Another in Black Cat Weekly, #162

 I'm a bit behind, but wanted to announce the publication of my Halloween story, "Ol' Crowbait," in Black Cat Weekly #162. Still available at their website and all over the web!

Black Cat Weekly #162

New Author Portrait

 Continuing in my new exploration of some new tools. A portrait to match all my new "Weird Western" stories coming up! (Next one should be in Black Cat Weekly at Halloween!)

Black Cats, Books and Jack O' Lanterns! What's not to love?

 Playing with a new artwork program. So much fun! 

Yes, I know it's early. What can I say, I love Halloween!

Happy trails!

Want to Read a Spook Story? Angels and Saints, now available!

 UPDATE: No longer available as a free story, but here's a good review of it.  We are now back in Texas and settling in our "new" 1974 home. Hoping to get more writing done now! Happy trails...bobbi c.

https://socialistjazz.blogspot.com/2024/08/short-story-wednesday-angels-and-saints.html

Dear friends and readers! It's been a while since I've updated here. Getting settled back in Texas has taken a bit out of my desire to write much. But I'm back at it, and have a string of new stories coming out between now and the end of the year.

Just wanted to mention one of my newest stories that came out yesterday from Undertaker Books. "Angels and Saints" is a bit of a departure for me from my "Nameless, Texas" short stories I've been writing over the last six years or so. It's a "weird western" story, with what might (or might not) be, a ghost. It will also be appearing in a printed anthology early next year.

I have several other "weird Western" stories out there now, and I'm having a blast writing them.

This is a free download once you sign up, so take a look! 

By the way, the carved wooden angel on the cover is from my collection. Rudy and I bought it 35 years ago on our honeymoon to Santa Fe. We made the loooong trek to Taos and visited the woodcarver's studio, where I bought this and a free-standing santo carving.

Happy trails from the Oasis of West Texas! 

https://undertakerbooks.com/products/angels-and-saints

 

Back in the Saddle, Again!

 Howdy, folks! It's been a while since I posted here. I am still writing. Sort of. Recently I announced I was sick and tired and decided to retire. Well, I'll tell you what! Several GREAT friends threatened to tie me up, smear me with molasses and sit me in a bed of fire ants.

SO! I am not retiring. Changed my mind. LOL!!

If you look at the pile of papers that appear on the top photo here, you'll see what I'm going through now. Yep, unfinished short stories, bits 'n bobs of novellas, plays and notes for other projects.

I did manage to finish one story that's been sitting here, collecting dust, and sent it out. I have good feedback so far from it, so fingers crossed.

Short update -- We moved to Las Cruces, NM, a little over six years ago and spent a lot of that time locked down during Covid. Yep, I got the monster, because I decided to help a poor sick lady in the Wal-Mart pharmacy find aspirin. I tell you what! I won't do THAT again. Just kidding. I might. ;-)

Anywho, I survived, barely. I do have residual lung issues and diminished desire to help little old ladies. Heh. In the meantime, I got an inoperable macular hole in one eye, a probably diagnosis of Sjogren's Disease and got banged up badly in a fall in my garden! For cryin' out loud! 

After our sojourn in Las Cruces, I decided I wanted to move back home, to Texas, where your eyeballs don't get blasted by the high UV rays from the very high altitude every.single.time. you go outside. Plus, there's No rain there! None! Ugh.

We visited San Angelo, Texas, thirteen years ago and always said we'd go back. Well, we did. And we're stickin' here. It's beautiful and very green here, in spite of being in West Texas. AND it RAINS! They don't call it "The Oasis of West Texas" for nuthin'.

Did I mention I'm starting to write again?

Can't beat that with a STICK!

Happy trails!

bobbi c.

The beautiful Concho River

Free-to-Read-Online Christmas Ghost Story Published in Kings River Life

 Dear friends,

I'm happy to say that my short story "Aunt Jewel and the Christmas Spirits" has just been published online at Kings River Life.

https://kingsriverlife.com/12/18/aunt-jewel-and-the-christmas-spirits/

It's a light-hearted look at how Christmas traditions can still remain, even in the time of a worldwide pandemic. 

And honoring the tradition of telling ghost stories at Christmas time...well, let's just say that Aunt Jewel, Kendra and Jeremy have a surprise guest.

Join the wacky denizens of Nameless, Texas again as they plan an old fashioned Christmas!

My grandmother Jennie Neal's recipe for Green Tomato Mincemeat.

Happy Holidays!

bobbi c.

Inspiration for my Story, "Family to the Bone"

 Dear friends,

Years ago, my husband and I took a day trip as we often did to a nearby small Texas town, Jarrell. Some of you might remember the great Jarrell tornado that wiped out a lot of the town back in 1997. It's one of time-warp places that still has a lot of the old houses, churches, etc. intact, although abandoned.

We happened on this old place. Beside it was an old Aerator windmill, water tank and fire truck.

My aunt had lived in a house much like this, with a horrible old storm cellar for tornadoes and to store winter veggies and canned goods. I wondered, does this old house have one, too? I wasn't able to find one because many of the entrance doors were buried under years of dirt. And snakes were always a possibility!

My writer imagination started whirring and before long, after going home, I'd written the story, Family to the Bone.

It was quickly accepted by Dark Moon Press for their e-magazine, Dark Eclipse and published as my first "horror" story in November 2014.

A few weeks ago, while going through old photos, I found the house pic. I found the old story, re-edited it, and with some Photoshop magic I turned my original photo into the cover for a new Kindle e-short.

I hope you enjoy the story and that it gives you a few frissons and shivers. 

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Bone-Texas-Gothic-Horror-ebook/dp/B09HST7HL4

Happy trails,

bobbi c.

 
All photos Copyright 2021 Bobbi A. Chukran

New Short Story Published in Black Cat Weekly #6!

I'm happy to announce that my short story, The Passing of Big Mama Mayhall, has just been published in Black Cat Weekly Magazine, #6!

The story is what I call one of my "macabre Texas farmhouse noir" mystery stories, a bit Hitchcockian and with a bit of black humor. Although BCW is usually a reprints market, this is a brand new story.

Other stories in the 400+ page issue (!) include a great new ghost story by Barb Goffman and a traditional type zombie story by John Gregory Betancourt, publisher of BCW, and two full novels.

BCW is a relatively new zine from Wildside Press, the company that also publishes Black Cat Magazine, Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, Weirdbook and an amazing array of classic story reprints in their "megapacks."

The issue is only $3.99!

https://bcmystery.com/bcw6/

Happy trails!

bobbi c.

 Dear friends,

It's been forever since I updated this blog. Today, I worked on my publications list and although the links aren't all there yet, the list is pretty much up-to-date.

https://bobbichukran.blogspot.com/p/publications.html

You can find all of my in-print books and Kindle stories (including my "Nameless, Texas" series) over on Amazon.com, on my Author's Page.

https://www.amazon.com/Bobbi-A-Chukran/e/B005UK1P7M

Take a look!

Happy trails from the Chihuahuan desert of New Mexico!

bobbi c.

Short Stories! The dessert in a great meal of fiction!

Hello from the desert of New Mexico!

After wrestling my blogs back from the black hole of the 'net, I'm back.

Over the years, I've written all lengths of things---from a 300,000 word resource guide, to a 50-word flash fiction story, and everything in between. I'm most comfortable with short stories of less than 5,000 words and novellas, which are usually less than 40,000 words.

As a reader, I'm finding that I read a lot more short stuff and less very long novels.

Now, given my attention span and interest, I'm mostly writing short stories. And I love it.

50% off thru July 31st at Smashwords!

Interestingly enough, I got back into short fiction after writing a slew of ten-minute plays and monologues for youth theatre, many of which went on to be published, produced and win awards. 

Some of them were then turned into short stories. Writing short stuff seems to suit me well.

Thing is, I've heard people who are avid readers say that they "never read short stories." Or "I only read novels because there's a character arc." Or there are others who read an occasional short story.

I wonder, what would entice you, as a reader, to try more short stories? There's a lot of great short fiction out there these days--from literary stories with ambiguous endings (LOL) to all kind of genre stuff.

And if you have a favorite novelist, chances are somewhere they also have a collection of short stories, or stories in an anthology.

Think of fiction like a good meal. The novels can be the main course, and the short stories can be the dessert. :-)

Why not try one?

Happy trails!

bobbi c.

New Thanksgiving Humorous Mystery Anthology Available!

I’m pleased to announce that I have a short Thanksgiving caper story, "Nameless Turkey Trot of Terror" in The Killer Wore Cranberry: A Fifth Course of Chaos!

The fifty volume of this new anthology of humorous Thanksgiving murder mysteries is now available for pre-order in paperback and hardcover from the publisher's website. The current release date for print is October 17th, but if you pre-order through these links you will definitely get your copies before that.

If my friends order through the publisher's website, then the authors get quite a bit more from the sale. Just sayin'. LOL.

Also, you can purchase and download the ebook version RIGHT NOW from their website in PDF, Kindle or EPUB formats. In fact, all you have to do is purchase the book once and you can download all three formats at any time. You can also use the special tool on their website to send the ebook version directly to your Kindle or Nook.

The ebook can currently be preordered through Amazon or Apple’s iBookstore, but if readers want it RIGHT NOW they can only get it from the Untreed Reads store or through their exclusive early release with DriveThruFiction.com. Readers who preorder the ebook at Amazon or Apple will receive the title on October 17th.

Here are the links:

TKWC5 At The Untreed Reads Store (print and ebook): https://goo.gl/vLckVX
TKWC5 Ebook At DriveThruFiction (EPUB, KIndle, PDF): https://goo.gl/kPBfyh
TKWC5 Ebook Preorder at Amazon: http://amzn.to/2g04t4O

I hope everyone enjoys the anthology!

Happy trails!

bobbi c.

bobbi a. chukran

New publication! Yay!

I'm excited to announce that one of my recent fun stories, The Nameless Turkey Trot of Terror, will be published in Untreed Reads THE KILLER WORE CRANBERRY 5!

There have been four volumes of these popular FUNNY Thanksgiving-time murder mystery anthologies, and I'm pleased to add my name to the list.

Will post pics of the cover ASAP!

Happy trails,

bobbi c.

Where the heck have I been?

Dear friends,

Poppin' in to say that yes, I'm still alive! Barely. One year ago I went in for a "routine" surgery and eleven days later, was diagnosed with a life-threatening (shall we say "flesh eating bacteria?") infection and rushed back into emergency surgery. I had two more surgeries over the next two days. Infected tissue was removed and a horrible Borg-like device was attached to my lower abdomen--a wound vac.

I ended up with an incision about 14" long and 4" wide.

For many, many months after I was able to go home from the hospital, I had visits from home-health-care nurses three times a week for very painful changes of dressings/sponges and the application of a huge sheet of adhesive film holding it all together. I carried around a vacuum pump with  me.

Bottom line, a year later I'm "healed," they say. I have a horrible scar and my belly button is off center. Psychologically, I have good days and bad days. Yes, they admitted I got the infection in the hospital. Yes, I could sue them. Still thinking about that one.

In the meantime, I have a helluva lot of ideas for stories. After all, I do write horror stories, science fiction AND murder mysteries. :-)

bobbi c.

Free Kindle Book--Perfect for reading aloud during the holiday season!

CATTYWAMPUS CHRISTMAS, Christmas comedy novella, is free for the Kindle for a week starting Wednesday, December 7. Like a lot of my short mystery fiction, it's also set in the tiny Texas town of "Nameless," although with some new characters.

http://amzn.to/2hgMXLF

When Dorothy Norton (Dot) returns to her parent's home for the holidays and gets bonked on the head by a Volkswagen-wielding neighbor, all sorts of strange things are set in motion. From a traditional Christmas turned upside down to an errant computer to a Santa Claus that is not your typical ho-ho-ho jolly old elf, this hilarious tale will make you laugh out loud and maybe even lose a bit of your eggnog. This "clean read" is perfect for reading aloud during the holiday season.

The book is based on one of my prize-winning young adult plays. Think the Wizard of Oz meets Lost in Space meets Monty Python. With no murders. :-)

The Story of this Novella

This story was based on a play I wrote for a competition a few years ago. I wanted to pay homage to the Wizard of Oz, the legend of Santa Claus, and my love for old toys—not to mention play around with a few really bad puns and some pop-cultural references I hope my readers will enjoy. It finally came together in an award-winning play titled "Dot and the (Amazing Technicolor) Quest for the Real Santa Claus." Ever since then, I've wanted to turn it into a novella. While I was editing the manuscript, the characters got busy and expanded the story a bit.

I hope you enjoy the heart-warming trip to the North Pole as Dot takes a journey of the imagination with Cattywampus Horatio Bonaparte, the black cat, Bo Raggley, the stuffed rag doll, Robot and the Christmas Fairy.

By the way, as a young woman, I did make a stuffed doll named "Bo Raggley" for one of my nieces. As far as I know, that doll never talked. But she was always interested in fashion. ;-)

Thanks for looking, and happy holidays!

bobbi c.
http://bobbichukran.com

Story Accepted for New Anthology!

I'm pleased as a grackle in the Wal-Mart parking lot to announce that a new mystery short story, Cat's Outta the Bag, will be published in the upcoming (mid-March) anthology, BLACK COFFEE---STORIES FROM THE NOIR SIDE OF TOWN (Darkhouse Books).

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Coffee-Andrew-MacRae/dp/0996182896/

 It's a dark tale of infidelity, nefarious doings, murder and mayhem set in Texas, right outside Austin. And yes, there's a cat in the story. ;-)

Stay tuned for further news!

Happy trails,

bobbi c.

Light-hearted family fun!

Why not start a tradition of reading aloud a story or novella at Christmas-time? Here's a good place to start, and the price has been reduced to $1.99 for the holiday season for the Kindle e-book. It's also available in paperback.

http://www.amazon.com/Cattywampus-Christmas-Bobbi-Chukran-ebook/dp/B00PMC3BUW/

Think "the Wizard of Oz meets Monty Python." :-)

A delightful tale the whole family will love! Laugh-out-loud funny, this holiday fantasy will warm your heart. When Dorothy Norton (Dot) returns to her parent's home for the holidays and gets bonked on the head by her neighbor's car while out chasing a runaway inflatable, all sorts of strange things are set in motion.

From a traditional Christmas turned upside down to strange toys that come to life and a Santa Claus that is not your typical ho-ho-ho jolly old elf, this hilarious tale will make you laugh out loud and maybe even lose a bit of your eggnog.

And furthermore, it's a heartwarming (or is that heartBURN?), nostalgic holiday tale about Christmas family traditions and the consumer culture and lots of wonderful horrendous puns, British dialect and lots of pop references and what-not. And dreams that come true. (Or do they?)

And yes! There's even Elvis. Of course. How could there NOT be?

A 17,000 word fast-read "clean" story suitable for all ages.

Happy trails!

bobbi c.

Looking for a fun Christmas short story?

Like small town mysteries? How about ghosts?

If so, try my "Holly, Hemlock & Mistletoe." Available on Amazon for only $1.29.

http://www.amazon.com/Holly-Hemlock-Mistletoe---Texas-Ghost-ebook/dp/B00R6H9XT4

Short Stories for the Thanksgiving Season

Dear friends and readers,

Over the last few years, I've written three short stories inspired by the Thanksgiving season. And especially, the foods associated with it. Everybody has a few extra minutes now and then, during lunch, while having afternoon tea, etc. Take a look and see if any of these whet your appetite! And please feel free to share with your special peeps.

Aunt Jewel and the Poisoned Potlikker

Aunt Jewel and the Purloined Pork Loin

Death at Do-Lolly's Diner

I hope you enjoy these as much as you love pecan (or pumpkin) pie!

Happy trails,

bobbi c.

New Mystery Story Published!

My new story, "The Conflagration at the Nameless Cotton Gin" has just been published in the first anthology from the Short Mystery Fiction Society. Published by Untreed Reads and available in all formats.

Pre-order the paperback, or buy and download the e-book version HERE.

New Science Fiction Anthology--STORIES FROM THE WORLD OF TOMORROW: The Way the Future Was!

I'm pleased to announce that my macabre science fiction story, Perfect Progeny, has been published in the new Darkhouse Books anthology, STORIES FROM THE WORLD OF TOMORROW: The Way the Future Was!

http://www.amazon.com/Stories-World-Tomorrow-Andrew-MacRae/dp/0996182810

Editor Andrew MacRae and Wenda Morrone, fellow Dorothy-L and Short Mystery Fiction Society members, also have stories in the book.

Other contributors are: Thresher Grey, Cassandra L., Michael Chandos, Matthew Pedersen, Michael McAndrews Bailey, Sebastien Mantle, Stephen Hill, Craig J. Ham, Raymond K. Rugg, Deborah Walker, William Stanforth, Rick Bruner, Donna Stephanie Cage and Amanda Bergloff.

This was a really fun story to research and write. The premise was interesting--what ABOUT all those new inventions they touted at the 1939 NYC World's Fair? What happened to them? Did they ever come about? I used the relatively new invention of hydroponics that amazed people at the fair (Growing food in water? Incredible!), coupled with my own contemporary concerns about GMO foods to craft a dark story about the possibilities.

BTW, for some fascinating historical photos, check out this site:

http://time.com/3879706/1939-new-york-worlds-fair-photos/

bobbi c.