Howdy Misfits,
It’s been a second since we’ve chatted.
Like you, I’ve been watching the headlines, trying to stay physically and mentally healthy, and wearing my mask to keep others healthy too.
I hope you’re doing the same and staying safe.
I know it’s not easy to find joy in a seemingly joyless era, and the stakes are really high right now, BUT I am confident in our resilience to hammer things out.
We’ve got big problems, and we need bold solutions.
I think we’ll get there in time. We always do.
In the meantime, look out for your brothers and sisters of all shapes, colors, and orientations. We’re in this together now.
And remember, giving liberties to others doesn’t take them away from you.
In fact, true equality and justice are how a democracy is supposed to operate. One nation with Liberty and Justice for ALL.
@writingiswar
Ghost River - A Novel
OK, I’ve got some exciting news to share with all of you.
GHOST RIVER is done and in the capable hands of my fantastic editor, Ashley. It’s taken me 25 years to pick up pen and paper again. I had to slay a lot of demons to get myself ready for GO TIME. Those of you who know my story, know. Those of you who don’t, well it’s a tale for another time. Today is about GOOD THINGS.
Ghost River took me roughly 7 months to complete to my satisfaction, and MAN is it a whopper of a tale. 400+ pages. 120K words. 4 Drafts. A beast.
I’d be a bald-faced liar if I said it was an easy write.
At cocktail parties, I say the story came to me like broken glass.
In a rain of daydreams fell sharp pieces, all out of order, attached to ANOTHER freakin’ novel I started to write three months prior to Ghost River elbowing in!
Rude ol’ Ghost River bled through the static, you see, and I finally submitted to its horrifying demands. And, boy, am I glad I did!
The time I spent in Orphan Rock was both hellish and lovely, and I think at its rusty windswept core, Ghost River is a hauntingly beautiful piece.
But Ghost River is a lot of things.
Many of which you will need to discover for yourself.
I know you’re up to the task.
Release Date: August 20th, 2020
Good news, it’s done! Bad news, we had to push back release a month with world events. But it’ll be worth the wait. I promise. Pre-sale will go live a couple of weeks before release, so um…expect to hear from me.
But wait! There’s more!
I’m super stoked to announce that the Ghost River Outpost is open for business!
“What is that?” you asked the newsletter.
I’m glad you asked!
The GRO is a collaboration between myself and the supremely talented Micah Chaim Thomas (multi-book author, artist, and all-around cool dude), who is graciously creating some amazing art pieces inspired by Ghost River.
Micah also happens to be one of three people on the planet who has the book itself. It’s humbling to have his support. He’s been instrumental in teaching me the ropes of Indie-authordom. Lifting up is his jam.
You should read his Eudaimonia Series, btw. It’s edgy, daring fiction.
And if you like his art and style, go here and have at it.
So, at its launch, the Ghost River Outpost has some thematic pieces from Micah (more to come), and the character and concept art I created while writing Ghost River.
Basically, if you like an image and want to support the project you can buy a print, or a sticker, or slap it on some cool beer coasters or something even cooler like this:
BTW - Setting up a shop like this is how independent artists like Micah and I can continue to create and share wonderful worlds and art with you. Bills, you know?
We’re grateful for your patronage. And, drop me a line on your experience with Red Bubble. I’ve never used it before. Learning the ropes.
WHAT COULD GO WRONG?
Stuff I dig:
MORE TIME - An anthology of shorts by an amazing crew of writers (edited by R. Tim Morris). These twelve tales touch on the supernatural, the psychological, and secrets hidden just beneath the surface of things.
Featuring stories by Eloise Archer, Ioanna Arka, Emma Deshpande, Zev Good, R.Tim Morris, Natalie Pinter, Justine Rosenberg, Chet Sandberg, Abby Simpson, Isana Skeete, Lior Torenberg, and Perry Wolfecastle.
Reasons Only Time Allows - The Final book in Micah Chaim’s “Eudaimonia” experience. I wouldn’t recommend starting with the last book, mind you.
But if you’re up to date on the series, you’ll need to experience the end:
And if you’re a beginner to the series (interested in top-notch spec-fiction, with conspiracies, secrets, and dimension-bending, start here:
Some Music for You:
I’ve posted the Ghost River soundtrack (lolz, my playlist) of music that inspired the theme, tone, and visualizations of Ghost River.
It’s a combination of atmospherics and kick-ass hard rock/industrial/darkwave tunes.
Enjoy!
Broken Window Update:
OK, so now that my book is off to the races, I can invest more energy in Broken Window (this publication)!
I’m thrilled because I really dig this platform and want to have fun with you here.
So, going forward, I’ll do one/two newsletters a month, and on the off weeks post weird, hopefully-interesting pieces for your enjoyment.
Warning! It’ll get weird around here. Feature not a bug.
Lend an Indie-Artist a Hand?
Indie-artists-authors (like me) don’t have marketing departments and a fleet of editors and distributors on hand. We have us.
This is both scary and liberating. Liberating in the sense that I can funnel my vision directly to you (I don’t want a boss looking over my shoulder, you dig?). Also, scary that indies are fighting for attention in a very NOISY and WELL-FUNDED landscape that makes it virtually impossible for any of us to break-through.
So, if you’d like to do something to help me out (or any indie-artist you like) please share their material (like this newsletter) with your friends. A Like, a Retweet, a Facebook post is all free, and give guys like me a chance to keep on keepin’ on.
Thank you for your support!
As always, thank you for your support, love, and participation with me as I get this next phase of my life going. You guys are amazing. Truly.
Without you, everything falls apart.
@writingiswar (Chad Ryan)