Sir Terry Pratchett - Pebble Mill 1995
The great man himself. Sir Terry Pratchett on a Pebble Mill interview in 1995. The quality of film at the beginning is a bit dodgy, but it clears quickly so stick with it.
If it is possible to 'miss' a person you never really knew, then I miss this man. I miss his wit, his perception, his imagination and his outlook on life. Most of all, I miss getting a copy of his new book every Christmas. Still, he has left us a tremendous legacy in his writings, not just Discworld (which I love!) but plenty of other stuff too. If you enjoy fantasy with some fabulous insights and parallels to real life, then give his books a try. I did, and I never looked back!
RIP Peter Meredith, Author
I was very shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of author Peter Meredith this morning.
Peter had been battling early-onset dementia, with his dedicated wife Stacy Thuy Meredith doing all she could to help and support him. To hear of his sudden passing today was truly shocking.
I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Stacy, Peter Meredith Jr. and their family and friends.
At times such as this, it is hard to find the right words to say. RIP Peter, you will live on in your books, in the hearts and minds of your fans and in the memories of your loved ones.
Last Chance to Vote…
Last chance to vote in the Zombie Book of Summer poll in Written Undead! Voting closes on Tuesday, June 28. If the poll doesn’t seem to work, declare your choice in the comments of the poll!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WrittenUndead/
There are some of your zombie author favourites in the poll, so take a look!
Fonts as People
Just a bit of silliness. The fonts often remind me of characters when I am choosing them for posts. Anyway, enjoy x
Get Voting for Zombie Book of the Summer!
IT’S TIME FOR THE WRITTEN UNDEAD'S MUST READ ZOMBIE BOOK OF SUMMER! WE’RE NOT ASKING FOR THE BEST WRITTEN, JUST THE FIRST BOOK/SERIES YOU WOULD RAVE ABOUT TO A FRIEND.
Click the link to vote: Zombie Book of the Summer Poll - Written Undead on Facebook
Hint: if anyone has read and enjoyed any of my zombie fiction, a nomination would be great…
RULES:
1. Vote on your favorite Author/Book
2. Don't see your favorite zombie book?... ADD YOUR NOMINATION TO THE POLL.
3. You are only allowed to vote for 1
4. Nominations must include “Book/series - Author.”
5. Voting ends one week from today. The winner to be announced the following day.
A Grave Mistake - Recited by Mick Dark on YouTube!
Check out my short story on Mick Dark's YouTube channel! 'A Grave Mistake' was written for Red Cape Publishing as part of their A - Z of horror series. It features in Volume E is for Exorcism. If you feel like having a story read to you for a change, just click the link and enjoy!
Thank you to Red Cape Publishing and to Mick Dark. Mick, I love the sinister way you recited my story and the eerie feel of the reading. Thank you for doing my work such credit, I appreciate it hugely.
You can also listen to it on Audible here: E is for Exorcism Audibook - P J Blakey-Novis, S P Oldham and multiple authors
You can start with A is for Aliens here: A is For Aliens A-Z of Horror
Tredegar Vintage Vehicle Rally
Tredegar Vintage Vehicle Rally 18 June 2022
Vintage Car rally in Tredegar today. Pouring with rain but seemed like a pretty good turnout. Does anyone remember owning one of these? Maybe you still do? #vintage #vintagestyle #vintagecars #tredegar Check out the full post on my S P Oldham on Facebook page
Ghosts of Pentyrch
Disappearing Spitfire. Y Ladi Wen. The White Lady. Ghosts of Pentrych. St Fagans. Acapela Studios.
My sister Wendy was having a sort out recently, when she came across an old copy of Community Link, a popular local (to Pentyrch and its environs) community magazine. In it, she found these articles, the first relating to a 1949 sighting of ‘The White Lady,’ the second about the mysterious disappearance of a Spitfire.
If you follow my blog and my writing, you may have by now gathered that I have a love for and interest in such stories of folklore, myth and legend, so I just had to share it with you here. Unfortunately, there are no names to credit the articles to, at least not that I can see. It comes from the 1994 edition of Community Link, its centenary year. If you happen to know who was relating the stories here, just let me know and I will gladly credit them.
Make of the stories what you will. Genuine sightings? Overactive imaginations? Perfectly explicable with the application of a little science and/or common sense? You decide. Feel free to let me know!
The photograph below is of the first article. For ease of reading I have transcribed it below.
“Two frightened young sisters and their cousin, a boy obviously frightened out of his wits but unwilling to admit the fact, rushed down the lane and knocked the front door of Mrs Morgan’s house in Cefn Bychan at 7 o’clock last Saturday evening and blurted out their strange story.
The children had been playing near Pwll Mwyn, throwing stones into the deep water, when they saw above them what they thought was the figure of a woman dressed in a white robe, sitting on the branch of a tree. They also thought that she was holding a block of wood in her hands.
There has been much discussion about the event and as usual some believe it, others do not. I was with Mr John Matthews at his house when David Richard Davies called to ask him his opinion.
“Nonsense, pure nonsense!” Was Mr Matthew’s predictable answer.
“Well I’m not so sure,” retorted Dai Davies, “It sounds like the Ladi Wen to me.”
If Mr Davies is right, it will be the first sighting of Y Ladi Wen since the 1930’s, when it was a regular occurrence.”
* Y Ladi Wen - The White Lady
The photograph below is of the second article: ‘1942 Disappearing Spitfire.’ For ease of reading I transcribed it below.
‘The sight of aeroplanes has been a familiar one since the war began and hardly a minute goes by without some flying machine passing overhead. However, last Thursday afternoon in the first week of the summer holidays, a small group of lads were standing on the corner near Horeb when something happened in the sky that caused them to take an interest immediately. A Spitfire, at roughly a thousand feet or so, roughly above the area of St. George’s, whilst issuing a very loud and distresses (sic) sound from its engine. In a very short time it must have crashed to the ground for it could clearly be seen to come down that far before becoming hidden at the last moment by the trees which spread out westwards from St. Fagans.
Obeying their natural curiosity, at least five of the boys (the ones who possessed bikes) set off to investigate. Although they searched a wide area for several hours together with police and volunteers, no trace of the aeroplane was found… and it remains a mystery.’
Incidentally, St Fagans is a beautiful and very interesting place to visit should you be looking for a day out: St Fagans National Museum of History
Horeb was a chapel I knew well as a child, often playing near it as it was close to the village park. However, now it is better known as Acapela Studios
The Best of Creepy British Ghost Stories
Thanks to Ben Fox of Book Shepherd for inviting me to submit my list 'The Best of Creepy British Ghost Stories' on their website. Take a look at the list and let me know your thoughts. Any I should have added? Any you have read that you think fit the bill?
This is a great site for finding book recommendations of all kinds. Have a browse, maybe pick up a few ideas for your reading pleasure!
Image Copyright: Shepherd Book Lists
Competition Winners!
I hope you all had a lovely long bank holiday weekend. Thanks to everyone who entered my most recent competition. The winners are:
Chris Andrews
Zoe Townshend (apologies for my misspelling in the name picker!) Facebook entrant
Jo M Welsh Facebook entrant
Well done winners! I will be in touch soon to arrange delivery.
If you didn't win this time, keep checking back. I often post little competitions and giveaways. Better luck next time! By the way, if you have never checked out my work, take a look and maybe treat yourself to horror/spooky read for less than the price of a coffee and cake!
S P Oldham on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B01N2LSUMX
S P Oldham on Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/.../ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1...
S P Oldham on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15116823.S_P_Oldham
Thanks everyone.
Winner!
Chris Andrews
Winner!
Zoe Townshend
Winner!
Jo M Welsh
Easter Competition Time! COMPETITION CLOSED
Run from the Dead, an Angry Eagle Anthology, Wakeful Children: A Collection of Horror and Supernatural Tales by S P Oldham.
It's Easter, so I feel it's time to run a little competition! UK ONLY.
For your chance to win a signed copy of Wakeful Children: A Collection of Horror and Supernatural Tales, as well as a paperback copy of Run from the Dead, an Angry Eagle Publishing, LLC Anthology featuring many authors as well as my short story 'Gifts from the Sea,' simply comment 'Horror Horde' below. THREE CHANCES TO WIN!
Only comments here or on the original Facebook post will be counted.
Competition not in any way associated with Facebook. Competition ends Midnight GMT Monday 18th April. Winners will be chosen at random. UK ONLY.
Good luck!
Sunflowers
I was very pleasantly surprised to hear that Silversurfers picked my poem 'Sunflowers' as Editor's Choice for March. (Please see original post below.) As well as that distinction, I also won a £25 Amazon Gift Voucher. I felt that it was only right that I in turn donate £25 to the crisis in Ukraine, which was after all the inspiration for the poem. In the interests of fairness I just wanted to share that here. Thank you everyone and thank you Silversurfers, for making my day!
This has been on my mind for a couple of weeks now. Inspired by the incredibly brave Ukrainian lady who gave a Russian soldier sunflower seeds, that at least they might grow from the soil when he lies dead. War is so tragic. Sunflowers, as I am sure most of us now know, are Ukraine's national flower. They are a symbol of unity and much more, now.
I don't want politics here so please take it elsewhere, with respect. This is just an expression of grief, inspiration and despite it all, hope. I am not Ukrainian, but I just had to write this. Thanks.
I am back!
Very grateful to be able to say that I am now over the worst of Covid-19. I count myself extremely lucky compared to some poor souls. My husband is also now Covid free and getting better slowly.
So, I am back at work on my wip as well as one or two other projects. I hope everyone is well, healthy and happy.
Drop me a line if you feel like it, I always love to hear from you.
S P
Does Your Pet Look Like You?!
There's a saying here in the UK, that pets resemble their owners. I have just bathed Milo in this photo, hence the need to have a shower myself afterwards! Both of us with wet hair, which prompted this post. Have you heard of this? Do you agree? Feel free to post pics of yourself with the pet that looks most like you, if you want!
The Written Undead Podcast
Jack Childress, host of the Written Undead Podcast, along with Richard Ryan Rose and Angel Ramon, interviewed S P Oldham
I had the pleasure of being invited to take part on the Written Undead Podcast last Saturday (6th March 2022.) If you missed it or would like to watch again, click the link below.
I joined host Jack Childress who renamed himself Jack Oldham for the duration of the show (thank you Jack!) along with author Richard Ryan Rose (Wild Eyed Southern Boyz) and Angel Ramon (aka Angelus Maximus - Gamelit author and more) for conversation, questions and a bit of a chat. Leave a comment or a question below if you have one of your own.
Enjoy!
Competition Winner!
Thank you to everyone who entered my recent little competition. I am delighted to announce that the winner is...
Natalie Crossan
Well done Natalie. I will be in touch very soon to arrange delivery of your prize.
Natalie has won a signed paperback copy of 'Wakeful Children', a paperback copy of the anthology 'Run from the Dead' (Angry Eagle Publishing, various authors including me;) a torch keyring, bottle opener and trolley token keyring, bookmarks anda touch screen pen.
Sorry if you didn't win this time. I run competitions and giveaways from quite often so be sure to check in now and then. Thanks everyone.
S P Oldham, Author on Facebook If you like what you read please like and follow me on Facebook, maybe share the love. I appreciate you, thank you!
COMPETITION TIME! UK ONLY.
I am in a generous mood. The wind is howling, the rain is pouring, Milo and I just got soaked. I think it is time we did something fun.
If you would like to be in with a chance of winning a signed paperback copy of 'Wakeful Children', a paperback copy of the anthology 'Run from the Dead' (Angry Eagle Publishing, various authors including me;) a torch keyring, bottle opener and trolley token keyring, bookmarks and touch screen pen, just say 'Hi! in the comments. A winner will be picked at random, Closes Midnight GMT Friday 25th February. UK ONLY. Only comments on the original post or on my website blog here will be counted.
Please note: my web address is now spoldamauthor.com S P Oldham, Author
You don't have to, but if you could like and share my page, that would be great too. Thanks and good luck!
Competition in no way associated with Facebook. No cash alternative, no correspondence will be entered into.
Original Facebook post is here:
Women in Horror Month - Fiona Cooke Hogan
Thank you to Fiona Cooke Hogan for inviting me to take part in Women in Horror Month. Thrilled to be with you. If you haven't checked out Fiona's work yet, you should, especially if you are a lover of dark fiction. Lots to see on her to site to celebrate WiHM too.
Hag’s Breath Giveaway! UK ONLY!
The next seven people who download ‘Hag’s Breath: A Collection of Witchcraft and Wickedness’ will receive a fridge magnet depicting Einar the Wolf Witch, as designed by Emily Williams, bookmarks and maybe some other goodies too…
You MUST provide proof of purchase to qualify. No correspondence will be entered into, no cash alternative.
Hag's Breath: A Collection of Witchcraft and Wickedness - on Amazon Kindle
