Still Available! Thirteen Tales.

Grab it now and enjoy – Thirteen Tales (of Ghosts). Spread the word!

A collection of short stories concerning ghosts. Some are traditional ghost stories in the tradition of M.R. James and Edgar Allan Poe. Others are not. Some scare, some are fun. Some play with the concept of a ghost. There are ghosts who are out for revenge and the living avenging the spirits that curse them.

Ideal for sitting around a campfire and late at night under the covers. Or maybe not if the stories themselves are any guide.

Check it out at Amazon and Smashwords and other online e-book retailers.

A paperback version os being worked on for those who prefer the feel of the paper while huddling by the fire – on your own – in the dark – with that noise behind you……

www.scottandrewbailey.uk

Tremble

So, either it has snowed in our bathroom, there has been the mother of all cocaine parties or somebody who will remain nameless (starts with an L end with an M few vowels in between) has found Mummy’s talcum powder.

I don’t know what my kids will be when they grow up – but one way or another they will make the world tremble.

In the meantime – here’s an old poem that fits in with today’s prompt.

Giants

By Scott Bailey 2014

I have seen giants
Striding over the land
Power on their shoulders
Stern and strong their hand

Never do they falter
Never seen one stumble or fall
Always do their duty
Always answer the call

Through storm and wind and rain
The carry their burden true
Though other links may burn out
The giants stride on through

So remember this and tremble
Even the giants will pass
Fall into dust and rusty ruin
Scattered in untamed grass

One day their burden will dissipate
Their purpose will disappear
And the duty they discharged so well
A memory dimmed with time

In response to the daily prompt Tremble

Pylons
Image from Pixabay

#DailyPrompt

Sinking

By Scott Bailey © 2017

Oh how I would love
For the world to be lighter
Not a sinking mess

In response to RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #135 Love&Light

Lighter

#Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge

The Pyre Beacon of Books

By Scott Bailey 2017

When will come the time
Fascism is recognised?
When books start burning?

In response to the daily prompt Recognize

Burning books

#DailyPrompt

Scents

By Scott Bailey 2017

The wind shifts its path
Bring new scents in its wake
Fresh blood lures the wolf

In response to the daily prompt Scent

Wolf

#DailyPrompt

A Spring of Dreams – Starfire

Starfire

By Scott Bailey © 2014

Made of crystal
So clear
It can hardly be seen
The breadth of seven men
The height of the clouds
The top unseen
Inside
Sparking and crackling
Impossible
Bright and pure
It is filled with
Starfire
For miles around
The land knows no dark
Ever
The question might be asked
Why it was built
Were there anyone around
To ask it

A_Spring_of_Dreams_Cover_for_Kindle

Available as

Kindle

or hardback

from Amazon

or CreateSpace

 

 

 

www.scottandrewbailey.uk

 

Thirteen Tales – A sampler.

Why not try a collection of ghostly tales?

Get comfortable by the fire, or under the duvet, grab your Kindle and lock the doors.

To give you a taster read the first story of the collection here.

Interior

 

By Scott Bailey © 2017

What’s inside
Distorts and shapes
The exterior
All those dreams and hopes
Hates and fears
That make up the interior
The moiling
Boiling
Packed and stacked
Stretched and tense
Earnest pretense
That inside us all
Makes us all
What we are
Rather than what
We wish

In response to the daily prompt Interior

#DailyPrompt

New Year

It was rough last year. I am not just talking about celebrity deaths.

We as a family have had it rough. We have had family members in and out of hospital, having to deal with a diagnosis of Autism for our youngest and his so far very rocky transition into school. I have had work stress and uncertainty. We have seen our social lives and our house being slowly taken apart. I have seen my writing dreams slip away.

Midlife crisis? Maybe.

I have to cling to hope. It is the only thing left.

So not really new years resolutions as such but goals I am aiming for this year.

To find a new job. But not just another role. I need to get back to enjoying work again. That has been totally destroyed of late – I had thought beyond hope – but if I give up hope then all is lost. I have been thinking about a total career change and that’s the way I will try to go.

To improve our daily lives by trying new techniques for dealing with Autistic behaviours.

To reinvigorate my writing dreams. To help with this I will attempt to complete the daily prompt as well as Ronovan’s Weekly Haiku Challenge. This is purely to get my juices flowing. Behind the scenes, I will try to put together two more poetry collections for publishing as well as another short story collection and a new novel. Ambitious but I must attempt it.

I wish everyone a happy new year and hope you all attain your own dreams and goals.

In response to the daily prompt Year

#DailyPrompt

Calm

By Scott Bailey © 2016

Calm my beating heart
Racing for the beauty of
My beloved wife

In response to the daily prompt Calm

#DailyPrompt, #amwriting

Another Fantastic Review!

This one for my Poetry Collection!

“Great concept to write a poem a day for a year and provides an insight into copying with difficult family circumstances – a recommended read for anyone who has struggled in such situations. Some poems were obviously more personal than others (my favourites were those when the writer cherishes the ‘small moments’ in life such as going to a fireworks display with his wife and son) but he also branches out into more political territory. Look out for the funny poems scattered through-out the book too, one in particular made me laugh out loud! A good read and Scott Bailey shows talent as a poet. Recommended.”

Check out the original here!

A Spring of Dreams

Sales and Stats slowly climbing

I did it! Well, the first of my aims for the end of this year. I made it over 10,000 views this year. Paltry compared to some I know but miles better than any previous year for me.

Just another 90 followers to pick up now 🙂

On top of that a few more sales this week – including a soft back! Maybe the ball is finally picking up some momentum.

For many reasons – roll on 2017!

Dark Truths

By Scott Bailey © 2016

It is dark but true
Uncomfortable evidence
When we dig deeper

Dark Truths Hidden

Better Sales Ranks – Thirteen Tales.

So here’s the stats right now on Amazon UK – 276th in Short Stories – not bad!

screenshot_20161211_174145

Check it out – for a taster click here. And the Softback version will be available soon.

13talescoverc

A collection of short stories concerning ghosts. Some are traditional ghost stories in the tradition of M.R. James and Edgar Allan Poe. Other are not. Some scare, some are fun. Some play with the concept of a ghost. There are ghosts who are out for revenge and the living avenging the spirits that curse them.

Ideal for sitting around a campfire and late at night under the covers. Or maybe not if the stories themselves are any guide.

Check it out at Amazon and Smashwords and other online e-book retailers.

A paperback version os being worked on for those who prefer the feel of the paper while huddling by the fire – on your own – in the dark – with that noise behind you……

www.scottandrewbailey.uk

More Movement Thirteen Tales.

Another sale on Kindle of my Ghost Story collection! Check it out – for a taster click here. And the Softback version will be available soon.

A collection of short stories concerning ghosts. Some are traditional ghost stories in the tradition of M.R. James and Edgar Allan Poe. Others are not. Some scare, some are fun. Some play with the concept of a ghost. There are ghosts who are out for revenge and the living avenging the spirits that curse them.

Ideal for sitting around a campfire and late at night under the covers. Or maybe not if the stories themselves are any guide.

Check it out at Amazon and other online e-book retailers.

A paperback version is being worked on for those who prefer the feel of the paper while huddling by the fire – on your own – in the dark – with that noise behind you……

Mists

By Scott Bailey © 2016

Mist breathes on the moors
Then the new sun arises
Dissipates to green

 

In response to RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #123 Breathe&New

#Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge

Avoid the real nightmare – escape into mine!

Thirteen Tales of Ghosts Cover

A collection of short stories concerning ghosts. Some are traditional ghost stories in the tradition of M.R. James and Edgar Allan Poe. Others are not. Some scare, some are fun. Some play with the concept of a ghost. There are ghosts who are out for revenge, and the living avenging the spirits that curse them.

Ideal for sitting around a campfire and late at night under the covers. Or maybe not if the stories themselves are any guide.

Check it out at Amazon.

A paperback version is being worked on for those who prefer the feel of the paper while huddling by the fire, on your own, in the dark, with that noise behind you.

In Remembrance

in-remembrance-11300115244nlu

I am deeply honoured that poem of mine – topical for today – has been featured on the Thanet writers website.

It was originally written for Armistice day – then later a friend and I adapted it as a song and this is the version they have featured.

While we are remembering – we also said goodbye to some more legends today. Robert Vaughn – the Man From Uncle, and also one of my favourite all time singer/songwriters – Leonard Cohen.

 

This is my favourite – and with apt lyrics for today.

 

Get in the Spooky Mood!

Thirteen Tales of Ghosts Cover

A collection of short stories concerning ghosts. Some are traditional ghost stories in the tradition of M.R. James and Edgar Allan Poe. Others are not. Some scare, some are fun. Some play with the concept of a ghost. There are ghosts who are out for revenge and the living avenging the spirits that curse them.

Ideal for sitting around a campfire and late at night under the covers. Or maybe not if the stories themselves are any guide.

Check it out at Amazon and other online e-book retailers.

A paperback version is being worked on for those who prefer the feel of the paper while huddling by the fire – on your own – in the dark – with that noise behind you……

A Spring of Dreams – Words

 

recite-1gw36vv

Words

By Scott Bailey © 2013

Wherever words roam
Over fantastical lands
The heart rests at home.

www.scottandrewbailey.uk

Get Your Ghost On!

A collection of short stories concerning ghosts. Some are traditional ghost stories in the tradition of M.R. James and Edgar Allan Poe. Other are not. Some scare, some are fun. Some play with the concept of a ghost. There are ghosts who are out for revenge and the living avenging the spirits that curse them.

Ideal for sitting around a campfire and late at night under the covers. Or maybe not if the stories themselves are any guide.

#PoweredByIndie

Thirteen Tales – Climbing but a long way to go still

Less than a week since the release on its 149th in its category.

13talesrank

Spread the word – let’s get it higher!

Poem a day challenge #265 (Blue)

Blue

By Scott Bailey © 2014

Another blue birthday
Like his eyes
Two years as if yesterday
The memories of watching
Blue fading to darkness
Unlike his eyes
My memories will never fade

www.scottandrewbailey.uk

Poem a day challenge #249 (Dressing Up)

Dressing Up

By Scott Bailey © 2014

 

Watching dressing up
A mini ninja dancing
Whirling all in black

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www.scottandrewbailey.uk

Home

By Scott Bailey © 2016

A day in the woods
Jumping in piles of brown leaves
Autumn brings us home

 

In response to RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #116 Home&Leaves

#Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge

Plop

In response to the Daily prompt (from a few days ago!).

Image by M W from Pixabay

Plop

Plop, plop.

The sound echoes in the dark, reverberates around the cavern for many minutes after.

Yet, is it a sound? With no ears to hear? And are the ripples real if – in this absolute darkness no eye can see?

For this pool, this precious reservoir of pure water is deep beneath the troubled earth. The purest water known to humans – never to be known by humans.

Plop, plop.

It is far beyond their reach. In the roots of the world.

It is the last pure water in the world, the only unpolluted, uncontaminated pool.

As if drawn the last few clean drops seep down wind their way down the stalactites and…

Plop, plop.

No human ears to hear, no human eyes to see. Though every human tongue is craving, thirsting, it is beyond them.

Plop, plop.

No fish swims here. No life steals from this pool or invades its secrecy.

Plop, plop.

It is sealed away, safe.

Plop.


Plop

Spent

By Scott Bailey © 2016

My life is being spent
Waiting outside shops
Herding kids
Driving
Working for reasons unknown
On maintenance

Not on friends or laughter
Not on relaxation
Not on health
Not on passions

Tick-tock, tick-tock
Life’s precious coin
Being spent
For very little change

Time
Image from Pixabay

Heroes

By Scott Bailey © 2016

All my heroes let me down.
All of them.
I tried to be my own hero.
That. Was the worst.

Fallen Heroes

Poem a day challenge #94 (Web)

Web

By Scott Bailey © 2013

Glistening silver
A delicate spider web
Fallen tree around

www.scottandrewbailey.uk

 

Rivers

By Scott Bailey © 2016

Rivers carve the land
Rocks turn flows: who can resist
The river of stone

In response to RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #112 River&Stone

Rivers

#Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge

Poem a day challenge #85 (Who’s the Fool)

Who’s the Fool

By Scott Bailey © 2013

Listen to all the anger
Hark at all the fury
Just remember that
You no longer own the jury

Humiliate the whistleblower
Make him out a fool
Wielding propaganda
Like an old blunt tool

Don’t you know we’re cynics now
We can see through all the lies
You will have to do much better
Or suffer the surprise.

www.scottandrewbailey.uk

Poem a day challenge #61 (The New)

The New 

By Scott Bailey © 2013

The new can’t replace the should have been
The should have been haunts us forever
Though the new will be a healer
And receive all our love just the same.
It’s pointless being angry at fate
But that doesn’t stop the burn
The frisson on top of everyday stress
For the should have been we always yearn.
The new will have it’s own should have been.
So maybe we will understand.
And make a happier will be.
At least that is the plan.

www.scottandrewbailey.uk

Change

By Scott Bailey © 2016

If I stay my path
The world will not mind a bit
So change is a must

In response to RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #110 Change&Mind

#Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge

Life’s Journey

By Scott Bailey © 2016

Chancing to look up
Seeking hope on my journey
I trip and stumble

Life's Journey

 

In response to RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #109-Hope&Up

#Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge

Mankind Limited – Another Fantastic Review

A detailed, in-depth and insightful review of Mankind Limited from Silver Threading. Check it out here.. and many thanks to her for the review!

Featured Image -- 6710

Wordless

By Scott Bailey © 2016

 

Benakeri sorful do

Lillytigh shamton benigh

Alluver ecater feru

Selater erater canoo

And that is how I feel

Light and Drak

No Beer

By Scott Bailey © 2016

 

Not a beer in the house
For this thirsty mouse
Just silent walls and noise
The chaos of standing still

So much energy
Put into going nowhere

Beer

Short Story Challenge

I came across this quote by Ray Bradbury which makes a brilliant point.

Quotefancy-111759-3840x2160

So I have taken up that challenge. My next post will be my first week’s attempt.

I am not going to post every one – I want to save them up and put the best (or maybe all of them) into a collection.

Wish me luck.

Mankind Limited -Selling Off Society

quotescover-PNG-26

Want to know where we will end up when we have finished selling off society? Read on..

www.scottandrewbailey.uk

Read an excerpt here.

Available as

Kindle

or hardback

from Amazon

or CreateSpace

One step closer to this …

Humanity reduced to a bottom line.

Mankind Limited


Trapped. In a world where everything is measured and control pervades every area of life, four people begin to break down. Instead, they break through the walls of deceit and propaganda and into a world of revolution.

Each, in their way, vow to overthrow the established order. They embark on a journey against the forces arraigned against them, forces of state and self-doubt.

Ultimately their paths converge on a dangerous road and the discovery of an ancient secret.

On one level this is a story about how different people react the ever growing and relentless pressure of everyday oppression. It explores their journeys as they are broken and rebuilt and investigates their modes and motivations for rebelling.

At another level it is a critique on the darker side of capitalism and free markets and how that has driven us further and further away from the evolutionary advantage that gave us supremacy in the first place. It questions whether the human race has doomed itself or whether we still have the capacity to wrench ourselves from the track we have so tightly committed our society upon.

Read an excerpt here.

Available as

Kindle

or hardback

from Amazon

The Lies We Tell Boys

The media lies. We all know that. Sometimes, though, it is very subtle.

Like what it tells us about being a man.

Everything we see gives us the same message. The brash businessman dispensing his wisdom, the cocky chancer charming the ladies, the whisky guzzling spy or DCI. Even the greedy bankers and the corrupt politicians – who we all condemn but are still reaping their rewards.

They all tell us the same thing – to be a man and be a success – be strong, take what you want! No one will give it to you so grab it with both hands.

Far more subtly than that but that’s the message.

I have come to a different conclusion lately. To be a man, properly (and I don’t claim to be this by ay means) you have to learn to give. To give of your strength – and to keep giving when your strength has run out. Give your strength to those you care about.

When you’re in love
Nothing matters
Yes, there are annoyances
Sacrifices
Anger
Even tears
Nothing matters
Savour the moments
Bask in the sunlight of her smile
Be warmed by her touch
And keep on giving
Your strength

By Scott Bailey © 2016

Mankind Limited – Quote 5

recite-52pdc5

www.scottandrewbailey.uk

Read an excerpt here.

Available as

Kindle

or hardback

from Amazon

or CreateSpace

 

Mankind Ltd – Quote

quotescover-PNG-23

What right had she to make decisions for other people?

What had made her think that those posters were true?

How dare she have the courage to break those chains?

By Scott Bailey 

Read an excerpt here.

Available as

Kindle

or hardback

from Amazon

or CreateSpace

A Spring of Dreams has a Spring in Sales

Well a bit anyway – but how’s this for a jump in sales rank!

Salesrank2

A jump of 923,067 ranks! Come on! Buy a few more people – just a couple – I might get to number one!

Thank you whoever brought the latest copies – my ego needed it.

 

A Spring of Dreams – Quote 6

Kerching-Kerchang-Pow

Nation

By Scott Bailey © 2013

Kerching! Kerchang! Pow!
Our economy picks up!
Soul still desolate.

Get the previous ones here

http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb

A Spring of Dreams – Quote 5

recite-2dr0uy

Trench

By Scott Bailey © 2013

Dancing with my wife,
last week the telegraph came:
Coughs ring round the trench.

Get the previous ones here

http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb

A Spring of Dreams – Quote 4

recite-g3bdu3

Sparks

By Scott Bailey © 2013

A sad shadow falls
Casting gloom over our dreams:
Sparks dispel the dark!

Get the previous ones here

http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb

A Spring of Dreams – Quote 3

 

recite-1gw36vv

Words

By Scott Bailey © 2013

Wherever words roam
Over fantastical lands
The heart rests at home.

Get the previous ones here

http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb

A Spring of Dreams – Quote 2

recite-1782e6a

Senryu: Cross

By Scott Bailey © 2013

Fleeing from killers
The child runs desperately
To fill out a form.

Get the previous ones here

http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb

A Spring of Dreams – Quote

Old-light-from-the-past

Lantern

By Scott Bailey © 2013

Old light from the past
Is still illumination
Wisdom echoes far

Get the previous ones here

http://wp.me/P3kG6h-bb