LIVING LIFE AUTHORLY

No. 3

Hello Readers!  Here is the third edition of my Living Life Authorly reflection.  In this piece, I talk about what you, the reader, can do to help your favorite authors and their books find success.  Readers play a very important role in the life of a book and its creator, especially for us indie authors.  If you've always wondered how you can take an active part in making a book more popular, read on!  And as always, happy reading and writing ;)!

- J.E. Johnson

The Care and Feeding of your Favorite Authors

For the most part, authors are strange, reclusive creatures by nature.  We lock ourselves away in our writing caves and glare through the blinds should a neighbor dare to mow the lawn whilst we are trying to concentrate on a scene.  We thrive on caffeine, chocolate and the perfect soundtrack for our writing time.  During the day when we must skip off to our day jobs (yes, most of us need day jobs in order to stay afloat), we do our best to pretend to be normal.  Fortunately, we can pull this off because we know about characters and how play the part.  In a nutshell, we are odd creatures who live to tell you a story and I'm going to go out on a limb and claim that 100% of us dream of the day we can do this book writing thing full time.  Unfortunately, it is very difficult for authors (especially the many of us who are independently published) to make a mark in the world of literature.  Even with a great story, wonderful editing, superb formatting and a gorgeous book cover, it can be difficult to get our books seen if we don't have the money for marketing.

I know, that's a lot to take in and all you probably want to do is read our books and not worry about the business end of things (and believe me, most of us authors are in the same boat - we just want to write those books for you and not have to worry about marketing and getting the word out).  But, for those of you who would like to help, there are ways to do so without spending a dime.  In this edition of Living Life Authorly, I am going to focus on two ways you, as a reader, can help out your favorite authors.

1.) WRITE A REVIEW

Let's say you've read a new book by a new author and you really liked it.  You know purchasing their next book is the best way to keep supporting them (more book sales = more royalties = author getting closer to their dream of writing full time), but you can't afford to get their next book just yet.  Don't fret.  Writing a review is just as important, if not more so, as purchasing their next books.  By writing a review, you are telling other potential readers that this book, this author, is worth checking out.  It's free and doesn't have to take a lot of your time.

If you want to keep it simple, ask yourself these two questions: 1.) Did you enjoy the book?  2.) Would you recommend it to others?

Your review does not have to be spectacular.  It can be one sentence long, or several.  And writing a review does not have to take more than a few minutes to complete, and those few minutes can really help a book's visibility.  I've read a few articles stating that once a book receives 50 or more reviews on Amazon.com, it starts getting more exposure.  So the more reviews, the better.

Short reviews are great, but if you really want to expand on your review, I always follow this outline: 1.) In one to three sentences, what was the book about?  2.) What did you like/what did the author do well?  3.) What did you dislike/what could the author have done better?  More detailed reviews tend to be more helpful and helpful reviews are even more appreciated by potential readers.

Whether or not you write a quick or detailed review is entirely up to you and what you feel comfortable with.  Like I said above, ANY review is appreciated (even the negative ones :)).  The fact that you took the time to give feedback tells me the story had some impact on you and that alone is a great encouragement.

Another thing to consider is if you have accounts on multiple sites where books are sold/discussed, you can post the same review in all those places.  If you purchased your book on Amazon, you can leave your review there as well as Barnes and Noble, iTunes, Kobo, Smashwords, Google Play and Goodreads.  You can also rate the book on Wattpad if you are a member on that site as well.   

2.) SPREAD THE WORD

If you discover a new book, share that news with your friends.  Tell them why you liked it, let them know it would be perfect for their son/daughter/niece/nephew/cousin/aunt/uncle.  Inform them their next book boyfriend lives in that book and, OMG, they just HAVE to read about him! . . . You get the picture ;).

You can tell your friends in person when you meet up for your weekly coffee date.  Suggest it as the next book to read in your book club.  Donate the book to your local library when you've finished reading it or give it to someone on the subway or the bus who looks like they might enjoy it.  There are so many ways you can help spread the word about a book.

Another easy way to help share the love is, if you follow your authors on social media, share their links and posts.  On your own wall, on a Book Lovers' page, by tagging a friend who might find the book interesting ...  Pin their book cover art to your Pinterest page or share images of places and things that remind you of the book or series.

Of course, I'm sure there are many other ways you can help your favorite authors, but hopefully these are some good places to start.  Before I sign off, I want to express how much I already appreciate you all and everything you do to help me and my other author friends become the best writers we can be.  When you believe in our stories and characters as much as we do, it gives us even more purpose and drive to finish that next book or to begin a new one.  To not give up on that dream we can see so clearly in our minds.  I am forever honored to have you all as members of my readership and I hope to bring you even greater stories in the future.  Until next time, happy reading!

- Jenna

Quick May Update

Hello readers!  I thought I'd just publish this quick post to let you all know what has been going on with my writing lately.  I'll also be sending this out in a newsletter as well since I haven't sent one out in quite a while.  With that being said, here are a few things you should know:

Currently, I've been busy with my day job (starting in June I'll have a few months off, so I plan on writing a lot more then) and getting ready for another book event.  On May 25th and 26th I'll be taking part in the Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festival.  Lately I've been trying to think of ways to build a local following for the Otherworld Trilogy and the Oescienne Series, since the setting for both stories are set in my home town, and I thought the Strawberry Festival would be a great way to do so.  If you are going to be attending, be sure to stop by booth # 159.  I'll have paperback books for sale, posters, buttons and bookmarks to give away, and maybe a raffle or two.

Earlier I mentioned my time off this coming summer and that I'll be using it to get some writing done (okay, hopefully more than just some writing done . . .).  I've been receiving a lot of email lately with questions about the fourth Oescienne book, so that will most likely take priority.  However, I have been consulting with my Muse about more Otherworld books (Cade's second POV short story, of course, and Robyn's and Enorah's stories).  I should also mention that some ideas for future paranormal series have been coming my way as well . . . more on that when I've got an actual manuscript in progress ;).  In a nutshell, I look forward to a very busy summer and fall :).

Finally, YA and adult fiction novelist Elle Casey is in the midst of her Springtime Indie Book Giveaway.  Feel free to check out her list and sign up to win some of the wonderful books being offered!  I've donated five ecopies of the Otherworld Trilogy Omnibus Edition, so if you know anyone who might be interested, do pass the information on!  Here is the link to the list of books: http://ellecasey.com/promotions/elle-caseys-springtime-indie-book-giveaway/

Well, that's all for now!  I'll try and get some more photos up from the L.A. Times Festival of Books soon, as well as a video clip of my interview with KBEACH ;).  Until next time, happy reading!

-J.E. Johnson

Author Spotlight: Interview with Mary Ann Bernal

1. Quickly, give us the title and genre of your book and a 30-word or less tagline:

“The Briton and the Dane” trilogy
Historical Fiction

Viking terror, brutal force

2. Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book?

Historical Fiction fans interested in the Dark Ages during the Viking expansion when Alfred the Great reigned. The story incorporates remnants of Roman Britain, which sets the trilogy apart from the usual Dark Ages references.

3. How did you come up with the title of your book or series?

Initially there were two working titles:  Erik, the Danish Viking and Erik & Gwyneth, which seemed lame, especially since the story quickly evolved into a major saga with a “cast of thousands.”  Since God is my muse, He provides suggestions in the middle of the night, and that is how “The Briton and the Dane” title came into being.  Of course I wrote it down immediately lest it disappeared by morning, and because I keep a writing pad in the kitchen, I was able to read what I had written when I was wide awake.

4. Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

Erik has been in my head for over twenty years, demanding his story, which was finally published in 2010, but his character is more Hollywoodesque, a larger than life character who is excitingly adventurous, a worldly warrior that women wished to tame.  While I love Erik dearly, I must confess David is my favorite character.  I will not be specific with examples (no spoilers) but suffice it to say his priorities are where they should be with family values.  In today’s day and age, he would be the dependable person who could be counted on no matter the issue.  Some might say that I set the bar too high with David’s character, but then would he not be a person to emulate?   I have heard from many fans that they wished they had a David in their life, so I did “hit the nail on the head” so to speak with my portrayal of this character.

5. How about your least favorite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?

This is a difficult question because I really do not have a least favorite.  Yes there are villains you love to hate, but once you discover the reason they behave like they do, you tend to sympathize with their plight.  However, if I must choose, I would pick King Guthrum.  Again I will not be specific (no spoilers) but suffice it to say his priorities differ from those of David.   In modern terminology, he chooses career over family, and his decision or lack thereof, is the catalyst behind the outcome of the second book.

6. If you could change ONE thing about your novel, what would it be?  Why?

There is one change that I was fortunate to make with the publication of the special edition of the first novel. I initially used archaic verbiage because I wanted to transport the reader back in time.  However, it proved very difficult for the modern reader, even though “test readers” stated it was easy to read once you got into the lingo.  The second and third novels reflect this change.

7. Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:

What I found exciting was to finally visit the places I had written about.  I spent two weeks in East Anglia where I came upon West Stow, a well preserved Anglo-Saxon village where “Born of Hope” was filmed.  I also discovered, quite by chance, the Thetford Priory ruins, which was featured on Ghostbusters International.  The paranormal investigators inspected the haunted priory in 1996.  How cool is that!  Unfortunately, I did not meet up with any ghosts when I visited the ruins.

8. What other books are similar to your own?  What makes them alike?

“Viking Warrior” by Judson Roberts focuses on the Danish Viking invasion of Frankia in 845.  His epic adventure also includes treachery and vengeance, which makes for a great story.

9. Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

I have taken Medieval Dance classes and did a demonstration with my fellow dancers from the Barony of the Lonely Tower at a Ren Faire held at the James Arthur Vineyards in Raymond, NE. The Barony is located in the Kingdom of Calontir, a division of the Society for Creative Anachronism.

10. How can we contact you or find out more about your books?
Webpage:

http://www.maryannbernal.com

Novels published in association with The Literary Underground

http://www.litunderground.com/MaryAnnBernal.html

You can view the book trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH1qSGHOSMA

And purchase the books here:

Amazon US

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mary+ann+bernal&x=0&y=0

Amazon UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mary+ann+bernal

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/mary-ann-bernal

11. What can we expect from you in the future?

“The Briton and the Dane:  Concordia” will be available early 2013.

12. What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

The following references pertain to the book page listed on Amazon.com.  Reviews and ratings are always appreciated.  For readers not comfortable with writing a review, they could check “like” which appears right after the ratings/review  line, beneath the author/illustrator names.  Checking the boxes next to the tags under the Tags Customers Associate with this product is very helpful, and if you have a tag that is not listed, by all means add it.  Customer discussions is another way to generate interest, if not online then talking to friends - passion about any story generates interest.  Word of mouth still works for getting a story “out there.”

13. Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?

Keep writing and never give up.  If going the conventional route is not working for you, then consider self-publishing - its not as hard as it sounds.  Every successful author has had his/her share of rejections and negative reviews, so you are in good company.  If you have a story to share, tell it.  Persevere and never, ever quit.

14. Is there anything else you’d like to say?

It has been a pleasure to be a guest on your blog.  It is always fun to humanize an author.  Thank you for giving me this opportunity, and for a fun time.

15. And now, before you go, how about a snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue and tantalize us:

The Briton and the Dane:  Birthright

Inga and the boys waved at the guards who stood atop the gatehouse when they left the compound. They would arrive at the market well before the midday heat and welcomed the gentle breeze as they walked the dusty road.

The town was bustling by the time they reached the outskirts. The boys held Inga’s hand while she followed the winding street that led to Dalla’s dwelling. James and John stared at the various fruits and vegetables that were carefully placed upon the open carts. They pointed impatiently to their favorite foods and pleaded with Inga to permit them to visit the stalls. Flies buzzed around the hanging carcasses of newly slaughtered pigs, which were ultimately quartered and sold.

Dalla waved excitedly when the brothers broke free from Inga’s grasp and ran to the top of the hill. She embraced the lively children and laughed when they struggled to set themselves free. James and John shrieked when they saw Loki standing in the doorway with his hands behind his back.

“Have you the soldiers?” Both boys asked. “Let us see!”

Loki held his arms above their heads as the boys sought to grasp the ivory figures that were just out of their reach.

“Loki!” Dalla shouted. “Do not tease them!”

“As you wish dear sister,” he replied just as the boys grabbed their precious gift.

Dalla embraced Inga and kissed her cheek before they entered the house. Loki poured ale and wine while Dalla placed a bowl of fruit upon the table.

Inga was delighted when Loki surprised her with a small token and quickly opened the silk pouch that contained an exquisitely-carved bone hair pin.

“This is lovely,” she whispered. “There are no words.”

“It pleases you then?” Loki asked as he held her hand and looked into her eyes.

“Aye,” she blushed as she averted his gaze.

Dalla led Inga to the table and offered her a goblet. She sipped the wine and laughed at the boys’ excitement when Loki surprised them with a superb wooden replica of an ancient Roman chariot.

“The wheels move!” John shouted excitedly when he rolled the toy across the bench.

“You are most generous,” Inga said as she attempted to stand.

Loki came to her rescue after she leaned unsteadily against the table.

“I fear that I am not well,” Inga whispered just before she lost consciousness and fell into his arms.

Loki carried her outside and placed her into the back of a cart. The boys were busy playing and paid no heed to their elders.

“James and John, are you parched?” Dalla smiled when she handed them half-filled goblets.

The boys eagerly drank the sweet wine, emptied their cups in one swallow, and were soon soundly sleeping beside their beloved Inga.
Dalla and Loki rode unhurriedly through the busy streets when they left the market town and headed east.

***

Helga crossed the inner bailey and headed towards her family’s private quarters.  The sun would soon set and the main gate closed for the night. She was not able to find Inga and the boys and silently prayed that they were already in their chambers. She shouted their names while she frantically searched the empty dwelling and hurriedly ran to the gatehouse just as the guards were about to shut the gate.

“Inga and the children are not back,” Helga yelled while she climbed the stairs.  “Do you see them on the main road?”

Helga listened halfheartedly while the soldiers reminded her that the scouting party had already returned and would not set out again until first light. She pushed the men aside as she leaned over the wall and suppressed the urge to scream when she saw the deserted countryside.

Helga held back the tears while she ran to find David who would still be in the great hall conferring with his advisors. She hurried through the open door and was out of breath by the time she approached her husband.

“The boys are not in their chambers!” Helga breathlessly exclaimed.
David quickly rushed to his wife’s side and held her in his arms.

“You are trembling,” David whispered, “why are you troubled?”

“Inga has not returned with the boys,” Helga sobbed.

David shouted for his men to bring the horses and requested that Brother Aidan be found to comfort his wife.

It did not take long for David and his men to reach the market town; the soldiers searched the individual dwellings while David spoke with the local merchants. As dusk became night, the men continued their search but were unable to discover Inga and the children’s whereabouts.

Brother Aidan and Helga watched from the gatehouse as David and his men galloped towards the main gate.

“David!” Helga yelled as she frantically hurried to meet her husband. “I am fearful.”

“There is mischief,” David told her.

“What do you mean?” Helga asked between sobs.

“Dalla and Loki are not known,” David whispered. “Our children have been taken.”

*****

Thank you Mary Ann for taking part in my Author Spotlight interview! I hope your writing continues to flourish and we hope to see more of you in the future.
*****
If you or an author/illustrator you know is interested in being interviewed, feel free to send me an email at jejoescienne@yahoo.com

Author Spotlight: Interview with R.M. Putnam

1. Quickly, give us the title and genre of your book and the tagline:

Destiny’s Warriors Pure Evil the third book in the series, is a tale of betrayal and abduction forced by the Lord of Greed. A trek through ancient Persia to rescue loved ones is met with peril at every turn. The heroes encounter slavery, thieving murderous nomads and treacherous terrain as they make their way to Hades then home to the Underworld.

An effort to start anew fails when the Cannibalistic Baalites of Altair make war with murderous vengeful hearts. Magic, myth and mayhem of colossal proportions makes this fantasy-adventure cross genres with pure horror. Will the Baalites take down Hades and the Underworld? Madness takes the mind of man and god as atrocities make blood run cold. Pure Evil is a story like no other, a war like no other as the heroes face horror like no other.

2. How did you come up with the title of your book or series?

For me, the title of a book is the hardest to create. I never even think of a title until I have finished the book. Giving it much thought I realized my tale was about evil at its worse, thereby my title is Pure Evil.

3. Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

My favorite character is Finn MacCumhal (Finn McCool) he is a legendary person from ancient Ireland. I found the folklore about him fascinating but in my story, I make him my own character only brushing on his legend. Inspired by Finn, I create his fictional son, Lugh MacCumhal of which I make him an even bigger legend. Lugh is an impulsive man who likes to live on the edge completely ruled by his emotions.

4. How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?

This indeed is a hard question, all my characters even the minor ones are like my children… how can I even think one is less than the other.

5. If you could change ONE thing about your novel, what would it be?  Why?

I killed a character too soon in the series. Shovar the Lord of Death was something I should have given more thought to before I wrote in his death then published it. As I look back, he was one of my most interesting characters and now I have lost the opportunity to use him in so many ways.

6. Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:

The beginnings of a story for me pop up in the most unlikely places. I see or hear something and then go into my, “What if” mode. As for writing fantasy that was a complete accident because, my first love was Science Fiction.

I went back to college when I was 39 years old. That first semester, sitting in my history class the instructor assigned the class to write a paper on an American Holiday, its origin and so forth. Well, it was the first week of October and so I thought of Halloween. Off to the library I went to do research and there I became mesmerized in ancient history, mythology and folklore.

My research took a few weeks as my study into history opened up to Pre-Christian times back to Paganism where Halloween originated. As I read the information about Celtic history and folklore, my “What If” mode went into high gear.

The paper I finally turned in went from fact to fiction. My instructor gave me a C- a passing grade for all the work and effort I put into the paper but told me Halloween is NOT an American Holiday. I should have written about Thanksgiving, Independence day or Veteran’s Day etc. I was disappointed with the grade until he told me that he loved my paper and that I should complete the story for publication. That was all the encouragement I needed as I embarked into writing my fantasy novel that grew into ten books in the series over the following seventeen years.

Obsessed with my story building fermenting in my mind I dedicated every free moment to writing. I was never without my notebook. I wrote my first story “Destiny’s Warriors The Beginning” long hand during fifteen minutes breaks at work and during my lunch hour. Often I would wake up in the middle of the night with an idea and quickly took to writing in my notebook.

Fearing failure and embarrassment for pursuing a dream that might never come true, I became a closet writer keeping my literary ambitions a secret from everyone I knew except my sons. It took many years of constant dedication reading and rereading, revision after revision but I made the dream come true. Never did I imagine I would write fantasy but there you have it. You never know when a story is about to be born or where it will take you and that is the wonderment and joy of being a writer.

One last word, my series is for mature readers due to adult subject matter and violence.

7. Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

I make Medieval robes and sell them off my website. At first, I fashioned my robes from the ones worn by my characters then went to a more basic style, which helped me to be more productive. Here is a picture of an Indie movie of which I made the robes. Very exciting for me I even got a credit in the movie.
 
8. How can we contact you or find out more about your books?

http://www.destinyswarriors.com
Website email address: admin@destinyswarriors.com

9. What can we expect from you in the future?

In 2012, my 4th book in my series will be released, titled “Destiny’s Warriors the Black Shadow of Death”. Every year I will release the next book until I reach the final book "Destiny’s Warriors Evil’s Glory, the 10th book in the series."

10. Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?

My message to aspiring writers is that you can succeed if you persevere and not let obstacles or rejection affect you. It might take a while but you can do it. I also recommend that you learn every aspect of preparing your novel for publication. Try to get 3 or 4 proofreaders and most important if you can afford it, an editor. If money is a problem, go to your local college and ask an English teacher if she/he can recommend a student to edit your book for a small fee or even for an extra credit grade. Please be sure to give your editor a special note of thanks in your credits. Kindle, Smashwords and CreateSpace has made it easy and fun to publish your books. All you need is a photograph with CreateSpace templates to create a fantastic cover. Google “how to format your book for Kindle, or Smashwords or CreateSpace and save yourself a ton of money. If you can create a story, you can easily learn how to do the formatting for submission. It really is simple and once you have done it, you will see that nothing can stop you from future projects.

11. Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Visit my website for autographed copies of my Destiny’s Warriors Series, and as always, I include a DW bookmark with every book. Do you have a costumed event coming up? Browse through my collection of Medieval robes, each custom sized to length. Mention Jenna’s name in your email to me and get a 10% discount.

12. And now, before you go, how about a snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue and tantalize us:

* Warning, Pure Evil is for mature readers due to adult subject matter and extreme violence.*

Excerpt for Destiny’s Warriors Pure Evil:

Ben Kedar Hakeem sat in council with his advisors and exalted wizards. The topic was resources that were quickly diminishing. “We must find a way out of Altair! Surely, there are more openings than what we previously used. Samhain cursed the way out to Persia and the God of Hades sealed the way out to the north and into the Land of Hades. After all these years, I find it astounding that none of you, even with magic cannot find a way out! We have depleted the population by over half! We must have meat . . .  fresh meat! I am tired of feeding on the old to spare the young for breeding. The old are nothing more than shoe leather. The next thing you know I’ll have to order my pets for slaughter!”

Ben Kedar looked down at the one-time warrior who sat naked on his knees like a loyal dog beside his master. Stripped of his dignity and birth name, Ben Kedar called him Marid, which means rebellious. Once a warrior of Hades in high standing, now his spirit broken, he was Ben Kedar’s pet, complete with collar and leash, naked and only allowed to walk on all fours for his master. Nights passed sexually entertaining his master with perversions of the extreme. Ben Kedar stroked Marid’s hair, thinking he might just have to sacrifice his prize pet to the butcher for food. He remembered how long the struggle was to train Marid, who resisted more than most with great rebellion. Now, to have him so well trained it seemed a waste to slaughter him.

Looking around Ben Kedar admired the women chained to the alcoves, naked and posed as part of the decor. His mouth watered at the thought of tasting their blood or savoring the delicious taste of their flesh.

Zafir, a high wizard of Hakeem’s court stepped up and bowed his head as he asked, “My Lord, your permission to speak?”

With a wave of his hand, Ben Kedar gestured for the wizard to continue, “There are many ways out of Altair. However, The Great Samhain did more than curse the land bridge into Persia; he clouded all openings with powerful magic. It took many years to find the opening we previously used, which is now sealed. My lord, we can feed on animals . . .  human flesh is not the only way for us to survive.”

Wide-eyed, Ben Kedar stood up in outrage, “You want me to feed on animals like a common peasant! Are you insane, man? I need human blood . . .  human meat from young women and tender sweet infants . . .  how dare you . . .”

The door suddenly burst open as Prince Mukhtar shouted out, “This man can help us!” Mukhtar shoved the man that accompanied him and repeated, “This man can help us. He knows a way out.”

 

*****

Thank you R.M. for taking part in my Author Spotlight interview! I hope your writing continues to flourish and we hope to see more of you in the future.
*****
If you or an author/illustrator you know is interested in being interviewed, feel free to send me an email at jejoescienne@yahoo.com

Author Spotlight: Interview with Chris Barraclough

1. Quickly, give us the title and genre of your book and a 30-word or less tagline:

My book's a fast-paced, action-packed thriller called Crack: A policeman accidentally hits and kills a young girl with his squad car in a notorious British council estate, causing the locals to rise up and rebel.

2. Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book?

It's a very adult book, filled with bad words, bloodshed and beyond - but all portrayed in a gritty, realistic manner. If someone gets slammed in the face with a metal pipe, they don't just get up again with a bloody nose! If you like action and drama but are sick of ultra-tough SAS-trained anti-heroes, then give Crack a shot!

3. How did you come up with the title of your book or series?

There are literal cracks in the book, from the smashed windscreen on the very first page, but the title is a reference to the very fragile relationship between down-and-out Britons and the authority that tries to keep them in order. After the main character (Nathan Pang) accidentally kills a girl, the locals explode with rage - something we've seen happen for real during the Brixton Riots.

4. Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

Definitely Pang, the conflicted cop who inadvertently causes the riots. He's an average guy stuck in this horrific situation, with hundreds of people baying for his blood, and no idea what to do. Add in the fact that he just killed an innocent girl, and his head's a real mess of a place!

5. How about your least favorite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?

A horrid little git called Terrence Fisher, based on far too many real-life characters. He takes advantage of the turmoil to fight, steal, and manipulate the rioters to fulfil his own selfish needs. If you saw footage of the recent UK riots, you'll have seen people using the chaos as an excuse to spread mayhem - that's Terrence, except he's a hundred times worse!

6. If you could change ONE thing about your novel, what would it be?  Why?

I had to slash a number of chapters down to keep it fast-paced, stuff that was irrelevant to the story but great fun all the same. I'd love to release a 'director's cut' version that adds them back in...

7. Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:

I almost got hit by a car myself when shooting the cover, on the road outside my flat - this crumbly old Fiat flew around the corner without slowing and almost sent me flying. Of course, I was stood all gormless in the middle of the road, so I can't really complain!

8. What other books are similar to your own?  What makes them alike?

I actually haven't seen much like Crack around - most action thrillers are about grizzled, invulnerable army marines taking down armies of baddies without breaking sweat. Crack takes the battle to the street, with characters who are just like you or I - people caught up in a situation that's out of control, and heading for disaster. Pang certainly isn't like John McClane, he gets roughed up bad as the book goes on!

9. Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

I love karaoke, but it's certainly not a talent - more of a drunken obsession...

10. How can we contact you or find out more about your books?

My website www.chrisbarraclough.co.uk has details on all of my books, plus links to download. You can download a free sample of Crack from Amazon if you'd like to check it out, and if you'd like to get in touch, you can reach me at info@chrisbarraclough.co.uk

11. What can we expect from you in the future?

I'm halfway through a prequel to Crack, which reveals more about certain events in that book, and has a number of returning characters, plus some very interesting new ones :)

12. What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

If you leave an Amazon review I'll love you forever, it's something that practically no one seems to do any more! And feel free to get in touch via Twitter too - I'm Seebaruk

13. Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?

Fellow writers, it's a tough, arduous road - it took me almost a decade to get my first book, Bat Boy, published in paperback. Make sure you write for the love of it, and stick with it too - the first time you hold a book that you wrote in your sweaty, greasy mitts, it's the best feeling in the world.

14. Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Life is tough and full of surprises. Make sure you always wear clean underwear.

15. And now, before you go, how about a snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue and tantalize us:

Cool, here's the first page!

The windscreen fractured, his face pricked by fragments which leapt from the surface and sliced into his skin. A scream died somewhere deep in his throat. With eyes squeezed shut, he slammed his foot on the brake. Agony ripped through his muscle, crippling him from thigh to toe. His body jerked forward as the car shuddered and shook, until the belt snapped across his chest and brought him to a breathless halt, just half an inch from the steering column.

Before he knew what had happened, he was crushed back into his seat. The world was silent again.

Pang’s fingers were bleach-white, still wrapped around the top of the wheel. Every breath was agony. His ribs shifted in unnatural ways and his skull was vibrating, like someone had sideswiped him. His eyes remained shut. Aside from a tender hiss, the only sound he heard was approaching footsteps. Several sets, all running - and now voices across to his side. They were warped somehow, almost monstrous.

Devils come to take me away.

He forced his eyes open and stared at the remains of the glass. For now it held firm, but in total ruins. The point of impact was to his left, directly level with his eye-line. Something solid, probably the size of a bowling ball, had struck it at a terrific pace. Pointed cracks spread from the centre, thick and jagged at first, then thinning out like veins.

“What happened?”

His own voice sounded distant, as if someone outside had mumbled his words for him. Through the cobwebbed cracks, Pang made out black and white shapes that danced before his car. More voices. He heard them clear enough now the ringing had subsided...

*****

Thank you Chris for taking part in my Author Spotlight interview! I hope your writing continues to flourish and we hope to see more of you in the future.
*****
If you or an author/illustrator you know is interested in being interviewed, feel free to send me an email at jejoescienne@yahoo.com

Author Spotlight: Interview with Stephen B. Pearl

1.  Quickly, give us the title and genre of your book and a 30-word or less tagline:

Nukekubi: A paranormal, detective novel; Ray, a modern day western wizard, must stop a creature from Japanese mythology from feasting on the people of Toronto Ontario.

Tinker’s Plague: A post-apocalyptic, science fiction, medical and political thriller. A lone man of science must battle a plague released from an ancient Bio-research facility by an uneducated, post-apocalyptic population.

Slaves of Love: e-book: A futuristic detective story of love and madness. Two men trapped in the same body make common cause to save all they love from the crime syndicates of the twenty second century.

The Hollow Curse: e-book: A centuries spanning tale of love and obsession. Soul mates cursed in an earlier life to be forever separated by a gulf of years and social norms struggle to come together and break the curse. 

2.  Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book?

I target people who have a desire to read something that follows the logical consequences of the story. If you are in our world investigating a string of killings committed by a disembodied flying head from Japanese mythology you are going to have to avoid police involvement or wind up in a coat with extra long sleeves.
;-) I’m also targeting people who want to enjoy their read. If there is an agenda in my books it grows out of the logical nature of the world and characters. Some people feel that Tinker’s Plague has an environmental agenda. In fact it is a fairly realistic extrapolation of current trends, nothing more. As a fiction writer it is my job to entertain anything else is secondary.

3. How did you come up with the title of your book or series?
 
For my novel Tinker’s Plague http://www.stephenpearl.com/Books/Books.htm the title was simple because it is about a Tinker, in this context a Doctor of General Applied Technologies, dealing with a plague. The tinker part came from a tinkerer or Jack of all trades.
 
For Nukekubi http://www.darkdragonpublishing.com/nukekubi.html I used the name of the species of mythical beings from which my antagonist is drawn
 
For Slaves of Love: www.clublighthousepublishing.com : The story involves a drug that turns people into Love Slaves by heightening the infatuation response to ridiculous levels.

For The Hollow Curse: www.clublighthousepublishing.com The curse that drives the action was the sores of the title both because of the way it makes my protagonists feel and the fact that in essence it is a hollow thing devoid of real power.
 
For my novel do to be released in March 2013: Worlds Apart: http://www.darkdragonpublishing.com/index.html it is a love story involving a Wiccan Priestess from our world and a wizard from a parallel earth. Thus they are from ‘worlds apart’ yet oddly closer than many who were born on the same world as themselves. I’m doing the gallies for this one at present. It’s a fun read if I do say so myself.
 
4. Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

Gods, it’s like asking ‘Who’s your favorite child.’ For me it is very situational. If I was fixing my car I’d want Brad, my tinker from Tinker’s Plague, around. If I wanted a Tarot reading Ray, my modern day wizard from Nukekubi, would be my choice.

If I was single, Joy put down the frying pan I said if, writer nervously glances over shoulder. Yes well, if I were single any of my female leads. I like strong, smart women who don’t put up with a lot of c**p. Astra, from Slaves of Love, might come in handy right now. My computer has been acting up and she’s brilliant with them. 

5. How about your least favorite character?  What makes them less appealing to you?

I have some characters I love to hate, will that do? I tend to like villains that are cultured, urbane, and well mannered. The kind that will snap off your fingers one by one as they have high tea with bone china and impeccable manners. A well known example of the type is the lead terrorist from the first Die Hard movie.

An exception to this rule is Dorrie, the villainess from The Hollow Curse; she is better defined as D in the book. If you read it you’ll know why. She is mean, shallow, deeply wounded and selfish. I frankly don’t like her, but even there there is a transformative ark. That, I think, is key to a villain. There must be some seed of virtue, some slight glimmer of hope that something admirable might grow out of this being otherwise they become a caricature and I tend to lose interest.

6. If you could change ONE thing about your novel, what would it be?  Why?
I’d update the windmill type in Tinker’s Plague. It would have no real impact on the story, but it would be nice to reflect the latest technology as it is so much more efficient.
   
7. Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:
 
Fun Facts. OK for Tinker’s Plague all the towns mentioned really exist. I had an exhibitors’ table a few years ago at the Eden Mills Writers Festival. Eden Mills is the town where the troops maintaining the quarantine in the book bivouacked. I will be, or by the time this is posted maybe have, attending Faery Fest in Guelph, June 22-24, 2012. The main action in Tinker’s Plague takes place in Guelph.
 
Cathy, my female lead from Nukekubi, lives in an apartment patterned after one I lived in several years ago. Ray, my lead from Nukekubi, drives the same kind of car I do. Ray’s knowledge of lifeguarding is drawn from my own having held a National Life Guarding Certification for longer than I like to think.

8. What other books are similar to your own?  What makes them alike?
I have had Tinker’s Plague described as the Postman meats the Andromeda strain with a little I am Legend thrown in. (no zombies.)

The post apocalyptic setting and rural communities rebuilding runs parallel to the Postman the fact that I’m dealing with a plague is similar to the Andromeda Strain and I am Legend. Really in writing this one I looked at the facts of what we are doing to the planet and followed my nose.

Nukekubi is in the same vein as the The Dresden Files books by Jim Butcher. I will say Nukekubi cleaves a bit closer to the “real” world than Jim’s work. They both deal with a wizard investigating para-normal baddies. And Harry and Ray both have a sarcastic streak.   

9. Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?
 
What’s unique? To me they are just part of my life. I swim better than most folk, I know first aid, and I study metaphysics and science. I’ve been attending a lot of SF conventions lately. I know the rudiments of fighting with several different kinds of sword, I do my own general car maintenance, and I’m a fair home handyman and have traveled most of Canada and the USA and a good bit of England.

10. How can we contact you or find out more about your books?
 
Website:  http://www.stephenpearl.com/
YouTube reading: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlMDmlb-Los@
Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/StephenBPearl
Blog: http://stephenpearl.blogspot.ca/2012/03/our-energy-future-is-crap.html
 
Reviews:

Tinker’s Plague:

You say you want an interesting post-apocalyptic novel, but The Road is too...Cormac McCarthyesque for you? Why don't you check out Stephen B. Pearl's Tinker's Plague? I read with Stephen at the Ad Astra science fiction convention, and when I was listening to him? Goosebumps. Ira Nayman - Proprietor of The Alternate Reality News Service. - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/260037809
 
Stephen can truly spin a tale. “Tinker’s Plague” novel really is  the most original post apocalyptic stories I’ve read in…well…forever- Chris A. Jackson author of Scimitar Moon.

The plot is well-done and the author clearly pays attention to modern-day politics and environmental issues. The bleak future painted therein is based on a world (ours, obviously) that didn't heed warnings about pollution and sustainability. Nicole Chardenet – Author of Young Republican,Yuppie Princess.

Wow what a gripping story, loved every page. Andromeda Strain crossed with the Postman with a little bit of I am Legend thrown in ( no zombies ) .... This book is worth getting if you love PA sci fi. Faye - on goodreads 5 stars.- http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/175845033

I am hoping that there will be a follow-up book to Tinker's Plague so I can read more of Brad's travels and adventures. Heather Pearson - http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/1933157305/ref=cm_cr_dp_syn_footer?showViewpoints=1&k=Tinker%27s%20Plague

Nukekubi:

Nukekubi is an exciting read filled with mysticism and spiritual understandings. Melissa Sizzling Hot Book Reviews: www.sizzlinghotbooks.net
 
"Brilliant! Stephen Pearl reinvents the Paranormal genre!" - Karen Dales, Award Winning Author of The Chosen Chronicles: www.karendales.com .
 
Five out of five stars. At the start of this book I knew I would love it. Linda Tonis Member of the Paranormal Romance Review Team: http://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/reviewsstephenpearl.htm
I was absolutely spellbound by this book and I applaud the imagination and creativity the author put in this book. I look forward to reading more by him. I give this book five stars ***** Reviewed by Nora Chipley Barteau Reviewers Helping Authors http://norachipleybarteau.blogspot.com/
 
The writing is exciting and easy to follow. The story is rich, and the characters real and fleshed-out. Nine out of ten stars. Reviewed by Sheena McNeil at Sequential Tart Web Zine: http://www.sequentialtart.com/reports.php?ID=8123&issue=2012-03-26
 
Slaves of Love and The Hollow Curse:
I'm not talking about your grandma's smutty harlequin novels either. Stephen Pearl rocks out these books. The sweet Spot-  http://thesweeteness.blogspot.ca/search?q=the+Hollow+curse
 
11. What can we expect from you in the future?

I’m currently working on the Galleys for Worlds Apart a paranormal romance due out in March 2012. I’m also working on the rough draft of Tinker’s Sea the sequel to Tinker’s Plague and hashing out the tag ends of a story, Three Parts Love, that will be out in the Breathless Press Hot Shorts anthology. I’m in the thinking stage for the sequel to Nukekubi and a comedic peace tentatively named Cats as well as looking at self publishing Havens in the Storm, one of my classic fantasy works because I’d like to see how the numbers stack up against my works published by third party publishers.

12. What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
 
If they could write short honest reviews of my work I’d really appreciate it. Reviews are visibility and visibility is bread and butter in this business. The reviews don’t have to be complex. A simple “I really enjoyed this,” or “It was worth the price of the book,” with an honest star rating can go a long way. Post them on Amazon, Good Reads really any site dealing with books in any way.

If you are feeling really enthusiastic a link from your website if you have one to mine would be fantastic. Maybe a section “Authors I enjoy,” Heck if you want content there are free stories and introductory chapters on my site, lots of authors do this, link to them and people can have a fun free read.

Also word of mouth and remember books make great gifts, hint hint. J
 
13. Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?
 
If you aren’t yet addicted save yourself and get out while you can. I’m not kidding. It’s a hard slog and it’s getting harder to make a name for your self all the time.
If you’re trapped do the best work you can. Don’t worry about the “in thing”. By the time you’ve written something to match the “in thing,” it won’t be the “in thing” anymore. Before you pour your heart and soul into shorts have a novel ready to go. The real commercial value of shorts to an author is that they are great advertising. As a literary form shorts are fine in and of themselves, but I’m speaking of the commercial value.
 
Don’t bother anybody until you are over the “It’s my baby and you can’t touch it” stage. The only way to get good is to have others tear your work apart  so you can put it back together stronger than before. If you aren’t ready to do this and bite your tongue on all the things you want to say to defend your work then don’t waste other people’s time or ruin their day.

Remember that if you have to explain the work for people to get it than you have failed as a writer because you won’t be there to explain it to the majority of your audience. Of course some people wouldn’t get an elephant if it was standing on their chests, so take this advice with a little moderation.

If you are ready for constructive criticism join Critters http://critters.org/ it is an online writers group and a valuable resource.
 
Be braced for rejection. Realize that editors have a pile of stories cross their desk every day. They are looking for reasons to reject you, ninety percent of all manuscripts are rejected unread for formatting errors because these can be seen at a glance. So if you watch your formatting you “improve” your odds to ludicrously slim from imposable.

Be prepared to bleed and hurt and have people look at you like you were a retarded Dalmatian. Being a writer is like being on a never ending job hunt, its nerve racking and it seems like your successes are dismissed while your failures are magnified. This is writing, do it if you dare.

14. Is there anything else you’d like to say?
 
Just to thank you Jenna and all the folk who read this interview for giving me a chance to pontificate.

15. And now, before you go, how about a snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue and tantalize us.
 
This is taken from Nukekubi a little over halfway into the book when Ray, the wizard, astral projects in an attempt to locate the Nukekubi. Things don’t go as planned.

Getting back to work, I pictured the Nukekubi in my mind's eye and willed myself towards my foe. Blackness engulfed me like a rising tide of fetid water. Screams echoed on all sides and the stench of decay filled my nostrils. Jagged rocks bit into my feet, and the air felt slimy and thick. Blood-red lightning streaked, revealing the horrors of an abattoir. Fear rose up from the depths of my being. The sporadic light revealed hideous things creeping towards me. I could taste the terror that permeated the place.

"Keep your head, Ray. This is the lower astral, that's all. You can ascend from it. Now how in the name of Ra did I get here?" I spoke to myself.

"Help me," wailed a figure that approached in the half-light. I stared at it. It was female, Asian, middle-aged and dripping wet. Bubbles frothed from its lips when she spoke. She was drowning where she stood. My heart lurched. I knew her. I didn’t know from where, but I knew her and had felt affection for her in some other life.

The wraith released a gurgling howl, giving off an explosion of sickly, mustard-yellow, fear energy that permeated the air. It staggered then stood again.

"Help me!" it whimpered. The call was echoed by others like it. Glancing around I saw shambling, corrupted, human forms on all sides. Each one’s appearance mirrored a hideous, terror-filled death.

I focussed my mind on an image of the Amentet fields, the Egyptian heaven, and willed myself there. Nothing happened!

"Help us," screeched the shambling wraiths that now surrounded me.

"How? I can't be kept in the lower astral!" I muttered to myself as I tried again to leave that darksome place.

"You sought me, wizard. Now taste the fate of those who would challenge their betters." The voice was feminine and could have made a fortune doing phone sex

I spun to face the voice and saw a blood-soaked, human skull. Tentacles of shining red energy writhed beneath it, like some obscene jellyfish. I realized with a disgusted jolt that the tentacles were loops of intestine. The wraiths halted in their progress, hovering in a circle less than two metres away.

I willed myself away from that place, trying to return to my body.

"You cannot escape, human. This is my place, walled in with my power. None may depart without my leave." The sultry tones made the threat and horror of the beings appearance more terrifying.

"An astral pocket, bracketed by the fear and despair of your victims?" I made the connection. It’s a good thing I was on the astral or I would have had to change my underwear.

"You are quick, mortal, but you are also dead. I would have preferred that my earthly child feed upon your flesh, but I will at least taste your spirit." A red tongue darted from the skull’s mouth and swept across its teeth before it vanished and the wraiths about me rushed forward wailing. A line of glowing Nukekubi floated beyond them driving them on.

"NO!" I screamed and drew upon my heart chakra. Golden light exploded from my chest. The wraiths fell silent and halted as the energy enveloped them. It was the first comfort they’d known since their deaths.

"By earth and air and fire and sea, an orb of protection form round me." I spoke the words to focus my thoughts. A moment later a glistening orb of energy surrounded me.

"More," cried the wraiths who rushed me. Mutilated bodies crowded against the orb of protection and cracks began to cover its surface. Stalling them was taking all my concentration.

*****

Thank you Stephen for taking part in my Author Spotlight interview! I hope your writing continues to flourish and we hope to see more of you in the future.
*****
If you or an author/illustrator you know is interested in being interviewed, feel free to send me an email at jejoescienne@yahoo.com

Guest Blog with Kathryn Meyer Griffith

Kathryn Meyer Griffith, one of the authors who has taken part in my Author Spotlight Interviews, has returned to share with her readers some of her own experiences as an author.  And now, without further ado, here is Ms. Griffith's essay on why she has written some of her books.  Enjoy!

-J.E. Johnson

Why I Wrote Evil Stalks the Night

…and also The Heart of the Rose

Damnation Books: http://damnationbooks.com/people.php?author=79 (in E-book and print)

Buy at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com

Evil Stalks the Night-Revised Author’s Edition is special to me for many reasons. It was my first published novel in 1984 and as it comes out again on June 1, 2012, rereleased from Damnation Books for the first time in nearly thirty years, it’ll bring my over forty year writing career full circle. With its publication all fourteen, and one novella, of my old books will be out again for the first time in decades. Sure, it’s been a grueling, tedious two-and- a-half year job rewriting and editing these new versions but I’m thrilled it’s over. I have my babies reborn and out in the world again…and all in e books for the first time ever. Now, perfectionist that I am, I can finally move forward and write new stories.

I’ll start at the very beginning because, though Evil Stalks the Night was my first published novel, it wasn’t my first written one.

That first book was The Heart of the Rose. I began writing it after my only child, James, was born in late 1971. I was staying home with him, no longer going to college, not yet working full time, and was bored out of my skin. I read an historical romance one day I believed was horrible and thought I can do better than that!

So I got out my borrowed typewriter with the keys that stuck, my bottles of White-Out, carbon paper for copies, and started clicking away. I’d tentatively called that first book King’s Witch because it was about a 15^th century healer who was falsely believed to be a witch but who was loved by Edward the Fourth. At the library, no computers or Internet back then, I did tedious research into that time in English history: the War of the Roses, the poverty, the civil and political strife between the Red (Lancasters) and White Rose (Yorks); the infamous Earl of Warwick and Edward the Fourth.  Edward’s brother Richard the Third.  A real saga. Well, all that was big back then. I was way out of my league, though. Didn’t know what the heck I was doing. I just wrote page after page, emotions high believing I could create a whole book. So naïve of me. Reading that old version now (a 1985 Leisure Books paperback) I have to laugh. Ironically, like that historical novel I’d thought in 1971 was so bad, it was pretty awful. That archaic language I’d used–all the rage back in the 80’s–sounds so stilted now. Yikes! Yet people, mainly women, had loved it.

And so my writing career began. Over 40 years ago now. Oh my goodness, where has the time gone? Flown away like some wild bird. It took me 12 years to get that first book published as I got sidetracked with a divorce, raising a son, getting a real job and finding the true love of my life and marrying him. Life, as it always seemed to do and still does, got in the way. The manuscript was tossed into a drawer and forgotten for a time.

Then years later I rediscovered it and decided to rewrite it; try again. I bundled up the revised pile of printed copy pages, tucked it into an empty copy paper box and took it to the Post Office. Plastered it with stamps. I sent it everywhere The Writer’s Market of that year said I could. And waited. Months and months and months. In those days it could take up to a year or more to sell a novel, shipping it here and there to publishers, in between revising and rewriting to please any editor that’d make suggestions or comments on how it could be better. Snail mail took forever, too, and was expensive. But eventually, as you shall see, it sold.

Now to Evil Stalks the Night.

In the meantime, as I waited for the mail, I’d written another book. Kind of a fictionalized look back at my childhood in a large (6 brothers and sisters) poor but loving family in the 1950’s and 60’s. I started sending that one out as well. Then one day an editor suggested that since my writing had such a spooky ambiance to it anyway, why didn’t I just turn the story into a horror novel…like Stephen King was doing? Ordinary people under supernatural circumstances. A book like that would sell easily, she said.  

Hmmm. Well, it was worth a try, so I added something scary in the woods in the main character’s childhood past that she had to return to and face in her adult life, using some of my childhood and my young adult life–my heartbreaking divorce, raising my young son alone, my new love–as hers. It was more of a romantic horror when I’d finished, than a horror novel. I retitled it Evil Stalks the Night and began sending it out. That editor was right, it sold quickly to a mass market paperback publisher called Towers Publishing.

But right in the middle of editing Towers went bankrupt and was bought out by another publisher! What terrible luck, I remember brooding. The book was lost somewhere in the stacks of unedited slush in a company undergoing massive changes as the new publisher took over. I had a contract, didn’t know what to do and didn’t know how to break it. Heaven knows, I couldn’t afford a lawyer. My life with a new husband, my son and my minimum-wage assistant billing job was one step above poverty at times. In those days, too, I was so clueless how to deal with the publishing industry.

That was 1983, but luckily that take-over publisher was Leisure Books, now also known as Dorchester Publishing. A publisher that quickly became huge. Talk about karma.

As often as has happened to me over my writing career, though, fate stepped in and the Tower’s editor, before she left, who’d bought my book told one of Leisure’s editors about it and asked her to give it a read. She believed in it that much.

Out of the blue, in 1984, when I’d completely given up on Evil Stalks the Night, Leisure Books sent me a letter offering to buy it! Then, miracle of miracles, my new editor asked if I had any other ideas or books she could look at. I sent her The Heart of the Rose and, liking it, too, she also bought it in 1985; asking me to sex it up some, so they could release it as an historical bodice-ripper (remember those…the sexy knockoffs of Rosemary Rogers and Kathleen Woodiwiss’s provocative novels?).  It wasn’t a lot of money. A thousand dollar advance each and only 4% royalties on the paperbacks. But in those days the publishers had a huge distribution and thousands and thousands of the paperbacks were printed, sent to bookstores and warehoused. So 4% of all those books over the next couple of years did add up.

Thus my career began. I slowly, and like-pulling-teeth, sold ten more novels and various short stories over the next 25 years–as I was working full time, raising a family and living my hard-scramble life. Some did well, my Leisure and Zebra paperbacks, and some didn’t. Most of them, over the years, eventually went out of print.

And twenty-seven years later, when publisher Kim Richards Gilchrist at Damnation Books contracted my 13^th and 14^th novels, BEFORE THE END: A Time of Demons, an apocalyptic end-of-days-novel, and The Woman in Crimson, a vampire book, she asked if I’d like to rerelease (with new covers and rewritten, of course–and all in ebooks for the first time ever) my 7 out-of-print paperbacks, including Evil Stalks the Night–I gave her a resounding yes!

Of course, I had to totally rewrite Evil Stalks the Night for the resurrected edition, as well as my other early novels, because I discovered my writing when I was twenty-something had been immature and unpolished; and not having a computer and the Internet had made the original writing so much harder. Also in those days, editors told an author what to change and the writer only saw the manuscript once to final proof it.  There were so many mistakes in those early books. Typos. Grammar. Lost plot and detail threads. In the rewrite I also decided to keep the time frame (1960-1984) the same.  The book’s essence would have lost too much if I’d updated it.

As I finished the final editing I couldn’t help but reminisce about all the life changes I’ve had since I’d first began writing it so many years ago. Though it was actually published in 1984, I’d started writing it many years before; closer to 1978 or 1979. I’m as old as my Grandmother Fehrt, my mother’s mother and who the grandmother in the story was loosely based on, was back then. While I was first writing it so long ago, I was a young married woman with a small child holding down my first real job and trying to do it all. Now…my Grandmother, mother and father have all passed to the other side. Many other family and friends I’ve left behind, too. I miss them all, especially my mom and dad. It’s strange how revising my old books reminded me of certain times of my life. Some of the memories I hid from and some of them made me laugh or cry. This book, though, is the most autobiographical of all my novels as it contains details of my childhood, my devastating divorce, and what my life was like when I first met my second husband, Russell, who’s turned out to be my true love. We’ve been happily married for thirty-four years and counting. Ah, but how quickly the years have clicked by. Too quickly. I want to reach out, at times, and stop time. I want more. I have so much more life to live and many more stories to write.

So Evil Stalks the Night-Revised Author’s Edition (http://damnationbooks.com/people.php?author=79 ) republished by Damnation Books/Eternal Press will be out again for the first time in nearly thirty years on June 1, 2012, and I hope it’s a better book than it was in 1984. It should be…I’ve had over thirty more years of life and experiences to help make it so. 

Written this 1^st day of June, 2012 by the author Kathryn Meyer Griffith

***

A writer for over 40 years I’ve had 14 novels, 1 novella and 7 short stories published with Zebra Books, Leisure Books, Avalon Books, the Wild Rose Press, Damnation Books and Eternal Press since 1984. And my romantic end-of-the-world horror novel THE LAST VAMPIRE-Revised Author's Edition was a 2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS FINALIST NOMINEE.

My books (all out again from Damnation Books http://damnationbooks.com/people.php?author=79 and Eternal Press http://www.eternalpress.biz/people.php?author=422): Evil Stalks the Night, The Heart of the Rose, Blood Forge, Vampire Blood, The Last Vampire, Witches, The Nameless One short story, The Calling, Scraps of Paper, All Things Slip Away, Egyptian Heart, Winter's Journey, The Ice Bridge, Don't Look Back, Agnes novella, In This House short story, BEFORE THE END: A Time of Demons, The Woman in Crimson, The Guide to Writing Paranormal Fiction: Volume 1 (I did the Introduction) ***

You can keep up with me on my Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1019954486, my Author’s Den www.authorsden.com/kathrynmeyergriffith  or my My Space www.myspace.com/kathrynmeyergriffith