REVIEWS, NEWS & VIEWS

Some days, you wake up thinking the day will be much the same as the previous one  . . . and then you see that someone has liked one of your books enough to leave a positive review on Amazon or Goodreads et al. These days I live for. Not so much for the kudos and a back-pat (although, undeniably, an ego massage never goes amiss, when you're wondering if anyone is actually reading the stuff you've slaved over) but for the fact that someone has read something you wrote and enjoyed it. Bringing pleasure to my readers, even if it is a macabre fear-filled type of pleasure, is why I continue to write and I thank you for it. Yes, you - the reader. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patronage and time and I hope that I can continue to surprise and satisfy you with my words.

Here is the review in question that I woke up to today:
 
http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Thanatos-Collected-Macabre-Collection-ebook/dp/B00IINDTVI/ref=la_B003PA513I_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1421710458&sr=1-4
 
"5.0 out of 5 stars A Book You'll Read More Than Once!  
January 18, 2015 by Mary Genevieve Fortier
Format:Paperback
 
Dreams of Thanatos: Before we open the cover let us explore the title and the origin of the name. In Greek mythology Thanatos was the demon personification of death. Latin translates the name simply as Thanatos. In Greek mythological poetry, Thanatos is the son of Night and Darkness, and had a twin- Sleep.

Interesting, huh? Well, my dear readers the title of this book is not all that defines a creative mind at work.

William Cook is an author and poet. At times, his stories however dark they may appear, are quite poetic in flow and form. The words are collected and assembled to create beauty. Cook does so masterfully. As a poet, he produces horror fiction with the finely tuned eloquence of words. His plan appears, to draw you in and do more than scare the hell out of you. No, Cook wants you to sit back and think. With great success, he achieves just that.

So, now that you have an idea of what lives beyond the simple words etched upon the face of this uniquely, artistic book; a glimpse into this superbly imaginative mind, let us delve in. Fifteen stories house this collection of terror; giving you a whole new perspective on death, or shall we say, Thanatos. Each tale reaches the recess of the creative mind, painting a picture of death in ways the average reader couldn’t possibly, ever imagine.

“The Reader”- The story of a man with an insatiable desire to read. We witness as he neglects life, his family and all else, to quench his uncontrollable obsession for the written word. This unreasonable fixation grows without conscious thought. The voracity, as a deep seeded hunger, plagues the character relentlessly. Dare you find yourself engrossed in a great book again, once you discover the horror that awaits, “The Reader.”?

Another tale to lure you beyond the fine line between reality and a waking nightmare;

“The Night Terror”- This story glides as a poetic piece of literature with a horrific twist. An elderly scholar witnesses a nightmarish creature destroy the world around him. Helpless, despite his vast emporium of knowledge, the scholar can only bear witness to the senseless destruction and its terrifying genesis. What do you fear within the dark? This reviewer is certain, the terror that lurks here, is beyond your worst nightmare.

“Dead Memories”- a man’s descent into madness is given rise by the apparition of his former girlfriend. Cook takes us through the glass of time in this disturbing and heart wrenching chronicle of the sour taste of love, when it compels the human psyche to refuse release. Oh, love and madness… the symbiosis created here is unforeseen and startling!

These are but a few spine chilling treats awaiting your final nerve. Each story will draw you deeper- deeper into the creatively, creepy mind of William Cook and Death far more disturbing than your nightmares. “Dreams of Thanatos” is one you’ll read more than once. You’ll have to - it keeps calling…"


This review is from my first collection of horror stories - I have nearly completed the first draft of my second (print) collection which should be ready by late March (this year). If any of you are interested in reading the book mentioned above or any of my other titles, please visit my Amazon Author Page. Also, if you'd like a freebie - my short story 'One Way Ticket' is free on Smashwords in any ebook format you desire.

Anyway, back to the keyboard for me. Once again, if any of you would like to comment or contact me I'd love to hear from you. What's your favorite horror story? What kind of books do you read?  What's your favorite genre? What kind of story would you like me to write next? Always love to chat about books and writing.


Take care.




HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A big shout-out to my readers and viewers of this website (hopefully you are one and the same *wink*), wishing you all the best for 2015 and beyond. This year is going to be a big one for me - for the first time in my short writing career, I have put together a publishing schedule. I know - Shock! Horror! 

2015 publishing schedule is as follows:

March - 3 x eBooks, 1 x print + eBook
June - 3 x eBooks, 1 x print + eBook
September - 3 x eBooks, 1 x print + eBook
December - 3 x eBooks, 1 x print + eBook

I've looked at my progress as an author and feel that this schedule is completely achievable (knock on wood) unless I happen to lose a limb et cetera. At least two of the print titles will be full novel-length works, one of which will be the sequel to my first horror/thriller novel 'Blood Related.' There will be a fresh collection of short fiction (horror-based, similar to 'Dreams of Thanatos'), a collection of non-fiction essays (related to art & literature), a collection of short 'literary fiction' and a new series of short horror fiction, plus some short thriller fiction also. So, lots to do, lots to write - very excited, I think this year will hopefully see my back-catalog grow and (hopefully) my readership, as a direct result.

As you may have noticed, the website has a new more minimalist look and feel. I hope you like it and that it makes your visits easier on the eye. As always, any suggestions you may have regarding the look of this website and the content are always welcome (use comments link beneath posts). 

I have a relatively new title that is available #FREE for all new subscribers - so, if this is your first time visiting, please take a second to subscribe now so you can grab a free copy of 'One Way Ticket' and stay tuned for exclusive news and info regarding new releases and posts and subscriber give-aways in the near future.


http://www.amazon.com/Ticket-Short-Horror-Fiction-Book-ebook/dp/B00RAMNUBM/ref=la_B003PA513I_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1420422659&sr=1-12


Fast Train To Hell . . .
From the belly of the swamp issues forth a visit in the middle of the night from a force as dark and unimaginable as hell itself. Poor pig-farmer Abel Laroux, must battle the demons of his past as well as the nightmarish reality of the present, as he confronts a devilish visitor who has come to collect on an outstanding debt, inherited by Abel from his forefathers.

Bonus Features: Includes an excerpt from the author's novel, 'Blood Related' + the long poem 'The Temper of The Tide', in its entirety.

Warning: contains adult content + themes of supernatural & psychological horror.


'One Way Ticket' is a gothic supernatural horror story set in the bayous of Louisiana/New Orleans. It was originally published in the anthology 'Terror Train' by James Ward Kirk Fiction (see link at foot of this page for link) and is also available as an audio podcast. (If you want to skip the preamble and go straight to the story it begins at 5:40.)




One of my New Year resolutions is to post a lot more content here so please make sure you're subscribed to stay in touch. I'd love to hear from any readers out there too - especially in regards to any future works you might like to see from me or just to say 'hi.' Anyway, all the best for 2015 to you - may it be a year filled with prosperity, laughter and good health. Thanks for reading.

Will.


http://www.williamcookwriter.com/p/subscribe-now.html

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