Michael Brannen
Hi, Y'all;
It's two thirty in the morning, so please forgive me if this looks(reads)like I'm suffering a Grand Mal epileptic seizure.
Why am I here? Simple: A few weeks ago my wife and I were cleaning out our son's room, and I stumbled upon a short story I wrote when I was sixteen(sixteen,so long ago, sigh). The story's initial structure reflected the author's age–quite frankly, it sucked. But it was my first real attempt at writing, and I was(am)proud of it. Instead of returning it to the cupboard's dark recess's, I decided to re-work the original storyline. After completing the last word, I couldn't help but smile at how the finished product turned out. Then I wondered what was I going to do with it.
The web is a wonderful invention. After surfing its endless waves, I came across the AHWA website, and I saw they conduct an annual shory story competion, a competion I intend to enter 'Fiend' into(I hope advertising the title doesn't infringe on any AHWA rules). Also, I liked the site so much, I decided to become a member.
Is Fiend any good? As its creator, I'm supposed to say yes, but others will be the judge of that.
2008 has been an interesting year for me. My first novel 'Mind Games', a dark, disturbing horror story was accepted by the first publisher I submitted it to. It is currently available in ebook at LyricalPress.com, September/October 2009 will see its print release. Again, I hope I'm not infringing on any rules by placing this information here-if I am, no doubt I'll be receiving a right painful kick to the nether regions in the not to distant future.
I have read the comments posted by highly respected authors and editors on the AHWA's Getting Published page, and what they say is correct: Never give up on the dream of seeing your work published. Persevere no matter how distant that dream may seem.
Take away the dreams and what are you left with? Nothing but two hands to wipe away the tears of despair.
In between working and being with my family, I am busily writing three books simultaneously. How will they fair when completed? Well that's not for me to say, but I hope to one day be able to write full time. I have a lot of ideas simmering in the soup between my ears, ideas I'd love to share with the world.
If you're feeling bored and would like to contact a fellow dreamer, I can be reached at:
Until then, be good—but not to good.