Peter E. Fenton's Blog

Peter E. Fenton Celebrates First Anniversary of Not Not Normal

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It was one year ago today that Not Not Normal was released in Canada. The book has received glowing reviews, is now on library shelves across the country and can be found in schools in Canada and the U.S. I am proud of this novel.

I was greatly touched when reader Ulysses Dietz wrote this articulate review of why the book touched him, for it is not only a book for young readers, but also for readers who remember the challenges of going through high school.

Here’s what he wrote.

My gateway to contemporary gay romance was through young adult (YA) novels. You’d think this particular facet of storytelling would get old, fast. Yet it doesn’t. Not for me.

Peter Fenton’s “Not Not Normal” adheres to the rules, and yet not quite. Jordan Shepherd is the high-anxiety nerd in his eleventh-grade class in Toronto. He’s OCD, something that has only been exacerbated by the death of his mother. His father is gentle and loving, but still somewhat withdrawn. Jordan’s best friend Emma (reminding me of Pippi Longstocking) is his biggest supporter and his harshest critic.

Into Jordan’s very controlled life crashes Nathan, a fearless young man who can’t tolerate injustice. His parents are both alive, but divorced—which he seems to think is his fault. Nathan immediately joins Jordan’s after-school book club and clearly is drawn to him—much to Jordan’s chagrin and joy.

Although there are bullies in this book, it’s not about bullying. Coming out is important, but not remotely the point. As simple as it seems, the book is really about kids helping each other through the pitfalls of being teenagers. About giving up control; about learning how to support and help your friends; about coming to terms with who you are without shame or fear.

It seems so obvious and undramatic—and yet it sparked tears for me repeatedly, as Fenton’s story touched on things that took me back half a century to my own eleventh grade experience. He writes all of these young people vividly and authentically. He gives them quiet heroes and doesn’t waste too much time on the bullies—who, after all, are not important.

I am always surprised and gratified when another YA book moves me and makes me happy. Each one is a new experience, and in the hands of a writer as gifted as Fenton, a rewarding one.

If you haven’t had a chance to read the book, click on the link above to get your copy. And if accessing the book is a challenge due to cost, reach out to me and I will find a way to get you an e-pub for free.

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The Northern Rainbow Readers and Writers Conference in Toronto was highly successful. There were two days of author sessions comparing notes on everything from the state of the publishing industry, to sessions designed to improve skills in writing across the genres. I also did a reading from two of my novels, and participated in a Q & A panel answering questions about my work. And then of course there was the signing day where readers came to the table and got autographs and picked up copies of my books. These events are invigorating, and it is so rewarding to meet up with fans in person and hear their response to the plots and characters I have concocted. This is a comfort on those days where I am in the office writing on something new and finding my way through a new story arc. The memory of the readers’ smiles keeps me going.

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First For Romance is my publisher’s site for purchasing all of their books and last week, it was nice to see that three of my novels were in the top 5 for sales. Each time a new book is released, it triggers interest in earlier writing, and since The Burnt launched last month, I have definitely seen an increase in reviews and attention for the earlier books. Thanks to all of you who have read my novels, or put up a review.

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While the picture above may seem out of place, it is indeed connected to my writing. This is a photo of Scott and I in front of the cast and director for our musical The Giant’s Garden which had a highly successful youth production in Smiths Falls, Ontario in mid-August. We attended the opening night as well as the matinee the following afternoon so we could see all of the actors who were double-cast get their opportunity to go from ensemble to leading role or the other way around. My first published work was for the stage, and it was gratifying to see a production of this musical from 2007 back up on the boards.

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And now for the next great adventure. I’ll be heading off in just over a week to do a signing day at the Romance Author and Reader Event, in Melbourne, Australia. This is the furthest I have travelled to attend any conference, and probably the furthest I have travelled in general. Since it is a one day event, and is so far away (and the time change is so drastic), we are doing the trip in stages and adding in some family time on the end.

Our route will take us from Toronto, to Lisbon, then Athens, onward to Singapore, and finally landing in Melbourne in time for the signing. After the event is finished Scott and I will explore New Zealand, starting at Christchurch and travelling by train and ferry up to Wellington and then to Auckland. We’ll have almost two weeks to explore the two main islands. After that, we’ll fly north to Japan with stops in Tokyo, Nikko and Kyoto. Then it is back to Canada via Vancouver, a week in Calgary to visit Scott’s family and finally back to Toronto.

I won’t be putting out an October newsletter as we will be on the road, but if you are curious about our adventures, Scott will be blogging about our travels after we get back and you will be able to find those posts at www.fentonandwhite.ca

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So that’s the latest update. I look forward to catching up with you all upon my return. In the meantime, I hope you have a fantastic fall and that no matter what your week holds, that you find a few minutes to curl up and escape into a good book.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

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Peter E. Fenton Reveals Reviews For The Burnt

(Picture courtesty of Pat Beaven)

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What a thrill it was to launch The Burnt on August 5th at the Epochal Imp in Toronto. The room was filled with friends and people who love reading, and it was a great way to send the book out into the world. Scott and I couldn’t have been happier (as you can see by the picture below).

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(Picture courtesy of Kathryn Hollinrake)

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The latest novel has been out for just under two weeks and Goodreads has already logged 64 ratings and 54 reviews, with an average of 4.58 out of 5 stars. This is a strong start. Below are a small sampling of some of the reviews. If you want to read the other reviews (or add your own) click here.

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This was another fabulous instalment in The Declan Hunt Mysteries, and I really hope Fenton will keep going forever with this series, because The Burnt made my heart ache and my eyes burn for justice and I’ll never tire of storytelling that makes me feel!

-Ivanareadsalot – Goodreads Review

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The mix between mystery and romance was perfect. This series just keeps getting better and better.

-Debra Guyette – Goodreads Review

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Fenton blends mystery, emotion, and subtle romance with finesse. “The Burnt” is not only a standout chapter but a heartfelt, atmospheric thriller that elevates the series.

-Elaine Gray – Goodreads Review

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Another sign that the book is doing well, is that the copy that the Toronto Public Library ordered already has a 14 week wait list! If you want to access a copy through your local library, you just have to put in a request with the information you can find on the Amazon listing including the ISBN number, the publisher, and the date of publication.

Let me know if you want to try and order in a copy, and I can find out how it works where you live. Generally you have to have a library card and at the present, most libraries are bringing in e-pub copies that can be read on e-readers or home computers. But in many locations, paperback copies of the book have also been ordered.

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So how does releasing a new book impact the other books in The Declan Hunt Mysteries series?

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As a result of strong reviews, readers have gone back to look at where it all started. Last week Mann Hunt exceeded 500 reviews on Amazon.com. All of the books are currently seeing a spike in interest, sales and reviews. This has given me the incentive to continue writing on the series.

While the series was only supposed to have three books, there is a fourth book which is well underway and the publisher is looking at the release of the new novel in the summer of 2026. After that book is done, I plan to write on something entirely different, but you never know … Declan and Charlie might surface in a new novel in the future as there are endless cases and endless challenges to the core relationship that I could explore.

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I’m not the only one who has been busy writing. The translators are hard at work creating Spanish and Italian versions of The Burnt right now. It was nice to see that on the First For Romance site (the sales arm of Entwined Publishing), that three of my books hit the top five in sales this past week. The Burnt in English led the way, along with the German version of Mann Hunt and the Italian version of Mann Hunt which were all best-sellers. I am so happy that the work of the translators is being well received.

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So what’s next? Well, I’m really excited to attend the Northern Rainbow Readers and Writers Conference next week in Toronto. There will be two days of professional development, and then a VIP readers day where I will be sharing time with an amazing array of authors reading from their work and answering questions about my writing process and my books.

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On Saturday August 23rd, you’ll find me at table 21 selling and signing books. If you are in the Toronto area and want to attend, tickets are still available. For all of the information, click here.

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But before the conference, there is one other wonderful project I have to attend to. This weekend, I attended the opening of a new youth production of The Giant’s Garden. This is a musical that Scott and I wrote which had its professional world premiere back in 2007 at Theatre Orangeville. This large-scale family show was inspired by Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant. The Smiths Falls Community group at The Station Theatre has taken the project on with full energy, and we saw two performances. The show was so popular that they double cast it. It was fantastic. What a joy watching the next generation of theatre-makers take to the stage. For more information, click here.

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That’s all for now. My next post will be in mid-September. I’ll share some photos from the NRRW25 conference, along with more information on my upcoming world tour and attendance at RARE 2025 in Melbourne. Until then, thanks for reading.

With Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

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Peter E. Fenton’s Latest Novel Is Available Tomorrow!

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The Burnt comes out tomorrow, and I will be so thrilled to have the book launched and available to readers.

Early reviews have been terrific, and many of the reviewers are saying that they think this is the best book in the series so far. Hopefully if you pick up a copy you’ll agree.

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If you’re in Toronto tomorrow night, there are still a few spots left for the official launch party for the novel. Come and join an amazing group of authors, actors, painters, photographers and passionate readers as we celebrate the release of the new book at The Epochal Imp. The event is free. To RSVP, click here.

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A book doesn’t come into being on its own, and there are a whole lot of people I want to acknowledge. So thanks to …

My partner in crime Scott White. There isn’t enough space to identify how hard he works on each book. He is my first reader, primary content editor, handler of all social media, and conference coordinator. He allows me to put the focus on my writing instead of marketing and promotion. Without him, the book simply wouldn’t have happened.

Rebecca Scott who is my tireless publisher in England. She works so hard to make sure that the books get into the hands of the reading public. She seems to be available 24/7 for my many questions.

Claire Siemaszkiewicz the CEO of the Totally Entwined Group for taking on The Declan Hunt Mysteries series and for formatting the books. She also does all of the work getting the books matched with translators to turn my stories into versions in other languages.

Anna Olson in B.C., my amazing and ever-patient editor.

Erin Dameron-Hill in Florida for her eye-catching cover design.

Leslie Copeland of Gay Romance Reviews who has done a fantastic job arranging my blog tour, Instagram tour and she also handled the distribution of review copies of the book.

A shout out to Cops and Writers, a really great group on Facebook that connects writers like myself with working or retired law enforcement officers to help make my writing more accurate in terms of police procedure.

But the biggest thanks goes out to YOU, my readers and supporters. My family, friends and extended family of readers have cheered me on through my journey of getting these books out, and it is so rewarding when they get a strong positive response, so THANK YOU.

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With my publisher, the e-pub always comes out first, followed by the release of the paperback. It takes a while for the listings to merge on Amazon and Barnes and Noble and other retailers, but if you want to order your copy of The Burnt in paperback, you can do so now.

To order in Canada click here.

To order in the U.S. click here.

To order in the U.K. click here.

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Now that the book is ready to launch, I will hold off on the newsletters for a few weeks. In the next edition, I’ll have some pictures from the release party, reviews for the new book, and information on the upcoming Northern Rainbow Readers and Writers Conference in Toronto.

As always, thanks so much for reading.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

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Peter E. Fenton Explores The Life Of Books, & Reveals Plans For A World Tour

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Most of my early writing was for the theatre. When one of my plays was ready to hit the stage, the emphasis was on a strong opening night, good reviews and selling out the run. A theatrical run can last as little as a few shows, or for hits on Broadway, a play can run for years. Most of my shows have had standard three week regional runs, and then received other productions down the road. But the life span of the original production … generally a matter of weeks.

Books are completely different and I find it a challenge to mentally switch gears. With a novel, the day the book becomes available to the public it is really only the very beginning of its life. The novel hangs out on websites or in bookstores waiting to be acquired by a reader. And that reader might have a big pile of books they have already purchased. They may get around to reading my book in a week, or a month, or a year … or never. And after the book is read, sometimes people review the book, and sometimes they don’t.

It is for this reason that the industry looks at the initial life of a book as being seven years from the time it is released, until the point where readers are less likely to find it among the millions of other books available on the internet. Some books are discovered many years after publication and hit their prime when the author thinks they are forgotten. And there are other factors that come into play when a book is part of a series, are reanimated by a new edition or translation, or when the book is turned into other media forms.

In this newsletter I thought it would be fun to check up on each of my books and show where they’re at in their life cycle. Read on, and discover how over the last three years my stories have evolved and grown.

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The Burnt is at the very beginning of its life. Early review copies were sent to bloggers and advance readers in the hopes that their reviews will generate some fanfare to encourage people to read the book. “Opening night” for The Burnt is a week away. I’m happy to report that the novel has been doing well in pre-sales in part because it is the third book in a series. Readers who have read the first two books are eager to find out what happens next. Where will it evolve? Well, as of today, it is being translated into Spanish, Italian and German. It would appear that it will have a good start to its life.

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Not Not Normal was released a year ago and is in a very different situation. This book had a limited release with Lorimer Publishing in Canada and the U.S. They put more emphasis on institutional sales of hard-cover books. The reviews have been very good, but this book’s longevity will be dependent on how many copies landed in libraries across Canada and the United States. Readers will be able to check out the book for decades to come, but general sales may be limited. The book is still in its infancy and in time, readers who have found my adult work, may take an interest in my youth writing.

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Hoodoo House was released last summer. It did very well, and benefitted from readers who had already gotten hooked on the series with the first novel Mann Hunt. Whenever a new book is coming out in a series, the publisher will often arrange a sale on the previous book in the series to draw in new readers. A notification of a 99 cent sale last week on the e-pub copy of Hoodoo House was emailed to 300 000 targeted readers. This campaign pushed the novel to #1 Bestseller Status on Amazon in its category in both the US and Canada. Many of these purchasers will hopefully take an interest in the other books in the series. Hoodoo House is in its prime, enjoying lots of attention and sales are increasing after a year of building a foundation of readers.

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So how is Mann Hunt doing? There is an interesting phenomenon that happens every time a new book in a series is released. The first book in the series always sees an increase in interest. Studies have shown that the first book in any series will always be the best seller for any author. This is because if someone hears about my work, they want to start the series at the beginning. If they stumble across the second or third book and read them, they likely want to find out how it all began.

With The Burnt coming out next week, the promotional team I work with has been allowing reviewers to read the earlier books in the series on the condition that they review them. The result has been an upswing in interest in both Mann Hunt and Hoodoo House and lots of new reviews for these books which generates interest in readers who have had their appetite whetted for The Burnt.

Interest has not only been shown in the buying public, but also in the library users. Mann Hunt currently has a 12 week waiting list at the Toronto Public Library. So my two year old novel (not sure what that is in human years) is enjoying the benefits of being the first-born in the series. And it will likely reap the greatest rewards.

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So how about my very first book? The Woodcarver’s Model was released in April of 2022. Since nobody really knew who I was, it is probably my least purchased book with around 2000 copies sold to date. But the interesting thing is that it is still only 3 years into that 7 year life cycle. Readers who enjoy The Declan Hunt Mysteries might wonder what else I have written and pick up a copy. The distributor and publisher will likely put the book on sale a few times a year to increase exposure. The fact that this book is a stand-alone means it will likely see smaller numbers than books in a series, BUT over time someone could discover it, shout it out over social media and give it new life. This book is sort of keeping a low profile while the younger books establish themselves. The Woodcarver’s Model has seen steady sales every month as more and more readers discover its cast of lovable characters.

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Books evolve in strange and wonderful ways. The fact that the entire Declan Hunt Mysteries series will be available in e-pub form worldwide in English, Spanish, Italian and German will increase the profile for the series, not only in the translated language, but in the English market as well.

And this leads to media opportunities. Mann Hunt will be released as an audio book this year which will expand the market to people who like to listen to books. And with the series in four language, and audio books to follow … the next logical step will be to try and find a way to bring the books to life in film and television. Right now that is a fair ways off, but why not dream big? And if the books made the leap to TV or film, it would allow them a much longer life than the traditional seven years.

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Ultimately, between the writing, the promotion, the marketing and the work of the publisher to get translations, the goal is simply to have as many people as possible enjoy the stories. And the greatest thrill of all is when I get to meet those readers in person at conferences. Meeting fans is one of the best rewards for the many hours spent at the keyboard in the office trying to make everything make sense. I already indicated that I will be at the Northern Rainbow Readers and Writers conference this summer.

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But the bigger conference will be this fall when I attend a signing day in Melbourne, Australia at RARE 2025. And since it is such a long distance away, Scott and I will be turning it into a bit of a world tour that will include stops in Lisbon, Athens, Singapore, Melbourne, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Tokyo, Kyoto, Vancouver and Calgary. Most of this will be recreational, but it just goes to show how the idea of writing a book, a lot of hard work, and a willingness to try new things can lead you all the way around the world.

And none of it would be possible without YOU … the readers. So thanks for your support helping me, and my writing evolve. Thanks for reading my stories. Thanks for posting reviews and telling your friends about my books. Thanks for coming to conferences and sharing your passion for reading. Because thanks to YOU, I can continue to write and my novels will continue to evolve. And if they find enough readers, they may have a very long life indeed.

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Next week … LAUNCH WEEK. Exciting information on the release of the The Burnt (and how to get a paperback copy of your own), more details on the Northern Rainbow Readers and Writers conference, and a list of thanks to the team that made it possible to get The Burnt published this year.

As always, thanks for reading.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

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Peter E. Fenton Gives Away First Two Chapters of The Burnt

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It’s just a little over two weeks away from the launch of The Burnt and things are getting exciting. Over the past week I’ve done a series of interviews, updated page content for all of the retailers, and have been busy putting into place the last elements of a big sale on Hoodoo House. Even with a publisher, the author is a partner in connecting readers with the book. Here’s a peek into my writing world, and all of the marketing things that go along with it.

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In last week’s newsletter I promised a sneak peek into the beginning of The Burnt. The new novel in the series picks up a few months after the end of Hoodoo House and takes place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada during the cold winter months. Chapter one introduces a note that sets off a series of events connected to a decade old mystery, while chapter two explores the world of Charlie Watts as he navigates learning the ropes of private investigation and wonders what the future holds for him and his attractive boss. To read the first two chapters of the book click here.

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As a way of raising interest in the latest installment of The Declan Hunt Mysteries series, the publisher has put the e-pub version of the previous book in the series on sale for only 99 cents. If you haven’t read Hoodoo House, now is the time. To pick up a copy click here. The sale is only on for one week from July 20-26.

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And speaking of Hoodoo House, I promised that I would share the Italian cover for the book. Once again, the translator has looked at ways to utilize the cover to market the book to the specific market. The translation of the above title changes it to The Enchanted House. The focus of marketing will be on the mysterious place encountered in the novel.

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I am so excited to be taking part in the Northern Rainbow Readers and Writers conference in August. This unique event combines two days of professional development for writers with queer central characters, along with a VIP day for readers, and a signing day for romance fans. The sessions last year were outstanding, and the readers and fans were truly fun. Tickets for an admission to a full day signing start as low as $21.50 and range up to full VIP packages that include meals and one on one time with some of your favourite authors. If you want to check out some of the best in the biz at a rare romance conference taking place in Canada, then click here to get all of the details.

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One of the authors I’m looking forward to meeting at NRRW this year is Finn Dixon. His writing is on the spicy side, but also filled with great humour. Finn has worked in the zoological field since 2006 where he’s taken care of everything from alligators to zebras. Authors often have fascinating lives outside of their writing work, and Finn certainly has a neat job. If you’re curious to check out his writing, many of his books are quick reads, such as the above novel. Here’s the description.

Mike Ramsey has three things on his mind: swimming, not flunking out of college, and figuring out who has a crush on him. Because after a secret admirer reveals his attraction, any and every guy who pays Mike attention becomes a suspect.

Could it be the professor that asked him for workout advice? His best friend and teammate that is way too comfortable being naked around him? Unfortunately, even the overeager high schooler visiting campus for a friendly swim meet seems like a possibility.

If Mike has any hope of identifying his secret crush and possibly losing his virginity, he’ll have to put his detective skills to work.

To pick up a copy of one of Finn Dixon’s books click here.

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Next week I’ll be within a week of release for The Burnt. I’ll be sharing some insight into the journey of a book from birth to maturity (at the ripe old age of 7 years) and reveal plans for my upcoming book-related travels this fall. Until then, thanks for reading.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

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Peter E. Fenton Goes International

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Welcome to the mid-July newsletter. While the focus of the upcoming month is definitely on the launch of The Burnt, three other versions of the earlier books will be hitting the market by the end of July. This week I thought I would share a few of the covers and dive into the world of marketing books around the world in different languages.

As you can see from the above cover, Mann Hunt has been translated into German. Huge thanks to Anja Möst for her hard work as the translator. Translation is much more than just adjusting the English words into another language. It also includes changes to styles of punctuation, accents over particular letters and adjusting sentence structure. While my name remains on the cover of the book as the author of the original work, the copyright page lists the translator as an equal partner in the creation of the new version in the new language.

During translation, the title of a novel is sometimes altered to assist with marketing. The English title of Mann Hunt was intended as a play on words. One of the characters who goes missing is Ian Mann, and Declan Hunt is investigating the case. The title also works when spoken out loud. It sounds like someone is on a man hunt (which could be a killer looking for a victim, or someone looking for a male partner, or a private investigator hunting for the culprit). The name of the novel was also chosen to ensure that no other book had the same title. This means that when people do an internet search with the correct spelling of the title, my book will always be the first listing.

JAGD AUF MANN translates pretty closely to “The Hunt for Mann”.

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The Italian cover is a little more poetic. The translator Alessandra Paganin had some fun with the title TROVA L’OUMO GIUSTO, which translates to “Find the right man.” This is a nice double entendre that serves both the mystery of the piece in terms of finding the guilty party, as well as Declan’s hunt for the perfect partner at work and in life. Next time I will share the cover for the Italian version of Hoodoo House. What do you think it will say? You’ll have to wait until next week to find out.

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An integral part of marketing a new novel, is advance reader copies that are sent out to reviewers who weigh in on the book before it is released. A book that has a strong star rating and a high number of reviews when it is released is bound to attract a higher number of readers. Every author waits in anticipation for these early reviews. After the novel is released, blogs and other publications do more formal reviews that can help propel sales. Early reader reviews give a sense of if the book is going to be a hit or not.

I am truly relieved to say that the early reviews for The Burnt have been positive. Here’s a few quotes from the reviews that came in last week.

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Each book had me completely hooked and this book is the best one yet!
Intrigue, mystery, suspense plus perfect storytelling .

Pat – Goodreads Reviewer

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Peter’s best in the Declan Hunt series by far. Such a fun read, full of intrigue, hints and plot twists, cleverly crafted storytelling at its finest.

Steve Steed – Author and Goodreads Reviewer

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If you’re into LGBTQIA mystery series with steady character development, emotional layers, and a touch of the eerie—this one’s a worthwhile read.

Sasha – Goodreads Reviewer

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Each instalment of this series is better than the last! There was much more mystery and suspense, much more drama, more sustenance and definitely more surprises!

Nedra 81 – Goodreads Reviewer

To see all of the reviews of all of my books in real time click here.

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In this week’s newsletter, I want to feature a writer I have long admired. I met Robin Knight at the Gay Romance Lit Conference in Virginia two years ago. Robin lives in Australia. The cover of his book A Boy Called Rainbow caused quite a stir. It has gone on to be one of his best sellers with a fantastic story featuring a central character who is deaf and struggling with some tough issues. Here’s the description.

Art evaluator Miles Tate is finally about to start living his dream… that is if he can get the funding in place to open his own art gallery in New York. But when an unexpected turn of events finds every one of Miles’ perfectly-planned dreams turned upside-down, it’s time to escape Manhattan and reluctantly take up a well-paid job in the tiny seaside town of Hope’s Bluff, Georgia. For Miles, it’s his only chance to make some money, claw back what little dignity he has left, and figure out what the hell to do with his life.

But evaluating the art collection of a deceased estate isn’t made easy by the grandson of the dearly departed. Indeed, the young man who calls himself Rainbow is a hot-tempered, hotter-than-hell artist whose secrets run deep and passions run raw. He is talented, troubled, tempestuous and deaf… and possibly the one person who can save Miles from his own heartache.

Can Miles finish the job he’s been paid to do… or will two opposites find that they have more in common than they first imagined? Can the pair of them find the strength in each other to rebuild their lives… or will the traumas of their pasts drive them both away? Will Miles turn his back on the handsome, hurt, artistic genius he’s stumbled upon… or will he finally find true love in the arms of a Boy Called Rainbow?

I highly recommend both this book and this author. To pick up a copy, click here.

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And since the title of this week’s blog is about going international, I wanted to acknowledge that in 10 weeks, I’ll be seeing Robin Knight again at my biggest conference yet … the Romance Author and Reader Event in Melbourne, Australia. I’ll be talking more about that in upcoming newsletters.

Next week’s news will feature a new cover for the Italian translation of Hoodoo House, information on the Northern Rainbow Readers and Writers Conference in August, and I’ll be giving you a sneak peek at the first two chapters of the latest novel The Burnt.

Until then, thanks for reading.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

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Peter E. Fenton Dreams Big

For the next month, the newsletter will be coming out weekly as I prepare to launch The Burnt, the third book in The Declan Hunt Mysteries series. Here’s some of the latest news and ways that I am dreaming big for the future. So for starters, does the actor below look familiar?

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One of the processes for writing on a novel is getting ideas as to what your character looks like and sending those ideas and images forward to the artist who creates the covers for your books. When I was creating the characters for The Declan Hunt Mysteries, I thought the character of Charlie Watts had a similar vibe to the actor above… . Of course if you clicked on the link on his name, you will have discovered that this was the look he was sporting back in 2006. Now that artist Erin Dameron-Hill has created the cover image for Charlie Watts, he has his own look.

As The Declan Hunt Mysteries series progresses, people have started asking if the books will ever be turned into a movie or series. Well, I suppose it never hurts to dream big. People have also asked who I would cast as Declan Hunt. And the answer at the moment is an actor who was born in Canada and has had success on Grey’s Anatomy and more recently the CBC TV series Wildcards. I am of course referring to who is pictured below.

Who would YOU cast as Charlie Watts or Declan Hunt?

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When I write, I often start with a first draft which is about 50% longer than the finished book. Many scenes are edited or deleted. As I work through content edits I pare away extra story elements and through the process of reorganizing the structure, things get cut. I thought it would be fun to share a short scene that was cut from The Burnt. This scene involves the character Katherine O’ Grady. The plot of the book took a different turn and this scene wasn’t needed anymore. I share it with you (in unedited form) so you can see what type of material doesn’t wind up in the finished novel.

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Katherine O’Grady flicked to another channel. Then another.

“Why do they keep changing things around?” she muttered.

She was sure her show was on channel forty-two, but it wasn’t. It was some damned stupid game show. She paused.

“For one hundred thousand dollars, are you willing to…Risk It Or Run!” the host frantically shouted out. The audience yelled out the last four words with him. It was obviously the name of this waste of airspace.

“She’ll do it and lose,” Katherine said to herself.

“I’ll risk it!” The contestant said like a hyperactive ten-year-old on a sugar rush.

“Okay! The question is…”

The host paused, to build tension and get the pulse rates up on the viewers who relied on this as their only source of cardio, then dramatically pulled out the question card and read—“Who invented the famous rat poison Warfarin?”

“The guy who came up with the idea for this show, as soon as he’d figured out that he was part of the plot to dumb-down the world,” Katherine called out and changed the station.

The face of Angela Lansbury popped up on her screen. Katherine sighed and settled back into her chair.

Her reverie over finding her favourite murder mystery was interrupted by a knock at the door.

“What the…”

She was going to ignore it, but the person outside persisted.

“Oh, for crying out loud!”

She stormed to the door, ready to give whoever it was a piece of her mind. As soon as she opened the inner door, she realized what a terrible mistake she’d made.”

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In each newsletter, I’m trying to feature other writers in the genre of Male/Male romance. I really enjoy the work of Thom Collins who writes romantic suspense novels. The cover above is for the second book in the Basic Instincts series which just came out at the beginning of the year.

Here’s the description of the book above.

Three months after the death of his brother, Marc Glass faces a whole new dilemma. A tabloid journalist has made a connection between Theo and a prominent politician. Theo’s death might not be all it seems. Marc knew all about his brother’s secret sex work, but it’s a scandal that would destroy his family, who have already suffered enough.

Private Detective Jason Durham might be the answer. Marc enlists Jason’s agency to look into Theo’s unsolved murder. The police investigation is dead, but if they can solve the case on their own, they could head off the potentially damaging story. Marc isn’t sure who he can trust with the details of Theo’s life, but Jason seems like the man.

As secrets are uncovered, Marc and Jason must fight their attraction to each other, but when their prime witness is murdered, they are suddenly caught in a web of mystery and increasing danger.

As the nights grow darker, will either of them make it until morning?

If you like a tense and sexy read, consider picking up a copy of one of Thom’s books. You can link to all of his work by clicking here.

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It’s just 28 days until the launch of The Burnt. The paperback will soon be listed on retail sites, and I will be sure to let you know where you can order your hard copy. Next week, I’ll be back with some exciting news about the translations of my books, as well as some early reviews on The Burnt. In the meantime, wishing you a summer filled with sunshine and lots of time to put up your feet and read a good book.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

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Peter E. Fenton And The Pattern of 5 As The Burnt Prepares To Launch

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Welcome to the latest newsletter. As I continue to write on book four of The Declan Hunt Mysteries series, it is the number FIVE that is occupying my mind these days. The upcoming release of The Burnt means that as of this summer, I will have FIVE unique books published.

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According to the countdown on the website, it is 35 days or FIVE weeks until the new novel is released. This is an exciting and daunting time as pre-promotion begins.

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Part of the marketing of a book is getting advance review copies out to blogs, reviewers and other authors, and I am delighted to share an early FIVE star review from author Steve Steed.

Peter’s best in the Declan Hunt series by far. Such a fun read, full of intrigue, hints and plot twists, cleverly crafted storytelling at its finest. I’m an author and very picky about what I read, but Fenton’s work is like fine wine; it gets better with each sip. I got to the last forty pages of the book and thought, “Oh no, it can’t end this soon.” That is what we all want as a reaction from our readers. I highly recommend the whole series, but The Burnt is by far the best. I can’t wait for the last book in the series. I hate thinking of my sweet Charlie and hunky Declan being relegated to the past. I’ve enjoyed watching their characters evolve into people I adore more than perhaps I should. But that’s what a good writer does to you.

Steve Steed – Goodreads

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If you are in Toronto, come and be part of the excitement as I launch the new novel. The evening will feature an interview, a reading from the book and a chance to pick up a signed copy of The Burnt. The event will take place at The Epochal Imp on August the 5th. Space is limited, and there are already RSVPs for 50% of the room. To attend, just fill out the RSVP form by clicking here.

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Every newsletter, I like to include a little bit about another author’s work, and this week, I’m featuring Kristian Parker’s latest sports romance Playing For Keeps. Here’s the description.

Golden-haired Udo Holtmann is a big name in soccer. But since transferring to Premier League club Brockton FC three months ago, the star midfielder can’t score a goal. The fans, the players and the CEO are furious.

It’s not his playing style or trouble gelling with the team. Udo is hiding a secret. He wanted a fresh start at this new club yet old problems are still plaguing him.

Steven Cox, former player and Brockton’s handsome assistant manager, has to find out what’s blocking Udo. Keen to prove to the world that he could manage his own club, Steven throws himself into the mission. If he doesn’t fix Udo’s problems soon, the team could fall out of the league and Udo will be back on the market.

Spending time together, Udo and Steven ignite a passion but acting on it could end both their careers. The world of soccer can be an unforgiving place.

With the stakes so high, what will happen if Udo and Steven give in to their feelings?

To pick up a copy, click here.

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I am balancing promotion work with writing, but I had fun putting together the trailer video for the book. If you haven’t had a chance to look at it, you can see the trailer video here … and yes there are GHOSTS in this novel.

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In my last newsletter, I was celebrating the one year anniversary of the publication of Hoodoo House. If you haven’t read it yet, and want to get an e-pub copy prior to the launch of the latest book … drop a comment, and I’ll send you out a FREE e-pub of Hoodoo House.

Next week I’m going to share a cut scene from The Burnt along with my dream casting for the movie version of the series, should it ever come to pass. In the meantime, here’s a wish that your summer is filled with sunny days, and a chance to relax and enjoy a good book.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

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Peter E. Fenton Releases New Trailer for THE BURNT

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In just a little over six weeks, the third installment of The Declan Hunt Mysteries will be released, and early reviews are already saying, “This may be the best Declan Hunt mystery yet.” To check out the trailer for the book, click on the arrow above. And if you want to preorder an e-pub copy click here.

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A post shared by Tosha & Jade Bookstagrammers (@toshandjadesbookcorner)

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I am thrilled to be partnering with @toshaandjadesbookcorner, with a giveaway of an autographed copy of Mann Hunt as part of this month’s Pride celebrations. If you are on Instagram, click on their site here to enter.

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Last weekend I had the opportunity to do a book signing at the Indigo store at THE WELL. It was such a joy to meet with readers, sign copies of Not Not Normal and talk about how I wound up writing a gay teen romance. Thanks so much to Lorimer Publishing and Indigo for setting up the event.

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As part of my Pride Month celebrations, I want to feature books written by other gay authors. This week, here’s a shout out to RJ Peterson who wrote this sweet and supernatural love story. Here’s the description.

Beckett Gray is a broken man. He’s going through the motions of life ever since his husband was taken from him five years ago. He doesn’t believe in the supernatural, but when strange things begin to happen in his home, he’s forced to admit something paranormal may be going on.

Karson Raycroft left this realm before his time because of a hit and run driver. Is he now reaching out to his husband, encouraging Beck to find love again and move on with his life?

On the verge of losing what little is left of his sanity, Beck hires medium Travis Watson to rid his home of whatever (or whoever) is causing the disturbances. But Travis may have his own demons that need exorcising before he can help Beck. Can Kar convince Beck and Travis that new love is possible together?

Footprints on My Heart is a contemporary ghost story about two older guys finding love after tragedy, thanks to a matchmaking spirit.

To get a copy of the book, click here.

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New translations are coming out soon! Mann Hunt is already out in Spanish, and within the next few months will be released in both German and Italian. Hoodoo House is already out in Spanish (Casa Hoodoo), and will also be released in Italian. And The Burnt will come out initially in English, but will be released this fall in Spanish and Italian. And there is also an audio book of Mann Hunt on the horizon. Stay tuned for updates.

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As I draw closer to the launch of The Burnt, watch your inbox for newsletters that contain deleted scenes from the book, excerpts, and information on the celebration on release day. Thanks to those who have already RSVPed to the book launch on August 5th in Toronto. There is limited space for this free event, so if you want to ensure your place, click here and fill out the RSVP form.

I’m starting to get prepared for the Northern Rainbow Readers and Writers Conference in August, and the BIG trip to Australia for the Romance Authors and Readers Event in October.

Until the next newsletter, thanks for reading. And wishing one and all a very happy Pride Month.

Warmest Regards,

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Peter E. Fenton

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Peter E. Fenton Prepares For Busy Pride Month

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Happy Pride Month! June is a busy month that will include a YouTube livestream, a book signing, the publiversary of Hoodoo House as well as promotion leading up to the launch of the third book in The Declan Hunt Mysteries series, The Burnt. Keep reading to discover all of the latest news, and a GIVEAWAY at the end of this post.

First up is the TIME WITH LOVE livestream that happens (or happened if you are reading this after the fact) celebrating Freedom, Pride and Living Out Loud. Four authors gather to discuss these topics, read from their books and take questions from the viewers.

To watch the show live or after the fact, click here.

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If you’ve never been to THE WELL in Toronto before, then here’s a reason to check it out. Toronto’s coolest outdoor shopping mall (covered with a glass roof) is located at the base of Spadina at Front Street. Inside the complex is a brand new Indigo store, and as part of my Pride celebrations I’ll be doing a book signing for Not Not Normal. I’ll be there from noon until 4 PM on Saturday June 14th. This book is the perfect Pride gift for the gay teen in your life. Come and join me. For more information on THE WELL, go to https://thewelltoronto.com/ It has THE BEST food court. Even if you’ve already got a book, drop by and say hi and take a tour of the store and THE WELL. It’s a terrific afternoon outing.

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I am so excited to share the third installment of The Declan Hunt Mysteries series with you. The Burnt will officially launch on Tuesday August 5th at 7 PM, and you can be the very first to get your copy. As with my previous launches in Toronto, I will be doing a party with an interview, reading, and signing at Epochal Imp in Toronto at 123 Danforth Avenue. There is limited space for this FREE event. Books will be available for purchase, and as always, Epochal Imp will have drinks and yummy treats available for purchase at the bar. To be the first to RSVP, click here.

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This month’s School Library Journal featured an article on how libraries are ensuring that books with gay themes are not being removed from shelves in both Canada and the U.S. Librarians are fighting back, and part of that is because stories about gay teens are showing that if the story is strong, it doesn’t matter what the sexual preferences of the central characters are. Not Not Normal got a nice mention in this book. To read the article, click here.

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On June 25th, it will be one year ago that Hoodoo House was published. And to celebrate Pride Month, I’m offering one reader a chance to get a free e-pub copy of the book. Simply write a comment that says you are interested in getting a free copy of the book. I will randomly select from all comments and give away the book at the end of the month.

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There’s a lot going on right now, so to keep up to date, remember to check out the website at https://peterefenton.ca/ New items include an updated list of events, and even a new countdown to the launch of The Burnt on the home page.

I’ll be updating the newsletter a bit more frequently as we get closer to the launch of the new book with other news about upcoming releases including an audio book and a new translation of Mann Hunt. So stay tuned.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a TERRIFIC Pride month.

Warmest Regards,

Peter E. Fenton

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