Hello everyone. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
I hope you enjoy the stories and poetry on the site. I post something new here everyday so there’s always something fresh for you to see.
As for me, what can I say? I was a Company Director in retail until finally plucking up the courage to show people the writing I’d spent years shyly stashing away. Joining HarperCollins’ Authonomy site was the jolt I needed to realise people liked what I wrote. Winning a gold medal there for my book The Snow Lily, was an even greater boost. I am lucky to have had short stories published on such reputable sites as DailyScienceFiction and appeared in anthologies by Third Flatiron Publishing and Leap Books. I have recently published, Into Eternity, the climax to The Eternals Series, a Dark Fantasy/ Science Fiction extravaganza published books by the good people at Creativia.
I won’t give too much away, but you’ve never before seen a future like that of The Eternals. Here’s a taster with the synopsis:
For an Eternal, eternity should’ve meant forever.
The Eternals, they are a breed apart. Born to immortality, neither human nor vampire, a dying sun is set to end their race where no other could. It is to this ultimatum that Jean, the last Eternal lord, is born.
Jean accepts the end once preached by his deceased parents, where others won’t, their arrogance furthering his melancholy. He would fight for the future where, they, the Hierarchy, would waltz into nothingness.
Everything changes for Jean when he commits the cardinal sin. His bite takes the life of Princess Chantelle of The New Europa Alliance whose sister will come to enthrall him. It is a deed Jean thinks has passed unnoticed. It has not. When the Britannian dandy, Sir Walter Merryweather, informs him of this, Jean runs.
Aided and abetted by the irksome Merryweather, Jean stumbles from manipulated mishap into age-old conspiracies and beyond. With the sun’s clock ticking, Jean must find time where there is none to reconcile his sordid past with the promise of new love.
My hobbies: I love reading, writing, running, all sport, and walking through beautiful scenery. If I lived in view of a mountain with a stream running through the bottom of my garden, I would probably never resurface.
My motivation: When I realised I could no longer be happy unless writing, I resigned from my job to do so. I gave up all that I was to become everything that I could be. Regardless of success, I will never have made a better decision in my life. I’d rather be a happy pauper than a wealthy zombie.
Never give up on your dreams and never let anyone tell you you’re not good enough. You can be.
Thanks for reading this and I hope you enjoy the poetry and prose on the site.
Richard.
Please feel free to find me on or in:
Twitter @Richard_Ankers
Pinterest Richard_Ankers
Facebook: Richard Ankers
Facebook Author Page: Richard M. Ankers
Goodreads Author Page: Richard M. Ankers
Amazon Author Page: Richard M. Ankers
Creativia (Publisher): Bio Page
Phew! That was a lot.
Contact me@ richard@richardankers.com
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Writing Credits
Novels
The Eternals: Published by Creativia
Hunter Hunted: Book 2 In The Eternals Series: Published by Creativia
Into Eternity: Book 3 In The Eternals Series: Published by Creativia
Authonomy Gold Medalist: The Snow Lily
Short Fiction
Phantaxis Issue 1: In Glass
DailyScienceFiction.com: Android One
The Fable Online (June 2016): Phoenix Burned
Specklit.com: Cold Freedoms / Racing the Dead / Mermaid’s Tears
Devolution Z (April 2016): Nocturne
Nonlocal Science Fiction Issue 4: Filtered Blue
Third Flatiron Publishing ‘The Time it Happened’ anthology: Armada Of Snow
Leap Books ‘Fright Before Christmas’ anthology: Clockwork Christmas
Litbreak.com: Primal Actions / Lost Lights / Glass Spiders
The New Accelerator Issue 4, iTunes digital magazine: Iced Hearts At World’s End
The Tophat Raven issue 2 (issuu.com): Hope
Quaterreads.com (now defunct) : Hush, Little Darlin’ / In The Arms Of A Dream / Spectral Nazis & The Empress Of Steam / Washed Away
Poetry
fēlan Issue 1: The Heat (poem) Not Quite (prose poem)
fēlan Issue 2: Nightly (poem)
fēlan Issue 3: Beautiful (poem) Smile (poem)
fēlan Issue 4: Wetted (poem) Melancholy Moon (poem)
fēlan Issue 5: NO! (poem) & Guest Judge
fēlan issue 10: Ignition (poem)
The Tophat Raven issue 1 (issuu.com): Lacrimosa (poem)/ My Angel (poem)/ Lost Gulls (haiku)
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I have been meaning to drop by for ages. Recouperating laryngitis motivated me!! Thank you for liking my posts and scribbles. Never quite sure what others think!
Get well soon and no shouting at folk. Just make sure they pamper you.
Reading for me is like fine dining. There are many feasts on your blog 🙂
thanks for visiting mine and choosing to follow – it’s so affirming to know others enjoy my work enough to want to read more of it.
Thanks, and it was my pleasure 🙂
I loved reading some of the short stories, totally enjoyed it. Gonna come back for more and more 🙂 HAppy blogging Richard!
Cheers
Sneha
Thanks, Sneha. Feel free to visit whenever you like 🙂
Hey Richard, hope things are good with you. I don’t usually accept these or participate but I felt inclined this time for a few reasons. You instantly came to mind as a nominee. Your writing always inspires me to keep striving in my writing endeavors. I’m your fan bro. Hope you have some time to read the post. Take care.
https://reluctantprophetspeaks.wordpress.com/2015/10/07/starlight-blogger-award/
Thanks for the nomination but I do WP from my phone so can’t do these properly. Thanks for thinking of me though and you deserved yours. 😄
Jeez, hope that sounded right. Read like I was having you done over LOL
hahaha…I get it man. I don’t usually do these awards but I did have some questions I wanted to ask the writers I look up to…so I figured what the heck!
Have a great day Richard!
You too 🙂
Hello – thank you for visiting my blog! 😀
I love your background image – beautiful site.
cate b
Thanks, Cate, and it was my pleasure. 🙂
I like your site and it’s content. It is great, relatable and artistic. It also makes me wonder constantly why you would like the ramblings on my site?
Although I appreciate it a lot.
I like what I like. It doesn’t matter what something is about just the way the words are meant. I always enjoy your posts.
Thank you…
And you 🙂
Thank you for echoing my sentiments, I truly appreciate it!
Glad there’s at least two of us 🙂
Man you are awesome. You are like a role model to me. I spend a lot of time on my blog but a lot of people say that flash fiction/short story blogs don’t work, I just point them in the direction of your blog and arrogantly reply ..”you were saying “. So thanks for that man.
I don’t know what to say to such an awesome comment other than thank you 🙂
that would suffice
😄
Awe- inspiring. I’ll never forget the urge to leave your job. I aspire to be a writer , but never knew that people love writing to THIS extent. Vive l’ écriture.
Love,
Lafffie
A bit more if anything LOL
Happy New Year to you 😄
Thank you 🙂
Well done I wish I had the nerve to give up my job to write. I hope it works out for you, I look forward to reading some of your work.
Thanks, Eric. I appreciate that very much. And if you get like I was there’s no nerve involved. I had to do it. 🙂
I wish you every success.
Thank you 🙂
Happy 2016 to you and Mrs A–wishing you both health and peace, joy and prosperity. God bless you–your old poet-pal of many blog names.
Thanks, Cadzul, you too 😉
Oooh, I really like that–quite exotic, no? (I should have consulted you prior to setting up this blog/username…dang!) Thanks, Richard xo
Yes, like a Persian spice 🙂
Ohhh my, I’m swooning now… “that old Ankers magic that you weave so well”… (how I’ve missed our repartee!)
I’m like a pair of reliable slippers.
Truly you are–comfortable, yet brilliant with onyx stars; suitable for dancing or just schlepping about the house 🙂
HI
Thanks so much for finding my blog and liking a post. Hope you come back again soon
My pleasure 🙂
It is a pleasure to find someone who shares my thoughts. I enjoy your posts daily. You are a faithful visitor to my blog and for that I am grateful. I appreciate your company. J
Thanks, J, likewise. 🙂
I m just wondering how one makes a career in writing…what i mean is how one earns a livelihood ….because I want to pursue a career in writing and its really tough from what I gather…advice?
I think you have to do it for the love and work very hard. You can’t assume to earn enough from writing alone. If you manage to, then you’ve done well. Just write lots, write well and submit it. 🙂
Where should i submit..any suggestions ?
writingcareer.com has a large database.
Nice meeting you Richard 😀 A great blog! 🙂
~ Dajena
Thanks, Dajena, you too 🙂
Lovely to read your ‘Motivation’ part. Would be nice if more have the same Life Motive!
Thanks, I’m glad you thought so. People are either very encouraging like yourself, or have ridiculed me for it.
Take the first one! 🙂 Me myself quit a job to dedicate to the writting for a while. Keep on living your dream job!!
You too 🙂
Thank you Richard for all of your inspirational shares, which AOC thoroughly enjoys! They are all so thought-provoking in realism and imagination. You are a favorite!
Aww, that’s very kind, and good timing, as I’m having a coffee. 🙂
I really like how your blog has been differently set out, nice work 🙂
i am new here and trying to understand how blogging works by visiting other bloggers and so far i notice that your blog stands out 🙂
would you like to check out mine? 😀
Thank you very much, and I sure will. 🙂
Thanks very much but I don’t do them.
Hi, It’s so nice to meet you. Your about sounds very interesting and I really look forward to reading your posts.
Thanks, Aishwariya, nice to meet you too 🙂
Thank you so much for taking the time to check my blog out! It made me take more time here and I am loving it! Thank you again!
My pleasure 🙂
Richard, after reading your first in the trilogy, The Eternals, it strikes me you are so much more than merely a blogger. You are the very coveted thing so many seek and few actually can become. A writer. A true, gosh-darn writer. I find increasingly that ‘modern’ writing such as that pushed out of the wombs of MFA writing programs, are terribly predictable, staid, formulaic and most of all – soulless. Your writing is redolent with the old-world charm and brevity of those great writers we cry over and wish we could emulate. I know without doubt your vision with The Eternals and beyond, will take you to exactly where you deserve to be, in every book shop, and hopefully most people’s book shelves. Long live the art of writing. You give it a good name.
Candice, you’ve not just made my day saying that but my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Mine is the honor.
😄
Hello Richard. I once followed your blog as “Panikikubik” and then I stopped writing for various of reasons. Now I’m back on wordpress, and I’m glad I found your blog again, It wil be a joy to read your good poems and writing. Have a wonderful weekend and I hope everything is fine. /Lotta
Thanks, Lotta, that’s really nice to hear. I’m going to hunt you down right now 😄
Always a knight….thank you so much Richard 🙂
And you 🙂
🙂
Hey there! Thanks a lot for dropping by my blog; I seriously love this place 🙂
My pleasure 🙂
Thanks for reading my blog series! 🙂
Fellow bloggers – come check it out
Based on true events …. and 50 Shades.
M glad that you chose your happiness and passion over corporate!
I myself have always been on the side of chasing passion and not money! 🙂
Wish you success and happiness! 🙂
Thank you very much, I appreciate that. 🙂
🙂
Your story is inspiring! Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Thank you very much. 🙂
I would rather be a happy pauper than a wealthy Zambie! What a profound statement. I envy you for being able to make the choice. Apparently you made the right choice and be happy in it. That’s the only thing matter. How many great music composers got rich and be recognized during their lifetime? Only hundreds of years later, that we recognized them and someone else make a fame and fortune out of them… Don’t let me drag on… Happy for you and glad to see what you have accomplished so far. Will come back to read more of your great work. Oh, thank for the follow.
Thank you very much. And it was my pleasure. 🙂
🙂 🙂
Hi Richard, I’ve nominated you for the inaugural Treasure Trove Award! There are no rules or tasks involved. You can find your award here: https://danicapiche.wordpress.com/2016/11/19/treasure-trove-award/
If you prefer not to be involved with awards, please accept this as a gesture of my appreciation.
Thank you, Danica. 🙂
Richard, thanks so much for following back. I came to your site via Sue Vincent and absolutely love your covers for your Eternals series – stunning! Very good luck with the award – hope you get lots more votes.
Thank you, Wendy, that’s very kind. It was a pleasure to follow you back. 🙂
Voted for your book, Richard. Best of luck to you!
Thank so much, Tina, you’re an angel. 🙂
Aw shucks, I’m blushing. Haven’t gotten my wings yet 🙂
I’d lend you mine but they’re a bit frayed. 😬
No doubt you’ve been busy!
Always
Nice to meet you, Richard. Hugh’s blog has sent me your way, and I’m glad I found your site. Your story is inspiring, and your new book looks to be wonderful. I am a preschool teacher with a passion for writing about all that happens in my classroom- great stories of inspiration and true education. I look forward to reading and following your blog. -Jennie-
Thank you very much, Jennie. That’s very kind of you. I shall look forward to your blog too. 🙂
You are welcome. Have a nice weekend!
You too 🙂
Hello! Hugh’s Views and News sent me your way to learn all about The Eternals! Congratulations on being shortlisted for the Best of 2016 Paranormals! Best wishes!
Thank you so very much. It’s great to meet you. 😄
Congratulations Richard so happy for you! I was able to vote for you so glad you deserve it! Now I am curious about your books! Best wishes! Carolina
Thank you, Carolina. Your vote means an awful lot to me. 🙂
You are very welcome it’s my pleasure to give you my vote, I am very proud of you and happy to be your friend! That’s awesome be positive and keep going!
I’ll try. 🙂
From one ex retail bod to another I salute your success and so far have enjoyed my visit. We have a stream at the bottom of our Somerset garden that draws my imagination and inspires me,. I am pleased to have wandered this way and cordially invite you to sup tea from my china as you rest a while on occasion at my humble abode. 😇
Thanks, Ellen, really nice to meet you. That stream sounds like just my kind of thing. 😄
I want to say you write exquisitely… but I won’t it is probably far to predictable 😇
I’m just happy if people enjoy reading me. 🙂
You have a new header! I love it. When Scott Bailey had his book launch party, he asked bloggers vote for your book, and I did.
Aww, thanks so much, you’re an angel. 🙂
Hi Richard. I’ve nominated you for The Mystery Blogger Award and thanks for following me.
https://thecomicvault.wordpress.com/2017/01/04/mystery-blogger-award-nomination/#more-260
It was a pleasure to follow you. And thanks for the nomination but I apologise for not doing awards, I just don’t have the time.
your write beautifully … someone once said it’s never too late to be what you might have been … what a grace it is to discover who you are
Thanks. I really appreciate that.
With any field of art, it always seems like you’re jumping off an iceberg when first trying to turn it into a career. But it looks like you’ve managed to fine a great spot in the writing world.Nice website and great story too.
Thank you, Donatello. I’m happy, and that’s half the battle. Thanks for the kind words.