Breakthroughs
Mar 07, 2026 6:01 pm
Hello everyone, March is here, and we are headed towards spring. Which is good, because I am quite sick of winter. The last week of February closed out with a big snowstorm and far too much shovelling of the white stuff (four trips outside to get it all cleared away). And there may be a story idea involving the homicide of a snowplow driver currently swirling around in my brain.
But the end of February also brought about the firing of my brain synapses (maybe it was all the extra oxygen from being outside) because I came up with the plot and character ideas I needed. I devised a plot twist to liven up the ending of the final Heyward and Andersen story, and solved the issue with Dark Beacon, my ghost lighthouse book. Read on for updates.
Writing Updates:
Heyward and Andersen: Adventure at Reichenbach
The first draft is in the home stretch with just the ending to finish, and the story has come full circle with, I think, a satisfying ending to their short story adventures. There will be one more bonus story for the paperback collection, but I think this is the right send-off for our duo. At least for now.
Dark Beacon
As I mentioned at the end of last year, I was struggling with this book, not having a solid enough idea for the supernatural antagonist. Well, thanks to some brainstorming and a very helpful fellow author, I worked through the problem and figured out I was coming at the antagonist's point of view through the wrong gender. I was mirroring the two female characters from the dual timelines and layering this identity/relationship subtext, but the male form of the antagonist was working against those themes. Once I thought of using a female voice as the antagonist, it became more cohesive and another angle of the mirror. I'll have to go back and revise a lot of the antagonist's scenes, but it will enrich the storyline.
The Obsidian Blade series
I should begin editing book one later this month and falling down all the research rabbit holes to get the history right.
I also came up with a plot idea for the third Obsidian Blade novel: Curse Tablets.
Not sure if our intrepid hero will be under a second curse in book three, but someone will.
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New Story on Pen of the Damned
I've got a new flash fiction posted on Pen of the Damned, called Lost Harvest.
Check it out.
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New Store for Direct Sales
Due to some issues, namely a new Government ID verification policy, I've left Lemon Squeezy and closed down my direct store on that platform. Unfortunately, that also means my books are no longer directly for sale via StoryOrigin. However, I'm currently moving the books over to Fourthwall, and may start selling ebooks direct from my website.
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The Shadows and Ink Podcast
The February episode with author Venessa Giunta has aired, and we had a fun conversation about writing monsters. And our upcoming March 20th chat is with Mia Dalia, where we will discuss her writing and Women in Horror Month.
Check out the link below to see the latest episode.
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Giveaways and Books To Browse
Horrific Giveaways
Ends March 30th!
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HORROR
Echoes of The Stanley Hotel by Grant Kelly
Inside America’s Most Haunted Hotel
Since its opening in 1909, this historic hotel has been the subject of countless ghost stories, drawing visitors from around the globe seeking a glimpse into its haunted past. Echoes of The Stanley Hotel delves into the chilling legends that have earned this landmark its eerie reputation.
Explore the mysterious happenings in Room 217, where a spectral housekeeper is said to rearrange guests' belongings. Experience the haunting atmosphere of the Vortex staircase, where shadowy figures and cold spots are common sightings. Uncover the secrets of the Billiard Room, the Grand Lobby, and the infamous fourth floor, each with its own tales of ghostly encounters.
This fast-paced read explores the legends, hauntings, and strange happenings behind The Stanley Hotel’s eerie reputation. Whether you're a believer or not, Echoes of The Stanley Hotel delivers a chilling dose of ghostly intrigue and keeps you turning pages right through to the next haunted stop in the series.
STEAMPUNK
The Clockwork Detective (Constable of Aqualinne Book 1)
The Imperium diverts her trip home to investigate the murder of a young druwyd in a strange town. She is ordered to not only find the killer but prevent a full-scale war with the dreaded Fae.
Meanwhile, the arrival of a sinister secret policeman threatens to dig up Aubrey’s own secrets – ones that could ruin her career.
It soon becomes clear that Aubrey has powerful enemies with plans to stop her before she gets started. Determined to solve the mystery, Aubrey must survive centaurs, thugs and a monster of pure destruction.
Shades: A Steampunk Fantasy Adventure (Aether Chronicles) by Abi Barden
Amethyst Forester is a scientist, not a lady. Benjamin Maker is a lord, trapped in a loveless marriage. The only thing they have in common is Professor Richards—a genius Aetheric scientist. When Richards is found dead, Amethyst and Benjamin are put in an impossible situation. They jointly inherit his house, its contents, and the mystery of his murder. Could the Professor have been killed for one of his experiments? And if so, what if someone’s still looking for it?
If you like your steampunk with a bit of romance sprinkled in and loads of mystery, this Victorian London-era steampunk adventure is the story for you
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My Merch Stores:
Vintage and artsy designs on a variety of products
Scifi, fantasy, and horror designs on a variety of products
My shop on Redbubble featuring a variety of products.
Including evil chicken merch.
(with Canadian designs and evil chicken merch)
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Find me on:
Website | Facebook Group | YouTube | BookBub
My Amazon page | My Books on StoryOrigin
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That's it for this edition. And I'll return next month with more updates.
