Tales of Horror, Humour & the Occasional Splat.
This wonderfully eclectic mix of 10-short stories came together during a blocked phase on writing my first novel Pilbara Shadow-Play. I'd gotten about a third of the way into assembling the basic framework before encountering a bizarre series of ideas that in no way could fit this particular book. I knew at the time the ideas were worth spending time on so promptly shelved the novel and wrote the short stories in a frantic burst of creativity. When it flows like that you need skates on to keep the pace. The opening story, Lucky's Manners, came about as an exercise in anger-management since we'd just been duped by a crafty salesperson (not in used cars) and I was furious at being made a patsy in this instance. Rather than waste time and energy on seeking ignoble revenge I concocted a fictitious villain and did all these rotten things to him in the story. Not only did it make me feel better it went on to become the most popular story in the book. I can't think of a better way to unload negative emotional baggage than to turn it around into a saleable commodity.
This book proved to be a lot of fun in the writing. It came about very quickly and finally put to constructive use a couple of half-finished stories I'd had sitting in the bottom drawer for some time. Only a month or so after publication it was sponsored by BHP Port Hedland for radio serialization and went on to pay for itself in less than 4-months. I took it on a book promotion tour throughout the northwest and had a great time meeting all the librarians and their avid book communities in the many towns visited.
The radio show took this book from the printed page into another form of presentation, and those involved had a fun time putting the show together. It also kicked it across the finish-line in terms of going into a small profit. This of course was used up on the traveling expenses considering the vast size of Western Australia, but it served its purpose well though gaining much needed runs on the board in terms of book sales. I wish to thank ABC radio for the readiness to give interviews to unknown writers without big-name publishers along with heartfelt thanks to WA State Library Services who also provided much-needed assistance in allowing library 'meet the author' sessions throughout WA. I shall always remember the fun encounters at the many libraries around the state. Thanks also to the bookshops prepared to give an unknown some space on their shelves. Without such support the print-run would still be gathering dust in storage.