Tag: publishing

Another #Writestorm session!

After yet another highly successful #Writestorm session this evening with a few fellow #awethors I managed to put together 1483 words of my latest novel in the Light and Shadow Chronicles series (title yet to be revealed!) in just one hour. (God, I love the Writestorm methodology! For more check out this link: writestorm – a concept that changed my entire philosophy about writing)

After each session, we share a short extract from the session. As I do at least one session a week, I plan to share extracts from my work on this blog to give my readers sneak peeks at the content of my next book. So, here is a tiny excerpt from today:

Drake grinned. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to get these grooves carved into my axes? They’ll make my swing faster and more accurate—aerodynamic, you know? I’ll fly through the air.”

Silas slapped his brother affectionately on the back. “Maybe you’ll save my ass a bit quicker next time we meet a Barlakess then.”

Drake threw a frown in Silas’s direction, ignoring the chuckling coming from Requiem. “You’re lucky I saved you at all. It would have been much easier to attack the Barlakess while it was busy chewing on your head.”

Silas threw his head back, guffawing loudly.

“Keep it down, weirdo,” Requiem muttered as they strolled into the darker regions of Belkeep’s underworld. “The gangs will hear and come looking for trouble.”

“Rubbish,” Silas said, but he lowered the volume of his voice as they began to wind through the tiny alleys of the slums, past hastily built shacks and gangs of street kids looking at them with hostile, narrowed eyes. They were about to enter the underbelly of Belkeep.

A Barlakess, by the way, is a vicious creature loosely inspired by both the Behemoth of the Final Fantasy games and the Nexu from Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones

400px-Behemoth_Promo Nexu2

by dmcain84

Cover reveal for The Elemental by Lisa Veldkamp

I am delighted to be revealing the absolutely stunning new cover for paranormal fantasy ‘The Elemental’ by Lisa Veldkamp. Just look at those gorgeous eyes!

The Elemental by Lisa Veldkamp
The Elemental by Lisa Veldkamp

Time is running out, and only the Elemental can save the world.

“My name is Catherine van Dyk. I run a private massage and coaching practice in Shoreditch, London—nothing special, you would say, and you would be right. Except something terrible is about to happen to our planet, and I’m the only one who can do something about it, so no pressure. Am I going to succeed? This time I might finally be able to control the elements. I have to. To save my life. To save all our lives.”

Catherine van Dyk is an Elemental, which means she can control earth, air, fire, and water—sort of. Catherine is trying to leave her darker days behind her, but she and her friends, who have similar abilities, must try to restore balance to our world. Whether her new neighbor Tristan can help her in that has yet to be seen. Is Tristan who he says he is? With disaster on its way and only one week to go, time is running out. For Catherine, for her friends, for all of us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Veldkamp
Lisa Veldkamp

Lisa is the author of the poetry collections Nothing is Forgotten and When Words Start to Sing, and The Elemental, part I of The Fire Trilogy. This is her first short story for teenagers, The Bridge Between Yesterday and Tomorrow. She has a background in social services and music, but writing has always been a part of her daily life. One night she dreamed the outlines of The Elemental and took it as a sign from the Universe to pursue a career in writing.

She grew up in a small town in the Netherlands where her parents always taught her to think outside the box. She has a degree in social studies and joined the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids as an adult.

Lisa loves London—according to her, “the city where magic dwells”—and can often be found there. She still resides in the Netherlands, however, with her partner and their dog, Miss Ginger Rogers, and if you’re lucky, you may find her in her favourite coffeehouse, Barista cafe.

Lisa is also a freelance copywriter for CAPSLOC, a music venue in The Netherlands, and an editor for Folk Harp Folks, a magazine published by The Dutch Folk Harp society.

www.the-elemental.co.uk

RELEASE DATE: HALLOWEEN, OCTOBER 31 2015

by dmcain84

Cover Reveal for ‘Gravedigger’ by Michael-Israel Jarvis

Today is the cover reveal for fellow Booktrope author Michael-Israel Jarvis’s new novel, ‘Gravedigger’. Here it is. Enjoy!
Gravedigger-front-cover-4

Dead or alive. Good or evil. Hero or fugitive.

Valo needs a specific solution to a grave problem. The human Claimfold and prigon Torzsi draw apart. War is promised in the West. Worst of all, the magi of Nagyevo are meddling with the dead.

Perin is an apprentice Gravedigger: uneducated, unwanted, unsure. He may be the answer Valo needs, if he doesn’t get killed before he works out what’s going on. But of course there’s the chance that fate hasn’t called him after all. The gods are nameless and silent and the best laid plans have a way of going badly wrong.

Enter the spade and sorcery world of Valo.

Gravedigger subverts the expectations of that oldest of foes in fantasy, the dead that walk, in a fast-paced adventure through a world of culture, intrigue, magic and blood.
This stunning cover was designed by none other than Amalia Chitulescu who I am delighted to announce is also designing the beautiful new cover for my upcoming re-release ‘The Phoenix Project’.
by dmcain84

#Writestorm – a concept that changed my entire philosophy about writing

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Yesterday, I downloaded the book ‘Writestorm’ by Andy Mengel and I read it cover to cover in one sitting.  

I was so inspired.

Andy’s experiences with writing his early books were exactly the same way I wrote The Phoenix Project. It took me ten years and I would write huge amounts one day, then literally leave it for five or six months, doing nothing at all. My next book, A Chronicle of Chaos, only took 3 years, and my latest – The Shield of Soren, 1.5 years. So it’s getting better.  

But since Andy introduced the concept of Writestorm into our group, my whole writing ethic has been completely transformed. In two months I have written 30,000+ words – all entirely through Writestorm sessions.

Something he talks about in the book really resonated with me. I want to be a doer now, not just a dreamer. I’m ready to stop this being a little hobby and make it into a proper career now.  

If you haven’t read Writestorm yet – do it. NOW. I promise it will revolutionise the way you look at writing a novel.  

U.S. – http://www.amazon.com/Writestorm-Create-Novel-Conception-Publication-ebook/dp/B0139V15T6/  

U.K. – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Writestorm-Create-Novel-Conception-Publication-ebook/dp/B0139V15T6/  

by dmcain84

Launch day for ‘In Shadows Waiting’ by Stewart Bint

Today is the day of the official release party for one of the best creepy horror stories I have ever read. In Shadows Waiting had me jumping at every noise, but it isn’t just a mindless horror. It is a touching and fantastically well-written tale of love and loss too. So, here it is – the Booktrope re-release of In Shadows Waiting!

In Shadows Waiting Front Cover
Young Simon Reynolds lives a bucolic life at his family home, White Pastures, surrounded by a loving family and a charming community. Simon finishes his A levels and looks forward to unwinding while his sisters work on their tans. Meanwhile the tiny community of Meriton has been plagued by a spate of burglaries, and White Pastures seems to be next. A shadowy figure stalks the house, but the police can find no signs of an intruder. Inspired by the author’s real-life experience with the supernatural, In Shadows Waiting recounts a summer that changes the Reynolds’ lives forever. As the summer progresses, the shadows take on an altogether more sinister implication, and White Pastures begins to reveal a terrifying secret. The epicentre of an event that has scarred an entire community, White Pastures grows more and more dark, possessed by a shadow that yearns, a shadow that will not be denied. At White Pastures, someone will die – but love never will.

This is my favourite excerpt:

The creature’s triumphant laugh was something that would be with me until my dying day. And something I never wanted to hear again.

It was the strongest memory to stir as I looked at the photo whose colours had dimmed with age. Thirty-two years ago it was vibrant and full of life. Just like the faces staring back at me from the time before shadows. From the time before torment. From the time when we were happy.

It all reminded me of when the world was young and innocent—hell, when I was young and innocent. My two daughters both started sleeping with their boyfriends as soon as they turned sixteen, probably before then if the truth were told. If they had, it was something both they and my wife kept from me. But it was a different era when my sisters were that age. Helen and her Mark. Sarah and the succession of boyfriends she brought to our home, White Pastures.

I rarely smile now. Even after thirty-two years, the memories are painful. Fifty now. A half century. I was eighteen then. Yet in some ways it still seems like only yesterday.

Time plays tricks.

A tear rolls down my cheek.

Here is my review of In Shadows Waiting:

As an avid fan of Stewart Bint’s work I knew I was going to love his latest release, but I wasn’t prepared for how much it would suck me into the story! I read this book in mere days because the writing was so good I couldn’t put it down.

The book follows Simon, a young man barely out of college, and his family. They are an ordinary family with an ordinary life, until they begin to see flashes of movement and shadows passing the windows. Simon begins to feel a dark and mysterious presence in his house as an unwelcome presence manifests. The haunting begins as merely mischievous, but rapidly escalates into menacing, and eventually downright terrifying. This malicious spectre is no longer content to remain in shadows waiting…

I was dragged along by this book, desperate to read each page, and my mind worked furiously, trying to pull together the clues and threads that ran throughout. I love a good creepy horror story and this one had me jumping at every noise and shadow. A thoroughly enjoyable read and another triumph for Mr Bint’s literary career.

by dmcain84

Kelly Hall day!

I am delighted to be hosting the fabulous Kelly Hall as part of her book tour for the release of ‘The Secret of Strange Waters’. Kelly is here today to talk about her top ten young adult paranormal books:

Hi I’m Kelly Hall, author of The Light Keeper Series. When I’m not writing I’m busy reading. I love going on a journey in the pages of someone else’s mind, and this is a list of my top ten favorite YA paranormal book series and why I love them!

  1. The Mortal Instruments- Cassandra Clare – This series is my absolute favorite of all time and I read it at least once a year, including the infernal devices because, well, it’s that good. I am also super happy that ABC family is going to release the TV show, Shadowhunters, in 2016! I can’t wait!
  2. The Morganville Vampires- Rachel Caine- I just love Shane Collins so much and I adore this series. This is one that I read over again as well! It needs a TV Series too. I do hope the web series continues on Geek and Sundry.
  3. The Infernal Devices- Cassandra Clare- This series is so much fun and I love learning more about my favorite characters from The Mortal Instruments. I can’t get enough Shadowhunters.
  4. Bloodlines- Richelle Mead- I know that technically I should be naming this series AFTER Vampire Academy, but I kind of liked it more and I will admit that is probably because it has more Adrian. All books need more Adrian.
  5. Vampire Academy- Richelle Mead- This series was so good I have read it a few times too. I even loaned out a copy of the last book and then never got it back, so I had to go out and buy it again because I refuse to not have the complete set. I also learned a valuable lesson about loaning my babies out!
  6. Vampire Diaries- L.J. Smith- I honestly love many of L.J.’s early books, but this one is my favorite and mostly because of Damon and Bonnie! How cute are they? If you haven’t read the books and only watched the show I encourage you to read them. It’s a whole different experience.
  7. Sweep- Cate Tiernan- This series was so good that— as I would finish one book, I’d go to the book store and buy the next. I read them so fast that after the third trip in my husband said to just start buying them two at a time. It helped a little. Instead of going every day, we went every other day. I devoured this fifteen book series!
  8. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children- Ransom Riggs – Aside from the awesome photos, this book is full of interesting characters that come together for a great tale.
  9. Evernight- Claudia Gray- I really enjoyed this series and its take on vampires. I love Balthazar and the fact that Gray used the name Balthazar. He’s a great character and I loved his book too.
  10. The Forest of Hands and Teeth- Carrie Ryan- I found this book at my local library at a time where I had hit a reading slump. I just didn’t feel like reading and so I didn’t want to buy a book series and then not read it, so I found this and told myself I was going to try to read, thinking I would just read a bit and put it down, but I couldn’t. I read it all night then went back for the others the next day. It’s really a creepy fun story and it takes you through all of your emotions. Plus, all the books in this series have really awesome names. I’ve now added it to my personal library.

On top of that, take a look at these gorgeous character profiles from ‘The Secret of Strange Waters’. (I LOVE Talon!)

PROFILETALON

PROFILEOWEN

PROFILELILY

PROFILEHUNTER

PROFILEHOLLY

by dmcain84

Cover Reveal for fantastic chilling horror novel ‘In Shadows Waiting’

One of my favourite authors, the fantastic Stewart Bint​, will be releasing his new horror novel very soon. Here it is, the brand new cover for ‘In Shadows Waiting’:

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Young Simon Reynolds lives a bucolic life at his family home, White Pastures, surrounded by a loving family and a charming community. Simon finishes his A levels and looks forward to unwinding while his sisters work on their tans.
Meanwhile the tiny community of Meriton has been plagued by a spate of burglaries, and White Pastures seems to be next. A shadowy figure stalks the house, but the police can find no signs of an intruder.

Inspired by the author’s real-life experience with the supernatural, In Shadows Waiting recounts a summer that changes the Reynolds’ lives forever. As the summer progresses, the shadows take on an altogether more sinister implication, and White Pastures begins to reveal a terrifying secret.

The epicenter of an event that has scarred an entire community, White Pastures grows more and more dark, possessed by a shadow that yearns, a shadow that will not be denied. At White Pastures, someone will die – but love never will.

Here is my review of this outstanding book: 

Review image of In Shadows Waiting

by dmcain84

Success in the Spa Spa Awards!

I’m feeling very proud of myself today as my fantasy novel ‘A Chronicle of Chaos’ came 3rd in the Fantasy category of the SpaSpa 2014 book awards!


2014 Self-Published and Small Press Awards

This is the first time I had ever been entered into a competition such as this and for a first effort, I don’t think third is a bad result! Hopefully next year I can push for a first 🙂

by dmcain84

Wondering What The Shield On My Book Cover Means? Find Out!

Many people have asked me about the meaning of the shield and symbols on the front of A Chronicle of Chaos, so I thought I’d take some time out to explain the significance of the artwork.

Front cover

Each of the symbols on the shield represents a different faction in the war which rages across the land in the Light and Shadow Chronicles series. Some of the symbols are linked to the Children of Light, some the Brotherhood of Shadow and some entirely different groups of people (or creatures!) altogether.

Symbol - Avalanche

Avalanche – a small elite unit of warriors fighting for the Children of Light. Some of the best soldiers in the whole series fight under this banner.
Characters you may have met: Raven Lennox, Deacon Thialdor, Ryan Thialdor, Tiger Lennox

Symbol - Children

Children of Light – One of the armies in the eternal war, led by immortal matriarch and warrior, Callista Nienna.
Characters you may have met: Callista Nienna, Hayden Lennox, Scorpio Bast

Symbol - Nightfall

Nightfall – another elite unit of soldiers, this time from the generation below Avalanche. They formed their unit out of jealousy that they couldn’t get into Avalanche! They are impetuous, rash and often uncompromising.
Characters you may have met:  Chaos Lennox, Dana Thialdor (originally named Deianira Thialdor), Mercury Lennox

Symbol - Demons

Demons – residents of Hell who have been summoned to fight for the Brotherhood of Shadow.
Characters you may have met: Anathema, Phantom, Malla (originally named Maleficia), Anubis

Symbol - Valhalla

Valhalla Elite – an elite unit of warriors in the Brotherhood of Shadow which formed to counterbalance the threat from Avalanche.
Characters you may have met:  (There is not much mention of these guys in A Chronicle of Chaos – the only character briefly seen is Vincent Wilda’s son, Silas)

Symbol - Brotherhood

The Brotherhood of Shadow -the army opposing the Children of Light in the eternal war, led by immortal warrior Vincent Wilda.
Characters you may have met:  Vincent Wilda, The Bavelize (ish – he is working with them currently)

Symbol - DUSK

D.U.S.K – The Democratic Union of Separatist Knights – a group of people who broke away from the two warring sides to form their own nation.

Characters you may have met: They haven’t appeared in the books yet, but will do soon!

Symbol - Angels

Angels – a group of Heavenly beings that come to the Human Realm when the world is threatened by demons.
Characters you may have met: Icarus, Samael

In A Chronicle of Chaos the two most prominent factions are Nightfall and demons. As such, those two sections are highlighted. In future books, different sections will be highlighted depending on the characters featured.

by dmcain84