"Haunted Yuletide" Is On Sale...Pick Up Your Own Copy Today!

 It's true. Haunted Yuletide is no sale for a limited time and you can get your own copy on Amazon. 

The book's been out for a couple of years, and if I'm not mistaken, it's the last story I've had published. Of course, that's not the reason you should buy it--you should buy it for mine and all the other stories. 

As with other anthologies with whom I've been associated, this time I've been fortunate enough to be included with authors who I also consider friends. The editors for Haunted Yuletide, Jay and Julie Barnson, I've known for the past decade. They're amazing authors and even better people. 

You can access the book's website by clicking: HERE. I know my story was fun to write and I'm glad it was included among so many other fun stories.

Make Christmas spooky again! Haunted Yuletide is a great place to do exactly that.

Never Not A Good Time...To Read "Haunted Yuletide"

 Earlier today, I was doing some web surfing when I came across an Instagram post. It was from a fellow author doing a little self-promotion. All authors know, there's nothing wrong with that. Then I remembered, I have a story in that book.

There's never not a good time to read Haunted Yuletide.

Anthologies are interesting. A few writers can get together, come up with a topic, send out request for submissions, and the stories come in. I've been part of those conversations, at symposiums, at comic cons, at literary conferences. "You know what would be great?" one of us would ask. "We should do an anthology about such and such."

"Yeah," another author always chimes in. "That sounds like a great idea!" Many times, the idea dies there, but every once in a while, it has legs and becomes an actual book that people can read, put on their nightstands and ignore, or use as a social media self-promotion topic (which is exactly what I'm doing...).

My story, All Through The House, is, I believe, the last story I had published. It came out almost two years ago. I have been derelict in my writing duties. For an author, that's unacceptable. I need to do better.

But, forget all that--I think you should pick up our little collection. You can find/buy it by clicking: HERE. Since it's a haunted anthology, it's perfect for Halloween, Christmas, and every day in between. Buy it, tell your friends to buy it, and read the crap out of it. If you like spookiness and Christmas, well...like I said... 

There's never not a good time to read Haunted Yuletide.

"Haunted Yuletide" Is Available TODAY...Come On--You Know You Want To Read It!

 Dickens isn't the only one writing about ghosts at Christmas.

I heard once of a tradition, a tradition long gone, a tradition that sounds like a blast. It seems, back in the day, telling ghost stories at Christmas was a thing. And if you think about it, it makes sense. Christmas is a time of magic, of mystical happenings, of wonder. Ghost stories are kind of like that, too (except with jump scares...).What a perfect time to tell a ghost story--you've got family and loved ones gathered to celebrate the good things of life...why not mingle in some of the spooky?

If you're a fan of holiday horror tales, or if you're just mildly curious, a book released today sounds like just your thing. Haunted Yuletide from Immortal Works is now available. Fifteen stories in one collection, and all you have to do to order it is click: HERE and pick it up.

Not to toot my own horn (too loudly...), but if you notice, the second-to-last story is written by yours truly. A little known fact about anthologies, the second-to-last story is traditionally one of the strongest stories in any anthology. Don't think so? Pick up the book and prove me wrong. All right--I know that's not necessarily true...

But, it could be.

There are so many amazing writers in this collection, people I've known for years whose works I have read--not just the authors, but the editors as well. Even though I haven't read their stories yet, I can say with confidence, whatever they wrote will be great.

I've been so fortunate with the stories I've submitted. This is no exception. I'm proud to have my name included on the Table of Contents and on the Back Cover. And if you do pick it up, I'd LOVE to hear what you think of it, not just my story, but all of them. If you're looking for a great gift for someone--or yourself--pick up a copy of Haunted Yuletide today. Remember, ghost stories aren't just for Halloween or Groundhog Day. Maybe out little book can re-ignite that old tradition and everyone will be telling ghost stories at Christmas again.

The Perfect Christmas/Halloween Gift..."Haunted Yuletide"

 

It's never too early to find that perfect Christmas present. OR, if you failed to get your loved ones that all-important Halloween gift, on December 1 you'll have a chance to do both--

That's when Haunted Yuletide is available!

I am excited, not only for all those lucky people who will receive this amazing book as a Christmas or post-Halloween gift, but because I was fortunate enough to have a story chosen for the Immortal Works anthology. It's called, All Through the House and I can't wait for people to read it.

Another reason I'm excited for this book's release is because I have so many friends with stories in the book as well. One thing I've learned about the writing community--it is a family.

Remember, for all those hard-to-buy-for people on your list, there's nothing better than giving the gift of spooky Christmas stories. You can pre-order the book by clicking: HERE. 

Haunted Yuletide...something for everyone!

Letting You Babies Go...Submitting A Story

Being involved in the writing community for the past couple of years, you get to know a lot of authors. Some are machines, writing and submitting stories--it seems--every week. Then, there's others, like me, that write, but we're not so prolific. 

Tonight, I hit "Send" and I said good-bye to one of my babies. It was time to let go.

The fact that the deadline for submissions is the end of February means I'm running out of time. Still, I needed to get it in. It's a short story, around 3k words. I didn't spend a lot of time writing and editing it (a HUGE thanks to my writing group for their help...), but still, there's that moment, before I send anything in, I pause. Is it good enough? Should I have put in more work? Is it what they're looking for?

Time, of course, will tell.

Even though I haven't submitted many stories, it does get easier the more I do it. And it helps that those receiving the story--the editors are people I consider good friends. We've known each other for years, having both begun our literary journey at the same time. If my story's not good enough for the collection, they'll be honest with me if I ask them why. That kind of honesty is so important when you're so vulnerable after putting your heart on the line with your words.

Now, the waiting. I hope they received a ton of submissions, so many that only the cream of the crop will make it in the anthology. The book is set to be released at the end of the year, in time for Christmas, so even if it is chosen, I won't be able to hold the collection in my hands for several months.

It felt good to hit "Send." It's been too long. I need to do more of that.