My first guest post...

My first guest post. The pictures are missing, but should be updated and added later today. Check it out! :-)
http://gottoreadthosebooks.wordpress.com/2013/05/31/guest-post-friday-lucian-barnes/

Giveaway!

Good morning! I wanted to let all of you know that I will be holding a giveaway on my Facebook page when it reaches 700 likes. Don't miss out! :-)

Released on Smashwords!

I am proud to announce that Desolace and Haven are both available on Smashwords now in ALL ereader formats! :-)

Smashwords...

In just two days, Desolace and Haven will both be uploaded to Smashwords and become available to readers with devices other than Kindles. I plan on doing this for Outpost 13 as well, but need to wait until its KDP Select term runs its course.

W.I.P. update...

I am charging forward again this week. My current work in progress should top 40,000 words in length either today or tomorrow. So far I seem to be on schedule for completion within the time frame I need to be for submission. :-)

Bethanie Armstrong

I would like to welcome author Bethanie Armstrong to the blog today. She is here to share her thoughts on the paranormal genre with us.

 

 

Paranormal is More Than What You See

Just the word paranormal has such a ring to it. I guess that is why that is the genre I write in. However, to understand what one might find in this genre I think we must first look at the definition.

Paranormal (according to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary) is not scientifically explainable: SUPERNATURAL.

Now there is a word—supernatural—outside of the natural.

Just the concept of that—outside of the natural—can be almost anything your creative mind can come up with. That is why paranormal is so much fun to write, because you don’t have to follow any specific idea.

It can be someone who reads minds, someone who is an angel, someone who is a demon, someone who moves things with their mind, someone who can communicate through thoughts alone. It can be magical, it can be fantastical, and it can be myth or legend. It can be anything outside of the natural realm.

So, let’s take this a step further. If paranormal is supernatural and can be anything outside of the natural realm, then why, on 75% of the fiction bookshelves in my local bookstore, have the only paranormal novels I have seen there, dealt with vampires and weres??? There are so many more aspects to paranormal than vampires and weres.

Now, granted, I absolutely loved the Twilight Saga. Don’t get me wrong, but everyone decided to chase that subject over hundreds of books. Now, I am tired of it. If you want to write that, great, but find a new angle on it, PLEASE!! The hot vampire that falls in love with a normal human girl or the werewolf that wants her so bad he turns into her pet dog, has already been done, and done well. Let’s leave it at that.

What makes me happier than anything, though, is the new paranormal / supernatural books that I have seen coming across my computer in the INDIE writers. I have seen so many new books in this genre that I could actually dance. Granted some still contain vampires and some still contain werewolves, but WOW at the concept, new and unique and very fun to read. Now let’s get off of vampires and weres and look at some of the new concepts that I have seen.

Parallel worlds and fictional kingdoms seem to be one of the faves right now. Although all dealing with a parallel world or fictional kingdom, the concepts of these places are so completely unique with some of the most amazing backgrounds I have ever read. Walking through your neighborhood one day and suddenly this fog comes upon you that turns the neighborhood you’ve always known, back about one hundred years, back to the Civil War Era, or back to the pioneer days, and you’re standing in the middle of it, when it was 2013 just a minute ago. In your backyard one day you hear laughter coming from the woods, you go to see whose child it is and you walk through a veil into a different land, a land that you decide what it becomes, whatever you imagine is what the land turns into—how unique is that? Some hero or heroine from here that is supposed to save the parallel world they know nothing about, but have drawn it or described it or dreamed about it. Love these!

So many different ways to write paranormal books, and guess who has suddenly grabbed the market and my attention? It’s not the huge publishing companies’ authors, but the INDIE authors who chose to take a risk, and the small publishing companies that support them. Way to go guys and girls!! Thank you for showing me that not all hope is lost and I cheer you on. One day we will take the market!!

 

 

 

I would like to sincerely thank Bethanie for sharing her thoughts on the paranormal genre. I hope everyone has found her post both helpful and entertaining! Thank you for stopping by the blog and taking the time to read her post. For more information on Bethanie and her writing please visit her blog at http://lovesfirstkiss.wordpress.com/

New review

Awesome new review of Outpost 13! :-)

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2IHN26Y3XHTU8/ref=cm_cr_dp_nh_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00BTHXNKM&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text

Work in progress...

For anyone unfamiliar with the novel I am currently working on, the following will be the blurb on the back cover...

 

Frank Mancini had suffered with his abusive mother for many years, until the day that he snapped. After telling his friend, Johnny, about the incident, his friend encouraged him to leave Misty Hollows. Taking his advice, Frank journeyed across the country to California hoping for a fresh start. Shortly after his arrival, he met a beautiful woman. He was determined to hide his dark past from her, especially after finding out that she was a psychic, able to see both the past and the future of anyone she came into contact with. He managed to hide his past from her until several years after they'd gotten married and started a family. Fearing that she would turn him in to the police, he killed her. Not realizing that his son, George, witnessed this act, Frank decided to take him back to Misty Hollows. How would the memory of his mother's death affect young George? Would he follow in his father's footsteps?

Getting closer...

Good morning my minions! It is the start of another week and I am back to work on my occult horror novel. I was originally going to title the book Innocence Lost, but after checking the listings on Amazon I found that there were literally tons of books with that name. This fact has prompted me to come up with a few alternate titles for mine and I've created a poll on Facebook to get the opinions of my fans. If you'd like to share your thoughts on what the title should be please join my new release group on Facebook and cast your vote. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the book I am working on there are a couple of excerpts posted in the group to give you a feel for what the book will be like when completed. I hope to see you all there!

Happy Mother's Day!

To honor all of my female readers I have decided to make book 2 of the Desolace series, Haven, FREE for the day! Please help spread the word by sharing this post, tweeting about my free book offer, and leaving reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Happy Mother's Day!!! :-D
http://amzn.to/ZAgqjE

Outpost 13 Book Trailer

Racing the deadline...

It's the start of a new week and I am back to work on my next novel, Innocence Lost. I would like to have the writing wrapped up by the first week of June, which is when submissions open for the publisher I am looking at, but only time will tell if I can pull it off. If I can it would only be a matter of the manuscript being accepted after that. I know, that's a big if. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping to become their first horror writer.

New interview

Have you seen the latest interview that I did for the Paranormal Tendencies blog? I had a lot of fun with it! If you get a chance, drop by and check it out.

http://paranormaltendencies.blogspot.com/2013/05/interview-talented-lucian-barnes-author.html

B.K. Walker

I would like to welcome author B.K. Walker to the blog today. She is here to offer her insights on Paranormal Romance writing.


 

Most Common Mistake in Paranormal Romance Writing



You've read Twilight right? Who hasn't? I know, that really was a silly question. How many other books have you read though, that are just too similar to Twilight?

There are so many stories out there about Werewolves, Vampires, and Witches, that it's almost terrifying to pick up another book in this genre, with these creatures as the background for the story.

Of course, we always want the love triangle, or romance, but how many times do you see a wolf fighting with a vampire over a girl - human or not?

Too many lack originality!

That's the most common mistake paranormal romance authors make. They don't stop, think about how they can make their story different and make it their own.

How can you put your own twist on an all too average story?

So many people want to dip into this genre when they begin their writing, but so much has been covered, that it gets old, the same old, same old, way to fast. People do not want the expected, the predictable, the well-known ending!

They want to be scared, surprised, tortured because they can't guess the ending or shocked by the unexpected twists and turns you've created.

Think about that when you pick up your pen to start writing your next great novel about the Vampire that's 3,000 years old fighting for the girl he's been waiting centuries to find.

The key is tension. I have to tell you, that every book I read lately, lacks the tension. The build up of the scene before the climax, they make my skin crawl and can't wait to turn the page to find out what happens next kind of tension!

I love to be surprised. I love to feel the characters emotions. I love to guess what happens next, only to find a surprising twist I never saw coming!

How can you make that one difference in the PNR world?

Read books in the genre you want to write. Get an idea of what's hot, what's working, and get your creative juices flowing.

Don't worry about how your style may end up like that of the author you just read, you will develop your own style, your signature style that people will recognize. You can fix it while editing, just write that story.

How are you going to make it different?

Let me ask you this...

What is it that you hate most about PNR or Urban Fantasy novels? Do you fear to read the newest release in this genre?

About B.K. Walker:

Jack of all trades, master of none. B.K. Walker is first and foremost a mother and wife. With three beautiful children and a wonderful husband, she enjoys her days living on their farm in Eastern Pennsylvania. When she's not writing, she manages her time organizing virtual book tours for other authors at the Virtual Book Tour Café, and helping her husband as a consultant in their jointly owned business. Putting most of her time into research, B.K. is always seeking the most effective ways to market and promote books and business alike. Art is a secondary love, and you may often find her sketches popping up on one of her blogs, or simply catch her reading the magic created in the pages of a great novel. Who knows, it just may be yours.  http://www.bkwalkerbooks.com

Genre: Paranormal Romance 

Publisher: BK Walker Books

Release Date: July 2, 2011

Cover Designer: Pit Vixen Designs

Available on Amazon

Book Description:

Vampire twins - one wants to love you, the other wants your blood.

A Werewolf - vows to protect you. Magic - stirs within you.

Imagine if Maggie Steifvater, Stephanie Meyer, and Laurell K. Hamilton sat down together to write a fast paced, steamy, paranormal romance full of thrilling twists and turns, featuring thirsty vampires and sexy werewolves.

That's Night Secrets, a suspenseful paranormal romance written by B.K. Walker, author of Dares And Dreams and Death Upon Me.

After Keira Crosby spends months mourning her parents' death, Jared, her best friend, is determined to get her out and moving on with her life. Night Secrets, a new club in town, has a grand opening bringing with it dark secrets of the night and magic within Keira she never knew she had.

For Corbin, Keira ignites his passion. For Dante', she ignites his thirst. It's up to Channing and his pack to keep her alive from the supernatural beings he hates most...Vampires. As the secrets of the night and Keira's heritage unfolds, her world is turned inside out. Who will be the last one standing?

Night Secrets is a fast-paced, page turning paranormal romance with the perfect supernatural mix that you can't stop reading and will leave you aching for more.



Genre: Paranormal Erotica Romance
Publisher: BK Walker Books
Release Date: December 22, 2012
Cover Designer: Pit Vixen Designs
Available on Amazon

Book Description:

Cevin Harpster is in his residency year to obtain his M.D. He's looking forward to his new life after graduation, where he will open his own practice and marry his high school sweetheart.

When Cevin suddenly starts dreaming of a beautiful woman he can't help but wonder if he may be going insane, as she seduces him night after night, taking him to heights of ecstasy he never knew he longed for. As the dreams become more frequent, his sex drive rockets and his fiance', Sam, finds Cevin's new desire for experimenting enticing, even if a bit rough, when his sexual experiences from his dreams are used on her.

Weird things continue to happen in Cevin's dreams, when he learns that this mysterious woman actually exists, and he is meant to be her mate and lead a pack of wolves he never imagined to be real.

When dreams and reality meet...someone always gets burned!


I would like to sincerely thank B.K. for her enlightening post. I hope it has been helpful to everyone! She has also made the generous offer of giving away two of her books to my readers, either from her back-list, Night Secrets, or To Love A Wolf. The first two people that comment on this post will be the winners.

Thank you for taking the time to read B.K.'s post. I hope you all enjoyed the information.

 

Guest posts

Hello everyone! Slowly, but surely, I am starting to get the hang of running a blog. I believe I now have everything set up and looking the way I want it to. I am opening the blog to any authors of the paranormal, fantasy, and horror genres, as well as any editors who would be interested in doing a guest post for the blog. If this sounds like something you might want to do, please contact me at lucianbarnes@comcast.net to get the ball rolling. Thank you!

More ways to follow...

Since I am still very new to blogging, I thought I would share with everyone all of the alternate ways to keep track of what's going on in my own little slice of the world.

My Facebook page that is dedicated to the Desolace series.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Desolace/292242934166864

My Facebook group where I share news of all of my new and upcoming releases, which has also turned into a hangout for fans.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/224805344323163/278410462295984/?comment_id=278499592287071&notif_t=group_comment

My Twitter page for all who wish to follow me.
https://twitter.com/LucianBarnes

My author page on Goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5761611.Lucian_Barnes

And finally, my author page on Amazon where all of my currently published works can be found.
http://www.amazon.com/Lucian-Barnes/e/B0081SXWF8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Welcome everyone!

Once I get everything situated on the blog I will begin to offer guest posts and interviews. If you have a blog of your own, please let me know what the web address is so I can check it out and possibly add a link to it on my sidebar. Thank you! :-)