To Sequel or Not to Sequel
Hamlet said, "To be or not to be, that is the question." Well, not to belittle his dilemma but, the great Dane was wrong. For me, there's no question of being or not being. I'm here for the duration and you'll have to put up with me. My question is, "To sequel or not to sequel?"
It isn't a question every writer faces. When your book is titled 'The Chronicles of...', or sub-titled 'Book One of the...' the question doesn't arise. These writers started with a long term vision of a series, or an intention, or at the very least enough hutzpah that they knew a single volume couldn't contain it. There would be sequels. I didn't start that way.
Bit of background. I have been predominantly a horror writer, Apparition Lake, Dracula's Demeter, et al, with some success, a few sales, a few award nominations, and even a win (The Igor Award from The Horror Society). But, like many writers, I was, am, always in search of a comfortable voice. The 'right' voice for the 'right' new writing project. So, I tried my hand at a paranormal mystery. The result was Corpses Say the Darndest Things.
Set in 1979 Chicago, for flavor and fun, and because it allowed me to listen to great early rock and claim I was working, the novel features a dinosaur of a noir detective, past his prime, trying to solve a series of murders for which he appears to be guilty, while receiving psychic messages FROM the murdered victims. The situation forces the street weary detective, with no luck but a hardened sense of humor, to ask himself over and over again - How can I solve these murders when the victims won't shut up?
The book was not intended to start a series. It's self-contained. There's no cliff-hanger. But there certainly is a denouement that allows for the characters to return should they face another difficulty worth talking about (or the acclaim of readers demanding a sequel). I even hedged the bet by subtitling the book 'A Nod Blake Mystery' in spite of it being the first one.
Critically, I'm delighted to say, it's been a hit. Author J M McDole, at Impact On-line, said, "... Lamoreux is a clever writer and quite funny. He manages to combine humor with a very grisly murder mystery in an engaging manner. Considering the nature of the crimes, the combination shouldn’t have worked but it did. I’d be happy to read more Nod Blake mysteries... I believe the author has found his genre." Peter Schwotzer at Literary Mayhem said simply, "Doug really surprised me with this excellent detective tale."
And the folks who surrendered their hard earned cash have really enjoyed it.
"I love Nod Blake and hope Lamoreux follows up with more adventures." - Barbara Rosenbalm
"You will love this book... A book that's too hard to put down. Enjoy!" - Stacy Reynolds
"I loved this book... I can't wait until I can read the next Nod Blake Mystery. If you love a great mystery this one is it!!!" - Sally Kersten
"I really enjoyed the twists, turns, and surprises.... Definitely a page turner. Nod is an unlikely hero and one tough gum shoe. This is one of the few books I will keep to read again." - Michael Clenney
"A fast and fun read that I think fans of horror and mystery will both enjoy." - Denna Holm
You get the point. Folks have enjoyed it. Five of ten reviewers on Amazon have said they "loved" it. Seven specifically said they hoped for a sequel. (Something I've never experienced before.) They want more. SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? I'll tell you. And I hope Creativia, my wonderful publisher doesn't mind, but...
Corpses Say the Darndest Things: A Nod Blake Mystery has not sold particularly well. Mind you, everyone that's read it, so far, has loved it. And that's not an exaggeration. Those that have made contact with me, in one way or another, have made it clear they want to read more of the adventures of Nod Blake and his secretary Lisa Solomon. Like no other book I've written, its fans are emotional. But so far, there are few of them. Leaving me to wrestle with the question, "To sequel or not to sequel?"
I like Blake myself. I'm actively plotting his return. But I haven't been able to convince myself yet to write it with fervor. I have other projects in the works, and the screenplay for the film version of Dracula's Demeter (in development from ThunderBall Films Ltd), and I have my publisher to think of. That's right. I have an obligation to my publisher to write - not only good books that fans will love - but books that sell well. That's today's quandary for me. While I consider new ways to market Corpses Say the Darndest Things: A Nod Blake Mystery, and fight with myself over whether or not to write the requested sequel, I put it to you readers and writers alike. What would you do in my place? "To sequel or not to sequel? That is the question."
By the way, Corpses Say the Darndest Things is, for the next five days, being offered for .99 cents on Kindle, if you know anyone that might want to give it a look. Have a great day!
It isn't a question every writer faces. When your book is titled 'The Chronicles of...', or sub-titled 'Book One of the...' the question doesn't arise. These writers started with a long term vision of a series, or an intention, or at the very least enough hutzpah that they knew a single volume couldn't contain it. There would be sequels. I didn't start that way.
Bit of background. I have been predominantly a horror writer, Apparition Lake, Dracula's Demeter, et al, with some success, a few sales, a few award nominations, and even a win (The Igor Award from The Horror Society). But, like many writers, I was, am, always in search of a comfortable voice. The 'right' voice for the 'right' new writing project. So, I tried my hand at a paranormal mystery. The result was Corpses Say the Darndest Things.
Set in 1979 Chicago, for flavor and fun, and because it allowed me to listen to great early rock and claim I was working, the novel features a dinosaur of a noir detective, past his prime, trying to solve a series of murders for which he appears to be guilty, while receiving psychic messages FROM the murdered victims. The situation forces the street weary detective, with no luck but a hardened sense of humor, to ask himself over and over again - How can I solve these murders when the victims won't shut up?
The book was not intended to start a series. It's self-contained. There's no cliff-hanger. But there certainly is a denouement that allows for the characters to return should they face another difficulty worth talking about (or the acclaim of readers demanding a sequel). I even hedged the bet by subtitling the book 'A Nod Blake Mystery' in spite of it being the first one.
Critically, I'm delighted to say, it's been a hit. Author J M McDole, at Impact On-line, said, "... Lamoreux is a clever writer and quite funny. He manages to combine humor with a very grisly murder mystery in an engaging manner. Considering the nature of the crimes, the combination shouldn’t have worked but it did. I’d be happy to read more Nod Blake mysteries... I believe the author has found his genre." Peter Schwotzer at Literary Mayhem said simply, "Doug really surprised me with this excellent detective tale."
And the folks who surrendered their hard earned cash have really enjoyed it.
"I love Nod Blake and hope Lamoreux follows up with more adventures." - Barbara Rosenbalm
"You will love this book... A book that's too hard to put down. Enjoy!" - Stacy Reynolds
"I loved this book... I can't wait until I can read the next Nod Blake Mystery. If you love a great mystery this one is it!!!" - Sally Kersten
"I really enjoyed the twists, turns, and surprises.... Definitely a page turner. Nod is an unlikely hero and one tough gum shoe. This is one of the few books I will keep to read again." - Michael Clenney
"A fast and fun read that I think fans of horror and mystery will both enjoy." - Denna Holm
You get the point. Folks have enjoyed it. Five of ten reviewers on Amazon have said they "loved" it. Seven specifically said they hoped for a sequel. (Something I've never experienced before.) They want more. SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? I'll tell you. And I hope Creativia, my wonderful publisher doesn't mind, but...
Corpses Say the Darndest Things: A Nod Blake Mystery has not sold particularly well. Mind you, everyone that's read it, so far, has loved it. And that's not an exaggeration. Those that have made contact with me, in one way or another, have made it clear they want to read more of the adventures of Nod Blake and his secretary Lisa Solomon. Like no other book I've written, its fans are emotional. But so far, there are few of them. Leaving me to wrestle with the question, "To sequel or not to sequel?"
I like Blake myself. I'm actively plotting his return. But I haven't been able to convince myself yet to write it with fervor. I have other projects in the works, and the screenplay for the film version of Dracula's Demeter (in development from ThunderBall Films Ltd), and I have my publisher to think of. That's right. I have an obligation to my publisher to write - not only good books that fans will love - but books that sell well. That's today's quandary for me. While I consider new ways to market Corpses Say the Darndest Things: A Nod Blake Mystery, and fight with myself over whether or not to write the requested sequel, I put it to you readers and writers alike. What would you do in my place? "To sequel or not to sequel? That is the question."
By the way, Corpses Say the Darndest Things is, for the next five days, being offered for .99 cents on Kindle, if you know anyone that might want to give it a look. Have a great day!
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