Guest post: "Horror? Not Scary at All," by Russell James, Author of 'Q Island'

 

You really won’t believe it, but I discovered a nice group of people. In a world where everyone seems mad at everyone else, where manners seem to have gone out the window, and where everyone is out for himself, I fell in with a great bunch of folks.

The horror community.

Now if you aren’t part of it (yet) then it may seem hard to believe. They must all be weirdoes and psychopaths, reading all that twisted stuff and watching all those gory movies, right? Not even close.

When I became a horror author, several years ago, I was baptized into the community at a Horrorfind horror convention, the first con I’d ever attended. I was surrounded by people in pretty sick, scary costumes. I quickly learned that the people inside them were having a ball, sharing their natural love of a good scare with similar folks. Positive, outgoing, excited, friendly. Amazing. The opposite of what most would expect.

Then I met some horror authors. And then I met some more. Surely the minds that spend months dwelling on demonic possession and savage machete-wielding nut jobs must have a screw loose themselves. I mean, it takes one to know one, right? Wrong again. Young to old, experienced to rookie, horror writers are really stellar individuals. Tremendously open to sharing insights about the writing craft, thrilled to just chat about the genre, uniformly gracious to other writers and especially to fans. As a new author learning the ropes, there couldn’t have been a better group to guide me.

And horror people have big hearts. I’ll point to horror and zombie author Armand Rosamillia and his Authors Supporting Our Troops drive that delivers hundreds of books per year to troops around the world. All the books are donated by the authors, and the packing, shipping and postage is paid out of Armand’s wallet. There’s also Scares that Care, an organization that puts on a charity horror convention each July in Williamsburg, VA. This week they cut the donation check that put the total assistance they have provided to needy families at over $100,000, money from the hearts of the horror community.

It seems that the people closest to all that scary horror stuff are the least scary people of all. Who would have known?

About the Author

After a tour flying helicopters with the U.S. Army, Russell James now spins twisted tales best read during daylight. In addition to two horror short story collections, Tales from Beyond and Deeper into Darkness, James is the author of seven paranormal thrillers:  Dark Inspiration, Sacrifice, Black Magic, Dark Vengeance, Dreamwalker and Q Island. His next novel, The Portal, is slated for release in 2016. Visit him at www.russellrjames.com.

Guest Post by Lynn Steward, author of 'April Snow'

I self-published April Snow, as I did A Very Good Life. I spent three years researching, developing and writing volume one, so when it was finished,  I was ready to publish. I knew it could take years to find an agent, and more time to be picked-up by a traditional publisher. In preparation, I did extensive research on the self-publishing process, and found bloggers tremendously helpful. I also hired a good team: a graphic designer, a formatting company, two editors, a proofreader, and a lawyer to vet the manuscript. The Amazon community was great and responsive, and the whole process went smoothly. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to self-publish, and I appreciate the opportunity to be discovered by a traditional publisher if I am successful on-line. I also happen to have a strong marketing background and am not only knowledgeable about design, I enjoy the creative process. Even so, I have a graphic designer to help me as there is just never enough time to do it all. Social media and promotion are crucial and must be done regularly before and after publishing if you want your book to be discovered.

/////////////////////

Title: April Snow

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Author: Lynn Steward

Website: www.LynnSteward.com

Publisher: Lynn Steward Publishing

Website/Amazon

At the cutting edge of women’s fashion in the 1970s, a visionary young woman subdues her desire for love to remake retail at New York’s most glamorous department store.

Newly single, Dana McGarry learns she must divorce herself from more than a bad marriage to succeed. Not only must she prove to family and friends that she can make it on her own, but she also must challenge an antagonistic boss who keeps standing in her way. Moving out of her comfort zone and into the arms of a dynamic businessman, Dana bets it all on a daring new move that will advance her buying career, But at what price?

Her dreams within reach, Dana’s world is shattered in a New York minute when a life is threatened, a secret is revealed, and her heart is broken.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lynn Steward is a successful business woman who spent many years in New York City’s fashion industry in marketing and merchandising, including the development of the first women’s department at a famous men’s clothing store. Through extensive research, and an intimate knowledge of the period, Steward created the characters and stories for a series of five authentic and heartwarming novels about New York in the seventies. April Snow is volume two in the Dana McGarry Series. A Very Good Life was published in March 2014.

‘April Snow’ (Dana McGarry Novel Book 2) Now Available for Pre-order!

April Snow, book 2 in the smashingly successful Dana McGarry series by talented author Lynn Steward, is now available for pre-order!

Pre-order the Kindle or print edition from Amazon.

While you’re there, be sure to check book 1 in the series, A Very Good Life.

The print edition of April Snow will be available for pre-order next week. Stay tuned!

Dana McGarry, newly separated from her cheating husband is laser-focused on her new job as a buyer at B. Altman, a leading New York City department store of the 1970s.  But to achieve success, she must free herself from more than a bad marriage. She must prove to overly-protective family and friends that she can make it on her own and shake up the old guard at the store when her bold new ideas hit a brick wall. No stranger to innovation and risk, Dana is determined to stand her ground. She moves out of her comfort zone and into the arms of a dynamic businessman who suggests a daring fashion move that will advance her career. Her dreams within reach, Dana’s world is shattered in a New York minute when a life is threatened, a secret is revealed, and her heart is broken.

Steward captures the nuances of 70s life in New York City and provides the perfect backdrop for an independent woman determined to make her mark.  April Snow, the second volume in the Dana McGarry series, is a story that transcends any period.

Official release: May 22nd 

About Lynn Steward

Lynn Steward is a successful business woman who spent many years in New York City’s fashion industry in marketing and merchandising, including the development of the first women’s department at a famous men’s clothing store. Through extensive research, and an intimate knowledge of the period, Steward created the characters and stories for a series of five authentic and heartwarming novels about New York in the seventies. April Snow is volume two in the Dana McGarry Series. A Very Good Life was published in March 2014.

Connect with Lynn Steward on the Web:

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest