The Cirque Du Freak Series by Darren Shan

 This year (2020) I have been posting daily Facebook posts celebrating books I have enjoyed. I'd like to share with you one of my favorites.

I wish I owned the series.  It tells the story of a teen who becomes a Vampire's Assistant and dares to make some amazing twists and turns. I good friend named Jeff Russon introduced the series to me.  He read it to his students and when he reviewed my 1st draft of what would become THE FORESIGHT CHRONICLES: DARK AWAKENING, he suggested it.

The series really inspired me and there are things that made me think, and brought to mind different directions I wanted to explore in my series.

I highly recommend these series!

The Foresight Chronicles: Book Two DARK SAILS Has a cover!

 A big THANK YOU to my editor at Big World Network, Ahnasariah Larsen! This cover is amazing!

 It shows Annabelle's longing for her lost brother Roland, Big Ben which signifies London where she and Thomas are located, a wonderfully engaging pirate ship with Roland at the bow of of the ship and another pirate in the middle (Racheal?). Bats and crows continue to make their appropriate appearances. All soaked in a eerie red color like blood.

Watch this space for the future book release date!

J Scott Savage is visiting Monkeys!

J Scott Savage is the author of the Far World series.. He came out to the rustic town of Tooele years ago to speak to our local chapter of the League of Utah Writers. He inspired me in my writing generally as well as inspiring me and helping me with my plotting of Myths. He said things about writing characters for Middle Grade that completely changed my plans, turning me towards a better direction.

So now he's coming to my favorite League chapter, the Infinite Monkeys tomorrow night! As we've been doing all throughout the COVID situation, we meet online. He'll be discussing pacing and man I'm stoked for this!!!!

 

 

Dark Awakenings The Foresight Chronicles Book One is available!

Begin the grand adventure with Annabelle as she deals with Dracula in Colonial America! #salemwitchtrials #vampirechildren @BigWorldNetwork @BeingAuthor #BookBoost #Amwriting #WriteStuff #booklook #pubwrite #BookBuzzr @BigWorldNetwork #yalitchat #vampires #kidsbookclub

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085VKTLCZ

The Foresight Chronicles Book Two: Dark Sails

All the pictures below have one thing in common. The Foresight Chronicles Book Two: Dark Sails. Formerly Night Children: Dark Changes.

Never liked that title.

Currently it's going through content edits.

Watch this space! 

Begin the grand adventure with Annabelle!

Begin the grand adventure with

Annabelle

as she deals with Dracula in Colonial America! #salemwitchtrials #vampirechildren @BigWorldNetwork @BeingAuthor #BookBoost #Amwriting #WriteStuff #booklook #pubwrite #BookBuzzr @BigWorldNetwork #yalitchat #vampires #kidsbookclub

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085VKTLCZ

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the days out there!

League of Utah Writers Spring Conference 2020

#LUW2020 #SpringConference Excited to learn so much!

Profile pic?

I need to store this pic online somewhere so I can access it on Goodreads... I think.

First Book is available NOW!

Check out the first book in the FORESIGHT CHRONICLES SERIES!

On sale in paperback and ebook!

https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Awakening-Foresight-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B085VKTLCZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GNME3479720T&dchild=1&keywords=foresight+chronicles&qid=1590005173&sprefix=foresight+chron%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-1

My granddaughter!

Last weekend, Mother's Day 2020, Linda and I held our first grandchild, Emilia!

The last picture is my daughter Katelyn. So happy for her and Scotty!Emilia is so sweet!

Dark Awakening vs Dark Birth: Titles

So when Annabelle's story gained the wonderful opportunity to get published at Big World Network, I really wanted to change the titles of the first two books. I felt that Dark Birth sounded strange. It never sit well with me. I didn't say anything because at the time I couldn't think of a better title.

Dark Birth sounds like some devil child crawling out of the womb to wreak havoc.
Dark Awakening  sounds like a mysterious beginning in a dark world.

THAT'S how it should sound. :)

Dark Awakening vs Dark Birth: Content

The main story originally seen in Dark Birth has changes a  bit. Every chapter has changes as it benefited from some great content editing and line editing and so on.

Some things have been removed, while other things have been added. One of the chapters from Dark Threats, (the one where the witches get kicked out the the barrier), has been rewritten and put back in.
The chapter where the Dunston children meet Eliza has been completely removed and something else is in it's place.

What took it's place? What has been added in more than one spot in the narrative? More Salem Witch Trials! Yes, that event now has a stronger part of Annabelle and Roland's first adventures.

In fact, a certain real life historical figure: Tituba, the woman whom the Afflicted Children first blamed for their condition, has gained a nice little part in not only this novel, but the overall series!

So if you like Annabelle's story, if you want more of her, I suggest checking out the book because no matter where you factor into reading the prior versions, THIS version is new, and the OFFICIAL telling of her story.

I suggest getting in on the ground floor of this series. Things are going to get crazy!

Vampires at the Salem Witch Trials!

Dark Awakening vs Dark Birth: Cover

So right off the bat you can see an improvement in the outside look. I'm grateful for the help I received on the original cover, but it never enticed people to read it.

Big World content editor Ahna Larsen fixed all that real quick. Now the main protagonist, Annabelle Foresight, is front and center. She's surrounded by crows. Those birds (the Falabranwyn) suggest a feeling of foreboding, as they should.

She's looking up, drawing the eyes towards the wonderful new title and then the bats, which cause more foreboding, causing the reader to question why they are there. Is it vampires?  What is this book about?

All characters are in silhouette, with the big, glorious full moon looming in the background. A moon that Ann herself has noted a certain love for.

This cover draws attention and hopefully desire to read the story within.
Thank you to Ahna!