Get Ready for Chills: "Ghost Writer" Releases November 14th!

A tight deadline. A diabolical disappearance....

Is his tortured mind playing dirty tricks, or is he about to write himself into an early grave?

Joe Riley is desperate. Devastated by his recent divorce, the successful thriller author retreats to a remote cabin he’s inherited, hoping the quiet setting will cure his crippling writer’s block.

And though he’s briefly disturbed by strange noises in the night, the frustrated storyteller blames alcohol-induced memory loss when he discovers a stack of pages he can’t remember typing.

Searching for answers to his newfound inspiration, Joe learns of a long-vanished successful novelist … and is stunned to spot her specter working away at his desk.

As the stubborn forty-year-old researches his family’s connections to her tragic tale, he becomes aware of a sinister and brutal truth … even as he yields to her unearthly seduction.

Will refusing to confront his own demons see him penning his next masterpiece from six feet under?

Ghost Writer by Arjay Lewis is a dark and moody paranormal mystery that delves into the struggles of creativity. The story follows Joe Riley, a writer battling a debilitating writer's block. Seeking solitude, he retreats to an isolated cabin he has inherited, but soon discovers he is not alone. As Joe grapples with his creative demons, he is drawn into an eerie partnership with a ghost who becomes his unexpected co-author. Together, they embark on a journey that unravels a horrifying web of deceit and danger.

Presale from Amazon!

Early Reviews are in!

"A foreboding tale of horror and the torturous act of creation, Ghost Writer by Arjay Lewis is a smoldering story of isolation, dark secrets, and things that bump together in the night." "Unsettling, twisted, and layered with complexity, Lewis plunges readers into a mix of supernatural terror with the terror of creation, which evocatively explores how past trauma and present discomfit are deeply entwined with creative pursuits, resulting in a novel that transcends the ghost story genre by probing the ghost story genre itself."
    —Self-Publishing Review

"Author Arjay Lewis captivates the reader's mind and imagination with a well-delivered story inspired by the beyond. Ghost Writer is one of those stories that you will want to read in one sitting, totally absorbed in the journey, page after page."
    —Ronél Steyn for Readers’ Favorite

"Author Arjay Lewis's suspenseful, terrifying thriller had me sitting on the edge of my seat. There was never a dull moment in the story, and I enjoyed every second of it. I highly recommend Ghost Writer to readers who enjoy thrillers with a touch of horror."
    —Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite

"Ghost Writer by Arjay Lewis is a supernatural suspense novel that maintains intrigue throughout. I really enjoyed this supernatural mystery, with its constant surprises, tense moments, and a ghost who wants power and closure. If you like creative and chilling stories, I highly recommend this novel."
    —Peggy Jo Wipf for Reader’s Favorite

Alexandra Holzer: A Haunted Career

Alexandra Holzer is a multiple threat -- author, ghost hunter, and the daughter of the legendary paranormal investigator Hans Holzer. And you've probably seen her on the Travel Channel (or Hulu). 

Tell us a bit about your latest work.

My latest work involves development for television and film. I recently did an interview for a new show due out this fall. On the writing side of things, I have a new book in the works. Although it’s been a while since I’ve written for other publications over the course of the last 15 years — I’ve recently written some articles for UK’s Haunted Magazine.

What happened in your life that prompted you to become a writer?

My father was that inspiration for me as he was a prolific author and I grew up around books lining our living room walls. The subject matter diversified from the afterlife to herbal remedies. I began writing as a child in school and always did well in my English classes. I had an active imagination always creating characters and environments they would be in. I always thought it was neat to have the control and ability to take out a character if they were deserving of it. They could find themselves in such a demise that there was no way out. I also wrote children’s stories and when I became a mother — continued on that path of inspiration from my children. I write poetry as well.

What are the themes and subjects you tend to revisit in your work?

I tend to revisit the subject matter of the supernatural and otherworldly beings from other universes. Lately, I’ve been delving more into hidden history and not what they put out there currently. I’m talking about the history of who built energy towers that are found in places like Paris, which the narrative is to give it a name and story but not its true identity and its functional purpose. These “Eiffel Towers” are also found in Ohio and elsewhere. I’m talking about the lost civilization of Tartaria. I could go on. 

What would be your dream project?

My dream project would be to take what I’ve created a long time ago — tweaked here and there for either a documentary or a series on the vast field of the paranormal and the occult. 

What writers have influenced your style and technique?

I know many writers are influenced by those before them and in current times. However, for me I just write and envision thru dream interpretation and impressions that come to me over time. I don’t create boundaries or see who wrote what. I just write. How it comes out just comes out. Of course, without a good editor, it won’t work and I’m not an editor. So, the pairing of the two is essential to the work at hand. Just like in tv and film. 

Where would you rank writing on the "Is it an art or it is a science continuum?" Why?

I’d rank writing on neither. It’s a creative process that many possess but one must not lack the willpower to make it come to life. The hard part is committing to the work and seeing it thru. To trust yourself and follow your intuitive side for self-support. There are many who can write and write well but will never do anything about it because it’s not their path in life. That can change of course — however, it must be put into action otherwise it won’t manifest and became a reality. It all depends on the individual. 

What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

The most difficult part is finding the time. I’m a very active and busy mother and wife running a household with five kids and a bunch of rescued fur babies. Sometimes it may take a year before I can get back into it due to the everyday chaos but I get there, eventually. 

How do your writer friends help you become a better writer? Or do they not?

For me, it’s not so much a help but rather seeing those deserving of their success come to fruition. It gives me hope and I carry on. 

What does literary success look like to you?

Literary success isn’t about having a best-seller although I know many want that. It’s not about getting accolades or awards. These things help you stand out amongst the crowd, I get it. However, it seems rather pretentious to me as so many should win these accolades but get ignored especially if they don’t have a large enough following in today’s world of social media. It’s a blessing and a curse and somewhat of a trap. How can you get ahead without it these days versus back in the day when publishing houses did business differently. Submission via snail mail and having to have a lit agent just to be taken seriously. What hasn’t changed is the agony of waiting to hear back! 

Any other upcoming projects you would like to plug?

I wish I could but they’re all in development and others in talks. I’m waiting for my new book to be done and the start-up of some projects for tv. It’s a waiting game and what some refer to as being in development hell.

For more information, visit:

www.alexandraholzer.com

[Link] On Writing Vampires

by Selah Janel

So my friend and co-conspirator in crime Susan Roddey had a blog post the other day about the popularity of anti-heroes and showcasing “bad” characters in fiction. This got me thinking. This also makes sense because we both have stories in the upcoming anthology The Big Bad, and that’s pretty much the theme.  I have to admit, I had a blast writing the story that’s in that anthology for a variety of reasons. One, it gave me a chance to let the snarky, cursey, gore-happy bad girl side out (For those who know me, no, that is not my usual personality and yes, it does get much worse). Two, I got to write a vampire story…and those who know me know how much I stinkin’ love vampire fiction.

However, because of the theme of the anthology and apparently I go about things in an unconventional way, this got me thinking. What makes a good vampire story? Now I’m not necessarily talking about vampire romance or vampires that just show up as one of a myriad of creatures in urban fantasy. What makes  a good modern vampire story? (Not that I’m assuming mine is brilliant, though John Hartness seems to like it alright, so there!)

For me, you have to know right away what your character’s strengths and weaknesses are. This will set the stage for the whole story. Are you following conventional folklore? If so, how does that affect life in the modern world? If not, can you make the changes make sense or at least feel like they make sense?  In my case, I tend to strike a middle road, and since an anthology submission doesn’t give a lot of room for explanations, I’ve learned to do more showing than telling.

What’s the hierarchy and political structure of vampires in your world, and does it matter? In my story, it very much matters. The two vampire characters are on the run from someone who can very much affect their future in many, many ways – none of them pretty. Where they end up may seem boring for urban fantasy/horror, but it’s a safe place for them to hide. 

How was your vampire turned? This will affect the character’s personalities. For instance, my characters love being vampires, but they have no love of how they were turned. They took a potentially crappy situation and made it suit them. They have no regrets, but they’re still being haunted by something (or someone) that was pressing them into being turned.

Continue reading: http://selahjanel.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/on-writing-vampires/