October is my favorite month of the year. I’ve made no secret about it. The temperatures suit me just fine, I like the Autumn colors, and seeing pumpkins everywhere. It’s the month of my birth, so maybe that’s part of the attraction. I think you can see how some of that influences my writing choices.
I’m about to go back on the road with a new book. I always try to have something for the Halloween season. It’s been a good month for me, year in and year out.
Somewhere along the way, I’ll give Entertaining Stories a facelift. Some kind of creepy background and an updated banner to help with my new story. By the time this goes live, I may have already done it. No firm commitment, but it’s happening.
All of my regulars have read at least some of my work, but there are new people surfing through all the time. Today’s post is to give you some samples, but sticking to the October theme.
Let’s start off with FREE. I appeared in an anthology along with some other great authors called Macabre Sanctuary. These are all dedicated to Halloween themed scary stories. You can’t really argue with free, and there are some great tales inside these covers.
There is another anthology with a science fiction bent called Quantum Wanderlust. As you might guess, this one is about time travel. It’s also FREE. Most of the speculative genres have found a home during Halloween, and I’ve had any number of robots and even a couple of Dr. Whos trick-or-treating at my house. In my story, the hero winds up exploring King Tut’s tomb, so you might see the tie.
Now we come to the 99¢ price point. I have several collections of my own at this price. Two of them are called The Experimental Notebook of C. S. Boyack. (One and two.) If you might be interested in the nefarious things magpies do, or ever wondered about the Soup Ladle of Destiny, this might be the collection for you. There’s even a nuclear murder in one book.
What I like about collections and anthologies is the ability to read an entire story while waiting at the DMV, or during lunch. The anthologies are a great way to find new authors you might enjoy.
Now we come to the novels. I price my novels at $2.99. I have several that fit the Halloween theme. Maybe you want to chase a demon through the jungles of Panama, or help Patty Hall solve the mystery of the Will O’ the Wisp before it kills her. You might prefer a more urban setting with a secret society out to stop a possessed businessman before he brain washes the nation’s children. If so, then The Playground is for you.
There are other titles, and if your imagination stretches to fantasy as a possible Halloween genre, I have some things you might consider. This post is already link heavy, so I won’t include individual titles.
I also have a series of short novels that fits the theme perfectly. These are short enough that you can read the whole story in an afternoon. I like the length, because sometimes we don’t have three days to read a longer piece. I’ve also worked pretty hard to keep you from having to read them in order. It’s possible to pick up any of them and not feel lost. I admit, I’m one of those who has to read in order, but you really won’t lose much if you don’t.
This is The Hat series. It’s about a hard working, twenty-something girl named Lizzie St. Laurent. She comes into possession of her grandfather’s old hat, but it’s not what you might expect. The hat is actually a being from another dimension who’s been trapped here by witchcraft. Together, they form a symbiotic relationship and take up monster hunting. It’s full of snark, dark humor, and a few scary moments along the way.
Book one, creatively titled The Hat, is the origin story. Lizzie and the hat take up a new case in Viral Blues, and it involves a team-up similar to some of the recent super-hero movies you all bought millions of tickets for.
I’m about to take my show on the road to promote The Ballad of Mrs. Molony. I’ve priced it at 99¢ to get it a good launch. It’s respectful of your time and your wallet for a while. You might even have a sinister laugh along the way.
Halloween 2020 is likely to be a shadow of its former self. Festivals, parties, and even trick-or-treating will be drastically stepped down. You can still curl up with a good book and have a good time. I hope you’ll consider some of my work when you do.
You are a writing machine, Craig. I am going to read the new anthology your are in during October. I can’t think what it’s called and I think I’ll also read Macabre Sanctuary. I am in the mood for short stories.
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I love short stories. Done well, they really have an impact in a small piece.
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Terrific post, Craig… and I’m glad you are enjoying the season!
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Thank you.
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Lots going on for you, Craig. Here’s to a great October and lots of book sales for you 🙂
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Thank you, Harmony.
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I love this time of year too. October has Halloween, and November is my birthday month (I missed being a Halloween baby by two weeks). Plus, I prefer cooler temperatures, and while pumpkin beer doesn’t appeal to me – I don’t drink alcahol – I do love pumpkin themed foods, like pumpkin spice cake, pumpkin pie, etc, and you can bet some pumpkin pie spice will be finding its way in to my smoothies and cocoa during October.
Book buying funds are tight right now, but I’ve been making sure I’d be able to grab your new book when it came out, so I just grabbed a copy of “The Ballad of Mrs. Molony” – the only book of yours I didn’t have. I’ll be reading and reviewing that one and the anthology that came out a few weeks back (which I grabbed when you announced it) at some point during October.
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We sound like kindred spirits. Funds are tight around here, and I love pumpkin everything myself. Thanks for taking a chance on the stories. Hope you enjoy them.
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You’re welcome. I’ve enjoyed your other books, so there’s a good chance of it. Will let you know when reviews are up.
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Congratulations on your new release!
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Thank you, Sharon.
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Do you know there are two full moons in October this year? One on Halloween!
October is also my favorite month and for the first time in years, we’re actually having fall weather. The temps are amazing.
Thanks for mentioning Macabre Sanctuary and Quantum Wanderlust. I enjoyed both books (not just because I’m included). May have to go back a read some of the other stories again.
Good luck with Mrs. Maloney.
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It was a Halloween themed post. Just because the anthologies have aged, doesn’t make them bad. Can’t argue with free. I love the blue moon for Halloween. A lunar obsessed author could have fun with that.
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Are you saying I’m obsessed? LOL I do love studying the moon and the phases.
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Ooh! TWO full moons? And one on Halloween? I love it! An auspicious portent:)
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Reblogged this on Legends of Windemere and commented:
Great tour and overview of what C.S. Boyack has to offer this Halloween season.
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Thank you, Charles.
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You’re welcome.
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This is a great overview post, Craig. And as much as I love summer, I’m a huge fan of October, too. I have The Ballad of Mrs. Molony waiting on my Kindle and hope the latest Hat and Lizzie adventure soon!
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Thank you, Mae. Now I have to get busy with all the promo.
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October is a great month. All the best on your promo.
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Thank you, sir.
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I have Macabre Sanctuary and Quantum Wanderlust on my Kindle. I’m going to look for your King Tut story. I’ve always loved stories exploring Egyptian tombs. Old curses can get plenty scary. This is a great overview of your writing. Hope you sell tons of books in October and from now on:)
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Thanks, Judi. I love this season, and others might find some seasonal reading from my backlist or current offerings.
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Great way to highlight your work, Craig. I love autumn, as well. The colors are glorious!
Congrats on your upcoming release!
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It’s such a wonderful time of year. I might catch someone looking for some seasonal reading. Nothing ventured and all that.
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I found there were two I didn’t have on my TBR list, so I added them.
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Wow! Thank you. Pick ones you’re interested in. I want you to enjoy them.
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I did 🙂
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One of my favorite times of the year also. Love everything creepy and spooky.
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Thanks, Teri. See you tomorrow.
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I love October, too. My birthday month also. Hello, fellow Libra!
I’ve loved several of your books. Today, BookBub sent me a notice of your sequel to The Hat. Congrats on your new book baby!
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Thank you. Not a Libra here. Scorpio is my sign.
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Great list. And I think you should have included all the links.
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Too many that weren’t October themed. I tried to have some focus.
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Lately, “focus” is not my forte.
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I get that.
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A very comprehensive summary of Boyack goodies! Just like Halloween 😁
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Thank you.
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