Jamie J. Buchanan

Jamie J. Buchanan is based in Perth, Western Australia. He spent many years playing in rock bands, mostly loud, fast, punk rock and heavy metal bands - the sort your parents warned you about. He is currently playing guitar, singing and writing songs for melodic punk band “Incomplete” based in Perth, Australia. But he has always been writing stories - long and short.

Jamie has had a short story “On My Goat” published by Cardigan Press in 2006 in the anthology “Allnighter” as well as having several short stories published on the Smashwords website for free download (www.smashwords.com).

The short story “Sanguine Saviour” won second place in the monthly “Darker Times” competition (www.darkertimes.co.uk) and was included in the inaugural Darker Times anthology as well.

The short story “The Woman on the Pavement” is published in an upcoming Editor’s Choice anthology by Stringybark Press called "Hitler Did It".

Jamie's short story "Battle of Wits" has won the Raspberry and Vine short story comp for 2012 - you can read it here:
http://home.people.net.au/~raspberryandvine/

Jamie has had several stories short-listed as well including “Insights” in the 2013 Carmel Bird Short Story Award and “Imagine This” in the 2014 Bundaberg Writers’ Writefest Award 2014.

Jamie's short story "The End of Death" has won the "Spinetinglers" short story competition for Jan 2015. His short story “Mr Shmoopie” has also won 1st Prize in “Spinetinglers” short story competition for October 2015 and both stories were supposed to be featured in an upcoming anthology of award winning short fiction. (http://www.spinetinglers.co.uk). You can read them below (soon to be published late 2017)

Jamie enjoys the films of Robert Rodriguez, The Coen Brothers and Guy Richie, music by Bad Religion, Muse, The Offspring, Clutch, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica, and books by James Ellroy, Irvine Welsh, Chuck Palahniuk and Stephen King. His only hates are people who talk about themselves in the third person. And Brussel Sprouts. He hates Brussel Sprouts.

Read more of this interview.

Website: http://jamiebuchanan5.wix.com/jamiebuchanan
Blog: http://jamiebuchanan5.wix.com/jamiebuchanan#!blog1/c13jr

...and 6 more

• Living & Dying on Aug. 20, 2012
  
  The plot was quite good, but the converstaion a little stilted - the men didn't talk like male police officers would. But it was easy to read and enjoyable.
  
• Number Withheld on Oct. 17, 2012
  
  The author has set a challenge for himself with only 500 words, but carries off an interesting story none-the-less. It would work even better if it were longer, a bit more detail into the character and the "why's and wherefore's" etc... which can't happen in only 500 words. Well written, fast paced and some good ideas.
  
• Turning Point on Oct. 17, 2012
  
  Nicely written, with a good insight into the doubts and conscience of the main character. A longer version of this might reveal more background or reason for this situation occurring...but that's another story waiting to be written I suppose. Very descriptive (you can almost taste the rain) and a nice snapshot of time.
  
• Shadowcat on Oct. 17, 2012
  
  The subject matter is divisive (as the below reviews attest), but I found this to be generally well written and interesting. The "middle bit" regarding the sub shop was clunky though and, with regards to the overall tone and message, unnecessary. The start and the end were very good and the story has a child-like aspect that makes it engaging and powerful. Well done.
  
• Just Dandy on Oct. 17, 2012
  
  Nice ending. There were a couple of "tense" issues (shifting from past tense to present) which could be easily changed with a quick re-write. Likewise the inner monologue was, in some spots, a bit difficult to ascertain - or maybe it was just me? If you're a dog person (and I am), then this will appeal to you.
  
• The Lost Moments on Oct. 17, 2012
  
  This is a great little story that could have been schmaltzy, corny or melodramatic - but it avoids all of that through clever succinct writing and an obvious connection with the character. The reverie is heartfelt and genuine, the narrative honest and sincere. Well done.
  
• A Crack in the Wall on Oct. 21, 2012
  
  An interesting tale that keeps you guessing to the end. There are some grammar issues which could be fixed, but that doesn't detract from the tale too much. The "set-up" about the previous relationship is a bit long (and I don't know what a DP refers to - in reference to the job offer - which could be better explained in the story) but, once through that, the story takes a few macabre turns. Well done.
  
• The Von Barkingham Method of Time Travel on Oct. 21, 2012
  
  After a few paragraphs, I was wondering if I would finish this. Then I "got" it - I caught on to the author's style and it was quite enjoyable. This reads like it was written in one take, a stream of though and inner dialogue written down and shared - a great insight.
  
• Hell.org on Oct. 21, 2012
  
  Good story - easy to read and it kept my interest all the way through. A few minor things could change (the devil is not as mean and unfair as i would have expected etc...), but nothing that detracts from the overall tone and the story in general. The next day at school would be very interesting indeed.
  
• Lifetimes of Adventure on Oct. 22, 2012
  
  Well written and easy to read. It could have been darker, or full of pathos, or twee, or cliche...but it wasn't. It avoids all those by being a story that is honest and open to interpretation. well done.
  
• The Vampire Serial Killer on Oct. 22, 2012
  
  It would be easy to point out the grammatical errors, spelling errors, poor sentence construction and overall incredulity of this piece...but I won't dwell on that. I get the impression the author is young and still learning (as we all are I guess!). The idea is good and this could be a good novella if it was expanded and delivered with depth, characterisation and plot development. This needs a lot of work but the basic skills are there - as too is an obvious love of telling a tale. Keep going, keep developing your work.
  
• The Invitation on Oct. 23, 2012
  
  Nice quick little story - I bet most people would love to put an "ex" in their place at some stage! The story could have had more detail (e.g. why only women allowed, what happened for several hours etc...) but the real story is the dialogue.
  
• Kate and Ben on Oct. 23, 2012
  
  Interesting story, quick and easy to read. I assume WW2 as the boy was 4 years old (Ben being away for 4 years). The end is a surprise and made me re-read the story - that's a good thing! Well done.
  
• Ashes on Oct. 23, 2012
  
  Good short story, very descriptive. I would like to see this expanded into a full length story - i.e. their journey from point A to B and their encounters along the way. Well done
  
• The Bad Decision on Oct. 23, 2012
  
  Some really Aussie bits in there "cracking the shits", and "fucken" as examples. The story line is pretty good, but the grammar and punctuation not so. Dialogue needs to be a separate paragraph for each speaker and, at times, there are no quotation marks where there should be some. Basically, this reads like a one-take, "get-all-the-information-out" type of rough draft. The finished article could be quite good if it was re-written as the story line (and the character of Zara in particular) is quite good. Keep going...
  
• The Fantasy Box on Oct. 29, 2012
  
  Well written and very entertaining indeed! Erotica can be just a cheap school-boy idea of porn but when it's done well, like this is, it is certainly worth the read! Hot and sensual indeed...and, dare I say, well researched?
  
• Black Water on Oct. 31, 2012
  
  Very good short story - well written and good ending indeed. Thanks
  
• It's Time on Oct. 31, 2012
  
  Good little short story. I did "pick" the ending (mainly because this is my sort of thing I guess) but it's well written and snappy. Short sentences work well withy dialogue and with speeding up descriptions/time etc... (read James Ellroy for example). It could have been longer with more depth, or snappier with more story line, but, as it is, it's pretty good. Thanks
  
• Crimson Dreams on Nov. 02, 2012
  
  I thought the description of Brett being a hairy, sweaty slob contrasted with the next paragraph where he was kind and compassionate and “difficult to find fault”. Other than that, the tension builds well (although she is a bit over the top on her reaction to the sound at first) and the last third is quite good indeed. A couple of minor grammar issues but nothing that detracts from the story. Good stuff.
  
• Banshee on Nov. 15, 2012
  
  I really liked this - yes, there is a very Stephen King-esque style to it but that's not a bad thing at all. We all have influences and they help shape our styles, help us find our own voice. The style of this is what i liked more than anything else - the storyline itself is okay (I won't give anything away) - but the style of the writing and the structure really appealed to me. probably because it was (is!) similar to mine! Well done Mike - good stuff!
  
• Cons on Nov. 15, 2012
  
  yep - you're a nutbag...but that's what's appealing. I actually had no problem with the violence - it's over-the-top and gratuitous to the point of absurdity and, if viewed that way, takes on a less realistic feel. Less sick and more cartoon - which makes this quite appealing. The twist is okay but could be better set up - however, with only using dialogue, that's not easy. Cheers Mike
  
• Survival Instincts on Nov. 26, 2012
  
  Thanks Michelle - this was reasonably well written but perhaps needs just a little bit more. I'd like to know why Kyle did what he did etc..., you know, just a bit more background etc... It's written in the third person, so I'm sure that could be done. The style is very good, the descriptions quite good. There's a couple of lines that might need review ("his words slid across her skin..." as an example) but i could see what you were doing and where you were going. Maybe just needs a few minor changes/alterations. If i could give 3.5 stars I would - it wouldn't quake much to get this to a 4 or 5 star short story because the skill is evident - cheers
  
• Survival Instincts on Nov. 26, 2012
  (no rating)
  typo - "quake much"? I meant "take much" in the review below (damn auto-correct!)
  
• The Chaac Ornamentation on Dec. 11, 2012
  
  Very Lovecraft in its style and content indeed (which is good because I'v always liked his work). Its easy to read, despite a tight narrative that gives us the information we need in a short space of time. Well done
  
• The Ten Second Time Traveller on Dec. 17, 2012
  
  An interesting little tale. As an experiment of a 500 word short story (or Flash Fiction), it works in that it conveys the story, tells a tale and has a plot. The odd grammar issue doesn't detract from the story too much, just needs a little tidy-up. It could be altered and extended (not by much, mind) to explain things a little better - with only 500 words to work with, it's not always easy to get everything across as perfectly as you'd like. This is quite good indeed. - cheers.
  
• Hitler Did It on Feb. 01, 2013
  
  Cheers David - a great collection of stories indeed.
  
• Reality Ties on April 02, 2013
  
  Not a bad story, the ending was reasonably well done. It could do with being a bit longer maybe, perhaps some more background into the marriage and some examples of their past (and how they ended up where they did). In my opinion that might add a bit more substance to the characters and provide the reader with more empathy and understanding of the situation. But, even without that, it still reads okay. Certainly a lot to like! Thanks for sharing.
  
• New York in Early Spring - 2013 on April 02, 2013
  
  Cheers Libby - my family and I were in NYC a year ago (almost exactly). Some of the places you mentioned we also visited. As an Aussie, I found the service amazingly good - whether at a restaurant, shop or even the subway. maybe it was because they knew we were tourists as soon as we said something, I'm not sure, but I loved their service attitude and it made tipping so much more enjoyable. We also ate VERY well, walked so far, and caught the subway and cabs all over Manhattan. We also rode bikes (from Battery park and into Brooklyn over the bridge). Top of the Rock is the best view of NYC and we did that in the morning - we the Empire State at night. A fabulous city with something for everyone. Thanks
  
• The Last Bite on April 09, 2013
  
  This was a really good read. It was well written, the main character slowly revealing herself as the story unfolded. There was the odd little thing here and there that could be tidied up or cleared up, but it was really minor and didn't detract from the story at all. I won't spoil the ending, but it does have a twist that I didn't see coming. well done - thanks for the free read
  
• Daddy's Little Girl on April 19, 2013
  
  A pretty good story all round. There are a couple of grammar issues (EKG in the same sentence for example) but a quick re-write will iron those out. It certainly doesn't detract from the ideas and story being conveyed. Like all flash fiction, the enjoyment is in the moment and how that moment is told and this is done quite well. If you include background or elaborate upon the "whys", it's not flash fiction anymore. It tells the story of a man with a dreadful decision to make and you can feel the anguish he feels in the decisions he has to make. Thanks for sharing Jonathan
  
• Congratulations on May 31, 2013
  
  A short and strange little tale. There are more questions than answers with this but that is not a bad thing really - it gets you involved and interested. Well done and thanks for the freebie!
  
• Blackjack on June 20, 2013
  
  It took me a little while to understand where this one was going but, once I did, it was a very good read. There are a few issues with grammar (first person v third person etc...) but, in general, those issues didn't destract from the tale. Thanks for the free read - nice one!
  
• A Light That Obscures on June 28, 2013
  
  There are a few areas that need work but, extended a bit, it could be a good opening to a novel (with Peter as the main character). It needed a bit more emotion to the revelation of the bodies I feel - that would have been a confronting scene but the character took it very well. But, with a bit of work, it could be very good. Thanks for the read!
  
• A Week And A Day In The Lives Of Two Angry Young Men on Oct. 20, 2013
  
  At first i wasn't sure what to make of the obvious grammar errors (surely the writer is better than that? I thought). Then I realised the point of them - the narrative and the personalities behind them. An interesting tale that won't be for everyone. I didn't "LOL" like other reviewers but it was an amusing and humourous tale. Cheers!
  
• Mortal Hobby on May 06, 2014
  
  It's possible this could be a very good story, but it would need a bit of work. The start is confusing - one second she's alone, then she's not with no explanation or possible time lapse. The use of exclamation marks to describe the action is unnecessary - the words clearly convey the action happening. There's little insight into the killer's motivations, his reasons and his background. For a story (long or short) about a serial killer, that is important otherwise the perpetrator is simply an evil monster and we have no connection to him at all. The detail of the assaults is fine and uncomfortable - which is okay as the crimes are heinous - but some more detail on the killer is needed. The descriptions of the victims reads more like a media or police statement. For me, I would have preferred to have had more detail, description and psychological background into the killer. The pace is good, the length a bit too short for the story though. The ending is abrupt which, although realistic, is unsatisfying as a monster like him deserves so much more...oh so much more. But the style is quite good and it just needs some work - the author can write and I'm sure a re-write would see this become a very good story indeed - cheers
  
• Aware on Aug. 19, 2014
  
  A well written piece and there were a few clever turns of phrase that I enjoyed. Self-effacing and honest, this short story twists and turns with surrealistic non-sequiturs (I imagine watching Salvador Dali paint must have been a bit like this!) Cheers!
  
• Short Sharp Shocks on Sep. 02, 2014
  
  A very entertaining collection of flash fiction pieces. Lots of twists and turns, surprise endings and wonderful exposes into fragments of lives. Great for a quick read between train stations, bus stops, or before going to sleep. Although, after some, you may not want to sleep! Thanks for the free read - really good.