Rayne Hall
Rayne Hall has published more than forty books under different pen names with different publishers in different genres, mostly fantasy, horror and non-fiction. Recent books include Storm Dancer (dark epic fantasy novel), 13 British Horror Stories, Six Scary Tales Vol. 1, 2, 3, 4 (creepy horror stories), Six Historical Tales Vol. 1 and 2 (short stories), Six Quirky Tales (humorous fantasy stories), The Colour of Dishonour: Stories from the Storm Dancer World, Writing Fight Scenes, The World-Loss Diet, Writing About Villains, Writing About Magic and Writing Scary Scenes (practical guides for authors).
She holds a college degree in publishing management and a masters degree in creative writing. Currently, she edits the Ten Tales series of multi-author short story anthologies: Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires, Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts, Scared: Ten Tales of Horror, Cutlass: Ten Tales of Pirates, Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft, Spells: Ten Tales of Magic, Undead: Ten Tales of Zombies, Seers: Ten Tales of Clairvoyance and more.
Rayne has lived in Germany, China, Mongolia and Nepal and has now settled in a small dilapidated town of former Victorian grandeur on the south coast of England.
She holds a college degree in publishing management and a masters degree in creative writing. Currently, she edits the Ten Tales series of multi-author short story anthologies: Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires, Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts, Scared: Ten Tales of Horror, Cutlass: Ten Tales of Pirates, Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft, Spells: Ten Tales of Magic, Undead: Ten Tales of Zombies, Seers: Ten Tales of Clairvoyance and more.
Rayne has lived in Germany, China, Mongolia and Nepal and has now settled in a small dilapidated town of former Victorian grandeur on the south coast of England.
Writing Fight Scenes
Reference/Writing Craft
Learn step-by-step how to create realistic fictional fights that leave the reader breathless with excitement.
The book gives you a six-part structure to use as blueprint for your scene. It reveals tricks how to combine fighting with dialogue, which senses to use when and how, how to create a sense of realism, and how to stir the reader's emotions.
You'll decide how much violence your scene needs, what's the best location, how your heroine can get out of trouble with self-defence and how to adapt your writing style to the fast pace of the action.
There are sections on female fighters, male fighters, animals and weres, psychological obstacles, battles, duels, brawls, riots and final showdowns.
For the requirements of your genre, there is even advice on how to build erotic tension in a fight scene, how magicians fight, how pirates capture ships and much more.
You will learn about different types of weapons, how to use them in fiction, and how to avoid embarrassing blunders. British English.
Learn step-by-step how to create realistic fictional fights that leave the reader breathless with excitement.
The book gives you a six-part structure to use as blueprint for your scene. It reveals tricks how to combine fighting with dialogue, which senses to use when and how, how to create a sense of realism, and how to stir the reader's emotions.
You'll decide how much violence your scene needs, what's the best location, how your heroine can get out of trouble with self-defence and how to adapt your writing style to the fast pace of the action.
There are sections on female fighters, male fighters, animals and weres, psychological obstacles, battles, duels, brawls, riots and final showdowns.
For the requirements of your genre, there is even advice on how to build erotic tension in a fight scene, how magicians fight, how pirates capture ships and much more.
You will learn about different types of weapons, how to use them in fiction, and how to avoid embarrassing blunders. British English.
Writing Scary Scenes
Reference/Writing Craft
Are your frightening scenes scary enough? Learn practical tricks to turn up the suspense. Make your readers' hearts hammer with suspense, their breaths quicken with excitement, and their skins tingle with goosebumps of delicious fright.
This book contains practical suggestions how to structure a scary scene, increase the suspense, make the climax more terrifying, make the reader feel the character's fear. It includes techniques for manipulating the readers' subconscious and creating powerful emotional effects.
Use this book to write a new scene, or to add tension and excitement to a draft.
You will learn tricks of the trade for "black moment" and "climax" scenes, describing monsters and villains, writing harrowing captivity sections and breathtaking escapes, as well as how to make sure that your hero doesn't come across as a wimp... and much more.
This book is recommended for writers of all genres, especially thriller, horror, paranormal romance and urban fantasy. It is aimed at advanced-level and professional authors and may not be suitable for beginners. British English.
Are your frightening scenes scary enough? Learn practical tricks to turn up the suspense. Make your readers' hearts hammer with suspense, their breaths quicken with excitement, and their skins tingle with goosebumps of delicious fright.
This book contains practical suggestions how to structure a scary scene, increase the suspense, make the climax more terrifying, make the reader feel the character's fear. It includes techniques for manipulating the readers' subconscious and creating powerful emotional effects.
Use this book to write a new scene, or to add tension and excitement to a draft.
You will learn tricks of the trade for "black moment" and "climax" scenes, describing monsters and villains, writing harrowing captivity sections and breathtaking escapes, as well as how to make sure that your hero doesn't come across as a wimp... and much more.
This book is recommended for writers of all genres, especially thriller, horror, paranormal romance and urban fantasy. It is aimed at advanced-level and professional authors and may not be suitable for beginners. British English.
The Word-Loss Diet
Reference/Writing Craft
Tighten and tone your writing style, and use simple revision tricks to slim down your manuscript. Shed thousands of words without changing the plot.
Strip away the word fat and reveal the muscle of your unique author voice.
This book is short, but potent.
It is perfect for:
- self-editing before you submit your book to agents and publishers, or before self-publishing
- understanding why your stories get rejected, or why so few readers buy your book after downloading the sample chapters
- taking your writing craft skills to the next level
- polishing your writing style for the move from amateur to professional
The book is based on Rayne Hall's popular class of the same title which has helped many writers shed word weight and develop a leaner, stronger writing style. Some authors say the class was the best investment they ever made. Now you can study the techniques in book form at your own pace.
British English.
Tighten and tone your writing style, and use simple revision tricks to slim down your manuscript. Shed thousands of words without changing the plot.
Strip away the word fat and reveal the muscle of your unique author voice.
This book is short, but potent.
It is perfect for:
- self-editing before you submit your book to agents and publishers, or before self-publishing
- understanding why your stories get rejected, or why so few readers buy your book after downloading the sample chapters
- taking your writing craft skills to the next level
- polishing your writing style for the move from amateur to professional
The book is based on Rayne Hall's popular class of the same title which has helped many writers shed word weight and develop a leaner, stronger writing style. Some authors say the class was the best investment they ever made. Now you can study the techniques in book form at your own pace.
British English.
Storm Dancer
Fantasy (Dark Epic)
Demon-possessed siege commander, Dahoud, atones for his atrocities by hiding his identity and protecting women from war's violence - but can he shield the woman he loves from the evil inside him?
Principled weather magician, Merida, brings rain to a parched desert land. When her magical dance rouses more than storms, she needs to overcome her scruples to escape from danger.
Thrust together, Dahoud and Merida must fight for freedom and survival. But how can they trust each other, when hatred and betrayal burn in their hearts?
'Storm Dancer' is a dark epic fantasy. British spellings.
Caution: this book contains some violence and disturbing situations and may not be suitable for young readers.
Demon-possessed siege commander, Dahoud, atones for his atrocities by hiding his identity and protecting women from war's violence - but can he shield the woman he loves from the evil inside him?
Principled weather magician, Merida, brings rain to a parched desert land. When her magical dance rouses more than storms, she needs to overcome her scruples to escape from danger.
Thrust together, Dahoud and Merida must fight for freedom and survival. But how can they trust each other, when hatred and betrayal burn in their hearts?
'Storm Dancer' is a dark epic fantasy. British spellings.
Caution: this book contains some violence and disturbing situations and may not be suitable for young readers.
Writing About Villains
Reference (Writing Craft)
Create fiends whom your readers will love to hate and can never forget.
Forget the cardboard evil-doers with their evil laughter and stinking breath. Your villains will have personality, ideals, feelings and conflicts. They will challenge your heroes, chill your readers, and give your novel excitement and depth.
This book is part of the Writing Craft Series: Writing Fight Scenes, Writing Scary Scenes, The Word-Loss Diet, Writing About Villains, and more.
British English.
Create fiends whom your readers will love to hate and can never forget.
Forget the cardboard evil-doers with their evil laughter and stinking breath. Your villains will have personality, ideals, feelings and conflicts. They will challenge your heroes, chill your readers, and give your novel excitement and depth.
This book is part of the Writing Craft Series: Writing Fight Scenes, Writing Scary Scenes, The Word-Loss Diet, Writing About Villains, and more.
British English.
Writing About Magic
Reference (Writing Craft)
Do you write fantasy fiction? This book is a resource for authors. Crammed with information, tips, and plot ideas, it helps you create stories about magic and magicians which are believable and exciting.
Learn about power-raising, ritual, training, initiation, love spells, sex magic, costuming, equipment, correspondences, magical weapons, healing, protection, miracles, spells, amulets, talismans, curses, hexes, illusionists, charlatans, natural and ceremonial magic, witchcraft, shamanism, alchemy, necromancy, ethics, conflicts, secrecy and more.
Draw up a psychological profile for your magician, invent fictional spells that work, avoid blunders, and create trouble for your characters.
This book is part of the Writing Craft series (Writing Fight Scenes, Writing Scary Scenes, The Word-Loss Diet, Writing About Villains), and is especially useful for writers of high fantasy, urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
British English.
Do you write fantasy fiction? This book is a resource for authors. Crammed with information, tips, and plot ideas, it helps you create stories about magic and magicians which are believable and exciting.
Learn about power-raising, ritual, training, initiation, love spells, sex magic, costuming, equipment, correspondences, magical weapons, healing, protection, miracles, spells, amulets, talismans, curses, hexes, illusionists, charlatans, natural and ceremonial magic, witchcraft, shamanism, alchemy, necromancy, ethics, conflicts, secrecy and more.
Draw up a psychological profile for your magician, invent fictional spells that work, avoid blunders, and create trouble for your characters.
This book is part of the Writing Craft series (Writing Fight Scenes, Writing Scary Scenes, The Word-Loss Diet, Writing About Villains), and is especially useful for writers of high fantasy, urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
British English.
13 British Horror Stories
Horror/Fantasy
Thirteen creepy, atmospheric stories by Rayne Hall, all set in Britain.
The horror in these stories is spooky, creepy, unsettling and sometimes disturbing. It is not very violent or gory; however, the stories may not be suitable for young readers without parental guidance.
The stories have been previously published in magazines, ezines, anthologies and collections. Some are also included in the Six Scary Tales books.
The words, spellings, grammar and punctuation are British English.
Thirteen creepy, atmospheric stories by Rayne Hall, all set in Britain.
The horror in these stories is spooky, creepy, unsettling and sometimes disturbing. It is not very violent or gory; however, the stories may not be suitable for young readers without parental guidance.
The stories have been previously published in magazines, ezines, anthologies and collections. Some are also included in the Six Scary Tales books.
The words, spellings, grammar and punctuation are British English.
The Colour of Dishonour: Stories from the Storm Dancer World
Fantasy
Six short stories from the mystical Bronze Age world of the dark epic fantasy novel Storm Dancer. The stories span the fantasy and horror genres, varying in tone from light to dark, from quirky to disturbing. Some have been previously published in magazines, ezines, collections and anthologies.
British English.
Six short stories from the mystical Bronze Age world of the dark epic fantasy novel Storm Dancer. The stories span the fantasy and horror genres, varying in tone from light to dark, from quirky to disturbing. Some have been previously published in magazines, ezines, collections and anthologies.
British English.
Six Scary Tales Vol. 1
Horror
Six creepy, atmospheric, unsettling stories by Rayne Hall.
Although these horror stories are not very violent and gory, they may not be suitable for young readers.
British English.
Six creepy, atmospheric, unsettling stories by Rayne Hall.
Although these horror stories are not very violent and gory, they may not be suitable for young readers.
British English.
Six Scary Tales Vol. 2
Horror
Six creepy, atmospheric, unsettling stories by Rayne Hall.
Although these horror stories are not very violent and gory, they may not be suitable for young readers.
British English.
Six Scary Tales Vol. 3
Horror
Six creepy, atmospheric, unsettling stories by Rayne Hall.
Although these horror stories are not very violent and gory, they may not be suitable for young readers.
British English.
Six creepy, atmospheric, unsettling stories by Rayne Hall.
Although these horror stories are not very violent and gory, they may not be suitable for young readers.
British English.
Six Scary Tales Vol. 4
Horror
Six creepy, atmospheric, unsettling stories by Rayne Hall.
Although these horror stories are not very violent and gory, they may not be suitable for young readers.
British English
Six creepy, atmospheric, unsettling stories by Rayne Hall.
Although these horror stories are not very violent and gory, they may not be suitable for young readers.
British English
Six Quirky Tales Vol. 1
Fantasy
Six quirky, entertaining fantasy stories by Rayne Hall
Six quirky, entertaining fantasy stories by Rayne Hall
Six Historical Tales Vol. 1
Historical
Six historical stories by Rayne Hall, some with mythical elements, some with dark slants, set in different periods of history.
Six historical stories by Rayne Hall, some with mythical elements, some with dark slants, set in different periods of history.
Six Historical Tales Vol. 2
Historical
Six historical stories by Rayne Hall, some with mythical elements, some with dark slants, set in different periods of history.
Six historical stories by Rayne Hall, some with mythical elements, some with dark slants, set in different periods of history.
Scared: Ten Tales of Horror
Horror
Ten spine-tingling horror stories by ten authors, edited by Rayne Hall.
This anthology includes stories by William Meikle, Deborah J. Ross writing as Deborah Wheeler, Pamela Turner, Liv Rancourt, Rayne Hall, Grayson Bray Morris, Tracie McBride, Donna Johnson, Jonathan Broughton and Karen Heard.
Ten spine-tingling horror stories by ten authors, edited by Rayne Hall.
This anthology includes stories by William Meikle, Deborah J. Ross writing as Deborah Wheeler, Pamela Turner, Liv Rancourt, Rayne Hall, Grayson Bray Morris, Tracie McBride, Donna Johnson, Jonathan Broughton and Karen Heard.
Undead: Ten Tales of Zombies
Horror, Fantasy
Ten stories by ten authors, edited by Rayne Hall.
This anthology includes stories by Jeff Strand, Matt Hults, Tracie McBride, Rayne Hall, Douglas Kolacki, Jonathan Broughton, April Grey, Tara Maya, John Hoddy and Paul D. Dail.
Ten stories by ten authors, edited by Rayne Hall.
This anthology includes stories by Jeff Strand, Matt Hults, Tracie McBride, Rayne Hall, Douglas Kolacki, Jonathan Broughton, April Grey, Tara Maya, John Hoddy and Paul D. Dail.
Bites: Ten Tales of Vampires
Fantasy, Horror
Do you like the traditional, blood-sucking, dangerous type of vampire? Then this story collection is for you.
Ten authors have created creepy, chilling, funny, thought-provoking and scary stories about dark suckers.
Are vampires to be pitied for their vulnerabilities, or envied for their powers? How do we know who is a vampire? How do we know what vampires want from us? What if they are expressions of our own forbidden desires?
What if the victims give their blood willingly, in return for a boon? What if they drain from their victims not blood, but something more precious - their courage, their faith, their ability to love?
Is what they offer a fair exchange for what they take? Do you yearn for thrills, for immortality, for everlasting youth? Would you be willing to pay for this with your blood, your life, your soul?
Ten authors probe these questions in their tales. Each story in this book explores a different concept of vampires, a different question, a different danger. To reflect the authors' individual voices, you will find both American and British words and spellings in this book.
The authors are: Liv Rancourt, Jim Bernheimer, Rayne Hall, Jonathan Broughton, Pamela Turner, Debbie Christiana, Lana Bange, Carole Ann Moleti, April Grey, Douglas Kolacki.
See which story resonates most with you. Enjoy the tales - but be warned: these vampires are dangerous.
Do you like the traditional, blood-sucking, dangerous type of vampire? Then this story collection is for you.
Ten authors have created creepy, chilling, funny, thought-provoking and scary stories about dark suckers.
Are vampires to be pitied for their vulnerabilities, or envied for their powers? How do we know who is a vampire? How do we know what vampires want from us? What if they are expressions of our own forbidden desires?
What if the victims give their blood willingly, in return for a boon? What if they drain from their victims not blood, but something more precious - their courage, their faith, their ability to love?
Is what they offer a fair exchange for what they take? Do you yearn for thrills, for immortality, for everlasting youth? Would you be willing to pay for this with your blood, your life, your soul?
Ten authors probe these questions in their tales. Each story in this book explores a different concept of vampires, a different question, a different danger. To reflect the authors' individual voices, you will find both American and British words and spellings in this book.
The authors are: Liv Rancourt, Jim Bernheimer, Rayne Hall, Jonathan Broughton, Pamela Turner, Debbie Christiana, Lana Bange, Carole Ann Moleti, April Grey, Douglas Kolacki.
See which story resonates most with you. Enjoy the tales - but be warned: these vampires are dangerous.
Spells: Ten Tales of Magic
Fantasy
Ten fantasy stories by ten authors: Cherie Reich, David D. Levine, Rayne Hall, Douglas Kolacki, Tara Maya, T.D. Edge, CJ Burright, Jeff Hargett, Ciara Ballintyne, Tara Maya. Edited by Rayne Hall.
Ten fantasy stories by ten authors: Cherie Reich, David D. Levine, Rayne Hall, Douglas Kolacki, Tara Maya, T.D. Edge, CJ Burright, Jeff Hargett, Ciara Ballintyne, Tara Maya. Edited by Rayne Hall.
Beltane: Ten Tales of Witchcraft
Fantasy
Ten witchcraft stories by ten authors, edited by Rayne Hall
If you meet a witch, will you know if they're the kind or the evil sort? If you hear about someone practising witchcraft, how do you judge if their magic is real? If rumours spread through your neighbourhood or mass hysteria sweeps through your community, will you be able to keep a clear head? If the only way to solve your problem is by resorting to witchcraft, will you desist or give it a try?
In this book, all the witches are real. They practice different kinds of witchcraft: Traditional, Stregheria, Santeria, Wicca and more. Some are good, some are evil, and others are in between, so beware of jumping to early conclusions.
Ten authors share their visions of witches and witchcraft, and each tells their story in a different writing style: Liv Rancourt, Rayne Hall, Karen Heard, Jonathan Broughton, Debbie Christiana, Mertianna Georgia, Lawrence Barker, Carole Ann Moleti, Pamela Turner, Debra Dunbar.
See which story of these ten resonates most with you. Enjoy the tales - but be warned: these witches may not be what they seem.
Ten witchcraft stories by ten authors, edited by Rayne Hall
If you meet a witch, will you know if they're the kind or the evil sort? If you hear about someone practising witchcraft, how do you judge if their magic is real? If rumours spread through your neighbourhood or mass hysteria sweeps through your community, will you be able to keep a clear head? If the only way to solve your problem is by resorting to witchcraft, will you desist or give it a try?
In this book, all the witches are real. They practice different kinds of witchcraft: Traditional, Stregheria, Santeria, Wicca and more. Some are good, some are evil, and others are in between, so beware of jumping to early conclusions.
Ten authors share their visions of witches and witchcraft, and each tells their story in a different writing style: Liv Rancourt, Rayne Hall, Karen Heard, Jonathan Broughton, Debbie Christiana, Mertianna Georgia, Lawrence Barker, Carole Ann Moleti, Pamela Turner, Debra Dunbar.
See which story of these ten resonates most with you. Enjoy the tales - but be warned: these witches may not be what they seem.
Cutlass: Ten Tales of Pirates
Fantasy, Historical
Ten exciting pirate stories, by Douglas Kolacki, Margo Lerwill, Jonathan Broughton, Rayne Hall, John Blackport, Liv Rancourt, K.J. Kiegan, Kris Austen Radcliffe.
Ten exciting pirate stories, by Douglas Kolacki, Margo Lerwill, Jonathan Broughton, Rayne Hall, John Blackport, Liv Rancourt, K.J. Kiegan, Kris Austen Radcliffe.
Seers: Ten Tales of Clairvoyance
Fantasy
Ten mysterious, exciting, thought-provoking, entertaining stories by ten authors.
Is clairvoyance a gift or a curse? Imagine getting a glimpse of what the future holds, and ask yourself how you would deal with the burden of this foresight.
Is it right to interfere with the pre-ordained? Is it your duty to avert the doom, or will your meddling make matters worse? Is it even possible to change the future?
What if those with the power to prevent a disaster disdain your warnings? What if you see what will happen, but have no idea when it will come to pass? Is your vision to be trusted? What if your interpretation of what you see is wrong?
In this book, ten authors share their visions of what it means to be clairvoyant, each with their individual way of telling a story and their own writing style: Jeff Hargett, Tracie McBride, Douglas Kolacki, April Grey, Rayne Hall, Frederick Langridge, Jack Nicholls, Carole Ann Moleti, Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar, Deborah Walker. They seek to entertain you and at the same time to make you think.
Some yarns take place in the distant past, some in fantasy lands, and others in our familiar modern world.
Each seer in this book is different. They interpret dreams, read the tarot, consult the stars and gaze into the crystal ball, or simply receive visions in their mind. Some are professional future-gazers, others dabble or are even caught unawares. Some welcome the experience, some seek it, and others try to close that channel of their mind.
Enjoy the ten glimpses into seersʼ minds. But beware: the visions may be disturbing.
Ten mysterious, exciting, thought-provoking, entertaining stories by ten authors.
Is clairvoyance a gift or a curse? Imagine getting a glimpse of what the future holds, and ask yourself how you would deal with the burden of this foresight.
Is it right to interfere with the pre-ordained? Is it your duty to avert the doom, or will your meddling make matters worse? Is it even possible to change the future?
What if those with the power to prevent a disaster disdain your warnings? What if you see what will happen, but have no idea when it will come to pass? Is your vision to be trusted? What if your interpretation of what you see is wrong?
In this book, ten authors share their visions of what it means to be clairvoyant, each with their individual way of telling a story and their own writing style: Jeff Hargett, Tracie McBride, Douglas Kolacki, April Grey, Rayne Hall, Frederick Langridge, Jack Nicholls, Carole Ann Moleti, Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar, Deborah Walker. They seek to entertain you and at the same time to make you think.
Some yarns take place in the distant past, some in fantasy lands, and others in our familiar modern world.
Each seer in this book is different. They interpret dreams, read the tarot, consult the stars and gaze into the crystal ball, or simply receive visions in their mind. Some are professional future-gazers, others dabble or are even caught unawares. Some welcome the experience, some seek it, and others try to close that channel of their mind.
Enjoy the ten glimpses into seersʼ minds. But beware: the visions may be disturbing.
Haunted: Ten Tales of Ghosts
Fantasy, Horror
Ten spooky stories by ten authors, edited by Rayne Hall. Contributors: William Meikle, Tracie McBride, Carole Ann Moleti, Kiersten Hartrim, Rayne Hall, Douglas Kolacki, April Grey, Sera Hayes, Jonathan Broughton, Grayson Bray Morris
Ten spooky stories by ten authors, edited by Rayne Hall. Contributors: William Meikle, Tracie McBride, Carole Ann Moleti, Kiersten Hartrim, Rayne Hall, Douglas Kolacki, April Grey, Sera Hayes, Jonathan Broughton, Grayson Bray Morris
The Devil Eats Here
Fantasy
Nine authors tell nine great tales about encounters with the devil, wicked temptation and hellish punishment.
Nine authors tell nine great tales about encounters with the devil, wicked temptation and hellish punishment.
Scylla and the Pepper Pirates
Fantasy, Humour
A short fun fantasy adventure yarn with a spunky heroine
A short fun fantasy adventure yarn with a spunky heroine
