So. I posted up the Uncle Mo’s Gastrointestinal Tract short story for free up over on Smashwords. Thought I’d try it out and see how it was, how things looked, how hard it was, etc. It wasn’t too bad, actually.
I thought I’d try putting up another short story as well and charge the minimum they’d allow. So I dug out Killing Harry and updated it, made it better, formatted it and all of that. It was a short story of mine that had originally been published in 2007 for Shred of Evidence, a magazine that’s now gone the way of the dinosaurs.
It’s not a YA story, though it’s not really *that* bad. There’s a little bit of swearing in it (I mean, hey, the main character is a contract killer) and a slightly suggestive bit, but nothing I wouldn’t consider okay for readers aged 14 and up. Most kids I know that are that age are reading stuff much more suggestive, as a matter of fact.
I read a lot of Spillane when I was growing up, not to mention the original Ian Fleming James Bond novels. I have a soft spot for noir and crime fiction in general. Even though I normally write YA, I do sometimes like to dabble in other things. Killing Harry is one of those stories. It makes me smile (which may make you wonder about me, but there you go).
And hey, you want it free? Contact me via e-mail (or DM on Twitter) get a coupon code so you can download the story for absolutely free. No limit…you ask me, you got it. So…go! And let me know what you think. Would you like more short stories from me?
Don’t know if I’m in the first 20 – but here goes… I would love to read your story!!
Check your email! I actually opened it up — I’m not limiting it to 20. Anybody who asks can get it for free!
so…if your not limiting it to 20, could you send me the coupon to read it for free?
Thanks.
P.S. I’m a huge fan.
I would…but you didn’t give an email address
and I need to send it somewhere…if you’re on Facebook, you can friend me there and I can send it to you that way (or Twitter DM). Let me know!
Oh and of course would love more short stories from you. Need you ask? Really!?!
Great story! Almost felt alittle like P. N. Elrod when the vamp was mentioned. Fooled me -lol- thought story was going to head a different direction! Hey I’m old so I can say this… Ya got alot talent kid, just keep em coming.
Had already read your blog re: helping an almost new author get published. I understand what your publisher is saying to you, that they are D&D folks (a genre I’m not into) but do not buy that vamps & paranormal are falling by the way side. Look at Christopher Farnsworth, 1st book Blood Oath, 2nd book The President’s Vampire made it to a best sellar list (think it’s New York Times – listed on my library’s site – columbuslibrary.org) they send it to me every couple of weeks. How did he do that? The first was a debut – I look for those @ library by the way.
You mentioned you like crime fiction, Elrod has left a gap in that area cuz I loved the idea of vampire gumshoe w/human sidekick. Doesn’t look like she’s writing anymore – just editing collections. Maybe I’m jumping the gun. Do you like the paranormal genre? I think the main things that keeps a book in the YA collection is lack of graphic language, violence & sex. All of which I appreciate in my so called adult books. My mom was a librarian as well as a teacher of middle school & high schoolers. She never censured a book from us kids. She felt if we could understand it, we could read it. Remember finding Michner’s The Source when I was about 11, read almost a chapter – didn’t understand it lol! Same thing with Harold Robbins The Carpetbagger’s – that just grossed me out major, eck eck eck!!! Read it as a grown up & laughed.
Sorry, I drift off topic. Anyways the teen section of my library ( NO.1 in nation for a city the size of Columbus, Ohio 2010) and the display shelves are full of the Paranormal and being checked out – I have to reserve books since I must read them in order. Had to do that for both of your books by the way and they have a good number of copies of each. Oops wrote too much, but 2 thumbs up to Killing Harry.
I know The Max keeps your writing schedule tight, but you have the talent – as much as you like your publisher – have you shown a 3rd ISTBM to any other houses? As your fans, we’ll slam them with mail to take you if that’s what it takes as well as rearranging the bookstores shelves & talking you up. Have done that with several authors already & I’m always surprised to find out they know who I mean 3/4 of the time. B & N is the main one I go to. I’ll write reviews for @ Amazon on what you have published. Will do it long hand so it doesn’t wander as this too long email has. I’m a fan Kimberly and really want to see what Mina gets into next…there are alot of possible story directions, you set yourself up well for sequels or a prequel! Thank-you for letting me read Harry
I know you posted this a few moths ago … but I was hoping that I would still be able read it, because I would love to
*fingers crossed *
- Jasmine
I emailed you!
Gosh, your books are so great! I would love to read this short story..pretty please?
I know I’m a little late to the party, but can you still let me read this? Pleaseee?