April Grey

Another Free Read

2012-01-12T03:56:00.000-08:00

My story, "Doing Time," is the flash fiction of the day at Every Day Fiction.

The Next New Thing

2012-01-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

This Thursday, Jan. 12th another free story of mine, "Doing Time" will debut at Every Day Fiction. My short story, "Objects of Desire" is in their anthology, The Best of Every Day Fiction Two.

Please head over and check it out this Thurs.

Another Free Story (limited offer)

2011-12-28T04:56:00.000-08:00

The Vision

The Vision, A Dark Romance
Ebook By April Grey
$0.00 Rating:
(4.50 based on 2 reviews)
Published: Dec. 25, 2011
Category: Fiction » Romance » Gothic
Words: 4481 (approximate)
Language: English

Extended Description
It was only a children's game, put the chestnut beneath your pillow and dream of your future husband. However, in her dream she saw a monsterous visage, so deformed and hideous that she awoke with a start and was certain that this would be her fate.

Then she met Jack. Could their love save her?

Set in Napoleonic times, The Vision is a dark romance of love, fear and fate.

Making Lemonade is up! My piece about writing from the hurt

2011-12-19T12:49:00.000-08:00

In 2004 my life was a roller coaster...

FREE STORY

2011-12-04T15:33:00.001-08:00

My zombie love story, "I'll Love Ya Forever, But.." is up over at Eric's Hysterics. Go on over and have a laugh, it's good for the health, ya know.

Guest Blogging at Ginger Simpson's Blog

2011-12-03T09:33:00.000-08:00

I'll be writing a little about the Austrian folkloric character, The Krampus, and explaining how it came to be featured in Chasing The Trickster. Please join me.

My First Review for Trickster (at Amazon.com)

2011-12-02T14:44:00.000-08:00

5.0 out of 5 stars Very original, great characters, excellent story..., November 25, 2011
By RSP SciFi-er (Staten Island) - See all my reviews This review is from: Chasing The Trickster (Paperback)
Instead of recycling old tropes (vampires, werewolves, witches, et al), Chasing the Trickster is a very original interpretation of horror/fantasy using two largely unexplored mythologies: those of the Southwestern United States and Central Europe. So, the first part of the good news is that, as you read, there is absolutely none of that feeling of, "Wait... didn't I read this before?" No, as your gobble this up (I found this book very difficult to put down), you won't harken back to a previous read and say to your yourself, "Oh yeah, this is like that OTHER book!"

The really good news is that the characters are extremely well drawn and executed. Throw in an unorthodox approach to treating time and plot, some really nice plot twists and genuine surprises, as well as an ending with epilogue that ties everything up into an excellent and satisfying conclusion and you have one of the best books I've read all year. No real bad news! Great job, Ms. Grey!

Heading out to Philcon & Trailer

2011-11-18T06:17:00.000-08:00

Hi All, Philcon! It's my first time there and my first time on panels. I'm really looking forward to it and to meeting more Broads from Broad Universe along with Philly SF&F fans. And, Ta-Da! The trailer for Chasing the Trickster.

My first trailer!

2011-11-13T06:11:00.000-08:00

Today is the Day! Trickster Released

2011-11-07T15:31:00.000-08:00

Chasing the Trickster is now available at Eternal Press.

http://www.eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781615725328

One Man, Two Women, Two Gods…who will survive the Trickster’s snare?

Just released from Eternal Press, Chasing the Trickster is a sexy and witty paranormal romance with a dark underside. Taking place in New York City and Santa Fe, Trickster is a tale of love lost and regained, dashed hopes and redemption.

Excerpt from Chasing the Trickster:
She stalked about then stopped in front of one particular photograph. There was a problem with it, but with today being the deadline she hadn’t had the time to risk airbrushing the imperfection out. Some sort of flaw in the film stock or her supplies had created a ghostlike image in the sky of her desert landscape. She pouted in annoyance.
The quality of light was unusual in this one: a combination of a storm blowing in and the setting sun gave the landscape a surreal translucent glow. There was a interesting spray of cactus in the foreground, which drew the eye and balanced the gathering clouds in the sky.
She looked at it again and silently swore. The pin light on it now needed to be repositioned where a moment ago it was just fine. She found a ladder in the hallway supply closet and headed up, balancing precariously on the top step. Refocusing the light on her photo, she noticed something. From where she was, the imperfection had changed into the image of a vehicle and it was on fire. She could see the superheated air wavering up off of the flames. There was a crackling sound of a blaze and she lifted a hand to guard her face against the heat she felt. It was going to explode. She was quite sure of it. Then she was falling backwards.

It's Here- My story in Ephemera

2011-10-23T12:26:00.000-07:00

My short story, "Todd Nathaniel's Last Case" is now available in Ephemera.

It's available at B&N, Amazon and from Elektrik Milk Bath Press

Whoo-Hoo!

Busy, Busy, Busy at NY Comic Con

2011-10-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was the NY Comic Con. We went all four days. Highlights were running into Hildy Silverstein, Editor of Space and Time Magazine. Wow. I know her from Lunacon and the Steampunk World's Fair. She's a really lovely person. At my first Lunacon she was kind enough to critique my short story, "I'll Love Ya Forever." At the time it was up to the final cut at a well know magazine. It didn't get picked up, but I sold it just a few months ago. I forgot to tell her.

I also met fellow Broad Universe member, Jennifer Allis Provost, and her sister who had driven all the way from MA to attend.

I enjoyed the Steampunk documentary preview and there was also a preview of a documentary on the history of comic books. The panel on the new Dark Shadows movie was a little disappointing. Not enough about the movie and a lot about the two actresses having written books about Dark Shadows, figures since it was their publishers who set up the panel.

I also attended a panel on "The Steampunk Zombie Invasion" with various writers. Sadly, the Sat. panel "Zombies, Fallen Angels and other Paranormals give new meaning to Undying Love" was either rescheduled or cancelled. Sunday I attended another great panel, "We're No Angels: Leading Ladies of SF/F".

I collected 26 free books from the big publishing houses and look forward to reading them all in the months to come!

A Very Good Week

2011-09-10T06:11:00.000-07:00

I made two sales this week:

"I'll Love Ya Forever, But" to Eric's Hysterics

and

"Todd Nathaniel's Last Case" to Ephemera

That brings up my total sales this year to five!

Now I have to write some more stories to send out...

A Beautiful Cover for my novel

2011-09-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

I am so delighted with the work Amanda Kelsey has done on the Chasing the Trickster cover. Whoo-Hoo!

The End of the World as I know it (and I feel fine)

2011-08-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

In the past year our local Barnes and Noble closed, leaving us to retreat to Borders. Then Borders went out of business. And then The NYC Opera left Lincoln Center.I already miss our local (within walking distance) bookstores, and NYC Opera; it's a shame but DH and I can still walk to the Met.

And I also decided to go with an e-publisher for my novel. That's the only change which I feel good about. I'd thought long and hard about this, not wanting to have my books get maybe three weeks time in a bookstore before being returned to the warehouse, or wind up somewhere coverless and forlorn. I love books, the feel of them, the smell, bookmarks, everything. But I do most of my reading on the computer. I even have Kindle for the PC. I'm a traitor to the big brick and mortar bookstores.

I have bought from Amazon for years now, usually just out of print books, though. Most of the time I did buy my hard copies from B&N or Borders. But my bookcases are out of space, so it feels right to download what I want to read. Saves paper, saves physical space.

Yet, I keep wondering what will happen after an apocalypse? If we don't forget how to read, will we be able to gain access to information stored on computers? If the upcoming destruction of the world is really bad, will there be anyone left to read at all?

Not to be all gloom and doom, but I really like the idea of having a few hard copies around, just in case we wind up back in the dark ages again.

Sure, this probably won't happen in my time. But I still like to imagine there's some huge vault somewhere where all the great books will be kept safe for future generations.

Just in case.

What a Weekend!

2011-06-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

Here in Hell's Kitchen we have a yearly arts festival and studio tour called "Artists in the Kitchen." As I did last year, I participated in the activities by giving a reading from my works.

Yesterday and today, I read the first chapter from Chasing the Trickster to a small, but appreciative audience at the Oasis Community Garden. It felt great. I love reading from this novel.

Also, my collection of short stories, "The Fairy Cake Bake Shoppe and 13 Other Weird Tales" is now available from Smashwords.

For readers of this blog I have a discount coupon code:PJ45N - good until July 7th.

Please head over and download your copy. And please let me know what you think.

If you are in Manhattan this Sat.

2011-06-21T04:24:00.000-07:00

I'll be giving a reading from my novel, Chasing The Trickster this Sat.@ Artists in the Kitchen Studio Tour

Location: Oasis Community Garden, 52nd St. and Tenth Avenue.

Time: 12:00PM Saturday, June 25th.

I'm set to read first. I might also give a second reading on Sunday.

Come on by!

Wonderful Weekend!

2011-06-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

I was at the Stoker Weekend, given by the Horror Writers Association.

It was great meeting many fellow horror writers, and the panels and workshops were very informative.

The Smashwords manual also took up much of my time this weekend. In honor of my selling Chasing the Trickster to Eternal Press, I'm going to release my previously published short stories in a collection: "The Fairy Cake Bake Shoppe and 13 Other Weird Tales."

I totally love the artwork produced by Dirk Strangely and am very grateful to have his talent for my cover.

The Fairy Cake Bake Shoppe and 13 Other Weird Tales

2011-06-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

More good news!

I'm going to be releasing a collection of my short stories on Smashwords in honor of this terrific news.

Exciting News

2011-06-11T17:19:00.003-07:00

I just signed a contract with Eternal Press for my first novel, Chasing The Trickster. I'll keep you updated with new information as it comes to me.

2011-06-11T17:19:00.001-07:00

After the Steampunk World's Fair

2011-06-11T06:04:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to say how great it was to see CJ Henderson at the Steampunk World's Fair and what a pleasure it was to listen to him read from his collection of stories.

I also got to see fellow Broad Universe member Emilie Bush who was there to promote her second book in the Airship series.

Steampunk World's Fair

2011-05-15T15:50:00.000-07:00

It's coming up too soon to be believed. We had such a good time last year and I feel so guilty writing about it here because I don't really use it much for networking, more for enjoying myself and taking a little break.

Then again, my flash fiction "Lace, Lavender and Revenants" was steampunk, and the story I've been working on for the past two years is also steampunk.

And I did get some very good advice from fellow writers there last year. So, yeah, I will consider it fair game.

Not much else to report. Wrote my second grant of the year. Keeping fingers crossed.

Wish me luck.

World Horror Con 2011

2011-04-30T06:35:00.000-07:00

Woot! Friday was a wonderful day.

On Friday we had our Broad Universe Rapid Fire Readings. As organizer for the event I had put together flyers. I didn't realize that WHC is a much more intimate event than Lunacon. I printed way too many flyers. But other than that all went in a very smooth manner.
I loved meeting my fellow broads: Camille Alexa, Leadie Flowers, Stima Leicht and Jessica Reisman. Kudos to the Broads for their impressive readings.

I was also doing a pitch to a well respected publisher that day and I'll be sending off a package as soon as I get home.

I went to launch parties for Edge and Chizine at the hotel and was fortunate enough to be on a bat cruise given by Dark Continents. Austin at night seen from the river was spectacular.

I have met many, many wonderful people not just writers and publishers but family members as well. And the con is very well organized. The person I worked with to set up the Rapid Fire Reading, Martel, was great as was the person in charge of arranging pitches, Rhodi. Thank you so much to all the people who have created this con with such loving attention to detail!

Today will be less hectic, just one more pitch and I look forward to relaxing at some readings and panels.

World Horror Con

2011-04-09T18:28:00.001-07:00

I can't believe it's just a few weeks before World Horror Con. I'm in charge of the Rapid Fire Reading for Broad Universe and have been hard at it to keep communication open with the person in charge of scheduling and the Broads who will be reading. I'm doing a flyer and I'm so glad I have plenty of time to get this done.

There will be novel pitching at the Con, and I'm trying to prep myself mentally for the event. Time just seems to be moving so quickly.

I'll update as we get closer to the big event.

Lunacon cont.

2011-04-09T16:50:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about going to Lunacon is the Rapid Fire Reading in which members of Broad Universe come together to read their work. The past couple of years I've been reading with the same group of talented writers: Gail Z. Martin (The Chronicles of the Necromancer series and The Fallen Kings Cycle), Danielle Ackley-McPhail (Yesterday's Dreams, Tomorrow's Memories and The Halfing's Court), Sarah Avery (the Rogosa Coven series), Roberta Rogow (The Root of the Matter and many more). I so enjoy listening to my fellow Broads read and catching up on what is happening in their careers.

There were a lot of familiar faces on the panels. I was pleased to be in various panel audiences listening to Lawrence M. Schoen (Guest of Honor), Neil Clarke, Michael D'Ambrosio, Neal Levin, Joshua Palmatier (also know him from Online Writers Workshop), Darrell Schweitzer, Hildy Silverman, David Sklar, Ian Randal Strock, Patrick Thomas, Gorden Van Gelder, and Michael A. Ventrella.

I had fun at the party for the release of the anthology After Hours: Tales from the Ur-Bar, editors Joshua Palmatier and Patricia Bray. Didn't have a chance to swim or use the hot tub. The panels were just so good and informative that I had almost no down time. I loved hanging out with other writers and learning so much about the business and craft of writing.

Thank you everyone who made this such a great weekend!

Lunacon!

2011-03-22T19:14:00.000-07:00

Lunacon this year was fantastic. So many panels about SF, Fantasy and Horror. But also just about the craft of writing. I saw a lot of old friends and was so pleased to be there. The scheduling was terrific, very little overlap. But saying that, the Rapid Fire Readings for Broad Universe was a bit of a challenge with three of our readers booked for other events/panels.

I want to go into detail about the con, but it's a bit late. I'll get back onto this tomorrow.

"Mother Mine" up at Dark Valentine

2011-01-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

My short story, "Mother Mine," is now up at Dark Valentine. Enjoy your day!

Last Year and Looking Forward

2011-01-02T06:34:00.000-08:00

Last year I went to quite a few conventions: Lunacon, The Steampunk World's Fair, NYC Comicon, and Connecticon.

This year I'll be at those PLUS I'm heading down to Austin, TX for the World Horror Convention.

I'm please to say that I joined the Horror Writer's Association last year.

Finally, my short story, "At the End of Day" came out in Demonmind's Halloween Anthology. It's a lovely book and I'm very pleased to be a part of it.

New Year's Resolution is to keep writing and keep submitting!

Steampunk World's Fair Follow Up

2010-05-22T03:59:00.000-07:00

I just had an e-mail from Jeff, one of the organizers of the World's Fair, and next year sounds like it will be even better. Many thanks for creating a wonderful environment for the imagination to feast and grow.

While at the Fair I had the opportunity to become more acquainted with a fellow member of Broad Universe, Emilie Bush. I greatly admire Emilie's pluck and talent. She self-published her book, Chenda and the Airship Brofman and I took every opportunity to pick her brains about such an endeavor. As people who attend writing cons know there are huge changes in the publishing industry. The idea of publishing a book which might go to one of the big chains, sit three weeks on their shelves and then have their covers removed to be disposed of just doesn't sound very green. In our digital age, with PODs, I-pads, etc. shouldn't paper be treated with more respect? Going non-traditional routes is very appealing and something I've thought about for years.

I also had the chance to spend time with the publisher of Weird Tales and Wildside Press, John Gregory Betancourt. I've loved Weird Tales for many, many years and it was a pleasure to take advantage of the Library which he and his associate had set up. It was a generous act since along with providing a cozy space for readings, they also gave space to the books of authors attending the Fair. I came home with a huge amount of reading material.

I ran into CJ Henderson, yet again, and had a delightful talk with him. Again, I spent more money and now have plenty to read for the next few months.

I think the highlight of the weekend came courtesy of the Steampunk Family. Anna and her husband, Herr Von Hedwig, share a past with my own husband and as a result DH and I were invited to their suite to indulge in some delicious home made absinthe. While my favorite drink during my college years was Pernod, it is nothing at all like the homemade stuff which was quite delightful and refreshing. DH had a chance to catch up on old times while I spoke with the author of The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, Leanna Renee Hieber.

All in all it was a most inspiring weekend.

As for tonight, I shall be giving a reading of three of my short stories, "Troll Bridge," "Doing Time," and "I'll Love Ya Forever, But..." at the Oasis Garden (52nd off of Tenth Ave., NYC) at 6 PM, as part of the Artists in the Kitchen, Studio Tours Weekend which is now happening.

Wow, such great excitement in such a short time.

Steampunk World's Fair and Another Sale

2010-05-15T07:23:00.001-07:00

I'm here at the Radisson Hotel at the Steampunk World's Fair and having a great time.

I was at Lunacon a couple of months ago and never got around to writing about it, so this time I'm trying to be a bit better.

We attended the Brass Ball last night and are looking forward to the many interesting panels and demonstrations today.

Also, I sold my short story, "At the End of Day" to DemonMinds Halloween 2010 anthology this past week. Whoo Hoo!

Well, the first panel is about to start...

Terrible Beauty, Fearful Symmetry finally out

2010-02-25T17:38:00.000-08:00

It took a while but the anthology, Terrible Beauty, Fearful Symmetry, with my short story, "Exile" is finally available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Also, my flash fiction "What You Will" is up at Everyday Weirdness for February 25th.

And finally, Edge of Propinquity has published "The Fairy Cake Bake Shoppe."

It's been a terrific week.

Forgot to Mention

2009-11-14T04:39:00.000-08:00

My flash fiction, "Objects of Desire" has been chosen to appear in Every Day Fiction's 2010 Anthology. Doing another happy dance.

More Good news

2009-11-07T09:42:00.001-08:00

"Lace, Lavender Salts and Revenants" is now up at Flash Me Magazine's Fantasy Issue

Sale: "The Fairy Cake Bake Shoppe" will be in the 2010 Issue of The Edge of Propinquity.

"When Alexander Died" in Chaos Theory, Tales Askew

2009-06-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

My short story is in the current edition of Chaos Theory, Tales Askew.

http://genspace.com/ctta/issue-12/tocframe.htm

Hope you get a chance to read it.

At Every Day Fiction

2009-02-22T15:28:00.001-08:00

Every Day Fiction published my flash fiction for Valentine's Day. You can read it here:

http://www.everydayfiction.com/objects-of-desire-by-april-grey/

The next event is Lunacon March 20-22 where I'll be joining with some of the other Broad Universe ladies to be doing a Rapid Fire Reading.

If you will be there, please let me know!

They took out my brain and put in a chicken!

2009-02-07T17:16:00.000-08:00

Thursday night I dreamt that a mad scientist had removed part of my brain and put in a chicken. A live chicken.

Make of it what you will, but DH is clucking at me because I told him.

I really do think it has to do with us going to the New York Comic Con this weekend. Last year, DH and DS were huffed about the Robot Chicken panel and I think that was what inspired the dream.

It's been a busy two days with DH taking a vacation day to be there for the opening on Friday.

I was worried that the economy might have had a dampening effect but the crush today made it pretty clear that it was still going strong for the geeks.

Yesterday's highlights were:

Playing D&D with my hubby and son. (I've been going to comic cons and sf cons since the mid-seventies and now it's my son's turn to have fun. I still enjoy going, but sitting back and playing D&D with my family is priceless).
The Yatterman movie snippet and panel--I love Japanese live action stuff like Power Rangers and felt bad when DS outgrew it.
The Futurama movie-Excellent! And I couldn't beat the price.

Today's highlights were:

Getting to see the first 18 minutes of the Watchmen. I didn't want it to end and can hardly wait to see the whole thing.
Visiting Christie Kane's wonderful and bizarre doll booth.
The Sci-Fi, Supernatural, and Fantasy Author's Round Table. It was very cool that the ten people on the panel were evenly divided between male and female. I came in late and so missed the intros (getting through the masses of people at the con took much longer than expected). However, I was told that the panel was being taped and would be available at Suvudu.com. One of the quips I heard at the panel was that beginning authors rely on inspiration and experienced authors steal. Probably some truth to that... It was great getting to see the likes of Tammy Pierce, Kim Harrison, Jeff Somers, Peter Brett and Carrie Vaughn and the five others whose names I didn't get to catch (but suspect Sherrilyn Kenyon was one of them).

DH and DS will be going back tomorrow, but I have some business that must be taken care of so I'll have to take a pass. But I have loads of goodies to enjoy, esp. my new Japanese shopping bag which has a black cat and flowers on with and "Flower Cat" written on it.

Our next sf con will be Lunacon next month.

Where to find my short stories

2009-02-06T07:49:00.000-08:00

My story "Russel Stover is Your Pal" is published in Northern Haunts.

Order direct from Shroud Publishing (hardcover):
http://www.shroudmagazine.com/northern-haunts--100-terrifying-new-england-tales--hardco100.html

or at Amazon (softcover)
http://www.amazon.com/Northern-Haunts-Terrifying-England-Tales/dp/0980187052

Terrible Beauty, Fearful Symmetry will be out in late March
http://www.darkhart.com/anthos.html

Just Getting Started

2009-02-06T06:40:00.000-08:00

I write speculative fiction, mostly horror, but also a smattering of other genres.

New publications:

My short story "Russel Stover is Your Pal" is currently out in Northern Haunts
"Exile" should be coming out later this month in Terrible Beauty, Fearful Symmetry

Just sold: My flash fiction "Objects of Desire" to Everyday Fiction.com

In the past my stories have appeared in Amalgamae Magazine, Walking Bones Magazine and Brilliant! (an anthology of flash fiction).

I am a member of Broad Universe.

Thanks for stopping by!