for both has become a little drier.

First, it was Electric Velocipede that published its final issue. This is from the Electric Velocipede blog:

Issue 27 Editorial
A Remembrance of the Future

November 18, 2013
by JohnK

As many of you already know, issue #27 is going to be the final issue of Electric Velocipede. After a lot of thought—and more stress than I need—I’ve decided it’s time to cease publication.

Yesterday, I saw that Innsmouth Magazine will also cease publication. This is from their blog:

Goodbye Innsmouth Magazine 

by IFP 

January 14, 2014

Well, it had to happen sometime. Innsmouth Magazine says a fond farewell with its final issue, number 15, this spring. We’ve had fun putting together this little zine, but don’t make enough sales to keep it afloat. So, it must go. More details about the final issue later on.

In both cases, the funds coming in from sales didn't cover what was need to break even, let alone make any profit. That meant that the editors were putting their own cash and time into the magazine with little to show for it other than a busy schedule trying to get the stories out.

One thing that this makes clear - if we want these small publishers to survive, the authors and readers have to spread the word about them. Not just to promote our own work, but to get the word out in general about a publisher or a magazine. Perhaps readers can't expect so much for free. Many of the magazines make back issues free and authors often make their books available for free. Sometimes this is good, but we have to remember that for many this is more than a hobby and that they have a life and family, too, even if it isn't apparent. 

The point is that we all (readers and authors) have to do our part if we want these formats to survive, especially those that deal in horror fiction and other genres that aren't the most popular. That might mean spreading the word or putting your money down to buy an issue of a magazine, or even a back issue, or another author's book that sounds interesting.

Anyway, that's all for now, and thanks for listening! I'll let you get back to reading that story now...

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

FSF Challenge - Moments

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Writers! Share the best blog post, story, or poem you've written in 2013 here: Best of 2013

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This week's writing challenge from Five Sentence Fiction ( Lillie McFerrin Writes ) is based upon the prompt:  Moments

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie posts one word for inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word.

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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This is sort of a prose poem, and I dislike prose poems. They're not really poems, in my opinion. So this is just a weirdly formatted story. So don't tell anyone about this...

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Never Enough

     He needed a moment to hide his fear when she said "yes" to the prom.
     Then he hesitated a moment before his first kiss.
     A few years later, he took a moment to stare into her eyes when she said she would marry him.
     And he said he wanted a moment as he stood by her bed when they told him she hadn't survived the birth of their child.
     But there weren't any left. 

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Original image source: http://lilliemcferrin.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/moments1.jpg

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

The End Is Near!

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Update: See the best of 2013 by various writers HERE!

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The end of the 2013, that is.

And since the year is rapidly coming to an end, I thought I'd give a chance for others to spread the word about their writing. If you have a favorite blog post, or link to something special you've written that's on the web (or even published), pass it on in a comment and I'll put a link out here for it. This way, all my readers (or those just passing by) will have some interesting reading material to wart off the new year. There's no time limit on this, so if you don't get to it right away, send a comment when you can!

I have to admit, I've stolen this idea from Rum Punch Drunk's blog, so you should visit there, too.

Have a Happy New Year, and I look forward to any posts you want to share!

P.S. I stole this image from Bethanne Strasser's website until I can get one of my own... hmmm.... I've stolen the idea for the post and the image... I should make a resolution to be more honest next year!

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Merry Christmas!

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No news or story - just Merry Christmas!

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Image "Merry Christmas Word" courtesy of jannoon028 FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

FSF Challenge - Silver

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This week's writing challenge from Five Sentence Fiction ( Lillie McFerrin Writes ) is based upon the prompt:  Silver

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie posts one word for inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word.

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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One for the holidays... 

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Jingle Bells

     "I know you miss her, but I'm sure that wherever she is, she's alright," he said, putting his arm around wife as they sat in front of the packages they feared would never be opened. "You shouldn't do this to yourself every year."
     "But what else can I do when I have no idea if she's alone or hurt—or worse."
     "She's very strong, you know," he said, as much to reassure himself as anyone.
     In silence, they nestled together, holding on to each other and what was left of their lives, when the small, silver bells hung over the kitchen door jingled ever so slightly, and a tiny, unsteady voice asked, "Mom?" 

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Original image source: http://lilliemcferrin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/silver-bells-1024x570.jpg

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

This Week's Free Photo - Sunrise Over The Ocean

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A little change of pace this time around. Instead of snow, think summer. Summer along the ocean, to be exact. These are from a few years ago, but I thought it might be nice to see some pictures that would warm people up instead of making them shiver that much more during the shortest days of the year.

I happened to be up and about on a morning when the air was fairly clear over the Atlantic and the sun was visible as it popped up over the horizon. Quite often, there is a layer of clouds that prevent you from seeing this. Also, the ocean was very calm that morning.

By the way, that little fin out there is a dolphin (Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, T. truncatus), not a shark... they're quite common along here. So are sharks, but they don't seem to cause any problems.

You can click on the picture to see a larger version. And if you do use it, the red text below can be used for attribution. I also have a larger version (2160 x 1440) should you wish to use this for a project.

Stop back again! I'll have another photo for you next week!

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Top image "OC SUNRISE 2006_1.JPG" ©2013 K. R. Smith - www.theworldofkrsmith.com - may be used with attribution.

Bottom image "OC SUNRISE 2006_2.JPG" ©2013 K. R. Smith - www.theworldofkrsmith.com - may be used with attribution.

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Is Twitter Useful?

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I saw a tweet from Bethanne Strasser yesterday asking about the usefulness of Twitter, especially from an author's point of view.

I see maybe 3-5% of what's on twitter, but still post hoping others will see what I post. #notconvinced twitter is a great social medium
— Bethanne Strasser (@Bethanne_writes) December 20, 2013

I sometimes have the same question. I do get some good info from other's tweets, but it's hard to find it among the garbage that comes in, especially when some of those you follow seem to retweet everything that comes their way. Just a hint: it's not always interesting to everyone else.

What I've found is that I don't look at the main Twitter feed, but review tweets from various sources, like Duotrope and Horror Tree, and those from a handful of followers, and ignore much of the rest. I don't have time to read every tweet sent my way. I often wonder if others do the same. And seldom do I get useful feedback from more than a handful of followers.

So....

I've put a little poll on my site that will be up until the end of the year. It's not a scientific poll; I'm just curious. If you have an opinion and would like to cast a vote, please do so. You can always leave a comment, too!

Thanks in advance!

Note: The poll is now closed. If you would like, you may still leave a comment on the subject!

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Zombies And Steampunk - A Natural For Haiku

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I have two new submissions - just for fun...

Both are to Dreamscape Press, a small publisher (as if I submit to any other type), and both are haiku. The subject matter? Zombies and steampunk. "That seems like a natural match," he said while rolling his eyes.

Anyway, they are on their way to the editor for consideration.

That's all for now - except that you may want to check out the book below. Just a thought...

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

FSF Challenge - Alone

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This week's writing challenge from Five Sentence Fiction ( Lillie McFerrin Writes ) is based upon the prompt:  Alone

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie posts one word for inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word.

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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A resourceful mind can adapt and survive... 

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A Crowd Of One

     Billy was rather depressed about his new home in the country as there weren't any other children his own age within miles and he desperately wanted a playmate. He decided to walk to the pond, if for no other reason than to kill time until lunch, and as he did, he began to talk to himself, having a discussion with no one in particular about his plight. He eventually took the other side of the argument to keep the conversation going, enumerating all of the interesting places there were to explore, and to provide a little variety assigned his second voice to an imaginary friend he hadn't conjured up in years. Not much farther along, another voice joined in, and then another, all walking in lockstep through the autumn leaves. Before getting halfway to his destination, he was strutting and high-stepping, leading his own little parade down the trail, the trees standing tall on each side to applaud. 

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Original image source: http://sha-1.deviantart.com/art/Alone-115613573

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Give A Christmas Present To A Library

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...and make an author happy in the process!

One of the writers I follow, Lisa Shambrook, is part of a forty author effort to help the Mount Rose Elementary School Library in Reno, Nevada through sales of a Christmas / holiday season anthology. It's called Tales By The Tree, and it's quite a diverse selection of stories (75 in all), with everything from angels to zombies! There's something in it for all ages and interests.

Lisa with a copy of Tales By The Tree

It's available through Amazon for the Kindle or in paperback—just in time for Christmas! Here are links to the Amazon site:

Tales by The Tree amazon.co.uk

Tales by The Tree amazon.com 

From the Amazon page:

Gather Around The Tree With a Collection of 75 Tales From 40+ Authors

Welcome to Tales by the Tree, a collection of holiday stories brought to you by a group of authors whose imagination knows no bounds. No matter how you enjoy your holidays, our collection features something for everyone. Included are Traditional Tales, Family Friendly, Holiday Humor, and Noel Nightmares.

Grab a cup of cocoa and settle in for a long winter's night with Tales by The Tree, an amazing way to discover new talented authors, many of whom are published and can be found on Amazon.

All royalties benefit the Mount Rose Elementary School library in Reno, Nevada.

Take a look at it and let your friends know about it (it would make a nice gift).

And, yes, I have a copy!

When I opened it I got a surprise as two other writers I follow, Jeffrey Hollar and Lizzie Koch, have stories in it, too!

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

This Week's Free Photo - Snowy Pines

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My last photo, Canadas, was supposed to warm you up a little. This week's photo (yes, I know it's a little early) is going to cool you down a bit. A snow storm blew through yesterday, so I have a number of snowy pictures that I'll be posting over the next few weeks. So get used to seeing that white stuff...

This image is a little larger than most I post out here, but I thought it needed the detail. It'll also take a while longer to download. It could be used as a book cover or other background, and is free to use as long as attribution is given (see notes on this below). This is a stand of white pines (pinus strobus) in Gunpowder State Park, Maryland, USA. If you're in England, you'll know these as Weymouth pines.

Pines with snow

You can click on the picture to see a larger version. And if you do use it, the red text below can be used for attribution.

Stop back again! I'll have another photo for you next week!

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Image "PINES_WITH_SNOW.JPG" ©2013 K. R. Smith - www.theworldofkrsmith.com - may be used with attribution

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

This Week's Free Photo - Canadas

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It's getting cold around the area and some ice and snow storms are on the way, so I thought I'd try to bring a little summer back with my blog, maybe warm things up a bit.

Just a couple of Canadian geese swimming on a pond, looking for something to eat on a lazy summer day...

Update: I found another picture I thought I'd throw out here, too...

He's just doing a goosestep down the road...

Feel free to use the images, or any part thereof, as is or modified, so long as attribution is given. You can use the text below for that:

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Image "CANADAS.JPG" ©2013 K. R. Smith - www.theworldofkrsmith.com - may be used with attribution

Image "GOOSESTEP.JPG" ©2013 K. R. Smith - www.theworldofkrsmith.com - may be used with attribution

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

FSF Challenge - Highway

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This week's writing challenge from Five Sentence Fiction ( Lillie McFerrin Writes ) is based upon the prompt:  Highway

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Shameless plug section!

The horror anthology, Gothic Blue Book III - Graveyard Edition  by Burial Day Books, includes my poem, The Ballad of Drunken Jack. Available on Amazon for Kindle or in paperback.

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The adventures of Ralph and Wanda, my favorite couple...

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Ms. Direction

     "Gosh, Ralph, isn't it just so great that they've finally opened the new highway interchange?" Wanda asked as they made their way up the entrance ramp, her voice bubbling over with enthusiasm. "We can go anywhere in the state without dealing with a million stop signs, traffic lights, or speed bumps on some winding side road."
     "I suppose," Ralph replied, tapping his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel as traffic slowed.
     "Well—where would you like to go first?"
     "Home." 

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Image source: http://lilliemcferrin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/highway1.jpg

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Submissions Update - December 5, 2013

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This is just another brief update on my submissions...

The Fisherman and His Wife: (Short story - humor/fairy tale) Accepted a long time ago, but I'm still waiting for something back from Fringeworks about a more concrete schedule. Is anybody home?

Skarett's Treasure: (Short story - humor/horror/pirates) Also accepted a long time ago by Fringeworks (for the KnightWatch Press imprint). Mellissa Black, the latest editor, tweeted back to me that the stories for this anthology were being edited, but it feels like Dead Men's Tales project has dropped off the face of the Earth. I hope to hear something soon, but I'm not counting on it...

Dance (Short story - fae/horror) was rejected by World Weaver Press / Rhonda Parrish. At least they were quick about it. I may rework the story and try elsewhere, but not right away.

A Matter of Personal Taste (Short story - horror) was submitted to Penumbra - actually a re-submission of a slightly reworked version of what was posted on The Were-Traveler. This is a long shot, but why not try?

I'm working on another entry for The Were-Traveler (Lovecraft/Poe issue) with a January 15, 2014 deadline.

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Image "Feathered Quill And Ink Pot" by Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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© 2012-2013 K. R. Smith All rights reserved