Dean to Appear at Bookstock

Hosted by the Memphis Public Library, the third annual Bookstock festival on October 5, 2013, will offer book lovers the chance to meet forty local authors who represent a range of genres, from current affairs to children’s fiction. Last year more than 2,000 people attended the free event, which includes the opportunity to buy books by regional writers—including Julie Cantrell, Eric Barnes, Joy Bateman, Calvin Dean, Marie Flowers, Deborah Sprinkle, Heather Stephens, and Christin Webb—as well as to take part in activities that include a children’s scavenger hunt for authors’ signatures, cooking demonstrations, and a keynote speech by Philip Mudd, author of Takedown: Inside the Hunt for Al Qaeda.

Bookstock runs from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. Mudd is schedule to speak at 1:30 pm.

A Door Unlocked Giveaway Contest

In celebration of the upcoming release of my new supernatural/suspense novel, I’m giving away two copies of “A Door Unlocked.” Register to win at Goodreads.com. Here’s a direct link to the site:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18527461-a-door-unlocked

On Oct. 5, the good folks at Goodreads will select two lucky winners at random. There is no obligation. No commitments. No questions to answer. Nothing to buy. All you have to do is click the Enter To Win button.

Cover Reveal – A Door Unlocked

My second novel, "A Door Unlocked", is slightly ahead of schedule. Editing, proof reading, double checking – all done. A proof copy of the book turned out better than expected, so all that’s left to do is – well, maybe one more round of proof reading.  And perhaps a judicious edit here and there.  In the meantime, let me know what you think about the book cover, front and back.  Here’s the synopsis:

SYNOPSIS:  Vanessa Fitzgerald wishes she had never heard of Bobby Ray Ledbetter, a released convict who murdered her husband, abducted the couple’s eight-year-old daughter and brutally beat and raped the young mother. While in a medically induced coma, Vanessa receives dispatches from her husband’s grave – vital clues in an otherwise cold case. After recovering from trauma, the communications cease. Under the guidance of renowned parapsychologist, Dr. Sebastian Dietrich, the transmissions resume, providing valuable leads into the daughter’s location – and Bobby Ray’s accomplices.

Buoyed by his success, Dietrich longs to harness eternity’s knowledge and power by bridging the living and the dead. He accepts a guided tour into the afterlife from Vanessa’s deceased husband. But will his journey lead to the rescue of the Fitzgerald’s daughter? And what about the others involved in the web of corruption? Only Vanessa holds the key to – A Door Unlocked.

Fresh New Look for “Epitaph”

As we draw closer to the autumn launch of my second novel, “A Door Unlocked”, I decided to give “The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff” a fresh coat of paint. While the overall feel is similar to Marion Sipe’s original design, the hooded character is now live and in living color and set against a deep blue sky and full moon that would elicit a howl from the most reticent of werewolves. On the back cover, the artist

included a few review quotes along with the synopsis. Between the covers, the story is exactly the same. No changes there.

Speaking of “A Door Unlocked”, an all important book cover reveal is coming soon. While we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, let’s face it, we’re all guilty. More on the cover and the synopsis later. For now, suffice it to say that the novel is a supernatural/suspense about messages from the grave and a web of corruption. The book is set in DeSoto County Mississippi with specific locations in and around Olive Branch, Baptist DeSoto Hospital in Southaven, Riverside Drive, the fictional WRMZ-TV studios in Memphis, the Mayflower in Jackson, MS and other points of interest. Stay tuned.

Lunch With Books

August, 20, 2013 – I want to thank Laurie Madsen, Mae Veazey, Elizabeth O’Brient and everyone involved with Lunch With Books at the Senatobia Public Library.  At noon, we enjoyed an informal lunch, desserts, coffee and great fellowship.  I saw people I haven’t seen in ages.  And I got to introduce them to Madam Zelda, Jonas Barloff and a few other characters from my debut novel, “The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff.”  I’m told attendance was higher than normal, so thanks to everyone who came out.  I enjoyed it and hope you did too.  Maybe we can do it again after the release of my second novel, “A Door Unlocked.” 

Lunch with Books - August 20, 2013

LUNCH WITH BOOKS - The Senatobia, MS Public Library invited me to speak at their Lunch with Books event on August 20, 2013. (What were they thinking?) Since the event is free and open to the public, I’m sure we’ll meet some interesting characters. In fact, I’m hoping you’re one of them.

Speaking of characters, I want to introduce you to Jonas Barloff, Madam Zelda and a host of other characters from my debut novel, “The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff”. I’ll discuss my inspiration for the book, character development, the writing process and more. Time permitting, I’ll read one of my favorite chapters, and then open the floor for Q & A.

And that’s not all. I also hope to briefly discuss my second novel, “A Door Unlocked”, set for an autumn 2013 release. I’ll ask everyone in attendance to help me choose between two book cover designs. No baloney!

So grab a sandwich and head to The Senatobia Public Library at 222 Ward Street on Tuesday, August 20 at high noon. Lunch with Books is very informal. You don’t have to RSVP. You don’t have to dress up. You don’t have to fork-over any cash because the event is free. All you have to do is bring a sandwich. That’s it! Honest! Soft drinks, coffee and desserts are on the house. I’m really looking forward to it. Hope to see you there.