The last week has been miserable as I battle congestion and drowsiness brought on by medication and the inability to sleep with my sinuses clogged. Yesterday, I dozed away in front of the television. Waking up periodically, twice to change stations, I can accurately list my viewing activity:
Hallow Mass back cover. You can read it better on the page.
Bookish Community Responds to Hallow Mass Giveaway
In less than a month, over a thousand readers requested a free signed copy of my just-released horror novel. 15 have been selected by all-wise algorithms and will receive their copies soon. This time around, Goodreads has favored the Commonwealth with six winners in Great Britain, three in Canada, one in Australia, leaving four in the U.S.A. A welcome to all and I hope you enjoy the book. Comments on Goodreads and Amazon are appreciated. Even a brief "loved it" and/or "hated it" line is sufficient.
Horror Novel Now Live
All who pre-ordered Kindle versions should've been notified that their books have been delivered. So I've been assured by Amazon authority. Those ordering paperbacks—such as book resellers—will have to wait a few days, but time passes swiftly in the digital age and the hours will fly past like a great robin.
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:
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:
Since the book I'm writing now will contain kaiju, I thought to link to a handy size comparison for those writing similar works, or merely curious. (Much more at the link. )
Only a few days left—four to be precise—to enter for a chance to win a free signed copy of my upcoming horror novel Hallow Mass. Kirkus Reviews called it "an entertaining addition to the genre of occult fiction." Find out why by clicking below for the opportunity to snag one of 15 copies.
"A university gets ensnared in a paranormal battle over a dangerous book in this debut horror novel."
The waiting is over—for me.
Kirkus Reviews has delivered the verdict on Hallow Mass and it is positive. The venerable book reviewing magazine has found that "Wit and humor color the novel . . . ."
Yes, there are a few dings, but overall a wholesome accounting. Read the rest here.
What happens from this point is any one's guess, but the book remains on track to publish next Friday, April 29. The eBook version is available now for pre-order.
The paperback edition, with appropriate quotes from the review, will be ready by the release date. Or, should you feel fortunate, Goodreads is conducting a giveaway of 15 signed copies, slated to end next Thu. April 28. Try your luck for a book written with "wit and humor."
But don't take it from me. I'm just quoting someone.
A word about Amazon.com publishing. In using their pre-order function, you must upload the final manuscript ten days before release. For me, that was yesterday at the stroke of midnight. The penalties for missing the deadline are stark: all your pre-orders are cancelled, plus you are banned from the pre-order function for a year.
Due to a simple error, the deadline was missed by several hours. I contacted them and explained the situation. They were decent enough to give me a one-time pass on the dire consequences. If they hadn't, I'd be typing here, bitching like crazy. In fairness then, I should use this space to compliment Amazon for its discretion and generosity.
For 19 men fighting the Yarnell Hill fire, that shift was fatal. An elite firefighting crew, the Granite Mountain Hotshots battled a wildfire outside Prescott, Arizona on June 30, 2013. As a thunderstorm brought in heavy winds that changed the fire's direction, the men left a safe spot in order to move to another position. Caught by a wall of flame, they were 'burned over,' leaving behind grieving relatives and many questions.
Author Dickman, a former wilderness firefighter, might have taken time to map out the movements of the doomed crew. It was difficult to follow his narration. Also, he writes out the men's thoughts, particularly during the last moments of life, adding an unnecessary fictional element to a story that needs no extra dramatization.
Dickman does a good job of describing hotshot culture as well as the last few months of mostly young men engaged in a difficult occupation. The pacing is fast and builds toward a tragedy that, despite two investigations and lawsuits, still remains a mystery.
Meanwhile, Hallow Mass inches toward an April 29 release. May you pre-order a Kindle copy? Why, yes! Thanks for inquiring. Paperback versions will be available on the release date.
Or you may click a button for a shot at receiving a signed copy of my horror tale over at Goodreads. Decide as you will and may the rest of the day pass in quiet and a general sense of well-being.
