Halloween Inspired Children's Novella on Sale - Superstitions

Looking for a great Halloween read for your young reader? Pick up West of Noreaso for $0.76 on your kindle or just $9.99 paperback. 

October 31st, a deafening thunderstorm, two siblings, their grandmother’s mirror and a sequence of superstitions
finds Jackson and his little sister, Eloise in a strange new world, where superstition is law and bad luck lurks at every
turn. Good fortune, though smiles upon them when three unlikely volunteers shepherd the children in this bizarre world 
as they journey through the lands West of Noreaso, learning how to thwart bad luck and collect good luck as they find 
their path home.

Also find a list of superstitions on site to amuse and impress your friends and family this Halloween!


For more about the book and the author's/illustrator go to www.mikepoeltl.com 

Halloween Book Signing In Burlington, Indigo

Halloween day, October 31st, 2015 from 1 - 5 pm - Michael Poeltl, Author and Illustrator of the modern classic: West of Noreaso will be appearing at the !ndigo book store at 1250 Brant Street in Burlington, Ontario, Canada, 

"It's perfect timing," explains Poeltl, "As the young reader novella itself is set around Halloween."

Poeltl's own love for the creepy holiday is apparent
as he describes the book's main theme: Superstition.

"I love the concept of superstition; the way people believe if they do something, or don't do it, that something good or bad might happen to them, or someone they love; like their Mother. Where does a concept like 'step on a crack and break your Mother's back' originate? And why?!"

The angle Poeltl take's in telling his story steeped in superstitions and set on a stormy Halloween evening, is to introduce two young siblings, Jackson and Eloise, pull them from everything they know, and drop them into a land ruled by superstition.

"Then the children have to navigate their way back home, but all the while, adhering to the rules of the land West of Noreaso," How do they do that? "Upon entering this new realm, the children encounter three sheep. They think they must have wandered from their shepherd, but soon discover that the sheep would be their shepherds there. That Jackson and Eloise could understand them when they spoke, and that they were trapped in a world they know nothing about.

To support his appearance, Poeltl will be marketing the the event on social networks and including an infographic highlighting some of the superstitions examined in the book. Don't miss this opportunity to meet and a have your edition of West of Noreaso signed. Pick up a copy at a 45% discount. Saturday, October 31st only! If yo have to miss it, you can always pick one up from Amazon in print or Kindle versions.

                                                                                                                        www.mikepoeltl.com

CALL FOR ARTISTS - See your artwork in print, contest!

Author; Michael Poeltl, in association with Skylab Press is offering an open contest to artists and illustrators to create interpretive works to be included in the short story anthology; Waning Metaphorically – Special Edition.

With fourteen stories to choose from and no limit to the amount of entries each artist can submit, this contest costs nothing to enter, and if one or multiple works are chosen to represent one or more of the stories; you will see your work in print! You will also receive a signed paperback copy from the author, with thanks.

But the benefits don't stop there. Not only will your work(s) be in print, and your name in the printed acknowledgements, they will also be included in the author’s website, across multiple social networks, blogs and PR sites. Your name and personal contact information will accompany your artwork in every instance; broadcasting your accomplishments while contributing to your published portfolio.

All that is asked of you is that you purchase a Kindle copy of the book at $2.99, so you can familiarize yourself with the stories. If you do not have a Kindle reader, you can download a version of the program to your tablet or desktop from Amazon.

Poeltl discusses releasing a version of his anthology with accompanying illustrations per title, himself trained in the art of interpretive illustration at Sheridan College - graduating class of 1994. “I’m thrilled to see what comes of this contest,” Poeltl explains, “as an illustrator by trade, I know how much thought and effort go into a piece when it must relate to a story.”

Poeltl has released eight books including one trilogy, a children’s novella (which he illustrated), a work of fiction, two children’s educational books (which he illustrated), and his latest, an anthology of short stories. Interesting fact: Poeltl conceived and designed each of his book’s covers.

So, why not illustrate these stories himself? “I wanted to offer up-and-coming artists a chance I never had.” He says, “My own illustration career was short-lived, and so the decision to become a marketing professional kept me in the creative environment I love. That and becoming an author has been very fulfilling for me.”

All artwork will be judged by a panel of your peers. For more information on the contest and its rules visit the author’s website here: http://www.mikepoeltl.com/contest.html

IMAGINE THE EXPOSURE AND ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF HAVING YOUR WORK PUBLISHED.

Contest runs through till September 30th.

Book Trilogies End. But Sometimes the Author will Revisit it in a Short Story

Life, spelled out in a name, is the official - 'what happens after The Judas Syndrome Trilogy' has been told - story.

Spoiler Alert

It’s a difficult thing to leave a trilogy alone. Some readers want to be left to ponder the character’s prospects, while others want more! This is how I imagine Fan-Fiction took off. In this story Poeltl offer a brief yet surprising look into the events following Revelation; the third book in the wildly popular post-apocalyptic trilogy; The Judas Syndrome. 

This short story stars the only character to have endured all three books – at least in Poeltl's versions – and one of the strongest characters he's ever written. Left with a small band of survivors, Sara contemplates her past, while hoping to prevent a future which has taken her completely by surprise. 

Her son; dead and gone, and his father long dead, Sara contemplates her own mortality and what purpose she could serve in this aftermath. Upon pondering these hard questions, she is alerted that her son's friend and prodigy; Daniel, may be in trouble as he carries on Leif's teachings to the survivor's of Earl's vicious attack on their base. Homeless and hopeless, these newly displaced refugees could be capable of anything, including placing blame on her son and surviving disciples.

This short story and thirteen others unrelated to the trilogy can be found in the Waning Metaphorically anthology of short stories and flash fiction. 

Not every story is meant to be a novel - read a Short Story.

Not every story is meant to be a novel, and with so many stories circling an author’s head at any given time, a short story is sometimes the best format in which to package it. Bang for your buck! Condensed story-telling.

This collection of shorts and flash fiction features fourteen multi-genre stories offering the reader a range of opportunities to slip away while on their commute, a day at the beach, or their lunch break. Short stories offer real-time entertainment in a world that demands instant gratification.

Waning Metaphorically is intended to excite the reader’s emotions and asks them to question, always. The stories within should inspire introspection on a number of topics and leave the reader more curious about their own points of view while, at times, agreeing with the authors.

It is recommended the stories are read in the order they are presented, but then, order is just another’s perception of how things ought to be.

Life is a Metaphor. A metaphor is a symbol. A symbol is a sign. Watch for the signs.

Book trailers act just like movie trailers, only for books!

I like book trailers for their ability to offer short visuals with enough information and story-telling to give the viewer a reason to go pick up the book.

I don't necessarily want the trailer to give away too much, especially where the characters and settings are concerned, as I like to conjure those images up on the merit of the writing. In this, my most recent book trailer, I decided to offer each title of the fourteen short stories included within the anthology in a unique, whimsical, yet memorable way.

This is my first time appearing in one of my book trailers. I like how it turned out, and how approachable it makes me seem. And I am approachable! Especially where my books are concerned. I know I like to learn about the author of a book i'm about to read. Being featured in the book's trailer gives the reader a better idea of, if nothing else, the number of facial expressions I'm capable of.

I hope you enjoy the trailer for its whimsy, and pick up the book for its content. Fourteen multi-genre stories await your instant gratification. For even more on me, the author, you can check out my website: www.mikepoeltl.com

Books are an adventure! Short Stories offer more!

Where will your book take you?  Novels are great, but a collection of short stories can put you in danger, insane, in love, the far future, the past, exotic locals, behind the eight ball and everywhere in between within minutes. A multi-genre collection like Waning Metaphorically does just that.

A short or flash fiction story is designed to take you out of your head and into someone else's for a brief, yet intense trip into their lives. The short story covers every genre and topic, only condensed for a trip that is perfect for your break or commute. There is little commitment necessary, as a short is usually completed in one sitting. So take it with you, on your Kindle or in paperback. The perfect accessory for virtually any situation. Waiting room at the Doctor's office? That's a short story! Bus ride from point A to B? There's a short story! Train into work? There's a short story for that! Camping? Relaxing while the baby is down? Need an hour to yourself at the pub? An afternoon while the kids are away? Short story, short story, short story... you get my meaning.

So don't say you have no time to read when your friends are telling you about another novel they can't put down. Pick up a collection of shorts. Show them your sophisticated side. Hey, short stories won the Nobel last year... look who's reading now!

Pick up your short story collection today!