October, the month with my favorite holiday. Halloween, fond memories...

This is the second consecutive year I have missed my opportunity to publish my fiction novel, The Perfect Spook House. It is depicted in my hometown, Abbeville, S.C. elven eleventh graders reunite many years later to decipher just what happened that night, their junior year, at that old house on the Cedar Springs Road. They're ready, sort of, to face their fears; but many of town folk haven't forgotten and will do anything to prevent them from digging up old bones. It's a blend of long term friendship, corruption, the supernatural, a developing love story, murder and mayhem, told in a good ole southern tone. What more could you ask, except to have it in your hands to read.

Here's my personal dilemma. I have too many completed novels and self publishing isn't cheap. No one pays me to spin my tales and publish my scribbling. It is an expensive hobby. I've published four books in the past couple of years, all out of pocket but I have so much more to share. I'm thinking pushing a few through electronically, forgoing the expense of hard copies; any thoughts?

Here's a sampling of my completed novels. Which ones would you buy for you Kindle?

My Sasquatch series:
Foot
Another foot
Final Foot (not finished)

Follow-up to Dark Thirty:
Mack

No Mulligan (A golf themed suspense thriller)

The Perfect Spook House (as mentioned)

Outside the Clique (25 year high school reunion with Calhoun Falls as a backdrop)

Lou Who (Alzheimer's patient tangles with a witch; Greenwood, SC. as backdrop)

Absent on Arrival (supernatural mystery in the Great Smokey Mountains)

The Tenth Elemental (Deities, Gnomes, a family in peril in Maggie Valley, N.C.)

Last Stand on the Grand Strand (sea creatures have invaded the beach community)

The Lord's Last Acres (end of the world as we know it thriller)

Digging Sea Turtles (kids book)

Novels in progress:

Hometown Tragedy (True Story)

More Detective Trudy Wagner thrillers
Tithe and Offerings
The Low County Hunt Club

Bully on Board (series of short stories with lessons learned)

Just Who are the Joneses (suspense thriller)

Raw Ride (cowboys and zombies)

The Longest Hello (love story)

Cornbread and Butter Milk, Gold Ole Fashion Southern Nostalgic Nonsense (short stories from the good ole days, memoir)

Whomping the Golf Ball (short stories about golfing)

Politically Incorrect (America, fed up, fight back in this fiction novel)

The Single Guys Roadmap to Marriage (humorous twist on relationships, seeking that perfect gal)

Pickers (two pickers, an old Charleston plantation, a trunk, secrets and lies with a twist of the supernatural)


 Chicken Lovers Inc. (kids book)


As you can see, my twisted brain forever stays in gear. Again, if you read this, post on face book, just which T. Allen Winn novels are you itching to read? And help find me an agent, a publisher, someone who would pay for this stuff!!! After all, I have an endless supply...

The summer of free golf comes to an end September 22nd; well maybe not free but it was certainly cheap. Legends Resort offered up summer deals back in June for its ‘Loyal Member’s’, those card carrying ones eligible to receive two beers, breakfast and lunch with every round played.  The deal almost looked too good to be real. We dissected the summer deal for any hidden clauses or secret disclaimers but could find none. Back in June, all we had to do was pay up front, $139 per person and be granted the privilege of playing unlimited golf, any day of the week, including weekends and holidays, providing we secured our tee times at 2 PM or later.  Right we figured, just how difficult was it going to be to reserve a descent tee time. We agonized over paying up front, thinking we’d be placed at the back of the line when it came getting the ‘preferred tee times.’ Oh well, four of us decided to take the gamble, roll the dice and see what happened. How could we pass over an opportunity to play three Legends’ golf courses in Myrtle Beach, Heritage Plantation in Pawley’s Island and Oyster Bay just across the N.C. border for one entry fee? Unlimited golf at our finger tips all summer long; sounded like a sham but we took the bait. 

To our surprise, all of the courses were extremely accommodating. We’d call and almost every time be granted the tee time we asked. Show up a the designated course and present our summer pass card and we were done; no additional money passed hands except for the one dollar tip for the gents loading our bags on the carts. Long summer days ensured we could easily play after 4 PM weekdays, Legends Resort just minutes from our workplace, eastbound Myrtle Beach on 501. Good fortune would have negative results on my play. After months of our house being for sale, wouldn’t you know it; we had an offer and accepted. While happy with the sale of our house, the pending move/packing and actual move, all but took me out of the two to three days of planned golfing for the next six weeks or so.  I slipped in about one time a week when I could. I only got back in the weekly rotation after we moved in and unpacked, got our house in some semblance of livable condition. Two of my playing partners managed to play about thirty times to my less than half that many rounds.

Still, I should manage to get in between twenty and twenty five rounds by the 22^nd of September. That should equate to approximately $650 in savings for the summer, so I’d say without a doubt, the $139 investment paid off. It will be tough over the fall and winter months pulling out the old credit card to supplement my rounds. Flashing that summer special card at the pro shop will be sadly missed. We sort of received VIP treatment, celebrities for the summer. An average round of golf for me for the past three months was $5.56 if one wants to look at it that way. Two of my cohorts averaged less than $4. Heck, you can’t play a round of miniature golf here at the beach for that. For me, it averages out to about 30 cents per hole to play with cart included. Living large on the grand strand, at least for the summer, while those poor tourists were caring the load, many of them paying almost a much for one round as we paid for our entire summer, ain’t life grand on the strand.  

I'm backkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Actually I've had a sick 'puter' lately. It wouldn't connect to the net but we all better now.

I read this article posted on Fox news today and had fond memories of those spook houses we used to built in Halloween. Innovation thought, never envisioned this twist. I might just have to dust off the ole spook house building skills and open myself up one these puppies for the trick and the treaters. Read this and let me know if you agree. Here's my plug for Shocktoberfest.com

The phrase, “that scared my pants off,” will take on a new meaning this Friday in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania.
An attraction at Pennsylvania's "premier haunted scream park," Shocktoberfest, will be offering nude tours of its haunted house.
Labeled the “Naked and Scared Challenge,” the unique brand of Halloween experience asks visitors to strip down to nothing and enter one of their haunted houses completely nude.
According to Patrick Konopelski, president and owner of Shocktoberfest, the inspiration came from Discovery Channel’s show “Naked and Afraid,” in which two castaways must survive in the wild without any outer wear.
Konopelski came up with idea after watching an episode of the show at home with his four teenage children.
“I’m watching these two people running around naked in the woods and they were genuinely scared,” Konopelski told FoxNews.com. “If you know you have no protection, you become very vulnerable and I thought ‘Wow! That would be amazing in a haunted house.’”
Now Shocktoberfest will invite its guest to experience the same kind of fear. Participants will walk through the haunted house called “The Unknown,” themed to a former industrial park filled with zombies.
The patrons are offered two options: nude or prude. They can go through the haunted house completely nude or wearing only their underwear. 
For those who do decide to go with the Full Monty, they won’t have to worry about many onlookers, as the Naked and Scared Challenge takes place at midnight after all other customers have left. The attraction will also only be offered to guests 18 years of age or older.
For guests afraid of being caught in the nude, a fully clothed option is available during normal business hours as well.
According to the Shocktoberfest website, the attraction will have plenty of security on staff during the naked hours to ensure there is no inappropriate behavior.
A disclaimer on the site reads:
Shocktoberfest has created this experience so their customers can explore a new level of fear. This is about fear and pushing oneself out of their comfort zone. This is not about sex. No sexual misconduct, inappropriate or disrespectful behavior will be tolerated.
*Please note there is an additional cleaning charge if we scare the p*ss out of you!
Konopelski admits that there has been some criticism of the new clothing-free addition to Shocktoberfest, citing some very heated debates that have occurred on the event’s Facebook page.

“I have been involved in the haunted house business for 27 years,” writes one user. “This is the worst idea I have ever heard of. I wonder if they have informed their city officials of this idea? If not, the first complaint to the mayor and this will be shut down.”
“Its [sic] mostly going to be a bunch of fat old creepy men in there lol,” writes another.
Konopelski says he did initially have trouble convincing everyone -- from city officials to his wife -- that the idea was a good one, but now he says the response has mostly been positive.
“A lot of people have preconceived notions about what it may become,” Konopelski told FoxNews.com. “It’s just consenting adults given the opportunity to be as vulnerable as possible in a haunted house…The beautiful part about living in America is that if you’re a consenting adult and you want to experience something you should have the right to do it.”
The Naked and Scared Challenge begins at midnight on Sept. 27, 2013. Tickets can be bought online for $20. The attraction will be closed on Sundays. Tickets and more information can be found at Shocktoberfest.com.

Chant Rant

 

 

We attended the Coastal Carolina Chanticleer football home opener this afternoon verses Furman. I still suffer from Coach David Bennett withdrawals after they fired him at the end of 2011 and allowed the millionaire, Joe Moglia to buy them off and pay for a coaching job. I watched him on the sidelines during the 2012 season, very detached displaying un-coach like antics. The millionaire bought the team three new buses, need I say more. I despise someone who buys his way rather than earn it.

 

That brings me to tonight's Chant Rant. We seat ourselves on the home team side of the field, 50 yard line in the teal seats. The two teams, Coastal and Furman storm onto the field but something is bass-akwards. Furman in their purple set up shop on our sideline. The Furman band spill into our stands and the Furman cheerleaders begin leading cheers on our side of the field. What is this, a Twilight Zone episode or Candid Camera?

I'm then informed that Joe, the millionaire has decided to change side of the field, because he doesn't like the sun to be in his eyes. Never in the history of football at any level has this ever happened. Because the sun is in his eyes...the sun is in our eyes, as it is for the entire bleacher full of Chant fans. Are we supposed to march over to the other side and demand seats with the sun to our backs?

Recap, we the fans come to the stadium expecting to see the CCU football team on the home side of stadium. That's what fans do. Instead we're looking at the backs of players wearing purple uniforms, cheer leaders in purple and flag waving band members in purple, not to mention a large fan base of Furman folks.

Foot ball tradition tossed out the window because Joe doesn't like looking into the sun. Now the Chants will play all away games, whether they are home or not. The football team is across the field during the game instead of on the side lines in front of us. I was confused. Just who was I supposed to be pulling for, the ones in purple or those on the opposite sidelines wearing teal. I am beyond flustered and fed up with Joe the millionaire and it being all about him and he what he wants, bought and paid for. Does the university have not an ounce of pride left? Joe has the funds to buy anything he wants, sad, sad, sad.

In two weeks is the next home game. I'll have to research my new team colors for that game and purchase a new wardrobe. I'll have to do that every home game now because the opposing team will be on our side of the field. This is so terribly wrong; say it ain't so, Joe that you think you are more important than tradition, the fans, football. It makes me want to puke.

Joe you have ruined it for all of us. Some of us can't be bought. You are disgusting and those running CCU are just a bad for allowing you to buy them off.  It's a sad day for college football. ESPN should run a story on this, the end of football as we know it at CCU.

Sometimes one is just blogged out. Breaking but will be back with more whomping the ball tales, bullying short stories or those trips down memory lane in the day before video games - stay tuned.

Visit http://www.mkhorror.com/category/books/ while I have the pause button pressed and catch up with my book reviews, those I've read, not written.

Okay, I do apologize to anyone following my blog. I have neglected you over the past few weeks but I did have an excuse. Moving to hopefully the final house ever!!! Next, kicking and screaming, I'll only be pried from here to head to the assisted living facility. Circumstances explained, hope you accept.
Now for a good ole southern rant...school is back in. It happens every year. Here on the grand strand I have issues with the big yellow kid transporters. Why in heavens name do they allow school bus drivers to make stops on four lane highways? Let me expand on this.
Back in the ancient times when I participated the annual ritual known as school, a bus made one stop in the neighborhood. The pickup and drop off location was centrally located, requiring kids to walk blocks from most any direction to experience the right to ride. Hey, kids actually got a little exercise.
Grand Strand bus routes, here I go. Anyone who has visited Myrtle Beach knows that there are basically tow main roadways to use, 501 and 544. 501 can be a virtual parking lot most any given day, especially Friday and weekends, traffic bumper to bumper traveling at the speed of a snail. 544 is typically better but again, it is a major route.
Picture the big yellow kid transporter traveling the four lane portal to and from the beach. Why would the driver be allowed to make stops on a four lane major highway? I mean a lot of stops, every block in many cases, backing up two lanes of traffic behind it. And guess what, it's the four o'clock rush hour to boot. REALLY? Why can't you pull into the side street and pick up and let out the kids? Does this stop and go crap on a major four lane tourist roadway make sense? And why every stinking block?
I'm feeling Road Rage II coming on...and bus drivers be very, very afraid. Possibly this will be a subplot in the next Detective Trudy Wagner novel. Joy, Joy, Joy, this is only the first day of a school year yet to come. Puts a new spin on retirement pondering, doesn't it?

Writing on the back burner, but many new plots are simmering in my little mind. I'm currently finishing up another novel, Lou Who, a little ditty about a lady with Alzheimer's who crosses paths with a long dead vengeful death who decides to take a ride in her body.


Here's my original thoughts on the plot:

A patient (woman) has been diagnosed and is going downhill fast.  An evil entity, spirit, time traveler or some unknown thing, possesses, reincarnates or takes over the body of the inflicted person, becomes trapped and struggles for control. The spouse, family, friends and doctors claim miracle, but then it begins to become unraveled when the creature within displays traits never displayed by the cured person. The doctors can’t explain the personality transformation, new ground being broken. The cured person (late forties to fifty-ish, in excellent shape until this happens) has an insatiable appetite for sex and murder. A vicious struggle for control of the person is a major part of the plot. Sadly, if the one battling the evil thing within wins, the ultimate cost will be a return to the clutches of the disease. The female body owner struggles with this decision, aware of the consequences, remaining healthy or dying. Does she allow this thing to share control or find some way to force it from her?

It has evolved greatly from my original thoughts from above and I've completed over 300 pages. The setting is Greenwood, S.C.

Characters

Emma ‘Lou’ Stetson (Alzheimer's patient)

Wade Stetson (husband)

Wyatt Stetson (brother of Wade)

Anna Stetson (wife of Wyatt)

Leanne Stetson (daughter of Lou/Wade)

Heath Stetson (son of Lou/Wade)

Liz Donley (female caregiver)

Doctor Kelly Garner

Doctor Manfred Peavy

Nurse Monica Sanchez

Detective Jack Yates

Fabian Pressley (student)

Spencer Misenheimer (parapsychologist)

R.W. Saunders (Ghost Hunter from TV series)

Elijah Blaine (Stetson family’s Preacher)

Raul Torres (rabbi-exorcist)

This is just one more of over ten completed novels waiting in the wings for their opportunity to see the light of day in published world. I'm thinking going strictly eBook on a few of them. It would be quicker and much cheaper. What do you think about that idea, instead of hard copies?