I wrote a young adult, dystopian, science fiction thriller called THE DOOR ON THE RIGHT. It’s the year 2176 and is about 13 orphans who live isolated in a building called Harlan House, which resides in the middle of a bustling city. They are the only people on the planet who don’t have an immunity to fight against a disease that has been raging the planet for a hundred years. So, to keep them safe, they live together, only seeing the city below through the 8th floor roofdeck.
I took this unique idea to do a series of posts on social media introducing the characters in the books. I’d love to know if any of you think this is interesting or effective? I think it was pretty cool.
I had a lot of fun creating these. There’s this fine line of saying too much or too little, so love to hear what you think. If you’d like to check out the novel, you can get it here on Amazon.amazon.com/dp/B0BPF67XC1/
So, one year my my mom was visiting me and I saw her washing one of my cooking pans. I was like, “Mom, really, it’s a lost cause.” She looked at me like I was crazy and said, “you just need to clean them.” I glanced at the black pot, saw the bottom was a little dark and said, “but it’s just seasoned.”
I realized we all make a lot of excuses for things. Things we want to get done. Books we want to finish. Closets that need to be cleaned out. Exercises that need to be done. A diet that needs to start. Her words really resonated with me and when my mom returned to Florida, I buckled down and attacked that pan.
I realize life is a lot like cleaning your pans. You get complacent. You don’t realize the rut you get into. It’s winter now, so the excuse to get out and exercise gets trumped by “It’s cold, it’s dark, I just want to curl up in bed with the covers over my head and eat something yummy and fattening and it will make me happy!” (Insert whatever excuse you make). Or, the house looks “clean enough – I mean, who is coming over anyway?” (go ahead, please fold your laundry and put it away even if company isn’t coming over)
Well, it’s time I heed my own advice. I have one book with my editor right now for a final read and I am going to start full press reaching out to agents. I’m up to 18 submissions so far. It’s so daunting and defeating, but I need to buckle down and do it. I have another novel in the hopper about 100 pages in and I have a book called House of Leaves I’m trying to get through. It’s a pretty intense book and I’ve been making excuses, but I want this off my plate. I can’t just let a book go. I have to finish it, so like those pans, I’m going to attack it!
What’s something on your plate you put off but know you need to do? Love to hear!
I’m really excited to interview David C. Cassidy on my blog this week. Authors that gear their writing towards Horror and Suspense have a special place in my heart. Scare me and keep me on my toes, pretty please! So without further ado…
David, can you describe your writing process? Do you outline, plot and plan, or is your writing more organic?
I’m a deep, deep planner. My outlines look like movie scripts but contain much more detail. I always begin with a seed idea for the story, and then I spend weeks or months developing my character profiles—their past, present, and future. By the time I’m finished, I know them inside and out; they become as real to me as family.
My books read like movies. One of the most important things I do is select actors for each character in the book and include a photo of them in each profile—actors who I think would be perfect for the role. In my time-travel thriller Velvet Rain, I chose Hugh Jackman for Kain Richards. In the supernatural horror novel Gateway, Joaquin Phoenix would play Jared Cole. Having these images ingrained in my mind allows me to picture them and their reactions in every scene that I write. They come alive on the page.
As I’m developing my characters, quotes, scenes, and plot points leap out at me. Things they need to say and do. How the story progresses from start to finish. Only then, usually after several months, do I start to write.
This is fascinating, David. I usually have an idea of the beginning, middle and end of my own novels, but besides that, I’m just a big panster I think! Though when I wrote my Kelsey Porter series, I did what you did and I created a 20 page character document with photos and descriptions of each character. Kelsey had 4 full pages just dedicated to her. I know that girl now inside and out!
I want to hear more about your book Gateway. Can you describe it in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it?
A troubled man with miraculous power. Crazies and killers. Evil unleashed.
Okay … that’s 11 words. But I’m used to breaking so-called “writing rules” all the time. For me, there are no rules.
Shameless plug: The reviewer at TaleFlick.com—a company that pitches books and scripts to major movie studios—awarded Gateway with a “TaleFlick Pick” badge, highlighting it for producers and directors. The reviewer’s summary stated it would make a good film or mini-series and could win awards in the horror and thriller categories.
That is incredible and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you. Having your baby on the big screen is something that would be amazing.
Curious, do you have any odd writing habits?
I do. Whenever I sit down to write, I tap four keys first: L. U. C. K.
Ok, this is SO COOL. It’s like you put your feelings out to the universe. I’m a firm believer in positive thinking. Though with your talent, luck isn’t necessarily needed.
What do you enjoy most about writing horror?
My stories are character-driven, never plot-driven. It’s all about the characters and their overwhelming struggle to carry on. The story—their story—comes from them. From where they’ve been and where they’re going. So for me, writing about real characters—in my mind—that’s gold. I need to feel their purpose and pain. And I do. Many readers have told me the same after reading my books.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Photography—film and digital. I’m very visual, whether it’s in words or images. I love to create art with keyboard and camera.
That’s fantastic, David. Tell me, where can readers find your books?
All my books can be purchased from my online store at www.davidccassidy.com/store. The books are much cheaper there than at the major retailers. I also offer special deals and exclusive bundles at great prices.
Of course, my books can also be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Smashwords, and Kobo.
About Gateway
Sometimes, good people do bad things. And sometimes … really nasty things.
Jared Cole has it all. Talent. Fame. Success. But this best-selling horror novelist also has an astonishing power: he can see souls. Returning to his sleepy hometown of Torch Falls, Montana after seven years in the grind of New York City, it seems the perfect plan to keep his secret safe and to jump-start his sagging career. But when he unwittingly opens a window—a gateway—into the soul of an epileptic child, his dream of a fresh start becomes a nightmare. A relentless and sinister evil is unleashed, twisting peaceful townsfolk into psychotic crazies and cold-blooded killers. Can Jared close the gateway before the town becomes a graveyard?
Author BIO David C. Cassidy is an award-winning author, the twisted mind behind several chilling books of horror and suspense.
His supernatural thriller, The Dark, won the Independent Book Publishers Award and ReadersFavorite.com Award in horror fiction.
If you love horror with unforgettable characters in epic stories that draw you in and won’t let go—stories that haunt you long after the final page—then check out his incredibly rich storytelling.
Holy cow. I started at this writing journey literally about 30 years ago, but if you would have told me that I was also going to have to be a marketing social media maven, I would have laughed. I’m the person whose house is one step up from an Ikea catalogue. My presentations have colors all through them because “I think they’re pretty.” I know what I like when I see it, but a design eye is not my forte. Even my first book covers I thought were fantastic and now I realize they were kind of… busy.
But, like everything in life, the more you do, the more you practice, the better you get. It doesn’t hurt that there are so many different companies out there that can help you. I use PicCollage, Canva (and yes, I just upgraded to pro), Splice and now CapCut. I put all of these in various formats onto TikTok, Instagram, Twitter X and now Threads. Occasionally I’ll do it on FB and my author page, though I keep FB more privatized with people I actually know and interact with.
There are quite a few creations I’ve been pretty happy with. I wouldn’t say they’re working on getting me any insane views on any of the social sites yet, but there’s the hope is that the more I do, the more awareness I’ll get month over month.
So, I have this little game I’m playing that I started in November. I hardly had any sales in November. I basically made enough for one cup of coffee at a local coffee shop. After working completely hard doing social media for the next month, I’ve now made enough for 3 cups of coffee! LOL – I’m laughing, but seriously, it’s true. The good news is that hopefully I’m now gaining new followers and building a base and with me working hard each day at this doing something towards my goals, my hope is that next month I can upgrade this to 3 lattes! (to be fair, my entire goal is to make enough on my writing to pay for ads, which I’m hopeful I’ll get to soon).
So which if these on this page did you like the best? Love to hear!
For 16 years I’ve been publishing books. For the first 13 years I was crazy about writing and publishing, trying to acquire literary agents, working social media, you name it. At one point I had over 230K+ on google+, which went away, and over 35K on Twitter, which dwindled over the past few years.
I attribute a lot of this to the changing publishing environment. There’s so many free books out there that it’s very hard to build a base of fans that want (or even need) to buy anything. But I have decided that my novels are worth it. I’ve got 14 books so far in the field with more coming. They are across a host of genres, which I agree can make it hard for a reader to stick to all the books, but there are a few per genre and I’m itching to reach more people.
So, this is just a general announcement. I am getting serious. Look, being an author is hard because nowadays, you can’t just write. You also have to be a social media and marketing maven. It’s difficult to wear so many hats but I’m taking the challenge and seeing if I can increase my sales month over month. I’m on month two and have increased my book sales by $4 whole dollars so far from November to Mid December. LOL – don’t worry, I won’t spend it all in one place. But this is not a sprint – it’s a marathon.
So, I have now a dedicated Instagram author page (I’d really appreciate it if you could follow me there), dedicated twitter (x), dedicated Threads, dedicated TikTok and my facebook author page. In fact, come on over to my Linktr.ee and you can connect wherever and however you’d like!
Step 1. Build each of these up with content so that when people are searching they can find the books to read. Step 2. Build my newsletter – please feel free to join – I don’t post often (once every few months? And it will have freebies and new book launches. Step 3. My hope in 2024 is to host some book clubs, do a few book signings and finally see if I can get my novels with Ingram so I can get into bookstores. Step 3 is a lofty goal and will require a ton of legwork. So I’ll build Step 1 and Step 2 first and work on Step 3 into the New Year.
Look, if you don’t reach for the stars, you’ll never get your feet off the ground. 🙂 Love to hear your goals for 2024!
Hi Readers! Are you interested in a new mystery series featuring a smart, strong woman, and set in the tropical paradise of the Hawaiian Islands? Then look no further than Scott Bury’s amazing series. Let me tell you about it.
Hawaiian Storm Mysteries
The Hawaiian Storm series features FBI Special Agent Vanessa Storm, the woman who instantly sees through every lie.
The series now comprises four titles: three full-length novels and one seasonal-themed novella. Scott is willing to give away an e-copy of the first book in the series, Torn Roots, to anyone who can answer one of two questions.
“First question: there is a recurring character in nearly every one of my books—one who does not appear on a large number of pages, but who plays a pivotal role in the plot. She always has the same first name, but her last name can vary on the surface, but always has the same meaning. And that meaning provides the linchpin of the story. Who is she?
“Second question: What does Vanessa Storm have in common with James Bond?”
Book 1: Torn Roots
Special Agent Vanessa Storm’s first case sends her to Maui’s rain-soaked south shore to investigate the murder of a woman in the midst of conflict between local activists and foreign investors.
An abrasive environmentalist, a taciturn geologist and a rogue Homeland Security agent lead Vanessa into a tangled jungle of a mystery.
Snowflake has a new meaning in Hawaii. The new designer drug gives users the perfect high—and kills them.
During the holidays, FBI Special Agents Vanessa Storm and Alan Terakawa have to stop the deadly flow. Vanessa’s handsome, charming, and untrustworthy ex-boyfriend might have the answer.
In 1999, the Kahuna was The Man on Oahu’s leeward side. The coolest guy at the wildest parties, with the coolest posse, the best weed and the most beautiful girlfriend.
Then he disappeared.
Fifteen years later, that girlfriend is no longer a high school senior. She is FBI Special Agent Vanessa Storm, and she sees through every lie the Kahuna spins when he shows up again to beg her help.
How can she say no when the Kahuna wants her help not for himself, but to protect his little sister. Young Christine Koraka is ready to set fire to the whole Oahu illegal drug trade—for revenge.
After a 20-year career in journalism, he turned to writing fiction.
“Sam, the Strawb Part,” a children’s story, came out in 2011, with all the proceeds going to an autism charity. Next was a paranormal short story for grown-ups, “Dark Clouds.”
The Bones of the Earth, a historical fantasy, came out in 2012. It was followed in 2013 with One Shade of Red, an erotic romance.
The Eastern Front trilogy tells the true story of Maurice Bury, a Canadian drafted into the USSR’s Red Army to face the German invasion of the Soviet Union. Army of Worn Soles, the first volume, was published in 2014, followed by Under the Nazi Heel in 2016 and Walking Out of War in 2017.
Scott Bury was invited to write for three Kindle Worlds by bestsellers Russell Blake, Toby Neal and Emily Kimelman. From 2015 to 2017, he published six novellas and a novel. He has since revised and republished three as the Hawaiian Storm mystery series: Torn Roots, Palm Trees & Snowflakes, and Dead Man Lying.
In between writing books and blog posts, Scott helped found an author’s cooperative publishing venture, Independent Authors International. He is also President of an authors’ professional association, BestSelling Reads.
He lives in Ottawa with his two mighty sons, two pesky cats and a very understanding wife.
I’m so excited to offer some free books to my followers over the next month. This week is THE HUNT FOR XANADU. From December 4th to December 8th I want to invite everyone to go grab a FREE e-book copy of Book #1 in my Kelsey Porter series. The best part is that I’m going to do a little give-away for readers to also win ANY of my 14 books for as an ebook for free! In fact, I’m going to have 10 winners so the chances of winning are really good. EVEN if you already have the book, you can be entered if you follow the rules below!
So, here’s the rules:
Grab your free copy of THE HUNT FOR XANADU from December 4th – December 8th. Come back here to tell me you got one (even if you already have it) and if you gifted it out to five people you will get an additional second entry! Since I have a special set up with Amazon, I can view free purchases, so give-away and get for yourself, please! I’ll be posting the winners this weekend and on next Monday’s blog!
This entire series has been so well received. It was also written up by Douglas Preston on Amazon and he even had the book on a podcast! Here’s his review: The Hunt for Xanadu by Elyse Salpeter is a remarkable novel, a fascinating and fantastical journey in time and space, and one of the most gripping novels I’ve read in a long time. It flies along at the pace of a thriller, with plenty of murder and mayhem along the way. But behind the thrill-ride is a spiritual story, an archetypal tale of mystery and darkness,riddled with fascinating and esoteric concepts in Tibetan Buddhism. Vivid characters, a truly appealing protagonist, unexpected twists, and crisp writing complete this unforgettable book. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!
—Douglas Preston, #1 bestselling author and co-creator, with Lincoln Child, of the Pendergast seriesLove for you to take a peek!
Here’s the link to The Hunt for Xanadu on Amazon. Don’t forget to comment below if you get it and also when you gift it out!
PS. Dreams and hard work do pay off. Here’s me finishing the NY 70.3 Half Ironman on Sept 23rd. Set your mind to something, commit and you can rule the world!
For nearly 20 years I worked for Gannett at a magazine called USA WEEKEND. We were a sunday magazine that was filled with entertainment and food and all sorts of fun things. Eventually it got sold and I moved on to the digital world, but my family has always supported newspapers.
We used to have four of them delivered to the house and now we’re down to just two. But we read them every morning at breakfast, and the funnies and puzzles seem to stay out all week as we all work on them. I think it’s so important to support our local papers. Newspapers are struggling so much, so getting that yearly delivery to keep the “local” in newspapers is so important.
I’ve been fortunate quite a few times to be featured in the local papers for my novels, including Newsday and The Roslyn News!
I have a few books readers may be interested in picking up. Do you like? SciFi? Try THE DOOR ON THE RIGHT, like horror? Try RICKET ROW and THE MANNEQUINS and if you love adult thrillers my Kelsey Porter series is the go to. THE HUNT FOR XANADU is book #1 and it’s just 99 cents on Amazon ebook. Here’s my author link to amazon if you’d like to give any a try. amzn.to/40CMkNG If you can find it in your schedule to do a review, I can’t tell you how appreciated it would be.
AND DON’T FORGET, you can call your local library and ASK them to buy/get any of my books. Each library has an acquisition manager, so that is always an option. Right now the Nassau County LI system has nearly 7 of my novels, shared through different libraries. Enjoy!
Everyone who knows me, knows I’m very goal oriented. I’m constantly trying to attain things. I don’t know why I’m like this, but I’m the type of person that always looks ahead. Options, potential, these are things that really pump me up.
Then there’s this other part of me that wants to hibernate in my bed and just watch Netflix all day. I’m in the process of racing through The Blacklist, which I’m on season 5. I think my drive to work out is so that I don’t succumb to that and just watch my phone all day.
So, I digress… what did I do? Two things actually. #1, I signed up for my first half marathon on May 7th. That is daunting. I’ve not run more than 7.2 miles in my life. And, with my sciatica, well, that’s always been an issue. And then, I did another thing. Even more daunting. I signed up for a 70.3 Ironman in NY on September 23rd.
WHAT THE HECK?
I have only done sprint triathlons to this date. I tried to do an Olympic at the NYC tri over the summer, but they cut it short due to the heat. Not to mention, I was so overcome that I ended up at the end in the medic area getting oxygen (I’m fine and wow, I’d love oxygen at the end of every event! I’d even pay for that! LOL)
But, now I have what to do. I’m starting a run program with GLIRC on Feb 11th that will train me for the half marathon and in the meantime, I’ll increase my swimming and biking so that when I finish that race on May 7th, I’ll rest the next day, and then start in earnest the triathlon training for the 70.3. The race is near my house, I swim in the bay there all summer, I bike there on my solo cycle runs and the course is relatively flat. How could I not do this? If there were one 70.3 to do, this is it.
Oh, and I might try to publish one book. I’ve got a book called TAKEN I’m in final edits of. I don’t know how I feel about this book. Is it good? Bad? I just don’t know and so I’ve been sitting on it! Crazy, I know. I should just get it out to the world. But, if you want to read a fun book, go get THE DOOR ON THE RIGHT, which is my newest sci-fi apocalyptic release. Love to hear what you think!
Anyone else doing anything crazy this year? Any races, big book launches, life changes? Let me know!
Last September, 2021, I was asked by some writing friends to do NANOWRIMO with them. That’s this nationwide writing exercise where in November you write about 1600 words a day, every day for a month, so that at the end of the November you have the start of a novel. Well, I agreed to do it, not knowing WHAT I was going to write about until the night before. On Oct 31, 2021, I had a dream about the actress Hayden Paniettere (from her Bring It On movie days) and in this dream, she was stuck living her entire life in this one building. When I woke up, I just started writing, with the main female protaganist (who is also named Hayden and is blond) about a group of children who are prisoners in a building that they can never leave. That’s how THE DOOR ON THE RIGHT came to be.
I love geeky science and sci-fi and the novel morphed into this cool dystopian, post apocalyptic tale that I think people will enjoy. Lots of cool reveals the further you get in the book.
Here’s the blurb:
In a world devastated by a ruthless virus, 13 orphan teens cling to survival in Harlin House, a safe Haven created for them by a mysterious group called the Handlers. With no immunity to the virus and time running out, they discover that all is not as it seems, and their lives – and the world beyond theirs – are trapped in a terrifying nightmare far more hellish than they could ever imagine.
The novel is available on e-book, kindle, KDP select and paperback on Amazon here:
And don’t forget – they make great gifts to send to others too for the holiday!
Elyse Salpeter 