Follow the Rabbit

So, you're just hearing about Rabbit in Red? That's okay. There are thousands of books and movies and shows-- how do we keep up with it all?

With that in mind, I wanted to say a few things about the book: what it is, how it's doing, where you can get it, and where we're going from here!

What is it

It’s been called the Hogwarts of horror. It’s been described as Hunger Games meets Halloween. Honored as BookoftheDay.Org’s Halloween 2015 selection, Rabbit in Red has been netting dozens of positive reviews.

The book is the first in a horror trilogy. Nineteen horror-loving teens are invited to a contest of a lifetime by eccentric horror producer, Jay “JB” Bell. The teens have a chance to win cash and become a part of the Hollywood industry they love, but only if they can complete a variety of twisted games. Life imitates art in JB’s Rabbit in Red studios, and soon teens go missing. Who will survive?

How about a live-action trailer?

How's it doing

I get asked a lot about how many books I've sold and things like that. Out of respect for my publishing team and fellow authors, I don't like to say publicly, but it's broken some records and has gained lots of good reviews. We're up to 40 positive reviews on Amazon, almost 30 on Goodreads, and a few great ones on Barnes and Noble, too. 

It's been featured on the front page of the Peoria Journal Star's entertainment section, has had TV and radio coverage, and lots of other great stories. You can view those here. 

Enter the Rabbit

What I'm most proud of are the things I didn't directly create but inspired, including this incredible song by Terribly Happy called "Enter the Rabbit," and the art work below from friends, too.

Rabbit in Red illustration by Camron Johnson

Art work by Tracie VerKuilen

Art work by Brandy Kennington

Where can you get it

As of the time of this post, you can get it online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, iTunes, and more.

And ANY BOOKSTORE in the world! Just go to your favorite bookseller and ask if they have a copy of Rabbit in Red. If they don't ask them to order it!

What's next?

I'm working hard on the 2nd book, Burn the Rabbit. You can learn all about that in this blog post here. 

Stay tuned to all of my updates by subscribing to my monthly newsletter. Subscribe on my website.

I'm also working on a different book, and I'd love to have a project to turn Rabbit in Red into a graphic novel.

Rabbit in Red has also been sent to film/TV agents, and you just never know what or when something else may happen!

Sound cool? If so, help me spread the word. Like and share this story. Like and share my Facebook page. Tell everyone you know to read Rabbit in Red. Leave a review of it on Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes and Noble. All of those things help!

Burn the Rabbit Preview!

Rabbit in Red started because, quite simply, I love horror. It’s my celebration of the genre from horror riddles to virtual reality to ultimately a hands-on Hogwarts of horror experience. There’s more to it than that—characters with dark pasts, themes of fear and death, and even love and bullying, but at its core my first book is a tribute to all of the great stories I loved.

It’s the first in a trilogy, and I want to tell you a bit about the second in the series, tentatively titled Burn the Rabbit.

If book one is my celebration of horror, book two is my chokehold. From the first page, I want to wrap my arms around your throat, squeeze as hard as I can, and not let go until you’ve read the final word.

SPOILER ALERT! Before you go any further, have you read book one? If not, go grab a copy today! We keep the e-book super cheap (less than specialty coffee drink at Starbucks!), and you can get print for just a few bucks more.

Seriously, some of the things you’re about to read may give away certain things that happen in book one.

STOP AND GET BOOK ONE if you haven’t. Bookmark this article, and read it after you’ve finished.

OKAY, here we go. Let’s chat about book two.

Here’s a current back-of-the-book blurb for Burn the Rabbit.

I also created an unofficial trailer, unofficial meaning that I was just playing on my phone. Here’s an iMovie trailer for book two. Watch!

What’s most important about the trailer are the taglines. If you’re wondering what book two is really about, re-watch and re-read the lines used throughout.

“Revenge brings blood and death.” Burn the Rabbit begins with someone (who— one of the many mysteries!) wanting to destroy Rabbit in Red along with our beloved characters.

“Be ready to face the scariest challenge yet.” At the end of book one, JB says that he won’t do the same thing twice. True to his word (and mine) Rabbit in Red challenges returning and new characters alike with something called Hellfire. I won’t tell you about Hellfire yet. But rest assured, if it really existed, you’d need to change your underwear by the time you finished it, IF you were able to finish.

“They will feel pain.” This is a hint as to what Hellfire is all about. It’s also a clue as to what the book is about. There are all kinds of pain.

“Not all will survive.” I’m not killing off anyone to just kill them off. One challenge with horror is that you expect death, and you don’t really feel anything for the characters who died, right? What I want to do differently is get you to feel for our characters. By the end of book two, my hope is that you will really have grown with these characters, and WHEN (not if) some don’t survive, you’ll feel for them. That’s true horror and tragedy in my book.

“It’s not a game.” Book one ultimately centers on a game. Book two goes much deeper.

“It’s life or death.” For real, baby.

“Who wants to destroy Rabbit in Red?” Revenge, again!

“And what will our heroes do to protect the ones they love?” More than just dealing with death, I want this story to be about how horror-obsessed, fear-conquering fanatics ultimately deal with those who try to hurt them. It could get messy. Very messy.

Sound cool? If so, help me spread the word. Like and share this story. Like and share my Facebook page. Tell everyone you know to read Rabbit in Red. Leave a review of it on Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes and Noble. All of those things help.

So when can you expect book two?

Well, my process is long (not George R.R. Martin long, but I try to be patient for quality). First, I write the book (finished the draft last July). Then I don’t look at it for a couple of months. Then I re-read it, mark it up, tear it apart myself. Then I re-write it. Then it goes to a trusted team of beta readers, and I ask them to do tear it apart, ask me lots of questions, and give me their best feedback (this part is happening over a top secret lunch this coming weekend, so I’m getting close to the end!). Then I re-write it again. Then it goes to my professional editor. Then we re-write again. Then it gets published. Maybe it could be out this summer. Or maybe it will be an annual Halloween release :)

It’s more important that I give you my best, though, no matter what.

How about a little excerpt? Keep in mind it’s a work in progress. Here are two short blurbs from the opening that I hope tease you. Thanks for reading and supporting. Enjoy!

“Burn the rabbit,” the man whispered. “If that’s what you want, JB, that’s what you’ll get.” He grinned at himself in the mirror, not bothered one bit by his yellow-stained teeth. He could clean up nice when he had to do so, and he had more than one costume in his closet. He could become anyone he wanted to be.

Then why do you stay you?

Shut up!

His thoughts yelled back and forth at one another. He turned on the water in the shower and waited until it got as hot as it could. He took off his clothes and looked in the mirror.

Would Jaime like this sight?

He rubbed his chest, feeling the muscles that could pin Jaime to the ground—no, that would pin her to the ground! His hand glided over his belly. Oh, yes. This was the treasure he’d give her, and she was going to love it.

*****

Bill heard a loud thud from outside. It sounded like someone had smashed the front door. He dropped his phone and ran out front, his mother and grandparents behind him. They were immediately blinded by flames, and Bill’s mom screamed.

“I’m calling the police,” his grandfather stated.

Bill just stared, speechless. Someone had slammed an axe into their front door and lit it on fire. Through the flames, he could see a message that had been written on the axe, a message certainly intended for him. He swallowed hard as he read it.

Prepare to burn.

******

Again, thanks for your support!

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So you want to be published (part one)?

Let's discuss part one of who knows how many parts of getting published.

There are  a lot of great books on writing and getting published. The top two I recommend are Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and On Writing by Stephen King. If you haven’t read those, stop what you’re doing and get them immediately.

The next thing to consider is the route you want to take to get published. As I see it, there are three good options.

1. Self-publish. Amazon makes this really easy, or so I’ve heard. Self-publishing, I think, is a perfectly credible and acceptable route to go. However, I would only recommend this if you know what you’re doing and you have good connections with others who can help you. At the very least, you’ll need to hire a good editor (or two) and a cover designer. You’ll need to learn how to format, and you’ll need to learn how to market yourself and network with others so that you can actually sell books, if that’s your goal. I’d assume it is, or you could just self-publish your stories on a blog.

2. Find a publisher. These can be large or small, and there are hundreds of publishers out there. Like I said, I see nothing wrong with self-publishing, but if all that work on your own seems daunting, then find an author team. With an author team, you will learn all about good editors, graphic designers, marketing, and many little things within the business. Do you need an agent for a publisher? Only if you’re trying to get published in the big mass market houses like Random House. 

To get your foot in the door, improve as a writer, and learn the business, I’d recommend starting with an indie publisher.

Want to find one and pitch your story at the same time? Friday, December 18, 2015 is the #PitchMAS party on Twitter. It’s a great opportunity to tweet about your story, and maybe you’ll find the publisher that’s right for you. Learn all about that here.

3. Find an agent. This is hard. Really hard. I’m currently un-agented. I came really close to landing an agent, and I’m sure if I had more patience, I’d have one. Here’s how it worked for me: I sent out three rounds of queries. After each round, I revised Rabbit in Red, revised my query, and every single time it got better. During my third round, I actually had several agents request the full manuscript. One almost—no joke—offered me a TV deal, but in the end, it fell through. (Talk about a frustrating compliment!) If I’m being honest, my manuscript still needed work. So I went to an indie publisher—Distinguished Press—where I found the right people for me. My story became the tale I always knew it could become.

So which option is right for you? If you have patience and don't mind waiting years to see your book published, go for the agent. Spend six months or so working on query letters and revising your manuscript. If nothing else, I think that experience is humbling, and you’ll keep improving your story.

Then, if you find one, great! They may—no guarantee—may be able to find you a publisher. 

If you don’t find an agent, then you have to decide if you want to go to an indie publisher or self-publish. For me, the answer was simple. At that time, I didn’t know enough about the industry to be comfortable doing this on my own. I had much to learn. I started submitting to other publishers, many of whom I learned about through events like #pitchMAS.

Fast forward a bit, and I had a contract for a full series. I’ve had the good fortune to work with an amazing editor, have great cover art designed, have a marketing team, and so much more . . . none of which cost me a single cent!

Now, before you submit to any publisher, agent, or consider self-publishing, there are two additional things I would start doing and continue doing:

1. Have a trusted team of readers provide you with constructive criticism on your manuscript. A first draft is never perfect. Neither is a second or a third. If you don’t have the patience and determination to rewrite it a dozen times, you don’t have what it takes for this business.

2. Build your social reach. When it comes to publishing, agents and publishers want someone who can sell. If you were to self-publish and you want to sell, you better have a strong social reach. That means being active on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and more. It means not having a hundred followers but thousands. This side of the business can be exhausting. Writers just want to write, right? Yeah. But if you want to sell, you better work on your social reach. I’ll discuss this more in a future blog.

So I hope that was helpful. Share this if you think others could learn from it. Comment if you have questions, and I’ll be happy to address them!

And I sure hope you’ll be supportive and pick up a copy of my first published book, Rabbit in Red, today.

You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter, and I have pretty cool website with all sorts of Rabbit in Red stuff. Check that out at www.joechianakas.com. 

Killer on the Road

On Sunday November 15, get ready for the second installment of Charles O’Keefe’s The Newfoundland Vampire, Killer on the Road!

 

First, catch up on The Newfoundland Vampire (Book One)! Here’s book one’s summary:

Like many geeks, Joseph O’Reily has always fantasized about being a vampire. Then one night Cassandra Snow walks into his life and he learns that not all dreams should come true. Cassandra has plans for him – plans for eternity.

As his world begins to turn upside down, Josephs wrestles with the changes to his everyday life. Eternal youth and amazing power come at a price that might be higher than he can afford. Vampires may not be human, but Joseph is determined to hold on to what he values most — his humanity.

So get ready for book two by purchasing a copy of the first book in the series today! It’s on sale for only 99 cents on Amazon. 

For those of you already fans of The Newfoundland Vampire, let’s take a look inside book two. Here’s a blurb for Killer on the Road:

Joseph O’Reily is still adjusting to the lifestyle and the dangers that come with being a new vampire. He and Cassandra have been tasked with hunting down and killing a rogue vampire, Donald Rathmore. Another of John Snow’s creations, Donald is an evil misogynistic killer in his own right. While Donald continues his murderous spree, Joseph and Cassandra always seem to be one step behind him. The chase is further complicated as they encounter other vampires and learn more about the mysterious nature of the Vampire Council and the coming war between good and evil.

Joseph is only now beginning to trust Cassandra, and this trust will be shaken when he discovers she has even more secrets than he imagined. Her idea of justice and morality is at complete odds with his own. Despite all his powers and growing skill, Joseph is tested physically as a vampire and emotionally by Cassandra. This time the answers and challenges may be too much for the young vampire to handle.

Book two available is available now. Get it on Amazon or Smashwords today! I also encourage you to follow Charles on Twitter and visit his webpage.

EXCERPT FROM THE NEWFOUNDLAND VAMPIRE (BOOK TWO), KILLER ON THE ROAD

        Donald Rathmore could see the shore up ahead. Finally, he thought. I won’t make it much further. He had swum for almost twelve hours straight and, with the sun nearly up, his legs ached with steady, throbbing pain. He was not the best swimmer, and this was the first time he had done it in years. It was a bizarre sensation, this innate sense of direction. He knew where to go just by thinking about the place. Then as he swam, any time he went off course there was a beeping in his ears, once he got back on track it went away, a sort of inborn GPS.   

In the distance, a tall white structure loomed against the sky. That has to be a lighthouse.  He focused on it desperately as he forced his limbs to move. The lighthouse was a concrete object that proved his was almost there. 

As a new vampire, he had not learned to suppress his breath and now gasped for air as he became exhausted. The sky continued to brighten, and terror seeped into his heart. He had to get out of the water soon, or he could drown. The backpack he wore only weighed a few pounds but now it dragged him down like an anchor.  

He dragged himself fully out of the ocean near a marsh surrounded by tall grass. He staggered onto the shore and collapsed in the reeds, something he didn’t expect to find in Cozumel. Covered in mud, he tried to catch his breath. 

Finally his breathing slowed a bit. He shook out his wet hair, now blond and much longer than before. His appearance was different from even a few days ago, with his beard grown out, along with his facial features and eye color changed. It would be almost impossible for anyone to recognize him as the man who had killed the girl in Montecado. 

REVIEWS FOR THE NEWFOUNDLAND VAMPIRE (BOOK ONE)

“A unique take on the traditional vampire story!”

“Author Charles O’Keefe takes a geek and turns him into… a vampire geek. Thank you, O’Keefe, for not falling into the cliche by turning Joseph into a suave lady killer. Joseph’s utter geekiness makes him a lovable character, and holds my attention throughout the novel. And thank you, also, for the little surprises that made me laugh out loud.”

“This is a great vampire story, a fresh take on the over worked idea. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series to see what happens to Joseph next.”

“Really good Vampire book, I really enjoyed it, and highly recommend it.”

ABOUT CHARLES O’KEEFE

“I’m currently live in the beautiful province of Newfoundland where I am a co-owner of O’Keefe Agencies. 

I’m happily married and we have two furry children named Jude and  Eleanor. I enjoy many hobbies such as walking, Pilates, writing, reading, movies, gaming, television, Dungeons and Dragons, music, travel, poker, martial arts and of course vampires (not the sparkly kind!). 

I’m an author and my first novel, ‘The Newfoundland Vampire’, came out April 10, 2012. The second book “Killer on the Road” came out September 2013. I’m now with Distinguished Press and I am fortunate enough to have books 1 and 2 re-released in 2015 (with books 3 and 4 forthcoming). 

I believe in animal rights and I have been a strict vegetarian for many years. I also believe in helping to  save our planet (I drive a hybrid)  and trying to  help people whenever I can.  I would also describe myself as  Agnostic. I have a BA in English along with Masters in education which provided me with a brief teaching career.”

QUOTES FROM THE NEWFOUNDLAND VAMPIRE (BOOK TWO), KILLER ON THE ROAD

“Kill her slowly and let her screams tell you tales.” 

 “There was color in her cheeks, both sets.” 

“Bite me, harder than you ever have, I want it so much!” 

“Are you in search of a man who collects tongues, perhaps?” 

 

“All the world will bow before me, or be washed away in a tide of blood!”

Happy Early Release, Rabbit in Red!

Rabbit in Red’s official release day is Tuesday September 29, but guess what? The Amazon and Smashwords links have been made available early! Please grab a copy while the book is on sale for 99 cents (and don’t forget to go back and leave a review!).

My friends, family, colleagues, followers here: You’ve all been incredibly supportive! Let me tell you all about how to get the book now and a final “what’s this book about” post from me. I’d sure appreciate if you want to share this with your friends and family, too.

What’s the book about?

Bill Wise has blood in his past, so he turns to horror films to wipe it clean. Jaime Stein has felt the betrayal of death, so she too takes refuge in the on-screen deaths of others. Now Bill, Jaime, and seventeen other horror-loving teens have gathered at Rabbit in Red Studios, the brainchild of eccentric horror producer Jay “JB” Bell, for the terror-filled, blood-drenched contest of their lives.  

JB has presented this competition as a race between the best of the best that will reward the winners with cash, internships, and a career making the movies they love. But things aren’t always as they seem at Rabbit in Red, and soon life starts to imitate art. Will Bill and Jaime be strong enough to confront real horror to save their friends, or will they all fall victim to JB’s twisted plans?

I prefer print. When is that coming out?

I love the feel of print, too. Honestly though, what I ask of my best supporters is to buy the e-book first. It’s only 99 cents if you get it during our release celebration! Why? For new authors like me, it’s the sales of e-books that get noticed, not the sale of my print. So if you want to help me climb those charts and get my name out there, get the e-book, please. Then come get a nice collector’s edition of the print book at a couple of special parties in central Illinois. Out-of-towners will be able to order print online next month, too.

Why did you write this book?

I love horror. I was most inspired by Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One, which is not a horror story by the way. But Cline took pop culture and made a story out of it. When I first read that book, I wanted to do the same, but with horror. I used to eat, sleep, and breathe nothing but Stephen King. So I got the idea of making an adventure of the stories I love.

But it’s A LOT more than that. This book started out as pure fun. It’s the adventure I, as the self-proclaimed #1 horror fan in the world, would love to do! But this is my art, too. I wanted meaning behind it. I wanted to explore fear, loss, love, death, coming-of-age, and more from my own perspectives and experiences. That’s all there. I hope you love it.

I do love it. What can I do?

Reviews will make or break authors. PLEASE leave a review on Amazon (even if you read it elsewhere). Consider posting that review on all of the other sites where the book is available.

Share this blog, the book, and whatever else you’d like with friends and family. We live in a world where today, I would argue, most people observe and don’t comment/share. You might think that’s crazy, but someone is reading this (and possibly enjoying it) with absolutely no intention of sharing or commenting. It’s just not what some do. But I’m asking you to change that, and help us spread the word. Share, comment, and tell the world about it, if you love it!

Okay, where do I buy it again?

Go here to get it on Amazon.

Go here to get it on Smashwords.

As more sites and places become available, I’ll update this section.

How do I follow you for the latest Rabbit in Red updates?

Please do follow me. Who knows? Maybe this will be a movie someday! Or maybe—even for just one day—I’ll hit number one on a bestseller’s chart. And of course you know that this is only book one, with at least two more Rabbit in Red books coming out! To get all that info and more, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and/or Tumblr, whatever you prefer.

You can also stay up-to-date by visiting my official webpage at www.joechianakas.com.

Now, get to reading, and enjoy!!!