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Below you’ll find my three self-published works and the three anthologies I’m honored to be a part of. Check them out!
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Short-Story Collections:
A soulful boat. A melodic bedroom. A phantom companion. A transformative beard. A freeing dream. A cyclic intrusion. A sabulous sacrifice. Seven scenarios that take each of their protagonists on an emotional rollercoaster through the dimensions of love, whimsy, suspense, mystery, tragedy, and hope.
The Hand in Mine: and six other twisted stories with an emotional core
Reader Reviews:
“Every story took me on a journey, some fantastical, some more grounded in reality, but each one grabbed my heart and took it for an unforgettable ride.”
“Whether it's the gripping suspense in a supernatural rescue, the heartwarming solace found in a musical wondrous mystery, or the bittersweet moments of a terminally ill man's journey, Shayle's storytelling genius shines through.”
“From heartwarming LGBT romances to enigmatic musical mysteries, and from spine-tingling horror to heartstring-tugging romance, the stories encompass a wide spectrum of emotions and experiences.”
“The diversity of characters and themes is a standout feature of this collection. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and be thoroughly enchanted by this remarkable collection.”
“The Hand in Mine [short tory]. Man, where do I even start? This one yanked my heart out, shattered it into a thousand pieces and then put them back together save for a few. […] I genuinely believe it will be a huge success if it's made into a theatrical production. Pitch it to Netflix!”
A playful prank. A game of "Would You Rather". An artistic side business. A regimen of antibiotics. A touristy vacation. A routine procedure. An elevator ride. All harmless activities, yet all culminating in absurdity and regret as each led one of our seven hapless protagonists to unexpected danger.
The Joke’s on Me: and six other twisted stories of absurdity and regret
Reader Reviews:
“This author has a wild imagination. This is a collection of stories that feel like part tales of the unexpected, part Stephen King, part Dr Who, and maybe a little bit of Bukowski. Buy this book if you like short horror stories that can be a little dark, a little violent and completely off the wall.”
“Something I've noticed throughout the book is Shayle's ability to convincingly write in different POVs. […] When it comes to writing from different perspectives, there seem to be no limitations of gender or age. Again, not an easy feat.”
“These stories cover the gamut of emotions, from incredulousness to nail-biting suspense to frustration to uproarious laughter.”
“This has you going from laughing to gasping in the same story and each one keeps you waiting with tension to see whats going to happen next. The drawings at the beginning of each story also have hints about the story or something creepy.”
“I highly recommend this book for those who like taking reading breaks at work, or those who have an ADD brain like me and struggle to focus. These stories are captivating and short and draw you in.”
A petty thief, a pervert, a stalker, an assaulter, an arrogant jerk, a heartless opportunist, and a self-centered caregiver. And those are just the protagonists. Each tells their story of the twisted experience that changed their life, and whether they dealt with spirits, aliens, demons, vampires, or your not-so-average humans, none left their encounter unscathed.
The Fall of Souls: and six other twisted stories about unlikable people
Reader Reviews:
“I fairly tore through this collection of short stories, which wonderfully satisfied every morally debauched descent into schadenfreude I claim I never wanted. […] A delightful read for fans of dark fiction and horror.”
“L. M. Shayle creates different plots that leave you rooting for the villainous protagonists to get their comeuppance. Six unique worlds. Six humans who have fallen (souls be damned). Twists and turns. A bit of horror. A bit of mystery. It's a completely fun read. It’s impossible to pick out a favourite, but I’ll say I loved to hate the main characters of “Fall of Souls” and “Deserve Better.’”
“Each story is unique, polished, and brilliantly crafted with spine-tingling thrills. “Killing Time” and “Dead of Night” were particular favorites. Plus, the artwork at the beginning of each story was an added bonus!”
“One feature that stands out consistently across all the stories is the quality of the descriptions. Shayle is excellent at painting pictures, and at times the book feels like a movie playing in the reader's mind.”
Anthologies:
Literary Revelations invites you to immerse yourself in the captivating world. This superb collection features the work of over 160 talented poets. The art on the cover by award-winning painter Hikari sets the tone for what awaits inside - a world where words dance off the page and into your heart. The background photo by award-winning Japanese photographer Naoki Kimura adds another layer of beauty to this already exquisite collection that encapsulates the essence of haiku poetry. The spectacular haiku writers featured in this collection bring to life the delicacy of seasons and the profound range of human emotions, from joy to grief, in a way that is both delightful and deeply moving.
Petals of Haiku: An Anthology - Edited by Gabriela Marie Milton
Reader Reviews:
“The Spirit of Japanese poetry reflected on five continents. In the anthology 'Petale de Haiku,' I discovered extraordinary poets and a fabulous diversity in the approach to haiku. For those who love Japanese poetry, this anthology is a delight.”
“What an incredible array of talent from all over the world, collected into this comprehensive haiku anthology.”
“Very Zen, enjoyable and inspiring verses collected which are a great joy to admire and learn from! Highly recommended for writers and scholars interested in seeing a wide and intriguing continuum of striking poetry.”
For this fifth collection of writings, the From One Line community were challenged not with one prompt line, but two - the mission being to join the opening and closing prompt lines together, weaving their own brand of word-magic in between. And they certainly didn’t disappoint.
Wildly diverse and hugely entertaining, this collection has something for everyone: a touch of romance, a sliver of horror, a side-helping of comedy, a dash of drama, and more than just a splash of surreal.
From one Line to Another - Edited by Meghan Dargue
Reader Reviews:
“New writers enjoying themselves and showcasing the way stories can share commonalities in the multiverse of imagination.”
“What a wonderful book this is, full of imaginative, entertaining words.”
Accompanying Dan Dana's unique haiku quintets are 179 traditional haiku composed by 61 poets in 21 countries. The result is a browsable world tour of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Some may make you cry and some may make you laugh. All will help you understand how humanity survived that momentous year.
Songs of the Pandemic: World Haiku (Haiku Quintets) - Edited by Dan Dana
Reader Reviews:
“Didn't know Haiku could be so interesting. No longwinded paragraphs and chapters. Essences. Wonderful essences.”
“Five stars. I recommend for all lovers of haiku and short form modern poetry. The book also features some wonderful photography.”
“The contributions of authors from across the world demonstrates the author's generosity as well as how the pandemic has affected humanity as a whole such that our common humanity empowers and connects us.”