They're there.

They're there, you know? When you close your eyes

Despite what you've heard, your parents told lies

When they said that there's nothing to give you a fright

When they tuck you in and they turn off your light

There is, there is, on one night they're there

Watching you sleeping and stroking your hair

There they will wait and they'll wait there all night

They've nothing to do but give children a fright

They'll sit on your chest and they'll wait for their prize

All that they need is you open your eyes

For it's then, only then, that they're able to pounce

To stop you from screaming they'll first eat your mouth

All year they have waited and now autumn's here

The night of their visit grows ever near

That wondrous eve when they rise from their tombs

And giggle and whistle and hide in your rooms

They watch and  they wait 'til you flick off that switch

And signal the start of the night of the witch

All that they crave is your precious, sweet soul

To scare you to death and then swallow you whole

Is it too much to ask? They don't take everyone

Just you and your friends, then away they'll be gone

And just to be fair, they've given fair warning

Just keep those eyes shut and shut tight until morning

Now heed my words and heed them well

They'll know you're awake for your terror they'll smell

They're patient, they'll wait for as long as they must

Until the morning's fresh sunlight turns them back to dust

Don't murmur, don't fidget, don't dare to peep

Pretend if you must, but you must stay asleep

And what if you don't? What would happen then?

A terrible fate is in store for you when

Your eyes flicker open and glance round your room

They'll rush from the corners and shadows and gloom

They screech and they'll chatter and rush to your bed

And feed upon flesh of a child, newly dead

So remember, dear children, this story I tell

Remember my words, remember them well

They're waiting for you every year on this night

To see your eyes open before the sunlight

Comes creeping through your window pane

And makes your bedroom safe again

They'll leave the next morning, each year just the same

They'll slither off back to from whence they came

But be assured, children, next year again

They'll come creeping back, waiting for that moment when

You've opened your eyes in the dark and you've seen

The horror awaiting you on...

...Halloween.

John Spacey.

What's in a name?

One of my favourite parts of writing the first two books in the Kissy Sizzle series has been coming up with names for each chapter. These are the contents pages, and the first page of the story, for the second book, The Plight of the Bumble Bee.

John Spacey.

The Ballad of Kissy Sizzle Verse II, The Plight of the Bumble Bee.

Release date May 31st, 2014.

Today I am very proud to announce that the second book, or "verse", in The Ballad of Kissy Sizzle is finished and ready to go live.

The Blurb.

Verse II, “The Plight of the Bumble Bee”, picks up the continuing adventures of Kissy Sizzle four years after The Ballad of Kissy Sizzle, Verse I.  Kissy, accompanied by her friends and acquaintances, ventures back into the world she left behind, and beyond, in her mission to save the three worlds. Facing enemies both new and old, travelling through time and space, Kissy is searching for the Bumble Bee, imprisoned by the forces of evil in their attempt to wreak starvation and pestilence upon the world. Travelling further than she has ever traveled before, and facing danger and intrigue along the way, join Kissy, Kian and company in an adventure of truly epic proportions.

“The Plight of the Bumble Bee” is the second verse in the continuing Ballad of Kissy Sizzle. Taking the story further back in time, to a land of magic, wonder, poverty and riches. And a dragon. Every good story needs a dragon.  

John Spacey.

A bit of background...

Late last year I was persuaded to have a go at getting my children's story, "The Ballad of Kissy Sizzle", published. 

Originally, since I had zero confidence in my writing abilities, I chose to publish under a pseudonym and release the book exclusively on Kindle.

I sold a few ebooks and, buoyed by this rather small success, began work on the second book, "The Plight of the Bumble Bee". I also opted to move away from ebooks and made book one available as a paperback. This meant earning far less on each sale but the satisfaction I got from seeing photographs of my physical book posted on Twitter more than made up for it. I was even asked to sign a copy, leading to a day or two of my wandering around Horwich with a chest like a pigeon and a grin fixed in place.

I also decided to begin using my real name. I can't tell you what a buzz it is whenever I see a book on a shelf with my name on it.

I didn't, and still don't, believe I'll ever "make it" as an author, but people have read my words and taken the time to pass back to me some very positive feedback. If I never sell another copy I'll still count this episode in my life as a success.

To all of you that have bought "The Ballad of Kissy Sizzle" I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You've made an old man very happy and I love you all.

For any of you that haven't already read my book and that want to just follow the link (Below) to my lovely Amazon store where you can find my book(s) along with many other lovely tomes.

John Spacey.