Winnipeg author and journalist Holli (J.H.) Moncrieff (HANDOUT)
Childhood Fears
A Winnipeg writer has won a competition for her craft and now has her work published in the “Childhood Fears” collection.
Holli (J.H.) Moncrieff is the author of “The Bear Who Wouldn’t Leave,” which was published in trade paperback earlier this week after being released in an e-book format in May.
Moncrieff is the winner of the Samhain Publishing’s writing competition.
“I was shocked, to be honest,” she says. “Once I sent in my novella, I put it out of my mind. You get used to doing that as an author. Otherwise, the waiting would drive you crazy.”
Moncrieff’s inclusion in the Childhood Fears anthology is shared with only three others, including another Canadian.
The “Bear Who Wouldn’t Leave” is the story of Josh, a 10-year-old boy who is struggling to come to terms with his father’s death. While on the surface the novella is the classic “cursed toy” story, it also explores how our fears can shape the world we live in.
“It’s a classic fear that readers could identify with, told from a believable child’s point of view, written with a wonderful style and delivering real fear and suspense,” said Samhain Publishing editor Don D’Auria. “It’s the embodiment of Childhood Fear.”
The books are available through all online retailers, including iTunes.
