This is something I’ve done through Facebook in the past, but this year I’m opening this up a little.

I have several artistic friends who sell their wares online, so to spread the love and maybe driver some holiday shoppers their way, I present to you a sort of Internet Artists’ Market. If you are looking for some unique gifts and want to support small businesses and independent artists in the process, check out some of these fine folks.

I’m going to start off on a selfish note and announce that the Kindle edition of The Adventures of Strongarm & Lightfoot – Scratching a Lich will be on sale for one day only — Cyber Monday (November 30) — at 99 cents! Click here to head on over to the product page. Also, all four books in the Action Figures series are available in both print and Kindle editions.

ART

Here’s a neat little gift for anyone who loves art and classic literature: Robin Hood paper dolls by Courage PaperCrafts. The characters were designed and drawn by artists George Courage, who is also available as an artist for hire.

My friend Tricia Lupien, who does my cover art, has a Redbubble store featuring her stuff, which is available on an wide array of products. You can also e-mail her at patricia at patricia lupien dot com if you’d like to commission something.

BOOKS/READING

If you love my Action Figures series, you might like the Dex Territory series by Mark Aberdeen. Both books in this new series are available through Amazon.

Honor Among Thieves and Jake Hawking & the Bounty Hunters, by indie-author J.M. Aucoin, will both be on sale for the week of Cyber Monday. Honor Among Thieves is a gripping tale of daring sword-play and political intrigue, with superb historical detail of 17th Century France that’ll have readers ready to draw their swords and fight for glory! Jake Hawking & the Bounty Hunters is a collection of three short stories following Captain Jake Hawking, Little Queen and the rest of the crew of the Broad-Wing. This omnibus edition also includes bonus sea adventure short stories and piratical poems.

Honor Among Thieves will be going through a Kindle Countdown deal from November 29 through December 6. The Kindle edition will start off at $0.99 and increment up to the full $4.99 price by the end of the run. Jake Hawking & the Bounty Hunters will be just $0.99 for the entire week.

A few years ago Rob Borkowski wrote a piece of holiday horror flash fiction entitled Wight Christmas, and you can grab that at Amazon.

For more in the vein of holiday horror, pick up a copy of Dean Calusian’s gleefully gruesome graphic novel The Stocking Dead on Amazon.

If you know a fan of live theater, offbeat comedy, or both, try WHACKED by CT-based playwright/director/actor Scott Kegler.

An old friend from my Cape Cod days, T.M. Murphy, has a holiday adventure for young readers entitled Saving Santa’s Seals (LeapKids), which you can find on Amazon.

FABRIC ART

Of course I’m going to mention my wife Veronica’s business Storied Threads, which deals in embroidered patches, ties, scarves, bags, and other accessories.

Chelsea Cayer runs Desperate Muse, which offers a variety of handmade items, including crocheted and embroidered goods.

Marion Hunt creates aprons with a cool alternative vibe via Vixens Ahoy. Check out her Facebook page and maybe contact her for her current stock or a custom order.

SERVICES AND ATTRACTIONS

For those in and around or heading to Salem, MA: Black Cat Tours offers public and private walking tours of historic Salem, Massachusetts. Walk the same cobblestone paths as the founders of America, learn the truth behind the witchcraft hysteria of 1692, and shiver at the ghostly tales that follow some of the darkest moments in history. Gift packs of tickets always available. Open every month except January for private tours, public tours May through November. 100% Positive on TripAdvisor! Use the coupon code SALEM to save 10 percent.

For those in and around the North Haven, Connecticut area, you have two chances each year to check out the Connecticut Renaissance Faire: in the spring for its Robin Hood Springtime Festival and in the fall for its Queen Elizabeth-themed fair festival (with its cool Halloween Knights after-hours event). Hit the CTRF website to sign up for its newsletter, which can get you discounted tickets and special offers.

Guinness brownies. Did that get your attention? That’s just the yummy tip of a yummy iceberg called Cucina Dolce, Dawn DeMeo’s delicious business. Head to her website to see all the good stuff you could be stuffing into your face right now.

Also of interest to Connecticut residents: Healing Wings Massage by Lani Roth: private home massage therapy office, specializing in traditional Thai Massage, corporate chair massage, and deep tissue massage. Learn about her services at her website.