It’s Autumn, Witches!

I know I’m a little late with this particular title. According to my kids season poster, by which I plan my year, Autumn started in September.

But I haven’t had time for blogging since then! I’ve been very busy wearing orange jumpers, drinking and eating pumpkin flavoured everything, and generally rolling around in leaves like Tinkerbell’s crazy cousin that no one talks about or invites to family events.

I’ve always believed that magic loves Autumn. Not just because I’m obsessed with Halloween, but the world just feels more magical at this time of year, doesn’t it? On a crisp, cool morning, I would swear you can smell the mysteries of the world in the air.

Aside from succumbing to my Autumn madness, I have actually been writing, (albeit with leaves and pine cones sticking out of my hair) and I’m pleased to say Beast of Backar 2 is half way finished.

There have been several aspects of this story that are a little new to me. I’ve been exploring some different themes in terms of relationships and trying to manage more characters than I usually have on a page at any one time.

I’m really enjoying it though, as always. My favourite part has been getting to know deeper layers to my characters, even delving into their darker sides!

The book should be edited and ready for release in about two weeks, stay tuned!

Creatures of the Cryptoeroticos: A Fantasmagoria of Erotic Tales is actually selling really well! And, I had a quiet release of an extended standalone version of one of its stories, The Price of Perfection.

Emily Bronte liked Autumn too, she said, ‘Every leaf speaks bliss to me, falling from an Autumn tree.’

This was just before I snatched the leaf from the air and ran away, gleefully screaming, ‘Imma make a collage!’

Strange and Bronte; Best friends and basically the same person.

Trick or Treat, People!

It’s out! It’s already out and available to buy! My new book, Creatures of the Cryptoeroticos: A Fantasmagoria of Erotic Tales is already available on Amazon. And, it’s on a free promo for the next five days!

I’m very excited because it usually takes AGES from when Mr Strange uploads a story to when I get a message saying it’s available online. I was expecting to have time to do a cover reveal and everything but it seems as though I’ll have to show you all now.

I am in love with this cover. As always, Mr Strange showed me a variety of pictures and layouts, and we carefully selected them and put it together. Then he went away and changed it completely. As has become our ritual 😏

So, if you would like to check out my Halloween collection, you can find it at this link. As always, I’d love to know your thoughts if you’re willing to share them (either as a review or on here). I’ve learned so much from all of you and I appreciate any feedback.

Fantastic Beasts and How to Ride Them

So, first of all, can you believe Mr Strange wouldn’t allow me to use that as the title for my Halloween collection? Sometimes I feel like my creative genius is being totally smothered. 😒

So, the main stories for my collection are finally all written and mostly edited. This has been a fantastic summer in that regard, and I’ve actually learned some helpful tips! (Don’t get too excited, the dedicated authors among you will either already know this stuff, or be clever enough to see obvious pitfalls in my brand new game-changing discoveries…)

First, instead of writing a story and then editing it straight away, I’ve written several stories and then come back to them much later. This has been hugely beneficial because I’ve been able to reread the work with almost completely fresh eyes. Before, I would miss typos because I had the story so clear in my mind, I was reading what I knew should be there, not what was actually in front of me.

(Side note: It’s also been a real eye-opener to discover how short my memory retention actually is. Two weeks away from a piece of work and I’m like, ‘Wow, this is pretty good stuff. I didn’t see that ending coming at all!’)

Another interesting thing I’ve noticed is that I seem to be developing an MO of sorts with my writing. I took some time to look back over some of my older work during my editing time, and there were similarities to my newer stories that I hadn’t expected at all! (Remember the worrying retention thing?) I feel like I’m really building my identity as a writer, and actually becoming a more three-dimensional K M Strange. I find myself smiling at things I’ve written and being like, ‘Heh, classic!’

What’s really impactful to me about this, is that the dream of being a writer/stay at home mum is starting to feel more real. I want this to be who I am, not just something I do on the side, and as my bookshelf gets bigger, it seems so possible. I’m chugging along, and slowly but surely, I’m making it happen.

That said, I’m so grateful to my husband for his constant, unwavering support. And I’m endlessly thankful to everyone who has read any of my stories or blog posts, or left a comment or review. It may just seem like a small, ‘Eh, she’s not the worst author I’ve ever read, I’ll bang her 70p and a medium rating,’ thing to you, but to me, it’s life changing.

Anyhow, I didn’t mean to get all ‘real’ there. I’m just in a very happy head space I suppose. Must be Autumn. ☺️ Speaking of, the new Halloween collection that will not share the same title as this post is going to be released in a few weeks, so watch this space!

Amy Collette said, “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.”

Sounds like another powerful catalyst I’m familiar with… 😏

Take care,

Strange

Winter is Cumming

Oh yeah, I went there.

This is a weird time of year for my little family unit; the darkening period between Halloween and Christmas. So, Novemeber I guess. See, Mr Strange loves Halloween, they’re like Jack and Sally, or Tim Burton and his wife, Danny Elfman.

Mr Strange is also obsessed with Christmas, he takes both of these holiday’s very seriously. As do I, it should be noted, I love any excuse to get dressed up, eat sweets and decorate my house. Especially since we now have a two-year-old who matches our excitement ten-fold. I don’t think any woman in history has welled up as much as I at hearing the words, ‘My Mum’s a witch!’

But November tends to be the slump in between. Largely because Mr Strange doesn’t take November 5th as seriously as I do. I love fireworks! And bonfires! And nigthtime shinanegans! This helps bridge the gap between the Witches New Year and the Consumers Binge Party for me quite nicely. It would be impossible to ignore the connection between Bonfire Night and my own creative tastes. Surely, there is no more accurate comparison for an orgasm than literal fireworks? Has the metaphor not been done to death because of it’s very visual similairties to the feeling of copulating? So, I’m currently trying to ressurect 5th November in my household which is quite difficult since the UK has just plummetted into yet another lockdown. Let me know what/if you’re doing anything for the event! We’re watching a lot of fireworks on TV and maybe I’ll let my son play with some matches.

Just kidding. Mr Strange hides the matches from me.

In the meantime, I’ve started to expand my online presence somewhat, I’ve just joined Twitter and already have 5 followers! *Fist pumps the air.* In all seriousness, I’m truly grateful for all of the support I’ve had from my readers so far. Everytime someone follows me, rates my books or leaves me a comment, it’s exactly the driving force I need to keep going. So thanks so much to all of you! You validate me. 😀

Speaking of, I’m about halfway through my new short story, ‘Name Pending.’ It’s an office story with strong D/s themes, (what?!) with an underlying romance and it’s heavily based on the tv sitcom ‘Full House.’

Not really.

It’s not actually based on ‘The Office’ either by the way. It’s actually based (setting-wise anyway) on my own time working for a recruitment agency. I spent alot of time in London as a teenager too which has helped shape the descriptons. The interactions are all products of my filthy mind, I’m afraid most office’s are woefully boring. Though it should be noted that I was working in a family run firm so, yeah, maybe my options were a little thinner than some. It was my family. I did have sex in an office once, though, on top of a phone shop. I’m pretty sure they based that sitcom on me.

Anyway, I hope your November is as sizzling as mine. Remember, only you can prevent bush fires. Trim regularly.

So Excited! (And not just in that way)

Someone once said, if you can’t find a book you want to read, write it! I don’t know that they were expecting me to start detailing the sexual adventures of my promiscuous characters, but hey-ho.

So, what does that have to do with anything? I’m so glad you asked! Mr Strange and I are currently debating the cover of…my first actual paper copy book! I know, right?! It’s going to be a collection of my short stories so far plus an extra, bonus, never before published erotic short.

I suppose it might seem like an obvious step for most writers but this has been a very long time coming for me, in ways I didn’t even realise before. I actually started writing erotica when I was about 18. It was terrible, obviously, but I was just having some fun with a genre I enjoyed reading. I dabbled with a few chapters, but inevitably my budding talent ended up falling to the wayside as my journey in to adulthood progressed. In the end, I mostly practised by writing sexy texts to Mr Strange.

It was he who recently decided he’d had enough of watching my invaluable (if somewhat nieche) talent be wasted, and demanded I assault the innocent public with it. I never expected to sell much, I always said if even just one person enjoys my writing, it was worth putting it out there. Leaving myself vulnerable to the opinions of a potentially harsh and unforgiving public. Who actually turned out to be very nice perverts, like me!

And now, just six months later, I’m designing a cover for my first real book. And, my feelings still haven’t changed- if even just one person likes my work enough to purchase it and have it on their shelf, I’ll be so delighted. Obviously that’s not counting the family members who will receive a copy for Christmas. I’m sure Mum will be thrilled.

So, watch this space, readers! The K M Strange Collection is on it’s way to Amazon and Kindle. Treat yourself or your friends (with a good sense of humour).

Until next time, take care!

She Did the Monster Mash!

I know, I know; another very old reference. I mean, I think that song came out in the sixties, waaaaay before my time. But I have very positive connotations with that song. As a child, I remember seeing the video on TV and it was the first time I remember seeing adults doing something silly without actually pitching it towards kids. I realised then that October 31st was a time when adults and kids alike could play dress up and have a good laugh together. That was when I fell in love with Halloween.

It was with this in mind that I lovingly named my latest story after that song, albeit changing the pronoun a little. She Did the Monster Mash is my latest release on Amazon and features the various exploits of one woman as she traverses the ‘horrors’ of Halloween. This is largely based on my own impression of the ancient celebration- many cultures agree that this is the time when they veil between worlds is at its thinnest, connecting us with the creatures from beyond. Anything is possible. As a teenager, I spent many an October night wandering around my hometown, observing the festivities and inviting the mysterious to come and say ‘hello.’ I was an arty kid, okay? I didn’t get invited to many parties.

This story depicts the sort of stuff I suppose I was hoping to come across on some level, and it was a great experience getting to live out my own haunting fantasies through my writing. And a fang-tastic time was had by all! Oh yeah. I went there. HALLOWEEN!

So, if you get time between pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, and skimpy costume wearing, give my chilling tale a try. *Skimpy costume not mandatory but highly encouraged.*

Happy Haunting!

She did the Monster Mash is available here!

What’s In A Name?

So, I’ve been considering names for some of my upcoming stories and I’m finding it to be more of an ordeal than you would think.

My natural inclination is to lean in to a little humour with these things. I mean, I’m basically writing pornography, I can’t take myself too seriously. That said, I don’t want to kill the mood either.

I’m currently working on the second story in the Garden of Eden series (GOE to you hardcore fans. Hi Mum!) but I’m constantly making notes for future stories. I’ve got a short for the ‘big boobs’ category in the making, I’m thinking; ‘Boom and Bust’? Mr Strange thinks people might not get it. I may have to acquiesce and compromise on ‘Boom and Busty.’ Patent pending!

For October I want to start a tongue-in-cheek erotic horror series where I release a new instalment every Halloween. This has given me endless amusement. Here are a few of my favourites- ‘Screw-me Doo!’ ‘Freddy Screwed ‘er,’ ‘Let Them Both In,’ ‘House of Wanx,’ and ‘The Descent’ seems to work all by itself…

Patent pending x5! And don’t tell me you didn’t think about it, I know you’re checking out my cheesy genius. 😎

Let me know if any of you far more cultured writers have suffered any similar dilemmas in the pursuit of your art.

Until then, remember, don’t read my stuff at work, especially if your operate heavy machinery.