Maria Savva's Blog - Posts Tagged "james-everington"

Today I am very excited to be introducing you to a new author James Everington, who I am sure will be a famous writer one day.

I met James online recently after I read and reviewed Oblivious by Neil Schiller. James is also a friend of Neil's and a fan of his work. I was intrigued by the title and cover of James's collection of short stories: The Other Room. The short descriptions of the tales made me want to read the book. I'm glad I did. It's a very original collection full of surprising and well-crafted tales.




James very kindly agreed to answer a few questions and he is also giving away 2 ebook copies of The Other Room to readers of my blog! If you'd like to enter the contest, just 'like' this blog post or leave a comment below. Winners will be chosen on the 13th August 2011.

Here are James's replies to my interview questions:

Are the stories in ‘The Other Room’ a collection of stories you wrote over a number of years, or did you write them specifically for the collection?

They were written over a number of years (a scary number of years now I think of it) although all of have been revised pretty recently. I spent quite a few hours trying to figure out which stories to put in, and in which order. I saved a few stories back I consider some of my best for the next collection - I didn't want to be like one of those bands with a great first album, and then a patchy follow-up because they obviously didn't get any time to write some decent new songs...

Your collection contains horror, paranormal, thrillers, ghost stories, and what has been called ‘weird fiction’; what is your favourite genre to read?

I read a huge variety of things - I think it's pretty important for a writer to read widely, even if what style they write is pretty limited. Which it is for me. I guess it's only in the last few years I've worked out that despite the fact that I read science-fiction, the classics, poetry, popular science, modern literature and so on, I can't write those books. I can just do my own little thing: scary surreal stories with a bit of pretension basically.

In one of your stories, there is a writer who is trying to write a story, but the ‘words wouldn’t reveal themselves’. I thought that was an interesting way to look at writing. I’m always intrigued at how other writers view the writing process. Is that your view of how a writer finds a story, that in a way the words reveal themselves as we write rather than us writing the words?

I'm not sure; that attitude to writing just suited the character of the story and fitted the themes. I think as a writer you have to be flexible about these things. Sometimes the words will just come to you, and it's like uncovering buried treasure. Other times you have to work hard at it, really forcing yourself to get the right sentences. You have to be prepared for both.

In another one of your stories, the character is reading a book and listening to music in the background, and not just an instrumental track but a song. I wondered whether you listen to music when you read, and also whether you listen to music when you write.

Yeah all the time; I love music almost as much as I love books. I guess listening to music as I write comes from living in halls of residence at university - there was always some music blaring through the walls. So the only choice was write to someone else's music, or to my own. I don't find it distracting at all. The only time I wouldn't listen to music is when I'm doing the final edits to a story - I like to read the prose aloud then.

The story 'When The Walls Bend' in this collection was named after a line from a Radiohead song; the title for 'Feed The Enemy' (which is available separately) was poached from a title of a song by the post-punk band Magazine.


I liked all the stories in the collection, but I think my favourite is ‘Red Route’, I just loved the ending because it all came together and is quite awe-inspiring. Do you have a favourite story from the collection, and if so, why is it your favourite?

It's funny, everyone who's picked a favourite so far has picked a different one; I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing...

I'm not sure writers are the best judges of their own work, buy my favourite to write was 'The Other Room' itself. It just about wrote itself. There's a lot of little details in that story that all seem to work together, but I didn't plan any of them. I mentioned writing is sometimes like finding buried treasure above; for 'The Other Room' the treasure just seemed to be lying around on the surface.

Of course the next story I wrote after that was a right difficult sod.

On your website you run a series of guest blogs in defence of short stories. What gave you idea for this, and if you could say one thing in defence of short stories what would that be?

Well, I'd no idea until recently how poorly short fiction sold compared to novels. And that some people, who seem so sane and so well-read, could spout such drivel about the form - really vitriolic stuff! So it came from that really; and I've had some great writers contribute, for which I'm very grateful. It's partly selfish on my part; I only really write short stories so I'm buggered if they keep declining in popularity...

What would I say to people? Just... don't judge short stories by the standards of novels. They're a separate art-form; there's a whole separate world you're missing out on if you don't read short stories. They're not truncated novels, they're something else.

You have only published your short stories as an ebook. Is there a reason why you haven’t made it available in paperback, and do you have plans to do this in the future?

No reason, I'm just new to all this. I wasn't really aware of self-publishing or ebooks at all this time last year; I was going the traditional route of submitting stories to small-press magazines (which I still do). I had one non-horror story called 'Feed The Enemy' which I didn't know what to do with, and then I saw a call for submissions for someone electronically publishing. So I sent it off, not even knowing what it was really. Then rather than rejecting it they sent me a scary looking contract...

So I started to look into ebooks when I knew I'd have a story available in that format, and stumbled across some great writers and helpful people like Neil Schiller and Dan Holloway who were already doing it for themselves. So I jumped in too.

I'd like to do a physical book sometime too, but I've no actual plans at the moment. I'm just seeing how things pan out.

Do you have any tips for someone who is considering self-publishing their own book?

Without wanting to sound too much like a Nike advert, just do it. Provided, that is, that the book is already written. If it's not, then concentrate on writing the best book you can for now; don't even think about how you're going to publish it until afterwards.

Who are your favourite authors and what is it about their writing that you like?

Probably too many to mention, but some I think have been particularly influential on my writing are Ramsey Campbell,Franz Kafka, and Shirley Jackson.

They all have certain things in common, in that they write strange, somewhat surreal fiction, but in an intelligent, literary way. (I think of Kafka as being very much part of the tradition that includes the best 'horror' writers.) And they all have done some of their best work in short story form. 'The Companion', 'The Metamorphosis' and 'The Lottery' - hard to think of better trio of short stories than those.

Is there a book you own that you’ve read more than once?

God I think I've read most of them more than once; what's the point in owning books otherwise? Ones I've definitely read at least three times include: The Lord of the Rings,Mrs. Dalloway,The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and Girlfriend in a Coma. Plus books by the authors above, of course.

What was the last book you read?

I tend to read more than one book at a time, so there's a few: Cold Hand in Mine; Loisaida -- A New York Story;and 'The Magical Maze', a book about maths and fractals and other fascinating stuff.

Are you reading a book at the moment?

Of course! Again, more than one: The War of the Worlds, and Ice Age - a great collection of weird, surreal horror tales. Oh, and a book about Bob Dylan too.


How important are reviews for you as a writer?

Very important; not so much the content or the rating, although that is important, but just knowing that someone took time out of their busy day to put some words down about my book. That's a good feeling. Of course I've been lucky that I've not had a bad review yet, so my attitude could change! I've probably just jinxed myself by saying that too.


I must say that the title and cover of your book really caught my eye and I just knew that I wanted to read it. How did you go about choosing the cover for your book?

Funny you should ask, because the photo it's based on was taken by someone I know you know - Neil Schiller. I liked his covers for Oblivious and The Haiku Diary so I asked him how he created them, and he was generous enough to let me use one of his photos. His covers are arty black and white; I messed about with mine and put a filter on to make it appropriately spooky.


What are you working on now?

A novella called The Shelter. It's a story I wrote when I was about seventeen, and recently I found the battered manuscript and read it again - it was dreadful obviously. Clichéd and stilted. But it struck me the plot itself was pretty good, and seemed far more commercial and straight forward than the stuff I write nowadays. I was just discovering writers like Stephen King and Dan Simmons then.

So I've decided to rewrite it completely from scratch - hopefully I can combine the youthful ideas and energy with the strengths I have now - namely knowing a dreadful sentence when I write one, which I obviously didn't then. We shall see if it works...

Where can people buy your book?

You can get The Other Room in these places:

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Other-Roo...

Amazon US: www.amazon.com/The-Other-Room/dp/B004...

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...


Oh and I blog and talk general rubbish at: http://www.jameseverington.blogspot.com/

Thanks for being a very entertaining guest, James!

You might also like to check out James's other books:

Feed the Enemy

The Psyche Corrupted

I know I will be! :)

Remember, if you'd like to enter to win a copy of The Other Room, just 'like' this blog post or leave a comment below. Good luck!

As many of you know, I am a resident author at BestsellerBound.com. Following the success of The first Bestseller Bound Anthology, Darcia Helle has put together a further collection of stories, chosen from those submitted by BestsellerBound.com, members.

The BestsellerBound Short Story Anthology - Volume 2, features my new short story 'Isolation'.

You can download the collection free of charge from Smashwords.com

Here is the list of titles and authors:

1. What Was Lost by James Sophi
2. The Art of Breathing by Jaime McDougall
3. Soul Windows by Jaleta Clegg
4. I Didn't Know His Name by Darcia Helle
5. Red Route by James Everington
6. Make A Wish by Susan Helene Gottfried
7. The Last Chance Motel and Mausoleum by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
8. Isolation by Maria Savva
9. Beyond The Green Hills by Tom Gahan
10. From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return by Ami Blackwelder

I have read the collection, and I really enjoyed the stories. Like the last collection, there are many different genres, but somehow this collection seemed to be almost themed because many of the stories delve deep into the human psyche and there are some very powerful tales.

I've just finished reading an advance copy of 'The Shelter', a short story by James Everington, and it made me realise that I know so many talented writers through connecting on Goodreads, Twitter, BestsellerBound.com etc., but most if not all of them are still unknown to the book buying public.

James Everington is one of those writers who makes me want to keep reading... he keeps the story flowing and moving, making the reader curious to find out what happens next.





I would encourage you to check out his short story collection, The Other Room, and make sure you grab a copy of his creepy story 'The Shelter' as soon as it's published!

Some other notable independent authors that you mustn't miss, are:

Darcia Helle
Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
Ami Blackwelder
Neil Schiller
Jen Knox
Julie Elizabeth Powell
Quentin R. Bufogle
Stacy Juba
Jason McIntyre
Lisette Brodey
Andrew Blackman
Bill See
Tom Gahan
Mark McKenna

This is by no means an exhaustive list, I'm sure I've missed out some of my favourites.

I would encourage you to try reading some of the above authors' books... you won't be disappointed.

The BestsellerBound Anthologies, Volumes 1 & 2 are now both FREE on Amazon Kindle!

Get your copies by clicking the links below:

Volume 1 on Amazon US

Volume 2 on Amazon US

Volume 1 on Amazon UK

Volume 2 is still priced at 86p on Amazon UK, but we are hopeful it will be available free in the near future. UK readers can download a free kindle version from Smashwords.com

Here are the list of contents:

Volume 1:
Wish Upon A Star by Lainey Bancroft
Tears For Hesh by J. Michael Radcliffe
You Can Call Me Ari by Darcia Helle
Flames by Maria Savva
Minor Details by Jaleta Clegg
Ice Cream Man by Neil Schiller
No Eyes But Mine Shall See by Sharon E. Cathcart
The First Texas Twister by Magnolia Belle
Shadow Lantern by Gareth Lewis
Stained by Amy Saunders

Volume 2:
1. What Was Lost by James Sophi
2. The Art of Breathing by Jaime McDougall
3. Soul Windows by Jaleta Clegg
4. I Didn't Know His Name by Darcia Helle
5. Red Route by James Everington
6. Make A Wish by Susan Helene Gottfried
7. The Last Chance Motel and Mausoleum by Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
8. Isolation by Maria Savva
9. Beyond The Green Hills by Tom Gahan
10. From Joy We Come, Unto Joy We Return by Ami Blackwelder

Last year, Darcia Helle, Stacy Juba, and I, launched the message board BestsellerBound

In one year we gave accomplished so much that looking back on it, it's quite astounding. Here are just a few of our joint projects/successes that show what an awesome place it is:

1. Towards the end of last year we launched the BsB Cutting Edge campaign to try to get Darcia Helle's book The Cutting Edge to #1 in the Amazon kindle charts. We managed to get the book into the top 100, and were invited to The Indie Book Collective (IBC) to take part in a radio show talking about the campaign. Our original campaign inspired IBC to run their own series of campaigns to get indie authors into the top 100. I have noticed other websites doing a similar thing. BestsellerBound was the first website to do this; it's great to know that others are following our lead.

2. At the end of last year, Jason McIntyre and I wrote the online novella, Cutting The Fat, which started off as an online exercise in writing a novel together as a team and ended up as a successful book, now available on kindle.

3. One of our top members, Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick, put together the BsB Annual Sample Anthologies, including chapters from members' novels, and short stories. It's free to download and is very popular across the globe, this helps to spread the word about our members' books to all corners of the world

Here's a link to a Youtube video, made by one of our multi-talented members Magnolia Belle, introducing the anthologies:

You Tube trailer

4. We have published two short story anthologies containing top quality fiction in all genres from our members. Both volumes are available to download free at Amazon on kindle. Both are very popular having entered the top 100 downloads!

Bestseller Bound Anthology
BestsellerBound Short Story Anthology Volume 2





5. We were a top 10 finisher in the Preditors and Editors poll 2010 for best writers' discussion forum! (We came 4th! Not bad for a forum that had only been running for 2-3 months at that time!)



BestsellerBound continues to grow, with more members joining each month. We really do seem to attract the cream of the crop of indie authors.

We have also attracted quite a few readers of independent books, and they are valued members. We would love it if more readers would join, as our original intention was to create a forum where indie writers could chat to their readers. We're a bit top-heavy with authors at the moment. This is not necessarily a bad thing as most authors also love reading. But if you're just a reader and not a writer and wondered whether you could join, please do! We would love to welcome you.

As we are now celebrating our 1st Anniversary, we decided it would be nice to have a blog hop where we give away some prizes donated by our members. Here is a list of what you could win:

1. 1 coupon code for a free ebook copy of The Dream, my latest novel, from Smashwords.





2. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of any one title by Darcia Helle.





3. The Choice by Sydney S. Song from Smashwords giving free e-book coupon.





4. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of Echo Falls by Jaime McDougall.





5. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of any one title by Gareth Lewis.





6. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of The Other Room by James Everington





7. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of any one title by Susan Helene Gottfried





8. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for free ebook copy of Nexus Point by Jaleta Clegg





9. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for a free eBook copy of "2010 Hindsight: A Year of Personal Growth, In Spite of Myself," by Sharon E. Cathcart





10. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for a free eBook copy of "Caraliza" and also "Breathing into Stone" by Joel Kirkpatrick







11. 1 free hardbound, signed copy of Joel's secret 5th novel, shipped the week it is released.

12. 1 coupon code from Smashwords for a free eBook copy of 'Sink or Swim' by Stacy Juba.






Over the next few days, there will be more promotional blog posts about this competition. I'll try to keep you updated here.

If you want the chance to enter to win a prize, please leave a comment here or in one of the other blog posts relating to the competition. At the end of the blog hop, all the entries will be counted and put into a hat.

The Rules:
1. These are adult books. Please know that by entering this contest, you are agreeing that you are 16 years old or older.

2. You can enter more than once if you leave a comment on each blog hop post!

3. Deadline for entries is September 17th at midnight!

4. Winners will be picked at random on the 17th and announced at the participating blogs. Good luck!

I've just seen an email saying that 7th-13th November 2011 is National Short Story Week in the UK. The website associated with that email has a list of recommended reads for National Short Story Week. The list is, frankly, predictable and boring (sorry). It includes 'classics' and books published by big publishing companies. In my opinion, those books have enough publicity; we don't need a Short Story Week to promote them. We do, however, need to have a Short Story Week that celebrates up and coming talent, and hard working Independent and self-published writers. Those writers DO need extra publicity because their books are often ignored.

Here's an alternative list of short stories and anthologies recommended by me. I urge you to read these authors. Many of them have now become good friends of mine, but that is NOT the only reason I am promoting them. I simply LOVE their writing, and I only got to know them AFTER reading their work. There are some seriously good stories here. Click on the book covers for more details:















The following are my own short story collections:

It's that time of year again, when we are frantically trying to think of just the right gift for the people we care about.

Books are wonderful gifts because they can educate, inspire and entertain. I think it's always nice to buy a print version whether it's hardback or paperback as a gift for someone, but nowadays because more people have e-readers, you can also buy e-books as gifts. Maybe you want to treat the book-lover in your life to an e-reader for Christmas and you want to download a few great books? Whatever you are planning, I hope you will find a bit of inspiration from my list of recommended books below.

I've read quite a lot of books this year, and most of them have been really great reads.

Here are purchase links for a few books that I would suggest as gifts:

The Other Room by James Everington - a collection of short stories



Here's the review I wrote for the book:
I am so glad I stumbled across this collection of short stories. It's original, well written, and one of the best collections I have ever read. Every story in this collection is good. There are some stand out ones because they are absolutely amazing, for example 'First Time Buyers'. I think my favourite of the whole collection has to be 'Red Route', the ending is just one of those that makes you go, "wow!".
It's a very diverse collection. There are horror stories, paranormal, thrillers.
This is an exciting new writer, the kind of writer that makes me proud to be a self-published author. In all his stories he takes you deep into the mind of the characters, so that you almost feel as though you are reliving their story. There are many memorable quotes... always a sign of a great writer in my opinion.
A couple of examples:
"Just the sense of the big machinery of the economy faltering and grinding somewhere... She thought of cog-wheels turning high above her, their aloof motion turning other wheels, and those wheels still others...'

"...as if the box of their room was just one box inside another, larger one...'

This is modern literature at its finest. Do not miss this collection.

Into The Light by Darcia Helle



Here's my review:
This is a wonderful story on so many levels. It contains humour, romance, and an element of mystery. It's a supernatural tale about a ghost, Max, who refuses to go `into the light' until his killer can be brought to justice.
Max, in life, was a very ordinary man, in fact he died feeling like a failure and as if his life had been in vain.
What Helle's book teaches us is that there are many things we do on a daily basis that have an effect on other people's lives, for good or bad. Max is forced to confront issues from his past when he dies, and this multi-layered story perfectly highlights the fact that we are often unaware of other people's thoughts and feelings and that makes all the difference when looking at the effects of things we do. Many readers will be able to relate to Max, and also the private investigator, Joe, who is roped in to help Max find his killer. Their relationship is an odd one, but they each learn something from the other as they both try to come to terms with their problems.
The book deals with the subjects of divorce, regret, relationships, insecurity, and miscommunication, among other things. It's a fun and often comical read, but also contains very deep thinking on human behaviour and relationships.
The underlying message appears to be that when we die we leave behind an imprint based on everything we have done, thought, and said... it's definitely food for thought.

Metallic Dreams by Mark Rice



My review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It's about a young man, Spark, who always dreamt of becoming a big name in heavy metal music. In his late teens he was part of a band 'Blood Brothers' who went their separate ways before they could make it into the big time. Some years later, Spark has a life changing experience and as a consequence he becomes determined to put his old band back together and live his dream. His belief is that the band will become successful, and he doesn't want to live his life in a dead end job when his passion lies in music. At its core, Metallic Dreams is about finding the courage to follow your dream, no matter how difficult it might seem to be. It is also about the power of love. It is indie fiction at its best, breaking out of the boundaries set by genre, and experimenting with new and exciting ways to write a story. It is extremely funny; hilarious in parts. I almost laughed out loud in public a few times whilst reading it. It does contain some controversial topics and taboo subjects, but those topics are skillfully woven into the story making them a realistic portrayal of very vivid characters' lives and experiences. This book is very original and entertaining. I would recommend Metallic Dreams to music fans, especially rock and heavy metal fans, as you will find much to relate to in the book. Due to some of the content in this book I would say it is only suitable for over 18s. I am looking forward to more books by this talented writer.

B-Sides and Broken Hearts by Caryn Rose



My review:
B-Sides and Broken Hearts is the story of 37 year-old Lisa, who is finding it hard coming to terms with the death of Joey Ramone, one of her favourite musicians. His death forces her to think about her life and she finds that she is not happy. Her relationship with the predictable, Ian, is not the type of relationship she had envisaged for herself when she was young. The death of Joey Ramone leads to a torrent of emails from Lisa's music-loving friends, and puts her back in touch with Jake, the singer with a successful band, Blue Electric. Lisa had been there with Jake and the rest of the band right from the start when they were unknown and penniless. She watched them grow into a band that could fill arenas. However, for the past 5 years her relationship with the band has been overshadowed by the fact that her boyfriend shows little interest in getting to know them. From the outside, all of Lisa's friends have always thought she should have ended up with Jake. None of her friends like Ian. After Joey Ramone's death, when Ian fails to understand why she is so upset, Lisa makes the decision to visit her old friends in LA. She packs some belongings, mainly CDs for the journey, and drives all night to revisit her past. Lisa goes on a journey in this novel, to find the person she really is. After a tragic relationship when she was younger, she had lost her way. Will her old friends in LA help her reconnect with the real Lisa?

This book is about dreams, friends, love, relationships, and above all it is about music and how music can have a profound influence on our lives.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt that the world had ended because their favourite band split up, anyone who obsessively waited for new albums to be released by their favourite bands and spent their last pennies on gigs and records, anyone who has ever screamed the lyrics to their favourite songs while driving in their car... This is a book for dreamers, and reaffirms the importance of believing in your dreams, and following your heart.
It is well written and engaging. I found myself feeling sad when I knew that the story would soon end. The ending is poignant and uplifting at the same time. This is a must read for music lovers.

Quiet Fury: An Anthology of Suspense



Another one by Darcia Helle. My review:
I am already a fan of Darcia Helle's writing having read her novels, Enemies and Playmates, Hit List, The Cutting Edge, and Into The Light. Darcia Helle has shown us with this anthology that short stories can be as compelling as novels. All of her characters seem real, they have feelings, they have a history, and we learn about them in fewer words than a novel, but still we know them. From the poignant first story, streaked with colour and tragedy, right through to the last one, that contains humour, human compassion and heart, Darcia takes us on a journey that we can relate to. We are all living in this world where calm and fury battle for our attention, just like the characters in Darcia's stories. There are stories to make you laugh, cry, wince, scream... there is every type of emotion within these pages. I enjoyed all the stories. Read Darcia Helle's stories and you will enter a world that may almost frighten you but you will be left curious enough to take another look. Her writing is addictive. She has mastered the art of suspense writing, and this collection is another example of that.

A Murderer's Heart by Julie Elizabeth Powell



My review:
I was already a fan of Julie Elizabeth Powell's writing before reading this book, and I just knew I would love it. Julie is a very versatile writer, with a compulsive and easy to read style. Her past books have been fantasy, children's, and non-fiction. 'A Murderer's Heart' is her first murder mystery. It's excellent!
Dr. Anne Blake is a psychiatrist who is good at her job. She has a firm belief that all mentally ill people can be cured, or saved so that they can lead a better life. She is involved in her own practice as well as helping at the Tadmore Psychiatric Hospital and she has lately become involved in a project 'Back Into the World' to try to raise money to help the mentally ill to be cared for so they can return to their lives in the community. Her busy life means that she has very little time for her friends or for a relationship.
When Dr. Blake meets Peter Armstrong, the son of a woman who needs psychiatric help, her world begins to change. A mysterious murderer is on the prowl and there seems to be a link to the Tadmore hospital.
After hearing that her close friend, Jenny, may be in danger, Anne resolves to do all she can to keep her safe from the killer.
In a dramatic and entertaining story, the author does a great job in putting across the idea that sometimes things are not as they seem and we don't always see what is in front of our own eyes. Dr. Blake is forced to face the limitations of her own knowledge and power.

I loved the way the tale progressed, with all the unexpected twists and turns. It kept me hooked from the start and the ending was delightful.
It's a quick, compulsive read. Highly recommended. I would also recommend all of Julie's other titles.

The Shelter by James Everington



Another one by James Everington. My review: The Shelter is a well crafted story by a master storyteller. I am a big fan of James Everington's writing. After reading his short story collection The Other Room I was excited to hear that he was about to release a novella. I just have a feeling that this author is going to be a big name in literature one day.
James has self-titled his style of fiction 'weird fiction' and I would agree that there is an element of the weird in his writing, but underlying it is a deep understanding of human nature and why people think or behave in certain ways. He takes us inside his characters' heads, and we live through their hopes and fears with them. This skill is proof of his talent as a writer.
The Shelter is a creepy, spooky, horror story. It contains elements of psychological thriller, ghost story, and mystery. The relationship between the schoolboys is realistic and well portrayed. It kept me hooked all the way through and deals with the subject of how guilt can change the course of a person's life. An interesting and thought provoking read.

To Begin Again by Jen Knox



My review: The first story in the collection really drew me in. It's a story that makes you question human nature and really makes you think. After reading that I was sure I was in for a very interesting journey reading this anthology. All of the stories have a 'fly on the wall' feel to them, as if you are watching events unfold that you would not usually be made privy to. I use the word 'watch' as it really felt to me as I read Jen Knox's prose, that these scenes were snippets of other people's lives, short clips of action, and I was seeing them as if on film. Such is the power of her description. The stories cover the subjects of desperation, regret, family relationships, the human condition, love, mental illness, and betrayal, amongst other things. Jen Knox moves a magnifying glass over current social problems, and expertly explores different scenarios on how people deal with loss, pain, fear etc. In Jen Knox's stories we glimpse fragments of people's lives, and she touches on emotions that we can all relate to with a subtlety that is sublime. This collection is a wonderful encapsulation of stories that reflect our current time in history, with all the social pressures and hardships. This is a very emotional and heartfelt collection. I really can't pick a favourite as liked all the stories for different reasons. I found two of them particularly heartbreaking, 'The Probability of Him', and 'Disengaged'. I loved the almost comical tone to the story, 'Absurd Hunger', which is written about a dark subject. 'Solitary Value' is a wonderful example of how Jen Knox observes human nature and the things that make us all the same. I loved the simplicity of the story, 'Dandelion Ghosts', which has a touching ending. I wondered whether some of the stories are autobiographical. An enthralling collection by a talented writer. Highly recommended

Losing Addison by Marty Beaudet



My review: I was hooked on this story from the start. I find the way it was written fascinating. The author literally dreamt this book, and then wrote it all out from his memory, without editing it. It's just perfect as it is! I heard about Marty Beaudet's experimental writing and, although curious, I didn't have time to go and read the serial as it was developing online. I finally found time to visit the blog and read the free online version when the author had already written 16 chapters. I read the whole thing in one sitting because it was that gripping!
Losing Addison is a psychological thriller exploring schizophrenia and the unexplained bond between twins. It's a story that will have you glued to the page. The suspense is well constructed and made me want to continue reading until I found out what was happening. The story unravels bit by bit, slowly revealing the reasons behind the characters' behaviour. Beaudet drip feeds the information in the most effective way, with flashback scenes and high drama. A wonderfully entertaining story. I'd recommend it to everyone who likes a good suspenseful thriller. And I am thrilled that the author chose to name one of the characters after me! My namesake appears in chapter 13!

Sink or Swim by Stacy Juba



My review: Stacy Juba is skilled at the art of writing a scene and making the reader feel the tension and suspense. When I began reading the book about a young girl, Cassidy Novak, who was a star of a reality show and then becomes concerned about a stalker, I was slightly concerned that 'Sink or Swim' would be just another forgettable run-of-the-mill story. But Juba is a professional. She has the reader right where she wants them, one minute Cassidy is concerned about her stalker, the next we are caught up in a multi-layered mystery where Cassidy is at the centre and I could feel the danger she was in. It's a gripping and enthralling read. At times, I was so engrossed in the book that I wanted to jump inside and save Cassidy... that is how adept Juba is at creating real characters and suspenseful storylines. I highly recommend this read from a rising star in the murder mystery genre.
The story deals with family relationships, the impact of reality shows on people's lives, obsession, love, trust, and of course murder!

The Word Gang by Mark McKenna



Mark McKenna has created a wonderful story based on every author's and reader's first love: the written word. All of the characters in the novel are well developed; we learn about their backgrounds and can sympathise with their flaws. Even the detestable teacher, Mr. Ralston, seems to have a side to him that we can all relate to.
After taking a year off school, without telling her mother, Kalisha Jackson begins to feel guilty and decides to go back to school when the new year begins. She finds herself in Project Restart, a new type of teaching system for students who are deemed to be failing in some way. On her first day, she gets off to a bad start when she turns up late, and her moody teacher, Mr. Ralston, immediately marks her out as a bad seed.

Kalisha quickly makes friends with two fellow students in Project Restart; BD, who lives with his alcoholic father; and Sahmbaht, whose family fled from Cambodia for a better life in America, but have brought their painful memories with them.

After helping out an elderly neighbour, Kalisha is given a gift; a dictionary. She begins to read it and starts learning new words. When she uses one of these unknown words in class one day, her teacher thinks she is trying to be disruptive.

Kalisha and her new friends formulate a plan. They have had enough of being treated as troublemakers through no fault of their own, so they decide to learn as many new and obscure words as possible with the intention of making a mockery of Project Restart and hopefully destroying it.

The ensuing adventure is a fun and engaging read; and also educational as there are many rarely used words contained in the novel. This is the type of book that could encourage teens and young adults to look at language in a different way, and perhaps inspire them to learn more words or even more languages.
The story held my interest all the way through. The elderly neighbour, Mr. Spinoza, is a wonderfully eccentric character, and I liked the interaction between him and Kalisha.

There seems to be is a deeper meaning to this story; all about how anyone can be misunderstood. For example, Kalisha is affected by her parents' divorce. Her teacher, Jack Ralston does not try to find out about reasons why the children in Project Restart might be failing, but labels them as disruptive and undisciplined; he has little patience with them. Meanwhile, Kalisha at such a young age has been helping to keep her family together, bringing up her two young siblings while her mother works the night shift at a hospital to make ends meet. Kalisha also shows her caring side when she first meets old Mr. Spinoza.

The Word Gang is all about how misunderstandings can make problems worse, and that it is best to try a bit harder to see the reasons behind the way people behave before you judge them.
Mark McKenna has somehow managed to get inside the minds of his characters and create realistic, believable people.
A very enjoyable read, highly recommended.

Oblivious by Neil Schiller



My review:
This is a wonderful collection of short stories. I enjoyed the sparse prose, the evocative description, and the fact that although the stories are all about different people, male and female, they could almost merge into one. All the main characters are struggling in some way. The themes of difficult family relationships, addiction, regret, depression, guilt, repeat themselves over and over. Schiller has created real characters; these could be people you pass in the street. Schiller has stripped away the layers that ordinary people use to hide their true circumstances or feelings, and gone beneath to examine and reveal the underbelly of human nature. We are taken right inside the characters' homes, hearts, and minds. Schiller has mastered the art of short story and likes to show off about it too. He has included a one sentence story, `Trapped', and a half a page story, `Half'--both of which are perfect--and the latter is one of my favourites in the collection.

The descriptive prose is fresh and original. An example of his writing, from, `Brand Awareness', a story about a man facing redundancy: "I've squandered six years of my life on this job. More if you count the myriad of spoiled hopes it pulled into the swirling vortex of its black heart. I've commuted over twelve thousand miles; I've missed my daughter's first steps, first words, first school play; I've worked and slept and stressed myself into an isolation around which my wife has built a new life to compensate. And it was all for nothing."

And from, `Sabotage', about a man estranged from his young son. "In the midst of the other families, in the kinetic frenzy and shrill excitement of the afternoon, we are silent and desperate and miserable. A dark stain on the gaiety of life. Two broken pilings of rock in a glinting sea of youthful energy."
There is much more where that came from in this fabulous collection.

This is a book that will give you a fly on the wall look at ordinary lives and the common scars and ties that bind us. It will reveal to you the hidden side of life, the side most people will never reveal, and of which we are usually 'oblivious'.

Highly recommended.

33 Days by Bill See



My review: The story of a 33 day tour by the band Divine Weeks. Bill See, the author, was the lead singer of the L.A. band who enjoyed some notoriety in the `80s.
In this memoir, See has collected together journal entries and memories to create much more than just a tour diary. He documents the tour with a great descriptive narrative that really captures the moment and brings his memories to life. He also talks about his own dysfunctional home life, which in some ways spurred him on to chase his dream.

See is a talented writer, who is able to impart wisdom and knowledge through his prose.

I enjoyed reading about the band's progression from an unknown group who played only weekday gigs in their home town, to a successful band touring nationwide. But this is not just a story about the band's journey, it's also about the individual band members' personal journeys along the way. See's introspective and thought-provoking prose make the book a compulsive and insightful read.
We follow the band on their first real tour, across the US and Canada in 1987, where they play small venues, often to a handful of people. But the band's passion is such that they are determined to do anything to reach their dream of one day becoming real rock stars. They survive with hardly any money and sleep in a van and cheap hotels, or even on friends' floors. There is a lot of humour sprinkled throughout the book which makes it an enjoyable read. I liked the fact that the author has included photographs of memorable parts of the tour and his life in the book. It gives an extra dimension to the story.

As well as being an enthralling tour diary, this book deals with such subjects as family life, alcoholism, racism, dysfunctional families, relationships, friendship, loyalty, and the power of dreams.
Divine Weeks's story is an inspirational one that shows what someone can achieve if they follow their dream. The author captures the essence of the book best, when he says: `This book is for everyone who's stood at their crossroads with a dream screaming inside wondering whether to choose the road that goes off the map or fold up their tent and head back home.'

Highly recommended.

The Cutting Edge by Darcia Helle



My review: From page 1, where Darcia Helle's protagonist introduces herself as Lilly Skye Destiny Summers (LSD Summers -- named by her hippie parents), and then goes on to explain that she is known as Skye, and her husband's surname is Skyler, so she kept her maiden name, I knew that I was going to enjoy this book!
Anyone who has worked in a job where they have to deal with the general public on a daily basis will appreciate the humour in this book.
Skye is a hairdresser and begins to have fantasies about killing her clients. She has reached the stage where she no longer enjoys her job and her clients irritate her. On top of that her husband's ex is causing problems. Skye wants her dead.
At the same time as Skye is having these murderous thoughts, there is a serial killer loose in town. He is killing women, seemingly randomly, no one is safe.
The book is written in the first person where Skye is narrating her daily life, and then in the third person where we follow the 'Mass Avenger', the serial killer, as he takes revenge on women for the way his mother treated him. He believes women use their 'power' to break men down. He sees something different in Skye, though. He is one of her clients. He becomes obsessed with her but does not want to kill her. He has other plans.
This is a murder mystery which you will not want to put down. Helle has written an entertaining, psychological thriller. One minute you will be laughing at Skye's wild thoughts, the next you will be on the edge of your seat wondering about the fate of the women abducted by the Mass Avenger. There is some violence in the book, prepare to be shocked. Also, prepare to be amazed by Helle's skill at crafting a book that hooks you from the first page, keeps you captive to the very last, and leaves you feeling awestruck.
This book reminds us how daily toils can turn us into someone we don't like, and that we should be careful what we wish for...

Those are just a few of the great books I've read this year. I hope you'll find one that will stand out as an ideal gift for someone you know.

Back when I started interviewing authors on my blog, I think Julie Elizabeth Powell was one of the first, if not the first author I introduced you to.

Since my last interview with Julie, she has written 3 more books, so I thought it would be a good time to catch up with her and see what's new.

Julie is also giving away a few ebook copies of her books to lucky readers of my blog who leave a comment or 'like' the blog post. So, leave a comment or 'like' the post and you never know, you could be a winner! The prize will be an ebook copy of your choice from Julie's 9 books.

Here's the interview:

When I met you on Goodreads in 2008, you had only one book, I think, Gone. In less that 3 years, you’ve published another 8 books. That is a wonderful achievement. I have read all the books, and enjoyed them. Are you just a very fast writer or were some of the books written years ago and only recently published?




Thank you for saying you enjoyed my books. So to answer your question, sometimes I write fast, so fast that I can’t keep up with all the words flowing from my brain. Other times, however, the thinking stage takes far longer than I’d wish. Gone was my first book and, yes, I would say I wrote it quickly but rewrote it more than once, although the first chapter I rewrote many, many times until I was satisfied. Gone was the first piece of writing that I thought worthy of keeping...and I’d found Lulu in 2007 – Fate maybe?
All my novels came into being after 2000, when the idea came from the question: ‘Where had my daughter gone?’ during those waiting years. One night I thought, ‘she must be somewhere’, and so Gone was pulled from my imagination. The Star Realm developed from the world I’d created in Gone – Avalon was just too good to waste – and I thoroughly enjoyed the fun of it...and so on. Sometimes I’d get another idea and I knew I had to get it down before it was lost. Some were half written with notes, and I switched from one to the other when my imagination just wouldn’t let me stop. I couldn’t write Slings & Arrows until Samantha died for the second and final time, well after I’d written Gone. Slings & Arrows was the most difficult to write, yet I’m glad it’s done...it just may help others too.
So I would say that on the whole I’m quite fast, especially when an idea takes root. Rewriting is essential, as I’ve learned so much since rewriting, finishing and finally publishing Gone in 2007.




Since I last interviewed you, you’ve taken the plunge into e-publishing and your 9 books are all available on Kindle at Amazon. Have you considered investing in an e-reader yet, or are you still a traditional paperback/hardback reader?

I do prefer a ‘real’ book in my hand, the feel, smell etc. but yes, I’d like a Kindle mainly so that I can buy more books because the prices are so reasonable and I wouldn’t have the problem of where to store them (time to read them would be great). I hate getting rid of books but sometimes... With a Kindle, for example, I would be able to sit in comfort too, rather than in front of the computer – still a screen, yes, but a compromise.

Your three latest books are again different to your other books. You’ve dived into short story writing with Figments and a humourous almost chick-lit book with Misadventures Of Fatwoman andOf Sound Mindis a psychological/fantasy tale. How important do you think it is for a writer to experiment with different forms of writing?



I love to experiment with various genres. It’s challenging and great to see ‘if I can do it’, yet I don’t think my writing style changes, and of course I have to research. Fantasy will always be my favourite (I can cheat /get away with so much /have great fun). I’d like to mix up genres too and just see where it leads but for now I must be good and finish my current work. Though I have something else that is half-written with notes so I might go with that next, unless my writing fairy visits in the night? Yes, I think it’s important for writers to try all aspects of writing – it’ll not only exercise the brain but it also might bring surprises.

Were the short stories and poems in Figments written as a collection, or did you put the book together by publishing stories and poems that you have written over the years?

Some of Figments did come from sketches of things I’d written and shelved when I’d decided to ‘go back to school’ fifteen years ago, where I had to complete GCSE English, Maths then do A levels, then of course University. However, most I had to rewrite, and many I steered into a whole other direction, just picked up the spark and ran with it. Some stories I’d just thought of there and then while I was putting together the collection. Dark Corners and The Pandora Dress were completely new. Santicore Ockle too was new, as the name just popped into my head and I thought, ‘what a terrible, yet interesting name, what would someone do if they had it?’ The Box That Jane Built was partly written a couple of years ago because of something Stephen King said but I can’t even remember what that was now, so I was able to finish it the way I thought best. I did wonder if it could become a novel but it stopped where it did and I can’t force these things. Heartsongs I wrote after they came to me in a dream about five years ago. I’m no poet but felt they needed to be included in the collection. Chocolate Cake, however, was new and the quickest and most fun to write.

One of the short stories from your collection, Figments, has been included in the BestsellerBound Short Story Anthology Volume 3. As you know, we produce these free anthologies on BestsellerBound to help promote independent writers. Have you come across any good promotional tips for self-published authors that you can share with us?




Self-publishing gives writers total control, I like that, yet I think it has to be as professional as possible. Editing is imperative but I find I can only do my best and hope that people will forgive typos – and even books from publishing houses have mistakes. I would say that spelling and grammar are more important and don’t forget an easy layout. Honing writing style is always worth the effort. I like Lulu as it’s easy, free and I can re-launch any time I wish. It’s also easy to upload your own cover now. You must love writing and not expect fame or riches – of course we all want our work to be recognised but that’s not what it’s about. However, don’t give up.

One of my favourite short story writers, James Everington included a short piece at the end of his short story collection The Other Room describing the inspiration behind some of the stories in his collection. Could you pick two of your favourite short stories (or poems) from Figments and tell us the story behind the story/poem?

The Old Bookshop is one of my favourites from Figments because it started off as an exercise in ‘how to use the senses’ in writing and ended up with a far deeper meaning. Escaping, new beginnings, not being afraid of change and self-worth, are only a few of the themes – I also couldn’t resist including a pinch of magic. I do love bookshops and wish that the old kind could come back into fashion. The Box That Jane Built was only to see what I could do without thinking...just letting the story lead me, and I think it worked. It’s dark and its subtext sinks to many levels yet the face of it is all that is needed to bring tingles to the spine – that’s only my opinion.

Short stories often get bad press, and are often ignored in favour of novels, with common complaints being that there is not enough time for character development, not enough time for a full story to be told in a short story. I completely disagree and would argue that some of the best literature I’ve ever read has been in the short story form. What would you say to encourage more people to read short stories?

Yes, some short stories are sadly missed because of bad press. However, I would say that a character can be ‘built’ with only one line, sometimes even a word. And a story is a story whatever its length and the enjoyment is in the reading. Sometimes, yes, I am disappointed that a story is so good I don’t want it to end, but then I feel that with many novels – it’s not its length but its potency that matters. Short stories can also give readers a ‘feel’ for a writer, so they can find out their versatility and reach into their imagination.

As well as short stories, your collection, Figments, also includes poetry. One of my favourites is Chocolate Cake. What do you think is the secret of a good poem?



I'm glad you enjoyed Chocolate Cake, it was fun, and to tell you the truth I wrote it in a matter of minutes, almost as if it had been waiting for just that moment! Secret of a good poem? How it makes you feel is the simple answer, I think, and don’t worry about rhyming or framing...a poem can be anything you like as long as the feeling is understood.

I read somewhere recently that you design all your own book covers. I saw that you re-designed some of the older ones, and I must say I’m very impressed by the designs. Why did you decide to change some of the covers and can you give any tips to other self-published authors as to how you go about designing the covers?



Thank you for the complements on my cover designs. With Gone, I went with what Lulu offered at the time – their templates /photos, and was quite happy to have found a reasonable front for my story. However, by the time I’d written the others, Lulu had changed and allowed a more sophisticated wizard – and I have a great design programme so that I can upload easily. So, I look to the Internet for photos – morguefile, for example, has a wealth of pictures for use (and I cite them of course...they say it’s no problem to do this), then use my programme (Craft Artist professional from Serif) for backgrounds, colour, text, etc. then save it to import. Uploading to lulu is easy where I use the wizard to finish. I love doing it and would encourage others – it gives even more control over your work.
I re-designed my older covers because I could and it was fun to do so and I’m far more pleased with them because they’re mine. The new covers can be found on my USA account (the one I use to post USA reviews) www.lulu.com/spotlight/JEP while some of the older ones are on www.lulu.com/julizpow my UK account.

Of Sound Mind is an interesting book about mental illness and the blur between reality and fantasy. In this book we are taken to the land of Mageia, a fantasy world with strange characters as its inhabitants. I was amazed by your imagination in creating the world of Avalon for your children's book trilogy, and similarly amazed at the characters you created in Mageia. I know you once said that Avalon really exists and so do the characters, would you say the same about Mageia?

All my characters and places are real to me. I see them as clearly as anywhere in our supposed reality. I’ve often wondered if anything is real and if so, why? Why shouldn’t the worlds created from our minds be as authentic as what we presume surround us every day? Oh my, that makes me sound a touch crazy...or just touched! I’ve no idea what other writers think or feel but for me the worlds I create exist. Think of it this way, when you read a story, how real is the place? Can you see it? Do you feel it? Does your mind see you there? How true does it seem to you? And the characters – do you feel their pain, their laughter, their madness? Now then, does that make it all existent? It does for me.

The character Jorga in Of Sound Mind has telekinetic ability. Have you ever known anyone with such ability?

I’ve never known anyone with telekinetic ability but like inKnowing Jack, I’m sure the brain is capable of much more than we understand. Jorja is still untapped and I hope to write a sequel, therefore bringing Mageia and her powers to life in even more detail. Jack, by the way, was kindled from how my son has such amazing intuition. I will never underestimate the power of the brain.



Of Sound Mind touches on the subject of treatments for mental illness. How did you go about researching the topic?

As I’ve said, the brain is an incredible entity, there is so much we don’t know or understand. I have suffered from depression for many years and am terrified it will get the better of me one day so much so that on the face of it nobody would know. The thought of being ‘put away’ is terrifying and my imagination can easily see the horrors. With those feelings in mind, I’ve read many accounts and researched on-line how the brain might see things and why it acts the way it does. My worry is not so much the ‘illness’ as the people who may be in charge of it. But Jorja isn’t crazy, is she?

In Misadventures of Fatwoman you bring us a totally believable character, Andie, who is obsessed with her weight. I found that the book touched upon many of the insecurities women feel these days with the pressure to look perfect. It’s also a very funny book. What was the inspiration behind the book and how long did it take to write?

The inspiration behind Misadventures Of Fatwoman – me of course! Food and me have a love /hate relationship and ever since I can remember I’ve always hated the way I look. This leads to lack of confidence and feeling undervalued, and I believe many, many women feel this way. Yes, there are media pressures and all women are targeted to be ‘perfect’. My way of dealing with some of it is to laugh and through Andi, I hope to make others aware that they can be cruel and that nobody is perfect and can never be (and what is perfect anyway? It’s like normal – what’s that?) Making it a comedy is vital because laughter can only forbid the demons entry.
It didn’t take long to write once I’d focussed upon finishing it.

Do you write every day?

I try to write every day, however, life distracts me...once I’m at the keyboard though, my brain is overwhelmed with words and I can’t write fast enough. It’s great to be ‘in the zone’ and even if I’ve been away from the computer for a while, my brain is still working on stories.

In your opinion is there such a thing as writer’s block (personally, I don’t believe in it)?

I don’t think there’s an actual block to writing, only a bit of a halt to an idea or scene. I think that’s why I often write more than one story at once so that I’m never stuck.

Other than writing, I know you like to make things, jewellery, homemade cards etc. Is that just for fun, or do you think that will turn into a business idea?

Yes, cards, scrapbooking, jewellery making – see, distractions? I love being creative and I like to see the pleasure when I give family and friends whatever it is. Encaustic Art is one of my favourites, as it’s perfect for fantasy work and there are no two pictures alike. It’s all just for fun, although I did put on a show once for handcrafted cards for orders (I only make one-offs /personal to...) but it didn’t work out. I can only think that people can’t afford quality and would prefer to buy 10 for a £1 at the discount store. I can’t blame them, money is too hard to find.

You’re currently working on book three in your Avalon trilogy. Do you have an estimated date when that will be released?



Oh dear, the last in the trilogy...I’m about halfway through, however, despite the distractions I keep...or rather the characters lead me down extra paths – it’s fun but taking an age. I also have to keep in mind all the threads from book one and two and of course stay on track for the (I hope) surprising end. Maybe early next year it’ll be done – don’t forget all that editing I’ll have to do and the cover and I’d like to include some drawings for the interior...I’m trying to finish, honest I am!

You’ve recently joined Twitter. What do you think of it?

Twitter is weird! It’s probably me not having time to understand its mechanisms, however, I am grateful to anyone who mentions me and apologise for not ‘whatever it is I’m suppose to do’.

In one paragraph, explain to people why they should read independent books.

You should read my books because: (feels like a competition question) they’re good. How lame is that? Gone is a unique fantasy and it’ll make you think differently – Slings & Arrows is important too, as it’s the true account of what happened to my daughter and the spark for Gone. All my fictional books will entertain and grip you in ways you’ll enjoy – what else can I say except I hope you do read them, they’ll carve new pathways into those ever-thirsty brains.


Thank you, Julie!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remember to leave a comment or 'like' this blog post to be in with a chance to win an ebook copy of your choice of Julie's books. Winners will be picked on 15th December 2011. Good luck!

Those of you who follow my blog may recall that about a month or so before Haunted was released I did a blog post called "The Next Big Thing" answering 10 questions about the book. Here's a link to that one to refresh your memory: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...

I've been tagged in this blog challenge again. This time I will be answering the questions about my upcoming novel, one that I only starting writing a couple of weeks ago, so it's in the very early stages. I have written about twenty thousand words, though, and I have a rough plan as to how I want the novel to progress. It probably won't be in any shape to be published until at least the end of next year!

"The Next Big Thing" is a chain of book and author recommendations.

What happens is an author answers ten questions about his or her work in progress before tagging another five authors who have to do the same thing. And we all Facebook and/or tweet about it.

Jaime McDougall tagged me. Here is a link to her blog post: http://www.inkyblots.com/the-next-big...

Here are the 10 questions I have to answer:

1) What is the working title of your next book?

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?

3) What genre does your book fall under?

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

8 ) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?

10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

My answers will probably be brief and secretive as I don't want to give too much away at this stage LOL.

Here goes:

1. The working title of my next book is: Illusion

2. Where did the idea come from? It's strange because with this book, I didn't have an idea for a novel as such, I just started writing something based on a very loose idea, which shall remain a secret for now. As I am writing it, though, I'm noticing that as with all my other books, lots of inspiration from things in my own life are finding their way into the story.

3. Genre: Ha! I laugh at that word... it's all I can do, or I will cry. I can't stick to one genre at all. It's impossible to make me try. At the moment, it's mostly a fantasy, but also a contemporary romance, and drama.

4. It's hard to think of actors to play the parts of my characters as I don't yet know who the real main players in the book will be. At the moment, there is a twenty-something girl, who could possibly be played by someone like Keira Knightly. There is also her boyfriend who is younger than her. He could maybe be played by someone like, Robbie Amell.



5. One sentence synopsis: (again this is hard because I haven't finished the first draft yet!)
Maybe: "The mysterious is sometimes better left in the shadows."

6. My book will be self-published.

7. I have only written about a quarter of the book. It has taken me about 2-3 weeks. I imagine it will take at least another 4-5 months before the first draft is complete.

8. I would compare this current work-in-progress to my novel, The Dream. It has the same feel and a similar theme.

9. My inspiration for the book? All the strange thoughts that fly around inside my head all day.

10. What else might pique the reader's interest? This book embraces my love of music, as there is a (fictional) rock band that plays a major role.

Okay. Now to tag 5 more authors. Most of the authors I know have already done this challenge, so I am going to tag a few people who I don't usually tag, and hope that they haven't already done it!

Ben Ditmars
Cinta García de la Rosa
Justin Bog
Jay Finn
James Everington

If you haven't got a work in progress or you've already done this challenge you're excused! :)

It's nearly Halloween.



I've always loved a good ghost story. It might have something to do with the fact that I grew up in a haunted house. Many of my novels and stories have some elements of paranormal in them, probably for the same reason.

Open Culture posted a blog today about horror author H.P. Lovecraft's books. You can get his complete works free, either as an e-book or audiobook. Follow the link to find our more: http://www.openculture.com/2014/10/h-...

Reading that blog got me thinking about what books I could recommend as Halloween reads.

Here are a few suggestions:

Her Fearful Symmetry, by Audrey Niffenegger.



From the bestselling author of The Time Traveler's Wife. I loved absolutely everything about this book. It's definitely spooky, and there are ghosts in it. I'd say this is a more or less perfect Halloween read. It's great for those who don't really like gory books. It's also quite light-hearted in parts even though the theme is dark and disturbing.

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Her-Fearful-Sym...

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Her-Fearful-S...

Legend of the Pumpkin King by J. Michael Radcliffe.



If you like fantasy tales, J. Michael Radcliffe is a master of the genre; this is a nice little story. It's part fantasy and part horror. It will definitely get you in the mood for Halloween.

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Pumpkin-...

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Legend-Pumpki...


Dying Embers, by M.R. Cosby.



This is a book of dark and strange tales with ghosts that turn up often as memories from the past. It's an ideal read to put you in the frame of mind for the spooky goings-on at Halloween. The characters will lead you down very dark and ghostly paths.

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Dying-Embers-M-...

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dying-Embers-...


The Other Room and
Falling Over by James Everington.



I couldn't decide between James Everington's two brilliant collections. These contain horror, paranormal, and all things twisted. He has some other books that are also dark and highly recommended. These stories definitely challenge our perception of reality and are just right for this spine-chilling season.

The Other Room:
Amazon US:http://www.amazon.com/Other-Room-Jame...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Other-Room-Ja...

Falling Over:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Over-Ja...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Falling-Over-...

While we're on the subject of horror, you could try 13, by Julie Elizabeth Powell, if you want to be shocked and scared. This is a perfectly crafted horror story that will send shivers down your spine.





Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/13-Julie-Elizab...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/13-Julie-Eliz...

If you want ghosts in your Halloween read, but would prefer a book that will also make you laugh, you should check out Into The Light, by Darcia Helle and Horse Latitudes, by Quentin R. Bufogle.





Into The Light is the story of a ghost who is trying to help to solve his own murder. It will definitely add an element of fun to your Halloween.

Horse Latitudes features a ghost who helps the main character make an important decision. It's a book that will definitely make you laugh out loud.

--------------------------

I've seen lots authors promoting special Halloween stories or posting on Twitter about their books that would make great Halloween reads, so below is a list I have compiled from those promotions. I haven't read any of the books listed below, but they all sound great and will be added to my never-ending TBR list!

Shadow the Ghost Dog by J T Therrien



(Children' fiction)

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Ghost-Do...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadow-Ghost-...

Sad I Am, by Regina Puckett



Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00N99F1K8/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00N99F1K8/

Dark Before Dawn, by Stacy Juba



Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Before-Daw...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Before-D...

-----------------------

Talented author, Justin Bog has been posting chapters from his current work in progress since May this year, on his blog. It's a horror story called The Play (The Queen’s Idle Fancy). Having read both of Justin's published works I know this must be good. I haven't found time to read any of it yet! Seems like the ideal time of year to start. The first part is here: http://justinbog.com/new-horror-ficti... and you can follow the story on his blog.



-------------------------------

As I mentioned at the start of this post, some of my novels and stories have elements of paranormal in them. The Dream and Haunted both feature ghosts. There are also ghost stories included in my short story collections Fusion and 3.

The new novel I'm working on also features a ghost, but probably won't be released until Halloween next year!





Haunted:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Haunted-Maria-S...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haunted-Maria...

"3":
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/3-Maria-Savva-e...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/3-Maria-Savva...

The Dream:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Maria-Sav...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Maria-S...

Fusion:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Fusion-Maria-Sa...
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fusion-Maria-...
-----------------------------------



I hope you find something from the above suggestions to help make your Halloween more spooky! Whatever you're planning, have fun and stay safe!



HAPPY HALLOWEEN!