Catalyst for Passion: “Overtime in the Woods”

A couple years ago I was asked by my cousin (Michael T. O’Reilly), an aspiring independent film maker, to audition for a role in a short film he was making (Five Mile Road). He ended up giving me the part, which required that I spend two weekends filming in the deep woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We had a great time shooting the scenes and the movie turned out really cool. If he ever releases it on the web, I’ll try to get a link up for those curious.

(early colors)

While there, working with the cast and crew I felt a real camaraderie. The experience was great. I got an opportunity to express my creative side which had laid dormant for some time. I remember talking with everyone about making the film and the creative process. I hadn’t talked with people in that way for such a long time. Not since I was heavily involved with the management of the metal band: I Decline. I missed it. I missed sharing ideas and creating things from nothing. The experience was literally a breath of fresh air.

When I got home, I started thinking about doing another project. So I picked up my pen and outlined an idea for a story, with the thought of making it manageable for an indie film. Then I wrote that story. That was how my next story came about: “Overtime in the Woods.”

Once I finished the story, I decided to reconnect with my old writing group, The Southland Scribes, to get some feedback. That was the catalyst. The kick, I needed. I started coming up with ideas for another story, then another, and another. Now a couple years later I’m continuing to write at a pace I had never previously succeeded in maintaining. I’ve got a number of short stories under my belt and rough draft for a novel. When I look back, I’m surprised that I’ve been able to keep up such output. I guess that’s why they say, you never know what you can do until you try.

 

New Story Coming Out Very Soon…

After a long absence of furious writing on various works-in-progress, I am finally readying to publish another short story. Unlike my previously released novelettes this will be a work of “suspenseful” fiction. The tale involves a private investigator, who finds himself in an unusual moral dilemma. Target Release: June 1, 2013

“Overtime in the Woods”
(early sketch)

Once again, Daniel Gracey of G2 Comics is the man to breathe visual and stunning life into the story and characters I’ve created. I’ve included a VERY preliminary sketch to give a taste of things to come. Wait until you see the vibrant and vivacious cover in all its colors.

Other things to look forward too are a spectacular book trailer by Craig Knit (Out of Whack Productions) with music composed and performed by John Doyle of the metal band: I Decline. Always expect great things from these guys.

Also, I’ve decided to take my writing even more serious by engaging Tammy Salyer (Inspired Ink) for copyediting and proofreading. She was awesome to work with, very responsive and professional.

 

CURIOUS ANOMALIES – Top 10 #Free #Scifi shorts on #Amazon

My Scifi short Curious Anomalies is FREE on Amazon and currently ranks in the Top 10. Get it here: http://www.amazon.com/Curious-Anomalies-ebook/dp/B009N6SW0M. Check out the screen shot below:

Top 8 Free Scifi Shorts on Amazon (2-18-13)

The story has been trending well with 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon and Goodreads. The website “WiLoveBooks” said this: “A cool little story about what happens when you mess around with nature. The author did a great job of building up the suspense. Bats creep me out anyway. I may have nightmares now. A fun, creepy, short read.”

I appreciate all the support and hope people continue to enjoy the story.

Synopsis: Rick Silvano, an anxious young geneticist, has gotten himself entangled with a violent, South American, drug-lord named Diego Peres. Rick’s talents have been enlisted by Peres to create genetically enhanced watchdogs, by combining common moustache bats with Africanized honeybees. Everything has gone smoothly for the last three years until now, the night before Peres is due to inspect his investment. Clive Pinkerman, who hosts a late-night, radio conspiracy show, announces on-air that he is going to break into the genetic laboratory to uncover a massive alien conspiracy he believes is housed there. Suddenly, Rick must juggle his time between stopping Clive, and making sure the experiment works so that the temperamental Peres will not be displeased.

 

CURIOUS ANOMALIES in Top 15 FREE Scifi Short Stories today !

“Curious Anomalies” has skyrocketed to #11 in Amazon’s Top FREE Science Fiction Short Stories (check out the screen shot). The story is free today and can be obtained here: http://www.amazon.com/Curious-Anomalies-ebook/dp/B009N6SW0M  (killer bats, killer bees, a mad geneticist, a South-American druglord, and alien conspiracies….what more could you want !)

Top 15 Free Scifi Short Stories

On Amazon’s UK website “Curious Anomalies” is ranked at #22 in Free Fiction Short Stories. In other news my previous story “The Energy Scavengers” continues to display in the Top 100 Free Scifi Short Stories coming in today at #41. Thanks to everyone for the downloads and happy reading in the New Year!

 

“Curious Anomalies” will be FREE on 1/01/13 for Kindle at Amazon.com

My new science fiction novelette called: “Curious Anomalies” will be FREE on 1/01/13 for Kindle at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Curious-Anomalies-ebook/dp/B009N6SW0M

Here is the video trailer: http://youtu.be/qIOOFZ56AGc

Synopsis: “Rick Silvano, an anxious young geneticist, has gotten himself entangled with a violent, South American, drug-lord named Diego Peres. Rick’s talents have been enlisted by Peres to create genetically enhanced watchdogs, by combining common moustache bats with Africanized honeybees. Everything has gone smoothly for the last three years until now, the night before Peres is due to inspect his investment. Clive Pinkerman, who hosts a late-night, radio conspiracy show, announces on-air that he is going to break into the genetic laboratory to uncover a massive alien conspiracy he believes is housed there. Suddenly, Rick must juggle his time between stopping Clive, and making sure the experiment works so that the temperamental Peres will not be displeased.

 

“Curious Anomalies” Free on 12/04/12 and write up in local newspaper

“Curious Anomalies” a scifi short, will be free again for Kindle on 12/04/12 at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Curious-Anomalies-ebook/dp/B009N6SW0M/

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIOOFZ56AGc&feature=plcp

Synopsis: “Rick Silvano, an anxious young geneticist, has gotten himself entangled with a violent, South American, drug-lord named Diego Peres. Rick’s talents have been enlisted by Peres to create genetically enhanced watchdogs, by combining common moustache bats with Africanized honeybees. Everything has gone smoothly for the last three years until now, the night before Peres is due to inspect his investment. Clive Pinkerman, who hosts a late-night, radio conspiracy show, announces on-air that he is going to break into the genetic laboratory to uncover a massive alien conspiracy he believes is housed there. Suddenly, Rick must juggle his time between stopping Clive, and making sure the experiment works so that the temperamental Peres will not be displeased.”

In other news, I got a bit more than a mention in The Orland Park Prairie (a weekly newspaper serving the Orland Park area). Staff Writer, Jessica Cilella, did a write up on the Orland Park Library author fair I attended and asked me a few questions. The article is in the November 12, 2012 edition. You need a subscription to view the whole article, but the link is here: http://www.opprairie.com/Articles-Life-and-Arts-c-2012-11-12-253042.114133-Local-authors-share-work-at-Orland-Park-Public-Library.html#mail

 

Black Friday giveway for Curious Anomalies on Amazon

“Curious Anomalies” a scifi short, will be free again for Kindle on 11/23/12 at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Curious-Anomalies-ebook/dp/B009N6SW0M/

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIOOFZ56AGc&feature=plcp

Synopsis: Rick Silvano, an anxious young geneticist, has gotten himself entangled with a violent, South American, drug-lord named Diego Peres. Rick’s talents have been enlisted by Peres to create genetically enhanced watchdogs, by combining common moustache bats with Africanized honeybees. Everything has gone smoothly for the last three years until now, the night before Peres is due to inspect his investment. Clive Pinkerman, who hosts a late-night, radio conspiracy show, announces on-air that he is going to break into the genetic laboratory to uncover a massive alien conspiracy he believes is housed there. Suddenly, Rick must juggle his time between stopping Clive, and making sure the experiment works so that the temperamental Peres will not be displeased.

Curious Anomalies – Cover Artwork