But as a writer, it was an entirely different story. Let’s just say, I was terrified of short stories. Sure I could write an 80,000 word novel. I could lay out a plot, create characters, come up with a climactic resolution…but a short story?! I was afraid it was just too…short. Too short for me to create depth. Too short to create electricity on the pages. Sure, other authors—more seasoned and more skilled ones—could do it. But me? I was just a rookie.
And then I was asked to write one, to participate in an anthology with a group of authors I literally bowed down to. And I was so flattered that I had no choice but to swallow those fears and agree to give it a shot. (I mean, seriously, who says no to an offer like that???).
The story I chose to write, SKIN CONTACT, is about Rafe from DESIRES OF THE DEAD. Turns out, I loved writing it! I loved the entire process of creating the short story. I loved having more time to spend with a character that I’d fallen in love with, but that readers had barely gotten to know. I loved giving a glimpse into his tortured backstory.
The final product, ENTHRALLED, edited by Supernatural Undergrounders Kelley Armstrong and Melissa Marr, also has tales by Rachel Caine, Rachel Vincent, Carrie Ryan, Claudia Gray (and a gazillion other great authors) is due out in September. Some of these stories are gritty and edgy, while others are haunting, and some are just flat-out funny. What more could you want???
Well, here’s your chance to win an advance copy of this uber-fab, superstar anthology! Just tell me what you think of short stories and/or anthologies. Leave a comment by midnight tomorrow (May 24th), and I’ll choose one random commenter to win a copy of ENTHRALLED!
Good luck, guys!!!
EDITED: CONGRATS to mromero who won the ARC of ENTHRALLED!!!!
103 comments:
I adore short stories and booktalk them a lot in my library. I think that many kids would benefit from reading them because they don't lose the story if they don't get back to the book after a few days. They normally can sit down and finish a story in one sitting. This anthology looks so fantastic!
I want to win this sooooo bad! I love short stories. It gives you an idea on how the others write. It also sometimes gives a glimpse into the author's books.
I used to stay from short stories because I always assumed that they would leave me wanting more. But a friend let me borrow an anthology of them, and I fell in love. I think that they let you use your imagination more. And I was wrong about them leaving me wanting more. And I like how they don't ambush you with information, which can be a nice change. I totally recommend short stories to everyone now.
I don't usually gravitate towards short stories, but whenever I pick up a book with short stories in them I always end up liking it. Notably, the Stephen King short stories always draw me in.
autumn.crochet@gmail.com
I have a soft spot for short stories. I also have a tendency to buy a ton of short story compilations/anthologies of different authors. I have quite a few on my bookshelves right now. I would LOVE to win this! Short stories have a way of being short, sweet, & to the point...you can enjoy the thrill of the read/ride & you won't have to spend hours & hours of reading to satiate your curiosity of how a story ends. Plus, you get to experience all sorts of characters & situations without ever having to pick up a different book. This ARC looks incredible! Thanks for the opportunity!
-Em
Really like reading short stories / anthology's. Think my love for these started with Sherlock Holmes, moved to Stephen King and Kelley Armstrong. In anthology's you get exposed to authors you my not have read before,leads to more books for the TBR pile.
I love reading these short story anthologies! Very often I find myself loving the minor characters in novels as much (if not more) than the main ones. It's really great to get to know them better through this medium!
Personally, I'm still afraid of the size of a novel, so I opt for writing short stories instead. I feel that it's easier to keep an overview of the mood and where I want to go.
Love the cover. This is beautiful. I also like that it's an anthology. New follower.
Awesome! I love short stories and anthologies. Expecially went they elaborate or tell back story on minor characters in books/series I've already read. And I'm super pumped for ENTHRALLED! Thanks for the chance to win. ;o)
britneywyatt[at]gmail[dot]com
I'm not fans of short stories and anthology. Sometimes no matter what good the story, it left me unsatisfied, because well, it's too short! But I will read it, if the short story about prologue of epilogue from some series..
sawamura_foxman AT yahoo DOT com
I have mixed feelings. I tend to enjoy the short stories by an author I like. Especially if it's connected to one of their previous novels. When it's not a part of a previously created world, I tend to not like the short story. I find that without the background information, it's really hard for me to get into the story. If it's set in a world the author has already created, then we don't need a lot of world building, and can concentrate on the story being told.
It's really just hit or miss for me. It's not always a staple that I won't like the short if it's completely new....
I do love getting some new scenes from previous characters that I love. So from that aspect, I love the shorts :)
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
Hiya! Ok so im gonna be totally honest and say i have never actually read short stories... I am a huge fan of The Body Finder Series, and would love to delve deeper into Rafe's story. He is such a mysterious character in Desires Of The Dead, Enthralled is packed with other amazingly talented authors that i love too! So im sure it will be a magical read. I have never read Short Stories so hopefully this could be my first and one to remember :) thanks!
I love short stories. I never used to like them either, I used to find them scary until I had to write one for my GCSE English, and I loved it, my english teacher did too, she showed it to the rest of the class. Then I saw a competition for a short story to appear in my favourite teen magazine of the time and I wrote one and it was the first one selected, I loved that one that I wrote because I was so in love with the character that my main character loved. I based him on an actor I was watching on the tele with brilliant blue eyes and I just imagined those blue eyes when they were in love, then they were upset and it made me think why, then I created the story of the girl who was waiting for him in the place where he first told her he loved her, only she was shot and all these memories are running through her head... anyway, I'm rambling. In short. Love em now :D
I love short stories from different authors. It introduces you to how that author writes and for me, if I like one of their stories I'm bound to like all the stories/books they write. Besides, short stories are sweet and short and lets you read them over and over in little time. Of course there is a tendency of wanting more, but I think all stories are like that. I always want more. What I like about anthologies, there's a different story with different characters to look forward to in just one book! :)
I love short stories. I like how an author can say so much with so little. I think that shows true talent. To be able to create a story that gets your point across in just a few words is a good thing. I admire that.
Hmmm, short stories.. I never really thought I would be a fan.. I love to read, and I read a lot. For the longest time I stayed away from the short story books. I like a book to be long. I want as much of the story and characters that I can get.
Then I read the forest of hands and teeth, and dead tossed waves. Here I was.. dying to read more from this world.. waiting for dark and hollow places.. I thought what the heck.. so I ordered Zombies Vs Unicorns.. I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the whole thing.. not just Carrie Ryans story. what I enjoyed most, was I got to read little snippets from Authors I haven't read anything from yet... <-- this made me add a few new things to my amazon wish list.
Over all, I was converted.. I am now a huge fan of the short story anthologies. This one I already have in my wish list, so I would love the opportunity to win a copy. :)
aprilchaug@gmail.com
I haven't read that many short-stories, but I do like them, especially when they involve secondary characters from a series/book I love.
Can't wait to read this :-)
safaripoet@live.com
I love anthologies for a few reasons. The main reason would have to be because it gives me a chance to discover new authors! I usually buy an anthology for one of two authors that I recognize but then I ended up loving some of the stories by authors I've never heard of before. Also it's nice to have the variety of plots, characters and writing techniques. It's refreshing after, say, reading a whole trilogy all at once.
Short stories are awesome! It's like you can have a little taste of what the author has to give you. I am SO excited for Rafe's story in enthralled because I already know how awesome *your* writing is!!!
Please enter me if this is international ;)
I love short stories because they often give you insight into already existing characters. Altogether, they give you a great variety of different stories.
theburstingbookshelf@gmail.com
I love short stories because they give you a quick insight into a new world. I've been dying to get my hands on this anthology!!!
c4casey(at)comcast(dot)net
I love short stories and anthologies because I get to read authors I might not have picked up in a full length book. I've added several authors to my lists of reads because of anthologies. I also like the short format for filling in brief bits of time between novels. Thanks for the giveaway.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
I usually don't read short stories, but that's because I never exactly ventured out to find any. I like the idea of them because you can finish them quicker and explore many authors in a shorter amount of time. This book sounds like something I would love to read!
megansemeraz@gmail.com
This book just speaks to me. Lots of my favorite authors in one place. My version of a 100 caloric snack pack, just perfectfor summer.
If it's an author who I read in their own books, I'm really up for an anthology of short stories. Especially when they follow a common theme.
I love reviewing books like that also.
I love them! I have a tremendous amount of respect for authors who can tell a full, all encompassing story with a limited amount of words. I just got done reading some creepy short stories by Richard Matheson and within a limited amount of pages he truly had me hooked (not to mentioned afraid of life sized voodoo dolls *shudders*). I took a short story class a few years back and read some of the greats stories ever, no joke! I know it's popular now to have 500 plus page novels and sequel, prequels, and the likes, but I've always been a fan of standalones and short stories.
Blah blah blah! This looks like such an amazing anthology. THANK YOU FOR THE GIVEAWAY!!! I loved all the From Hell anthologies. =) Good luck to all!! Now I'm just rambling on and on due to my fangirl excitement! Rambling cutie over and outy!
I haven't always been a fan but now I think they're great! It's a good tool to use to keep readers interested in your series. Love them! Thanks for the giveaway!
imabookshark @ yahoo . com
I, too, love short stories - sometimes I am just not in the mood for a regular length book and just want a story, something I can get thru quickly. And what a great way to learn about new authors and try a sample of their work. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love reading short stories that feature characters from my favorite series! And if I get to read more about a character that I loved but wasn't always present in the books, even better!
Sometimes I read short stories just to see if an author's writing style fits me before trying out his/her series.
And then there are those authors that I love so much, that I'm always eager to read something new from them.
That's where this anthology comes in. Can't wait!<3
I really love short stories. Especially when they are told from a world that I have fallen in love with during a series. I love when I get to experience the same world from characters who didn't really get a chance to share their opinions.
Can't wait to read this one! Thanks for the chance to win it.
Britta
ilikethesebooksblog (at) gmail (dot) com
I love short stories! To me it's fun to see a sneak peek into worlds that I'd never read about otherwise, especially if those short stories are based on a series or full length book. I also love ones that are standalone though, because it introduces me to an author I might otherwise not give a second thought!
Amanda
amanda(at)lettersinsideout(dot)com
I love short stories!!! This is the perfect giveaway. I can't wait to read this book
Louise
Lexirylie(at) yahoo(dot) com
I love short stories/anthology and anthologies, especially if they are connected to a different series and you get to see a smaller character's POV. When it's a it's a stand alone I sometimes feel it is too short and want more. I love the contest, thanks for the chance to win.
I don't usually read short stories unless I've read other things the author has written or unless they're related to a book/series I've already read. It's pretty much the same with antho's. I love getting the chance to read more about certain characters or re-visiting a world I love. When it comes to my favorite authors, I'm happy to read anything they write!
Res498(AT)aol(DOT)com
I love short stories. I can read one while waiting at the doctor's office, waiting to pick up a child after practice, waiting at the DMV...no wait, that doesn't count, I could finish a whole book at the DMV.
But the best part, getting a side of the character you haven't seen, like Kim said. And then the other stories give you new characters you just have to find out more about which adds to my "Read" list, and well, yep, love short stories!
I love to read this. I like short stories because they don't take as long to read, but they still seem to fascinate me! At least they do if they're well written! :)
GAH! whenever i see the cover for Enthralled i squeal with excitement! it's so purddy! :)
& Every time i hear the word "anthology" i think of the big book i had to lug around for my English 200 class!! BUT, i honestly love being able to read a story, flip a couple pages and be immersed into a new one! Awesome worlds and adventures that are totally different all in the same book?? YES PLEASE!!! I love me a short story, it's another extra little peek into the world and its characters!
Thanks so much for the chance to win!! CanNOT wait to read Jeri Smith-Ready's story in this book!!! eeep! LOGAN!<3
letmesign3[at]yahoo[dot]com
I love anthologies! I really like to read them when I need to decompress after reading a mind-blowing book :D
arnoldjaime13@yahoo.com
I'm a sucker for short stories. And from some of my face authors, how could I resist?!
If this is an international contest, then could I be entered please? :)
I've only read a few but I like the idea. Many times I read a short story from an author I've never read before and the story gives me a glimpse of what their writing is like and gets me interested in picking up their books. Looking forward to reading your story in this anthology and learning more about Rafe.
Honestly it depends on the authors/stories. I have found short stories/anthologies that I've loved, and others not so much. : ) I'd definitely give this a read, though.
I have never read an entire anthology, I usually read just the one or two specific stories from authors I have read before. I do enjoy short stories, but I am always sad when they end because I want MORE! I much more of a fan of the full novel. :)
Short stories are ok but sometimes the main people seem rushed, I guess it just all depends on what it is. :)
k28dalton(@) yahoo (dot) com
I'm an anthology junkie :) I can't tell you how many series I've discovered through short stories. And I love how authors use them to feature secondary characters. I really excited to get a more in depth look at Rafe
I have to agree with you Kimberly, I really do like them :) I like reading little side stories about series I know or have read. Its awesome! Cant wait to read this one :D
I Love short stories, I think they are so fun,but at the same time I have a hard time to finish an anthology, I'll read a story or two other then my favorite authors but I wont read all of them.
Enthralled is going to be great becasue theres three authors I dont read regularly.
I cant wait to read the Rafe story, I loved in in DotD. Also cant wait to read Kelleys TDP stry and Melissa Keenan story :D
I love anthologies. I think it's a great form of publication where several authors can get out their opinions on specific topics. I especially love 'Zombies vs. Unicorns' and adore the humorous bickering amongst Black and Larbalestier as the stories move on.
So here's the thing, outside of from when we had to read them in school, I never really read short stories and never have I read an anthology. But I really want to and there are some totally awesome authors who helped put this one together which makes me super excited for it. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
~Briana
OMG this is like the most anticipated anthology on my release list!! I sooo need to read it early for my sanity! Bummed I couldn't go to RT for teen day when they had it in the goodie bag!!
Forgot to say that I love reading anthologies! I like short stories especially when the antho has several authors I love! Like this one!!
jessbess2505[at]yahoo[dot]com
I love read short stories of my favorites series/authors, specially when I'm studying for my examns because they're short and fast to read :)
However, I hate anthologys I have to read for school.. they're boring.. just becase I have to study the historical context, caracteristics...etc.
dani dot prmr at hotmail dot com
I have been waiting for this book to come out ever since I heard of it on the Smart Chicks tour. Count me in!
littlemermaidaz[at]yahoo[dot]com
I like anothologies because there are many of my favorite authors in one book, and there are often stories in the same universe of my favorite series.
Thanks for the giveaway!
lemondedefrancesca{at}gmail{dot}com
I think anthologies can be neat. This one sounds awesome. I don't think i've ever seen so many authors I love in one book!
jlkalman26 at gmail dot com
Sounds wonderful!!
twilighter.jm@gmail.com
I like short stories as they usually fill a gap between full length adventures for the characters I love. Also for anthologies it gives a great chance to read authors new to me to see if I would like their full length books! And sometimes it's just nice to have read the whole story in one sitting! :)
Mel
notanotherbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk
I love reading short stories! Anthologies are also fun to read because loads of awesome authors come together!
twilightforever.edward at gmail dot com
So excited for this book! It looks amazing and your story is about Rafe? That sounds super good and I'm curious about it!
Rockingmonk12@gmail.com
I love short stories and anthologies. It is really my main way to find new authors. You get to sample their writing styles and storylines and see if you like it. I also like them for just that last little bit of story that isnt contained in a full novel. Or a bit more background that didnt fit into the original story or even finding out more about other characters that were in the book.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I wasn't an immediate fan of short stories. In fact it has taken me years to warm up to them. than suddenly a few of the ones in my literature classes started catching my attention, than Zombies Vs Unicorns came out and I was hooked. Now I love short stories. They're exactly write for those times when you just need a quick fix. :D
Ash
ashley.mckinsey(at)yahoo(dot)com
First off THANK YOU that you don't have to be a fallower to enter this one
second I love short stories because it gives me a chance to read stuff by authors I like when they don't have anything bigger out and because its like a preview for new to me authors that I may have heard of but didn't want to try for me a short story is like a taste test of a new flavor I'll either love it and look for what else they have done or not like it so much and not have risked wasting my time or money or anticipation on something I would have disliked
I like short stories because they're a nice break from full length novels. When I want to read something before I go to bed but have to get up early the following day, short stories are a great choice! Thanks for the giveaway- Fingers crossed!
Awe, thanks so much for the chance to win! I actually cant wait to read this! I've met a lot of Smart Chicks on tour and having a book of short stories by all the wonderful ladies is like a dream! :-)
valialind(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I love short stories and anthologies, but as a writer, I too fear them like the plague! I can bust out a 100K novel like it's no one's business but I sweat at the idea of limiting myself to 5K. Good to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way!
Thanks for the opportunity and looking forward to reading Enthralled! :D
I really enjoy reading short stories of characters I know and love (or don't know so well and want to love) or even stories set in the worlds I've come to know and love. I just eat it up :D Regular short stories are a different matter, though. It's hard for me, as a reader, to connect with the characters. It's why I've always preferred longer stories-there is more of a chance to fall in love.
As a writer, I adore short stories. It's easier to divide my book into chronological short stories and meld them together than it is for me to just write everything flat out. Also, I don't even have to include a lot of it in the story. It's something I can use to get to know my characters and something my readers can read and enjoy.
So, that's what I think.
adris.lorenzato@gmail.com
I love short stories as a way of finding new authors to read. I really enjoy getting collections with a mixture of authors I already know and ones I have just found. I'm over in the UK but wanted to leave comment saying how awesome Enthralled looks. Can't wait to read it!
All the best,
Vick.
So many great authors! I can't wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win!
hollyjolly89@gmail.com
I can't wait to read this collection. I think short stories are an awesome way to test out and author or get a better back story on characters that you may not normally get. I have a huge collection of short stories that I use to get my students hooked on reading! Thanks for a cool giveaway!
I am super excited to read this! What an awesome thing to look forward too!
I LOVE anthologies! It's such a wonderful way to check out a new genre or new authors. And I'm so, so, SO looking forward to Enthralled!!!!
I love anthologies! i love getting to hear different authors takes on different topics and they are always so fun! i can't wait to read Enthralled!!!
Danielle:)
I think that as long as the anthology has good authors in it they can be really great! Also, I really hope I win this cause I've been bugging Kimberly for one since I leared about it, xD
peachandblue2@aol.com
Can't wait to read this book. I like the short stories.
Hi Kimberly!
I'm so thrilled that Rafe now has his own story! I loved Rafe and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on his story =)
I WANT THIS! LOL, whenever I went to TXLA, they were completely out of ARCs. I need this!
Pssst, so happy you decided to write Rafe's story! :D
*crosses fingers and hopes*
addicted2novels(at)gmail(dot)com
Grrr, I just wrote a very long blurb on short stories and it didn't post and didn't save what I wrote!
In short I really like short stories because I tend to get obsessed with books and stay up all night reading them causing me to be tired at work the next day so short stories really help with this. Only problem is I always want more.
smrauch(at)gmail(dot)com
I love short stories because they can provide additional stories or background information about a series.
smccar1 at hotmail dot com
For a long time I thought that I really didn't like short stories...I thank high school for that, being forced to read random short stories never really appealed to me, but I did like the occasional story...and then I picked up a couple anthologies on my own, with stories about things I actually wanted to read about, and I loved them. :D
Now, I look for ones that I actually want to read, and Enthralled is filled with the kinds of short stories that I want to read. :D
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Enthralled :D
Ambur
ambiepie_6(at)hotmail(dot)com
I would love a copy of this book.. I can't wait to find out more about the caracters :) Thanks for another change to win a book.. I'm keeping my fingers crossed...
I actually enjoy short stories, especially if they are related to series I love. :)
Jennie
un3xpectedfate[at]hotmail[dot]com
I don't mind short stories especially if they're written by my favourite author. The only thing I don't like about them, is the fact that the story is too fast-paced (sometimes that isn't good) and there's not enough story/character development. But again, if they're by my favourite author/s and are set in the same world as their published books, then I'm okay by that.
Erin W.
little_dhampir@live.com.au
I want to win a copy of ENTHRALLED!
Please enter me if this is international.
adriana.ec@gmail.com
My love of short stories began with David Morell and I found that such short formats can be particularly effective and entertaining for horror stories. These often leave the reader guessing an dquestioning long after they've moved on to the next story. Great for reading at lunch breaks and in between exam study sessions. Short and sweet:)
sarah.setar@gmail.com
I'm super excited for this one! A short story can be a nice escape from a longer book and still give the satisfaction of reading something great. This book will be added to my "soon to be read" list :)
Anthologies are great because there's usually a killer theme with a great line up of authors! It gives you a taste of other new to you authors as well! I've found a few of my faves that way!
sstewart2505[at]yahoo[dot]com
Anthologies are a great way for me to discover new authors, or authors similar to the ones I'm already reading. Plus, short stories that give you another glimpse into a story/world you already love so much are a real treat. Bring on the anthologies!
ebackhaus @ gmail.com
Holy Crap on a Cracker! What a great prize :)
I am in love with the Novella right now. I am going to write an "Ode to the Novella" one day. Short stories are starting to grow on me. Like you, if I know the author/characters they are wonderful insights into minor characters sometimes. I have recently read many anthologies and they are a great way to discover new authors.
monkey dust, monkey dust
As a writer of novellas I adore stories in that word count range (well...any range!) and love reading anthologies just to check out new authors I may otherwise never have read =)
I love short stories! It's so much fun getting little pieces of character's stories, and I often don't have the time to indulge in an entire novel, so the short stories are perfect.
Short stories are great because sometimes they are all you need. Also, it's a great way to get to know new authors and their writing style. I love them, I keep a stack in my car and whenever I finish a book I read a few short stories. It's lovely.
This is a great giveaway! Thanks I'd love to win it, either way it's on my to-read list.
buffysfx@gmail.com
I like reading short stories because I find that it's a good way to find new authors.
sgiden at verizon.net
would love a chance to win Enthralled! :)
oxliddleluvvxo@aol.com
I would so love to win this. I can't wait to find out more about Rafe. He's such a mystery guy, and I want to know if he's going to be causing troubles for Jay!! ;)
daisychainbookreviews(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a fan! My favorite is when they are side stories to series or stand alones that I've read. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
chickenherder@hotmail.com
I am such a fan. My friend Renee turned me on to ur books and drug me along to one of your signings. I liked rafes character as soon as he was introduced and would love to know more about him. I will own all your books one way or another, whether I win or buy them. p.s. I am spool jelous that you went to the wizardiing world of Harry potter, I am so tryin to talk my husband into goin next summer.
I've been trying to post this all day! No idea what is wrong with blogger. :P
I enjoy short stories but sometimes they leave me wanting more and they are over too fast!
Thanks for the giveaway!!
michelle at hookedtobooks dot com
I think anthologies are a hit or miss with me. Sometimes they are really awesome and sometimes they just don't feel complete...I still love to read them though because I find a lot of new authors to read that way.
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
I myself like discovering new worlds in anthologies. They give me the chance to sample writers to see if they agree with me before investing in the full-length books. I’ve discovered some of my favorite writers this way. Granted, you have to kiss a lot of frogs, but you do get to discover some princely tales along the way.
Although it is difficult for me to write short stories, I love the succinctness involved. This tiny, self-contained world that somehow breathes far beyond its few pages--incredible!
I love anthologies! It's the number one way for me to find new-to-me authors!
ironss [at] gmail [dot] com
I loved the cover!
I can't wait to read this book =)
I love to win this books!! sniff!
good luck everybody and thanks for this giveaway =DDDD
I like short stories because they are usually from characters who didn't have enough space in a book to really known them.
Also, it's a great way to find new authors you may like!
magabygc at gmail.com
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