Ben Jeapes

How did I acquire several photos of the knees of a celebrity client (not this one) in the process of making author corrections? Check out Chapter 6, "Someone wants to Hire Me!", GHOSTWRITING NOVELS: A GUIDE FOR GHOSTWRITERS AND THE GHOSTWRITTEN. #ghostwriting #WritingTip www.ghostwritingnovels.com

John drew forward again. He was listening hard now, trying to feel the air. There was something around Toby, a – what was it? A fluster, a tumbling disorder. The boy was fast and strong, there was no question about it, but it was as if the normal pull of the earth didn’t operate on him. Something was blowing him about, gusting him this way and that faster than a common man could follow.

#booksky #bookqw word: STRONG.

Fairy-smith John meets Toby, a boy considered by his neighbours to be 'touched' because of a fey encounter.

In other news, I come from a neurodiverse family.

Buy here: tinyurl.com/nvvetupj

Cover art by Ben Baldwin shows a lethal, pale-scaled serpent-dragon or wyrm lurking in woodland. It looks straight at you as its forked tongue flickers between open, sharp-toothed jaws. Book extract reads: The man by the door with the mattock said something I didn’t catch, but he was obviously warning the others. Sledgehammer guy looked around again. His mate with the pickaxe took a couple of steps towards a jewellery seller at the other end of the barn. She was tiny, wearing a long black dress, with purple hair that matched her lipstick and eyeshadow. If she was next on their list, there was nothing I could do. I’d have to take that sledgehammer off the short-arse in front of me, then get past his mate with the mattock. No chance. My mother’s a dryad, but that doesn’t give me superpowers, not really. A dryad’s daughters take after their mothers and live for centuries in the unseen world alongside normal life. I’m tall and strong and hardly ever get ill, but I’ll grow old like my dad. Billhook guy called out. I realised I hadn’t misheard mattock man guarding the door. Whoever these thieves were, they weren’t speaking English between themselves

Book Quote Wednesday's word is 'strong' #BookQW
Dan Mackmain's physically fit and mentally tough. That means nothing in this situation. Want to find out what happens next?
The Green Man's War is a 99p Kindle UK deal for October.
www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Mans-W...

More places to pre-order this title coming soon. Meanwhile check out this #BookQW extract by @epiphanyferrell.bsky.social

Today's word: STRONG. Excerpt is from my paranormal YA novel OUT OF BODY.
#bookqw #yalit #yabooks #kidlit #paranormal #outofbody #bookstagram

Cover for The Green Man's Holiday by Juliet E. McKenna. Artwork and layout by Ben Baldwin. A mysterious animal with very sharp teeth peers out from a hollow in a pile of grey stones. Green foliage and white flowers surround it. Book extract reads: ‘I don’t think we should split up. Not now. Not if there’s any chance that beast-thing will turn up again.’ I couldn’t decide which possibility worried me more: coming face to face with it on a hillside on my own or being away from the cottage when it smashed its way in and attacked Fin. ‘I agree.’ She sounded relieved. We carried on stripping fibres from the nettles. We soon had enough for me to plait bundles of three or four into longer lengths. I could have made a much stronger, twisted cord, but I didn’t want to tie anything around these trees that would stay there long enough to damage them. When Fin had finished stripping the last few stalks, I fetched the bucket from the shower room and filled it from the kitchen tap. I grabbed the cleanest-looking tea towel and picked up the tyre iron from the kitchen counter. I gave the tyre iron to Fin as she handed me a last handful of damp nettle strands. We walked down the garden.

Book Quote Wednesday's word is 'strong' #BookQW
Dan and Fin know there's a threat out there, but it really would help if they knew what they were dealing with...
From Wizard’s Tower Press on 30th October 2025
For preorders, check your preferred retailer
www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Mans-H...

#Bookqw word: Strong

#comingsoon #womensfiction #enemiestolovers #booksky

Vivi was apparently in another mood, imperious, explicit. No surprise. Vivi’s hand on her cheek. turning her head: gentle, firm. Irresistible, yes. Vivi’s eyes, wide and dark, determined. Vivi’s lips on hers: exploratory, insistent, assertive. Nothing tentative or suggestive, nothing like her own ways of seduction. No offer of pulling back, or waiting longer. Malance could lean into that certainty and find comfort there, and support. It was too soon for promises, but tonight she’d take this gladly. Someone who could seem stronger than herself, someone who knew what they wanted. Someone to take charge, just for the night. In the morning she would need to be herself again, ambassador again, mistress in her own house. Tonight, though—tonight she could yield, and follow Vivi’s determined lead, and let her choose the way.

It is Book Quote Wednesday and the word is 'strong'. In Of the Emperor's Kindness by Chaz Brenchley, Malance has had a terrible shock and Vivi thinks she needs a distraction. #BookQW
wizardstowerpress.co...

Left side of image is book cover of SORDANEON, Book 1 of the Triempery Revelations series by L.L. Stephens. Cover shows a small lone figure facing a golden, fantastic city with a core of shining power. Left side is a text excerpt from SORDANEON, showing a scene between Dorilian, the young MC, and older, wiser Marc Frederick: “You are crueler than any blade to deliver hope only when hope is gone. He would have ruled this land in a way I never could, been truly just in a way I never could be. He would not have had to fight the way I did.” When Dorilian looked away, Marc Frederick laughed hollowly in recognition of the reason. “Oh, you think I fought because I wanted to, don’t you? You would think that, given your history. But think again—and take a good, long look at yourself when you do. Because you are less like him than you want to believe, and much—much—more like me. You fight because you can, because you are strong and tough and have the stomach for battle that others do not. Because others will look to you to fight their battles for them—and you will do it, because they will have convinced you that you must. You will fight until you have killed or enslaved or silenced them all, every perceived enemy, every people that does not speak and think and act as you think they should—and then you will step back one day and see what you have wrought. You will see that you are alone. You will have wanted to create a world for people like you, only to find that there are no others like you and never will be. But then it will be too late. You will have destroyed even hope.”

It's Book Quote Wednesday and the word is STRONG

Below is a key scene from SORDANEON, first book of the Triempery Revelations series. In it, Marc Frederick--a man Dorilian has considered an enemy--counsels him about strength and its price.

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky #Sordaneon #bookqw

It's Book Quote Wednesday! Today's word: STRONG. #Excerpt is from THE COMING OF ARABELLA. #paranormalromance #mermaids #bookqw

Zuri &Luis first meet…
Link: www.amazon.com/Phantom-Alge...
#bookqw #horrorbooks #yabooks

Today's #bookqw is "strong." Check out Bethany's doubts about Nick in Ghosted--a second-chance romance set in a small coastal town on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Available on Amazon and other retailers: books2read.com/lorimatsourani

#BookQW
Today's Word is #STRONG

Amazon UK www.amazon.co.uk/Matchmakers-...

Amazon US www.amazon.com/Matchmakers-...

It’s Book Quote Wednesday, and today’s word is “strong.” www.brianandersonmysteries.com www.amazon.com/stores/autho... #BookQW #wrpbks #mystery #BookSky

Today's #BookQW word: Strong

Need an escape with a new #BookBoyfriend?
Read HIGHLAND RECKONING!
bit.ly/3Wez5Ty

"The story is pure #romance with a bit of #magic in the setting of the beautiful Scottish #highlands."

#Booksky #Scotland #romanticreads #HistoricalHighlands #swoonworthyromance

#Bookqw 'strong' from my novella in PETS IN SPACE 10 (my novella is Star Cruise Lucky Charm) #scifiromance #romancelandia #petsinspace www.amazon.com/Pets-Space-1...

Quote from Cursed Under London. Quote reads: ‘Er, me and Amber put good time and effort into saving you eggs,’ called Nell, stepping out from the warehouse. ‘You would have got stabbed and kidnapped or drowned in the Thames if not for our selfless actions, at no inconsiderable risk to our own safety. A little thankfulness wouldn’t go amiss, since we’re clearly getting no other reward for our bravery.’ ‘You got to test your new euphoria potion,’ argued Fang, ‘and Amber’s having a great time.’ He indicated to the little dragon as she waddled slowly along, her tail drooped, her eyes like saucers. ‘Queeeeeeen of the dragons,’ she mumbled, happily, ‘of allllllll I survey. Tremble, puny humans.’ ‘Yes, yes,’ Fang told her gently, scooping her up into his arms so she could do no damage to herself, ‘you’re a mighty ferocious beast’. ‘I shall build a royal nest from your skulllllllllls’. ‘Yeah,’ sighed Nell, ‘I can’t sell it at this concentration, can I? It’s way too strong.’ ‘I’d buy it,’ Lazare admitted.

It's Book Quote Wednesday and this week's word is STRONG! In Cursed Under London, Nell the apothecary finds that helping her friends when they wind up in danger is a great way to test the potency of her latest potion (WAY too strong for sale) #BookQW Buying link: farragobooks.com/book/cursed-...

Teenage boy in a red jacket, black pants and tennis shoes, with a backpack over one shoulder. " He wasn’t big enough or #strong enough to make her do anything she didn’t want to do. He hadn’t learned to drive yet. The idea was ridiculous."

Where is Julie Morgan? lindagriffinauthor.com/morgan_s_lan...
#BookQW #Mystery #SmallTownLife #MissingPerson

It's Book Quote Wednesday and the word is STRONG. The Thief has possessed a healthy young body and now intends to take over the world, but there are still barriers to overcome. #bookqw #yafantasy www.benjeapes.com/index.php/th...

Hear me read a longer version at benjeapes.substack.com.

Brooksie Elk is writing a novel about a deer whose name is stolen by a famous singer. She's found a book that can help her. Chapter 10, which covers libel, is especially helpful. #ghostwriting #WriteTip #libel
www.ghostwritingnovels.com

Cover art shows a lethal, pale-scaled serpent-dragon or wyrm lurking in woodland. It looks straight at you as its forked tongue flickers between open, sharp-toothed jaws. Book extract reads: ‘Daniel Mackmain. Dan.’ I found a creased business card in one of my pockets. I put it on the table, holding it down with a finger so it wouldn’t blow away. ‘I don’t like bullies and I don’t like getting threatened by some arsehole with a sledgehammer. I don’t like seeing someone else’s hard work being stolen by a bunch of pricks. And no, I don’t particularly like coppers. Once they get an idea in their heads, they’re like a terrier with a rat. They won’t let go and they won’t look anywhere else. That’s sod all use if you’re innocent.’ But the silversmith was looking past me, towards the gate in the orchard wall.

Book Quote Wednesday's word is 'hard' #BookQW
If limits on your book budget are a challenge, good news! The Green Man's War is a Kindle ebook deal for October.
Get caught up with Dan Mackmain's adventures before The Green Man's Holiday is published on 30th October.
www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Mans-W...

It doesn’t look too hard, he decides, and digging his fingers into the grimy bark of the stump of a broken branch, he puts one foot into a crevice and pushes off the ground. But his toehold is less firm than he hopes, and he skids back down, bashing his shin on the way. Everything is wet and lubricated by moss. Glancing at his watch, Jules realises that he’s out of time; he has to go now. One more attempt, though. He tries the same route again, with the same result. In frustration, he takes off his belt and throws the buckle over a higher branch to give himself a bit of extra reach. He swings, scrambles, lands on his backside in the loam again. Brushing the worst of it off, he gets to his feet, fully intending to retrace his steps, sprint the last hundred metres or so up the high street, and catch the train. But instead, he turns back to the tree. He’s going to do this. He was never going to catch that train to Wrabness anyway.

Book Quote Wednesday's word is 'hard' #BookQW
Hiding Under the Leaves is being launched at World Fantasycon in Brighton and is released 3rd November elsewhere. theslab.press

The message had said that a herd of prize pigs, possessed of silken back-fat as smooth-tasting as cream, had suffered a sudden disaster. One of the sows – only a sow, mercifully, not the breeding boar – had disappeared, and at first the owners, the Palmer family, had thought in terms of thieves – until a week later they were greeted by the dreadful sight, there, in their own farmyard, of the corpse of the sow herself, withered down to an empty sack of bones, black skin leathered over her stark skull, where her hardened lips leered at the Palmers in a grin of ghastly anguish, as if she had died of pain so dreadful that there was nothing left to do but laugh at a world that could contain it. (Such was the enthusiastic account of Tim Scranton, the packman who had been paid to carry the news; he had added the philosophy for free. A man who affords his supper based on the ability to talk up his wares would be remiss in his trade if he didn’t take such an opportunity to practise his powers.)

#booksky #bookqw word: HARD.

A message has been sent: this is definitely a case for the fairy-smiths.

A bit grisly, this one. Happy October!

Get the books here: tinyurl.com/nvvetupj

“Some salve and bandages for these.” “Hadn’t noticed. I can do it.” “Nonsense. Both your hands are burned, I can tell. You’re being foolish, not brave. What will you use to apply it, your teeth?” Faarax argued no further. Rather than go straight to the control area, the two went to the ship’s sick bay. Hardly the most lavish example of its type, nor did it have a dedicated doctor ministering to its patients. It was all rough and ready, served and administered by the self or a willing companion. Seated on the small room’s single sick bed, Faarax allowed his hand to be treated and bandaged. Lenore performed this action with all the gentle maternity any mother might give her son. She looked hard into the boy’s eyes. Was that a slight softening? Or frustration? Would their bargain have to be delayed? Might as well ask and get it over with. “Does this mean the bargain’s off for now?” Faarax nodded, his mouth sullen. “Yeah. Can’t kill you with duff hands.” “No, you can’t. But these should heal in a week or two.” “Thanks. For the assist.” “Whatever our agreements, you’re still my son in all but blood. And any mother looks after her son.” The two stared at each other, the unspoken agreement reaching across any boundaries of either family or species. It was a deep, unspoken connection. An agreement most would see as unsettling or unnatural. One the others either knew nothing of, or pretended not to see. She had brought him aboard, a frightened and sullen child, nearly fifteen years ago. Solet had appreciated the addition of some young blood, and a competent Feles combat expert. The pair had carved their niche among the ragtag crew. But always the agreement, the tacit understanding. “When the day comes, I’ll kill you.” Faarax had said. “And when that day comes, I’ll let you try, but you may fail.” Lenore had said.

Book Quote Wednesday's word is 'hard' #BookQW
On board the freight ship Benbow, Lenore and Faarax share a vow no-one beyond themselves would understand.
#scifi #spaceopera #writingcommunity #BookSky💙📚

I round the corner and a memory rises from the cobbles, so hard and fast it almost knocks me off my feet. A crowd of ghosts outside the pub, a gang of us from sixth form, drinking lager on a summer’s evening. It’s the first time I’ve successfully been served in a bar, a moment for celebration, but joy turns sour as Star emerges, followed by a couple of guys with slicked back hair and polo shirts. They’re calling her names, the sort of filthy, racist language I’ve seldom heard before, the sort that curdles your mind as you realise how grotesque human beings can be. She’s playing along like usual, telling them how right they are, trying to get away, but their grins only grow more feral. She’s changed her voice, changed her clothes, changed the name she goes by, but nothing is ever enough. One of them pushes her, her drink goes flying, she falls.

It is Book Quote Wednesday and the word is 'hard'. In Andrew Knighton's "Walking a Wounded Land" from Wiz Duo 3, Paul encounters an unwelcome ghost of past events. #BookQW
wizardstowerpress.co...

Today's word: HARD. Excerpt is from my upcoming (Oct 6) release THE HAUNTED PURSE.
#bookqw #snippet #yalit #yabooks #kidlit #bookstagram #paranormal

Quote from Cursed under London. Quote reads: ‘Lazare,’ whispered Fang, his lips wet and parted and utterly inviting. Fang put his strong, elegant hands on Lazare’s shoulders. ‘Lazare.’ Fang pulled Lazare towards him. Lazare held his own hands out and touched that lovely, scar-etched chest. ‘Lazare,’ Fang repeated, his voice urgent now, growing in a delicious crescendo. ‘Lazare!’ Fang gripped his arms, hard. It hurt, but in a nice way. Fang shook him. ‘Lazare! Wake up, you ridiculous fop!’ Lazare frowned, and blinked a few times. Oh. He wasn’t on a couch or a stage or making love, he was on top of a crate, on a cart teetering at the edge of the Thames.

It's Book Quote Wednesday! This week's word is HARD (fner). Here is a moment of false hardness from Cursed Under London, as Lazare appears to be under some sort of euphoria spell. #BookQW Buying links: farragobooks.com/book/cursed-...

#Bookqw word: Hard

Zuri faces consequences…
link: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...
#writingcommunity #writesky #yabooks #horrorbooks #wrpbks #bookqw