Cover, title, description, all done
I figured I’d start putting out the preliminary stuff for the next book, A Witch To Live. The cover’s done, and looks great. I’m sure I’ll end up tinkering with the description a bit, but it does a good job now of letting everyone know what it’s about.
A Witch To Live is about, you guessed it, a witch. 🙂 This novel takes place in the same world as Demonspawn, and mentions some events from that novel. The vampire in Demonspawn, named Victoria, also shows up. So if anyone liked that book, they may like this one too. However, it’s not a direct sequel. I tried my best to write a novel that didn’t “require” reading Demonspawn.
As with everything, when I’m done, I’ll see if anyone wants to beta read it. I’m nearly done now, as I’m working on the finale.
I’d categorize this as an urban fantasy, with a very large dose of romance. In fact, I wanted to try to work the romance in the description, but haven’t figured out how yet. I’m certainly open to suggestions. You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to write a description.
You can check out the description here.
November 22, 2011 @ 10:39 pm
The “As if that weren’t enough” feels like a cliche. Also the repetition of the “Now” (first paragraph, sentence 2; second paragraph, sentence 1) is awkward. And the introduction of the “new girlfriend Rachel” seems weak, especially given the emphasis in paragraph one on the fact that he has no friends. Getting the new girlfriend must be a significant event, right? I haven’t read the book (obviously!) so can’t really write a realistic blurb from what’s there, but maybe something more like,
“Kevin lost his parents after starting high school. Now a senior, he struggles to stay out of his sister’s way as she takes care of both of them. He sleeps on the couch in their one-bedroom apartment and walks to school. His sister is the only person he calls a friend. Life is tough but he’s used to it.
Until he discovers that he’s a witch, that is. A real witch, the kind with powers that let him x, y, or z. The kind that witch hunters, vampires and werewolves really don’t like. Now he’s going to need every trick in his spell book — plus some help from the Rachel, the girl he just might be falling in love with, and the sympathetic vampire, Victoria — just to survive.”
I’ve repeated a “just” there which would probably irk me enough on rereading that I’d get rid of one of them, and I’d use real m dashes instead of hyphens, but I definitely think rephrasing Rachel to make her appearance in her life more exciting, not just a done deal, would help.
(I am in serious procrastination mode today. 🙂 Thanks for giving me an excuse to avoid my own writing!)
November 23, 2011 @ 8:45 am
Thanks for the feedback, Wyndes. Yeah, I’ve been having trouble with the description. It just didn’t sound “right”, and it’s been hard to fix. You hit one of the points dead on. Rachel is a huge part of the story. As always, I come close a few times from going to urban fantasy to paranormal romance (there’s THAT much romance in the book). So I figured Rachel deserved her own paragraph in the description, but don’t know what to say yet.
Your attempt is an improvement from mine though.
November 24, 2011 @ 7:05 am
Blurbs are really tough to write, especially when you know the whole story so well yourself and all the details feel important. I’ve got one in the sidebar of my blog and I think I tweak it almost every day.
December 4, 2011 @ 5:55 pm
I’d be more than happy to beta read it :D.
December 5, 2011 @ 8:10 am
I’ll certainly be bugging you when the time comes. 🙂
December 18, 2011 @ 12:28 pm
I love all your books. Currently I beta read for John Brian and Grey Gecko Press. I would love to beta read anything you write. I have reviewed all your books on Amazon and have passed you books on to several people.
December 18, 2011 @ 12:31 pm
Just read the description on this new book. I take it from the blurb that Victoria is back from DemonSpawn, are you planning on having Alex show up also?
December 19, 2011 @ 8:15 am
Sending you a private email 🙂
December 19, 2011 @ 3:36 pm
Got it thanks for the response. Looking forward to the new novel.
December 19, 2011 @ 8:07 am
Thanks, Andy. 🙂 I’ll definitely pass along my next book to your if you’re interested.
December 19, 2011 @ 3:37 pm
I am interested…..
January 17, 2012 @ 9:25 am
Have found you to be an excellent author and love the way you write your characters. I’m about to read and review for Jonas Saul and would love to do the same for you. One recommendation though – found numerous punctuation mistakes and words missing from sentences in Demonspawn.
January 17, 2012 @ 11:10 am
Thank you Kim. I’d certainly appreciate. I can get you a copy.
Yeah, Demonspawn was my first book, and mistakes were made along the way, certainly with editing. I tried to edit that one completely by myself, a novice mistake. I proofread till my eyes bled, and there’s still mistakes. All my other work I’ve gotten some help on (and there’s no doubt there are still mistakes too). 🙂
January 17, 2012 @ 5:22 pm
No worries. We all make mistakes (I know I’ve made more than my share). It doesn’t really bother me too much, but I see other readers leave nasty remarks concerning mistakes. I would hate for someone to lower their review because of small mistakes. These books are too good for that. I’m looking forward to reviewing this book. I’m super excited!!!!
January 18, 2012 @ 8:11 am
Yeah, I don’t blame the reviews at all that talk about editing. After one such review, I gave Demonspawn another edit, and actually introduced more errors by an accidental cut and paste!
I’m glad you liked though.
January 18, 2012 @ 1:52 pm
Ah, another ‘warning’. I’m about maybe a week or so from finishing. Then it’s the hunt for beta readers, all that fun stuff. But when it’s good to go, you’ll know.
January 24, 2012 @ 5:08 am
Like many of the above, I would love to beta read this. Gotta say I’m looking forward to how you handle a magic system that isn’t largely instinctive will-based magic, as in demonspawn and mind slide.
January 24, 2012 @ 8:15 am
I do have to say, some of what Kevin does in the novel is instinctive, but much of it is actually him studying and reading as well.
He needs reagents, ingredients, etc. I’m hoping it comes across as entertaining. I’m about 4-5 pages away from being done now, and the closer it gets to being done, the more nervous I get.
I like the characters. I like the neat little “tricks” Kevin comes up with, but as strong as he is, I tried to keep him reigned in somewhat. One of the complaints of Demonspawn was how strong Alex Teague was in that novel, so I tried not to go overboard this time.
January 28, 2012 @ 4:10 pm
You tease, it’s been 4 days sice you were “4 or 5” pages from done. Some of us here (e.g. myself) would like to pretend we have better things to do than reload this page 8 times a day…
Also, on a completely different note, I have trouble imagining a power set that leaves you too powerful for the book to be interesting when you have as many enemies as this guy does.
January 30, 2012 @ 8:15 am
I’m hoping today is the day 🙂 That would be cool, to actually finish a novel on my birthday.
I think I’ve done a good job of keeping my witch reigned in. He’s very strong, but not physically, of course. He needs physical objects and potions to get the magic going. I think the fight he has with a particular vampire is pretty neat. But, as I always like to write about, his environment and himself are just as big of an antagonist as any bad guy I could give him.
January 26, 2012 @ 2:52 pm
OK Glen, you are just teasing us now, a week out? Come on already:>) really waiting on your new book, there is almost nothing new coming out that is any good or reasonably priced. I am getting tired of paying $7.99 for a ebook, hope you are not planning on pricing yours up that high for a electronic copy.
January 26, 2012 @ 3:03 pm
Ha 🙂 I honestly thought I had a good chance of getting done today, but stuff came up, of course, and couldn’t finish.
And it’ll only be ready to beta-read, it won’t be completely done. But I’ll make sure I send you a copy for beta reading. 🙂
It’ll still be $2.99. For the few people who actually keep track of my work here though, probably for free 🙂
January 28, 2012 @ 2:00 pm
The few people that keep track of your work? My wife hates zombie books but after she read mindslide and demonspawn I could not keep her from reading Dead Living. I have also gotten several others to buy and read your books. Keep putting out the same quality and I will keep spreading the word….
January 30, 2012 @ 8:16 am
Wow, that is so cool. 🙂 I am very grateful. You can’t ask for any better compliment than for someone to recommend your stuff to others.
January 27, 2012 @ 11:50 am
I just got done reading Demonspawn and it was a really great book! Please keep it up! Look forward to your next book and hope you have a lot more in mind for Alex!