Introducing Peter the Wolf

Today, I'd like to present you with an early preview for the cover and two blurbs for Peter the Wolf, which I will be releasing July 29 in both print and ebooks on the same day. This is the start of a new dark fantasy series which should appeal to fans of Anne Rice or Maggie Stiefvater. It's unrelated to my Mystical World Wars series, but fans of Little Monsters and Blood Relations will probably also love this story as well.

First, here's the cover art by Karen Koehler:

Very nice, huh? And now here's the blurbs, the "long" version for Lulu, and then the Smashwords version, which has to be limited to 400 characters, with spaces. (Because despite online claims to the contrary, everyone working at Smashwords really, REALLY hates writers. A lot. Sigh, I digress:)

Peter Holmes is a troubled teen still grieving the death of his sister. A victim of long term abuse, he escaped his parents only to find life as a foster child was another form of torture. Now living with his fourth family after a stint in juvenile detention, Peter's view of his future is bleak until he meets Alice Culpepper and learns about the world of competitive gymnastics. But as Peter trains in the Culpepper gym and tries to get his life on track, the distance between Alice and Peter shrinks until it threatens Peter's new life, his family, and even his freedom. As if things couldn't get any worse, Peter's insane mother has just escaped from prison after eating a guard…

Peter Holmes is an abuse victim living with his 4th foster family after a stint in juvi. His view of his future is bleak until he meets Alice Culpepper and learns about gymnastics. As Peter tries to get his life on track, the shrinking distance Alice and Peter threatens Peter's new life, his family and his freedom. As if things couldn't get any worse, Peter's mother just escaped from prison…

I'd really like to find some new approach to sell this story, and maybe even to break into some new markets if I can. To make that happen on my end, I'll be attempting to make a book trailer for YouTube, and I'll be covering the usual bases with blog posts and links on social sites. As there's a print copy available, I'll be able to do a Goodreads book giveaway this time, so that's one potential plan for making new impressions.

But beyond that, I'm drawing a blank, and I know I need a LOT more exposure if I'm going to get this new series off the ground. The thing is, I don't want to do something if it's been demonstrated in the past not to work. For instance, I'm not going to bother investing in banner ad space because they've never worked in any situation. (As a forum signatures, a paid Project Wonderful banner, or a banner exchange.) There may be some situation where it could work for others, but blinking or non, banners consistently fail to generate sales for me.

So I'm turning this over to my readers. First, you're welcome to critique the blurb or cover if you think it needs something cut or added. But if you know of any social groups, forums or blogs where a story like mine would find a receptive audience, I'd also like to request your counsel.

I'm extremely proud of Peter's story, but to make this work, I know I need to do something different. I just don't know what that's supposed to mean. So, if you've got any idea that might help, please send them in. To help encourage feedback, I won't reply to anyone in this comment thread. So I'll thank you in advance for any ideas or feedback you provide, and then shut up and wander away to give the floor to y'all.