Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poetry. Show all posts

Sunday, 24 February 2019


I was once described as a ‘no-frills poet’, a title I love, as at the time I was still developing a style. With this grand title in mind, ‘Whimsies of a No-Frills Poet’ offers 20 frank or funny poems on subjects ranging from love, grief, nostalgia, loneliness, absurdity, homicidal bacon, and British rail cuisine.
Available on Kindle and in paperback from Amazon.
Available in other formats via Smashwords and SRIBD..

Saturday, 6 January 2018

Blue Passport


Blue passport, blue passport, just makes you think,
How long we've endured our passports of pink,
(But aren’t they really a burgundy-red?)

Forced upon us by a faceless EU,
Insisted we changed to red from our blue,
(But that was not what they actually said.)

Our British heritage, blue to the last,
Part of our history, and our great past,
(But only since the year nineteen twenty.)

Passport of blue, that’s the colour for me,
Part of our national Identity,
(Just like our social inequality.)

Chris Raven
© 2017 Chris Raven

Saturday, 30 December 2017

Bacon


Bacon's the most dangerous food in the land,
Not so the joint, diced pancetta or canned,
'tis the common type, that we should beware,
That sneaky streaky, that we find so fair.

So, what is wrong with our old breakfast friend?
The hangover cure, on which we depend,
Nice in a butty, with chicken or egg,
“What’s the beef with the pork,” I hear you beg.

Happy to tell you, put you in the know,
The rascally rasher is really your foe,
That salty goodness is really a trick,
It aims to kill, or at least make you sick.

I'm sure it's happened, to you or a friend,
When eating too fast, forgot to defend,
Against the rind, too rubbery to chew,
Slips down your throat and spells the end of you.

And so it just sits, a snake in your craw,
Making you choke, you can't breath anymore,
A long sinuous string, more like a noose,
Try as you might, you just can't shake it loose.

Eyes streaming hot, someone thumps on your back,
Start to black out from the air that you lack,
With finger and thumb, a pinch at the tip,
A slow careful tug, and out it will slip.

Like some monstrous tapeworm, plaid and grey,
Slithers right out as it's pulled all the way,
Past sweating lips, left to hang in the air,
A vivid warning for all to take care.

And now you know, you've all had a warning,
Beware the bacon, night, day and morning,
Don't be complacent, be always on guard,
Or cut off the rind..., it's not very hard.

Chris Raven
© 2017 Chris Raven

Saturday, 19 November 2016

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.

Sunday, 19 June 2016

 

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.

Saturday, 15 August 2015

Tall Stories

Tall Stories
 
 
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.

Wednesday, 8 April 2015

Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice

A Second Children's Story Collection

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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.

Monday, 6 April 2015

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

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/.

Saturday, 4 April 2015


Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice!:
A Second Collection of Children's Stories
 
Presented by The Indie Collaboration
 

 
 
 
Available from 8th April 2015
 
 
But don't forget you can still read the first anthology at:
 

Friday, 13 February 2015

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

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24928634-kiss-and-tales-2


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.

Sunday, 16 November 2014

Tales from Darker Places

The Indie Collaboration Presents:
Tales from 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.

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales

The Indie Collaboration Presents:

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales: A Children’s Story Collection.

The Indie Collaboration

Another collection of free poems and stories brought to you by The Indie Collaboration. This time we take you to a world of dreams. To far-away lands of magic and wonder, where ducks and children have adventures and learn about the world; where heroes help their friends and elephants get lost.
So pack your lunch box, grab your coat and shoes and join us in a land of make believe.
I can't wait. Can you?

Cover Art by Book Birdy Designs

Please take a look on Goodreads and add Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales to your TBR list, so you can be ready to collect your free Epub copy on the 18th of April from Smashwords.


It is also be available on Amazon Kindle and on nook at Barnes and Noble.

Also available in paperback from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Spectacular Tales

The Indie Collaboration Presents
  
Spectacular Tales


 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.

Saturday, 24 May 2014

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales

The Indie Collaboration Presents:

Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales: A Children’s Story Collection.

The Indie Collaboration

Another collection of free poems and stories brought to you by The Indie Collaboration. This time we take you to a world of dreams. To far-away lands of magic and wonder, where ducks and children have adventures and learn about the world; where heroes help their friends and elephants get lost.
So pack your lunch box, grab your coat and shoes and join us in a land of make believe.
I can't wait. Can you?

Cover Art by Book Birdy Designs

Please take a look on Goodreads and add Snips, Snails and Puppy Dog Tales to your TBR list, so you can be ready to collect your free Epub copy on the 18th of April from Smashwords.


It is also be available on Amazon Kindle and on nook at Barnes and Noble.

Also available in paperback from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.