What to read? Maybe a new catt dahman book...it's a weird western...Doc Holliday and the boys fight blood suckers when they aren't involved in gun fights. Try Wild Boys.  Maybe you want a top seller like Mark Woods' Fish story. Missing zombies? Get After and entertain yourself until the return of THE WALKING DEAD. Oh a chill is what you like? Try Amanda's book and you will feel haunted.

Have a look at our books and use the handy catalog or go to Amazon.com for ebooks an print! 

     I have taken a side about small presses (and Indie writers) vs. the Big 5, and my side is clear right? But the reasons may not be. I keep saying this and people don't get it unless they have been there. Okay. Hilary RC was paid millions in advance for her book of memoirs. The book tanked. If the Big 5 signed me,I would get nothing or a tiny advance and tank as well...because I am a nobody. Unless a celeb reads me and it goes viral, I am forgotten. (If the above happens, I may be laughed at even if I make a fortune. Go figure) Why? Guess what? All BIG book deals do not equal a good read. 
     I like some. I read S. King and a few others, but more and more, I read small press and Indie books. Why? quality. Heart. Because they are good stories that entertain me. I make enough with a small press and as an Indie to write full time. I could not eat, let alone survive long if I waited for a Big 5 to take me. Meanwhile, I entertain, disturb, and affect people.
     Below is my review of a reader with JEA Press. Her name is Amanda Lyons.
   Give her a try, or try one of the many other authors we believe in. See if you think that small press authors rock. I think you'll agree. I feel one day, we will all be reading Amanda's books and yelling for more. Take that big companies!

     Wendy Won't Go is available alone and with Mark Woods' bonus stories. Amanda Lyons is an unusual writer. I don't mean she looks funny (because she is very lovely), and I don't mean she does strange things. I mean she has a fresh way of writing. Her prose are strong but they are flowing and beautiful and she has a way of making the reader feel safe and as if the story is going one way. Then, Amanda pulls the rug and the story hits home. HARD. Sometimes I feel she needs a warning for her writing. She makes readers uncomfortable. She is real. She scares people because she sneaks up from behind. 
     Read her novella. Her novel is coming soon.
     I don't care for vampire novels. I say that a lot. However, let me make three points. I collaborated on Feral Hearts with Amanda, and several others to include Edward Cardillo. It is a vampire tale with BITE. Second, I like William Bove's story, Once Upon A Grave. (Reason? Because it is very different and the detail is stunning). Third, Amanda's new novel, Eyes Like Blue Fire reminds me of Interview With A Vampire, but it cuts to the quick faster, it's got more back story and heart, and it is very...unusual. There is that word again. Sorry. There is no way to explain. She will hook you, and never let you go. That is what I like. 
     Two authors and a collaboration resurrected vampires for me. Think on that. A Big 5 made me forsake the sub-genre and swear off the undead biters forever because I feared sparkles. Three books brought me back. Yeah, that's fair.
     Meanwhile, I am reading Amanda....
    

Other covers  Susan has designed

What genre(s) do you write in and why?

                My normal genre of choice is horror.  However, I do dabble in fantasy/adventure and sci-fi.  For me, horror is a fantastic outlet to vent the frustrations of life.  It can symbolize a negative aspect of my life, community happenings, or even the world within a character’s actions, as well as his or her demise.  The same applies to fantasy/adventure and sci-fi.  

What is FINAL REVERIE about both on the surface and down deep?

                On the surface, FINAL REVERIE is about the bond between friends and desire to seek out adventure in many forms.  Down deep, FINAL REVERIE is about the hardships we are dealt in life, and the need to work together to succeed rather than experience defeat.  It also shows us that we must sometimes make sacrifices in order to be victorious in our ventures.  It also tells us that there may have been mistakes in the past, but we should not let them define who we will be, instead we are in control of our futures.

What inspired this?

                Originally, I was inspired by the bond between a child and his or her pet.  We tend to treat our pets as though they are human, both in the way we talk to them and treat them.  One of the strongest bonds we have is with our pets.  The story was floating around in my mind for a while, without an actual plot to give it form.  However, an open call with an anthology focused on the Hero’s Best friend, instead of the hero himself.  I took the opportunity to submit to the anthology and my short story was accepted.  With the blessing of the publisher, I worked diligently for over a year to reform the short story into a full novel.  In the process, the story went through many changes.  The characters took on different names and personalities, the world in which they live was expanded beyond the glimpse that was given in the short story, and the overall theme was changed as well.  In the end, the short story took on a life of its own and became what it is today.

Who is the main character?

                There are actually two main characters within the novel.  The first is Franklyn, a human adolescent that loves to journey the land and assist those that are threatened by those that use magic for evil.  He is skilled in swordsmanship, and is mature beyond his years, although he still likes to joke around every once in a while. 

                The second main character is Franklyn’s closest friend, Chij (pronounced: Chee).  Chij is a wolf with the blessing of speech.  Since magic has made a return to the world, Chij’s family has been blessed with the gift, as have many animals.  He met Franklyn when they were both babies and have been side by side ever since.  They think of themselves as brothers, instead of master and pet.  

What was difficult about penning this?

                The most difficult thing about penning this novel was finding the time to write.  I outlined the entire novel as part of an assignment with the Institute of Children’s Literature, where I graduated with a diploma.  As part of my last assignment, I wrote the first three chapters of the book.  However, it was nearly a year before I was able to collect enough time to actually finish the book, then another few months to go back through and work on initial edits.  Since then, I have developed a routine with my writing, working it into my weekly schedule to ensure I do not lose touch with the projects I am working on.

What is difficult for you as a writer?

                Other than finding time, I find outlining to be the most difficult.  Not that it is hard to do, but I tend to put too much thought into it, so I put it off.  The outline for FINAL REVERIE took me a record three days to finish.  However, a couple other books that I am attempting to outline have taken me months just to start because I want it to be as detailed as possible, even though I rarely stick to the details I put into it.  The outline for FINAL REVERIE, that I used daily, is now covered in doodles, coffee stains, and notes.  I find that I need to force myself to complete the outlines, or I will put it off far too long.