Showing posts with label author. Show all posts
Showing posts with label author. Show all posts
Monday, November 26, 2018
Link to Interview on X Zone Radio Show
My interview with the X Zone Radio Show was posted so you can hear it. https://www.spreaker.com/user/xzoneradiotv/xzrs20181113ep1empamelakkinney
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Author Appearance at Fandom Fest in Newport News, Virginia August 25, 2018
I'll be at this event happening this Saturday at the Grissom Library branch of the Newport News Public Library, 366 Deshazor Drive, Newport News, Virginia. The event is free, and I will have copies of my books for sale and to sign. (If you have any copies of any of my books-do bring by and I will sign them for you, too.) And selling Paranormal World Seekers DVDs. I will be doing panels too.
Fandom Fest's Schedule of Events*
10–11:45 a.m. & 1–5 p.m.: Screenings
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.: Photo Booth
10 a.m.–5 p.m.: Random Fandom Crafts
10 a.m.–5 p.m.: PS4 VR gaming
11 a.m.–12 p.m.: Panel: What Makes Strong Female Characters in Fandoms?
12–1 p.m.: Theme Song Trivia
1–2 p.m.: Escape the Room
2–3 p.m.: Superhero Storytime
3–4 p.m.: Panel: Modernizing Classic Fandoms
4–5 p.m.: Panel: How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.: Photo Booth
10 a.m.–5 p.m.: Random Fandom Crafts
10 a.m.–5 p.m.: PS4 VR gaming
11 a.m.–12 p.m.: Panel: What Makes Strong Female Characters in Fandoms?
12–1 p.m.: Theme Song Trivia
1–2 p.m.: Escape the Room
2–3 p.m.: Superhero Storytime
3–4 p.m.: Panel: Modernizing Classic Fandoms
4–5 p.m.: Panel: How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse
* schedule may be subject to change
Labels:
author,
books,
cosplay,
costuming,
fandom,
Fandom Fest,
Grissom Library,
library,
library convention,
movies,
Newport News,
Newport News Public Library,
panels,
superhero,
theme songs,
virginia,
zombie apocalypse
Wednesday, May 09, 2018
Sign Up for My Newsletter
Sign up for my newsletter. First issue will come out in June. https://mailchi.mp/bf8c4207b43d/sign-up-for-fantastic-dreams-of-author-pamela-k-kinneys-newsletter
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Author Appearance at Chesterfield Comic Con This Saturday, March 17th
I will be at Chesterfield Comic Con this Saturday, March 17th (St. Patrick's Day) from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. It will be held at the Meadowdale Library branch of the Chesterfield County Library, 4301 Meadowdale Blvd, Richmond, VA 23234. It is open to the public and free. You can call the library at 804-318-8778 for directions.
Monday, February 19, 2018
Author Interviews for Women of Horror Month 2018 February 24th and 25th
I will be interviewed at https://storyteller-skgregory.weebly.com/blog this Saturday, February 24, 2108 for Women of Horror Month (each day, from February 2nd to the last day, there will be a difference woman horror author interviewed, so, do check them all out).
On the last Sunday of this month, February 25th, I'm the Women of Horror for that day at The Hazel Hedge Facebook page The Hazel Hedge . So, if you're on Facebook, check out my slot that day. And be sure to check it out everyday, as a different female author will be on it, all for Women of Horror Month.
On the last Sunday of this month, February 25th, I'm the Women of Horror for that day at The Hazel Hedge Facebook page The Hazel Hedge . So, if you're on Facebook, check out my slot that day. And be sure to check it out everyday, as a different female author will be on it, all for Women of Horror Month.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
ON Speculative Fiction Cantina This Friday, February 16, 2018!
I will be reading from my urban fantasy novel, How the Vortex Changed My Life this Friday, February 16, 2018 at the blogradio show, Speculative Fiction Cantina. I'm sharing the hour with another author, Judith Howell.
You can listen at Speculative Fiction Cantina The times are 6:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00-6:00 p.m. Central, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Mountain, and 3:00-4:00 p.m. Pacific. And you can call in to speak with the host at (347) 945-7246 with any questions that evening.
You can listen at Speculative Fiction Cantina The times are 6:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern, 5:00-6:00 p.m. Central, 4:00-5:00 p.m. Mountain, and 3:00-4:00 p.m. Pacific. And you can call in to speak with the host at (347) 945-7246 with any questions that evening.
Sunday, February 04, 2018
Author Reading Feb. 16th on Speculative Fiction Cantina Blogradio
I will be reading from my urban fantasy novel, How the Vortex Changed My Life (#8 runner up of the Top 10 in the Science Fiction/Fantasy poll of P&E Readers Poll 2017) during one of the half hours of the blogradio show, Speculative Fiction Cantina on February 16, 2018. The time of the show is 6:00-7:00 P.M. EST, with other time zones being at Central: 5:00 P.M., Mountain: 4:00 P.M., and Pacific: 3:00 P.M. Author Judith Howell is the other author reading from her novel during that hour also. The link is here.
Labels:
angels,
author,
demons,
fiction,
horror,
How the Vortex Changed My Life,
Judith Howell,
Pamela K Kinney,
reading,
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urban fantasy,
werewolves
Friday, May 26, 2017
Catch Me at the Science Fiction Yard Sale May 27, 2017 in Virginia Beach, Virginia
I'll be at the Starfleet Atlantic Science Fiction Yard Sale tomorrow, May 27, 2017, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, selling and signing my books and some of the Paranormal World Seekers DVDs. These will be at their regular prices.
I will also have some used books, a giant-sized adult coloring book never colored inside, plus some other things at yard sale prices. I will even have an Alien: Covenant poster for sale.
The address, plus phone number for directions and more is below. There will be other vendors there too, including other authors. All selling things to do with science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Rain date is June 3rd and it that happens, I won't be there due to other commitments, but the last news I had, the storm isn't hitting until after the yard sale.
I will also have some used books, a giant-sized adult coloring book never colored inside, plus some other things at yard sale prices. I will even have an Alien: Covenant poster for sale.
The address, plus phone number for directions and more is below. There will be other vendors there too, including other authors. All selling things to do with science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Rain date is June 3rd and it that happens, I won't be there due to other commitments, but the last news I had, the storm isn't hitting until after the yard sale.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
Author Appearance at Galacticon and Science Fiction Yard Sale, Both on Virginia Beach, Virginia
Find me at both Galacticon May 20th, and at the Starfleet Atlantic Science Fiction Yard Sale May 27th (raindate June3rd-if happens, I won't be at this on this date). Both are free and open to the public.
Galacticon (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.): Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452. Library's Phone: 757-385-0150. Location map: http://www.communitywalk.com/vblibraries#000423cC
Science Fiction Yard Sale (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.): 4844 Linshaw Lane (Haygood/Aragona Village Area), Virginia Beach, Virginia 23445. (Phone for information and directions, plus if want to sel there-it's $5.00 for a spot): 757-499-2359. Info on flyers below.
Galacticon (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.): Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452. Library's Phone: 757-385-0150. Location map: http://www.communitywalk.com/vblibraries#000423cC
Science Fiction Yard Sale (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.): 4844 Linshaw Lane (Haygood/Aragona Village Area), Virginia Beach, Virginia 23445. (Phone for information and directions, plus if want to sel there-it's $5.00 for a spot): 757-499-2359. Info on flyers below.
Friday, December 23, 2016
I'm Being Interviewed, Plus Doing Reading Tonight on Speculative Fiction Cantina
I will be interviewed on the Speculative Fiction Cantina
tonight, December 23rd at 6:00 PM Eastern Time. For times in other areas: Central: 5:00 P.M. Mountain: 4:00 P.M. and Pacific: 3:00 P.M.
I will be doing a 5–8 minute live reading from Spectre Nightmares and Visitations, out of Spectre Nightmares and Visitations.
Author Randy Anderson will be interviewed too and do a reading.
The link for the show is:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/writestream/2016/12/23/the-speculative-fiction-cantina-with-pamela-k-kinney-and-randy-anderson
"The Speculative Fiction Cantina is an internet radio program on the Writestream Radio Network that airs every Friday at 6:00 P.M. Eastern. It lasts approximately an hour, and the format they use has two writers
on to interview. Also, the writers are asked to do a 5-8 minute live reading out of one of their works. They look for speculative fiction writers (science fiction, fantasy (and all its subgenres), horror, alt history, steampunk, cyberpunk, dieselpunk, etc.)".
Come relax from the stress of the holidays and enjoy the readings and interviews.
Tuesday, December 06, 2016
My Bringing Horror out of Darkness Talk at North Chesterfield Road Library Tonight
I will be talking tonight about writing horror at Chesterfield County Public Library's North Chesterfield Road branch, in their meeting room. That will be from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The address is 325 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23236. It's free, but you need to preregister at http://chesterfield.evanced.info/signup/eventdetails?eventid=7675&lib=1008&return= or call the librry branch about it at (804) 318-8499. I won't be selling my books, but you can bring any copies you have and I will sign, plus I am giving away two horror fiction books of mine to be signed.
Pamela K. Kinney, author of horror novels and true-life ghost books, will discuss the pleasures of writing horror; the legacy of classic writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley; and how modern writers like Stephen King and Virginia author Elizabeth Massie show there's more to monsters than just scaring people.
Pamela K. Kinney, author of horror novels and true-life ghost books, will discuss the pleasures of writing horror; the legacy of classic writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker and Mary Shelley; and how modern writers like Stephen King and Virginia author Elizabeth Massie show there's more to monsters than just scaring people.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
My Appearance at Author Night at Red Vein Haunted House Tonight
I'll be selling and signing my books and Paranormal World Seekers DVDs 7-10 p.m. tonight at Author Night at Red Vein Haunted House at the Hanover Vegetable Farm 13580 Ashland Road, Ashland, Virginia 23005.
For directions, price for the haunt if you want to do that, or anything else: http://redveinhaunt.com/
For directions, price for the haunt if you want to do that, or anything else: http://redveinhaunt.com/
Friday, July 29, 2016
Supernatural Friday: How to Get Down and Scared
Here we are and it’s the last Friday
of July and been a heat wave where I live in the triple digits for this past
week, and I just finished a scary read and thinking of another to read.
Why do we read stories and novels to
scare us silly; to give us nightmares at night? It’s not October or close to Halloween.
No excuse to read anything spooky. And
yet, many of us will choose a book that we know on the pages are monsters or
serial killers. Any excuse to be scared to death.
Fear is an emotional response to a perceived
threat. It's a basic reaction to a stimulus, such as pain or dangerous threat.
Fear is separate from anxiety, which occurs without external threat. It means
to terrify, or to frighten.
Physical reactions from fear are:
Rapid heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Tightening of muscles
Sharpened or redirected senses
Dilation of the pupils
Increased sweating
So why would a person get a scary
book when these symptoms of fear take over them? For the imagination is the
greatest bringer of fear--you read a few pages and suddenly, you thought you
saw a shadow in the corner move or heard a sound.
But being frightened is good for
you. Just as laughter is. Fear is that rush that brings out the prey in all of
us, from our caveman days.
So go ahead. Pick up that book and
buy it, or check it out. Read it. You know that shadow in the corner of the
room didn't more and the sound was the house settling. Nothing more.
Or is it?
Friday, June 17, 2016
Catch Me at Paracon at the Exchange in Gordonsvile, Virginia Tomorrow
I will be a vendor at Paracon at the Exchange Hotel Museum tomorrow, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The address is 400 S. Main Street, Gordonsville, Virginia 22942. The all-day event cost $10.00. I will be sharing my canopy with fellow author and Paranormal World Seekers paranormal investigator, Carol Smith. We will be selling and signing our books, along with Paranormal World Seekers DVDs. For who will be there speaking and anything else: http://nightattheexchangehotel.com/paracon-2016
Supernatural Friday Interview of a Horror Writers Association Chapter President
Today
for Supernatural Friday, I interviewed the president of my Horror Writers Association
chapter. Enjoy learning about Dee South.
What
was the first time you decided you wanted to be a horror writer?
In
middle school. I was the kid who loved
Hammer movies, Twilight Zone and Night Gallery. I loved reading stories and had already had
a letter to the President published in a local book for students. I think it was called, Young Writers of Detroit.
What
scares you?
Flying
in an airplane. Yuck. Other than that, the thought of being eaten
alive by an animal freaks me out. The
animal doesn’t matter: ants, piranhas,
sharks.
3 Are
you working on anything now and can you tell us what?
Yes. I’m working on my debut novel about a rogue
priest who’s a member of a special Vatican sponsored exorcism team. They travel the country investigating evil.
What was the first horror novel or short story you read that
turned you to the genre?
My first horror novel that I remember is Phantoms by Dean Koontz. But there were short stories that stood out
in my childhood like Rawhead Rex (if
I remember correctly) by Clive Barker.
Name
5 good horror/thriller books that you feel others should read.
Most
are from my childhood. Jaws by Benchley, Battlefield Earth by Hubbard (more scifi than horror), It by King, Any 47th Precinct book by McBain and Infernal Angel by Lee (extreme horror). My current favorite is the Dresden Files by Butcher, but that falls into contemporary
fantasy.
Is
there anything else you like to write?
Mysteries,
Science Fiction and Fantasy. I really
love cross-genre books and movies. Give
me a good mystery inside of a science fiction story and I’m in love. Give me a horror story in a fantasy, same
result.
Tell us why you joined Horror Writers Association? And why
did you take on leading the
Virginia chapter of the organization?
I
joined horror writers because I needed to find folks with my twisted mindset. I got tired of attending critique groups
where people flinch and grimace when it was time to critique my story. Most critiques started with the phrase, “I
don’t generally read this type of story…” I
took the lead on the Virginia Chapter in order to meet other horror writers in
my state. Once I found out about the
chapter program and realized that we didn’t have a chapter, my goal became to
find ‘my people’ and bring us together.
What
benefits do you feel the organization gives to writers?
So,
so much. I’ve only been a member of the
HWA for 2 years and already I’ve met so many horror writers. In addition, I’ve met writers on the national
level such as John Palisano, Brian Keene and Edward Lee. The HWA has a wonderful mentorship program
led by Michael Knost. I’ve had the
benefit of having John Palisano, the author or Ghost Heart and Dust of the
Dead, mentor me for an entire year. Our
chapter have vended local conventions like RavenCon, MarsCon, and Scares That
Care. Events like Monster Fest. Also, members can avail themselves
of the HWA website and find various markets, editors and publishers.
Tell
us your hobbies.
My
hobbies: Reading, writing, and I’ve just
picked up knitting. I love to play volleyball and softball, but my body is starting to rebel at those activities.
10. Are you a big Halloween fan? What is a favorite Halloween
memory?
I’m a
huge Halloween fan. My biggest memory is
that when I was younger, we had a family challenge to make our own Halloween
costume with items in the house. I chose
to be a tree. I cut up some paper and
drew green veins and safety pinned the leaves to my clothes. I was raised in Detroit, so Halloween could
get pretty frigid for us some years.
What
are five of the scariest horror movies you seen?
My
five scariest horror movies: Exorcist,
Amityville Horror, Aliens 1 & 2, Jaws and The Exorcism of Emily Rose. In fact, I won’t watch any of the demonic
movies by myself. I even hate hearing
the creepy theme song of the Exorcist and Amityville.
1 Tell us the links for your website and any
social media you do?
Social media. FaceBook. My own blog is called “Journey of An Aspiring Writer”. I
also run the Virginia Chapter Blog “HWA Virginia Chapter”. I guess I should update those soon. J
1 Give the writers and horror writers out there
the one piece of advice you
can. It can be in two parts, one for writers/writers to be, and the second one for
readers of the genre.
One piece of advice I’d give horror
writers out there is to join the Horror Writers Association. The wealth of
knowledge is astonishing. For readers,
I’d highly recommend providing feedback to your favorite author by submitting your review via Goodreads or Amazon.
1 Where can anyone find you next—what book festival
or convention?
The
HWA Virginia Chapter will vend the Scares That Care Horror Convention in Williamsburg, Virginia, from July
22-24, 2016.
One
of my favorite pictures: Me and the
legend of extreme horror, Edward Lee.
Friday, May 27, 2016
Author Appearance at Science Fiction Yard Sale in Virginia Beach, Virginia May 28th (Saturday)
Catch me at the Science Fiction Yard Sale at 4844 Linshaw Lane Virginia Breach, Virginia tomorrow, from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. I will have copies of my books, plus Paranormal World Seekers DVDs. I will also have some yard sale stuff for sale too. Cal the phone number on the flyer for more information. It is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Pamela K. Kinneys Ravencon (April 29th-May 1st) Schedule
My panels, book signing, and reading schedule for Ravencon (Doubletree by Hilton Hotel 50 Kingsmill Road, Williamsburg, Virginia,)
:
Friday:
5 pm (Panel) Southern Gothic Fiction / Room F
7 pm (Opening Ceremony) Large Auditorium
8 pm (Panel) 50 Years of Star Trek / Room E
5 pm (Panel) Southern Gothic Fiction / Room F
7 pm (Opening Ceremony) Large Auditorium
8 pm (Panel) 50 Years of Star Trek / Room E
Saturday:
10 am (Panel) Kid Scary vs. Adult Scary / Room F
Noon (until 1:50 p.m.) 10 :00 a.m. Book Signing / Dealer's Room
2 pm (Panel) Going Where No Man Has Gone Before / Room G
11 pm (Panel) Ghost Stories / Room 8
10 am (Panel) Kid Scary vs. Adult Scary / Room F
Noon (until 1:50 p.m.) 10 :00 a.m. Book Signing / Dealer's Room
2 pm (Panel) Going Where No Man Has Gone Before / Room G
11 pm (Panel) Ghost Stories / Room 8
Sunday:
10:00 a.m. Reading / Room J
10:00 a.m. Reading / Room J
For panel and workshop descriptions, plus rest of the programming at the convention: http://www.ravencon.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2016PanelDescriptions.pdf

Friday, April 08, 2016
Supernatural Friday: Gothic Done Southern Style: Guest Blogger D. Alexander Ward
Today, I have as guest blogger D. Alexander Ward, whose latest book is Beneath Ash and Bone. He is
blogging about Gothic done Southern style for Supernatural Friday. Welcome him and enjoy his
post.
When
someone uses the term “Gothic,” we all know what they’re talking about, right?
It
conjures up a great many things that we have seen, watched, or read. Everything
from the arches and gargoyles perched on the ledges of the Cathedral of Notre
Dame in Paris to the barren and windswept moors of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights and the ubiquitous,
Mary Shelley-esque manor house or castle, with candlelit windows, set against a
sky cracked by lightning.
Born
out of the Romanticism, these notions and images that represent the Gothic are
very true to their European origins.
But
like any American Southerner will tell you, “We don’t care how y’all do it
_________.”
Now,
usually we fill in that blank with the words “up North” but in this case I’m
going to say “across the pond.”
The
Gothic, as reimagined by Southern writers, has a long and complex history that
I won’t attempt to address here. I don’t want to get into the whys and the
wherefores of it, but let’s see if we can at least identify it and some of the
places it has shown up. And, finally, I’ll share a little bit about how I
infused my latest novel, Beneath Ash and
Bone with it.
It’s
impossible to address the Southern Gothic without talking about Flannery
O’Connor. Her fiction—and some of the best Southern Gothic fiction, if you ask
me—also often includes some of the finest examples of transgressive fiction,
where we are concerned not with the “betters” of society and their lives but
with the people that exist on the edges of polite society and who feel
encumbered or restrained by its tenets. Early Cormac McCarthy novels, such as Outer Dark and Child of God are fine and classical examples of the Southern
Gothic.
Quite
simply, where the Gothic tradition as exported from Europe tended to shine a
light on the lives and troubles of upper or upper-middle-class folks, the
Southern Gothic often veers off to the side and focuses, instead, on those the
European tradition would have only cast as bit characters. The help, the
indigent, the poor, the damaged. The grotesque.
Flannery
O’Conor once famously said (and it’s probably my favorite quote from her):
“Whenever
I’m asked why Southern writers particularly have a penchant for writing about
freaks, I say it is because we are still able to recognize one.”
So,
yeah. We like the freaks. And we find something important there in the lives of
those regular folks who walk around every day, not with their affairs in order,
but their lives and their psyches messy and broken. It resonates with us
because, deep down, we feel that we all have known that level of brokenness at
one time or another. Maybe we even know it still.
But
sometimes the freaks don’t take center stage.
Sometimes,
in keeping with the origins, the Southern Gothic does concern itself with the plantation owner and his family or the
politician—the upper-crust folks that were and are in power. Granted, it’s
usually only to bring them down a peg by exposing their misdeeds, their family
drama, or their most savage and basest tendencies. In my view, it’s done as a
means to say to the powerful that they are human, too, and they are not immune
from the scars and the demons that the rest of us poor souls must bear.
This
is what I’ve always loved about the Gothic done Southern style. It’s a great
equalizer. Fiction for the people by the
people, you might even say! Because, quite frankly, stories where the
powerful or the wealthy or the well-heeled are glorified and held aloft as
something to which we should aspire, are dreadfully boring.
If
you’re looking to dip your toes into Southern Gothic fiction for the first
time, I recommend anything by Flannery O’Connor, although my personal favorite
is Wiseblood. Along with that, I
would recommend A Feast of Snakes by
Harry Crews to get a look at just how weird and brutal it can really get.
Pinckney Benedict is another writer, alive and working today, that stands tall
as a purveyor of the Southern Gothic. And, lastly, an unequalled example that
tends more toward the horrific would be the late Tom Piccirilli’s novel, A Choir of Ill Children.
In my
own recent novel, Beneath Ash and Bone,
I blended—as I often seem to—different elements and aesthetics of the Southern
Gothic with the old European Gothic. I wanted a typical Gothic ghost story as
might be written by someone like Susan Hill… but with a bit of Southern flavor.
(Some great contemporary examples of this sort of thing that come to mind are
Rhodi Hawk’s A Twisted Ladder and the
film The Skeleton Key).
So,
setting it in Virginia in 1860, before the unrest of the Civil War, at an
influential local family’s estate, was my way of calling back to those great
works by Edgar Allan Poe, Henry James, Bram Stoker, and the Bronte sisters. But
I didn’t want to get bogged down in the often flowery prose of those earlier
times, so I kept the writing more in my own style, which is contemporary and
(sometimes) poetic, but always with an edge. I also wanted to employ a very
distinctive aspect of Southern Gothic fiction, which is a sense of place. Not only to employ it but to give it more teeth
than is customary. I wanted Evermore and the winter blizzard that had cut it
off from contact with others to permeate every moment and to come across almost
as antagonistic characters themselves.
You’ll
have to be the judge about whether or not I succeeded in my efforts. In the
end, I hope I crafted a riveting and entertaining tale with both the Gothic and
the Southern Gothic as my inspiration.
As I
wrap up here, I’d like to thank the generous Pamela K. Kinney for the
opportunity to take over her blog for a day! Since you’re likely a reader of
her blog, you already know what a fabulous author and a wealth of knowledge Pamela
is on not only the subjects of writing and publishing and conventions but on
paranormal phenomena and legends of local ghost stories and haunted houses (the
kind of place I imagine my fictional Evermore has become in modern times). Keep
doing what you do, Pamela!
D.
Alexander Ward
Beneath
Ash & Bone Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ashandbone/
---------------------------------------------------
Beneath Ash and Bone Blurb:
Selburn,
Virginia: A quiet backwater town nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains. In the
days before the Civil War, Sam Lock keeps the peace as the town sheriff, like
his father before him.
That
peace is shattered during a raging winter storm when a boy goes missing at
Evermore, the sprawling estate of Horace Crownhill and his family. Racing
against time and the elements, Sam must mount a desperate search for the
child—but what he finds in the snow, and the dark halls of Evermore, are
madness ... and murder.
As Sam
searches for truth in a house poisoned by mysteries and haunted by ghosts, he
hopes to weather the storm, but the harrowing secrets he uncovers may prove too
terrible to bear. Will he escape with his sanity intact or will the dark
presence rumored to hold sway over Evermore claim him as another sacrifice?
--------------------------------------------------------
Excerpt
from Beneath Ash and Bone:
Later, when he woke for a moment in the dim light of that fading
candle, he made a vain attempt to crawl out of the dreams that enshrouded him
like a grave. Before that could be accomplished, though, a familiar hand
lighted on his shoulder and the sound of his father’s voice filled the room as
the man stood by his bedside. The moment
was so familiar that Sam knew it must be a dream.
“Wake up and stand fast, boyo,” his father uttered in his thick
brogue. “They’re comin’ around the back way and ye’d better have more than yer
knob in yer hand when they arrive.”
“Da?” Sam groaned, bleary in the near darkness.
It had to be a dream for there was no other reason his father
would be there, uttering those words again; words which echoed as small
tortures in Sam’s mind. Words that were a bitter reminder of how Sam had failed
him one hot summer night long ago and how the old man had paid for it with his
life.
Still, when he sat up in the guest house bed, he saw the old man’s
form lingering at the threshold of the small bedroom and he rose to follow him.
“Somethin’ goin’ on,” his father said, turning the corner, “and
ye’d better see to it.”
As Sam put his first step forward on the achingly cold floor, he
was suddenly aware that this was no dream. Something cold and wet mushed
between his bare toes and he looked down to see what it was.
Snow.
Messy, irregular heaps of the stuff led away from his bed, out the
door and around the corner. In the quiet of the guest house, he heard a
rhythmic, wooden thumping.
He checked his side expecting to find an empty holster but felt
the grip of his pistol there, drew it, and crept through the house to follow
the path that his father had taken. His wits now about him, it wasn’t that he
thought his Da was actually present in the room. It was just that his dream of
the dead man and the moment of his waking had intersected with something very
real.
Someone had left these tracks of snow on the floor and it wasn’t
him.
Sam turned the corner from the bedroom and looked into the
shadowed confines of the sitting room. He saw more lumps of snow staggered
along the floor and the door to the guest house ajar, banging open and shut
with the wind of the storm.
Then something else. The crunch of deep snow and a pressing against
the house.
He froze, waiting, scanning the room.
As his gaze fell upon the wide window that looked out onto the
wood, he saw a pale and deathly face looking in. The face of his father,
returned to taunt his son. He recoiled and brandished his pistol.
“But I have it this time, Da! See?”
Then the face was gone and something in its movement uprooted the
sheriff from his frozen fear. Indeed, it had been a spectral face that he had
glimpsed in the window, but it hadn’t been his father’s. And it had moved away quickly,
not with the slip of a spirit but the clumsy gait of a man.
Sam ran to the door and kicked it open, looking out onto the white
landscape of the grounds. Something wild was tramping through the snow in the
direction of the manor house, pale and gangly looking, its thin white hair
flying behind it.
“Stop there, you,” he hollered out and gave chase, but before he
could get far, the figure had disappeared into the shadows, incorporeal as the
night itself.
The sheriff stood there, his heart pumping. On the far side of the
main house, he saw an orange glow pulsating in the darkness. He barely sniffed
the air before he smelled it; burning.
Something beyond the house was burning.
Author
Bio:
D.Alexander Ward is an author and editor of horror and dark
fiction. As a volunteer and Affiliate member of the Horror Writers Association
he is an involved participant in the independent horror community.
In addition to Beneath Ash
and Bone, he is the author of Blood
Savages: A Blackguards Novel (Book 1), A
Feast of Buzzards, and After the Fire
& Other Tales.
As an editor, he co-edited the Lovecraftian horror anthologies, Shadows Over Main Street, Volumes 1 and
2 from Cutting Block Books and also, GUTTED:
Beautiful Horror Stories from Crystal Lake Publishing.
Along with his family and the haints in the woods, he lives near
the farm where he grew up in what used to be rural Virginia, where his love for
the people, passions and folklore of the South was nurtured. There, he spends
his nights penning tales of the dark, strange and fantastic.
He is
active on social media and you can find out more on his website: www.dalexward.com
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