Blog Archives

The Oddities on Saturday Night Cover Painting Re-Reveal

5/28/2020

THE ODDITIES ON SATURDAY NIGHT
BY GABRIEL RICARD
RE-REVEAL OF THE COVER PAINTING

The next release from Moran Press will be The Oddities on Saturday Night by Gabriel Ricard. This short story collection was put on hold due to the pandemic sweeping the globe. As a new normal for business returns, Moran Press is beginning to set a new release schedule.

That means let's start from the top.

Here's the cover painting for Gabriel's new book that will be made into the cover.

Painting by David Graham

A release date will be selected and shared with readers.

Thank you to all for your support during these extremely difficult times.

To those that can afford to do so, kindly buy books in the Moran Press shop or online at Amazon to help me get a budget to re-launch this business. I'm trying to cobble together enough to promote Gabriel's new book. Thank you to any that purchase. I appreciate you all.

Stephen Moran
Owner of Moran Press

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NEW #Fiction - #Quarantine, No Chill - An Ella Thomas Serial Installment

5/24/2020

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Image by Lothar Dieterich from Pixabay

Quarantine, No Chill
An Ella Thomas Serial Installment

I fled the kitchen for the quiet confines of my car before the whole sick crew could ruin my solitude. With the seat pushed back as far as the lever will allow, I sit with notebook on my lap waiting for the muse to strike. Nervous energy flows from my fingertips down the pen and onto the page. I swear my readers will be able to feel my irritable anxiety when this story posts to the website.

But where is my muse. I feel abandoned in this hellscape time. Trapped in my car in search of enough peace and quiet to pull anomie from my soul and spray paint the morning sky with scathing words. Oh, but what good would it do. Write for the base reason of nothing better to occupy time and space and the void of quarantine, dodging landmines both real and perceived…

A sharp rapping on the driver’s side window startles me, my flailing arm spilling hot coffee on my feet. I scream in pain and face my untimely visitor.

It’s the FBI.

This morning can get fucked.

The agent raps on the window again with the same urgency despite our eyes being locked. He motions for me to roll down my window.

"Haven’t you heard of social distancing? Are you going to arrest me for not wearing my face mask?”

Marcus sighs and holds up a coffee. “Are you going to unlock the door so I can get in or not?”

I take a deep breath and count. One, two, three…ten. I won’t kill Mr. FBI agent. I won’t kill Mr. FBI agent.

I press the button unlocking the doors and another lowering the window. “Get in before you make a scene. I swear men are fucking toddlers. Even FBI agents.”

Marcus circles to the passenger’s side after passing me a coffee. Unscrewing the cap, I take a sip. It tastes glorious. I must admit. He’s an intolerable shit so much of the time, but the man brings the best coffee. It’s the least he can do after making me spill mine.

“What do you want today, Marcus? You know I’m trying to write. This better be good. Can’t I get just ten fucking minutes alone? Who knew being trapped at home means you won’t get ten seconds to pee without someone wanting some damn fucking thing.”

Marcus removes a pack of cigarettes from a blazer pocket and smacks it against his shoulder several times. Letting out a low whistle, he unwraps the package and tosses the cellophane on the floor. He flicks open a butane lighter and puts a blow torch level of power forth to light the cigarette.

“Man, I love this fucking lighter.” He takes a drag and smiles in satisfaction.

“Jesus Christ men are such toddlers. Shouldn’t you wait to light a celebratory cigarette until after we fuck?”

He coughs on the smoke and hacks for several moments while trying to restrain a fit of laughter.

“You’ll always have that blunt sweet talk to seduce me. Never fails. But I’m afraid not today. That’s why I’m here…”

He’s interrupted by a siren and suddenly the day explodes with lights and horns and the calm voice of the police dispatcher giving orders to the town cop approaching Ella’s car.

“What now, Marcus. Be quick.”

The patrolman, whom I do not know, approaches my drivers’ side window. He calmly knocks three times and waits for me to roll down the window.

“Marcus…” I whisper. “Hurry the fuck up.”

The patrolman knocks again and points at his watch. I must act. Closing my eyes, I try to recapture the story I’d been working on before it flutters into the ethos, but I can’t go back. It’s too late. The patrolman raps on the window again. This time harder.

“This is Uxbridge Police. We have a warrant for an object that was delivered to this address yesterday morning. Please cut the engine and exit with vehicle with your hands in the air.”

Stay tuned for the next episode...coming next Sunday night to Moran Press.

READ THE FIRST INSTALLMENT
THE MORNING ROUTINE, PANDEMIC EDITION

PURCHASE THE BOOKS OF
THE ELLA THOMAS COLLECTION

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NEW #Fiction Entertainment - The Morning Routine, #Pandemic Edition

5/18/2020

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NEW FICTION
THE MORNING ROUTINE,
PANDEMIC EDITION
AN ELLA THOMAS SERIAL STORY

THE MORNING ROUTINE

Everything is ready. I prepared it last night before drinking myself into a fitful forced sleep.
Notebooks, pens, laptop check.
Coffee check.

But it’s not happening. Nothing except for that mass of anxiety built inside my mind and soul from being trapped inside. It’s like being in the mental hospital again. Except I feel better, nothing like I used to feel when I did most of those things.

I want to get out of this house. But they won’t let me. My stay at home order was court ordered long before pandemic. I’m not going anywhere and haven’t for an awfully long time.

For the things they say about me mostly are true. Especially the thing, so I’ll just get to it.
My name is Ella Thomas and I’m a serial killer.

Whew. Now we have that out of the way.
I don’t want us to get off on the wrong path by lying to you. I’m having difficulty concentrating and the blunt truth requires the least mental energy.

There’s no artful way to inform you I murdered father on my 13th birthday.
I can’t tell you more. There’s no time.

Everyone in the house will wake and my hell will begin.
Pandemic chokes the life from my soul and all I want is to shop online.

Something has changed in me. I can doubt it no longer. I don’t want to scare you. Truly I don’t. Pandemic has taken desire to kill from my mind for the first time in my life. Kryptonite? I don’t know but for once my rage doesn’t seek a target to eliminate.

And now I must go. Someone stirs. The day begins and I'm expecting deliveries. A very special item will arrive today. I can't wait to share the secret. Darth Vader, Hannibal, and expensive whiskey. That's all I can tell you.

Enjoy your day even if you made other plans.

Love Ella

READ PART TWO
THE ELLA SERIAL FICTION
QUARANTINE, NO CHILL

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MORAN PRESS

SUPPORT MORAN PRESS
BECOME A PATRON OR ORDER BOOKS
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS

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Moran Press Accepting Submissions for the $100 Grand Prize Award

5/9/2020

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MORAN PRESS ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
$100 GRAND PRIZE AWARD

Moran Press is committed to the goal of publishing diverse voices and the $100 grand prize award is a step towards achieving that goal.

NOW ACCEPTING SHORT STORY SUBMISSIONS

2500-5000 WORDS
STAND ALONE SHORT STORY
DARK LITERARY FICTION
UN-PUBLISHED/NEW AND RELATING TO THEMES OF PANDEMIC

$100 Grand Prize includes a feature post on Moran Press in addition to the monetary reward.

Moran Press wants submissions from voices that have not been amplified on this website.

Submit via email to MoranPressGroup@gmail.com

Attach story via WORD doc attachment to email
In body of email include relevant short bio and word count of story.

I look forward to reading your dark tales.

Contact me on social media or email questions.

Stephen Moran
Owner of Moran Press

TO ALL WANT TO SUBMIT
READ THE FREE STORIES AND POETRY
TO AID IN PREPARING YOUR SUBMISSION

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED TITLES

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The Oddities on Saturday Night Cover Painting Re-Reveal

THE ODDITIES ON SATURDAY NIGHT
BY GABRIEL RICARD
RE-REVEAL OF THE COVER PAINTING

NEW #Fiction - #Quarantine, No Chill - An Ella Thomas Serial Installment

Quarantine, No Chill
An Ella Thomas Serial Installment

READ THE FIRST INSTALLMENT
THE MORNING ROUTINE, PANDEMIC EDITION

PURCHASE THE BOOKS OF
THE ELLA THOMAS COLLECTION

NEW #Fiction Entertainment - The Morning Routine, #Pandemic Edition

NEW FICTION
THE MORNING ROUTINE,
PANDEMIC EDITION
AN ELLA THOMAS SERIAL STORY

READ PART TWO
THE ELLA SERIAL FICTION
QUARANTINE, NO CHILL

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MORAN PRESS

SUPPORT MORAN PRESS
BECOME A PATRON OR ORDER BOOKS
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS

Moran Press Accepting Submissions for the $100 Grand Prize Award

MORAN PRESS ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
$100 GRAND PRIZE AWARD

TO ALL WANT TO SUBMIT
READ THE FREE STORIES AND POETRY
TO AID IN PREPARING YOUR SUBMISSION

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED TITLES

NEW RELEASES

HAND SEWN HARDCOVER EDITION OF SERVER

HAND SEWN HARDCOVER BOOK WITH CUSTOM ORIGINAL SHORT STORY

THREE HAND SEWN CHAPBOOKS

Archives

Categories

The Oddities on Saturday Night Cover Painting Re-Reveal

THE ODDITIES ON SATURDAY NIGHTBY GABRIEL RICARDRE-REVEAL OF THE COVER PAINTING

NEW #Fiction - #Quarantine, No Chill - An Ella Thomas Serial Installment

Quarantine, No ChillAn Ella Thomas Serial Installment

READ THE FIRST INSTALLMENTTHE MORNING ROUTINE, PANDEMIC EDITION

PURCHASE THE BOOKS OFTHE ELLA THOMAS COLLECTION

NEW #Fiction Entertainment - The Morning Routine, #Pandemic Edition

NEW FICTIONTHE MORNING ROUTINE,PANDEMIC EDITIONAN ELLA THOMAS SERIAL STORY

READ PART TWOTHE ELLA SERIAL FICTION​QUARANTINE, NO CHILL

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MORAN PRESS

SUPPORT MORAN PRESSBECOME A PATRON OR ORDER BOOKSTHANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS

Moran Press Accepting Submissions for the $100 Grand Prize Award

MORAN PRESS ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS$100 GRAND PRIZE AWARD

TO ALL WANT TO SUBMITREAD THE FREE STORIES AND POETRYTO AID IN PREPARING YOUR SUBMISSION

PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED TITLES

NEW RELEASES

HAND SEWN HARDCOVER EDITION OF SERVER

HAND SEWN HARDCOVER BOOK WITH CUSTOM ORIGINAL SHORT STORY

THREE HAND SEWN CHAPBOOKS

Archives

Categories

THE ODDITIES ON SATURDAY NIGHT
BY GABRIEL RICARD
RE-REVEAL OF THE COVER PAINTING

Quarantine, No Chill
An Ella Thomas Serial Installment

READ THE FIRST INSTALLMENT
THE MORNING ROUTINE, PANDEMIC EDITION

PURCHASE THE BOOKS OF
THE ELLA THOMAS COLLECTION

NEW FICTION
THE MORNING ROUTINE,
PANDEMIC EDITION
AN ELLA THOMAS SERIAL STORY

READ PART TWO
THE ELLA SERIAL FICTION
QUARANTINE, NO CHILL

SUPPORT MORAN PRESS
BECOME A PATRON OR ORDER BOOKS
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS

MORAN PRESS ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
$100 GRAND PRIZE AWARD

TO ALL WANT TO SUBMIT
READ THE FREE STORIES AND POETRY
TO AID IN PREPARING YOUR SUBMISSION