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Ken Stark
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Jitters: A Short Story Kindle Edition

by Ken Stark (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 42 ratings
Sometimes it's the little things that scare us the most...
A short story from the multi-award-winning author of the STAGE 3 post-apocalyptic zombie series, Gaia's Game, and Arcadia Falls.

"Every crunch, skitter, squeak, and pop is expertly outlined with a brilliant flare that will most certainly elicit a “yuck” or “gross” from many a reader, while the action will keep their hearts racing and eyes glued to the pages."

"Fantastic short story, one that will give you nightmares."

"The story is packed with horrifying moments but the author also gives us a chance to exhale and laugh too."

HAROLD WAS ALWAYS A MAN WITH A PLAN.
Out of the house after high school, and take the world by storm.
But the storm fought back, and now Harold is right back where he started.
All the way back to the room he'd occupied as a child.

But he's not alone in that room.
Something resides there with him, and it's had a dozen years on its own.
A dozen years to grow.
A dozen years to multiply.
And now that Harold is back, he'll have to face his worst nightmare.
And if he loses, it might just be his last night on earth.

GET YOUR COPY!

OTHER BOOKS by KEN STARK:

THE STAGE 3 SERIES
Stage 3: ALPHA
Stage 3: BRAVO
Stage 3: CHARLIE
Stage 3: DELTA
Billy the Kid (A Stage 3 Short Story)

HORROR NOVELS
Miracle Man: The Rise of an Anti-Christ
Gaia's Game
Arcadia Falls

SHORT STORIES
Born of the Dark
Dead Weight
Horrible Little Nasties
Who's Going to Feed Johnny?
Killing Joe Prince
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  1. Print length
    57 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    September 28, 2017
  5. File size
    3.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

We are all afraid of something. Logical or irrational, every single one of us harbors a fear that shakes us down to the bone. So, what would you do if you had to confront your worst fear? If you had to look that horrible thing right in the face, would you be as brave as you think you are?If you've already answered 'yes', I can almost guarantee that you're wrong....

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0761P7VN6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Self
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 28, 2017
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.5 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 57 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 42 ratings

About the author

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Ken Stark

Ken Stark

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Multi-award-winning horror writer Ken Stark was born in Saskatchewan, but has called Vancouver home for most of his life. He was raised on a steady diet of science fiction and disaster movies, so it seems right that his first published book series be about the zombie apocalypse. In his spare time, Ken tries to paint like Bob Ross and play poker like Doyle Brunson, but results suggest that he might have got it all backwards.

Website: www.kenstark.ca

Twitter: @PennilessScribe

Facebook: PennilessScribe

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
42 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's writing quality, noting its vivid details and how it transcends genre. The story receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as deeply absorbing. The pacing receives mixed reactions from customers.

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Writing qualityStory qualityReadabilityPacing
13 customers mention "Writing quality"13 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its vivid details and beautiful visual descriptions.

"...His descriptions are so vivid and realistic that the reader has little choice but to be totally engrossed in the story...." Read more

"...And the battle begins. This story has one human character and a horde of cockroaches...." Read more

"...main character of Harold, a man that Stark clearly and expertly details with such finesse that we can automatically determine that he is, “that guy,..." Read more

"...'s escalating anxiety and crazy irrational thoughts because they're relatable. We've all found ourselves in an unbelievable situation...." Read more

11 customers mention "Story quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the story incredible, with one describing it as deeply absorbing and another noting it serves as a good example for aspiring writers.

"...I think this would be a good story for aspiring writers as an example of excellent descriptive writing...." Read more

"Ken Stark’s book Jitters takes readers on an action-packed short story through the creepy, the crawly, and the nauseatingly detailed that does..." Read more

"...I’d have loved a lot more but where it ended was perfect for this story...." Read more

"...Stark has written a brilliant book. It is creative, well written, chilling, and I may never look at a cockroach the same again...." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book excellent and incredible, with one mentioning it can be read in one sitting.

"Oh how I loved this book. Harold cracks me up. He is your typical dweeb, no hoper, that lives in his parents basement...." Read more

"...Stark has written a brilliant book. It is creative, well written, chilling, and I may never look at a cockroach the same again...." Read more

"...Glad I found this story! It was well worth my time. Excellent!" Read more

"Excellent read, I could visualize every part of the story! I'm sure to be visualizing it again in my nightmares...." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the pacing of the book, with one describing it as a gripping read filled with horrifying moments, while another finds it totally freaked them out.

"...There are some particularly graphic scenes which would make the story not suitable for a younger crowd...." Read more

"...This book will leave you with your skin crawling and hopefully it's only your skin that's crawling." Read more

"...The story is packed with horrifying moments but the author also gives us a chance to exhale and laugh too." Read more

"...In the beginning is some rough language and vivid fearful imagery the victim projects...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Leonard T
    5.0 out of 5 stars 5 eerie stars for this one!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Jitters
    By: Ken Stark

    What is your most primal fear? What makes you cringe and squirm when you think about it? Does your heart pound and palms sweat? Does your fear follow you from your conscious state into terrifying nightmares as you enter the subconscious world of sleep? There is no doubt that we all have our own unique phobias. Things that cause genuine terror even when they merely cross our thoughts…let alone actually encounter them in real life. If yours are of the creepy, crawly kind, get ready to be terrified to the core with Jitters!

    Essentially, Jitters follows a character by the name of Harold. He is truly a foul individual who is overweight, unemployed and living in his parents’ basement. In truth, those conditions would actually make many people feel some sympathy for this character who has found himself to be in such hard times. However, when Harold’s malicious, hateful and abusive personality traits are revealed, that sympathy disappears in a flash. He is a product of his very real and significant flaws. He loathes everyone around him and blames others for his own self-perpetuated failings. While there are many scenes which will enhance the reader’s loathing and dislike for Harold, his abusive thoughts about women truly tip the scales of disgust.

    Is there anything which could significantly impact such a loathsome individual? After all, his character flaws are so deep that he does not seem capable of feeling or relating to anything other than pure hatred. Buckle up! Harold is soon to face his own intense phobia in the form of creepy, crawly cockroaches. What follows is an action packed fight to the finish. Will the experience change Harold for the better? Or will it end in a more sinister fashion?

    Before I started this book, I had my doubts as to whether I would really be able to get into it. It is a short story and I personally tend to require longer novels in order to gain my full presence. This was simply not the case with this tale. I read it in one sitting and barely took my eyes off the pages. The author, Ken Stark, has a unique gift when it comes to engaging his reading audience. His descriptions are so vivid and realistic that the reader has little choice but to be totally engrossed in the story. And speaking of gross…Jitters undoubtedly falls under that description heading! For instance, take this passage which sees Harold busily cursing the world for his plight in life:

    “He threw a silent curse at the world in general
    And stood up, scratching an itch on his backside
    And bringing his fingers up to his nose for a quick sniff.”

    While this is just a very simple example, it does illustrate how capably Stark is able to vividly and graphically reveal the vulgar side of human nature.

    It is always a little tricky to outline a perfect audience or age group for any novel. That being said, I believe Young Adults and up would thoroughly enjoy this book. There are some particularly graphic scenes which would make the story not suitable for a younger crowd. Also, when reviewing books I typically like to discuss the main theme. However, I do not believe I can do that in this case without actually giving away the story. My steadfast “no spoiler” rule has to override theme discussion in this case.

    If you are looking amazing writing which will virtually transport you right into the story, then Jitters is just what you have been looking for. Ken Stark is simply a fantastic writer!

    5 eerie stars for this one! *****
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Ron K
    5.0 out of 5 stars What Bugs You?
    Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    In this 50-page story, Jitters by Ken Stark, the narrator, Harold, describes all the failures in his life from the time of the first remembrance to present. At approximately 31 years of age, Harold has failed at everything and has ended up living in the same basement accommodations where he had started out years before. His parents still lived upstairs although they had gotten considerably older. Harold’s mother was never slow to tell Harold “I told you so.” The parents had produced a child that took no responsibility for anything wrong in his life. It was always someone else’s fault. His mother had always promised Harold he would fail at whatever he tried and the dutiful Harold proceeded to fulfill her predictions. His father, providing the ideal example to Harold, never contradicted his wife.

    Stark describes Harold’s hermetic lifestyle in a downstairs bedroom in disgusting detail. Harold enjoys his own body scents and the odors produced by dirty clothing in various degrees of fermentation. Harold keeps himself busy with self-studies of pornographic art and literature. He would take no notice of the world outside his bed except for occasional forays off the bed to eliminate monsters that were his greatest fear, cockroaches.

    Until the cockroaches arrive at a point where they have had enough. And the battle begins. This story has one human character and a horde of cockroaches. True, there is Jimmy Stanton, the neighbor next door but Jimmy has little impact on this action story of an epic battle.

    This short story deserves a five-star Amazon rating for description alone. Ten pages are devoted to the disgusting imagery of Harold. A full forty pages are devoted to description, lifestyle, and animus of cockroaches. This should have received a very high grade in a creative writing class.

    Occasionally Amazon offers Kindle novels free. I got this for USD 0.00; it is currently on sale for USD 0.99. I think this would be a good story for aspiring writers as an example of excellent descriptive writing. Stark even leads the writer to anticipate two very interesting possible endings and then doesn’t use either one. Stark chose a third ending which I didn’t find as exciting as the two suggested but the story still deserves five stars.

    Great description.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Spider
    5.0 out of 5 stars Phobias and you
    Reviewed in Canada on November 9, 2017
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A very realistic phobia nightmare, hardcore. Two phobias in one.

    Short and crunchy.

    Stark has done a excellent job, disturbing descriptive.
    Report
  • Helen
    5.0 out of 5 stars A real page turner!
    Reviewed in Italy on May 5, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    A great short story that will make you think twice about turning the light off when you go to bed at night. Cockroaches aren't as stupid as they seem!
    There is only one character, Harold, who is so obnoxious that you find yourself wishing something nasty would happen to him! But I must admit to feeling a tiny bit sorry for him by the end. A real page turner that keeps you gripped right up to its horrific conclusion!
    Report
  • Mark collingwood
    5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely gave me the jitters..
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 24, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Imaginative, well written short story about one man's compulsive obsession with cock roaches. I read it in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed it. I will certainly read more of this authors work 👍
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  • Teresa Roper
    2.0 out of 5 stars Boring
    Reviewed in Canada on January 10, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Boring, silly, senseless and not scary.
    A tale of a person afraid of cockroaches, and of killing them. And of them getting bigger, but not scarier.
    Report
  • R.H.Hale
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome stuff of nightmares
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    If you’re already afraid of creepy-crawlies... read this just so I can picture your face!
    Hugely enjoyable short story that will make you shiver and tingle head to foot.
    As unappealing as its protagonist is, the reader grows as desperate and exhausted as he to the point of nearly rooting for him in his seemingly endless battle with his worst fear.
    Stark’s writing sets you right there in the scene so that you can’t escape, describing everything with perfect timing to set your pulse racing. Very much looking forward to reading more of Stark’s work.
    Meantime, I’m gonna have a cuppa tea, sit back, and thank my lucky stars I’ve never lived with cockroaches...
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