Haunting

After I got hooked on author Douglas Clegg's online difference game for his new novel, Isis, I had to buy the book. Knowing Doug, I had the feeling it would be the perfect read for Halloween week, and sure enough, it was.

After her British father goes off on a war assignment, Iris Villiers and her family move from America to the Villers ancestral home in Cornwall, where they deal with a crazy grandfather, old spooky local legends and a seriously scary family burial ground called The Tombs. While Iris finds plenty to love and hate about her new home, she's also curious about the ghost stories, fantastic myths and stern warnings issued by the locals, particularly about the terrible things that have happened at The Tombs. Real life turns out to be far more grim for Iris, however, when a terrible accident changes everything and gives her the ability to speak with the dead.

I love Doug Clegg's work, and Isis is one of his more haunting tales of the supernatural. Glenn Chadbourne's superb illustrations mesh perfectly with Doug's beautiful writing, and the result is a story that resonates with secrets, sorrow and spine-shivering tragedy.

But as always, you don't have to take my word for it. In comments to this post, name a scary, spooky or supernatural book that you love to read at Halloween (or if you spend your night trick-or-treating, just toss your name in the hat) by midnight EST on Saturday, October 31, 2009. I'll draw five names at random from everyone who participates and send the winners an unsigned hardcover copy of Isis by Douglas Clegg along with a signed copy of my latest paperback release, Shadowlight. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.

Isis & iPod

It's official, Kat has H1N1, which of course was not the news we wanted to hear, but we'll cope. She didn't have a great morning today, but she rallied this afternoon and kept down some solid food. I'm cautiously optimistic that she's over the worst of this bug. Thanks to everyone for all the e-mails and thoughts and prayers.

On a happier note, author Douglas Clegg has a new book out, Isis, which was the inspiration for the very cool Isis online difference game we've all been playing (it's way fun and highly addictive, but does have music, so if you're at work turn off your speakers first before giving it a whirl.) My high score so far is 777, probably because I keep messing up on the skeletons in armor page.

Doug's publisher is also having a neat contest to celebrate the launch:

We're giving away an orange iPod Nano and a copy of Isis by Douglas Clegg to one grand prize winner . . . There will also be 10 runner-ups who'll receive a free copy of Isis. Winners will be randomly drawn on November 2nd, 2009. Don't be afraid to enter...you just might win!!

According to the contest rules it is limited to U.S. and Canada residents over age 13 (sorry, my overseas pals.) Also, on the form you do have to answer a question about a character in the novel, so obviously you'll need to have read it, or be very good guesser.

To enter the Isis & iPod contest, go to the online entry form here.

Isis the Game

I'm still off crying over editing my book. I know, I know, but I've been through a couple of divorces that weren't this tough.

Elsewhere there is more online entertainment to be found that doubles as powerful and fun book promotion: Isis the Game. Author Doug Clegg arranged this difference game for the release of a new illustrated edition of Isis the Book, but it's not like any promo I've ever seen. It's actually fun to play.

Do be warned that Isis the Game is highly addictive, and that the link to the game opens with its spooky and fascinating music enabled, so if you're at work turn off your speakers before you check it out.

Hey, They're Signed, Too

Welcome to the politics-free weblog of Paperback Writer. Here we discuss books, writing and Publishing. Comments from armchair economists who feel we should be instead bickering with them will be rejected after I'm done passing them around to some friends and having a good laugh. P.S., all small children left unattended will be given an expresso and a free puppy.

Now that I've addressed that little issue, on to the more important stuff. My regular visitors will remember that I mentioned last week that I had ordered the deluxe print edition of Douglas Clegg's novel Afterlife from Cemetery Dance.

In fact I ordered two copies, one for me and one to give away here. They arrived promptly today, beautifully packaged by the folks at Cemetery Dance, who have so impressed me with their service, their product and the pristine handling of my shipment that I think I'll write them a fan letter. Publishers never get many of those.

Also (big surprise, as I missed this detail on the sale page) both copies of the book are signed by the author. Now I'm imagining Doug sitting there and signing 1250 copies, and just thinking about it makes my hands hurt. Doug deserves a fan letter, too.

As for you guys, in comments to this post, tell us the title and author of the book you're currently reading (or if you've hit a reading dry spell, just toss your name in the hat) by midnight EST tonight (Tuesday, September 30, 2008.) I'll draw one name at random from everyone who participates and send the winner a signed, limited edition copy of Afterlife by Douglas Clegg and a signed ARC of Stay the Night, my seventh and final novel in the current Darkyn series. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something at PBW in the past.

The First Free Novel of Fall

One of my favorite dark fantasy/horror/vampire fiction writers, Douglas Clegg, is making his novel Afterlife free to read online at Scribd* for a limited time (or, if you'd rather have it in print like me, you can purchase the deluxe hardcover edition from Cemetery Dance Publications here.)

This is the first time I've ordered books from Cemetery Dance, actually, and I'm impressed. They didn't slut themselves all over me or bug me to buy more stuff like the online chain booksellers do. They didn't offer me a gift card to sign up for their credit card with the sky-rocketing rate, or 40% off Oprah's latest nit-lit-pick, or try to tell me what else I should buy from them by making unsolicited suggestions.

Nope, it was all very simple and clean: click, order, fill out the ship-to-bill-to and pay. That's all, just like in the old days of buying stuff on the internet. Made me tear up a little, to be honest. Thank you, Cemetery Dance.

*Note 9/3/10: Since Scribd.com instituted an access fee scam to charge people for downloading e-books, including those I have provided for free for the last ten years, I have removed my free library from their site, and no longer use or recommend using their service. My free reads may be read online or downloaded for free from Google Docs; go to my freebies and free reads page for the links. See my post about this scam here.