Category Archives: short stories

The Joys of Technology

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As I sit at my desk, typing away on my laptop I give thanks to the great god of technology. I love the way in which one’s brain is stretched by the necessity of remembering countless passwords without which one can not access e-mails, bank accounts etc. Forgetting passwords is such fun and helps to enhance one’s physical atributes. For example the way in which I shake my fist menacingly at my poor defenseless laptop provides me with much needed exercise and has helped to strengthen my arm muscles no end!
This evening the joy of guessing passwords was brought home to me with a vengence. I have now received the proof of the manuscript for my collection of short stories, “The First Time” in epub format. In order to access the document I downloaded software from Adobe’s website which installed like a dream. Great I thought as I clicked on the epub file containing the proof of “The First Time”, soon I will be able to read over the proof of my manuscript. Alas woe is me, the great god of technology requested that I enter a password in order to open the file – oops my publisher has neglected to inform me of the password so no book have I read! Oh well tomorrow is, as they say another day and with a bit of luck I’ll be able to give the proof the once over then after I receive the elusive password!

Extract from my forthcoming book, “The First Time”

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Below is an extract from my forthcoming book of short stories, “The First Time”. The first story in my collection is entitled “The First Time” and explores why Becky, a young graduate with a first class degree in English literature enters the world of prostitution as a professional escort girl. The extract follows on from Becky’s first encounter with a customer

“Becky pulled open the car door and flung herself into Julie’s arms.

Julie hugged her friend close neither girl speaking for several

minutes. “God it was horrible. I can’t believe what I’ve just done up

there” Becky said eventually breaking the silence. Julie could think

of nothing that could serve as anything other than a wholly inane

response to Becky’s distress so kept her peace. “Julie are they all as

awful as Mike”! “Beks there are guys much, much worse than Mike Carter

believe me!” “I can’t believe that Jules!” “Becks I recently saw a

bloke who asked me to dress up in a school uniform and pretend to be

his 14-year-old daughter. He wanted me to call him daddy while he screwed me”. “You told him where to go didn’t you Jules?” Julie looked out of

the window into the dark night  for a long time without speaking.

“Lets get you home Becks” she said after what seemed an age.”

(“The First Time” is scheduled for publication in December. For a limited period I am giving away free copies to my blog’s followers. If you would like a free copy of “The First Time” please send an e-mail to drewdog2060 at Tiscali.co.uk. The address is rendered in this manner to attempt to defeat spammers).

Book Reviews

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On 11 November I published my first book, “The Girl At The Bus Stop” using Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. As of today (29 November) “The Girl At The Bus Stop” has been downloaded 195 times. Given that this is my first book I am pleasantly surprised at what seem to me at least to be relatively good figures. However I have as yet received no reviews of “The Girl At The Bus Stop”. There is an old saying that “no news is good news” and I assume that those who have purchased my book are pleased with their purchase otherwise they would vent their displeasure by leaving a negative review on Amazon. I must confess though that I would like to receive reviews as it is always good to know that one’s work has given pleasure to others.

Prior to setting pen to paper (well fingers to keyboard to be pedantic) I had left several reviews on Amazon of books which I’d enjoyed and/or found particularly interesting. I must admit however to being guilty of frequently meaning to leave a review of a book which I’ve especially enjoyed but, in the end never getting round to doing so. My early new year’s resolution is to write reviews of the books I read both to help potential readers and to assist the authors in question. I’d love to hear from my readers so if you have read “The Girl At The Bus Stop” do please let me know what you thought of it.

Living in Wonderland

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I have written previously regarding the pitfalls of self-publishing using the services of a self-publishing company (see https://newauthoronline.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/eureka/). I contrasted the eas with which I published my first collection of short stories, “The Girl At The Bus Stop And Other Erotic Short Stories”, without having to pay a penny using Amazon, with the difficulties I am experiencing in attempting to publish “The First Time” employing the facilities of a self-publishing company.

I feel like Alice In Wonderland. Yesterday I received an e-mail from the Submissions Manager of the company who are self-publishing “The First Time” asking that I return the signed contract. The lady in question had some 4 weeks prior to sending her e-mail confirmed receipt of the contract and taken my credit card payment. I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or throw my toys out of the pram. I chose to do none of these things and responded politely reminding the company that I had returned the contract and made payment. I’ve received an apology and been informed that the proof of my book should be with me by the end of the week (I’ve heard that before unfortunately so I am to put it mildly a wee bit sceptical.

Prior to using the company in question I took the precaution of Googling them with the result that no negative feedback reared it’s ugly head. It just goes to show that one can research matters until you are blue in the face and still find that you have been sold a pup. I am now at the point of thinking that if I don’t receive the proof of my manuscript by Friday that I will request the return of my money and publish “The First Time” on Amazon.

 

(For details of my book “The Girl At The Bus Stop And Other Erotic Short Stories” please see https://newauthoronline.wordpress.com/my-books/).

Never Let The Facts Get In The Way Of A Good Story

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The factors which lead men and women to enter prostitution are many and complex, however large numbers of people shy away from complexity preferring to look for all embracing answers to complicated issues. I came across an example of this reductionist approach while browsing the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper on 23 November. In an article entitled “Why Amsterdam’s legal brothels are a lesson for Britain about telling the truth on sex gangs and race” (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2237170/Why-Amsterdams-legal-brothels-lesson-Britain-telling-truth-sex-gangs-race.html) the author reports on the forcing of young women into Amsterdam’s sex trade. So-called “lover boys”, usually young Moroccan men flatter youthful girls (frequently European) by showing them attention. However once the “lover boys” gain the confidence of these impressionable young girls they cajole and/or force them into Holand’s brothels. The article implies that Amsterdam’s legal brothels are part of the problem as they make it easy for men to force vunnerable young girls into prostitution. If they didn’t exist the reporter implies then, the exploitation of young girls would be rendered far more difficult in the Netherlands.

I have a number of issues with this article. First it’s concentration on the race of the exploiters is deeply troubling. The exploitation of vunnerable people is to be condemned irrespective of the race of the perpetrators. The failure of the piece to mention the exploitation of young women by people other than those of Arab origin smacks of an unpleasant obsession with race. The report is based largely on the work of one lady’s charity which assists the families of those forced into prostitution. The daughter of the charity’s founder was befriended by a man of Moroccan origin and forced to become a prostitute. This is, of course appalling, however to base an article largely around the experiences of a single family (and the charity they founded) is not good journalism. Where are the independent studies into forced prostitution in the Netherlands? They exist, why aren’t they referenced in the article?

Secondly the fact is that men (and women) of all races abuse vunnerable young persons. In the most famous fictional portrayal of paedophilia “Lolita”, it is Humbert Humbert (a white European male) who sexually abuses Lolita.

Turning to the world of non-fiction, the ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by the late Sir Jimmy Savile pertain to a white European male and (to my knowledge) all of those who have thus far been investigated as other alleged abusers in connection with the enquiry are of white (European) origin.

Men of Asian origin have recently been convicted in the UK courts for exploiting vunnerable (mainly white) young girls and forcing them into prostitution. The reporting of the activities of these sex gangs makes for shocking reading and those responsible for these crimes against children are rightly now undergoing long jail sentences in UK prisons.

Thirdly the article fails to acknowledge that significant numbers of adult men and women enter the world’s oldest profession voluntarily. In my forthcoming collection of short stories, “The First Time”, the main story deals with Becky and her decision to work as a professional escort. Becky is in debt due to her excessive use of her credit card and fears being made homeless unless she can obtain the money both to clear her credit card bill and pay the rent on her flat. One may argue that circumstances are forcing Becky into sex work, however the fact remains that she chooses to become an escort girl, there is no pimp with wrap-around sunglasses, a fast car and a mobile exerting pressure on her. Whether Becky does, in fact have a choice is a matter for my readers to determine but in “The First Time” we see two young ladies (Becky and her friend Julie) who are not subject to the pressure of “boyfriends” (both of the girls are single) but who do, arguably make a positive choice to become sex workers.

Are Becky and Julie as portrayed in “The First Time” representative of those who enter the world of prostitution? While there are people who are trafficked (forced) into sex work in my view the majority of men and women in the west who work in that profession are not compelled to do so. One may question the wisdom of those choices but they are, in my view choices none the less.

 

(The First Time”, by K Morris is scheduled for publication in December 2012. For “The Girl At The Bus Stop And Other Erotic Short Stories”, by K Morris please visit http://www.amazon.com/other-erotic-short-stories-ebook/dp/B00A6H75Y6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1353246930&sr=1-1&keywords=the+girl+at+the+bus+stop+and+other+erotic+short+stories

Eureka!

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On 19 November I wrote regarding the perils of self publishing (see https://newauthoronline.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/the-perils-of-self-publishing/). I bemoaned the fact that despite having paid nearly £400 to have my book published, over a month ago I am still waiting for the book cover image to be e-mailed to me for approval. I’m pleased to report that a bit of firm but exceedingly polite behaviour on my part has resulted in the publishing company promising to let me have the final proof next week so, with a bit of luck “The First Time” will be available for purchase at some point in December. I feel cautiously optimistic but I won’t believe it until I can click on links to “The First Time” and see my book available for purchase as an e-book.

Compared to the problems I’ve experienced in getting “The First Time” published, publishing “The Girl At The Bus Stop”, using Kindle Direct Publishing was as easy as falling off a log. I’ll see how “The First Time” looks once it goes live, however the ease with which self publishing on Amazon works inclines me towards using Kindle Direct Publishing for future books rather than shelling out money to companies offering self publishing packages.

Once “The First Time” is available for sale I will post links to it on this blog.

empty vessels make the most noise

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The sound of birds tweting happily away is one of the most beautiful this world has to offer. The singing of birds is especially beautiful during the Dawn Chorus and late in the evening just as our feathered friends are preparing to roost for the night. There is, however another kind of tweting which sets my teeth on edge, that of twitter.com.

My objections to Twitter are twofold, first it promotes (not always but often) inanity of the worst kind and, second twitter.com leads people to behave irresponsibly and, on occasions with a blatant disregard to the law.

As regards pointless tweting I really don’t care that Jo Bloggs is having coffee in Mcdonalds or some other restaurant and I smile with disbelief at those who religiously follow Jo Blogg’s tweats. Apart from my concerns regarding those who note all Jo’s tweats I also can’t help thinking that Mr Blogs might enjoy his coffee even more if he didn’t feel the necessity of tweting to all and sundry about his drinking habits.

Of course who people choose to follow is their own concern, It is no business of mine grimace though I may. However of real concern is the irresponsible attitude adopted by some users of Twitter. This was most recently exemplified by approximately 10,000 users of Twitter who either accused a senior member of the British Tory (Conservative) Party of being a paedophile or retweted these wholly false allegations. Given the falsity of the tweats the gentleman in question has, not surprisingly instructed lawyers to sue the tweters in question. As it stands a number of prominent people stand to lose significant sums of money if they are proved to have made the false allegations in question.

Paedophilia is a horrendous crime, however to make baseless allegations concerning innocent individuals is wholly inexcusable. Of course tongues will wag in pubs and other public places and one can not prevent this. However in the case of Twitter baseless accusations can be tweted around the globe to hundreds of thousands of people in a matter of seconds and the names of wholly innocent people become blackened. People who have never in their lives harmed a child have been attacked and, on occasions killed due to wholly baseless rumours regarding them. People need to think rather than jumping on the band wagon and using Twitter to fuel the rumour mill.

When I think of Twitter that phrase of Shakespeare’s springs unbidden into my mind “It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing”.

Having said all that I do use Twitter to promote my blog so I am speaking with something of a fawked tongue. However I am seriously considering closing my Twitter account as I don’t like the ethos which all to often it seems to spawn. Of course there are countless numbers of decent Twitter users but I still don’t like the shallowness which it all to often appears to represent.

 

The Perils of Self-Publishing

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As an author I entered the world of self publishing like a naïve young virgin with little (if any) idea of the big bad world. I self published my first book “The Girl At The Bus Stop” on Amazon with only very minor difficulties and, best of all it cost me £0 to do so! However I am still waiting for what should have been my first published book of short stories, “The First Time” to be published as an e-book. Unlike “The Girl At The Bus Stop” I chose to use the services of an outfit specialising in assisting authors who wish to self publish when publishing “The First Time”. Their website states that books should appear within 6-8 weeks and be sent to approximately 200 e-book publishers for distribution. It is now around 1 month since I signed up with this company and as of today (19 November) I am still waiting for the book cover which I paid extra for to be e-mailed to me for approval. I’m beginning to wish that I’d gone down the road of using Amazon’s self publishing feature for both books not just “The Girl At The Bus Stop”.

I paid just under £400 for the privilege of having my book cover designed, the book formatted in order to make it suitable for e-readers and for the file to be sent to around 200 e-book publishers. I am, as I say beginning to question whether this was money well spent.

I would be very interested to hear the views of others.

Reading and the visually impaired

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E-books possess many advantages. Unlike print books one does not need to spend hours browsing around bookshops to find the book of your choice or, alternatively wait for several days for that print book you have ordered online to arrive. With the click of a mouse one can order Oliver Twist and have it delivered to the e-reader of your choice in minutes (often seconds). Again for those with limited space e-books are a godsend as a Kindle or other e-reader can hold a multiplicity of books in a tiny space. One group who have benefited enormously from the growth of e-books are the visually impaired. For centuries those with no vision had to rely on the kindness of family or friends to access the wonderful world of literature. Following the invention of braille a door was opened allowing blind people who mastered it to access books, however the number of titles availible in braille is tiny compared to the vast array of print books availible to sighted individuals. For the blind book lover wanting to read the classics, for example Great Expectations or War and Peace, both titles are availible in braille. However for a long time blind people struggled to keep up with the reading habits of their sighted family and friends as most contemporary literature is not availible in braille due to the costs of producing it. Again braille books take up a great deal of space (the New Oxford Book of English Verse runs to 10 thick braille volumes while it’s print counterpart is a single book).

The Kindle, the I-Pad and the I-Pod all have in-built voices (in the case of the more expensive version of the Kindle this is known as text to speech while Apple’s software is named voiceover). The technology allows people with little or no sight to access e-books opening up a world of literature which was largely closed to them hitherto.

To my knowledge Kindle’s web browser is not easily accessible (if at all) to blind people, however the visually impaired may access Amazon’s website using screenreading software such as Jaws which converts text into speech and braille and purchase titles with ease. Once a title is downloaded to the Kindle it is possible for a blind person to navigate around the menus, select books etc. While it is difficult for blind people to easily skip through the sections of a book using the Kindle, listening to a book from start to finish presents few (if any) difficulties.

Unfortunately a number of e-readers such as the Cobo are currently useless from the point of view of blind people as there is no ability for the visually impaired individual to have books read aloud. It is to be hoped that those manufacturers of e-readers who do not, at present build in speech capability will, in the future incorporate this facility making their products viable purchases for those with little or no vision. The world of reading should be open to everyone not just those who have vision.

(For my collection of erotic short stories “The Girl At The Bus Stop And Other Erotic Short Stories”, by K Morris please visit http://www.amazon.com/other-erotic-short-stories-ebook/dp/B00A6H75Y6/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1353136476&sr=1-2&keywords=the+girl+at+the+bus+stop. If the link doesn’t work please visit Amazon’s Kindle Store and search for “The Girl At The Bus Stop And Other Erotic Short Stories” by K Morris).

The First Time

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I am in the process of having my second collection of short stories “The First Time” published by authorsonline.co.uk. The synopsis for this second collection reads
“The First Time

In this collection of short stories the author explores why young women enter the world of prostitution while other stories look at what happens when the worlds of sex and technology collide.
In “The First Time”, the first story in this collection, we meet Becky a young graduate who enters the world of prostitution in order to clear her debts. The story looks at the effects of prostitution on Becky and her fellow escort and friend Julie. In “The Pain Behind the Smile” Issie presents her friend, Peter with a birthday cake, however things are not what they seem.
In “Lucy” the acquaintences of a crusty old batchellor speculate how he could attract and retain the affections of a beautiful young woman. As with “The Pain Behind the Smile” things are far from what they seem.
“Hemlock” explores what happens when machines attain the capacity to appreciate high culture. The story is both humorous and deeply serious.”
“The First Time” should be availible for purchase in late December.
For my first collection of erotic short stories, “The Girl At The Bus Stop And Other Erotic Short Stories”, by K Morris please visit either amazon.com or amazon.co.uk where it is availible as an e-book in the Kindle Store.