Dark Fiction To Scare... Blog

...AND I THOUGHT I KNEW...

9/10/2020

Terrifying stories from amazing independent authors.

I thought I knew how to advertise a book. Just put it on Google Ads, right? Set it to Worldwide availability, clearly. Wrong.

It turns out there is a reason I write and edit and don't run ad campaigns. But I am improving. Many thanks to the pile of people who have seen through my shoddy attempts at advertising and have gotten their hands on 'Scare Me' in either paperback or on eBook.

Join the crowd and enjoy these twelve dark stories by independent authors and enjoy the fear-inducing cover by MJ Hiblen.

MY 2020...

5/10/2020

Good Lord! A blog... and one where I speak and not plug Esskaye's new book (don't get excited - I'm going to later...)
2020 has been a hard year. Globally. Some countries have handled the situation better than others but I'm not going political so don't log off just yet. I have had a particularly hard year.
I am one among the percentage of people where catching Covid-19 would be a really bad idea. I have an underlying condition as the media love to talk about. I am overweight, have diabetes, and Multiple Sclerosis.
To make matters worse, I take a DMT (Disease Modifying Therapy) called Fingolimod. While this medication works wonderfully it does have the down-side of reducing my immune system by 80%.
The knowledge that I am so open to the worst that this virus has to offer sent my anxiety and depression into overdrive and basically blew my life apart. My lockdown began a week before the Government recommended we all hide indoors.
Luckily for me, I have very sympathetic and understanding employers who have backed me through this elongated period of sickness and have done all they can to help. As have the Occupational Therapist, mental health nurse, and Talking Therapies. Along with help from my fiancée, Claire, best friends Graeme and Chris, and Support worker, Amy, I have fought back to a clearer frame of mind.
And, of course, (here comes the book mention) 'Scare Me'. It would be fair to say my thinking was not at it's clearest when I launched the search for the twelve stories I needed for the book.
My therapist supported my tactic of throwing myself into one of the few things left to give me pleasure and keep my mind active. Having time to sit and think is not the luxury I once thought it to be. Leaving my mind to its own devices and wallowing in the depression I live with is a supremely bad idea, it would seem.
Even with the huge amount of work I had set for myself the fight back to normality for me wasn't easy and I thank each of the around 100 authors who submitted a story for the book. Even if your story didn't get accepted it did get read fully so thank you for the diversion from reality.
I would love it if you read 'Scare Me' (stockists here) and even if you don't choose to buy a copy then visit this page and show the talented writers who made their way to the printed page some love - they deserve your attention.

'SCARE ME' COVER REVEAL!

12/6/2020

The suspense has been killing us over at Esskaye Towers and, at last, we can reveal the cover to our first anthology, 'Scare Me'.

The horrific image from superbly talented artist MJ Hiblen (https://www.instagram.com/mjhiblenart/) is the perfect preparation for readers as they begin on a journey of 12 short stories from the cream of the crop.

We still have a few spots available in the book so take a look at the RULES is you want to put your work forward.

We will let you know the release date closer to the time!

GROWING PAINS

21/5/2020

Esskaye Books has a schedule of changes planned for its business model, with particular attention to the distribution and access to its content. Hopefully these changes won't be as jarring as previous ones but they are happening :)

We are still looking for author for the 'Scare Me' book but that has changed also. It will no longer classed as a competition but will stay pay you for you work and offer you promotion opportunities!

We know there are plenty of aspiring writers and established authors out there who would love to see the dark fiction short in print. Get scribbling and let us see what you have!

When you're ready send your piece to subs@esskayebooks.com

Stay safe, stay strong, an stay creative.

A QUIET NIGHT IN

7/5/2020

Never hope for a quiet night in! How can the night get worse for Wren as everything slips from bad to worse?

Available in 'Olverston Grange ...and Other Stories' - 'A Quiet Night In' is one of M. Leon Smith's favourite pieces!

From the Apocalypse to more personal horrors, M. Leon Smith delves into fears both supernatural and everyday. Available in paperback, on Kindle, or FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

Be brave and visit Olverston Grange...

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

BOXED IN

2/5/2020

What has Rich done?
Waking up, trapped in a weird box Rich is forced to face what he has done and the ramifications of his actions. Will Rich escapes? Does he deserve to?
Find out in the nail-biting story 'Boxed In' available in 'Olverston Grange ...and Other Stories'

TRYING AND NOT QUITE SUCCEEDING...

27/4/2020

Times are hard on a global scale but here at Esskaye Books we thought we were somehow magically immune from the worldwide disruption. This is sadly not the case.

As a young company with a very limited staff it would be all too easy to rinse our hands of the attempt to launch. WE ARE NOT DOING THIS.

The 'Scare Me' writing competition is still alive and well but the closing date has been expanded. Rather than a set closing date, the book is now open until full. No other terms have changed. We'll get through this pandemic together and we will create a great book at the same time.

The weekly short stories have become (fingers crossed) monthly but we are still desperate to read and publish your words on the site. Read HERE for details.

Stay safe, stay positive, and write dark!

Esskaye Books

ANTICIPat...

22/4/2020

Esskaye Books has been busy. Despite being ill (the tablets are starting to kick in) M. Leon Smith (with help) has been able to get this site into shape. The process has been a lot slower than originally planned but has almost got to the stage we wanted it to be at.

One thing though... Where are the writers?

The global situation is awful but, as writers, we can escape into our created worlds.

We have different ways to share your work :)

Firstly we have 'SCARE ME' our first annual short story competition. This is a paying market so give the page a read.

We also have announced our 'FREE READS' section. This is the perfect place to practice your horror writing skills. We are looking for short stories of about 1500 words or under. Check out 'Popping To The Shops' by M. Leon Smith to give you an idea of what we are looking for and how to submit your work!

Happy writing!

April 18th, 2020

18/4/2020

Regulars to this page may well have noticed some changes. The future of Esskaye Books is being created...

More news to come soon.

First submission received

14/4/2020

The first submission to what is planned as an ANNUAL EVENT has arrived at Esskaye Books headquarters and it's a good one!

There have been quite a few enquiries so I thought I would clarity these for you all. So, for want of a better phrase, here is the Competition F.A.Q.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER?

Nothing. Zilch. Nada. Free. Esskaye Books is adamant that authors and artists should be paid, not charged, for their work.

YOU MENTIONED MONEY. HOW MUCH?

After much bartering over a calculator Esskaye Books can announce an up-front payment of £25 GBP. This will be paid via PayPal - if you don't have one, you will need one.

is that it?

No. In addition to the payment you will also have a FULL page to promote yourself. Be it an interview, a bio, or an advert to your website/social media.

Images are allowed (think PG-13 rated as a guide) and mentions of other book companies are fine too.

In addition a link to your website can be included on the Esskaye Books website.

how many words?

There is no strict word limit but aim for between 3000 and 5000 words.

SOUNDS GOOD. HOW DO I ENTER?

Send your story in .doc, .rtf, or .docx to esskaye.editor@gmail.com

No HTML or hidden formatting (basically don't copy from an online source) and keep the fonts sane (Arial or Times New Roman)

Have fun!

M. Leon Smith