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.

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Fun Panel at SF Comic Con

(l-r) K.M. Riley, Mark London Williams, Jerry Knaak, and Samantha Heuwagen take part in a panel discussion at the 2018 SF Comic Con.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to take part in an intimate panel discussion on fresh takes in science fiction, horror and dystopian fiction with three fellow authors from my publishing house, Trifecta Publishing House, at the 2018 SF Comic Con at the Oakland Convention Center in downtown Oakland, Calif..

Samantha Heuwagen (Dawn Among the Stars) made the trip from Atlanta and we were joined by K.M. Riley (Fever Rising) and Mark London Williams (Max Random and the Zombie 500).  On Saturday, Mark and Samantha joined me at Sláinte in Jack London Square in Oakland for an episode of the Get the Knaak podcast. Sláinte is an Irish pub with a literary theme and features a giant portrait of Oscar Wilde on the wall.

The four of us enjoyed discussing our books, our processes, and a lively Q&A session. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and it’s always good to spend time with kindred spirits and reach new readers.

The journey as a novelist takes many twists and turns and attending and participating in events like this are worthwhile attractions along the way.

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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Thank you, Arden Fair!

Yours truly at the Arden Fair Barnes & Noble on Saturday, May 26, 2018, which just happened to be World Dracula Day.

This past Saturday, the Arden Fair Barnes & Noble hosted a book signing for yours truly, it was my second such event at that store. I have enjoyed my two best book signing sale days at this location. The staff is courteous and helpful, and the customers are wonderful.

Many people stopped by to chat, and even if they didn’t purchase, many walked away with a postcard or a bookmark. Both The Dark Truth and The Dark Descent were available and I was stunned by how many folks purchased both books.

The event coincided with World Dracula Day – the anniversary of the first publication of one of my greatest influences, Dracula by Bram Stoker, May 26, 1897. I didn’t plan it that way but it’s heady stuff to be signing copies of your vampire novels on the anniversary of the publication of this seminal work.

Thank you, Arden Fair Barnes & Noble. I hope to do another event with you.

More events are planned. I still have three on the calendar. I will be at the Modesto, Calif., Barnes & Noble for the second time this Saturday starting at noon.

Then, on Sunday, June 10 at 3 p.m., I will be part of a panel discussion with fellow authors Samantha Heuwagen, K.M. Riley and Mark London Williams at the San Francisco Comic Con at the Oakland Convention Center in downtown Oakland, Calif.

The last event currently on the calendar is a book signing event at the Dublin, Calif., Barnes & Noble along the I-580 corridor at Hacienda Crossings.

Please come out to one of my events, I’d love to see you. Pick up a signed copy of one of my books and chat vampires, Gothic horror, literature, or just stop and say “hi.”

Book Tour for The Dark Descent Continues

The book tour in support of my second novel, The Dark Descent, continues this weekend in Sacramento. This will be my second appearance at the Arden Fair Barnes & Noble. The first, which took place back in February, was my first signing event ever. Head over to the Where to Buy page and find out how to get your copies of my books if you can’t make the events.

Return Engagement in Sacramento

I’ll be at the Arden Fair Mall Barnes & Noble location this Saturday, starting at 11:00 a.m. Come out and get a copy of my new book, The Dark Descent, and get it signed. I met some great folks the last time and I look forward to meeting many more. Of course, you can order the book ahead of time and bring it with you! Copies of my first novel, The Dark Truth, will also be available.

Saturday, May 26
11:00 a.m.
Barnes & Noble
1725 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95815

And, a Return Engagement in Modesto

Can’t make it to Sacramento? Come out to the Modesto, Calif., Barnes & Noble Saturday,  June 2, starting at Noon and get a signed copy of The Dark Descent. Copies of The Dark Truth will also be available. Order ahead of time and bring them with you to get them signed! This will be my second signing event at the Modesto Barnes & Noble.

Saturday, June 2
Noon
Barnes & Noble
Promenade Shopping Center
3501 McHenry Avenue Suite E
Modesto, CA 95356

SF Comic Con

I’ll be joined by fellow Trifecta Publishing House authors Samantha Heuwagen, K.M. Riley, and Mark London Williams on a panel about new trends in science fiction and horror literature at the SF Comic Con at the Oakland Convention Center in downtown Oakland on Sunday, June 10 from 3 – 4 p.m. Get tickets now and plan to attend!

From the Comic Con panel schedule document:

3 FROM TRIFECTA: WEST COAST IMPRINT, BAY AUTHORS, NEW TWISTS ON SF &
HORROR
3:00pm – 4:00pm // Rm. 205
Three Bay Area authors, from new West Coast imprint Trifecta Publishing, talk about their new book releases, featuring S.F.-based vampires, L.A.-based zombies, and a near-future U.S. in dystopic disarray. Jerry Knaak, YA author Mark London Williams, and K.M. Riley will hold forth on current releases, and dark tales to come, with late-breaking bonus panelist Samantha Heuwagen expanding the conversation to the very cosmos itself.

Sunday, June 10
3 – 4 p.m.
SF Comic Con
Oakland Convention Center
550 10th St.
Oakland, CA 94607

The Dark Descent Book Tour Underway

Left to right: Mike Esola, yours truly and K.M. Riley at Barnes & Noble in Emeryville, Calif.

The promotional tour around northern California in support of my second novel, The Dark Descent, is underway.

I had a great time at Barnes & Noble Bay Street in Emeryville, Calif., with fellow authors K.M. Riley and Mike Esola. Riley is a labelmate with Trifecta Publishing House. It was a lot of fun participating in my first panel discussion as a published author and I hope to be a part of many more as part of this new vocation. Thank you to Barnes & Noble for hosting the event, and to Esola and Riley for sharing their wisdom and insight.

The next panel I will be a part of takes place Sunday, June 10, at the San Francisco Comic Con at the Oakland Convention Center in downtown Oakland. I will be joined by fellow Trifecta Publishing House authors Mark London Williams, K.M. Riley, and Samantha Heuwagen. We will get to rub elbows with some great folks in the entertainment industry and I’m looking forward to once again discussion something I am very passionate about.

More information about this opportunity is on the way very soon.

I also have three book signing events coming up and I am working on a TV appearance. Head over to the upcoming events page to find out what’s on tap.

Book Tour Part Deux

I’ll be back at the Modesto Barnes & Noble on Saturday, June 2 at Noon.

The book tour in support of my second novel, The Dark Descent, is really starting to heat up. I currently have four events confirmed, with another big announcement for a fifth coming very soon. My weekends this spring and summer are going to be very busy.

This Saturday, I’ll be at the Bay Street Barnes & Noble location in Emeryville along with fellow authors K.M. Riley and Mike Esola. Riley, a published author,  is a Trifecta Publishing House labelmate and was recent guest on my podcast. Esola has written several novels. We’ll be taking part in a panel discussion on fiction writing, publishing and the creative process. The event starts at 2:00 p.m.

On Saturday, May 12, I’ll be at the Folsom, Calif., Barnes & Noble location. I’ve never been to this store and I have only driven through Folsom so this will be a new experience for me. That event starts at 2:00 p.m. also.

The next two just locked in and they are return engagements with Barnes & Noble stores where I had two of my first signings. I really do appreciate their support.

On Saturday, May 26, I’ll be back at the Arden Fair Barnes & Noble in Sacramento, the site of my first-ever book signing event. That event begins at 11:00 a.m.

And, on Saturday, June 2, the Modesto Barnes & Noble beckons once more. That signing starts at Noon.

The Dark Descent is the sequel to my debut novel, The Dark Truth, which dropped last November. I am in work on the third in The Dark Passage Series, The Dark Terror. Head over to the Books page to learn more about the title.

Check out the Upcoming Events page for more details and visit the Where to Buy page to find out how to order copies of my books.

The Dark Descent Pre-Sale Has Begun

The Dark Descent, the sequel to The Dark Truth, is now available for pre-order for your Amazon Kindle device for just $2.99.

It is also available to pre-order in select e-book formats as well.

More formats and the trade paperback will be available for pre-order in the coming days.

The official release date for the book is Monday, April 23.

Follow my author page on Facebook or my Twitter feed for up-to-the-minute information on how to order.

In this dark, twisted tale from Trifecta Publishing House of Port Angeles, Wash., ex-San Francisco public relations professional turned vampire Elizabeth Rubis may have escaped her rocky prison in an abandoned coal mine, but trouble keeps following her bloody trail as a new enemy has emerged – an actual church-trained vampire hunter. As Elizabeth discovers new supernatural powers along the way, she continues to evolve into a true demon of the night.

The official release date for The Dark Descent is April 23, 2018, and it will be available in trade paperback and e-book as well as the aforementioned Amazon Kindle format.

And don’t forget to join me, and fellow authors K.M. Riley and Michael Esola for a panel discussion about fiction writing and publishing, and a book signing, at the Emeryville, Calif., Barnes & Noble location on Saturday, April 28, at 2:00 p.m. PT. It promises to be a lot of fun.

Next Leg of Book Tour Warming Up; Join Me and Two Great Authors for a Panel Discussion

Several book signing events are in the works as The Dark Descent gets ready to go to print. I am very excited about the release of my second novel, the sequel to The Dark Truth. I hope you are too as we learn Elizabeth’s fate.

I am very excited to announced the next confirmed event – a panel discussion with two published authors, one of whom is my Trifecta Publishing House labelmate K.M. Riley. Amazon bestselling author Michael Esola will join us to discuss fiction writing and publishing. We’ll also have a book signing.

K.M. Riley, a recent guest on the Get the Knaak podcast, is the author of the recently released Fever Rising. Michael Esola’s latest novel is called Hybrid, and it dropped last August.

Join us Saturday, April 28 at 2:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Emeryville!