Showing posts with label kindle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kindle. Show all posts

Monday, 3 November 2014

WITHIN WET WALLS - out now, for your wicked pleasure

Within Wet Walls is a short, gothic ghost story inspired by M.R. James, Dickens and Sir Walter Scott.

It speaks of a medieval manor built in a Sussex forest where beings as old as the land itself swirl, translucent in the damp mists. Ever hungry.

Travel through time within the wet walls of Wealdstone House. Slip into Eliza Lundy's Victorian sub-existence of servitude and debauchery, laced with opium and absinthe. Taste the terror. Embrace life... while you can.

Eliza's wandering spirit will take you by the hand, by the throat, by the lips. Enter her darkness to discover the beautiful horrors that reside there. She's waiting. She's always waiting. For you.

OUT NOW! From just 99p/$1.59


Excerpt:

WITHIN WET WALLS


The first time I heard Georgia sing, I sucked her soul out through her skin. I took it – but I didn’t really want it, not then. 


Applause rang through Wealdstone’s derelict Great Hall. It drifted into cold Sussex skies to join the final notes of Georgia Holland’s aria. The sounds entwined, dispersed... fell again as a sparkling frost on a raw winter’s night.

The singer’s sculpted face gazed up at the vast ivy-edged hole in the roof, focussing on a slither of moon which glimmered and smiled at its companion star. Georgia raised princess hands towards the celestial display, bringing the audience to its feet in ovation.

Beneath broken beams, the room slowly quietened. People turned to each other in whispers, agreeing that Miss Holland not only sang like an angel, she looked like one; her beatific countenance transcending voice and stature. Her tall body swayed, swathed in white velvet. A stole of ivory feathers hung from the pin of her shoulders making wings at her back.

The hall sighed as one; Georgia’s scarlet mouth grew wide, the grin reaching her cheeks, her eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Roses as red as the singer’s lips flew at the stage to cries of ‘Brava! Brava!’ leaving a carpet of petals at her feet. Georgia stared down – exalted – but humble, always humble. Tears blurred her vision and she watched in fascination as the flowers seemed to lap at her dress, soaking the hem. Silence fell. Georgia frowned, her smile wasting away. Tendrils crept up her skirts in crawling fingers.

“What...?”

She grabbed the moist fabric. It stuck to her bare legs, cloying and dripping with gelatinous greenery. Gasps peppered the makeshift auditorium; cold air scattered across the thousand tea-lights, extinguishing some, flaring others into a frenzied dance.

“Help me!”

Georgia’s voice went unheard amongst the mounting screams as the audience watched a figure wrap itself around the performer’s paralysed body, enveloping her in spirals of translucence. It squeezed, constricting Georgia’s ribs like a snake before rising to shimmer before her face with a face of its own.

A girl.

A girl with row upon row of tiny pointed teeth.

“It won’t hurt,” the mouth sighed. “It will be delicious.”

And it was.

Saturday, 26 July 2014

OUT NOW - The House of Three: A Short (Ghost) Story


Full cover of The House of Three: A Short Story by Lily Childs
The House of Three: A Short Story by Lily Childs

Mentioned in my last post (but without the trumpets), my short ghost story, THE HOUSE OF THREE is now available to buy from Amazon:


A Little Background

I'd alluded to the fact that The House of Three is set in a considerably more dilapidated version of my own house. Since I wrote it over two years ago, the story has taken a morbid hold on me. Something has always stopped me from submitting it to open markets, as though it had stitched itself into the very bricks and mortar of my Victorian home (and the cells of my brain) and was refusing to let go.

Sometimes though, you simply have to cut the ties that bind.

I decided to release it through my own publishing platform, Ganglion Press. Whoosh! Gone.

The story is a slight detour from my usual writing 'style', less arty-farty poetic horror and more straightforward storytelling, slapped about with a hint of crime and given an unhealthy dose of the supernatural. There. Did that sell it to you?

I hope you like it. Do let me know.

_______________________________________


Friday, 15 November 2013

Tasty... FRESH FEAR!

The wait is over! FRESH FEAR is out! And my gritty tale of cannibal love, murder and theft, STRANGE TASTES is one of the first stories in line, right below that of a certain Mr. Ramsey Campbell.

Hell, you can even read a good, fat chunk of Strange Tastes with Amazon's 'Look Inside' feature. It starts, "She's so bloody articulate. I want to slice out that petty tongue and lay it on my leather strap. I will - later..."


Book Description:

"...a collection of horror from some of the genre's best writers of dark fiction. This collection has no central theme other than the stories' ability to scare the hell out of the reader! 

Tales steeped in psychological horror sit alongside visions of strange worlds and inner landscapes drenched in blood. 'Quiet horror' sits comfortably next to more visceral portrayals of the monsters that lurk deep within the human heart. 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, famously once said, "where there is no imagination there is no horror" - the horror expressed by the authors in Fresh Fear show that imagination is indeed tantamount to excellent story-telling. Prepare yourself for 28 tales of terror-inducing fiction that will have you checking the locks on every door and window of your abode!"

This is the Kindle version, for the moment. Fresh Fear will also be out in paperback very soon for those of you that prefer to stroke than click.


Read and enjoy. And if you do enjoy, please add your review. Thank you.

Authors

Fresh Fear is published by James Ward Kirk Publishing, and edited by William Cook. The fantastic line-up of writers includes:
  • Scathe meic Beorh 
  • Ramsey Campbell 
  • Lily Childs   
  • Lincoln Crisler   
  • Jack Dann   
  • Robert Dunbar   
  • Thomas A. Erb   
  • Brandon Ford   
  • Carole Gill   
  • Lindsey Beth Goddard   
  • J. F. Gonzalez   
  • Dane Hatchell   
  • E. A. Irwin   
  • Charlee Jacob   
  • K. Trap Jones   
  • Tim Jones   
  • Vada Katherine   
  • Roy C. Booth and Axel Kohagen   
  • Shane McKenzie   
  • Shaun Meeks   
  • Adam Millard   
  • Christine Morgan   
  • Billie Sue Mosiman   
  • D.F. Noble   
  • Chantal Noordeloos   
  • W. H. Pugmire   
  • William Todd Rose   
  • Anna Taborska
___________________________________________


Thursday, 31 October 2013

Cut-Price Cabaret - Grab Yourself a Bargain

Yup, for just three days over Hallowe'en, the Kindle e-book version of CABARET OF DREAD has been reduced to the (rather odd) price of £1.02. But hey - that two pence isn't going to kill anyone.


By this evening it should have also dropped in price to $1.65 in the US, and 1.11 euros in... erm, Europe.

Enjoy the book. And as always, your thoughts and reviews are more than welcome.

THANK YOU



_________________________________


Wednesday, 27 March 2013

The Demonologia Biblica. OUT NOW!


Time to tell it like it is - HORROR - where you want it, how you want it.

I am delighted, nay - delirious to announce the release of the long awaited anthology THE DEMONOLOGIA BIBLICA (TRES LIBRORUM PROHIBITORUM) from Western Legends, edited by Dean M Drinkel.

Dead proud for my nasty tale THE TWISTWEAVER'S SON, featuring ravenous demon the 'Kilcrops' to be appearing alongside stories from the likes of British Fantasy Society authors Mark West, Barbie WildeSimon Kurt Unsworth, William Meikle, Jan Edwards, John Palisano, Adrian ChamberlinRaven Dane and more.

Buy THE DEMONOLOGIA BIBLICA in paperback from:
Download THE DEMONOLOGIA BIBLICA to your Kindle from:

Do help spread the word, These demons are in need of a good home.
______________________________________


Thursday, 6 September 2012

Going for Number 1

I am stunned.

MAGENTA SHAMAN and MAGENTA SHAMAN STONES THE CROW have only been free to download from all Amazon platforms for a couple of days, and already both are alternating at top first and second positions in the Free Kindle Horror Bestsellers list, adjacent to horror master James Herbert in the paid lists, no less!



They're not quite there in the .com US charts but have still had lots of interest. To date, both books - short novellas that chart the terrifying journeys of Brighton-based, natural-born shaman Maggie Sweeney - have been downloaded over 2,500 times! That's across the US/Canada, UK, Germany and Spain.

I am so grateful to everyone that has picked up copies and hope you enjoy them. Your reviews and comments are very welcome.

All the best.

Lily/x


Monday, 3 September 2012

Download the MAGENTA SHAMAN stories for FREE!

Forewarned is forearmed... both MAGENTA SHAMAN and  MAGENTA SHAMAN STONES THE CROW will be **FREE** to download to your Kindle or Kindle app from tomorrow 4th September, right through to Saturday 8th.

Dark, urban fantasy woven with mild horror these short novellas introduce Brighton's natural-born shaman, Maggie Sweeney and follow her astral journeys to cursed lands and demon-infested pits.

Walk with Magenta as she gathers plants and poisons to use in battle; suffer with her as she faces death - again and again.

Sometimes it's not the supernatural you should watch out for, it's the devils on your own doorstep...

Free from tomorrow but more info - including a peek at the opening pages - at: Amazon UK  and Amazon US/Canada


Friday, 16 March 2012

At last! CABARET OF DREAD - out now.

At last, CABARET OF DREAD: A HORROR COMPENDIUM, VOL 1 is on Amazon's virtual shelves, all ready to be downloaded, tagged and 'Liked'.

Any help in spreading the word will make me a happy, and grateful writer. I would LOVE to know what you think, and would also appreciate any reviews beyond words. Thank you dear friends!

To buy, or download a sample:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007KSVXQK for US/Canadian readers and http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007KSVXQK for Brit horror fans.

Product Description:

A terrifying collection of short horror stories by dark fiction author Lily Childs. These forty-three offerings comprise eleven long tales, including the previously unpublished:

- SMILING CYRUS - dancing dolls of death in your attic
- IN ADORATION - demonic rebirth, revenge and new skin
- STARING AT THE PINK - when the dead don't let go

Studded and stitched together by shorter pieces and tiny 100-word drabbles this first volume of Cabaret of Dread ends with:

- THE INFANTA TRIPTYCH - living, dying art - breathing, pulsing... ancient.
"Extreme vampire horror."

Words spill from the babbling mouths of demons and murderers throughout Cabaret of Dread, combining fear and even humour as the reader encounters serial killers and ghosts, historical entities and psychopaths, not to mention a scuttling vampire or two.

Cabaret of Dread is extreme horror FOR ADULTS ONLY. Ethereal and spiritual elements battle with the visceral and the insane; lustful adoration dallies with laboured, lingering death. The Cabaret will shock, it may well offend. But it is beautiful – at least in the author’s mind - and that’s where the darkness lies.
_________________________________

Praise for Cabaret of Dread

"Having read almost every story written by Lily Childs, I can confidently say that Britain has a new Queen of Dark Fiction. The prose crawl off the pages, down your spine, then drag you into the darkness." - Col Bury, Crime Editor at Thrillers Killers 'n' Chillers ezine

Thursday, 8 March 2012

Latest news on Cabaret of Dread

Cabaret of Dread: a Horror Compendium Vol. 1 is now complete. Kindle publication date 16 March.

I'm so excited to finally unleash this book and its demons. Some of the previously unpublished tales never found a home; maybe they were just waiting to dance all by themselves.

Book Description:

A terrifying collection of short horror stories by dark fiction author Lily Childs. These forty-three offerings comprise eleven long tales, including the previously unpublished Smiling Cyrus, In Adoration and Staring At the Pink – all studded and stitched together by shorter pieces and tiny 100-word drabbles. Extreme vampire horror The Infanta Triptych completes this first volume.

Words spill from the babbling mouths of demons and murderers throughout Cabaret of Dread, combining fear and even humour as the reader encounters serial killers and ghosts, historical entities and psychopaths, not to mention a scuttling vampire or two.

Cabaret of Dread is extreme horror for adults only. Ethereal and spiritual elements battle with the visceral and the insane; lustful adoration dallies with laboured, lingering death. The Cabaret will shock, it may well offend. But it is beautiful – at least in the author’s mind - and that’s where the darkness lies.
______________________________________

The book will be £1.49 on Amazon in the UK, and $2.99 in the US. I'm not the best at marketing but I would be eternally grateful to those who buy Cabaret of Dread. Thank you in advance.

Additionally I would love you to bits if you would also consider writing a review for Amazon, Goodreads, your blog... (anywhere frankly!) 

I'm happy to do interviews too. If you don't already have my email address feel free to use my Contact Form.

(Don't forget, if you don't have a Kindle you can download a free Kindle for PC/Smartphone app from Amazon.)

Thank you my friends.

Saturday, 21 January 2012

Magenta Shaman - FREE - for two days only!


Not read MAGENTA SHAMAN yet? Quick - it's FREE for this weekend only! And at only 7000 words you can quickly read it over breakfast, on the train, in bed, on the loo...

Spread the word!

What's it about?

A natural shaman by birth, Magenta Sweeney travels through trance-induced realms to deliver souls from demonic threat.

But Magenta also has an earthly life in modern-day Brighton, a strange and cosmopolitan city caught between the rolling hills of England and the Sussex coast where she lives with husband Tom.

Every journey Magenta takes is unique. Her intricate knowledge of herbs and poisons guides her when to heal - and when to kill.

Yet before she faces each challenge she must meet with ancient and terrifying entities that will unlock her passage into other dimensions, but not without question - or sacrifice.

This first episode in the Magenta Shaman short story series finds Magenta’s relationship with Tom at breaking point as she takes greater risks to help those waiting for her. Under pressure from The Protegians, a mysterious group of earth-bound guardians, the shaman is sent on increasingly dangerous missions by their intermediary - a suave, arrogant man known only as The Judge.

Will Magenta survive the fight to expel a deadly demon from a foetid, volcanic pit? And will Tom stand idly by when he finds his wife's body, broken and lifeless on their bed?
                        ____________________________

Download it free from Amazon UK, US and all Amazon platforms this weekend only.

Reviews

Magenta Shaman is receiving a growing number of 4* and 5* reviews. Please let Amazon readers know what you think of the book by adding your own reviews. Oh, and tell your friends! Thank you.

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Magenta Shaman Stones The Crow - Out Now!

I promised; I kept you waiting... but finally here it is - the second novella in the Magenta Shaman series, Magenta Shaman Stones The Crow.

Book Description:

Natural born shaman, Magenta Sweeney is torn from the comfort of England's green coast and sent on a terrifying trance journey by the very guides and guardians that claim to protect her. This time she must do as she is told. This time – she has no choice.

In Magenta Shaman Stones The Crow Maggie finds herself eight hundred miles from home, wandering the Bohemian forests of the Czech Republic in a final, desperate attempt to rescue the father she'd long believed dead.

As the bleak stone walls of ancient Houska Castle loom through the trees the shaman must prepare herself as never before.

And when the Gates of Hell open to invite Magenta in, she is forced to make a decision – one that could be her last.


Book cover (c) Laurence Ranger and Lily Childs


Download Magenta Shaman Stones The Crow now from:
_____________________________________________________


Feedback... and would you write a review?

I would love to receive your feedback on Magenta Shaman Stones The Crow. Do leave your comments below - and if you would be prepared to write a review for Amazon or Goodreads, that would be wonderful (and helps others to decide whether to buy the book).

I am so grateful for your thoughts - as always.

Coming Soon on Other Devices

I hope to publish both Magenta Shaman and Magenta Shaman Stones The Crow through Smashwords in the next few weeks. This will allow you to download it in other forms (including PDF) to PC, Mac, Nook, e-readers, i-Phones/Pads, Android phones and more.

The books will be available through Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Sony and the Apple Store.

______________________________________


Monday, 9 May 2011

Magenta Shaman Reviews

Only one week since Magenta Shaman danced onto Amazon's pages and sales are in double figures. THANK YOU!!

Ranking figures are up and down like a doxy's knickers which is fun to observe.

Haven't got a Kindle? How you can download your copy of Magenta Shaman

Lots of people have said they don't have a Kindle (neither have I!) so a here's quick reminder that you can download Kindle for PC, for free. Just look on the right-hand side of the Magenta Shaman book page on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com. You can also download Kindle for i-Phone, i-Pad and android; in the US you can get it for Blackberry too.

Read the Reviews

More thanks to those of you that have written such kind reviews. I hope you don't mind me posting them below. They're your words, your copyright and I acknowledge that.


2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars

Brighton Rocks, With The Shaman Blues., 3 May 2011
By Anthony Cowin (UK)

Magenta Shaman is a sweeping cinematic ride from the Brighton coast to the astral planes. It's a magical story dealing with corruption, devotion and love written with such skilful prose you almost fall into a spell as you read along. The characters are so well drawn in this novella that you may be mistaken for thinking you've been on literary journeys with them before. That's how quickly and vividly they become real in the readers mind.

Lily Childs has constructed worlds on the other side of the mind that are so beautifully described you simply slip into this magical place of monsters and spirits with ease. There's tension and thrills along the way too that will keep you pressing that page forward button until you finger hurts. I can't wait to find out more about these worlds and characters in what undoubtedly promises to be a series of great tales.

This truly is a refreshing Kindle début. Check it out as I doubt you'll regret the purchase. At least you be able to say you were one of the first readers when these characters hit the big screen some day.
_______________________________

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars

Brilliantly written, 6 May 2011
By A reader "A Reader" (UK)

Brilliantly written short by the very talented, Lily Childs. From the onset you are drawn in to the world of Magenta Sharman, who is great character. If you like fantasy stories, then you will love this. If this is not your usual genre of choice, I would urge you to read it anyway, because you will still love it. I look forward to reading more in the Magenta stories.
_______________________________ 

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars

A Fantastic read, 1 May 2011
By Briff "bigbopperbriff"

I've enjoyed reading Stories and prose from Lily childs online and in various anthologies such as "Daily bites of flesh" and "Caught by Darkness", so I was really excited when I heard that Lily was about to publish a novella in her own rite.

I was not disappointed, I couldn't put it down, so much so that I read it twice and plan to read it again.
Magenta Shamen is a brilliant character that draws you into her world from the first page.
I'm not going to plot spoil but suffice it to say Magenta is a character that I'm sure you'll love and that I hope Lily will revisit in the future for yet more adventures.
_______________________________

You really are generous - thank you. All reviews are welcome.
Lily/x

Sunday, 1 May 2011

Magenta Shaman - Now on Kindle

I've been hinting about her for a couple of years now. The wily, travelling spirit of Brighton-born Magenta Sweeney; natural shaman, fighter and defender of souls. Yet she's not without her own dark side.

I finally took the decision that this series of short, urban-fantasy stories would genuinely be suitable as individual e-books on Kindle. It's been a learning process but now - the very first Magenta Shaman episode in the series is available to download from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

Please enjoy it, review it and let me know how you feel about both Magenta herself, and this first story. There are many more.

The original cover artwork is by my husband Laurence Ranger, and has been adapted by me. We both hope you like it.

I must give my thanks to various members of the UK's Writers' News and Writing Magazine's online forum Talkback for voicing their experience in publishing to Kindle, as well as to Tony Cowin and Lee Hughes for such valuable and honest critiques, even though this is an urban fantasy - outside of each of our horror genres. 

My special thanks go to my husband Laurence for believing in Magenta and offering his own extensive esoteric knowledge and sublime artwork - Magenta is a part of both of us.

Magenta Shaman - Amazon Product Description:

A natural shaman by birth, Magenta Sweeney travels through trance-induced realms to deliver souls from demonic threat.

But Magenta also has an earthly life in modern-day Brighton, a strange and cosmopolitan city caught between the rolling hills of England and the Sussex coast where she lives with husband Tom.

Every journey Magenta takes is unique. Her intricate knowledge of herbs and poisons guides her when to heal - and when to kill. Yet before she faces each challenge she must meet with ancient and terrifying entities that will unlock her passage into other dimensions, but not without question - or sacrifice.

This first episode in the Magenta Shaman short story series finds Magenta’s relationship with Tom at breaking point as she takes greater risks to help those waiting for her. Under pressure from The Protegians, a mysterious group of earth-bound guardians, the shaman is sent on increasingly dangerous missions by their intermediary - a suave, arrogant man known only as The Judge.

Will Magenta survive the fight to expel a deadly demon from a foetid, volcanic pit? And will Tom stand idly by when he finds his wife's body, broken and lifeless on their bed?

___________________________________________

Download Magenta Shaman on Kindle from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

If you don't have a Kindle you can download Kindle for PC, iPhone, iPad and Android for free from Amazon.
____________________________________________


Wednesday, 20 April 2011

Interviews and Kindle News

This week I read another great interview with the wonderful Jodi MacArthur over at Spinetingler Magazine where we're both nominated for the best short story on the web award. But that's by the by - Predictioneer and Wicked Woman's Booty author Jodi gives her best - as always - in the magazine's Conversations with the Bookless series. Go see...

Another great read is with Lori Titus, an amazing psychological horror writer who is also editor for Wicked Nights Publishing and runs her own radio show. Author of the novella Lazarus and anthology Green Water Lullaby (I've got it - it's extraordinary), she was interviewed by the hospitable Richard Godwin in his Chin Wag at the Slaughterhouse. The probe provides a great insight into what inspires Lori's beautiful and edgy prose. While you're at it, check out Richard's website and consider buying his novel Apostle Rising - it's my bedtime read at the moment - and I'm freaked. Can't pick it up - and then can't put it down.

Lastly, my own news is that I hope to have a short 7k word book coming out on Kindle at the beginning of May. It's been ready for a while but I finished the cover this evening. The original artwork is by esoteric artist Laurence Ranger and sits on my wall. He's approved my graphic manipulations and I'll display the cover here as soon as the Single book is out.

Related to this is my interview coming up over at lovely fellow horror writer Erin Cole's dark and wondrous place on 1st May - Beltane to my pagan friends. I'll be revealing what the Kindle premier will be and Erin will also be publishing an unpublished story of mine, Wraiths and Stays. Can't wait. Thank you Erin!

Oh, and girlfriends? I bought shoes. Black things with leather roses. Thought you'd like to know.
___________________________________

Tuesday, 28 December 2010

Daily Bites of Flesh - now on Kindle!

Back in November I was thrilled to announce that Pill Hill Press' horror anthology Daily Bites of Flesh 2011 was available in print. And now - if you've got a Kindle, or the free Kindle app for your PC or phone you can download this fabulous compendium of horror for just £3.73 from Amazon UK or $5.75 from Amazon US.


You get a tasty bite of flash fiction horror for every day of the year - what could be better than that? Two of my pieces - Spangles and Pustula Peculiar appear in 'June'. You can read excerpts below.

For a sneaky peek at some of the other stories in the collection - and ooh - are you in for some delicious treats from some excellent writers - you can download the whole month of January for free as a Kindle sample from Amazon. Just go to the relevant Amazon link above and find the Try It For Free box.

You can buy Daily Bites of Flesh in print direct from the Pill Hill shop for $22.49. Or from Amazon (UK - £21.99 and US - $24.99) and at Barnes & Noble.

Many thanks to Jessy Marie Roberts for her astonishing work in compiling and editing this anthology.

Excerpts:

Spangles
They found sequins in my knickers. The silver disks filled my crevices, finding their way into folds of flesh where they cut and sliced me raw. The question the cops asked themselves – did a killer place them there, or did I?


Hudson swore as his boss gave him the best job of all; standing between my legs to catch the corpse as they cut me down. The wind was ferocious. My body swung in circles from a creaking oak, a pendulum. Hudson danced like a girl, trying to avoid the spillages splattered over the forest floor beneath me. Evacuation - the elegance of death.

Pustula Peculiar

Ginger limped sideways to reach for another bottle. Taking a swig he gazed at the dancing dead.

“More,” the woman called from her shackles. “I need more”.

She widened her mouth to accept the Absinthe. The excess ran in rivulets down her neck raising the skin in blistering welts. Labella took the full mouthful into her throat in a single, rasping gulp.

The men looked on. No more smiles, just pant-pissing terror as the drumming began to slow.

“Quickly,” they begged. “Do it now.”
___________________________________

Lily Childs is a writer of horror, esoteric, mystery and chilling fiction.

If you see her dancing outside in a thunder storm - don't try to bring her in. She's safe.