I Have Missed You So!!!!

Hello my dear bunnies!!!!!  I have missed you all so much.  My life is so busy and pants that I have nothing exciting to report.

Actually, that's a lie.  While my life has been awful and ridiculously busy, the people at Static Movement and Pill Hill have been working their wee socks off to bring you all wonderful anthologies.  I don't have time at the moment to leave links and updates (in spite of the Boyfriend's nagging to "KEEP WRITING AND KEEP YOUR ONLINE FOLK UPDATED!"), but I promise I will next week.  Pictures, links and permanent links on my blog's front page (for the editors' benefit, too - Chris, Jessy and Alva!) will appear over the next week.  I'm celebrating Yuletide over this week (I'm a Pagan chickie) and I'm working Thurs and Fri, so next week, I will leave a FULL update, honest.

Anyways, to tide you over, here's a little poem available online to amuse you lovely people.

I'm so sorry I have been AWOL for so long.  I have a new career type thing now and it keep me so busy I have no time to write.  Any of you fellow scribes out there will understand the at the worse thing for a writer whom has no time to write is not that they have no ideas - in fact, they have more ideas than normal - but that they cannot put it down on paper.  It is honestly like losing part of myself.  'Tis shit, to put it blankly.

But over, the winter holidays, I am doing my best to write a young adult horror novel, so watch this space.

Yuletide Greetings or Merry Christmas...whatever you celebrate, I hope you have a good time.

Lotsaluv, Em

PS...I'm sorry about not taking part, Ellie...you'll know what I mean...I've been working 7 days a week and I regret it so...Sorry again...I'll write you a story gift thingy when I get the chance!!!

No News is Good News

I would like to tell you I have exciting things to tell, but I don't.  University is insane, work is relentless, and my placement was unhealthily busy.  I barely even get time with K Bargie (AKA, the boyfriend, to you new readers).  I have written NOTHING new and I am thoroughly frustrated with this fact.

In other news, Mommy Dearest (my mum) informs me that 3 books arrived back at home for me this week.  Novus Creatura, Dark Things: A Horror Anthology, and Fem-Fangs (A Vampire Anthology).  I'm looking forward to seeing them and should hopefully have time to blog about them later.  Can't wait to see Fem-Fangs.  Really psyched  about that.  Hope those who have seen it already are enjoying it.  If anyone wants to point me towards any particular stories in it, feel free to do so in the comments form below.  Once I'm home, I'll update my sidebar with the cover links.

As for now, I'm off for my first night of freedom in 10 days.  Yes, that's right, it's been 10 days since I've had a night off.  Tomorrow I'm doing absolutely nothing.  NOTHING!!!!!!!!

Ta-ra, my fair bunnies.

Lotsaluv, Em

PS...as it's national poetry day, I invited you all to Google my favourite poem, "The Day the Saucers Came" by Neil Gaiman.  Enjoy, my dears.  Love to you all.

And the Nominee is...

Behold, fair readers, the Vampire Bunny has been nominated for a Creative Bloggers Award.  Yarsh indeed.

Chris Allinotte, aka from this moment on as THE NOMINATOR, threw this my way and I very much appreciate the thought.  There are two parts to this award: Part A) I must give 6 funky lies and 1 weird truth, or 6 weird truths and 1 funky lie and it's up to you lot what's what. Part B) is that I must nominate another 5 folk, who I'll list below:

1 - Kelley Nicol...Where the Dark Things Go
2 - Pixie J. King...The Works of Pixie J. King
3 - Ellie Garratt
4 - Matt Nord...My Undead Brain
5 - Alva J. Roberts...The Guy Who Wrote That Thing

Wow, I hope those links work!  They are 5 pretty cool people, who I really think need high fives for their blogs and their work.

Now onto my bit!!! 6 lies and 1 truth or 6 truths and 1 lie????  Who knows?!?!?!?!?

1 - I have seen Repo! The Genetic Opera at least 100 times.
2 - I hand-made a Harley Quinn costume one Halloween and nobody knew who I was.
3 - I once played a crazed fan in a film about a band who had no music.
4 - I have a hamster called Coraline.
5 - I have a scar on my eyeball and sometimes, when I'm really tired, I can see it everywhere I look.
6 - I'm an avid baker and make cupcakes, cookies, biscuits and peppermint cremes all the time.
7 - I'm allergic to lavender.

Hmmmmm...what do you peeps think???  Go check out the above blogs, including that belonging to Chris, THE NOMINATOR!!!!

Lotsaluv, Em

Thank God, Thor, Buddha and Elvis

I have finished my novella.  At last...

Tell you something, the title "Glitter and Trauma" has never seemed more apt.

Lotsaluv, Em

Where oh Where Have I Been?

...I just do not know.

Well to tell the truth, I've been working my big curvy butt off.  I've been really busy at university and next week I go on placement so it may be radio silence on my end for a little while longer.  Oh dear Oh dear Oh dear.

But let's get down to the important stuff. At the moment, I'm waiting for 7 anthologies to arrive on my doorstep.  Yes, 7.  I can see you mouthing it in disbelief!!!!  Yarsh, indeed. So let's get cracking, shall we?  Were-What is now available on Amazon and Waterstones.  My copy is coming from Waterstones so that I could get my points on my card and they were doing 10% student discount, so yeah, Waterstones won.  With Madness of the Mind I did the same thing.  Also with The Cedar Chest, and Ghosts and DemonsI'm waiting for Waterstones to fire them my way.  Wow, 4 down.  That's all the Static Movement books sorted.  As usual, Chris Bartholomew has done a top-notch job and I'm thoroughly excited about seeing them.  Particularly Were-What, which features my story "Riding."  I think I've caught you up with what stories are in what books, except for The Cedar Chest, which was a tad last minute.  Last second acceptance was my story "Loss", which is a rather creepy one and I'm looking forward to seeing it in print.



The fifth is Novus Creatura, an Aurora Wolf salvage job that was abandoned by Lame Goat Press (yet another one, but that's them all in print now), but picked up by the very hard working Michael C Pennington.  My copy is a free contributor's copy, so all you lot will have to buy it yourselves, mwahahaha!  Can't wait to see this one because I really like my story "Ruined" which has been waiting quite a while to reach print now, but it's found its way at last.

Numbers 6 and 7 are both Pill Hill books.  They haven't hit amazon yet, but I think you can order them through Jessy Marie Roberts at Pill Hill.  I've got Fem-Fangs on the way (soon to be the sexiest covered book on my bookcase!!!!) and Dark Things, which has my story "Watching Shadows" in it.  That story was my first paid piece with Pill Hill so I'm extremely excited!!!  Nearly hit the ceiling when I saw that $3.24 in my paypal account!  Alright, you may laugh that my fee was 1/4 cent per word, but I don't care!!!  I'm fair chuffed.!  That's a good day's work for me!!!!

Hahaha!

Sent off 4 stories today.  Yes, 4.  First chance I've had in over a week so I'm been sending off a bunch.  In other news, my novella is practically done so the troop and I should be sending it off soon.  Fingers crossed and lets hope my $3.24 was a sign of good things to come.

Well bunnies, I'm going to trot off and tidy up the last of my novella, which I've called "Glitter and Trauma".  Not long now...

Lotsaluv, Em

How Batman is helping youngsters with their schoolwork in Dundee - The Daily Record

How Batman is helping youngsters with their schoolwork in Dundee - The Daily Record

Click the link above. What a very cool dude. I'd love to be a teacher like that...

Lotsaluv, Em

Some Delayed Details...

Okay dokay, I know it's been yonks since some of these stories were accepted, but I'm just updating the blog and keeping you peeps in the know!

My story "Presence" was accepted into Static Movement's Ghosts and Demons, which I think should be appearing soon.  Fingers crossed.

"When the World Ends" is an extremely short, cootchy little piece which will be appearing in Static Movement's Cosmic Catastrophes.

Another acceptance came in the shape of Pill Hill Press' Dark Things, which will be featuring my story "Watching Shadows", another part of my Flashes Before Her Eyes series.  This is my vampire series, for those of you who haven't come across these stories before.

In other news, Lame Goat have gone and done it again.  Some published anthologies and a chapbook are going to be discontinued for God knows what reasons.  Howl: Tales of the Feral and Infernal - the home of my story "The Hunt" - is one of those to be terminated.  Boooooooo!  But, hazzah, Mark Crittenden has saved the day and is going to revamp Howl, keeping a select few from the original and opening up to some new stories, too.  And..."The Hunt" is going to be reprinted in this sexy, snazzy reincarnation!  Yaaaaaaaay!  I'm removing all Lame Goat Press book links from my page.  It's a disappointment seeing the original Howl go, but I'm honestly not that surprised after all the Lame Goat nonsense.  It's a shame really.  But I'm sure Mark's new press Red Skies Press will come along as well as Chris Bartholomew's Static Movement anthologies.  Chris did a great job salvaging what Lame Goat had abandoned and I'm sure Mark will be equally as successful.

High fives to these great folks who keep the small press alive.

Lotsaluv, Em

GUEST BLOG: Gwen Mayo

[Greetings Bunnies, this blog is by guest writer Gwen Mayo.  Feel free to leave any comments addressed to Gwen on this page. The link on the left will lead you to her new novel, Circle of Dishonor. Enjoy!]


Bio: Gwen Mayo is passionate about blending the colorful history of her native Kentucky with her love for mystery fiction. A graduate in political science from the University of Kentucky, Gwen currently lives and writes in Lexington, but grew up in a large Irish family in Grayson, Kentucky. Her stories have appeared in anthologies, on online short fiction sites, and in micro-fiction collections. Circle of Dishonor, her debut novel, is set during the turbulent political upheaval of post Civil War Kentucky at a time when murder was more common in Kentucky than it was anywhere else in the United States.


Murder and Mayhem in Kentucky

When I started planning CIRCLE OF DISHONOR, I knew I wanted to create a main character that was a cross between the Pinkerton female investigators and the Civil War era women who were pretending to be men. The resourcefulness and creativity of these women always intrigued me, as did the time in which they lived. 

Kentucky was a great place to set these stores. The Pinkertons were very active in Kentucky. The history of my home state is filled with enough murder and mayhem to fill a library with stories. All I had to do was settle on the date and city.  

The years between 1865 and 1915 are often called the "decades of discord" because it is the time when Kentucky was the most violent place in the United States. Ordinary citizens carried numerous weapons for self defense. Dueling was common, and murder was an acceptable way to end an argument. One wealthy business man from Louisville traveled regularly to New York for suits tailored with nine custom pockets so he could secret away his knives and guns without ruining the line of his outfit. 

It didn’t take me long to choose Lexington during the city’s two week centennial celebration as a place to kick off the series. Lexington was not the Wild West in the spring of 1879, but the western frontier would have been safer than Lexington during the centennial. Tent cities covered the fairgrounds and the twelve men of the newly formed police force were ill equipped to keep the peace, let alone solve the murder of one of its leading citizens. CIRCLE OF DISHONOR draws readers into a world where secret societies like the Knights of the Golden Circle, the Ku Klux Klan, and the Regulators wreaked havoc. Brothels, gambling establishments, illegal saloons and distilleries operated openly, and government graft was considered the norm.

Not That I'm Dying or Anything...

But this is what I want written on my grave!!!!

Hahahahahahaha!  Taken from the awesome Dinosaur Comics!  My favourite internet fun!

Little bit of news: my next post will not be written by me, but by the lovely Gwen Mayo. Ms Mayo has just had her novel Circle of Dishonor published by Pill Hill Press.  She's doing a fabulous blog tour and shall be making a pitstop here, at the home of the Vampire Bunny.  There's always room for visitors at this tea party.

Lotsaluv, Em

Apologies Bunnies...

Wow, I haven't blogged in over 2 weeks.  How lazy is that?  Well I have been anything but lazy lately, so let me fill you in on a tale of heartache and triumph and we'll all be up to date again...

Have no new acceptances to report - not due to rejections but due to the fact that I haven't had time to send anything new out to any open calls.  This is because I've been working my curvy butt off on a novella!  It's called "Glitter and Trauma" and is part of a collection of four novellas that Jason Barney is putting together.  Four writers, four very different superhero stories.  Hoping to find a publisher for it in about September, so I shall keep you all posted on that one.  It's all I've been working on lately and right now, it's pretty much all I can think about too.  Made up a playlist for it on my iPod (the same way I do when I'm working on a novel, or novel idea) and have been blasting it in my ears when I'm out and about and can't write.  I won't go into plot details yet, but maybe I'll reveal more next week.

In other news, I'm going to be a teacher.  Got accepted onto a teacher training course last week and I start soon.  God help the little children.  Can you imagine me as a teacher?  If I could put Batman on the curriculum I bloody well would.


I know it came out ages ago, but behold, the Dusted link.  I got my copy at the end of July and it's such a fantastic book.  I see Static Movement are already planning a sequel for it, so as soon as I've got this novella done, I'll get something sent off for this.

I finished Gerald Costlow's The Weaving ages ago and keep meaning to put a review up here.  Again, I will add it to the post-novella list.

Better get back to my superladies...

Lotsaluv, Em

Important News Bulletin

I cannot sleep and I have a blister on the tip of my tongue.

Shop shop shop, shop shop shop!

It's shopping time!!!  Links galore!

Here be the link and cover for Static Movement's Caught by Darkness.  This features my story "Mistakes".  This is gonnae be a great wee book.  I'm looking forward to seeing it.  Ordered mine already by clicking here.  It says it's still unavailable through amazon but just do what I did and order through The Book Depository, who have listed the book through the market place.  That's probably the best thing to do because I got my email from them yesterday saying it had been ordered from the printers and should be with me in a few days.  Far too excited.

Dusted: An Anthology of Short Stories is also now available.  That link there is the US amazon one.  Again, if you're a Scot (or English, Welsh or Irish) click here.  I had to do the same as before with the Book Depository 'cause Amazon still don't have it in stock, but I've been told it's been ordered from the printers, too.  Can't wait for this one.  This features my story "Clowns All Around You", which is probably one of my fave acceptances so far.  It'll look great.

Anyway, not long now 'til they arrive.  Will let you know how it goes.

Oh yeah, I've added some exciting new buttons, which I think should be below this post *points down*.  So click away bunnies, and let me know what you think!!!

Lotsaluv, Em

Flash! Aaaaah! Savior of the Universe!

My copy of Flash! arrived yesterday.  Looks bloody sexy!  Eeeeeep!  Thoroughly looking forward to reading through the whole thing.  I harassed K Bargie by making him read my story in it before he was even out of bed.  Even subjected my old friend Ms Kitty to checking it out.  Twas very nice to brag though.  Teehee.  Dusted and Caught by Darkness should be appearing on amazon soon so I'll put up a proper link once it's working.

That'll do for now bunnies!  I'll put up pictures and things tomorrow.  I promise.

Lotsaluv, Em

A Better Blog...

Aha!  Now I have the time to actually write.  K Bargie is staying with me right now and I seem to be filled with inspiration and the motivation to write.  So today I reworked a very very old story and produced a short, 800 word piece called "Everything Burns".  It's a much better version of the daft angsty thing I wrote when I was 16.  Generally, I like it.  Sent it off to Static Movement's Darkest Secrets anthology and it was accepted.  Cover below:

Bloody well lovin' this cover.  I worked my ass of just to get a piece good enough for this cover.  Freakin' awesome.  Can't wait to have it adorning my bookshelf.

On that note, I ordered my copy of Flash! today.  It was in stock on amazon.co.uk so it should be here soon.  I'll stick up a picture of it once it arrives.  Shouldn't take long.

"Starry Eyed" is now up and running and functional on the wonderful Moon Washed Kisses.  Very cool site and some great work up there.  Check it out and give the other pieces a read, too.  I really like this site, going to try writing something new for their next issue.

Anyway, I think that'll do just now.  Can't wait till the Daily Flash books from Pill Hill come out.  Especially after seeing the covers.  Totally love them.

Lotsaluv, Em

Cover Bonanza!!!!

Phew, lot to reveal tonight!  Here's Cover Fest...

Creepy Things from Static Movement - featuring my story "Moth Touch"

Madness of the Mind from Static Movement - featuring "Trinity Raine"

Daily Bites of Flesh from Pill Hill Press - featuring "The First" and "Chasing Rabbits"

Daliy Erotica from Pill Hill Press - featuring "Dark Wings"

Lotsaluv, Em

Bleurgh and All That Jazz

Greetings bunnies, this shall be a quick post as I am working from K Bargie's computer.  I'll post something better this week.  But for now...

Moon Washed Kisses goes live today.  I've been on the site this morning and the link for my piece is there but not the story itself, so just keep checking throughout today for it.  In case you missed the previous post on this, my story "Starry Eyed" has found a home at Moon Washed Kisses in their Romantic Flash Fiction section.

More work coming up with Static Movement.  "Trinity Raine" will appear in Madness of the Mind, which I'm happy about and "Moth Touch" will be in Creepy Things, which I'm over the moon about.  "Moth Touch" was written in like an hour in a university canteen, last week and it was one of those happy little accidents - when something great comes out of a writing session which was just supposed to be filling time.  I'll update when I can on these books.  Unfortunately, as I'm on K's PC, I can't put the covers up, but I'll do that over the weekend when I'm free.

That's all folks!

Lotsaluv, Em

Updates Indeed

At last, amazon have caught up with the cover image and I can put a proper link for Pill Hill's Haunted up.  Check the sidebar *points*.  I've stuck it in this post, too, just because I can!  Mwahahahaha!  Ain't it pretty.  But a copy, now!  Or, if you're in the UK (like me), click here to purchase a very sexy copy (like mine).  Some very good stories in this.  I haven't made my way through the whole lot yet, but current favourites include "Closing Costs" by Tony Schaab, "Home Schooling" by Gerald Costlow and "Dead-end Diner" by Rob Rosen.  When I've been through the whole thing, I'll put up a proper review, but generally I'm impressed.  If you haven't read my posts on this book before now, my haunted vampire story "What Keeps me Here" (part of my Flashes Before her Eyes series) can be found in its pages.

In other news, the anthology Flash!, is now available on amazon globally.  US readers, click the previous link and UK readers, click here.  This was a Lame Goat failure which was salvaged by Static Movement, so I implore you, kind readers, buy a copy so we can all give Static Movement a high five on saving the book.  It features my story "Pride and Joy", which is a cute wee daft piece, but should bring a smile anyway.

In spite of my struggling, my super-sexy amazon.co.uk author page is now up and running!  It features a daft bio and my Ferocious Bloodaxe mugshot, but it's a good way of listing what anthologies including my work are available.  I like it!  Also now working is my amazon.com supremely awesome author page.  Indeed!

And bloody hell, I've just realised that you can buy all my anthologies from Waterstones!!!  Links included below:

Pandora's Nighmare: Horror Unleashed
Haunted: An Anthology of the Supernatural
Flash!

Wow, I'm thoroughly chuffed by that!  Happy shopping bunnies!

Lotsaluv, Em

High Fives for my Postie

Today my postman made me a very happy lass when my copy of Pill Hill Press' Haunted plopped onto my doorstep.  I scurried across the room, with the dog barking behind me (he hates it when the door goes), pulling the porch door open, then squealing with joy as I ripped the book free of his cardboard.  It's gorgeous.  Absolutely gorgeous.  Some really great stories in this one.  I'll post a proper review once I've read more, but it's a cracker so far.  So, yes, I'm a smiley girl today.  If you would like a copy of Haunted: An Anthology of the Supernatural and you're in the states, click away.  However, if you're in the UK (like me), just click here instead.

On top of that, my story "Riding" shall be appearing in Static Movement's Were-What? anthology.  Here's the cover:

Pretty freaky lookin' but still amazing.  Ironically enough, I watched The Wolfman on blu-ray today, as I edited my entry for the anthology.  I love Hugo Weaving.  He's the coolest guy ever.  Love him the most in Prescilla, I just want to hug him.

Anyway, in other news, I ordered a copy of The Weaving by Gerald Costlow and it arrived yesterday.  Started reading it at work last night and I'm impressed so far.  Will put up a full review when I'm done.

And while I'm linking galore, I better plug my other books. If you haven't read Pandora's Nightmare yet, then why not?!?!?!?!?!  This lovely little picture will direct you to purchasing in the US.  Or, if you're a UK buyer, click here.  It's a great book.  Lots of fun and genuinely scary in places.  Get it and take it on holiday with you.  Then, once you're back leave an honest review on Amazon (or your blog, whatever).

Well, that'll do for today, I think!  Ta-ra!

Lotsaluv, Em

The Angel in a Box

Making my second apperance in Ethereal Tales.  My story "The Angel in a Box" will be in issue 8, which I'm quite chuffed about.  It's a story I wrote years and years ago but I think there's this nice kind of high school innocence in it somewhere, which is only found in my early work.  Anyway, Ethereal Tales is a great wee mag and is totally worth a read.  The editor also manged to set me up a funky Ethereal Tales email address, where people who kinda like my stuff can contact me.  If you've got anything to say, drop me a line at emma_kathryn@etherealtales.co.uk and shove VAMPIRE BUNNY in the subject line so I know it's not spam or the like.  I'd be more than happy to talk about my work.  If you'd like to read my previous work published with E.T., just click here.

As promised, here's a couple of my Alton Towers pics:

We all look pretty boggin' cause we'd just come off the log flume, hence L Bargie's looking like a drenched rat.  Lol, these are so funny.  Thanks to L for sending them to me.

Lotsaluv, Em

Done and Dusted

Okay, lots of gossip today...

First of all, here's the cover for Static Movement's Dusted:

I love it. Think it's fantastic.  "Clowns" finally found a home in this book, so I'm rather excited about seeing the finished product.  Should be awesome.

In "Yaaaaay" news...my flash piece "Harvest" was accepted today for Blood Bound Book's Seasons in the Abyss anthology.  I am a very happy bunny about this.  Been trying to get a story published with BBB for AGES!!!!  Really glad to be a part of this.  Interesting book too.  It's a collection of seasonal stories, like a bunch for Spring, a bunch for Summer, etc, etc.  My story is part of the Autumn (Fall, for you American folks) section.  Attempting to write one for winter, but we'll see how that goes.

Attempted to make an Amazon author's page today.  Failed miserably.  Ah well, maybe later.

Mantra for today: Hey, Stephen King started out as a high school English teacher.  There's hope for me yet, bunnies.

Lotsaluv, Em

Caught by Freakin-Awesomeness!

Here's the cover for Static Movement's Caught by Darkness: 

I really like it.  Very very funky bananas.  Glad to have "Mistakes" a part of this project.  Think it will look very sexy on my shelf next to my other anthologies!

Lotsaluv, Em

Can You See Me Now???

Another quick update.  My story "Clowns All Around You" has been accepted for Static Movement's Dusted anthology.  So happy for this story to find a home.  It's one of my personal favourites.  Based on the t.A.T.u. song "Clowns (Can You See Me Now?)", I am a very VERY happy chappy.

Right now it looks like the book should appear around September.  Static Movement have been very efficient with the turn around of the Lame Goat Press salvage operation so I have all faith in this project.

So...Woohoo!!!  And now I shall return to the X-Files.

Lotsaluv, Em

Hard Working Folks

Chris Bartholomew of Static Movement has been working her butt off lately.  She's taken on almost all of Lame Goat's abandoned projects (Aurora Wolf are handling Novus Creatura) and Inner Fears has hit Amazon already.  Once it reaches Amazon.co.uk, I'll be purchasing a copy, as it's looking to be a good book.  I'm not involved in this one but it's worth a read for sure.  Similarly awaiting By Mind or Metal to go online.  Beautiful cover on that one.

More Static Movement news, directly concerning me this time.  Chris' new anthology Caught by Darkness is to include my story "Mistakes", which is a new version of the Reaper series I used to write way back in the day.  Damien/Reaper has had a serious make-over and the series should be a lot better now.  This is the first Reaper piece to reach the fresh, crisp pages of the world of print.  So I'm rather excited.  Any of my Elfwooders should be pleased with this development.  Will keep updating here when I know more.

More hardworking peeps at Pill Hill Press as Haunted: An Anthology of the Supernatural is now available on Amazon and can be purchased via that link.  Click it, you know you want to.  As soon as the cover goes online, I'll put a proper link on the sidebar.  Can't wait to get hold of my copy.  Ridiculously excited about that one.  It's not on amazon.co.uk yet.  Well it is, but it's not available for purchase yet.  Again, will stick a link up when it is.

Sent my bio off to Paroxysm Press for their 100 Lightnings anthology.  Hopefully this might mean there's some kind of movement developing there and the book won't be far off.  Again, will do the usual and post here when I know more.

I hate to be a bit of a grumpus, but it would be awesome if readers started leaving comments, reviews and ratings on amazon with regard to small press books they purchase, such as those published by Pill Hill Press.  Jessy, Alva and all the contributors do a huge amount of work to ensure those books reach your hungry readery hands, so please let the world know what you think.

Thank you, my legion of vampire bunnies.

Lotsaluv, Em

Fem-Fangs

Ladies and gentlebunnies, what you are looking at here is the cover for Pill Hill Press' Fem-Fangs.  Isn't it freakin' awesome.  Oh what a happy bunny am I!!!!  My story "Players" is appearing in this one and I cannot wait to get hold of it!  This is so cool!  My fave Pill Hill cover to date!  I often take these anthologies to work to read, and I can't wait to show this one off.  I'll keep you all posted on when it's going to print, because I think this is one that loads of folks will want to have a hold of!

In other news, I'm in the process of ordering my copy of Haunted, which I'm looking forward to seeing.  I'm also going to order a few Pill Hill novels and leave a couple of reviews here, so if there's anyone who specifically wants me to review their book, just drop me an email or a comment.

Lotsaluv, Em

Busy Busy

I have had the shittiest day.  I won't go into it, but it involves rejection, stomach and chest pains and a virus on my PC.  Oh dear oh dear.  Fingers crossed that tomorrow will be better.

I am taking a break out of my X-Files and cross-stitching marathon to bring you a few updates. Been talking to Chris Bartholomew and Flash! is definitely going through. Here's the cover.

I like it.  She's done a damn fine job of all this and it's looking like it should be going to the printers in the next few weeks.  As for Novus Creatura, Michael C. Pennington of Aurora Wolf is taking over.  I have agreed to switch from LGP to Aurora Wolf so will be part of this book for sure.  Again, will post an update as soon as I know more.

Can't believe how much I've been doing lately.  I'm exhausted and sore.  Feels like I've barely been on holiday.  Think I'll get back to writing tomorrow.  I need a lift and a new story should give me that lift.

Should be posting soon.  Oh and I see that I'm up to 6 followers now and would just like to give them all a little wave.  *waves frantically*  Thank you dearly for stopping by, bunnies.

Lotsaluv, Em

Barcelona...

Hola bunnies, I have returned from beautiful Barcelona with a smile on my face.  Had a fantastic time, pictures to follow...

Now to business...My inbox was heaving when I got back.  Just spent the last hour replying to emails and raiding message boards.  Bloody Hell, I've been in demand lately.

Looks like Lame Goat Press are up and running again so I'll keep you updated on how that turns out.  Awaiting info on Flash and N.C.  Hmmm...
*NEWS...UPDATE...NEWS...UPDATE*  Since publishing this post, I have just discovered on Static Movement that LGP is no longer in business and that Chris Bartholomew (top bunny) is going to take over Flash.  I'm trying to find out more about Novus Creatura.  It seems like Aurora Wolf are taking over.  Going to email around.  Will update ASAP.

My story "Starry Eyed" (based on the Ellie Goulding song of the same name) has been accepted for the first issue of Moon Washed Kisses (freakin' love that title!!!).  It's a really short, really cute wee daft piece, which I'm delighted to see find a home.  Wrote half of it on the train to K Bargie's and the other half in his room, making him wait for me to finish before he put on whatever film we were going to watch.  I love stories like that; the ones that just demand your attention until they're done.  Anyway, the first issue is due in July, so I'll link to it when it turns up.

The first issue of Dark Eye Glances is online!  Yaaay! My poem Gypsy marks my debut into the world of poetry (not counting my Elfwood pieces, of course - even though I love my Alice poem).  I thought I was being all mental and funny by sending a rather demented-looking picture of myself, until I saw that everybody else sent sensible ones.  Oh dear.  Now I look even crazier.  Anyway, it's up there, so just give the link a bash and enjoy.

No other gossip.  I'm in the process of tidying the ol' blog up so that my online stuff is accessable on the main page, rather than readers having to trawl old posts to find my stuff on Static Movement or Dark Eye Glances.  Let me know if you think it looks stupid.

Reading the new Charlaine Harris book.  It's not quite what I was expecting, but there's lots of naked Eric so I'm not really complaining.

Lotsaluv, Em

Daily Flash cover

Okay, I know I've already posted this morning, but I just saw the cover for Daily Flash and thought I'd post it here.

I think it's freakin' awesome.  I'm pretty sure that come this Christmas time I'm going to be pretty skint, so I think everybody will be getting a copy of this.  Plenty of stories to amuse yourselves with in here.  Plus, my pieces "Time" and "Another Girl's Paradise" will also be lurking in its pages.  Not a clue what dates I'll be on but I'm excited now that I've seen the cover.

Don't know if I've mentioned this, but I've started putting together a manuscript of my short stories.  It currently contains 19 (!) pieces of my writing, at a humble 20, 000 words.  Maybe in a year's time I'll publish it, but for now, it's nice to see all of my "successful" stories in the one place.  Gives me a nice wee glowy feeling.

*buzz buzz glow glow*

Lotsaluv, Em

Dark Eye Glances

My poem "Gypsy" has been accepted for the first issue of Dark Eye Glances, which is available later in June.  Twas an exciting little turn of events to find the acceptance email in my inbox this morning, because I've never thought very highly of my poetry.  Might have to start dredging up my other poems and see what I can do with them, then.  Will let you all know when it's up for reading.

Have just returned from my boys' roadtrip in Alton Towers.  Twas a good daft adventure and was thoroughly terrified all day.  Great  fun, though.  Was myself, my boyfriend (K Bargie), his brother and a mate.  Absolutely knackered but we all had a ball.  Squealed like a girl the whole way round Oblivion, Air, Nemesis and Rita.  But 13, the newest ride there, was fantastic.  Sheer magic.  Nearly pissed my pants on the drop.  Totally worth it though.

Lotsaluv, Em

Trials, Tears and Triumphs

Been having a really tough time lately.  I won't go into it too much, seeing as this is the internet, therefore could be read by anyone, but my confidence has taken a hammering.  A few people have left my self-esteem a bloody pulp on their shoes after this week.  If ever I needed a pick-me-up, it's now.  Unfortunately, things keep slipping down hill and I'm beginning to get a bit grumpy and depressed...

In cheerier news, my short story version of Swampblood has been shortlisted for Pill Hill's Back to the Middle of Nowhere, which I'm really pleased about.  Swampblood means so much to me so it's great to see it getting acknowledged, even if it is just on the shortlist right now.

Updates and gossip...I've seen the editing proof of Haunted and it's looking fantastic.  Pill Hill Press have produced yet another cracking anthology.  It shouldn't be too long until it's available.  July, I think.  Anyway, will keep you posted and will provide a nice, convenient little Amazon link when it's up there.
Now, what's the dealio with Lame Goat Press these days?  I just don't know.  I've got two anthologies lined up with them ("Pride and Joy" in Flash and "Ruined" in Novus Creatura, edited by the wonderful JAM), and I'm afraid I have no news to give you on either book.  As soon as I know what's happening, you will too, my fair bunnies.

Now I'm off to turn my frown upside down...

Lotsaluv, Em

Swampblood

Finshed my submission for Pill Hill's Back to the Middle of Nowhere and sent it off.  Fingers crossed.  Good/bad news is that I'm now developing it for a novel.  The story was bang on 5000 words but I really felt that the characters had more to say, so now I've started Swampblood, the book.  Going to really work my ass off on this one.  Really think I could do something good with this.

Oh and almost forgot, I wanted to stick the cover up for Haunted, which my story "What Keeps Me Here" will be featured in.

 

Pretty funky, I think.  Can't wait to see the finished product.

Lotsaluv, Em

Out Damn Spot...

My story "Players" has been accepted into Pill Hill's Fem-Fangs anthology.  This is an awesome book to be part of and I'm very excited.  "Players" is another episode from my Flashes Before her Eyes series, and it's one I'm really happy to see accepted.  It's my little ode to Shakespeare, who's one of my heroes.  Absolutely loved writing it.  I'll keep you posted on the developments with this one.

No other big news.  The deadline for Haunted is Monday, so hopefully that should be out and about by July maybe.  Hopefully.

Currently working on a story for Pill Hill's Back to the Middle of Nowhere.  Fingers crossed for me, please!!

Lotsaluv, Em

Birds Singing in the Sycamore Trees...

My story "Dream a Little Dream" has been accepted for Paroxysm Press' 100 Lightnings.  It's one of my favourite flash pieces I've written so I'm looking forward to seeing the finished book.  Will keep you updated on any developments regarding this.

In other news...I got an iTouch and am now addicted to Doodlejump.  I think I have a problem.  Also don't know how to work the wee Nike trainer thingy either, so ended up just listening to music on my run tonight, which was a pain in the bum, because it seemed like a cool wee doohickey and it didn't work.  *cry*

Anyway, so long and thinks for all the fish...Farewell bunnies,

Lotsaluv, Em

Wanna Do Bad Things With You

Exam over, university over, my degree over.  Thank the gods.  Time for me now.  Will start writing tomorrow.  Have Saturday off work, too, so I'm planning on hitting the notepads like crazy.  Woop-de-doop!

Just watched all the True Blood Minisodes.  I hate that series 3 starts in the US on June 13th and we Brits have to wait who knows how long for more vampy-goodness.  Was also pretty pissed that I queued outside Waterstones before work on Monday, thinking that Dead in the Family was due to come out, but low and behold it's been put back to June 10th.  Waaaaah!  Anyway, the webisodes were awesome.  Can't wait for the next one.  Loved Sam smashing up the bull head.  I wanted to hug him.

In other news, my Threadless tees arrived (with a bloody £11.40 customs charge - damn Royal Mail).  Pictures shall ensue.

Lotsaluv, Em

Absence Makes the Heart Grow...Bored

Apologies for my recent disappearance.  Things have been a bit mental.  Got both my final projects out of the way and my last exam is tomorrow.  Absolutely shitting myself.  I've been working for the last 5 days (11 hours on Thursday *groan*) and studying on my breaks.  It's been murder.  Fingers crossed I'll do well.  I need to, it's the only class I'm currently sitting on a 1st in.  Ah.

After that, I've got to apply for my postgrads, so it could be a while before I'm back to writing again.  I hope not, I've spotted about 3 books I want to write for and it's killing me that I can't.

So I'm so sorry that there's been no activity lately.  But as soon as all my "real life" shit is out of the way, I'm going to get a load of stories out and about.  Most importantly, I'm going to finish off a novel I started years ago and then get cracking on another.  I plan to have Branded a Fool finished over the next couple of months.  Until then, I shall point you in the direction of my Elfwood, where you can read the first 4 chapters for FREE.  That's right, fantasy frolics for not one shiny penny.

Chapter One
Chapter Two - This one was elected as an Elfwood "Mod's Choice", meaning that it was pick of the day on, what I think was, the 9th July 2008. :-S
Chapter Three
Chapter Four

At Last...

Enjoy bunnies...

Lotsaluv, Em

Sleepwalker

My story Sleepwalker has been accepted for this month's Static Movement.  Click away to read for free!!!

Lotsaluv, Em

What Keeps Me Here

Hellooooooo!  Well, the super speedy submission to Pill Hill's Haunted anthology paid off.  Accepted!!!  Really chuffed with this one.  Am pretty pleased with the story and it should turn out to be a fantastic book.  "What Keeps Me Here" is yet another vampire episode but it relies heavily on the other installments in the tale of my crazy vamp.  The stories "The First", "Pale", "Cruelty" and a few which are currently shortlisted for other anthologies are all important to this piece.  However, I think it works quite well on its own, too.  Based on the Evanescence song "Haunted", it was originally named after the song, but when I discovered the antho was to be called "Haunted" too, I changed it to the line "What Keeps Me Here", taken from a later lyric in the song which is "Still Can't Find What Keeps Me Here".

In other exciting news, my copy of Ethereal Tales arrived yesterday.

Eeeeek, how awesome is it?!?!?!?  Totally lovin' it.  It features my story "A Pirate's Life for Me" and Teresa, the editor, did a great job with it.  She's fantastic.  Everyone must run along to the website and buy a copy!!!  It's only £2.50 - a bargain for a fine selection of fiction.  Shall definitely be submitting to this venue again.

Well, I better get back to my final essay for university.  Only this and one exam and I can graduate.  Thank the gods!!!!

Bye bye bunnies!

Lotsaluv, Em

Haunted

This has got to be my saddest display of geekiness ever.  Within two andd a half hours of Pill Hill Press announcing their Haunted anthology, I had sent them a story.

I am a pitiful individual.  Go ahead, pity me, I don't mind.

And, yes, it's a new episode of Flashes Before her Eyes.  One I'm very proud of.  So cross your fingers, cross your toes...

Lotsaluv, Em

Ethereal Tales Issue 7

Greetings creatures...

Ethereal Tales issue 7 is released TODAY!  Yay!  My copy hasn't arrived yet, but I am waiting with anticipation practically bubbling out my nose.  It can be purchased right here.  So click away and order to your heart's content.  This issue features my story "A Pirate's Life for Me", which, I'm pretty sure I've already mentioned, is part of my Flashes Before her Eyes collection (vampire stuff).  If you can't possibly wait as long as it takes for Ethereal Tales to plop onto your doorstep, here's a delightful little romp to tide you over:

Flashes Before her Eyes: Pale

This is one of my favourite Flashes episodes and it's completely free for you to read.  This should put you in the mood and make you rush off to read the next installment!!!

Enjoy, my pretties...

Lotsaluv, Em

Sexy, Exciting Things

I spent too much money on Threadless last night.  Oh dear.  I don't care though, I got excited as they started accepting paypal.  But I bought this awesome Spoilt tshirt, which has been sitting in my basket since I saw a girl in Lush wearing it once.  Also bought Good Guys Don't Glow at Midnight which I am ridiculously excited about.  A bit addicted to submitting slogans now, too.  If you click that link you can go vote for my sad attempt at tshirt slogans.

In REAL news, looks like Novus Creatura is moving along nicely now, as JAM sent me an edited version of my story "Ruined" to see if it was okay.  It was, of course.  So fingers crossed and that should be popping up soon.  Started working on a new story for Pill Hill's Silver Moon Bloody Bullets antho, but I think it may be too kinky.  Will try and have it sent off by the end of the week and we'll see what they say.

Damn my filthy mind.

Happy tshirt hunting.

Lotsaluv, Em

Everybody Go Watch This...

Greetings, vampire bunnies, I have returned from my week long "business meeting" with director, K Bargie.  I bring back an awesome trailer for his latest masterpiece "The Dating World". Behold:



Isn't it marvy.  I am also going to harass K into letting me put the Ferocious Bloodaxe trailer up, because it's hysterical.  I have never laughed more than when we were all making that film.  Sheer magic.

No news.  Flash! from Lame Goat should be appearing sometime soon, and the newest issue of Ethereal Tales is out on Friday, but I'll have a better post about that nearer the time.  So for now, I leave you with the cinematic stylings of K Bargie.

Enjoy, my bunnies...

Lotsaluv, Em

Get in Touch!

I forgot to say, Ethereal Tales have got me on their contacts page now, with an nice shiny new email address, so if you ever want to contact me about anything - questions, comments, etc, etc - you can contact me here. And the next issue, featuring my story "A Pirate's Life for Me" is out on the 30th April and can be purchased through the website (just click the previous link I've given). A small extract from my story can also be found on the website. Just enough to tantalise you and make you want to read more! Mwahaha, see after all that erotica success, I've become a big tease! Mwahahahaha!

I'm going to be at the computer pretty much all day, so be prepared for lots of annoying posts like this.

Lotsaluv, Em

Best Horror of the Year Vol. 3

The editor of Howl, Mark Crittenden , is sending a copy of Howl to Ellen Datlow, so that all the stories might be considered for the Best Horror of the Year Vol. 3 antho. Really appreciate Mark doing that and I have all my fingers crossed and even some toes. Eeeep!!!

Lotsaluv, Em

Erotic Topic

Ooh la la, my story "Dark Wings" has been accepted for Pill Hill's Daily Flashes of Erotica anthology. Better not share this success with ma wee mammy. She'd hit the roof. I'll have to hide this one on the "my books" shelf of my bookcase. Not that the parents ever come near my domain. I think Dad's afraid of my room.

I was reading Neil Gaiman's blog last night and it always makes me miserable when I do. It's like looking through a crystal ball and seeing "Ooooh, this is what you want your life to be like" and then turning off the computer and remembering I'm still a bloody student juggling a part time job and only getting enough inspiration to write when there's an essay due. Damn you Neil Gaiman with your awesome whimsicalness and stories about Dr Who and conventions and the like!

I heart him, I really do.

In other news, Dinosaur Comics are awesome. But whenever I read them, I hear my friend Rob's voice.

I need to behave now. I'm just putting off this Celine essay. Must close the internet before I end up buying geeky yet amazing tshirts. Oh dear...

Lotsaluv, Em

Diamonds review

Good review boogie time. For Diamonds in the Rough, this time. Boogie boogie woogie woogie. Read this and grin from ear to ear:

"Emma Kathryn: "Belle of the Bayou." I occasionally thought of Christopher Moore's novels as I read this. Can't end a collection without a vampyre/zombie story, right kiddies? That said, this piece is unencumbered, lithely, and clever, with great use of setting. The milieu is so detailed that I thought it would leap off the page at times. "

Woop-de-doop!!! Lots of smiley thank yous for the kind reviewer.

^_^

Lotsaluv, Em

Gotta Catch 'em all

Oh dear gods, I'm addicted to Pokemon again.

Lotsaluv, Em

Daily Bites of Flesh Mark 2

Got my second story accepted for Pill Hill's Daily Bites of Flesh anthology. Yaaaas!!!! It's the opening to my vampire collection ("Flashes Before her Eyes"), which has already been on Elfwood for like forever. Seriously, I'm pretty sure it was amongst the first stories I ever uploaded. Granted, that was over five years ago, so this version is the nice, sexy revival which I wrote last summer during my "I'm-going-to-write-a-book-in-30-days-even-though-it's-not-NaNoWriMo!" kick. So it's much better now, thanks to a total rewrite and a quote from Mary Shelley. YOINK!

I'm pretty pleased to get this one in print, because it means I can start getting some of the later stuff out. AND, fingers crossed, but if "Blood, Bones and Bowie" makes the final cut of Pill Hill's Fire and Ice antho (it's currently short-listed) then I can really start to get some of the good stuff out there.

For anyone who's confused, I write a vampire series called "Flashes Before her Eyes" and various episodes are scattered all over the place. Such as:

8 episodes can be found on my Elfwood.
"Belle of the Bayou" in Lame Goat's Diamonds in the Rough.
"A Pirate's Life for Me" is to be in the next issue of Ethereal Tales.
"The Cross" will be published in Wicked East Press' upcoming anthology Cup of Joe.
"The First" will be published in Daily Bites of Flesh (Woohoo).

Now that you're acquainted with my vampire mistress, shall we continue? Yes? Then continue we shall...

Anyway, I think DBoF is going to be stupendously magical and I await its publication with my heart all a-flutter.

I keep meaning to get some fresh stories done, but I've got one of my final university essays due and it's doing my head in. DAMN LOUIS-FERDINAND CELINE AND HIS BLOODY "JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE NIGHT"!!!!! I have been staring at it for so long that now I just want to stamp on it and set it on fire, then maybe stamp on it some more.

Ta-ra chucks. Be seeing you soon...when I reclaim my sanity from whatever pages of that damn book I left it between.

Lotsaluv, Em

Far too Funny from xkcd

This is nothing to do with my writing. It's just too funny and I thought I'd share. I love xkcd.

http://xkcd.com/461/

Daily Bites of Flesh anthology

My story, "Chasing Rabbits" has just been accepted by Pill Hill Press for their Daily Bites of Flesh antho. This means that the vampire bunnies will be imortalised in print! Mwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!

Awesome.

Lotsaluv, Em

Awesomeness

My copy of Pandora arrived today. Look at how sexy it is. Oh yeah. It's also now available on amazon.co.uk. Awesome. I must say, tis a v pretty book and I hail on page 131. It's a story I'm quite chuffed with and it's 8 pages of gothy goodness. The rest of the stories are fantastic. Particularly enjoyed "And so it begins" by D. Nathan Hillard and "Hope in a Box" by A. Lee Manton. Def. worth a read. Haven't been through it all yet, but I'll do that when I'm on the bus and the train today.

In other news, Weight of the Wardkeeper can now be found lurking around my Elfwood page. The loyal troop have already pounced upon it with their pearls of wisdom, but feel free to stop by and tell me what you think of it.

Lotsaluv, Em

New Anthology images

Oo-er, cover art now available for Novus Creatura and Cup of Joe. Behold!!!





How very sexy. I know I'm excited. Oh and Pandora should be on amazon.co.uk any day now. I hope anyway.

Lotsaluv, Em

Lotsaluv, Em

Howl Review and New Anthologies

Review of Howl on amazon. My story is singled out amongst the book's "particular gems":

"Particular gems are "Introducing Gemma Nye", which is smart, sexy, and gross all at once; "Legend of La Chusa" in which a monstrous owl becomes the spirit of vengeance. There is also a fantastic riff on the Brothers Grimm, and the haunting tale, "The Hunt" which begins simply, with a little black fox. "

Three new acceptances. "The Cross" will be featured in Wicked East Press' Cup of Joe: Coffee House Flash Fiction anthology. This is another vampire episode. One I'm quite fond of. Should be appreciated by those who've been following my vamp on Elfwood.

"A Pirate's Life for Me" is also a vampire short (same vamp!) and will be appearing in the magazine Ethereal Tales. Next issue is out April 30th, so I'll post the details around about then.

Short story "Ruined" will be appearing in Lame Goat's Novus Creatura, which is edited by John "JAM" Arthur Miller and should be a v funky read.

Will keep you updated on these as I learn more.

Lotsaluv, Em

There She Goes Again...

Wow, I swore I was done with blogging and here I am. Again. Crap.

So let's summarise...

This blog is for TWO things. ONE: to promote my writing and let you lovely peeps know where I've been published, when new anthologies are being release, where you can by them and little links to reviews, etc. TWO: I'm a bit of a baking fanatic, so will occasionally post awesome pics of my awesome baking. Aha!

Boring bit done, let's get down to the good stuff...

Lame Goat Press' book Diamonds in the Rough is a selection of author's favourite stories and has my story "Belle of the Bayou" which is a brands new episode from my vampire collection. It's available on amazon.com (linked above) and I've already got my copy. 'Tis a v pretty book indeed.

Another Lame Goat anthology Howl:Tales of the Feral and Infernal features my story "The Hunt". Also available by clicking on the link.

Moving to Pill Hill Press, my story "Death and the Maiden" can be found in their Pandora's Nightmare: Horror Unleashed anthology. Really looking forward to my copy of this arriving. Pretty pleased with this story and it was nice to get it picked up by the lovely Jessica A. Weiss, who edited the book.

Anyway, that's everything for the moment. To tide you over, feel free to have a gander at my Elfwood page, which is always full of charming/horrifying/quirky/disgusting/scary things.

Lotsaluv, Em