Monday, April 25, 2016

Camp NaNoWriMo Update: It's Great to be Back in Woodsview

I hit my 25K word count goal for Camp NaNoWriMo today, and there's still five days left to go in the month. Which is a great thing actually, because Haunted (Woodsview Murders #2) isn't done yet. Not by a long shot.

We're at about 57K on this draft, and we've just had a MAJOR event take place. Things are going to get crazy from here on out (crazier than they already were), which pretty much makes the rest of the book the most fun to write.

But that's the thing--this book has been a blast to write from the very beginning. I adore the world and the characters Jolene and I have created for the Woodsview Murders series, and coming back to Woodsview after some time away has really felt like returning to the place you grew up.

Harrowed was the first book Jolene and I wrote together, and this series will always be very special because of that. We are about to start working on our third series together in a couple months, and it all started when we decided to team up and make our own slasher movie in the form of a YA novel.

We cannot wait to introduce some of our new characters to you in the coming months. And some of them might even live through book two. I mean, probably not, but there's always hope. I guess what I'm saying is enjoy them while they're around.

On the Camp NaNoWriMo front, this month was made even more awesome because we had a fantastic cabin full of wonderful people. I am so thankful for the friends we've made during these NaNo events, and they are a big part of what keeps me coming back every time. I hope we stay connected long beyond this month, because they are just great people.

So, what's next? Well like I said, we've got a little less than a week left in April, so Jolene and I will keep hammering away at Haunted, which will be a fall release (because the Harvester loves Halloween). May is going to be all about the edits for the first book in our next series, Orchard Pointe. June will be finishing edits and getting Orchard Pointe ready for an early summer release. Then it will be back to finishing Haunted, and starting the first book in our next series, Pocumtuck Academy. Expect to hear more about both of those projects very soon.

Stay tuned!


Monday, April 18, 2016

The Pioneer Valley Gaslamp Faire Was a Blast

This past Saturday I attended the first annual Pioneer Valley Gaslamp Faire, both as a vendor and a panelist. It was a great event, and hopefully just the beginning of a very bright future for the show.

We were in the 12th floor of the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Springfield, with a beautiful view of the Pioneer Valley. The show had a steampunk theme, and many of the vendors and attendees were dressed in amazing costumes. It was an impressive display of craftsmanship, and one of the best reasons to come and check out the show.

My friend Jenn Iannaconi and I did a panel called "Something Old, Something New," which focused on the blending of different elements in genres like steampunk, cyberpunk and horror. I actually read a bit from Lovecraft's Curse, which was the first time I've ever read my own work in front of an audience. We had great discussions about our favorite genres, the influence roleplaying games had on my writing and why certain time periods just keep drawing us back to them.


The day was filled with fun and to top it all off, I met some new friends and sold enough books to cover the cost of my table. I'm really looking forward to next year, and I've started planning my costume already.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Come See Me at the Pioneer Valley Gaslamp Faire Saturday 4/16!

My busy April of local events continues this weekend in my hometown of Springfield, as I'll be at the first annual Pioneer Valley Gaslamp Faire on Saturday. The steampunk-inspired event is bringing together artists, writers, crafters and cosplayers for an afternoon filled with the celebration of

The Gaslamp Faire will be held from 10am to 4pm in the 12th floor ballroom of the La Quinta on 100 Congress Street in Springfield, MA.

And Admission is free!

Here's the super exciting part for me--I'll be doing a reading from my horror novel Lovecraft's Curse, followed by a discussion with my friend Jenn Iannconi about what draws both creators and consumers to mashups of old and new like steampunk and modern Lovecraftian horror.



I will also have print copies of all thee books in the Parted Veil series available, as well as a limited number of "Uguborth" prints that will be free for anyone who buys all three books.

You can find out more information at gaslampfaire.com, or check out their Facebook page. Hope to see you there!

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Easthampton BookFest Was Great!

Yesterday I spent the afternoon in Easthampton, Massachusetts for the Easthampton BookFest. It's a wonderful one-day celebration of books, zines and more, with signing, panels and other events happening all across Easthampton throughout the day.

I was over at Eastworks for the Lit Marketplace, which featured a collection of local authors selling their books. My pals Mark Masztal and G Michael Dobbs were my neighbors for the day, and there were plenty of booklovers that made their way through the marketplace during the six-hour event.

I of course spent most of my time talking about music and horror movies with every person that came by the table. I tend to forget that I'm there selling books, as I start geeking out about a particular album or movie with someone and before I know it, the day is pretty much over.


Despite my general incompetence as a promoter of my own work, I did manage to sell some books yesterday, and made a few new friends as well. One couple in particular I chatted with for well over a half hour, as they were metal fans, and the woman had a similar connection to southern Maine as I do. I'm pretty sure we're best friends now after reminiscing about Old Orchard Beach, Wells and Ogunquit.

And that's honestly my favorite part about bringing my books to events--hanging out with people who love some of the same things I do. This was a fantastic event, and I will absolutely be going back next year.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Come See Me at the Easthampton BookFest This Saturday (4/9)

I'll be back behind the table, selling my word wares again this weekend!

On Saturday April 9th, Easthampton BookFest will be taking place, with a full day of panels, workshops, signings and marketplaces all over Easthampton.

I will be at the Lit Marketplace, located at Eastworks on 116 Pleasant Ave in Easthampton from 12-6pm. 

I'll be selling and signing copies of all three books in my Parted Veil horror series.


I will also have some Uguborth prints with me, and anyone who buys all three books will get one for free!


You can find out more about the full schedule of events at www.easthamptoncityarts.com or head to the Facebook page for the event.  Hope to see you there!

Sunday, April 3, 2016

The Orchard Pointe Draft is Done!!

It's done, it's done IT'S DONE!!


Well, I mean the first draft is done. On March 31st at around 10:30pm EST, I typed the final words of the Orchard Pointe draft. So, about 90 minutes before Camp NaNoWriMo started on April 1st.

So, there's no rest for the weary in that regard, as Jolene and I are hard at work on book two of the Woodsview Murders series as I type this. Were are about 33,000 words into this sequel and it is shaping up really nicely so far. And by really nicely, i mean the bodies are piling up already.

But, even though I gave myself and hour and a half to breathe between projects, the Orchard Pointe draft deserves to be celebrated. In this first book, Jolene and I are introducing you to the world of OP, as well as some of the characters you'll be experiencing it with in books to come. It's a story that is inspired by everything from Lost Boys to Silver Bullet to Something Wicked This Way Comes, with some Tales From the Darkside thrown into the mix as well.

And we love it. We hope you will too.

So, while Jolene and I will be spending April in Woodsview, we'll be back in Orchard Pointe in May and June so we can get this book in your hands in time for summer.

Stay tuned!