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WIP Wednesday

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It’s time to SHARE what you’re working on!

The rules are pretty simple, if you want to play along.

Just share up to 500 words in the comments from something you’ve been working on.

Wow! Has it been a month already since I last shared? That’s insane. Time flies… as they say. Apologies, I guess I’ve been busy throughout May than I originally thought.

So, on that note… here is a small excerpt of something that may never see the light of day. This is an abandoned opening, but I still love it. If you like it and think it has merit and I should develop it into a full story, let me know by liking and or commenting.

Evie sat in the corner booth waiting, idly playing with the straw in her drink. She was bored and she’d only been here ten minutes. But that was the problem with small towns. Nothing ever happened and on the odd chance that something exciting did happen, it was almost always short lived.

So, she either had to find an excuse to get out of town and head to the city, or find someone who would be willing to entertain her for a few hours.

And that was the other thing about small towns. It was impossible to date. Everyone available was either one of three things… too old, family or someone her parents didn’t approve of.

It was the third reason that bugged Evie most of all and gave her the most incentive to want to get out. It wasn’t as if she needed her parent’s approval in regards to who she dated, but the elders of the pack had strict rules as to what the younger generation could and couldn’t do.

All because some alpha over in Belfast got himself got himself into a tangle with the daughter of the faerie queen. Suffice to say it didn’t end well and a lot of people died. Of course, those actions had ripple effects which had trickled down to the American packs.

Rule #36: No werewolf shall at any time enter into a relationship with one of the fair folk.

To do so would mean excommunication. And a werewolf without a pack was dicey. Without protection of other pack members anything could happen.

So, what are you waiting for? Bring out your WIP for WIP Wednesday!

 

Fable Cover Reveal

🦋✨Cover Reveal✨ 🦋

My short story, Beauty, which is my own take on Beauty and the Beast appears within its pages!!! 🥀

I cannot wait to share it! It’s so pretty 🥰

Fable, the debut anthology from Iron Faerie Publishing is compiled by Stacey Jaine McIntosh.

This anthology features 16 authors who have each weaved their own take on a fairytale, each with their own unique twist.

It’s set to release on the 5th of July, so keep an eye out for this and be sure to grab a copy when it drops!

Purchase links to follow once they become available.

Story Prompt Sunday

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It’s Sunday again and with it comes the sixth installation of Story Prompt Sunday!

No real inspiration to speak of this week. It’s just something that popped into my head and I can’t seem to let go of it. And what better thing to do than share.

So, here it is, today’s opening line…

A girl walked into a bar.

And please, if you’re up for it, and it inspires you, share what you’ve written in the comments below!

Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

I’m giving away a $5 Amazon gift card when my Facebook group hits 200 Members!

All you have to do is join!

If you’ve liked any of what I’ve shared on my blog or are curious as to my next few releases please come along. I’d absolutely love to have you!

Author, Stacey Jaine McIntosh’s Fae Hollow

I love weaving Celtic mythology into my stories and writing about faeries and other paranormal beings. There’s so much fun to be had with creatures that can’t lie.

Submissions, Rejections… and Acceptances

submission, rejection and acceptance

Submissions, Rejections… and Acceptances

It’s bravery, hope, sadness and glee… all wrapped up in a neat little package.

And do you know what I did despite receiving a rejection letter this week? I pushed on. In the wake of that rejection, I went onto receive three more acceptances, which pushes my total for the year up to 18! Not bad considering.

And that rejected story? Well… it’ll be fleshed out to a more respectable (novel) size and published.

So, all is not lost.

 

It’s Better to Believe

I thought I’d put it out there that Iron Faerie Publishing has a few Submission Calls currently open. The latest of which is…

✨Faeries Anthology✨

They are seeking stories about faeries from Irish, English, Welsh and Scottish origins be they from the Seelie or Unseelie Court or the unaligned. Dark and Light elves are also welcome, as well as the more domesticated (household) fey.

Genres wanted are urban fantasy and paranormal or dark paranormal fantasy. No horror.

Word Count: 2000 to 4000 (No stories over 4,000 or under 2,000 words will be accepted)

Submissions Close: 1st August 2019 or UNTIL FULL

Response Time : within 3 weeks after submissions close.

Compensation: A Contributors Copy (eBook)

Reprints Accepted: No

Estimated Release Date is TBA!

So, what are you waiting for? Get writing!

Story Prompt Sunday

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It’s Sunday again and with it comes the fifth installation of Story Prompt Sunday!

This week’s inspiration is aptly enough, Mother’s Day.

As a mum of four it can get pretty crazy around here, but I didn’t have to cook or do housework this year, which is always a welcome change.

Mother's Day

I hope you enjoy it!

Today’s opening line…

My mum always says…

And please, if you’re up for it, and it inspires you, share what you’ve written in the comments below!

No Rest for the Wicked or Weary

Okay, so I’m not that wicked, but I am weary.

As you can see, I spent April blogging up a storm, and I loved every literal second of it. (Pun intended) But, in doing so I wore myself out.

My plan before April… was that I would post daily throughout May, but obviously April happened and now we’re ten days in and I’m busy finishing short stories while editing others.

All that means is I’ll take a more leisurely pace until June.

So, on that note what I have been hard at work on is a paranormal romance short story that is just over 15k! It features faeries and woods and the turning of the seasons from autumn to winter and while it needs a little work before it can be submitted for consideration into a rather epic anthology that Juliet Marillier is featured in, I am hopeful. I’m keeping everything crossed that my story is good enough and that I manage to make all the edits in time, because it would mean the absolute world to me if it was published.

Story Prompt Sunday

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It’s Sunday again and with it comes the fourth installation of Story Prompt Sunday!

This week’s inspiration is fire.

I hope you enjoy it!

Today’s opening line…

He watched in awe as it burned; the pages reduced to ash.

And please, if you’re up for it, and it inspires you, share what you’ve written in the comments below!

Pendragon Sneak Peek!

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Work on Le Fay is coming along steadily but slowly.

It’s always the way when I set myself a deadline. I promise it will be available soon!

In the meantime, I’ve posted a little SNEAK PEEK into the next installment, Pendragon in my Facebook group. You can check it out HERE! It won’t be available anywhere else, so if you want to read, please consider joining the group.

Pendragon is the third and final installment of this trilogy and tells the story of Mordred, the rightful heir of Camelot in Avalon.

As with all my stories, particularly those dealing with the Arthurian Legends, there’s a twist because I like “what ifs”.

Mordred, the son of Morgan le Fay and Arthur Pendragon is fated to bring down Camelot. Morgan herself, tries to prevent him from being born but fails, obviously, and trouble ensues. You’ll have to read the excerpt to discover more.

And if you haven’t already, you’ll want to check out Morrighan! It’s only 99c on Kindle and $4.99 for Paperback!

 

 

 

Pre-Order Organic Ink, Volume 1 Now!

organic ink

My two poems, Petals and Darkness are included in this anthology and I can’t wait for it to hit shelves! Pre-order NOW!

Preorder Your Copy!

Poetry; a unique and beautiful way to express feelings and ideas. Weaving words into perfect poetic prose, these fifty authors remind you of your childhood, bring comfort from the hardships of life, fiercely spur emotions, and tell tales of old. All lovers of poetry will find a favorite here.

Story Prompt Sunday

story prompt

It’s Sunday again and with it comes the third installation of Story Prompt Sunday!

I hope you enjoy it!

Today’s opening line…

I was taught to fear the dark.

And please, if you’re up for it, and it inspires you, share what you’ve written in the comments below!

I Wasn’t Planning to Take a Break, But…

The internet went out and I had no choice.

And of course I had no contest pre written and there’s only so much cell data available on my mobile phone.

So, I’d love to say I’ve been busy writing up a storm, but sadly no internet meant my kids didn’t quite know what to do with themselves and I had to deal with the cries of boredom.

But it wasn’t a total loss and some new words have been written. And some editing got done on two stories which means everything is moving forward.

While I was away, I did create a group where fans of my work can gather. I’m hoping to grow my readership and this seemed like a logical first step.

You can find the link here. It would mean a lot if you joined. And there’ll be a sneak peek for my upcoming novelette Pendragon coming very soon if you do decide to join, which won’t be shared anywhere else!

Lest We Forget

Anzac Day. It’s a national day of remembrance held every year on April 25th

It stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps And commemorates all the Australian and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peace keeping missions and was originally devised to honour those who had served in the Gallipoli Campaign, the first engagement of World War 1. (1914-1918)

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

As we won’t be partaking in the Dawn Service this year, I have decided to share a recipe for Anzac Biscuits. Yes, I said biscuit not cookie.

ingredients

  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup coconut
  • 125 g butter
  • 2 tbs golden syrup
  • 1 tbs water
  • 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

method

  1. Sift the flour into a bowl. Add sugar, rolled oats and coconut.
  2. Melt butter in a saucepan, then add golden syrup and water.
  3. Stir the bicarbonate of soda into the liquid mixture.
  4. Add liquid to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
  5. Place walnut-sized balls of mixture on a greased tray and bake at 170 degrees Celsius for 12 minutes.
  6. Biscuits will harden once cool.

For those of you reading this blog post and thinking: but I don’t have/can’t get my hands on any golden syrup there are substitutes, like honey, corn syrup and molasses.

Click here for more information about those substitutes and others that you can use in place of golden syrup.