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Book Launch Success )O(

Greetings darklings:

Today I want to post about my book launch. So grab a cup of coffee or tea and let’s dive right in!

I rehearsed the section I wanted to read aloud over and over. I found a video on YouTube that helped me to do a much better reading. The effort paid off. The weather was great. I do believe the gods wanted me to have the book launch because the temperature was so warm it felt like spring. 

I wore my spider web lace dress with my black overdress, my spider web lace shawl and black lace gloves. I wore a pair of black boots, leggings and lots of jewelry, including a spider choker. I polished the spider choker the day before. I did my makeup really nice. I felt great. I arrived at the cafe with my man and my Mom. We found a table to sit at and enjoyed a coffee. I was so nervous. The cafe bustled with people. 

Eventually the music was turned off. I arranged the copies of my book on the table. I also set up two spider figurines with the books. The owner of the cafe introduced me and gave the audience my bio. Then it was time for me to do the reading. Yes I totally broke out in a sweat and my face was several shades of fire engine red. But to my own shock, I did it! I even enjoyed it. 

The audience was so quiet. That made me more nervous. I threw myself into it. It was over before I knew it. Then it was time for the question and answer period followed by the book signing. I answered their questions and signed books. I had hoped that more friends would show up for the launch. However my friends did come which made the night amazing. I felt so good answering their questions and signing the book copies for them. I felt like all that hard work paid off. If I got to this point, dear readers, then you can too. I wish I could have signed and sold more copies but that does not have to be the last launch for this book I do. I signed the six copies ahead of time that we left at Trident. I hope those sell too. 

After that, I packed up my spiders and my spidery books. We all chatted with each other for a while and then left. I was treated to a nice dinner. I was so tired afterwards. A rushing train would not have woken me. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was so tired that I even got emotional. 

That’s because……

I am so grateful for all the support I received from my online friends and my local friends, from everyone. The amount of support that I was shown has blown my mind. I could not have done it without that support. I never suspected and I do believe that I shall let them know how much I appreciate it. Wow. Thank you to everyone. 

We dropped my Mom off at home. Then it was time for home and a more casual outfit. I barely even remember falling asleep. I was so tired after all the anticipation. 

The book launch was a smashing success. I am blown away by all the kind support I received. I hope to host another book launch in the future and put myself through all that torture- kidding!, all over again. 

Blessed Be, Spiderwitch

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Upcoming Book Launch- The Cult of the Spider People!!! )O(

Greetings darklings:

I am so excited and nervous at the same time. Today’s post will focus on my upcoming book launch. This is my first book launch, which explains why I am nervous and excited. The launch is happening at Trident Cafe on February 25th. It is one week away!

I have promoted my novel The Cult of the Spider People: Bone Chillers #1. I have promoted it on social media. I remembered to include the relevant hashtags. I asked a friend of mine to create a video to use to promote the book. I created an event page on Eventbrite. I created an event page on Facebook for the book launch and I invited everyone that I knew and that I knew would be interested. I advertised the event at the library and online. 

Here is the video for my novel! Enjoy 

The one main thing I have to do is to practice reading my story aloud. I dread that part of the launch. I know the reading sells the book. I suck at reading my fiction aloud. Always have, always will. I shall persevere. I just have to practice. I want to make my own video on Youtube to help promote my novel before the book launch. I watched a few videos on Youtube for ways to improve reading a story aloud. 

I know what I want to wear to the event, a hot dress from Killstar. But I do believe that mastering how to read my story aloud has to come before my outfit. I am so nervous because I hate reading aloud. I know I already said that but it is the truth. 

I hope there is a big turnout of people at the launch. I have several copies to share. I would love to come home with few books that made everyone happy. That is the whole point: that everyone liked my book enough to keep a copy for themselves. That they want to tell everyone else about it. I just wish the book was available in bookstores. If the copies don’t sell and I certainly hope that they do, then I shall use those copies for consignment with my fave bookstore. 

I also hope that the weather will cooperate. The last thing I want is to have no turnout of people because Mother Nature refused to cooperate. I hope the big storms are past us. I want lots of people to show up and that can only happen if the weather is cold but friendly. I know it is the middle of winter but I can’t reschedule this launch a third time! 

Yes I want all the stars aligned, I want everything to go perfectly and I want the weather to cooperate. People would be warm and could enjoy a coffee once they are at the cafe. The weather is my biggest concern, aside from my nerves for reading aloud. I know I will be a nervous wreck. 

I am excited too that my novel will soon be available in audio format! I hope the narrator does a good job of narrating my book. I wasn’t sure and so I passed on my concerns with the publisher. I am excited. This may boost sales! 

In other news, I felt a creative spurt to fix up a few items. I painted a lampshade black using acrylic paints. Then I dried the paint using a hairdryer. The lamp shade looks much better. I also spray painted a basket outdoors. My hands were black. I had a hard time getting the spray paint off my hands. Next time I shall wear gloves. I just came in from refilling the bird feeder and turning my compost tumbler. I still turn the tumbler even in winter when everything is frozen. The compost has to be turned or it won’t decompose correctly. I want everything ready for my gardening and that includes the compost. 

We are halfway between winter solstice and spring equinox. I do love the dark half of the year. I want to paint my dresser green. I bought these cool beautiful dresser drawer pulls. I bought a nice furniture wax and all the paint equipment I may need such as a paint tray, tinfoil to line the tray and make the cleanup easier, roller brushes, paint brushes and drop cloths. I’m waiting till March to paint the dresser. I will let Penny visit my Mom for a week. My cat Penny loves it there. I just want to avoid Penny getting green paint on her fur. Best if that is avoided! I can’t wait to see how it turns out. I know someone who has the special equipment to sand the dresser and thereby make my job much easier. I am so eager to get on with that project. I just don’t have any primer. But there is time for me to get a can of primer. I only need to have enough primer for the job. I do believe that the dresser will benefit from this care and attention and a new paint colour. It will look beautiful! 

I shall keep you posted about my book launch! Till then, stay warm and stay safe. 

Blessings, Spiderwitch )O(

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Interview with horror author Cassandra Sachar

 

Merry meet all,

Today we are chatting with another awesome horror author, Cassandra Sachar. Let’s clear the cobwebs and enjoy a coffee as learn more about her. 

 

Why horror? Do you have a favorite subgenre in horror?

I’ve always been a huge worrier, often imagining the worst possible outcome to seemingly innocuous situations. It can be as simple as walking down a flight of stairs while holding a beverage with a straw in it; I’ll start thinking about tripping and having the straw pierce through my eyeball … and maybe my brain! I’ve gotten better over the years at shutting out the graphic images that assault me, and one of the ways I do this is by channeling these thoughts into my fiction. Writing, reading, and watching horror lets me indulge dark thoughts in a fictional way, and that’s much healthier for me than when I obsess over everything that can go wrong in real life!

It’s hard to pick a favorite subgenre. I love the supernatural in general, but it’s sometimes scarier to me when horror is more realistic. I’m fascinated by the idea that people may be only one bad day away from making decisions with awful, awful consequences. I’ve written a number of short stories where good people do bad things.

Which other horror authors influenced you the most and why?

This isn’t very original, but my biggest influence is Edgar Allan Poe! I’ve been reading his work as long as I can remember, and I’ve taught it, as well, both when I was teaching high school English and now that I teach college in my horror writing class. The main character in my dark suspense novel, Darkness There but Something More, is an Edgar Allan Poe scholar as well as a college English professor, and I’ve peppered the novel with references to Poe. I’ve also visited several Poe landmarks. While there are many brilliant horror writers, Poe earns a special place in my heart. I love the depravity he captures in his first-person narrators, how we see them descend into madness. I also love his inventiveness and wordplay.

Tell me about your writing/ editing process

I’m a pantser when it comes to creative writing, unlike the academic writing I’ve done, where I carefully outline everything. I’m all about getting the story out, and I’m not always expecting the twists and turns that come along the way. There have been many times when I’ve sat down at my laptop with only the seed of an idea. I’m all about getting the story out, and I try not to get bogged down by the details during my drafting process. My main goal is to get words down, whether or not they’re good, as I know I can make them better later!

When it comes to the editing process, though, that’s where my type A brain takes over. I’m extremely meticulous, going through the draft multiple times and working on different issues. After I complete the initial draft, I focus on big picture items: plot and characterization problems, for example, layering in foreshadowing and complexity as needed. I’m extremely picky about continuity and always make extensive notes on the timeline of events so that there aren’t mistakes. I get annoyed by continuity errors in other people’s writing and don’t want to distract my readers with inaccuracies. I’ll also read through a draft multiple times with a focus on sentence formation and word choice, varying as necessary, and my final readthroughs are all about proofreading. 

I’ve heard many writers say they hate the editing process, but I love it—more than the initial writing, which I find far more draining. When it comes to editing, I’m much better when there are already words on the screen and I just need to improve them. For my entire teaching career, I’ve given students advice on how to improve their writing, so I have a lot of experience knowing when something is lacking or if it needs paring down, even when I’m the writer.

What inspires you to write horror?

Everything! In my horror writing class, I have students complete a lot of what I refer to as “creative spark” activities. There is so much to inspire creativity, and we can mine our experiences, fears, and the world around us for ideas to place into our fiction. I have students look at different scary photos, listen to music, walk around outside, roll dice to choose elements to incorporate, and more, and I complete all of those activities in class, as well. Though I write a lot of snippets that go nowhere, I try to generate many ideas to find something that gels. Sometimes, all I need is a single mental image to get going.

What do you love about indie publishing?

I love the community! I never expected how friendly and supportive other writers would be. I’ve made some wonderful friends and have been able to participate in a number of collaborative activities, such as podcasts and anthologies.

Which is your favorite horror movie or book? Which movie or book impressed and inspired you the most?

While my favorite movie franchise is Scream, my favorite single movie is The Ring, which stayed with me in a way that nothing else has. I remember that I couldn’t sleep the night I saw it—I was too scared! I woke up my husband and told him, and his only advice was to turn on the light, which I did. I hadn’t needed a nightlight since childhood.

I love the kind of horror that sticks in your head like that and makes you uncomfortable. I also appreciated the layered characterization in The Ring and the way the movie deals with thought-provoking themes such as the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her child.

Is there any music that helps you to write?

Believe it or not, I always listen to Zen music when I write! I know that many horror writers listen to heavy metal music or at least something that’s fast-paced, but I prefer not to listen to words when I’m trying to create my own. About a decade ago, I figured out that Zen music helped me work since it made me feel calmer even when I was stressed about everything I had to do. I always play it when I work now, whether that’s grading papers, preparing for a conference, or writing horror. I have a ring of skulls next to my laptop, though, so there’s the creep factor.

Do you have any special projects you want readers to know about?

I have a horror novella forthcoming from Unveiling Nightmares, and I’m very excited about it! I’ve also started on a second short story collection, but I don’t expect to finish that until next summer.

Where can readers find you on social media?

I’m on Facebook if you search my name—I’m the only Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar! On Instagram, I’m @cosachar. You can also find information about my writing on my website, https://cassandraosullivansachar.

https://unveiling-nightmares.com/

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November Blues

 

 

Merry meet all,

Snow falls on the cold streets of Halifax. I am looking forward to continuing my studies at the Herbal Academy. I can’t believe how fast the year has gone.

I finished the book. I love how it turned out. I stapled the signatures and trimmed the pages at Staples copy and print centre. I glued the pages in and the finished book looks great. I am very happy with how it turned out. I now have the task of filling the pages with new poems. I want to add in the completed poems, not drafts. I learned a lot during the project and it may be a long while before I make another one, but I do feel it was worthwhile.

I tea stained the pages. I had dyed the fabric with goldenrod and I used the cloths to separate the pages from each other. I am glad I did that now. It made it much easier for me to form the signatures, which were eight sheets to a set, and I was able to create 12 signatures. There were 12 folios in total, which meant there were 96 pages in total. By separating each page and letting them dry for 48 hours, and being that patient. I was able to have a good set of papers to bind. I arranged the pages in the way I wanted, knowing that how I arrange the pages and then glue them into the book will be permanent. I repaired any tears or frayed edges gently and used glue. I used white glue, a lot of glue. I stacked them just to see how it would look with the covers. 

When I was sure, I went to the local print and copy centre, Staples, where I stapled each page twice using a long arm stapler. I trimmed the edges of the pages there too. My Mom carefully helped me fold the pages because if they are all relatively even, then they are easier to glue to the spine. So you can see a lot of thought went into this. I took real care and handled the pages carefully, carrying them in a special plastic folder and putting the folder in a plastic bag home from her house and to Staples. I bound the pages in, checking and rechecking that it was all the way I wanted it to be. I glued a strip of white cardboard to the front and back covers of the book on the inside to reinforce the spine section. I glued a strip of green cardboard to that. When I was satisfied, I glued a strip of the fabric I dyed with acorns to the spine of the book. I then glued another strip on top of that to help me know where to place the pages. So the spine had four layers, the green cardboard being the thinnest layer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I set a clamp over the outer edges of the tea stained pages arranged into the sets. I made sure each inner edge of the pages was touching the glue on the spine. I used a LOT of glue on the spine. I kept the clamp on the pages and let the paper and spine dry overnight. The pages were now set in the book permanently. In the morning, I was happy because the pages dried from being tea stained properly. They had now dried properly from the glue and adhered properly to the book spine. 

I love how it turned out. All those tiny and big steps all made a difference in how the book turned out. I glued my poem into the page and then I set about making the front cover fancy. Once the brown velvet was adhered with mitered corners, I could not tell the front cover from the back so I used my intuition. I could not feel the Celtic knot work I had etched in onto the davyboard on the front cover. I had to guess since once the velvet was on, it was no longer as obvious. 

I printed out a black frame border and coloured it all in black. I glued it to a piece of the print cardboard with a halloween orange pumpkin print. I like how it looked. I glued a felt witch to that. Then I tried embossing the front cover with gold foil, and I like how that turned out. I think the gold folio gives the front cover a rustic but more mystical appeal. Yup I am in love with it. In fact, I want to add a little more gold folio as it is missing in some spots. I have to paint the spots where the gold foil is on where I don’t want it to be. I won’t do that till I have the gold paint. 

I included a black and white photo tucked in a small envelope which I glued into the book, and I also added a note on the outside of the envelope. I had taken acorns from a grave and I wanted to show acknowledgement of that. I included a black and white photo of a scene in Mount Ollivet cemetery here in Halifax. I have to write more poems! 

Well I tried the gold foil adhesive. I think I need to get a better adhesive for the gold foil to stick. I just googled to apply gold foil to paper and got twenty different results but I will be right back to tell you about the method that worked best for me. Ok so gold foil does NOT work for me. Since Halifax went from spooky October to white winder wonderland in 24 hours, I’m going to paint the frame gold tomorrow with gold acrylic paint. I have to buy the paint but yeah I am sure that will work better. After taking all this care to make the book, I don’t want to mess up now. I will wait and I am sure the gold paint will work. 

Stay tuned to find out how that worked for me. 

Blessings, Spiderwitch 

 

 

 

 

 

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My fave horror authors!! )O(

Merry meet all,

I love my new spooky  shower curtain from Killstar. The curtain came with black shower rings for hanging it up. I could not ask for more. The bland white shower curtain I will give to my Mom. She likes white and I love black. We are so different. I mean very different from each other. I am waiting for a pair of Dark Lord slippers to be delivered today’s also bought from Killstar. The slippers arrived! The Dark Lord shall keep my feet warm this winter!!! 

I can’t wait for my slippers. My feet are shivering! Speaking of shivering, the Wheel of the Year turns to the Winter Solstice. I can’t believe it is that time of year. I have decided I will set up my goth tree.  I made some cute gnome ornaments last year. I want to dig them out this year. 

I totally binge watched the Wednesday series on Netflix. I was blown away by the show. Wow,  I love it. Let’s not leave out Krampus. 

I want to sew a lot of kitty catnip pouches and donate them to an animal shelter. I bought cute fabric the colour of pink or lavender. The fabric has a cute cat print on it and is made of flannel. I’m going to buy a huge amount of catnip to stuff the pouches with. I can’t wait to donate them. I plan to sew the pouches at my Mom’s. If I do it here, Penny will never let me get anything done. Yeah cats love catnip, which is why this will work. 

Giving is important at this time of year. I feel like Santa Paws, donating hand sewn items to an animal shelter. Every one of those cats (and dogs) wants a home. I hope to brighten their days they spend at the shelter, hoping against hope they will be adopted. I am sure the donations are appreciated by the staff and hopefully the kitties will love the pouches too. I may add some doggy bones for their canine pals too. 

I want to post about the horror authors I truly admire: Tim Waggoner. I love this author. Waggoner is contemporary and is so good, keeping horror at the forefront for readers and making horror relevant!!! I admire him very much, so amazing and down to earth. 

Tim Waggoner’s latest novel is titled We will Rise. I can’t wait to read it. I love books in print. I am not a Kindle chick. I will buy it on Amazon or Indigo. The book is about a ghost apocalypse. I am so intrigued! 

‘He’s the author of the acclaimed horror-writing guide Writing in the Dark, which won the Bram Stoker Award in 2021. He won another Bram Stoker Award in 2021 in the category of short nonfiction for his article “Speaking of Horror,” and in 2017 he received the Bram Stoker Award in Long Fiction for his novella The Winter Box. In addition, he’s been a multiple finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award and the Scribe Award, and a one-time finalist for the Splatterpunk Award. In addition to writing, he’s also a full-time tenured professor who teaches creative writing and composition at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio.’ Credit given to http://www.scottedelman.com/2022/12/02/tim-waggoner/

I have Tim Waggoner’s book Writing in the Dark which won a Bram Stoker Award. Writing in the Dark is an awesome textbook Writing in the Dark.  I  love it! He also did a follow up on Writing in the Dark with a workbook. I have both and I do use them for my own writing. If you are serious about writing, horror specifically, you will find these books most valuable. It is chock full of writing advice and tips you could find it hard to get elsewhere. He also offers advice from many other authors, not just him. I love that the other authors are included. Most books don’t offer that. This makes the book far more awesome. 

I am so happy that Waggoner authors are publishing books like these. I recently penned a novella. I hope to get it published. I nominated Tim Waggoner for a Bram Stoker Award. I believe he deserves it. He is so cool too. Maybe someday I can meet him. I hope he continues to publish such amazing books. Well I want that too. I think my writing path is easier and brighter with Tim Waggoner! We are all a global community and we can support each other in our writing. 

Blessings, Spiderwitch 

 

http://www.scottedelman.com/2022/12/02/tim-waggoner/

 

 

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StokerCon 2022

Merry meet all,

StokerCon is only 2 days away. I am so excited!!! I stocked the pantry and want to tidy up, but I would say I am mostly prepared. Polar Borealis just released their newest issue #21. Polar Borealis contains my poem, ‘The Frightened Spirit’, in the online magazine. Here is the link to it: https://polarborealis.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/POLAR-BOREALIS-21-May-2022.pdf  

Enjoy! 

I want to tell you, dear readers, all about StokerCon in this post. StokerCon is the annual convention hosted by the Horror Writers Association wherein the Bram Stoker Awards for superior achievement in horror writing are awarded.

‘In 2022, when May rolls around and we gather in Denver for StokerCon®, the convention will have a new look. For the first time, we will offer three different experiences: the typical in-person event, a simultaneously held virtual convention hosted on Hopin (similar to 2021), and a combination in-person and virtual experience.

We learned valuable lessons from StokerCon® 2021 about the benefits of a virtual convention. We expanded our access to attendees throughout the world. The “hang out bars” gave us a way to reconnect after a year of lockdowns and cancelled events. We mitigated somewhat the time zone concerns by posting recorded panels, readings, and presentations. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

After some discussion, we decided to continue the virtual offering in addition to our regular in-person convention. But why an in-person and virtual option?

By offering a joint in-person and virtual option, we expand the programming offerings and the options by which attendees choose to participate. The virtual platform will host panels different from the in-person event, along with an expanded list of author readings, all prerecorded so you can view them during breaks in the Denver event. We hope to live stream certain Denver panels (to the extent our technology will allow) for our virtual attendees, but also record them, and make them viewable for everyone on Hopin. Have friends who could not travel to Denver but who will be present virtually? The “hang out bars” will return!

Here’s the real benefit, though. In 2021, we ran an encore of the virtual convention. We will do the same for 2022. Too busy during Denver to check out the virtual content or attend all the panels? You will have time after you return home to see it all and catch up on what you missed.

Our goal is to present the most robust programming coupled with the widest access for all who wish to attend or participate. We felt these three options helped us achieve that goal to its fullest potential.

Stay safe and healthy.

We hope to see you in Denver in 2022. 

James Chambers and Brian Matthews

Co-Chairs, StokerCon® 2022′

Credit given to: https://www.stokercon.com/post/stokercon-2022-the-hybrid-convention

The main events at StokerCon are the Final Frame Short Horror Film Competition, the Bram Stoker Awards, the Ann Radcliffe Academic conference, author signings and readings, and the panel discussions. I intend to enjoy every moment of it with a few glasses of nice red wine. Oh yes indeed! I will post all about it here when it’s over. So stay tuned! 

My seedlings are doing well. It won’t be long when I can plant them outside. I have a few weeks yet. I have a feeling this may be my best garden year yet. 

Me, bored? Nah

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Spring Tides

Merry meet all,

Happy Earth Day!!! Every single day should be Earth Day, in my opinion. But I am glad to celebrate it today. I’m sipping herbal tea. I have no lights turned on, the kettle is unplugged. Well OK I’m on the computer but I have to be to type this post. I watered my many green seedlings this morning. My kitty is perched on a pile of papers, watching everything that moves. Mmmm this herbal tea of chamomile, meadowsweet, lemon balm, passionflower and vervain is delicious! 

I successfully completed the latest section on the nervous system in the Intermediate Course with a perfect grade – 100%! I have other good news. My poem, The Frightened Spirit, is slated to be published in the upcoming issue of Polar Borealis #21! I’m attending StokerCon 2022 which is on May 12-15th and I can’t wait! I even submitted an author reading of me reading my published short story The Grimm Pumpkin. This is all good news. 

I have to practice my botanical drawings more. Once spring really is here, and flowers are in bloom, like when the weather actually warms up and stays warm, I will draw more. Spring in Nova Scotia is like an extended winter season. The Herbal Academy wants me to go foraging. It’s not time here for that yet. I’ll be patient. Speaking of wild flowers, the sunny flowers are coltsfoot not dandelion. I thought they were dandelions but my app identified them as coltsfoot. They are two different plants. Dandelion is safe to consume and coltsfoot has a toxin. 

This website says more about it here: 

Coltsfoot preparations have liver toxic alkaloids that may have the potential to cause cancer. Some sources, such as RX List, report that “Coltsfoot is considered UNSAFE. It contains chemicals called hepatotoxic (toxic to the liver) pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) that can damage the liver or cause cancer.”Mar 22, 2020
I’m mentioning this to show you how easily one plant can be mistaken for another. I use the app Seek to aid me in identifying plants. I almost harvested the coltsfoot but I may be reluctant to do so now. There is insufficient evidence to support whether it is a safe herb to consume. I hope the bees enjoy coltsfoot. Power to them!
A book came in the mail that I am so excited to get to read. The book’s titled Poltergeist: A New Investigation into Destructive Haunting by John Fraser. This book focuses way more on poltergeists than on ghosts. The author aims to prove the existence of the more noisy spooky poltergeists. I think I will enjoy this book. That debate can go on for forever. It is hard to prove both exist let alone one over the other. The book is nonfiction. 
I hope you all enjoy spring. Blessings to all, Spiderwitch

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