Lovecraft Halloween Fusion

Hot Horror Novel Features Fight Against Great Old Ones

Bookangel has me down in the lower right corner. 

My hot horror novel, if you must know. Over at Bookangel, Hallow Mass is being promoted to readers in the British Isles. Show our European cousins that you share their commitment to quality horror tales and snag your own copy of Mercy O'Connor's battles against demons, pc colleagues, her family and herself.  Here's a bit more from the book's extended description:

Fine reading for your Halloween pleasure. 

Paul Dini Turns Tough Times into Comic Relief

Animation Ace Pens Graphic Batman Novel Based on Real Life Events 

Back in the day at Warner Bros., I recall Paul Dini describing the beating he took at the hands of two muggers. He was pounded pretty good. As is the way of violence, it lingered in his life for decades. But Dini has finally found a way to turn the attack to good use. He's written a graphic novel built around his experience and its aftermath. Twenty-three years later, according to the LA Weekly, "in Dark Night, Dini tells his tale in a way that connects the trauma to the crime fighters and criminals who lived in his [TV animation] work."

With art by Eduardo Risso, Dark Night:A True Batman Story depicts the Caped Crusader "as the savior who helps a discouraged man recover from a brutal attack that left him unable to face the world."

The Weekly article feels the story "benefits from the perspective of years past. Says Dini, 'I had to go beyond it and I had to reach this point of, I survived and that's enough."

Paul Dini via blurppy

In addition, ". . . Dini wasn't just better able to revisit the attack but also he could see the benefit of sharing his story with others. 'I began thinking, maybe there are people who have gone through things like this, or similar tragedies, and that's arrested their life in some way,' he says. 'Maybe this could be a way of telling people that if someone life me could get through a situation like this, then they could, too.'

Dark Night: A True Batman Story went out to comic book shops yesterday and will everywhere in the bookish world June 21.

Good for you, Paul. The pre-orders look solid. I hope it sells a ton.

Alien Scum Art

Image: Heavy smokers, these alien scum. 

UFO Bastards Aim to Trash Earth  

As I warm into my next book—and first sci-fi effort—that will feature massive kaiju battling alien scum, I've been searching for inspirational artwork to fire me up. I've begun a fine collection over on Pinterest. But here are a few other selections:

Pallas@Deviant Art: 

Love the saucer's retro look, the isolated farm house, the sense of menace. 

Image 

Let's hope the chains hold. Of course, others felt the same way about King Kong.

GalleryHip

This is more like it. Suck up the population with lift-o lights. Then what, I ask you?

My hope is to have the next book out and ready for Christmas 2016.

Using that as a promotional segue, paperback versions of Hallow Mass are now available. Book resellers have already purchased three. Official launch date is tomorrow, April 29. If so inclined, you can pre-order your Kindle copy or click to order a version in durable, old school paper, complete with complimentary back cover blurb from Kirkus Reviews and my new author photo. 

While I'm hawking things, there are only a handful of hours lift to win a free signed copy of said hot new horror novel, Hallow Mass. 15 copies will be mailed out to 15 winners. All you need do for a chance to win is click the button below:

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Hallow Mass

by J.P. Mac

Giveaway ends April 28, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

How Much 'Science' Is Necessary in Science Fiction?

Author Wrestles with Proper SF Ratio

Attempting to move ahead with my next book, but keep hitting speed bumps. How much science do I need for verisimilitude in a sci-fi story?

Over the last week I've burrowed deep into the work of Tesla at Colorado Springs, his Wardenclyffe Tower, HAARP, Lenz's Law, Telluric current, Knot Theory, String Theory, and much more in the realm of quantum physics.

I'm growing to hate the whole project, but I can't start unless I know what result a certain character sought to achieve in the realm of science and what what wrong. (Then comes the relatively easy part: how do the characters deal with disaster.)

But last night while watching Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, it struck me that I don't need any heavy theory. Not really.

fanpop

There's a reason Stephen King's The Mist is listed a horror story and not sci-fi, even though something involving the fictional Arrowhead Project goes haywire and kicks everything off. We don't really need to know the science of popping open another dimension. All we really need to know is that it's a hazardous thing for people.

Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy also comes to mind when pondering light, breezy  space fiction.

And despite the setting in 'a galaxy far away,' Star Wars is often referred to as space opera and not science fiction.

So this morning I feel much better, rejuvenated, and ready to outline. Since I'm not bucking to publish in Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, all I require is starter science to get the story rolling, then put the characters in maximum jeopardy.

Speaking of books, and that's pretty much all I'm doing these days, Hallow Mass is in pre-order for Kindle editions.

Or, if you feel fortunate, you might enter a giveaway for a free signed copy, courtesy of Goodreads.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Hallow Mass

by J.P. Mac

Giveaway ends April 28, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

And now, back to my rump science.

OregonMuse Delivers First Review of Hallow Mass

Michael Komarck via Space Cadets

Nods to Upcoming Horror Novel

Thanks to OregonMuse, who honchos the Sunday Morning Book Thread over at Ace of Spades HQ. He reviewed my Lovecraftian effort,  Hallow Mass:

"In Dunwich, Massachusetts, only a small, beleaguered band in the Antiquities Section at Miskatonic University is keeping back trans-dimensional horrors from wiping all human life from earth in preparation for the return of the Great Old Ones . . .

Into this simmering conflict steps Mercy O'Connor, an aimless party girl grad student in the Antiquities Section who has yet to find herself or her place in life. She's about to be thrust to the front lines of the age-old battle against ultimate evil . . .  

I liked this book very much. I loved the characters, the bad guys are suitably creepy . . . "

If so motivated, scroll down to What I'm Reading and scope out the rest. 

Hallow Mass is available for pre-order at Amazon. Pre-order delivers you the eBook version on the April 29, release date, but fine durable paperbacks will also be awaiting you at that time. I know this. I know it well.

If you're feeling fit and fortunate, then you might ready yourself for a Goodreads Giveaway starting in three days. 15 signed paperback copies of Hallow Mass will be mailed free of charge to fifteen readers selected via Goodreads algorithms. All you need do is sign up. 

Are you more visually orientated than most? Then stop by here and view a 63-second Hallow Mass book trailer. Or visit BookReels, a site specializing in trailers for the written word. In Staff Picks, check out the trailers for Hallow Mass and Fifty Shades of Zane Grey.  

Oh, what a Sunday. I'm buried in technical details for my next book, a sci-fi effort. Something says I'm overthinking everything, but eventually, I'll burn through the verisimilitude stuff and start writing. 

A happy April weekend to all. 

Hallow Mass Trailer Staff Pick on BookReels

BookReels

Kindly Book Trailer Site Salutes Upcoming Horror Novel Promo

For the second time in the last few weeks, BookReels has seen fit to promote one of my book trailers in its featured spot. Hallow Mass is now available for eBook pre-order on Amazon.com, slated to go live April 29.

In the screen grab above, do note that Fifty Shades of Zane Grey is still visible as a Staff Pick. I like BookReels.   

Hallow Mass Horror Novel Inches Toward Pre-Order

hqwallbase

Lovecraftian Tale Driving Author Mad

Mostly with little details: Library of Congress, ISBN, front and back matter, reviewer copies, new back cover head shots by photo ace Dan Hoffman. All combine to weary me. On a darker note, they are a perfect excuse not to be writing the next book. "Well, I have to research." "I must contact this artist about promotional artwork." "I need to spend hours on Pinterest, checking out sc-fi boards." Any and every excuse not to write the first draft. But the worst is over once that's done. This I know from experience. 

Upside: I'm in charge of the creative process.

Downside: (See Upside.)

Goodreads Paperback Giveaway Ends Soon

Act Today to Receive a Free Softcover Edition

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Fifty Shades of Zane Grey

by JP Mac

Giveaway ends March 14, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Make that a CHANCE for a free SIGNED edition. (Not worth much now, but I have dreams.) At last count, 579 readers had signed up to learn more about the lives and loves of Anna Ironhead, seeking romance and a bedbug-free room in the Old West. Here is a brief video, explaining her quest.



While on the subject of self-promotion, the keen-eyed folk at BookReels continue to feature Fifty Shades of Zane Grey on the front page. Slowly, I slide to the right, but it's been an enjoyable electronic movement.

50ZG is one in from the right.

Now I return to Hallow Mass. The first book trailer is ready, awaiting a pdf draft that I will release to reviewers. Then it's up on Amazon for pre-order. This is not a parody, but an actual book about people in ugly situations involving warlocks, black magic, and drinking too many mimosas. Due to release on April 29.

My arm is weary from patting myself on the back.  

Staff Pick on BookReels

BookReels

Fifty Shades of Zane Grey Book Trailer 1 Scores a Hit

Nice to be appreciated. The kind workers over at BookReels have plunked my first 50ZG Trailer onto the front page. Furthermore, they complimented the work over on Twitter calling it "super clever." 

Considering I lost my wallet last Monday and had a nasty urinary tract infection keeping me up all night on Friday, this is the best news I've had in six days. 

Building Book Trailers, Smashwords Launch, and Missing Wallet

Andrzej Krauze via Inside Policy

Writer Bedeviled by Software, Bureaucracy

More on my paperwork woes in a moment. The second trailer for Fifty Shades of Zane Grey is now up over on YouTube. (As well as linked on Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest.) Shorter with more competent editing, it captures the book's flavor and hopefully brings the viewer a smile or two. The weak point remains the voice overs. I need a good microphone. Come to think of it, Garageband would be a excellent place to mix the voice over and track, but it would require learning Garageband and I'm awash in iMovie tutorials at the moment. 

Book Trailers Three, Four and Five

Amazon pre-order March 11

First on the list is Hallow Mass. By next week, I hope, Hallow Mass will be available for pre-order on Amazon. I'll build a pair of trailers teasing the April 29 release. Since the book isn't entirely humorous, crafting the message will take a little thought. The fifth trailer will be for the current book I'm writing in between trailers, Kaiju vs Alien Scum. A man sets out to take his elderly aunt to Walmart for a white sale and finds himself caught between cruel alien invaders and a big fat monster. In any case, I've been impressed by the business model of author Jeremy Robinson who makes trailers for works-in-progress. 

Smashwords Welcomes Fifty Shades of Zane Grey

They have and I'm delighted to be listed there. The book is on sale through Monday, March 7. Save a buck and buy an eBook (or PDF) for a pleasant weekend read. 

Ah, the Government

On Monday, I lost my wallet containing driver's license, medical card, credit cards, Social Security number, the lot. So I call around and cancel everything. Charming. Online, I make an appointment for the Department of Motor Vehicles for a new license. They say I'll need a Social Security card to prove I'm a citizen.  So SSN is the first stop. Because I lack certain documentation, I can't do my business online. I had a passport, and, though it was expired, thought it might serve as proof of citizenship. I wanted to call SSN and double check but there is no incoming phone line for the general public to seek clarification on such matters. (Possibly dealing with the public's questions would interfere with their work.) 

At the office I stand in line just to get into the office, empty my pockets for the metal detector, then stand in another line at an electronic kiosk to input my need. Then I'm given a receipt and directed to hunt for a seat somewhere in the teaming sea of humanity, several of whom spoke English. 

Amazon

Time passes. I read Michel Houellebecq's  H.P. Lovecraft: Against the World, Against Life. (Fascinating stuff.) Two hours pass. I'm directed to a window where a young bureaucrat informs me that my passport is unacceptable. 

Me: "You understand that they don't issue passports to anyone but U.S. citizens.

Young Bureaucrat: "But it's expired."

Me: "But they issued it."

Young Bureaucrat: "The system will reject an expired passport. You could have your medical records notarized. We'd accept that."

My mouth gaped at the thought of trying to obtain my medical records, get them notarized, return with them to SSN, wait two hours, and hope nothing is expired. She continued:

Young Bureaucrat:  "Why don't you go to the Department of Motor Vehicles? They'll give you a temporary license. We'd accept that."

A supervisor was finally consulted and sided with the Young Bureaucrat. Steamed, I walked out, musing that the government didn't want a fraction of this proof when I joined the Marines. I was tempted to drive five hours south to Mexico, walk across the border, walk back, declare myself a refugee, and have all my documentation handed to me. 

Monday will be another test at the Department of Motor Vehicles, but at least I'll have an appointment.   

Enter Your Valentine in a Free Book Giveaway

Valentine's Day

Love is like a Cabbage

My love is like a cabbage
Divided into two,
The leaves I give to others,
The heart I give to you.

Author Unknown

On this day of romance, consider, then, a passionate tale of long ago love.
". . . this is very funny, very very silly and [the author] knows it. The story revels in it's own daftness, and the phrase 'completely cracked' came to mind several times while reading . . . Potential audiences would be 
anyone who likes adult humor, anyone who wants to see Fifty Shades get skewered, and readers who like satire or parody, or just downright silly books." - Bookangel

Ten signed copies of Fifty Shades of Zane Grey will be given away FREE starting, you know, TODAY. Register below for a shot at snagging a hilarious tale of romance and adventure set in the Old West.

Register anytime during the 30 days between today Feb. 14 and March 14. Sometime within that month, ten winners will be selected by the staff at Goodreads using methods both cryptic and mundane. (I can say no more.) Afterwards, I mail you and the nine other fortunate awardees a free signed copy in durable softcover. And I do it willingly, quickly, without delay, for such is my manner.

Does it matter that I live in Petone, New Zealand?

It matters not where you live as long as it's in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia. (I'm guessing New Zealand as well, but don't hold me to it. They have three islands, were you aware? But no one ever goes to the little one below South Island. It is a confinement zone for debtors and bad hobbit impersonators.) So put forth your name for a chance to win a FREE COPY of Fifty Shades of Zane Grey. You'll be a part of something different.

 Click the button below. You will be then be entered through the marvel's of today's technology. As they say in New Zealand, good on you.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Fifty Shades of Zane Grey

by JP Mac

Giveaway ends March 14, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Valentine's Day Free Book Giveaway

". . . this is very funny, very very silly and [the author] knows it. The story revels in it's own daftness, and the phrase 'completely cracked' came to mind several times while reading . . . Potential audiences would be anyone who likes adult humor, anyone who wants to see Fifty Shades get skewered, and readers who like satire or parody, or just downright silly books." - Bookangel

50ZG Could Be Yours For the Click of a Button

Ten signed copies of Fifty Shades of Zane Grey will be given away FREE starting at midnight on Valentine's Day. Register for a shot at snagging a hilarious tale of romance and adventure set in the Old West.

Ah, but when do I register for this fabulous book discount?

Register anytime during the 30 days between Feb. 14 and March 14. Sometime within that month, ten winners will be selected by the staff at Goodreads using methods both cryptic and mundane. (I can say no more.) Afterwards, I mail you and the nine other fortunate awardees a free signed copy in durable softcover. And I do it willingly, quickly, without delay, for such is my manner.

Does it matter that I live in Petone, New Zealand?

It matters not where you live as long as it's in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia. (I'm guessing New Zealand as well, but don't hold me to it. They have three islands, were you aware? But no one ever goes to the little one below South Island. It is a confinement zone for debtors and bad hobbit impersonators.) So watch your calendar and stand ready to put forth your name for a chance to win a FREE COPY of Fifty Shades of Zane Grey. You'll be a part of something different.

I know it's early. I know there are five days between now and Valentine's Day. But I'm so excited I couldn't wait. Coming this SUNDAY, February 14, I will repost this succinct message. Mark your calendar, then click the button below. (Click now, if you wish, but nothing will happen good or bad.) You will be then be entered through the marvel's of today's technology. As they say in New Zealand, good on you.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Fifty Shades of Zane Grey

by JP Mac

Giveaway ends March 14, 2016.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Free Horror Story Sample Online

 

Pages Up at Goodreads

The prologue for my upcoming horror novel, Hallowmass, is available for your viewing pleasure over at Goodreads. Depending on the response, I may add up to two more gratis, bargain, discount, free chapters. Here's the blurb:

Party-loving grad student Mercy O'Connor must choose to set down the mimosas and follow in her family's footsteps by learning powerful magic, the only weapon that can check the diabolical warlocks of Dunwich, Massachusetts and their scheme to see all life on the planet eradicated by monstrous beings. Aided by a country & western loving Zulu security guard, Mercy must first find the belief, then the confidence, then the courage to battle her terrifying foes and stop the earth from being drug into another dimension.

Cover art is on the way here. I'm setting the book up for pre-order on Amazon for an April 30th release. Lovecraft fans may recognize that day as Walpurgis Night, a fitting launch date for a horror novel.

Horror Story Sample Uploads Soon

Blastr

Friday is the day and Goodreads is the Place

A successful Kindle promo for Fifty Shades of Zane Grey concluded Monday. If you missed your chance, know that the e-version will be discounted over on Smashwords. Yes, the bargains never stop as the romantic story of young Anna Ironhead and wealthy Lash Grey may be obtained at a lower price pending the March 3 Smashwords release. As an aside, if you like reading on your phone, then Smashwords is a most friendly place.

Now on to Hallowmass. (No link yet, just italics.) Cover art is cooking away and should be ready for display quite soon. On Friday, January 29, the prologue will up up at my Goodreads page. (A link will be provided in two short days.) The story of a party girl grad student who must put down her mimosas and battle a malicious warlock for the fate of the Earth is set for an April 30th release. Ah, but you've heard that before. And well you have. But I want to take advantage of Goodreads Book Giveaway as well as the Amazon Kindle Direct Pre-Order. (Starting, I hope, in February.)

I'd rather be writing, but an unprompted book does no one any good.

Free Kindle Book Breaks Top Fifty

Amazon Bargain eBook #47 in Westerns

Fifty Shades of Zane Grey ascends in the west while rising higher in the top free eBooks on all of Kindle. This humorous Old West tale of a young woman's search for self-confidence and romance while battling multiple personalities—including an Inner Canadian Goose—has taken the world of bargain books by storm. Actually not a storm; more of a crisp rain with heavy gusts. Nonetheless, only four days remain to advantage yourself of this astounding discount. And bargain. A discount and a bargain eBook, as I've been instructed to type by SEO people.

Fifty Shades of Black Attacks

Least you think the spoofing of Fifty Shades of Grey has evaporated, Marlon Wayans will be lampooning the mega hit book and film starting next week on January 29. Funny trailer.

h/t: Movieclips Trailers

Fifty Shades of Zane Grey Rising in Kindle Romance

Book angel.co.uk

Amazon Category Switch to Romance/Western Boosts Downloads

That's just a guess. I switched 50ZG from Satire and Humor to the above category for my five-day free Kindle giveaway. At first, I thought it a dumb move, trying to improve my rating. But so far this first morning I'm at #116 with a bullet as they used to say in the music trade. 

If you haven't read Fifty Shades of Zane Grey, now is an excellent time to obtain a free copy and enjoy the Old West tale of young Anna Ironhead, who struggles to learn that passion comes in many shades but true love is a primary color. And also that a broken heart hurts less than an Arapaho arrow.

Many thanks to the following sites for promoting 50ZG on their free Kindle lists:

Ignite Your Book

Awesomegang

Bookangel

FreeBooks

Bargain! Discount! Free eBook! These are vital keywords. I'll post more updates soon.

Free Kindle Copy of Fifty Shades of Zane Grey Romance

Romantic Comedy Giveaway Starts Thursday

Humor, passion, a love triangle—make that a love quadrangle—beset the heroine of this complicated hilarious tale set in the Old West. And if you own a fine e reader, feel free to download yourself a free copy between Thursday and Monday midnight Pacific Time Jan. 21 to the 25. If the spirit moves you, please leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads and beef up my algorithms. 

Having just learned that my Kindle Direct membership ends in early February, I'm using up all my free promotional giveaway days and readers like you are the beneficiaries. Here's what I had to say over at Goodreads:

Free Kindle Copy of Fifty Shades of Zane Grey

Event for JP Mac (edit)

Date:	January 21, 2016    12:00AM -- January 25, 2016    12:00AM
RSVP by:	January 25, 2016    11:59PM
Venue:	Amazon Page for Fifty Shades of Zane Grey, US
Type:	other
Website:	http://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Shades-Zane-Grey-Mac-ebook/dp/B00TCTS33G/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1423450362&sr=1-3&keywords=Fifty+Shades+of+Zane+Grey
Added by:	JP Mac

description

Gallup along with a free Kindle version of this romantic comedy in which shy dishwasher Anna Ironhead is courted by wealthy Old West railroad tycoon Lash Grey. Will young Anna fall for the passionate pleadings of her wealthy suitor and his mysterious Trap Room? Or will one of Anna's cowboy beaus win her heart? More laughs than lewd, this humorous romantic tale twists and turns as Anna struggles to learn that while passion comes in many shades, true love is a primary color.