My second book, ‘Under Blankets, Under Stars’, is now available for pre-order! 
Due to COVID-19, it’s only available as an e-book. As soon as printers are back up, it’ll be out as a paperback.
Austria: http://amzn.to/3jbXvZD
I am pleased to announce that my second collection of short stories will be available this Valentine’s Day! ‘Under Blankets, Under Stars’ is the light to the darkness of ‘A Chance of Rain’.
Over 20 upbeat sci-fi and fantasy stories, ‘Under Blankets, Under Stars’ will be available as an e-book on the 14th. A paperback version will be in print once printers are back up and running following lockdown. 🙂
Available for pre-order soon!
Happy Halloween, guys and gals! So, here we are: number four! This one is a bit more cheery, and good deal less bloody than the last one. It was written for the prompt, “Write about someone taking a child trick-or-treating for the very first time.”
The title of this one is All HAL’s Eve, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!
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.
Continue Reading
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!
So, A Chance of Rain has been out for a little while now, and it’s starting to get some reviews — some of which are really lovely! As we all know, a review is worth its weight in gold — so, every one is very much appreciated!
A Chance of Rain is available for Kindle and as a paperback — second edition coming soon!
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?”
Continue Reading
Well, that’s all for now! Until next time, guys. 🙂
Hey, how are we all doing? I hope you’re all well! 🙂 Sorry for the brief pause (it seems it’s becoming a habit, as of late!), but I spent the week at my in-laws’ for my partner’s 25th. Lots of food, hiking, and drinking. I’m back now, however!
This next one was written for the Reedsy contest, In Reverse. I chose the prompt: “Come with us,” two burly men in gray suits say, grabbing you by the arm and handcuffing you. “You know what you did.” But you have no idea. The title of my story is Lights Shined into Pried-Open Eyes, and you can find it here on WordPress, or over on my Reedsy profile.
The plasma glow from the television was the only source of light in the apartment. All the curtains were drawn — they always were, day or night.
Continue Reading
See what people have said about my newly-published book, ‘A Chance of Rain’, and the dark little tales within…
‘A Chance of Rain’ is now available on Amazon, in both paperback (£6.99) and Kindle (£1.99) versions!
…and we’re almost there! It’s been fun and furious! This next one was written for the contest Worth the Wait. I chose the prompt, “Write a story about a person waiting for an answer to a question.” It feels like a spiritual sequel, of sorts, to my other short stories Sea the Moon and snoitseuQ and srewsnA. The title of my story is The Lonely Earth, and — as always — you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile!
She stepped barefoot onto the grass, feeling the dampness of the night against her skin.
Continue Reading
I’m really enjoying these dreamy, floaty pieces — I’m sure there’ll be plenty more to come!
Hey everyone! How we all doing? Good? Grand! I’ve been shortlisted for the Reedsy contest again! Always lovely. This was for the contest Superpower! I chose the prompt, “Write about a person who collects superhero comics.” The comedic, alien sci-fi slant came very quickly — and the mental image I found to be quite endearing! The title of my story is A Little Bit Off, and you can read it here on WordPress or over on my Reedsy profile.
We all knew there was something a little bit off about Hugh.
Continue Reading
I’ve now lost count how many times I’ve been shortlisted for the Reedsy contest, which to date I’ve won twice… Still hoping for that third win, at some point. 😉 If you’re interested in reading the others, check out my Short Stories section! The ones that have asterisks have either won or been shortlisted. Well, until next time, have a great day, and look after each other. 🙂
Joshua G. J. Insole 