Happy New Year | 2015 Plans

I've never been much on New Year's resolutions. Every year is the same for me. Try to stay healthy and fit. Treat others as I want to be treated. Finish what I start. You know the routine. So I see no reason to set myself up for failure by resolving to do something I have no intention of following through on.

Looking back on 2014, I'd like to thank everyone who picked up copies of my two books. Back in July, A Door Unlocked reached #1 and The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff hit #2 in the Kindle store, followed in December with A Door Unlocked climbing as high as #4. These milestones exceeded my wildest dreams.

I continue to work out five or six days a week at my local gym. Tina, my group leader, keeps me motivated and continually convinces me that my body is capable of doing things I didn't think possible.

So what's up for 2015? I'm on track to complete the first draft of my third book in January. It's actually a novella. Here's the synopsis:

A bachelor buys a haunted house in the country, and while dodging spirits and courting his new neighbor, a local psychic helps him exorcize the ghosts living in his home. “Ghosts in the Sycamores” (working title which may change) is a humorous story about romance and things that go bump in the night.

I also have a short story (only 1800 words) about my favorite sport, which I plan to release here and/or on WattPad on opening day of Major League Baseball - a free read. (Oh, by the way, I'll be umpiring baseball games again this spring and summer. Last year I got to umpire four Dizzy Dean World Series games. It doesn't get any better than that!)

And then there are the two children's books that I wrote several years ago which still need polishing. If there are any aspiring illustrators out there willing to work for peanuts in order to build a resume, give me a shout. My email address is in the upper right corner of this website.

I'm also considering audiobook production for The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff and my new novella. A Door Unlocked is already an audiobook and has done quite well.

Well, that's it. I've certainly filled my plate for 2015. I'm sure some of it will fall by the wayside, and that's okay. There's always 2016. So for now, Happy New Year to you and yours. A toast to good health and happiness. May all your wishes come true.

Author Interview

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with the folks at AwesomeGang.com about books. We discussed my first entry into writing, the writing process, writing habits and advice for others. AwesomeGang has now compiled the interview and posted my comments on their website. Check it out at AwesomeGang.com.

Two Free Kindle Downloads

Great news! Two best selling novels, The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff #horror #mystery and A Door Unlocked #supernatural, are FREE Dec. 25 - 27, 2014 - Kindle version only. Just follow the links below. Merry Christmas!

The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff  |  A Door Unlocked

Reviews That Melt An Author's Heart

Occasionally, a reader writes a review so glowing that it melts the author's heart. A few come to mind:

"There are a handful of authors that I will read
everything they write. Calvin Dean is one of them."  - Richard

"If you haven't discovered Calvin Dean's books yet,
you're missing out on a talent to watch."  - Teri

Oh, yeah. Consider my ego sufficiently stroked. Of course with good reviews we have to take the less than thrilling. Bad reviews are good medicine because they let us authors know that we've missed the mark. They help keep us in line.

But how can two different people read the same novel and reach polar opposite conclusions. We're all human with different sets of standards, belief systems and tastes. I get that and welcome all feedback. If you've read either of my books, The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff or A Door Unlocked, I welcome your opinion. Write a review and post it to Amazon, B&N, Goodreads, or any place you desire. 

FREE! Nook Version of A Door Unlocked

 Several months ago, I removed A DOOR UNLOCKED (Nook version) from Barnes & Noble, 

freeing me to offer deeper discounts on Amazon.com. (It's a long story). To kiss and make up with everyone wanting a copy, I'm offering a FREE Nook version for a limited time. All you have to do is send your request via email: jcalvindean  at  gmail dot com. That's all you have to do. Honest. I should have done this a long time ago. I hope this makes it all better.

The average rating for A DOOR UNLOCKED is a whopping 4.6 stars out of 5 on Amazon. Here's what readers are saying: 

Scary but I couldn't stop reading...Makes you think...Enjoyed every chapter...Never wanted to put it down...Will read again...5 stars!

Find out what you've been missing. Ask for your FREE Nook copy today. Remember, this offer is for a limited time only. Again, the email address is jcalvindean at gmail dot com.

Latest Reviews

After a terrific run this summer (reaching #1 on Amazon), several new reader reviews for A DOOR UNLOCKED have appeared on Amazon. Here's what they're saying:

Scary but I couldn't stop reading...Makes you think...Enjoyed every chapter...Never wanted to put it down...Will read again...5 stars!

In fact, this supernatural/suspense best selling novel is averaging a whopping 4.6 stars out of 5. I'd like to know what you think? The Kindle version is only $1.99 or FREE with Kindle Unlimited. Go ahead. Download and read it today, and then post your comments on Amazon.com.

New Microcerpt - Epitaph, Chapter 13

Today, I uploaded an excerpt from Chapter 13 of The Epitaph of Jonas Barloff, a horror/mystery novel. As the chapter opens, Marc’s pickup has rolled to a stop beside an old family cemetery in the countryside. It's nighttime. The engine refuses to start. His friend, Angela, is summoned to the scene, but before she arrives...

Read the excerpt here: Microcerpt - Chapter 13