Sheri Yutzy - Speculative Fiction Author

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HAUNTED – #flashfictionmagic

November 18, 2021 by Sheri

I knew the music box was a menace the moment its silver handle caught a ray of sunlight and bounced it around the parlor. I shut the curtains tightly, of course, but that ridiculous box still gleamed.
As ridiculous as the nephew who left it on my mantle.
I didn’t touch it for the first week, didn’t even look its way while I read Frankenstein on the armchair. Of course I turned my favorite chair to face the other way. I finished my favorite horror novels, read all the Poe I owned twice, and scowled into my fiendishly bitter coffee in between. The music box was like a tickle at the nape of my neck, and while I love giving my victims chills, I didn’t like it one bit myself.
All Hallows’ Eve was coming. I could go out again, the Crone of of Sable Manor roaming free to terrorize the neighborhood. The horror I’d soak up would be enough to let me grab the blasted box and throw it out. But I had to survive until then.
The wind howled the night before the Eve, bare branches screeching along the windows. Just how I liked it. I let the fire grow cold and shivered in my chair, my wasted lips twisted in a smile.
Soon. Soon I would be free.
At the stroke of midnight, the box opened. My claws sank into my black gown as a tinkling tune began to play. Bright and disgustingly sweet. My scream rattled in my throat as a silver mist wrapped around me, sucking away the darkness I loved. The curtains whisked open and moonlight brightened the parlor, leaving me bare and wrinkled.
I should have known the box was haunted.

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About Sheri

Here Goes Something New!

Hi, I'm Sheri Yutzy. I love forests under the night sky, trying new foods, and drinking Irish tea.
I'm married to a musician who looks good in black, mama to two toddlers who love to eat, and happy resident of a Cape Cod cottage in Ohio.
I write YA fantasy and am acquisitions editor at sparkflashfiction.com.
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Find some magic with me!

sheriyutzyauthor

I know, it looks like I’ve only read fantasy thi I know, it looks like I’ve only read fantasy this year. This is not true, but they do make such lovely pictures. 🤩 Fantasy, especially YA fantasy, is the genre of my heart, and since my bookshelf space is limited, I tend to buy more of them. Did I mention they’re pretty?😅

⛸️Wishtress, by @nadinebrandes 

🌊A River Enchanted, by @beccajross

🏇The Scorpio Races, by @maggie_stiefvater

🌲The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, by N.K. Jemisin

🐉League of Dragons, by @naominovik

Have you read any of these?

Can you name five books you’ve loved this year?
🌿☀️🌿 My best tip for finding magic every 🌿☀️🌿
My best tip for finding magic everywhere?
Go out and catch a few children.
Release them in your backyard.
Let them rummage in your cupboards and tiptoe into your bedroom with their treasures.
In the morning you’ll smell daffodils everywhere.
🌿☀️🌿

#twentywordtuesday #sheriyutzy #daffodil #daffodilday #cottageflowers #poetsofinstagram #shortpoem #flowerpoetry
What is a day for? I found myself pondering this q What is a day for?
I found myself pondering this question as I meditated on Scripture this morning. I love to achieve things, and sometimes I get lost in the maze of caring for little ones while wanting to get something—anything—done. I’m living a dream life, saving money every day (by not using daycare😅). Half the time it feels too good to be true, the other half it is just too real and never seems to end.
But this morning I was seeking silence before God and it occurred to me that what I was doing was the point of my days. I am here to love Him and be loved, and show my children how to love Him and be loved. And I can do that to better effect because of the many tiny tasks they need me to do for them. They’ll see His love in how I prepare their food, teach songs, finally make the Playdough they’ve been begging for.
It’s the task of my life, and when these children are moved away, it will remain my task.
How lovely is that?
What are ways you let God show you He loves you?
#moodycottage #walksoutside #sheriyutzy #slowliving #dresses #thrifteddress
My chubby cheeked sunshine. ☀️♥️☀️ My chubby cheeked sunshine. ☀️♥️☀️
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