The anthology begins with a diverse range of supernatural beings and I immediately became hooked. However, as the anthology continued, more and more ghost stories kept popping up. These were still enjoyable stories, but they made me realise how much I wanted to read a good vampire or werewolf romance. Despite the abundance of ghosts, diversity was still the major theme throughout the anthology. Authors will treat you to a variety of age ranges, sexualities, and relationship structures that will make you smile. In an anthology, there will always be some stories I love more than others. My favourite stories featured a mermaid, witches, vampires and even Medusa. There is also one ghost story that I particularly enjoyed. Not on this list, but still deserving of a special mention, is Forbidden by Wren Fields. This author's description of a picnic is so incredibly vivid that it stayed with me long after I finished reading the story. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this anthology. Thanks to the hard work of Paramour Ink, I can now recommend this book to others as both a happy reader and a proud author. If you would like to check out Evermore for yourself, and see if you agree with my top five, click here to purchase from amazon.
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Tribute, the 2021 anthology by the Springfield Writers Group, will release this Friday on the 15th of October. The anthology is dedicated to Aiki Flinthart (1973-2021) who led our group and worked tirelessly to support the writers of Springfield. No Glory Without GoldBy Monica Schultz The elite who visit Dromore know the annual race isn’t about speed, but Gryff still chose the wyvern with the greatest wingspan. His wealthy classmates hired private tutors to perfect their skills with crossbows, spears, and throwing knives. Gryff preferred to practice riding his grandmother’s pony and studied videos of the past races. Others just prayed they wouldn’t be drafted. Now the arena fills to the brim with spectators hushed in the stands. Yet there is no silence where dragons gather. Deep chested growls resound, each dragon fighting to be heard. Shiny new armour clanks against scales. Wings rustle in an anticipation for flight. Gryff gulps, but the lump in his throat doesn’t budge. He wraps the reins tighter around his white-knuckled fists. A horn blares. His wyvern leaps into the sky, jolting Gryff from the comfort of his saddle. The wind from enemy wings buffers Gryff as he struggles to regain his seat. The commentator already screams the names of dragons caught in bloodthirsty battle. Desperate to get away from the carnage, Gryff kicks at his wyvern’s sides and leans into its neck. The wyvern swipes its tail over Gryff’s head in warning. Gryff is not its master. A shadow looms overhead. Gryff curls around the spikes at the top of the wyvern’s neck and dares to glance up. An azure dragon, with legs as thick as ancient oaks, soars above them. The rider steadies their crossbow against the lightning bolt engraved across their chest. The mark of aristocracy. Gryff yanks at the reins, diving out of range of the first quarrel. The wyvern jerks its neck. Gryff yelps as the reins tear through his palms. Blood drips down Gryff’s fingertips, but he doesn’t loosen his grip. “Quit fighting me!” Gryff yells over the rushing wind. The wyvern doesn’t listen. Its ears do not flick back like Gryff’s family pony, nor do its eyes gleam knowingly. “If we win, we both get what we want. You’ll retire and I’ll be rich enough to leave Dromore for good.” The wyvern’s thunderous roar drowns out Gryff’s voice. Flames erupt from its mouth as the wyvern careens towards the bleachers. Through the blistering air, Gryff glimpses the wyvern’s tattered wing membrane. The azure dragon has caught them. Gryff curses and tugs the reins upwards. He grits his teeth against the pain that shoots through his arms, but Gryff’s scrawny muscles are no match for the weight of the wyvern. Quarrels rain down on them, transforming the wyvern’s wings to useless ribbons. Gryff’s heart sinks into his stomach with the knowledge that he chose the largest target. Not that it matters. Not without the money for armour or weapons. Air sucks at Gryff’s limbs, his body a dead weight. The wind steals the tears from his cheeks. Hope withers in his chest, extinguished by the reality that nobody can rise above their station in Dromore. Gryff releases the reins, welcoming the only escape he has left.
On the 31st of August, Ancients, a dark drabble anthology by Black Hare Press, finally released. This collection brings to life ancient civilizations from across the globe, including some you’ve never heard of before. This was my goal while writing for Ancients. To create my stories, I put aside my obsession with Ancient Greece and dived into a world of under-appreciated history. Mother of HarappaMother of Harappa was the first drabble I wrote for Ancients and is inspired by the Indus Valley civilisation and one of its main cities Harappa. The Indus Valley civilisation dates back to 5500 BCE and was located on the border of modern day Pakistan and India. Despite evidence suggesting a highly developed city life, by 1800 BCE the Indus Valley civilisation was in decline. This decline inspired my writing, as it was unclear what caused an ancient culture to fade to nothing. To find out more about the Indus Valley, check out this website where I did most of my research. Ubaid's Missing BridesWhile researching lesser known civilisations, I came across an artefact that still makes me think "what if?". This 7000-year-old sculpture depicts a humanoid figure with lizard characteristics. The unusual artefact has been discovered in multiple Al Ubaid archeological sites. Obviously, my mind went straight to conspiracy theories of aliens visiting this ancient culture to demand tribute. Hence, the drabble Ubaid's Missing Brides was born. You can decide for yourself if these creatures were really aliens by reading more here. Shamash's ReturnAlthough you may not have heard the name Shamash before, you probably know of Babylon. One of history's earliest records of law comes from King Hammurabi of 18th century Babylon. The Law of Hammurabi depicts King Hammurabi receiving the laws directly from sun-God, Shamash. Learn more about the laws here, or read what happens to puny mortals when Shamash finally returns to restore justice. Forever Hunting in Arnhem LandAfter writing three drabbles inspired by Middle-Eastern civilisations, I thought it was time to look closer to home for ideas. Forever Hunting in Arnhem Land is a continuation of the Indigenous Australian myth for why crocodiles roll. The original story involves a hateful woman named Min-na-wee who constantly starts fights. As punishment, she is rolled around in the dirt until she escapes. Min-na-wee calls on evil spirits to transform her into a crocodile so she can seek revenge against her tribe and roll anyone who was involved in her punishment. You can read the full original myth, as well as other dreamtime stories, here. Reign of WarReign of War is the odd drabble out and the last of my stories to get accepted into Ancients. While every other drabble was inspired by one particular culture, Reign of War is written from the perspective of the embodiment of sorrow, conflict and chaos. Although the drabble names the being as The Morrigan, they are more than a singular myth and can be applied to every war throughout history. For this drabble, the setting is the after World War One, during the rise of Hitler. If you enjoyed these snapshots of history, don't forget to purchase your copy of Ancients today. With more than 300 stories, there is so much to learn from one anthology.
Dark Drabble Anthology, Love, has been out in the world for ten days now. Exactly enough time for you to read both of my drabbles and beg for more. So here it is, the conclusion to Kadin and Chloe's horrid love story from Chloe's perspective. Check it out and leave your thoughts in the comments below. Her Endless NightmareChloe mops the sparkling floor, her eyes searching for the slightest spec of dirt. Anything to avoid the clock. “You sure you’re alright?” Big Sal squints at the phone recently disconnected from the wall. Turning her mobile off hadn’t been enough. Chloe nods, slipping her carefree smile back on like a mask. They always fall for it. “I’ll close up, you stay safe now.” Swallowing fear, Chloe slips out the door, her keys her only weapon. Her mind makes monsters of the shadows. If only she could’ve loved him… Keys held like a knife, Chloe turns to face her stalker. If you enjoyed this, make sure you purchase your copy of Love today at the link below:
https://readerlinks.com/l/1029281 Black Hare Press' Dark Drabbles anthology Love is due for release in under a week on the 17th of March. In this anthology I have two connected drabbles that explore Kadin's perspective on a crush gone wrong. When I wrote these drabbles last year, I also created the alternative perspective, Chloe's POV. Chloe's perspective is super important for me because it clarifies that this crush is not her fault. I hope you enjoy this story! Hopelessly Love StruckChloe scribbles in her notebook, her mind miles away from Mr Olsen’s lecture. Mrs Chloe Olsen. Her lids glide shut against the sunlight cascading through the window. Daydreams fill her mind, heating her cheeks bright pink. “Kadin?” The snap of Mr Olsen’s fingers wakes Chloe from her daze. Slam. She covers the page with a manicured hand. Her heart races as the class erupts into giggles. Do they know? “He’s been staring at you all lesson,” Fiona whispers, her lips brushing against Chloe’s ear. Chloe meets the intense gaze of the new boy. Her stomach swirls, but it isn’t butterflies. If you enjoyed this, make sure you preorder your copy of Love today at the link below:
https://readerlinks.com/l/1029281 The highs and lows of writing.In January, I set some intense goals for myself with the Springfield Writers Group.
Disheartened by this, I focused on a different branch of writing, short stories and drabbles. I also stepped out of my comfort zone by admitting to my friends and family that I actually enjoy writing by creating a website, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. I convinced myself that I was building up my skill set and audience, while in reality I was just procrastinating the daunting task of editing with easier jobs. As a result, I severely neglected my manuscript and the draft for book two, however, I became published for the first time.
Without her knowing it, these four words have encouraged me to keep at it, because more than anything I would love to one day launch my own book. Hence, for most of November I worked hard to push through editing, so I could start 2020 off on the right foot. Unfortunately, I made it as far as chapter 17 of 30 before the marking madness that is teaching took over. Truthfully, December hasn’t been much better. I had planned to finish another short story (that still is not complete) during the long flight to India. Instead, I got more sleep than I expected and received an exciting email to say one of my short stories from earlier in the year was successful. Now that I’m home, it’s very tempting to give into the Christmas crazies and do nothing, but the story won’t write itself.
Roll up! Roll up! Sideshow Alley is on its way.There is only one day left until Sideshow Alley, a collection of surreal drabbles, is released into the wild. Sideshow Alley celebrates the seen and unseen world of carnivals; the harsh reality and the hidden magic of the show. It is the perfect quick read for anyone who wants to experience the dazzling lights and wild rides from the comfort of their home or on the commute to work. I’m incredibly excited to share Sideshow Alley with the world as it is only my second published work. Sideshow Alley is a showcase for Ipswich talent, with stories from twenty-one emerging and published local authors. Our editor, Jo Seysener, has provided us with the opportunity to share our voices with the wider community without the commitment of a three-hundred-page novel. So, while I continue to edit my urban fantasy novel to perfection, you can all enjoy a snippet of what I’ve been writing. If you’re interested in joining us for our launch on Sunday (November 3rd), head down to Chapters Book Shop, Café and Wine Bar in Karalee at 10.30am for a signed copy of the book and some delicious food. You can also join us for the online launch party in Jo’s Gems. Can’t make it to either? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @MonicaSchultzAuthor for regular updates on the event. This weeks writing challenge (curtesy of the Ipswich writers group) was all about colours and I was given blue. The story had to be a maximum of 300 words and reflect the meaning behind the assigned colour. Blue is all about trust, loyalty, sincerity, faith and intelligence. The colour blue has positive affects on the mind and body. So, without further ado, below is my weekly writing challenge. Add yours in the comments below and let me know what you think. Blue. Nazmia watches as waves of gentle blue light caress Kadin’s skin, the energy pulsing with every beat of his heart. He catches her gaze and grins his dopey lopsided smile, revealing a lone dimple that sends butterflies swirling in her stomach. “Everything ok, Mia?” Kadin tilts his head, his long auburn curls falling into his eyes as he peers at his best friend. She smiles, opening her mouth to reply only to snap it shut. Words stick in her throat as memories push forward, clouding her mind. The day she admitted she could see auras. The hours spent researching with Kadin the meanings of each colour. Faith, trust, loyalty. Nazmia gulps, wishing her aura was blue too. “You look a little pale,” concern laces Kadin’s voice. He scoots closer, tucking Nazmia under his arm. “Oh Mia, it wasn’t another black aura was it?” Nazmia shakes her head violently, fighting to clear her thoughts against the warmth of his skin. “No.” Nazmia pushes him away, her voice cruel. His aura dims, the shadows of concern creeping in. “Then what is it?” She squeezes her eyes shut. Counting down until her heart slows. 6… 5… 4… Until her stomach has sunk all the way to her toes. 3… 2…. 1… “My aura is pink around you!” The words rush out of Nazmia, before she can lock them back into the vault where they have hidden for too many years. Kadin stammers. “But pink… pink is love.” She nods, even as the truth makes him turn away. Even though the truth has cost her a best friend. |
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