Halloween IAP: Fair Maiden

Welcome to today's Halloween Indie Author Promotion!

Cheri Schmidt -- Fair Maiden

Kindle, Nook, Amazon

Q: What is Fair Maiden about?

It's the Victorian era in England, but Tessa is from the medieval past. She awakens within a castle she has never seen before. Knowledge of her name also evades her. However, even worse than not knowing who or where she is, she cannot recall how she died or why she is dressed as a bride.

Q: What movie rating would you give your story?

A: PG rating

Q:What has worked the best for you as an Indie author (when it comes to being successful)?

A: Write for a wide audience. Don’t focus on just one small group of readers; try to include things that will appeal to more. For example: Teenage girls love romance. Boys and men usually like action and horror. Older women tend to like mystery more than romance.

Q: What is your favorite Halloween story/movie, and why?

A: The Addams Family. Need I say more?

Yesterday's Halloween Book
Tomorrow's Halloween Book

Another book by today's author also featured here.

Halloween IAP: Night Children: Dark Birth

Welcome to today's Halloween Indie Author Promotion!

Scott Bryan -- Night Children: Dark Birth

Kindle, Nook, Smashwords

Q: What is Night Children: Dark Birth about?

When Annabelle and Roland arrive in the New World, their life is shattered. Vampire lord Dominic Pratchet kills their parents and leaves them to die.

Defying her husband, Eliza Pratchet turns them into vampires and teaches them how to master their cravings and abilities.

Dominic sends various monsters to destroy Eliza and the children. After all their challenges, the vampire children confront Dominic and all his dark servants.

Q: What movie rating would you give your story, and to which age group is it directed?

A: PG rated for mild violence. Middle Grade book geared for kids from 11 on up

Q: When did you discover your passion for writing?

A: I dabbled a bit online until I saw a movie and couldn’t get these new ideas out of my head. I had to write them down and they took a life of their own. Before I knew it I was well on the way to finishing Annabelle’s first novel.

Q: What was your favorite costume as a child, and do you still dress up?

A: A werewolf except I wasn’t a child. I was in high school and after the costume party I walked around the town in costume till 3:am, enjoying their company. It was sweet, too! I had a snout, feet and the whole ball of wax… or fur.

Yesterday's Halloween Book
Tomorrow's Halloween Book

Another book by today's author also featured here.

Halloween IAP: Witch Born

Welcome to today's Halloween Indie Author Promotion!

Amber Argyle -- Witch Born

Kindle, Nook, Amazon (paperback), Smashwords

Q: What is Witch Born about?

Brusenna thought it was finished. She defeated the Dark Witch, saving the Haven Witches from imprisonment and death. She found love and a place to belong.

She was wrong. Haven is not the sanctuary it appears to be. Even love is in danger of slipping away like water through cupped hands. Some things can't be saved.

A new threat merges with the old as the Witches’ dark history begins to catch up with them. Only Brusenna knows the extent of the danger and how to stop it, though doing so might cost her everything. Including her life.

Will Brusenna be required to make the ultimate sacrifice?

Q: What movie rating would you give your story, and to which age group is it directed?

A: PG13 for kissing and fantasy violence. Readers ages 10 and up will be fine with it.

Q: Why did you choose to self-publish?

There are a lot of reasons why I chose to self publish. I had an agent and it didn't work out. I had a contract from a publisher, but it was so bad I refused to sign it. I finally found an publisher and we published my first book. It was okay, and I might have published another book with them. Then they refused to publish my next book because they only wanted to see YA from me and it was "too adult". Between that and my pitiful paycheck, I decided I would be happier publishing stories that were GOOD, and making more money doing it.

And I am totally making more money.

Q: What is your favorite Halloween story/movie, and why?

My favorite Halloween  movie was The Worst Witch. I totally related to bullied Mildred, as I was bullied in high school. She had long, straight brown hair, so did I.

Yesterday's Halloween Book
Tomorrow's Halloween Book

Halloween IAP: The Music of Erich Zann

Welcome to today's Halloween Indie Author Promotion! 

HP Lovecraft -- The Music of Erich Zann

There is no cover for this short story by HP Lovecraft. It's a masterpiece in early 20th Century horror, and in fact, was the basis for my story, The Music of Anna Morse. Many of Lovecraft's works are in the public domain now, including this one.

Lovecraft is a master of suspense and intrigue. This was the very first story of his I read, and when I brainstormed my ideas for my Katon University Series, I knew I wanted the first novella to be a re-write of The Music of Erich Zann. Most of the novellas are rewrites (with a ton of additional material) of early horror authors, including Lovecraft and MR James.

Beta readers have told me that my version has a creepier/more satisfying ending than Lovecraft's. The Music of Anna Morse wasn't written in a literary style, but is a commercialized version. Lovecraft's story is literary fiction--heavy on back story, but shining in description. The words Lovecraft uses pull readers into the story and give excellent visuals.

Where to find it: Project Gutenberg (to read online--it's pretty short).

I hope you enjoy The Music of Erich Zann by HP Lovecraft!

Yesterday's Halloween Book
Tomorrow's Halloween Book

Halloween IAP: Dracula's Party

Welcome to today's Halloween Indie Author Promotion!

Amy Manemann -- Dracula's Party

Amazon (paperback)

Q: What is Dracula's Party about?

Dracula's having a party and everyone's invited, except for Werewolf and Grizzly Bear. Can they put their differences aside to include everyone to have fun together, or will the party be ruined?

Dracula's Party was written with the author's son's 2nd grade class last year, the children did all of the illustrations for the book, and a portion of proceeds goes to the school's PTA.

Q: What movie rating would you give your story, and to which age group is it directed?

A: G - second grade readers and older

Q: Why did you choose to self-publish?

A:  I wanted to learn the business. It has enabled me to learn everything about the publishing world from uploading and formatting your book, creating cover designs, to book marketing 101. Though I do hope to be traditionally published someday I'm glad to have had the opportunity to self publish and gain a better understanding of everything involved in getting your book into the hands of readers.

Q: What was your favorite costume as a child, and do you still dress up?

A: One year, I told my mom I wanted to be a pretty witch for Halloween. She created me this fantastic witch costume with a sparkly glittering cape and matching hat and I wore "nice" make up for the event. I do still dress up for Halloween, but usually just in pajamas. It's a great excuse to not do your hair for the day!

Yesterday's Halloween Book
Tomorrow's Halloween Book

Another book by today's author also featured here.