Scott Pratt's Blog - Posts Tagged "new-release"
Blood is Black is Available
BLOOD IS BLACK IS AVAILABLE IN ALL MEDIUMS
Amazon US → bit.ly/3SXjR34
Amazon CA → https://amzn.to/3J0lMz9
Amazon UK → https://amzn.to/3kVCYhg
Amazon AU → http://bit.ly/3F7CjQQ
Paperback → http://bit.ly/3M94KSS
Audible → http://bit.ly/420dAYj
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I'm not half the man or storyteller Dad was. I hope you can forgive me for that. But we really tried to do his manuscript justice in finishing what he started. Bottom line: I think it's a good story, and I hope you enjoy it.
Happy Pub Day, Dad. I miss you, and I love you. Sorry it took so long.
-Dylan Pratt
Best,
Dylan
Amazon US → bit.ly/3SXjR34
Amazon CA → https://amzn.to/3J0lMz9
Amazon UK → https://amzn.to/3kVCYhg
Amazon AU → http://bit.ly/3F7CjQQ
Paperback → http://bit.ly/3M94KSS
Audible → http://bit.ly/420dAYj
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I'm not half the man or storyteller Dad was. I hope you can forgive me for that. But we really tried to do his manuscript justice in finishing what he started. Bottom line: I think it's a good story, and I hope you enjoy it.
Happy Pub Day, Dad. I miss you, and I love you. Sorry it took so long.
-Dylan Pratt
Best,
Dylan
A Letter from Dylan
Dear Friend and Reader,
I want to start by saying thank you. I’m so appreciative to you for sticking with me. Blood is Black has gotten off to a good start, and the new Dillard novel, Last Resort, is poised to have a phenomenal release. It comes out one week from today.
I feel like I owe it to you to explain how this Dillard book came together and all of the variables involved. The year was 2020. After our struggles with finishing Blood is Black and admitting it would be best for someone else to come in and help us complete the manuscript, Dad’s younger brother, Dan, and I circled back to Dillard. Considering where Dad had left the characters at the end of Due Process, we knew we had to write another one. And based on conversations I’d had with Dad about Joe’s future before he died, I knew he planned this 10th book as a sort of conclusion to the Joe Dillard saga. We had lost Mom, and Dad didn’t think he’d be able to continue writing the series without her. Besides the actual despair of her passing, Dad felt like he lost the soul of the Dillard books when he lost his real-life Caroline.
And so, even though we knew it would be enormously painful and difficult, Dan and I set out on a journey to do this Dillard book together using the same plan we initially had for completing the Presley Carter book – I plot the chapters, he writes them. We thought it would be easier this time around because 1) we were starting with a blank canvas and 2) we were both so intimately familiar with the Dillard characters – they’re family. Literally and figuratively. We met up for a weekend at a remote cabin with the sole intent of fleshing out a full outline and left with the framework for a compelling story.
Unfortunately, we ended up doing the same dance to the same song that we had done with Blood is Black. Dan works full-time as a pastor, and aside from continuing to promote and drive Dad’s book sales, I was still a part-owner in a local baseball business. I had also gotten married, and was working with writers on finishing Blood is Black and Dad’s biography. Close to a year passed, and we had about three chapters of the new Dillard book written. At that rate, it was going to take us a decade to finish the novel. Considering it had already been two years since Dad left us, we both accepted reality and realized we needed help.
This would be a good place to address a message I’ve gotten from several people over the past few years: “You’re a decent writer, Dylan - why don’t you just pen it yourself?” Aside from the previously-mentioned time constraints from my other commitments, and while I had a fair grasp on plot, character, and story structure, and was intimately familiar with the Dillard characters, writing a novel was a different ballgame. I’ve always believed there’s a huge distinction between being a good writer and being a good storyteller. Crafting sharp dialogue, pacing, building suspense, knowing when to let the reader up for air and when to put your foot on the gas – developing these skills takes time. Like any other craft, mastering storytelling requires seasoning and practice, and I wasn’t willing to use this Dillard book as a training ground to develop my storytelling chops. Dad’s readers, his characters, and his legacy deserved the practiced hands of a professional rather than the fumbling keystrokes of a novice. Not to mention, writing about criminal procedure was second nature to Dad, but for me, capturing the subtleties of that world, despite having grown up around it, would have been a significant challenge. Could I have done it? Maybe. Would the finished work have met Dad’s standard for a great Dillard novel? I doubt it.
After doing some research, I discovered an entire ecosystem of writers I never knew existed - professionals who write in the crime/thriller genre for a living that are familiar with the intricacies of criminal procedure. This was the route I decided to take to honor the Dillard legacy and create the best possible novel.
Then I had another decision to make – do I find a co-writer to be alongside Dad’s name on the cover or go with a ghostwriter? After an excruciating amount of thought, especially knowing this book would be an ending of sorts to the Joe Dillard Series, I decided I wanted the entire series to belong exclusively to Dad. So, ghostwriter it was. I connected with a brilliant writer, and he and I got to work on producing the novel. As previously mentioned, Dan and I already had a solid outline, fully fleshed out character arcs, and some chapters written, so the writer wasn’t starting from scratch. He immersed himself completely in the Dillard books and came out the other side feeling like he would be up to the challenge.
After a year of hard work and several rounds of revisions, we had a finished manuscript. Our collaboration was the most brutally difficult, heartbreaking, and important work I’ve ever done, especially since those labors were taking place in the shadow of Dad’s massive legacy. That being said, I’m immensely proud of what we were able to accomplish.
Now, to address the creation of the J.D. Pratt pen name. Originally, I intended for this book to have Dad’s name alone on the cover – the entire Joe Dillard Series would belong exclusively to Scott Pratt in perpetuity. However, after sending the book to one or two close friends, one bit of feedback was clear – since Dad passed nearly five years ago, readers are going to wonder: Who wrote this book? Since most people familiar with his work know he’s been gone for some time, it could be confusing. I agreed – there needed to be a second name on the cover.
Even though this last book in the Joe Dillard Series would no longer be solely a Scott Pratt novel, I still wanted the name alongside his to represent his essence and our family. So, I decided I’d create a moniker with Pratt as the last name. What should the first name be? Arthur, since that was Dad’s first name (Scott was his middle name)? S.K. to represent Scott and Kristy (my mom)? Kris? Since this project was so collaborative between me, Dan, the writer, and Dad’s spirit, I eventually landed on a pen name that encompassed all of those elements and was a tribute to Dad’s legacy. J.D. Pratt was born (J.D. = Joe Dillard).
I want to finish by once again saying thank you for staying the course with me. The last five years have been a tumultuous cacophony of sleepless nights, grief, stress, and self-doubt, complete with a side of imposter syndrome. Hell, I even broke out in shingles during the week leading up to Blood is Black’s release (I’m in my mid-thirties). Still, even through all of that, I’m proud of the book we were able to produce. Dad would be, too.
To you, dear readers and friends: I’m sorry it took me so long. You have my eternal gratitude for sticking with me. You won’t be sorry.
To my Uncle Dan and those who helped me finish what Dad started: I owe you a debt I’ll never be able to re-pay. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
To my sister, Kody: You’ve been a light in the darkness as I’ve navigated this stormy sea of loss and despair. My rock. I love you more than words can express.
To my wife, Kadey, and my son, Jett: You are the anchors that keep me tethered to this world. My sun and my stars. I love you both more than you can possibly imagine.
To my parents: I gave it my all. I hope you’re proud. I loved you both before I was born, and I’ll love you both after I’m long gone.
-Dylan Pratt
Last Resort
I want to start by saying thank you. I’m so appreciative to you for sticking with me. Blood is Black has gotten off to a good start, and the new Dillard novel, Last Resort, is poised to have a phenomenal release. It comes out one week from today.
I feel like I owe it to you to explain how this Dillard book came together and all of the variables involved. The year was 2020. After our struggles with finishing Blood is Black and admitting it would be best for someone else to come in and help us complete the manuscript, Dad’s younger brother, Dan, and I circled back to Dillard. Considering where Dad had left the characters at the end of Due Process, we knew we had to write another one. And based on conversations I’d had with Dad about Joe’s future before he died, I knew he planned this 10th book as a sort of conclusion to the Joe Dillard saga. We had lost Mom, and Dad didn’t think he’d be able to continue writing the series without her. Besides the actual despair of her passing, Dad felt like he lost the soul of the Dillard books when he lost his real-life Caroline.
And so, even though we knew it would be enormously painful and difficult, Dan and I set out on a journey to do this Dillard book together using the same plan we initially had for completing the Presley Carter book – I plot the chapters, he writes them. We thought it would be easier this time around because 1) we were starting with a blank canvas and 2) we were both so intimately familiar with the Dillard characters – they’re family. Literally and figuratively. We met up for a weekend at a remote cabin with the sole intent of fleshing out a full outline and left with the framework for a compelling story.
Unfortunately, we ended up doing the same dance to the same song that we had done with Blood is Black. Dan works full-time as a pastor, and aside from continuing to promote and drive Dad’s book sales, I was still a part-owner in a local baseball business. I had also gotten married, and was working with writers on finishing Blood is Black and Dad’s biography. Close to a year passed, and we had about three chapters of the new Dillard book written. At that rate, it was going to take us a decade to finish the novel. Considering it had already been two years since Dad left us, we both accepted reality and realized we needed help.
This would be a good place to address a message I’ve gotten from several people over the past few years: “You’re a decent writer, Dylan - why don’t you just pen it yourself?” Aside from the previously-mentioned time constraints from my other commitments, and while I had a fair grasp on plot, character, and story structure, and was intimately familiar with the Dillard characters, writing a novel was a different ballgame. I’ve always believed there’s a huge distinction between being a good writer and being a good storyteller. Crafting sharp dialogue, pacing, building suspense, knowing when to let the reader up for air and when to put your foot on the gas – developing these skills takes time. Like any other craft, mastering storytelling requires seasoning and practice, and I wasn’t willing to use this Dillard book as a training ground to develop my storytelling chops. Dad’s readers, his characters, and his legacy deserved the practiced hands of a professional rather than the fumbling keystrokes of a novice. Not to mention, writing about criminal procedure was second nature to Dad, but for me, capturing the subtleties of that world, despite having grown up around it, would have been a significant challenge. Could I have done it? Maybe. Would the finished work have met Dad’s standard for a great Dillard novel? I doubt it.
After doing some research, I discovered an entire ecosystem of writers I never knew existed - professionals who write in the crime/thriller genre for a living that are familiar with the intricacies of criminal procedure. This was the route I decided to take to honor the Dillard legacy and create the best possible novel.
Then I had another decision to make – do I find a co-writer to be alongside Dad’s name on the cover or go with a ghostwriter? After an excruciating amount of thought, especially knowing this book would be an ending of sorts to the Joe Dillard Series, I decided I wanted the entire series to belong exclusively to Dad. So, ghostwriter it was. I connected with a brilliant writer, and he and I got to work on producing the novel. As previously mentioned, Dan and I already had a solid outline, fully fleshed out character arcs, and some chapters written, so the writer wasn’t starting from scratch. He immersed himself completely in the Dillard books and came out the other side feeling like he would be up to the challenge.
After a year of hard work and several rounds of revisions, we had a finished manuscript. Our collaboration was the most brutally difficult, heartbreaking, and important work I’ve ever done, especially since those labors were taking place in the shadow of Dad’s massive legacy. That being said, I’m immensely proud of what we were able to accomplish.
Now, to address the creation of the J.D. Pratt pen name. Originally, I intended for this book to have Dad’s name alone on the cover – the entire Joe Dillard Series would belong exclusively to Scott Pratt in perpetuity. However, after sending the book to one or two close friends, one bit of feedback was clear – since Dad passed nearly five years ago, readers are going to wonder: Who wrote this book? Since most people familiar with his work know he’s been gone for some time, it could be confusing. I agreed – there needed to be a second name on the cover.
Even though this last book in the Joe Dillard Series would no longer be solely a Scott Pratt novel, I still wanted the name alongside his to represent his essence and our family. So, I decided I’d create a moniker with Pratt as the last name. What should the first name be? Arthur, since that was Dad’s first name (Scott was his middle name)? S.K. to represent Scott and Kristy (my mom)? Kris? Since this project was so collaborative between me, Dan, the writer, and Dad’s spirit, I eventually landed on a pen name that encompassed all of those elements and was a tribute to Dad’s legacy. J.D. Pratt was born (J.D. = Joe Dillard).
I want to finish by once again saying thank you for staying the course with me. The last five years have been a tumultuous cacophony of sleepless nights, grief, stress, and self-doubt, complete with a side of imposter syndrome. Hell, I even broke out in shingles during the week leading up to Blood is Black’s release (I’m in my mid-thirties). Still, even through all of that, I’m proud of the book we were able to produce. Dad would be, too.
To you, dear readers and friends: I’m sorry it took me so long. You have my eternal gratitude for sticking with me. You won’t be sorry.
To my Uncle Dan and those who helped me finish what Dad started: I owe you a debt I’ll never be able to re-pay. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
To my sister, Kody: You’ve been a light in the darkness as I’ve navigated this stormy sea of loss and despair. My rock. I love you more than words can express.
To my wife, Kadey, and my son, Jett: You are the anchors that keep me tethered to this world. My sun and my stars. I love you both more than you can possibly imagine.
To my parents: I gave it my all. I hope you’re proud. I loved you both before I was born, and I’ll love you both after I’m long gone.
-Dylan Pratt
Last Resort
A New Book and Updates
Hi Folks,
It’s been a while since I reached out. Between working on all the projects we have going and welcoming our new baby girl (born on April 4th), I’ve been stretched razor thin. That said, I have not been idle. I come to you with glad tidings: we’ll have THREE new books ready for you in the next 12 months, and I’m excited about all of them.
JACK DILLARD BOOK 1- The first draft is finished. We’re cleaning some things up, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with the novel we’ve been able to produce. Assuming all goes well, we should be able to publish it by the end of the year. Worst case, early next year.
DAD'S BIOGRAPHY - I’ve lost count of the number of drafts we’ve been through, but we’re making headway on the ‘final’ draft. I think it will be ready for publication by the end of the year, too. Depending on how scheduling and dates fall, I’ll either publish this one a few months before Jack Dillard Book 1 or a few months after.
WRECKAGE - I’m really excited about this, and it kind of came out of left field. I don’t think I’ve shared Andrew Wolfendon’s name with you, other than to thank him in the acknowledgments, but he’s the ghostwriter I brought in to help us with "Last Resort."
Andy mentioned to me that he’d written a psychological thriller novel a few years back that he had gotten the rights back to. The book was well-reviewed, but it hadn’t gotten the support it deserved (no one knew more about this than Dad did). He asked if I’d be willing to give it a read and consider publishing it.
After tearing through the novel at a breakneck pace, I concluded two things: 1) this was a great book, and 2) there were a few things we could do to make it even better. Andy agreed with my feedback for improving the story, and we got to work on it.
That brings me to where we are now. When considering how to give this novel its best launch, I proposed taking a page out of Dad’s book (pun intended) with what he did with Mark Stout and Kelly Hodge. I asked Andy if he’d be interested in releasing "Wreckage" as a co-authored novel under the J.D. Pratt brand in the hope that doing so would give it the visibility it deserves. He agreed, and here we are.
It's an engaging novel. Different from Dad’s fare—it’s more of a psychological thriller that’s a bit lighter in tone. Still, the characters pop, the island-in-a-storm setting is gripping, and the story is riveting. Full of crackling dialogue, intrigue, and intelligent twists. We’ll be releasing it SEPTEMBER 1ST to coincide with its late-summer setting.
I’m thankful fate brought the two of us together—he’s an exceptional writer and an even more exceptional human being.
Now a bit of bad news—for those of you wondering, Presley Carter Book 2 is still on hold. I’ll let you know if/when that changes.
On to family updates. Jett is now two and a half. He’s a spirited, smart, kind young dude who already has a deep love for golf and the musical, "Hamilton." That must be Mom and Dad’s doing from on high (Dad was an avid golfer ever since his mom used the local 9-hole course in Michigan as a daycare when he was young, and you know Mom’s love for the stage). I’m excited he’s already invested in things so near and dear to my heart, but I’d be lying if I said my parents’ absence doesn’t weigh on me as he grows. Dad would be over the moon with this golf development—I’d have to fight tooth, claw, and nail to keep him from taking Jett to the driving range every day. Mom would be gleefully facilitating an education in show tunes.
My wife, Kadey, has recovered beautifully from her pregnancy. You’d never know she just gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. We named her Scottie Mae. She’s a smiley bundle of joy who shares her Daddy’s fondness for eating. Just shy of four months old, and she already weighs 20 lbs.
I’ll be in touch in the weeks leading up to the release of Wreckage. It’s a good book, and I hope you’ll give it a shot. You’ll be glad you did.
Much love to you and yours,
Dylan
Wreckage: An Addictive Psychological Thriller Packed with Twists
It’s been a while since I reached out. Between working on all the projects we have going and welcoming our new baby girl (born on April 4th), I’ve been stretched razor thin. That said, I have not been idle. I come to you with glad tidings: we’ll have THREE new books ready for you in the next 12 months, and I’m excited about all of them.
JACK DILLARD BOOK 1- The first draft is finished. We’re cleaning some things up, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with the novel we’ve been able to produce. Assuming all goes well, we should be able to publish it by the end of the year. Worst case, early next year.
DAD'S BIOGRAPHY - I’ve lost count of the number of drafts we’ve been through, but we’re making headway on the ‘final’ draft. I think it will be ready for publication by the end of the year, too. Depending on how scheduling and dates fall, I’ll either publish this one a few months before Jack Dillard Book 1 or a few months after.
WRECKAGE - I’m really excited about this, and it kind of came out of left field. I don’t think I’ve shared Andrew Wolfendon’s name with you, other than to thank him in the acknowledgments, but he’s the ghostwriter I brought in to help us with "Last Resort."
Andy mentioned to me that he’d written a psychological thriller novel a few years back that he had gotten the rights back to. The book was well-reviewed, but it hadn’t gotten the support it deserved (no one knew more about this than Dad did). He asked if I’d be willing to give it a read and consider publishing it.
After tearing through the novel at a breakneck pace, I concluded two things: 1) this was a great book, and 2) there were a few things we could do to make it even better. Andy agreed with my feedback for improving the story, and we got to work on it.
That brings me to where we are now. When considering how to give this novel its best launch, I proposed taking a page out of Dad’s book (pun intended) with what he did with Mark Stout and Kelly Hodge. I asked Andy if he’d be interested in releasing "Wreckage" as a co-authored novel under the J.D. Pratt brand in the hope that doing so would give it the visibility it deserves. He agreed, and here we are.
It's an engaging novel. Different from Dad’s fare—it’s more of a psychological thriller that’s a bit lighter in tone. Still, the characters pop, the island-in-a-storm setting is gripping, and the story is riveting. Full of crackling dialogue, intrigue, and intelligent twists. We’ll be releasing it SEPTEMBER 1ST to coincide with its late-summer setting.
I’m thankful fate brought the two of us together—he’s an exceptional writer and an even more exceptional human being.
Now a bit of bad news—for those of you wondering, Presley Carter Book 2 is still on hold. I’ll let you know if/when that changes.
On to family updates. Jett is now two and a half. He’s a spirited, smart, kind young dude who already has a deep love for golf and the musical, "Hamilton." That must be Mom and Dad’s doing from on high (Dad was an avid golfer ever since his mom used the local 9-hole course in Michigan as a daycare when he was young, and you know Mom’s love for the stage). I’m excited he’s already invested in things so near and dear to my heart, but I’d be lying if I said my parents’ absence doesn’t weigh on me as he grows. Dad would be over the moon with this golf development—I’d have to fight tooth, claw, and nail to keep him from taking Jett to the driving range every day. Mom would be gleefully facilitating an education in show tunes.
My wife, Kadey, has recovered beautifully from her pregnancy. You’d never know she just gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl. We named her Scottie Mae. She’s a smiley bundle of joy who shares her Daddy’s fondness for eating. Just shy of four months old, and she already weighs 20 lbs.
I’ll be in touch in the weeks leading up to the release of Wreckage. It’s a good book, and I hope you’ll give it a shot. You’ll be glad you did.
Much love to you and yours,
Dylan
Wreckage: An Addictive Psychological Thriller Packed with Twists
Three Days and Counting - Vindicate's Release
Dear Friend and Reader,
It’s almost here. Finally. The beginning of a new chapter. The passing of the torch, so to speak, from Joe to Jack. Vindicate, the 11th Dillard book and the 1st Jack Dillard novel, comes out in three days (Tuesday, June 3rd).
It’s strange how book launches have changed with Dad gone. When he was here, he’d be on pins and needles in the days leading up to a book’s release. Nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I, on the other hand, would be supremely confident. I’d tell him over and over, “Don’t worry, man. People are going to love this book.” Thankfully, I was mostly right.
I get his trepidation, now.
While I’m confident this is a worthy, riveting addition to the Dillard saga, there’s still that little shred of doubt, that malevolent whisper in the back of my mind. You don’t know what you’re doing. You’re dishonoring your Dad’s legacy. Fraud.
Maybe we all have those thoughts. I’d be shocked if I’m not having them twenty years from now. Still, when I take a step back and objectively look at the work we’ve created with Vindicate, I can’t help but think that 1) this is a damn good book, and 2) Dad would be proud of this.
Thank you for, once again, staying the course with me. Getting this thing out there has taken longer than I had hoped (I know…shocking). I’m sorry for that. But I’m proud of the work and believe you’ll enjoy it.
I’ll leave you by asking a small favor. If you enjoy the book, please rate and/or review it. Tell your friends about it. Tell your kids about it. Tell that maddening relative about it. Tell the lady at the drive-thru about it. Tell your cats and dogs about it 🙂
Seriously, though, I would appreciate your help spreading the word. This book is the start of a new journey, and I’ll need your assistance to get the train out of the station.
Cheers to new beginnings, and to you, dear reader, for coming along for the ride. This book is a wild one.
Much love to you and yours,
Dylan
Vindicate
It’s almost here. Finally. The beginning of a new chapter. The passing of the torch, so to speak, from Joe to Jack. Vindicate, the 11th Dillard book and the 1st Jack Dillard novel, comes out in three days (Tuesday, June 3rd).
It’s strange how book launches have changed with Dad gone. When he was here, he’d be on pins and needles in the days leading up to a book’s release. Nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I, on the other hand, would be supremely confident. I’d tell him over and over, “Don’t worry, man. People are going to love this book.” Thankfully, I was mostly right.
I get his trepidation, now.
While I’m confident this is a worthy, riveting addition to the Dillard saga, there’s still that little shred of doubt, that malevolent whisper in the back of my mind. You don’t know what you’re doing. You’re dishonoring your Dad’s legacy. Fraud.
Maybe we all have those thoughts. I’d be shocked if I’m not having them twenty years from now. Still, when I take a step back and objectively look at the work we’ve created with Vindicate, I can’t help but think that 1) this is a damn good book, and 2) Dad would be proud of this.
Thank you for, once again, staying the course with me. Getting this thing out there has taken longer than I had hoped (I know…shocking). I’m sorry for that. But I’m proud of the work and believe you’ll enjoy it.
I’ll leave you by asking a small favor. If you enjoy the book, please rate and/or review it. Tell your friends about it. Tell your kids about it. Tell that maddening relative about it. Tell the lady at the drive-thru about it. Tell your cats and dogs about it 🙂
Seriously, though, I would appreciate your help spreading the word. This book is the start of a new journey, and I’ll need your assistance to get the train out of the station.
Cheers to new beginnings, and to you, dear reader, for coming along for the ride. This book is a wild one.
Much love to you and yours,
Dylan
Vindicate
