Ever Have One Of Those Customer Service Stories...?

Halloween, 2019. Back in the day we always picked up pizza for Halloween dinner. A local "bake-at-home" pizza place even made pizzas in the shape of jack-o-lanterns. Due to some food sensitivities, we haven't ordered from there in years.

This year, however, we decided to splurge.

We chose a local restaurant that makes food we can eat, but due to their, shall we say, unusual ordering requirements, we weren't able to call in the order to get the special deal. We had to order it in person, and when you're ordering several pizzas, every little bit of savings helps. Because others were involved in getting ready for Halloween night, it was my assignment to pick up the food.

What happened next was one of those customer service stories that happen to us every once in a while.

I ordered the food and I had to wait until it was done. Because of those before-mentioned food sensitivities, we needed to order the thin-crust pizzas. When I picked up the food, it was heavy, so I asked if they were thin-crust pizzas.

Turns out, they weren't. 

About two months earlier we had the same thing happen. I thought I had ordered the thin pizzas and I didn't realize my mistake until I got home. This time, once I found out the order wasn't right, I didn't take these home. Instead, I spoke to the manager and told him about the problem. Turns out the order was for thick crust, but the manager said there'd be no problem whatsoever. He started making replacement pizzas and told me the ones they made were "on the house."

It had been a long day. I put up Halloween decorations and we cleaned the house. The last thing I needed was an issue over dinner. The restaurant had every reason to require I pay for the extra food, but they smiled and took care of it. I'd like to think I would have acted the same way--I'm sure their day wasn't a walk in the park either.

We got our food, albeit a little late. And it tasted good.

Time For Doughnuts...

Halloween, in our house, means a couple of things--very few trick-or-treaters, each of us carving our own pumpkin...

And doughnuts.

It's the one time of the year doughnuts are made at my house, and since many in our family have food sensitivities, for some, it's the only time all year they get to actually eat doughnuts.

And, they are good...

So good!

One ingredient we use that helps--coconut oil.

When I worked in an office building, though doughnuts were not as plentiful as, say, candy, doughnuts were found now and again in the workplace. A person can get used to chowing down on a doughnut or five, but when you haven't eaten a doughnut in a year, they taste that much better.

My wife spent several hours cranking out a couple of dozen doughnuts last night. Leftovers are sitting on the kitchen counter right now. Eventually, with five adults and a fifteen-year old in the house, they'll disappear soon. The fryer will be cleaned and put away and it will most likely sit for twelve months until little ghosts and goblins, witches and warlocks, assemble in their search for tricks and/or treats. And once that happens, it's time for doughnuts.

The Night The Sky Came Alive...

As October slowly disappeared into the west, the sky came alive. It was beautiful. Sometimes you can tell when the sunset's going to be good. Other times, you think the sunset might be special and it doesn't turn out.

Tonight, I wasn't sure, but since it's Halloween and I was setting up jack-o-lanterns and getting things ready for trick-or-treaters, I was outside a lot. I watched as things developed and I couldn't stop taking pictures.

It just kept getting better and better.

Here's a few of the shots I took, as October slowly disappeared into the west.

A Spooky...Good Time

A few weeks ago I blogged about a little project from the In The Telling Podcast. Liz Christensen asked for spooky stories to showcase on their platform. 

What a terrific idea!

And, to make it even more awesome, not only did I know most of the authors who submitted stories, but Liz had several people I know read the stories as well. It was a win-win situation for me.

Sometimes, it still amazes me that--ever since I began this writing journey--how many amazing people I've gotten to meet. And, not only have I gotten to know them, but I've been able to read and experience the incredible art they've created.

That's a win-win-win situation right there.

You can access the podcast episode by clicking: HERE. You can also get a list of the stories, the writers, and the narrators. Here's a rundown of the spooky stories you'll find:

“A Midnight Poe-etic” by Christine Haggerty and read by Jillian Joy, a hellishly delicious poem about a dark Queen.

Fans of the Billy Blacksmith series will particularly enjoy “Aesop’s First Halloween: A Blacksmith Legacy Story” by Ben Ireland, read by Liz Christensen.   (4:22)

“The Ghost of Clipper Bullion Mine” by Loren Mitchell Lambert, read by Richard Wilson, is a classic western ghost story for over a campfire.  (31:44)

“The Full Moon Festival” by Briana Bedore, read by Liam Neary, is a lovely fall-themed, sci-fi romance.  (44:50)

“The Burgle” by Candace J. Thomas, read by Kerstin Hallows, provides an frighteningly imaginative answer to what is under your child’s bed. (1:10:14)

“The Creature” by Luke Haueter, read by Liz Christensen, will keep you worried about what watches you from over your bed.  (1:21:29)

I listened to the episode earlier today. If this is your thing, you'll love it, too.

Tomorrow's Halloween, a perfect time to take out your phone, download the tales, and hear some great writers and great readers present alternate worlds, amazing characters, and creepy situations.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...Halloween

I only included one picture, though I could have added more. As I drive around the neighborhoods in my small(ish) town, I see more and more homes decked-out in Halloween garb. Maybe it's not more homes, no more than usual, or maybe there's even fewer homes decorated. It seems like more. I hope it is.

I came across a rather large spiderweb this morning. I stopped and snapped a picture. Gary did a fine job--it couldn't have been easy. It made me wonder why there aren't more elaborate outdoor (and, indoor...) displays.

You know, more like Christmas.

Christmas seems to be the standard by which all other decorating is measured.

I wonder if Halloween will get closer in the coming years.

We decorate our home. We don't go all out. We decorate for Halloween less than we do for Christmas. And we've been known to decorate on Halloween day-something we'd never consider for Christmas.

Seeing Halloween decorations warms my heart, which is a good thing when the temperature begins to fall. So, when it's beginning to look a lot like Halloween, that's a good thing.

Closing Time...Chapter 7...Conclusion

This is a continuation of a story began October 1, 2019. Find the first of the story on the right side of the page to read the story from the beginning.

Chapter 7 Conclusion

Bret opened the door.

Amber didn't know what surprised her more, that Bret was not only alive, but well enough to drive his car to the police station, or that Todd--who only moments before was a black mist--flew into the police station. How could any of this even be happening?

Bret limped over to where Amber still lay on the ground.

"Are you okay?" he said as he bent down to help her up. Amber saw him grimace in pain.

"I am," she said. "Don't know if I can say the same thing about you."

"I'm okay," Bret said as Amber rose, her doing most of the lifting.

After standing on both feet, she said, "And what kind of a stunt was that? Gunning your green Land Rover directly at me?" A smile hoped she conveyed the right tone. In no way did she want to chid him after he saved her life.

"Oh, an athlete like you?" Bret smiled back. "I knew you'd get out of the way in time."

On an impulse, Amber hugged the man a good foot taller than herself. She heard a soft grown as Bret hugged her back. 

"I'm so sorry," Amber said breaking the hug after realizing he was still in pain. She looked up and realized it was his turn to blush.

"Come on--let's get out of here. I have no idea if we did anything at all to that guy."

As quickly as possible the pair jumped in Bret's running car. He put it in reverse and it rolled backwards. The headlights illuminated the smashed front of the police office. Both Amber and Bret instinctively looked at the building.

Todd appeared in the light.

"Bret?" Amber said, her voice unsteady.

"I see him." Bret stopped the car and waited to see what Todd did.

They didn't have to wait long.

In an instant Todd sprang high into the air and flew directly at the car. Amber screamed. Bret threw open the door and jumped out. He quickly opened the back door and drew out a baseball bat. Amber screamed again as Todd began his descent. As he fell, Bret slammed the bat on the pavement--Amber heard a crack. He then drew back the bat, waiting.

From inside the car, Amber watched as a look of pure rage on Todd's face changed to paralyzing fear. He headed straight for Bret who wound the bat back as if he were about to hit a game-winning home run to end the world series.

Amber buried her head in her hands--she couldn't bear to see what happened.

She didn't see it, but she definitely heard the sound of the bat connect with Todd. She screamed again.

Then, nothing...silence.

The next sound she heard was Bret opening the driver's side door. Amber finally looked up.

"Is it over?"

"Yeah, it's over."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure. That guy's not going to threaten you again. He's not going to do anything ever again."

Bret backed up the car then drove out of the parking lot. Amber couldn't bring herself to look back. The two rode in silence. After a moment, curiosity got the better of her and she asked, "You said back there, you were sure it was over. How do you know? I mean, the guy could change into a black cloud."

"Well," Bret said as he drove through the empty streets. "As I drove over here from the gym, I kept thinking about what in the world this guy could be. I knew he wasn't human, that's for sure. I thought maybe he was a vampire. So, when he was flying toward me, I knew I needed to find a wooden stake. I grabbed the bat and  tried to make it as sharp as possible by hitting the ground. Luckily, the bat split right down the center, giving it a nice blade..."

"No, you didn't?" Amber said, shocked.

"Sure did--the bat cut right into his heart. I'm glad you weren't watching. It wasn't pretty."

Amber wondered where they were going. It was soon evident as Bret pulled into the hospital parking lot as the first orange hues of morning rose in the eastern sky. They probably both needed to be checked out.

Amber hurried and helped Bret out of the car and into the E.R. waiting room. As they approached the desk, Amber said, "Wait--I thought you said you played football."

"I didn't get a chance to tell you, I was high school All-American in baseball, too."

Closing Time...Chapter 6

This is a continuation of a story began October 1, 2019. Find the first of the story on the right side of the page to read the story from the beginning.

Chapter 6

She felt her lift force ebb away.

Amber fell, first to her knees, then her whole body lay on the cold cement of the police station parking lot. The black fog continued to surround her. Somehow the blackness contained Todd's essence, and what she felt raised questions in her mind. This wasn't the Todd she knew, the slightly quirky co-worker at the restaurant. This was an old soul, a troubled soul, an evil soul.

The thought that this awful person would prove the cause of her demise made her mad. She didn't know how, but she refused to allow this creep to win, even if she had to die in the process.

There was no way he was going to win.

"Get off me, you damned creep!" Amber screamed.

Something happened. Something changed.

The darkness that held her down lifted, and for the first time in what seemed like ages, Amber drew in a huge breath.

"I said, get off!"

Finally, Todd released her. His form rose then re-appeared before her, back where he once stood. Slowly, Amber pushed herself up from the ground. She stared up at Todd, no longer afraid of who or what he was.

"What's wrong, Todd?" Amber said. "Didn't you say it was time for me to go? Why don't you finish me off? You too scared, or weak?" Amber continued rising. She now stood on shaky legs before her adversary.

"Shut up," Todd said.

After a moment's silence, Amber said, "Shut up? That's all you got--shut up?" Amber took a step toward Todd.

"Man, you're even more pathetic than I thought you were" She took another step. "I'm going to ask you again--what's wrong, Todd?"

Amber saw disgust and hate on Todd's face. She wondered why he didn't just attack her like he did Bret. Maybe he couldn't, but if not, what was stopping him?

The two stood facing each other, Amber not knowing what to say, not knowing why Todd wouldn't do something, or at the very least, say something.

They both heard the car before the headlights illuminated both of them. The vehicle's tires squealed as the car turned from the city street into the parking lot. Whoever was driving was aiming their car directly at the two, and he wasn't slowing down.

Amber noticed the headlights were higher off the ground than a regular car. This must be an SUV. As it came closer, Amber jumped to avoid it crashing into her. She landed on the hard cement and rolled. Todd didn't move. The SUV hit Todd and sent him flying into the glass doors of the police station. The driver locked up the wheels and a green Land Rover slammed to a stop.

Bret opened the door.

Closing Time...Chapter 5

This is a continuation of a story began October 1, 2019. Find the first of the story on the right side of the page to read the story from the beginning.

Chapter 5

Todd stepped out.

Amber froze. Her body unable to move--her brain whirled at a thousand miles per hour.

"Todd?" she managed to say.

"Yes, Amber?"

"What are you...how did you...Todd?"

Todd walked down the stairs toward her. "Dear, you must have a million questions right now in the pretty little head of yours."

His voice disgusted her. Still paralyzed with fear, him calling her dear and saying he head was pretty (even though she herself sometimes considered her head little) enraged her. Instead of running back to her car, she felt like running toward him and kicking him in the mid-section.

But she remained where she stood. Todd continued toward her.

"Now, Amber. I can't believe you ran off like that at the parking lot. If I'm being honest, that hurt my feelings."

Todd stopped five feet from where Amber stood. Though a bright light from the police station shown directly behind Todd, hiding all his features showing her nothing but his silhouette, she saw his eyes shine through. She saw his deep blazing red eyes.

"Don't you touch me, Todd," Amber said, her voice more steady than she imagined it could be under the circumstances. "You do, and I'll--"

"You'll do what?" Todd interrupted. The oily sweetness in his voice only moments before vanished, replaced by distain, anger.

"You'll do what? Run off again? Go ahead--try it. You saw what I can do, didn't you? You saw me take care of that pretty hunky-boy thing you were flirting with."

Todd took a step toward Amber. She didn't flinch. Todd stopped, as if prevented by an unseen force.

"You did that to Bret?"

"So, you and pretty boy are on a first-name basis?"

How dare he? Amber thought, now madder than before. She took a step toward Todd.

"You pig!"

She no longer cared about her safety and she made sure Todd knew exactly how she felt.

"Amber, I'm getting tired of both this conversation, and of you."

"Help!" Amber screamed. "Help! Someone--anyone, please help!" Amber hoped someone inside the police station would hear her and come out to see who was screaming bloody murder right in front of their office.

"Oh, please," Todd said and lowered his outstretched hand. Instantly, no sound came from Amber's throat. She knew she was still screaming, but nothing came out. She put her hands to her throat--it didn't help.

"No one inside can hear you. In fact, no one in there will hear anything ever again."

Amber stopped her silent screams.

"My dear, it's time for you go to."

Instead of walking toward her, Todd's body transformed into a black cloud that slowly rose then directly descended over Amber, engulfing her, choking the will to live from her. She felt her life force ebb away.

Closing Time...Chapter 4

This is a continuation of a story began October 1, 2019. Find the first of the story on the right side of the page to read the story from the beginning.

Chapter 4

He never made it.

Amber watched Bret pick up his gym bag, then the light filtering through the sunroof of her Subaru went out, then returned. A black shadow flew directly over her car and raced straight at Bret. Amber watched in horror as the tall man was tackled to the ground, his gym bag flew through the air and hit the side of his Land Rover.

Amber's whole body began to shake. She looked out the passenger side window and saw Bret lying on his side, five feet from his truck. The black mist that attacked Bret rose from the body and hung in midair. 

Amber jammed the transmission into reverse and let out he clutch. 

The car lurched backward, tired squealing.

She jumped on the brakes, then threw the car into first gear and stomped on the gas. The front wheels spun and screamed in the cool night air. Amber looked in the rearview mirror to see if Bret moved, or showed any sign of life.

He did not.

"Get to the police station...get to the police station," Amber said to herself as she raced her Japanese import through the nearly deserted streets of the city. By her calculation, she had another three blocks to go. "Get to the police station." There was another reason why she kept repeating the same thing over and over--to take her mind off of several facts--one, the charming man she was just talking to may be dead, and two, she had no idea what in the world killed him, if he were actually dead.

Two blocks. Amber gunned the engine. She prayed a cop would see her and pull her over, then she could tell her insane story to the police all the sooner. Another turn--no cops. Why, she asked herself as Amber fought to keep all four almost-new tires on the pavement, why, when your harmlessly roll through a stop sign when absolutely no other cars are even close is a cop waiting on the other side of the street ready to pull you over and give you a ticket, but when you're flying through town, escaping a confessed killer and another unknown force may (or may not) have killed another man there's not a policeman in sight?

Maybe she should roll through the next four-way stop, then a cop would show up.

No need...she arrived.

Amber slammed on the brakes. Her car skidded to a stop a few feet from the police station's front doors. Through heavy breaths Amber realized her fingers were clenched around the steering wheel with such force, they'd turned white.

She made it.

Safe, at last.

Amber killed the engine, and jumped from her seat. She raced around the car when the door to the police station opened. She thought it would be a cop.

She was wrong.

Todd stepped out.

Closing Time...Chapter 3

Closing Time...Continued from the previous two blog posts

Amber screamed.

"Hey." Someone outside her car knocked again. "Are you okay?"

Amber stared at the window, positive she'd see Todd's haunting grin looking back at her. A stranger peered back at her.

"Miss, miss? Are you okay?" a man said.

Amber sat, confused at the events around her. She scanned outside to see if Todd had somehow appeared. She then feared for this man's life.

"Run!" Amber screamed at the window.

"What?" he said.

"Get out of here! There's a killer chasing me!"

Amber saw confusion on the man's face change to first surprise, then resolve. 

"Where?" The man asked looking up to where Amber had just been.

"I don't know, but you'd better get out of here." For a moment, Amber forgot about her own safety and focused on someone she didn't even know. "Hurry--there's a killer out there!"

Amber saw the man move away from the car. He scanned the parking lot, even walking around the car, alert. She also noticed his size--huge, probably a football player, or used to be. His blond hair and wide shoulders exuded confidence. Just watching him Amber felt safer. She started her car. The man knocked again, this time on the driver's side window.

"I don't see anyone. Whoever it was must have left."

Amber lowered her window.

"Maybe, but I'm leaving and I think you should, too."

"I was walking to my car from the gym and I saw you sprinting, like the devil himself was after you. Girl, you're fast."

Even as scared as she was, Amber felt the blood rush to her cheeks. From the stranger's reaction, she Amber knew he saw her blush.

"Uh, thanks. I used to run track--probably broke my personal one-hundred meter sprint back there. Too bad no one timed it," Amber said, her words met with a chuckle."

"Track, huh? Me, too. Decathlon."

Figures, Amber thought.

"But I'll bet you never sprinted and caught your flying keys at the same time before." The man placed his large forearm on the hood of the Subaru. He peered into the car and smiled.

Beautiful smile.

"Ha...you saw that?"

"Yup--first-rate catch there. Real Sports Center stuff, there."

Amber smiled back. She felt her face grow hot again, but didn't care. For a moment, all memory of Todd and his evil grin disappeared.

"I think I need to get to the police station." Amber knew she should leave, but the attraction she felt for this man was undeniable.

"Good idea. Tell you what, I'll follow you in my car. You know where the police station is?"

"On Maple."

"Right. I'm in the green Land Rover. I'll be right behind you."

"Thank you...um--"

"Bret," he said. Bret Simmons."

"Thank you, Bret Simmons." 

Bret nodded and jogged to his car. Amber followed him as he picked up a his gym bag on the way. He had obviously dropped it help her out.

"Land Rover..." Amber said to herself as she watched him go.

Amber put the car in reverse and glanced over at Bret to watch him climb into his green Land Rover.

He never made it.

Closing Time...The Story Continues

Continued from yesterday's blog post...

Amber turned and ran toward her car as fast as she could.

"Stay calm," Amber said between breaths, her lungs burning, her mind racing. "Don't look back...stay calm...don't look back...get to the car...Get To The Car...GET TO THE CAR!"

A million thoughts echoed in her skull as she got closer and closer to the Subaru. Amber ran track in high school, a sprinter. She knew she was fast, but she also knew most boys could beat her, even on the JV squad. Even though Todd was older and didn't appear to be into staying fit, let alone running, she knew if he wanted to, he'd probably catch her before she reached the car, and then...

"Get to the car!"

Amber dug into into the front pocket of her jeans grabbing frantically for her keys. Got em--she yanked her hand out and the keys went flying in front of her, light from a solitary street light glinted off the Disneyland keyring she bought just last year. Mickey's smile mocked her fear. Thankfully, the keys flew forward and hung in the air in front of her. All thoughts vanished as the petit brunette focused solely on catching the keys. If they hit the ground, it could literally cost her life.

The keys descended and fell into her outstretched hand. She caught them without slowing down.

Twenty feet to the car--she just might live through this nightmare.

Instinctively, her thumb moved to the button on the key fob that unlocked the door. The clicking sound of the doors unlocking synced perfectly with the flashing of the car's parking lights. Two clicks, two flashes. At least she wouldn't have to unlock the door.

Ten feet.

Five feet.

"Stay calm, don't look back."

She slammed into the side of the car not wanting to slow down for even a microsecond. She broke two fingernails as her left hand grabbed for the handle. She pulled it back, the door flew open, the force she used caused the door to reach its apex and fly back into her, hitting her in the side.

Amber felt nothing. She jumped in the car and reached for the door as it began to open a second time.

She caught the inside handle and pulled with all her strength. The power of the slamming door carried with it cool night air causing a small pressure imbalance in her ears. Amber quickly hit the automatic door lock and the reassuring click rang throughout the cabin. The only sound remaining was her heavy breathing, mixed with a high wheeze as her lungs pumped air in and out, in and out.

Safe.

Though, she wasn't truly safe until she was as far away from Todd as possible. For the first time, she looked back to the corner where only seconds earlier she stood with Todd. She expected to see him charging after her, even though she never heard any footsteps or sounds coming from him.

She saw...nothing. No charging killer, no murderous co-worker standing at the corner. At the very least, she expected to see him, somewhere.

He disappeared.

Somehow not knowing where Todd was caused more fear to seep into Amber's mind. She had to get out of there and she had to do it now. 

The keys were still in her shaking hand. She tried unsuccessfully to inset the key into the ignition, but the shaking prevented her from making contact. She took one deep breath and blew out the air. The simple act allowed her to focus on putting the key into the ignition.

Now, all she had to do was start the car and get the hell out of there.

She turned the key.

A knock came on the passenger's side window.

Amber screamed.

Closing Time...A Short Disturbing Story

"You know," Todd said to Amber as the two left work. "A guy died in this very building fifteen years ago."

Amber stopped at the restaurant's back door.

"No way," she said. The college junior had already endured two psych classes and an immersion German class before working a six-hour shift at the restaurant. "You're BS-ing me just to freak me out."

"No, really. His name was Jim--my brother even knew the guy. They were in high school together," Todd said, a smile Amber saw through the darkened hallway crossed his lips.

"Stop it," she said. "I'm not in the mood."

And she wasn't. A headache that had simmered just beneath her forehead all day decided at that moment to grow in strength. Hearing about how some guy died in the building where she worked was the last thing she needed. After all, Todd was always talking crazy. She knew her co-worker--ten years her senior--had a slight crush on her ever since she began at the restaurant three months earlier. 

Still, Todd had lived in the college town his whole life, and she'd only arrived three years earlier. If anyone knew about some guy dying, Todd would.

"Okay, just thought you'd like to know about what happened."

Todd followed Amber out of the door. It swung closed and the cool October air seemed to grow colder at the sound of the door's lock catching. Amber breathed in deep, the cold air slightly freezing her lungs.

"Where'd you park?" Todd asked.

"The lot was full when I pulled up, so I'm parked at the gym."

"I'll walk you to your car--"

"No," Amber said, even though she hated going to her car alone in the dark.

"It's okay," Todd said. "I want to."

"All right." The two set out for Amber's Subaru parked a half block away. They walked in silence, the only sound coming from their shoes on the recently rained-upon sidewalk. Finally, curiosity got the best of her.

"So, how'd the guy die?" Amber asked as they rounded the gym's building and her car came into view.

"What? Die?"

"Yeah, you were--"

"Oh, Jim at the restaurant. No, it's probably best you don't know about that."

"No way," Amber said and stopped. Todd walked two steps before he stopped, too. "You can't just blurt out that some guy died where I work--where I sometimes I have to be alone when I'm closing up--and then not tell me what happened."

Todd walked back to Amber. "You sure?" he said, stopping in front of her. His six-foot, four-inch frame towered over her. Amber felt a chill caused by more than the cold air.

"Yup. I want to know."

"Okay, but you're not going to like it."

"Why's that?" Amber asked.

"Because if I tell you, then you and I will be the only ones who will ever know the truth about what happened, and that will be a problem."

"A problem, how?" Amber asked, genuinely confused.

"You see," Todd said looking back toward the restaurant. "When a person is killed at the hands of another, then there's only one person left who knows what happened. And when two people know, well...we can't have that now, can we?" 

Todd's smile returned, only this time it masked something else.

Amber turned and ran toward her car as fast as she could.

If You're Looking To Write A Fun Halloween Story...Check This Out!

I can't remember where I saw it, but I sold my first story after seeing a post for submissions. It was for a steampunk anthology. I wrote a story, submitted it, and it was accepted. That simple act started me on an incredible journey. I admit, I'm not the most prolific writer, nor have I sold dozens of stories or written numerous novels, and I am working to continue that journey, but it was my start, and I'm so glad I took a chance.

A friend of mine began a podcast earlier this year. I've written about it and encouraged those who would find it interesting to give it a chance. It's called, In The Telling podcast, created by Liz Christensen. The other day, Liz posted a request for stories and poetry. Here's what she put out there:

Be part of the "In the Telling" Halloween special! Submit your own original seasonal/holiday poems and short stories to be read by professional actors in a festive podcast episode! Family friendly poetry of any length, type and format will be considered. Family friendly short stories must have less than 5,000 word count. Multiple submissions encouraged.

Submit to: inthetellingpodcast@gmail.com by October 24th.

Subject line: Submission for Halloween Special

Be sure to include title and authorship credit with the submission.

I've said many times that we live in the most amazing time in the history of all publishing. I can write a book, publish it myself, and put it on the internet where billions of people can read it. That ability has never been possible for anyone ever before. And we don't give it a second thought. If I googled writing opportunities, literally thousands of responses would pop up. Liz's is yet another chance to allow yourself to be creative. 

So, if you're thinking about it, take a chance and give it a shot! You've got until 10/24/19, and if chosen, your creation will be brought to life by professional actors. How cool is that? You never know--it may be the start of an incredible journey of your own.

Photo by Valiphotos from Pexels