An evil sorcerer, a bicycleriding child ghost and a gigantic eagle are just a few of the strange and exciting things readers can encounter in a new collection of short stories by Simi Valley resident C. Francis Carnicelli, “Something’s in the Forest! and other tales” from AuthorHouse publishing. This is Carnicelli’s first book. The stories, aimed at “tween” readers ages 8 through 15, explore the realm of imagination as Carnicelli catapults readers into worlds and situations curious, frightening and sometimes dangerous.

Readers face a hoard of hooded marauders in the Sahara Desert, witness a ghost child’s reenactment of a horrific auto accident, meet a magician, and attempt to reside in an inhospitable orphanage where names are replaced by numbers.

Carnicelli has written, directed, produced and starred in nine children’s plays.

For more information about the book, please visit the website www.somethingsintheforest.com.