2022 Wrap Up

Photo by Sebastien Wiertz

Hello Readers,

Well it was a wild year last year, what with Covid still rearing its ugly head, war in the Ukraine, and some crazy weather events, such as the flooding here in Queensland, Australia. On a more personal note, I didn’t succeed in completing my goals for 2022. I only managed to read and review 5 books from my target of 12, I didn’t obtain any new reviews, and I didn’t manage to finish writing some of the stories I had hoped to.

To be honest I was a little slack over 2022. I had a lot of distractions. An X-Box managed to sneak into my life and I was sucked into the worlds of The Witcher, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age 4, and Skyrim. I completed all four games, but it took months of gameplay. It wasn’t one of my goals going into the year, but I’ll take it as an achievement anyway. There were also a few new TV series that came out, the likes of The Witcher: Blood Origin (binged), The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power (binged), and Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon (yet to binge).

These are just some of the reasons (or excuses) why I didn’t reach my goals. I just hope I can be a bit more focused over 2023, try to pick up an extra review or two, and maybe get some actual writing done.

Happy Reading!

New Release: Ripples Through Murky Water

Hello Readers,

Exciting news! After many months of talking about it, I have finally released the much awaited anthology. ‘Ripples Through Murky Water’ is now available. This collection contains eight of my horror/fantasy stories and you’ll find all the links you need to get your copy, below the blurb.

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Follow Corporal Jackson on a top-secret project where being kept in the dark might just kill him. See Macey as she gets a taste of the wild frontier while finding her place in the world. Check out Jordan and his collection of figures that would make anyone believe in monsters. Or how about watching Hades as he tries to shake off a headache and move out of the underworld.

Ripples Through Murky Water is a collection of eight short, dark and magical tales that will leave you hungry for more.

If you like chills down your spine, magical mayhem, or just a bit of a laugh, you’ll love Ripples Through Murky Water by Allan Walsh.

***

I know you’ve been waiting a long time for it, but it is finally available and you can grab a copy of ‘Ripples Through Murky Water’ at the following retailers:

Amazon.com

Amazon.com.au

Amazon.co.uk

Other Stores

I hope you enjoy this collection of short stories. Feel free to let me know what you think or to share this post with your friends and family.

Thank you so much for your support.

Happy Reading,

Allan

Cover Reveal: Ripples Through Murky Water

Hello Readers,

I’m excited and very pleased to tell you that I have another new release ready to be published. As always a new release deserves a cover reveal. So, in the spirit of Christmas, here’s an early present, a glimpse of the cover for Ripples Through Murky Water

I’ll post again soon to let you all know when the book has been released.

Happy Reading

Allan

Brisbane, Australia.

Would you like to try my writing? Here’s a few morsels of The Cold and the Dead.

Hello Readers,

Here’s another sample of my work for the 10% Club series of posts, I give you a few morsels of The Cold and the Dead, a short horror story with a setting akin to the western frontier.

The Cold and the Dead by Allan Walsh

Macey perched on the edge of her old rusty bed, wind howling through the cracked window, snowflakes blasting through the gaps of the wooden shutters as they clattered in their frames. A fire roared in the stone hearth, sending embers swirling up the chimney. A cold draught blew across Macey’s brow, breathing life into the flames, making them flare up in an angry dance. The bed creaked as she nudged herself forwards, closer to the warmth. She looked across at her father snuggled down into the threadbare cushions of the faded couch beside her. The golden glow of the fire flickered on his weathered skin, the incandescent light setting his hair shimmering.

“What you fidgeting for?” her pa asked.

“I’m cold, hungry, and bored, Pa. Seems winter don’t want to let up. It’s bad enough being cooped up on this here farm without being stuck inside for days on end ‘cause of a storm.”

“It’ll pass soon enough,” he said pushing himself up from the couch. He lifted the iron lid from the pot on the fire and scraped a ladle of broth into a bowl.”

“Here’s your soup,” he said, offering her a bowl, steam wafting from its brim. Macey took it, and held the soup under her nose, breathing in the rich aroma. She felt her mouth watering.

“That’s the last of the rations, should help a little with your hunger, but best take your time to savour it,” her pa said. He looked past her to the window.

“I told you not to sell all the cattle.”

“If that wolf didn’t get the chickens we’d have been alright. Let’s hope this weather breaks soon so I can go into town and get supplies.”

A howling wind caught the window shutters, slamming them hard against their bracing, giving Macey’s father a start. 

“It’s alright Pa,” Macey said with a smile, “You built this home with your own two hands. We’ll be safe enough from the storm tonight.”

“It’s the worst one I ever saw, love.”

“Worse than the winter Ma died?” she asked running her finger around the rim of her bowl. Through the corner of her eye she noticed her pa peer over at her, then look down at the floor.

“Ah, you remind me so much of her at times. You’ve got the same brown eyes. Eyes that sparkle like a river in the moonlight when you smile.”

Macey took a sip of her broth. “I wish I’d known her better, Pa.”

“So do I, love… So do I. She’ll always be part of you though, you know that well as I do.” The sound of the wind and the crackle of the fire faded away as Macey stared into the steaming bowl of soup. She looked up at her pa.

“What was she like? I mean… what was she really like?”

If you enjoyed this sample of my writing, please share it with your friends.

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in some libraries. 

New Release: The Cold and the Dead

Hello Readers,

I now have another short story release fresh of the e-press. ‘The Cold and the Dead’ is now available. You’ll find all the links below the blurb. And don’t forget the anthology, which will include this short story, will be coming out in the not too distant future.

***

Macey wants to forge her own path in life and make a name for herself, but it can be tough living in the wild country. Seems like everything wants to kill you out there.

The Cold and the Dead is a short horror story with a setting akin to the western frontier. If you like grim-dark adventure, skin-crawling horror, and hard-knock characters, you’ll love The Cold and the Dead.

***

If you don’t want to wait for the anthology, you can get a copy of ‘The Cold and the Dead’ at the following retailers:

Amazon.com

Amazon.com.au

Amazon.co.uk

I hope you enjoy the story, I’m quite pleased with the way it has turned out. Please let me know what you think and feel free to share this post with any of your friends or family who might enjoy a short horror story.

Thank you so much for your support.

Happy Reading,

Allan

Cover Reveal: The Cold and the Dead

Hello Readers,

It is always an exciting time for me when I have a new release on the horizon, and it is no different as the release date for The Cold and the Dead draws nearer. And what is a new release without a cover reveal? Well, it’s just not as much fun is it. So with that in mind I’m super excited to share the cover with you. And here it is…

As always, I’ll post again soon to let you all know when the book has been released.

Happy Reading

Allan

Brisbane, Australia.

Introducing: The Cold and the Dead

Hello Readers,

There’s more exciting news for you with my next new release on the horizon. I’m pleased to let you know that The Cold and the Dead is scheduled to be released at the end of this month. In case you’re wondering, yes, I am still planning to release a collection of my short stories in an anthology over coming months, and yes, the anthology will include this story, plus many more.

Anyway, to whet your appetite for The Cold and the Dead, I’ll be revealing the cover in the near future. This one is a short horror/grimdark tale, so if it sounds like something you’d be interested in, keep an eye out for the cover reveal post.

Happy Reading

Allan,

Brisbane, Australia.

Would you like to try my writing? Here’s a glimpse at Shades of Hades

Hello Readers,

Here is another sample of my work in the 10% Club series of posts. In this sample you get a glimpse at Shades of Hades, a short comical fantasy about a the gods. I hope you have as much fun reading this one as I did writing it.

Shades of Hades by Allan Walsh

Hades slouched upon his grey throne picking his teeth with the pointy end of an icicle. Spirits of the dead moaned at his feet, their sorrowful melody reverberating around the stalagmites and stalactites. Decaying bodies dragged heavy chains along the frozen ground—chains that rattled and clanked, grated and scraped, over and over, making his ears ring and his head throb.

“Can’t you drag those chains quietly?” he yelled, “I’ve a splitting head ache and my chilblains are killing me.”

The dead paused for a moment staring at him blankly, then carried on being dead, moaning and doing what the dead do. They didn’t care, why would they… death has that effect on a person.

“Is there no respect for the Lord of the Underworld anymore?” he huffed, “I am a god you know.” They continued to ignore him. A cold blast blew his dark hair across his face. He pushed it out of his eyes and it flapped in the wind. Hades pulled his ragged cloak tighter, trying to stop the chill gnawing at his bones. “Damn you Poseidon, and you too Zeus. Damn you both! Why did I get the underworld? If I had known it was this grey… this dark… this bloody cold all the time I would never have agreed to it.” He scrunched his hand into a fist, knuckles glowing in the dim light, and stamped his good foot hard on the ground. “Why can’t I live on the surface?” he whined, ignoring the ghostly wisps drifting around him. His eyes grew wide, and a grin crept up on his face. “I could swap! Make the underworld home for those wretched humans, then I could live up there.” Hades rubbed at the back of his head and his nose wrinkled, a sour odour scratching at his nostrils. He sniffed at his underarm and recoiled, his nose wrinkling even more. “I’m sure I’ve bathed this decade,” he said, dropping his arm.

If you enjoyed this sample of my writing, please share it with your friends.

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in some libraries. 

New Release: Shades of Hades

Hello Readers,

Well it is finally here! My new short story ‘Shades of Hades’ is now available. You’ll find all the links below the blurb. And don’t forget the anthology, which will include this short story, will be coming out in the not too distant future.

***

It can be tough ruling the underworld. Hades is cold and has a headache, but nobody seems to care, least of all the dead. When he decides to move to a warmer climate, the other gods aren’t pleased.

Will Hades find somewhere warm to call home? Or is he destined to a life of misery?

Shades of Hades is a short satirical fantasy about the gods. If you like fun filled fantasy, comical capers, and tales of ancient gods, you’ll love Shades of Hades.

***

If you don’t want to wait for the anthology, you can get a copy of Shades of Hades at the following retailers:

Amazon.com

Amazon.com.au

Amazon.co.uk

I hope you enjoy the story. I certainly had fun writing it. Please let me know what you think and feel free to share this post with any of your friends or family who might enjoy a good, comical short fantasy.

Thank you so much for your support.

Happy Reading,

Allan

Cover Reveal: Shades of Hades

Hello Readers,

It is an exciting time for me as the release date for Shades of Hades draws nearer. With that in mind, and as promised, I’m delighted to share the cover with you. And here it is…

I’ll keep you posted on any further developments and will let you all know when the book is released.

Happy Reading

Allan

Brisbane, Australia.