by mike | Jun 16, 2014 | Books, Editing, Ghosts, Publishing, Uncategorized, Writing |
In my decades as a writing coach and editor I have worked with first-time writers whose talents and abilities ranged from “I think you should take up needlepoint or jet skiing instead” to “How in heck are you not published yet!” The latter, to be sure, is the rare...
by mike | Jun 10, 2014 | Books, California, Editing, Ghosts, Horror, Native Americans, Research, Uncategorized, Writing |
My Native American-themed ghost story, The Burning Ground, was first published a couple of years ago, weeks after I started this blog. I gave an interview about the story back then, and now that I’m re-releasing the book under my Atoris Press imprint—and since so many...
by mike | May 27, 2014 | Ghosts, Holocaust, Horror Movies, Movies, Myths & Legends, Paranormal, Spirituality, Uncategorized |
A Jewish demon? Who knew! Yes, according to Jewish mythology a dybbuk is a ghostly, troubled spirit—most often the wandering soul of a deceased person—that possesses the body of a living person. (Though any living entity works, even a bug or a beagle, their host of...
by mike | May 20, 2014 | Books, Editing, Ghosts, Horror, Paranormal, Writing |
During my 200+ years as a writing coach, I’ve seen it all when it comes to manuscripts by wanna-be authors. Issues with plotting, characterization, dialogue, pacing, and all other elements of a novel come to mind—oftentimes in glaringly high definition and even IMAX....
by mike | May 14, 2014 | Books, Editing, Ghosts, Holocaust, Horror, Paranormal, Psychological Thrillers, Publishing, Thrillers, Uncategorized, Writing |
PRAISE FOR FIRE DANCE: “Sirota returns…with this atmospheric tale of horror in the American Southwest. Horror fans will enjoy this updated take on the western ghost town.” – Publishers Weekly, 12/6/10 As many of you know, I’m big on second chances. (Check out my first...
by mike | May 6, 2014 | Ghosts, Guilty Pleasures, Horror, Horror Movies, Movies, Paranormal, Uncategorized |
Be forewarned: the 2002 horror flick, Ghost Ship, has one of the most memorable—and gross—opening hooks in all of filmdom. We find ourselves aboard an Italian luxury ocean liner, the Antonia Graza, in 1962. As Francesca, a sexy singer, croons a tune, dozens of...
