Geoffrey Wakeling's Blog, page 13

Inside Evil paperbacks are here!

As you’ll know from my ‘Making paperbacks with Createspace‘ blog, I’ve delved into realms that I never thought I would as an author. The digital age has really opened up the world of publishing, and I thought I would be happy having my books online as ebooks. That was, until I held the beautiful crisp paper and stunning covers in my hands and put my own works on the study shelves.

It’s taken a while to get the proofing correct and for CreateSpace to accurately link the Kindle versions with the paperback copies. This is largely due to an author name discrepancy that I talked about  and The Tower of Souls as books that you can actually hold in your hands!

Of course, paperbacks are more expensive than ebooks, and both my novels aren’t any different, making buying a digital version far cheaper. Also, I’m fairly sure there are large shipping fees and delivery periods for those buying in the UK. So, if anyone in the UK does want a version, I’ll be selling Inside Evil and The Tower of Souls at £6.74 and £8.99 respectively from my own batch. Just holla if you want one.

It is a glorious thing to hold an actual paperback in my hands though, and even though its probably very self serving, I’m glad that I decided to delve beyond the simple ebook niche.

Tagged: books, Inside Evil paperback, literature, paperback copies, The Tower of Souls paperback

Get to know the author – Grant Turner

It can be hard to find new and interesting reads that aren’t mainstream in the fantasy and  supernatural genres. I’m not saying that mainstream fiction isn’t incredible – some books really are. But, there are some really awesome paranormal and fantasy novels out there too waiting to be discovered.

In ‘Get to know the author’ I’m featuring some indie author’s whose work you might like to check out. First up is Grant Turner, Manchester resident and author of Heavens Door.

*****

Tell us a little about yourself, Grant? Do you write for a living? If not, what’s your day job?

I like to consider that writing is my day job at the moment, I was a student at Manchester Metropolitan University studying Crime and Sociology; but with the economy there was no career prospects in the field of crime for me and as for sociology there was never  any career aspects. So currently I am looking for full time employment, hopefully writing can be that thing to fill the void!

Favourite food, place, colour and writing zone, please

My favourite food I am a fan of a quick meal so pasta would be my first choice, I am a little unconventional with it though butter and salt with my pasta please! My favourite place would have to be my bedroom – and not for any smutty reason, it is just my little bubble where everything is always good. For that reason my bedroom is also my writing zone, the rest of the house is too cluttered with people and noise.

You write in the supernatural  genre….who’s been your inspiration? Favourite books? Movies? TV Shows?

I LOVE SUPERNATURAL! Like so much, I have been interested in it for years, even before I began reading. Just the idea of seeing something not of this world is like a rush to me and to be honest I have had my fair share of paranormal experiences. Books and films though, I would have to say James Herbert was my key inspiration for writing, ever since reading Moon I just thought I want to do that too. Favourite supernatural film; that would have been sixth sense if it hadn’t have been ruined for me! One that always springs to mind though is The Others, I loved how that played out, goosebumps the full lot after that film.

Who’s your favourite all time fictional character?

Mort – as simple as that Terry Pratchett wrote him so well and in a way I see myself in Mort; tall, gangly and somewhat clumsy. I just think his character development from awkward teenager to omnipotent Death was superb. Well done Pratchett!

Who’s your favourite character in your own work?

In my own work I would have to say the character in my upcoming novel “Red Winter” – Eric Connelly. He is disturbed, obsessive and violent, but all in good cause. History always shapes a man.

Let’s talk superpowers….there’s no denying we’d all love one. What would be your choice, and why?

In a way I would already say I am invisible – but that’s my own choice I love to be alone. Super-powers though, I think telepathy would be amazing, not only to find out what people are thinking but also how to judge people properly and be able to see who would have the ability to be troublesome in some way. That way I could avoid their hassle.

Inspiration’s a funny thing. Where do you find yours? Is there one particular moment that stands out?

That is a tricky one, sometimes I could be watching a movie and I think – “what could I do with something like this, the premise is there but how could I make it my own?” Other times and more often than not it is a specific dream that I have had that will spark the writer in me and push me to write said story. For example in “Heavens Door” there is a scene where the main character is drifting off to sleep and he experiences something bizarre, that in itself was a dream I had. Left me feeling a little scared I must admit!

Writers have very different approaches to completing our works. Are you a heavy plotter? Jump back and forth between scenes? Sit down, start at the beginning and just write?

I know that I should plot, as to allow me time for more writing but I am definitely a freestyler; when it comes to my head it goes down onto paper, in very rare circumstances do I plot. It only happens if I find I have written myself into a rut or something like that.

What’s fresh about your books? Quirky and different? Likely to entice readers and keep them coming back for more?

I would say that with some of my writing I have taken horror and its description back to its gritty ways, I am not afraid to go into detail about blood and guts, in fact it’s the bit I love writing most! But I think my twists and sometimes multiple twists keep the reader turning pages and wanting more.

What are you working on now?

Currently I am working two projects – a re-write of my first novel “Red Winter” a supernatural thriller with many twists and turns, with a lovely cliff hanger and “The Darkest Hour” a compilation of short stories intended for Halloween. These stories are a mix of real life terrors and the paranormal so there is a little bit of something there for everyone.

How can readers connect with you?

Readers can interact with me on Twitter, as well as my Goodreads page where you can ask me questions and interact with me via the Authors blog.

Heavens Door is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

Tagged: books, Grant Turner, Heavens Door, James Herbert, literature, Moon

A novel update

Today, about five hours ago, I wrote and edited the final chapter of my new novel. Since then, I’ve spent many frustrating hours trying to get .mobi conversions to work so that my editor and proofer can read, enjoy and work at the same time. I ended up having to strip out ALL formatting and start from scratch….still, it’s a cleaner ebook now that the step has been taken.

I’m still not entirely sure of the title, but it’s tentatively called ‘CRYO; Rise of the Immortals‘. I have no cover, have done no marketing, have only just revealed a possible name, BUT at least it is done. I’m heading for a mid Nov – early Dec release to provide time for the multitude of work that has to be done between completing a manuscript and actually publishing it. Now, the work starts really starts, and first on the menu is some blurb. I tentatively (that seems to be the word of the day) put together some ideas for blurb, but it’ll obviously need refinement/embellishment.

There are some dreams that never come true, but John Carlody’s just won a ticket to a privately funded cryogenics program and is on a one way ticket to the future. He’s about to escape from a dying world to a place where the troubles of the past have been cured and forgotten, where he can finally find contentment, where, if the worst occurs, he might lay happily and blissfully unaware in stasis forever.

But, leaving loved ones behind isn’t as easy as John originally thought, and lost feelings begin to reawaken. There are many who are determined to see him fail, to see his dream shattered. And, even if John does pass CRYO’s tests and he makes the program, is Earth’s future as bright as he’s hoping for?’

I always feel a beautiful sense of freedom when I tap out those final words of a piece. There’s a natural conclusion to the writing process even if, like CRYO; Rise of the Immortals is, the novel is the start of a series. However, there’s no relaxing or quietening the sounds of keyboard tapping in my house, as I am now headed back to the Inside Evil series, to book three, and to the plight of Ridgewood’s most loveable residents.

Tagged: literature

10 images ideal for inspiring fantasy writing

When it comes to writing, I’m pretty much a sit down at my computer and see what happens kinda guy. There’s that first flash of inspiration, whether this is a story idea or a character outline, and then I’m off. I rarely see an image and instantly conjure up a fantastical storyline. However, I do find that images subconsciously work their way into my brain and offer a very subtle inspiration which comes out as I write.

Pinterest is great for pulling together a collage of images and inspiration to help you write. Here are my top ten images, so far, that have helped create the fantasy books of the Inside Evil series.

1. Inside Evil is set in a tiny town, Ridgewood, that lies on the border of England and Scotland. The town itself is circled in pine forests; a beautiful place by day, and a frightening and foreboding setting at night.

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Source: panoramio.com via Geoffrey on Pinterest

 

2. By day, Ridgewood forest quells the fears of many residents. However, as darkness falls and the 10 yearly cycle of the Ammokra begins, strange happenings occur between the trees. With ethereal light and the wolf howling, this picture is ideal for the crossover period between Ridgewood and Gathin.

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Source: wallpapers4desktop.net via Geoffrey on Pinterest

 

3. Sometimes it only takes a single object to easily define a character. Despite living in the back and beyond, Martha is always immaculate. Her hair is always curled, her clothes always perfect, and there’s almost always a set of pearls in her ears.

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Source: doesnt-hurt-to-be-beautiful.blogspot.co.uk via Geoffrey on Pinterest

 

4. Martha also has a stunning knack for keeping up appearances. Whilst Susan begins to unravel due to the death of her daughter, and Roberta is hounded by a curse which threatens to kill her, Martha still finds time to dress her porch for Christmas.

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Source: google.com via Geoffrey on Pinterest

 

5. Karl Frans left Ridgewood a decade ago as he sought answers to why his best friend had died. The cottage that had been his haven was sold, but Karl has the realisation that he might have left a crucial piece of evidence in his old beloved home.

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Source: xaxor.com via Geoffrey on Pinterest

 

6. The Tower of Souls sees Roberta fall into the world of Gathin and immediately be in mortal danger. Was there anything more evil than the curse itself? Luguolo, head of Gathin’s giant wolf pack, might just be more dangerous. 

[image error]

Source: fanpop.com via Geoffrey on Pinterest

 

 

7. Mirrors are an essential tool for the Gatekeepers, who use them to communicate with each other and come to the aid of those in peril. Mrs Peacock has an ancient mirror that she has used to ward off evils for decades. And, with a little help from some unusual individuals, there’s even the chance of stepping through a mirror into the Middlelands.

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Source: llewelynandcompany.com via Geoffrey on Pinterest

 

8. Ridgewood is an ancient town, and much of it’s medieval character remains. This photo below  helped me visualise the streets and alleyways that become the backdrop to the Inside Evil story.

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Source: google.com via Geoffrey on Pinterest

 

9. Gathin’s Crossover Festival is a time to celebrate and rejoice the success of dominating victims from Earth. At this time, the people of Gathin let their guards, and hair down. These bone earrings are exactly the sort of fashion that residents would wear.

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Source: etsy.com via Geoffrey on Pinterest

 

10. The story of Inside Evil takes place as the November weather rolls in, bringing perishing winds and snowy skies. A forest laden in a crystal white sheen is the ideal inspiration for that beautiful yet dangerous landscape.

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Source: theguidetogaygardening.com via Geoffrey on Pinterest

Tagged: ethereal light, pine forests

Correcting my author name

I’ve learned a lot in the past seven months of self publishing. Oh, how daunting everything seemed way back in April, and now I have two novels on Amazon shelves and another on the way. However, if there’s one thing I haven’t been careful about, it’s my author name. Continuity is key when you’re developing a platform and creating a brand for yourself, so your author name should also be constant. Unfortunately, in my case, this isn’t true, and it’s got me into quite a pickle.

If Joanna Rowling suddenly published a new Harry Potter book, you might think that it was fan fiction. After all, she is known as J.K. Rowling by millions of people around the world, and it always seems a little odd to hear her called Joanna. Likewise, if an S. Myers released a new fantasy novel, it wouldn’t be instantly obvious that it was the same Stephanie Myers who wrote the Twilight Saga.

Having been attempting to upload my books to Kobo, and hence going through the manuscripts again, I realised that there was no continuity with what I called myself. I was Geoffrey Wakeling here, Geoff Wakeling there, and G. Wakeling on the front cover. It might seem like a small issue, but it’s importance has been highlighted with my recent creation of paperbacks via CreateSpace. My kindle books are listed on Amazon as written by Geoffrey Wakeling. However, my CreateSpace novels are Mr. G. Wakeling, and that has led to some confusion over linking.

From now on, I really need to start paying attention to keeping continuity and will be going through all my literature to correct my author name to G. Wakeling. Call me what you like, and I’ll respond as long as I know that it’s me you’re talking too. But, creating a constant author name is vital if you’re to create that all important branding and it seems that I’ve not been nearly careful ensuring in creating my author name platform.

Tagged: books, harry potter book, literature, stephanie myers

Anne Rice on writing

I just thought I’d share this wonderful YouTube piece with Anne Rice about writing and self publishing.

‘Be brave, reach for the fire from heaven. And, nobody can tell you that you can’t do that. And, really, realise your dreams.’ – Anne Rice

Tagged: Anne Rice, self publishing

Sample Sunday – September 16th

This week I’m joining in Sample Sunday; a chance to offer readers titbits of books if they’re looking for something fresh and new to devour. Whilst last week I shared Chapter 1 of Inside Evil from my ‘my Writing’ page, this week I’m sharing an excerpt from Chapter 9.

*****

There was a soft humming from the kitchen as Susan made her way down the stairs and turned into the lounge. The table in front of Martha’s conservatory was already set, and there were a selection of warm croissants, jams, fruit and pastries laid out.

“There you are,” Martha smiled as she walked through the kitchen door with a steaming pot of coffee. She placed it on a placemat, removed her apron and beckoned Susan towards the table. “Breakfast?”

“I’m not hungry,” Susan replied as she made her way to a seat which overlooked the frosty morning garden.

“Just have some coffee and a croissant at least, you’ve got to eat. Plus, I’ve gone to so much effort.”

Susan smiled and raised an eyebrow, “Martha, you do this every morning whether you have company or not.”

“True, but it’s good to have a few family traditions kept up. Here,” Martha poured dark coffee into Susan’s cup before handing her the plate of pastries. Susan soon realised that she was actually famished, especially having not eaten anything the night before. After seeing the ghostly figures in the cellar she’d come to Martha’s to seek advice. It had become late, she didn’t care to see her husband’s face and let another row boil over about her increasing distance from him, and so she’d stayed in one of Martha’s guestrooms. And now that she was guzzling coffee and working her way through several pastries, she was hugely thankful for her friend’s care.

“So, these ghostly figures,” Martha began as calmly as if she were asking about how Susan had slept, which had in fact been one of the best sleeps since Vanessa’s death. “There were two?”

Susan nodded and washed a piece of toast and jam down with a sip of coffee. “The second only came towards the end. I couldn’t really see either very well. They weren’t in the cellar, it was as if I were looking through a window to somewhere else.”

“Yet you were able to pick up the diaries off the table and can feel heat and see light from the candles,” Martha mused. “And, the main figure just placed the fallen candle back onto the table and left?”

Susan hesitated, she still hadn’t told Martha about the stone disc, and to reveal that another had been placed on the table would mean she’d need to reveal the item which still rested in her pocket now. Her fingers dug into her cardigan for reassurance, recoiling instantly as they touched the cold round object. She moved her hand to her other pocket and pulled out Vanessa’s pages which were becoming increasingly crumpled and damaged.

“The second figure appeared, grabbed the first’s arm and seemed to indicate that someone was watching them. It looked straight at me for a few seconds and then they both vanished.”

“Well, I’m glad that’s all that happened, Susan. I’ve got a horrible feeling that whatever was staring at you was the same thing that attacked me the night of Vanessa’s death.”

“I think it’s certain,” Susan replied, “Yet we’re still no further along with what’s actually happening.”

“I wouldn’t say that! For starters, Karl confirmed what I’d been thinking all along, and that Vanessa didn’t simply just drop dead.” She looked across to Susan, “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before, about Karl. I know you’re upset, but truly Susan, I just didn’t think of it until he came through the door. I knew only of the other deaths because Barry had mentioned them to me. I didn’t have the details. I just knew that matters had been handed over to a team outside of Ridgewood. And then, when Barry found James Harrow, I didn’t care much for anything other than what he was going through.”

“It’s OK,” Susan smiled. “I get so caught up in my own mind that I forget that you went through it too. And it doesn’t help that I still don’t know what any of this means.”

She passed Martha the diary pages. Martha took a moment to read through the scrawl again.

“I think it’s pretty safe to say that your Vanessa had the same encounter as you and I have had,” Martha murmured as she studied the text. “Black eyes bore into me. I would say that’s a pretty perfect description.”

“But what does that tell us?”

“Well, it tells us that whatever happened to Barry all those years ago also happened to Vanessa. That we’re not going mad, and that whatever we’ve been seeing is not a figment of our strange imaginations. And, it brings us right back to Roberta Arlington again.”

“How so?”

Martha looked up at Susan with astonishment, “R pulls me aside, R’s there, lurking,” she recited. “It’s obviously her. After the incident at the school I was sure there was something wrong, I felt a panic which I hadn’t felt since Barry.”

Though Susan had somehow managed to completely miss this obvious connection before, she was certain of its truth. As soon as she heard Martha say it aloud, she was also certain of who the developing image on the cellars new stone disc was.

“But how are we supposed to get remotely close to her? You saw what happened. We can’t just go and knock on her door and have a conversation about what the hell she was doing to my daughter.”

“We could talk to Sam, see if he knows anything, has seen anything unusual?”

“Unusual, Martha, all of this is unusual,” Susan said, taking yet another pastry. “But you’re right, Sam’s the obvious link to Roberta. But, how do we get him alone?”

Martha thought on the question momentarily before answering. “Just call him Susan. Say that something happened in the cellar, that you don’t want to talk about it over the phone, and could he pop into the shop.”

“It’s that easy?”

“I don’t think Roberta will want to be anywhere near you right now. Barry shut out his best friend during the last weeks before he vanished. I never found out what happened, but I am starting to realise that there was more to it than a simple argument. If anything was proved by the incident at the school it was that Roberta and you need to stay away from each other. Just tell Sam you don’t want any trouble, and that he has to come alone.”

“It’s worth a try,” Susan replied as she drained the last coffee dregs from her cup.

*****

To find out what happens, and where it all began, find Inside Evil for $2.99 at:

Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Smashwords | B&N | Kobo

Tagged: excerpt from chapter, ghostly figures

Making paperbacks with CreateSpace

I never imagined that my self publishing journey would take me to where it has. OK, I’m not a millionaire, I’m not even earning a living off my books, but back in March I had nothing published – at all. Then, I discovered this world of eBooks, and I was hooked. Later, I heard about CreateSpace; this company that would print actual paperbacks. It souned too hard, too complicated, something I would explore….eventually. Now I have explored, and I’m overjoyed.

One of the reasons that I’ve been put off developing paperbacks in the past is a) my personal confusion and b) the higher costs that readers have to pay. $2.99 is a very good price for a book, in my opinion, and so I have no qualms pricing an eBook of Inside Evil at this level. However, to pull back paperback costs means that Inside Evil has to be at least $10 for me to even make $1 profit on it. Would people pay this for my book? I didn’t know.

Whilst I’m still in the dark as to whether people will actually buy at a paperback by an indie author at that price, my paperback copy of Inside Evil arrived today and I’m OVER THE MOON. It seems far more real to hold an actual book in your hands. See the print, see the cover, turn the pages over with your fingers. And, far from my huge concerns, creating the paperback was VERY easy.

 

 

 

Making Paperbacks with CreateSpace

The formatting issue was my first concern when it came to producing a paperback, and I thought I’d never be able to get the book outline correct. However, CreateSpace makes this very easy to do. Whilst  you can go through all manner of preformatted options and templates, I’ve found that using a current Word .doc of your manuscript is the best way. Here’s what I did:

1. Used the Word .doc of Inside Evil that I use to upload to Smashwords. Don’t worry – CreateSpace will send you an email saying that you’ve got all manner of formatting issues, but this is normal. I chose the 5′ x 8′ template for my book, meaning that my .doc was completely wrong. However, after you’ve uploaded, CreateSpace will offer you the option to download a template. DO THIS. You will find that the template includes your manuscript but with the CreateSpace formatting. You can then make alterations to your document in line with the formatting required.

I’ve found this method to be a lot easier than trying to pre-prepare any document. Remember, if you’re uploading a Smashwords ready file, take out the Smashwords copyright blurb at the front of the book. Also, if you have hyperlinks in your eBook, remember to take them out. As many times as a reader presses that link, it won’t open if it’s on paper.

2. Having made the inside of your book beautiful by using the easy process above, it’s time to do the cover. There are MANY tutorials on the web which show how to make extremely good but complicated covers. If you have some cover art ready made, use the CreateSpace online cover editor.

If you scroll through the template options that they give you, there are a few blank ones that you can use. Simply update your information for the spine, use your cover for the front and utilise Photoshop, or something similar, to make a back cover. You might have to make a few corrections so that no text spills into the gutter lines but CreateSpace makes this very obvious so you know when you’ll need to change something. Your back cover also doesn’t have to be complicated – at all – and all I did was to overlay a black raster layer on top of my front cover, cut through to create a few lines of colour, and add the same text that I use for my sales copy.

*Note* – CreateSpace GIVES you a free ISBN and sorts out the barcode image on the back of your book. Don’t stress, they do it for you!

3. After you’ve done your interior and cover, you’re pretty much done. The team of reviewers will look at your work, after which point you have the option to order a Proof copy or just proof online. I was tempted just to proof online, but ORDER A PROOF COPY. Here’s why:

- Because I’d used my Smashwords .doc, I’d forgotten to put my headers and footers back in. Therefore, Inside Evil had NO page numbers.

- My About Author section still said ‘ebooks’, when it should have said ‘books’.

- You need to check your cover prints correctly. Just because it looks great on your computer screen doesn’t mean it will be perfect on the book.

- Your ebook font size and spacing may need changing. My font is size 12, with spacing set at 1.5 lines. Whilst this is OK, I’m trying another proof with normal spacing. This will reduce the number of pages, therefore making it cheaper for readers to buy. It’ll also look better.

- Holding the first ever printed copy of your book is AMAZING. I have no page numbers, an author error and PROOF written across the last page, but I love it.

Using CreateSpace is really easy to make your paperbacks, and I highly encourage it. Now that I’ve done a first proof of Inside Evil, I’m going to make a few changes and get another proof done. I’ve also spent today getting the The Tower of Souls ready for publication. Will I sell any paperback copies? Who knows. Will I love having MY books on MY real bookshelf? Yes.

Tagged: books, literature

How to market your ebook in your email signature

I’ve been marketing Inside Evil in my email signature ever since it was available for sale. There’s nothing like a subtle sales pitch for getting the attention of people, and if you include a link to your books in an email, you may find that people will naturally click the link and take a look. After spending a few minutes placing the link, you’ve got a marketing plan that keeps on working (as long as you send emails, of course), and whether you’re emailing friends, family or new associates, you have the chance to make a sale or at the very least, stir some interest.

I always just used a text link in my email – it’s easy and simple to do. I use hotmail most of the time, so adding a little piece of text and including a hyperlink to my Amazon page seemed obvious enough. However, for no specific reason at all, I decided today that it wasn’t enough. OK, so people might look at the link, but it didn’t exactly leap out of the page.

After dabbling around in hotmail I realised that, much like on a website, I could use HTML to actually put in a sales image containing a specific sales link. All you need is to create your banner, have somewhere available to upload your image to the web so that it has an URL, use some rudimentary HTML, and off you go.

Firstly, I created a quick sales image that would be sure to catch people’s eye when they get an email from me:

You don’t want it to take up too much space, so this image is just 150px x 700px.

Secondly, I uploaded the image to this website’s media centre so that I could get an URL for the picture. This is important because hotmail doesn’t allow you to upload an image into your signature directly. However, it does offer HMTL, which means that you can link to an image anywhere on the web.

Thirdly, I used a simple piece of HMTL code to paste the image and link into my signature:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JIH0EU” target=”_blank”>[image error]http://geoffreywakeling.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/sig.jpg” border=”0″ width=”700” height=”150“>

You can see that the red text indicates where the image links to. I thought about linking directly to my Amazon author page but thought I’d try a direct Inside Evil link first. It’s easy enough to change around, so I can alter it at my preference.

The blue text indicates where in my wordpress directory the image is held. This doesn’t have to be your blog, it could be photo service such as Photobucket, but your image must have an URL.

Finally, the green numbers show the size of the image so that you can set your picture to your own dimensions.

I have no idea where this will work, but it’s sure to be more eye catching than a simple written signature link with a hyperlink installed. Now, when people open my email, they’ll (hopefully) be drawn towards the covers and want to find out more.

Tagged: advertising with signatures, email signature, emailing friends, rudimentary html, selling ebooks

Sample Sunday – September 9th

This week I’m joining in Sample Sunday; a chance to offer readers titbits of books if they’re looking for something fresh and new to devour. Whilst last week I shared Chapter 1 of Inside Evil from my ‘my Writing’ page, this week I’m sharing an excerpt from Chapter 9.

*****

There was a soft humming from the kitchen as Susan made her way down the stairs and turned into the lounge. The table in front of Martha’s conservatory was already set, and there were a selection of warm croissants, jams, fruit and pastries laid out.

“There you are,” Martha smiled as she walked through the kitchen door with a steaming pot of coffee. She placed it on a placemat, removed her apron and beckoned Susan towards the table. “Breakfast?”

“I’m not hungry,” Susan replied as she made her way to a seat which overlooked the frosty morning garden.

“Just have some coffee and a croissant at least, you’ve got to eat. Plus, I’ve gone to so much effort.”

Susan smiled and raised an eyebrow, “Martha, you do this every morning whether you have company or not.”

“True, but it’s good to have a few family traditions kept up. Here,” Martha poured dark coffee into Susan’s cup before handing her the plate of pastries. Susan soon realised that she was actually famished, especially having not eaten anything the night before. After seeing the ghostly figures in the cellar she’d come to Martha’s to seek advice. It had become late, she didn’t care to see her husband’s face and let another row boil over about her increasing distance from him, and so she’d stayed in one of Martha’s guestrooms. And now that she was guzzling coffee and working her way through several pastries, she was hugely thankful for her friend’s care.

“So, these ghostly figures,” Martha began as calmly as if she were asking about how Susan had slept, which had in fact been one of the best sleeps since Vanessa’s death. “There were two?”

Susan nodded and washed a piece of toast and jam down with a sip of coffee. “The second only came towards the end. I couldn’t really see either very well. They weren’t in the cellar, it was as if I were looking through a window to somewhere else.”

“Yet you were able to pick up the diaries off the table and can feel heat and see light from the candles,” Martha mused. “And, the main figure just placed the fallen candle back onto the table and left?”

Susan hesitated, she still hadn’t told Martha about the stone disc, and to reveal that another had been placed on the table would mean she’d need to reveal the item which still rested in her pocket now. Her fingers dug into her cardigan for reassurance, recoiling instantly as they touched the cold round object. She moved her hand to her other pocket and pulled out Vanessa’s pages which were becoming increasingly crumpled and damaged.

“The second figure appeared, grabbed the first’s arm and seemed to indicate that someone was watching them. It looked straight at me for a few seconds and then they both vanished.”

“Well, I’m glad that’s all that happened, Susan. I’ve got a horrible feeling that whatever was staring at you was the same thing that attacked me the night of Vanessa’s death.”

“I think it’s certain,” Susan replied, “Yet we’re still no further along with what’s actually happening.”

“I wouldn’t say that! For starters, Karl confirmed what I’d been thinking all along, and that Vanessa didn’t simply just drop dead.” She looked across to Susan, “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything before, about Karl. I know you’re upset, but truly Susan, I just didn’t think of it until he came through the door. I knew only of the other deaths because Barry had mentioned them to me. I didn’t have the details. I just knew that matters had been handed over to a team outside of Ridgewood. And then, when Barry found James Harrow, I didn’t care much for anything other than what he was going through.”

“It’s OK,” Susan smiled. “I get so caught up in my own mind that I forget that you went through it too. And it doesn’t help that I still don’t know what any of this means.”

She passed Martha the diary pages. Martha took a moment to read through the scrawl again.

“I think it’s pretty safe to say that your Vanessa had the same encounter as you and I have had,” Martha murmured as she studied the text. “Black eyes bore into me. I would say that’s a pretty perfect description.”

“But what does that tell us?”

“Well, it tells us that whatever happened to Barry all those years ago also happened to Vanessa. That we’re not going mad, and that whatever we’ve been seeing is not a figment of our strange imaginations. And, it brings us right back to Roberta Arlington again.”

“How so?”

Martha looked up at Susan with astonishment, “R pulls me aside, R’s there, lurking,” she recited. “It’s obviously her. After the incident at the school I was sure there was something wrong, I felt a panic which I hadn’t felt since Barry.”

Though Susan had somehow managed to completely miss this obvious connection before, she was certain of its truth. As soon as she heard Martha say it aloud, she was also certain of who the developing image on the cellars new stone disc was.

“But how are we supposed to get remotely close to her? You saw what happened. We can’t just go and knock on her door and have a conversation about what the hell she was doing to my daughter.”

“We could talk to Sam, see if he knows anything, has seen anything unusual?”

“Unusual, Martha, all of this is unusual,” Susan said, taking yet another pastry. “But you’re right, Sam’s the obvious link to Roberta. But, how do we get him alone?”

Martha thought on the question momentarily before answering. “Just call him Susan. Say that something happened in the cellar, that you don’t want to talk about it over the phone, and could he pop into the shop.”

“It’s that easy?”

“I don’t think Roberta will want to be anywhere near you right now. Barry shut out his best friend during the last weeks before he vanished. I never found out what happened, but I am starting to realise that there was more to it than a simple argument. If anything was proved by the incident at the school it was that Roberta and you need to stay away from each other. Just tell Sam you don’t want any trouble, and that he has to come alone.”

“It’s worth a try,” Susan replied as she drained the last coffee dregs from her cup.