APRIL ANNIVERSARIES SHIP’S LOG 2, 13 APRIL
Happy April!
Why am I so happy when it’s wetter than a kipper’s knickers out there, and I’m snuffling away with a spring cold? Because this is my birthday month as a horror writer! Yaaay!
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This time last year I was about to click “publish” for the first ever time! It would be inaccurate to say I had butterflies in my stomach – they were nasty, writhing, squirmy moths! My first ever published story, Calyptra Mortiferum, was a body horror about a research facility that discovers a new species of moth, and gets more than they banked on when it turns out to be vampiric and parasitic.
Clicking the button to release them into the world, I was afraid of a lot more than a few creepy crawlies though. Would anyone read my story? Would anyone like it? Was it any good? Was I kidding myself that I could write, after all? Was I letting myself in for a huge disappointment, or worse, humiliation?
Well, I was lucky. People did read it, and they did like it. As I write this, Calyptra is being turned into an audio drama by a hugely talented team who begin casting this month, and I couldn’t be more excited! I will keep you updated on what it’s like to watch the magical transformation of my story to a living, breathing audioplay! I’m nervous again, about the reaction of a whole new audience, but my experience so far has taught me to be more excited than fearful.
It turns out that horror readers, for all their love of creepiness and ick, are also kind and supportive souls. Some of you reading this newsletter right now were among the first to support me and help take away those gnawing fears. Thank you! If you’ve joined me more recently, thank you for keeping the self-doubt at bay.
No, really. Thank you. Hmm. How can I prove I mean it? Let’s see. What about if I were to offer a prize? To celebrate my first year as an author? Let’s say a unique, only-one-in-the-world e-copy of my first story, Calyptra Mortiferum, with a personalized dedication to the winner in the front?
Exclusive Prize Giveaway
ONLY FOR MY NEWSLETTER PEEPS
Who wrote the classic horror short story “The Pit and the Pendulum”?
That was the question you had to know the answer to in this week’s Ship’s Log. Only subscribers can take part in these giveaways, so you may want to sign up now to make sure you don’t miss the next one.
(Pssst! The second edition will be published on Sunday the 16th of April. If you sign up before midnight the 15th, you still have a chance to get in on this one.)
Tiny Terrifying Tale of the Month
Midnight, the mirror reflecting a white, ghostly face. Not hers.
Silly Horror Stories I Want To Write Anyway
Malcolm thought the paw prints were cute when they appeared in his flowerbeds on Easter morning. He wasn’t so sure about the muddy marks that appeared in his hallway. But it was the ones he found in the bathroom that bothered him. They were red, and wet, and smeared as if left in a hurry. That was when he heard the screeching of claws on the frosted glass of the bathroom door…
Coming Soon!
NEW HORROR SHORT: THE WAREHOUSE
Nobody goes down there if they can help it.
The strip lights flicker and the walls are cold and slicked with damp. Stay too long and you’re certain to have an “accident.” One you might not recover from.
So when Adie and his mates decide to slack off down the back of the warehouse one late evening shift, it’s no surprise that bad things start to happen.
What secrets are hidden in the slimy shadows of the warehouse? And will anyone who discovers them survive to tell the tale?
Time for a Tipple
This month’s writing fuel cocktail combines the freshness of spring with the soothing effects of a hot toddy for anyone, like me, nursing at cold due to perpetually soggy dog walks. To make the refreshing cold version, just make the tea ahead and allow to cool, then pour over crushed ice.
Hot Mint Cocktail with Lemon and Honey
- ½ cup of hot mint tea
- A generous spoonful of honey
- 2 fingers of bourbon or whiskey
- 2 squeezes of lemon juice
- A picture window with the rain coming down outside
- A good book
Method
- Kettle on! Pour half a cup of boiling water over a mint teabag (or a handful of fresh mint leaves if you have them) and allow to steep to desired strength. Add a spoonful of honey and stir well.
- Pour the booze into a cocktail glass that can take the heat.
- Pour the honeyed mint tea over the booze.
- Squeeze in the lemon.
- Sit at picture window and sip, glancing up occasionally from book to watch the rain.
Variations
If you’re feeling shi-shi you can replace the honey with lavender syrup, but I’m not organised enough to have any on hand. If you try it, let me know how it comes out!
And if you’re lucky enough to be basking in warm spring sunshine, just allow the tea to cool and pour the whole thing over crushed ice for an altogether more brighter and breezy version of this spring treat.
And Finally…
One prize not enough? April is also the birthday of my website, and I’m celebrating that with a special giveaway too. Head over there for details!
Next week, our Quartermaster, Leto Armitage takes the tiller and casts a wry glance over World Book Day. With his eclectic range of expertise (from Tolkien through turmeric to titillation) it’s bound to be an eye-opener.
EDITOR'S PICK
A few highlights from our websites and social media:
We All Get Bad Reviews
No love, you’re not alone. Every single storyteller, every single creator, gets bad reviews. Granted, some get more than others, but generally speaking, we all get our confidence knocked down a peg or two every now and then. But it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. And just because someone said you suck, it doesn’t necessarily make them right.
Colleen Hoover's Layla
Layla is a novel that, according to the publisher, “explores life after tragedy and the enduring spirit of love.” I guess that’s one way to put it, but before I tell you what I thought about this story, let’s take a quick look at the plot. Here’s the Cliff’s Notes: Deadbeat weirdo (my assessment), Leeds, meets bubbly belle Layla at a gig. It’s instalove…
RECOMMENDED READING
D.G. Barnes
An Afternoon Delight
Can you meet the love of your life in a bar? When gorgeous Sam walks into Jess’s local bar, it seems like fate. Flirty, fun, and teasing, this sapphic tale of true love will have you gasping in surprise like it’s your first time…
Fanny Ingram-Bull
Love Never Dies
They say love never dies, that the dead never really leave us When Maya’s first love is tragically taken, she wants to believe it, but all she can feel is the lack of him. Until love finds her in the least expected way.
Love Never Dies is a bittersweet story of first love beyond the grave.
Linn Rhinehart
This Saccharine Sensation
Gianna has dreamed the hubby, house and rugrats dream for 20 years, but what would normie life look like for someone like her? How do you find a man when the only one you talk to is “Joe” in tech support? Can you fall in love with someone you haven’t met? And if you do… What next?
SWAG PICK OF THE DAY
SUPPORT US?
The Resilience hosts a series of independent blogs and websites, including aswewrite.com and holihell.com. But more importantly, she offers a steadily growing number of writers a home and a treasure trove of shared resources, knowledge and experience. Your support keeps her afloat and helps us make more shit up. Thank you and welcome aboard!
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Linnea Lucifer, Week 1
Captain of the Resilience, amateur liar and bearer of many names. Linnea is a multi-genre author who writes fantasy, romance and sweet’n’spicy spoonie smut under different pen names. An ancient dragon lady who doubles as a writing coach, editor and desktop publisher.
F.K. Marlowe, Week 2
Our Ship’s Belle is also known as The Belledame and Queen of Creepy for a reason. This sweet social media butterfly lures you in you with poetry and pretty pictures, but make no mistake. Belle’s horror stories will make your skin crawl, but only in a good way. Of course…
Leto Armitage, Week 3
The Quartermaster, in his own words, is a simple man of simple pleasures, but don’t forget: Two things can be true! Leto is not only a certified geek and living encyclopedia – he’s also a multi-genre author, storyteller and content creator who writes fantasy, sci-fi, romance and erotica.
M.W. McLeod, Week 4
The Ship’s Sea Witch is our resident master of spreadsheets, cards and dice. Marie is the multi-genre behind the Beyond the Veil series, and the content creator behind the excellent sock puppet theatre featuring the adorkable demon Zengrunath and other characters from her books.
F.K. Marlowe is a Shropshire lass who lived in London and Beijing before settling down with her husband, three daughters and rescue pup in Vancouver. She writes horror stories with a tendency to the paranormal, and Young Adult fiction with fangs and sass.
Marlowe doesn’t worry overly much about the placement of semi-colons and the like, having spent far too long pootling about in academia to take them seriously. (She has an Oxford first in English Lit, plus a Master’s and PhD from Leeds). She has, however, discovered that life is the best education for a writer, and plans to continue her studies there as long as possible.
