In the mood for a little horror?
Twelve Hours on the Block: The Aztec Gods of Creation trapped in a Gen Pop prison. Very Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
It Came From A Trailer Park. Fun tropes. Redneck ingenuity. My story in the anthology? Vampires killed by potato guns. (Note: While my story is YA friendly, ICFATP is overall an adult audience anthology)
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
A Free Short Story
Here is a short story I wrote last year. What if an autistic child drew pictures of sporting events predicting the winner every time?
A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Dollars
Available in the Crazy Buffet Collection
ALL proceeds go to the Young Southern Student Writer's Group
Click to Read:
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
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In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
Jam Sessions! 5 Stars on Amazon!!
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
Check Out Our Awesome Writers Attending!
ConNooga: February 23rd - 25th, 2024
(Click each name to see their websites)
and of course, me!!
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
Shell is a prisoner, serving his time mining asteroids when his ship digs into a nest of space pterodactyls. In space death is usually quite. This death howled.
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
Buy Freckles: The Dark Wizard here!
At Flame Rock Middle School, you show off your big biceps, post your dimples on InstaWitch, grow a cheetah tail, or use your fairy wings to fly down the hall. For Simon, wearing his peers' opinions can be a literal event. Especially since Simon has the visible mark of a weak wizard... freckles. What will happen when Simon learns he has dark magic and can conjure a dragon? Will he become one of the bullies he hated or choose a different path?
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
I have been running a book blog, offering reviews and promotions of indie authors now for three years. Apart from a two month hiatus, I have not taken any breaks.
I began the book blog as a way to support my community of independent authors. I am a reader by nature, so it was a skill set I could offer. In a discussion with my good friend Kelle Z Riley, I have taken a bit of time to assess where I am in my own writing career.
I have a small group of writers I meet with and want to pour into those relationships. I am also looking for ways to encourage local high school students (I'm a teacher) to move toward publication. And, if honest, am ready to knock down the stack of "to read" I have from favorite and new bestselling authors.
If you are looking for a review on one of the major sites (I usually do the Zon and Goodreads), feel free to reach out to me. jerryharwoodbooks is the name. Gmail is the game. Those reviews don't involve setting up pictures, html, or setting timers for publication. If the book interests me, I will take it on and post a review online. However, I won't add it here or run any book promo blog tours.
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
Slaves of an Alien Game
by Nina Schluntz
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Science Fiction Romance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Series BLURB:
Game
Wardens rule most of the galaxy by a fierce empire built on enslavement and
brokered deals. The only means to earn one’s freedom is by playing in the Alien
Games. Two slaves go in the arena, the survivor, if there is one, is given
their freedom and crowned a king, earning them a small country to rule and
slaves of their own.
To
make the battle more fun for spectators, genetically enhanced monsters,
sahalias, are given to the combatants, but they must found in a scavenger hunt.
Five orbs, each hatching into a lizard that will bond with their keeper, are
hidden on a random planet. If the competitor finds all five, they have a great
imbalance of power over the other, who will have none. The sahalias are created
with one purpose, to battle to the death and destroy the other competitor.
Slaves of an Alien Game - Book 1
Caden
works at an all night diner in a small town near the interstate. When a man
comes in late at night, asking for access to the roof, Caden knows the man is a
bit off. But his ruffian nature and a small bribe makes Caden decide to let him
go up.
“It’s a scavenger hunt,” the man says. Caden thinks he’s being helpful when he finds the item, a black orb, but when he touches it, he unknowingly becomes a competitor in an intergalactic competition that ends in a battle to the death. Manipulated and lied to, drugged by the alien Incubus, Raghib, whom he is now allied with, he must train his lizard battle creatures to fight for him on an unknown planet with rules he barely understands.
He
has little chance to survive and although he wants to trust, Raghib, who will
earn his freedom if Caden wins the battle, he worries he is simply being used.
A bit of truth is revealed when one of the Game Wardens takes a liking to
Caden, but his alien species is known to eat humans, so Caden isn’t sure if the
desire is that of hunger or true romance.
Either way, Caden is nothing but a slave to their alien games.
Excerpt One – Book 1:
I reached what looked like the bar and surveyed the drinks. I needed alcohol.
“You do not disappoint.” The voice was male and silky. I pried my eyes from the beverages I couldn’t identify and aimed my angry glare at the speaker.
He was tall and lanky, sporting a sharp graying goatee and a braided ponytail that trailed down past his waist. Both matched his gray suit and sparkling blue eyes. He was handsome but in an unnatural way, as though it was a quality designed to lure in prey. Instinctively, I knew who this man was.
“You’re one of the Game Wardens,” I said. He smiled like a tiger soothing a mouse.
“And you are the man making me rich. The fans love you. And that rant back there…” His eyes fluttered, and he groaned softly as if what I’d just done turned him on, or maybe the thought of how his TV ratings would spike was the reason. “You can’t buy that kind of drama.”
“You’re welcome,” I said because what the hell else was I supposed to say?
“I can’t decide if I want you to die or win in the battle.” He stepped closer, and I felt fear for no reason other than an instinctive fear you get when you know you are around something more powerful than you. He had this hungry look in his eyes, and I couldn’t help the words that came out.
“Is that because you can’t decide if you want to eat me or fuck me?”
His eyes widened. Perhaps no one had ever spoken to him like that before.
“You think I eat the people who die in the arena?”
“Why not? You’re already a sicko for making money off watching people battle to the death.”
“And you also think I have sex with the victors? Or are you implying it’s what you want, should you survive?” His eyes went down my body, appraising me.
“What? Don’t be weird,” I said. I pointed to the bottles on the counter. “Are any of these similar to alcohol on Earth? I want to get drunk.”
“You are the one who suggested it. And now you want me to get you drunk?”
“It’s the least you could do since I’m getting you such great ratings.”
“Oh, I do like you.”
“How flattering,” I said. “Buy me a drink then?”
Raghib finally appeared next to me. Where the fuck had he gone? Had he been apologizing to the pervert? I glanced at him to say as much, but mister slick put a finger on my cheek and turned my head back to him.
“If I am buying you a drink, you should keep your attention on me,” he said.
“Really? You think the viewers want to watch you schmooze me?”
His jaw fell open, and he gaped speechlessly at me. I wasn’t entirely sure what kind of fire I was playing with, but I didn’t want this guy to request me to personally entertain him or some shit either. And that look on his face was really starting to come across as sexual predatory-ish.
“Never mind,” I said. “I’ll just take some glamour. Nice talking.” I pushed on Raghib’s arm and moved away from creeper number three of the night.
“I leave you for two minutes, and I find you with a Game Warden?” Raghib hissed in my ear.
“He was thanking me for all the great ratings we are getting for his show,” I said. “What happened to you anyway? We’re tethered. How did you lose me?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Nina Schluntz is
a native to rural Nebraska. In her youth, she often wrote short stories to
entertain her friends. Those ideas evolved into the novels she creates today.
Her husband
continues to ensure her stories maintain a touch of realism as she delves into
the science fiction and fantasy realm. Their three cats are always willing to
stay up late to provide inspiration, whether it is a howl from the stray born
in the backyard or an encouraging bite from the so called “calming kitten.”
https://mizner13.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/nina.schluntz.novels
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1980193.Nina_R_Schluntz
https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/nina-schluntz/
Series link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMXTJLSV
Book 1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BM4HLGJL
Book 2
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BMY6H3P7
Book 3
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BMZC24SF
Kindle Vella
(serialized version of the series, available in USA only)
https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0BKTF9LMF
Book Video
Links
Book 1: https://youtu.be/uN3P7D3oY4c
Book 2: https://youtu.be/4AXEX23pA3A
Book 3: https://youtu.be/_d_7Ki4S_MI
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER
CODE
One randomly chosen winner via
rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4492
If you cannot
embed the code, please use this HTML link:
Freckles: The Dark Wizard Middle Grade Fantasy
Simon is bullied. He also just discovered he is the only kid in school who can conjure a dragon.
InPassage
Dystopian Western
Pitch knows three things. This is not his America, someone is trying to hunt him, and he is very good with a gun.
Or keep an eye out for these other titles!
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
Today, we have an opportunity to talk to Tom Batt. Tom Batt has written the book, Street Siren.
First, let me thank you for joining me. I appreciate you giving me your links and I want to share those with our readers.
Website: toms-tales.com
Twitter: @picklez4uk
Instagram: @pickles4uk
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21796417.Tom_Batt
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/2weJZBP
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BJF4YTL2/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_EZ3D6SK8BP44265ZZSJ4
That is great. Can you tell us a little about yourself and what led you to start writing?
Ever since school I’ve enjoyed writing stories. When I was fourteen I got into writing screenplays and found some success in competitions. It wasn’t until 2020 at the start of the pandemic I tried my hand at writing short stories building up a collection. Unfortunately I couldn’t get them published anywhere so I put together the best ones and self-published Old Wounds: A Nick Shelby Case and Other Crimes Stories. It received good reviews and encouraged me to keep writing. Street Siren is actually based on one of the stories from that book.
-Where do you get your inspiration, information, and ideas for books?
For me inspiration comes from everywhere. When I’m out and about I might see a person who inspires a character or a situation that sparks a plotline. I also get inspiration from films and on occasion songs. My mind is always open and absorbing what is around me in case one day I want to use it in a story.
-What is your favorite part about writing?
My favourite part about writing is fleshing out the initial idea as it feels like anything is possible at that moment and you’re not tied down to any specific plot points. Once things become locked in any new ideas you have may not fit in without disrupting what you already have.
-What does literary success look like to you?
Literary success for me would be people telling me how much they enjoyed reading my stories. Whether it made them laugh, cry or feel frightened the thought of knowing words I typed onto a page forced someone to have an emotional reaction is quite a thrill.
-Please tell us about your current release.
Street Siren is a revenge thriller following call girl Devlin as she pursues retribution for the brutal murder of her girlfriend Roxy. Despite falling back into drug addiction she has to dig deep and find the strength to punish those responsible and find some form of justice and peace in herself. When the police pick up on her trail it becomes a race against time to finish her quest before they figure out what she is doing and try to stop her.
-Can you read / provide us with a small exert?
The city was silent. Lights twinkled in the dark like the stars in the night sky. The hard windowsill wasn’t exactly comfortable, but it allowed Devlin to relax as she admired the view. She drew on a cigarette, blowing the billowing smoke out the open window, the soft wind taking it away. As she pulled the burning stub from her full lips, her blood-stained hand was shaking, a charm bracelet slipping down her arm.
Although she was skinny and wore nothing more than lingerie, she was immune to the cold. Her mind was on other things. Her eyes were glazed over, blood dripping from her face. She flicked the cigarette butt out of the window and slipped off the sill with ease. As she made her way across the studio apartment, she glanced over at the carnage she was responsible for only a few moments ago. His head was almost gone, and what remained was unidentifiable. His naked body was drenched in blood, soaking the silk bed sheets beneath. There was a spray of red up the headboard and wall. Devlin entered the bathroom, flicking on the bright light. She twisted on the tap, and the water splashed down heavy, ricocheting off the bowl.
One more time, where can someone go to purchase your book?
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/2weJZBP
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BJF4YTL2/
Freckles: The Dark Wizard Middle Grade Fantasy
Simon is bullied. He also just discovered he is the only kid in school who can conjure a dragon.
InPassage
Dystopian Western
Pitch knows three things. This is not his America, someone is trying to hunt him, and he is very good with a gun.
Or keep an eye out for these other titles!
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
Blurb:
Shocking and brutal true crimes against innocent victims who deserve to have their stories remembered.
A true crime anthology of 20 stories, Killer Case Files delivers gripping accounts of depraved and horrifying murders. These killers can range from seemingly normal people to psychopaths and serial killers who commit years of murder and mayhem.
Follow law enforcement as they use forensic science and old school detective skills to identify and apprehend these violent criminals, deviant predators, and serial killers.
20 Shocking Stories in Each Volume
Volume 4 includes . . .
◆ Death in the Desert: A girl walking to high school in Las Vegas was found dead after being viciously sexually assaulted. The case went cold for thirty two years until a local philanthropist donated $5,000 to a company specializing in DNA genomics - stipulating that it be used on a cold case. Soon, not one, but two murders were solved.
◆ A Nun Killer: In 1981 an elderly nun was murdered in her bedroom. In 1992 a young man was executed for her murder. That much is certain. What is not certain is whether the convicted and executed man was really guilty.
◆ Just a Drifter: When a twenty-two year old woman goes missing while walking her dog it doesn’t take long for solid clues to lead to a senior citizen who is a drifter. But police can’t help wondering whether a drifter in his sixties has finally committed his first murder, or whether he’s previously committed several others.
◆ Washington Axe Murderer: A beautiful area of Seattle, popular with both locals and tourists, had its residents living in fear during the summer of 1990 as an axe murderer stalked the neighborhood and left terrifying messages inside homes.
. . . plus 16 more shocking, true crime murder stories from Jamie Malton's Best True Crime.
If you enjoy the books from top authors like Jack Rosewood, Robert Keller, and Jason Neal – you’ll love Jamie Malton’s Best True Crime series.
Each volume in this series includes a 21st bonus chapter and additional supporting Case Files from every story - available free at the author’s website, where readers can join the author to dive further into additional photos, news reports and disturbing specifics of each case.
A Word of Warning
The explicit details of these murders come directly from eyewitness accounts, interviews, police reports, court transcripts, crime scenes, and autopsy reports. They contain disturbing facts that may not be for everyone.
Freckles: The Dark Wizard Middle Grade Fantasy
Simon is bullied. He also just discovered he is the only kid in school who can conjure a dragon.
InPassage
Dystopian Western
Pitch knows three things. This is not his America, someone is trying to hunt him, and he is very good with a gun.
Or keep an eye out for these other titles!
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
Midlife Magic and Murder... and a Dog Named Dog.
When Riga Hayworth finds her new client dead, she smells a setup of metaphysical proportions. Now, to find a killer, Riga must travel from San Francisco to the underworld of Greek mythology... and make it back alive.
Donovan, Vinnie, Pen and Brigitte – the story that started it all. The Metaphysical Detective is the prequel to the Riga Hayworth series. If you like Gen-X, no-nonsense heroines and supernatural with your mystery, you’ll love The Metaphysical Detective.
Buy this quirky paranormal women’s fiction and explore the magical world of Riga Hayworth today!
Lola
Freckles: The Dark Wizard Middle Grade Fantasy
Simon is bullied. He also just discovered he is the only kid in school who can conjure a dragon.
InPassage
Dystopian Western
Pitch knows three things. This is not his America, someone is trying to hunt him, and he is very good with a gun.
Or keep an eye out for these other titles!
In 1991 Dr. Lanza walked up beside me as I headed to lunch. He asked why I hadn't signed up for his creative writing class. I did, and his class changed my life. I then and there decided someday I wanted to write. Fast forward 25 years... After several careers I stepped into teaching so I could have time to write. Thus, here we are! Thanks Dr. Lanza!
one of my Middle School students!