Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my friends,
For some of us, this has been a tough year — it feels like we’ve all been saying that for the last several years, of course. Still, I’m glad this one is nearly in the rearview mirror.
I’ve been making a conscious effort to get myself in the Christmas spirit this year. I’ve decorated my office and have gone to several events as well.
A friend of mine organizes a flash fiction event for holiday ghost stories called Advent Ghosts 2023. One hundred words, no more, no less. I haven’t participated the last couple years, telling myself I didn’t have the time. But this year, I made time. It felt good to get back to normal. The flash fiction pieces I am contributing this year are below.
I’ve also written a couple longer short stories that I’d like to share with you. They are free on my website. One is a Santa origin story. It includes time travel. Santa is from Outer Space
A more serious story called Pearl Harbor Christmas is based on the true story, and other survivor stories, from the attack on Pearl Harbor. Tony Sereno was missing for 18 days until his family got a telegram that he was alive.
On the free short fiction page on my website, you can find links to previous Advent Ghosts flash fiction submissions.
This year’s submissions.
White Christmas
“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…” plays on the radio.
“I don’t know why they play that silly song here. It’s not like it’s ever going to snow.”
Announcer interrupts music.
“The first nuclear missiles have already exploded in the now white-hot war between nuclear powers India and Pakistan. It’s unknown if other countries will get involved, but fallout from the blasts is expected to cover the globe.”
“That’s on the other side of the world. It doesn’t really matter to us,” Momma says.
Momma come to the window! It’s snowing outside!
How can that be? We live in Miami!
Krampus goes up town
Ted sat at the bar dejected. All of his investments and real estate deals collapsed. He lost everything.
They wouldn’t stop playing Christmas music.
“Who cares if it’s Christmas eve? The markets are closed and I can’t fix things,” he slurred at the bar.
A distinguished man entered and sat beside Ted.
“Why so glum?”
Ted laid out his tale of woe.
“Ted, were you honest in your dealings?”
“I might have cut corners. Everything was only going up and then it just collapsed today!”
“Have you ever heard of Krampus?” The man’s smile didn’t reach his dark, cold eyes.
Lastly, I’ve put a Mike Scott novella on sale. This isn’t a countdown deal. It’s just $0.99 (or equivalent) in all Amazon markets around the world. But get it now before it goes back up to full price!
Oil and Water: Crash in Curacao
A jet plane crashes in the waters off of the island nation of Curacao catapulting international news photographer Mike Scott on a chase to figure out who brought down the plane and why. More importantly, he must save the life of the pilot he rescued from the water after the crash and his own life in the process.
Oil and Water weaves a story of international intrigue with oil cartels and mercenaries sent to disrupt their plans.
https://www.booksbyeric.com/book/oil-and-water/
That’s enough for now. Happy Holidays to everyone and see you in the new year.
Eric