A Haunting of Words Blog Tour - Laurie Gardiner - Thief

After another suspended pause, we're back into the action as we visit with author Laurie Gardiner, and discuss her story, "Thief," which appears in Scout Media's A Haunting of Words.

Synopsis: Luna Fiore promised to be with her twin sister, Cira, when she dies. Instead, Luna’s own death sends her on a journey through memories where she must explore her mother’s darkest secrets. Can Luna find the truth and make her way back to her twin before the thief in Cira’s head releases her?

What inspired you to write this story?: The song of the same name by the band Our Lady Peace. It’s always been one of my favourite songs by OLP simply because of the emotion it conveys. When I was brainstorming story ideas for A Haunting of Words, I watched the video for “Thief” and inspiration hit.

How long have you been writing?: Almost as long as I can remember.

What genres do you most associate with in your writing: I write mainly contemporary drama and women’s fiction. Writing a paranormal story pushed me slightly out of my comfort zone, which, I think, turned out to be a good thing!

What are you working on right now?: I’m working on a series of flash fiction stories centered around the theme of elder abuse.

What else do you have available/published: So far, my publications include: debut novel, Tranquility, published in 2015 by Escargot Books; short story “Retribution” in Scout Media’s 2016 “of Words” anthology; “Thief” in Scout Media’s latest anthology, A Haunting of Words.

What advice do you give to new writers? Never stop learning.

http://www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/of-words-series/

https://www.amazon.com/Laurie-Gardiner/e/B00RZPBBTC

You can purchase A Haunting of Words (available in paperback and eBook) through the Scout Media online store at: www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words and get an exclusive companion soundtrack CD, or through Barnes & Nobles, Target, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.

A Haunting of Words Blog Tour - RJ Castiglione - The Jonathan of Bracken Manor

We now drop in on author RJ Castiglione to talk about "The Jonathan of Bracken Manor."

Synopsis: “The Jonathan of Bracken Manor” follows a young ghost as he haunts his family’s mansion over the course of a century.

What inspired you to write this story?: When I first read about the “Of Words” series, I thought it an interesting anthology concept. The opportunity to be selected is what ultimately inspired me to create a story. However, “The Jonathan of Bracken Manor” was conceived when my husband and I went to a boutique hotel in Newport, RI for dinner. The hotel itself was beautiful, although the ambiance, to me, screamed paranormal. I began to imagine the hotel haunted and created a few ghosts in my head. The one ghost that muddied through my creative process was Jonathan, a young boy who plays tricks on hotel guests. The rest of the story came together from there.

How long have you been writing?: Although I have been writing my entire adult life, my first self-publication released in March 2017.

What genres do you most associate with in your writing: I am currently focused on writing Literary RPG (“LitRPG” for short). This story style allows me to combine my love for writing and my enjoyment of open-world RPG video games into one.

What are you working on right now?: I am working on three stories at the moment. Fjorgyn: The Deep Below is my largest LitRPG endeavor. It is the second book in the series. I am also outlining and will release Lacrimosa Online, another LitRPG stand-alone novel that takes place in a macabre landscape. Lastly, and unrelated to my favored niche, I am writing a paranormal, M/M romance called When Mountains Weep. This story is a harrowing adventure about a domestic abuse survivor as he flees to his family home in Maui.

What else do you have available/published: The only book I have published at this time is Fjorgyn: A Rebel Rises, available exclusively on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.

What advice do you give to new writers?: Writing is not just about putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Creating the first draft of your story is only one step in a complicated process. First, tell a story that you would like to read. Second, shelve it for a while. Third, self-edit it to hell and back again. Fourth, spring for proper editing and cover design. If you’re self-publishing, don’t skip this step. If you’re traditionally published, don’t pay for this. You’re only hurting yourself if you release something without editing. Fifth, get some beta readers to really help polish your work. Sixth, self-publish it and spend as much time marketing your book as you did when producing it, if not more. These steps above make the world of difference. They’re what distinguish writers from authors.

Links to all of my present and future works can be found on https://rjcastiglione.com

You can purchase A Haunting of Words (available in paperback and eBook) through the Scout Media online store at: www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words and get an exclusive companion soundtrack CD, or through Barnes & Nobles, Target, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.

A Haunting of Words Blog Tour- Amy Hunter, Salted Ground

We're visiting with author Amy Hunter to discuss her story "Salted Ground," available in A Haunting of Words, from Scout Media.

Blurb: Marley was convinced she had found happiness with Adam when he helped her escape an abusive relationship. When tragedy strikes, will she find hope or torment?

What inspired you to write this story?: One of the many things I struggle with is not knowing when to let go… of anything. Marley became sort of a hero to me. In the first paragraph, she salted the ground and moved on, and in the rest of the story, she deals with the consequences.

How long have you been writing?: I’ve been writing since my early teen years. Earlier than that, if you count the childhood plays my friends and I would perform for my mom (all of which received standing ovations). I moved on to high school journalism, which I thought I would make into a career, but here I am at thirty-three, diggin’ the hell out of fiction.

What genres do you most associate with in your writing?: Suspense, Creative Nonfiction

What are you working on right now?: "Monster’s Edge." When Coralie manipulates Shane into committing a crime, he double-crosses her and leaves her with a parting gift she’ll never forget.

What else do you have available/published?: So far, aside from ‘A Haunting of Words,’ I also have a story called “Core” in ‘A Journey of Words.’

What advice do you give to new writers?: A piece of advice saved my life once and continues to do so every day. I feel like it applies here. So: remove the cotton from your ears and put it in your mouth. Listen and learn from those who came before you. Don’t assume you know everything. And hire an editor. Okay, so the editor thing came later, but do it. You’ll be glad you did.

Where can people can find your work?:

https://www.facebook.com/AmyUnleashed/

https://www.amyhunterauthor.com

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15700724.Amy_Hunter

You can purchase A Haunting of Words (available in paperback and eBook) through the Scout Media online store at: www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words and get an exclusive companion soundtrack CD, or through Barnes & Nobles, Target, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.

A Haunting of Words Blog Tour - Kari Holloway

Today author Kari Holloway talks about her AHOW story, "Gunpowder & Wool":

Synopsis: Corporal Hulett greets the morning on the eve of battle, readying his men to march forth, but what comes through the ghostly fog of gunpowder and scattershot leaves him defending the merits of battle and the rights of brothers-in-arms.

What inspired you to write this story?: Where I am from, Andersonville, Georgia, is a staple from school field trips, national holiday activities, and the yearly reenactments honoring the men who lost their life for a cause they believed in. Not the cause of the government, but the cause of being beside their neighbors standing up together as a united front. Millions were affected with the civil war, and we like to look at it as an overview, but for the men serving, it wasn’t black and white, ideas vs truth.

How long have you been writing?: Professionally, July 2015 marks the starting point. I wrote Cracked But Never Broken and haven’t stopped writing since. Prior to that, writing was a dirty little secret I hid from everyone, even my parents.

What genres do you most associate with in your writing: Southern fiction is the umbrella I write while the specific genres would be romance (my Laughing P series) and paranormal (my Devil’s Playground series).

What are you working on right now?: I’m working on the third Devil’s Playground novella, the final proofing for the second Devil’s Playground, titled Cry of Gold, which is due to be released in June. Never too Late is headed to the editor to finish up my Laughing P. I’m gearing up a book signing at Xion and having a table at Epicon.

What else do you have available/published:

Cracked But Never Broken (http://books2read.com/CrackedButNeverBroken )

Behind the Lens (http://books2read.com/BehindtheLens )

Forgotten (http://books2read.com/DPForgotten)

Beneath the Mask (http://books2read.com/BeneaththeMasks ) [a perma free short story found on all e-book retailers]

Unbound (http://books2read.com/UnboundAnthology )

Love, Lust, and Scary Monsters (http://books2read.com/LoveLustScaryMonsters )

What advice do you give to new writers?: Just because one idea doesn’t work now, doesn’t mean that idea won’t work later.

For the easiest list, they can check out my site http://KariHolloway.wix.com/fiction or www.facebook.com/k.l.holly. I use books2read links which lead to global and universal links making it a one click button for those around the world.

You can purchase A Haunting of Words (available in paperback and eBook) through the Scout Media online store at: www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words and get an exclusive companion soundtrack CD, or through Barnes & Nobles, Target, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.

A Haunting of Words Blog Tour - Stop No. 4 - J.M. Ames

Today’s A Haunting of Words interview is with author J.M. Ames

Title and synopsis/blurb of your AHOW story: Only The Dead Go Free

Wendy flees from her abusive boyfriend, daughter in tow, to her families’ cabin in the woods, only to discover what is already residing there is far worse. Based on the Transpose song of the same name.

What inspired you to write this story?

The desire to write a disturbing tale about a haunting, coupled with the imagery captured by the lyrics of the song.

How long have you been writing?

Professionally, since January 2016. As a hobby, as far back as I can remember.

 What genres do you most associate with in your writing?

I am definitely a multi-genre author. I don’t really stick to any of them exclusively. I usually try to evoke some kind of emotion, include something unusual\weird, and incorporate a twist. With that in mind, Fantasy (all kinds), Horror, and Sci-Fi probably make up about half of my work. Rock Fiction (stories based on songs or albums) are becoming a fairly common thing for me, too.

 What are you working on right now?

How much time you got? J I have too many works in progress to go through here, so I will go through the ones I think you can see from me in 2017:

Not Yet Dark: War devastates a man’s life, and he goes to extremes to get revenge on those who’ve hurt him. Based on “Masters of War” by Bob Dylan

Fourteen Years: Nonfiction biography of my best friend of 38 years, and his struggle to return his life to normalcy after a horrific accident that left him heavily injured and another of our friends dead.

The River Sticks: An elderly man awakens in the middle of the night to discover his long-dead wife and poker buddies are back for one night only. Stakes are high, as he must now play for his own life. Somewhat inspired by (but not based on) Johnny Cash’s cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.”

I have several other completed works I am actively marketing to various publishers.

What else do you have available/published?

“The Last Ride,” which is available in the A Journey of Words anthology.

What advice do you give to new writers?

Read, a lot. Write even more than that – never stop. Hire a good professional editor. Use Beta readers, but only make suggested changes that you agree with and make sense, or a large number of readers suggest. There are many paths to becoming an author, not just one – find your own path.

List links where people can find your work:

Website: https://jm-ames.com/ (includes links to many other Social Media Platforms)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JMAmesAuthor/

You can purchase A Haunting of Words (available in paperback and eBook) through the Scout Media online store at: www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words and get an exclusive companion soundtrack CD, or through Barnes & Nobles, Target, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.

A Haunting of Words - Blog Tour Stop No. 3 - Me!!

Today's A Haunting of Words interview is with Monsieur Moi.

“If It's Not Okay, It's Not the End” - With the help of a late music icon, a newly deceased rock band embarks on a cross-country trip to help their drummer deliver a message to his ex-girlfriend.

What inspired you to write this story?: 

The punk band Rancid has a great song called “Ghost Band.” I heard it one day and knew that I should write about a phantom music group. Originally the band wasn't going to meet anyone famous, they were just going to discuss the possibilities of meeting their late heroes. As a matter of fact, the original title was going to be, “Do You Think We'll Meet Keith Moon?” Then I happened upon a quote attributed to the rock star in question and the entire story unfolded in my mind within minutes. Funny how that works. I feel this is my deepest story yet, even if the premise isn't entirely original. In hindsight I realize it's about regrets. Regret over loved ones left behind to achieve fame, and those used as stepping stones for the same purpose.

How long have you been writing?:

Seriously writing, only three years. With a story published at the end of each year. 

What genres do you most associate with in your writing: 

The majority of my short stories are speculative fiction, but I don't think any of them fit into a Sci-fi/Horror/Fantasy box. I've only in the last few months discovered Slipstream. All ideas I have for possible novels are more contemporary or literary fiction.

What are you working on right now?:

Right now I'm working on my own project. I'm writing a series of short stories involving a government shadow group who over the past century and a half attempt to infiltrate an alien race for their own nefarious purposes. Each story takes place in a different period in time from the 1800’s until now. It's very “pulp” and heavily influenced by old comic books and magazines, such as Weird Tales and Planet Comics. The stories will be strange, violent, funny, and hopefully readers will find it to be entertaining.

What else do you have available/published:

My story “The Most Beautiful Boy” is available in A Matter of Words, and my story “The Errandsman’s Folly” is in A Journey of Words. Both are from Scout Media.

What advice do you give to new writers? 

Keep writing, of course, and always hire a professional editor. A great editor is an invaluable asset. If you use beta readers, which I do recommend, use a balance of men and women. Even if you don't use a beta reader’s suggestions, at least give those suggestions ample consideration. Don't assume your story is perfect simply because you think so. A wise person once said, Your ego is not your amigo.

List links where people can find your work:

ScoutMediaBooksMusic.Com

Facebook.Com/TravisWestWrites

TravisJackFlash.Blogspot.Com

You can purchase A Haunting of Words (available in paperback and eBook) through the Scout Media online store at: www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words and get an exclusive companion soundtrack CD, or through Barnes & Nobles, Target, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.

A Haunting of Words-Blog Tour Stop No. 2-Lauren Nalls

Today's A Haunting of Words interview is with author Lauren Nalls:

 “The Rub” is a journey into the hell of the human mind and soul; from the line that splits reality and madness, to the place the rules of the game of life, and death, become blurred. 

What inspired you to write this story?

This story was inspired by one of my current works in progress, I was thinking about what happened “after” and this was the result. I also pushed myself to see if I could write outside my usual genres.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been professionally writing for three years, but I’ve really been writing my whole life.

What genres do you most associate with in your writing?

Great question! This particular story is way outside my comfort zone as a macabre thriller, and was a challenge for me. I normally write dramatic fiction, historical, and women’s fiction.

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently working on a historical fiction coming of age story. I have a few more works in progress at various stages of development as well.

What else do you have available/published?

My other publications include my short story “Loose Ends,” A Journey of Words (Scout Media, 2016), and a poem, “Burgeon,” published in Fredericksburg Literary Review (spring 2014 Volume 2, Issue 1). I also blogged briefly for Fredericksburg Parent and Family, “Tortoise and Hair series” (2014).

What advice do you give to new writers?

Read, study, practice, and learn from mentors you trust. Keep going, don’t give up. Subject your work to critique but don’t get upset at criticisms. Writing is art and it’s up to the artist to discern what advice to keep and what advice to reject, but always be kind and grateful. That being said, art isn’t completely without rules, we have to learn the rules, or expectations, then break them with intention.

List links where people can find your work:

www.LaurenNalls.com

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaurenNalls/

https://twitter.com/Scribbleglitch

https://www.pinterest.com/scribbleglitch/

You can purchase A Haunting of Words (available in paperback and eBook) through the Scout Media online store at: www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words and get an exclusive companion soundtrack CD, or through Barnes & Nobles, Target, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.

A Haunting of Words - Blog Tour - Stop No. 1: Monica Sagle

Welcome to the very first stop on the A Haunting of Words blog tour. Today we meet with Author Monica Sagle

Title / Storm House by Monica Sagle

Blurb / Storm House is about a house that, with every storm, sees the ghostly re-enactment of a murder. A wife killed by her husband. In recent years, the wife has managed to change things and now they take turns killing each other. This time, she thinks she may have found a way to sleep through those annoying storms altogether. 

How long have you been a writer? / I have always written little stories for myself. However about four years ago I decided to take it seriously, learning as much as I could about the craft and art of writing. I joined a critique group for my novel work and I am a member of several on line critiquing groups. 

What genre do you associate most with in your writing? / I generally say that I am a fantasy writer. Although some of my short stories are Sci Fi and speculative fiction.

What are you working on now?/ I recently finished my first novel, (I 'm looking for an agent at this time,) and I have started a new novel.

What else do you have published?/ Storm House is my first publication, but I am hopeful that several other short stories will find homes soon.  

What advice would you offer to new writers? / Learn the craft, then the art of writing, and be prepared to be learning for the rest of your life, as the learning never ends. And find a good critiquing group, either physically or online, to help you hone your craft.

List links where people can find your writing? / I don’t have any places for that at this time, although I am considering a web site soon. For now, people can find me at www.facebook.com/MonicaZwikstraAuthor/ or @monicasaglezwik on twitter.

You can purchase A Haunting of Words (available in paperback and eBook) through the Scout Media online store at: www.scoutmediabooksmusic.com/a-haunting-of-words and get an exclusive companion soundtrack CD, or through Barnes & Nobles, Target, Books-a-Million, and Amazon.

Reevaluations

Hello again. It's been awhile. A lot has happened since we've last met here. A few somethings and, unfortunately, a lot of nothings. 

  The last time we were here I was in the middle of promoting A Journey of Words on an impromptu DIY blog tour. During this time I was unknowingly suffering from a case of pneumonia that got steadily worse, until a round of visits to an inept doctor led to me laying for a scan that finally revealed the cause of my illness. As my respiratory condition worsened, so did my apathy, and I steadily fell further behind on the blog tour until I eventually quit posting altogether. 

  It wasn't just the blog that was suffering, my creative writing tapered off as well. In June of last year, as we were gearing up for the release A Journey of Words, I wrote a short story for the next "-of Words" installment. A paranormal-romance rock n roll road trip, "If It's Not Okay, It's Not the End" had the potential to be my best story yet. It was after the completion of this story that my writing output tapered off. In November of last year I was able to knock out a story called, "Charlie & Gus," a short story of a teenager and his grandfather who each share a violent secret with the other. Again I went through another dry spell, only picking up the pen to rewrite "If It's Not Okay, It's Not the End" after another author read the story and opened my eyes to the fact that the story was not up to par of my previous stories. I gave the story a completely new beginning and removed a few scenes which didn't quite gel with the rest of the story. I also altered much of the existing content. The story is worlds better because of these changes, and now I really do believe it's my best yet.

  In early 2015 I joined an online writing group called, Writing Fiction. The personal connections I made in this group led to the publication of my story,"The Most Beautiful Boy," later that same year. As we awaited the release of A Matter of Words, a rift formed in that group, and an initial 150 of us followed our admin to form a new group. The similarly titled Fiction Writing has quickly grown from that first collective of 150 aspiring writers, to nearly 27,000 members. In January of this year I was asked to be a group moderator. I accepted, and am now one of four (2 admins, 2 moderators) individuals greasing the wheels of the Fiction Writing machine. And still, I was hardly writing.

  When I first set out to do this writing thing in the front half of 2014, I almost immediately began writing a novel. Set in early 1980s Kansas, the book was to tell a wild story of sex, drugs, rock n roll, and guns. And everything looked great, but about 130 pages in, the story began to stall. And then it stopped. A year went by without any progress. I was knocking out short stories, but doing nothing with the book. I knew the story almost entirely. I knew the characters intimately. I knew what would become of them, and how I wanted the book to end. But there was something holding me back, the story just didn't feel "right." And I kept telling people I was writing the book even though I was no longer doing so.

  Last week I happened upon an interview with children's author, Kate DiCamillo that really struck a nerve within me. I showed the article to my wife ( http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/sydney-writers-festival/kate-dicamillo-how-she-became-a-bestseller-after-473-rejection-letters-20170309-guv3e7.html ), who then brought up an idea: what if I tried writing from a place of vulnerability, writing authentic pieces of myself into the stories? Our conversation was brief, but I walked away knowing that, although it would hurt to do so, I need to shelve my unfinished novel. I've also decided to completely scrap any unfinished short stories, with the exception of the one I am currently writing. It's odd and very pulp.  I've also been toying with the idea of writing a novella or even novel-length story with more autobiographical elements. Fictional, but with little pieces of myself strewn throughout. I do still want to write that rock novel someday, but now is not its time. 

On June 1, Scout Media will be releasing A Haunting of Words, a collection of ghostly stories. It is the third in the "-of Words" series, and I have the honor of being the only author, other than the editor (himself an author) to have a story make all three volumes. I can't wait for everyone to read "If It's Not Okay, It's Not the End," and to hear what everyone thinks about my story. It will be my last for awhile. I have elected to not write a story for the fourth volume. This does not mean I won't submit stories for future volumes, but for now I feel I need to write what I need to write, for myself. I owe a huge debt to Scout Media for the opportunities they have given me, and will shamelessly plug any books they release regardless of whether or not I am in them. I also would like to thank (once again) Laurie Gardiner for telling me my story wasn't good enough, and that I needed to do a rewrite. You were right.

As of right now, I am trying to sell my story, "Bare-Knuckle Nick," and will soon start trying to sell "Charlie & Gus." Thank you to everyone who has supported me thus far. I will continue to write, and if you write, come see us in Fiction Writing at Facebook. We have a lot to offer new writers.