Vignettes From The End Of The World, published by Apokrupha

Vignettes From The End Of The World, published by Apokrupha and edited by Jacob Hadon, features my short story, titled "My Father's Flannel".  This collection limited all submissions to only 500 words with a theme, as I am sure you guessed, focusing on the last minutes of the world.  With so many submissions, it is fantastic to see the various visions of the end. 

This Anthology is quite special to me, as it marks the 16th book that  have been published in, as well as the first that my step-son, Cameron Shifflet, has been published in.  Along with others, such as KZ Morano, T. Fox Dunham, Guy Anthony Demarco, Terry M. West, Kenneth W. Cain, and others, this has turned out to be a fantastic collection!

As always, if and when you read this, please leave a review on Amazon and please tell everyone about your favorite story within.



This is how the world ends.
This is how the world ends.
This is how the world ends.
Not in a bang, but in a book.
58 flash fiction stories of the final hours. Passion, pain and horror of the end of days, all in short vignettes.
Featuring stories from:
Christine Morga, Essel Pratt, Cameron Suey, T. Fox Dunham, Guy Anthony De Marco, Mandy DeGeit, Jessica McHugh, Kristopher Kelly, E. Catherine Tobler, Jamie Lackey, George Cotronis, William R.D. Wood, Lee Clark Zumpe, Lincoln Crisler, Eryk Pruitt, Michael H. Antonio, Kallirroe Agelopoulou, Steve Calvert, Rebecca J. Allred, Darcie Little Badger, Erik B. Scott, Terry M. West, Glenn Rolfe, Josh Strnad, J.A. Martin, Darryl Dawson, DJ Tyrer, Joana Eça de Queiroz, Lex T. Lindsay, Arno Hurter, Cameron Shifflet, J.P. Freeman, Marie DesJardin, Dusty Wallace, Doug Murano, Ken MacGregor, Victoria Dalpe, Kelda Crich, Pedro Iniguez, Joey Capora, S.R. Mastrantone, Damir Salkovic, Sylvia Spruck Wrigley, Jason Sharp, Leslianne Wilder, Jennifer Loring, Bryce Hughes, L.C. Mortimer, Rebecca Barbee, E. E. King, David Turnbull, Richard Thomas, Rose Blackthorn, K.Z. Morano, Adrian Ludens, Kenneth W. Cain, Michael Haynes, Michael Penkas

• Print Length: 131 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00JXMQAH8

Serial Killers Quattuor, Published by JWK Fiction

Serial Killers Quattuor, published by JWK Fiction, features my short story titled, "Thus is Life".  I have been interested in the minds of serial killers for as long as I can remember.  This isn't the first serial killer story that I have written, but is the only one written specifically for a book that revolves around the breed.

The entire book is fantastic, and I strongly urge everyone to check it out.  Once finished, please leave a review on Amazon, and be sure to share you favorite tale.

"You, me, the general public, have a fascination for true crime accounts of people like Bundy, and fictional depictions of similar characters in television shows such as Criminal Minds and Dexter. We have a macabre interest in real life serial killers and can't comprehend the pure lack of remorse of these monsters. But yet we can't get enough. So we watch these shows and buy these books and read about these abhorrent yet fascinating criminals. Serial Killers Quattuor is one such work that fulfils our insatiable obsession with serial killers in this terrifying and bloodcurdling short story collection."



Authors: 
Vekah McKeown
William Cook
Dan Weatherer
Carl Fox
Sheldon Woodbury
DJ Tyrer
Eric Nash
Paul Mannering
Michelle Augello-Page
Jonathan R. Daniels
Essel Pratt
Dona Fox
T.S.Woolard
S. MacLeod

• Print Length: 173 pages
• Publisher: James Ward Kirk Publishing (April 8, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00JK4KV06

Memento Mori: Remember that you Will Die, published by JWK Fiction

Memento Mori, published by JWK Fiction, is an anthology that presented a look into why we must remember that we will die.  Whether it be to plan for the future of our children and grandchildren, or simply to keep us in check, we must remember that it will all end someday.  The story I contributed, "Melancholia Mourning of Self" is a reflective piece that explores a man's final moments as he ponders his life.  We then see a glimpse of his afterlife, and experience his pain due to lack of preparation.

"Death is inevitable. This collection of art, poetry, flash fiction and short storiesaddresses the fact that death is inevitable. The manner of death and the why is important, as is the consequences, before and during the process of death. And what happens after death? Nothing? Everything? Or is it somewhere in between? Remember that we will die. Death is inevitable. More than twenty authors, poets and artists show us our mortality"

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• Print Length: 219 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: James Ward Kirk Publishing (March 31, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00JEM076C

Guide to Being a Successful Facebook Admin

the Guide to Being a Successful Facebook Admin is an experimental piece that I worked on in order to familiarize myself with the world of self-publishing.  Although I am not sure whether I will continue down the journey, I am happily confident on the process.

This guide is meant for those that have encountered issues while attempting to administrate various Facebook pages and/or groups.  As an admin myself, I know that the task is not always the easiest, especially when the trolls arrive.

I look forward to the feedback that is received, and would love to hear your success stories!

Hero's Best Friend: An Anthology of Animal Companions, Published by Seventh Star Press

Hero's Best Friend: An Anthology of Animal Companions, Published by Seventh Star Press, is one of my favorite anthologies that I have written for.  The story within, titled "Brothers" has evolved quite a bit since it was accepted into the anthology.  In fact, it became an entire novel, with the possibility for two prequels.  Just recently, the novel, which will be titled FINAL REVERIE, was accepted for publication by J. Ellington Ashton Press.  I would love to hear your feedback on the short story, as well as what you think might occur within the novel.

"How far would Gandalf have gotten without Shadowfax? Where would the Vault Dweller be without Dogmeat? And could the Beastmaster been the Beastmaster without his fuzzy allies? Animal companions are more than just sidekicks. Animals can be heroes, too! 
Found within are twenty stories of heroic action that focuses on the furries and scalies who have long been the unsung heroes pulling their foolish human buddies out of the fire, and often at great sacrifice—from authors both established and new, including Frank Creed, S. H. Roddey, and Steven S. Long. Whether you’re a fan of Epic Fantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Science Fiction, or just animal stories in general, this is the anthology for you! So sit back, kick your feet up, and find out what it truly means to be the Hero’s Best Friend. "

Featured in Hero's Best Friend: An Anthology of Animal Companions: 

Joy Ward: “Toby and Steve Save the World” 
Frank Creed: “Dusk” 
Cassie Schau: “The Hunter’s Boy” 
Steven Donahue: “Grit” 
Jason Cordova: “Hill 142” 
Herika R. Raymer: “Dook”.. 
Essel Pratt: “Brothers”. 
Lisa Hawkridge: “Ezra’s Girl”. 
S. H. Roddey: “Look What the Cat Dragged In." 
Steven S. Long: “The Wolf Sentinel” 
Laura Anne Ewald: “Memorandum” 
Cindy Koepp: “The Hat”. 
Ian Hunter: “Scarheid in the Glisting”. 
Steven Grassie: “The Masterless”. 
David Wright: “Wind of Change” 
Renee Carter Hall: “The Emerald Mage”.. 
Nick Bryan: “The Violet Curse”.. 
Lillian Csernica & Kevin Andrew Murphy: 
“The Restless Armadillo”. 
Douglas J. Ogurek: “Stuck on the Squigglybounce” 
Sheila Deeth: “Passage” 

• Print Length: 472 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Seventh Star Press; 1 edition (February 6, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00IAHEI1W

Mardis Gras Murder, Published by Mystery & Horror, LLC

Mardi Gras Murder, published by Mystery & Horror, LLC, contains my short story, "Bourbon Street Lucifer".  I almost didn't submit to this one, but it kept gnawing at me.  Finally, I gave in and wrote my submission.  I really like the way it turned out, and can think of a way to extend it into something much bigger than it is.

"Thirteen tales of crime set during the bacchanalia that is Mardi Gras. Featuring stories from Harriette Sackler, Marian Allen, Debra H. Goldstein and Nathan Pettigrew. The mayhem of Mardi Gras is served with a healthy dose of Cajun dishes and an unhealthy number of deaths. Dig into Bourbon Street Lucifer, Voodoo Honeymoon, a dish of Red Beans and Ricin, and other deadly treats."

• Print Length: 186 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0989007685
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Mystery and Horror, LLC (February 7, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00IBMSGSC

Bones II, Published by JWK Fiction

Bones II, published by JWK Fiction, contains a short story of mine titled, "Brushing Off the Voices in my Head".  Being included in this anthology was special to me because my 12 year-old daughter had a poem included in the first book of the series.

I have been published in many JWK anthologies recently, and James Ward Kirk is simply an amazing man to work with.  His insight and personal approach is simply amazing.

"There are bones of the dead everywhere, and they’re sharp. Under your feet as you walk across your yard, in the cement of buildings, under the foundation of your home, in the coffee you drink, in the food you eat. Science estimates 100 billion human beings have lived and died. There are bones everywhere. There are skeletons everywhere, from universities to unnamed places we really don’t want to know about. We love skeletons as we are walking skeletons. There’s an old phrase about skeletons in the closet. What if the skeleton in your closet is real? When we look at strangers, friends and family we fail to see the skull behind the face. And the eyes of skulls are dark and deep. These works of art, poetry and short stories cut deep. To the bone."

• Print Length: 231 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0615960332
• Publisher: James Ward Kirk Publishing (January 24, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00I1LZZAK

Cellar Door 2, published by JWK Fiction

Cellar Door II contains a story written by me called "Dalliance". It is another anthology that I had quite a bit of fun writing for.  I don't know what it is, but the anthologies created by JWK Fiction contain some of my favorite themes to write for. 

"Cellar Door... Linguists call it the most beautiful phrase in the English language based solely on the way it sounds. But as you can imagine, what it represents may be something far more sinister. In a spectacular display of poetry, artwork, fiction, and photography, the talent of fifty contributors is showcased within these pages. Voices from behind cellar doors all over the world come together in unison to whisper in your ear...can you hear them? Are they knocking on your cellar door? Edited by James Ward Kirk, each piece in this anthology has a beautiful title intrinsically connected to the tale that follows, and a door will be the common theme which connects the widely varied styles, genres, and stories told. Will you take your chances and find what's lurking behind your cellar door? This second volume of tales continues the tradition: Words of Beauty, Tales of Terror."

Review

The Editor's Choice Awards for Cellar Door Volume Two go to Matt Cowan for "Numen" and K. K Trap Jones for "A Soul's Lullaby." Everyone wins, though, with this anthology. Congratulations!

From the Back Cover

Contents
 
Poetry  8
Alex S. Johnson  Essence of Ebon, Preserved9
Mathias Jansson Smoky bottles  10
Dona Fox The Door  11
Dona Fox Me and My . . . 11
Dona Fox  Magur  12
Dona Fox The Wonder Cave  13
DJ Tyrer  A Darkness in the Cellar  14
DJ Tyrer  Cellar Door  14
DJ Tyrer  Foundations  15
Robert E. Petras  The Soul Worms  15
Flash Fiction  16
K. Z. Morano  Wooden Lips  17
Essel Pratt  Dalliance  19
Short Stories  22
Dale Hollin  The Last Eulogy  23
Mike Jansen  The Angel's kiss  29
Neil Baker  A Late Summer Afternoon on Cranberry Farm    33
Michael Thomas Knight  The Gates of Lament  40
Dona Fox  Forevermore  56
Greg McWhorter  Sempiternal Denouement  64
David Eccles  The Esoteric Espial 72
Matt Cowan  Numen   76
M. J. Sydney  Ellensburg Blue  84
David Perlmutter  Little Pony Ride  95
Lee Forsythe  Karni Mata  102
Justin Hunter  Geisha White  108
K. Trap Jones   A Soul's Lullaby  117
Lori Safranek Angels Behind Glass  121
Suzy Saylor  A Halcyon Panacea  132
Patrick Lacey  Last Words  142
Kevin Rodgers  The Scent of Jasmine  153
Matthew Wilson  Video Nasty  163
Michael Randolph  Leannan Sídhe  167
Gary Murphy  Horrorwerk  175
Adam Blampied Buried  181
Jason WolfgangGehler  Scarecrow Fields  184
Author Bios  195

Ugly Babies Vol. 2, By JWK Fiction

Writing for Ugly Babies  Vol. 2 was just as fun as writing for the first. I have two pieces included within, "Spontaneous Dysfunction" and Uterine Rapture".  "Uterine Rapture" is a continuation of "Immaculate Deception", which was included in Vol. 1. 

"There’s nothing quite like the birth of a child. Children are born in our likenesses... we treasure their beauty, their innocence, and marvel as they take their first breaths outside of their mother’s womb. In a perfect world, babies are miracles. But as we know, the world is not always perfect. “... then something like a stick insect, enormous bulging eyes among stiff fragilities that were limbs... a small girl all blurred, her flesh guttering and melting... a doll with chalky swollen eyes, its eyes wide and blank, like blue ponds, and its mouth open, showing a swollen little tongue. A lanky boy was skewed, one half of his body sliding from the other. A child seemed at first glance normal, but then Harriet saw there was no back to its head; it was all face, which seemed to scream at her.” -- from Doris Lessing’s Fifth Child What happens when we allow ourselves to conceptualize the horrible possibilities -- the terrifying consequences of childbirth gone wrong -- the unimaginable monstrosity that might be born into this world, or perhaps another -- the worst case scenario of what could but shouldn’t be?"

• Series: Ugly Babies
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: James Ward Kirk Publishing (January 10, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615912087
• ISBN-13: 978-0615912080
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches

Ugly Babies Vol. 1, by JWK Fiction

Ugly Babies Vol. 1 features my short story titled, "Immaculate Deception" which is about a baby that decides to be unborn.  I loved writing this piece, because it was something quite different from what I am used to. Click on the picture to the left to purchase your copy!

"There’s nothing quite like the birth of a child. Children are born in our likenesses. We treasure their beauty...their innocence...we marvel as they take their first breath outside a mother’s womb. In a perfect world, babies are miracles. But as we know, the world is not always perfect. What happens when we allow ourselves to conceptualize the horrible possibilities...the terrifying consequences of childbirth gone wrong...the unimaginable monstrosity that might be born into this world, but from another...the worst case scenario of what could--but should not be? UGLY BABIES: The Anthology. Featuring poetry, artwork, and prose from the dark minds of fifty contributors who want to show YOU their ugly babies."

• Series: Ugly Babies
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: James Ward Kirk Publishing (October 22, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615898300
• ISBN-13: 978-0615898308
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches