Check out this Contest

Check out the blog for Ozark Creative Writers at www.ozarkcreativewriters.blogspot  This is a neat conference, and this year they're going to run a blog and offer contests all year. It's a good opportunity to perfect your craft by writing a short story or two, and it's a great way to win some cool prizes. Happy writing.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

It's Time to Get Scary!

We can't wait until next year to challenge you to a Halloween contest. We need us some spooky stories. Write a short story up to 3,000 words.  It doesn't have to be about Halloween but it has to be horror. It has to be scary. I mean really scary, because we don't scare easily and if you can make us cringe and cover our heads you will be the winner. No graphic anything. It's unclear when writers started thinking horror has to be a blood fest like Texas Chain Saw Massacre. It doesn't. True horror is usually very PG. We're not saying you have to be totally unbloody. A zombie beheading once in a while might be necessary. But you know what we mean. Now get to writing. The winner will receive a buffet breakfast at the famous, and very haunted Crescent Hotel. 

Deadline October 31, 2016. Send entries as an attachment toozarkcreativewriters1@gmail.com  Put Halloween Contest in the subject line. You will be notified if you are a winner by November 15th.

Really Scary Two Flash Fiction Horror Film

Just thought we'd share a few scary images to get your going. Or maybe these will keep you up at night...that's a perfect time to write horror.

High Hill Press Has Been on the Road!

High Hill Press

This High Hill Blog is back from its vacation! For the last two years we have been traveling the country in a fifth wheel trailer. This was partly brought about because we were dividing our time between St. Charles, MO, and Lexington, KY and I hate hotels. But while it was a convenience to pull our house behind us, we found that it was also fun. Almost instantly we made an astonishing discovery--a lot of people do this type of living full time. People our age, people who have retired from great jobs, have taken to the road to see this beautiful country and all it has to offer. So we are seriously thinking of selling our big house and moving in to our trailer for a couple of years while we travel from coast to coast. In other words, we're taking this show on the road. But in order to do that I had to make a promise to myself, and that's to get back in to the Blog and Facebook world. I'm also thinking it will be a great way to help our authors market their books. So far I've gotten High Hill books on the shelves of 21 Independent Bookstores and Libraries from Monterey to Lexington just by walking in the door and introducing myself. This year we plan to spend the winter in Florida and we will be visiting bookstores and libraries there. So while we're doing this we're also starting a whole new marketing program we're calling Writers on the Run. You don't have to be a High Hill author to take advantage of this program. For more information write to us at HighHillPress@aol.com 

The picture on the left is one of the eight bookshelves in my bricks and sticks house. (I love the gypsy lingo.) I'm trading it for this beautiful entertainment center in our trailer. Not a bad trade, except that I now own over 4,000 volumes.  Anyone need a good book?

But here is the biggest plus. Below is a snapshot of our backyard last winter.

I hate snow! Sure, it's pretty, but only for a little while. Then it's just cold.

The other picture is of the sunset off the coast near Monterey, CA. This was taken just outside the back door of our trailer. But I have to admit, it did get cold that night...we actually had to start the fireplace. Yeap, that's right, we have a fireplace in our fifth wheel. 

Watch this page for more information about taking High Hill Press on the Road. We're also planning a magazine that will feature writers from across the country and what they do in their area to get the word out about their books. Our Writers on the Run events will be advertised here too. We have a week long Writers on the Run event being organized now for next June in Kansas City, MO. If you're interested in joining us just write and let us know.

Several years ago, L. D. Whitaker, or Lonnie as he is now called by all at High Hill, contacted me about his novel, Geese to a Poor Market. Lonnie was one of our first publications, and boy did we learn a lot about publishing, editing, cover design, marketing...you name it, and we learned it the hard way. But in the end, both Lonnie and High Hill are proud of what we accomplished. Lonnie for writing such a wonderful novel, and the folks at High Hill for putting together a great book. Recently we decided to reissue this intriguing tale of humor, tragedy, small town secrets, and Ozark legend. Lonnie's characters are people who have lived in the heads of readers throughout the country. He's even gotten fan letters. We wanted to launch the new publication of Geese by offering a 99 cent Kindle version for a little while. What we hope is that we might lure a fan from the first publication of Geese, or perhaps make a new fan who wants to read the book on Kindle. But no matter what category you fall into, why not start 2016 out right by following the Geese. Read the wonderful reviews, then let us know what you think. Have a great year everyone, and make sure to support your local bookstore...and while you're doing it, you'll be supporting your local writer.

Geese to a Poor Market