Michael J Elliott

Biography

Michael J Elliott lives in Victoria, Australia and grew up with a vivid imagination. At Primary school his Headmistress proudly called him A second Alfred Hitchcock Michael continued his love of the creative arts where he was praised for his performances in school productions such as Oliver. He achieved an A+ for his scriptwriting and directing in his Year 12 Media Studies class. Michael then went on to study Media for two years at Melbourne State College. He also joined a local amatuer performing and social group who reguarly performed free shows for senior citizens club and his comedy sketches were highly praised. Michael's writing highlight thus far was to write a comedy sketch for a television special which starred his brother, one of Australia's most widely respected comedians. Michael is a fan of sci fi, British comedy, fantasy and golden age Hollywood movies and is a fan of online game Wizard 101 which he says, nutures his fantasies to be an adult Harry Potter. Michaei is the author of short stories, Dinner For Two and Mr Westacott's Christmas which are included in his collection of short horror stories, Portraits of Dread. He has also written the horror novella, Sharpshooter. His other two shorts, Black Silk Panties (An erotic horror story) and How does your gaden grow? are now available and are part of his newest collection, Choice Cuts-A Bite From The Dark Realm. Released on Haloween 2016.
Michael is also the illustrator of the childrens books, Girlie'sAdventures by author and publisher Claire Plaisted.

Smashwords Interview

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Lol that's difficult, but it was definitely at Primary school. One of the traditional things we were asked to do by our teachers was to write a short story or essay about what we did over the summer holidays. I came from a rather poor family so we didn't go on holidays so I always asked my teacher if I could make up a fantasy story. I'm very grateful they always said yes and I can remember standing in front of the class reading my story about an axe wielding monster. I'm surprised I never gave the other kids nightmares!
What is your writing process?
I've only just started my journey as a professional writer so I'm still learning the craft but I've read a lot of books by authors explaining the 'nuts and bolts' method of how to write. From everything I've learnt so far my own crude process is emerging. For me it always starts with an idea. The novel I'm currently writing came about by watching the news. It was a report on a drug overdose, and I hope I don't offend anyone here, but it got me angry, thinking about how much valuable ambulance and hospital time was being wasted by this drug addict and that's how the idea came to become the start of a novel. From there it's just a question of jotting down ideas, scenes and characters in a completely random way. Recently I couldn't sleep because a scene involving my main character and his cat started writing itself in my mind so I had to get up and write it down.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Michael J Elliott online

Videos

Review of Shapshooter by author DM Cain.
Sharpshooter was my very first novella and was unique for a couple of reasons. Firstly it was the first time I'd ever set a story here in my own country of Australia. (It was actually set in Melbourne, the capital city of the State of Victoria where I live.). Secondly, David the protagonist is a pyschopath and not a sympathectic character. I was grateful that DM Cain saw what I was trying to achieve with this story and so far, other readers have agreed with her!

DM Cain's review of Mr Westacott's Christmas.
I was absolutely blown away by author DM Cain's five star review of Mr Westacott's Christmas. This was only my second published as has garnered more five star reviews than any other. I'm very proud that a year afyer publication it still remains in Amazon's top 100 free supsense reads.

Books

Final Harvest-An Electric Eclectic Book
Price: $1.50 USD. Words: 12,270. Language: English. Published: December 7, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Occult, Fiction » Horror » Occult
An old man, desperate to be reunited with his desceased family makes an unholy pact with the guardians of an ancient tree. They will reunite hime with his family but the payment will be horrific. Will Charlie Figgins pay the price of blood?
Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater.
Price: $1.50 USD. Words: 8,390. Language: Australian English. Published: December 23, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Crime
A hen pecked man with a love of cooking has dark fantasies about killing his mentally abusive wife. When he finally gains employment working for a charity he thinks that murdering his wife may not be such a bad idea.
Choice Cuts-A Bite From The Dark Realm
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 43,560. Language: Australian English. Published: October 31, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Occult
A collection of dark and quirky tales from the author of Portraits of Dread. Tales of horror, a dystopian future, and the supernatural.
Sharpshooter (A Supernatural Horror Novella.)
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 11,730. Language: English. Published: August 25, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Occult
IF YOU LOOSE, IT'S GAME OVER....FOREVER! "David's eyes widened at the sight of the head. The skin was mottled with greenish grey patches of decay, The white wispy hair was matted with dried blood." When teenager David decided he must own the Sharpshooter game at any price he could not have known that his violent actions would transport him to a nightmarish realm of hell and damnation.
Mr Westacott's Christmas. (Revised Edition with bonus preview of Mr Westacott's Holiday.)
Price: $1.50 USD. Words: 5,970. Language: English. Published: August 25, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Psychological thriller
After being a widower for six years, Mr Westacott receives a Christmas card from his dead wife. How can that be possible? Christmas has always been a lonely time of year, so Mr Westacott devises a plan-a dark plan to put that right.Slowly he starts preparations, one chilling step at a time.
Portraits of Dread ( A Gallery of Decidedly Evil Short Stories,)
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 51,130. Language: English. Published: August 24, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Occult, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Supernatural
In his collection Michael J. Elliott presents a collection of stories that will both chill and unnerve readers. Featuring, A Glutton For Punishment, Possums, Speaking of Death, Reconstructing Teddy and other tales to chill the blood.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 8,350. Language: English. Published: August 24, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Occult, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Supernatural
Davey and Ox are two unemployed British youths. They aren't above stealing and other illegal activities to supplement their meagre benefits. When they learn that local gardener, Mary Menzies, will be opening her showcase garden to raise money for charity, they think they've found an easy burglary job. What they don't know is that Mary's garden contains a lot more than just pretty flowers.
Black Silk Panties.
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 6,580. Language: English. Published: August 24, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » Crime
Jacob O'Halloran is a forty six year old bachelor. He's never had a relationship with a woman...or anything else for that matter. It's hard to get your motor running when your religious-zealot mother is still haranguing with guilt from beyond the grave. So he does the next best thing, he steals womens panties.Until he steals from Audrey who has some nasty issues of her own.
Dinner For Two
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 2,260. Language: English. Published: August 24, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Horror » General
(4.50 from 2 reviews)
Imagine a world of the future where slugs and snails are considered gourmet food. A world where road kill can mean the difference between starvation or survival. This is the world of Dinner For Two.

Michael J Elliott's favorite authors on Smashwords