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Reasons to read The House in the Old Wood, No. 1

4 Jun

You’re looking for a “page-turner.” There are not a lot of books you just can’t put down. But again and again, readers of The House in the Old Wood are commenting, “I got sucked in,” and “I can hardly put it down!” and “Started reading after dinner and I cannot put it down!” I know, I know, books like that just seem to go too fast. But aren’t books like that the reason you enjoy reading? Read The House in the Old Wood if you want a book you’ll become immersed in.

What are some books you’ve gotten sucked into?

Let’s take over the world!

3 Jun

Zombies.

That’s right, it’s time for step two in my nefarious plan to promulgate The House in the Old Wood upon an unsuspecting world. And that involves … zombies!

BWAHAHAHAHA!

You see, everyone who has read The House in the Old Wood has now been turned into a mindless zombie, seeking only to get more people to read the book. (What? Not you? Repeat after me: “I am getting sleepy … sleepy …)

But … how will we accomplish this? I am glad you asked, my minions.

1. Spread the means of zombification

The text from the back cover of The House in the Old Wood is designed to be enticing, to encourage people to read the book. If you have a printed copy, you can show it to your friends. Or you can show it to them here on this blog.

2. Begin the infection

Once they start reading, they won’t want to stop. There’s a sample for Kindles on Amazon.com, or they can read the first chapter on this blog.

3. Facilitate the takeover

Point them to Amazon.com, where they can get The House in the Old Wood

But that’s just the beginning. Starting tomorrow, I’ll supply you daily with reasons to read The House in the Old Wood. Until I run out. I have 17 so far. One or more of those reasons will apply to people you know. Share those reasons, and then they’ll be on the road to becoming zombie minions too, and we’ll move, one slow step after another, closer to taking over the world!

Bwahahahaha!

BWAHAHAHAHA!

Sorry about that …

28 May

The House in the Old Wood has had an unintended consequence.

Across the country, work is being neglected and friends are being ignored because, I am told, “I can’t put the book down!”

And from people who are finishing the book, I am hearing vociferous cries of, “When is the next one coming?! My soul is in mortal anguish and deep turmoil awaiting Book 2!” Well, perhaps I exaggerate slightly. Nonetheless …

Let me help you with both of those problems.

If you’re having trouble getting your work done because you can’t stop reading the book, get all your co-workers reading it too. If you have to, buy copies for them. (Really, that’s fine with me.) But it’s imperative you get them reading too – it’s in your own best interests. See, if they’re all engrossed in the book too, you won’t look so bad.

Friends complaining you’re ignoring them? Get them reading, again, even if you have to buy copies of the book for them. They might even think you’re being nice. Until they get sucked into the book. But at least then, they’ll be reading quietly so you can read.

There you go. Helpful, am I not?

Now, for those of you who have finished The House in the Old Wood, and are eagerly awaiting word on Book 2 …

I’m working on it.

This weekend I started going through the manuscript slowly in order to smooth out any rough spots and generally improve the writing. I’m through about 20 percent of the book so far. I know that may not sound like much, but it’s progress. I’m staying on track to complete the book in time for an October release.

Does that still seem like a long time to you?

Tell you what. That just means you can re-read The House in the Old Wood in September, and notice some of things you may have overlooked the first time around. Trust me, there’s a lot of stuff in there that might seem insignificant, but is worth remembering for Book 2 … and for Books 3, 4 and 5, for that matter.

I think the re-reading value makes it like getting two books for the price of one. Then of course, I would say that, wouldn’t I?

Five people you’ll meet

24 May

Five of the people you’ll meet when you read The House in the Old Wood:

1. Karia: A pretty redhead? She doesn’t think so. She thinks of herself as awkward, skinny and pale, as she deals with the challenges of growing up. And then she gets tossed into a maelstrom. Her response? She’s not just going to keep her head above water, she’s going to fight her way out of it. But don’t get the idea she’s some kind of warrior princess or something. She’s vulnerable, naïve and sometimes scared. She makes mistakes. She doubts herself. Sound like anyone you know?

2. Generality: Not the concept, the person. Or rather, the faerie. “A fat, sassy man-faerie,” as one reader put it. He’s sarcastic, easily offended and really doesn’t understand people. So he definitely doesn’t understand teenage girls. Oh, I guess that last one isn’t very unusual, is it?

3. Nana: Her calm, straight talk cuts to the heart of the matter and ends many arguments. She makes tea and grows flowers, and Karia loves her no less than if she were her own grandma. Oh, and she’s prone to saying things like, “Don’t go pouring dumb on top of stupid.” What more could you want?

4. Sikarra: The red-headed and freckled six-year-old thinks Karia is her cousin just because she doesn’t know anyone else with red hair and freckles. And like any six-year-old, she tends to say whatever pops into her head, leading to at least one awkward moment for Karia.

5. The Magician: Also known as The Seeker, he’s smoother than a snake-oil salesman. What does he want with Karia? I guess you’ll just have to read the book …

Chapter One

22 May

Karia, glancing back as she pushed through the brush, crashed into a clearing. She fell, her left shoulder slamming hard into the ground and almost knocking the wind out of her. She lay still for a moment.

Battling the feeling of fear tingling at the back of her neck, she lifted her head and listened. Hearing Narek crashing through the brush was no problem. She needed to figure out how close he was. When the rustling stopped, she knew.

“Oh, poor Karia,” he called out, taunting her. “Left your shoe wedged under this root, did you? It’s hard to run with just one shoe, isn’t it? You stay right where you are, and I’ll bring it to you!”

Now she heard only Continue reading