Henry V. O'Neil's Blog

My short story about betrayal, friendship, and long-delayed justice, Prodigals' Night, was just published in the most recent edition of Dirty Magick Magazine.

This one's special to me, because while I was recovering from an emergency appendectomy a few years ago I read a history of the Borgia family. The description of Renaissance festivals, the ever-present threat of sudden violence, and the rules of society that were followed only by a few, inspired this tale.

Check it out.

My sci-fi horror story "Point of Contact" is in the latest issue of the acclaimed UK science fiction magazine PARSEC. It's the story of an offie worker who has a strange encounter in the middle of a crowded sidewalk and begins to suspect an entity has somehow accessed his memories. 

Amazing Stories Magazine recently asked me several Unexpected Questions, including which sci-fi character I'd like to have dinner with. I said, "Zaphod Beeblebrox from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and he's pictured here.

Well, Sam Rockwell is pictured here in the role of Zaphod. And if that's not enough to make you want to know why I picked Zaphod and to read the other Q&A, I can't imagine what will. Here's the link:

https://amazingstories.com/2024/07/un...

Read my short story "Marjorie's Last Run" in The Saturday Evening Post. It's 1500 words long, and tells the tale of an art restoration expert who turns her talents to our nation's currency.

Click on the image, or put this URL in your address line:

https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/....

I'm thrilled and honored to announce my sci-fi horror story "They Don't Need the Light" is in the latest issue of the fantastic Andromeda Spaceways Magazine. I've submitted one or two other stories to ASM before, so it's a special occasion for me to have this accepted. 

To quote the story description, "Find out what volcanoes, meteorites, and cyberbullying have to do with the end of the world." Check it out at:

https://andromedaspaceways.com/produc...

The suggestion, "Be the change you want to see in the world", urges us to act to improve our surroundings. In another sense, though, it tells us to represent our values and what we consider progress. In this excerpt from my self-improvement book The Unused Path: Skills for Living an Authentic Life, I talk about the importance of being mindful of the example we set in the world.

Respect the power of example

While we shouldn't do things so that others will see them, we should still remember that people watch what we do.

We never know when our actions are being observed by someone who may be influenced by our behavior. Has anyone ever told you that you inspired them at some point in the past and you didn't know it at the time? Ever hear someone remark that a chance encounter with a stranger who demonstrated selflessness or kindness changed their attitude for the better? That's the power of good example.

One of the reasons good example is so effective is that it leaves no room for hypocrisy. You're not telling anyone how they should behave—your actions are inspiring them. Deeds not words.

It's important to remember the power of bad example too. We sometimes don't know who looks up to us, or who believes we have better answers than they do. If we do something wrong, or demonstrate selfishness or a lack of caring, we may be suggesting to that individual that our bad behavior is acceptable. 

Setting the example

Have you ever been impressed by someone else's actions to the extent that you decided to imitate them?

Ever watched a stranger pick up some stray litter that was blowing around and toss it in a waste receptacle?

Been impressed by a coworker's meticulous attention to detail?

Heard a manager who was being praised for a great job say it was someone else's work, and that the author of that work should receive the accolades?

If you did, this was the power of good example in action. The people you observed all demonstrated a commitment to positive standards of behavior without saying a word about it. Setting the example might not have been their motivation, but they accomplished it just the same.

When we act in accordance with our values and standards, we can inspire others. There's a fine line between setting the example and doing something to attract attention, but if we do the same thing whether someone else is watching or not, it will be genuine.

The Unused Path is currently FREE as an ebook from Barnes & Noble and on sale for 99 cents on Amazon. It's also available in both spots in paperback for six dollars. I hope you like it. 

To help celebrate the Halloween season, both of the books in my Interlands horror series are FREE in ebook format from Barnes and Noble. They're 99 cents on Amazon, and also available in print from either venue.

The first book, Interlands, features the grad student Angela "Ree" Morse who is searching the Rhode Island woods for a lost stone obelisk once worshiped by a colonial-era cult that perished at its feet. The sequel, Denizens, picks up right where Interlands left off. 

Pick them up for free, and happy Halloween!

Events of the past few months have reminded me just how important it is for people to think for themselves.

That's why I'm giving away my self-development book The Unused Path for FREE as an ebook on Barnes & Noble (99 cents on Amazon). It's also available in print.

To live the life you want, you should be making as many of the decisions that affect your life as you can. Which means sorting good information from bad, recognizing when you're being manipulated, comparing different choices, and identifying sound sources of advice.

This book teaches all of those skills, and many more. It's only 120 pages long, with one lesson per page. I hope you pick it up.

Check out the fantastic cover art for the first "Best of Lovecraftiana Magazine" anthology. 

My short story "Lion Lake" is in it, and I'm thrilled to be in such august company.

The book is due for release in October, 2023. Lovecraftiana Magazine is available on Amazon, and that's where you'll find the anthology as well. 

Please click on the image or caption to read more about my writing at my website, www.vincenthoneil.com

Congrats to the entire team who created the short thriller The Inflection Scheme. We just received our official selection at the prestigious FilmQuest Film Festival in Provo Utah, to be held this October.

The story is about a crypto trader who makes a $10M bet at a nefarious crypto exchange and has to deal with a protege from his past. It's based on a story I wrote, but all the credit goes to the director, writers, crew, and amazing cast. 

This is an especially gratifying moment for me because I've submitted screenplays to FilmQuest in the past and consider it one of the top up-and-coming film festivals.

Congratulations to everyone involved in the making of this film, best of luck in Provo, and looking forward to hearing of more selections at other festivals.