If You Haven't Read/Heard Of "Chaser" By Scott Taylor...You Should! (An Experiment)

A few years ago, a little book was released upon the world. It received several great reviews, even one from international bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, author of the Dark Hunter series.

Back when it first came out, I blogged about it--a lot--and tried getting the word out. Since we're heading into the holiday season, I can't think of a better gift than the gift of wonder, of adventure, of escape (literally...) to a new world.

 Chaser is that book.

I am that author.

And I'd love for you to check out the book if you haven't read it, or tell someone about it--better yet, order it for Christmas--for someone else.

I've been asked by several if there will be a sequel. I'd love to continue the adventures of Chaser and his human, Kennedy "Kenny" Barnes. I just don't have the story in my head. For now, it's something that might happen. Time will tell.

If you'd like to check out Chaser, click: HERE for the link. Regardless, I hope wherever you are, you and your family are safe and healthy and doing well.

Fan Letters...From Big And Small

Yesterday I received an e-mail from an author. I asked for a quote on my book Chaser. It was something she didn't have to do, considering how busy she is and how, as far as authors go, she's at one end of the success spectrum and I'm at the other. It was very kind of her to do.



Today in the mail I received a letter of thanks. When the book came out, I had a request to send a copy to my niece's twin girls. They were kind enough to write my family a personal note. It was adorable.

If you want to be an author and continue to be an author, you need to be as much a marketer as you are a writer. I've noticed this holds true for those just starting out and for those who have several books on bestseller lists. So when I consider these two items, one from a world-famous author, the other from a couple of kids, I can use the first for marketing purposes, put it on websites and social media and it might turn a few heads which--in turn--may sell a few books. The second, it may not turn any heads, but it melts my heart.



When you're a new writer, you get to know other writers and you take notice when things happen to them like book launches, writing conference invites, and even getting fan mail. You wonder what it's like. I'm hoping this writing adventure will continue for me. And if I continue writing in the middle-grade genre, there may be more thank you letters like the one I received today. Because, after all, isn't that what writing is suppose to be all about?

Thank you Sherrilyn for the kind words! Thank you kids for the beautiful letter. I've had a great couple of days!

Sherrilyn Kenyon's "Infinity"...A Book Review

When you discover an author--especially an insanely successful author--it can be exciting, but it can also be daunting. There's just so much to read. And insanely successful authors get insanely successful because they're usually fantastic authors.

Of course, I'm talking about Sherrilyn Kenyon and she fits the above description. I just finished the first book in the Chronicles of Nick series called Infinity.

In Infinity, we meet Nick Gautier, fourteen, smart, funny, and about to enter a world of supernatural beings where vampires roam the streets and zombies are taking over his classmates. Kenyon creates in Nick a person who, even though he comes from very humble beginnings, a strong personal code drives him to face nightmares that could bring stronger, older non-teenagers to their knees where they flee in fear. 

Nick is smart, but not too snarky as to become annoying, which happens a lot when I read many YA novels. Some YA books (even middle-grade...) have such annoyingly smart protagonists that it can distract from the story. Nick has a great blend of knowing when to say very funny things at the right time. I laughed several times as the story unfolded.

The Chronicles of Nick series is an off-shoot of Kenyon's Dark-Hunter world. In including Nick's adventures into a world she created for adults, she's engaged the off-ignored male-reading YA audience, something I applaud. There's eight books in the Chronicles of Nick. Eight more chances to get to know the young man as he fights more evil, escapes more traps, and learns how to survive in both worlds. After that, I've only got several dozen Dark-Hunter books to occupy my time.

Like I said, exciting, but daunting.

It's The People...

From 8am this morning to 8:45pm tonight, I was on my feet, except for about twenty minutes when I wolfed down some delicious Cambodian food (yes, it was good...). I'm now home, my feet are killing me, I'm tired and hungry...

But, boy, was it worth it!

As the crowds dwindled and people headed for their cars or public transportation, I chatted with two women from the south. We talked books, families, traditions. We discussed growing up in the 1970s and 80s, and raising kids in today's world. We talked and laughed and got to know each other, three people who never met before and, if not for this event, would most likely never have met.

As I walked exhausted to my car, I thought about the day that had been, where tens of thousands of people gathered under one massive roof and just existed with each other. It's something where, in our modern world, we hardly ever have to do. We can live a literal solitary life, almost never having to interact with anyone. Yet, conventions and attractions tear down those walls we sometimes build up for protection. We see each other, talk to each other, smile and say (with genuine meaning...), "It was a pleasure to meet you."

Tomorrow we'll gather again, stand for hours upon hours, shake hands, ask questions, and smile--lots of smiles. Though my comic con experience is somewhat limited, I hope to always remember a few years ago when I met pro wrestler Ron Simmons, or the time Richard Paul Evans and I chatted about writing--just him and I--for about 30 minutes, or, most recently, getting to know two cousins,  Sherrilyn and Laura, a Tennesseean and a Georgian, who made me smile. When it comes right down to it, you can throw away the banners, booths, the photo ops, and, yes, even the books (gasp...), because what makes these events amazing are the people.