Life Update: From Moving to "Nightmares"

It’s time for a good old life update on the blog! My apologies for taking forever to update, and I sincerely thank those of you who pay attention and support my work. I even had a few Facebook and Twitter messages from followers asking if I was okay. I wonder if that means I spend too much time on social media :)

So, here’s a 2016 life update.

I moved! As of 4/20, I reached a new high in life (bad pun intended). Check out some of the space below!

A view of part of the main floor from when you open the front door: This is where I write when I want to write, as Stephen King says, "with the door open." 

Organizing my horror collection

A view of my office

Putting together my other creative writing space: This is where I work when I want to write "with the door closed." I love being surrounded by all my favorite books and pop culture inspirations!

Moving is a HUGE process, as many of you know. I have months more of work to do on the house. So whenever I'm slow at posting or being active online, it's a safe bet that I'm either working on the house or writing. 

Rabbit in Red Volume Two (Burn the Rabbit) is DONE! It just needs to go through one final and formal round of editing with my favorite editor in the world, Kathy Teel, who helped me turn book one into what I had always hoped it could be. I hope to release it in September. My goal is one Rabbit in Red book every fall or Halloween season. It's the BEST THING I HAVE EVER WRITTEN. I LOVE all of you who loved Rabbit in Red. It makes my day. But looking back, Rabbit in Red was just my warm-up. Book two is a total game-changer. I can't wait to share it with you. Expect to see some promotions and whatnot this summer if you'd like to get involved and help with those!

I’ve got a special collection of horror shorts releasing soon! It’s called Nightmares Under The Moonlight!

First, a big thanks to Camron Johnson Illustrations for the awesome cover art! I've got several awesome horror short stories and a few extra surprises in this collection. Right now, I'm keeping the content as a surprise: If you want a chance to WIN A FREE COPY and be among the first to read it and know those surprises, please sign up for my author newsletter HERE. That link will take you to my wesbite. The newsletter is free, and I promise to send something out no more than once a month-- you won't get sick of me. I don't update too often :) But when I do, it's to give away free stuff and tell you about cool news! 

Special events! I’ll be at the Artist and Comic Expo in Peoria on June 11 and 12. I’m working on the specials for that weekend, but the coolest thing is that Nightmares Under The Moonlight will be available to convention-goers first! I’ll discount the book and offer special prices if you buy that and a copy of Rabbit in Red, too. So please mark your calendars for that convention, and come out and be the first to get a copy! For those outside of Peoria, I'll make the book available online later that weekend, too!

Go HERE to like ACE (Artist and Comic Expo) on Facebook!

My ACE promo

On a final note, authors are often asked to give advice to those aspiring to be published. Let me tell you one story that made me very proud, and how it happened.

The other day, a manager from a Barnes and Noble store called me. She asked if I would do an event—a solo signing and speaking event. That’s huge! Trust me, especially with the big stores, it’s usually us authors calling them and hoping they will hook us up. It completely made my day! 

She said, “our assistant manager is a huge fan of your book!” Then she checked to see how many copies they had in stock, and told me, “well, we’ll order a bunch more. I have no doubt they’ll sell.” 

These are words that sent me on another high—a compliment from a reader who is also a bookstore manager! Plus, the confidence of a business that your product will sell: these are the little examples that make me feel that all the hard work I put into writing and promotion have really started to pay off.

Now, how did I get there? Be GRATEFUL and appreciative for all the opportunities you get as a writer. A few months back, I did an event with a half dozen authors at the same store. To be brief: virtually every author complained about the set up or was rude to the people in charge. I couldn’t believe it. I made sure that day to be even extra appreciative for the opportunities given me. Not every event is going to be perfect. You make the most of it, and all parties learn from that experience.

And, of course, guess who got invited back? And guess who didn’t? Not a surprise to me.

Be kind to the booksellers, business owners, readers, fans, and everyone who is helping you out. There will be poorly coordinated, organized, and marketed events. That’s life. How you react to such events will determine your success (and invites) at future events. 

With that said, let me thank some Central Illinois stores who have been nothing but AWESOME. I'm going to link their Facebook pages. Give them a LIKE, please, and even more importantly, go buy stuff from them.

ZEEK'S COMICS AND GAMES: what a treasure cove of fun stuff in Washington, IL. A MUST SEE.

LIT. ON FIRE USED BOOKS: a hidden gem in Peoria, IL with monthly events for readers and performers-- so cool!

I KNOW YOU LIKE A BOOK: a gorgeous boutique store in Peoria Heights, IL that constantly supports independent authors

Thanks for reading and supporting me, too. Please follow me on Facebook or Twitter, and sign up for my author newsletter on my website.

Get your copy of Rabbit in Red today!

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!!!