Annabella and Other Stories

Bill - these short stories are beautifully written and you certainly have a way of capturing the reader like a spider does a fly. The plots are perfectly laid out and the characters so life-like. You are certainly talented and your book made for a very enjoyable read. Backed with pleasure - congratulations on a great book - Paula - How mean is my Valley?

Very professionally done. Polished as well as anything on this site. I've read Annabella so far (it reminded me of Hemingway's early shorts) and plan to read more. I love short stories because the reader doesn't have to sit through hours and hours of reading in order to get to the end. In this day of short attention spans, you'd think that short stories would become popular again. Sadly, however, the short is almost a dead art. Aside from you, me, and a couple of others, nobody on this site seems to do short stories. I enjoy yours immensely and endorse them with pleasure. Nicely done.

A highly crafted piece of writing and the very definition of writing that is polished, sculpted and ready for publication.

BACKED

Checked the other two stories you suggested, Bill.

21 Losing it: 'To spare her from a lifetime of hardship without him' I snorted with laughter there ... such irony. In fact, you manage to make the whole messy business funny given how useless McHenry is. The humour vanishes when O'Rourke appears. This is a man not to be messed with. But even he is tempted by wealth and beauty. Fate deals well with both men. (Some formatting problems, but that's authonomy for you.)

27 Pillar of Truth: This one just had me totally enthralled from the get-go. Clever plotting with another satisfying ending, though not without some cost to the MC. You describe the underworld and corruption exceedingly well.

Popping Annabella and Other Stories on my shelf for a while.

Bill, I have read many of your short stories, One through seven, twenty one and twenty seven. What is so interesting is that they are all very different. This book will keep me entertained for a long time.
I still think we have met in Orlando at an Art show.
Christine

Hi Bill,
I read your first two short stories. The first a work of art, the second delightful.
will return.
Christine
I added a sixth story if you are interested.

Just a great collection of stories that gripped me from the start. Very well written and crafted. You deserve to get these in print. Best of luck

Susanna

Just a great collection of stories that gripped me from the start. Very well written and crafted. You deserve to get these in print. Best of luck

Susanna

Bill, Spot on. Not my genre and not what I would read at all. With that said, I loved it. You have a fantastic hypnotic narrative voice here that dragged me right into this book from the word go and smacked me all over the book before spitting me out when I had to put it down before I lost my job! So well done for this. Magic pace, flow, descriptive voice, stick to this genre at all costs. Loved it and big score.
Sean Connolly. British Army on the Rampage. (B.A.O.R) Please consider me for a read or watch list wont you? Many thanks. Sean

Beautifully written, very elegant, mature writing, stories that hold the attention; what more can the reader ask.
Thoroughly enjoyable and no criticisms at all.
Andrea
The de Amerley Affair
I'd appreciate a return read if you have time

Great stuff- just the right length

Mark

Hello Bill,
Actually Annabella reminded me of Capote, the style is entirely right for the genre and the pace measured- a well crafted piece. Only one niggle 'the foreboding alley' doesn't quite work for me but that is probably down to the language that separates us. Nice writing.
onto the next one....
regards

Mark

Dear Bill:

A very charming story about Annabelle. I think Annabelle and you could sustain a novel or novella. I was enchanted by your descriptions of the theater and acting and the the beautiful actress. I am starring and I will try to shelve if the system will let me. Good Writing! Good Luck!

Simone Marie
My Rhapsody

Hi Bill, re backing this delightful work.

blessings!
jim

Hi Bill, The stories I've read so far, Annabella and Born Again, are fantastic. The atmosphere is so well established in both and then the unexpected happens, putting another dimension on that atmosphere. I recommend Born Again, number 5, to anyone else who doesn't know what it's about - the conflict, debate, and revenge between a scientist who drowns rats in experiments and an animal activist. It's really well-written from the scientific point, I think, and an excellent read. I'm shelving because I'd like to read more of these, a few at a time. Katherine (The House in Windward Leaves, The Swan Bonnet)

i would have to say the same as some of the other comments; beautifully written, well crafted, polished. going on my bookshelf! if you have time would appreciate any input on my book that you could give.

I'm taking notes as I read 32. I'll post them once I'm done so you can see my reaction to the story.

The no feet makes a great hook for this story.

The tension is great. I'm on the delivering of the baby to his wife--and the unanswered question about the feet holds suspense.

I hang on every word of this story.

When we get to the mother's possible ancestry--the opening suddenly clicks--her reluctance.

I loved the Colt 45.

Fine ending. Good story about decent people who mess their own lives up like every decent person does. The weight of it, its implications for the mother. The empathy. Really solid piece.

A couple more notes in your messages.

Bill -

Annabella and Other Stories - Oh you are right, this collection of yours was neglegted. I loved Doctor of Summitville, one of the first books I read here. But with these short stories you do something different. They are jewels, brilliantly deep. Tonight I enjoyed no 35, Salesmanship, a random choice. I was in fits ... I thought of panties but decided not to press my luck ... subtle, erotic, ironic, and the twist at the end, such skill. Your wit is delightful. This goes on my WL - to be sitting soon on my shelf, for some time, because I now have an appetite to read the whole collection of stories ... Pia ;)

Wow. Some marvellous short stories. Where do you get your great ideas from? Annie is certainly a remarkable cat! Your on my shelf as I read more of the stories.
PAPERBAT

A highly crafted piece of writing and the very definition of writing that is polished, sculpted and ready for publication.

BACKED

Very professionally done. Polished as well as anything on this site. I've read Annabella so far (it reminded me of Hemingway's early shorts) and plan to read more. I love short stories because the reader doesn't have to sit through hours and hours of reading in order to get to the end. In this day of short attention spans, you'd think that short stories would become popular again. Sadly, however, the short is almost a dead art. Aside from you, me, and a couple of others, nobody on this site seems to do short stories. I enjoy yours immensely and endorse them with pleasure. Nicely done.

Hello Bill,

I think that I have been to your page now three different times, to read three different books. We seem to travel the same routes here on authonomy...often I see your name when I'm visiting a book I like and of course, thrice now I have been circuited back here. And I always find good books on your shelf.

This is another example of expert prose. I wanted to applaud out loud your use of -- in the first paragraph. Time and again I caution against its use (perhaps a personal bias but I just can't see justification for it in most cases). Here, a perfect usage. Your tone here is so different from what I remember from your other work (Dr of Summitville?); more wistful, almost elegaic ("as I had done before Hell opened, when she promised to be mine"). And of course, poetic at times, perfectly matching the theme of theater in stanzas and perhaps lost love... Wonderful, humbling writing.

---Mary
The Qualities of Wood

I read Ch.17 as you suggested. Very warm story, beautifully told. The story of home coming pidgeon reflected the destiny of the poor child. Strong writing voice plus a great story, the winning combination.
Backed with very best wishes,
M
- Weekend Chimney Sweep
- Sarajevo Walls of Fate

Bill this sounds right up my alley! Backing and putting on my book shelf. Reminds me of the not-scary-but-spooky-yet-lovely ghost stories of old, like Priestley's story of Jenny Villiers.

Read Annabella and Annie. Will, if I get time, which is unbelievably scare now that I've found authonomy, I will return to read more. Enjoyed both stories. A very nice read. Best of luck with the book.

i love short stories and these do not disapoint. the first two i read are nicely compact and read well...omn my watchlist...
su dan...[read SEASONS]

Wonderfully compelling and imaginative stories that show a masterful grasp of the short story genre. Well written in a unique voice. Backed.

Bill - these short stories are beautifully written and you certainly have a way of capturing the reader like a spider does a fly. The plots are perfectly laid out and the characters so life-like. You are certainly talented and your book made for a very enjoyable read. Backed with pleasure - congratulations on a great book - Paula - How mean is my Valley?

Dear Bill, Well, I backed your other 2 books, but can't find where I backed this one. It is very excellently written, just like your other 2. I love that you use rhyme, dialogue, & short paragraphs for an easy read. Could you please take a moment to BACK my unedited version, "Tell Me True Love Stories." Thanks, Susie :)

Let's see, I read #34, "Rube's Revenge", and #19, "Lenz's Way". Both very different, both well-written, with #19 something of a surprise, with seemingly in-depth knowledge of the state of "atomic" research in the 1950's. Pleasant surprise, displaying the type of versatility of subject that most authors only dream about. Backed.

Checked the other two stories you suggested, Bill.

21 Losing it: 'To spare her from a lifetime of hardship without him' I snorted with laughter there ... such irony. In fact, you manage to make the whole messy business funny given how useless McHenry is. The humour vanishes when O'Rourke appears. This is a man not to be messed with. But even he is tempted by wealth and beauty. Fate deals well with both men. (Some formatting problems, but that's authonomy for you.)

27 Pillar of Truth: This one just had me totally enthralled from the get-go. Clever plotting with another satisfying ending, though not without some cost to the MC. You describe the underworld and corruption exceedingly well.

Popping Annabella and Other Stories on my shelf for a while.

I am impressed with the three stories I read. The first, Annabella, is eerie. (I noticed the name of the narrator isn't until mid-story. Did you want it that way?) The Good Times's Robert is, in my opinion, not likeable but definitely interesting, and the witty dialogue kept the story moving. Rovers had two sympathetic characters and even though it takes place in the Great Depression, I think it say a lot about our times today. Excellent work. Backed.

Really smashing - I was enthralled and a little puzzled which is I am sure is the absolute reaction that you would look for with a ghost story. Very well written which makes it very easy to read. I congratulate you and pop you on my shelf. good luck with this - Diane (3 things that might have happened) Could I be a little forward and suggest that if you have time to look at my work you look at two or three - I think that they may appeal to you more than one and I have had a lot of very helpful feedback already for James. Thank you .

Hi Bill,
I read Annabella and Salesmanship. They were superb - shelved.

I can't help you with either as I thought they were brilliant.

John

Short stories are so difficult to pull off, yet you do so beautifully. All have a life of their own... well, the three i read anyway. You bring characters to life and carry us along at a good pace.

BACKED

I read Salesmanship, Puppy Love and A Place For Discord. I agree with Andrew, the characterisation in these stories is superb, as is the dialogue. In Puppy Love, Terra is a puppy - you make me believe. The guy in Salesmanship was a bit sleazy but I still felt kind of sorry for him. In A Place For Discord you capture so many levels, from their developing relationship to the disagreements in wider society about the war. Discord has its place, indeed, as do these stories: on my shelf.
Nitpick: Discord (28) has some formatting issues, some of the text is grey.

Annabella and Other Stories

Hi Bill,

These are very different from each other, I have read three now and what impresses me is the characterisation. The dialogue is well handled, these people speak in a way that is not only natural but adds a dimensionality to their personality as much by what is not said as what is. Your also have a gentle and considered way of putting us in this place, nothing showy or pretentious, but lines like the fireflies couldn't quite wait for sunset conveys much about the air temperature, the light levels and the scene generally. Accomplished and enjoyable writing, Stephen King once described a short story as a quick kiss in the dark from a stranger, I think that's what you've given us here, a surprising and pleasant experience that leaves us thinking about it long after it is over. Best wishes and good luck with these.

Andrew W
(Sanctuary's Loss)