Melissa Szydlek

Biography

I am a transplant to the Triangle area of North Carolina and I love it. Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA and living in Detroit, MI for over 16 years, I have been a big-city girl my entire life. Now, however, I live a quieter life at a slower pace and am thankful for every moment.

In addition to my own work, you can find me collaborating with a talented group of indie authors known as Top Writers Block. Find us on Smashwords, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and so forth!

I value the opinions of my readers. Please share them with me! You can contact me via my Facebook page.

A few people have asked me how to pronounce my last name: it's "sid-lak".

Smashwords Interview

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I was primarily raised in Philadelphia but spent many summers on my grandparents farm in Kentucky. I tend to write darker fiction, of monsters both literal and those that take human form. I had a very tough childhood and was badly abused. This has no doubt influenced much of this darker writing.
When did you first start writing?
I wrote stories as soon as I learned how to read and form a sentence. I would write stories with crayons and tie the pages together with bits of red yarn.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Melissa Szydlek online

Videos

Melissa Szydlek's EBooks Video
An overview of my available ebooks.

Podcast Review of Wicked Things
A reader posted a podcast review of my ebook "Wicked Things: Five Tales of Horror".

Books

Sharp Edges
Price: $1.50 USD. Words: 18,030. Language: English. Published: May 15, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - multi-author
Top Writers Block has written a collection of short stories full of sharp edges and cutting wit. Knives cut deep, but so do words. Enjoy this collection of fiction full of fun, fantasy, mystery, and horror. Eight stories include authors Cleve Sylcox, Barnaby Wilde, Suzy Stewart Dubot, Tracey Howard, Melissa A. Szydlek, and Elizabeth Rowan Keith.
Theme Park
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 23,320. Language: English. Published: April 14, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - multi-author
Six exciting worlds of adventure, mystery, drama, suspense, and horror await you. Climb aboard as Top Writers Block takes you on a ride celebrating the talent of independent authors. Come explore these unique worlds. Delight in classic writing styles, whimsical humor, and cold corridors of spine-tingling mayhem. This collection is sure to delight. Enter our Theme Park. You are Welcome Here.

Melissa Szydlek's tag cloud

anthology    cut    detective    edges    fiction    horror    knife    mystery    poetry    sharp edges    short fiction    short stories    theme park    top writers block   

Smashwords book reviews by Melissa Szydlek

  • One Way To Mars on March 14, 2012

    I loved it. I thought it was a great read for all ages and it made me laugh in spots. This is a writer I will be following and encouraging my friends to read.
  • Sick on March 25, 2012

    An interesting read, reminded me of a very good 'Twilight Zone' or 'Thriller' episode. I wanted to know more about the main character - how he got to where he was at the beginning. Really enjoyed! And from one of my favorite authors.