Mike Mehalek's Blog
April 15, 2015
COVER REVEAL: Tor Maddox: Unleashed by Liz Coley
Once again Trickyverse we have another great writer sharing the cover to book one in her upcoming series!!
If you haven't yet met, then let me introduce you to Liz Colely and to
Tor Maddox, a heroine for our times
“I know that one day, I’m going to have to live in the real world. I’d like it to be a decent one.” - Tor
Book I Tor Maddox: Unleashed
When sixteen-year old Torrance Olivia Maddox, self-confessed news junkie, figures out that the mysterious and deadly New Flu is being spread by dogs, she has one question—if the danger is that obvious to her, why hasn’t the government revealed the truth and taken action?
Her search for the answer will take her farther than she ever imagined. But then again, she never imagined that man’s best friend could become public enemy number one, that men in black might show up in her cozy suburban neighborhood, that she’d spend her sixteenth birthday as a teenaged runaway, and that her effort to save one dog would become a mission to save them all.
About Liz
Liz Coley’s internationally best-selling psychological thriller Pretty Girl-13 has been published in 12 languages on 5 continents and been recognized by the American Library Association on two select lists for 2014 including Best Fiction for Young Adults.
Liz’s other publications include alternate history/time travel/romance Out of Xibalba and teen thrillers in the new Tor Maddoxseries. Her short fiction has appeared in Cosmos Magazine and numerous anthologies.
Liz invites you to follow her as LizColeyBooks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and visit her website at LizColeyBooks.blogspot.com.
If you haven't yet met, then let me introduce you to Liz Colely and to
Tor Maddox, a heroine for our times
“I know that one day, I’m going to have to live in the real world. I’d like it to be a decent one.” - Tor
Book I Tor Maddox: Unleashed
When sixteen-year old Torrance Olivia Maddox, self-confessed news junkie, figures out that the mysterious and deadly New Flu is being spread by dogs, she has one question—if the danger is that obvious to her, why hasn’t the government revealed the truth and taken action?
Her search for the answer will take her farther than she ever imagined. But then again, she never imagined that man’s best friend could become public enemy number one, that men in black might show up in her cozy suburban neighborhood, that she’d spend her sixteenth birthday as a teenaged runaway, and that her effort to save one dog would become a mission to save them all.
About Liz
Liz Coley’s internationally best-selling psychological thriller Pretty Girl-13 has been published in 12 languages on 5 continents and been recognized by the American Library Association on two select lists for 2014 including Best Fiction for Young Adults.Liz’s other publications include alternate history/time travel/romance Out of Xibalba and teen thrillers in the new Tor Maddoxseries. Her short fiction has appeared in Cosmos Magazine and numerous anthologies.
Liz invites you to follow her as LizColeyBooks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and visit her website at LizColeyBooks.blogspot.com.
January 24, 2015
A New Blog Hop: The Liebster Award OR Ten Questions on my Work in Progress (WIP)
Lisa Arnseth of
Writer by Day.Writer by Night. That’s Right. I Write
(You should read her blog by the way) tagged me in a ten question blog hop called the Liebster award. This was done waaaaaaaay back in November. I apologize for the slow response time, but I’ve finally got it posted on my blog.
What’s your WIP all about?I’m currently calling this WIP the Lying Dog series (but that may change because I’m not in love with it). This series follows a young man by the name of Francis (Frankie), who suffers from Schizoaffective disorder, but Frankie has come to believe that the hallucinations he suffers are actually the thoughts of other people. When he sees bad things happening to people, especially children, he feels compelled to help.
Tell us something you love about your WIP’s main character.Frankie is a complicated character. He is good at heart, deeply--some would say obsessively--loyal to his loved ones. He is a protector. The compulsion to help others is altruistic, but he is at least partly guided by his previous shortcomings and also by the choices he has made in the past (not helping when he could have). At times failing to help results in bouts of depression but just as often helping someone triggers a bout. You would think he is conflicted when he has to help, but he often finds himself stepping in before his brain has time to catch up. Frankie has a voice in his head, Adam, who offers advice (much of it unsolicited) to Frankie. Adam is both the angel on Adam’s shoulder and the devil. Frankie is also aware of a spying presence in his head, a specter-voyeur who he occasionally speaks to directly. That phantom would be the reader.
Where do you usually write, and what has been the strangest location where you’ve managed to get some writing done?
I like to write in coffee shops or sandwich shops (read: Starbucks and Panera). I plug in my earbuds (and never, never, never connect to the Wi-Fi) and try to block out distraction. Liking crowds and avoiding distractions sounds like a contradiction, but I like having people around me while I write. I guess it partly serves as white noise, and I like the energy of people around me. Maybe I feed off that energy. Maybe I’m too easily distracted at home with TV and chores and my pug Bella . . . As far as strangest location? Hmm, I’d have to say that I used to scribble out ideas or story parts on cocktail napkins and old menus at a restaurant that I used to work in years ago. I’d scribble stories down in the downtime between tables. I still have those notes and once in a while refer back to them.
What song(s) inspire your WIP?I listen to a lot of different things when I write. I find that I enjoy soundtracks because sometimes I will stop writing to listen to the lyrics. But lyrics also inspire me when I hit a wall in my writing. I like repetition and sometimes loop the same song. This is especially true for when I am trying to create a feeling in a scene that is the same emotion I feel in a particular song. For my published novel Only Human I used the Gattaca soundtrack as well as Scars by Papa Roach, Far Away by Nickelback, and I Can’t stop Lovin’ You by Van Halen. For Lying Dogs, in addition to Superman (both Five for Fighting and John Williams’ versions), Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones and We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel seem to be cropping up on my playlist as I write. Oh and The Teddy Bear Picnic inspired one of the series’ villains. Man, is that song creepy!
What was the first book you ever wrote and what was it about?My first story was entitled “Dennis the Dinosaur.” I was seven, in Mrs. Martin’s first grade class. The story is surprisingly similar to Only Human. Instead of a dragon, it was a dinosaur (obviously named Dennis) that didn’t really fit in because he was so big (and a dinosaur). He befriends a boy, makes himself invisible, and goes to live in a museum. He lives happily, ever after.
If you saw your main character at a party, how would you react?Is it just me or is it getting a little meta in here? If I saw Frankie, I would probably try to buy him a drink and let him know that what he does to help people is appreciated and not in vain. I definitely would NOT let him know that all of the terrible things that has ever happened to him were the result of me writing him into existence.
Do you have experience with online contests, like Pitchwars, etc? Please tell us about it if you have.At this point, I have not.
Who are two writers you would love to meet in real life?I don’t know if I can just pick two. David Mitchell, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Agatha Christie, Neil Gaiman are the first names that come to mind.
What’s your biggest challenge with your WIP? Generally when I write I have a beginning or an end and I start with that. By the time that gets going, my subconscious or my muse or wherever it is where all stories are born and live and wait until us writers get around to writing them has delivered the other end of the story to me and I write that while the middle is packaged up and delivered to my fingertips to translate. Well, that connection seems to be taking an long time to get here. I’ve tried brainstorming and outlining and am about to send out a search party, but so far…no signs. That’s not entirely true. I think the solution lies in a happy middle ground between writing as I go and planning ahead. That, and also giving myself permission to make mistakes as I go. Having read how this story is structured, you can see I may have to eliminate elements or alter them into a viable story-telling manner…Time will tell.
Please share a favorite line from your WIP!
I’ll give you two, both of which could be contenders for opening lines. Both set the tone I think, but both are very different. Which do you prefer?***
Do you like the smell of gasoline?I’ve found that there are two people in this world. People who love the smell of gasoline, and those who hate it. Up until today, I’ve been rooted firmly in the camp of the former.If I live long enough, past today specifically, I may reevaluate this stance.Because love it or hate it, its pungent, synthetic odor will sure wake your ass up in one hell of a hurry. Let me tell you that.Especially when you come to as buckets of the stuff are raining down on you.***High above the congregation, thin sheets of rain spiral down like failing stars through the heavy morning fog, bursting open upon the collars, scarves and umbrellas of the mourners, miniature bouquets of blooming flowers mirroring those arranged peacefully on the heavy bronze coffin. . . .Suddenly, a gust of wind rips the pastor’s peacoat open, tearing his prayer book from his grasp. It sails for a moment like a wraith before crashing to the wet earth. As he bends to retrieve it, a gentle roar of far away thunder adds its rumble to the tolling of the bells. The rain comes down with stinging force now, hammering liquid nails into skin.The woman sits straight up and holds her wrinkled paws in front of her face for a moment. It is as if she is seeing them for the first time.
It is as if the rain had awoken her from a wonderful dream.
Now it’s my turn to write ten questions and tag some writers to play along.I choose Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Jack Miller, K. Ceres Wright, and John Edward Lawson.
Where did the idea for your current Work-in-Progress (WIP) come from?Quote a favorite line from one of your favorite books.Now quote your favorite line from your current WIPWhat unique challenges has your current WIP had that your previous ones did not?If you saw your main character at a party, how would you react?Who would play your main protagonist/antagonist if your current WIP were made into a movie? What are your biggest inspirations for writing?Summarize your WIP as a haiku.What role does music play in your writing?What’s one thing you’ve learned about the craft that you wish you had learned earlier?
What’s your WIP all about?I’m currently calling this WIP the Lying Dog series (but that may change because I’m not in love with it). This series follows a young man by the name of Francis (Frankie), who suffers from Schizoaffective disorder, but Frankie has come to believe that the hallucinations he suffers are actually the thoughts of other people. When he sees bad things happening to people, especially children, he feels compelled to help.
Tell us something you love about your WIP’s main character.Frankie is a complicated character. He is good at heart, deeply--some would say obsessively--loyal to his loved ones. He is a protector. The compulsion to help others is altruistic, but he is at least partly guided by his previous shortcomings and also by the choices he has made in the past (not helping when he could have). At times failing to help results in bouts of depression but just as often helping someone triggers a bout. You would think he is conflicted when he has to help, but he often finds himself stepping in before his brain has time to catch up. Frankie has a voice in his head, Adam, who offers advice (much of it unsolicited) to Frankie. Adam is both the angel on Adam’s shoulder and the devil. Frankie is also aware of a spying presence in his head, a specter-voyeur who he occasionally speaks to directly. That phantom would be the reader.
Where do you usually write, and what has been the strangest location where you’ve managed to get some writing done?
I like to write in coffee shops or sandwich shops (read: Starbucks and Panera). I plug in my earbuds (and never, never, never connect to the Wi-Fi) and try to block out distraction. Liking crowds and avoiding distractions sounds like a contradiction, but I like having people around me while I write. I guess it partly serves as white noise, and I like the energy of people around me. Maybe I feed off that energy. Maybe I’m too easily distracted at home with TV and chores and my pug Bella . . . As far as strangest location? Hmm, I’d have to say that I used to scribble out ideas or story parts on cocktail napkins and old menus at a restaurant that I used to work in years ago. I’d scribble stories down in the downtime between tables. I still have those notes and once in a while refer back to them.
What song(s) inspire your WIP?I listen to a lot of different things when I write. I find that I enjoy soundtracks because sometimes I will stop writing to listen to the lyrics. But lyrics also inspire me when I hit a wall in my writing. I like repetition and sometimes loop the same song. This is especially true for when I am trying to create a feeling in a scene that is the same emotion I feel in a particular song. For my published novel Only Human I used the Gattaca soundtrack as well as Scars by Papa Roach, Far Away by Nickelback, and I Can’t stop Lovin’ You by Van Halen. For Lying Dogs, in addition to Superman (both Five for Fighting and John Williams’ versions), Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones and We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel seem to be cropping up on my playlist as I write. Oh and The Teddy Bear Picnic inspired one of the series’ villains. Man, is that song creepy!
What was the first book you ever wrote and what was it about?My first story was entitled “Dennis the Dinosaur.” I was seven, in Mrs. Martin’s first grade class. The story is surprisingly similar to Only Human. Instead of a dragon, it was a dinosaur (obviously named Dennis) that didn’t really fit in because he was so big (and a dinosaur). He befriends a boy, makes himself invisible, and goes to live in a museum. He lives happily, ever after.
If you saw your main character at a party, how would you react?Is it just me or is it getting a little meta in here? If I saw Frankie, I would probably try to buy him a drink and let him know that what he does to help people is appreciated and not in vain. I definitely would NOT let him know that all of the terrible things that has ever happened to him were the result of me writing him into existence.
Do you have experience with online contests, like Pitchwars, etc? Please tell us about it if you have.At this point, I have not.
Who are two writers you would love to meet in real life?I don’t know if I can just pick two. David Mitchell, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Agatha Christie, Neil Gaiman are the first names that come to mind.
What’s your biggest challenge with your WIP? Generally when I write I have a beginning or an end and I start with that. By the time that gets going, my subconscious or my muse or wherever it is where all stories are born and live and wait until us writers get around to writing them has delivered the other end of the story to me and I write that while the middle is packaged up and delivered to my fingertips to translate. Well, that connection seems to be taking an long time to get here. I’ve tried brainstorming and outlining and am about to send out a search party, but so far…no signs. That’s not entirely true. I think the solution lies in a happy middle ground between writing as I go and planning ahead. That, and also giving myself permission to make mistakes as I go. Having read how this story is structured, you can see I may have to eliminate elements or alter them into a viable story-telling manner…Time will tell.
Please share a favorite line from your WIP!
I’ll give you two, both of which could be contenders for opening lines. Both set the tone I think, but both are very different. Which do you prefer?***
Do you like the smell of gasoline?I’ve found that there are two people in this world. People who love the smell of gasoline, and those who hate it. Up until today, I’ve been rooted firmly in the camp of the former.If I live long enough, past today specifically, I may reevaluate this stance.Because love it or hate it, its pungent, synthetic odor will sure wake your ass up in one hell of a hurry. Let me tell you that.Especially when you come to as buckets of the stuff are raining down on you.***High above the congregation, thin sheets of rain spiral down like failing stars through the heavy morning fog, bursting open upon the collars, scarves and umbrellas of the mourners, miniature bouquets of blooming flowers mirroring those arranged peacefully on the heavy bronze coffin. . . .Suddenly, a gust of wind rips the pastor’s peacoat open, tearing his prayer book from his grasp. It sails for a moment like a wraith before crashing to the wet earth. As he bends to retrieve it, a gentle roar of far away thunder adds its rumble to the tolling of the bells. The rain comes down with stinging force now, hammering liquid nails into skin.The woman sits straight up and holds her wrinkled paws in front of her face for a moment. It is as if she is seeing them for the first time.
It is as if the rain had awoken her from a wonderful dream.
Now it’s my turn to write ten questions and tag some writers to play along.I choose Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Jack Miller, K. Ceres Wright, and John Edward Lawson.
Where did the idea for your current Work-in-Progress (WIP) come from?Quote a favorite line from one of your favorite books.Now quote your favorite line from your current WIPWhat unique challenges has your current WIP had that your previous ones did not?If you saw your main character at a party, how would you react?Who would play your main protagonist/antagonist if your current WIP were made into a movie? What are your biggest inspirations for writing?Summarize your WIP as a haiku.What role does music play in your writing?What’s one thing you’ve learned about the craft that you wish you had learned earlier?
September 30, 2014
Kicking Off National LGBT Month with a Story, a Pledge, and a Dragon (And Why I Need Your Help)
Hello Trickyverse,
Thank you for Coming out to a special edition of Writing is Tricky. Today, October 1, marks the start of the 20thanniversary of LGBT History Month. Its intent (summed up nicely from Wikipedia) is “to encourage honesty and openness about being LGBT.”
There are quite a few milestones in LGBT history, but the day that I most enjoy is October 11: National Coming Out Day
This reason this day resonates for me is because it is a day of both recognition and of action. It is a day, where those of us struggling with our sexual orientation/identity are not only reminded that others came before us but also that we are not alone. We are not outcasts. We are not ugly things, grisly things, disgusting things, undeserving of decency, respect, or a basic right to love who we want to love, or even to love ourselves. It’s a day where our community, including our closest friends and allies, step forward to say: You are you, you are human, and you are beautiful but most importantly, you are never alone.
Coming out is not an easy thing. We hear gay jokes, religious-misinformed rhetoric, and some equally shocking things from the mouths of those we feel closest to when they think no one will hear. For me, I sometimes feel like I had it easy. Most of my family supported me, even if most of them didn’t always understand what it meant having a gay cousin, brother, uncle--back when it was new. Just having that support, knowing that I always had a place to go, seeing their courage, gave me (and still gives me) strength.
Not everyone has had a family or the support that I have had, but luckily, there are now programs out there that didn’t exist years ago, or at least they didn’t exist in the tiny neck of the woods where this little magician grew up.
I know I just said coming out was not easy. Scary is a closer word to the feeling. Terrified is closer still. Back then, I worried about my life, my morality, my soul (not to mention fearing retribution with a tire iron for finally being honest about who I was).
Knowing where I grew up and knowing that I would not be here today without the love and support I had (seriously, I despised myself back then) . . .
. . .I will be donating all of my royalties from my novel Only Human , purchased from Amazon (Kindle version or paperback) for the month of October to the Boston Allianceof Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Youth (BAGLY).
“BAGLY works with LGBTQ youth across Massachusetts—and beyond! Through leadership development, health promotion & services, social support, events, and the statewide GLBT Youth Group Network, BAGLY is at work in our communities to support LGBTQ youth.”
It is my sincerest hope that this turns into a monetary gift that far surpasses anything I could have given on my own.
Please help and spread the word!
Share this with your friends, family, coworkers . . . anyone who you think might be able to help. Heck buy them a copy!
Tell me about it @mikemehalek so I can share as well. And next month, I hope I have a big number to report.
Thanks and Love,
-Mike Kindle Edition
Paperback Edition
Thank you for Coming out to a special edition of Writing is Tricky. Today, October 1, marks the start of the 20thanniversary of LGBT History Month. Its intent (summed up nicely from Wikipedia) is “to encourage honesty and openness about being LGBT.”
There are quite a few milestones in LGBT history, but the day that I most enjoy is October 11: National Coming Out Day
This reason this day resonates for me is because it is a day of both recognition and of action. It is a day, where those of us struggling with our sexual orientation/identity are not only reminded that others came before us but also that we are not alone. We are not outcasts. We are not ugly things, grisly things, disgusting things, undeserving of decency, respect, or a basic right to love who we want to love, or even to love ourselves. It’s a day where our community, including our closest friends and allies, step forward to say: You are you, you are human, and you are beautiful but most importantly, you are never alone.
Coming out is not an easy thing. We hear gay jokes, religious-misinformed rhetoric, and some equally shocking things from the mouths of those we feel closest to when they think no one will hear. For me, I sometimes feel like I had it easy. Most of my family supported me, even if most of them didn’t always understand what it meant having a gay cousin, brother, uncle--back when it was new. Just having that support, knowing that I always had a place to go, seeing their courage, gave me (and still gives me) strength.
Not everyone has had a family or the support that I have had, but luckily, there are now programs out there that didn’t exist years ago, or at least they didn’t exist in the tiny neck of the woods where this little magician grew up.I know I just said coming out was not easy. Scary is a closer word to the feeling. Terrified is closer still. Back then, I worried about my life, my morality, my soul (not to mention fearing retribution with a tire iron for finally being honest about who I was).
Knowing where I grew up and knowing that I would not be here today without the love and support I had (seriously, I despised myself back then) . . .
. . .I will be donating all of my royalties from my novel Only Human , purchased from Amazon (Kindle version or paperback) for the month of October to the Boston Allianceof Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Youth (BAGLY).
“BAGLY works with LGBTQ youth across Massachusetts—and beyond! Through leadership development, health promotion & services, social support, events, and the statewide GLBT Youth Group Network, BAGLY is at work in our communities to support LGBTQ youth.”
It is my sincerest hope that this turns into a monetary gift that far surpasses anything I could have given on my own.
Please help and spread the word!
Share this with your friends, family, coworkers . . . anyone who you think might be able to help. Heck buy them a copy!
Tell me about it @mikemehalek so I can share as well. And next month, I hope I have a big number to report.
Thanks and Love,
-Mike Kindle Edition
Paperback Edition
July 29, 2014
The Passions of the Heart: Sherry Peters
Welcome Friends of the Trickyverse! So glad you made it :)
Today, is a guest post by Sherry Peters, author of the Ballad of Mabel Goldenaxe series. In this post, Sherry discusses a topic important to every writer but one that is even more meaningful to the indie author. It's something she calls...
The Passions of the Heart
I don’t think it is any great shock for me to say that the publishing industry is in immense flux. It can be incredibly frustrating, but there are also many more opportunities for writers. Along with the changes in the publishing industry has come a booming trade in “How To” books for writers.
There have always been books on how to write different genres and on elements of the craft. There have also been a fair number of books on how to end writer’s block. Now those books on writer’s block have multiplied. There is also an abundance of books on marketing your book, building an author platform, and how to write the next best-seller.
This bombardment of options and advice can leave writers reeling. That’s because so much of what is out there deals with the business end of writing. Even the books on craft spend a lot of time on what editors are looking for, what gets accepted, and what doesn’t. In the end, most writers question their choices on what they should write. Should they write to market? Is it even possible to write something new and still make it as a writer?
Because of all the questioning and pressure, writing stops being fun. Writers find it harder to write. Nothing we write is good enough.
One of the most difficult thing for a writer to do, is to focus soley on the writing during the time they’ve set aside for writing. The distractions of Facebook and checking e-mail are just excuses. Often we find other things to do besides writing because we worry about our work being rejected or if we’re going to make a sale.It doesn’t have to be that way.
When you set aside a specific time for writing, focus on your writing and the story you want to tell. Most importantly, write what you love.
Writing anything, be it a short story, a novel, or an epic series, means you are going to be spending an awful lot of time with those characters and in that world. If you don’t enjoy the story, your reader isn’t going to enjoy it. If you love the story, if it is something you are passionate about, you are going to want to spend more time with it.
Writing what you love is no guarantee that your story will sell, but then there is no guarantee when you are writing to market or to trend. But chances are you will have greater success when you write something you are passionate about. Your love for the characters, the world, the story, will show through. Your readers are also going to see that passion, they are going to feel it, and be affected by it. And that is what makes readers buy books and recommend them to friends.
So what are you passionate about? Is it a specific genre? Is it a kind of character? Is it a political or social theme? Whatever it is, find it, make it yours, and write it.
About Sherry Peters
Sherry Peters is a writer and a Success Coach for Writers. She attended the Odyssey Writing Workshop and holds an M.A. in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. When she isn’t writing, she loves to have adventures of her own including spending a year working in Northern Ireland. Mabel the Lovelorn Dwarf is her first novel. For more information on Sherry, visit her website at www.dwarvenamazon.com.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.peters1Twitter: @sherry_peters
Get Mabel the lovelorn Dwarf at
AmazonBarnes& Noble Kobo Smashwords
Today, is a guest post by Sherry Peters, author of the Ballad of Mabel Goldenaxe series. In this post, Sherry discusses a topic important to every writer but one that is even more meaningful to the indie author. It's something she calls...
The Passions of the Heart
I don’t think it is any great shock for me to say that the publishing industry is in immense flux. It can be incredibly frustrating, but there are also many more opportunities for writers. Along with the changes in the publishing industry has come a booming trade in “How To” books for writers.
There have always been books on how to write different genres and on elements of the craft. There have also been a fair number of books on how to end writer’s block. Now those books on writer’s block have multiplied. There is also an abundance of books on marketing your book, building an author platform, and how to write the next best-seller. This bombardment of options and advice can leave writers reeling. That’s because so much of what is out there deals with the business end of writing. Even the books on craft spend a lot of time on what editors are looking for, what gets accepted, and what doesn’t. In the end, most writers question their choices on what they should write. Should they write to market? Is it even possible to write something new and still make it as a writer?
Because of all the questioning and pressure, writing stops being fun. Writers find it harder to write. Nothing we write is good enough.
One of the most difficult thing for a writer to do, is to focus soley on the writing during the time they’ve set aside for writing. The distractions of Facebook and checking e-mail are just excuses. Often we find other things to do besides writing because we worry about our work being rejected or if we’re going to make a sale.It doesn’t have to be that way.
When you set aside a specific time for writing, focus on your writing and the story you want to tell. Most importantly, write what you love.
Writing anything, be it a short story, a novel, or an epic series, means you are going to be spending an awful lot of time with those characters and in that world. If you don’t enjoy the story, your reader isn’t going to enjoy it. If you love the story, if it is something you are passionate about, you are going to want to spend more time with it.
Writing what you love is no guarantee that your story will sell, but then there is no guarantee when you are writing to market or to trend. But chances are you will have greater success when you write something you are passionate about. Your love for the characters, the world, the story, will show through. Your readers are also going to see that passion, they are going to feel it, and be affected by it. And that is what makes readers buy books and recommend them to friends.
So what are you passionate about? Is it a specific genre? Is it a kind of character? Is it a political or social theme? Whatever it is, find it, make it yours, and write it.
About Sherry Peters
Sherry Peters is a writer and a Success Coach for Writers. She attended the Odyssey Writing Workshop and holds an M.A. in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. When she isn’t writing, she loves to have adventures of her own including spending a year working in Northern Ireland. Mabel the Lovelorn Dwarf is her first novel. For more information on Sherry, visit her website at www.dwarvenamazon.com.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.peters1Twitter: @sherry_peters
Get Mabel the lovelorn Dwarf at
AmazonBarnes& Noble Kobo Smashwords
July 22, 2014
Author Interview: Sabrina Benulis
Today, is a real treat, an interview with
The
Books of Raziel trilogy author Sabrina Benulis. Come take a journey to hell and back and learn a little bit about Sabrina, of her writing process, and of book two of the series: Covenant.
If you like stories with demons, angels, and other creepy crawlies as well as stories of romance and true friendships which are woven together flawlessly, read on.
If you like stories where setting comes alive in your mind, read on.
If you want to learn more about one heck of a writer and one of the sweetest ones that you'll ever come across, read on.
First tell us a little bit about yourself.
I guess besides what's been going on with my books, the most exciting thing taking place in my life right now is that by summer I'll be a Mom for the first time. It's forced me to pause and really consider who I am and the journey I've taken through life so far. Since I was a kid I loved books and stories and fantasy. When I was in high school I wrote fan-fiction for some of my favorite television shows, and then by college I began to really ponder about stories I would like to write myself. By the end of my college years I was convinced I wanted to be an author, some way and somehow. I've been lucky enough to publish two books with Harper Collins since 2011, but of course I have a ton of ideas swimming around in my brain and filed away on my laptop.
Now, tell us a little bit about the world you created in the Books of Raziel.
The setting of The Books of Raziel is a gothic, near-future version of Earth. Global disasters have rearranged the world a bit, and the Vatican has more power than it does right now. There has been a legend developed within occult circles about a messiah figure called the Archon. Many prophecies cite her to be a personality of doom with symbolic blood red hair who will be responsible for the Universe's ultimate downfall. She is said to be a reincarnation of an angel who tragically died and left behind a great artifact--the Book of Raziel. Most supernatural beings in Heaven, Hell, and all the realms between are eager to claim this artifact for their own personal gain. The most dangerous of those personalities is Lucifel, the Devil herself (yes, the devil is female in this series). The Archon is the only being with the power to open the Book, though, and this makes her a target for good and evil forces alike. Yet if the prophecy comes true, the Archon will defeat Lucifel only to become new ruler of Hell instead. To prevent this, the Vatican has taken over an island city called Luz and developed an institution there meant to find the Archon and get rid of her before she can be a threat. Their suspicion falls on all qualifying students with red hair. The derogatory name for them is 'blood heads.'
What was your inspiration for the series and why you first wrote Archon?
Long before the current angel craze in fantasy fiction, I wanted to write a story with angels and demons myself. However, I wanted these angels to be more than attractive people with wings. I wanted them to be the angels who fascinated you, but at the same time terrified because they were still inhuman and otherworldly. The story itself has gone through too many changes to count since I first wrote it. Originally, it would be accurate to say it was all one big novel that ended up getting split into three. However, I will always feel the scope of the story is too large for just three books. But that is the publisher's domain and not mine.
Who do you most identify with?
I'm going to say the main character, Angela Mathers. But keep in mind Angela has a lot of growth to do first! She has a noble heart and strong convictions, but her past causes her to be mistrustful and hardened at the beginning of the story. It takes strong friendships to bring the softness out of her.
Plotter or Pantser?
I'm a little bit of both, actually. I always need at least a rough, general outline of where a story is headed before I begin. I need to know the beginning, end, and major plot points, for instance. But I've learned to be flexible about getting there. Too much outlining can write you into a corner or stifle the voice of your subconscious telling you where the story really needs to go.
What advice can you offer to any budding authors (blood heads or not) out there?
Haha. Well, the most important thing is to just never stop writing. No matter how many times you are knocked down, you need to pick yourself back up. And also, try not to make a habit of reading reviews. That's very difficult in this day and age when so much info is available instantly through the internet and everyone and anyone has an opinion, but it's also very important in order to keep up your sanity and confidence.
Why don’t you tell us a little bit about Covenant?
Covenant is the second book in the The Books of Raziel trilogy, following Archon. The story begins a little over a year after the events in Book One. Angela Mathers's best friend Sophia (who is also the Book of Raziel personified) is kidnapped by a formidable and scheming demon. Angela must then enter the very Doors of Hell in order to save her friend, because if she does not, the entire Universe will suffer. Covenant has a lot of action and tension, and I felt it was a great way to transition to the enormous revelations in Book 3.
Where can go to learn more about the Books of Raziel, Sabrina Benulis, or anything else that catches your fancy?
My official website is http://www.sabrinbenulis.com. From there you can find links to character profiles, some short stories, and connections to my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SabrinaBenulis, my Twitter page https://twitter.com/SabrinaBenulis and my blog at http://sabrinabenulis.blogspot.com.
Anything else you’d like to tell us?
Sure! Thanks for taking the time to host me in an interview today! I also love hearing from readers and fans, so feel free to drop me a message on my FB page, Twitter, or even through my email sabrina@sabrinabenulis.com. Thanks again!
About the Author: Sabrina Benulis graduated with a Masters in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She currently resides in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania with her husband and a sweet but spoiled cockatiel. When Sabrina isn't writing, catch her reading a book, wasting time on YouTube, or better still, getting some much-needed sleep.
If you like stories with demons, angels, and other creepy crawlies as well as stories of romance and true friendships which are woven together flawlessly, read on.
If you like stories where setting comes alive in your mind, read on.
If you want to learn more about one heck of a writer and one of the sweetest ones that you'll ever come across, read on.
First tell us a little bit about yourself.
I guess besides what's been going on with my books, the most exciting thing taking place in my life right now is that by summer I'll be a Mom for the first time. It's forced me to pause and really consider who I am and the journey I've taken through life so far. Since I was a kid I loved books and stories and fantasy. When I was in high school I wrote fan-fiction for some of my favorite television shows, and then by college I began to really ponder about stories I would like to write myself. By the end of my college years I was convinced I wanted to be an author, some way and somehow. I've been lucky enough to publish two books with Harper Collins since 2011, but of course I have a ton of ideas swimming around in my brain and filed away on my laptop.
Now, tell us a little bit about the world you created in the Books of Raziel.
The setting of The Books of Raziel is a gothic, near-future version of Earth. Global disasters have rearranged the world a bit, and the Vatican has more power than it does right now. There has been a legend developed within occult circles about a messiah figure called the Archon. Many prophecies cite her to be a personality of doom with symbolic blood red hair who will be responsible for the Universe's ultimate downfall. She is said to be a reincarnation of an angel who tragically died and left behind a great artifact--the Book of Raziel. Most supernatural beings in Heaven, Hell, and all the realms between are eager to claim this artifact for their own personal gain. The most dangerous of those personalities is Lucifel, the Devil herself (yes, the devil is female in this series). The Archon is the only being with the power to open the Book, though, and this makes her a target for good and evil forces alike. Yet if the prophecy comes true, the Archon will defeat Lucifel only to become new ruler of Hell instead. To prevent this, the Vatican has taken over an island city called Luz and developed an institution there meant to find the Archon and get rid of her before she can be a threat. Their suspicion falls on all qualifying students with red hair. The derogatory name for them is 'blood heads.'
What was your inspiration for the series and why you first wrote Archon?
Long before the current angel craze in fantasy fiction, I wanted to write a story with angels and demons myself. However, I wanted these angels to be more than attractive people with wings. I wanted them to be the angels who fascinated you, but at the same time terrified because they were still inhuman and otherworldly. The story itself has gone through too many changes to count since I first wrote it. Originally, it would be accurate to say it was all one big novel that ended up getting split into three. However, I will always feel the scope of the story is too large for just three books. But that is the publisher's domain and not mine.
Who do you most identify with?
I'm going to say the main character, Angela Mathers. But keep in mind Angela has a lot of growth to do first! She has a noble heart and strong convictions, but her past causes her to be mistrustful and hardened at the beginning of the story. It takes strong friendships to bring the softness out of her.
Plotter or Pantser?
I'm a little bit of both, actually. I always need at least a rough, general outline of where a story is headed before I begin. I need to know the beginning, end, and major plot points, for instance. But I've learned to be flexible about getting there. Too much outlining can write you into a corner or stifle the voice of your subconscious telling you where the story really needs to go.
What advice can you offer to any budding authors (blood heads or not) out there?
Haha. Well, the most important thing is to just never stop writing. No matter how many times you are knocked down, you need to pick yourself back up. And also, try not to make a habit of reading reviews. That's very difficult in this day and age when so much info is available instantly through the internet and everyone and anyone has an opinion, but it's also very important in order to keep up your sanity and confidence.
Why don’t you tell us a little bit about Covenant?
Covenant is the second book in the The Books of Raziel trilogy, following Archon. The story begins a little over a year after the events in Book One. Angela Mathers's best friend Sophia (who is also the Book of Raziel personified) is kidnapped by a formidable and scheming demon. Angela must then enter the very Doors of Hell in order to save her friend, because if she does not, the entire Universe will suffer. Covenant has a lot of action and tension, and I felt it was a great way to transition to the enormous revelations in Book 3.
Where can go to learn more about the Books of Raziel, Sabrina Benulis, or anything else that catches your fancy?
My official website is http://www.sabrinbenulis.com. From there you can find links to character profiles, some short stories, and connections to my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SabrinaBenulis, my Twitter page https://twitter.com/SabrinaBenulis and my blog at http://sabrinabenulis.blogspot.com.
Anything else you’d like to tell us?
Sure! Thanks for taking the time to host me in an interview today! I also love hearing from readers and fans, so feel free to drop me a message on my FB page, Twitter, or even through my email sabrina@sabrinabenulis.com. Thanks again!About the Author: Sabrina Benulis graduated with a Masters in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. She currently resides in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania with her husband and a sweet but spoiled cockatiel. When Sabrina isn't writing, catch her reading a book, wasting time on YouTube, or better still, getting some much-needed sleep.
March 19, 2014
Please Give a Warm Reception to Amy Kaufman Burk
One of the most enjoyable parts of posting covers and new books for other authors is getting introduced to great new fiction and to meet wonderful new people.
Today is no exception.
Let me introduce to you, Amy Kaufman Burk and her debut novel Hollywood High: Achieve the Honorable.
I found Hollywood High searching the top 100 Kindle books in gay and lesbian literary fiction and saw this title at number three. I backtracked Amy to her blog and read a few entries.
I was impressed with both her personal story and inspiration for the novel (I was shocked and saddened when I read it).
Also, as I get older, I become more and more intrigued with the 70s, the decade in which I was born.
For those reasons, I just had to give this one a read.
Currently I’m about 20% through the novel, and I am enjoying the characters Amy has brought to life. I’m reminded of my own high school days, although I must admit they were a little—lot—less intense. I can't wait to pick it back up.
I reached out to Amy and asked to include her book on my blog and was thrilled to have her agree.
So allow me to turn the mic over to Amy Kaufman Burk and welcome you to Hollywood High.
Hollywood High: Achieve The Honorable is a fictionalized account of my first year of high school, inspired by the violence I witnessed targeting gay students. I was deeply affected by this bullying, and at 15 years old, I promised myself I'd write about it some day.
Hollywood High tracks Caroline Black, a straight LGBTQ ally, as she transfers from an all-girls prep academy, to the local public school, Hollywood High, with gangs, over 40 native languages, teen prostitution, and extreme violence toward the gay students. The story follows Caroline's group of friends as they grow aware of homophobia, both in their environment and in themselves, and find paths to becoming allies.
I posted on my blog about he original bullying incident that inspired my novel. "Everyone Can Be An Ally"
Amy Kaufman Burk grew up in the Hollywood Hills. Her father was a screenwriter and her mother, a social anthropologist. Amy was raised in a home with thousands of books. She was an avid reader as a child, and still is.
Today is no exception.
Let me introduce to you, Amy Kaufman Burk and her debut novel Hollywood High: Achieve the Honorable.
I found Hollywood High searching the top 100 Kindle books in gay and lesbian literary fiction and saw this title at number three. I backtracked Amy to her blog and read a few entries.
I was impressed with both her personal story and inspiration for the novel (I was shocked and saddened when I read it).
Also, as I get older, I become more and more intrigued with the 70s, the decade in which I was born.
For those reasons, I just had to give this one a read.
Currently I’m about 20% through the novel, and I am enjoying the characters Amy has brought to life. I’m reminded of my own high school days, although I must admit they were a little—lot—less intense. I can't wait to pick it back up.
I reached out to Amy and asked to include her book on my blog and was thrilled to have her agree.
So allow me to turn the mic over to Amy Kaufman Burk and welcome you to Hollywood High.
Hollywood High: Achieve The Honorable is a fictionalized account of my first year of high school, inspired by the violence I witnessed targeting gay students. I was deeply affected by this bullying, and at 15 years old, I promised myself I'd write about it some day.
Hollywood High tracks Caroline Black, a straight LGBTQ ally, as she transfers from an all-girls prep academy, to the local public school, Hollywood High, with gangs, over 40 native languages, teen prostitution, and extreme violence toward the gay students. The story follows Caroline's group of friends as they grow aware of homophobia, both in their environment and in themselves, and find paths to becoming allies.
I posted on my blog about he original bullying incident that inspired my novel. "Everyone Can Be An Ally"
Amy Kaufman Burk grew up in the Hollywood Hills. Her father was a screenwriter and her mother, a social anthropologist. Amy was raised in a home with thousands of books. She was an avid reader as a child, and still is.
March 11, 2014
Cover Reveal: The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes
Today, I learned of a real treat and had to share it!
It is The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes from Albert Wendland. Al is a faculty member at Seton Hill University where I went for my masters in writing (popular fiction). He has been an inspiration to me and to many students over the years and is also a champion that genre-based fiction deserves as much respect as literary fiction.
This is definitely on my to pre-order and to read list.
What could draw poet, explorer, loner and paranoid Mykol Ranglen away from the relative peace of his own ring-in-space habitat?
He has no choice in the matter as one by one acquaintances are murdered or disappear altogether. Propelled by ever changing and deepening mysteries Mykol embarks to uncover secrets which could make people rich beyond their wildest dreams…or tear apart human civilization.
The escalating quest takes him through worlds of many dangerous extremes, leading him to confront the deadly alien Fist of Thorns, extinct species refusing to give up their power over the future, and those racing against him to uncover the secret first. But in the course of his pursuit, he must also face his own secrets. And some of these are even more dangerous.
The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes by Albert Wendland
Cover Art by Bradley Sharp
Foreword by William H. Keith
Space Opera Paperback coming from Dog Star Books in June 2014
~~~
What They’re Saying About The Man Who Loved Alien Landscapes
"Mystery, heart-pounding adventure, and the dazzling wonders of far-flung space play significant roles in Wendland's breakout novel, all while gifting us with a mesmerizing tour of alien landscapes destined to get under your skin and remind you of the very reason science fiction exists: Not to escape to other worlds, but to find ourselves within them."
--Diana Dru Botsford, author of THE DRIFT and FOUR DRAGONS
Inside are alien worlds and titanic space habitats and a brilliant and paranoid hero, all skillfully blended together with long-vanished galactic secrets. Science fiction… good science fiction, by a college professor of literature who loves good SF."
--From the foreword by William H. Keith, New York Times Bestselling Science Fiction Author
February 16, 2014
Nice Children Stolen from Car
I post a lot of fiction titles on Writing is Tricky, but today's book is a work of nonfiction. It is, in fact, the memoir, of Barbara Allen and of her life growing up with a father who was a hoarder, Nice Children Stolen from Car.
This is one of those books you have to check out. I've heard Barbara read sections of this book aloud, and it really is one of those books that leaves you speechless. Some of the stories make you want to cry, some make you want to cringe, and some just leave you shaking your head. It really brings to light what it is like growing up in a home of a hoarder.
In addition, Barbara has decided to bring awareness of this subject to the public. Children do not have a say in where they are raised, and more children than you realize grow up in these unhealthy conditions.
Of Allen's own childhood:
“I know for us, growing up as children we were very ashamed of our environment. We certainly were going to keep that secret because we didn’t want any of our friends to find out how we lived or what our home looked like. It was bad enough we were going to school with unwashed hair and unclean bodies and having to deal with that social stigma, but to actually have them come home and see our home, that would have been a nightmare.” -Barbara Allen
Allen was a keynote speaker at a Local Hoarding Task Force seminar, which you can read more about here (there is also a stream of Allen's interview on local NPR).
This book is one worth checking out!
And as a bonus, here is a news clip about Allen's book.
As always, thanks for reading.
-Tricky (AKA Mike)
This is one of those books you have to check out. I've heard Barbara read sections of this book aloud, and it really is one of those books that leaves you speechless. Some of the stories make you want to cry, some make you want to cringe, and some just leave you shaking your head. It really brings to light what it is like growing up in a home of a hoarder.
In addition, Barbara has decided to bring awareness of this subject to the public. Children do not have a say in where they are raised, and more children than you realize grow up in these unhealthy conditions.
Of Allen's own childhood:
“I know for us, growing up as children we were very ashamed of our environment. We certainly were going to keep that secret because we didn’t want any of our friends to find out how we lived or what our home looked like. It was bad enough we were going to school with unwashed hair and unclean bodies and having to deal with that social stigma, but to actually have them come home and see our home, that would have been a nightmare.” -Barbara Allen
Allen was a keynote speaker at a Local Hoarding Task Force seminar, which you can read more about here (there is also a stream of Allen's interview on local NPR).
This book is one worth checking out!
And as a bonus, here is a news clip about Allen's book.
As always, thanks for reading.
-Tricky (AKA Mike)
December 31, 2013
Finding Time to Read in a Tricky 2013
Well my 2013 reading goal was 50. I knew it was unlikely that I'd do this, what with a new home, a marriage, and a new novel, but by setting the bar high, I WAS able to read 26 (and closer to my "real" goal of 30. I am a very slow and detailed reader, so this has got to be a personal best).
The theme of this year was books that became movies or TV shows interspersed with some others because these were books I've been salivating over and just * HAD * to read. And while I didn't get to all of the titles that I wanted to (Next year, Exorcist, Godfather, and Harry Potter, next year!) I thoroughly loved these selections. I've bolded the titles that fit the theme...
I've also linked to the pages of some authors that you may or may not have heard but are so, so, so worth checking out.
So without further adieu, here they are by month that I finished the book.
JanDarkly, Dreaming Dexter--Jeff LindsayDearly, Devoted Dexter--Jeff LindsayDexter in the Dark--Jeff LindsaySleeping Murder--Agatha ChristieFight Club--Chuck Palahniuk
FebLisey’s Story--Stephen KingLeave Myself Behind--Bart YatesOdd Interlude--Dean Koontz
MarchThe Mysteries of Pittsburgh--Michael ChabonWater for Elephants--Sara GruenDexter by Design--Jeff LindsayPsycho--Robert Bloch
AprilBlood Meridian--Cormac McCarthy
MayShogun--James Clavell
JuneFull Dark, No Stars--Stephen King
July/AugustThe War Magician--David FisherThe American Boy--Andrew Taylor
SeptemberRevelations of Preston Black--Jason Jack MillerPlay Dead--Michael A. ArnzenOctoberCog--K. Ceres WrightJaws--Peter Benchley
NovemberOdd Men Out--Matt BettsTrick or Treachery--Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain
DecemberOnly Human--Mike Mehalek*Deeply Odd--Dean KoontzKeeper of the Children--William H. HallahanYou can see these books and my all time reading list at goodreads.
*I did read my book this year (for fun) after publication so I counted it...Hope that's not cheating
The theme of this year was books that became movies or TV shows interspersed with some others because these were books I've been salivating over and just * HAD * to read. And while I didn't get to all of the titles that I wanted to (Next year, Exorcist, Godfather, and Harry Potter, next year!) I thoroughly loved these selections. I've bolded the titles that fit the theme...
I've also linked to the pages of some authors that you may or may not have heard but are so, so, so worth checking out.
So without further adieu, here they are by month that I finished the book.
JanDarkly, Dreaming Dexter--Jeff LindsayDearly, Devoted Dexter--Jeff LindsayDexter in the Dark--Jeff LindsaySleeping Murder--Agatha ChristieFight Club--Chuck Palahniuk
FebLisey’s Story--Stephen KingLeave Myself Behind--Bart YatesOdd Interlude--Dean Koontz
MarchThe Mysteries of Pittsburgh--Michael ChabonWater for Elephants--Sara GruenDexter by Design--Jeff LindsayPsycho--Robert Bloch
AprilBlood Meridian--Cormac McCarthy
MayShogun--James Clavell
JuneFull Dark, No Stars--Stephen King
July/AugustThe War Magician--David FisherThe American Boy--Andrew Taylor
SeptemberRevelations of Preston Black--Jason Jack MillerPlay Dead--Michael A. ArnzenOctoberCog--K. Ceres WrightJaws--Peter Benchley
NovemberOdd Men Out--Matt BettsTrick or Treachery--Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain
DecemberOnly Human--Mike Mehalek*Deeply Odd--Dean KoontzKeeper of the Children--William H. HallahanYou can see these books and my all time reading list at goodreads.
*I did read my book this year (for fun) after publication so I counted it...Hope that's not cheating
December 8, 2013
My book Only Human is out now
Hi everyone,
There is a great new Urban Fantasy that is part action, part romance, part mystery and suspense, and part horror. It's my novel Only Human. I hope you take a look, and I hope you enjoy.
I'd love to hear that you think.
-Mike
“Dragons do not cry. They control their emotions. That is what all dragons were taught, but I am now the only one alive to remember this lesson.” [image error] Only Human by Mike Mehalek Cover Art by Allie Raines
Now for sale at Amazon
What does it mean to be a human?
Meet Vincent, a most unusual dragon who has been trying to avoid answering that particular question for thousands of years, ever since his kind banished him and forced him to spend the rest of his life as a human. When a new love arrives unexpectedly, Vincent discovers that the only way to find happiness is to revisit his violent past and to confront his uncertain future. Haunting, heart-felt, and sometimes funny, Vincent discovers that even through tragedy, the things we most often try to avoid are those that make us whole.
What others have said
ONLY HUMAN takes you on a journey through Vincent's past lives and loves as he navigates his present incarnation and the darkness that follows him throughout the ages. - Heidi Ruby Miller , author of Greenshift
There's lots to love about ONLY HUMAN: action, mystery, secrets revealed and redemption. Add to that dragons (who doesn't love dragons?), wicked bad guys and an all-too-human narrator who will win your heart...the strongest element of this book is the love story...This is an epic, timeless story and a small intimate one at the same time. Dip your toe in, I don't think you'll be disappointed. -Jennifer Barnes, editor at Raw Dog Screaming Press
Purchased and enjoying!!...AND I had a dream I was a flying dragon last night! It was awesome!-Amazon Reader
Watch the trailer below
For fun
Who would play the characters in the movie version?
About Me
Mike Mehalek writes fast-paced lyrical books that can be enjoyed with one reading but have enough substance for re-reading. He brings stories to life that demand to be told, regardless of the hopes/dreams/fears/desires of his characters-the Story first-always the Story.
He'd love for you to visit him at his blog, Writing is Tricky or on Twitter @mikemehalek
If you'd like to join his email list, please email mike.mehalek@gmail.com with like to join in the subject line.
There is a great new Urban Fantasy that is part action, part romance, part mystery and suspense, and part horror. It's my novel Only Human. I hope you take a look, and I hope you enjoy.
I'd love to hear that you think.
-Mike
“Dragons do not cry. They control their emotions. That is what all dragons were taught, but I am now the only one alive to remember this lesson.” [image error] Only Human by Mike Mehalek Cover Art by Allie Raines
Now for sale at Amazon
What does it mean to be a human?
Meet Vincent, a most unusual dragon who has been trying to avoid answering that particular question for thousands of years, ever since his kind banished him and forced him to spend the rest of his life as a human. When a new love arrives unexpectedly, Vincent discovers that the only way to find happiness is to revisit his violent past and to confront his uncertain future. Haunting, heart-felt, and sometimes funny, Vincent discovers that even through tragedy, the things we most often try to avoid are those that make us whole.
What others have said
ONLY HUMAN takes you on a journey through Vincent's past lives and loves as he navigates his present incarnation and the darkness that follows him throughout the ages. - Heidi Ruby Miller , author of Greenshift
There's lots to love about ONLY HUMAN: action, mystery, secrets revealed and redemption. Add to that dragons (who doesn't love dragons?), wicked bad guys and an all-too-human narrator who will win your heart...the strongest element of this book is the love story...This is an epic, timeless story and a small intimate one at the same time. Dip your toe in, I don't think you'll be disappointed. -Jennifer Barnes, editor at Raw Dog Screaming Press
Purchased and enjoying!!...AND I had a dream I was a flying dragon last night! It was awesome!-Amazon Reader
Watch the trailer below
For fun
Who would play the characters in the movie version?
About Me
Mike Mehalek writes fast-paced lyrical books that can be enjoyed with one reading but have enough substance for re-reading. He brings stories to life that demand to be told, regardless of the hopes/dreams/fears/desires of his characters-the Story first-always the Story.
He'd love for you to visit him at his blog, Writing is Tricky or on Twitter @mikemehalek
If you'd like to join his email list, please email mike.mehalek@gmail.com with like to join in the subject line.
