Following a Facebook poll, you wanted me to give you a live reading. Here it is: a scene from Admiral Karkoski’s perspective, as she and Kohl walk the halls of the ghost ship Immortal. If you want the original Facebook Live edition, [go here]) A few of you wanted a picture of me, full of roguish charm, so I’ve included one of those too:

I thought it might be fun to share the intro of my 15-Day story. I’ve no idea if this first chapter is a keeper, but it starts with Kohl hungover so that’s a step in the right direction. October heads to a church in San Francisco, recently the site of a major Ezeroc battle against humanity’s defenders. The city’s a ruin, but you can still get liquor. Dead Men Walking “October Kohl, I need your help.” Six words Kohl never wanted to wake up to. Especially not in the arms of two of San Francisco’s finest working girls, with the beginning of a three-day-binge hangover forming right behind his eyes. These things were related, Kohl’s focus on shore leave second to none. “Kohl? Can you hear me?” Male voice. A little reedy. Shaky with fear, talking too fast. Been a Read More …

Our getaway driver this week is Nova Blake (tomorrow: moi). A sample from her 15-Day story is here. You can find more Nova at novablake.com. The Prince stood up and then stepped down the three stairs so that we were on the same level. He offered me a hand lined with age, and it was only now that we were closer that I could see the rest of the tell-tale signs. He was getting to the end of his days. This would make him even more keen for obtain whatever it was he desired, which was great for my pockets. I slipped my fingers into his and let him lead me to a smaller, more intimate area in the room with two comfy chairs and a coffee table. “Please, sit,” he said, indicating one of the chairs. He took the other Read More …

My co-conspirator Kim showcased her WIP on Facebook. I figured you might dig what she’s writing – please to enjoy. You can check her out at hauntingfiction.com. Chapter One – Lucifer The door to my study opened, and I snarled at the interruption not bothering to lift my gaze from the thick file on my desk. Images were spread across the surface. Blinding light blurred their faces, but I knew them just the same. My brothers were in full flight, wings out stretched, knees buckled as they punched from the earth’s surface on their way home once more. I hated them and loved them at the same time. Hated their freedom, loved their purpose. I once felt purpose like that. But not anymore. The hinges creaked as the door opened. “Sorry, my Lord,” Helkor growled. Darkness dipped into the soft Read More …

1,322 ugly words, but the 15-Day Challenge waits for no one. Don’t panic: this is presented at 20x speed. I don’t write like a machine.

My partner in crime John shared his latest WIP from the 15-Day Story Challenge. You can find out more about John at johnhindmarsh.com. John says: “The protagonist is a mage, trying to repair parallel universes that are no longer parallel. He is responsible for three girls – triplets, born three years apart, whom he rescued when the universes collided. The oldest one is 24, and he’s crazy for her. In the preceding chapter, 500 pixies turn up for a free breakfast because he wants assistance to find a soul stealer hatchery. He set off a stink spell to demonstrate to the pixies what the hatchery will smell like. The soul stealers have been genetically modified – by unknown nemesis – to track him down… Oh, Leopold is an alien mage/warrior who exists in multiple universes at the same time as Read More …