Type: Anthology
Publication date: September 22nd 2013
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy
Synopsis
New York City–it’s home to 8 million people trying to make their way through the day–a crop of humanity seething with hopes and fears, dreams and nightmares. Autumn comes, and nine authors harvest nine tales from this unique setting and people. From stories of everyday life in an otherworldly light to nightmarish tales of human darkness, Urban Harvest has something for everyone.
Urban Harvest contains tales of the paranormal from Alex Shvartsman, Laurie Treacy, Donna Ansari, Tara Hill, Laura Wenham, Andrea Stanet, Don Corcoran, Saif Ansari, and Sean Sakamoto.
In keeping with the spirit of harvest, all proceeds from this anthology will go to support City Harvest, an organization that feeds NYC’s hungry.
Purchase Urban Harvest: Tales of the Paranormal in New York City on
Laurie Treacy is one of the authors featured in Urban Harvest:
Tales of the Paranormal in New York City.
What do you like about writing in the paranormal genre?
As a
writer, I like the possibilities presented by the paranormal genre, not knowing
about the unknown, about ‘otherworldly’ creatures and realms. What a creative
playground for writers to play in!
What prompted you to write this story?
“Wished
Away” was originally a short story I wrote in 2012 titled “Scarecrows and
Sunflowers” to enter into a competition. I didn’t win, didn’t expect to, but I
wanted to explore the short story format. What I discovered was I liked
creating shorter pieces. When I read the call for submissions for Urban
Harvest, I thought “I can do this. I’m a New Yorker!” My favorite place in
the city is the banks of the Hudson River, especially the Metro-North station
at Riverdale. Many an hour I’d spent there and I’d also walk down to Spuyten
Duyvil. There was my setting. While researching for another story, I discovered
the urban legend of Henry Hudson’s “ghost ship.” There was the foundation of my
urban lore. The Scarecrow story was still in my mind so I opened the file and
began thinking. Ghost ship. Riverdale. The word “wish” popped
into my mind. I was intrigued and a new story began to take shape. Within a few
days I had my first draft of “Wished Away.”
What other things have you written/are you writing?
I wrote
a paranormal New Adult short story, “Powerless,” which will be included in
the Stalkers anthology edited by Cynthia Shepp and Rene
Foslom. I also wrote an adult paranormal short story “Just One Bite,” which
will be part of the In Vein vampire anthology, edited by Jodi
Pierce. Both anthologies are expected to be published later this year. I am
also writing two Young Adult novels, a paranormal, Strays, and a
fantasy, End of Silence, finishing up my YA paranormal, Everlast,
besides other works-in-progress.
Do you consider your writing character-driven or plot-driven?
My writing is definitely character-driven. On my blog (www.laurietreacy.com) I
call myself “The Story Channeler.” I feel like Theresa from TLC’sLong Island
Medium, except I hear the voices of characters telling me their stories.
I’ve learned whenever characters begin speaking or images pop into my mind, I
grab paper or my laptop and get it out. It could be a page or two or even
longer, but those spurts of inspiration can lead to short stories or novels. I
let the characters take the lead.
Do you plot ahead of time, or let the plot emerge as you write?
Much
like baking, the plot rises out of my stories during my writing. I do like to
roughly outline first and then I will go back and plot the story.
Do you have a writing mentor or inspiration?
I don’t
have one particular mentor. I regard inspiration like a sponge seeking water. I
am inspired by the books I read and love. As a frequent conference attendee, I
am fortunate to meet many in the industry, listen to them talk about their own
journeys and that inspires me. I am also inspired by images, pictures,
paintings, and by nature. Many times I stop driving to capture a picture of
something because it speaks to me. I never know when I may need that picture
for creating a particular setting or as the catalyst for a story idea.
When and how did you first become interested in writing?
I
wanted to be a writer ever since I was a kid. Growing up in New York City, I
spent many summers in the public library, lost in books. I still have two books
I began writing when I was in the sixth grade (of course, both were Young Adult
stories, one paranormal, one contemporary romance). In college I was very
active with the school newspaper and literary magazine, majored in Journalism,
and won some writing awards (I won an award from Columbia University
for my Bruce Springsteen record review which was really cool).
Writing schedule?
I try
to block out some hours in the morning but that doesn’t always work. I will say
whenever inspiration strikes, I do pay attention so you may find me writing
while waiting for my daughter at dance or while my son is practicing soccer. I
need to write where I can see the outdoors and make sure I can listen to the
playlist for that particular work.
What’s next?
I’m
really looking forward to Nanowrimo this year. I have a title and story outline
all ready to go. I’m excited ever since I was inspired by an urban exploration
I went on. It will be a New Adult paranormal.
Anything else?
I’m a
member of the SCBWI. I love to write YA and read a lot of books in this
market. I’m also an active book blogger at Reader Girls, a blog I started in
2009. I get to meet many wonderful authors, publicity people, and other readers
as well as discover new and exciting books.
Follow Laurie at
Twitter:
@llt806 and @ReaderGirls
Bloglovin’: http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3766750/the-character-channeler and http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3467855/reader-girls
The following is a short excerpt from Laurie’s story in Urban
Harvest.
Wished Away
I
haven’t hung out with Colton in a few years. He was always quiet and intense.
He still seems the same way. We stick by the lone Amtrak track. We both know
we’re trespassing but shrug it off. Colton laughs. “Do you hear it?”
He tugs
me towards the river bank as a school of clouds pass in front of the moon. We
hear voices. Stopping before the land slopes down, he draws me beside him. His
arm slips around my shoulder. “Close your eyes. Clear your mind of everything.
Listen.”
I do.
We’re wasting our time, but I shut my eyes and don’t complain. Keeping my mouth
closed comes easily living with my father. I like being around Colton. My mind
turns into a smart board on Monday mornings.
Within
seconds, they barge in. Voices. Sounds. Lots of them. At first muffled, then
clearer.
“Captain!”
“Set
sail soon.”
“Collection!”
Accented
voices.
Then
shuffling. Hurried steps. Climbing. Huffing from heavy lifting.
What
the hell is this?
My
heart races as I scan around.
The
area is empty. But I can almost feel a presence of something big, something
looming ahead. The waves are faster here as they crash against the bank,
spitting froth onto our boot tips.
Colton’s
grip tightens as I’m tucked in beside him. “Do you believe, Maire?” he asks,
his tone excited.
“Um,
kinda.”
He
shakes his head. “No, you need to believe. Look again.”
I want
to dismiss him as weird. I can’t. Something is going on.
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