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m-walshwrites.com
M. Walsh - Author
@m-walshwrites.com
2.6K followers 1.1K following 1.7K posts
Indie author. Creator of GRAYLANDS. Published three books so far. Deal mostly in fantasy and horror fiction. Trying to make a career out of this nonsense. Surviving.

https://m-walshwrites.com
www.books2read.com/m-walshwrites
https://m-walshwrites.itch.io
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M. Walsh - Author @m-walshwrites.com · Jun 5
~~GRAYLANDS~~
⚔️fantasy adventure
✖️multi-POV
🥃failed chosen one
🏴‍☠️bungling outlaw
👿reluctant demon
🔪serial killer
🌲frontier setting
☄️prophecy gone wrong
💔dealing with trauma
🙏clinging to humanity
🩸destiny sucks

LINKS: www.books2read.com/m-walshwrites
ITCH: m-walshwrites.itch.io

#BookSky 📚💙 #ReadSky
Banner showing the covers for the two GRAYLANDS novels, "The Ghost Princess" and "The Jinxed Pirate" under the text, "Graylands is where people go when they don't want to be found..." The cover for "The Ghost Princess" depicts a dark tower sits at the edge of a cliff against gray seas and a stormy sky with a red horizon. The cover for "The Jinxed Pirate" depicts a black-bladed sword covered in blood and stuck in the ground. Around the sword, a medieval city is on fire. Art by Anthony Jensen www.books2read.com/m-walshwrites https://m-walshwrites.itch.io/
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
m-walshwrites.com
#amwriting #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky
“If memory serves, Dalton Mill burned down shortly after I arrived in Devon.” He paused. “I had nothing to do with it, I assure you. There are different stories as to how and why, and they range from the mundane to the downright macabre. But it’s been left to rot and, over time, became a popular hangout for the local kids. They’re not supposed to go in there, but …” “Kids will be kids,” Lock said. “There was an old castle back in Kingsmoor like this. I suppose every place has its own rundown pile of bricks that children claim for their own even when they’re not allowed.” “Did you claim it, Lord Synclaire?” “No,” he said. “My brother did.”
November 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
jjrobinson2.bsky.social
From Continuum 3: Homecoming, by JJ Robinson II
#WIP (rough, to say the least)
The #WIPSnips word for November 10th is "local"
#writingcommunity #amwriting #sciencefiction #writesky #writingprompts #WIP (rough, to say the least)

Ha'k learns to drive a really big ship where no one has driven before.
Image text: From Continuum 3: Homecoming, by JJ Robinson II #WIP (rough, to say the least) The #WIPSnips word for November 10th is "local" #WIP (rough, to say the least) Ha'k learns to drive a really big ship where no one has driven before. [ He commanded the giant ship to accelerate and leave stellar orbit toward the plotted departure point. He had to use conventional fusion propulsion, since they lacked accurate navigational information for the regular engines of Vassandrea’s ship this close to the intense gravity of the star. It would be several days before they reached the transit point, so Ha’k slowed his accelerated consciousness to the real >local< rate, and rested. They finally arrived at the departure point, and Ha’k engaged the new engine. Nothing happened. “Everything checks out,” Ha’k said, “but we’re not leaving.” “It takes several seconds to execute the instructions and engage,” sub-Main reported. “I believe real-Main would caution you to be patient.”]
November 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
cnsebright.bsky.social
This is a silly aside, Kalypso facto.

Did you like this bit from my WIP "Opportunity Lost"? Please check these out.
cnsebright.itch.io/the-man-of-e...
cnsebright.itch.io/gods-slay-th...
#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Kalypso was supposedly a water djinni of some renown, mostly due to her inability to lie. Some scholars say she is a myth, others a tragedy, others yet say she was a sea cow that taught herself to be a wizard, but not many listen to those types because books don’t do well in salt water-- though Aquarians would argue otherwise, having managed to deal with it for centuries. Whatever the case may have been, the story goes that Kalypso, bless her heart, was brought before Jealetesh, the Queen of Laaktis and of elementals in general, to answer for some minor crime that had offended the Queen greatly. Knowing that it would cause her great hardship, Kalypso told the truth to her own detriment, to which the Queen punished her with death, so the story goes. So people use the phrase ‘Kalypso fact’ as a statement so true that they would bet their life on it. Though like most expressions, people tend to use it as they see fit, much like Kalypso, who was, in fact, a notorious liar and grifter who had done everything in her power to pretend to be a djinn and steal from local fishermen. They thought she was a water djinni because of a glandular problem that caused profuse sweating, giving her that water djinn gleen that they had always heard about. She had also never once met Jealatesh, though her story lives on in bits and pieces. The story, no matter who is telling the story and what bits and pieces they may change, it never deviates from blessing the heart of Kalypso in a ritualistic curse devised from Jealatesh as an otherworldly slight to the woman that would besmirch her, that even the afterlife-- though Kalypso never felt it in life-- would feel and undying pang of guilt that she could never shake.
November 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
arachnereid.bsky.social
Sometimes, deep karmic connections can flash us back to long ago lives.

#WIPsnips : #local
#reincarnation #pastlives
Another life, hundreds of years past, flashed in her memory. As if it had happened just moons ago. “We were white. Poor. In the southern Appalachian Mountains. I had to leave you. My wife. To fight the rich men’s war. To ‘protect ourselves from the power-hungry North’.” She saw in her memory the tattered uniform she had to wear as a young man. It had already been died in, by another local boy. Her friend.
November 10, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
racthoh.bsky.social
#WIPSnips Local. After an unsuccessful assault against the largest city in the world, talks emerge on how to repurpose one of the enemy airships.

Text in the alt.

#WritingCommunity #WriteSky
Indeed, it was impressive, a vessel capable of flight and similar in size to one of the countless tradeships I had traveled throughout the years. Capable of housing at least a hundred occupants, if not more. The runes were the biggest issue. Local craftsman, those responsible for the upkeep of the Grand Riotion Capital, were confident they could return the ship to its previous form. Without the runes to grant it flight, however, it would simply remain an impediment to the residents.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
swilkinsonwrites.bsky.social
Yesterdays snip showed Nat's dreams, why not show her love interest Matt's today.
'Local' -Stubborn Dreams...
#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity
Even after two weeks of classes, he couldn’t arrive with more than a minute to spare. He blamed his disinterest. The class was a basic graduation requirement that most students completed freshman year, but Matt put off in favor of harder requirements. A strategic plan. Fill his schedule with hard, major requirements upfront for a somewhat lighter load as he focused on med school apps. Unlike others, Matt had known his major since his best friend and neighbor Noah died when they were ten after his cancer relapse went unnoticed by the local pediatrician. A man more concerned with tee times and capitalizing on fitting as many patients into narrow time windows as possible. A fact Matt learned later, but which only increased his already strong desire to study medicine and provide his hometown with another, better pediatrician.
November 10, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
danwoodswriter.bsky.social
The meeting is afoot, machinations of the times gearing up.

The #WIPSnips word of the day is "local"

Check out this scene from my WIP: Where The Battle Is
This image shows a text excerpt from what appears to be a dystopian or speculative fiction novel. The text is displayed in white sans-serif font on a dark background. The passage depicts a disturbing meeting where officials discuss authoritarian policies. It begins with a vulgar interjection followed by a bureaucrat's speech denouncing "un-Americans" and their supposed threat to the nation's legal and moral frameworks. The speaker condemns communism, liberalism, and "debauchery," receiving applause from those assembled. The discussion then turns to the "Virginia Papers" and laws that have made it easier to remove "outsiders and vermin from society." A character named Mrs. Hale describes a humanitarian crisis: fifty million people detained in camps across the Midwest and South, with collapsing prison systems and inadequate resources. The excerpt concludes with Major General Lilly, commander of the Fourteenth Expeditionary Division, proposing a "solution" - suggesting violence against detainees. He mentions operations in Nuevo León (a Mexican state) dealing with "undesirable elements among the local population" using tactics from "the cartel manual." The text depicts fascistic rhetoric, dehumanizing language, mass detention, and implied genocide, presenting a chilling portrait of authoritarian governance and human rights violations.
November 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
saranadosfiction.com
#WIPSnips | local

Viola is having a Very Trying Day

( saranadosfiction.com/2025/07/19/f... )
*This would be a lot easier if you were a werewolf.* Problem was, there weren’t many of those in the priesthoods of the Six – the faith wasn’t one any of the local clans kept, and most folks who made the city their home tended to keep to the old ways – which meant she either had to pray this particular furless knew enough to speak wolf (not impossible, but fairly unlikely given they were a human rather than a vampire), or go two-legged and hope she didn’t get stabbed in the middle of shifting. <<I’m a friend. I don’t mean you any harm.>> “If you’re one of my sibs, you need to turn two-legged right now. If you’re not, either get out or give me a very good reason why I shouldn’t just cut you down right here and now.” *Should’ve known that wasn’t going to work.* It’d been worth a try, anyway. No point in trying to tell the priest what was about to happen – either they knew, or they were about to get a short sharp lesson in why watching a werewolf change forms was a very bad idea – but she tried to project as much ‘I’m not about to attack you’ as she could all the same. She wasn’t entirely sure what’d happen if they *did* try and stab her when she was mid-shift, but she was fairly bloody certain neither of them wanted to find out. *Mother Moon, make this one quick. Or at least tell your daughter’s faithful not to shiv me up while I’m distracted.*
November 10, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
smoking-gnu.bsky.social
G'morning #WIPSnips! The morning has been filled with struggles and reconstruction, just as much struggling as Jennifer is musing on in this snip from TLC.
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
I’m in the middle of musing on the horrible possibility of going back home, and how I’d rather deep-throat a wasps nest, when my phone vibrates. I glance down to see a message from Joey. Knowing him, he’s inviting me to dinner tomorrow tonight, which is technically tonight. When was the last time I had a proper dinner? Oh, right, three weeks ago, when Brianna took me out on our first and last date. A nice local place and I even paid for my half. Probably shouldn’t have ordered the salmon, but then I thought I’d still have a job and I’d been saving up a bit. The salmon was great. The date… not so much.
November 10, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
zeegeeclover.bsky.social
local -> nearby

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity
white text box on a red, black, and white collage background. the word "" is highlighted green text reads: "Oh," they said shoving their hands into the pockets of their jacket. "Hi." Rose looked at them with a strenuous intensity, her eyes and slight unsteadiness indicating she'd finished her night at another bar only a little while ago. "You're outside my building," she said flatly. "Your building?" Emrys echoed, taking a step back, their thoughts spinning wildly about what she might make of the situation. "I didn't realize you lived nearby. I've never seen you out before." "I don't. I took a new route on my way home. Your fountain caught my eye." "Should I be worried that you know where I live?" Rose asked, taking a step forward, narrowing the distance between them again.
November 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
jangoeswriting.bsky.social
Another Nygel moment …

From ‘The Big Feat’.

#WiPSnips
Yet Nygel loved the place. Well, not so much ‘loved’ as didn’t hate. Well, that was debatable too, but it allowed him in, which went a long way to being considered his local. People tended to leave him alone here, which he appreciated far more than the attention he usually got, which was often insulting and casually violent. People didn’t like Nygel. He bothered them. Not Lally, though. Lally didn’t just let him hang around. Lally actively looked out for him. Protected him, sometimes. Covered up all of Nygel’s many mistakes.
November 10, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
jundlife.bsky.social
Our hero muses about his father
From "HatWIP"
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #WIPSnips
He is reading the local newspaper and having coffee in his suit like some goddamn person in a sitcom. Does he dress like this on purpose just to look more dad-like? Is there some innate instinct once someone has a kid to wear the same clothes and drink the same drinks? Is it so they can recognize other dads in the wild?
November 10, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
marinestjean.bsky.social
#WIPSnips *local*
So thoughtful.
#lesfic #sapphic
Lisa would offer her a glass of wine, but Phaedra would only give her a small, breathy laugh. It was a game they played. She knew Lisa had IPA in the fridge. Lisa always had IPA in the fridge just for her. Some local brewery. A different one every time. Exploring them had been their thing in the city. Lisa knew she missed it. She wanted to make the transition here as comfortable as possible.
November 10, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
wasphole.bsky.social
“If it’s so easy to conquer us, why don’t you?” snapped Ethan.

“For the same reason one does invite lepers into one’s tent,” sniffed Tharron, ignoring how the locals scowled at him, “Or mix rotten fruit with fresh. Bringing Midra into Redata would be to our obvious detriment.”

#WIPSnips
November 10, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
charliedeltawrites.bsky.social
November 10th – local

Av’ry, Fox, and Mikiva do a little scheming.

Something strange is happening at an invite-only party for the nobility in a newly renovated temple.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
“You won’t get into the party as a servant,” Av’ry noted. “All the better. I never really liked social gatherings,” Fox agreed. “But it will get me inside the temple. Following local custom, the servants will escort their masters inside, then they will be ushered into a small antechamber where they typically gamble and drink to pass the time. “No one will be watching that room too closely, servants are not a threat, after all. Once I get in, I’m hoping I can sneak out and find those underground tunnels. See what they uncovered down there.” “If they were able to get down there at all,” Av’ry said. “They were,” Fox replied confidently. “There was something in there that they wanted. They wouldn’t have stayed if they didn’t think they could get to it, and they wouldn’t be opening to people now if they didn’t have it. Whatever they were looking for, they found it and they are ready to move on to the next stage.” “The next stage? What exactly would that be?” Av’ry asked. “No idea. It is obvious that they are planning something, and this is a part of it. The details will be your job.” She gestured to the two of them. “You’ll need to mingle, ask questions. See what the nobles there know about why they were summoned.”
November 10, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
ellielieberman.bsky.social
There might be a shiny corporate rival on every corner, but this is a “Shop-Around-the-Corner” and it welcomes the locals home.
- Water's Edge
(books2read.com/u/4D791A)

#WIPSnips
November 10, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
sayaashrah.bsky.social
#WIPSnips 10. "Local"

Qinyang putting her evil genius (and obsession with a certain Pantheonic Cult) to good use.

#WorldWithoutLove #QueerWriters #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts
Despite the unexpected consequences of Sun Magic, her plan had worked. It was incomplete, though. Hearing about the destruction of Aphrodite’s temple would fill the Eagles with grim satisfaction; she was as certain of it as she was that they would attribute this punishment to Zeus. And that Qinyang could not allow. She made her way towards Kêrfos, keeping to the woods and less travelled roads as much as she could. Even in the latter, she encountered more patrols than usual, local guards reinforced by Swords of Justice. While the guards showed confusion and boredom at this increase in patrol, Themis’ wardens were tense, their expressions stern and movements stiff as they stopped everyone they put their eyes on—and Qinyang made sure to stay out of sight. Already, their Goddess had whispered in their ears about the temple, and an attack on the sacred grounds of a God could only mean one thing: Ares and his twin sons would soon feast.
November 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
professoremily.bsky.social
#WIPSnips #amwriting #writingcommunity #writers #writesky

Bit of a stretch, but I'm going with ✨vibes✨

Constance Blake seeks out a local place to help her new daughter born without a charagma.

From #Charagma, my SFF dystopia about a world where all people are marked saved or damned from birth.
“If I weren’t a law-abiding woman,” the midwife had said, after seeing Constance’s inconsolable horror at her child’s missing charagma, “I might be inclined to say I’d heard a rumor.” “A rumor?” Constance had asked, too distraught to catch the meaning of the woman’s tone, at first. “Only a rumor,” the midwife went on. “Of a place in St. Epiphany’s District known for changing fates, so to speak. But of course I’d never advise anyone to chase that rumor. We all know the law of El, don’t we, Mrs. Blake? We all know what’s to be done with a child like that.” Insane of her, to even make the insinuation—even with plausible deniability—knowing that the twins’ own father was currently away prosecuting forgers and secret Reprobates. Insane of Constance, too, to respond not by reporting the woman to the authorities, but instead by asking another question: “Where might a not law-abiding woman find this place?” St. Epiphany’s District. Five blocks east of the trolley station. An unassuming clockmaker’s shop across from a run-down chapel. Ask for a clock with an extra hour. The old woman behind the counter of the shop was busy polishing a crystal clock face when Constance uttered this question in a low, urgent burst. Constance had half-expected to get no response except confused laughter from the woman, or at the very least an odd look. But the woman’s expression remained still, and only a slight hesitation in her polishing gave away that the phrase meant something to her. “I’m afraid those clocks are only for our very needy customers,” she said after a moment. “We wouldn’t want to give them away to just anyone.”
November 10, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
nehayazmin.bsky.social
#WIPsnips “Can we meet up?”

He sighs so loud you’d think I’ve asked him to meet me at the top of Mount Everest. “Take the bus that stops outside the stadium to AHP.” Archer Hill Plaza, their local shopping centre. I get why he doesn’t want to come to the football stadium: Awkward memories.
#romance
Moodboard for ALL YOUR QASAMS with a quote from the novel reading ‘You are madness incarnate’ and five images: picture of a hot chocolate drink and heart-shaped cookies, a couple embracing during a boat ride, a young south Asian girl in south Asian bridal wear and jewellery smiling down at her maroon outfit, a close-up of a young man kissing the forehead of a young woman, a close-up the joined hands of a south Asian bride and groom, a young man in an aesthetic library reading a hardcover text book.
November 10, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
ringles.bsky.social
#WIPSnips 11: local

Finding a bathroom in a foreign country is difficult enough. Try finding one in an alternate "timeline*...

#SciFi #ScienceFiction
At the next plaza I came across, I hung around for a while, despite the risks–and my swelling bladder. Food and drink were being served here. There had to be a place for people to get rid of them, ‘post-processing.’ I strained mightily to keep the concept of pay toilets off my mind. Not like I had any local currency… Suddenly I realized that there were similar banners on opposite sides of the space. One had a triangle pointing down; the other a kind of rounded teardrop. Each symbol had a line of smaller symbols descending below them. Same colors and ‘font’…
November 10, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
acturek.bsky.social
#WIPSnips #fantasy #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #local

A bit of Bráthal backstory. He wanted to become a Druid for … reasons. 🥺

- Brother’s Keeper, book one of my fantasy WIP about two brothers bound by a misunderstood power.
The Linduen Druids found him almost worthy enough. Almost. Crushed and bewildered, Bráthal found within himself the strength to insist they did not send him away empty. So instead of initiating him into the Mysteries, they'd agreed to make him a healer, a helper, a LOCAL minister of sorts. They'd trained, conditioned, and sanctified him specifically to save life. After a cycle under their tutelage, Bráthal departed Linduen unable to stand idle and watch someone die. How could Maledin still expect him to be able to destroy? Before the pilgrimage, certainly. Now? He was a fool. By making the pilgrimage, he'd set himself at odds with his God-given purpose. More precisely, the Linduen Druids had. Brother's Keeper A.C. Turek
November 10, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
tempestteapot.bsky.social
#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #amquerying #writesky #epicfantasy 💙📚 🪐📚

A Demon’s Bargain where all the options are bad. Kahyla hopes to negotiate for the release of her sister, with Despard playing the role of Bizal's stupid and obedient caravan guard.
“Bizal won’t thank you for keeping me waiting,” she said. “The Ferruthan minstrel is harmless.” The horseman smiled weakly and gestured for them to follow him into the tavern. An eerily quiet front room greeted them. Doors opened to the kitchen and stables, as well as stairs to private bedchambers. No locals drank or chatted, suggesting that Bizal had paid for the entire enterprise. The horseman led them past rows of scrubbed trestle tables to a door, flanked by guards. The unlucky Tarvel, who had failed to stop Kahyla’s escape, shuffled uncomfortably. No doubt he remembered how she had embarrassed him. Tarvel turned and knocked, waiting for an answer before he opened the door. Hiding the trembling in her hands, Kahyla pressed against Despard’s back to urge him ahead of her. It was a close small room, sided with cheap local pine. Bizal rose from a table strewn with lunch remains. A half dozen soldiers came alert behind him, including Vetal, the guard Kahyla had taunted to shoot her. “May Parkith bless our meeting with friendship, Gentlemistress Kahyla,” crooned Bizal, approaching with hands extended. Her nerve failing, she ducked behind Despard. Bizal scowled and stepped around Despard, who drew an inch of sword. “What do you think you’re doing, Despard?” Bizal asked. “I’m contracted to protect your caravan. She’s part of your caravan,” Despard said, frozen in mid-draw. “Stupid merc, you need to learn how to follow orders correctly,” Bizal snarled. “A sell-sword like you doesn’t get to keep the girl and his fee.” Despard tipped his head. “I chose the girl.” Vetal and another soldier bracketed Bizal with hands on pommels. Kahyla shoved herself between Despard and Bizal. “May Parkith temper your days with virtue, Archduke Bizal.” Bizal stared at her, as though remembering the purpose of their meeting. He gave a curt nod and the soldiers backed up.
November 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
rjmartinwrites.com
#WIPSnips

Best not make the elves angry

#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #LGBTQWriters #QueerWriters
The healers had worked on Inga before she was allowed to come to the hall. She’d been to the bathhouse, scrubbed, anointed, and lent clean clothes. She eased herself onto the bench at the table, leaning closer than Dýrhildr expected. “You smell good,” Dýrhildr breathed. Inga actually blushed, and looked away. “Norse medicine cares too much about smell,” she grumbled, seating herself very close, on her good side. “Rather have a tuniq healer. And they want me to make a gift to the local elves.”
November 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
nicolewinchester.bsky.social
#wipsnips #writesky #writingcommunity #writingprompts
I mentioned the song "Jeremy" having a symbolic meaning in this story. Jim hears it on the radio.
Lush, green pastures whooshed by as Jim sped twenty miles over the speed limit down the highway. He left the radio indefinitely tuned to the local classic rock station, still incensed by the fact that the songs of his youth were now considered classic. “Jeremy” by Pearl Jam came on and Jim turned up the already loud radio a few tics. He mouthed along to the lyrics he’d known forever. The song was about a boy killing himself in front of his classmates, its real meaning hidden with poetic license. Rather than make him uncomfortable, though, the song made Jim feel seen.
November 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Reposted by M. Walsh - Author
hacarlson.bsky.social
Strange to think I only used the word local two times in my entire manuscript. Here is the one I chose to use. I'm afraid the second usage Snippet would give away juicy details.
#WIPsnips #WriteSky #fortheplot
The caravan master shouted instructions, shifting the wagons to the east yards where the creature-handlers quartered. The closest to the Fenwilds gate, farthest from the civilized part of Torngate. Mavren had sent Asta to fetch water from the city fountains; each quarter boasted fresh water piped through the city. She overheard one of the caravan workers that the local inns even had water piped in and heated to bathe. Pouring from spigots mounted on the ceilings. Asta couldn’t wait to experience that marvel.
November 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM