Location: United Kingdom
Member Since: April 13, 2013
L L Watkin
Biography
LL Watkin is the pen name for writing partnership Liz Smith and Louise Smith, two sisters from the North of England who've been writing together for nearly ten years but only started publishing in 2012. We write a mixture of short stories and full length novels in the science fiction and fantasy genres, and while some stories may be more Louise's and others more Liz's, all spring from a collaborative process.
As of the middle of 2015 we have six novels and two short story collections in print. The Leviathan series (Jethabel, Therion, Pathiel) is a ship bound sci-fi, and The Handmaiden (The Abbey at the World's End, The Chapel in the Wasteland, The Cathedral in the Void) is a genre-crossing sci-fi with magical elements affair. The short story collections (The Harpers & other stories, The Drowned Leviathan & other stories) each contain 12-16 stories in a range of genres and styles, some of which are also available separately.
We have a schedule of short stories to be published throughout 2015, which will be collected as "The Witch Shrink and Other Stories" in December. Following that there will be a novella series out in 2016, and the fourth book in the Handmaiden series.
As of the middle of 2015 we have six novels and two short story collections in print. The Leviathan series (Jethabel, Therion, Pathiel) is a ship bound sci-fi, and The Handmaiden (The Abbey at the World's End, The Chapel in the Wasteland, The Cathedral in the Void) is a genre-crossing sci-fi with magical elements affair. The short story collections (The Harpers & other stories, The Drowned Leviathan & other stories) each contain 12-16 stories in a range of genres and styles, some of which are also available separately.
We have a schedule of short stories to be published throughout 2015, which will be collected as "The Witch Shrink and Other Stories" in December. Following that there will be a novella series out in 2016, and the fourth book in the Handmaiden series.
Smashwords Interview
Where to buy in print
Series
Books
A Boy with a Unicorn
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 8,520.
Language:
English.
Published: October 2, 2015.
Categories:
Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
(1.00 from 1 review)
Mary joined Lydia at the window. William was riding out of the gates, messy as always. Neyleia was looking splendid, her horn shining brightly against the gloomy day.
“Off to see another doxy, no doubt,” his mother muttered sourly.
“No doubt.” Mary looked again at the unicorn. Clearly no-one else saw the same thing she did. Either she was mad, or he was much more special than he looked.
A Summer Night In Sweden
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 3,750.
Language:
English.
Published: August 14, 2015.
Categories:
Fiction » Horror » General, Fiction » Fantasy » Urban
(4.00 from 2 reviews)
Winter is freeing, and fun, and glorious. On the long nights when I’m able to stretch my legs and stalk for miles across a frozen world life feels worthwhile again. Frost settles on my flanks, my back, turning the dull white fur to sparkling moonlight. Making me beautiful. Summer though, summer is day after day of trapped in this skinny human frame. I hate summer.
A Third Wheel
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 4,470.
Language:
English.
Published: June 26, 2015.
Categories:
Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
A rare break in the ever-present storm caught Miko’s breath. For a moment the air cleared and she could make out the blue sky unbelievably far above her. She snapped a picture because otherwise Pasha would never believe her. Her grin faded. What was that cloud? Rising high above the others like a hideous grey mushroom, it chilled her heart. Was that normal?
Colonial Plagues
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 4,380.
Language:
British English.
Published: May 15, 2015.
Categories:
Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal, Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
It’s been years since Missra was executed for her treason and her soul bound in service to the Goddess she hates. There aren’t many compensations, but being the most powerful magical healer of her generation gets her out of the box occasionally, and colonists do catch the most entertaining diseases.
The Witch Shrink
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 9,600.
Language:
English.
Published: March 27, 2015.
Categories:
Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
Their hour was almost up and Heather had spent most of it at the window, facing outward. Dr Schever didn’t interrupt and didn’t push, but the pressure of her unspoken questions was preying on Heather’s mind. She couldn’t tell the doctor what she really was and certainly not why she was really there. The shrink would not approve of either.
Under the Bridge
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 3,350.
Language:
British English.
Published: February 13, 2015.
Categories:
Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal, Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
(3.00 from 1 review)
Cath was too old to be terrified by the prospect of a blind date. Considering your options while unable to sleep at two o clock in the morning didn’t mean you were scared. He was some kind of supernatural, her mother promised, which should make for interesting conversation. Honestly, how bad could it be?
Forgetting
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 5,600.
Language:
English.
Published: September 19, 2014.
Categories:
Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera
It was a perfect security system. The ship would only answer to one person and that could not be over-ruled. Perfect for a mission of scientific research, but not so great when the ship is under attack and that one person makes a fatal mistake.
Stealing Salt
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 3,730.
Language:
English.
Published: August 8, 2014.
Categories:
Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories, Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal
(5.00 from 1 review)
The salt traced an almost perfect circle on the flagstones of the barn the symbols drawn around it looked suitably occult. The summoning ritual was forbidden, of course, but Tim could not let his sister go. Not without making sure she was alright on the other side and that he was forgiven. If he was forgiven. If he wasn’t… He might have to steal more salt.
The Boy in Blue
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 6,580.
Language:
British English.
Published: June 27, 2014.
Categories:
Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
Half-gods are supposed to be heroes, the kings of legend and the doers of great deeds. Unfortunately, Daenan, despite his semi-divinity, is still just a boy and for him it isn’t going to be so easy to win the Games and succeed to his step-father’s throne. He will need all of his tricks, lies and bargains if he’s going to make it. He might even (whisper it) have to cheat.
The Drowned Leviathan
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 8,550.
Language:
English.
Published: May 17, 2014.
Categories:
Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories, Fiction » Science fiction » General
Emma's just won salesman of the month and what does her manager do? Reminds her that she’s legally obliged to take vacation. Which is how she wound up here, in a beach resort which was sold to her as the most relaxing (i.e. boring) place to go. Lying travel agent. Why couldn’t they have said “Go here and get crashed into by a falling alien spaceship?”, then she’d have gone somewhere else!
Love in the Dawn
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 5,060.
Language:
English.
Published: March 30, 2014.
Categories:
Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
A Shifter can be anyone you want them to be, in both body and mind, if you can afford the price – or at least they can pretend to be for a night. Most men are content to be seduced by the lie, but Huren wants the truth. For what he has planned, he’s going to need a Shifter he can trust.
Mesrin Station
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 5,670.
Language:
English.
Published: February 21, 2014.
Categories:
Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories
Eben had lost crew before. They skipped out at any space port. Normally they were easily replaced, but Jan was different. He was smarter, wiser and holding on to some of the most valuable merchandise Eben had ever managed to steal. He wouldn’t run. He was, however, definitely missing and getting him back was not going to be easy.
Faith
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 7,320.
Language:
English.
Published: November 29, 2013.
Categories:
Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
Halan had always been told he was an angel, sent by the Gods to defend humanity from one particular demon - his brother Hadon. When they were children, this was easy enough to believe, but now they are almost grown his mind breeds doubts. It is time to choose between faith in the Gods, and love of his brother, and both their lives lie in the balance.
The Faeries
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 3,900.
Language:
English.
Published: November 2, 2013.
Categories:
Fiction » Horror » General, Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
(4.33 from 3 reviews)
Her memories of the day before were scant, but vivid enough that fear had already settled in the pit of her stomach. She had heard music. Her father had not. She had followed after the music. He had screamed at her to stop. Helplessly.
No one ever said Faeries were nice.
The Blessed
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 2,660.
Language:
English.
Published: October 5, 2013.
Categories:
Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal, Fiction » Horror » Undead
(5.00 from 1 review)
Marli was special. She was chosen to defend the faithful from the vampire pestilence. She had trained almost a year and she was ready, even if her teachers thought she wasn't. Besides, he was alone, hiding. Even his coven leader had no faith in him. It would be an easy kill.
McGellen
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 4,340.
Language:
English.
Published: September 6, 2013.
Categories:
Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories, Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera
The crew were the best of humanity, supplied with the most sophisticated ship and sent off to find new technology to aid the war effort. McGellen herself was a mere add-on, “Test this new computer while you’re out there, kill two birds with one stone. Makes the whole thing more palatable to the paying public.” More palatable it may be, but not less risky.
The Siege
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 4,970.
Language:
British English.
Published: June 28, 2013.
Categories:
Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories, Fiction » Science fiction » Military
Andy hadn’t wanted to be a soldier, but there was a war on and no one got a choice anymore. Like everyone else he was shipped off and lined up on an alien world, to stand his ground between the unstoppable guns and the impenetrable shields. Battles are unpredictable things, however, and a poor conscript might get lucky. Or die trying.
Neon Lights
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 4,390.
Language:
British English.
Published: May 31, 2013.
Categories:
Fiction » Horror » Undead, Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal
William has spent a century watching the city light up gradually around him as he hunted, not a bad occupation for a vampire all told, but a lonely one. Now the time is finally here for him to make the perfect partner, one who will dazzle their human prey even as she consumes them. His design has been long in the planning, which makes it a shame he didn't stop to ask her first.
The Harpers
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 8,770.
Language:
British English.
Published: May 3, 2013.
Categories:
Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
The Lady of the Keep did not return to her people in the spring. The Lord reports that she is ill, too ill to even write.
There is an heir, or so the Lord claims at court, but no one has ever seen him. No one brave enough to tell the tale, anyway.
The Lord commands dangerous magics and keeps many secrets, but his Lady's people are powerful too and they are coming for answers.
A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Festival
by L L Watkin
Series: LL Watkin Stories.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 11,840.
Language:
British English.
Published: April 13, 2013.
Categories:
Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories, Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
The festival always brings crowds of tourists to Abatha, thronging the streets with their holier than thou attitude and easy to steal purses. Keldaren is about to find out the hard way that they're not all as harmless as she thinks.
L L Watkin's tag cloud
alien
aliens
artificial intelligence
disaster
empathy
faeries
fantasy
firebird
games
ghosthauntingfantasyspell
ghosts
god
horror
leviathan
magic
mystery
paranormal
phoenix
romance
sci fi
science fiction
scifi
shifter shapeshifter rebel
short story
slayer
snowglobe
space
space exploration
spaceship
spaceships
spy
storm chaser
tricks
twins
undead
unicorn
vampire
vigilante
war
werebear
werewolf
witch
wizard
ya
young adult