mathewferguson.com
Writing – free eBooks – publishing – blogging – editing
Writing – free eBooks – publishing – blogging – editing
May 31st
As part of JA Konrath’s “Steal This eBook” experiment I’ve uploaded a copy of his Jack Daniels stories in the free downloadable ebook section.
You can also download the torrent or download from On The Wall.
JA Konrath, known for the Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels thrillers set in Chicago, offers this free downloadable ebook collection of short stories and novellas from the Jack Daniels universe.
Join Jack Daniels, her partner Herb Benedict, private eye Harry McGlade, and part-time criminal Phineas Troutt, in this omnibus of 15 stories.
On the Rocks – Suicide or murder? Lt. Jack Daniels solves a locked room mystery.
Whelp Wanted – P.I. Harry McGlade becomes a dognapper in order to stop a dognapper, or something like that.
Street Music – Phineas Troutt hunts a prostitute through the dangerous streets of Chicago. Are his intentions pure?
The One That Got Away – The Gingerbread Man (the villain from WHISKEY SOUR) hunts one final victim.
With a Twist – It looked like the man fell from a great height, but the body is in his living room. Jack Daniels solves another impossible crime.
Epitaph – Phin Troutt takes on a Chicago street gang with vengeance on his mind.
Taken to the Cleaners – Harry McGlade tries to solve a difficult mystery, but mostly just goofs off.
Body Shots – Jack Daniels faces her most challenging case yet; a school shooting. But does she know more about the perp than she realizes?
Suffer – Phineas Troutt has taken some questionable jobs, but will he murder a man’s wife?
School Daze – P.I. Harry McGlade investigates a private school, but he’s not entirely sure why.
Overproof – While shopping on the Gold Coast, Jack Daniels notices traffic has come to a stand-still. When she realizes what the problem is, she’s confronted with her own mortality, and the possible deaths of hundreds.
Bereavement – How badly does Phineas Troutt need a fix? What is he willing to do?
Pot Shot – Detective Herb Benedict just wants a home cooked meal. But his plans get interrupted by a very determined sniper.
Last Request – Phineas Troutt picks up a hitchhiker, with deadly results.
The Necro File – Harry McGlade investigates some bizarre murders in this hilarious, gore-filled mini-epic. (Author’s note: This is easily the funniest thing I’ve ever written, but it’s also very offensive. Let the reader beware…)
That’s about 65,000 words of Jack Daniels and friends. Some of these are laugh out loud funny. Some require you to solve the mystery. Some are thrilling. Some are scary. All of them have been previously published in various magazines and anthologies.
File contains versions in html, pdf, doc, epub, and prc (for Kindle). So no matter what ereader or computer or smart phone you own, you should be able to read it or convert it.
If you own a Kindle, you can click HERE to go to the Kindle store and buy it for $1.99.
If you own a Nook, you can click HERE and go to Barnes and Noble and buy it for $1.99.
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This file uploaded and distributed as part of JA Konrath’s “Steal This eBook” experiment.
May 28th
I love this clip so very very much but … I also worked for free at the start of my writing career. I did it because when you’ve nothing but talent/ability and no credentials then you can’t compete with professional writers. Of course I fucking worked for free! Was I happy to? Fuck yes! (Sorry, channeling Ellison a little.)
He’s dead right about amateurs working for free making it hard for professionals. Even after five years and a massive project list I was having big rich companies trying to get me to work for free. Because it will be good “experience” or good on my project list.
I’ve been the undercutting newbie and I’ve been the undercut professional so I feel the pain here. Yes, it pissed me off that a client decided to compare my $2000 quote with some chump off ifreelance who offered to do it for $200 but hey, that’s the free market.
And samples … man, like Ellison I want to say motherfucker we signed a contract! I have ONE MILLION activity books on British Airways. Have I ever seen a copy of my work in real life? Fuck no! I can’t get ONE fucking copy?
Alright, enough channeling.
I say work for free at the start and then work for money later. Don’t worry about what it does to other established writers.
May 28th
sideways like a fish sneezing
borrowed like an escaping cheese
stolen like the sun shining
broken like a perfect square
all i want to do is get off
or get on, get along, get down, get up
get some direction
maybe get sideways
twirl like a barrel
powdered like glue princess
sparkle like a vitamin cheating
shine like a folded page
all i want to do is get right
or get left, get a song to sing along
get some introspection
maybe get a section
sing like a closed box
sigh like a pirate jailed
hiccup like a dog caught speaking
embarrassed like a smoopsie talking all serious
May 25th
plastic roses stuffed in the toaster
and a flamenco dancer waiting anxiously in the corner
waiting for her cue
a tiny tiny bell sitting in the freezer
iced over and useless
just
like
your
heart.
May 21st
waking up after a long night of drinking
i found myself in a desert
near a forest
under a cloudy sky
still fully dressed
feeling thirsty
feeling ill
too much tequila
shuffle to the edge of the forest
like a stupid zombie
and i saw shreds of leather
laying under a tree
a little further on, a shirt
buttons scattered
a worrying jagged tear
a disturbing brown stain
a few metres away something rusting
hard edges, cracked glass
vague recollection
dials and levers
the seat squeaked as I sat down
a memory slapped me and ran away
a weird man wanting something last night
i was telling him about the Beatles, for tequila reasons
everything here is old, so very farm shed rusted
i scout the area, see a shoe
barely glance at it
look hard when I see there is still a foot in it
i run to the edge of the forest
back to the desert, feeling sick
the clouds clear and now I’m frantic
under two suns
May 18th
bring your six-shooter
and your shield of thoughtless virtue
meet me down by the park
for our karmic realignment
cross your door with red paint
take down that iron horseshoe
fill the letterbox with lavender
for you are not coming home
that tired tirade laps over me
a warm, sibilant breaking wave
I am cotton-covered, whisper-wrapped
and positively protected from you
so I see the sneaking eagles
have been watching my position
well, the little golden mosquitoes
have been watching yours
so bring your six-shooter
and your shield of worthless iron
we shall go down by the park
and realign