The latest novel in the Damned and Cursed series offers something a little new (at least I hope š ). Some fresh characters, but with a story that takes place in the now-familiar setting, complete with witches, vampires, werewolves, etc.
And, if the title didn’t give it away, ghosts.
Give it a read, let me know what you think.
I try to avoid Amazon reviews, but if anyone does end up posting a review, could you let me know? Would like to add snippets to the website here. š
It is that time. Just imagine a drumroll is happening in your head right now.
Would anyone like to “sneak” read Own Ghost Story? This is the part of the novel where I gather 4-6 readers and send along a copy of the novel. Then we laugh, discuss, cry, and many other emotions as I put the last-minute changes to the novel.
Just drop an email, comment below, anything at all.Ā
After this process is done, then it’s publishing time.
This is the one! I’m talking conventions, Halloween costumes, movie deals, crashed websites due to traffic!
Well, maybe not. š
Okay, so, where are we on the latest addition to the Damned and Cursed series, Own Ghost Story?
The “data entry” portion is done. Now it’s editing, proofreading, tweaking, etc.
This novel had an interesting creation cycle. I started on it back in December / January, then got stuck on Chapter 2. I let it sit for quite a while, probably June. Then the rest just flowed. Something like 50K words in a month, which for me is insane.
Looking at the numbers from Scrivener, we’re at 86K words, 33 chapters. A nice, healthy book.
Now, what Scrivener can’t tell me is will people like it. š
I’m guessing there are questions about this book. Who is in it? Who are Drew and Lilah? Is it “really” a series novel?
I think that’s called “marketing” and “mystery”, things I’m terrible at.
I posted this little “teaser” a week ago on Instagram, which then rolls into FaceBook and Twitter. But, I never posted on the website here. So, in short, as you can gather, the new novel is underway. I love the cover, they seem to keep getting better and better in my mind. I won’t give away too many plot elements “yet”. But below is what I put together for the back cover text. This, as always, is subject to change, but it gives an idea of what the novel, Own Ghost Story, has packed inside. š
One. One too many to drink. One mistake. One accident.
One life lost.
Two years have passed since Drew killed Lilah while driving under the influence. He’s been struggling to put his life back together since that night. Desperately trying to make ends meet, survive day to day.
He sees Lilah. He saw her during his recovery at the hospital. He sees her in his dreams. It will pass, the doctors say. Just hallucinations brought on by stress and trauma.
But now he sees Lilah when he’s awake. She speaks to him.
Has Drew finally lost his mind? Is the guilt too much?
Or are Drew and Lilah in the middle of their own ghost story?
Fallen Skye is out and about on Kindle. I imagine most people who visit this site already know this and have read by now. It took about a year longer to get out than I would have liked, but hopefully it was still a good read.
Right now, I’m working on getting the paperback version ready to go. I have a new novel bouncing around in my head, but I’ll go into that later (the cover is actually already done. š ).
Let me know what you think about Victoria and Jack’s latest tale (with an assist from Kevin and Marie). Tell everyone you know to check out the Damned and Cursed series, or Jack will find them. š
I imagine most of my followers know by now, but Fallen Skye is available. The link to the book page on the website is here. The direct Amazon link is here. (And in going there to get the link, I see there are two ratings already. Thanks very much, guys. š )
This book took a while to get out. Hopefully, it is worth the wait. Another tale in the Damned and Cursed universe, with quite a few characters we’ve all come to know. Victoria and Jack are the “main” characters, but with a sprinkling of some others as well.
So, what’s next? There are a few things I have to do to the actual book landing page. I have to move the samples over. Probably add some trivia. And some reviews, and that’s where I could use some help.
I avoid Amazon reviews like the plague. Back in the early days, I found myself checking them a little too much, and it caused some anxiety. Every writer loves to hear their work is enjoyed, but it stings just as equally on the bad reviews, too. The thing is that the bad stuff is just as valid. But I don’t want to get caught up in “review checking”. š
However, saying that, I like to put excerpts of reviews on my site. So, if you happen to leave an Amazon review, and wouldn’t mind me putting up a portion of it on the site, let me know.
And more what’s next? In a week or so, will get to work on putting out the paperback version. Have to get the artwork designed, and then compile in Scrivener (which I am basically relearning).
Then it’s new novel time, but that’s another post. š
Editing is done. So, now it’s time for the pre-release feedback. Been a while since I’ve done this for sure. š Need to write more.
I’ll go through the requests I’ve received on previous posts and pick a few people to read the novel. Hopefully, they enjoy it. š But looking for anything I can make better. Any feedback at all is appreciated. Anything from a word that doesn’t sound right, or an entire scene or chapter.
After that process, it’s release time. š
Thing #2:
I’m done with the back cover text. This is always a challenge. Basically, it can’t be too long. It can’t be too short. It needs to be engaging, capture interest and attention. But not give TOO much away. Shoot me now.
Let me know what you think.
Four-hundred-year-old vampire Victoria couldnāt be happier that Kevin Mishnar has returned to her inner circle. Life wasnāt quite the same without him. But after his self-imposed exile, he brings with him an unusual request that leads to a rare find. A young female witch.
Kept in a prison nearly all her life, Victoria would like nothing more than to help her. But another case needs her attention.
She can think of only one person to ask for help.
Jack Kursed didnāt expect Victoriaās call. His oldest friend needs a favor. Jack has his own problems, his own family to look after. But he could never say no to Victoria.
She wants him to look after a witch for a few days.
One grammar check down, one more to go. After that, it’s off to the old beta reading. That’s when I (hopefully) get a handful of readers to just give me their thoughts. Love it? Hate it? This part doesn’t make sense? Why is Jack so mean? We iron out all those little things.
Then it’s on to Amazon after that. š
So, so close.
Two more minor updates. I think have my next book idea. I thought it would be a while before it came. Some scenes are coming together now, which is how it always starts.
Also, I’m taking a shot at Instagram. I’ll add that link to the site soon. As an introverted writer, I’ve pretty much tried to avoid all things “social”, but see some other writers have made good use out of Instagram.
My wife is the artistic one in our guild, so I’m going to steal her help. š
Word count: 105,266 (MUCH longer than I thought. I have to learn to write shorter novels.)
Chapters: 28
Awesome cover: Done.
Back cover text: Needs some work. I don’t like it. But luckily that’s a paragraph. Just have to come up with something so that people will throw money at the book.
Weather: 73 degrees here where I am in Maryland.
Does the above make sense?: Not at all.
Apocalypse incoming: Perhaps.
Characters included: Victoria and Jack Kursed are the main POV characters. There are others, but they will remain a surprise.
What’s “really” left to do on the novel: Finally, “new” writing is done. Now it’s editing, grammar checks, etc. Up to Chapter 22 is done and edited, the way I want. Chapters 23 to 28 just need a review and my edits. Then I want to get 2-3 people (hopefully I still have some readers left) to read it, give me their thoughts. Then it’s out the door for Fallen Skye.
The eBook version of Own Ghost Story is available now. I’m currently working on the paperback version, aiming to have that out soon.
