Monday, November 07, 2011

CHERYL PIERSON SHARES HER SHORT STORIES

Cheryl Pierson
I couldn’t let another day go by as we rush into fall without showing off my new “stand alone” short stories. Let me tell you why I’m so excited about these stories.


First of all, I love to read and write short stories as well as novels. In today’s world, short stories are growing increasingly popular because they can be finished in one sitting, usually. Publishing by Rebecca J. Vickery, and her imprints, Western Trail Blazer and Victory Tales Press, have been a fantastic source of anthologies and “stand alone” short stories in today’s growing market.

The anthologies are themed anthologies, based upon a season or holiday. The stories that are contracted for those anthologies cannot be reprinted anywhere else for six months. But, when their “time” is up, a contract may be put in place to continue to sell them in the anthologies and to also offer them as “single sell” .99 offerings, as well.


I just had three of my stories come up for that option this past month: ALWAYS AND FOREVER, which first appeared in A HALLOWEEN COLLECTION last year; THE LAST OF HER KIND, which came out in A MYSTERY/SUSPENSE COLLECTION; and A HEART FOR A HEART, which was first offered in A VALENTINE COLLECTION.


This growing short story market has been a great way for readers to sample different authors in sub-genres they love, or take a chance on an author that maybe they’ve never read before in a sub-genre they wouldn’t normally read—because the price is right. At just .99 a story, you really can’t go wrong.


All of my short stories are available on Nook, through Barnes and Noble, and on Kindle, through Amazon. Here are some covers and blurbs for the latest short stories of mine that have come out this past month as single sell offerings. I hope you enjoy!


THE LAST OF HER KIND (paranormal suspense):


An old Victrola is the cherished possession of Cassie’s grandmother. Her father also seems oddly attached to the antique phonograph, but her new stepmother detests it and wants it gone. Grandmother is sick, probably dying, and Cassie will be the only one left in the house who sees through Trish as Cassie’s brothers no longer live with them.


Then Cassie discovers a wonderful, yet frightening secret. Will her new knowledge save her family or destroy it?



ALWAYS AND FOREVER (contemporary “2nd chance at love”):

At a children’s Halloween carnival, a Gypsy fortuneteller predicts a new love for both Cindy and Gage. When the two meet over a poorly carved pumpkin, love flickers to life and the stars begin to align.


But the odds of finding a new love later in life seem insurmountable and the prophecy seems too good to be true. After all, Gage has been burned before and Cindy doesn’t believe in fortunes or second chances.


Will doubt overshadow their attraction or has love already been set in motion? Can the star-crossed pair put their faith in the love that was foretold? Can they believe in each other?


A HEART FOR A HEART (sweet romance):

Kiera is all set to welcome Cory into her home as a foster child. Orphaned and with a learning disability, Cory is looking forward to living with his tutor. Until his uncle shows up…

Sam Tiger returns from military duty to find his deceased brother’s son being taken in by a stranger. The boy needs his family and Sam is it. He never expects the tutor to stand up to him and want to keep Cory. Then the worst happens—he finds himself attracted to Kiera.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF ALL CHERYL’S WORK, CLICK HERE:
Cheryl's Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002JV8GUE


Thanks to Cheryl for sharing her amazing stories with us today. Please return on Wednesday for a visit from Kellie Kamryn.

Thanks for stopping by!

10 comments:

Caroline Clemmons said...

Cheryl, welcome. So happy to have your talk about your wonderful books.

Jeanmarie Hamilton said...

Cheryl,
I didn't know about that particular publisher. Good to know. Thanks for the information on your short stories and places to find them. Wishing you many happy readers!

Unknown said...

Cheryl--you've done well showcasing not only your stories, but Rebecca's publishing and the imprint Western Trail Blazers, as well. I'm right behind you. My first 99cent has been out a while, and I think has done pretty well. Soon, Rebecca will release my other two--and as I've promote the 99cent short, now I'll have three. And I trying to write a fourth.
I love these--reading and writing them. And I remember all of yours.

Cheryl Pierson said...

GRRR! I just typed a long message to you, Caroline, and blogger ate it. It has gotten to where it more often than not does that on the first message and then after that, it works. I was just saying a big thank you to you for having me here on your gorgeous blog. That huge old tree reminds me of the one in Tamaha, OK, that is a black oak and is supposed to be the oldest tree in OK. I have my picture in front of it with my sister and that's about the only thing that could make the two of us look tiny. LOLLOL

Cheryl

Cheryl Pierson said...

Hi Jeanmarie,

Yes, Victory Tales Press does a lot of anthologies and the best thing is, Rebecca Vickery, the owner is HONEST. She is one of the dearest people you'll ever meet and does a quality job on all her projects. Her western line, Western Trail Blazer, boasts quite a few pretty well-known names--she does great at publishing the backlists for them. Thanks for coming by and commenting, and I'm so glad you are rejoining SOTW!
Cheryl

Cheryl Pierson said...

Celia,
I am like you--those .99 stories are the best, because if you aren't crazy about them, you've only spent .99--it's a great way to get to know new authors, and I have truly enjoyed writing these short stories for the anthologies. I must also say, I have never been disappointed in any of my covers. I know you'll be excited to get your other 2 stories out there, too.
Hugs,
Cheryl

Carolyn J. Rose said...

99 cents is a great way to get books (and your name) out there. I released A Place of Forgetting on the last day of September and it's selling more every day thanks to the bargain price and word of mouth. With the economy in the dumper and winter coming on, I intend to keep the price down for a while.

Cheryl Pierson said...

I know what you mean, Carolyn. The .99 books and short stories are a fantastic value and I think everyone appreciates that. I have several out there.
Cheryl

katsrus said...

I have tried out a lot of authors this way. You have very nice book covers. Will have to try your stories they really good.
Sue B

Cheryl Pierson said...

Hi Sue,
Thanks so much for the kind words. I have been extremely lucky with my covers, but I have to say, it NEVER hurts to have Jimmy Thomas looking out at you from the front of a book. LOL I hope you enjoy my stories.
Cheryl