Can You Hear Me Now?

---

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

---

Every now and then I check my author ranking on Amazon. Here's what it looks like for the past six months:


My author ranking

You'll probably have to click on the picture to see any detail, but it's been reasonably steady for the previous 365 days with numbers between about 30,000 (best) to 300,000 (worst). Not a bad showing for a writer that doesn't even have a book published under his own name. Everything I've done has gone into an anthology of some sort.

Most of the anthologies to which I've contributed continue to sell at a steady, though dreadfully slow, pace. These are not the ones keeping my author ranking as high as it is. Most all of it is due to one book: In Creeps the Night.

This book is a Halloween-themed horror anthology, so I was wondering why it sells at such a consistent rate, especially since it is a couple of years old now. I contributed a small story to the effort: Little Monsters. It's an okay story, but I doubt it is the major draw for this work. There are maybe 30-40 authors who have stories in this book.

While the Kindle version sells well, what appears to be the major force behind the rankings is the audio version. It is narrated by Elizabeth Phillips.

Audiobook sales for In Creeps the Night

The audiobook sales are really something special for a book with no real advertising behind it. Almost everything driving my Amazon author ranking is from this audiobook. I am very grateful for being included! Here are the current rankings for the audio version of In Creeps the Night on the US Amazon page.

US amazon rankings for In Creeps the Night

I don't know if other audiobooks are having the same success (please feel free to chime in on that), but it seems adding one to your publishing options might be wise.

That's all I have at the moment. Anyway, an hour has passed, so I have to go check my rankings again. I did say now and then...

P. S. Sadly, I make no money on the book. It is a charity anthology. But I'm okay with that.

---

© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

It's Just Around The Corner

---

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

---

Shore Leave 39, that is.

Well, maybe not exactly. But if you want to attend, you have to start preparing now. It's in July this year, from the 7th to the 9th to be exact. There is a limit on the number of attendees and hotel rooms for those coming in from out-of-town. I've already received my registration confirmation.

And the guest list of actors/actresses is growing. I don't watch many of movies or a lot TV, but I am familiar with a couple of them. For me, that's pretty good. It's what draws most people to this convention.

As usual, I'm hoping to attend a few of the writer workshops and have a chance to talk to some of the many authors that will be present. Here they are (you'll have to click on the image to see them properly):

Some people think that only, uh, "eccentric" people attend conventions like these. I beg to differ.

#ShoreLeave38 #Masquerade pic.twitter.com/i9kfM2z4Ls

— Gene Roddenbunny (@ShoreLeaveCon) February 27, 2017

Looks normal enough to me...

I also plan to post to the blog during the convention. I haven't done the best at this in the past, but if I'm lucky, at least one post will be while the convention is still in progress.

If you'd like more info:

Shore Leave is a fan-run science fiction convention in Hunt Valley, Maryland featuring guests from your favorite movies and TV shows of yesterday and today.

Here's the WEBSITE.

Here's the FLIER.

Here's the REGISTRATION FORM.

---

© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

This Month's Free Photo - Venus

---

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

---

Ready for another of my cheesy free photos? Well, you're getting one anyway. Someday, I'll manage to post a picture here that is worthy, but this will have to do for now (I seems to say that a lot on these free photo posts...).

Over the years I've had more than one sky photo on my blog. I like sunsets and the colors they display. This time I caught Venus sparkling in the gloaming as I was getting off the train from work. I've been looking for an excuse to use the word gloaming, and this post is it. One more thing off my list. Anyway, Venus is really bright this month, so even my cell phone could get a decent shot. It's often easier to get a picture of the Moon or bright planets with a cheap phone camera during dusk or early morning when the contrast is not as great. That's my tip for the day.

Venus in the evening sky
(yes, that dot in the upper left-hand quarter of the image)

Check back again when you can. Maybe I'll have something even better!

---

Image IMG_20170222_225632_CR.jpg ©2017 K. R. Smith - www.theworldofkrsmith.com - may be used, in whole or in part, with attribution.

---

© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

I Bought A Couple Of Dragons

---

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

---

I spent a little time at the local gem and jewelry show over the weekend. My better half makes (and buys) jewelry, so it's an activity we do at least twice each year. Sometimes, even I purchase an interesting item or stone should it catch my eye.

Many of the vendors are Chinese or Indian, so it comes as no surprise there are carvings of cultural items. There are a lot of Buddhas, elephants and all sorts of other animals, and, of course, dragons. I happened to see a number of these inexpensive carved dragons in a display box and couldn't resist.

Dragons!

So, what do dragons have to do with writing? Well, not a great deal. I did write one dragon story (The Sword of Hexworthy Manor) for the Swords of Darkness anthology, but it's really not a topic I dwell on. I really liked these little guys, though. Not sure what the stone is—probably a type of jade. Not all jade is the deep green expensive stuff. It doesn't matter so long as I like it. Now I need to find a nice place to hang it. The carving is only about 3 inches (75 mm) in width and reasonably light in weight, so it won't require any special mounting. Once displayed, I'll have this for inspiration should I need to write another dragon story!

---

© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Dead Men's Tales

---

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

---

First of all, Happy Valentine's Day!

Now, back to business...

It's taken a while, but it's finally here!

Fringeworks has published Dead Men's Tales, a pirate-themed anthology with the twist that each story is told from the point of view of a deceased character. My contribution to this collection is Skarett's Treasure. This story concerns the plight of an indentured servant (Thomas) who, hoping to gain enough money to escape from the pirate's stronghold with the mesmerizing Maria, gets mixed up with Captain Skarett.

What type of story is Skarett's Treasure? Well, there are pirates, of course, mixed in with a little bit of horror and a touch of humor. While my tale may leave you wanting more, by the time it's done, Thomas will have had his fill!

As the back cover says:

"They say that dead men tell no tales, but that's not strictly true. Why else would fifteen men need to sit on a dead man's chest? Beware these pirate tales told by the dead themselves. They will thrill you, chill you, scare you and spare you the need to sleep on a dark and stormy night. And remember, they might talk, but their grog-drinking days are done. Yo Ho Ho

Here's the story line-up:

I need to get a copy to see what changes the editor, Melissa Black, may have made to the story. I hope it's as good as I remember! Or, at least, not as bad as I fear... As an added bonus, the foreword was written by Kevin R. McNally, one of the main actors in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series. The cover is by Darrel Bevan.

Dead Men's Tales is available in paperback from Amazon.
    Amazon US
    Amazon UK

---

© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Write On Write Off?

---

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

---

Not long ago, I saw a tweet from Terri Deno alerting me that Amazon / Kindle was shutting down its Write On writer collaboration project. I only had a brief exposure to Write On while following a couple of Terri's works. It was something I wanted to explore further, but it was always on my back burner.

Perhaps that's what happened to a lot of folks. Amazon wasn't clear about why they shut it down other than it didn't grow the way they hoped. They didn't explain how they wanted it to grow or how far off they were from what had been expected. This is the notice that is posted on the Write On forum:

"While we have been proud over the last few years to have brought together such a vibrant, active, and creative community, unfortunately we will be closing Write On’s doors on March 22. After this date, access to Write On will be unavailable."

It was so vibrant and active that Amazon decided to shut it down? I think one of the posters hit it on the head when he guessed Amazon hadn't found a way to make money on it, so it was axed. It seems they didn't put much effort into upgrading the site in the last year. Perhaps that was a clue as to Write On's eventual fate. I can't say Amazon did much in the way of promotion, either. Had it not been for Terri informing me of its existence in the first place I might have never known about it at all.

There are some who believe competition from similar sites, like Wattpad, caused Write On's failure. I'm not quite sure that's true based on comments by some on the Write On forum. Most were familiar with Wattpad, but thought it catered to a different demographic. Maybe a few folks will migrate to Kindle Scout. If anyone has any ideas on this, please pass them on!

---

© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

New Anthology Coming

---

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

---

Update: I just checked on this and my poem isn't showing up in the table of contents on Lulu. I've sent an e-mail to the editor to see if anything can be done. If not, well, I guess I'll submit it to another anthology! Thirteen O'clock has others that might be appropriate!

Update #2: Got a message from the editor. My poem missed getting into Welcome to the Dance because of a mix-up, so it will be in the "X VI" anthology (horror/supernatural). These are a series of anthologies for stories that don't fit their themed collections. X V (or X Five) is on its way to the presses, so X VI it is!

---

I have another (tiny) entry in an upcoming horror anthology being published by Thirteen O'Clock Press. It's a poem this time. It was supposed to be in a collection called Welcome to the Dance, but there weren't enough entries for a stand-alone book so it is being combined with another anthology, The Call, which suffered from similar difficulties.

I don't have a final title yet. I don't know what the cover will look like. I don't know how the anthology will be arranged as it is being combined. But here's a list of the accepted submissions (as provided to me by the editor) in alphabetical order by the author's last name. Well, sort of. Some of the entries have two authors.

The Call

  Brotherly Love by Diane Arrelle
  Grant’s Call by Roy C Booth and William Tucker
  London Kind by Gary Budgen
  Call of Blood by Michael B Fletcher
  His Calling by Michael B Fletcher
  Daydream of a Bored Fool by Dave Fragments
  Hemorrhoids of the Gods by Ken Goldman*
  Toll Call by Ken Goldman
  Rookies Take Point by David M Hoenig
  Out of Time by Kevin Holton
  The Message by Jeff Jones
  Blood Will Tell by Ken L Jones
  Dead Call by Ken L Jones
  Far Scarier Than by Ken L Jones
  The Nursery by Kevin L Jones
  Ring-Ring by Thomas Malafarina
  Coming Home by RJ Meldrum
  Signal To Noise by RJ Meldrum
  The Call by Rie Sheridan Rose
  You Can’t Lie Forever by Rie Sheridan Rose
  The Late Mr. McCall by David Smith
  Called by DJ Tyrer
  The Siren Call of Valentina Wentworth by Ken L Jones
  The Web Spinner by Matthew Wilson

* Looking forward to reading this one out of morbid curiosity...

Welcome to the Dance

  The Web Spinner by Patricia Anabel
  Last Dance by Diane Arrelle
  Dancing In The Dark by Edward Cooke
  Terpsichorean Titbits by John H Dromey
  The Dancing Partner by Joanna Elphick
  Cleansing of the Crypt by Michael B Fletcher
  Dancing Her Life Away by Michael B Fletcher
  Prom Night by Thomas Malafarina
  The Mask by Chris Marchant
  The Dancer by RJ Meldrum
  The Night Of The Dance by RJ Meldrum
  The Homecoming Horror by Maria Mitchell
  The Black Widow by Marie Mittmann
  The Darkest Dance by Marie H Mittmann
  Chairman Of The Bored by David Perlmutter
  Word Dancer by W K Pomeroy
  The Trigger by James Pyne
  Penitence Ball by CL Raven
  Our Night Is Come by Rie Sheridan Rose
  Among the Bones by K. R. Smith (poem) (See updates at top of post... there was a mix-up so my poem will be in a different anthology - better late than never!)
  Dance With The Devil For Endless Life by Ramona Thompson
  A Dance With Death by Wondra Vanian

Now, when I say my poem is a tiny entry, I truly mean that. It has 9 rhymes* using only 76 words all in one sentence. Isn't that enough to make you curious? It's so small it almost didn't make it into the book. The editor approved it, I got the contract, and then it was lost in the shuffle. Fortunately, a quick e-mail got things straightened out. I hope.

FYI, it will probably be out on Lulu soon. Please check out my little poem. And, if you really have to, some of the other author's works might be okay, too...

* Yes, it rhymes—you’ll have to deal with that in your own way. Oddly enough, I’ve had better luck selling rhyming poetry than non-rhyming free-form.

---

© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Horror Bites Challenge #5 - Running Fast

---

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

---

From the Horror Bites website:

Ok so I’m a bit late with this, the first challenge of 2017 but then, as you are probably aware, I’m not the biggest fan of consistency hehe. The last challenge was a photo my son wanted me to take, but this week he decided to take a photo himself. I love how he is just as much invested in these challenges are I am, always on the look out for a good scene to insure creepiness.

Rules:

1. As always post either the complete story or a link in the comments.
2. Going to give you a bit more scope this week so how about a word count of 450 words.
3. My son would like you to include a sport of some sort this time, so see if you can.

And so, here is my entry for this round of Horror Bites...

---

Running Fast

    Elated at being alone and in the lead, Melvin settled into an even pace, his footfalls tapping out a rhythm that echoed faintly in the early morning mist. His breathing quickly adjusted. His lungs no longer burned, his heart no longer strained from the torturous effort that had pushed him not only to the front of the pack, but far beyond. A peek at his watch told him he was well ahead of schedule. All that remained left was the monotonous repetition of miles until the end of the course. A sign caught Melvin's eye as he pushed himself forward; "one way," it read.
    After what seemed like an eternity, Melvin checked his watch again. It wouldn't be long now. In the distance, he could see someone standing near a tape that crossed the road, though no spectators were in sight. Unusual, he thought; there's always a crowd at the finish line. His pace slowed. A quick glance behind showed no other competitor in sight. Now only yards away, he approached the waiting figure, noting its odd clothing. A tattered, hooded robe stood in stark contrasted to the bright garb normally worn by the race staff.
    "Is this the finish?" 
    An ethereal whisper came from within the hood. "For you—yes."
    Melvin thought the answer curious, but with his mind still consumed by the race, he reached for the tape. As he did, a sharp pain shot through his chest. His arm ached miserably. His legs became heavy, and he fell to his knees. Crimson droplets splashed across the asphalt. Above him, the figure lofted a wooden shaft from which a large, curved blade, now bathed in red, extended. Melvin's eyes began to close, and with a final, stabbing pain, his mind went dark.
    Resting the staff against a shoulder, bony hands pulled a gray stone tablet from within the robe. A skeletal digit scratched a tally upon its surface.
    "Ah," it hissed with breathy satisfaction. "Completed in record time."

---

 330 words without the title... 

Previous Horror Bites: 
     A Late Dinner
    The Empty Seat
    Reading at the Library
    Unfashionably Late

---

© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Final Tally - Preditors & Editors Poll

---

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

---

Looks like Death and Decorations took 4th place in the anthology category in the Preditors & Editors Poll. Not bad for a book that came out late in the year and hasn't had an eBook version created yet! I hope my story (A Home for Christmas) wasn't the one that kept them out of first place! I believe there were 60 entries in all.

2016 P&E Anthology Category

This is from the Horrified Press web site:

Congratulations to Thirteen O’Clock Press editors George Wilhite and Dorothy Davies. Horror anthology ‘Death & Decorations’ finished top 10 in the P & E readers poll this year. Also congrats to authors RJ Meldrum, Ken L Jones, Olivia Arieti, Rie Sheridan Rose, Perry McDaid, Dianne Arrelle, Edward Cooke, Anusha VR, John McCallum Swain, Matthew Wilson, Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, Maria Mitchell, C A Kerr, Stanley Webb, Bruce Markuson, James Pyne, DJ Tyrer, Thomas M Malafarina, Rick McQuiston, Nick Manzolillo, Diane Arrelle, John Howe, L L Hill, Shane Ward, David M. Hoenig, John H Dromey, K R Smith, Roy C Booth and William Tucker, and Dorothy Davies.
http://www.lulu.com/…/death…/paperback/product-22968814.html

---

© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

This Month's Free Photos - The Nature Of Winter

---

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

---

Terri Deno's efforts reminded me that I haven't posted any photos lately. Not that I've ever been very regular about it. Still, I had a couple of pics that should work. They're just phone images, so they're not high resolution, but here they are!

Jailbirds

Here are a couple of woodpeckers hanging around the deck near the feeder. The cold weather sure brings a lot of activity to the suet and seed we have for them.

Old Wall

This is an old wall (well over 100 years old) that used to delineate the farm fields in what is now a park. I hike or jog there when I can. These stones are what the farmers used for fencing before barbed wire came about.

Okay, so they're not so exciting, but it's all I can do for the moment. Check back again sometime. Maybe I'll have something better (I hope!).

---

Images IMG_20170109_122614.jpg and IMG_20170109_122734.jpg ©2017 K. R. Smith - www.theworldofkrsmith.com - may be used, in whole or in part, with attribution.

---

© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Another Chance To Vote

---

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

---

One of the books in which I have a story has been nominated to participate in the Preditors & Editors Annual Reader’s Poll. It’s Death and Decorations, a Christmas-themed horror anthology. My story is A Home for Christmas, where a young lady named Melanie wants to help out by selling a few ornaments. Can’t really say more than that...

Cover image from Lulu.com

But if you'd like to spread the word, or have read the book and enjoyed it, please vote for it in the Preditors & Editors poll!

As I write this post, it is sitting in second position out of 45 entries (not all are shown in this image).

UPDATE: As of 01/13/2017, Death & Decorations is in 4th place (was up to 2nd as shown in image below) out of 59 entries. Keep voting!

BTW, Lulu has it for sale now (paperback only, at the moment) - click LULU to check it out!

---

© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Horror Bites Challenge #4 - A Late Dinner

---

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

---

From the Horror Bites website:

So did you like the stories from the last challenge? Thanks so much to all that took part, I’m happy that my little pictures are providing inspiration. This time round I’m using a photo that my son wanted me to take. It’s supposed to be of a moth that was on the outside of the window but my camera is fairly rubbish and you can only just make it out. (Top corner of the middle pain on the right, if you need help.)

When I looked at the picture again I discovered that there was an interesting shot of my ‘Fly’ on the window sill. This is made from recycled materials, in fact its an old light bulb. So with the picture and what little information I have given you, have at it. I look forward to reading your tales.

1. Post your link or full tale into the comments below.
2. A word count to 350 words.
3. As an added bonus if your story could contain an animal of some kind that would be awesome.
4. I’ll post a new one 23rd December, just in time for Christmas.

And so, here is my entry for this round of Horror Bites...

---

A Late Dinner

    The late summer air, now cool as the last glimmer of evening faded into night, swirled through the open window. I put down my book and went to close it, my tired eyes yearning for an early night's sleep. Only a few stars and distant houses were visible. I shut the window, but there was no need to set the lock. That was one more unnecessary task in my mind, and unlocking merely another job to do when the next day's warmth returned.
    I flicked the switch for the porch light then ambled into the kitchen to clean the mug that had held a soothing cup of tea. From the corner of my eye, a movement drew my attention back to the window. A few moths traced drunken circles in the incandescent glow next to my door. A small bird landed on the sill, its head tilting as it tracked the doomed insects.
    "Looks like someone else is having a late dinner," I said while rinsing the remaining soap from the cup.
    A flash and thump startled me. The light outside was no longer shining, the front window now dark. The soft glimmer of the kitchen lamp showed only the inside of the frame and a few feathers pressed against a pane in the lower corner, stuck to it by thick droplets of fluid running down the glass.
    Thinking a bird had flown into the window, I walked toward it to assess any damage. I stopped when two fiery red dots appeared just beyond moving slightly from side to side in unison. They were eyes and, knowing their approximate distance, a rough calculation confirmed that the head in which they were set was larger than my own.
    I closed my own eyes briefly, trying not to make any other movements. When I opened them, the number of burning orbs had doubled. I had two thoughts at that moment: I had not set the lock on that window—and the uncomfortable knowledge that this would be entirely irrelevant.

---

 337 words without the title... 

Previous Horror Bites: 
    The Empty Seat
    Reading at the Library
    Unfashionably Late

---

© 2016 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Death And Decorations

---

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

---

The Christmas holiday season is upon us once again. There are sweet children singing in choirs, colorful ornaments all around, and the fresh scent of evergreen wafts through the air. What could be better than a bit of horror to provide some balance to all that saccharine celebrating? No, not the frantic expedition to find that special toy little (fill in the name of child) wants. And not that last-minute gift search for your wife / girlfriend / boyfriend / significant other you somehow forgot. I mean nasty, blood-curdling horror. Worse than fruitcake horror.

If that's what you need, have I got a book for you!

It's an anthology of holiday horror titled Death and Decorations. And it just so happens that I have a story in this particular book. It's called A Home for Christmas. Sounds heart-warming, doesn't it? Well, it does if you like your hearts ripped out (still beating, of course), impaled on a sharp stick, and roasted over an open flame.

Yeah, that kind of horror.

Cover image from Lulu.com
(may be preliminary)

From Lulu.com:

Christmas lights shine on ghosts and gore, the Christmas moon shines on rampaging snowmen and glittering blades ... among the decorations and hanging on the tree are things we should not be seeing but which are there - including the bitter darkness of the human heart. This exciting new collection of Christmas horror has surpassed any other seasonal anthology Thirteen have put out. The stories will in turn touch you, shock you, surprise you and make you laugh. What more could you ask for a good read at this time of year?

Makes one all rather teary-eyed, doesn't it?

Lulu has it for sale now (paperback only, at the moment) - click LULU to check it out!

---

© 2016 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Horror Bites Challenge #3 - The Empty Seat

---

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

---

From the Horror Bites website:

So we had a couple of interesting tales from the library picture for HorrorBites #2 and I hope that this week more of you will be inspired to write a short horror tales. 

This week we are once again heading to the airport. The following picture was taken when I spotted a family leaving their trash behind. Before I tidied up after them I got to thinking what if this was an offering to the Trash Gods, or something more sinister.

1. Post your link or full tale into the comments below.
2. Giving you a count of 400-500 words this time.
3. To make this a wee bit more interesting I’d like this story to be set during the day, its easy to scare at night not so much when the sun is shining.
4. Closes around the 13th December

And so, here is my entry for this round of Horror Bites... I cheated a bit. You have to know a little poetry—or a song—to get this.

---

The Empty Seat

    It was the scream that caused me to look up. A child was missing; the mother inconsolable, the husband pleading for help. I recalled seeing the boy there myself only minutes before, sitting in the waiting area next to his parents, swinging his legs back and forth from his too-tall perch, quietly sipping his juice. I remember him smiling at me—shyly—the way young children sometimes do with strangers.
    The security guards asked everyone to move away as they questioned the parents, but warned that none of us should leave the immediate area. They would want to talk with us, too. Not that it was an issue. All flights were grounded. Heavy fog had set in. Hardly an auspicious opening for the new airport already troubled during construction. There had been cost over-runs due to reoccurring vandalism and numerous physical problems with the site. It had been built over the swamps and marshes—land nobody wanted—so fog was to be expected at times. Still, this was unusual. I stared out through the observation windows while waiting my turn to be interviewed. There was little to see. Dry grass and reeds stretched out beside the runways quickly fading into swirling grayness.
    If one gazes at nothing long enough, the eyes—or the mind—begin to play tricks. I thought I saw two figures, little more than shadows if truth be told, one taller than the other, seemingly holding hands, walking over the grounds at the edge of my vision. Only seconds passed before the mists engulfed them. I grabbed a passing officer's attention and explained what I saw. He assured me it was likely other officers securing the grounds. In any event, he doubted the child could have gotten that far. It was an entirely rational, though unsatisfying, response.
    Inside the terminal, life went on around the chaos. People bought papers from the newsstand, coffee from the coffee shop, and the music played serenely from the overhead speakers. I softly accompanied Ms. McKennitt with Yeats' last line while searching the misty grounds for any movement.
    "For the world's more full of weeping than he can understand."

---

 357 words without the title... 


Previous Horror Bites: 
    Reading at the Library
    Unfashionably Late

---

© 2016 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Horror Bites Challenge #2 - Reading At The Library

---

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

---

From the Horror Bites website:

So I hope you had fun with the last challenge and are raring to go with this next one. I realise that some of you will be taking part in NaNoWriMo this month but maybe you need a break. Or maybe this image will help inspire your opening sequence. 

At any rate here is the  next challenge,  picture kindly provided by a lovely friend who is in Aberdeen. It is a rather great picture of the Sir Duncan Rice Library, where she seems to spend most of her time as she is currently studying to be a teacher.

Slightly different rules this week just to keep you on your toes.

1. Post your horror short or a link to your website in the comments.
2. I’ll give you a bit more leeway this week – 250-350 words.
3. For this tale I’d like you to include a reference to a book or to reading.
4. Due to me taking part in Nano I’m going to keep this one open for two weeks – 10th Nov is close date.

And so, here is my entry for this round of Horror Bites...

---

A Little Reading At The Library

 

    "Push me a bit closer, will you, Brad?"
    "Certainly, Mr. Pavouk. You should be very proud of this new library. Your design is striking. It's an inspiration to so many that you haven't allowed your handicap to stop you from doing great things." Pavouk smiled as the wheelchair bumped along the sidewalk. "I'm sure the people of this city will enjoy their time here, reading books and doing research. Where did you come up with the idea for the exterior?"
    "It's rather complicated, and yet quite simple in purpose, Brad. Think of the entire library as the biggest eBook of all."
    "The building is a book?
    "In its own way. It provides information. The design is made of thin metal, which is a conductor, of course. This, along with connected structures within the building, forms the circuit of an immense passive transmitter. If a radio signal of suitable frequency, even a very faint one, should strike it, the circuit responds with another signal on a slightly different frequency."
    "The building transmits a signal? That's incredible! But what purpose does that serve?"
    "It's a beacon, of course, for the others to follow. The signal can be read from quit far away."
    "A signal? To whom?"
    "To beings like me," Pavouk replied. He pulled off a glove to reveal a thin, leathery hand. The claws at the end of his fingers dug into Brad's leg whose uncontrollable spasms indicated the poison was flowing into his body. He released his grip when the twitching slowed.
    Pavouk removed the blanket from his lap. Four spindly legs stretched out from their confines. "Handicap, indeed! The only handicap I have is the irritatingly strong gravity of this silly planet. As the inhabitants often say about such things, it's a bitch." Pavouk pulled a small box from his pocket. The three lights on it flashed in sequence. "It shouldn't be long now." He looked to the sky as Brad's body fell to the sidewalk. "Not long at all."

---

 331 words without the title... 


Previous Horror Bites: 
    Unfashionably Late

---

© 2016 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

The First Horror Bites

---

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

---

Horror Bites is now at a new location, so it's time for a fresh start. Not quite horror—unless you're one of the characters in my little tale...

From the new Horror Bites #1 website:

Welcome to the first Horror Bites Challenge for October. The challenge is for you to write a short horror story inspired by the image I’ve posted below. Feel free to use the wolf image to the left for your site if you wish, my son drew it so no worries about copy-write infringement.

This picture was taken at the airport in Gran Canaria as we were waiting for our flight home this summer. The image can be used in anyway, referencing time, a clock what ever takes your fancy – let the horror muse take control.

---

Unfashionably Late

Horror Bite #1 Prompt Picture
©2016 Laura Jamez

    "If I'm not there by 10:00, it's too late. You know what you have to do."
    The envelope had contained only that note and a single, tiny pill. The clock in the station read a quarter past.
    His fingers trembled as he held the pill. Closing his eyes, he placed it in his mouth and bit down hard. His only hope was the pill would be less brutal than what the enemy had in mind.

~~~

    There was confusion all around. A man had collapsed and died in the middle of the station. Police and paramedics huddled over him. No one noticed when a woman picked up a slip of paper from the floor.
    "This is my note." She showed it to her companion. His shoulders sagged. "Why did he do it? We were here in plenty of time."
    "It doesn't say AM or PM. He must have thought you meant morning."
    "Morning! I thought he understood! What do we do now?"
    "What do we do? Without him, it's over. It's too late for us, too."
    The man pulled a small bottle from his pocket. He emptied the contents into his hand. He held up two small pills.
    "Ladies first."

---

 199 words without the title... 

---

© 2016 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

The Last Horror Bites

---

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

---

Horror Bites Challenge

From the Office Mango website:

So you may have noticed that I’ve been absent for a while, if you’re counting its been about a year since the last Horror Bites post. Not going to go into details about the why or wherefores at this time but this will be the last Horror Bites from Officemango.com

I will let those of you who have stuck by me (assuming I have any left lol) I will be starting a new sight and will fill you in on all the madness that has been going on in my mind.

Anyway I didn’t want to simply kill this site without a last final fling and with the lovely Leslie providing a great picture I thought why the hell not. No word limit this time, just make it scary and try not to go for the obvious slash and hack. Post your tale in the comments and have fun

Can’t wait to read them.

---

Note: I will post this story here and on the Office Mango site.

---

The Best Policy

    "Ah, Miss Fischer. Please come in."
    "Thank you, Mr. Nethergate. And thank you for allowing me this interview. Until recently I had no idea your institute, or the museum, existed. A chance to write an exclusive story on this contribution to our city's history is certainly welcome."
    "Our small organization, more like a social club to be honest, has existed for centuries," Mr. Nethergate said while offering a seat to his guest, "but the museum is new. We're hoping to use it as both an educational tool and to assist in raising funds. We were surprised anyone in the media had heard of it, which is one reason we extended an invitation to you. Would you like some tea?" Mr. Nethergate gestured towards a small ceramic pot on a tray.
    "Oh. No, thank you. I'm fine. I could tell you weren't expecting my call. It was only through a conversation overheard by chance that I knew how to contact you."
    "I see. Where did that take place, may I ask?"
    "It was at a meeting of the city's historical society. A few of people were discussing the fate of some of the older buildings in this area.  I happened to be near enough to catch your name and a location. They stopped talking when they saw me. As a reporter, I was intrigued."
    "I understand."
    "And I'm the only reporter you've granted an interview? I must say I'm flattered. Why only me?"
    Mr. Nethergate sat down behind his desk. "We are a rather reclusive group, Miss Fischer. We don't interact with the outside world a great deal. Our associates and staff are generally referred to our group by—well, let's say, from those who support our teachings."
    "That would explain why I hadn't heard of your group before, though not why I was invited."
    "On occasion, I do read the local papers. I remembered a few of your stories. I believe you make the effort to portray events truthfully. That is not always the case with newspaper reporters."
    "I try. When I do have to provide an opinion, it's important that it be an honest and unbiased evaluation of events. I think the readers deserve that."
    "Yes! Exactly!" Mr. Nethergate stood up, smiling. "An honest opinion. That is what we are hoping you'll provide, Miss Fischer. An honest opinion."
    Miss Fischer smiled. "I'll certainly try."
    "Would you like to see our facilities now?"
    "Of course."
    Mr. Nethergate opened the door to the office and indicated they should go to the left. A long hall stretched before them, with arched supports disappearing into a dimly lighted ceiling.
    "As you can see, our building is quite old, but it does set a wonderful mood for our museum."
    "Yes, the museum. You never stated its purpose. What sort of items do you display?"
    "If you are familiar with the local history, you know this city has a rather dark past."
    "I do have some knowledge of it, though that was centuries ago. Does it cover that period?"
    "Indeed it does," Mr. Nethergate said as they walked deeper into the maze of corridors. "It is a collection of implements used for torture during that period."
    "Torture? Isn't that a bit gruesome?"
    "Perhaps to some. But we feel it is important to document those times."
    "I suppose I can understand that. Something like the displays in the Tower of London?"
    Mr. Nethergate nodded. "Yes, I believe that would be a suitable analogy. But our museum is more than glass cases full of old things." He stopped in front of a heavy wooden door with a small window at eye level. There were no signs indicating what was inside. "Here we are."
    "So you're adding your own twist to the idea?"
    Mr. Nethergate smiled. "An interesting choice of words, Miss Fischer. We want our museum to be more than a pretty store room. We prefer a more hands-on approach for our exhibits."
    "Hands-on?"
    "Yes. As you can imagine, many of these devices were designed to crush bones, tear the skin, or rip the flesh. But we have encountered a great many whose purpose has been lost to time. We are attempting to rediscover how they were employed. Please," he added, opening the door.
    As she stepped in, her entry was encouraged by an indelicate shove. He pulled the door closed before she could regain her balance.
    "What are you doing? Let me out of here!"
    Hands reached out from darkness, grabbing her arms and shoulders. Her unblinking eyes remained fixed on Mr. Nethergate's face peering through a small opening in the door.
    "I'm afraid I can't do that, Miss Fischer. As I've stated, we are a reclusive organization. We wish to remain that way. Still, we would appreciate your opinion on the use of these devices. I'm sure you understand our curiosity about their effectiveness."
    As the hands pulled her backwards, Mr. Nethergate continued to smile.
    "An honest opinion, Miss Fischer. That's all we ask. Just an honest opinion!"

---

 833 words without the title... 

---

Previous Horror Bites challenges in which I've participated: 

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

---

© 2016 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Witaj Polsko!

---

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

---

Blogging can be a strange pastime. You never know who might be reading your posts—or why. And every now and then I get a big number of hits from someplace I don't expect.

Yesterday, it was Poland.

All Poland, all the time!

Every hit Google tracked was from Poland. I don't know anyone living in Poland, so it's not a friend. I don't have any relatives there, either. Well, none I know of. I guess it's someone who found my words of wit and wisdom irresistible.

There had to be at least one on the planet.

I wonder if they translated my posts. Come to think of it, they might make more sense if they didn't.

To that I say, "Witaj Polsko! Cieszę się, że nowy czytnik! Dzięki!"

Disclaimer: If the above is actually something offensive, blame Google Translate, not me.

---

© 2016 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Shore Leave 38 - Sunday

---

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

---

Sunday July 17, 2016

Finally. The last blog post about Shore Leave 38. And it's a good thing, too, because we're only days away from the start of reservations for Shore Leave 39!

Sunday always feels like a let-down. Vendors are starting to pack up, the art show is over, and the guests are hauling luggage out of their rooms to load their cars and check out. Still, there are a number of activities in progress.

Many of the actors and actresses were still around signing autographs...

John Noble signs a picture for a fan

Michael Trucco doing the same

There were interviews being done.

Star Trek actor Anthony Montgomery
being interviewed at Shore Leave 38 

Starting at 1:00 PM, I attended three writing workgroups: Building an Anthology, Wrapping Up a Series, and Connecting with Readers in the Modern World.

Building an Anthology

  Panel members:

•     Michael Jan Friedman
•     Joshua Palmatier
•     Phil Giunta
•     Mike McPhail

A lot of the discussing in this workgroup concerned the flow of the editing. They also talked about what they look for when accepting work from authors for an anthology. The major points given were to:

1. Read and follow the guidelines
2. Make sure your take on the theme is unique

The unique part may be what will get you in. If two (or more) authors submit a story following the same idea, the editor will most likely take the story from the writer they know they can work with or has the biggest name draw—even if there story is not as good.

One bright note for beginning writers is that often the best stories come from unknown writers and not the big names. It's good to hear they are at least reading our work!

Wrapping Up a Series

  Panel members:

•     Russ Colchamiro
•     Michael Jan Friedman
•     T. J. Perkins
•     David Harten Watson
•     Danielle Ackley-McPhail
•     Jo Graham
•     Kelly Meding

I've never written a series, but they are very popular among readers. The authors emphasized that the writer should know what they want to accomplish with a series and makes sure they resolve the primary story line at the end. When they do, the series is complete no matter how many parts/books it requires. You want to take the reader on a journey, but make sure each book resolves itself for that installment or it will leave the reader dissatisfied. Don't try to hold the reader hostage to the story requiring them to get the next one to resolve the issues of the current story.

Connecting with Readers in the Modern World

This was without a doubt the most boring and worthless panel I attended. Yes, social media can come back to bite you. We know that. There was little else of value. I'll make a note to avoid this group should it be offered in the future.

After the workgroups finished, I caught up with my cohorts and went down to listen to Michael Trucco. He has a lot of stories and a great voice with which to tell them. He mentioned that he likes (or would like) doing period pieces where he gets to dress up in costume. Getting dressed for a part—even if it's just a business suit—is part of the process he goes through to prepare for a role. I can certainly see him as a pirate. Yes, he would make a good one...

Michael Trucco answering questions
at Shore Leave 38

Michael Trucco receives his Shore Leave "bunny"

That's all for Shore Leave 38! Thanks for reading!

---

It'll be a while before I start writing about Shore Leave 39. In the meantime, you can read my story, The Song of Aiden, in Human 76 - a post-apocalyptic, shared-world anthology! Note: The proceeds for this book go to the charity Water is Life.

Check #Human76 on Twitter for news!

---

© 2016 K. R. Smith All rights reserved