Thursday, December 27, 2012

Meet the Awesome Author - Sara Brooke

Today, I'm very happy to host an amazing new voice in horror.  Author Sara Brooke is taking the world by storm and is giving horror readers a fresh, unique perspective into the genre.


I'm very excited to share with you that my new horror novel, The Zyne Project, is now available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble in eversion. Bram Stoker Award-Winner Joe Mckinney calls it "A Zombie outbreak like no other...Medical Research hasn't been this frightening since Michael Crichton!" I hope you get a chance to check it out and appreciate your support.
- Sara

Travel around the internet with Sara Brooke as she hangs out with some cool bloggers. Stops include reviews, guest posts, special excerpts and giveaways of Sara Brooke’s complete library. To stalk Sara and find out where she will be next, head over toFreeBookDude.com for a complete listing

The Zyne Project Synopsis:
Six people agree to participate in a first-of-its-kind clinical trial. They’re ready to change the face of science, but they’re the ones who start changing. As each subject succumbs to the horror of the trial, they begin to turn against each other…and discover the nightmare within. What was supposed to be a medical breakthrough is turning regular people into something unimaginable. And there may be a deeper truth even more frightening than the beastly evolution occurring...


And now, a few words from Sara:

What scares me – Author, Sara Brooke

A reader recently told me that she had to read my novels with the lights on in her bedroom, and that each night she suffered from insomnia because she kept on thinking about all of the scary stuff she’d ingested. She then looked at me with tired eyes and asked, “So, what scares you?”

Now, she isn’t the first person to ask me this question.  Being a horror novelist, people expect you to be immune to fear and revel in the unknown.

I’ll agree that my preferences are scary movies and books, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get scared. Quite the contrary. 

Many things frighten me.  

Zombies, for some reason, frighten me.  I think their untamed nature to sneak up on you when you least expect it, the fact that they’re dead and decaying, and their ability to convert you into a mindless, drooling creature – still scares me.  Shows like “The Walking Dead” and others are interesting reminders of how fragile our society is.  If part of our carefully crafted world moves out of place, then what we know as normalcy disappears.

Supernatural horror frightens me as well. I’ve had many occurrences throughout my lifetime that lead me to believe that there is more out there than meets the eye.  In my mind, it is foolhardy to think that life is as simple as it appears through a 2D or 3D lens.  Enough eyewitness documentation exists to suggest that we are not alone, and that the dead sometimes do watch over us.

Sometimes, fear is akin to being a believer in the things we can’t quite understand or describe fully (without feeling a little silly).  People who are not afraid of ghosts, demons, or the possibility of something from another dimension, often don’t believe in those things either.  So, it is easy to be fearless, when there’s no chance of anything happening.

Again, I’ve had these phenomena happen to me, so I do believe.  And I use my nightmares and experiences to help craft different novels.

What doesn’t scare me?

I’ve never been frightened by slasher movies.  First of all, they’re always the same.  You start out with a group of people and slowly, but surely, one person wanders off (usually to take a piss) and is killed.  Then the next person is killed, and the next.  Honestly, I can’t understand why these films are so popular.  They’re downright boring and use the same formula every time.

So, no…I am not afraid of Friday the 13th or Halloween movies. Well, maybe when I was 11 or 12 years old, but definitely not now.

One crazy thing that haunts me (and maybe I have a disorder of some type) is leaving the console light on in my car and draining the battery.

You may think I’m nuts, but that’s happened to me before and it sucks.  

At the time, I had to find someone to jump the car, and then take it to the shop and that is a nightmare in itself.  So, every time I park my car somewhere, I’m always double-checking to make sure the lights inside aren’t on. Sometimes, I’ll even walk away and then come back to the car to check.

Is anyone else afraid of this?  I certainly hope so…otherwise I’ll have myself committed.

What scares you?

If you are terrified of zombies, medical contagion, and a chaotic nightmare that unravels quickly – give The Zyne Project a read…I think you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Thank you for the post, Sara!

If you want to follow Sara on the remainder of her blog tour - the dates and websites are listed below.

Friday, December 28 - My Cozie Corner
   Review of 'The Zyne Project'
Tuesday, January 1 - Zombie A.C.R.E.S.
   Interview with Sara Brooke





Monday, December 17, 2012

My Thoughts on the Newtown Massacre

I get asked often why I write horror and the answer is really quite simple - to face the demons inside my own head. What kind of demons, you may well ask. Those demons that come with being a human being. They are the things I fear, the things I'd rather sweep under the rug and never confront. Horror allows me to do that in a safe way, it allows me to write those fears in a way that I can deal with them and not hurt anyone in the process.

With that said - No monster, no horror that I can conceive of can compete with the evil monsters that walk daily among us. As this latest shooting has once again proved, monsters exist in the real world and they may live next door to us, down the street or be a part of the groups we hang out with. We just don't know - until their evil is revealed.

My heart breaks for the families of the 27 dead in Newtown - I have cried nearly as many tears over this tragedy as I did after 9/11. I, like I'm sure many others, found myself glued to the television screen watching the events as they unfolded that afternoon. Then I couldn't take it anymore. I shut off the TV and bawled like a baby.

So I turned to Facebook to see if my friends were feeling the same grief that I was. Many were, but many were not. Some were angry - which is fine, I was angry also. But some made me disappointed to know them. Status updates were flying - pushing this social agenda or this religions hate-mongering. Pointing fingers at this 'right' or that one. I had to turn that off also. It was just too much for my already bleeding heart.

I don't know what the solution is to this kind of problem we have with people with guns deliberately going out to kill everyone who crosses their path. Something is lacking in the moral fiber of these people. And I'm not talking God, religion or any type of faith. I'm talking about being human - with compassion, empathy, respect and humanity to one another. That is basic to being human, or least I've always thought so.

I do know that the only 'person' to blame is that young man who picked up those guns. Mentally ill or not - he was the responsible one. You can blame the guns if you want, you can blame the 'lack' of God or the 'will' of God if you so choose. You can choose to blame the media, television & movie violence, what ever - bottom line - he picked up the guns. I choose to believe in personal responsibility.

Comparing this mass shooting to others only takes away from this one. Our focus should be on these families right now that are facing a Christmas without their loved ones and whose future Christmas' will never be as happy as they should be.

It's time to tone it down. Hug your kids, grandkids, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Evil exists and no matter what laws are passed - it always will. Use your words for the benefit and uplifting of others - quit trying to turn everything into a us versus them mentality. This is a tragedy beyond believe, let's quit treating it like many treated the election cycle this year. We don't need more hate in the world.

But for me, thinking I'm going to stay off my newsfeed on Facebook - seeing people act like rabid dogs only serves to break my heart more. Instead, I think I'll wrap gifts for my grandkids and bask in the love I feel for them and my children. And maybe write a bit.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Next Big Thing


Recently, author Matthew Darst (author of "Dead Thing" available on Amazon) asked me if I'd like to participate in The Next Big Thing. What is The Next Big Thing? It's a ten question author interview.   When this blog roll began, the idea was to tag five other others to do the same next week.  Well, being the rebel that I am (and since most authors I know have already done this), instead I am going to give links to the authors I've read and loved their work.  Hope you don't mind :)

THE NEXT BIG THING!

What is the working title of your next book?

The Profiler - at least at this point.  May change as I go along.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

From the Bob Berdella case in Kansas City, Mo in the 80s.  It was the first time I had actually met a serial killer, although at the time I didn't know that.

What genre does your book fall under?

Serial killer fiction/horror/thriller - any of those will do.

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

I rarely think about that.  The only time I did was for my novella Vengeance Is Mine and that was only because I did adapt it to a screenplay.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Ordinary people are rarely ordinary.

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

Self.  I like being in control.

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

It's a long way from finished, only about 20,000 words in at the moment.  Hoping to have it complete by the early summer.

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

William Cook's "Blood Related" and many other serial killer books.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Curiosity inspired me to write this as I was intrigued by what went on in a serial killers mind.  But without my wonderfully supportive husband, Kevin, I wouldn't have had the nerve to write or publish anything.

What else about the book might pique the reader's interest?

Lots of research into serial killers.  Although Bob Berdella first captured my attention, I've now read hundreds of different bios and the reader will be able to identify the elements of many of them into my killers.

The following authors, in no particular order) are my favorites and I will read just about anything they write:

Billie Sue Mosiman

Bryan Hall

John Paul Allen

Jeffrey Kosh

Jaime Johnsee

William Cook

Paul D. Marks

Armand Rosamilia

CW LaSart

RJ Parker

Richard Schiver

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Terry's Thoughts and Threads: Beneath the Tor by Kat Yares

What an absolutely stunning and wonderful review of Beneath the Tor!

Terry's Thoughts and Threads: Beneath the Tor by Kat Yares: Kat Yares' novel, Beneath the Tor , is a compelling retelling of the beginnings of Christianity. Her inclusive version recalls many w...

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Just a Few Updates

For those with Amazon Prime memberships, my book Beneath the Tor can be borrowed for free for the next ten days. After that, that option will be gone. So if you planned to do this, now is the time.

Have updated the blog with pages for each of my books - follow the links at the top and you can find individual descriptions along with where to buy them in one easy format. Might make life easier for all of us :)

In other things pertaining to the written word - after all the work to get both Beneath the Tor and The XIII out this fall - I'm taking a slight break over the holidays. Beginning in January, I'll be returning to my horror roots writing a new serial killer novel currently titled The Profiler. Have had this one in mind for a long time and I think it will be fun to write.

On the publishing side of things - I have completely branched out. After the 14th, all of my books will be available in almost any eBook format you desire and at whatever retailer you choose to use. I think this is the wave of Indie publishing - all eggs in one basket is no longer the way to go.

On the personal side - this little break does give me time to read and review other books. I have a ton waiting for me on my Kindle and now, I'll actually have a chance to read at least a few of them.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

The XIII - available for most eReaders


Available today - THE XIII in a variety of eReader formats.  Print version coming next week :)

For over two thousand years, the patriarchal heads of thirteen families have ruled the world from the shadows. When adopted Maria Sanchez marries the wealthy, good looking Joshua Christenson III, she has no idea of who he really is or the ancestry of their child she carries. As the new generation of the thirteen take their places at the table - they have no idea that one in their own midst will seek to destroy them all.

As Maria attempts to understand what is happening in the world and why; the weaker link of the thirteen attempts to gain the power that he so desperately desires.

Although a standalone thriller, The XIII picks up 2000 years after the story told in Kat Yares' Beneath the Tor. A page turner that fits the description of The Da Vinci Code meets The Illuminati. Although first penned several years ago, the themes in this story are front page news today.

Buy now for just $4.99

Amazon Link:

Barnes & Noble Link:

Smashwords Link: (all formats)

And the book that started it all, is still on sale at Amazon for $2.99 - Grab a copy of Beneath the Tor from Amazon

Monday, November 12, 2012

Price Drop on Beneath the Tor


Have no idea how long it is going to last, but Amazon has dropped the price of the print edition of Beneath the Tor to $7.65.  That's a 35 or 36 percent savings over the regular price of $11.99.  So if you have any interest in buying a print copy - I'd say go for it.  You can pick it up at that price at either Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

On a related note - I dropped the price of the Kindle version of Beneath the Tor from $4.99 to $2.99.  Don't know how long that will last either, but guarantee that the price will go back up after CyberMonday.  Beneath the Tor should be available for other readers around the middle of December.

The XIII is still on schedule to be out and ready for your eReader on CyberMonday also.  I hope to have it available for all eReaders, but can almost promise the Kindle, the Nook and the Kobo.  Sony and Apple have to loaded through Smashwords (where it will be also) so they may not make the deadline for their respective websites.  The print edition will follow shortly thereafter, but absolutely in time for a Christmas present for yourself or others.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Beneath the Tor and Other Things


After reading and re-reading the proofs, Beneath the Tor is now approved for a print version.  Look for it on Amazon in the next week and on Barnes and Noble is a few weeks time.  If you just can't wait, the eBook version is already available on Amazon for the Kindle or Kindle reading apps.

Now, it's onward and forward to The XIII, which I hope to have available in all formats for Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Thanksgiving weekend).    While not specifically a sequel to Beneath the Tor - it does carry on a few of the themes.  More thriller than fantasy, The XIII is very relevant to today's times.

Also looking forward to seeing our little movie, The Truth of Becoming,  this weekend on the Big Screen at the Offshoot Film Festival in Fayetteville, Arkansas.  It was truly a thrill to be chosen for screening this and when I stop to really think about all the work that went into it, I get quite giddy.  In honor of that the eBook version of The Truth of Becoming will be FREE from Oct. 4th thru Oct. 8th on Amazon.

For now, it's time to do some promised reviews.  Just finished an anthology from Biting Dog Press called Fresh Blood & Old Bones.  Some truly amazing stories in this - but be prepared this is not for the squeamish.


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

The News Was Interesting Today

Twelve years ago, I sat down and began writing my novel, Beneath the Tor.  Using books like Holy Blood, Holy Grail by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln and Bloodline of the Holly Grail by Lawrence Gardner for research into the subject matter of Beneath the Tor.  (Much like Dan Brown did for The DaVinci Code.)

Fast forward a couple of years, I'm still writing and Dan Brown releases The DaVinci Code.  Me, I finish Beneath the Tor and place it in mothballs - not wanting to appear as if I were trying to ride the coat tails of his success.

This year, I brushed it off - edited, revised, edited and revised again and this time I published it.  Currently available for the Kindle, I plan for it to be in every online bookstore before Christmas.  

Beneath the Tor went live earlier this week and then on the news this morning was this story:


Got to say, I find it all exciting.  Although I always believed that he was married and probably had kids.  This little scrap goes quite a way of at least opening the discussion once more.

Could this have been released at a better time?  Not for me - it's perfect timing for interest in my book - Beneath the Tor.  The paperback version should be available within the next two weeks.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Beneath the Tor - Released!


At long last, my first full length novel - Beneath the Tor - is available for the Kindle and Kindle reading apps.    With luck, by the end of the next week the paperback version will be available as well.  How exciting (at least for me).

The Blurb:

Miriam is a priestess from the Isle of Avalon.  Yahshua is the love of her life.  Because of that love, her father Joseph of Arimethia forces Miriam to Jerusalem in an attempt to keep the lovers apart.   Fleeing her father's house after an attempted rape, Miriam faces stoning and death when she becomes a priestess in the Temple of Isis.  Her one hope for a happy future is the return of Yahshua.  Once reunited, the two lovers change the course of destiny.

An alternative history/fantasy Beneath the Tor is sure to excite readers of both the Mists of Avalon and The Da Vinci Code as it blends both into a spellbinding thriller that will keep you reading from the first to the last page.

The Disclaimer:

If reading or watching either The Last Temptation of Christ or The Da Vinci Code upset, disturbed or offended you - this book may do that also, so be forewarned.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Finally on Kobo Books


After a couple of weeks, both Vengeance is Mine and Journeys Into the Velvet Darkness: Revealed Evil are now available for the Kobo eReader at the Kobo Book Store.  Kobo has been responsible for the majority of my sales - aside from Amazon - for Revealed Evil over the years, so I am glad that Vengeance Is Mine is available there also.

It's looking like a late September opening for Beneath the Tor and I'm really getting excited about it.  Not only does it have an awesome cover, by the truly talented Neil Jackson, (whose website Pig & Cow Design is under construction but will be open for business Sept. 24th), the story itself is bound to kick up quite a stir.  Anyone remember the controversy surrounding either The Last Temptation of Christ or The DaVinci Code? - something similar to that is what I am hoping for.

Following on the heels of Beneath the Tor will be my thriller The XIII.  All of this in time for the Holiday buying season to help fill up those brand spanking new eReaders that were announced earlier this week.  I know I have one on my wish list.  :)

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Reviews are coming in for...




The Truth of Becoming short story.  And they are good - nope, scratch that- they are great.  Both rated 5 stars and that makes any author happy.  So just in case you are interested, here they are:

*****
Interviewing a Vampire, September 2, 2012
By armand rosamilia (Palm Coast, Florida) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Truth of Becoming (Kindle Edition)
The sparse narrative style of the story hooks you in from the beginning, and doesn't let go. The author doesn't waste time with flourishing prose intent to pad the word count. Instead, you get the truth from the narrator in his own words, and it simply works.

Looking forward to reading more and more from this author!

I received a review copy and I'm glad I did. Will be buying and reviewing every new release from now on.

Armand Rosamilia

*****
5.0 out of 5 stars not exploded, nuked!, August 31, 2012
By Vix Kirkpatrick (Basingstoke) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Truth of Becoming (Kindle Edition)
WOW where to start with this review - this gripped me from the start, held me down and splattered me into submission.
A blast of an introduction on the turning of a vampire. Explode the myth? I think Kat Yares has nuked it!
Sharply written, so tense it gave no room for emotion, leaving you as devoid as the new Vamp.
This left me in wide-eyed shock and relief as the "new man" saunters off into the moon light!

My first novella by this author and blimey I feel a little dazed and confused, but ready for more.

***

Now that people are reading it, I'm hoping that when they see the adaptation on the screen - they will like it just as much.  For those in or around Arkansas - your first chance to see The Truth of Becoming will be at the Offshoot Film Festival in Fayetteville, October 4th thru 7th.

Until then, why not grab a copy of the short story - it's less than a cup of coffee from MickeyDs - and will stay with you much longer.

Friday, August 31, 2012

The Truth of Becoming



On Wednesday, better half and I received the news that our short movie, The Truth of Becoming had been accepted into the Offshoot Film Festival in Fayetteville, AR as an official selection for screening.  That was big news - at least to us.

The movie version was based on a short story I had written several years ago by the same name.  Published twice in print - it was always one of my favorites.

So, in honor of the stories new life - I have released the original short story (in all its glory) for the Kindle.  At only 99cents, it is a bargain.

So take a look - grab a copy and enjoy.

Never know, one day soon you too, may see the minor motion picture on the big screen.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

A Great Review of Vengeance Is Mine


It Is a wonderful thing to discover a fantastic new review of your work when you first get up in the morning.  I know it has made my day!

A.E. Drury "Ed Drury" had this to say about Vengeance Is Mine while giving it 5 stars on Amazon:

What makes this story so gripping is that cults such as the one described in this story really do exist, as do the abuses described. The story is riveting as the patterns of abuse are passed from father to son. Vengeance is not a concept I support, and as it turns out, that it is not what the main character seeks either. She is rather a conduit for retribution. The story is very well written and I would venture to guess aspects of it were carefully researched. Paranormal aspects aside, the so called normal events of the cult are quite in keeping with several known cults in the US. I found it impossible to put down once I opened it on my kindle. "just one more chapter and I will take a break," I kept telling myself. Great little ghost story with a surprising conclusion.

It is so gratifying as an author to read a review from a reader who gets exactly what you were attempting to say in your story.  And this one did.  And I thank him.

Now, I know it's only a matter of time until I get a bad review on one of my stories.  It's going to happen because the tales I tell are not for everyone.  And that is just the way it is in this storytelling world.  Yet, when that happens, reviews like this one (and the other 4 & 5 stars I have) will definitely help take the sting out and put a smile back on my face quickly.

Monday, July 2, 2012

One More Time - But Not The Last


Finished with round three paper edits/revisions on Beneath the Tor yesterday afternoon.  I think my eyes were crossed all night long.  Now it's time to do the revisions in Word - print it out - and do it all over again.

Slightly disappointed that I didn't get everything done in June, but with any luck I'll have it done by the end of July and ready to go.  Really looking forward to the covers that the amazing and talented Neil Jackson is creating for both this book and its sequel The XIII.  The man does extremely awesome at designing beautiful and provocative covers that force a person to pick up the book - even if only for the artwork.

Now I could say that I like revising and editing, but that would be a lie.  A big, bold faced one.  But, I also know how necessary it is.  I have read more than enough Indie books to know that many writer's do very little, or no editing at all.  And their work suffers for it.  I can't count the number of times I've simply moved on to another book on my Kindle because the writing was so bad.  (Not to say mine is perfect, but it is as close as I can make it)

Watch this space, I'll announce the release of Beneath the Tor very soon.

Btw, if you need a great cover for your book - Contact Neil Jackson on Facebook.  You can find samples here:

https://www.facebook.com/neil.jackson.50596

and here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pig-and-Cow-Design/244609328915936

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Back at Home in the HWA


I'm back in.  After years of not being a member, I finally renewed my membership in the Horror Writers Association.  It feels good to be back.  And not just for the commaradarie of being around other horror writers.

I remember when I first applied for membership back in 2001.  At that point, I had several short stories accepted for publication both online and in print.  While being published is great validation for your ego, becoming a part of HWA was even bigger.  At least for me.  I knew I was a part of an organisation that accepted what I wrote as a genre worthwhile in the world of story.

So now, as I continue the journey to get 'my' stories out of my head and onto paper or digital video - I know that there are hundreds of authors out there on my side.

Now, who wouldn't appreciate and be happy about that?

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Not about me today




I could just write this to push my books (like I normally do), but today, I'm going to do something different and push a great friend who had his book Jawbone released into the wild world of eBooks yesterday.  (Soon to be available in print also).

I've known Michael Gleich for going on twelve years.  We met in a study group called Shadowlands at Writer's Village University (an online writing site).  We've shared stories back and forth since that time, both online and via email.  I consider Michael one of my very best friends and I would trust him with anything I have.

Jawbone began in that study group.  Over the years, I watched as it grew into a truly fantastic horror novel.  Published by Damnation Press, Jawbone is adult horror - no namby, pamby vampires or zombies.  Michael takes a Native American myth story and brings it into the present in a way that leaves the reader with goosebumps.

Michael has a wonderful way with words.  His descriptions affect all five of the senses in such a way, that not only can you see the imagery he portrays, you can also touch, hear and smell the location described.  Michael's characters are different also.  For those of us who have read horror for a long time, it's really nice to see main characters that are more reflective of our own ages.  While he does have younger characters in the book, it was very easy to relate to the older, wiser, and normal looking protagonists of this story.

Bottom line, if you're a die-hard horror fan, you cannot go wrong with Michael Gleich's Jawbone.  And if someone in Hollywood doesn't come chasing this for a feature movie in the near future - I will finally admit that Hollywood is dead.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Just a Few Updates


At long last, Vengeance Is Mine is now available at Barnes and Noble.  Within a few weeks, it will also be available for the iBook and Kobo readers also.  Which is way cool!  I'll post those links when they are live.

Kevin and I are both finally satisfied with the movie version of  my short story, The Truth of Becoming.  We'll be sending copies out to cast and crew in the next few weeks, as well as submitting it to film festivals around the country.  We even have our first - non movie maker review and it was pretty good, so we're real happy with that.

Goddess willing and the creek don't rise - we'll be shooting Lost Souls in late July.  We just have our plates full until then.  More pre-production on this one than the others since we're going for some very specific camera shots.

And in the writing world - I hope to have Beneath the Tor available as an Kindle exclusive sometime in early June.  The sequel The XIII should be up sometime in July.  After the 90 exclusive period ends, they will both be available at all eBook outlets on the web and most probably in print also.

So much to do, so little time...but at least we stay busy.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Cleanliness is Next to...


I don't think there is anyone who hates cleaning house more than I do.  Now, granted I enjoy washing dishes - but pulling out the vacumn cleaner is one of those things that I just really don't like to do.  A few years ago, I thought about what might happen if a person stopped cleaning and picking up after themselves completely.  (And yes, I've seen a few of those homes online and on television).  From that, my short story "Cleanliness is Next to..." was born.

I like this story, it's stayed with me over the years and helped convince me to pull out that damn vacumn and use it.  It also reminded me to make sure to get rid of stuff otherwise laying about.

It is a short story, less than 2000 words - but the next time you don't want to clean, plop down the 99 cents and give it a read.  It may motivate you to do what you know you need to do.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

A Few Words From a Friend


There are days when I really don't feel like sitting behind the laptop, putting words to paper or editing words already there.  Today was one of those days.  At least until a friend posted this on Facebook,

There are times when it is important to step out of one's comfort zone and read something one might not normally read. Reading my friend, Kat Yares's book, Vengeance is Mine, was definitely outside of my comfort zone but extremely worthwhile. Her novella is gripping, disturbing and psychologically complex. The book is a short, but extremely engaging, paranormal/psychological horror story. I highly recommend it! - Karen Mueller-Bryson

Those words put a smile on my face and immediately made me grab the manuscript (Beneath the Tor) I've been working on and begin revising using the pencil marks on the page to make corrections on the screen.  It's been a productive day so far and I definitely have Karen Mueller-Bryson to thank for that.  :)

I suppose it simply reminded me that even if I've read a book penned by a friend - a few positive words can go a long way to making a difference in their day.  I will remember that from now on.

In other news, Vengeance is Mine is now available at Smashwords also.  For those that do not know, Smashwords is an online bookstore that carries ebooks in a wide variety of formats so no matter what reader you own (or even if you don't own one at all), you can easily find the format you need.  I've found that many people prefer to download their books from Smashwords since they do take PayPal.

Hopefully soon, Vengeance Is Mine will also be available for the Nook, Kobo, Apple and Sony from their respective websites also.  But for now, back to work on Beneath the Tor - coming soon to a bookstore near you.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Free - One Last Time


Tomorrow, Sunday April 22, my novella Vengeance is Mine will be free for downloading to your Kindle or Kindle app.  Beginning next week, I will be making it available for the Nook, Sony eReader, Kobo reader, and available in the iTunes store for you Apple device (iPod, iPad, etc).

It's been a fun adventure having Vengeance Is Mine as part of the Kindle select program.  Because of the promotion, I've met new friends and discovered many, many new authors.  I will be using the Select program from here on out to introduce new books that I will be publishing throughout the year.

Next up will be a novel Beneath the Tor.  It's not horror - more of an alternative history fantasy.  Think along the lines of a Dan Brown story (not that I am at all comparing myself to Dan Brown).  But if you liked his books and if you liked the Avalon series of books by Marion Zimmer Bradley - you might want to watch for when this one goes live.  To give it a tag line - Mists of Avalon meets New Testament Christianity.

Stay tuned!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

The Indie Author vs The Indie Movie Maker


Been pondering this for a few days.  The indie movie maker is applauded while the indie author is stigmatized.  Why is that?  What really is the difference?

Indie movie makers can sometimes make great movies.  They have won awards and picked up Major Studio distribution. And sometimes the indie movie maker makes crap or a mediocre (at best) motion picture.  And many just fall into the middle - somewhere between crap and great.  The biggest difference I see is that the indie movie maker, when they fail, is told something to the effect of 'don't worry, you're next one will be better'.  Something along those lines.  Every week in this country, somewhere there is a film festival, for the indie movie maker to showcase his work.  Heck, Arkansas alone has at least seven that I can think of, off the top of my head.

Now let's look at the indie author.  This is the person that spends hours and hours behind the keyboard crafting stories to the best of their ability.  They may decide to self-publish from the get-go, wanting to be in control of every part of their beloved book.  Or, they may have tried to get past the gatekeepers for the Big 6 and failed miserably.  Or they may be established authors republishing both their back lists (where rights have reverted back to the author) along with new stories they write.

For whatever reason, many people believe that anything self published is pure crap - 100 percent of the time - no exceptions.  And yet, some of these people are the first to flock to the film festivals to see what is new and innovative.  I mean, I don't get this.

Why are people so willing to accept an independent movie maker's work as something worth seeing, yet feel that an independent author isn't worth reading?  I'm missing something somewhere, obviously.

I will admit, I do both - along with my better half, I make short movies and I write short stories and novels.  And for the most part, the only support I see for what I am trying to do is from other independent creatives.  When I tell a person outside the film community, we make short films the general reaction is "how cool" or something like that.  When I tell someone outside the writing community I have a new book out - first question is almost inevitably "who published it?".  When I say, myself - you can almost hear their eyes rolling upwards in their head.

Why is that?

Okay, rant over.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

How cool is this?

Just received an email from a lady I handed a print copy of Vengeance Is Mine to the other evening.  In part, it reads:

"I enjoyed reading “Vengeance is Mine”.  It was a book I didn’t want to put down until I had finished it.  I envy your ability to pen such a story.  I could feel Macie’s pain (not that I could share personally) but your writing made it so a person could be there with her and hoped someone could and did do something for her.  Just wanted to clap for joy at the ending!"


That truly made my day!  Amazon reviews are nice, but when a reader takes a moment out of their busy day to contact an author personally - it means the world, at least to me.

Slowly but surely I'm adding to this blog.  Decided it would do just fine for a personal website - which is why www.katyares.com is now redirected to here.  Redoing my previous website was much more work than I wanted to do - I'd rather just write story.

So today, it's write a bit, edit a bit, cook a bit and enjoy the beautiful Sunday it is.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

A Matter of Will

Although I like to think of myself as a horror writer, I rarely write a vampire story.  This weeks offering is one of those rare ones - A Matter of Will.  A story of a vampire and vampire killer, but no, nothing like Buffy or anything sparkling.  I promise.

This story was first published on a now defunct website called Something Wicked Online.  I think it was the first story I was paid for - at a whopping quarter-cent a word.  But I can remember how proud I was.

The only other vampire story I've written is now in post production editing as a short motion picture.  I will be releasing the short story, The Truth of Becoming, when the movie becomes available also.  Just need to find more hours in the day to get it done.

For now, tho, enjoy A Matter of Will.  It's short and I believe you will like it.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

The Sinkhole

Put up one of my favorite stories on the Kindle today.  Inspired by a novel I read years ago called The Creepers, I wrote The Sinkhole as I delved into childhood memories.

We've all been afraid at one time or another of the 'boogeyman' in his many shapes and forms.  For me, growing up was a large enclosed sinkhole dotted with small caves around its perimeter.  Although all the kids in the neighborhood loved to play there - I was always leery of the place.  Although it had snakes, that wasn't what disturbed me - it was what lived in those caves.  (Overactive imaginations will always get you in trouble, for sure)

So the story The Sinkhole was born.  Allowing my imagination to wander, the creatures that lived in those caves came to life in the story.  Unlike the young hero of the tale, I've never been back.  But I did the place up on Google maps and it is still a desolate, barren place.  The houses that my friends lived in are all gone and the fence around the perimeter remains.

Oh and my old house now sports a swimming pool in the backyard.  Wish that had been there when I was a kid.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Now Holding in My Grubby Little Paws

The paperback edition of Vengeance Is Mine.  Sweet.  As anyone who knows me will say, I poured a lot of tears into this story.  Poor Kevin had to put up with an emotional roller coaster as I wrote Macie's story of oppression to freedom.  Of all the things I written over the years (more than 30 of them), this story hounded me until I had it on paper.

Even through all the edits, critiques by others and writing the story in screenplay format, I never tired of any of the characters.  I hated a few of them, but they never bored me or let me down.  Vengeance Is Mine touched my heart from the very first paragraph.

So to finally hold the finished book in my grubby little paws is sweeter than molasses on honey wheat bread.

If you're interested, check out Vengeance Is Mine.  Currently available on Amazon.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Paranoia

One of my first, and still one of my favorite, short stories went live for the Amazon Kindle last night.  Paranoia was inspired by two vastly different things.  One a neighbor who was so terrified of life, she simply existed.  The second, an segment on an old television movie called Trilogy of Terror, starring Karen Black in all three parts.

I simply took the stand that if thoughts become things - then your greatest fear will become your reality.  While the main character of the story feared dogs, myself I fear snakes.  Both are reflected in Paranoia.  But, as you read this story, whatever your fear may be, will also be reflected and give you something to ponder.

I did notice I've picked up a follower or two since I started this blog all over again.  To those followers, I thank you.

Monday, February 20, 2012

The Changelings

Today, my short story The Changelings went live in the Amazon Kindle store.  For less than a buck, you can get some insight of what I felt like I was dealing with when my children were teenagers.  They so inspired this story.  This is one of my personal favorites since the subject matter hit so very close to home.

My other books are showing sales, slow but sure, and I'm really happy about that.  With any luck, the more I add, the better it will get.  At least, that's what I keep telling myself.  :)

One thing about self-publishing and connecting with groups of people that are doing the same thing, you gain a lot of knowledge about how to go about promoting and pimping your words.  I've also gained a number of Facebook friends doing the same thing I am.  Which for a loner like me, is a good thing.

I've also been discussing copyright issues on The Passive Voice blog.  Seems some feel that the minute an author publishes a work, it should automatically be put into the public domain for all to use as they see fit.  At the very least, they are trying to shorten the copyright period (70 years).  I could go on and on about why I feel that is so very wrong.

You can follow the conversation at: The Passive Voice blog.

Actually, if you are a writer - I do recommend that you follow this blog and read every post.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Bed Rocks is Free Today

Because it is snowing and nasty here in Arkansas today, I thought I'd offer up my short story Bed Rocks for free today.  It is only available for the Kindle - which means you must own one OR you must have the 'app for that' also free from Amazon.  They have Kindle apps for almost every platform imaginable so I'm sure you can find one for your device (phone or computer).

Once you have downloaded the story, enjoy!  And if you enjoy it, please leave a review on the Amazon page.  I'd really appreciate it.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Bed Rocks

Released the ebook version of my short story, Bed Rocks, yesterday as a Kindle Select title.  Priced at only 99 cents, we'll see how that goes.

The story is one of my favorites and when first published in Thirteen Stories, it received a lot of comments - mostly about the 'ick' factor.  So I feel like I did my job on that one.  Like my other titles, Bed Rocks will be free for a day or two during the Kindle Select period and then be available for other platforms, such as the Nook, Kobo and Sony eReaders.

I am finding as I go through these old stories that much of my writing confidence is coming back to me.  After years of creative soul-sucking writing web content, my muse is returning with a vengeance.  With luck, I hope to publish a new story every two weeks until my hard drive is empty.  All the while, working on new stories and new horrors as the year progresses.

Will I be successful...who knows.  What I do know is that it is going to be a fun ride - no matter what.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

I messed up...

So today was supposed to be a free promotion day for Vengeance is Mine - or at least I thought I set it up that way.  After re-looking at the Amazon calendar - I figured out that I set the free day for tomorrow; Sunday.  Oh well, that's what I get for not reading the calendar correctly.

I'm already at work on my next book, The Thirteen.  Doing edits and proof-reading before I print it out and hand it over to my editor.  With any luck, it will be ready for a late March Kindle exclusive.  This one is not horror, but it is a thriller that is bound to cause some controversy.  It's one of those stories I may lose a few friends over - heck I may lose a few friends over Vengeance is Mine also.

I learned from my short stories that some people take what a fiction writer writes as part of the writer's real personality.  Scary thought, but just the way it is.

Bottom line:  I write what I write.  And that is never going to change.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Starting Fresh

So, I started this blog way back in 2009 when my first book Revealed Evil was published.  And then I got caught up in web writing and making a buck or two and this blog just sort of withered on the vine, so to speak.

But now, I'm back.  With a new book, Vengeance is Mine, and at least three more to follow this year.  Currently, both Revealed Evil and Vengeance is Mine are availble for the Kindle.  Revealed Evil is also available in print and can be found in a variety of formats at Smashwords.

I'll admit, I've fallen in love with the Kindle and that is where you will find my books first.  Since there is a Kindle app for almost every single platform out there - this only makes sense to me.  I only have to format the work once - and Kindle takes care of the rest.

So follow along as this new journey begins.  I really look forward to interacting with my fans.