Are you ready to be scared? Beware of Kropsy’s Curse!

 

Hi everyone!

It’s October, and you know what that means! Halloween is my favorite holiday, so today I’m sharing a look at my Halloween-themed horror story…

Kropsy’s Curse

Late one Halloween night, two young boys venture into a secluded graveyard in the hopes of conjuring up a spirit. Although Kyle is skeptical and would rather be home eating candy and watching horror movies, he reluctantly goes along with Jerry’s plan. He doesn’t believe Ouija boards work—until this one starts spelling out a message…

This Halloween-themed 1500-word short story is a cautionary tale about playing with a Ouija board in a graveyard.

Here’s a mini-excerpt:

“Where is it?” Kyle whispered.

“Over there.” Jerry swung his orange plastic flashlight to the left. “Why are you whispering? It’s just a graveyard. Ain’t nobody here,” he joked, then laughed. “Come on.” Jerry hoisted his black backpack over his shoulder. “Hurry up. It’s almost midnight.”

Kyle’s sneakers slipped on the dewy grass as he followed Jerry down the last hill in the cemetery. He paused and glanced around. The moon appeared as a slit in the night sky. Dark clouds floated out of its way, and a sliver of pale yellow mixed with the blue-black night. Something made a noise off to his right, and he jumped. Maybe they should go home. This didn’t seem like fun anymore.

Kyle watched Jerry head deeper into the graveyard. He wanted to call out to him, tell him his plan was ridiculous, it would never work, they shouldn’t have snuck out and come here. Halloween night should be spent trick-or-treating, watching monster movies, and eating candy—not creeping around in an abandoned graveyard and trying to talk to a dead man.

Kropsy’s Curse is only $.99! Get spooked here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kropsys-Curse-Kelli-Wilkins-ebook/dp/B014IAH848

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/47kMYj

Want more horror stories for Halloween? Visit the Horror, Mystery & More page on my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror

Or

Visit my Amazon page for links, a full title list, and more!

www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins

 

Happy Haunting!

Kelli

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

Her twenty-fourth romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In August 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli also released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in 2023. Look for a follow-up story coming in 2026!

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins 

and visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

 

 

Celebrating Women in Horror Month (Part 1)

 

Hi everyone!

People usually associate February with Valentine’s Day and romance… but did you know February is “Women in Horror” month? To celebrate, I’m blogging about my latest horror release Surreal Escapes, and two ghost stories, Dead ‘Til Dawn and Kropsy’s Curse.

Here’s the summary and links to Surreal Escapes…

Surreal Escapes - 7 Speculative Stories

Are you ready to take a journey into the unexpected?

In these 7 speculative stories, ordinary people start off having an average, normal day… until they encounter the world of the surreal. They quickly realize they’re in another realm where anything can—and does—happen.

Some of these unusual tales include:

“Holiday Havoc” – The night shift in a retail store hosts the ultimate Halloween vs. Christmas showdown

“Little Boy Lost” – After several strange incidents, Beverly suspects her son’s imaginary friend isn’t so imaginary

“The Man in Apt. 3-A” – What do you do when you discover your neighbor is a vampire?

“Whispers from the Past” – Not all ghosts are scary… or strangers

This collection of short fiction will unnerve you, spark your imagination, and make you wonder what else is possible in the world of the surreal.

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBWRLCB3

Other Platforms: https://books2read.com/u/b5ge7O

Putting together this collection of unusual short stories was a special summer project of mine, and I hope readers enjoy this trip into the surreal. The stories don’t fall into one set category, and range from a bit spooky, to humorous, to… just about anything I can imagine. At the end of each story, I explain how I came up with the idea, discuss the characters, and/or give some insight into the plot or setting.

If you’re brave enough, spend a night in the land of the dead with Dead ‘Til Dawn…

Dead ‘Til Dawn

Disturbing the dead doesn’t prove you’re brave – it proves you’re stupid.

After touring Gettysburg battlefield, Jessica, Tim, and Steve decide to sneak out to the Devil’s Den for some late-night fun. Jessica’s friend Kathy objects, and warns them about trespassing where they’re not wanted.

Undaunted by ghost stories and fueled by his own arrogance, Tim races toward the Devil’s Den. When the group drives through mysterious battlefield fog, they find themselves surrounded by Civil War soldiers looking for a little fun of their own.

Kathy leaves the others to fend for themselves and flees to Little Round Top. Although she’s rescued by a kindhearted Union solider named Charlie, she refuses to believe what she’s experiencing is real. As the nighttime battle rages on, Charlie introduces Kathy to other weary soldiers, and she quickly realizes she’s trapped in the land of the dead until dawn.

Order Dead ‘Til Dawn here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Til-Dawn-Civil-Horror-ebook/dp/B015LHI08A

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4X9aLb

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/dead-til-dawn

So how did this story come about? Well, I love writing psychological/creepy/spooky horror stories. And I also love traveling to historic places—especially if they’re haunted.

This novella was inspired by actual events that happened to me in Gettysburg, PA. I had a very unusual experience with battlefield fog and I wanted to use it in a story. I wrote a true story account of the incident, and it appeared in the Out of Time anthology. You can order Out of Time here: https://www.timberghostpress.com/out-of-time1.html

Although I don’t consider myself a “paranormal investigator” I love exploring haunted places and taking ghost tours. Historic houses and “anything old and creepy” appeal to my imagination. Is it any surprise that I love Halloween?

And because Halloween is my favorite holiday, I wrote this Halloween-themed horror story…

 

Kropsy’s Curse

Late one Halloween night, two young boys venture into a secluded graveyard in the hopes of conjuring up a spirit. Although Kyle is skeptical and would rather be home eating candy and watching horror movies, he reluctantly goes along with Jerry’s plan.

He doesn’t believe Ouija boards work—until this one starts spelling out a message…

Kropsy’s Curse is only $1! Get spooked here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kropsys-Curse-Kelli-Wilkins-ebook/dp/B014IAH848

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/47kMYj

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/kropsy-s-curse

This piece of flash fiction came to me when I was mulling over horror ideas. I actually came up with the (strange) ending first, then built the rest of the story around it. I can’t give away any more without spoiling the story, so you’ll have to read it for yourself.

I hope you enjoyed this look at some of my horror fiction. Stay tuned for Part 2 of my “Women in Horror” blog. Until then, you can visit the “Horror, Mystery & More” section of my site https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror to read about my other spooky stories.

Happy Reading!

Kelli A. Wilkins

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

Her latest release, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In August 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in April 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in May 2023.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

 

An Interview with a "Mistress of the Macabre" - Horror Author Kelli A. Wilkins talks about writing horror fiction

Hi everyone!

This week, I’m sharing an excerpt from my interview with Dark Moon Books. My horror short, “Sometimes Monsters are Real” appears in the horror anthology, Mistresses of the Macabre. More than 500 people submitted horror stories - but only 18 were chosen - and I am thrilled to be part of this collection of great stories written by women. To quote the editor of the anthology, “Kelli A. Wilkins is the author of “Sometimes Monsters are Real,” a story about a deal with the devil that didn’t turn out as expected. Not to mention, it is the only story to make the editor cry.”

I’m usually asked about my romances, so it was a nice change of pace to share my thoughts about writing horror. Enjoy!

Dark Moon: What was the very first thing you ever wrote and how old were you?

Kelli A. Wilkins: I was probably 5 or 6 years old when I started writing (and poorly illustrating) the stories in my head. One of the first things I remember writing was a story about aliens in a UFO hovering over a house and abducting people. (I’m not quite sure what my parents thought of that!)

DM: What got you into writing? Who influences you?

KW: I’ve always loved horror and I’ve always had an active imagination. Anything horror/speculative/creepy on TV had my attention from a very young age. I watched Dark Shadows, The Addams Family, and Bewitched (well, Sam was a witch!), along with The Twilight Zone. I saw Rosemary’s Baby when I was 6 years old and wasn’t scared—I was annoyed that they didn’t show the baby! I probably sat through 500 horror movies by the time I was in college. (Some good, some bad, and some somewhere in between.) They were a good way to learn how to build suspense, and how to scare people.

My imagination combined with my love of horror inspired me to write my own stories. I credit Stephen King and Rod Serling as my two biggest influences—they know how to tell a good story. Whether it was an episode of The Twilight Zone or a short story in Night Shift (which I read when I was 8), the story/plot was the thing that drew you in. Once you were hooked, the monster/creepy thing in the closet was there to get you. After being exposed to these types of stories I was motivated to write my own.

DM: In the past, female writers wrote under and ambiguous pseudonym so that guys would view the work objectively. Have you ever thought about going under an ambiguous pseudonym?

KW: I have thought about it a few times—not to be ambiguous or hide who I am—but because I write in two very different genres. In addition to my horror stories, I’ve also written 19 romances that vary from mildly sensual to sizzling super-hot. Sometimes I combine them into paranormal romances. (I also write science fiction stories and have a great time with them.)

People have asked me why I don’t use my initials or a male name for the horror stories and use my real name for romance. I tell them that I’m proud of everything I’ve written and I want my name on all of it. It also makes it easier for readers who may want to switch over from horror to romance—or vice versa—to find all my writings.

DM: Women have traditionally been shunned in the horror industry. What made you decide to write horror and how do you see the genre evolving for women?

KW: I never “decided” to write horror—it just seemed natural to me. (In a way, I couldn’t not write horror.) I had lots of ideas for creepy stories in my head and the best way to get them out is to put them on paper and hope that someone will want to read them. The same goes for romance—I never set out to be a romance author, but the stories and characters came to me, so I wrote them down. Although romance is traditionally a female market and horror “belongs” to the men, I never let it stop me. I write the story that comes to me.

I’m hoping that readers of horror won’t skip over a story just because it is written by a woman. (We’ll surprise you!) The story’s the thing—and as long as it’s a good, engaging story, the gender of the person who wrote it shouldn’t matter. (If the story is boring or doesn’t make sense the reader will be turned off no matter who wrote it.)

I think some readers would be surprised at how “dark” female writers can be when it comes to horror. Maybe some women are turned off or unwilling to let themselves go to those dark places to write horror, but for some of us, it comes natural.

Back when I was taking writing classes, I had to read my horror story aloud in front of the group. Everyone was creeped out by the story. After I finished the reading, a football player-type guy turned to me and said, “You scare me. I don’t even want to walk out to the parking lot with you.” I took it as a compliment! He couldn’t wrap his brain around how someone who looked “nice” could write dark/horrific things.

DM: What was your inspiration for this tale?

KW: One night I was lying in bed thinking about nothing and the words “Knock, knock, knock…” popped into my head. I thought: “What would I do if I was home alone and something started knocking on the ceiling?” I get a lot of ideas before I fall asleep and many of them start with “What if…”

Once I knew something was knocking, I let my imagination wander. I thought about what the woman home alone would do and think in a situation like this. (Naturally you have to investigate the knocking…but you really don’t want to.) And why is she alone? What’s in the attic? Why is it knocking? (When I sent a draft of this story to a writing friend, he told me he has the same type of attic crawlspace in his bedroom, and now he’s afraid of going up there.)

The story kept building on itself from there and I ran with it. I liked making my main character just a little bit off. She’s barely holding herself together and dealing with her past, and then this happens in the middle of the night.

If readers are looking to be scared before Halloween, they can check out my three horror ebooks: Dead ‘Til Dawn, Kropsy’s Curse, and Nightmare in the North. I also released a sci-fi anthology titled Extraterrestrial Encounters.

I invite readers to Like & Follow my Amazon author page: www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins

Check out my website:  http://www.KelliWilkins.com

And Follow me on social media:

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/KWilkinsAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelliwilkins2/

Happy Haunting!

(or, as Elvira says, “Unpleasant Dreams!”)

Kelli

Are you ready to be scared? Beware of Kropsy’s Curse!

It’s October, and you know what that means! Halloween is my favorite holiday, so today I’m sharing a look at my Halloween-themed horror story…

Kropsy's Curse

Late one Halloween night, two young boys venture into a secluded graveyard in the hopes of conjuring up a spirit. Although Kyle is skeptical and would rather be home eating candy and watching horror movies, he reluctantly goes along with Jerry’s plan. He doesn’t believe Ouija boards work—until this one starts spelling out a message…

This Halloween-themed 1500-word short story is a cautionary tale about playing with a Ouija board in a graveyard.

Here’s a mini-excerpt:

“Where is it?” Kyle whispered.

“Over there.” Jerry swung his orange plastic flashlight to the left. “Why are you whispering? It’s just a graveyard. Ain’t no body here,” he joked, then laughed. “Come on.” Jerry hoisted his black backpack over his shoulder. “Hurry up. It’s almost midnight.”

Kyle’s sneakers slipped on the dewy grass as he followed Jerry down the last hill in the cemetery. He paused and glanced around. The moon appeared as a slit in the night sky. Dark clouds floated out of its way, and a sliver of pale yellow mixed with the blue-black night. Something made a noise off to his right, and he jumped. Maybe they should go home. This didn’t seem like fun anymore.

Kyle watched Jerry head deeper into the graveyard. He wanted to call out to him, tell him his plan was ridiculous, it would never work, they shouldn’t have snuck out and come here. Halloween night should be spent trick-or-treating, watching monster movies, and eating candy—not creeping around in an abandoned graveyard and trying to talk to a dead man.

Kropsy's Curse is only $.99! Get spooked here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kropsys-Curse-Kelli-Wilkins-ebook/dp/B014IAH848

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/47kMYj

Love horror stories? Don’t miss my horror ebooks - Nightmare in the North and Dead Til Dawn. Read about them on my site: www.kelliwilkins.com (or on this blog).

Want more? Visit my Amazon page for links, a full title list, and more!

www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins

Until next time,

Happy Haunting!

Kelli

Are you ready to be scared? Beware of KROPSY’S CURSE.

Greetings!!

It’s October, and you know what that means! Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I’m starting off the first October blog with a look at my Halloween-themed horror story…

Kropsy's Curse

Late one Halloween night, two young boys venture into a secluded graveyard in the hopes of conjuring up a spirit. Although Kyle is skeptical and would rather be home eating candy and watching horror movies, he reluctantly goes along with Jerry’s plan. He doesn’t believe Ouija boards work—until this one starts spelling out a message…

This Halloween-themed 1500-word short story is a cautionary tale about playing with a Ouija board in a graveyard.

Here’s a mini-excerpt:

“Where is it?” Kyle whispered.

“Over there.” Jerry swung his orange plastic flashlight to the left. “Why are you whispering? It’s just a graveyard. Ain’t no body here,” he joked, then laughed. 

“Come on.” Jerry hoisted his black backpack over his shoulder. “Hurry up. It’s almost midnight.”

Kyle’s sneakers slipped on the dewy grass as he followed Jerry down the last hill in the cemetery. He paused and glanced around. The moon appeared as a slit in the night sky. Dark clouds floated out of its way, and a sliver of pale yellow mixed with the blue-black night. Something made a noise off to his right, and he jumped. Maybe they should go home. This didn’t seem like fun anymore.

Kyle watched Jerry head deeper into the graveyard. He wanted to call out to him, tell him his plan was ridiculous, it would never work, they shouldn’t have snuck out and come here. Halloween night should be spent trick-or-treating, watching monster movies, and eating candy—not creeping around in an abandoned graveyard and trying to talk to a dead man.

Kropsy's Curse is only $.99! Get spooked here:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kropsys-Curse-Kelli-Wilkins-ebook/dp/B014IAH848/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1440681198&sr=1-1 

Links to all other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/47kMYj

Love horror stories? Don’t miss my other horror ebooks - Nightmare in the North and Dead Til Dawn...

Visit my Amazon page for links, a full title list, and more!

www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins

Until next time,

Happy Haunting!

Kelli

Travel takes a deadly turn in… Nightmare in the North

Hi everyone,

Today I’m sharing a look at the making of my latest horror novella, Nightmare in the North. Some of you may know me as a romance author, but I also write short horror fiction. I originally started out as a horror author, but nowadays I divide my time between the two genres.

Nightmare in the North is a cautionary tale about traveling alone in the winter and trusting strangers. Here’s the summary:

NIGHTMARE IN THE NORTH

Stranded during a violent blizzard, Mark hikes to the only house nearby. George, a well-mannered University professor, welcomes Mark and gives him shelter from the storm.

By morning, Mark suspects that everything isn’t what it seems. George’s adult daughter, Kate, who also lives in the house, shares a disturbing and unsettling tale. When questioned, George insists that Kate has a psychological issue and can’t be trusted to tell the truth.

Mark quickly finds himself caught in a game of cat and mouse. Who should he believe? Is Kate’s desperate plea for help sincere? Should he be suspicious of George? Or are both of them plotting something together?

Isolated from everyone, Mark is forced to wait out the storm—and find a way to escape—if he hopes to make it out alive.

***

So… how did this novella come about? Believe it or not, I wrote a version of this story for my eighth grade English class. The assignment was to write a short story – and boy, did I! The original version was much shorter and less detailed, but the basic premise was there. I’m not sure what my English teacher thought when she read it, but I got an A.

I grew up in upstate New York where winters can be brutal and last a long time. It can be an isolated place, and sometimes you could be snowed in for days. I decided to use that as the backdrop to the story, throw in some strange characters, and add a little mystery. After I submitted the story for my English class, I pretty much forgot about it.

Then, in January of 2018 I drove to Vermont in a snowstorm. I was in the car for 12 hours, and naturally, my mind started to wander… I wanted to write a new horror story, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write. As I was driving, I thought back to that original story and decided to rewrite it – to tell the story the way it needed to be told.

I changed the opening, moved the setting to Vermont, and filled in all the details and backstory that set the tone. The ending of the new version is slightly different from the original, but it’s not off by all that much. I added an epilogue (of sorts) to the end, and spent about twenty minutes getting the last line just right.

Nightmare in the North is a departure from my “usual” romance novels, but it’s not gory. My horror stories tend to be more psychological/spooky than bloody. I love writing horror, and after writing a few romances, I find it refreshing to embrace my darker side and write something creepy. (I wrote this in between edits of my historical romance novel, Redemption from a Dark Past.)

After reading Nightmare in the North, my husband said that it was well written and it drew you in, but it was “twisted” and “disturbing” - I consider that high praise. Read it and decide for yourself!

Order Nightmare in the North here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G9QD45X

All other platforms: https://www.books2read.com/u/m2vqOk

I hope you’ll check it out. Next week I'll share an excerpt from the opening… partially based on that trip to Vermont!

And if you like horror fiction, don’t miss my other ebooks: Kropsy’s Curse and Dead Til Dawn.

Happy Reading,

Kelli 

Celebrate Halloween with Dead Til Dawn & Kropsy's Curse

Hi everyone! 

Halloween is just around the corner (yey!), and this week I’m focusing on my two horror ebooks, Dead Til Dawn and Kropsy's Curse. These short horror tales were a lot of fun to write, and I'm pleased to say that readers and reviewers enjoyed them.

Dead ‘Til Dawn

Disturbing the dead doesn’t prove you’re brave – it proves you’re stupid.

After touring Gettysburg battlefield, Jessica, Tim, and Steve decide to sneak out to the Devil’s Den for some late-night fun. Jessica’s friend Kathy objects, and warns them about trespassing where they’re not wanted.

Undaunted by ghost stories and fueled by his own arrogance, Tim races toward the Devil’s Den. When the group drives through mysterious battlefield fog, they find themselves surrounded by Civil War soldiers looking for a little fun of their own.

Kathy leaves the others to fend for themselves and flees to Little Round Top. Although she’s rescued by a kind-hearted Union solider named Charlie, she refuses to believe that what she’s experiencing is real. As the nighttime battle rages on, Charlie introduces Kathy to other weary soldiers, and she quickly realizes she’s trapped in the land of the dead until dawn.

Spend a night in the land of the dead in this 8,200-word ghost story set on the Gettysburg battlefield.

Order your copy of Dead Til Dawn here. It’s only $1.99:

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Til-Dawn-Kelli-Wilkins-ebook/dp/B015LHI08A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444590277&sr=8-1&keywords=dead+til+dawn

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1073137403

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deadtil-dawn-kelli-a-wilkins/1123229408;jsessionid=07A182297264CAACC3E064D0EC5A439E.prodny_store02-atgap01?ean=2940152839487

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/deadtil-dawn

Page Foundry: http://www.inktera.com/store/title/c8b5a44c-1fc9-479e-9d49-f8e9025b1f23

Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/book/294849355/DeadTil-Dawn

24 Symbols: https://www.24symbols.com/book/x/x/x?id=1002491

Beware of Kropsy’s Curse!

Late one Halloween night, two young boys venture into a secluded graveyard in the hopes of conjuring up a spirit. Although Kyle is skeptical and would rather be home eating candy and watching horror movies, he reluctantly goes along with Jerry’s plan. He doesn’t believe Ouija boards work—until this one starts spelling out a message…

This Halloween-themed 1500-word short story is a cautionary tale about playing with a Ouija board in a graveyard.

Order Kropsy’s Curse here for only 99 cents - what a treat!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kropsys-Curse-Kelli-Wilkins-ebook/dp/B014IAH848/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1126206688

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1017480688;jsessionid=6D202467B754CE58325B279F2ADE91EE.prodny_store02-atgap03?ean=2940153374413

Page Foundry: http://www.inktera.com/store/title/9d7e6297-c70b-47d6-9613-85acd969504a

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/kropsy-s-curse

 

Still not scared?

Several of my short horror stories have appeared in various anthologies. Read my tales of terror in Mistresses of the Macabre, Haunted, Wrapped in White, Cat Tales, Frightmares, The Best of the First Line, and more. Visit my Amazon page www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins for a full title list and links! 

Next week, I'll celebrate the holiday by giving everyone a treat - sharing my October newsletter!

Happy Haunting!

Kelli

Kelli's Quill Newsletter - Big October Issue!

Kelli’s Quill

Welcome Autumn Issue!

October 2015

Hi,

I hope everyone is enjoying the lovely fall weather. Halloween is just around the corner, and you know what that means for me... yes, “the most wonderful time of the year!”

This month the Quill is devoted to everything spooky and strange! We’re spotlighting my two new horror stories, the Moonshadows horror anthology, offering advice on how to write horror, and more.

It’s another double issue, so let’s get started!

ARE YOU READY TO BE SCARED?

Just Released – Two Horror Stories

In late August, Kelli released a new Halloween-themed horror story, Kropsy's Curse!

Late one Halloween night, two young boys venture into a secluded graveyard in the hopes of conjuring up a spirit. Although Kyle is skeptical and would rather be home eating candy and watching horror movies, he reluctantly goes along with Jerry’s plan. He doesn’t believe Ouija boards work—until this one starts spelling out a message…

This 1500-word short story is a cautionary tale about playing with a Ouija board in a graveyard and is only $.99 on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Kropsys-Curse-Kelli-Wilkins-ebook/dp/B014IAH848/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1440681198&sr=1-1

Spend a night in the land of the dead with Kelli’s horror novella, Dead Til Dawn.

Disturbing the dead doesn’t prove you’re brave – it proves you’re stupid.

After touring Gettysburg battlefield, Jessica, Tim, and Steve decide to sneak out to the Devil’s Den for some late-night fun. Jessica’s friend Kathy objects, and warns them about trespassing where they’re not wanted.

Undaunted by ghost stories and fueled by his own arrogance, Tim races toward the Devil’s Den. When the group drives through mysterious battlefield fog, they find themselves surrounded by Civil War soldiers looking for a little fun of their own.

Kathy leaves the others to fend for themselves and flees to Little Round Top. Although she’s rescued by a kindhearted Union solider named Charlie, she refuses to believe that what she’s experiencing is real. As the nighttime battle rages on, Charlie introduces Kathy to other weary soldiers, and she quickly realizes she’s trapped in the land of the dead until dawn.

This Civil War themed ghost story is only $2.99 on Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Til-Dawn-Kelli-Wilkins-ebook/dp/B015LHI08A/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1442842567&sr=1-1&keywords=dead+til+dawn

Love Halloween-themed horror? Don’t miss Moon Shadows! 

 It’s a collection of 17 tales of terror that take place on and around Halloween.

In the dark of night, the moon is bright.
But what lurks in the shadows will give you a fright.

These stories touch the unknown, the unseen, and the undead. Visit what we avoid. Step into the shadows of the moon. 

My seasonal story, “Home for Halloween” appears in this horror anthology. This tale of two brothers reunited for Halloween showcases the best elements of this special holiday. (And if you know me, you know it really is special!) 

Order your copy of Moon Shadows here:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N232UEG
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moon-shadows-veronica-moore/1120220708?ean=2940046127171
Apple iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/moon-shadows/id912867619?mt=11
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/moon-shadows-7
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Fred_C_Adams_Moon_Shadows?id=LDNaBAAAQBAJ

Kelli’s horror fiction has also appeared in these anthologies:

Dark Things II: Cat Crimes: http://www.amazon.com/DARK-THINGS-II-Crimes-Feline/dp/1468055488/ref=la_B001JSAB24_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412094688&sr=1-2

The Four Horsemen: http://www.amazon.com/Four-Horsemen-Anthology-Conquest-Famine-ebook/dp/B003UV98IQ/ref=la_B001JSAB24_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412094946&sr=1-15

Haunted: http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Anthology-Supernatural-Ben-Langhinrichs/dp/1617060216/ref=la_B001JSAB24_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412094688&sr=1-6

Wrapped in White: http://www.amazon.com/Wrapped-White-Thirteen-Spectres-Spirits/dp/1496027159/ref=la_B001JSAB24_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412094688&sr=1-9

Mistresses of the Macabre: http://www.amazon.com/Mistresses-Macabre-Lori-Michelle/dp/0988556952/ref=la_B001JSAB24_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412094688&sr=1-10

Frightmares: http://www.amazon.com/Frightmares-Fistful-Flash-Fiction-Horror/dp/0983433550/ref=la_B001JSAB24_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412094688&sr=1-11

Want more even horror? Read Kelli's interviews about horror writing here:
Interview with Patrick Greene
5 Quintessential Questions
Interview with Killion Slade

Kelli also talked with Dark Moon Books about her horror writing. Read the interview here: http://www.lastwritesdmd.com/killer-kelli-a-wilkins/

You Can Write Horror – Really!

Here’s an excerpt from Kelli’s blog about writing horror. Read the full post here:

http://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/2015/09/you-can-write-horror-really.html

Horror readers want to be scared (or at least made to feel nervous), so start scaring people on page one. Use a clever hook, details, and setting to pull readers in. Start with a pool of blood on the floor or give us all the details of your haunted house. Let readers experience what it feels like to be chased across a field by a werewolf.

In horror, you can write almost anything and get away with it. Play on childhood fears and things people hate (or are afraid of). Here’s a short list: clowns, creepy dolls, being buried alive, stuffed moose heads, basements, closets, the dark…

As you write, keep the tension and suspense constant. Enhance anticipation and fear in layers. Your novel or short story needs twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and wondering, “What happens next?” Be sure to end scenes (and/or chapters) with a cliffhanger or other danger.

If your antagonist is a monster (of the non-human variety) you must believe your monster is real (whether he’s a vampire, a werewolf, or a slimy sewer creature). If you don’t write the creature believably, readers won’t buy into it. Make your monster as real as any other human character and show him in action.

Because your monster is not human, it’s okay for readers to hate him. They should know he’s bad news from the start of the story, so make him awful. You don’t want readers (or other characters) sympathizing with your monster—you want them to fear him.

TIP: Don’t mix monsters. Only include one primary monster or menace in your writing. Don’t have vampires, werewolves, zombies, and demons running around in the same story, attacking a town during a full moon on Halloween. It’s overkill—and not in a good way.

If your monster is human (serial killer), depict him at his worst. Don’t shy away from showing him doing really bad, socially unacceptable things. Horror stories are generally dark and explore themes and ideas that expose the bad side of people. If you’re not comfortable going to “the dark side” to write terrifying stuff, you may want to consider writing thrillers or suspense stories.

Get more writing advice, tips, and fun exercises in You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction: http://www.amazon.com/Write-Really-Beginners-Guide-Writing-Fiction-ebook/dp/B00THWLFQU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1423749384&sr=1-1

I hope you’ve enjoyed this issue of Kelli’s Quill. I enjoy hearing from readers and other writers, so contact me with questions or comments on my site or via social media.

Like my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and see what’s new. 

You can find all of my writings on my Amazon author page: www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins

Happy Haunting!

Kelli