DESPERATION HOLLER

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS
of the

DESPERATION HOLLER
2015 HALLOWEEN CHALLENGE

Thank you, to all the wonderful writers who participated in my Halloween Interview and Flash Fiction Challenge. I enjoyed reading all the interview answers, and gaining insight into each author's horror background and Halloween secrets.

But my favorite part was the flash fiction challenge that required them to use the same 100 word begining to write their stories. They then took the character of Jerry and gave us a Halloween tale of horrific dimensions, and Jerry found himself in hot water quite a few times. Thank you, for your excellent flashes!

Thom Futrell, author of Empty Graves made Jerry an Arch Bishop, did that save him from the evil of the night?

Christine Rains, the author Of Blood & Sorrow had Jerry's mother, a truly evil witch needing a soul to release the fiends of Halloween. Would Jerry escape her clutches?

Julia Press Simmons, author of The Bloody Mary Coven made Jerry an avenging angel, and he fought evil with a smile, and I think a cigarette in his mouth, but did he succeed?

Shannon Lawrence the author of The Blue Mist insisted Jerry was the "one soul to lead them all." What did she mean by that?

Cathrina Constantine author of Don't Forget to Breathe had Jerry ready to take his revenge on the witches, but did he succeed?

DeAnna Knippling, author of Alice's Adventures in Underland had a treasure hunting Jerry descending into the darkest of basements. Did he find his treasure?

Tara Tyler, author of Simulation had Jerry planning vengeance on the witches using all the rules, but did following the rules work in his favor?

Nancy Lynn Jarvis, author of The Widow's Walk League had Jerry providing the children for the witches pies, and fulfilling her deepest desire for mincemeat pie.

Ann M. Noser author of Dead GirlRunning had Jerry trying to turn his witch of a sister straight, but was she willing?

A special thank you to Walter P. Honsinger who sent a ghostly tale, The Tomb, based on a true story. The Tomb is set in New Orleans and a graveyard where the characters spent the night during a Voodoo ritual.

~~~ ~~~
INTRODUCING JUDGE 
WENDY ELY

Today I'm also excited to introduce editor, Wendy Ely. The judge for my Halloween flash fiction contest. I knew I couldn't choose a winner, I loved them all, but Wendy volunteered and I was delighted. I met Wendy on Facebook and she's done a beautiful job on several of my writing projects.  Thanks, Wendy!

Wendy started her writing and editing career in January of 2008. Since the start of her career, her passion for the craft has only grown stronger. Not only does she have the drive to perfect her own books she wants to help other busy authors as well. She has several years of freelance editing experience, and recently attended advanced grammar classes in college. Wendy has extensively studied the craft of writing, and is a USA Today bestselling author.

Wendy feels she succeeds when her client succeeds. And claims that editing should be as creative and as enjoyable as possible. Her goal is to provide fast, friendly, and efficient service while working with her clients. 

I can attest to her speed!

She also knows that no author is the same, so she'll tailor an editing plan specifically to you. Wendy uses her passion for the craft along with her education to give all her clients the best editing experience that she can.

I highly recommend Wendy's services!

Check out her website

http://creativemanuscripts.blogspot.com/

or send her an email:

creativemanuscripts@gmail.com

~~~~~ ~~~~~

And now without further delay

the winners of the

2015 Halloween Flash Fiction Contest are:

1st place & the winner of a $10 Amazon Gift Card

Shannon Lawrence

The Blue Mist

Wendy says, "The author used great imagery in her writing. It had a great mixture of humorous dialogue and an interesting twist."

CONGRATULATIONS SHANNON!

2nd place & the winner of a $7 Amazon Gift Card

Thom Futrell

Empty Graves

Wendy said, "The story flow was well done. It kept me entertained and the ending was a shock."

CONGRATULATIONS THOM!

3rd place & the winner of a $5 Amazon Gift Card

Christine Rains

 Of Blood & Sorrow

Wendy said your piece showed, "Clever writing and was enjoyable!"

CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTINE!

For all authors who participated Wendy is kindly

offering a discount on her editing services –

$25 off any manuscript over 100 pages.

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE!

AND THANK YOU AGAIN

YOU MADE MY HALLOWEEN A REAL TREAT!

DEAD GIRL RUNNING

MY LAST VICTIM THIS HALLOWEEN!

IS ANN M. NOSER

author of

the DEAD GIRL SERIES

Thanks, Ann, for agreeing to be part of the fun.

Presenting Ann's

Halloween Interview & Flash Fiction Challenge

1.      You're born on Halloween and have the ghostly evil super powers of one of the following: The Ghost from Poltergeist, The Frankenstein Monster, The Mummy, The most Evil of Witches, The Devil himself, Freddy Kruger, Pumpkin Head, Michael from Halloween, or Jason from Friday the 13^th. Alternatively, if you prefer, pick one of your own. Otherwise, tell us which one you would choose and why? No friendly ghosts allowed! You're to wreak havoc in this scenario!

To have the most fun, I'd have to choose Michael Jackson from his Thriller video. It's the only way I'll ever dance like a pro.

 2.      The Zombie Apocalypse is going to occur this Halloween and for 48 hours, the world is thrown into chaos. Live through it and consider yourself lucky, you've been warned. What is your first step, especially as no one else knows or believes you? Do you leave family behind and seek shelter to ride it out, or do you try to save your family? How and why?

I'd save my family, because I'm a mom and there's no way I'd leave them behind. I'd rather die trying. If they didn't believe me, I'd sedate them and haul their doubting a$$es out of town.

 3.      Because of the time of your birth, (see the 1^st question) the angels have decided to forgive your sins and are offering to remedy one evil that now exists in the world, but only one! Which would you choose and why?

Suffering. The reasons should be obvious. And by choosing this "one," I'd really be choosing so many evils to remedy.

 4.      Why is Halloween a favorite holiday, or not a favorite, and if it isn't why did you participate in this query? Come on; tell us your biggest most secret Halloween fantasy!

One year, I dressed up as Gene Simmons from Kiss. The costume was epic, which was unusual for me. Typically I had lame costumes, but this one rocked (pun intended). I used black garbage bags, a black sports bra, black netted leggings, silver duct tape (which became painful later, but I'll get to that), a black wig that was so huge I had to hand over the keys to my car because I had no peripheral vision while wearing it, and face paint. Lots and lots of face paint (which also became painful later).

The veterinary school party was held at a bowling alley and it was great fun.

Undressing afterwards was NOT fun. Hear me now and obey me later: NEVER, I do mean NEVER put duct tape on any part of your body you intend to keep. Ouch.

As for the face paint—and I bought the "good stuff" according to the store—what a gooey mess. Instead of washing off the white and black paint, my face remained coated with a grey, thick cream. And I had to work the next day. I scrubbed and scrubbed until my face was grey with red, irritated skin underneath.

So face paint is out for my Halloween fantasy. Instead, I've always wanted to be Phoebe from Friends—not only the long, blond wig, I want to talk like her, sing "Smelly Cat" like her—the whole deal.

Maybe someday, long after when dressing like her would be "cool."

      Now the fun part: Finish the story. I've given you the first 100 words. Provide us with the rest, but please hold the number to 750 words or less unless the restriction is just impossible then no more than 1000 words. The winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. The contest will be judged by another lover of the horror genre, the person to be announced later. The winner will be posted no later than a week after Halloween!

DESPERATION HOLLER

Jerry sauntered along Desperation Holler Road that earlier echoed with the excited shouts of ghosts and ghouls as the children scrambled from house to house in colorful and frightening costumes.

Dusk dissolved into the blackest of nights as the little monsters disappeared into the shelter of the brightly lit houses with their chocolate goodies.

Jerry smiled, even suppressed laughter, because he knew there was no refuge, not in Desperation Holler on this most evil of Halloweens.

Concealed by the dark limbs of deformed trees and invasive ivy, the innocuous little cabin looked abandoned, but Jerry knew better. 

The witches abode . . .

His sister would still be there, working her nasty trade.

He had to put an end to it. Right now. She couldn't be allowed to remain part of the family—not after she'd become one with the moon.

Her fall from grace had to be erased. But he wouldn't stop there. All the witches had to go. Every last one of them.

In the darkness, he circled the cabin, muttering to himself. The gas can grew heavy in his hand. Earlier in the day, He'd stuffed old papers and blocks of dried wood in every crack and cranny around the base of the old cabin. He knew those stupid witches wouldn't notice.

A childish giggle escaped his lips as he tipped the gas can, soaking the base of the cabin, his nose filling with vapors.

He took out a match.

"I told you I'd win big at bingo tonight," crowed a little old lady, hobbling out the front door of the cabin.

The match fell from Jerry's hands, unlit. How could this be? The old ladies from church shuffled out, one after the other.

These weren't witches. These were the same ladies who slipped him cookies, patting his head while clucking their tongues over how it was "too bad about the accident."

He stumbled under the shadow of the trees, breathing hard.

But the white haired ladies didn't see to see him. They simply prattled on about their bingo game.

"You always win, Bertha," laughed one. "You must have a lucky rabbit's foot in your purse."

Jerry gasped. He'd given Bertha that rabbit's foot. And then he'd almost burned her alive. Bile flooded into the back of his throat. He leaned over, gagging.

He had to get out of here. He stood, arms flailing as he crashed through the bushes, fallen leaves crunching under his feet as he scrambled away.

The old ladies turned to watch him leave.

One by one, they started to shimmer, their flowered blouses fluttering then replaced by black robes, their short white hair lengthening into flowing curls.

"What are you going to do about the boy?" the tallest asked, pointing at the discarded gas can.

"Yes, something must be done." Another nodded. "He's getting dangerous. He must be stopped. If you can't do it, we will."

Susan hung her head. Ever since the head injury, Jerry had changed. He used to think her tricks were wonderful, but now he hated the fact she was a witch. He hated everything about her. "No, he's my brother. I'll do it."

"Then do it soon, and be done with it," the taller one urged before melting into the night.

The rest disappeared into the darkness, except for Susan and her closest friend, Belinda.

Belinda shuddered. "What are you going to do?"

"Fight fire with fire, I suppose," Susan blinked hard as tears escaped.

She encircled the cabin, hands outstretched.

"Crawl. Devour. Consume.

Creep along these wooden rooms.

Lick the floors. Lick the walls.

Flames assemble and grow tall.

The heat will rise—a light in the dark.

Life begins and ends with a little spark."

Some distance away, Jerry smelled the smoke and turned back in disbelief.

The match. He must've forgotten about the match.

No. This couldn't happen. He rushed back the way he came, branches breaking in his wake.

He reached the cabin, engulfed in flames. He paused for only a moment before rushing inside.

His screams filled the air.

"No pain. No breath. No sensation." Susan waved her arms once more.

The screaming stopped.

Susan moved the gas can with her family's name on it to the edge of the clearing, near a tree.

"It is done," she said, walking away.

*****

Blurb:

Eight years ago, SILVIA WOOD's father died in an industrial accident. After suffering through years of Psychotherapy Services and Mandated Medications for depression and multiple suicide attempts, she longs to work in Botanical Sciences. When the Occupation Exam determines she must work in Mortuary Sciences instead, she wonders if the New Order assigned her to the morgue to push her over the edge.

To appease her disappointed mother, Silvia enters the Race for Citizen Glory, in an attempt to stand out in the crowd of Equals. After she begins training with "golden boy" LIAM HARMAN, she discovers he also lost his father in the same accident that ruined her childhood. Then Silvia meets and falls for Liam's older cousin, whose paranoid intensity makes her question what really happened to her father. As the race nears, Silvia realizes that she's not only running for glory, she's running for her life.

Author Bio:

Growing up an only child, I learned to entertain myself.  During summer vacations, my greatest form of exercise consisted of turning the pages of a book.  Now I’m all grown up, and full of stories half-written in my head.  I have to write them down so I can find out what happens next.

Where to find Ann:

Blog:  http://www.annmnoser.com

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/AnnMNoser

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AnnMNoser

Goodreads page:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8124757.Ann_M_Noser

*****


 WEP-Flash Fiction Challenge 

 Halloween Tales for your reading pleasure!
Today we're announcing the winners!
Congratulations!

Youthful Frights vs Adult Fears

DEAD GIRL RUNNING

COVER REVEAL

Dead Girl Running 

is a Young Adult/New Adult Crossover Dystopian, and a cross between 

The Giver, The Handmaiden's Tale, and Agenda 21.

In case you can't read the small print, 

here's the Back Cover Blurb:

Eight years ago, SILVIA WOOD's father died in an industrial accident. After suffering through years of Psychotherapy Services and Mandated Medications for depression and multiple suicide attempts, she longs to work in Botanical Sciences. When the Occupation Exam determines she must work in Mortuary Sciences instead, she wonders if the New Order assigned her to the morgue to push her over the edge.

To appease her disappointed mother, Silvia enters the Race for Citizen Glory, in an attempt to stand out in the crowd of Equals. After she begins training with "golden boy" LIAM HARMAN, she discovers he also lost his father in the same accident that ruined her childhood. Then Silvia meets and falls for Liam's older cousin, whose paranoid intensity makes her question what really happened to her father. As the race nears, Silvia realizes that she's not only running for glory, she's running for her life.

Scheduled release date: October 26th, 2015

Want to reserve a copy? 

Here's a PRE-PURCHASE LINK

Interested in Meeting the Author?

Just kidding, here she is - Meet Ann M. Noser

My to-do list dictates that I attempt to cram forty-eight hours of living into a day instead of the usual twenty-four.  I’ve chosen a life filled with animals.  I train for marathons with my dog, then go to work as a small animal veterinarian, and finish the day by tripping over my pets as I attempt to convince my two unruly children that YES, it really IS time for bed.  But I can’t wait until the house is quiet to write; I have to steal moments throughout the day.  Ten minutes here, a half hour there, I live within my imagination.

Like all busy American mothers, I multi-task.  I work out plot holes during runs.  Instead of meditating, I type madly during yoga stretches.  I find inspiration in everyday things: an NPR program, a beautiful smile, or a newspaper article on a political theory.

I’d love to have more time to write (and run, read, and sleep), but until I find Hermione Granger’s time turner, I will juggle real life with the half-written stories in my head.  Main characters and plot lines intertwine in my cranium, and I need to let my writing weave the tales on paper so I can find out what happens next.

Where to find Ann:

BLOG

FACEBOOK PAGE

TWITTER

GOODREADS

*****

The Winners of the 

WEP Spectacular Settings Challenge 

have been announced!

Please add your congratulations!

1st place winner - Elephants Child

2nd place - L. G. Keltner

3rd place - Samantha Redstreak Geary

HOW TO DATE DEAD GUYS

Meet Ann Noser, author of How To Date Dead Guys. and her newest novel, soon to be released How to Ditch Dead Guys.

Q. I understand you're a busy mom and have to steal time to write, tell us one of the biggest things you've learned on the creative / publishing / marketing journey. Do you have any advice for the novice?

Advice:

            Be prepared to spend a lot of time and money when starting out--consider yourself forewarned--marketing takes much more time than you expect.

            Although a lot of people recommend writing EVERY day, that doesn't work for me. I write when the spirit moves me (and when the children are otherwise occupied). I don't pretend to know what everyone else needs in their lives, but I suggest following your own heart and not someone else's rules.

            Ask. Ask. Ask. Because new writers probably don't know much starting out, and it's always best to know what's going on.

Q. What is the most exciting thing to have happened to you because of your creativity and if fame and success were yours, how would it change you and your plans?

            Book signings have been wonderful. I've had people (old friends, classmates, and teachers) attend them that I haven't seen in years.

            I hope fame wouldn't change me much. Not sure if I'll find out. :)

Q.      Blogging has changed. I even read a blog that asks the question have authors ruined blogging due to cover reveals, and book tours. What is your opinion of the direction and subject of current blogs and the need for authors to blog about their journey and advertise their books? What do you enjoy, in regards to blogs, whether reading or writing one?

          This raises a good point. A lot of blogs promote books. I enjoy finding out about new books, and just screen past the genres I'm not interested in (I don't care much for erotica or heavy romance, but that's just me). This blog made me realize that lately I've spent more time organizing blogs to promote other people's books than I have just plain blogging or writing about other things that are important to me. It's good to make this realization. Perhaps I need to address this. But this also brings up the point that sometimes it's hard to know just how much time one should spend on writing, and how much on each type:  marketing, blogging, new projects, etc.

If you're curious about where the question on blogging came from - the Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh posted the question on a recent blog. Follow the link if you want to get in on the discussion.  Are Authors Killing Blogging?

Just for fun!

Q. If you could visit any time period, would you go back or forward and why? 

I'd love to meet my parents when they were young.

Q. If you could live and write anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I'd like to visit all the national parks, but I'm not sure I'd want to live there. I like where I live now.

Q. If you were the President with complete power, what would you do with it?

What a horrible question! (haha) I'd do the best I could, and make a lot of enemies, just like every other president has done, I imagine.

Q. If zombies attacked, what would you do, and why?

Probably die, because they are zombies.

Q. Have you ever read the last page of a novel first? Why? Did you read the entire book afterwards?

No! But I know people who do. Gah!

Q. What entices you to buy a book, the cover, the blurb, the writing, or the author?

All of the above.

*****

HOW TO DATE DEAD GUYS

College sophomore Emma Roberts remembers her mother’s sage advice: “don’t sleep around, don’t burp in public, and don’t tell anyone you see ghosts”. But when charming Mike Carlson drowns in the campus river under her watch, Emma’s sheltered life shatters.

Blamed for Mike’s death and haunted by nightmares, Emma turns to witchcraft and a mysterious Book of Shadows to bring him back. Under a Blood Moon, she lights candles, draws a pentacle on the campus bridge, and casts a spell. The invoked river rages up against her, but she escapes its fury. As she stumbles back to the dorm, a stranger drags himself from the water and follows her home. And he isn't the only one.

Instead of raising Mike, Emma assists the others she stole back from the dead—a pre-med student who jumped off the bridge, a desperate victim determined to solve his own murder, and a frat boy Emma can’t stand…at first. More comfortable with the dead than the living, Emma delves deeper into the seductive Book of Shadows. Her powers grow, but witchcraft may not be enough to protect her against the vengeful river and the killers that feed it their victims.

Inspired by the controversial Smiley Face Murders, HOW TO DATE DEAD GUYS will ignite the secret powers hidden deep within each of us.

Meet the Author:

My to-do list dictates that I try to cram 48 hours of living into a day instead of the usual 24.  I’ve chosen a life filled with animals.  I train for marathons with my dog, then go to work as a small animal veterinarian, and finish the day by tripping over my pets as I attempt to convince my two unruly children that YES, it really IS time for bed.  But I can’t wait until the house is quiet to write; I have to steal moments throughout the day.  Ten minutes here, a half hour there, I live within my imagination.

Like all busy American mothers, I multi-task.  I work out plot holes during runs.  Instead of meditating, I type madly during yoga stretches.  I find inspiration in everyday things:  a beautiful smile, a heartbreaking song, or a newspaper article on a political theory.  For example, a long drive in the dark listening to an NPR program on the SMILEY FACE MURDERS theory made me ask so many questions that I wrote HOW TO DATE DEAD GUYS to answer them to my satisfaction.

I’d love to have more time to write (and run, read, and sleep), but until I find Hermione Granger’s time turner, I will juggle real life with the half-written stories in my head.  Main characters and plot lines intertwine in my cranium, and I need to let my writing weave the tales on paper so I can find out what happens next.

LINKS 

AMAZON

BARNES AND NOBLE

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Last but not Least:

Tell us about your upcoming release HOW TO DITCH DEAD GUYS.

I just signed the contract, and sent it off to the editor, so I have no dates to share.

Description:

How to DITCH Dead Guys, a 73,000 word count New Adult, Urban Fantasy (Book Two in the Under the Blood Moon series). This book is a bit darker than the first. Many of the characters remain the same, and the storyline arc follows nicely after the setup of book one.

Blurb:

After everyone EMMA ROBERTS raises from the dead sinks back into the river, she longs for a purpose. A schedule. Something to accomplish.

Then OFFICER WALKER leaves a message on her voice mail:  "There's been another murder, and I need your help."

With a bag of witchcraft supplies slung over her shoulder, Emma performs a séance for Walker at the site of the murder. But nothing happens until Emma gets back home.

Black smoke swirls inside the bathroom. An invisible force slams her head onto the tiled floor. A golden snake slithers across her legs, then impales her wrist with its icy teeth.

As the smoke clears and the images fade, the truth becomes clear.

This time around, Emma won't just watch what happened. She'll live it.

As Emma helps Officer Walker solve murder cases, she relives the horror of each victim's last moments of life. From the edge of the river to the underground lair of the gang who murdered Steve, she endures it all.

As Emma weakens, both the victims and the murderers who killed them fight for control of her body and mind.

She's possessed, and the voices inside her head won't let her ask for help.

Even the Book of Shadows can't save her now…

*Just curious, would you consider dating a dead guy - especially if you knew how to ditch him if it didn't work out?