Michael Schmicker's Blog - Posts Tagged "seance"
Sequel to "The Witch of Napoli"?
Decision time. Do I go for it?
A few weeks back, an enthusiastic reader named Denny posted a question for me:
"I really enjoyed The Witch of Napoli. Is there any chance you're going to develop a series around Tommaso Labella? He's a great character with a lot of potential. I'd love to see him investigate Nigel Huxley's misdeeds and bring him to justice. I felt kind of cheated after Elsa's disappearance from the story shortly after her disclosure to Tommaso of Huxley's abuses. Take care, be well, and happy reading!"
I wrote him back:
"Aloha Denny: Thanks for the question. A sequel is tempting. I had a lot of fun creating the novel’s narrator, Tomaso. He’s me when I was just starting my own journalism career. He’s cocky, curious; handy with a camera and pen; determined to see the world. And of course, it would be great to pursure Huxley for his misdeeds -- and the hundred pounds he owes Alessandra after her Naples sitting.
That said, I'm not a natural fiction writer; I primarily write non-fiction, and it's equally tempting to say I've had my fling with fiction.The time commitment to writing a second novel is scary. .A novel is a nightmare for the amateur, and a challenge even for a pro. It requires playing with a Rubik’s cube of characters, plot, subplots, pacing, dialogue, style, emotional arc – pieces which the writer must move in a certain sequence, and at the proper moment, to propel the tale forward, hold the fickle reader’s attention, and arrive at a successful denouement. Historical fiction raises the complexity another level. Where do you find information in the cost of a plate of pasta in 19th century Napoli? How much history should be included? When and where do you drop it in? How do you share it without slowing the story and boring readers? It took me 18 months to write THe Witch of Napoli; I can write a non-fiction book in half the time, and I've got a long list of possible book ideas in my head.
And yet... it's so tempting to resurrect Tommaso. He would be in his early 40s, in Rome, editor of the Messaggero, with Doffo still working for him. Mussolini has taken power in Italy; the Fascists and Nazi movements are sweeping Europe; the British aristocracy (including Huxley) and the Catholic Church are sympathetically cheering their rise to power. Everyone is nervous about the future of their family, their business, their country, and a shadowy, Italian woman psychic everyone calls "the witch of Roma" claims to have the answers.
Tempting...
Thanks for your kind comments about the Witch of Napoli, and I'll let you know if I do decide to take a crack at it!"
Last week I started seriously playing with ideas for a sequel. I'm getting hooked.
Let's see where this leads...
A few weeks back, an enthusiastic reader named Denny posted a question for me:
"I really enjoyed The Witch of Napoli. Is there any chance you're going to develop a series around Tommaso Labella? He's a great character with a lot of potential. I'd love to see him investigate Nigel Huxley's misdeeds and bring him to justice. I felt kind of cheated after Elsa's disappearance from the story shortly after her disclosure to Tommaso of Huxley's abuses. Take care, be well, and happy reading!"
I wrote him back:
"Aloha Denny: Thanks for the question. A sequel is tempting. I had a lot of fun creating the novel’s narrator, Tomaso. He’s me when I was just starting my own journalism career. He’s cocky, curious; handy with a camera and pen; determined to see the world. And of course, it would be great to pursure Huxley for his misdeeds -- and the hundred pounds he owes Alessandra after her Naples sitting.
That said, I'm not a natural fiction writer; I primarily write non-fiction, and it's equally tempting to say I've had my fling with fiction.The time commitment to writing a second novel is scary. .A novel is a nightmare for the amateur, and a challenge even for a pro. It requires playing with a Rubik’s cube of characters, plot, subplots, pacing, dialogue, style, emotional arc – pieces which the writer must move in a certain sequence, and at the proper moment, to propel the tale forward, hold the fickle reader’s attention, and arrive at a successful denouement. Historical fiction raises the complexity another level. Where do you find information in the cost of a plate of pasta in 19th century Napoli? How much history should be included? When and where do you drop it in? How do you share it without slowing the story and boring readers? It took me 18 months to write THe Witch of Napoli; I can write a non-fiction book in half the time, and I've got a long list of possible book ideas in my head.
And yet... it's so tempting to resurrect Tommaso. He would be in his early 40s, in Rome, editor of the Messaggero, with Doffo still working for him. Mussolini has taken power in Italy; the Fascists and Nazi movements are sweeping Europe; the British aristocracy (including Huxley) and the Catholic Church are sympathetically cheering their rise to power. Everyone is nervous about the future of their family, their business, their country, and a shadowy, Italian woman psychic everyone calls "the witch of Roma" claims to have the answers.
Tempting...
Thanks for your kind comments about the Witch of Napoli, and I'll let you know if I do decide to take a crack at it!"
Last week I started seriously playing with ideas for a sequel. I'm getting hooked.
Let's see where this leads...
Nook broomstick for the Witch
Aloha all:
Better late than never?
Nook aficionados have been emailing me to put Alessandra on an epub broomstick. Happy to announce "The Witch of Napoli" is now available as a Barnes & Noble e-book: http://bit.ly/1MGFcrb . Sorry it took so long. (We authors prefer to write, not wade through the growing swamp of publishing formats).
If Smashwords is you preferred ride, the Witch just got uploaded there as well: http://bit.ly/1KKR34k
Better late than never?
Nook aficionados have been emailing me to put Alessandra on an epub broomstick. Happy to announce "The Witch of Napoli" is now available as a Barnes & Noble e-book: http://bit.ly/1MGFcrb . Sorry it took so long. (We authors prefer to write, not wade through the growing swamp of publishing formats).
If Smashwords is you preferred ride, the Witch just got uploaded there as well: http://bit.ly/1KKR34k
Grab your earphones -- The Witch goes audiobook
Aloha all:
Our witchy heroine Alessandra gets a voice this July. I’m excited to announce that Tantor Media has bought the global audio rights to the Witch of Napoli. Just completed the negotiations last week. Tantor approached me out of the blue with an offer I couldn’t refuse, and we inked the deal in short order.
What sold me? The Witch will be joining some rather august company -- Tantor Audio titles include National Book Award winners, Man Booker Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize winners and New York Times Best Sellers.
The Witch debuts in July (can’t wait!) and will be available on Amazon and Audible in three formats -- audiobook, CD and MP3-CD. My sincere thanks to Tantor staffers Kristen Hummel (acquisitions), Brandy Lawrence (production), Nicole Broderick (contracts), and Brittany Hemingway (CD cover) for their cheerful, efficient professionalism in quickly putting the project together.
Next up? Select the narrator. I negotiated final say on choosing the “voice” of the novel and its extensive cast of characters -- Alessandra, Tommaso, Huxley, etc. I’ll be listening through Tantor’s list of over 250 pro narrators, sampling their work.
Want to help me decide on a narrator? Here’s the link where you’ll find the choices. https://tantor.com/narrator.html Click on a name, then one of his/her books, then click the “audio sample” button. Who would spin the Witch tale best – man or woman narrator? American or Brit accent? Someone specializing in historical fiction? Romance? Paranormal?
I’m always interested in your opinions. The book owes its success to you all!
Our witchy heroine Alessandra gets a voice this July. I’m excited to announce that Tantor Media has bought the global audio rights to the Witch of Napoli. Just completed the negotiations last week. Tantor approached me out of the blue with an offer I couldn’t refuse, and we inked the deal in short order.
What sold me? The Witch will be joining some rather august company -- Tantor Audio titles include National Book Award winners, Man Booker Prize winners, Pulitzer Prize winners and New York Times Best Sellers.
The Witch debuts in July (can’t wait!) and will be available on Amazon and Audible in three formats -- audiobook, CD and MP3-CD. My sincere thanks to Tantor staffers Kristen Hummel (acquisitions), Brandy Lawrence (production), Nicole Broderick (contracts), and Brittany Hemingway (CD cover) for their cheerful, efficient professionalism in quickly putting the project together.
Next up? Select the narrator. I negotiated final say on choosing the “voice” of the novel and its extensive cast of characters -- Alessandra, Tommaso, Huxley, etc. I’ll be listening through Tantor’s list of over 250 pro narrators, sampling their work.
Want to help me decide on a narrator? Here’s the link where you’ll find the choices. https://tantor.com/narrator.html Click on a name, then one of his/her books, then click the “audio sample” button. Who would spin the Witch tale best – man or woman narrator? American or Brit accent? Someone specializing in historical fiction? Romance? Paranormal?
I’m always interested in your opinions. The book owes its success to you all!
