Recollection of Shared Days: Stories of Celebration:

A Paper Crane Books Press Holiday Short Story Anthology

Release date: July 22nd, 2014

Click here to view the official release announcement on Paper Crane Books

My stories are: “The Bewitching Day” and “The Poppy.”

To order Recollection of Shared Days, click the link below:

E-book format only:

Amazon

Official Blurb:

“The desire to celebrate is intrinsic to human nature. Whether it be a victory or a new season, humans have found something to use as an excuse to get together and party. The authors at Paper Crane Books have written original stories to showcase the days we all love best: holidays. Seven stories. Four seasons. They span across time, countries, and even worlds. Come and celebrate with us!

Featured holidays include: Valentine’s Day Spring equinox celebration Children’s Day July 4th Halloween Veterans Day Christmas/New Year”

Authors involved:

Holly Barbo

Dan Wright

Sheenah Freitas

Michelle Franklin

Myself (Morgan Straughan Comnick)

A sneak peek of my first story in the anthology, “The Bewitching Day:”

“Plastic spiders crawl in my cupcakes, full moons play hide-and-seek indoor every night, and my hands permanently smell like pumpkin guts; the orange organ bits and seeds cling to me even in my sleep when my palms are clean once more.  There is a chill in the brisk night air, a howl in the distant hills, whistling through the trees as Pumpkin Jack and the Headless Horseman emerge from the shadows to give you a fright.  It is truly a day for fright, a holiday where monsters are the norm and fun is measured by how loud your shrill scream rings.

Yes, it is Halloween.

            Ever since I was a tot, I have been terrified of the world around me, my jumpy state triggered by the slightest movement, the stare of a stranger, the hint of a word.  The universe was full of natural uncertain things and was a naturally scary place; I never understood why people paid to get scared or threw themselves in harm’s way.  Roller coasters? No thanks.  Horror films? Pass. Snakes? I would rather write my spelling words over and over again.  And do not get me started on anything to deal with heights, water, falling, speed…It makes me shudder to think of paying, willingly, and signing a death warrant for a few moments of entertainment.  I can live a fulfilling life just fine, on the ground, in my bubble, holding my parents’ hands, as I gaze at others doing stupid, reckless, dangerous things for the sheer thrill of being terrified.

Despite all these things, I love Halloween, the king of scary holidays.

Bumps in the night, skeleton hands grabbing my ankles, false cobwebs ornamenting my hair may have sent a squeal from my fruity-flavored, Chapstick-coated lips and hop like a frog on his way to make it big in Hollywood, but Halloween, to me, was more about allowing these fears to consume you and sink into your conscious mind.  The beasts, the immortals, the ghouls, the spirits, and the abnormal crowd us and become as real as the nose in front of my face for one month, but their cheesy appearances muddled by showbiz to fit our culture cover the fact that we are attempting to confront, mask, and face our fears in a celebrated way.”

Our July monthly wallpaper features a quote from Michelle’s story in the anthology.

Our February 2015 wallpaper features a quote from Dan’s story in the anthology.

Praise for “Shared Days:”

“Comnick brought back a fond memory from my childhood of Poppy Day and how we would buy paper poppies from Veterans… Each story was unique and thoroughly enjoyable. A must have and must read!!”- S.Z., Amazon Review, FIVE STARS!

“An interesting collection of tales…” L.W., Amazon Review