Understanding Susan

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Tales from Even Darker Places

The Indie Collaboration Presents

 

Tales from Even Darker Places

The Indie Collaboration presents its thirteenth anthology of short stories, freely donated by independent writing's most ghoulish ghosts and gremlins. In this third annual Halloween collection, we find another sacrificial platter of chilling tales to keep you up at night.

If you choose to read these tales of ancient evils and sinister sorcerers, of ghostly hauntings, witches, serial killers and avenging angels, then remember to keep a light on tonight and don't forget to check under the bed.

Free download from Smashwords, Barnes & Noble and DriveThrouFiction, and on Kobo,

It is also available from Scribd.

Soon to be available on Kindle and in Paperback from Amazon.

Spectacular Tales 3

The Indie Collaboration Presents

Spectacular Tales III

 

More thrilling short stories written by independent publishing’s rising stars. In this third SF collection of short fiction, The Indie Collaboration delves into the vaults of speculative fiction once more, bringing you original and innovative Science Fiction and Fantasy stories.

 

Here you will find stories about Space Pirates and Barbarians, Survivors of plagues, a man doomed by time and an epic tale about Giants and Monsters.

 

So done your space suit and come join us in exploring more ‘Spectacular Tales’.

 

Spectacular Tales 3 by The Indie Collaboration (Published 11/10/2016).

Available for FREE at Smashwords and DriveThruFiction and on Kobo and from Barnes and Noble.

Also available on Kindle and in Paperback from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. 

 

In this second helping of summer fun, The Indie Collaboration comes up with yet another unique collection of original stories from the authors we have come to know so well. Now in our third year, The Indie Collaboration comes up with yet more exciting, enthralling and funny stories. Ideal for relaxing in the summer sun, just don’t get carried away and stay out too long.

 

Summer Shorts 2 by the Indie Collaboration (Published 13/06/2016). Available on Smashwords, Kobo, Nook and Amazon Kindle.
 

 

Summer Shorts is also available in paperback from Amazon and from Barnes and Noble.

The Indie Collaboration Presents

Spectacular Tales II

 

 

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON AND SMASHWORDS FROM FRIDAY 16/10/2015

Another thrilling anthology of short stories by some of the rising stars in independent publishing. In this second collection of short Speculative Fiction we bring you another treasure chest of great Science Fiction and Fantasy. Here you will find stories of intergalactic policemen, virtual soldiers, spirited princesses, lonesome spacemen and even megalomaniac dogs and kleptomaniac goats.

So dust off your old suit of armour and grab your blaster pistol and come join us in exploring more ‘Spectacular Tales’.

Tall Stories

Tall Stories

by Chris Raven, Peter John, Adam Bigden and Connie Dalhart.

 

 

The first anthology of Tall Stories is now available from Smashwords and on nook and Kobo.

 

Tall Stories  is the result of a writing group that came together to share story telling within the same fictional environment. The group was set up to allow its members to tell stories that intertwine; sharing and developing their characters and locations every time a story is told.

In this first anthology of short fiction you will find seven stories about the inhabitants of a residential tower block. Written by Chris Raven, Peter John, Connie Dalhart and Adam Bigden, these stories cover a wide range of genres and styles and will take you on a journey where you will see the same characters through different eyes, each story adding a further layer to life to Musevary Towers.

Coming Soon!

Spectacular Tales II

The Indie Collaboration's yearly Speculative Fiction Anthology

Due to blast off by the end of September 2015.

 

Original Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror short stories from the best of the Indie Scene.

 

Why not read the first  Spectacular Tales free on Smashwords.

 

Also available on Amazon kindle and in paperback.

Tall Stories

At Last!!!

The first anthology of 'Tall Stories' is to be published on Smashwords next month.

 

Coming to you on 1st July 2015 on Smashwords.

 

‘Tall Stories’ is the result of a writing group that came together to share story telling within the same fictional environment. The group was set up to allow its members to tell stories that intertwine; sharing and developing their characters and locations every time a story is told.

In this first anthology of short fiction you will find seven stories about the inhabitants of a residential tower block. Written by Chris Raven, Peter John, Connie Dalhart and Adam Bigden, these stories cover a wide range of genres and styles and will take you on a journey where you will see the same characters through different eyes, each story adding a further layer to life to Musevary Towers.

Contents:

Ernie: an Upstanding Member of Society by Peter John.
The Visitor by Chris Raven.
A Latté to Go by Chris Raven.
The Globe and Compass by Connie Dalhart.
Marley and the Nose Gnome by Chris Raven.
The Case of the Shiny Red Gift Box by Chris Raven.
The Letter by Adam Bigden.

 

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice

A Second Children's Story Collection

 

Another collection of children’s stories and poems from The Indie Collaboration. Once again we take you to far-away lands of magic and moonbeams, wishes and daydreams, cookies and ice creams.

I can't wait to go back. Can you?

Available for free on NOOK at Barnes and Noble and on Kobo.

 

Also available for free in various formats from Smashwords.

 

Also available in paperback and on Kindle from Amazon.

The Indie Collaboration Publishes Ninth Anthology – Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice!

https://animoto.com/play/ouNQ3S2q9GwL902HokLrag.

 

https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/10691

 

 

The Indie Collaboration released the ninth entry into their anthology series in April 2015. Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice! is a collection of free original children’s tales.

 

 

 

The Indie Collaboration released the ninth entry into their unique anthology series in April 2015. This anthology, Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice! is a collection of free original children’s tales brought to you by a group of independent authors who call themselves collectively, The Indie Collaboration.

The founding member of The Indie Collaboration, UK-based author Peter John says, “The Indie Collaboration grew out of a group of independent authors who banded together to show the world that great writing doesn’t require large publishing companies.” 

In the last two years, The Indie Collaboration has entered into the international market for anthology style print and ebooks with a unique spin on supporting and marketing works for independent authors.

The first eight entries in the collaboration’s collection are: Tales from Dark Places, Yuletide Tales, Kiss and Tales, Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales, Summer Shorts, Spectacular Tales, Tales from Darker Places and Kiss and Tales II. The next installment from The Indie Collaboration will be published Summer 2015.

Contributing author, Margene Wiese-Baier shares, “I was very excited to contribute some of my stories along with some of my mom’s stories in this children’s book. She left quite a legacy in her talents that was handed down not only to me, but to her other children and grandchildren.”

“With the new open platform publishing platforms and using new technology, today we have the opportunity to read works from mostly undiscovered, yet very talented writers,” contributing author, Kristina Jacobs says.

UK-based author, Chris Raven adds, “I really wanted to do a second children's anthology after the popularity of the first one. These books give our children's writers a chance to shine and the others a chance to show what they can do outside their usual genre”.

You can learn more about The Indie Collaboration, the group of contributing authors and their mission online at: http://theindiecollaboration.webs.com/.



Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice!:

A Second Collection of Children's Stories

 

Presented by The Indie Collaboration

 

 

https://animoto.com/play/ouNQ3S2q9GwL902HokLrag

 

 

Available from 8th April 2015

 

 

But don't forget you can still read the first anthology at:

 

 https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/429093

Indie Collaboration Publishes Eighth Book

The Indie Collaboration Publishes Eighth Book In International Anthology Market

 

The Indie Collaboration released the eighth entry into their unique anthology series in February 2015. This anthology, Kiss and Tales 2: A Romantic Collection is a collection of free original romantic tales brought to you by a group of independent authors who call themselves collectively, The Indie Collaboration. In the last year and a half, The Indie Collaboration has entered into the international market for anthology style print and ebooks with a unique spin on supporting and marketing works for independent authors. Last Valentine’s day, the group offered a sister book, Kiss and Tales: A Romantic Collection which rocketed up to #1 on Amazon best-seller free book lists and showed well in downloads throughout the Valentine’s season on Smashwords.

The founding member of The Indie Collaboration, UK-based author Peter John says, “The Indie Collaboration grew out of a group of like-minded independent authors. Together, we decided to show the world how great works of fiction can be created without the involvement of any large publishing companies.” 

The first seven entries in the collaboration’s collection are: Tales from Dark Places: The Halloween Collection, Yuletide Tales: A Festive Collective, Kiss and Tales: A Romantic Collection, Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales: A Children’s Collection, Summer Shorts, Spectacular Tales: A Science Fiction Collection and Tales from Darker Places: A Chilling Horror Anthology.

The list of contributors for each collection changes depending on each individual contributor’s interests and area of writing specialty. Clearly from the offerings so far, the collaboration’s authors have a wide variety of literary interests and their offerings should appeal to a wide audience.

Contributing author, Alan Hardy says, “The idea of a group of authors who have come together to offer up books to the reading public is an exciting way ahead for indie writers. I think this is important, writers coming together and taking control of their literary destinies.” 

Contributing author Kristina Jacobs says, “Reading anthologies is a great way to tap into a wealth of mostly undiscovered, yet very talented writers. We are truly a diverse group of writers and we have members from all over the world. It shows in the unique stories and collections that we are able to create.”

The next installment to be released by The Indie Collaboration will be published in Summer 2015.

You can learn more about The Indie Collaboration, the group of contributing authors and their mission online at: http://theindiecollaboration.webs.com/.

 

Kiss and Tales Two

Kiss and Tales: A Romantic Collection by the Indie Collective (Pub: 09/02/2015). Available in various formats at Smashwords. Also in paperback and on Kindle at Amazon.

 

FREE GIVE AWAY Via GOODREADS

 

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/123328-the-atomic-monster-from-out-of-space?utm_medium=email&utm_source=giveaway_approved

Start Writing Fiction II

I'm enrolled on a free Open University Course, Start Writing Fiction. I am using this post so my fellow students can read the assignment we are working on - Portraying Your Character. Here is the basic character description I am meant to portray in a number of different ways:

Physical/biological: Samet Dapes is a 35 year old Law Enforcement Agent for House Lien Rocha of Alpha Centari IV. Characteristic of a native Lien Rochian, Sam wears dark formal clothing and can often be found drawing on a nictostick and wearing a wide brimmed fedora style hat. He is a tall man of average build, though he is often hunched, trying to make himself smaller than he is. Trained and fit, he is stronger and more physically adept than he looks. Mischievous, dark deep-set eyes and thin blond hair. Not particularly attractive. Soft nasal voice and long rat like features – often underestimated. Often mistrusted because of his job and appearance. Prone to the sniffles – sniffs, hankie, cold remedies. Prone to laughs inappropriately when under stress and when his guard is down.

Psychological: Sam is confident, though he plays on his appearance to appear low status, cowardly and immoral. He is a skilled professional detective who obsessively and methodically seeks the truth. He cannot resist a joke and likes to sketch a bit. He is principled in a world without principles, but his own survival often means he has to hide this fact.

Interpersonal/cultural: Sam was born on Lien Rocha, the fourth planet orbiting Alpha Centari, and he has a small flat in the capital, close to his family. No partner of his own, he lives alone and is often off world due to his work. When home he is close to his parents and an older sister and a younger brother. He had an older brother who died in the line of duty as a Houseguard when Samet was still a child. Sam is often compared unfavourably by people who knew his brother. Sam is also close to an old school friend and an old flame. Lives on fast food mostly, likes fine dining when he is able. Very unfussy. Food is fuel.

Personal history: Old flame back home, a few others along the way. Not a major obsession or motivation. No personal life off world. Keeps both spheres of his life separate. Was recruited into The Houseguard on the back of his brother’s renown and transferred into law enforcement and finally special assignments (secret police).He hates his job, but none of this was by his own design as he fears his superiors – and so he should.

“When you meet my bosses, you’ll soon realise that everyone else is a doddle.”

Start Writing Fiction

I'm enrolled on a free Open University Course, Start Writing Fiction. I am using this post so my fellow students can read the assignment we are working on - Editing a short story. Here is the final version after that stage of the course:

The Amateur
by Chris Raven

The idiot seems anxious as he fidgets uncomfortably on the bus shelter's slanted half-seat. A strange man in a light blue puffer coat, that stupid long red scarf and the ludicrous black trilby. Surely he can't be from the Agency, he’s too obvious, clumsy even. It isn't even cold today so that coat's only drawing attention to him. He must be sweltering, the stupid cretin.

**********

There he is, my quarry, the man I am going to kill. My disguise is perfect; I can’t be missed, obvious in this bright puffy coat. The hat and red scarf just draws more attention to me. I stand out, in this heat, dressed like a social misfit. And the master stroke, an afterthought, those large clunky glasses. They say look at me, I’m in disguise. And that is my disguise.

I can see him look at me, stealing sideways glances. If he studied me straight on, even for a few seconds, he would recognise me, the man who taught him all he knows, about spy craft anyway. Maybe I taught him something else, about life, to the young angry court-martial soldier otherwise headed to military prison. We thought we could harness his aggression, mould him into an efficient weapon. Huh! I even thought I could reach out to him, adopt him even. Arrogant of me, that I thought I had gotten somewhere with him. Stupid. I convinced myself there was trust between us. First rule broken – never trust a dog bred for fighting.

**********

I will sit on this bench and watch him from the corner of my eye. I can see him make furtive glances in my direction, from behind that newspaper. He sees me see him, but he continues to hop back and forth on his bench like a deranged pigeon. He looks like a mental patient, this middle aged man in horn rimmed glasses. I can see the sweat glistening off his forehead, he’s nervous, afraid even. He should be if he intends to take me on.

**********

I know now that I was just projecting my feelings. For a son I would have had if he had survived to that age. That was why it hurt when my quarry defected. I am aware that this is personal now, he betrayed my trust, wasted my time, exposed my incompetence, but most of all, he made me care about him.

I know now that this was all false. He wanted to avoid military prison, he wanted to learn how to kill more efficiently, he wanted to earn the big money as a freelancer and he knowingly played on my loss to win my trust. I am so angry at him for that, so training take over while I channel that anger into focus and purpose.

**********

Who is this idiot? Clearly not a professional. A relative of some prior contract? Unlikely. Either way I cannot continue my journey with this useless amateur following me.

I'll jump on this bus and hope he joins me.

**********

I instructed him too well; he was a natural, the best I had ever taught, far surpassing me in surveillance and combat skills, and he has the edge of youth. A traditional approach would be pointless, he would spot me in no time, he knows my techniques as well as I know his – they are the same. My only hope is to hide in plain sight. That is how I hide. I pretend anxiety and I am clumsy and obvious in my exaggerated attempts to sneak clandestine looks at him. I can almost smell is curiosity. They say it takes an accomplished pianist to convincingly play the piano badly.

**********

He's taken the bait, following me upstairs like the fool he obviously is. We now sit and I can see his reflection from my window, staring at me with dark piercing eyes. He clearly hates me. One more passenger to leave the top deck, then I'll find out why he is here.

**********

Yes I have him; he is on my hook, and now to reel him in. Trying to lead me upstairs onto an almost deserted double-decker bus? So confident considering the time of day, I’m almost proud of him.

I follow, sit across from him. I watch him watch me through the reflection of a window. He will hesitate. He will want to know who I am, this harmless eccentric amateur. He could never resist a puzzle. One more passenger to leave and then we will be alone.

He will hesitate.

I will not.

The End (Copyright Chris Raven 2015).

The Atomic Monster from Out of Space

The second ‘Amateur Vile-Horror’

First Published on 16th November 2014

*****

‘The Atomic Monster from Out of Space’ is musical comedy stage play based on the 1950′s genre of monster movie, it is written specifically for a large non-professional cast.

*****

The Atomic Monster from Out of Space is written for a large non-professional cast and is royalty-free for non-profit making amateur productions. It has an adaptable cast of characters and a script that gives as much flexibility as possible for casting within existing drama groups.

*****

William Denning, a sheriff in a small American town in the 1950′s, reluctantly accepts the help of plucky female reporter, Patsy Parker, while investigating a string of missing teenagers. What will they make of the mysterious swamp in an old forest, a thirty year old meteorite crash site, ominous black goo and the hideous green monster that stalks after them in the night?

Available in multiple formats from Smashwords and from Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.

Tales from Darker Places

The Indie Collaboration Presents:
Tales from Darker Places

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tales-Darker-Places-Collaboration-Presents/dp/150272913X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1413320754&sr=8-3&keywords=Darker+Places

A selection of chilling stories from some of the best Indie authors on the market. We dare you to venture into these pages of spine chilling tales and stories of dark shadows & darker tidings, shifters, ancient warriors, zombies, & demons… See the world through the Ripper’s eyes, and so much more. So many dark, foul things wait for you between these pages. Freely donated by the authors themselves, these dark passages are a great example of their various, unique styles and imaginations. Join us in Darker Places.

Darker Places Authors: Donny Swords, Alan Hardy, Chris Raven, A.L. Butcher, Dani J. Caile, Adam Bigden

Brought to you by

The Indie Collaboration.

Available from Amazon on Kindle and in paperback.

Also available from LuLu and Smashwords.

Spectacular Tales

The Indie Collaboration Presents

  

Spectacular Tales

A thrilling anthology of short stories by some of the rising stars in independent publishing. In this collection we bring you a ship’s locker full of great Science Fiction and Fantasy. There are tales about beautiful princesses and cunning thieves, intergalactic wars, cosmic energy beings, warriors and rocketship pilots.

So strap on your jet pack and grab your broadsword and come join us in exploring these ‘Spectacular Tales’.

Available free in various formats from Scribd and Smashwords.

Also available on KINDLE.

Revenge of the Killer Bs by Migwin Crow

FREE FOR HALLOWEEN

Free on Kindle this Halloween!

Get it free between 30/10/2014 and 03/11/2014.