I am thrilled to announce that award-winning Crystal Lake Publishing has signed on Draakensky, A Supernatural Tale of Magick and Romance.
Release is planned for 2024.
In the realm of mystery and darkness looms Draakensky Windmill, cliffside. Magick dictates destiny in this tale of sorcery, ghosts, and romance.
“Draakensky is an immersive novel weaving magic and romance into a tapestry of fantasy, poetry, and horror. This is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, so buckle up, and prepare yourself—but don’t close your eyes, as there is so much to see. I’m a big fan of Paula Cappa’s work.”—Richard Thomas, author of Spontaneous Human Combustion, Bram Stoker Award Finalist.
If you wander a graveyard frequently enough, you are bound to sense a ghost or two. In this flash fiction by Peter S. Drang, we have a cemetery keeper, gravedigger, and self-proclaimed “king” who “updigs” the residents. Elenore Heckerson is one such resident, buried only a foot deep.
While death and sadness may lurk above and below the headstones, this story will call you deep into the grave. As ghost stories go, this casts a chilling spell, one that joins life and death into a quiet little horror.
Author Peter S. Drang writes fiction by night. His work has appeared in Daily Science Fiction, the Flame Tree Press newsletter, and other fine fiction markets. You can find his blog at drangstories.com, including an analysis of his writing process for this story (https://drangstories.com/authors-notes-on-my-lakeside-graveyard/).
Don’t forget to view the INDEX OF AUTHORS’ TALES above for more free reading at Reading Fiction Blog. This is a compendium of over 250 short stories by more than 150 famous and contemporary storytellers of mystery, suspense, supernatural, ghost stories, crime, sci-fi, romance, horror and ‘quiet horror,’ fantasy, and mainstream fiction.
AUTHOR OF THE WEEK, April 10, 2023 National Poetry Month
Rainer Maria Rilke
(Austrian Poet and Novelist)
“Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.” Letters to a Young Poet.
“I want to be with those who know secret things or else alone.”
“If we surrendered to earth’s intelligence, we could rise up rooted, like trees.” Book of Hours: “Love Poems to God.”
“Think… of the world you carry within you.”
“God speaks to each of us as he makes us, then walks with us silently out of the night.” Book of Hours: “Love Poems to God.”
Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 – 1926) is well known for his rich and lyrical poetry that arouses visual imagery. He is still one of the best selling poets in the United States. His first published work was in 1895, a volume of poetry Life and Songs. He wrote several collections of poetry, volumes of correspondence, and one novel—semi-autobiographical The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge. He is most famous for his ten letters published posthumously, Letters to a Young Poet.
IN APRIL
Again the woods are odorous, the lark Lifts on upsoaring wings the heaven gray That hung above the tree-tops, veiled and dark, Where branches bare disclosed the empty day.
After long rainy afternoons an hour Comes with its shafts of golden light and flings Them at the windows in a radiant shower, And rain drops beat the panes like timorous wings.
Then all is still. The stones are crooned to sleep By the soft sound of rain that slowly dies; And cradled in the branches, hidden deep In each bright bud, a slumbering silence lies.
Many of Rilke’s poems are in the public domain. Nature and silence are recurring themes. It was said that he experienced writer’s block for eight years. In his fifty-one years, he wrote over 400 poems.
While spring is here, sunshine leaning towards us every day, one of Rilke’s books stands out as the quintessential book of poems for April’s National Poetry Month: Roses.On Amazon.com.
Roses is translated by David Need and illustrated in pen-and-ink drawings by Clare Johnson, published by Horse & Buggy Press. I discovered this book when researching Rilke for my novel Draakensky, A Supernatural Tale of Magick and Romance (release planned in 2024). Rilke is an off-stage character in this mystery about a young sketch artist who illustrates Rilke’s poetry while she lives on a haunted estate in New York.
The meaning of this epitaph is puzzling. If you have an interpretation, please post in the comments below. Celebrating National Poetry Month is an opportunity to express our love of words, literature, and honor poets and their craft. Please join me in recognizing Rainer Maria Rilke by sharing your thoughts!
Please join me in my reading nook and discover an author once a month on Mondays at Reading Fiction Blog!
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Browse the Index of Authors’ Tales above to find over 250 free short stories by over 150 famous authors. Once a month I feature a FREE short story by contemporary or classic authors. Audios too.
Shirley Jackson writes a charming but mysterious short story with vivid descriptions and a protagonist who will captivate you in a wicked little plot. Miss Strangeworth (catchy name) is a 71-year-old spinster, living alone in a small town, in a house that her grandfather built, and tends her prize rose garden. Sounds dull? Not at all. Miss Strangeworth is obsessed with the evil doings going on in her world of neighbors and decides she must take action. Irony is Jackson’s best skill.
Come spend a half hour with the haughty Miss Strangeworth in a creepy tale in her house on Pleasant Street. Jackson’s writing is well known as “quiet horror” with her exquisite subtleties and gradual horror that sneaks up on you. This story lives up to that sly quality.
The New Yorker reported that Shirley Jackson (1916-1965) “was largely dismissed as a talented purveyor of high-toned horror stories—’Virginia Werewoolf,’ as one critic put it.” Her most famous works The Lottery, The Haunting of Hill House, and We Have Always Lived in the Castle, are still read today by both literary and horror fans. She certainly is the queen of literary Gothic fiction.
Don’t forget to view the INDEX OF AUTHORS’ TALES above for more free reading at Reading Fiction Blog. This is a compendium of over 250 short stories by more than 150 famous storytellers of mystery, suspense, supernatural, ghost stories, crime, sci-fi, romance, ‘quiet horror,’ and mainstream fiction.
Tuesday’s Gothic Short Story, February 14, 2023 Valentine’s Day
In this story, we are in the subterranean world of Lovecraft, written in a 19th-century style that is so very Poe-esque. Alone in a decaying castle, ‘chambers with maddening rows of antique books … twilight groves of grotesque and vine-encumbered trees, full of dark passages and high ceilings where the eye could find only cobwebs and shadows …’ our lonely Outsider chooses to venture out into the real world.
There is no measure of time here and no light in this castle. He is forced to light candles and stare at them for relief. Finally he feels compelled to climb out of the castle and into the endless forest beyond. What do you think he finds beneath a golden arch?
Lovely, dark, and deep, this is an exceptional story to read for Valentine’s Day because it is so sensuous and bohemian. The psychological here is brilliant. Ghostly and baroque desires drive the Outsider into a beguiling romance with his darkness. Bittersweet and delicious as dark chocolate.
Lovecraft is a master at leaving the reader with heavy subtext. And although I don’t read him regularly, The Outsider is likely to become a favorite because it is so bewitching.
Watch the modern film adaptation here (10 minutes). Hmmm, not what I expected:
Howard Phillips Lovecraft (1880-1937), an American writer of weird, science, fantasy, and horror fiction was known to rarely go out in daylight, became best friends with Houdini, and suffered night terrors. He corresponded with fellow writers Robert Bloch (author of Psycho), Henry Kuttner (The Dark World), Robert E Howard (Conan the Barbarian) and the poet Samuel Loveman. It is estimated that he wrote 100,000 letters.
“Mystery attracts mystery.”
“Ocean is more ancient than the mountains, and freighted with the memories and the dreams of Time.”
“I couldn’t live a week without a private library – indeed, I’d part with all my furniture and squat and sleep on the floor before I’d let go of the 1,500 or so books I possess.”
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Don’t forget to view the INDEX OF AUTHORS’ TALES above for more free reading at Reading Fiction Blog. This is a compendium of over 250 short stories by more than 150 famous storytellers of mystery, suspense, supernatural, ghost stories, crime, sci-fi, romance, ‘quiet horror,’ and mainstream fiction.
Follow or sign up to join me in reading one short story by a famous author every month.
The story below was part of a flash fiction contest at Horror Novel Reviews back in 2014. Some of you may know this website by Matt Molgaards. For the new year, I’ve been looking back at some of my work and decided to reprint this tale that was published on Matt’s site.
The ninth hour. Julietta carries her violin up the darkened stone bridge. “I seek Varlok the music falcon, a blind creature of the ninth chorus.”
Julietta plays her sulky étude to the vale of sky, squeaking such discord she fears the black falcon will flee. “Dearest Varlok, I give you my perfect green eyes. Please grant me your immortal sonatas.”
The music falcon flies the Dusha River. He pecks her eyes, releasing glittering harmonies. Julietta breathes in the triumphant notes, grows dizzy, splashing into the river like a coin. Varlok soars the stars, consuming her lustful soul like a tasty fish.
Gold Medal Winner, 2022 Global Book Awards. Chanticleer Book Award Winner, 2015, First Place.
Best Book Award Finalist, 2017, by American Book Fest.
“Greylock is a smart, entertaining supernatural thriller. Think Stephen King meets Raymond Chandler with a score by Tchaikovsky. The author’s passion for both the arts and the natural world shines through on every page. Briskly paced and yet lovingly detailed, this novel was a genuine pleasure to read.” —David Corbett, award-winning author of The Mercy of the Night.
My latest fiction, a supernatural fantasy (adult fairy tale) Sky Wolf is in the current issue of The Lorelei Signal Magazine by Wolf Singer Book Publications. Sky Wolf is a novelette (45-minute read).
(Art by Lee Ann Barlow)
SKY WOLF
In the kingdom of Iceleea, the king has no queen, no heir to his throne. Until he meets the Queen of Witches, the wicked Hekate who is reputed to be a three-headed monster, known to travel the underworld of the dead, casting her ghostly spells on earthly victims. Yet, Hekate promises the king a shining beauty—an enchanting and stunning young woman to rule next to him on the throne. But the king must make his promises to Hekate as well. So the bargaining begins. When the mysterious young woman arrives by the magick of the yew tree, she is riding a white wolf. What secret powers does she bring from her realm? Who is this woman and why is there the tail of a dragon burned into her back? This is a supernatural mystery with witches, magick, and the power of the white wolf in a land of myth and fantasy.
To read this story FREE (45-minute read), copy and paste this link into your browser search window and access the story directly.
Feel free to click the LIKE button at the end of the story.
Or you can use the link below to the Lorelei Signal Magazine main page, click the cover image of the dragon, then on the main page click Current Issue and scroll down to Sky Wolf. https://www.loreleisignal.com/
Come to Iceleea!
I would love to hear your comments! If you read the story, do send me a blurb of your reaction (two or three sentences will do). I’m looking for endorsements, so don’t be shy. You can send it via my contact page in the tab above or post in the comments. Many thanks to all my readers here and to all the authors and writers who follow me on all my social media.
Harvey’s Dream by Stephen King (The New Yorker Magazine, 2003)
Thursday’s Suspense Story, December 8, 2022
How deep can the imagination go? How deep can a dream go?
Dreams are often horrors and great subjects for suspense stories and mysteries. This short story by Stephen King (The New Yorker Magazine) is a tale of a middle-aged married couple with daughters. We are in the kitchen and Harvey tells his wife Janet of a dream, describing details that his wife begins to recognize. Specifics like deviled eggs and a dent in the neighbor’s car. We follow Janet’s every thought that reaches psychological heights of fear and an ending that only Stephen King could write.
Read the short story here at The New Yorker Magazine:
Readers, please drop a line in the comments if you liked the story, or didn’t like it. How many stars would you rate Harvey’s Dream?
Film: 14 minutes. Don’t miss this!!
Stephen King is a best-selling American author of suspense, horror, sci-fi and fantasy books. When he writes, he prefers to use pen and paper, using a Waterman fountain pen, instead of a computer. In his book On Writing, King says he tries to write at least 2,000 words a day. During the writing of his novel Carrie, King threw the first draft in the trash. His wife Tabitha retrieved it and eventually Doubleday bought the rights.
In the Atlantic, King revealed that he considers the introductory sentence of a book crucial for the book’s atmosphere and to successfully connect to the reader. He often labors over his first line for months or years until it’s exactly right.
Don’t forget to view the INDEX OF AUTHORS’ TALES above for more free reading at Reading Fiction Blog. This is a compendium of over 250 short stories by more than 150 famous storytellers of mystery, suspense, supernatural, ghost stories, crime, sci-fi, romance, ‘quiet horror,’ and mainstream fiction.
Here is a perfect story to read aloud for Halloween. Walter de la Mare is a dazzling author famous for his ghost stories and psychological drama. This is a fast short story and absolutely classic. We have a traveler visiting a deserted cathedral. The cathedral is not just haunted.
“Devils are creatures made by God, and that for vengeance.”
Why would devils haunt a deserted cathedral?
“We then turned inward once more, ascending yet another spiral staircase. And now the intense darkness had thinned a little, the groined roof above us becoming faintly discernible. A fresher air softly fanned my cheek; and then trembling fingers groped over my breast, and, cold and bony, clutched my own.”
You got to read this one. Author de la Mare is one of the finest writers of the supernatural.
Walter de la Mare (1873 – 1956) was an English poet, short story writer, and novelist. He is probably best remembered for his works for children, for his poem “The Listeners”, and for a highly acclaimed selection of subtle psychological horror stories, amongst them Seaton’s Aunt and The Return. He was considered one of modern literature’s chief exemplars of the romantic imagination.
Read All Hallows at Gutenberg.ca (page 288 in Table of Contents):
Don’t forget to view the INDEX OF AUTHORS’ TALES above for more free reading at Reading Fiction Blog. This is a compendium of over 250 short stories by more than 150 famous storytellers of mystery, suspense, supernatural, ghost stories, crime, sci-fi, romance, ‘quiet horror,’ and mainstream fiction.
Tuesday’s Mystery Story (flash fiction) July 26, 2022
Take this quickie read for a spin about a sexy girl in a scruffy dive on Bleecker Street at 1:30 am. Moscow-style intrigue with a sassy twist. Author Lee Child at his finest!
SHE was about 19. No older. Maybe younger … She was blond and blue-eyed, but not American … She was probably Russian. She was rich.
If you like Tom Cruise and bar fights, this one is cool, featuring military cop Jack Reacher. Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher is being challenged to a fight outside a bar. He tries to warn the group that they can and should still walk away but despite his warnings, they still want to fight. Three minutes of tough and gruff. So fun!
Lee Child, an multi-award winning author, is an English thriller novelist and an Anthony Award winner for the best first novel Killing Floor (1997). His novels are based on the adventures of Jack Reacher, a former American military policeman wandering the United States. He currently lives in New York.
Don’t forget to view the INDEX OF AUTHORS’ TALES above for more free reading at Reading Fiction Blog. This is a compendium of over 250 short stories by more than 150 famous storytellers of mystery, suspense, supernatural, ghost stories, crime, sci-fi, romance, ‘quiet horror,’ and mainstream fiction.
Paula Cappa 