Joleene Naylor (an author I very much respect due to how professional and kind she’s been in the years I’ve known her) invited authors to participate in the anthology she was putting together.
It has been a while since I wrote a short story, and I thought it sounded like fun so I submitted a young adult thriller I called “Body Swap”. If you like old black and white episodes of The Twilight Zone, I think you might enjoy my story. I have not read the other short stories in the anthology yet, but I plan to.
It is free on Smashwords, but as of the time I’m writing it, it is $0.99 on Amazon. I, and the other authors, are trying to get it free on Amazon, but it is up to Amazon to decide whether or not to price match the book.
Smashwords (FREE)
Amazon ($0.99 unless they price match it)
If it shows up on other retailers, I’ll let you know. At the moment, it looks like it’s only on Smashwords and Amazon. But remember, it’s free on Smashwords until Amazon price matches it.
Here’s the stories you’ll find in this anthology:
Ol’ Man Wickleberry is a man of legend – or is he a legend of a man? With a scruffy beard and a dislike for humanity, how long has it been since he met his demise, and what is he doing in his ghostly afterlife? The stories may differ, but all of them are true. We swear. So if you’re ever wandering alone in the woods at night, and find you’re not really alone, it just might be Ol’ Man Wickleberry.
Enjoy eight tales by seven talented authors including:
Vendetta by Chris Harris: Mr. Baker is on his way to steal a deal when he’s snowed in. Stuck waiting at a rustic tavern, he’s ambushed by an old man with a strange story – a story that’s beyond belief. Or is it?
Evil Animals and Automobiles by Mark R Hunter: Ol’ Man Wickleberry hates so much he sometimes prompts them to an untimely end, with the help of those newfangled automobiles. But the next victim might be Ol’ Man Wickleberry, himself.
The True Story of Ol’ Man Wickleberry by Jonathan Harvey: Jonathan Harvey puts the Terrible Turtle spin on the Wickleberry legend. He names himself Papa Harvey and weaves a tale that is strange and bizarre, but still interesting. If only he wasn’t constantly being interrupted.
Out Walking by Joleene Naylor: The mysterious carnivorous white rabbits sound too strange to be true, but Ol’ Man Wickleberry can’t stand the thought of missing some rare game. It seems a walk is in order…
Body Swap by Ruth Nordin: A teenage boy makes a trade with a man who was thought to be dead.
Weirdly Normal – The Hike by Simon Goodson: Vincent hates hiking. But more than anything else, he hates their guide’s endless wittering about the horribly scary myth of Ol’ Man Wickleberry. Just when Vincent is certain the night can’t get any worse… Ol’ Man Wickleberry himself makes an appearance!
Wickleberry Elixir by Terry Compton: Rick and his two fellow college students just wanted a few extra college credits and the money from the work study. Then the professor demanded more details. But details sometimes lead to answers no one really wants or believes.
Ol’ Man Wickleberry (The Other True Story) by Jonathan Harvey: Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O, and next to this farm lived Ol’ Man Wickleberry, E-I-E-I – Oh. It seems Ol’ Man Wickleberry doesn’t like these kind of goings ons. A short story that’s rhyming good fun.
I loved your story! 😀 (I also love Twilight Zone, so there you go 😉 )
I’m looking forward to reading the others in the anthology. I have to finish another book first. This was a lot of fun. I’m glad you let me be a part of it! 😀
Ruth, your story was nice and creepy! I need to check out the rest!
I’ll be reading the other stories as soon as I’m done reading Janet’s book. I’m looking forward to what the other authors came up with. 🙂