NOW CLOSED! Spring Competition Time! UK Only.
To be in with a chance of winning this prize package, simply comment with the name of the main protagonist in my book ‘Post Mortem.’ (Hint: it’s in the blurb…) Only answers left on my Facebook page or Blog will be counted as entries. All correct answers will be entered into a draw and a winner chosen at random. Good luck!
Prize: 1 blue Regatta gilet size UK XXL; 2 bookmarks; touchscreen pen; beanie hat; water bottle.
Rules: No cash alternative. No correspondence will be entered into. Judges choice is final. Closes Midnight GMT Saturday 6th May 2023. In the event that a prize is not claimed after 2 weeks of closing date it will be awarded to a newly drawn winner.
The Scavenger’s Daughter
Just back from a short weekend break to Wookey Hole and Wells, Somerset. Called into the City Arms for a drink and found this very interesting piece of history there. The City Arms used to be Wells’ Jail, and has some very interesting stories to tell. I found this one fascinating.
The article is written by Hilary M. Cannock and can be viewed on display in the City Arms pub, Wells.
The Scavenger’s Daughter as described by a 17th century Jesuit monk, Matthew Tanner.
Source: article by Hilary M. Cannock.
‘The chief sort of English torture next to the rack, is the Scavenger’s Daughter. In all respects the opposite of the rack, for while that drags apart the joints of the feet and hands this, on the contrary, constricts and bends the body into a ball. This holds the body in a threefold manner, the lower legs pressed to the thighs, the thighs to the belly and thus both are locked with two cramp irons, which are pressed against each other in a circular form. The body of the victim is almost broken in the compression. By the cruel torture, more dreadful and more complete than the rack, by the cruelty of which the whole body is so bent that with some blood exudes from the tips of the hands and feet, with others the box of the chest being burst, a quantity of blood is expelled from the mouth and nostrils.”
The Scavenger’s Daughter
In the right hands, this device could cause severe harm and great pain to the unfortunate prisoner subjected to it.
The article as displayed inside the City Arms, Wells.
I don’t know if this is made from an original prison door, but I liked it! Note the old, rusty candle holder on the left. I would love to make something like this for my own home.
Limited number of FREE downloads - Post Mortem
Want one of a limited number of free downloads of 'Post Mortem?' No problem, just use the link. If you happen to like what you read, please think about leaving a review and spreading the word. Thanks, enjoy!
https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/NwnBeYuy
The Blurb: Danny Davies is proud to work at ‘Winscombe Funeral Home, Crematorium and Cemetery.’ His job is not exactly run-of-the-mill yet in a curious way, Danny enjoys treating the dead with care and respect. Mr Winscombe, his employer, is meticulous in his work; a very private, much esteemed member of the community of Lychgate and somebody Danny looks up to.
When Mr Winscombe mysteriously disappears one afternoon, Danny is naturally concerned. After all, the man is usually such a stickler for routine. He goes to the police later that evening when there is still neither sight nor sound of his boss.
As a courtesy, the police despatch two officers to Mr Winscombe’s home. Little does Danny know that the town of Lychgate will be forever changed afterwards. As will his opinion of his boss.
Some things are meant to be buried.
International Women’s Day - Meet Lavender Gin
As a nod to International Women's Day, I would like to introduce you to Lavender Gin. She may start out afraid of her own shadow, but she truly evolves into someone far stronger...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B9KCKM9X
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9KCKM9XI
An unlikely group of fellow survivors venture out into a changed world, the new reality one of horror and brutality. Lavender Gin, Bumper Scuffs, Rumble Strips and Mad Gasher make up a motley crew, with their strengths, weaknesses and weird monikers. But what better way to start a new life, than to leave old names behind?
The group come to the aid of Carson, a lone survivor in a very sticky situation. In return, he gives them shelter. Nothing can be taken for granted in this new world though. Pretty soon the group is faced with a shared danger; one they must overcome together.
Or die trying.
Best Standalone Book - Vote Now in the Written Undead Awards!
The poll for Best Standalone Book of the year is up on Written Undead! 'Post Mortem' is up for voting, so if you liked it, please vote for it! You must be a member of Written Undead to take part.
Not read it? It's on Amazon, Kindle now. Check my site for links or pm me and I can point you in the right direction! https://www.facebook.com/groups/WrittenUndead
Laptop Repairs and Vicious Valentine Verses
My laptop finally got fixed so I am back to it. Here is a little something for Valentine’s Day.
Cauldron of Chaos! A Red Cape Publishing creation!
Cover art by David Paul. Published by Red Cape Publishing. ‘Cauldron of Chaos’ is coming very soon…
Thank you so much to Red Cape Publishing for including my short piece ‘The Night Hag’ in your upcoming edition, ‘Cauldron of Chaos.’ What a great title that is!
Peter and Leanne Blakey-Novis of Red Cape Publishing are always so supportive of indie authors and have been a source of great encouragement and support to me over the few years I have been at this. Thank you Red Cape Publishing, I appreciate you more than I can say.
Fabulous illustrations and cover image copyright of David Paul.
Hanbury Arms Haunted Hotel and Museum
Not a story title, an actual place not too far from me. Might well spend a night or at least go for a visit one of these days.
Hanbury House Haunted Hotel and Museum Pontypool, South Wales.
Please Note: I am not sponsored by or otherwise affiliated with Hanbury Arms, I just thought it looked great. Since it is a (relatively) local business I wanted to spread the word a bit. That’s all.
If you go, let me know how you got on! Photos always welcome!
Photograph by kind permission of Tracey and Nigel Turner.
Medieval Torture and Punishment
I have shared this post on a couple of social media sites so I thought I would share it here.
Often over the years I have looked to medieval forms of punishment and torture to inspire my horror writing. Some of it is truly horrific in every sense. I often end up getting so absorbed in the history and folklore that I waste hours just reading and shaking my head in amazement when I should be writing! Did you ever see Wire in the Blood, based on the books of the same name by Val McDermid? Some of those scenes were medieval or inspired by the same. An excellent series in my view. Anyway, do you ever delve into the horror of the past? True horror, that exists in the history books because it really took place? The say truth is stranger than fiction. It's often crueller than fiction, too.
If there is anyone out there, if this blog does not exist in some lonely, unique vacuum populated by lost posts and drifting authors, please leave a comment. Thanks!
Check out the ‘Not Horror’ pages to find out a little more about what I do!
While you’re there, why not enter the current competition?
Written Undead: Award Nominations
‘Written Undead’ Awards - now accepting NOMINATIONS for best zombie books of 2022.
2 Categories (each with 1st, 2nd & 3rd)
1. Best Book of the Year
2. Best New Book in a Series
Ponder these Rules and choose wisely:
1. original publication date must be in CY 2022
2. Author(s) must be current member(s) of the Written Undead FB group.
3. Authors may not nominate themselves.
4. Topics MUST include zombie characters or themes.
5. Books must be widely commercially available via at least one online sales site (Amazon, B&N, BAM, Godless, etc)
This year - awards will be cool certificates that authors can print out and frame for their “love me” wall in addition to the eternal awe of their fans, friends & family (as well as the jealous rage & vengeful thoughts of their fellow authors who were callously rejected) for being immortalized as the best of 2022!!
Post your nominations in the comments in this format:
Book Title:
Author:
Award Category:
Publication Date:
Nominations will be open through January 31, 2023.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WrittenUndead/permalink/1336609470525893/
2023 so far…
You might find this update in total contrast to my previous hopeful, happy wishes for the new year, despite our Christmas having been a relatively stressful one (see previous blog post.) So be warned. I have decided, for once, to let the cynic in me have a say. Nobody comes here to read or comment anyhow, so I think I am safe to have a rant (there’s a small one, right there.)
So far, 2023 has been nothing but a bag of the proverbial shit. I am usually a very upbeat, positive person who manages to see the bright side in most things. I have something of a reputation for that in my family. It takes a lot to make me otherwise, but so far this year, it has come close.
Firstly, I realise how blessed we were to get mum safely out of hospital and both she and my sister much healthier and on the mend now. Since then though…
Properties on my husband’s place of work (where he manages) have been broken into three times already since New Year’s Day. Three times. Count ‘em. The most recent one was into a charity shop. Just how much of a lowlife do you have to be to steal from charity shops? Stressful for the property owners, a headache for my husband who has to deal with the fallout. This is on top of the usual pain in the neck trouble makers who have nothing to do but hang around and make life a misery for other people.
Five or six items were stolen out of my husband’s car. One of the scumbag thieves had the nerve (and the stupidity) to throw a First Aid kit and its contents over my railing. Trash he had no interest in, obviously. The bloody nerve. Never mind, he was kind enough to leave us his fingerprints. (There that cursed bright side again!)
Our elderly neighbours, friends we look in on and look after as best we can, have both been very ill. They stayed with family over Christmas. However, shortly after they came home, the man (I won’t use his name here) went out in the rain to nip to the chemist around the corner. Why he didn’t message me and ask me to go I will never know. Anyway, long story short, he slipped and fell, banging his head. A lady saw it all and called for help. Two men rushed over and carried him home, where he was later checked out by a nurse. He’s okay, but at 80 he looks like he has done a couple of rounds of MMA.
Our friend’s elderly mother fell in her home and broke her leg. She was taken into hospital, where she has since contracted Covid. She has to stay in indefinitely.
Our other friend’s brother suffered a major stroke and is now in an induced coma. Who knows how long he will be hospitalised for?
My nephew had his hand trapped in a door and broke his knuckles (grown man, not a child, but even so.)
So there you have it. That is the first week of the new year. Nothing but trouble, stress, crime, stress, illness, stress and injury. Oh, and did I mention stress?
It’s okay. I think writing that was therapeutic in a small way. I won’t dwell on misery or fall into ‘woe is me’ mode. There are a lot of good things in my life I am very thankful and grateful for.
Even so, it does you good to have a moan now and then.
Happy New Year everyone.
By the way. 2023; you can start getting better from here on out, if you like…
Got a moan or a complaint, or just want to get something off your chest? Fire away below. Just bear in mind that bullying, racism or general abuse will not be tolerated here.
Christmas Day
We had a lovely but also a stressful Christmas. Mum was taken into hospital Christmas morning with breathing difficulties. My sister, who lives with her, was a trooper at getting mum the help she needed, even though she was/is unwell herself. Thankfully they are both on the mend now. Mum is back home, just had a video call with them both. Such a relief to see them chatting and laughing! Thank you Sylvia Williams for all you do. Thank you to all my sisters Sherry Cullen, Joyce Ward and Wendy Mitchell for always looking out for us all and for being what I have begun to think of as 'The Mitchell Dream Team!" Thank you also, to our under-financed and over-burdened NHS staff and the always amazing paramedics. We are indescribably lucky to have access to such health care here. Christmas is all about family ultimately, for me at least. We are very fortunate to have each other. I hope all of you reading this have had a happy and healthy Christmas, with the ones you love close by. Pets count - they are family too! #NHS #SaveOurNHS #thankyou Tell me what your Christmas looked like!
Merry Christmas and Thank You!
Here it is, Christmas Eve! Thank you to everyone who continues to support my writing and who encourage me to keep going. You know who you are! I appreciate you more than you can know. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!
Competition Winners!
Thanks everyone for all of your imaginative entries to my recent competition. I would like to announce that the winners are
Winning parcels will be sent out asap. I would also like to announce that there is a runner up who will win a free download of any one of my books, of their choice
Lisa Day
Thanks everyone! Keep your eyes open for more news, competitions and more!
Hag’s Breath - coming soon on Audio!
‘Hag’s Breath: A Collection of Witchcraft and Wickedness’ will soon be available as an audiobook!
Narrated by the excellent Paula Hines, I will keep you updated on progress.
Kobo!
Wakeful Children - Now on Kobo!
Just a quick note to say that Wakeful Children: A Collection of Horror and Supernatural Tales, is now available on Kobo.
Thanks!
COMPETITION NOW CLOSED!
COMPETITION TIME! UK OLY!
Some great entries via Facebook and here. Thanks to everyone who took part. A winner will be announced soon.
I will try to get your prizes out to you before Christmas, but please bear in mind Royal Mail strikes plus the time of year, when demands on postal services are so stretched. Thank you.
Now to read through those entries…
Who or what is in the distance on this foggy beach? Where is it going? What is it doing? Use your imaginations. Make it interesting, funny, frightening: whatever. The answer that makes me laugh, think or shiver the most will be the winner. I may even pick two or three winners! Prizes may include bottles, beanies, gilets, hoodies, signed books and more. Get those brains going!
Only entries on my Facebook Page or website will count.
Ends midnight GMT Friday 16th December.
Competition in no way associated with Facebook.
Judges decision is final!
P.S Someone once described this competition format as 'weird.' Is it weird? Or just a bit different? Let me know!
The End of the Path
Just a little video to show you the inspiration for The End of the Path, written for a free Christmas read a few years ago. It is still on my website if you want to take a look.