Manganelli's Musings: April 2014

Monday 28 April 2014

Easter Holidays are over

Some of the time it was brilliant. LM had her birthday party as well as a trip to the Midland Go Karting company to spend an hour driving laps like a lunatic in a go-kart. She loved it and was pretty good, if not a bit of a speed demon.

We went to Merry Hill shopping centre and walked around for ages - next time I need to (a) have some money and (b) plan the route better. LM had her ears pierced and everyone was good.

The rest of the time though, LM was a screaming pain in the butt and it made me feel so sad that her big sister came down to spend time with her and had to suffer through the abuse. But hey, I got to spend time with three of them which is special, very very special.

I have been playing Covet like a complete lunatic - finding out there are groups on FB where you can join simply to get access to more wardrobes by friending a lot of people - that was pretty darn cool! So now instead of having 6 friends, I have something like 128! And yes, I am borrowing from every wardrobe I can!

Tomorrow, the anthology Juicy Bits is released with my story in it, and maybe I'm a little bit scared that people will hate my contribution. Oh dear, that might explain the lack of closed-eyes!!

Writing-wise, I've kept up with my Taming the Muse and am on 193 weeks, writing at least 500 words per week. Sounds really impressive and in a way it is. Not so impressive when I consider that I haven't written anything original in over a month, possibly two. I can blame so many things but what it boils down to is that I need to get a grip on real life - whether it's accepting that this is how things are going to be and I need to work with it OR this is what I need to do to make things better - and just WRITE!

No more excuses - just WRITE.

Nearly 2 a.m. so time to log off and get some sleep. But tomorrow, I'm going to take my own advice.

Monday 14 April 2014

End of the weekend

I've had a really good weekend, although I should get the bad news out of the way first.

It would appear that the CEO of Silver Publishing has done a runner, taking with him all of the royalties he owes the authors. Not going to go into too much detail here but I've received full rights to 'Alien Christmas' back and can pretty much kiss goodbye to any money owed to me. It's all a bit dramatic, traumatic and has left a bad taste in my mouth. I can only be relieved that I only had one story with them as there are other people who are out a great deal of money.

LM was dropped with her paternal grandparents on Friday so that she could be there for their 50th wedding anniversary party. She's also having a mini birthday party and spending some time at their church play scheme, so all in all, I think she's having a ball. A little strange for me as I have always been there for each of the kids' birthdays, so to let her go be with someone else on her 10th birthday - double digits at last - feels strange.

I collect her on Wednesday and basically from then on, it's going to be presents, mini party here with my side of the family, and all of her other presents e.g. go-karting experience, getting her ears pierced, cinema trip, etc.

MD and I went up to visit my sister in Cambridge and finally met the latest addition to the family, my Great Nephew. He's absolutely gorgeous with the most striking blue eyes I have ever seen!! I got to hold him and he even fell asleep on me - unfortunately, by the time MD got to hold him he seemed quite grumpy and wouldn't settle. Got to have a nice chat with sister and my Bil, who has said he'll take some photos for MD of her cake work as she's setting up a blog and hoping to go into business over the summer with her baking.

I'll put up links to her blog, etc when she's happy with how it looks.

Last but not least, I sent my galley proofs of '2 Weeks 6 Days 2 Long' to a couple of friends for honest review and got a reply today.

THIS IS A REALLY GREAT SHORT STORY!!! Seriously, you know how picky I can be when I put my mind to it, but this is ready to go as-is.

You hit a nice balance of background, family bonds, and hotness, which makes for an enjoyable and _marketable_ story. (Tougher to do in a short story than with a higher word count; this is nicely concise, yet fully fleshed-out).

I'm really chuffed as I value this person's opinion and she has always been very honest with me about what she thinks of what I've written. So if she likes it, then it's good!! I just hope other people share her opinion!!

I'm hoping that the next few days without LM will awaken my original muse and I can get some writing done.Here's hoping!

Wednesday 9 April 2014

Juicy Bits Anthology on the Coming Soon Page.....

Out on 28th April, one of my stories is part of the Juicy Bits Anthology from Dreamspinner Press.

2 Weeks 6 Days 2 Long by S K Manganelli Matt’s partner Craig has been away on business for almost three weeks and he’s getting fed up with sleeping on his own. It seems he’s not the only one. Craig surprises him with an early return at a family get-together. Matt is even more amazed when Craig demonstrates how much he missed Matt, and that two weeks and six days are simply too long to be apart! Click the pretty to pre-order!

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WORKS IN PROGRESS UNCONSCIOUS BOND

Omega Stiles Stilinski needs to be bonded to an alpha – and soon. He’s reached the age of 18 and managed to avoid the shackles of such a relationship – Omega Rights can shove it because they haven’t achieved hardly enough for Stiles to put himself into the position of having to answer to some knot-headed Alpha – but time is running out. If he doesn’t do something quickly, an Alpha will be found for him and the choices don’t look good. Which is what brings him to the long-care ward, where Peter Hale has been in a coma since the Hunter attack that almost killed his entire family. If Peter’s wolf won’t accept Stiles, then no harm, no foul – but if this works, Stiles might just get to keep his freedom whilst having the status of a bonded Omega. What Stiles doesn’t allow for is just how strong the bond between an unconscious alpha and an Omega can be, or that he just might be the cause of Peter waking up. Masterpopst is here

JEKYLL & HALE

Peter Hale has been missing for nearly a year. The cold case is assigned to Detective Stiles Stilinski, who is stunned when Peter returns suddenly, with no recollection as to who kidnapped him and held him captive. But Peter is determined to find out. With his family trying to keep him close, and Stiles tight on his heels, Peter discovers that wherever he was, they did something to him – something fundamental. And he might not be as in control as he seems. Masterpost can be found here 50 SHADES OF HALE

Stiles Stilinski finds himself falling under the spell of Peter Hale, a secretive man with a darkness inside that Stiles is inexplicably drawn to. Very loosely based on Fifty Shades of Grey, with more than a twist or two. Masterpost can be found here. (To be finished as part of

COMPLETED WORKS

KEEPING UP WITH THE HALES

The Hales run a successful publishing house, catering to werewolves and hunters. These are the tales of what happens behind the scenes. Masterpost can be found here

SOULS AFLAME

Tired of how meaningless his working life has become – being a defence attorney is proving to be far too easy – Peter Hale is wondering what to do with himself. A fire that almost kills his whole family makes him realise that his calling in life is to help other people! An unexpected friendship and a chance encounter with his soul-mate that leaves him searching for the person meant to complete his life makes things so much more interesting than they had been before! Masterpost can be found here!

A TO Z PORN DRABBLE COLLECTION

Porn drabbles including biting, tail kink, light BDSM - list of pairings on post. Can be found on AO3 OR DREAMWIDTH

NULL & VOID

In a world full of the supernatural and superpowers, everyone eagerly awaits their 18th birthday to ‘receive’ their gift. On his 18th birthday, Stiles Stilinski comes into his powers and finds out in the most horrific way possible that his gift is more of a curse – one unguarded touch, and he absorbs both a person’s gift and their life-force. Determined to keep his friends and family safe, he moves away from his home and takes a job with the government, taking away the gifts of those who would abuse them. As one of the most powerful – and potentially dangerous – people in the world, Void feels completely alone. Peter Hale’s gift is incredibly prized – mainly because no one is allowed to openly discuss what their gift is. Working within the P.A.C.K. bureau, he keeps his family safe and does the world a service. No-one’s gift can touch him, and he is one of the very few who can tell what someone’s gift is from one simple touch. So what does he do with this new, ruthless but attractive new recruit who refuses to let Peter touch him? Masterpost is here.

WITNESS

Peter Hale is a psychopathic serial killer. But that’s okay because he works for the government, handling the people that normal law enforcement can’t touch. Stiles Stilinski is going to be Peter Hale’s new Witness – the person who sanctions and corroborates Peter’s kills. No one will tell him what happened to Peter’s previous Witness but that doesn’t stop Stiles from trying to find out. When it becomes apparent that Peter’s interest in Stiles may be affecting his ability to do his job, just how do you safely separate a psychopath from his Witness? Based off the premise of the Romilly King Handled series, this is a dark fic that can be found here.

THE BOY RAISED BY WOLVES

When the Sheriff and his wife are killed as a by-product of a turf war with outside wolves, the Hales take in their young son, Stiles, and raise him as their own. Peter – the Pack’s Left Hand – eliminates anyone who dares to hurt Stiles, although he doesn’t know why. Add the strange relationship he’s building with the hunter’s boy, Christopher Argent, and Peter is finding his life stranger than he could ever have expected. Masterpost is here

THE MAN WHO RAN WITH WOLVES

The Boy Raised with Wolves has grown up – although certain people don't seem to realise it. With his best friend missing and a new threat to the Hale Pack, Stiles is about to show Peter and Chris that the boy they knew is all grown up. Continuing the story began in The Boy Raised by Wolves, the story starts here

ANCHORS

With one click of his fingers, Thanos took away Tony’s anchor to the real world. Clint seems to be the only thing keeping him from drifting away entirely... Written for 1 million words Swap of Joy for , this will be available to read from December 24th here

CATS, CARS & CATASTROPHES

After nearly three and a half years together, Stiles is beginning to worry that Peter has fallen out of love with him. If only he knew… For the Steter Secret Santa 2020, the master post is here and the fic will be posted on 21st December 2020

FIGHTING YOUR REFLECTION

The Pack is trapped in a haunted house with no way to escape. Stiles finds himself fighting off what appear to be mutant werewolves whilst trying to untangle his relationship with Peter and survive the night! The masterpost is here and the fic will be posted in October 2020!

THE HIT

The Hales are a well known and respected (feared) Family, so the hit that was taken out on them had to have come from someone who was ready for war. What they weren’t ready for was Stiles. Masterpost is here

SYMBIOTE

Stiles was kidnapped and experimented on. When the Pack tracks him down, something has been done to him and he’s different. He has to figure out his relationships with his pack-mates all over again, and in the meantime Peter has to find a way to resist the growing attraction he feels for the young man. Or: the five times Peter had to say no and the one time he got to say yes. Starts here.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Stiles doesn’t know what the hell is going on – somehow, he’s reliving the same day over and over again! But hey, at least each day he’s getting to spend it with Peter and getting to know him better all the time. Or: Five times Stiles learned something new about Peter and the one thing he always knew. It starts here.

ONLY WHEN NEEDED

As Left Hand and Enforcer for the Hale Pack, Peter tends to stand back and observe. And he notices something about their new pack-mate, Stiles, way before anyone else even has a clue. Or: Five people who realised Stiles was a badass, and the one person who knew all along. Master!post can be found here

UNITING THE FAMILIES

Werewolves, Hunters and Humans maintain an uneasy balance, with humans very much at the bottom of the food-chain. The Super-powered Hunters are battling for supremacy and the Werewolves are determined to remain at the top of the pyramid. In Beacon Hills, the Alpha comes up with an unusual suggestion: an alliance between the three factions. Or: the five times the bad guy came after Stiles and the one time they didn’t get the chance! Master!post can be found here

DUDE, WE'RE WHAT?!

Or the five times Stiles didn't realise Peter was trying to date him and the one time he did! Read it here

THE RIGHT THING

Peter Hale has returned to Beacon Hills, the place where almost his entire Pack was murdered in cold-blood. He’s spent the last five years imprisoned by the Calaveras clan, but now he’s out and determined to find out just who killed his family and how he can get to them. He’s determined to do the right thing – in the name of his Pack. Stiles Stilinski is tired of Beacon Hills. The people he should be able to rely on have consistently let him down, and he’s about ready to give in to the voice inside him that says living by other people’s rules isn’t for him. A man and a werewolf with a different view of what constitutes doing the right thing meet and make things right together. Begins here!

THE SLEEPLESS MIND OF STILES STILINSKI

The five times Stiles Stilinski couldn’t sleep and the one time he slept perfectly! Starts here!

DEREK & HIS STRAYS

The five times Derek picked up a stray and the one time a stray just turned up! Somehow, despite not being the heir to the Hale Alpha spark, Derek seems to keep picking up strays and soon amasses himself a pack! Master!post can be found here!

FIVE PLUS ONE

The five times Stiles took care of Peter. And the one time Peter took care of Stiles. Master!post can be found here.

COMMON GROUND

After his father is shot in the line of duty whilst investigating the circumstances behind the Hale fire, Stiles wants justice. But no one wants to listen to what he has to say. He’s sure he knows who was behind the fire, but can he get the one Hale still in Beacon Hills to help him bring the Argents to justice? And just what is this strange draw he’s feeling towards Peter Hale? The Master!post for this can be found here.

NEUTRAL GROUND

If he hadn’t experienced it for himself, Stiles wouldn’t believe that any of it had happened. Peter and Derek have left Beacon Hills, his father is recovering from his gunshot wound, and life should be returning to normal. But then Scott is bitten by an Alpha and the Hales return to track the werewolf down. Stiles has to deal with helping his best friend handle the major changes to his life, as well as face the man who he’s pretty sure he’s in love with – a man who betrayed him and left him behind. Is he ever gonna catch a break?

Following on from Common Ground, the master!post can be found here. HALLOWED GROUND

A year after the events of Neutral Ground, things in Beacon Hills have settled down, and it’s a time for celebration – a wedding is happening and everyone is very excited. Or, almost everyone. Is there a danger that the nuptials are going to be disrupted, or is there going to be a happily ever after? Master!post can be found here

LOVE, CREEPER WOLF

Stiles and Peter are in a secret relationship, but suddenly Peter seems to want more, But how does that work when they are in different Packs? And just what is going on with all of these relationships coming to light? What began as the potential for a new romance has become what could be the start of a territorial war. Master!post can be found here

PUT ME TOGETHER AGAIN

Derek Hale lives his life to the fullest. So when a terrible accident robs him of his ability to walk, it also takes away his desire to live. Stiles Stilinski, one of the best physical therapists out there, takes on his case and begins to heal the broken man and help him to realise there is so much more to gain from living. But as his therapist, Stiles feels that whatever Derek claims to feel for him, it’s just gratitude and Stiles doesn’t want to risk his heart. Despite all of that, Stiles begins to fall for him but when it looks like Derek might be able to get his life back – will he still want Stiles? The master!post is here.

DREAM-DAZED

At the age of 18, people find out who their 'Dream-Match' is. With his birthday coming up, Stiles doesn't want to wait to find out. Began as a one-shot but now a mini-series for my challenges, stories begin here

SAY ANYTHING...

To know Stiles Stilinski is to love him. Derek Hale is about to get to know Stiles Stilinski. Stiles Stilinski (an eternal optimist), seeks to capture the heart of Derek, an unattainable high-school hunk and straight-A student. It surprises just about everyone when he returns the sentiment. But Derek's arrogant and domineering uncle Peter doesn’t approve – Derek is off to England on a hard-won scholarship and love shouldn’t be allowed to interfere. Master!post is here. JUST LIKE HEAVEN

Derek is a recently widowed architect moving into a new apartment in Beacon Hills. But the apartment isn’t entirely empty: it’s haunted by the ghost of a man called Stiles. And although Stiles can’t remember much about his life, he’s convinced he isn’t really dead. While Derek recruits Kira, an absent-minded psychic, to get to the bottom of Stiles’ identity, he and Stiles begin to fall in love. Master!post is here.

INNER BEAST SERIES

Derek’s letting out his inner wolf-man and the plan to use Stiles as bait to bring him back goes awry. No surprise there then... my first multi-chapter Sterek fic, you can read it here

BELLA ECLIPSED

Edward and Jacob are too late to save Bella from James. Their rage and pain needs an outlet.

TWILIGHT: the kinda Sterek version no one asked for!

When Stiles Stilinski returns to Beacon Hills to live with his father, he meets the mysterious Derek Hale, to whom he finds himself drawn. Later, he discovers things about Derek and his family that may well put his very life in danger…. the Master!post for this story is here!

SEER

Derek Hale used to be a psychic until a traumatic event took his powers away from him. Until now. Stiles Stilinski is a detective faced with a case that is getting stranger by the day. He has what looks to be a nasty serial killer on his hands and a so-called psychic who can tell him details that no one but the killer should know. He also has a desire for this strange witness that he has never experienced before in his life and that part of him wants to take as far as it can go. If only he could get past the idea that Derek can read his mind and Derek can get past the idea that Stiles might well be using him as bait to catch a killer..... This story can be read in its entirety here...
ZEAL FOR LIFE

Started life as a one-shot but has grown since then, this is a series of interconnecting fics which can be read here Graphics by

BACK 4 GOOD

The soul has gone and Angelus is back for good. Now he wants his boy and he's not above sweetening the reunion with a certain mouthy Scooby who seems to be wanting to touch the darkness...Starts here Banner by

JUST ANOTHER PART OF ME

Something strange is happening to Xander and he finds himself changing in ways he never expected. Spike is dragged along by previously hidden desires and the L.A. gang try to help them reconcile the new beast that is just another part of Xander..... The first part of the series can be found here Banner by

SPEAK NO EVIL

Sunnydale is gone; so is Wolfram & Hart. Angel has the visions and Spike helps the helpless. And what could be more helpless than a mouthy Scooby who doesn't talk and seems to no longer be himself...Complete, the master!post can be found here! Banner by

REAL BOY

Just how much are Angel and Wesley prepared to do to help Spike become a real boy? Complete, the master!post for this can be found here!! Banner by

SKIN

One too many losses has sent him over the edge...... One of my darkest fics to date, this can be read here! Banner by

His & His Alone

Angelus killed off the last of the Slayer Line so now demons rule. In a place where a human is a pet at best, how will Xander survive being given to William the Bloody? Start reading here. Banner created at

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Prior Claim

Post series, Xander is kidnapped by a Master Vampire and Spike is forced to go claim him, since he's the only one with the "right" to do so. Winner of Best Post Series in the White Knight Awards 2010 & SunnyD Memorial Awards Best Slash, you can read it here

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Bought & Paid For

Will is a prostitute, Alex is a client. Alex buys Will for one night but refuses to let him go. And maybe Will doesn't want to get free. Can a dark obsession between Alex and Will turn to love? All Human AU - read it here

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Keep It In the Family

What happens when Spike gets a little brother? A Spander Plus story with vamp!Xander, Spike and Angel. Read it here.

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The Prophecy of the Defender
& the Determined Protector

Xander and Spike find themselves the subject of a prophecy, with a Big Bad that none of the Scoobies expected to have to deal with. Featuring Hyena!Xander, and awarded Runner Up for Best AU at the Sunnyd Memorial Awards, it can be read here

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Arresting Misconceptions

Xander Harris is blackmailed into selling drugs at his High School. William “Spike” Jeffers is the undercover detective sent in to crack the drug-ring and bring the culprits to justice. Despite abhorring what they believe the other is involved in, they cannot deny or fight the attraction that builds between them. This can be read here

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William & Tar-Xan of the Jungle

Shy William travels to the jungle on a botany expedition and meets a wild man by the name of Xander....All Human AU, read it here.

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Poetry Lessons

Spike & Xander get stuck together courtesy of their favourite red-headed witch, with interesting results....followed by Spike sharing his love of poems. Read it here.

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Master Fic List

COLLABORATIONS

A Refuge for Loyal Hearts

An epic (ongoing) story of a Scooby and a vampire looking after a houseful of slayers in Scotland.....written with

theladymerlin, the master!post can be found here!

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Four Under a Blood Red Moon

A werewolf/hyena hybrid, a vamp with a chip, a vamp with a soul and a werewolf come together as pack....Written with

wrtr_aka_wmgrg, the master!post can be found here!

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Spike & the Harris Boy

Spike and Xander run A.I. Sunnydale - these stories are all of the weird and wacky cases that walk through the door....Written with

theladymerlin, the index of stories can be found here!!

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Juicy Bits Anthology

Out on 28th April, one of my stories is part of the Juicy Bits Anthology from Dreamspinner Press.

2 Weeks 6 Days 2 Long

by S K Manganelli

Matt’s partner Craig has been away on business for almost three weeks and he’s getting fed up with sleeping on his own. It seems he’s not the only one. Craig surprises him with an early return at a family get-together. Matt is even more amazed when Craig demonstrates how much he missed Matt, and that two weeks and six days are simply too long to be apart!

Click the pretty to pre-order!