Friday, December 20, 2013

Join me on WattPad!


I have recently joined the ranks of WattPad and placed several samples of work up there, including my previously released Halloween short stories, and ALL of WOTHLONDIA RISING. The book, in its entirety, can be read for FREE right there (as well as on Smashwords).

Add caption
I would ask that anyone checking this out would read, vote on my work, and possibly, if you are so kind, follow me there!

If you and yours have a WattPad account and would like me to follow you back, please list your account in the comments below and I will follow you back.

And don't forget to sign up for the FREE giveaway on Goodreads right there at the top right hand side of the page.

Thanks for all of your support and correspondence this year, everyone and I wish you all the best.

This will probably be my last post of the year, and so, I wish you all Happy Holidays, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!



See you in Wothlondia and beyond in 2014!




All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney

Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE Here!

Also, Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Wothlondia Rising is FREE! (And I am on Smashwords)


FREE on SMASHWORDS!
I have taken the great plunge into Smashwords and all of my books can be found there now. Soon enough they will flow out to Sony, iTunes, B&N, Kobo, etc.

And the cool thing, is that WOTHLONDIA RISING IS NOW FREE! Indefinitely!

Yes, the anthology of short stories that introduces you to my world, its history, my protagonists, having them face off against demons, undead monstrosities, giants, ogres, rogues and blood rot zombies, is available to you for free!

I feel that if you give these a read, you will have a rather intimate knowledge of both the world, the characters and their motivations. And when they come together in Covenant of the Faceless Knights, you will have met them already, establishing a rapport as they move along on their quests. It makes for a natural and organic transition into the first novel, I believe.

I have also placed samples at WattPad , including the entire Wothlondia Rising book, if you prefer reading it there.

http://bit.ly/18IvgFS
So, when you finish with WOTHLONDIA RISING, feel free to check out my books on Smashwords. or click the links on the right side of my page to check out the kindle versions. If you haven't indulged yourself in them yet, they would make a great gift for any lover of epic/high fantasy with character-driven action.

Enjoy and have a great holiday!



http://bit.ly/1kKbTBL
Oh, and don't forget to sign up for my giveaway of THE LEGEND OF ASHENCLAW on Goodreads, too! I am giving away three free, signed copies.

http://bit.ly/IMjm7n
So...
I'll see you...
in Wothlondia...

















All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney

Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE Here!

Also, Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.








Sunday, December 8, 2013

The Beginnings Omnibus Release


I am releasing all of my work in the Beginnings Saga in one Omnibus available on the Amazon Kindle tomorrow, Monday the 9th of December.

The book will run $6.49 and contains all of the following books:
Wothlondia Rising, Covenant of the Faceless Knights, Secrets of the Ebonite Mines and the novella that started it all, The Legend of Ashenclaw!

843 pages of epic fantasy action!

If you have been waiting for them all in one tome, wait no longer!
Happy Holidays everybody!





Here is the rework of the cover, illustrated by William Kenney, with sone slight color variances and alterations in style. Enjoy! And I'll see you in Wothlondia...





All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney

Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE Here!

Also, Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Will Van Stone Jr. Interview

Here is my Interview with Disney-lover extraordinaire and parnaormal/fantasy writer, Will Van Stone, Jr.! Enjoy!

First off, tell us a little bit about you...My name’s Will and I’m a writer and artist with a day job as a test proctor. I was born and raised in Connecticut. I’m obsessed with Disney. In fact, there was a time I dreamed of working for them but then they stopped making their animated classics. But that love of drawing and storytelling has stayed with me.

Tell us about your books/What genre do you consider your books?Well, so far I’ve released “Stormfront: The Three – The Death Dealer” and, with S.I. Hayes, “Awakenings: The Wrath Saga.” Both are the beginning of their respective series that have as much to do with magic and mayhem as they do with personal relationships. “Stormfront: The Three” follows a young assassin named Dylan Bradshaw as he fights against his own organization when he becomes their target. Along the way he discovers he is more powerful than he ever imagined. “Awakenings” tells the story of a clan of vampires, werecats and werewolves living in New Orleans when the Slayer, the product of a centuries old feud between mortal and mystical, rises and cuts a bloody swath down the east coast.

“Stormfront: The Three” falls in the action/adventure genre though the technology used and the abilities he has and develops lend it a science fiction quality. “Awakenings” is more of a supernatural/fantasy soap opera, like “Dark Shadows” or “Kindred: The Embraced.”

When did you start writing? I started really writing in seventh grade when I was given an assignment to write a story about a hero. After that, I wrote constantly though most of those stories are long lost.

Why do you write? I write because I love it. I love crafting stories and creating characters and entertaining people. It’s also a great therapy; any time my head gets too full of less entertaining thoughts, I can funnel it all out onto the page.

What would be your choice for a superpower?Weather manipulation, same as my favorite superhero Storm. Fly, rain down hail and lightning bolts? Who wouldn’t love to do that?

Who is your favorite author?Anne Rice.

What are you reading now? “Incubus Dreams” by Laurell K. Hamilton and “Star Trek: Death in Winter” by Michael Jan Friedman, “Simple Simon” by by Ryne Douglas Pearson and a few others. I tend to juggle multiple at once.

Who is your favorite character to write? That’s too tough. I don’t know that I could choose just one. It’d be like asking someone who their favorite child is.

Do you have a writing process? I normally have something on in the background that reminds me of what I’m writing. It keeps me in that state of mind. I write and rewrite the same scenes over and over before moving on because things are always changing as I move the story forward. Probably why it takes me so long.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author? Enjoy the rise and fall. There’ll be a lot of both. And be ready for the haters cause they’ll always come. Don’t take bad reviews personally. And don’t stop if it’s what you want to do.

What inspired you to pursue writing?I had an idea and wanted to see it happen.

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing?I’m hooked on “The Walking Dead” and “American Horror Story: Coven” and, you know, Disney.

What are your current projects?A horror novel, “Innocence Lost,” is my front burner project. I also have material for “Le Fey” (a King Arthur retelling) and a new “Death Dealer” book, a prequel to “Stormfront: The Three” insisting on getting its turn.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers?To those who already read and enjoy my work, I am thrilled you do. That is what makes writing worth it. To those who don’t, I hope you’ll give it a try and maybe even like it.

Quick Fire:
Cats or dogs? Cats
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Favorite food? Chicken
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Chocolate
What are 3 things you never leave home without? Cell, debit card, ?
Laptop or desktop? Laptop but they never last long
Who are 3 famous people you would to hang out with? Sarah Michelle Gellar, Anne Rice, Asa Butterfeild
TV or Movies? Movies. Nothing’s better than watching on the big screen.





All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney

Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE Here!

Also, Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.


Friday, November 29, 2013

Legend of Ashenclaw Paperback Giveaway!


In the spirit of giving and being thankful for what I have, I am inspired to do another giveaway on Goodreads for the novella, THE LEGEND OF ASHENCLAW! I am giving away signed copies of the book to three lucky winners (Goodreads chooses, not me!), so sign up using the link below.


Here is the cover and an excerpt for you to chew on...

Ashenclaw in all her glory, illustrated by William Kenney


It was a day’s journey to Summerbank and as they neared, Figit realized that the town had indeed grown some since last he visited some years back. They had an inn! At least that’s what it looked like from his perspective.
As the group came rolling up and over the hill, Figit leaped onto Twarda’s back, causing her to stumble forward before her sturdy legs were able to right herself again.
“Watch yerself!” Twarda yelped, regaining her balance quickly. “”I coulda’ fell…and with ye' atop me, too!”
“I’da been fine,” Figit quipped, getting comfortable on her broad shoulders.
“An’ I’da ne’er fell. Yer missin’ me point.”
“It looks like the town has literally doubled in size since the last time we seen it. I’m seein’ maybe two dozen structures now!”
Azbiel laughed heartily while Triniach and Jon strode along quietly. As they made it to the bottom of the hill, Figit noted that something in the town did not seem right.
“Hey, guys,” he announced, leaping from Twarda’s shoulders to land on all fours like a cat. “Somethin’ ain’t right about this. Where are all the people?”
They all looked about and noted that none of the fishermen were on their boats or fishing in the bank and not a soul was outside. It was almost mid-day again and the lack of activity was both telling and disturbing.
“I don’t like it one bit,” Figit declared as he withdrew both of his daggers. The sound of leather on steel sounded again as Jon withdrew his hand and a half sword and Twarda removed her axe from her belt.
“I don’t like this at all,” Figit stated as he slipped down the remainder of the hill and proceeded ahead of the others.
He got up to where he could see things more clearly, his eyesight allowing him to see great distances, another gift of his fey blood. What he saw was distressing. He waved the others to within a few feet of him and told them to wait there at the base of the hill.
“What is it, half-man?” asked Jon.
“Shush,” Figit called back in a whisper. He wanted to whisper back to him that he was no man at all. Instead he was a creature born of fey blood, distant cousin to the elves and that he could tap into the regenerative plane much as a druid would and use the gift to heal; albeit sparingly.
He stole through the village and made it to the far western side of the town. Confirming what he saw, he made his way quickly and quietly back to the group, who awaited him on the shaded side of a storefront.
“What is it!?” asked Azbiel, his arms held out wide before returning to cross over his chest. He yawned and Figit could smell the wine on his breath from where he stood.
Typical Azbiel, he thought.
“Kobolds. And lots of ‘em! And…they ain’t alone either. There are some crazy robed figures with marks of the dragons on their garments.
“Dragon cultists,” Triniach stated as if everyone should know. “They are amassing here as they sense something, a shift in the weather or some such. I cannot quite put my finger on it just yet.”
“So, they are worshipers of which dragons?” Jon asked. “All of them?”
“I would say. It is a dragon cult. Their symbol is something of a dragon claw. Is that correct, Figit?” Triniach asked.
“A claw of red, one of blue, another of white and a black one, too. All in a circle, or a cross or some proportioned pattern. Can’t really see it too well.”
Triniach waved his hands about and stood silently, the white of his eyes shifted in hue to  yellow, like that of an eagle’s.
“That is it exactly,” the mage announced with confidence.
“If you can do that, then why do ya’ make me—never mind,” Figit said with a sigh and a shake of his head.
“It is to keep your skills intact. You never know when you will need them. Magic does not solve everything,” he stated in a lecturing manner with a sideways glance toward him and then added, “almost. But not quite.”
 “Well, whatever. The four-clawed dragon cultists have taken over the town for whatever reason,” Figit exclaimed, willing his body into the shadows.
 “Then we be needin’ ta’ take ‘er back!” proclaimed the dwarven warrior, tapping her axehead upon her shield three times.
“Let’s gut ‘em and save the day. Like usual,” stated the halfling.
“Nothing like rescuing damsels in distress!” Azbiel proclaimed, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
“We are ready then?” inquired Triniach, adjusting his robe.
All of them nodded and Figit stayed to the shadows, moving ever closer to the commotion. After a moment or two, he could hear the words of the cultists.
“We shall make sacrifice for the scorching drakes and so that Ashenclaw will spare us,” he heard one man say.
“The queen of the scorching drakes will let us live if we show her gift,” said one of the dozen kobolds lurking about. A pair of women were both tied to stakes that were planted firmly inside a large amount of tinder. Their clothes were torn and they were bleeding from several wounds already, though none of them looked fatal to the halfling. But, it certainly seemed as though they were going to roast these two ladies alive.





All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney

Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE Here!

Also, Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.


Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Tower of Torment is live!


Tower of Torment, Book 1 in the Embers of War Saga is now live for consumption! It is the continuation of the Realm of Ashenclaw series that follows the Beginnings Trilogy. I hope you enjoy this one.

The following link will take you to the book on kindle in any country:
http://bookShow.me/B00GVLLHCM

Here is the final cover with text to enjoy in a large format! Have a great Thanksgiving everybody! Below is another short excerpt to  enjoy.



The trio of succubi continued to assail his mind with images of chaos and tempting sensual thoughts in an attempt to break his defenses. Within those visions—images of his greatest temptations—he saw the face of Rose Thorne. She was there in all her glory, calling him to her...beckoning him. Lust and yearning for her leaped to the forefront of his consciousness. He blinked and in a moment of clarity, realized the truth for what it was.
As he had done many times in the past, he asked the sun-god for aid in shielding his mind against the demonic abominations. Rose vanished from his thoughts and the demonic visage of a succubus took her place.
His prayers were answered.
An aura of holy warding encircled him, his body and mind suddenly impenetrable against any magical or non-magical source. The Shimmering One was protecting him, exorcising and casting out demonic influence, as he had so many times in the past when he served as a warpriest of the sun-god. He had learned almost everything there was to study about demons and their manipulative ways.
Garius also called to the dark powers of death, asking The Reaper for his gifts of necromantic origin in order to smite their common foes. As he spoke the prayers and uttered the words with clarity, the lingering visions in his mind’s eye all but disappeared completely. A surge of necromantic energy burst forth from him toward the trio of demonesses barring his way.

See you all in Wothlondia! Cheers!





All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney

Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE Here!

Also, Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Tower of Torment COVER REVEAL!


Once again, the incomparable William Kenney has provided the amazing artwork that I envisioned and which he has flawlessly translated onto paper for me! I could not be more excited!

I also wanted to say that although this is book 4 in my series, each book has a stand alone story with a conclusion. The overall arcing story line continues from book to book and certainly will fill in some blanks for the reader, but feel free to indulge book 4 as your first jaunt into the Realm of Ashenclaw!

Also, the Beginnings saga has concluded and The Embers of War saga is now underway. It is the 4th book overall in the Realm of Ashenclaw series and I hope you follow along as the characters have undergone some transformations emotionally and physically. This particular book certainly introduces some major tragedies that I believe humanizes the characters in ways I did not think possible. It is a bit darker than the others and think it displays the protagonists in a different light than before. Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading this one as much as I did writing it!

BOOK IS LIVE ON KINDLE HERE: http://bookShow.me/B00GVLLHCM

This is my best work to date and, if I may be so bold,William's best cover!

The Avatar succubus, Nahemia, hovering over Queen Lynessa of Norgeld
by William J. Kenney

If you are so inclined to hire William for his artistic abilities, please contact him here: WilliamKenney_Author@yahoo.com. Also, check out WIlliam's own works on Amazon by clicking the link for his name when you look at any of my work.

See you all in Wothlondia! Cheers!





All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney

Visit my AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE Here!

Also, Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Laura Oneale Interview


I met Sci-Fi/Fantasy/YA author Laura Oneale recently and she agreed to an interview. The following is a taste of what makes Lara tick...

First off, tell us a little bit about you
 I am Laura Oneale, from Johannesburg, South Africa. I work as a financial manager and write novels as my favorite past time. I have three sons, all uniquely talented and proud of them.

Tell us about your books/What genre do you consider your books? 
Young Adult / Fantasy / Science Fiction. The Anglurian Story, Book 1 – Sipho and the Star Pearl / Book 2 – Sipho and the Golden Nails – It’s the story of three hybrid children who join forces with aliens to eliminate evil on earth. Their travels take them to exciting places around the world, as they battle demons.

When did you start writing? 
As a teenager, we had no computers, TV's or phones; it was the library and books only.

Why do you write? 
I love the ability to be able to express and capture my imagination into words. Getting lost within my mind is wonderful.

What would be your choice for a superpower?
 An Alien or another Margaret Thatcher

Who is your favorite author? 
Stephen King

What are you reading now? 
Steve Jobs autobiography

Who is your favorite character to write?
 Zerydo, the alien/spirit being scientist who has many hidden talents

Do you have a writing process?
 Yes, just start writing and once the first word is written the others seem to flow easy.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author?
 Don’t give up on your dreams. Perseverance is the key and believe in yourself.

What inspired you to pursue writing?
 Charles Dickens

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing?
 World news and Come Dine with Me, British series

What are your current projects?
 Busy with Book three in the series of the Anglurian Story

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers?
 Don’t stop reading, it’s the most inspiring, educational activity to do.



Quick Fire:Cats or dogs? Dogs
Coffee or tea? Tea
Favorite food? Pasta
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Chocolate
What are 3 things you never leave home without? Glasses, Lipstick and mints
Laptop or desktop? Laptop
Who are 3 famous people you would to hang out with? Bill Gates, Cher and Prince Charles
TV or Movies? Movies





Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney


See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Also, please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Tower of Torment Preview #2


I could not help but get excited about bringing you another excerpt from my next Realm of Ashenclaw novel as it is in final editing stages.

This brings you an intimate scene with Rolin Hardbeard, the greatest dwarven warrior to grace the soil of Wothlondia as he confronts his greatest enemy... As always, I hope this entices you into the world of Wothlondia!

(PS. If you haven't read Secrets of the Ebonite Mines, there is a possible spoiler alert in the passage below.)


Rolin Hardbeard
A long time later, as the sweat began to moisten his skin and his muscles warmed again, Rolin smiled at the freedom of movement that condition offered him and wiped the glistening beads of moisture from his beard.

He needed to be ready.
He also believed that they considered him no real threat. They’d stripped him, but left his meager belongings in the cell with him. Except for his axe and armor, of course, which lay in the cell beside his own, but he could see them there.

He would need to acquire the keys to exit his cell and gain access. He longed to be reunited with his beloved axe—the axe that had slain more foes than he could count!—so that he could use its edge to rend his enemies’ flesh. He stared at the axe, wanting to feel the leathery grip upon his sweaty fingers as he brought it to bear on his enemies. And there were many.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted of that delightful imagery as he heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching. They grew louder as he looked about and they finally stopped. He squinted in the darkness, adjusting his vision to that spectrum, and noted a slagfell. This particular one carried an air of confidence as he strode forward. Rolin could not help but note the twin axes dangling from either side of his belt. They looked to be well-made and well-kept.
“How fares me elderly hero?” asked the gruff voice with a haughty snicker.
“Ye disrespect me and me kin, slagfell wretch. Yer kind are beneath me and me brethren, don’t ye be doubtin,” Rolin instigated, making his way toward the younger, well-armored slagfell. The torchlight in the distance danced upon his features and Rolin noted the graying beard, braided into four separate strands that hung to his chest. The slagfell’s features were not unlike his own, though most of them were slimmer and less stout than his true kin. This one was broader in the chest and arms, wider in stature, almost like he himself when he was younger.
“Let me outta’ this cage an’ I’ll be showin’ ye what kind a hero I be,” Rolin suggested, wiping newly formed sweat from his beard.
“I wouldn’t want to send ye ta yer grave earlier than need be, Rolin Hardbeard,” the slagfell said mockingly.
“Ye be knowin’ me name well enough, but I don’t be knowin’ yers,” Rolin said, leaning closer and staring into the dark eyes of his captor.
“I be Megnus, of clan Bloodstone. Me father is king o’ Shadowmere. All names ye’ll be familiarizin’ yerself with fer yer remainin’ days I’m thinkin’. If ye live long enough.”
“Why dontcha’ let this old dwarf outta this cage an’ I’ll be more n’ happy ta show ye the respect ye be deservin’….Prince Megnus,” he added the title and the word dripped with sarcasm.
“Are ye sure ye want to die this day? I be sure me king ain’t gon’ be happy if I were ta kill ye,” Megnus said again, his words full of derision once more. Rolin could not see his mouth, but he was sure there was a smile planted beneath that braided beard.
“So then let me outta here an’ I’ll be plantin’ me boot firmly in yer arse soon enough.” As he finished the threat, he saw the one named Megnus move toward the cell, but he stopped. It was going to take more, he knew, to entice this one into combat.
“I figured yer kin ta be cowards an’ now I be seein’ that’s true…puttin’ yerself in league with demons. They be influencin’ ye all too, eh?” Rolin noted the change on Megnus’s face with that remark.

He knew he had him. 
“Watch yer tongue, dwarf. Or I’ll take it from ye meself.”
“That’s what I been tellin’ ye ta do. Put me axe in me hand, an if ye beat me, ye can take me tongue,” Rolin said locking stares with the slagfell, his eyes smoldering with hate for the dwarf. Megnus moved forward and unlocked his cell. He methodically moved toward the neighboring cell, where Rolin’s axe and breastplate were, and unlocked it, moving aside afterwards. Rolin looked to him and hesitated, believing it to be a ruse of some kind until Megnus spoke once more.

“It be just you and me, dwarf,” Megnus stated moving toward the only exit and closing the door softly. He then placed the key in the lock and turned it, signifying that no one else would intrude upon their trial by combat.




Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney


See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Also, please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Clifton Redmond Interview


First off, tell us a about you...
Well I am 31 years old. I am very happily married to Joanna, my wife of four years and we have one perfect little boy, Diarmuid. They are my rock and my whole world, I owe everything I am to both of them. I am from a small village on the Carlow Wicklow border called Hacketstown. I now live in Graiguecullen in Carlow town.

Tell us about your books/What genre do you consider your books?I write only poems, I have one self-published body of work called “Race The Wind”. I am working on my second collection but I will probably wait until I have the backing of a traditional publisher. By the time that happens my second book will probably be bigger than an encyclopaedia. I have been published in various collections by the group members that I work closely with in the “A.P.L.S.” or “A Poets Learning Society”.

When did you start writing? In school I was very lazy and took no interest in anything except history. I left school at the age of sixteen and started working in abattoir and I still work there 15 years later. I had two interests playing soccer and messing around on the guitar. I never ever thought about writing or poetry in my life until the day my younger brother died, I wrote a small poem which my wife read at his funeral. But it was four years later that I stumbled upon a poetry posting and feedback site which I found very interesting and after trying my hand at it, I received some decent feedback. This encouraged me to pursue more encouragement and this grew into something much bigger for me. I met a small group of like-minded poets and as we all grew closer started to interact on Facebook through groups and sharing and critiquing every day. My passion has grown into an obsession and now I’m constantly trying to grow and better myself in the craft…

Why do you write? I have no idea why I write, I guess I love that feeling of reading a great poem and it feels all the better when it’s my own. I hope to captivate the reader in the same way I am when I read poems.

What would be your choice for a superpower?“X-ray vision” actually 20/20 vision would be nice, I’m so blind it’s not even funny. But I think the the ultimate power would be “flight” that would be really cool.

Who is your favorite author? Very tough question, Seamus Heaney, Billy Collins, Anne Sexton lately, oh and Dylan Thomas stirs me a lot too.

I tend to read multiple books at once. Right now I’m reading Heaney’s “Human Chain”, The collected poems of Derrick Walcott and also trying to read up on the puzzle that is Samuel Beckett.

Do you have a writing process? 
I tend to write up a draft, leave it for a day or two then go back and rip it to bits. It can take a few days sometimes, and then sometimes it just flows out right in one sitting. I like to write at night or in the early hours of the morning mostly. I find ideas come easier those times.

What advice would you give to an aspiring author? Write for you, become obsessed and enjoy it. If you feel like you have a story to tell then don’t let anything hold you back from your dream, that’s the advice I’m giving myself anyway.

What inspired you to pursue writing?That feeling of reading great poems by great poets. The idea of connecting with everyone that reads your work. I thin k that is the goal for a poet to be understood and honored for it.

What are your favorite TV shows/Movies to watch in between writing?I’m not a big TV or movies fan, but I like shows that are funny, basically I will laugh at anything. I can make the worst comedian in the world sound like he must be a genius. As for movies I do like action I guess, like the Rambo movies.

What are your current projects?My second collection and I have about three hundred poems to consider for it so far. Some of them confessional, which is a style I have been working on with my long time mentor Michael Dobson, a retired editor from California.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to readers?I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me to this point and all who have bought my first book. Thank you to my wife and the poets that I work with day in day out. I hope I can be as much an inspiration to you as you have been to me.

Quick Fire: Cats or dogs? dogs
Coffee or tea? coffee
Favorite food? Sheepards pie
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? vanilla
What are 3 things you never leave home without?
keys , phone and notebook.
Laptop or desktop? laptop
Who are 3 famous people you would to hang out with? If were talking past and dead then, Dylan Thomas, as he loved a drink, Bill Shankly (ex- Liverpool manager as soccer is another huge love of mine and “Shanks” because he really knew his stuff and had some very different ideas, lastly Seamus Heaney who just recently died. I imagined I would meet him some day and it’s a big regret I never will. Still alive, Gerry Adams (Sin Fein president), Jamie Carragher, (ex- Liverpool player) and the very interesting American poet Billy Collins, I would love to delve into his mid and pick his brain.
TV or Movies? movies

You can contact Clifton here:
 and my website is here: http://cliftonredmondpoetry.webs.com/





Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney


See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Also, please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.


Thursday, October 31, 2013

A Halloween Bard's Tale!


I wrote this today for two reasons this Hallow's Eve: I was inspired to try something new and so I wrote this in first person and also I did not use a single name. It was more of an experiment to see if I could pull it off...I hope you like it. The story takes place in my Realm of Ashenclaw setting in the unscrupulous town of Freeport along Ship's Landing in the northern section of Wothlondia.

In a rundown bar called the Scallywag was where I found refuge and alcohol to drown my sorrows this Hallow’s Eve. The inn was full to bursting , as it was most nights according to the rumors of the bar wenches and tavern keep, whose name escapes me. But this time, all of the tavern folk were celebrating the holiday by dressing up in strange attire, wearing all manner of hideous makeup and masks, trying to appear as the creatures invading my dreams each night of late.
I raised my mug and drained its contents before calling the serving wench over to my table. “What’ll it be this time?” she asked me, not unkindly.“I’d like something a little stronger,” I replied, thinking to get myself good and drunk tonight, so that I don’t have the same nightmare I’d been having. One where I craved the blood of the innocent.
A pair of bards came in and I noted them immediately as they were both young and cheery, a man and a woman, though their flesh seemed as pale as my handkerchief on a good day. I guess it was not unusual, especially this night, if they had their makeup on, eh? They approached the barkeep and after a brief conversation, made their way to the stage, giggling and whispering to one another. It was hard to tell if they were man and wife, brother and sister, or something entirely different, although they did look familiar to me in some manner. Had I seen them somewhere in my travels? No…I’d never made it to this town of Freeport before as I was always out to sea. Who’d have thought me for a fisherman even ten years ago? These past few days, though, I was thankful to not have the sea shifting beneath me. I never realized how seasick I was until I actually made it to land. Nevertheless, me and my fellow anglers were here, in Freeport, and I found myself alone again. That was not uncommon, either, these days. I’ve been quite the killjoy.
It was the anniversary of my wife’s death yesterday and it was only five years ago. I still cannot even bring myself to say or think her name as it sends me to tears. She was a victim of the plague that killed so many who were unable to gain the support of healers or priests, or did not have the coin to buy the proper medicinal herbs. We were poor, and that cost me my wife. Yes, I blame myself. And why not? I have never afforded her or myself anything more than what we carry on our backs. It was yet another reason I chose the life of a fisherman.

As the flames on the candles flickered and the fire grew dim in the hearth, my own vision dimmed along with it. I was suddenly in a state of mild inebriation that allowed me to survive the recent onslaught of horrifying images…those of my departed wife, and those even more horrifying than that.
The sounds of the bard’s songs were intoxicating. They filled the inn’s space with hypnotic melodies and were quite the delight for everyone this evening. The Patrons were all getting good and drunk and having a delightful time. Everyone but me, that is.

As the crowd thinned out and the duo of bards took the stage for the last time that night, something changed significantly in me. Suddenly, the wine and ale tasted like nothing. I could smell the scent of cooking flesh at such a heightened degree that it made me sick and intoxicated all at once. The scent of perfume and alcohol permeated my senses and I caught the female bard staring at me and smiling. She was singing a song directly to me, though the words were lost on me, yet she pushed her way past the few folks remaining and stared at me…and her eyes flashed red?! And then she made her way back to the stage and the pair of entertainers finished their joyous tune and followed it up with something altogether haunting.

That’s when I could smell their blood, everyone that was present: the bar wenches, the innkeeper, the few drunkards remaining at the bar, and the few who danced clumsily to the bard’s melancholy melody. As the man continuing strumming his lute, the woman grabbed the closest person to her, another young woman, and danced with her, pulling her close, and spinning her away to face me as she ran an elongated and rather sharp fingernail across her throat, slicing it open. And then she began licking at the blood that flowed from the wound. That was when her appearance changed to something not of this world.
 “Come and drink your fill,” she called to me. And I fought the urge—the exceptionally heady urge—to race to her side and partake of the woman’s life force that spilled onto the floor. The crowd was racing toward the door when a shadow of something sped past me to block their path. It was the other one—the man who’d stopped playing the lute and I hadn’t noticed!—and who had also changed his appearance to something equally hideous.
His dagger and sword came free and slit the woman’s neck before him, and then he spun a dance of death like something I’d never seen before. Those blades worked their way through flesh…slicing and cutting and stabbing until only I and the innkeeper remained untouched.
 “Bastard devils,” he muttered under his breath. And yet, those words were so loud to me that I could hear them as if he'd shouted them. “Vampyrs! Get out of my Inn or I’ll—“
 The woman was over to him before he could finish the sentence and she backhanded him so hard that he soared airborne along the bar’s length, coming to rest behind it, landing with the cracking of bones. I glanced over to see that his head rested at such an angle so as to confirm his unquestionable death.
“You don’t remember my visit to you in your dreams a few nights past, do you?” she teased, moving to stand before me, a mock look of sadness planted on her face as her raven hair framed her wickedly beautiful face, her fangs exposed by her sudden smile. “You are one of us, now. And you must feed.”
 I felt the urge again and fought it initially. It was not long though, before I began to drink the blood that was on the floor of the bar. It was like dousing a fire in my belly. And suddenly, I had no choice but to demand the relief from that awful pain. And so I continued to clean the blood on the floor until I found myself tearing at the flesh of one of the recently deceased patrons of the inn.
“We’ll have to burn that one,” she said to the man, who nodded in agreement as I looked up to face him. He grabbed her, cut off her head, poured alcohol all over it and the body, and tossed them into the hearth until they turned to ash. “That is what will happen to you if you are not careful,” he said to me with a macabre grin. “Once the head is severed, we burn quite easily.”
 “You must not tear the flesh with your fangs, newborn. You must cut them and drink of their blood carefully, so that it looks like a robbery or some such. The mortals must never find out about us, or we won’t be invited back!” Her callous laugh thundered in my ears for some time.
 We collectively fed on the humans--and I was careful not to use my teeth--until I felt a tug on my shoulder.
“We must leave. The dawn is coming and we must be gone by then,” she said calmly to me. I nodded and recalled in horror that the dreams I’d been having these last few days were much more than dreams. They were visions of what I was to become…what I had become. “Come with us, my sweet. We will take care of you now.”

Somehow, I found those words comforting. No longer did I feel the pain in my heart of my emotional losses, of the void left by my departed wife, or my lack of coin. They were replaced by something else—something that dulled them into nothingness.

When I turned my thoughts outward and felt the wind rush past my face, I overheard the two of them saying that Freeport was a wonderful place for us to spend the rest of our lives. I wondered exactly how long that would be as I followed my new companions and we disappeared into the fading night.




Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney


See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

Also, please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Walking Dead Season 4...So Many Questions


Just in time for Halloween, I bring you this theme-laced post. Thanks for popping in.

Well, I just finished watching all 3 seasons again this past weekend or two--instead of writing, I know!--and have been watching the last 2 episodes again looking for clues to all of the burning questions.

creepy, eh?
Let me say that the character development, writing and acting in this show are top notch and one of my three favorite shows on TV worth watching these days (along with Game of Thrones and Suits). I highly recommend all of them if you are not watching them already.

So, before the writers can ruin it with facts, lets discuss the possibilities! Here are my top ten questions we need to answer.

  • 1. Who is feeding the Walkers?
  • 2. Who burned the the bodies of Karen and (Dave?)
  • BONUS QUESTION 2.a Are these events interconnected or were they carried out by different people all together?
  • 3. What caused the flu-virus thingy?
  • 4. How will Karen's death affect Tyreese? 
  • 5. How long have Daryl and Carol been hooking up? (yes, she called him 'pookie' in episode 1 if I recall correctly!)
  • 6. Is Carl up to something or is he being straight with Rick?
  • 7. Will Beth care about anyone ever again?
  • 8. What is with Michonne and the baby?
  • 9. Will the Governor make an appearance this season?
  • 10. And finally, which of the main characters, if any, will die this season? (it's always one or more main characters each season, right?)


So, let the discussion begin!








Please join me and the other amazingly talented authors over @ Skulldust Circle where we have formed a Writer's Circle that must be seen--a collection of brilliant, up & coming independently published speculative fiction authors with much to give both now and in the future!

All Artwork and covers of my works by William J. Kenney


See you in Wothlondia! Cheers!

pictures randomly borrowed from the internet this time!

Also, please visit MY HOME PAGE to enjoy an extended reading experience and to see what else Ashenclaw Studios, LLC has in store in the future!

All maps, names and content copyright Ashenclaw Studios 2013 unless otherwise noted.