Jack Mercer had been on the road since dusk, running a long-haul job that took him across a stretch of desert most truckers avoided when they could. The route wasn’t unsafe so much as unnerving. It had no towns for miles, no reliable radio signals, no lights except the ones you carried with you. Some … Continue reading The Thing By Mile Marker 19
Mona Higgins lived on Willow Crescent, in one of those neat little post-war houses where the hedges were clipped straight and the curtains were drawn at half-past six sharp. It was 1963, and her world moved to a clockwork rhythm: Her husband, George, left for work at the insurance office each morning at seven; she … Continue reading The Dial Tone
Hello. I’m the mug. Not chipped. Not novelty. Not one of those gaudy, slogan-slapped things that scream “World’s Best Writer” like a curse. I’m classic. Ceramic. Weighty. Deep red glaze, almost blood-dark in low light. A gift. From their mum. A Christmas morning. Hands trembling with emotion that never quite made it to speech. Wrapped … Continue reading The Mug on the Desk (And the Darkness It Holds) – Memoirs from the Edge of the Abyss
I found the typewriter at a car boot sale, half-buried under a moth-eaten tablecloth. The town was thick with fog that morning—sea mist curling through the cobbles like a living thing. Gulls screeched like rusty hinges overhead. The stall was at the end of a row, where the ground turned from gravel to wet grass, … Continue reading Dead Authors Don’t Talk Back
I can’t quite believe I’m writing this, but here I am: in the final few weeks of my Creative Writing and English Literature BA. It’s a strange mixture of emotions—excitement, dread, exhaustion, pride. The kind of cocktail you only really get at this time of year when the finish line is in sight, but there’s … Continue reading Final Stretch: Reflections on My Creative Writing and English Literature Degree
Today’s the day! My short horror story collection, Short Sharp Shock, is officially out in the wild. After months of writing, editing, and nervously waiting, it feels surreal to finally say it: my book is available to read right now!This collection has been a labour of love—and terror. Each story was crafted to deliver a … Continue reading Release Day: Short Sharp Shock is Here!
It feels surreal, but we're just one week away from the release of my latest book, Short Sharp Shock. This collection of short stories has been a long time in the making, and now, as the final countdown begins, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that brought me here. From the initial spark … Continue reading One Week Until Short Sharp Shock Launches!
The moment I've been waiting for (and nervously anticipating) has finally arrived – sign-ups are officially open for ARC copies of Short Sharp Shock! It’s surreal to be this close to sharing my collection of horror stories with the world, and I’m excited to offer a sneak peek to readers who crave chilling tales and … Continue reading Get Ready for a Shock: ARC Sign-Ups for Short Sharp Shock Are Now Live!
A short post today. Well, it’s official – the final edit of Short Sharp Shock is done! I’ve just finished going over the paperback proof, and I’m really happy with how it’s all turned out. But, and here’s the thing, the release date is now TBC.I had hoped to get the book out in time … Continue reading Final Edits Done, but Release Delayed: Here’s Why
In last Monday's blog post, I shared an exciting new development in my storytelling journey: I have found a fresh and engaging outlet on TikTok. It's been an exhilarating experience to see my stories come to life in short, creative videos. However, I'm aware that not everyone is on TikTok, and I don't want anyone … Continue reading Writing Short Stories and Putting Them Together
Gareth Ellis - Author 