william-connell

Updated Cover for "Race with the Black Death

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 01:16:30 GMT

Expected release - January, 2025

We're working on further edits for "Race With the Black Death." We again see our antihero, Elizabeth Malatesta, the sentient flesh eater, pursuing two children whose blood will give her the power to regenerate her dying body, along with those of her followers. The children seem easy prey at first, but through luck, they fall in with a group of troubadours who are not quite what they seem. Elizabeth and her kind are still dying and must reach the children, but the children's new allies are trying to stay ahead of their pursuers - Elizabeth and the Black Death. "Race With the Black Death" arrives in January.

Coming soon - The sequel to "Mask of Death"

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 21:31:41 GMT

Coming Soon - Race with the Black Death

The story of Elizabeth Malatesta continues. But now she knows exactly what she wants. We are doing develomental edits now but this is the current book summary:

Race with the Black Death

Elizabeth Malatesta, the sentient flesh-eater, one who hunts humans for food, commands a growing army of followers. Having ravaged the southwestern Kingdom of France and the northwestern Italian city-states, Elizabeth has found her closest living blood relatives. Two children, Maddalena and Bartolome, and their mother. If Elizabeth captures them all, their combined blood will enable her to reverse the slow degeneration of her body. She nearly had them all, but their mother engineered the children’s escape before her demise.

The children have found temporary refuge with wandering troubadours whose many talents enable them to survive. The troupe is constantly moving to outrun the plague, but they find it in many places. The troop’s retinue includes the acrobat Dioneo, the broad-shouldered dwarf, Uwe, his close friend, the dancing Trippetta, and Laura, a woman with one-half her body scarred from surviving the Great Mortality. Maddalena becomes reluctantly attached to Jai Ling, a hunter of vampires and a specialist in bow weapons. Upon learning that the Pope, residing in the French city of Avignon, is offering a vast reward for the children, the group sets off to collect it, unaware they are pursued by a relentless hunter whose hunger drives her.

Picking up immediately following the events of “Mask of Death,” “Racing from the Plague” continues the story of life during the Great Mortality, or “The Black Death.” As you will see, many frightening creatures of legend, who are spoken of in hushed tones, are very real.

Coming tomorrow

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:58:30 GMT

The Rose Red Caper (or The 1002nd Tale of the Arabian Knights)

Poor Rose Red. Kept a prisoner by Duke Alfonso of Venice, a cruel leader who gets disposes of wives faster than Henry the 8th. Trapped in a walled fortress, patrolled by both human guards and giant Rocs, Rose Red seems doomed to the fate of the Duke's precious wives. Can Snowy White and her assembled group of characters from the Grimm Brothers and the Arabian Knights possibly rescue her? Find out tomorrow!

New Story for Charity Anthology!

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 18:31:02 GMT

Coming soon from Wild Ink Publishing.

Coming very soon from Wild Ink Publishing. This anthology where all moneys go to Charity features many Wild Ink authors with a new take what happens to classic fairy tale characters after their story ended. The theme here is that we are a few years in to the "Happily Ever After." I've seen the proofs, and these are great and go in many directions. Mine is a mashup of Grimm Brothers and the Arabian Knights (and with a nod to Robert Browning). Quick Preview - The Sultan's wife from 1001 Arabian Knights is telling her 1002 tale. Snow White's sister, Rose Red, is the latest bride of Duke Alfonso of Venice. If you know your Robert Browning, that means she is not long for this world. Can Snow White assemble a team to reach Venice in time, and then rescue her sister from the Duke's fortress that is protected by a 1,000-member personal guard? With some help from Goldilocks, Sinbad, and a fellow named Jack, she might have a chance. But the Duke also has four pet Rocs at his disposal who are quite large and always hungry. Read more in "The Rose Red Caper."

New Story coming out this month

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 13:17:59 GMT

New story coming out this month in Wicked Shadow Press Anthology!

This month Wicked Shadow Press is publishing two volumes of an anthology with the theme of female ghosts entitled "Drop Dead Gorgeous." My story appears in the volume "Daughters of Dread" which is aptly named. "An Incident at Chelsea Naval Hospital" is set near the end of World War 1, in Boston, at, where else, Chelsea Naval Hospital. In October of 1918 the Great Influenza pandemic appeared in Boston and spread quickly. Chelsea Naval Hospital was used for both civilian and military sick and injured. My story focuses on a young girl who is being treated at the hospital for influenza symptoms. But the influenza may not be the only thing that the patients of the hospital have to fear. If you read my story "Seashells" you may notice a recurring character, Nurse Lillian, who befriends the young girl. The historical settings and incidents outside the hospital are all based on fact. As for what is going on inside, well, by all means, read the story! I have to add, great cover work by Wicked Shadow Press, as always.

Remember to support small independent publishers and presses.

ANOTHER NEW STORY COMING OUT SOON

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 23:44:48 GMT

ANOTHER NEW STORY COMING SOON!

Thanks to my friends at Pulp Cult for accepting my short story, "Bradshaw Manor," for publication in their new Gothic Fiction-themed anthology. I wrote this a while back and it didn't quite fit into other markets, but it has the hallmarks of a classic gothic story! Imagine "The Innocents" set in Warren Rhode Island, my old stomping grounds. It is set in Bradshaw Manor, a stately house overlooking Mount Hope Bay, circa early 1920s. Can't give too much away right now but let's say the Manor residents are about to get some visitors who might not be entirely welcome. More previews to come. AND please consider supporting smaller independent publishers!

New Story Coming Out April 2025!

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:08:03 GMT

Wicked Shadow Press, April 2025

Very excited to announce that I have a new story coming out in the upcoming anthology, Who Let the Gods Out?, published by my friends at Wicked Shadow Press. This one promises to be a very scary collection, as is usually the case with Wicked Shadow Press! My story brings back some of my recurring characters who will go nameless for now - don't want to give everything away! Set in the 1920's, the story follows a mother with her two children and their scullery maid traveling a new art exhibit opening in Boston, Welcome to The Fourth Dimension . There have been a few missing persons reported near the art gallery but that can only be coincidence, right? Check out my blog for updates! Plus be sure to get a copy of Who Let the Gods Out - Cosmic Hunger (Wicked Shadow Press, anticipated publication April 2025).

This is a sample blog post part 4

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 17:20:19 GMT

Write about something you know. If you don’t know much about a specific topic that will interest your readers, invite an expert to write about it.

Speak to your audience

You know your audience better than anyone else, so keep them in mind as you write your blog posts. Write about things they care about. If you have a company Facebook page, look here to find topics to write about

Take a few moments to plan your post

Once you have a great idea for a post, write the first draft. Some people like to start with the title and then work on the paragraphs. Other people like to start with subtitles and go from there. Choose the method that works for you.

Don’t forget to add images

Be sure to include a few high-quality images in your blog. Images break up the text and make it more readable. They can also convey emotions or ideas that are hard to put into words.

Edit carefully before posting

Once you’re happy with the text, put it aside for a day or two, and then re-read it. You’ll probably find a few things you want to add, and a couple more that you want to remove. Have a friend or colleague look it over to make sure there are no mistakes. When your post is error-free, set it up in your blog and publish.

This is a sample blog post part 1

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 17:00:39 GMT

The new season is a great reason to make and keep resolutions. Whether it’s eating right or cleaning out the garage, here are some tips for making and keeping resolutions.

Make a list

Lists are great ways to stay on track. Write down some big things you want to accomplish and some smaller things, too.

Check the list regularly

Don’t forget to check in and see how you’re doing. Just because you don’t achieve the big goals right away doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.

Reward yourself

When you succeed in achieving a goal, be it a big one or a small one, make sure to pat yourself on the back.

Think positively

Positive thinking is a major factor in success. So instead of mulling over things that didn’t go quite right, remind yourself of things that did.

This is a sample blog post part 2

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 17:00:38 GMT

There are so many good reasons to communicate with site visitors. Tell them about sales and new products or update them with tips and information.

Here are some reasons to make blogging part of your regular routine.

Blogging is an easy way to engage with site visitors

Writing a blog post is easy once you get the hang of it. Posts don’t need to be long or complicated. Just write about what you know, and do your best to write well.

Show customers your personality

When you write a blog post, you can really let your personality shine through. This can be a great tool for showing your distinct personality.

Blogging is a terrific form of communication

Blogs are a great communication tool. They tend to be longer than social media posts, which gives you plenty of space for sharing insights, handy tips and more.

It’s a great way to support and boost SEO

Search engines like sites that regularly post fresh content, and a blog is a great way of doing this. With relevant metadata for every post so search engines can find your content.

Drive traffic to your site

Every time you add a new post, people who have subscribed to it will have a reason to come back to your site. If the post is a good read, they’ll share it with others, bringing even more traffic!

Blogging is free

Maintaining a blog on your site is absolutely free. You can hire bloggers if you like or assign regularly blogging tasks to everyone in your company.

A natural way to build your brand

A blog is a wonderful way to build your brand’s distinct voice. Write about issues that are related to your industry and your customers.