‘Montis Absentia’: A narrative experiment

Well, hello there! How are we all doing this fine Saturday? Keeping well? Social distancing? Grand.

You might’ve noticed I’ve not reported on my Reedsy stories in a while, and the reason for that is I’ve started a bit of an experiment! I’m aware that, as a writer, I’ve got more than enough short stories to my name, but no complete novel. I thought to myself, as I’m in the throes of wrangling a full-length manuscript (more info on this once it’s closer to completion), yet write one Reedsy story a week, I could try to weave my Reedsy pieces into material for a full-length.

So, that’s what I’ve been doing for the past four weeks. This experiment is still ongoing (and I imagine it’ll take a year or so to complete). The experiment is this: I’ve got a vague idea for a story, so, when each Reedsy prompt comes out, I use that prompt as inspiration for the next chapter. I have no idea how this story is going to end, or where each chapter will go every week. As I said, this is an experiment! I may end up realising that it just doesn’t work. But, for the meanwhile, I quite like this idea and I’m going to give it a go!

Well, that’s enough blathering on about the initial idea, Joshua, tell them about the story. The title of the story is Montis Absentia, and Pt. I was written for the contest Introductions. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about two people meeting during unusual circumstances and becoming fast friends.” You should know the drill by now. You can read the story here on WordPress, or over on my Reedsy profile!


The two sets of headlights intersected each other in the midnight’s blackness, shades of yellow and orange sliced through the inky gloom.

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I’ll be uploading each part on a weekly basis. So, I hope you think this idea is as cool as I do (and, really, that I feel excited is the most important thing). I guess we’ll see how it goes, eh?

Until next time, guys!

‘In the Dark of the Zombie City’: A story of an intense discussion

Hey, everyone! How’s everyone doing this fine *checks notes* September afternoon? This next one was written for the contest, In On a Little Secret. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about a meeting of a secret society.” The title of my short story is In the Dark of the Zombie City, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile.


“So, the first item on our agenda is killing Ethan.” Lilly looked up from the sheet of paper on her judge’s desk. “Are we all in agreement?”

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Well, that’s all for now! Until next time, guys. 🙂

‘Eye to Eye’: A story of reconnection

How is it September next week? Where has the time gone!? This next one was written for the Reedsy contest, Second Chances. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about childhood sweethearts coming across one another after many, many years apart.” As you can probably guess, I took it in a rather weird direction… The title of my story is Eye to Eye, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!


A glimpse was all I needed to recognise my childhood sweetheart; I’d never forget those killer’s eyes.

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Well, that’s all for today! Until next time, guys. 🙂

‘18.01528’: A short story about a heated conversation

Hey, guys! Hope you’re all doing well, as autumn fast approaches! This next one was written for the Reedsy contest, Dog Days of Summer. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about another day in a heatwave.” At first, I wasn’t really sure what direction to take the story in, but then inspiration struck and I went for a Mad Max-ian vibe. The title of my story is 18.01528, and — as per — you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!


The old man spoke, pale blue gaze resolute. He ignored the barrel of the assault rifle that was aimed at his forehead. “We were neither prepared nor equipped to cooperate.”

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Well, until tomorrow’s Friday Afternoon Frights… 😉

‘A Chance of Rain’: How my book has fared in its first month

Well, hello there! How’s everyone doing on this fine Wednesday? I can’t believe we’re nearing the end of August — it’s crazy! That also means that A Chance of Rain has been out for about a month now, so I thought I’d do some data analysis to get an idea of how the book’s being doing. 🙂


Figure 1: Sum of net units sold on days that royalties were earned (data courtesy of Amazon)

As you can see in Figure 1 (sorry, force of habit from my academic days!), the book hasn’t set the literary world on fire, but it hasn’t done too shabbily either. In fact, considering that this is an indie book, and my first one at that, I’m rather pleased with how it’s all gone. 🙂

The next step is to accrue more reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, so that I can reach more readers! Any help in this endeavour would be so very much appreciated.

Well, I guess that’s all for now. Until next time!