03 Monday Feb 2014
Posted in Fantasy, Humour, Sci-Fi, Short Stories, Showcase
Genre and length of book:
Genre: Sci-fi/fantasy/humour
Length 5000 words approx.
A short blurb about the story:
The universe’s greatest ever investigative duo uncovers a plot to destabilise the Cosmos in a run-down London convenience store. As booze-crazed alien slugs unleash unspeakable horror and terror, only a combination of MacKillop’s able brain and Broken Vacuum Cleaner’s array of cleaning attachments can hope to save the day.
Available at Amazon US and Amazon UK.
18 Saturday Jan 2014
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Over on the Fantasy Faction website, Faith M Boughan has written an article called Five Common Mistakes Writing Fantasy Flash Fiction, those namely being;
It is well worth a read for anyone interested in writing fantasy flash fiction, or flash fiction in general.
02 Monday Dec 2013
Posted in Fantasy, Short Stories, Showcase
Genre and length of book:
Genre: Dark (vampire) fantasy for young adults (16+)
Length (for whole collection) 104,463 words
A short blurb about the story:
In The Ghosts’ Feast, the lives, loves and losses of some of the vampires within Eleanor Keane’s novel The Breathing Ghosts come to the fore: a young boy tries on his mother’s corset, a vampire servant becomes obsessed with her mistress, a lavish feast is laid out for the dead, and a dark goddess concocts deadly schemes.
These short stories – amongst many others – travel from Ancient Pompeii, to 19th century Venice, to London in the Swinging Sixties, and all of them are woven together with ominous undercurrents of desire, death and vengeance. Who can we trust? Who can we believe in?
In the world of The Ghosts’ Feast, some vampires are monsters, some monsters are human, and nothing is quite what is seems…
For more information on The Breathing Ghosts Series, The Ghosts’ Feast and further writing by Eleanor Keane, please see:
www.thebreathingghosts.wordpress.net
How did the story come about?
This story collection came about because I wanted to expand on the stories of the vampire characters I created within my debut dark fantasy vampire novel, The Breathing Ghosts, as well as introduce some new characters- some of which will be also featured in my upcoming sequel. I wanted to delve more into the personalities, motives and ambitions of vampires and portray them as fully rounded individuals. I wanted to explore not just the monstrous side of vampires, but also their vulnerabilities as well.
Do you prefer writing short fiction over novels, and if so, why?
Actually, I prefer writing novels because it gives me greater scope and depth to explore my characters. However, writing The Ghosts’ Feast was a truly invaluable experience for me, and I loved writing in different styles and from varying view points!
Which short fiction writers have most influenced you.
Without a doubt, Angela Carter- I love the dark undercurrent to her work, in particular The Bloody Chamber, which is a retelling of classic fairy tales with a subversive twist. I also love the short mystery stories of Dorothy L. Sayers and the short stories of Neil Gaiman (particularly those in Smoke and Mirrors,) as well as the short stories of J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling- particularly as I love fantasy literature.
Available at Amazon and Amazon.uk
14 Tuesday May 2013
Posted in A. S. Warwick, ebooks, Fantasy, Novellas, Short Stories
Tags
A. S. Warwick, amazon, Fantasy, Novellas, Reading, Short Stories, Short Story, Sword & Sorcery, sword and sorcery, Writing
The third in my Deeds of Peregrine and Blade series of heroic/sword and sorcery fantasy has now been released.
Song of Bone is a 24,000 word novella, in which Peregrine and Blade travel to the far, frozen north, investigating an obscure message inscribed upon an ancient bone. There they meet the diminutive natives of the chill waters, an ancient curse, and an even older evil and those that stand watch.
In addition, it comes with a bonus 6,000 word short story, The Tavern Cursed, set not long after Peregrine and Blade first met.
Available on Smashwords and Amazon.
07 Tuesday May 2013
Posted in Fantasy, Short Stories, Showcase
Genre and Length:
Contemporary Fantasy Short Story
Blurb:
In a forest that lurks at the edges of civilization, lives a prehistoric beast. Each night, he leaves his forest to wreak havoc on the cities of man. This is one of those nights.
How did the story come about?
I love monster movies. Godzilla, Beast from 20,000 fathoms, King Kong, I love them. But I was always disappointed in the emphasis placed on the human characters’ as opposed to the monsters themselves. In many monster movies, particularly the ones I’ve mentioned, there always seems to be more going on with the monster than what is revealed. With this story, I wanted to try and get inside the monsters head, and portray his thoughts as he goes on his killer rampage.
Do you prefer writing short fiction over novels, and if so, why?
I’ve only attempted a novel once before. I realized very early in the writing process that the story I was telling wasn’t quite long enough to be a novel, so I just turned it into a novella. I think right now I prefer short stories, mostly because I don’t like stories that feel padded. I’ve always been of the philosophy that ‘too short’ is usually better than ‘too long.’
I’m not saying that I would never write a novel, but with the possible exception of two ideas that I’ve had, I think most of the stories I’ve come up with can be done justice in fewer than 20,000 words. But again, never say never.
Which short fiction writers have most influenced you?
I love HP Lovecraft. He did a fantastic job of discussing the smallness of humanity, and had a terrific writing style. He also had a great imagination for coming up with monsters.
Harlan Ellison is amazing. I love the brutal honesty of his work, and the way he can make you feel what’s happening to his characters.
Isaac Asimov is another great one. While his stories might be a little dry sometimes, the ideas and dilemmas he put down were some of the most intellectually riveting stuff I’ve seen in science fiction.
Available at Amazon.
18 Thursday Apr 2013
Posted in Sci-Fi, Short Stories, Showcase
Genre and Length:
Science Fiction Thriller Short Story
Blurb:
Tony is being abducted by aliens. As he scrambles to find a way to stop it, the little gray men from the stars have other plans for him.
How did the story come about?
“I have always been fascinated by the alien abduction mythos. I love the stories, the documentaries, and the ominous creepiness of the whole thing.
But I’ve always felt that most alien abduction fiction focuses too much on the government conspiracy side of the equation. While conspiracy stories are cool, it seems to me a missed opportunity to not discuss the aliens themselves, or their motivations, or the philosophical implications of humans being reduced to lab rats.
What I’ve tried to do with this story is imbue a little philosophy and cosmic dread into alien abduction fiction. It is also my desire to write more stories set in this universe.”
Do you prefer writing short fiction over novels, and if so, why?
“I’ve only attempted a novel once before. I realized very early in the writing process that the story I was telling wasn’t quite long enough to be a novel, so I just turned it into a novella. I think right now I prefer short stories, mostly because I don’t like stories that feel padded. I’ve always been of the philosophy that ‘too short’ is usually better than ‘too long.’
I’m not saying that I would never write a novel, but with the possible exception of two ideas that I’ve had, I think most of the stories I’ve come up with can be done justice in fewer than 20,000 words. But again, never say never.”
Which short fiction writers have most influenced you?
“I love HP Lovecraft. He did a fantastic job of discussing the smallness of humanity, and had a terrific writing style. He also had a great imagination for coming up with monsters.
Harlan Ellison is amazing. I love the brutal honesty of his work, and the way he can make you feel what’s happening to his characters.
Isaac Asimov is another great one. While his stories might be a little dry sometimes, the ideas and dilemmas he put down were some of the most intellectually riveting stuff I’ve seen in science fiction.”
Available on Amazon.
15 Friday Feb 2013
Posted in A. S. Warwick, ebooks, Fantasy, Novelette, Steampunk
The second of my Sir Richard Hammerman series of alternate Earth steampunk fantasy novelettes is now compelte and available at a range of place.
Hammer and the Detective is a 10,000 word story in which Sir Richard’s quiet sojourn in Cape Colony is rudely interupted by assault and abduction. Along with his brother Captain Archibald Hammerman, and their friends, he is drawn into a world not of hisown, one of agents, secrets and undercover detectives.
Available at Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Apple and Kobo.
06 Wednesday Feb 2013
Posted in Fantasy, Short Stories, Showcase
Tags
Genre and Length:
Fantasy short story
Blurb:
Adelia has no one to blame for her heartache. She’d been cautioned, many times and by many people. Everyone except her mother had told her it was folly to marry an elf, citing a host of reasons. Adelia knew their warnings were not unfounded. She knew he was very different from her and her kind, he was much older, and he’d had five other wives before her. She didn’t care. She had chosen her path.
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and in Sony form.
03 Sunday Feb 2013
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Genre and Length:
Fantasy novelette
Blurb:
Captain Torren, the warden of the Dormigan Prison, knows that the mysterious Prisoner 34 is much more dangerous than the authorities think. Torren does his best to guard him, going so far as to break some of his orders, but the new governor’s sudden wish to personally inspect the prison threatens to destroy the shaky balance the warden has achieved. Will the Prisoner comply and help Torren through the inspection? What will he ask in return? And will he keep his word?
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and in Sony form.
08 Tuesday Jan 2013
Posted in A. S. Warwick, ebooks, Fantasy, Short Stories
Tags
To mark the release of Stonemaul, I am having a one week free offer on it. Until Jan. 14th 2013, if you purchase a cope of it at Smashwords with coupon BD46Y, you can get it for free. Yes, free.
Best hurry, for this offer expires soon.
Short Sharp Reads 