Writers and Readers discussion

Hi,

I'm Michael Brookes, a relatively new author. My first book is The Cult of Me.

The book is available from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Cult-Third-...

You can keep up with my musings and news on my blog:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/

I post short stories and a regular guest author interview.

If you have any questions then don't be shy, I'm an easy going chap :-)

I have finally joined the Twitter revolution, you can follow me at: https://twitter.com/TheCultofMe if you're into that kind of thing :-)

I have been featured on the Fire dancing for fun and profit blog, you can read the interview here:

http://ytothepowerof1.org/2012/09/17/...

The Cult of Me is now available in paperback:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1479148776
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1479148776

Brittney has interviewed me for her blog - Dreams in black and white:

http://brittneycanna.blogspot.co.uk/2...

Win a copy of The Cult of Me paperback!

http://www.kuforum.co.uk/kindleusersf...

There's a Goodreads giveaway as well, check it out here:

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

I have been interviewed on eReader Cafe for their author of the week feature:

http://www.theereadercafe.com/2012/09...

My latest release - An Odd Quartet has reached number 11 in Amazon UK Horror Short Stories chart.

I know, I know - but it pleased me :-)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/An-Odd-Quarte...

New 100 word story - This Killing Emptiness:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

New 100 word story - In The Dark

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

I've been interviewed by the lovely people at Besteseller Recommends for their 'Getting to know you' feature. You can read all about it at:

http://quietfurybooks.com/bestsellerb...

Only one day left to download An Odd Quartet for free!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/An-Odd-Quarte...

http://www.amazon.com/An-Odd-Quartet-...

Donna Galanti has interviewed me for her blog:

http://blog.donnagalanti.com/wp/autho...

New 100 word story - The Devil's Smile:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

I've been interviewed by Cheryl Yeko on her blog:

http://www.cherylyeko.com/2012/11/let...

Sarwah has featured a short interview with me on both of her blogs. Both links are below (the interview is that same at each).

http://thehighsthelowstheinbetweens.b...

http://thehighsthelowstheinbetweens.w...

Thanks Sarwah!

The Box - a new 100 word story:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

New 100 word story - The Demon Who Couldn't Lie:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

Exciting news! I shall be branching out into some sci-fi. I will be writing the official novel for Elite: Dangerous.

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

On Friday I announced that I would be writing the official Elite: Dangerous novel. Elite: Dangerous is the sequel to the game that got me into gaming many years ago.

I'm not the only one who'll be enriching Elite universe with their writing:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

Troy Jackson has posted an interview with me over on his Tempest Works blog. You can read what I had to say here:

http://www.tempestworks.com/1/post/20...

Thanks for having me Troy.

New 100 word story - Forever, Together:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

Digital Blasphemy - New 100 word story:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

Ira on the Love Hate Poetry blog has posted an interview with me:

http://themyesterioumuslimahshaven.bl...

Thanks Ira!

'A marriage made in..." - A new 100 word story:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

Freeze Frame - A new 100 word story:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

Dennis Maley has interviewed me on his blog, check it out at:

http://maleybooks.com/2013/01/30/mich...

Thanks Dennis!

Check out the latest Friday's Five feature on the Whipsers from the Abyss blog:

http://rschiver.blogspot.co.uk/2013/0...

False Dawn - a new 100 word story:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

Blessed are the little ones - New 100 word story:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

Dirty Shoes - my latest 100 word story:

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

An interview with me has been posted on LM Steel's blog:

http://lmsteel1.wordpress.com/2013/02...

Day 1 of the Conversations in the Abyss blog tour sees me interviewed by Rosen Trevithick on her blog:

http://www.rosentrevithick.co.uk/174/...

Day 2 of the Conversations in the Abyss blog tour brings me to the Where The Dead Fear To Tread blog where I am interviewed by M R Gott:

http://wherethedeadfeartotread.blogsp...

On the third day of the 'Conversations in the Abyss' blog tour I did write a guest post on The Word on the .Net blog:

http://thewordonthe.net/03/2013/guest...

And it was pretty awesome :-)

I have been interviewed on the Italian Brat's Obsessions blog, check it out via the link below:

http://itlnbrt.com/2013/03/04/meet-my...

Thanks Jennifer!

Day 6 of the Conversations in the Abyss brings me to Jaq Hawkin's blog where she hosts a guest post by me called 'Writers are readers too'. You can read the post here:

http://indiewritenet.com/jaqdhawkins/...

Thanks Jaq!

After a few hiccups over the weekend the Conversations in the Abyss blog tour is back on track with an interview on AF Stewart's blog:

http://afstewartblog.blogspot.ca/2013...

Thanks AF!

A new 100 story has been posted in the Indie Bargains newsletter - visit http://www.indie-book-bargains.co.uk/ to sign up for the daily newsletter of free and bargain Kindle books.

This one had a slightly different challenge, we had to write a drabble with "the robin was in suspenders again" in the text, so here is what I put together.

On The Prowl

The sparrow hopped nervously across the grass. His favourite water dish stood proud in the centre of the manicured lawn. It glanced at the neat bushes that bordered the garden. This was cat territory. It paid to be careful. Many a small bird had met its end trying to reach the water. The risk was worth it though, sometimes there would be bread.

It skipped and leapt into the air, taking a snaking path through the air. In the last moment it veered away. A flash of colour, not a cat this time, but the robin was in suspenders again.

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

Day 19 of the 'Conversations in the Abyss' blog tour takes us to the Top of the Heap blog, where Joe has posted an interview and a review:

Interview: http://topoftheheapreviews.com/tuesda...

Review: http://topoftheheapreviews.com/conver...

Thanks Joe!

I've received a wonderful review for 'The Cult of Me' I'd like to share with everyone:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

It's reviews like this that make the effort worthwhile :-)

I have finally joined Facebook, feel free to come and say hello :-)

http://www.facebook.com/TheCultofMe

A new drabble (100 word story) written by me has been posted in the Indie Bargains newsletter - visit http://www.indie-book-bargains.co.uk/ to sign up for the daily newsletter of free and bargain Kindle books.

Universal Truth?

I've been told that light is good and evil is darkness. If this true then I discovered something. Imagine you are in a room filled with light. Look at the floor and you'll see your shadow. Your being in the light has introduced darkness, a mar on the light's perfection.

Now turn the light off. It's dark isn't it? But note how you can no longer see your shadow. It seems that evil remains unchanged by the presence of something, where the good is automatically changed.

What does this mean? I don't know, but it keeps me up at night.

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

A new drabble (100 word story) written by me has been posted in the Indie Bargains newsletter - visit http://www.indie-book-bargains.co.uk/ to sign up for the daily newsletter of free and bargain Kindle books.

Solemn Vow

We made a vow, you and I. Before the altar we declared our love to the world. For a time I was the happiest a man could be.

But you broke that vow. You and him. Together you betrayed my trust, despoiled our love. My wife and my brother. I couldn't believe it at first. All too quickly what was joy turned into a hate so bright it provided the only light in my darkness.

And so here I am, digging a shallow grave for you both in the soft soil. I kept my promise - till death do us part.

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

A new drabble (100 word story) written by me has been posted in the Indie Bargains newsletter - visit http://www.indie-book-bargains.co.uk/ to sign up for the daily newsletter of free and bargain Kindle books.

China Doll

Her cold lifeless eyes are staring into mine. Her perfect porcelain features, without expression, hold me transfixed where I stand.

"Genuine haunted doll", was the description on eBay. Of course I thought it was a gimmick, just something to push up the price. I thought it was pretty cool, so I bid and won.

It arrived yesterday, it looked pretty creepy. I placed it on the table and here I am. I cannot move. I'm hungry and thirsty. I can't even look away; I'm locked in this death stare.

Oh God! Will anybody find me here? Before it's too late?

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...

Jamie Marchant has posted an interview with me on her 'The Kronicles of Korthlundia' blog:

http://jamie-marchant.blogspot.co.uk/...

Thanks Jamie!

Nadia Kim has posted an interview with me on her blog:

http://nadiakim.com/author-interview-...

Thanks Nadia!

The drabble enhanced edition of 'An Odd Quartet' is now available from Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-od...

A new drabble (100 word story) written by me has been posted in the Indie Bargains newsletter - visit http://www.indie-book-bargains.co.uk/ to sign up for the daily newsletter of free and bargain Kindle books.

Seven Days

On the first day we ignored the signs in the sky that the prophet had foretold.
On the second we gazed in wonder at the red fire as it brightened the night sky.
On the third day we despaired at the doom that shadowed our future.
On the fourth day we prayed for release from this promised end.
On the fifth day we panicked when our prayers remained unanswered.
On the sixth day we calmed and accepted our impending fate.
On the seventh day we all cried out and now a new day has dawned and we are not here.

http://thecultofme.blogspot.co.uk/201...