Tag: novel

Putting Down Roots Is Live!

Posted on by joepowersauthor

The long-awaited, and hotly-anticipated, day has arrived! My latest novel, Putting Down Roots, has been unleashed on the world and is now available.

In a nice, quiet part of town, way at the back end of the neighbourhood, there’s a lovely old Victorian house on a corner lot. It’s got a spacious back yard, with a terrifying secret. Most of the older folks around here know about it, but nobody talks about it. When that nice, new, unsuspecting family moves in, though, maybe we should warn them. Shouldn’t we? Would they believe us if we did?

I know I’ve had a lot to say lately – well, a lot for me, anyway – and it’s been a steady stream of messages and updates about the new book. It’s a fine line between bombarding people and not doing enough to get the word out there, and it’s an art form I’m still very much in the early stages of learning. You would think a guy who’s been involved with writing and publishing for as long as I have would have a better grasp on proper, effective marketing. I have tried a few different strategies over the years with varying degrees of success. Whatever else social media is, it can be an effective tool for reaching your audience and helping you connect with your people.

It seems the best I can do is keep tossing out gentle reminders about this, along with all the other irons I have in the fire. So, for the next while you may see and hear more about this book, but I promise to talk about other stuff here too. My writing classes, for example. And an interview/feature piece with the South Branch Scribbler a little later in the summer. Oh, and a very cool new anthology coming just in time for Canada Day, which I’m pleased to be a part of. And then, there’s the official book launch for Putting Down Roots in July, which I will share more about very soon.

For now, thank you all for coming along with me for the ride. I can’t tell you how much your continued support means to me. My list of subscribers is growing, and there’s always room for more around here. So if you’re so inclined, you can sign up on my contact page to have these updates sent directly to your inbox (you’ll have this one within minutes!)

Remember to leave a review, or rating, or both, for the books you read and enjoy, not just mine but for all authors who pour their heart and soul onto the page and will really benefit from the exposure a review adds. It’s one of the nicest things you can do to support the artists you like. That’s all for today. Until next time,

Stay safe, talk soon.

-JP

Countdown to Launch Day

Posted on by joepowersauthor

There’s an imminent long weekend here in my part of the world – anyone else remember when the May 2-4 weekend actually landed on or around the 24th? Anyway, lots going on around here lately, not the least of which being the upcoming book launch! We’re now just nineteen days away from the release of my new novel, Putting Down Roots. The ebook is now available for pre-order on Amazon and Kindle, ahead of the paperback version which should follow soon.

From the back cover:

“Matt and Rachel Bailey have uprooted their family and moved across the country to a quiet college town in New Brunswick. Their new house is a beautiful old Victorian with a sprawling yard on a corner lot in a nice suburban neighbourhood. Rachel’s got a great job at the university, the kids are making new friends, and everything’s coming together.

There’s just one problem.

Huddled in the far corner of the lot, just inside the high board fence that surrounds the yard, stands an old, massive tree. The moss-covered branches hang low to the ground, like skeletal hands reaching for those who wander too close. The thick, gnarled roots ripple just below the surface of the ground like probing tentacles. Matt finds it creepy and unsettling and plans to remove it as soon as possible. But it won’t be that easy.

Before long, unease turns to terror as the true nature of the tree slowly begins to unravel. This is no mere tree, but an ancient evil presence that has preyed on unsuspecting animals and people for centuries.

And getting rid of it won’t be as easy as he thinks.

With the safety of his wife, two curious children, and the family dog at risk, Matt does everything he can to protect his family from the rooted predator that lurks mere feet away from their back door. One false move, a step too close, is all it takes for tragedy to strike. And just how close to the house do the roots reach? Is anywhere safe?

After a close call that he narrowly escapes, and with the number of victims on the rise, Matt must devise a plan to destroy the menacing evil before it destroys everything he loves.“

Follow this link for Kindle pre-orders. I’ll let you know when the paperback is ready, probably next week. Follow me here for news and updates delivered right to your inbox. I’ve got plenty more coming in the days and weeks ahead, including re-launches and more cover reveals, so stay tuned! Until next time,

Stay safe, talk soon.

-JP

Big News! A Sneak Peek

Posted on by joepowersauthor

A few days ago, I announced some big news in this space regarding my publishing status, along with a few other things. I hinted at new cover art for my existing titles, which I’m very pleased with and excited about, and we’ll get to that in the coming days. But for now, for the first time in far too long, I have something even bigger and more exciting to tell you about.

Things have been moving faster than I had anticipated, and the timing is right to annouce the imminent release of my new novel, Putting Down Roots. I’m not going to give too much away just yet, other than to say it’s a creature feature, horror with a dark fantasy tinge. It’s been a really long time coming – that’s a story for another day – and I’m very excited to share it with you.

The official launch date is June 1st, but pre-orders for digital download are currently available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited, with paperback to follow soon. Here’s the link: Putting Down Roots e-book Pre-Order. I’ll let you know as soon as the pre-orders for paperback are available.

Keep an eye on this space for more news and updates as the big day draws nearer. Or, drop over to my contact page and sign up to have all the latest info delivered right to your inbox. More to come soon! In the meantime,

Stay safe, talk soon.

-JP

Horrorfest, Fall Classes, and Unfinished Business

Posted on by joepowersauthor

Last weekend we had a great time at Miramichi Horrorfest (well, I mean, I can’t speak for everyone, but I certainly did). I sold a few books, had some great chats, enjoyed all the awesome cosplayers and costumed attendees, made some new friends and touched base with some old ones (I also managed to come home with an illness for the second year in a row, probably unrelated). Horrorfest is just one of several great events our hosts, MiraCon, put on every year. Their next event is a little something called Nerdy Little Christmas. You can check them out for this and other upcoming events here.

Speaking of friends old and new, it’s time again for writing classes! Crafting the Short Story starts up this Thursday, October 10th, and runs for eight weeks. Writing Horror: The Dark Side kicks off on Monday, October 7th, and goes for six weeks. There’s still room in both courses, if you or someone you know wants to spend some time honing their craft, or you’re just starting out and want to dip a toe into the water for the first time, I’d love to have you come and spend some time learning with me.

Lastly, I recently laid a piece of old business to rest. Some of you may have heard me talk about a novel I’ve been working on off and on for what seems like forever. I referenced it, in fact, back in January during an interview with Allan at the South Branch Scribbler. You can read the interview here, if you’re interested. Long story short, I first started Putting Down Roots a very long time ago. It began life as a short story, then gradually evolved and grew into a much longer work. It took me a long time to get it to where I thought it needed to be, and I’m happy to say I have officially completed the full manuscript. There is currently no fixed timeline as far as when it will be released, I’m still working on that. For now, I’m just basking in the glow of finally having this one off my plate. There’s a much longer version of the story behind this novel, one that says quite a lot about me and my writing process. One of these days I’ll get around to telling it. Just not yet.

That’s all for now. As always, thank you for stopping by to visit. Your presence here means a lot to me, whether it’s your first time or your hundredth. If you’d like to hear more of my news and notes and stay up to date on what’s going on in my little world, pop over to my contact page to receive new posts like this one delivered right to your inbox.

Be safe, talk soon!

-JP