Getting Ready For Shore Leave 37

---

Just a reminder: It's okay to leave comments!

---

I'm starting to get ready for the annual Shore Leave convention this year in Hunt Valley, Maryland from August 7-9. There are lots of authors attending, plus there will be the writing workshops given by some of these authors.

Workshops

Annual Shore Leave All-Kinds-of-Writing Workshop
with Howard Weinstein, Bob Greenberger, Dave Galanter, Bob Jones & Kelly Meding 

Our writing workshop team has about a century's worth of professional editing and writing experience between them! They'll be sharing the fruits and frustrations of the writing life with all interested writers at their 2-hour workshop on Saturday. The basics of good writing and story-telling apply to many media, so they'll cover scripts, novels, short stories, comics -- and non-fiction, too. No matter your age or experience, if you want to be a writer -- or be a better writer -- here's your chance to ask questions and chat about the craft and business of writing for fun and profit! (Pre-registration not required; the workshop is free.)

Thrones to Mad Men: Writing Historical Fiction
with Howard Weinstein, Richard C. White & Steve Wilson 

Want to write historical fiction? Learn better ways to make the past come alive in this 90-minute session. (Pre-registration not required; the workshop is free.)

Here's a list of the authors registered to attend. If you'd like me to say "Hi!" to someone for you, or maybe ask a question, let me know!

Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Rigel Ailur
Lorraine Anderson
Christopher L. Bennett
Joseph F Berenato
Martin Berman-Gorvine
Kirsten Beyer (no web site)
T.A. Chafin
Russ Colchamiro
Daniel Patrick Corcoran  (no web site)
Michael Critzer
Kathleen David
Peter A. David
Mary Louise Davie
Keith R.A. DeCandido
Kevin Dilmore
Mary Fan
Donna Frelick
Michael Jan Friedman
Dave Galanter
Charles E Gannon
Phil Giunta
Robert Greenberger
Amy Griswold
Glenn Hauman
Jim Johnson
Bob Jones
Stephen Kozeniewski
David Mack
Kelly Meding
John Jackson Miller
Susan Olesen
Joshua Palmatier
Marco Palmieri
Scott Pearson
TJ Perkins
Susanna Reilly
Aaron Rosenberg
Melissa Scott
Darla Vasilas
Steve Vasilas
Dayton Ward
Howard Weinstein
Richard C. White
Steven H. Wilson
Leona Wisoker

---

Looking for a summer beach read? Here's a new romance/suspense novella from Terri Deno (Kindle format):

---

© 2012-2015 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

New Releases by Immortal Publishing

---

Immortal Publishing, a small, Virginia-based press, has three new releases available, and they look quite interesting! The subjects vary from memoirs to fantasy—even poetry. And you know I like poetry, so I'm sure to check out "Rants."

They are all available on Amazon, and links are provided.

---

In Memory
    by Joshua Sutton

Sarah Summers was normal once, but now she spends her nights plagued by dreams of her dead family. When a demon is sent to possess her, can Sarah fight back against it and overcome the evil that not only threatens her sanity, but humanity itself?

Available on Amazon (Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Paranormal & Urban)
    US Kindle
    US Paperback

About the author:

Joshua Sutton grew up in Herne, Kent. During his college experience he obtained a BA in music technology and production, but found it was natural to express himself through the written word. The feeling that there is always a story to be told motivates Joshua to work towards his writing career. He wants to be able to bring another perspective to the written world. “If you’re good at something, you should take pride in it. Otherwise, what’s the point? You might as well ask Monet to draw a stick figure and call it art, or tell Charles Dickens that Great Expectations should have been a comedy.” That is just a taste of the sense of humor Joshua brought to life inside his character Cornelius of In Memory. At the moment Joshua is working on his next piece of writing which he intends to title Shadowborn. Shadowborn is the second installment in the Trilogy series. Follow Joshua on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for updates, sneak peeks, teasers and event information. You can email Joshua at joshuasuttonauthor@hotmail.com.

---

Junkie
    by Tommy Zee

This is a picture of my life: Not flowers and rainbows, but mine nevertheless. Being misled as a child, drugs and partying became a cool alternative to the disappointments of life. My demons became my friends and confidants. But I quickly learned that I was sadly mistaken. Here I was, a pretty, bright, teenage girl battling rage, injustice and the personal ordeals of cancer and rape. But when the demons took over, it became a story of survival. Battling to overcome the addictions of alcohol, heroin and men had turned me into a junkie. Trading my family and friends for an imprisonment to drugs and loneliness, I sank deeper into my addiction. I couldn’t stop making bad decisions. My life no longer had meaning. It was time to end it all or take one more wild shot at hope. This is my story.

Available on Amazon (Biographies & Memoirs > Reference & Collections)
    US Kindle
    US Paperback

About the author:

Tommy Zee grew up in Newbury Park, California. Early studies of authors in elementary school inspired her love for writing. Edgar Allan Poe was the main inspiration during those times. Tommy finds motivation to write because of her desire for everyone to find something to relate to and have a voice in the world. When she isn’t writing, Tommy enjoys studying different artists and writers. Her favorite to study is Salvador Dali with Vincent Van Gough as a very close runner up. “It was only as I stood in the shadow of death, destroyed and alone, that I was able to choose life,” Tommy bravely says in her biography “Junkie.” She shares her story with us because she wants us all to know the dangers of using drugs and that the decisions we make do have consequences. Tommy is currently working on ideas for her next book and consistently writing on her blog which can be found at www.boneyhandblog.wordpress.com. You can follow Tommy on her “author” Facebook page, “Junkie” Facebook page or on Twitter to stay up to date on any events, works in progress or advice from Tommy.

---

Rants, Raves, Hints & Allegations
    by J.P. Downing

This one is a collection of fantasy-based short stories and poems.

Available on Amazon
    US Kindle
    US Hardcover
    US Paperback

Rants about life. Raves about life, love and loss. Hints about the hereafter and darkness. And, Allegations about anyone and everything around us.

---

Immortal Publishing is a small press located in Strasburg, Virginia.
They may be reached by e-mail at: immortalpublishing@gmail.com
Their website is: http://www.immortalpublishing.net/

---

© 2012-2015 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

DFQMND - A Midsummer Night's Dream Writing Contest

---

A new writing challenge

from

The Dark Fairy Queen

So here are the details:

It is summer, a faint breeze blows, and the leaves are rustling. As dusk falls, the fireflies glow in a distant meadow. Have you not felt the magic of a summer night? Your story should.

Let us celebrate a midsummer night by creating 400 words.

For your theme, your story must take place, at least in part, on a summer evening. Also, choose one from the following list:
  Dreams
  Fairytales
  Myths

Your story should be posted on your personal blog or a friend’s and linked up with the Inlinkz tool (which opens July 15).

Note: The contest opens at midnight CST on July 15 and continues till midnight July 31. 

Prizes will be announced in a future post. You only have two weeks once the contest opens on July 15, what are you waiting for?

---

This is more of a traditional fairy tale...

---

Deirdre's Dream


    Exhausted, Deirdre fell to the ground and began to weep. "I'll never find my way home!" She sat wiping her tears, thinking how foolish it had been to venture into the deepest part of the woods alone. It was morning when she had left, and now the first stars were sparkling in the evening sky. In the air around her, fireflies now signaled their presence, while on the ground, glowworms answered in kind. As her tired eyes began to close, their rhythmic blinking and the warm summer air soon lulled her to sleep.
    She did not slumber long, however, as a curious noise disturbed her dreams. She rubbed her eyes and saw little lights all around her, but they did not flash. When she looked closer, each was a glowworm held up like a lantern by a tiny being complete with gossamer wings. Their voices, so high-pitched, sounded like insects buzzing.
    "I must be dreaming," she said, "but it's such a beautiful dream I don't think I want to wake up."
    In front of her, their lanterns formed two lines stretching into the forest as if marking a trail. Behind her, a glimmering carpet covered the ground from hundreds of the little creatures. They began to march toward her, and when she jumped away from them, they followed. The only path she could see was that marked by the rows of lights. As she stumbled along, the lights extended ahead of her as those behind melted into the glowing mass dogging her footsteps.
     She started to run and yelled, "Leave me alone!" With fireflies flashing around her, Deirdre raced through the forest as the tiny army closed in from behind. She ran until she collapsed, her heart beating madly, knowing the little creatures would soon catch her.
    But they stopped.
    Too tired to wonder why, she curled up on the ground and, in time, fell asleep.
    Just before dawn, she awoke to the sounds from a house, of people moving about. It was her house, with her family gathering outside to start a search.
    She looked back to the woods. Only a few fireflies circled among the branches. Slowly, a smile came to Deirdre's face. She raised her hand and said, "Thank you."
    In unison, they gave one brilliant flash like silent lightning, then all went dark.
    Her smile grew wider as she whispered, "I'm home now."

(Word count without title: 397)

---

Just so it's easy to read the works of others who have entered, here are the links:

1.	Unicorns are Evil! by Spencer Stoner	12.	Assur - Jules Vilmur	23.	Dreaming Just Enough - Olif
2.	The Princess and the Whispering Pines	13.	Welcome Home, Sister - Mark Ethridge	24.	The Exhibit by Eilís Phillips
3.	A Midsummer Nightmare	14.	Caught in a Midsummer Night's Dream - Toni Jayce	25.	https://mercurialwind.wordpress.com/2015/08/02/of-stars-and-silence/
4.	Lisa Cresswell	15.	Breaking Down on MidSummer	26.	A Resurgence of Magic, by Matt Sloan
5.	The Ugly Duckling - Michael Wombat	16.	Stolen Dreams by S.M. Lowry	27.	http://wp.me/p1q2eD-Ya
6.	Maidenhead - Alison DeLuca	17.	Lisa Shambrook	28.	January in Sunset, by J.T. Ellis
7.	Waiting for Annabel Lee-Beth Avery	18.	Listen by Dr. Pete	29.	Mother May I, by Lyndsay E. Gilbert
8.	Deirdre's Dream by K. R. Smith	19.	Dreams (random9q / Talia Loos)	30.	https://upinyourglitter.wordpress.com/2015/08/06/t
9.	Miranda Kate	20.	drmagoo	31.	The Beach Bar - Dave James Ashton
10.	The Coming Winter - KJ Collard	21.	Daniel Swensen	32.	Only. Endure.
11.	Christina Krieger	22.	Huckleberries and Hope	33.	Jeff Tsuruoka

---

Looking for a summer beach read? Here's a new romance/suspense novella from Terri Deno (Kindle format):

---

© 2012-2015 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Everybody Gets Five Stars

---

I'm going to have to give every book I review 5 stars from now on. Especially those that contain one of my stories!

I saw this review on Amazon today for a horror anthology. The reviewer hasn't read any of the stories (well, except for the one he wrote) and gave the book five stars. No bias here!

I understand wanting good reviews, and maybe this book deserves five stars (I haven't read it), but this review doesn't help anyone, and could dupe a reader into purchasing a book they won't like. If you're going to give a fake review, at least tell us something about the story you wrote! Amazingly, two people found this review helpful. I'm assuming it must be the publisher and another author.

I know that it takes a lot less time to review a book if you don't read it, but honest reviews are really what I want to see. I once gave a book I had a poem in only two stars because that's all I thought of it. I wish it had been a better book, but it wasn't.

Another lesson learned today about being a writer!

---

© 2012-2015 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

FSF Challenge - Thief

---

This week's writing challenge
from

Five Sentence Fiction

( Lillie McFerrin Writes )
is based upon the prompt:

Thief

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

Get FSF updates on twitter by following @5SentenceFic

---

Bit by Bit

    "Mom, why is old Miss Taylor so grouchy—all she ever does is sit on her porch and grumble!"
    "She's lost too much to thieves to be happy, Sarah, so please be kind to her if you can. When she was your age, a boy stole her heart, but before they could truly be a couple, a man took her innocence. The drugs she used to forget that time destroyed her body, and now the years are stealing her mind."
    When Sarah's mother looked across the street later that day, she saw her holding Miss Taylor's hand as she cried.

---

© 2012-2015 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

HB Challenge #19 - The Tower

---

Just a reminder: It's okay to leave comments!

---

Horror Bites Challenge #19

From the Office Mango website:

It is the end of the school year & I have been totally mobbed with the heavy work load. What with auditors, leaving events & P7 fun and games things have been mental in my non writing life. I’m also prepping for my youngest going to High School, which I have to say is odd – when did I get old enough to have two kids in High School? What the hell happened to my youth…….. 

Anyway the lovely Miranda, a regular contributor to this challenge sent me a great photo a while back and I’ve only remembered about it recently. So here we go, bring me tales of horror to help me prep for the summers holidays.

1:  Tales can be posted on your blogs & then just add to the wee linky tool, or add as a comment if you don’t have a blog.

2:  A word count of 200-350.

3:  Try to scare me, or at the very least create a little bit of darkness.

4:  This will be a fortnightly (two weeks) challenge from when the post goes live, so you’ve got plenty thinking time.

So come on what are you waiting for, go find your inner demons and get your scare on!

---

The Tower

    Even as a child, I wondered about the tower, standing forlorn at the edge of town. What could be inside? Treasure? Or something more sinister?
    I remember asking my parents, but their answers were never satisfactory. "There's nothing there that concerns you." Of course, that made it all the more intriguing, didn't it?
    Once, I saw a light in the windows. Not a bright light mind you, merely the flicker of a candle moving from pane to pane. A figment of my imagination they said. The tower had been locked for years. There couldn't possibly be anyone inside. Yet as I grew older, my curiosity about the tower never diminished.
    One evening, I climbed over the fence with a crowbar in hand. I crept up to the doors and pried away the rusting clasp that held an ancient brass lock—scant security for anything precious. A musty odor escaped as I opened the door. It was too dark inside to see, so I placed my crowbar by the door and lighted a candle. All that was visible was a spiral stairway leading upward.
    Summoning my courage, I began to climb, following the stairs until I reached a landing high in the tower. A single room enclosed the entire circumference of the tower at that height, and a door, locked with heavy deadbolts, was the only entrance. I opened them and pulled on the door. I entered slowly, and proceeded cautiously to my right. After only a few steps, I found the remains of a person, little more than bones, propped against a wall. There were marks on the poor fellow from being gnawed upon at some point. I hope it was after he had passed.
    Having seen more than I wished, I turned to leave, but too late. I recall the sounds—a haunting laugh—and the click of deadbolts being set.
    As the days pass, I grow weaker. So I sit with my back against the door, praying for escape, yet fearing I might allow whatever is on the other side to enter. 
    And the laughter never stops.

---

 349 words without the title... 

---

If you're in the mood for something lighter, please check out Terri Deno's latest romance novella!

Love The Callaways romance series? Check out my #KindleWorlds novella for more romantic adventures. #ebook #romance http://t.co/GfBaGvJ5Z7

— Terri Deno (@TerriDeno) June 23, 2015

---

Previous Horror Bites challenges: 

The Good Neighbor (#18)
Bad Hair Day Part II (#13) *
Lemonade (#12)
Bad Hair Day (#11) *
Cross Words (#10)
The Door (#9)
Wrapped in a Mystery (#8)
If The Shoe Fits (#7)
You Won't Feel A Thing (#6)
The Wings of Death (#5)

* These were the first two parts of Bad Hair Day

---

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

FSF Challenge - Fresh

---

This week's writing challenge
from

Five Sentence Fiction

( Lillie McFerrin Writes )
is based upon the prompt:

Fresh

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

Get FSF updates on twitter by following @5SentenceFic

---

It's been a while since I've done a poem...

---

Clearing Thoughts

 

Rain passes;
Rocks glisten,
Dappled in sunlight.

Leaves twirl;
Winds rush
Across my face.

Clouds race;
Vapors entwine
Misty cotton jets.

Shadows fade;
Colors change
From gray to blue.

Rainbows sparkle;
Earth awakens,
Stretching to the horizon.

---

I'm not exactly sure you'd call these sentences, but that's the way it is! And there are five of them!

---

© 2012-2015 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Viva Vienna! 2015

---

I attended the Viva Vienna! Festival over the weekend, Viva Vienna! is held every year in Vienna, Virginia, as a celebration of Memorial Day. There are carnival rides, food, craft and business vendors, and lots of music!

I didn't get to hear them all because I was only there two days, and there are three stages, so some of the performances overlapped.

Anyway, here's some of what you could hear at Viva Vienna 2015!

Please note: some of the embedded code on this page may not work well on mobile devices.

---

Silver Line (or Silver Line Station) is a fairly new band, described as hard-hitting Americana. I guess that's about right. The most interesting part of this band is the fiddle player (Dave Kline) who gives them a unique sound, playing parts that might normally be taken by the lead guitarist.

Silver Line Station

You can find their next gig by clicking HERE.

---

The next band up was Irresponsible. That's not a criticism, it's just their name. Sorry, I didn't get a picture...

From their website:

"Irresponsible is an Alt-Rock band based out of Washington, DC, whose hard work has landed them headlining shows at such nationally-renowned venues as the 9:30 Club and Jammin’ Java. The quality and consistency of Irresponsible’s studio releases and live shows have established the band as favorites in the DC music community. With the release of one EP and two LPs over four short years, Irresponsible has received consistent airplay on the Local Lix hours of DC’s premier rock station, DC101. Five of their songs have been featured on the station, including the most recent single, “Burn With Me.” Irresponsible’s blend of lighthearted fun and serious musicianship sets this group apart from the rest!"

I know it sounds like a bunch of hard-core head-bangers, but much of what they played was mainstream—and that's not a criticism, either.

---

Ken Wenzel & Cross Kentucky

Ken Wenzel
&
Cross Kentucky

Ken Wenzel is a saxophonist turned acoustical guitar player doing a bit of country, rock, and jazz. When it was his time to go on stage, he walked up to the mic and just started playing—no introduction of the song. That seems to be his style. The whole band was there, though he sometimes goes solo. And, yes, he did play the saxophone!

---

When Jr. Cline and the Recliners took the stage, my first thought was, "Wow. What a bunch of old geezers. They must be my age." But let me tell you, the geezers can play! They do a R&B / Soul / Rock mix, and even though a lot of tunes are oldies, they do a great job. The band also did some original songs, so they're not just doing other folk's stuff.

Here's Jr. Cline introducing Miss Virginia. I'm not sure why she was there, but that's okay.

Jr Cline and the Recliners at Viva Vienna 2015
introducing Miss Virginia

To give you an example of what they do (with their full band - only part of the group was at Viva Vienna!), here's a video:

---

The final act of the festival was Suburban Hearts, billed as an acoustical singer/songwriter duo. They do have a third person in the group now, playing bass guitar. I didn't catch his name. They're sort of a folk/rock/country mix, and it works well for them. I didn't get a picture, so I stole this one from their website.

Hope Linzer & James Cubeta
of Suburban Hearts

You can find out where they are playing on Reverbnation.


If any of these bands look interesting, visit their websites. Most have a few songs posted for you to listen to. Better yet, go see them live!

---

© 2012-2015 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

FSF Challenge - Steam

---

This week's writing challenge
from

Five Sentence Fiction

( Lillie McFerrin Writes )
is based upon the prompt:

Steam

What it’s all about: Five Sentence Fiction is about packing a powerful punch in a tiny fist. Each week Lillie will post a one word inspiration, then anyone wishing to participate will write a five sentence story based on the prompt word. The word does not have to appear in your five sentences, just use it for direction.

Get FSF updates on twitter by following @5SentenceFic

---

A bit of romance?.

---

One More Time



  

    The steam from the engine entwined with the evening fog as she stepped off the train, swirling around her like a gossamer shroud. He looked up and squinted, trying to accept that it was really her. The subdued light from the station windows illuminated her face with the soft, ethereal glow that seemed so natural—and so familiar. As if emerging from a misty dream, she moved silently toward him, her eyes locked onto his. You don't often get a second chance, Brad thought, and who could have believed she would return to this forgotten part of the world, let alone willingly?


Note: If you want to hear this story from another angle, see the version Tess posted - this was quite by accident!

---

While you're here, why not check out my post for the Horror Bites #18 writing challenge!

Also, because of recent host problems at the FSF site, I was unable to post my entry for "Family." If you'd like to read it anyway, here it is! FAMILY

---

© 2012-2015 K. R. Smith All rights reserved