Halloween !

Well, it's 2020 so things probably can't get any more weird, right? We have the Black Death (COVID), our cities are on fire, the climate is upside down with hurricanes, wildfires and floods. There's a crazy election pending. Yet we persevere. A testament to human endurance I suppose. 

There's a few neat things to consider, at least right now. October 2020 has two full moons, Harvest Moon on 10/2 and Blue Moon on Halloween night. Wow! And Halloween is on a Saturday, that's cool, even if the kids might not be able do the candy thing because of COVID. 

For horror writers October is primo month and Halloween is our favorite holiday. So I'm happy to say that my second book, "The Long Hour Before Light", got through final proofs and cover art and should be out soon. I hope it's before the 31st.

"The Demon of the Shadows" was released April (paperback) and June (Kindle). I'm not sure how it's doing. Have to wait for the first quarterly report. It got posted on Author's Den so check it out there.

That's all for now. I'll post @ Halloween. My rural community has Trick-or-treat in town so kids don't come to the door on my road out in the country. I typically rent a old horror movie (maybe Warlock this year) and a sixpack of Octoberfest. 

till then!

Halloween's coming

Hard at work all summer. In July "The Demon of the Shadows" was released. Available at Azure Spider Pub at  https://www.azurespiderpublications.com/our-books/Demon-of-the-Shadows-Paper-p210707963 and on Amazon and for Kindle. New title, publisher and cover art. Check it out.

No rest though because a re-write of "The Long Hour Before Light" occupied all my time during summer's long days. It is pretty much wrapped up and will be released soon. We're hoping to have it out before Halloween to catch the best of the market during horror season. Check out Champagne Book Group (http://champagnebooks.com/store/) for news about it and other good reads.

General news: Yeah! we have a late Harvest Moon and a Blue Moon this year! Add to these facts that the 2020's Blue Moon will be on Halloween Night. It's likely that COVID will prevent most of the Trick-or-Treat activities so most people (kids) will miss out. But we can still enjoy. Hope for a clear night on 10/31 to take it in, even if you can't gather for festivities.

All for now. Take care and Read a Good Book !

We've experienced some tragic events this past year and COVID-19 only adds to the suffering. But, I'm going to try this again. Try to post regularly. Try to stay inspired.

OK: I'm in the midst of a publication. "THE DEMON OF THE SHADOWS" has been released, available on Amazon in trade paper (I bought one) and will be available on Kindle on June 15. The book will be posted on my publisher's website soon (Azure Spider Publications).

The re-working of "THE LONG HOUR BEFORE LIGHT" is on hiatus as I cannot get in touch with that publisher. I was re-writing some of the stories but lost contact. Will keep everyone posted if that changes.

I'm "networking" with my writer's groups, Pennwriters, Horror Writers Association and Author's Den. Actually, I'm not sure what that means but I'm trying to keep my info on these sites current.

Like everyone, I am just now getting back to work (with restrictions). Much of my calibration service was deferred by the State so I behind on the work but not out of compliance. It will just be a bear to catch up on schedules, especially when my hospitals and centers are booking back-logged patients and are less than happy about giving me the equipment to test.

I'll post again before, or again on June 15 (release date).

Missed the Blood Moon

I woke early to see the Super Blue Blood Moon but was defeated by heavy clouds. Oh well.

Anyway, I have good news of a sort. The re-write of my novel (renamed now "The Demon of the Shadows") has been picked up by Azure Spider Publishing. There's some work ahead but it is scheduled for release in November. In the contract phase now but I'll post as things develop.

Full Beaver Moon waxing.
   Another hiatus and another Halloween behind me. Temps are down in NE Ohio and it's likely they'll stay that way.

   I've entered a contest with Inkshares with the revised and revisited Beckoned, now titled the Demon of the Shadows. The rules require that the writer foster a following of pledged (to purchase) readers with the top one or two given a full contract. It's ingenious because the writer does the leg work. The publisher has little risk because they enter the agreement with pledged sales. I haven't devoted much time to promotion other than a lot of fliers. The result- no sales or pledges. Oh well.
    I'm also seeking traditional publisher acceptance with one or two houses currently accepting manuscripts that are reprints. I really want to get this knocked out so I can spend time writing. I chopped off the legs of Sari Sari and have a new approach. Same beginning but reworked characters. That needs my attention so I hope I get some action on The Demon soon.
   I'm technically (forced) semi-retired. It's amazing that I don't have infinitely more time now, time for the writing projects. But I have also taken on some community projects that eat it up. One is participation is several drug prevention and treatment committees. Like everywhere in the US, we have a horrendous drug problem in Ohio. Small steps of change take up a lot of time and effort. I also make walking sticks that are donated to several church fairs and sales. The money goes to emergency assistance (food, rent, electric bills) in our community.
   I'm off the rest ofthe week so I'm working on a submission for the Demon.
wish me luck (to be sure, I need it)

Man, it's been a long time. New Moon, February in Grayton Beach, Florida

Yes life is complicated and things just fall by the wayside. I haven't even logged onto this blog in three years!!!

I can't promise that I'll get this back together real soon but it's on the agenda. I have some profound changes upcoming. Most of it has to do with some bad business luck that I want to put a positive spin on. Hey, lost work means more time. Time to write, time to attend to this blog.

Up to speed, at least a bit. We're in Grayton Beach Florida. I have work here so we stay for three weeks in an absolutely beautiful Florida house in the Preserve. Seaside village dark and peaceful. But only ten miles to Destin and the hustle of the resorts. The stars are unreal at night and the weather has been great. It's warm in Ohio as well so I don't have to wrestle with guilt about leaving my kids up north. They're in college anyway. This is kind of our annual vacation anyway.

I'll be back in summer (that's when I'll have all kinds of time) to chronicle the moons once more.

Be well

ron

Full Beaver Moon waxing

The never ending saga of my re-release continues. My editor contacted me at end of September and promised to begin work on my revised release of "the Long Hour Before Light" by October 27. Ha ha! No word from her and no reply to my emails. Well, you've heard this story before, I've only been waiting since February. Anyway, to better thoughts and episodes. I started another story but I think it is fizzling out. I was toying with another Incubus, started an elaborate beginning but came to see it wasn't quite right. Maybe I'll revisit this later when I have some fresh thoughts. Also, I have four good stories started and can't seem to grind out their completion. I really don't need another distraction. I need to pick one and get to work. That's a mental process in of itself I suppose. Wish me luck.

until again