Drum Roll Please: Presenting the Cover and Release Date for The Dark Terror

For the third time in two years I have the distinct pleasure in making a book release announcement and a cover reveal. I revel in all aspects of the writing and publishing process and I must admit, the cover reveal is almost as exciting as publish day. I am proud to announce that Book Three – The Dark Passage Series, The Dark Terror, is set to release on March 18, 2019. I frankly can’t wait.

I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to write three novels in less than three years. The Dark Terror represents the conclusion(?) of a trilogy of dark, gritty, bloody vampire tales set in modern-day San Francisco. I have a created a character I have grown to love, respect, cherish, and even fear. Elizabeth Danae Rubis is a reflection of yours truly, dare I say an alter ego. She is a foul-mouthed vampire with an acerbic wit and an unquenchable thirst. She has learned, changed and grown much during her evolution. I have been walking around in her skin for the better part of three years and she has been a lot of fun to write. Her fate you ask? You’ll have to read the book.

Thank you to my publisher, Trifecta Publishing House of Port Angeles, Wash., this cover is the best of the three is I do say so myself.

The Dark Truth and The Dark Descent are on sale now. Get ready for the final installment, The Dark Terror, coming March 18, 2019!

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The Dark Terror … is … done

I am very happy to announce that as of 10:50 p.m. PT on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, principal writing for The Dark Terror, Book Three – The Dark Passage Series, is complete. Current word count is 60,713 but I am sure that will change before I send it off to my publisher, Trifecta Publishing House, for editing and formatting.

“I am Elizabeth Danae Rubis and I am the Queen of the Fucking Night!”

This truly has been a labor of love. These three books – The Dark Truth, The Dark Descent, and The Dark Terror – mark my first true and honest foray into fiction writing. I have put so much of myself into these books, more than I realized. The writing has been therapeutic, cathartic, nerve racking, goosebump inducing, and stress relieving – never boring, never tedious (even plowing through the scenes that had to be written just to advance the plot), always fun, always exciting.

I started with a premise and character. Elizabeth Danae Rubis. I called on my knowledge of vampire lore and the vampire in pop culture to weave a three-volume tale set in modern-day San Francisco that will, to borrow a phrase, “thrill you, chill you and fulfill you.” It is decadent and depraved. There is plenty of murder and mayhem, twists and turns, heartbreak and betrayal and blood, lots and lots of blood.

The first book, The Dark Truth, was named after a beer. And that dark truth is a stark realization of a new existence and coming to grips with that new reality. The second reflects that descent into the deeper darkness, the evolution of the character and self awareness. The Dark Terror is just that – just when you think the story couldn’t go any deeper, any darker, it does.

I was over the moon when I found out The Dark Truth was a finalist for the International Vampire Films and Arts Festival’s Golden Stake Award for vampire fiction.

People have asked me why a vampire story, where did I get the idea, why a female vampire, how did I get into vampires? I always thought that if I was going to write a book, it would be a vampire story. I have been into vampires since I was very young. I love Gothic horror. I have always been enthralled with the idea of a strong female lead vampire character. So many in the genre have been men.

Vampires are eternal, sexy, seductive, and powerful. There are so many traits that draw us to these creatures, the undead. Who wouldn’t want to live forever? Command the children of the night? Terrorize our enemies with impunity and no consequence? Possess unlimited strength?

Yet the vampire has weaknesses and determined enemies. It is the struggle between good and evil, between the light and the dark, that draws us to these stories.

Bram Stoker created the ultimate villain and defined a genre with his seminal Dracula. It is my privilege to add to that canon. I hope you find my three tales of neo-Gothic horror worthy.

Thank you for your support, everyone. Stay tuned for cover art reveals and a release date.

Second Book Tour Comes to a Close

Yours truly at the Dublin, Calif., Barnes & Noble.

The book tour in support of my second novel, The Dark Descent, wrapped up yesterday with a signing event at the Dublin, Calif., Barnes & Noble store. Geographically, this store is centrally located and offered the best opportunity for friends and colleagues to stop by. Several did just that. So, thank you to the Cortez family, the Griffin-Bailey family, Wayne Deboe, Bill Soliday and Tony Khing for coming by, picking up a book or two and supporting my writing endeavors.

Since The Dark Descent’s release on April 23, I participated in two panel discussions and four signings. I sold dozens of books, handed out just as many bookmarks and postcards, and met even more folks. During the past two months, my first novel, The Dark Truth, was a finalist for the International Vampire Arts and Film Festival’s Golden Stake vampire literature award.

I’ve also had the opportunity to meet and hang out with some groovy authors – K.M. Riley, Mike Esola, Mark London Williams, and Samantha Heuwagen. It’s been great to get to know folks who share my passion for fiction writing. It’s also good to know that we are experiencing the same trial and tribulations as we begin our journeys, kick start existing careers or change directions along the way.

There have been some funny moments as well.

I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of the wonderful folks who have stopped by to chat, buy a book, take a postcard or just say “hi.” If you did take a postcard I hope you do decide to purchase and give The Dark Passage series a shot.

Different things work for different people when it comes to indie or small house book marketing. Some writers buy ads on social media platforms or Amazon, some send press releases to various publications, some make appearances on radio, television and podcasts. Some do readings. Some do all of these things and more. I have explored numerous avenues trying to get my books to readers. I have found that I enjoy book signings at Barnes & Noble stores as part of my marketing campaign.

I’m still finding way through these sometimes murky waters and those of you who have decided to take a chance on me and my novels because of a conversation we had at a bookstore – I thank you. And I’d like to thank everyone who has bought and read the books so far, my friends and colleagues who have come out to support, and those folks who stopped by just to see what it was all about.

You never know, I just may take the next book tour out of Northern California.

Goose Egg on First Award

Unfortunately, I came up empty for the International Vampire Film and Arts Festival Golden Stake Literary Awards for vampire fiction literature. Congratulations to the winners.

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Golden Stake Award Finalist

Some weeks ago, I submitted The Dark Truth for The Golden Stake Award, the vampire fiction literary award of the Vampire Arts Festival, which is now currently happening in Transylvania.

I learned this evening that I am a finalist for this award.

I am beyond excited! I very much would love to win this award, but to be among the six finalists for this genre-specific award is truly thrilling. Unfortunately, the timing and expense such as it is, I was unable to even consider attending this event.

Conferences, festivals and conventions are next for me for it comes to my fiction writing endeavors. I have enjoyed a modicum of success when it comes to book signing events and panel discussions. Now, I need to make the rounds at genre-specific events and horror writing confabs.

Winning this award would send me over the moon. Wish me luck.

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