#WIPSnips #science Having eavesdropped on their alien babbling, We’ve known to reach the stars was man’s desire, But long dismissed their science as feeble dabbling (Compared to ours, akin to taming fire).

#WIPSnips #subtle Subtle cues and instinct were enough to tell Joan that Patrick was attracted and aroused, but when the biosensors in her fingertips, eyes, ears, and nose reached the same conclusion, she felt a kind of thrill. A girl still likes to be told. -Skin Trade

@wipsnips.bsky.social #WIPSnips #corner I instinctively jumped back into a corner of the cage and hissed. The tiny creature leered at me, baring its pointy teeth in a nasty smile, and raised its barbed tail in menacing salute.

#Vss365 #mystified “I don’t underthtand it,” Prick remarked, apparently mystified. “The Mathter was uthing it jutht the other day.” “Perhaps we should move it to where there’s more light,” I suggested, hoping to steer him away from an accidental discovery of the truth.

#Vss365 #bouncy ("bounce"). "Blurpity nup skupple. Plop!" Skumpkipps would respond happily then slither and bounce into the sink, squeeze gloopily down the drain, and exit with a loud POP that sent yellow ochre spurting, geyser-like, into the air, marking the ceiling with a syrupy stain.

@vss365hq.bsky.social #Vss365 #enchanted By tattooing such enchanted runes as strength, toughness and coordination onto them, he corrected the unhappy monster’s crippling inconsistencies.

#WIPSnips #sweetheart “Mommmy!” The child’s tone was a heart-wrenching fusion of desperate terror and agony. “We’re coming, sweetheart!” “Mommy, please!”

@vss365hq.bsky.social #Vss365 #kiss She touched the blackened finger where her ring had been and put it to her lips. Like so many things, her beloved’s last kiss was a memory buried under dust, soot, and blood.

#WIPSnips #serious “Where were you?” “Hospital. I’d had an accident. “ “Oh no? Not too serious, I hope.” “Fairly serious, actually. I was mugged. Thieves stole my cyborg arm.”

#Vss365 #prompt for Feb 6, #wound (definition 1 of 2) “Forgive me, Lee,” said Hahn, frowning. “Your wound is getting worse. We need to get that bullet out and then those bandages urgently need to be replaced—although it may be too late to save the arm.”

#Vss365 #ghost The android pirate ghost ship paid no heed (as others must), When zooming through the nebula, despite the rocks and dust, Because they knew their spectral forms could pass untouched through matter, And so they laughed at mortals and maintained a reckless thrust.

#WIPSnips #position ...From this position, he could simultaneously target both the controls below and the robot-limb manipulators above, in a single poisonous sweep.

#Vss365 #soul I still owned everything a soul needs to suffer. Nerves. Hunger. Thirst. Fear. I wanted to swallow, but my mouth felt dry. “What’s next?” I rasped.

#Vss365 #shadow #WIP ... Nothing visible emerged. But then Glenn studied the strange way light glimmered on the parking lot, until he made out the invisible figure’s pale, rainbow shadow. Surrounding it were pulsing concentric ripples of interdimensional distortion.

My humorous poem, "Where Angels Dance," is available in the current (December 2025 ) issue of Lighten Up Online. www.lightenup-online.co.uk For fans of rhyming wit, I recommend enjoying all the poems, but here's a direct link to mine: www.lightenup-online.co.uk/index.php/is...

Reposting with Alt-text:

When Starry Eyed Press opened a call for a second anthology of science-fiction drabbles, I put every other project aside until I had crafted ten 100-word tales of wonder, horror, and weirdness. It's an excellent book. www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXBT9KZP I can hardly wait for your reviews!

Purchase link for Watership Sideways: books2read.com/AA-Shawn-M-Klimek

"Watership Sideways" is a comic-horror story about a grown-up, contemporary Alice, who fondly remembers her childhood adventures in Wonderland. When a blind date goes horrifically south, new adventures begin, and old friends reappear. More details here: blackharepress.com/products/wat...

I was notified this week that my 200-word horror story, "The Curse of Loneliness" had been chosen for inclusion in "ALONE", the latest anthology by indie horror publisher, Black Hare Press (blackharepress.com). I'll follow up with publication details once they become available.

This headline is roughly 1% overstated.

@louiseblackwick.bsky.social I read your last newsletter and I'm waiting for the debut on YouTube with podcasts and videos and the continuation of the "Vivian Amberville with The Book of Chaos" saga.I wish you full success ! louiseblackwick.bio.link

These four, detailed ink illustrations by surrealist Norbert Somosi illustrate "The Art of Hunger", the penultimate poem in my book, "Hungry Thing".

I've started & tossed many essays in recent weeks. Always something worthy of concern; almost never finding the right words to talk about it. So I'm thinking: maybe look forward. Here's trying to do that as best as I can. suyidavies.com/essays/welco...

Available today, from Black Hare Press. Order here: books2read.com/BHP-THORNS @blackharepress.bsky.social .

Coming soon, from Black Hare Press: books2read.com/BHP-THORNS Featuring thirteen, tumbleweed-inspired horror short stories, including "Dust to Dust", by yours truly. Since mine didn't win a prize, I can confidently guarantee at least three better stories. And that's saying something. 😜

In 2017, having sold my first two, speculative fiction poems. I was inspired to write another, and the result was "Hungry Thing," a poem heavy on mood and mystery, plus a hint of dark humor. Two weeks later, I wrote another with a similar vibe, "Remembering Gladys", so cemented 1/7

Black Hare Press ( @blackharepress.bsky.social ) will soon publish a 3rd in it's "Flash Flights" series of prompt-inspired, horror micro-fiction. This one, titled "CABIN", is obviously about the horror variety of forest dwelling. Here's the purchase link: books2read.com/BHP-CABIN

Black Hare Press (@blackharepress.bsky.social) will soon publish the third anthology of prompt-inspired, horror micro-fiction in it's "FLASH FRIGHTS" series. This one, titled, "CABIN", is full of scary stories, including one of mine plus a poem. Pre-order here: books2read.com/BHP-CABIN

42 stories, each having exactly 42 words and a 42-character title, in 42 genres, for a total of 1,764 (42x42!) Why, because it's the answer to life, the universe and everything! Available now, at a pre-holiday discount. (E-book planned). www.amazon.com/42-Stories-A...

I wrote a little piece for Writers&Artists on what writing for TV has taught me about short stories 📺✍️ www.writersandartists.co.uk/advice/what-...

My new post-election poem @poetsrtn.bsky.social www.poetsreadingthenews.com/2024/11/may-...

Disgusted by Bond-villain wannabe Elon's gleeful embrace of the dark (MAGA) side, with no waiting period or fanfare apart from a short-lived farewell post, I finally quit "X", abandoning the 5k followers* I've had since 2019. React with gifs please.

For a second time, Black Hare Press solicited flash fiction horror stories (<201 words) based on an image prompt shared with veteran authors and compiled the results into an anthology. Here's the link to "HEX", another hair-raising collection of micro horror: books2read.com/BHP-HEX

Two WaPo headlines. I don’t know how to write about politics but I’ll say this.: I’m an American and I’ve lived in Venezuela. I don’t think my countrymen really have a handle on just how incredibly easy it is to get from one headline to the other.

AYO, is an ordinary Kenyan man who discovers he can teleport. Besides mastering the related physics challenges to avoid dying, he must deal with criminals, politicians and family. Tom Jolly is the skilled and witty author of several fun and thought-provoking books. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...

Reap is a unique anthology born from a captivating prompt: a zombie farmer cultivating a crop of human brains. This collection of thirty-two stories delves into the bizarre world of undead agriculture, blending horror, dark humour, and speculative fiction. books2read.com/BHP-REAP

Here are 2 recent anthologies featuring my stories. LOCKDOWN SCI-FI #7 includes "On the Tip", a bit of space-explorer comedy; and "The Last Loophole," a time-travel romance. books2read.com/lockdown-sci... NIGHTMARE WITH A TWIST includes "Birthday Desserts", a revenge horror. bit.ly/Nightmarewit...

Given the news about a rash of FAKE photo ops between the oathbreaking insurrectionist ex-chief and AI-generated black supporters, I thought an unmistakably fake parody was due, but Bing Image Creator blocked my Tom-foolery, alleging a content policy violation. Hopefully, some artist will step up.

My humorous poem, “On Her Deathbed, Aunty Rose”, is now available at Spillwords. spillwords.com/on-her-death...

Lady of the #Tudor Court, servant of Queens, courtier, wife, spy... And constant heart This is the story of Jane Boleyn, Lady Rochford Mistress Constancy, Book One £1.99 or #Free #KindleUnlimited! 📚💙📚💙📚💙📚💙📚💙📚 t.co/qixmAOO2D6

One experience peculiar to Bluesky Social is that my feed drops me into the middle of conversations, rather than showing me their beginnings. Is this a bug or a feature? Or can anyone tell me how to fix this in my settings?

KindleMonthly Deal! 99p! Duchess, Countess, mother, politician, and twice a Queen... this is the story of the young Eleanor of Aquitaine Daughter of the Sun Just 99p or Free KindleUnlimited! 💙📚💙📚💙📚💙📚 amzn.eu/d/h5iTxwb

This week, my dark fantasy story told in verse (five distinct poems) has received its 19th five-star Amazon rating and 16th review. As always, massive credit goes to the splendid illustrator, Norbert Somosi.

KindleDeal! 99p! Duchess, Countess, mother, politician, and twice a Queen... this is the story of the young Eleanor of Aquitaine Daughter of the Sun Just 99p or Free KindleUnlimited! 💙📚💙📚💙📚💙📚💙 amzn.eu/d/1mxnW6e

Daughter of the Sun was chosen for a Kindle monthly deal, so you can pick it up right now for just 99p! Duchess, Countess, mother, politician, and twice a Queen... this is the story of the young Eleanor of Aquitaine Daughter of the Sun Also Free KindleUnlimited! 📚💙📚💙📚💙📚💙📚 amzn.eu/d/5Y9ZTlE

Days like today, When the sky swoops low Like a bird of prey at something running too slow... I feel trapped between the stars and sea; Claustrophobic In infinity...

Frabjous Day! “13 Lives of Alice” Hardcover is currently $13.49 on Amazon.com. www.amazon.com/13-Lives-Ali... That’s half price. Get it NOW before this book *permanently vanishes* on December 31st!

Now available: Poetica #15, a poetry anthology featuring my poem, "With Only Rocks for Tools". www.clarendonhousebooks.com/anthologies #poems #poetrycommunity #poetry #poetrylovers

I received notice this morning that my poem, "Only Rocks for Tools" was accepted for the forthcoming poetry anthology, "Poetica #15", by Clarendon House Publishing. I'll share more details once they become available.