Sarah Lampkin's Blog

If you haven’t noticed some changes recently, you soon will.

Although the Dead Dreamer series doesn’t have an official publisher, I’m continuing to self publishing on Amazon as ebooks and paperbacks. Maybe I’ll push out hard backs and focus on continuing the audio books but one step at a time! For now, I’m slowly rebranding with new book covers! You’ll slowly see the changes as they’re developed. I’m currently working with an artist on Fiverr who has been amazing and delivered two new covers so far! So keep an eye out for these awesome new covers!

The Dead Dreamer Series – New Home Needed

It’s been a long time since I’ve last written a blog post, but a lot has happened in only a year.

I changed jobs within my corporation.

Published the final installment in the Dead Dreamer series.

I sold my townhouse in NOVA.

Bought a house in my hometown and moved.

I was promoted at work, prompting additional work to my plate.

My nephew was born.

Spent the last 6 months with random home improvement projects, one small piece at a time.

And in all that time, I wrote a little on a standalone project that would be completely separate from the Dead Dreamer lore. I’ll admit, I wasn’t able to write as much as I would have liked to due to all of these things happening, but any progress is good progress.

And recently I found out my publisher, the Parliament House Press has undergone a change in ownership, which means the new owner has decided to drop various books from their catalogue. Now, when this was announced, I was not surprised. I’d been seeing the signs (though too busy to react to it or feel anything regarding it), and knew they’d reduce the catalogue because for a small publisher, it was way too big to handle, especially with new ownership.

Some of the signs I’d noticed:

New Covers which were promised in Summer of 2022 were never deliveredAudiobooks were never delivered (except for TDITD)Radio Silence on communication

So I waited and eventually received the email that my Dead Dreamer series would be dropped. It was sad to read, but it felt like the time was right. I’m ready for a change. Though I appreciate Parliament House Press for working with me to get my work out there, I understand this happens. It’s a business – totally get it.

My book series is also a difficult one to market, I definitely know that. Whenever you search for “Paranormal” books, it’s almost ALWAYS partnered with the word “romance.” A word I hate and a genre I don’t write.

Brenna Whit is a smart-alec character with a salty perspective on everything and she’s ace (technical demi-sexual), but it’s not openly discussed. She is a mirror of myself. I took my experiences living in a haunted home and gave the spirits names and personalities. I gave myself the history I thought I would have if I had ever become a Dead Dreamer myself.

Nephesburg College is based off the University of Lynchburg because it mirrored where I went to college/grad school – of course without the Gatekeepers and such…that we know of… But I chose to reflect that part of my life because those were some of the best years for me. Though I’m sure Brenna would not agree from her perspective…

Needless to say, the Dead Dreamer series is my first book baby. The entire series. And [SPOILER ALERT] I still find it SUPER ironic I wrote about a mysterious illness ravishing the campus of Nephesburg College in 2011 and that book published in 2020…Just SHEER irony.

I hope to find a new home for the series and I appreciate the support everyone has continued to send me over the years in this long and difficult journey.

Wish me luck!

The Dead Dreamer Series

The final installment in the Dead Dreamer series

Although TO FLY THE RAVEN is still in the Line Edits phase, it is available for preorder! Click the links below to reserve your copy today!

Kindle – Amazon
Nook – Barnes & Noble
Paperback – The Parliament House

The final installment to the Dead Dreamer series.

Bridget and Ashley are dead.
The Gatekeepers are in shambles.
No one is safe as the soul controls the body.

Trapped inside herself, Brenna must face her past while watching Maura lay waste to all those in her path. But even Maura cannot ignore a deal once it’s been struck. Both Brenna and Maura will need to come to terms with what is to come and prepare for the final battle.

The fate of the Fade will be decided.
All questions will be answered.
The dead will save the living.
And a contract must be fulfilled.

Well –
I’ve thought about
Struggled with it
Drank about it
And now I’ve done it
I officially have a Patreon Account:

[image error] Sarah Lampkin – Author Patreon Account

After doing a TikTok live today in preparation for the release of TO REAP THE SPIRIT (Dead Dreamer Book #3), I learned that many of my followers want to get their hands on some signed swag and/or books! COVID ruined any chance of going to conferences to meet readers and offer signed books. And COVID also hit me personally, so it’s more difficult for me to get copies of books I can mail out, signed for contests and such. So, I thought, why not open a Patreon and offer it as a Tier reward. Not to mention I could even open up contests within!

This is all new to me and I’m still figuring it out, but it’s worth a shot! Check it out today!

Ah and I forgot. I created a Discord Server to add to the fun of the Patreon and Dead Dreamer world within the Tiers!

Join the Ghosties and let’s talk Paranormal!

Yesterday, my book achieved something I never thought was humanly possible.

[image error]

Amazingly, my book hit the Amazon best seller list in three separate categories AND was under the Top 500 books in the Kindle Store!

[image error]

Chances of this happening again are slim, so I felt the need to write a quick post and show the world what my book has achieved. I am still in relative shock and honestly can’t believe it. I hope those who have purchased my book enjoy it and I’m so thankful they are willing to give ti a chance, especially coming from an unknown writer like myself.

Sale ends Sunday, August 30, 2020, so be sure to grab your copy before it ends! 

And don’t forget! TO REAP THE SPIRIT (Dead Dreamer Book Three) releases this October! Once I have pre-order links I will post them everywhere! I can’t wait to continue this journey with you into the world of Dead Dreamer.

I had the amazing opportunity to join in on Da Average Boys Podcast!

We talk comic books, movies, tv shows, and my upcoming book: TO REAP THE SPIRIT (Dead Dreamer Book Three) which releases 10/23/2020

 

Are we in strange times?[image error]

Yup.

But you know what can help?

Some comedic relief!

Check out Episode 2 of the Sarcastic Songbirds!

[image error]It’s Friday the 13th!

My absolute favorite day (with the exception of Halloween, of course)!

This Friday is particularly special because there are two things happening! Not only are you going to finally see the cover for TO REAP THE SPIRIT, but you’re also going to be able to check out my first podcast with my best friends!

We’re still trying to figure somethings out, but we’ve decided to do this podcast to help encourage our self-esteem but also talk about some of our favorite things: gaming, star wars, more gaming, etc.! I’ll post when it’s live!

But first things first…

TA-DAH!
[image error]

The third installment in the haunting Dead Dreamer series.

Somehow Brenna Whit has survived to her junior year at Nephesburg College. Despite all odds, she’s fought against the Gatekeepers and lived. But the battle for the Fade has only just begun.

New pieces have been added to the board.

The Fade opens to the Veil.

And a Shade from the past returns.

With Brenna’s secret out, everyone is after her: dead and living alike. Those from across the sea have come and they’re determined regain control of their broken faction.

Questions will be answers

Fires will be lit

Chaos will reign

[image error]

The cover for TO REAP THE SPIRIT has officially been unveiled! 

I am so excited for this cover. Although still matching the first two books of my series, this book changes things.

TO REAP THE SPIRIT will change everything you know about Brenna and her fight for the Fade and this cover reflects that battle with the colors and the new Brenna.

Get ready for a wild ride…

Add to your TBR list now!

Now! Let’s change up topics

Podcast Talk!

[image error]

My friends and I have finally decided to start a podcast/Youtube Channel. We’re a chaotic group, full of random topics to talk about and hilarious stories. Our first episode will be about our favorite video games as we’re hardcore gamers! Check it out today and share if you like!

Don’t forget to like and subscribe as we get started!

As an indie author, I have to take over the marketing of my work and push it everywhere I possibly can, which means coming out of my comfort zone. So, I started a TikTok (@Sarcastic_Viking) and it’s slowly growing.

[image error]

One of my posts garnered a lot of attention and it has to do with how I advertise my books. I threw my books out there as a series with very little romance and all paranormal. I was shocked at the amount of people who seemed to have been searching for a book like mine.

I’ve been told my books wouldn’t sell because there is no sex or no strong romance to root for. And honestly, my response has always been to shrug and say, “Oh well.” Because I didn’t write the DEAD DREAMER series to make millions or become famous. I wrote the DEAD DREAMER series to fill a void that I was feeling when trying to find something to read.

[image error]

As a woman who is self-reliant and extremely independent, I struggled to find a book with a strong main character I could relate to (Of course there are many books like this out there, I’m sure, I was just having a hard time finding them). Feeling ambitious, I decided to fill a void I saw. So I began writing my first book.

The series has grown over the last 10 years and has changed any times. I will admit, I almost fell into the trope pit and almost turned into a tragic romance. But at the end of last year, I started editing TO REAP THE SPIRIT (Dead Dreamer Book 3) and I HATED IT. I wrote it 5 years ago, and I thought it was my favorite. But it wasn’t. It showed where I was faltering in my beliefs when it came to the series.

To make sure I wouldn’t falter, I made a hard decision. I deleted the entire book with only two months before it was due to my publisher for edits to make the October 2020 publication date. I knew it was going to stress me out and would cause me to have many panic attacks because of the impending deadline with the holidays and deadlines at my day job. But I have no regrets.

The end of 2019 was so stressful, I wasn’t sure I’d make it. Not only was I rewriting an entire book that was over 100k words, I was beginning the process of creating my audio-books, starting my TikTok, and creating buzz on social media for the holidays. Then 2020 happened, and we all know how well January went…needless to say, it was a cluster-f***.

[image error]But I was able to meet my pushed deadline. And now I’m even more proud of my DEAD DREAMER series. Brenna has grown as a person, learning how to control her venomous tongue, and treat others with kindness even if she doesn’t like them. And despite those around her pushing her to find someone, she stands firm on her own.

As a woman, she would welcome a partner. However, she doesn’t fight for one. Brenna is focused on her mission as a Dead Dreamer and her life as a student. There is so much at risk, and finding someone to love her isn’t part of her agenda. She’d rather stand strong alone then settle for someone who cannot support her strength and beliefs.

That is the main character I was searching for as I grew up. A woman who didn’t have to feel needed by another person. A woman who stands strong in her own beliefs. A woman who isn’t afraid to tell the truth and the rejection it can bring.

[image error]

Welcome to the Filles Vertes Publishing MASKS blog hop!