Curse of the Richard Valance Writings

Book excerpt: What was supposed to be an upcoming author's dream would turn into a night of hell and become a curse to anyone who happened to glance upon the last writings of author Richard Valance from the unfinished horror novel titled “A Blast from Hell.” It all started when Richard and his jealous publisher got into a heated argument over the phone about finishing his book that went months overdue. Richard's publisher said in an angry voice, "If you don't finish that book tonight you're a dead man, and just to make sure, I'm coming over until you finish the last pen stroke. I've got too much money invested for this novel to die from someone who made a promise to me and did not deliver." "Calm down, it will be finished," said Richard in a voice of confidence. The publisher said, “I'll be right over." The publisher arrived moments later wearing a trench coat with something inside his coat that would be used when the moment was right. The rain was coming down pretty hard, and the thunder, and lightning were intense. The publisher entered Richard's home keeping his jealous thoughts to himself. Richard said, "Come to my study, I only have a couple of pages left, then you can take the manuscript and have it published." "Good, I was hoping this wouldn't take all night," replied the publisher in a mellow tone. As Richard was penning away at the manuscript, the publisher asked Richard, "What kind of paper is that?" "It's human skin," replied Richard. "Why human skin?" asked his publisher. “I was desperate and thought talking to this Witch a friend recommended to me could help keep my mind framed on the right path to finishing this book. The only downside to the fame this novel will bring is after the reader is reading it they will die under mysterious circumstances," explained Richard in a nervous tone. "You believe that?" laughed the publisher. Richard said aloud, "Just a few more pen strokes, and my masterpiece will be done."