Dressing-Up Box at The New Flesh

The marvellous horror/bizarro site that is The New Flesh is running a competition on the theme of "...and that's why I keep my eye in a pickle jar." Details here.

My entry Dressing-Up Box is a demonic dance that gave me the most inappropriate pleasure to write. TNF accepted the submission - and it is now up on the site.

Do pop over to have a read and make a comment. I'd love to know what you think.

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Lily's Friday Prediction

Great stories and great debates last week with a challenging trio of words. Well done to everyone who entered. Always good to welcome new contributors, and Angel Zapata's bug-ridden tale was a joy to read.

Right. No messin' about. I'm late, I'm late, for a very important something or other. Here are this week's words:

• Korea
• Psychokinesis (psychokinetic is OK)
• Bedazzle

Usual rules - 100 words max flash fiction or poetry. Please add them in the Comments box below.

I've got a vision already. If I show you mine will you show me yours?

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Thrillers Killers 'n' Chillers

I've been far too busy for my own good lately and have neglected the wonderful Thrillers Killers 'n' Chillers. I popped over an hour ago and found some dark and disturbing treasures from Ron Koppelberger, Sandra Seamans, Sean Patrick Reardon and  Joleen Kuyper.

Don't be a stranger like me. Pay a visit. Hell, submit something.

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A Real Horror Story

More disgusting news of abuse by church leaders, this time Catholic priests in Belgium. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11281071

This is where the true horror lies; not in the pen of wordsmiths but in the sick minds and hands of those who are supposed to be Men of God. They seem to be outside of the law. I know what I'd do to the filthy pigs.

And that pope bloke's coming to the UK this week. Appalling.

Please note, I am not anti-Christian; I am not anti-religion. But I am anti anyone using religion (or anything else, for that matter) as an excuse to carry out abuse. Sorry for rant. Had to be said.

Lily's Friday Prediction

Lycanthropy, voodoo, aliens, lunatics, fairgrounds, coffee and muh-muh-muh-murrrrder all starred in last week's prediction. Well done everyone who entered - great stories and comments, as always.

Are this week's a bit tough to combine? I dunno. Looks like I swallowed a dictionary - oh, I did. I'm very intrigued to see what you can do with these:

• Parable
• Nestle
• Hypothesis

Usual rules - 100 words max flash fiction or poetry. Please add them in the Comments box below. The challenge is set...

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The New Flesh - Submission Accepted.

Thanks to Brian Barnett, co-editor of deliciously dark The New Flesh for accepting my submission to TNF's Inaugural TNF Flash Fiction War.

Mine is a demonic little tale called Dressing-Up Box that Brian kindly said is "very Clive Barker of you". Shucks.

It'll run on Saturday 18th September. I'll link to it on the day.

Anyone else entered?

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Two Many Knees

Over here in the UK it's that time of year again. The nights are cooling rapidly and new cobwebs seem to crop up from nowhere, glistening with dew in the morning light, or clouding the corners of your room.

I have big time respect for the eight-legged breed, but with a thing about creatures  with too many or extra high knees I'd rather they didn't come for me.

Who's had a spider encounter, either real or fictional? Let's have a Spider Week 2010! Post something on your blog - no limits - and whack your link in the Comments box below.

Here's a friendly little pome I wrote last year. Bet you can go darker :)

TICKLE

On the loose
In your house
Scampering up walls.
Velvet legs
Thick as twigs
Scuttling down halls.
Dropping down
By your face
Frightening you half mad.
No wonder
Spiders run
If you think them bad.
When you scream
What of him?
Sensitive fine hairs
Tense up tight.
He screams too.
Panic on the stairs.
Wish him well,
Arachnid,
Prowling in the night.
On the hunt
For a mate.
Pity him his plight.
Pointed knees,
Bubbled eyes
Staring from his nest.
Waiting there.
Why not say
'Welcome' to your guest.

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