Take a peek inside:
Madison Cavendish and Sue SunMountain are not your typical detective duo. Like Mulder and Scully they investigate very unusual crimes, but they are not like Mulder and Scully. The blood that runs in Mulder and Scully’s veins is their own, while the same cannot be said of Cavendish and SunMountain.
If you like strange tales, weird happenings, and monsters of all sorts, you’ll love TERROR BY NIGHT.
Sunday afternoon! We’d love to see you there!
Whoa! Morgan Golladay, writer and artist from Milford, Delaware, took second place in the National Federation of Press Women with her story, “Under the Rhododendrons,” featured in HALLOWEEN PARTY ’23. Kudos to Morgan, and question for you, horror fan: Have you read this book yet?
My gosh, look at the illustrations by US Veteran and artist Juan Cantu! If editor Jeffrey Keeten chose Morgan’s story from all those submitted, what other “goodies” has he packed into this book for you?
We’re so happy for you, and we feel so lucky to have this wonderful story in this creepy horror read!
We at GRAVELIGHT PRESS are very thrilled to have been able to sit down with horror author Bernie Brown and discuss her latest collection. Horror fans… read on!
GRAVELIGHT PRESS (GP): Can you discuss some of the underlying themes or messages that you aim to convey through your stories?
BERNIE BROWN (BB): The theme I use most is reconciliation, but also revenge, greed, curiosity, and just plain old mystery.
GP: Do you think your life experiences and perspective influence the themes and characters in your horror tales?
BB: Yes, I grew up on a farm. At least a few stories have rural or small town settings. Also, I am a cockeyed optimist, so most of the stories have a satisfying ending. Not necessarily Happy Ever After, but resolution. Very few have any blood or gore. Writing about or reading about violence does not appeal to me.
GP: Many readers are drawn to horror for the adrenaline rush and the cathartic release it provides. What emotions or reactions do you hope your stories evoke in your readers?
BB: I do think my stories provide a catharsis for the characters, and the reader can share in that. I want my readers to be engaged by the story and the characters, that includes the ghost as a character.
GP: Crafting memorable characters is crucial in any genre, but perhaps even more so in horror, where readers must empathize or fear for their safety. How do you go about creating characters that readers can connect with or fear for in your stories?
BB: My characters are ordinary people in ordinary settings, just like most readers are. Much of the “haunting” takes place in broad daylight. There is not the cliché of darkness equals fear.
GP: The horror genre has evolved significantly over the years. How do you see your work contributing to the ongoing evolution of horror literature, especially in the context of contemporary themes and societal anxieties?
BB: I think my work lacks much of the expected cliches of horror writing: violence, blood, gore, death (although a few feature death), and it provides that creepy otherworldly suspense we all like in our horror. I hope I’m bringing a fresh story to my readers.
GP: What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are interested in exploring the horror genre or writing short stories?
BB: I would advise simplicity: only a few characters, a plot that takes place in only one setting, make the motivation clear, and keep the time frame short – – maybe just one afternoon. I do break my own rules, but these are good guidelines to start with.
GP: You have another book published. What is it called, and what is it about?
BB: My other book is a novel in the women’s fiction genre. It is called I NEVER TOLD YOU. It’s about a mother and daughter who hide their true selves from each other for fear of losing each other’s love.
GP: That also sounds suspenseful. Those relationships are tougher than ghosts, LOL. Finally, what’s next for you creatively? Do you have any projects in mind, and can you give us a hint about what readers can expect from your writing in the future?
BB: I have a short humorous novel and a novella that I am trying to place in a print journal. I want to try that type of publication. Publication in a journal is just for subscribers and I like that.
We at GRAVELIGHT PRESS are very thrilled to have been able to sit down with horror author Bernie Brown and discuss her latest collection. Horror fans… read on!
Gravelight Press (GP): Your collection of horror short stories, THE HOLY GHOST AND OTHER SPOOKY STORES offers readers a glimpse into the darker corners of the human psyche. What drew you to the horror genre, and how do you approach crafting chilling tales that resonate with readers?
Bernie Brown (BB): What first inspired me to write ghost stories was when we stayed in a Bed and Breakfast in Savannah, and as part of the usual B & B “stuff,” there was a casket in the hallway.
Usually a setting will inspire me to write a story about it. It makes me think what kind of ghost would haunt it, and what kind of person that ghost was when it was alive. What kind of person does the ghost haunt and why? Why can’t the ghost move on?
GP: Short stories require a unique skill in creating tension and delivering scares within a limited space. How do you manage to build suspense and evoke fear effectively in your shorter narratives?
BB: I began my writing life by writing short stories. I got a handle on what short story structure worked for me. Then I just adapted that structure to ghost stories. What does the ghost want? Then I work through a couple of scenarios where the ghost is attempting to get what it wants. In the end it either gets it or doesn’t. The suspense is built into the scenarios.
COME BACK NEXT WEEK FOR THE CONCLUSION.
And in the meantime:
Have you experienced the quick hit of magic that is a Bernie Brown story?
You made it trhough tax day! Have a free book on us.
Let us help you choose!
Did tax day make you feel like you were rear-ended at a traffic light?
We recommend putting Charlotte Smart on the case of the Accident.
Did you hope for divine intervention?
You might find it in the pages of The Holy Ghost and Other Spooky Stories.
Did you have trouble telling day from night?
Perhaps White Noir can help.
Did it seem to be part of a greater government conspiracy?
Maybe Jack Kennedy did it!
Did you wish you were a kid again?
Consider transporting yourself to 1974 and Banana Seat Summer.
Maybe you just want to escape to the mountains!
If so, Echoes From the Hocker House is just what you need.
If you were too scared to file, consider reading Halloween Party ’23 to discover what real fear is about.
Like all great promotions, this one won’t last! Grab your freebies before April 19!
We are excited to extend an invitation to you for the inaugural Current Words One-And-Done Session—an exclusive opportunity designed for fiction and memoir writers to refine their skills within a supportive setting, and the best part is, it’s entirely free!
Hosted online by DPP founders Dianne Pearce and David Yurkovich, this session is scheduled for 9-11 AM Pacific time on select Saturdays. To ensure an intimate learning environment, each meeting is limited to five participants. This is your chance to engage with seasoned professional editors at no cost.
Registration: To secure your spot, submit a portion of your writing (between 450-550 words) for live discussion. Please email your selection to workshops@currentwords.com by January 20, 2024, to be considered for the February 3rd workshop. Include your full name, city, state, and the type of work you are developing (short stories, long-form fiction, memoir) in your application. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited space. Upon confirmation of your enrollment, you will receive an email containing further instructions and the meeting URL. Participants must be willing to join a Zoom call and have their work constructively discussed in a small-group setting. Please commit to attending if you sign up, as there are very limited spaces available.
In case you do not secure a spot in the first meeting, we will provide information about our March date. We plan to select five new participants each month as long as there is interest. We eagerly anticipate sharing this enriching experience with you, learning more about you and your writing, and connecting with our fellow authors.
There is NO charge to participate. We so look forward to reading your writing!
The countdown is over! Don’t miss our latest and greatest horror collection, HALLOWEEN PARTY ’23!
Crafted by the brilliant and enigmatic Jeffrey D. Keeten, this year’s edition is a haunting masterpiece. It showcases the wickedly talented “I Love Bad Art” creator, and U.S. Army OIF Combat Veteran, Juan Cantu.
Dive deep into the eerie and captivating world of HALLOWEEN PARTY ’23, boasting 21 brand-new works that will send shivers down your spine.
🧟♂️ “Blue Zones” by Robert Lewis Heron 🐊 “Alligators” by Katharyn Howd Machan 🌸 “Under the Rhododendrons” by Morgan Golladay 👽 “Alien Nipple” by Jeffrey D. Keeten 🐺 “Werewife” by Eric Machan Howd 💆♀️ “Massage Therapy” by Liz Rosen 🏛️ “War Memorial Affair” by James Goodridge 🏞️ “Post Card Town” by Marisa Hurst, Meredith Harvey, and Esther Sharp ❄️ “Frost” by Kim DiCicco 💀 “What the Skulls Recall” by Katharyn Howd Machan 🌊 “At Sea” by Stephen Roddewig 📚 “Novel Horror” by Marc Dickerson 🌀 “Tulpa Affair” by Jessica Gleason 🏚️ “That One Room in the Old, Old House” by Katharyn Howd Machan 💀 “Dead Man’s Pond” by Sarah E. Das Gupta 🏚️ “From the Corner” by Rhonda Zimlich 💀 “Proper Substitute for a Pagan Holiday” by Kiean DeWess 🎁 “Gifts” by Eric Machan Howd 😈 “Depravity” by Michael Paige 🎃 “Gurgleplop” by I. F. Dempsey Hyatt 🧟♂️ “Frankenstein’s Creature” by Eric Machan Howd.
Due to the horrific nature of these tales, we’re offering our Devil’s Party Death Guarantee from of charge. Therefore, if you happen to die of fright while reading any of these works, we’ll cover the full cost of your coffin and will even throw in a dozen roses!
Don’t let fear hold you back! Secure your copy of HALLOWEEN PARTY ’23, a chilling 200-page softcover, for just $15.99 retail. The dark delights await, and we’re delivering them straight to your doorstep.
Buy now and claim your ticket to a nightmarish world of horror and suspense! 🌙📚👻
GRAVELIGHT PRESS 