Penny Pearson's Blog, page 2

Wednesday - Grown-up and Still Throwing Insults with the Best of Them! A review with no spoilers.

 I started the Wednesday series on Netflix this week. Even though every once of me wants to binge watch all the episodes, I'm trying to savor the good. To say I'm enjoying it, is an understatement. Jenna Ortega is a wonderful continuation of Wednesday Addams in today's incarnation. It's also a bit startling to see Jenna in such a serious role, as I'm used to seeing her while watching Stuck in the Middle (Disney+) with my daughter. But she's doing an amazing job.

 

Photo courtesy of Variety.com

 

I've always liked The Addams Family. We have the black and white TV series from 1964. I've seen the 1990s movies in the 1990's and watch them over and over (I'm a BIG fan of the Addams Family Values.) We liked the most recent animated movies, as well - and own copies of those.

I love the culture clash between the family and the world. Nothing bothers them and somehow they come out on top. 

In the Netflix series, Wednesday is sent to a boarding school due to getting expelled from her former high school. At Nevermore, she is deposited into an almost Harry Potter-esque situation, with different cliques vying for top spot of coolness. Wednesday has no desire to conform to anyone's standards and is willing to tell anyone her feelings. As the episodes unfolds, Wednesday tries to figure out the mystery surrounding the school and the nearby town.

There are many story lines floating around. As of now, they are certainly keeping my attention.  It also doesn't help that Tim Burton was involved in more than half of the first season and that Christina Ricci is in the cast. This show appeals to the goth that lives inside of me and can't wait to see where it'll take me.

Write on!

Penny

How Wizards of the Vatican book series came about

 As my 2nd book is about to be released mid-December, I wanted to chat about how this series came about. As usual, it certainly wasn't straight forward. Years ago, I started getting ice pick headaches in which I thought I must have brain cancer because this certainly couldn't have been normal. With each shooting pain, an idea took root that maybe I was possessed and some crazy demon was trying to crack through my skull. 

I also had help from a favorite song I was listening to at the time: Seabound; Poisonous Friend. (Click the link if you are curious to find out what kind of music brought about Bequest of Blood.)

Okay, I didn't really believe a demon was trying to surgically alter my brain, but it helped my paranormal fantasy story become real. I began to research serial killers and remembered learning about Elizabeth Bathory. This woman was crazy insane and the perfect spirit baddie. So, I wrote. When it was finished, I decided to self-publish it because I was burned from my previous publisher getting arrested by the FBI and wasn't ready to trust anyone in the publishing world quite yet.

The book did okay and readers were fascinated about Elizabeth and her involvement in the story. I started writing another Wizards book and completed it but didn't go the self-publishing route with that one.

Fast forward a few years later and I was a panelist at an seminar and sitting next to a local publisher. We started chatting and I pitched my book, not expecting much interest, but it was worth a try. Reluctantly he told me his wife and him ran the company and they were very selective on the material they published. I went home, sent the manuscript and waited for the expected rejection letter.

They contacted me and said they were interested in a 3-book deal from me. I sent them book 1 which was written AFTER book 2 but takes place before book 2. Confusing, I know! But it makes sense. Each book is about a different wizard and the heroine. My girls are spunky, contrary sometimes, insecure at other times (because you're supposed to write about what you know.) But my stories also involve romance. I kid around with people my women deserve love after all the trouble they go through.

Book 3 was written on a first-ever deadline - which was most exciting. I was a bit concerned because all my novels take about a year to write. I had 9 months to write this one. But I really didn't have trouble keeping to the timeline, as I had been writing for many years and used to some sort of schedule.

That is my story how my single self-published book turned into a 3-book deal. I have a new, fancier cover for Bequest and I realize there might be some people that have the original they bought from me at local selling events. But with the addition of two more stories with my publishing contract, I'm not sure they would have come about without getting picked up by Seventh Star Press.

 

 

Wizards of the Vatican - paranormal fantasy:

Book 1 - Ritual of Blood is available now on Amazon and other retailers

Book 2 - Bequest of Blood is on eBook pre-sale now with official release *ebook and paperback December 16, 2022

Book 3 - Tentative, not official title Traces of Blood - release date TBD

If you're looking for a strange, fun read, I hope you keep me in mind when your shopping!

Write on!

Penny

Cover Reveal for Bequest of Blood Book 2 in the Wizards of the Vatican Series

 I'm excited to announce the cover reveal for my 2nd book in the Wizards of the Vatican series. Ebook is available now for pre-order and official release date is December 16th, 2022.

 

Click for Official release:

Cover Reveal and Pre-Orders Open for Bequest of Blood, by Penny Pearson! Posted On : November 22, 2022 Published By : seventhstarpress@yahoo.com

Today we have a cover reveal and the opening of Kindle pre-orders for Bequest of Blood, the second novel in the Wizards of the Vatican Series from Penny Pearson! Bequest of Blood will be available in print and multiple eBook formats on December 16th!

The Wizards of the Vatican is a thrilling paranormal fantasy series set in contemporary times that is great for readers of many genres!

Pre-order now on Kindle for $3.99 Bequest of Blood Kindle Pre-order Link

Synopsis of Bequest of Blood:

He had a job to do…

Marc Brinon pledged his life to ensure the atrocities Elizabeth Bathory, the Blood Countess, committed would never happen again after he failed to stop her in 1610. He traveled throughout the centuries, hunting the spirit of the killer. After locating the next victim, Marc was not prepared for Ella.

She was just a number…

How had Ella Nassady’s normal life taken such a strange, dangerous turn? Just when she started fearing for her life, a mysterious stranger offered his help. Having no choice but to trust him, she found herself immersed in a world of magic, murder, and terror. 

It was going to take some strange magic to find happily ever after…

About the Author:

Penny Pearson lives in southern Indiana with her husband, young daughter, two quarter horses, one rescued dog, and two tortoiseshell barn cats. At a young age, she began to pen stories and found she liked to write about unexplained beings having the chance at love. Penny is signed with Seventh Star Press for her Wizards of the Vatican series.

Please visit Penny’s website to learn more:

www.ParanormallyWeird.com

Be sure to get a copy of the first book of the Wizards of the Vatican Series, Ritual of Blood, available now! Links eBook Kindle Kobo Nook iTunes Print Amazon Barnes and Noble

Coming soon!

Posted in: Seventh Star PressTagged : Bequest of Blood,Cover Reveal,e-books,Kindle,Penny Pearson,Pre-orders,Wizards of the Vatican

 

Of Course!

 Of course! That is the only statement that comes to mind when I realize I'm in the middle of writing the third book of my vampire series and a new idea pops into my mind that wants to derail everything. My new idea is fresh and exciting and my brain says my current project needs to go on standby.

I usually don't let new ideas get in my way of completing what I'm writing, but I'm almost ready to say, "What the heck, why not try something different?" No one is really waiting for book 3. At least no publisher. Because my original for book 1 was arrested by the FBI. No one wants to touch that one with a ten-foot pole, I'm sure.

So my new project is something different and straight up romance. With horses. (well, not WITH horses -- that's a completely other genre that isn't what I'm going for.) The plot surrounds horses. It's going to take a bunch of research, but after my time travel to ancient Greece, well, this is right in line with that.

Stay tuned. I'll simply drop this picture to tempt anyone that appreciates the most beautiful breed in the world.

Arabian Horse - Courtesy of Pixabay 

Loving the Holiday Bazaars!

 Selling at Christmastime has always been a favorite of mine. It could be the possibility of finding new readers or the excitement of getting another book from an author you've read before. I love Christmas Bazaars at local schools. Everyone is in a good mood and, for once, I don't have to worry about the wind or rain terrorizing my books! I really appreciate inside events. I don't do nearly enough of them.

  

Picture courtesy of Pixabay.com

I did a bazaar at a local YMCA this weekend. We had a pretty decent crowd and lots of different vendors. I met a retired schoolteacher who sold homemade candles. After learning the process of making the candles, I think I'll stick with writing. Way too much patience is needed for my liking.

Across the aisle, I met a woman and her son (fresh out of high school) that began a pottery making business. She had the coolest designs and the prettiest covers. On the other side of me, a grandma and her two grandchildren were selling homemade relish and other condiments.

And, of course, the requisite Paparazzi, Avon and Pampered Chef were present.

This is just a reminder that nice, thoughtful gifts can be found at your local craft fair and holiday bazaar. You never know what you're going to find (magic wallets, included!!)

Hope everyone has a wonderful Turkey Day!

Penny

Trying something new!

 After a few book events, I realized I had quite a few people tell me that they don't have much time to read anymore. I started thinking about what if I wrote shorter stories and marketed these to potential readers? In my children's line, I have chapter books for early readers that fits between picture books and YA. Their word total is less than 10,000. 

So, I started thinking about creating a series with novellas. I've never written a novella before. But before our writers' group did two anthologies, I've never written short stories, either (other than in school). With the anthologies, I dreamed up the story of a girl that has no magic in a world where everyone has magic. I liked the characters so much, I decided I would flesh out their story in the novella world.

Magic Today series Book ONE: Green on Magic

 

The novella can run between 7,000 and 14,000 words. That gives me enough space to set up some background installation without being super involved. My full-length novels take me about a year or so to complete (between 70,000 to 80,000 words). These novellas are a fresh breeze through my life. Action and fast pacing keeps the story line moving.

I have a plan for 3 books in this series, but if people seem to like it, I definitely am open to more stories from the main characters, Wren and Darian. Book one is now available on Amazon and I'm waiting to have in-person stock for book events after Christmas. I'm really looking forward to seeing if I can entice more people into my fantasy book world with these novellas.

Time will tell!

Happy holidays!

Penny

Surviving a 1-Star Review

 Nothing can bring me down quite so quickly as a 1 star review. The worst is when it has no accompanying worded review. Why didn't they like it??? All other reviews received have been 5 stars. So now I'm second guessing everything that makes me an author. I liked the book. The kids that read it liked the book. 

 

It's like my baby. And that baby just won the Ugly Baby contest. Deep down, a part of me asks, Is the book really that bad? Did they mean to click 5 stars and accidentally hit 1? Yeah, probably not. 

BUT... if you're going to hit someone with 1 star, have the decency to back it up with some detail.

Because 1 star sits like a brick in the pit of my stomach.

 So, if you as a reader feel the need for some reason to deliver the worst review possible, at least make the effort to inform the public what you didn't like about the work. Because I'm open to criticism and I'm not saying I'm the perfect writer. I'm far from it. The thing is, I have no idea what's wrong with my book.

Self doubt has been my enemy. And I worry about how I can sell my book to the public this weekend. But I will lift my chin, take a deep breath to calm the nervous butterflies and present the work to the best of my ability.

Please be kind to each other.

Write on!

Angie

Finding the Fortitude to go on!

 The title sounds dramatic... in reality, it's not so much. I've been battling the dregs of not wanting to work on my current WIP. This is nothing new. It seems I'm all energy and creativity in the beginning and middle of a manuscript, then my brain turns to a new project before we've finished what we're working on. 

  Image courtesy of Stockvault

I'm used to it and I always just go with it. If my brain decides it has a great idea of a children's book, I'll entertain the notion. It's part of my process, I guess. 

But my current, A Girl's Guide to the Bermuda Triangle has been interrupted more times than it should. It's going on the 4th big interruption. It will get finished. I have the final scenes mapped out and I know where my characters are going. Now I just have to get after that part of my brain that wants to procrastinate finishing the darn thing. 

This will be a nice end cap for my Girl's Guide series. First it was ancient Greece, then Purgatory, now the Bermuda Triangle. Who knows, I might find another crazy, wacky place for someone to go in the future. But for now, I'm going to make myself complete this book 3.

Stay tuned and happy writing!

Penny

Book selling events set!

 I have June events scheduled to sell books! It's been one year and seven months since I've been to such an event. For some reason, I'm terribly nervous! And really excited, too. I have eight new books to debut that include adult supernatural adventure and several children's books (and corresponding coloring books).

Now that I'm fully vaccinated, I feel a little more comfortable going out in public. Unfortunately my daughter's age hasn't been called for the vaccine yet, but we're still wearing masks when we go to stores. Outdoor events we feel more comfortable now.

My first two events in June are all outdoors. I have masks ready and hand sanitizer on the ready to place on my selling tables. July is my one and only event that is indoors, but it's usually pretty small and I'll be fully masked.

Now is the time where I need to remember what my pitch is for each book I have. It's been so long, I've forgotten how to quickly tell someone interested a little bit about my book without stumbling over words. 

The only one that comes to mind right now is for A Girl's Guide to Purgatory: A girl dies, goes to Purgatory and falls in love with the manager.

Now I just have to remember ten more! Easy peasy!

Everyone stay healthy and write on!

Penny

First vaccine down, one to go... and hope for the future!

 I just received my first COVID vaccine yesterday it was such an uplifting experience. Everyone there was in a good mood. The shots seemed to have injected hope into our future. I've had a year of no book events, no family vacations, and no movies!  It's too much! 

I can't wait to be able to go out and not worry about what will happen. Six weeks. Yes, I'll still wear a mask, but it's a giant safety layer surrounding me because of the vaccine. Being chronically ill, this past year has been very trying. The fear of the unknown kept me happily at home. My nine year old daughter did so good and just rolled with it.

I'm looking forward to being at my first book show of the year (hopefully in July). I will be able to present my Wizards of the Vatican first book, Ritual of Blood. It's been out since the shutdown in early 2020. I never got to market it and it's been sort of on hold in the book world. I can't wait to see how it's received.

I hope everyone stays healthy and happy!

Stay paranormally weird and write on!

Penny