Whenever I get a short story rejection (and I've had three this week), it makes me want to setup my own little magazine called 'Rejected', just for those stories writers love but can't find a home for. Don't know how I'd do it, but it's nice to think about...

I sold a copy of my horror book!!! To my boss! So I'm both delighted to end my seven month drought, and concerned what he might think of me after reading it...😁😬

Three short story rejections in 36 hours, is by far a new personal best😂

Definitely not going to have any problems with vampire this year!🧄

There I was, happily reaching the climax of my short horror story, feeling very pleased with myself...only to realise I hadn't written a chunk in the middle, that was needed to ensure the end made sense!

One of the publishers I submitted a story for said yesterday they'd send out the results I woke up today expecting a rejection Nothing My brain: "They're doing the acceptances first." But why wouldn't they do the unpleasantness first? Providing me with hope... Which is not appropriate at all

Recently I've been caught between sticking with my plan to edit my WIP, and writing a short story for a call I think is fab. I've sort of been stuck between doing what I said, and also knowing it's ok to just adjust my plans, and relax a bit. And I the answer is "to hell with it, do what's fun!"

Noooo! Not Giles!!!

I saw the “Space emergency, ISS preparing to evacuate” and I was fully ready to channel my Independence Day spirit!

I will confess, I have abandoned editing two days in because I’ve been attracted by a cool short story submission and an interesting place to submit a novella😬🤦‍♂️✍️

No, you're getting distracted from editing, exploring indie publishers looking for horror novellas and other short story calls....

The next round of edits for Who Is The Horror For? started tonight. Not with writing, but reviewing. Rather than going through my reader feedback, I’ve been revisiting the first book. I’m not sure I’ve done Frank Post justice recently, so I’m getting back in touch with his unique character…

The plan was to restart WIP editing tonight… But I’m tired, and I really want to watch the last two episodes of The Boys. So I’m being kind to myself😀

Tonight’s the last performance of the Mirror Crack’d and here’s me doing my thing (pics courtesy of Ella Tomlin Photography) Going into the show, my aim was to have a break from my WIP, and it’s been quite the journey. I’ve learnt plenty, but I’m also ready to get back to evenings under a laptop✍️

Me: Ugh, I can't believe they've done a crossover where the Dead Boy Detectives join Doom Patrol for an episode! Also me: I really think I need to watch the Dead Boy Detectives...

My Rejection Sense is tingling…

This heatwave is soooo hot, I can’t even string a…string a…🥵

The bank holiday weekend is a wonderful reminder I have the hands of a writer! I can build worlds Not flatpack I can fix plot holes Not sinks I can paint beautiful scenes Not walls 🤦‍♂️

It feels like someone just switched on summer🥵☀️ Please, can we have it on a dimmer instead…

We were talking about Ted Lasso at work, and I was reminded how well written season 1 was. It’s that point towards the end when a character has a decision: Do what’s right for the story Stay true to character As a writer, I still love that the character did what was right for them, not us!

I finished my horror heist short story, and loved it! The brief said about being bold with timing and pace, so I tipped a wink to one of my favourite movies… [And have been holding off rewatching it until after my submission was done, so that sorts my plans for tonight]

Twenty five years ago, Frank Post was convicted of killing a woman. Nobody found the other bodies! Close to his release from prison, Post wakes in a room that is not his cell. Can he and six strangers work out why they must face tortorous trials? And who is the Controller watching their every move?

Some updates as we work our way through the last of the promo quotes: Our next submission call will not be until 2027 (date to be determined) We know what the next book will be, and we are excited about it! Again, we do not accept A.I. produced works That's it for now 💙📚

The only way to finish a very long, tiring week is with the three Bs: Book Bath Beer!

I know I’m slightly shrieking into the void here, but anyone fancy a few free prequel stories? 👇 andrewharrowellwrites.wordpress.com

Do you know what? I might not have sold a book this year. Or had any page reads. Or any real success with short stories. But I’ve realised recently that I’m more comfortable in my own skin than I have ever been

When your short story submission has come out better than you expected, and you’ve edited it tightly… …and you are still 13 words over the flipping word count!!!

My rejection-dar kept pinging, because this week wasn't done with me! Two rejections in 48 hours is sad, but all I can do is keep going...

I seem to have a sixth sense for rejection. All week I’ve had the feeling in the pit of my stomach it was coming. And it happened overnight. The big one. I’m not surprised, and honestly, it was nice to have the hope while it lasted

Anyone fancy joining convicted murderer Frank Post, as he and six strangers take on a series of terrifying trials while their every move is watched by the mysterious Controller? Who will survive? Why is the Controller doing this? And how many times has this happened before?

To hell with the idea of "No Mo May" I'm much more working on the concept of "Just make it through May"

This so nicely sums up my book, Who Watches the Horror? (and the vibe for the sequel)🩸☠️🪦

Didn’t even realise the date when I put this t-shirt on today🤦‍♂️😀⭐️ Happy Star Wars Day

I got my first set of feedback on Who is the Horror for? There’s a couple of chapters that need some work but otherwise my reader really enjoyed it and got quite engrossed in the story!

With this much garlic, there’s no way the vampires are coming anywhere near me🧛🩸

I’ve just finished reading Small Town Chaos and really enjoyed it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Matt brings a great level of police procedure and organisation amidst the chaos swirling round. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to the know Chief Mason and his team. Certainly hope there will be more mayhem in the small town soon

I got another short story written and sent off last night. It sounds impressive but what I mean is I wrote a 100 word story Edited it Wrote a different version of the same story Edited it Wrote another version of the same story Edited it Wrote a completely different story Edited it Submitted it 🤦‍♂️

I was submitting ‘Who Watches the Horror?’ to an indie publisher I like, and realised how rich an MC Frank Post is…and how little justice I’ve done him in the sequel🤦‍♂️ Can’t wait to get my beta reader feedback for that one so I can have another go at him and recapture his uniqueness

A book sale! A book sale! My kingdom for a book sale! If you don’t mind, and it’s not too inconvenient, pretty please…

So that's one short story submission down, four to go (ideally)!

After a lot of planning, procrastinating, plotting and procrastinating, I'm finally sitting down to actually write some short stories...

I’m going to be honest, I’ve been looking at a few short story submission opportunities an none of my ideas are fitting the criteria very well

Me last week: "Ah, it's nice to be working on short story submissions again." Me this week: "Ah it's nice to be getting rejections again." I'm fine, and actually it makes a change to get an email or two😀

It's a good thing I check my documents at work before submitting anywhere. Today I spotted this slightly grim typo: "There was several requests for a football provision for blind/dead individuals" I think we'd be unlikely to to do anything to improve wellbeing for corpses...

Somehow, I am an extra bundle of anxiety, neuroses and ‘all up in my head’ craziness this week🤦‍♂️

Proof my writing fingers are also a little green🌱

It’s been twenty-five years since Frank Post was convicted of one of his many murders. Now he’s woken somewhere that isn’t his cell. With six strangers, he has to face a set of torturous trials. Can Post find the freedom he has craved? And who is the mysterious Controller watching the horror unfold?

I know it’s going to take some time to get my beta reader feedback, so I’ve managed to snag a couple of small roles with a local theatre group, for an Agatha Christie show😬

I managed to wrangle two hard copies of my novel out of the printer and they are zooming off to my faithful beta readers. Here’s a little sneak peek to what they are getting😬

So pleased to have my story “Lost in the Forest” featured in the latest edition of Stygian Lepus magazine. It’s one of my more subtle horror tales, that I’m really quite proud of🌲🌳🪾👻🔫🩸 www.stygianlepus.com/edition-33/