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M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

2.6K followers 1.1K following 1.7K posts

Indie author. Creator of GRAYLANDS. Published three books so far. Deal mostly in fantasy and horror fiction. Trying to make a career out of this nonsense. Surviving.

https://m-walshwrites.com
www.books2read.com/m-walshwrites
https://m-walshwrites.itch.io

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M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

#amwriting #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

Don't have "global," so I went with "universal"

Snow and wind continued pounding the small post beside Lake Just’s gate. Inside, Privates Trent, Gibbons and Marley stood huddled by the small stove, struggling to keep warm and waiting for their shift to end. The coffee helped, but there was only so much of the slop one could drink in a single sitting. Marley kept to himself, but to pass the time, Gibbons and Trent discussed important matters:
“That broad that showed up tonight had some body on her, eh?”
“I don’t know,” Trent replied. “I guess. I didn’t really notice.”
“Trust me, fella. I patted her down.” He shook his head and whistled. “Like a statue.”
“If you say so. Kinda grim looking, if you ask me.”
“Nah, see, I like that. I like the gloomy ones.”
He grinned and nodded, as if speaking some universal truth, but Trent shrugged and sipped from his coffee. “I’ll tell you one thing: that was some beast she had with her. Lady must be hard to ride around on that thing.”
“I think when our shift ends, I might go find her. See if she wants to warm up in my bunk, if you follow.”
“You’re a jackass, Gibbons.”

November 23, 2025 at 5:27 PM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

#amwriting #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

“That’s the Godswatch Tower,” Celeste said. “It still stands.”
Opposite the black stone, about twenty yards past the clearing, was a massive tower. It stood alone in the field, like a lighthouse without an ocean, and appeared to be well over a hundred feet tall. The apex was a wide dome, making it resemble a giant scepter. The tower was old, but not ancient, and Krutch thought it peculiar any structure would be built in the open by itself.
“There used to be a special crystal at the top that enabled the viewer to see vast distances,” the Dinah continued. “It was crafted to observe and study the stars. They built the tower out here where there would be no city light to interfere.”
“I heard about that,” said Lamont. “Unfortunately, that’s also why the crystal got stolen.”
“Yes,” she said. “I know there’s another tower closer to Ira, but that crystal’s not as strong as the original. It’s such a shame. Sometimes I don’t understand this country.” She sighed and shook her head. “Still … I always wanted see the top of the tower. Even without the crystal, I’m sure the view is gorgeous.”

November 22, 2025 at 6:20 PM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

You entered a dance contest! pick your partner:

November 22, 2025 at 5:51 AM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

📽️ #FilmSky 🎬

#NW Haven't seen these in a minute and felt like doing a comedy double-feature tonight

BLACK DYNAMITE, directed by Scott Sanders

AIRPLANE!, directed by David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, & Jim Abrahams

November 22, 2025 at 2:19 AM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

👑THE MOUSE & THE DRAGON🔥

📘 novella
🏰 Isolated castle
👸 Trapped princess
🐉 Fire-breathing dragon
⌛ 3,303 days
☠️ 31 dead heroes
⚔️ Time to take matters into her own hands

LINK: m-walshwrites.itch.io/the-mouse-th...

#BookSky 📚💙 #ReaderSky

Title card for the fantasy novella, "The Mouse and the Dragon" by M. Walsh
Image depicts an isolated castle atop a shadowy peak with a dragon flying over it.

November 22, 2025 at 1:09 AM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

#amwriting #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

Without warning, sharp pain struck the back of her leg. She found one of the boys digging into her calf with his knife. Despite the instinct to retaliate, she only stumbled into another dagger in her back. She grunted in pain and almost fell to the ground as the remaining children swarmed her.
“Do be quick. Mommy wants to be on her way.”
Panic hit when a dozen knives came at Lily from every direction. More cuts to her legs and the slippery snow made her knees buckle. Before she could react, they were on top of her with shiny blades. They flickered and flashed in the sunlight like stars. She struggled to cover her head and chest but could only scream as her blood stained the snow.

November 21, 2025 at 5:17 PM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

November 21, 2025 at 3:27 AM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

#amwriting #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

“Ma’am,” said the Sheriff. “I’m afraid I can’t allow you to leave.”
It took conscious effort on Katrina’s part to hide her frustration and contempt. “Why is that?” she asked. “I told you I’m taking him to collect my reward.”
“Where exactly?”
“Beacon,” she snapped. “And that’s a long way, so if you’ll excuse me …”
“Ma’am,” he repeated with the indignant tone of a law enforcer whose orders are being ignored. “That is a long journey. And Krutch Leeroy is far too dangerous to be left in the open.”
“I can handle myself, thank you.”
“Be that as it may, I think it would be safer if you left him with us. At least until we get confirmation from Lake Just. If it’s a reward you seek, you can collect right here. There’s no need to take him all the way to Beacon.”
“No,” she said. “There is. I’d rather get him at full price. All due respect to your town, Sheriff, I don’t believe Florence will pay the same as Beacon.”
“We can make arrangements. We can contact—”
“I shagged the Magistrate’s daughter up there!” Leeroy said. “He’s got a grudge against me.”
Everyone turned to him in surprise and confusion. Even Katrina. She then realized he understood it was in his best interest to get out of this town. He knew she meant to keep him alive until they reached Trayze, so as far as he was concerned, he had a better chance at escaping on the journey. If she let the militia take him, the Sheriff won’t hesitate hanging him.
“Yeah,” she said. “See. He … did that, and Beacon’s Magistrate has a special reward for him. Alive and in person. So that’s what I’m doing. Now, if you’ll excuse me …”

November 20, 2025 at 4:16 PM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

#amwriting #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

A third bottle was popped open, and another swig of harsh, burning liquor was slurped down. She hadn’t felt this broken or useless since the Blind Cliffs. But where she found strength in her anger then, she now only felt tired and depleted. She tried to think of that “happy place” Monty Kenko talked about and saw only an empty void. The same damned abyss that had been waiting for her ever since that awful day in Vigor. She fulfilled her destiny and had been waiting to die ever since.
A dull growl rumbled through the palace. It sounded like thunder. Her head swayed upward toward the skylight where she saw only darkness. A storm was coming. Maybe the Fury God was angry with her? Isn’t that what Dinah-Celeste kept bothering her about? She should’ve been Ikari’s Champion according to her.
“Then strike me down, asshole.”

November 19, 2025 at 4:49 PM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

Post something random or you’ll have an awful December:

November 18, 2025 at 4:20 PM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

#amwriting #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

Don't have "retrograde," so I went with "deteriorate" instead:

She was about to take her chances, when the Graigman emerged from the bathroom. He was an average height for his kind, with a muscular build, especially in his hairy forearms. He had his hair slicked back in an effort to disguise how curly it naturally was, complete with mutton chops. He strode to the bar, pausing to give Lily a passing glance, and in that moment, she felt something stir within.
It wasn’t much, but it was more than she’d felt all night. Abandoning subtlety and craft, she mustered what glamour she had left and just stared at the Graigman from her seat. It took longer than usual, but he turned and met her gaze. He appeared to nod—it was hard to tell because her vision was deteriorating—and she answered with a smile.
“—couldn’t help but notice you here by yourself, m’lady.”
She must’ve blacked out for a moment, because the next thing she knew, he was at her table with a pair of mugs. He grinned at her, revealing a shiny gold tooth. Now that he was up close, she sensed the lust and desire radiating off him.
“Yes,” she said. “Something about you called out to me.”
“I might say the same about you, lass,” he replied. “You have a … shall I say … striking look to you.”
She brushed hair behind her ear and forced a blush. At least her human form was holding up enough for him to find her attractive. The dim light surely helped, too.

November 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

So far...

FRANKENSTEIN, directed by Guillermo del Toro

November 18, 2025 at 2:56 AM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

#amwriting #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

“You’re a disgrace. I think you’re a bloodsucking, shameless, faithless, dishonorable leech. It’s disgusting you have the nerve to soil that woman’s good name, and I’m about tempted to throw your sorry ass in a cell right alongside Leeroy.”
The wind howled in the brief silence that followed, sounding like a long-suffering animal. Another time, she might have let the Major’s words slide off her. Another time, she might have been wounded by Brayker’s charges and worried she was disgracing herself and her name. But on this night, Katrina only felt black rage bubble in her gut.
“That so, Major?” she said, standing up. “You don’t like that I’m not all you dreamed I am? You don’t like that I’m not the great hero you believed me to be? Tell you what, why don’t you spend your whole life fighting to free your kingdom from a madman. Then, when you finally kill the bastard, you get to watch while a plague consumes your home and kills everyone in it. You watch everything you fought and hoped for choke to death on their own blood, then tell me how fucking heroic you feel after!”

November 17, 2025 at 4:40 PM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

#amwriting #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

“We have to do something,” she said. “We can’t let her fight alone. We must … where do you think you’re going?”
He hesitated. The impulse to make a run for it came upon him, but for some reason the expectant look on Celeste’s face froze him in place. He glanced over his shoulder and mumbled, “Are you talking to me?”
“Were you about to run away?”
“It crossed my mind.”
“You coward!” she snapped. “Have you no shame?! No dignity?!”
He frowned and looked at the chain binding his wrists. He wasn’t sure what to tell her. Did she forget who he was, or their current situation? Ever since Escudo caught him, all he’d been looking for was an opportunity to escape, and it wasn’t like helping Lamont would earn him any special favors.
“Look,” he said. “Regardless of what you think of me, I’m no warrior. And the few times I’ve actually tried being one, I only made things worse. I think it would be better for all parties if I … you know … took my leave.”
The death-glare she shot him would’ve made the Princess proud.

November 16, 2025 at 4:55 PM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

🔸THE JINXED PIRATE🔸
⚔️ fantasy adventure
✖️ multi-POV
🃏 bungling outlaw
🥃 fallen princess
🏺 lost artifact
🌇 corrupt city
🏟️ gladiator pit
👿 reluctant demon
🎪 evil carnival
🔥 riot

LINKS: www.books2read.com/jinxedpirate
also: m-walshwrites.itch.io/the-jinxed-p...

#BookSky 📚💙 #ReadSky

Banner for M. Walsh's fantasy novel "The Jinxed Pirate" with the tagline, "Being dead inside isn't for everyone..."

Also shows cover blurb:
"Graylands is where people go when they don’t want to be found.
"Within this unsettled country of drifters and outlaws is a city where the worst of the worst gather. A place of thieves, brigands, and murderers known as Seba. In Seba, law is an illusion and order is kept through cruelty and bloodshed.
"On the run from Sentry Elite and bounty hunters, supposed pirate Krutch Leeroy finds himself in this bloody city where his infamous reputation garners him the attention of Seba’s various feuding powers. Despite his efforts to lay low, Krutch is soon caught in the center of backstabbing schemes and deadly plots.
"Meanwhile, after the disaster on the Blind Cliffs, fallen princess Katrina Lamont finds herself nearing rock bottom. Her drinking and temper worse than ever, she sets out on a desperate quest to find what remains of her people. Her journey will also lead her to Seba, where she will tread the line between salvation and damnation.
"Amidst this are the Synclaires—a family just moved to Graylands in the hope of a fresh start. However, chance of fate and rash decisions will draw the family into a sinister plot that threatens to bring tragedy and doom to their door.
"As Krutch, Katrina, and the Synclaires face threats from all sides, they will each unwittingly find themselves caught in a battle that may destroy the delicate balance keeping Seba from consuming itself in chaos."

The book cover and background image depicts a black-bladed sword covered in blood and stuck in the ground. Around the sword, a medieval city is on fire.
Art by Anthony Jensen

November 15, 2025 at 11:57 PM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

#amwriting #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

“Fair enough. To answer your question, Katrina Selene, I am exactly what I appear to be. The Black is what it is, and I found my power in it. As silly as it may seem to regard oneself as ‘evil’ … no more so than calling oneself ‘good,’ I would argue … I feel it would be delusional of me to pretend I am anything but.
“The more compelling question,” he continued, “is what that even means in this world of ours. We think of morality as an abstract concept, and yet literal, tangible evil dwells across the border. Technically, that sword of yours is evil. Yet do you wield for such? Can genuine evil be used for good? Once upon a time, the Seraphim walked the land. They were beings of the Light—pure good, we’re to believe. Do you think none of them could be capable of evil?”
She sighed and regretted she even asked.
“By the way,” he added. “You appear to be wounded. That infection looks particularly foul. I’d be happy to heal you if—”
“No.”
He shrugged and strolled to the end of the chamber where there was a large desk holding books, potions, and a chess board with a game already in progress. Taking a seat, he wrapped his fingers on his cane and studied her in silence. Katrina remained standing and kept her hand at her sword. Her body was tense and ready to spring, waiting for the moment when Inkk said or tried something suspicious.

November 15, 2025 at 5:18 PM

M. Walsh - Author

@m-walshwrites.com

📽️ #FilmSky 🎬

#NW Halloween's over, but I'm rolling with one more horror double-feature tonight.
First time watch for both, and I've heard varying things. Some say they're real scary. Others, they're goofy AF. Either way, I don't expect to be bored.