Elyse Salpeter's Blog, page 2

Launch Day! New Supernatural Thriller NOWHERE TO RUN

Launch days are always so exciting… and so scary. My stomach hasn’t stopped jumping since it went live. As writers, when you put yourself and your work out to the world, it feels immediately like you’ve entered a gladiator pit and you’re fighting to the death! You feel so vulnerable but yet at the same time, so exhilarated that you’ve written a new book and want to get it out to the world. But, at the same time, you just don’t know how the novel will be judged.

NOWHERE TO RUN has a lot of dark moments, discussions about race, and while it is a supernatural thriller, it’s also about how far someone will go to save the one they love. I am always so nervous about anything that may be considered controversial and tried so hard to make sure I was writing this book properly. I vetted different editors, beta readers and queried people, so I think it’s sound. Just dark. And sexy. And violent – but hey, that’s how I roll. And really, the novel and the characters write themselves so you just have to let the process do its thing.

What’s it about?

“In the center of the ocean lies a dark secret. Ten strangers, each with a unique gift waiting to be unleashed, find themselves stranded on a remote island. But their arrival is no accident.

Kidnapped and brought there by a shadowy organization, they are pawns in a deadly game of experimentation and manipulation. Their captors believe they possess abilities unlike any seen before, powers that could change the course of humanity and ones they can harness for their own evil purposes.

In this supernatural thriller, where the line between reality and nightmare blurs, the ten must confront their fears and fight for their lives. For on this island, nothing is as it seems, and the true enemy may be closer than they think.”

You can also read about me on Best Selling Reads here. And it’s available on Amazon in print and ebook globally here: amzn.to/3VJURy1. Love to see what you think of it and an honest review would be so appreciated. Enjoy!

Supernatural Thriller: NOWHERE TO RUN by Elyse Salpeter – Pre-order on Amazon

Hey everyone,

I’ve got a fun announcement. My newest supernatural thriller, NOWHERE TO RUN, is up for Pre-order on Amazon e-book! This is the very first time I’ve ever done a book on pre-order, but if folks are planning on ordering, by doing this it will all hit on launch day and will help me in the rankings incredibly.

I’ll let you in on a secret. I actually started writing this novel well over 20 years ago. It’s been with an agent, was picked up by a publishing house that closed down before launch, then was with 2 different editors where I changed the bad guys at one point. I struggled with some of the concepts of the story and how it would be received. Well, I finally just decided to get it out to the world. It’s typical me and my style. Easy prose, fast paced, a little sexy, a little violent and off the wall ideas. The Official Launch Date is July 1st but if you’re interested, I’d love it if you were planning on grabbing it to possibly consider doing the pre-order. Just $2.99 and I’d love to share it with you. As always, when you’re finished, I’d love an honest review.

https://amzn.to/3KOQexz

Here’s what it’s about! 

When survival comes at a cost…

In the center of the ocean lies a dark secret. Ten strangers, each with a unique gift waiting to be unleashed, find themselves stranded on a remote island.

But their arrival is no accident. Kidnapped and brought there by a shadowy organization, they are pawns in a deadly game of experimentation and manipulation. Their captors believe they possess abilities unlike any seen before, powers that could change the course of humanity and ones they can harness for their own evil purposes.

In this supernatural thriller, where the line between reality and nightmare blurs, the ten must confront their fears and fight for their lives. For on this island, nothing is as it seems, and the true enemy may be closer than they think.

NOWHERE TO RUN is a gripping tale of suspense, romance, and superhuman abilities, where survival is the ultimate test of strength.

I hope you enjoy it and thank you so much for your support.

https://amzn.to/3KOQexz

Back Doing Author Events!

Wow! I haven’t done a live author event since before Covid! That gives you an idea of how long it’s been since I’ve had a chance to stand in front of people and talk about my books. But, I joined the Long Island Authors Group this year and they put together a bunch of events around Long Island. I was lucky enough to be chosen to go to the Port Washington Harborfest on June 2nd.

It was really a beautiful day but I’ll tell you, my biggest challenge was figuring out how many books to bring and what would be good sellers. I only had a 3X3 table so I struggled about what to bring. I learned a lot of things.

#1) I don’t need 10 copies of each novel. It seemed that a lot of folks purchased book #1 in a series or the standalones. No one purchased any of the other 5 books in the Kelsey Porter series or Book #2 in my Flying series. #2) Get collateral for them to take with them. I had a lot of people take my business cards and my bookmarks. I think quite a few will go to Amazon and get the novels on their Kindle. #3) Building up my mailing list. This event was so great for that! BUT, I got home and wow, some of the handwriting was difficult. I’m going to gently take a peek each time from now on after someone fills something out and ask them for clarification if I can’t read their handwriting. Lesson learned!

Lastly, I have a new supernatural thriller launching July 1st! It’s called NOWHERE TO RUN and if you would like to be on my mailing list, please click here and let me know. I’ll do a special announcement to my mailing list when it launches. Don’t you love the cover? I used Creative Paramita!

Do you like Meeting the Characters in a Book?

I wrote a young adult, dystopian, science fiction thriller called THE DOOR ON THE RIGHT. It’s the year 2176 and is about 13 orphans who live isolated in a building called Harlan House, which resides in the middle of a bustling city. They are the only people on the planet who don’t have an immunity to fight against a disease that has been raging the planet for a hundred years. So, to keep them safe, they live together, only seeing the city below through the 8th floor roofdeck.

I took this unique idea to do a series of posts on social media introducing the characters in the books. I’d love to know if any of you think this is interesting or effective? I think it was pretty cool.

I had a lot of fun creating these. There’s this fine line of saying too much or too little, so love to hear what you think. If you’d like to check out the novel, you can get it here on Amazon. amazon.com/dp/B0BPF67XC1/

Hobby… or Obsession?

So, one year my my mom was visiting me and I saw her washing one of my cooking pans. I was like, “Mom, really, it’s a lost cause.” She looked at me like I was crazy and said, “you just need to clean them.” I glanced at the black pot, saw the bottom was a little dark and said, “but it’s just seasoned.”

I realized we all make a lot of excuses for things. Things we want to get done. Books we want to finish. Closets that need to be cleaned out. Exercises that need to be done. A diet that needs to start. Her words really resonated with me and when my mom returned to Florida, I buckled down and attacked that pan.

I realize life is a lot like cleaning your pans. You get complacent. You don’t realize the rut you get into. It’s winter now, so the excuse to get out and exercise gets trumped by “It’s cold, it’s dark, I just want to curl up in bed with the covers over my head and eat something yummy and fattening and it will make me happy!” (Insert whatever excuse you make). Or, the house looks “clean enough – I mean, who is coming over anyway?” (go ahead, please fold your laundry and put it away even if company isn’t coming over)

Well, it’s time I heed my own advice. I have one book with my editor right now for a final read and I am going to start full press reaching out to agents. I’m up to 18 submissions so far. It’s so daunting and defeating, but I need to buckle down and do it. I have another novel in the hopper about 100 pages in and I have a book called House of Leaves I’m trying to get through. It’s a pretty intense book and I’ve been making excuses, but I want this off my plate. I can’t just let a book go. I have to finish it, so like those pans, I’m going to attack it!

What’s something on your plate you put off but know you need to do? Love to hear!

Meet Author David C. Cassidy

I’m really excited to interview David C. Cassidy on my blog this week. Authors that gear their writing towards Horror and Suspense have a special place in my heart. Scare me and keep me on my toes, pretty please! So without further ado…

David, can you describe your writing process? Do you outline, plot and plan, or is your writing more organic?

I’m a deep, deep planner. My outlines look like movie scripts but contain much more detail. I always begin with a seed idea for the story, and then I spend weeks or months developing my character profiles—their past, present, and future. By the time I’m finished, I know them inside and out; they become as real to me as family.

My books read like movies. One of the most important things I do is select actors for each character in the book and include a photo of them in each profile—actors who I think would be perfect for the role. In my time-travel thriller Velvet Rain, I chose Hugh Jackman for Kain Richards. In the supernatural horror novel Gateway, Joaquin Phoenix would play Jared Cole. Having these images ingrained in my mind allows me to picture them and their reactions in every scene that I write. They come alive on the page.

As I’m developing my characters, quotes, scenes, and plot points leap out at me. Things they need to say and do. How the story progresses from start to finish. Only then, usually after several months, do I start to write.

This is fascinating, David. I usually have an idea of the beginning, middle and end of my own novels, but besides that, I’m just a big panster I think! Though when I wrote my Kelsey Porter series, I did what you did and I created a 20 page character document with photos and descriptions of each character. Kelsey had 4 full pages just dedicated to her. I know that girl now inside and out!

I want to hear more about your book Gateway. Can you describe it in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it?

A troubled man with miraculous power. Crazies and killers. Evil unleashed.

Okay … that’s 11 words. But I’m used to breaking so-called “writing rules” all the time. For me, there are no rules.

Shameless plug: The reviewer at TaleFlick.com—a company that pitches books and scripts to major movie studios—awarded Gateway with a “TaleFlick Pick” badge, highlighting it for producers and directors. The reviewer’s summary stated it would make a good film or mini-series and could win awards in the horror and thriller categories.

That is incredible and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you. Having your baby on the big screen is something that would be amazing.

Curious, do you have any odd writing habits?

I do. Whenever I sit down to write, I tap four keys first: L. U. C. K.

Ok, this is SO COOL. It’s like you put your feelings out to the universe. I’m a firm believer in positive thinking. Though with your talent, luck isn’t necessarily needed.

What do you enjoy most about writing horror?

My stories are character-driven, never plot-driven. It’s all about the characters and their overwhelming struggle to carry on. The story—their story—comes from them. From where they’ve been and where they’re going. So for me, writing about real characters—in my mind—that’s gold. I need to feel their purpose and pain. And I do. Many readers have told me the same after reading my books.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Photography—film and digital. I’m very visual, whether it’s in words or images. I love to create art with keyboard and camera.

That’s fantastic, David. Tell me, where can readers find your books?

All my books can be purchased from my online store at www.davidccassidy.com/store. The books are much cheaper there than at the major retailers. I also offer special deals and exclusive bundles at great prices.

Of course, my books can also be found on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Smashwords, and Kobo.

About Gateway

Sometimes, good people do bad things.
And sometimes … really nasty things.

Jared Cole has it all. Talent. Fame. Success. But this best-selling horror novelist also has an astonishing power: he can see souls. Returning to his sleepy hometown of Torch Falls, Montana after seven years in the grind of New York City, it seems the perfect plan to keep his secret safe and to jump-start his sagging career. But when he unwittingly opens a window—a gateway—into the soul of an epileptic child, his dream of a fresh start becomes a nightmare. A relentless and sinister evil is unleashed, twisting peaceful townsfolk into psychotic crazies and cold-blooded killers. Can Jared close the gateway before the town becomes a graveyard?

For purchase at www.davidccassidy.com/store

Book Trailer for Gateway at https://youtu.be/xtKX1g81cbA

Author BIO

David C. Cassidy is an award-winning author, the twisted mind behind several chilling books of horror and suspense.

His supernatural thriller, The Dark, won the Independent Book Publishers Award and ReadersFavorite.com Award in horror fiction.

If you love horror with unforgettable characters in epic stories that draw you in and won’t let go—stories that haunt you long after the final page—then check out his incredibly rich storytelling.

Websites

Author Website: www.davidccassidy.com

Author Book Shoppe: www.davidccassidy.com/store

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidCCassidyAuthor

X (Twitter): https://x.com/DavidCCassidy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DavidCCassidy

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClxYTXTuEpVuwX6DaQRRQgg

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9885287.David_C_Cassidy

Making Ads for your Novels

Holy cow. I started at this writing journey literally about 30 years ago, but if you would have told me that I was also going to have to be a marketing social media maven, I would have laughed. I’m the person whose house is one step up from an Ikea catalogue. My presentations have colors all through them because “I think they’re pretty.” I know what I like when I see it, but a design eye is not my forte. Even my first book covers I thought were fantastic and now I realize they were kind of… busy.

But, like everything in life, the more you do, the more you practice, the better you get. It doesn’t hurt that there are so many different companies out there that can help you. I use PicCollage, Canva (and yes, I just upgraded to pro), Splice and now CapCut. I put all of these in various formats onto TikTok, Instagram, Twitter X and now Threads. Occasionally I’ll do it on FB and my author page, though I keep FB more privatized with people I actually know and interact with.

There are quite a few creations I’ve been pretty happy with. I wouldn’t say they’re working on getting me any insane views on any of the social sites yet, but there’s the hope is that the more I do, the more awareness I’ll get month over month.

So, I have this little game I’m playing that I started in November. I hardly had any sales in November. I basically made enough for one cup of coffee at a local coffee shop. After working completely hard doing social media for the next month, I’ve now made enough for 3 cups of coffee! LOL – I’m laughing, but seriously, it’s true. The good news is that hopefully I’m now gaining new followers and building a base and with me working hard each day at this doing something towards my goals, my hope is that next month I can upgrade this to 3 lattes! (to be fair, my entire goal is to make enough on my writing to pay for ads, which I’m hopeful I’ll get to soon).

So which if these on this page did you like the best? Love to hear!

It’s time to get serious…and up the Marketing!

For 16 years I’ve been publishing books. For the first 13 years I was crazy about writing and publishing, trying to acquire literary agents, working social media, you name it. At one point I had over 230K+ on google+, which went away, and over 35K on Twitter, which dwindled over the past few years.

I attribute a lot of this to the changing publishing environment. There’s so many free books out there that it’s very hard to build a base of fans that want (or even need) to buy anything. But I have decided that my novels are worth it. I’ve got 14 books so far in the field with more coming. They are across a host of genres, which I agree can make it hard for a reader to stick to all the books, but there are a few per genre and I’m itching to reach more people.

So, this is just a general announcement. I am getting serious. Look, being an author is hard because nowadays, you can’t just write. You also have to be a social media and marketing maven. It’s difficult to wear so many hats but I’m taking the challenge and seeing if I can increase my sales month over month. I’m on month two and have increased my book sales by $4 whole dollars so far from November to Mid December. LOL – don’t worry, I won’t spend it all in one place. But this is not a sprint – it’s a marathon.

So, I have now a dedicated Instagram author page (I’d really appreciate it if you could follow me there), dedicated twitter (x), dedicated Threads, dedicated TikTok and my facebook author page. In fact, come on over to my Linktr.ee and you can connect wherever and however you’d like!

Step 1. Build each of these up with content so that when people are searching they can find the books to read. Step 2. Build my newsletter – please feel free to join – I don’t post often (once every few months? And it will have freebies and new book launches. Step 3. My hope in 2024 is to host some book clubs, do a few book signings and finally see if I can get my novels with Ingram so I can get into bookstores. Step 3 is a lofty goal and will require a ton of legwork. So I’ll build Step 1 and Step 2 first and work on Step 3 into the New Year.

Look, if you don’t reach for the stars, you’ll never get your feet off the ground. Love to hear your goals for 2024!

Meet Author Scott Bury!

Hi Readers! Are you interested in a new mystery series featuring a smart, strong woman, and set in the tropical paradise of the Hawaiian Islands? Then look no further than Scott Bury’s amazing series. Let me tell you about it.

Hawaiian Storm Mysteries

The Hawaiian Storm series features FBI Special Agent Vanessa Storm, the woman who instantly sees through every lie. 

The series now comprises four titles: three full-length novels and one seasonal-themed novella. Scott is willing to give away an e-copy of the first book in the series, Torn Roots, to anyone who can answer one of two questions. 

“First question: there is a recurring character in nearly every one of my books—one who does not appear on a large number of pages, but who plays a pivotal role in the plot. She always has the same first name, but her last name can vary on the surface, but always has the same meaning. And that meaning provides the linchpin of the story. Who is she?

“Second question: What does Vanessa Storm have in common with James Bond?” 

Book 1: Torn Roots

Special Agent Vanessa Storm’s first case sends her to Maui’s rain-soaked south shore to investigate the murder of a woman in the midst of conflict between local activists and foreign investors.

An abrasive environmentalist, a taciturn geologist and a rogue Homeland Security agent lead Vanessa into a tangled jungle of a mystery.

E-book: 

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H72W3BD/ Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/mvWARl 

Paperback: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Torn-Roots-Hawaiian-Storm-Scott/dp/1987846141

Book 2 (novella): Palm Trees & Snowflakes

Snowflake has a new meaning in Hawaii. The new designer drug gives users the perfect high—and kills them.

During the holidays, FBI Special Agents Vanessa Storm and Alan Terakawa have to stop the deadly flow. Vanessa’s handsome, charming, and untrustworthy ex-boyfriend might have the answer. 

E-book: Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KQHSGDW

Book 3: Dead Man Lying 

Maui offers the perfect retirement location for once-famous country singer Steven Sangster … until he ends up dead.

As a savage tropical storm traps every witness, and suspect, in the singer’s rambling home, Vanessa learns that they’re all lying.

But the biggest liar of all may just be the victim—the dead man, lying. 

E-book: 

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Lying-Hawaiian-Storm-Book-ebook/dp/B08VWLXCH1/Books2Read https://books2read.com/u/4AOQGd

Paperback: 

Book 4: Echoes

In 1999, the Kahuna was The Man on Oahu’s leeward side. The coolest guy at the wildest parties, with the coolest posse, the best weed and the most beautiful girlfriend.

Then he disappeared.

Fifteen years later, that girlfriend is no longer a high school senior. She is FBI Special Agent Vanessa Storm, and she sees through every lie the Kahuna spins when he shows up again to beg her help.

How can she say no when the Kahuna wants her help not for himself, but to protect his little sister. Young Christine Koraka is ready to set fire to the whole Oahu illegal drug trade—for revenge.

E-book:

AmazonBooks2Read

About Scott Bury

After a 20-year career in journalism, he turned to writing fiction.

“Sam, the Strawb Part,” a children’s story, came out in 2011, with all the proceeds going to an autism charity. Next was a paranormal short story for grown-ups, “Dark Clouds.”

The Bones of the Earth, a historical fantasy, came out in 2012. It was followed in 2013 with One Shade of Red, an erotic romance.

The Eastern Front trilogy tells the true story of Maurice Bury, a Canadian drafted into the USSR’s Red Army to face the German invasion of the Soviet Union. Army of Worn Soles, the first volume, was published in 2014, followed by Under the Nazi Heel in 2016 and Walking Out of War in 2017.

Scott Bury was invited to write for three Kindle Worlds by bestsellers Russell Blake, Toby Neal and Emily Kimelman. From 2015 to 2017, he published six novellas and a novel. He has since revised and republished three as the Hawaiian Storm mystery series: Torn Roots, Palm Trees & Snowflakes, and Dead Man Lying.

In between writing books and blog posts, Scott helped found an author’s cooperative publishing venture, Independent Authors International. He is also President of an authors’ professional association, BestSelling Reads.

He lives in Ottawa with his two mighty sons, two pesky cats and a very understanding wife.

You can find more about Scott Bury, and contact him through his website, his blog, Written Words, and on Twitter @ScottTheWriter

Scott Bury

Author and editor  
Award-winning author of The Bones of the Earth and the Eastern Front Trilogy

Website: ScottBuryAuthor.com 
Blog: Written Words

Facebook  Twitter

Free ebook to Gift for the Holidays!

I’m so excited to offer some free books to my followers over the next month. This week is THE HUNT FOR XANADU. From December 4th to December 8th I want to invite everyone to go grab a FREE e-book copy of Book #1 in my Kelsey Porter series. The best part is that I’m going to do a little give-away for readers to also win ANY of my 14 books for as an ebook for free! In fact, I’m going to have 10 winners so the chances of winning are really good. EVEN if you already have the book, you can be entered if you follow the rules below!

So, here’s the rules:

Grab your free copy of THE HUNT FOR XANADU from December 4th – December 8th. Come back here to tell me you got one (even if you already have it) and if you gifted it out to five people you will get an additional second entry! Since I have a special set up with Amazon, I can view free purchases, so give-away and get for yourself, please! I’ll be posting the winners this weekend and on next Monday’s blog!

This entire series has been so well received. It was also written up by Douglas Preston on Amazon and he even had the book on a podcast! Here’s his review: The Hunt for Xanadu by Elyse Salpeter is a remarkable novel, a fascinating and fantastical journey in time and space, and one of the most gripping novels I’ve read in a long time. It flies along at the pace of a thriller, with plenty of murder and mayhem along the way. But behind the thrill-ride is a spiritual story, an archetypal tale of mystery and darkness,riddled with fascinating and esoteric concepts in Tibetan Buddhism. Vivid characters, a truly appealing protagonist, unexpected twists, and crisp writing complete this unforgettable book. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!

—Douglas Preston, #1 bestselling author and co-creator, with Lincoln Child, of the Pendergast seriesLove for you to take a peek!

Here’s the link to The Hunt for Xanadu on Amazon. Don’t forget to comment below if you get it and also when you gift it out!

PS. Dreams and hard work do pay off. Here’s me finishing the NY 70.3 Half Ironman on Sept 23rd. Set your mind to something, commit and you can rule the world!