Free Fiction

I would just like to give a shout out to two free fiction venues. The first is Devil's Work, where if you sign up, you get a free story emailed to you every Friday. And the second is Shadowed Realms, which offers dark online flash fiction. Both are worth checking out, and as it's free admission, you have nothing to lose.

Newsletter update

For those who signed up to my newsletter, the free serialised novel, Dark Seduction, which I stared sending out last halloween, has almost reached its climax (for anyone who signs up now, the complete novel is available in the message archives). From the responses I received, people have enjoyed reading it – even those who didn’t think they would read a serialised novel online have written to say how much they look forward to the weekly chapters. Someone else compared the story to something written by Clive Barker, but not as wordy, which is praise indeed (now if only I could be as successful ;-))

When I have sent the final chapter of the novel out, the newsletter will be used for irregular news, the odd giveaway and anything else relevant, so it’s always worth signing up. Just pay me a visit at Shaun Jeffrey. You never know, you might find something you like.

Peter Benchley - RIP

Peter Benchley, whose novel "Jaws" made millions think twice about stepping into the water even as the author himself became an advocate for the conservation of sharks, has died at age 65, his widow said Sunday. His legacy to me, and probably countless others, will be the fear I have of going into the water in warmer climates.

First draft in the bag (or in this case, computer)

Well one year ago this month, I started writing Fangtooth. What with one thing and another, it took longer than anticipated, but I’m very pleased to report that I’ve just finished the first draft. Woohoo. It always gives me a great feeling of accomplishment to finish a novel. Now even though I’m eager to start rewriting, I’ll put it a way for a month to let the story settle. In the meantime, I’m going to rewrite an earlier novel, tentatively titled, Sacrifice.

With regard what Fangtooth is about, all I will say is this:

In an attempt to 'save' his son from the lifestyle he can see him drifting into in the city, recently widowed father, Bruce Holden and his wayward teenage son, Jack move to the coast. They soon discover that the house they have bought has stood empty for years as the previous occupants mysteriously disappeared. But that's only the start of their problems. Something's stirring in the sea. Something hungry.

I’ve got everything crossed that this novel will find a home.

Al Lewis - RIP

I was sad to hear that Al Lewis, who starred as Grandpa in the 1960s sitcom, The Munsters, has died. Sporting a somewhat cheesy Dracula outfit, he became a pop culture icon playing the temperamental father-in-law to Fred Gwynne's ever-bumbling Herman Munster on the 1964-66 television show. He was also one of the stars of another classic TV comedy, playing Officer Leo Schnauzer on Car 54, Where Are You?

The Munsters was one of the two "creepy" sitcoms that began in 1964. CBS aired The Munsters and ABC aired The Addams Family. Both of them lasted only two years and finished their network run within a week of each other. Although people often call him Grandpa Munster, Grandpa was Lily's father, and their family name was "Dracula".

The first episode of The Munsters aired in September, 1964, 10 months before I was born, but its appeal meant that it continues to be shown to this day. I always used to enjoy watching the Munsters, and although it only lasted a couple of years, it racked up an impressive 70 episodes. Long may it continue to be aired.