Monday, December 23, 2013

Poetry Acceptance - Shoe Music Press

 
 
I am pleased to announce, my poem, The Future is Crayon, has been accepted for publication in Penny Ante Feud.
(A division of Shoe Music Press)
 
I was particularly delighted to be successful, as the application asked me to delve the darkest corners of my warped and fragile mind. When it's due for publication, I'll let you know.
You might find it interested to take a peek into the reality that is my splintered, medicated dreamworld.
 
(Shamefully, I really relate to this poem)
You'll see :)

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Guardians Prize Pack Winner

 
Janet MacDonald
 
 
Hi everyone.
If you remember, I recently announced the winner of the Guardians Grand Prize Pack Giveaway as Janet MacDonald.
 
For the first time ever, I had a winner selected by Rafflecopter who actually lives in Greece. So guess what? We just had to meet up so I could give Janet her prize in person.
 
And here we are, outside one of the few café bars I haven't been barred from...yet!
(Please note - without any prior agreement, we even coordinated our colors)
Spooky!
 
 Janet is now the proud owner of a selection of Guardian and Fire Asylum paraphernalia, Mouse Mat's, Caps, Bags, Safety Equipment, and...(all together now)...
A partridge in a pear treeeeee. Thank you!
 
Once again, a big thank you to Janet, and all those who entered the competition. Your continued support is much appreciated.
 
(Note for diaries)
March 2014. The Cambion Journals - Kiss of the Succubus Grand Prize Pack Giveaway)
 
*****
And for all you football fans out there...
Just look what I was wearing underneath
 

A team dear to my heart - established the same year as myself...
(Stomp those Redskins today boys!)
 
Stay tuned 12.00 noon - 3.00pm CST for more.
 
See you all next time :)
 
 
 
 

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Flash Fiction - Survivor

 
My link to a superb magazine - Danse Macabre du Jour is now live.
 
 
They are very kindly running a gritty piece of flash fiction - Survivor - in their journal.
Please click the link in the side bar to visit their site and take a look around.
 
Enjoy.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Winner - Winter Solstice Blog Hop

 

 
Hi everyone.
Just to let you know, I've just let Rafflecopter select a winner for my particular prize on the Pagan Writers Press - Winter Solstice Blog hop under - Bite of the Jade Dragon.
 
Congratulations to Shari B.
 

 
Shari wins a copy of Guardian Angels - the first book of the Guardian Series - together with an Ice Dragon Pendant.
 
 
Thank you to everyone who entered
...and Shari?
I shall be contacting you soon to arrange delivery of your prize.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Pagan Writers Press - Winter Solstice Blog Hop

 
 
 
Hi everyone, and welcome to the Pagan Writers Press - Winter Solstice Blog Hop.
As part of the combined story/blog hop event – you are invited to take part in a giveaway by entering the Rafflecopter near the bottom of the page, commenting on the blog itself, or sending me a message on Facebook.
 
As I mentioned previously, my contribution is a little piece of Flash Fiction, and the events upon which this short story is based are rather personal.
In the first instance, it relates to a near-miss I experienced while serving in the British Military. Our training methods were extremely hazardous, and I’ll never forget the feeling of one of the spring-loaded cam (The bits and pieces mountaineers use to fasten themselves to strategic places along the mountain) suddenly coming away from the rock face. But I was fortunate. I was securely fastened to the wall at other points by properly positioned nuts and cams. So I only dropped a little way
Sadly, years later, some friends of mine were not so lucky.
We sometimes forget. The events we read in fiction can be based on what’s actually happened in someone else’s life. Needless to say, this story is dedicated to their memory.
*******
 
Muscles screaming, body slick with sweat, I pushed myself past all previous limits. The fruition of five hours of intense, strenuous labor was now within sight and I wasn’t about to let up for anything. I’ll not be denied my prize.
At 18,360 feet, Shanzidou is the highest peak in the Lijiang province of China. A pinnacle I had never conquered. Jade Dragon they called her, and she had been on my list for some time. A granite fist of treacherous arĂȘtes and unforgiving escarpments. But now she was mine.
Every winter, I would treat myself to a special excursion. Selecting the highest example from one particular mountain range, I would then attempt to scale it. I’d put this particular gem off for a number of years, as obtaining the permits had been a long, drawn out affair. But only two months ago permission had been given, and now, the hoary crown of Shanzidou’s summit lay within my grasp. In fact, it was so close, I felt as if all I had to do was reach out and touch it.
Confident of victory, I buried my axe deep into the ice and continued the climb. Glittering cruelly, diamond edged shards spat back in defiance, scoring my face afresh in a network of lacerations and blood The wind howled in support, adding its strength to the distractions threatening to strip me from the sanctuary of my fragile perch. To no avail.
I laughed like a maniac, and my peals of delight echoed off into the star-spangled void. Do your worst, nothing will stop me now.
Leaning away from the rock face, I turned to savor the panorama. It was well past midnight on Christmas Eve, and the glow of a full moon cast an effervescent flush through the vault of the heavens and across the majestic landscape below me. By its light, the tapestry of the valley was veiled in a patchwork of mystery and suspense.
I inhaled deeply. The sting of vibrant, clean air electrified my nostrils, and every breath I took set my nerves on fire. Now, this is what life is all about.
But it wasn’t time to relax. Not yet. Not with the end so close.
Invigorated, I returned to my task like a man renewed, satisfied that this experience would be one I’d treasure forever. Driving powerfully into the petrified colossus before me, I exulted in imminent victory.
A sudden bang froze me on the spot. The retort was followed by a prolonged splintering sound as a fracture began to etch its way across the crystal sheen of the ice face. Tremors worried my fingertips and toes. Teasing themselves into the marrow of my bones, they heralded impending terror and death. I held my breath, but gradually, they faded to nothing.
A huge sigh of relief whistled its way between my teeth. Shifting my weight, I was about to take another swing with my pick when a loud groan reverberated into the ether. Moments later, the silence of the night was ruptured by an even louder crack, like the sound of jaws snapping shut. Unbelievably, I began to move, and in seconds found myself within a chiming, tinkling, cascade of refracted splendor. Glancing down, I began to scream, helpless to prevent my headlong rush toward oblivion.
*******
 
There you go - I hope you enjoyed that little bit of flash-fiction.
Now to the prize for this particular blog...
 

 
As you can see, the prize involves either a hardback or eBook version of Guardian Angels – Book 1 of the Guardian Series – together with an Ice Dragon Pendant. This contest will run until December 13th, And I’ll announce the Winner over the weekend starting Friday 15th.
To enter the Rafflecopter section, just click here: 
 
 
 
Hopefully, the story will whet your appetite for Guardians – book 2 of the series, which has just been released. (Buy links can be found in the side bar to your right).

...And don’t forget...

This is a Blog Hop. You can visit the other blogs supporting this event, by following the link –
 

Here

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Pagan Writers Press - Winter Solstice Blog Hop

 

Beginning 12/6/13, the authors at Pagan Writers Press are putting together a holiday blog hop and we want YOU to join us! If you are an author or a book blogger, sign to to join us for the fun. Here are the guidelines:

Theme:
Your blog post can be about winter holidays, winter memories, the season of winter. What is your favorite memory of winter? Does the season inspire you to write? You can write about the solstice, about any winter holidays, about the snow or the season, about your characters experiences of the season, flash fiction or an excerpt dealing with winter or the holidays. 

Blog Hop Rules:

1.       You must write about the theme.

2.       Giveaway a prize on your blog.

3.       Include the Linky (Shown below) so that viewers can hop to other blogs.

4.       Ensure to add information about your book/buy links at the end of the blog post.

Authors/bloggers are responsible for giving away their own prizes. You can use comments, rafflecopter, random.org, or something else.

To sign up, just fill out the linky located here and make sure your post is live on 12/6/13.

 
Look out for my blog on the day (Friday 6th) as it will contain my own links and participation details.
See you then.