Tales of Death and Ecstasy

Hi Maybelle,

I've just read a chapter of your book and I must say that I was impressed by the breadth of your writing and your ability to change tune depending on the story and what it requires.

You have a very different and original style, which is such a relief after all the 'usual' stuff on site.

I'll back you soon.

If you've time to look at Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys, I'd appreciate it.

Best wishes, Barry

Honest and heartfelt,not really my genre but you have plenty of talent for one so young. Best Wishes.

Richard

Dear Maybelle, I love you poetry & stories - it's like a dream. :) Before I began to read your book, I was prepared by your recap/pitch,which was very well done. :) Your story is good because you create interest by having short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm "backing" your book: When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved...authonomy. :) Please "back" my TWO memoir books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & my completed memoir unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which tells at the end, my illness now & 6th abusive marriage." Thanks, Susie :)
p.s. Remember: Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs. :)

Maybelle -

Very, very interesting writing style. Captivating - very lyrical, and I really enjoyed

To me, your writing feels like a post-impressionist painting set to words. Like what Renoir might have written, had he chosen to describe his gardens instead of painting them.

BACKED.

Best of luck here, and I would love it if your could take a look at my book..

Thanks.

-Jeff Lee
THE LADIES TEMPERANCE CLUB'S FAREWELL TOUR

Abstract. It's like a Picasso in words.

Backed.

Ashes2jewels, The Adventures of Pappy Jack

I read Milky Way. There's a poetry to your words that is captivating. I found myself pulled in to the robot's story as he pondered life and love. I read it a second time and smiled. You are a gifted writer. I'm proud to back it.

Richard Bard
BRAINRUSH (2010 ABNA Semi-Finalist)

Tales of Death and Ecstasy

I’m in awe of how well you succinctly draw in the reader and then to have that dark edged divide of ecstasy and end.
I have read three and while at times almost poetic in their feel and style they never loose the underlying tow and ebb of the unadorned pinnacle. Very impressive and very engaging.

This is your path in life for now...obviously. Talent at such a young age, keep at it and keep mesmerizing the readers. Well done!

Maybelle: both of these pitches can use a bit more in regards to description. Short stories should have a one sentence pitch in the long pitch. Perfecting your pitches is how you climb in ranking to gather more exposure and comments to better your novel. SHELVED!

Though I have been a very active member for over a year, I can still use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Every little bit helps. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

This is an interesting group of stories. The first one is pure beauty; others are blunt and vicious. So reading this includes a great deal of suspense wondering what the next story will hold. They're also thought provoking like the pianist and the killer. Makes this a good read. I'm adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

Maybelle, The Night Song is creative genius. Very well done. I choose not to nitpick anything.

Sincerely backed.

Joffrey (The Silver Spoon Effect)

Backed.

Jesse - Savant

http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=14062

Intriguing stuff-- I dove in to read your take on Sleeping Beauty-- as with Angela Carter, I have always found twists on the familiar fairy tales of childhood to be fascinating-- as with the old uncensored non-Disneyfied versions, this is macabre and truly horrifying... and yet still poetic. I'm a bit feverish this evening, so I'll leave it at that for now and shelve you. Hope to read on...

Ruth/Base Spirits

Hi Maybelle. Just read three stories at random: Black and White, Milky Way and The Night Song. These are strange, dream-like stories, ethereal, difficult to grasp but imprinting themselves on the mind. The Night Song and Milky Way share a science fiction sensibility, but are at an oblique angle, certainly more Arthur C Clarke than Isaac Asimov. Black and White is on another plane altogether. An intriguing, thoughtful collection. Shelved. All the best, Michael

thanks so much. I wonder what you mean by "oblique angle" though- just curious! :)
btw is there anythig you'd like me to review in particular?

Growing up I loved short stories of the macabre and weird. I fell in love with Stephen King at an early age and read H.P Lovecraft all the time. When I looked at your picture you looked so young and (forgive me) innocent. And then you have these dark and twisty tales to share. Delightful.
I thoroughly enjoyed the three I read. One two and five.
Chalked full of delicious dark imagery and captures the bleak brooding neither realm.
Backed
T.L Tyson-Seeking Eleanor

Hi Maybelle. Just read three chapters but was impressed with your very smooth style. Nicely done. Pitch is kinda short. I think I would flesh it out a bit to draw more readers. I didn't get far enough into it to see how the plot was working out but your writing will certainly carry it. I think it deserves time on my shelf. Backed, and the best of luck with it.

John Harold McCoy - Bramwell Valley

evocative imagery, wonderful descriptions and tight prose that binds one to the book. Characterisations seem believable enough... and entertaining.

BACKED


please read Dream Diamond ASAP, and if worthy, BACK, without comment if nescessary.

Maybelle
Very unusual and, with that, quite beautiful. Read chapter 3, as asked. It gives the impression of floating on its imagery but it is actually very in control. Narration was like premise to a dark, tragic tale. I could feel a lifetime of desperation for that little Robot and his unrequited love. Backed
Rosali
Fieldtrip to Mars

Thank you. I've never heard of Perceforest but it sounds fascinating! I actually got the idea for this Sleeping Beauty from reading an essay on the actual tale itself, and from "The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty" (I'll confess). I always thought the tale had many interesting qualities, particularly with sexual awakening and the like. I wonder what Sleeping Beauty dreamed about in her sleep ;)

I've read your first tale. This was possibly the darkest piece of writing I have come across on authonomy - dark but fascinating and incredibly poetic. It would be very easy for this to descend into melodrama, but your delicious way with imagery prevented any such misfortune. I loved your parallel with the Inferno, but felt that it didn't need to be voiced - the inference was enough. I also love the way you knitted in religion and Sleeping Beauty. It strikes me that you might know the original version of Sleeping Beauty as it's much more nightmarish than the popular disney version (the one in which she is effectively raped in her sleep by the prince and gives birth before waking up - in case you don't know, it's called Perceforest, published 1528). Anyway, I thought the passage about sexual fantasies taking place within this dormant Beauty tied in quite nicely with that version, even if it wasn't conscious!

Brilliant, really. And I don't gush for just anyone!

Alexandra

Ahh, thank you. "A short story as a quick kiss in the dark from a stranger..." that's absolutely beautiful and I'm adding that to my list of favourite quotes.

Tales of Death and Ecstasy

Hi Maybelle,

What a lovely and unusual name, never come across that before. I read a couple of your stories and I will give you my impressions, I tend to express the emotional experience I had as a reader. The Night Song was wonderfully mournful, a voice in the dark night of the Universe, solipsism epitomised as the computer rattles away to itself. It was almost a series of vignettes, flashes of experience. Some gorgeous, poetic descriptive phrases here that really evoked something both cosmic and ethereal, this is a narrative that is enthralling and different.

And then a Gentle Awakening, wow, what a difference, coy, sunny language to begin with and then, boy does the horror and bleakness follow. Stephen King once described a short story as a quick kiss in the dark from a stranger and this is what you have delivered here, very well done. It is a real shame that I can’t read on, but simply not anymore time today.

Best wishes and good luck
Andrew W
(Sanctuary’s Loss)

Tales of Death and Ecstasy

Hi Maybelle,

What a lovely and unusual name, never come across that before. I read a couple of your stories and I will give you my impressions, I tend to express the emotional experience I had as a reader. The Night Song was wonderfully mournful, a voice in the dark night of the Universe, solipsism epitomised as the computer rattles away to itself. It was almost a series of vignettes, flashes of experience. Some gorgeous, poetic descriptive phrases here that really evoked something both cosmic and ethereal, this is a narrative that is enthralling and different.

And then a Gentle Awakening, wow, what a difference, coy, sunny language to begin with and then, boy does the horror and bleakness follow. Stephen King once described a short story as a quick kiss in the dark from a stranger and this is what you have delivered here, very well done. It is a real shame that I can’t read on, but simply not anymore time today.

Best wishes and good luck
Andrew W
(Sanctuary’s Loss)

Thank you so much for pointing out the typos! I didn't even know it was there until I re-read my stories.

I used "a black little death" because I wanted to refer to "little death" which is an English translation of the french expression "la petite mort" = "orgasm". The astronaut's spiritual experience is near-orgasmic, hehe.

Thanks for the referral to the sci-fi/fantasy magazines. I'm not sure if they would accept this piece because it's not "hardcore" (with all the names, technical sci-fi machinery, etc.) that you'd find in sci-fi genres. I will still try, though.

In this collection of stories, I particularly loved the first. Have you considered submitting it as a short story (to sci fi/fantasy magazines? Check ralan.com) Just a thought. I've never seen the word 'dulcetly' used before, and like it... please check for typos, eg 'Captain, you must the engines to reverse order'. Is there a missing word after 'engines' or did you intend this word order? Also, 'I become master over the moon ...' I think 'master of' is more common usage. 'a black little death' ... I personally think more normal word order would be 'a little black death', but that's only IMO. Backed.

In this collection of stories, I particularly loved the first. Have you considered submitting it as a short story (to sci fi/fantasy magazines? Check ralan.com) Just a thought. I've never seen the word 'dulcetly' used before, and like it... please check for typos, eg 'Captain, you must the engines to reverse order'. Is there a missing word after 'engines' or did you intend this word order? Also, 'I become master over the moon ...' I think 'master of' is more common usage. 'a black little death' ... I personally think more normal word order would be 'a little black death', but that's only IMO. Backed.