Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Friday, November 30, 2012

Nathan Shepherd Will Return

I am honored to host Urban Fantasy author, Paul Anthony Shortt, on the final day of his blog tour. His debut novel Locked Within came out this month to rave reviews. He had a launch party at Hughes & Hughes near his home in Ireland that brings a lump to my throat whenever I read about it or see photos posted. You can go here to read the full story. 

Welcome, Paul!

My Photo
This is the final post of my Locked Within Blog Tour. As such, I felt it was appropriate to save it for the host who was responsible for providing the opportunity for me to get my book deal with WiDo.

In early 2011, Karen hosted a contest for people to submit samples of their manuscript. The winner would be able to choose either a full professional critique or a contract to have the book published. I knew what prize I wanted before I’d even sent the e-mail.

Karen was one of the first to follow my blog and my journey to publication. She has been my supporter for two and a half years now and I’m proud to call her my friend.

I’ve always been a series writer. I’ve never felt I could adequately tell a story in a single novel. Perhaps it’s an insecurity, or perhaps I just love the idea of keeping my readers guessing between books. In any case, as a reader I love the anticipation as I wait for the next installment in a series to be released. And as a writer i love closing on one book, knowing that the story will continue in the next.

Locked Within was always going to be the first of a series. I’ve been hard at work on the sequel and I’m looking forward to starting my edits. I think part of the reason I love a series so much more than a standalone comes from being a child.

When I was very young, and to this day, one of my favourite movies was The Last Unicorn. When the movie got to the end the first time I watched it, I was so sad. I didn’t want it to end. I wanted to know if Lir and the Unicorn could be together. I wanted to know what happened to Schmendrick and Molly. I wanted more. So I put the tape back in the player (this is back in the days of VHS, folks), and I watched it again. I watched it so much I literally wore the tape out and it broke. I just couldn’t bear the thought that I had to let those characters go. They were mine, and this is something I firmly believe; the moment a reader opens your book, those characters aren’t yours anymore. In the mind of the reader, they belong to them. These characters were my friends. They were a part of who I was. A part of who I am today. I wanted their lives to continue.

So perhaps that’s why I can’t stand the idea of Nathan walking off into the final page of Locked Within without something to be walking towards. I want him to take up his sword again and fight the good fight. There’s still evil in his town, and he has a lot of work to do.

So, to everyone who has followed me on this tour, on my blog, on Facebook or or Twitter. To everyone who has bought Locked Within, or will buy it in the future. To everyone who has left a review or rating on Amazon or Goodreads. To everyone who stepped into the small world I’ve created and came out wanting more. To you all I say thank you. You’re the reason I’ve always wanted to do this. And you’re the reason I get to keep doing it. So keep your eyes on my blog. Because I promise you, this story isn’t over.

Nathan Shepherd will return.


Free right now on the Kindle! Go here to download. Last day is November 30.

19 comments:

  1. Hi Paul!! Lovely to meet you here! Sorry, I've not been party to your blog tour but am glad I've caught up now!! Well done you! And big yay!!! Take care
    x

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    1. Thank you! Glad you liked the posts. I never thought I'd enjoy doing a blog tour this much. I'm not sure I'll want to wait until my next book is out to do another. ;-)

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  2. Thank you for having me, Karen, and thank you again for the wonderful work you and everyone at WiDo have done to help make this happen. I hope this is just the beginning of a very long career.

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    1. Paul, The writer's career is up to the writer, and from what I've seen of you, there won't be any giving up. I look forward to seeing what you do next and in the future.

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  3. Sounds like a great book -- I just downloaded it. Best of luck with your series, Paul. May there be many books to come! :)

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  4. Bet you're glad you entered that contest!
    I never envisioned my main character going beyond my first book, but my fans had other ideas.

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    1. I really am!

      I think I'd find it harder to deal with being expected to continue writing a charcter whose story I felt was finished, than hoping to write more and not having the opportunity because of lack of interest.

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  5. I like reading a series of stories about the same characters, too. It gives me a chance to see how they develop and whether they stay with the people they originally fell for. Whenever I finish reading a stand-alone novel, I often think, "So what happened next?" With stories that are written as part of a series, I don't have to ask that question.

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    1. I'm the same! Although I suppose the risk as a reader is that the writer takes the series in a direction that you're not happy with.

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  6. When I was writing my first YA book, I could see the stories continuing with the other character. By the time I finished, I had outlines for four more books. Both I and the reader got to see what happened to earlier characters as the stories overlapped and moved forward in time.

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    1. That happens to me too. I get new ideas all the time. By now I know exactly how I expect Nathan's story to end, though of course much will change during editing.

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  7. I'm so looking forward to reading this. I have it on my Kindle. Now I just need the world to go away so I can get to it!!

    Congratulations, Paul! And kudos to the great writer and editor, Karen Jones Gowen!!

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  8. Thanks Ann! I hope you enjoy the book. :-)

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  9. Congratulations, it sounds like a good read. And once again, Karen is so helpful and cares so much about authors.

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  10. A great story, Karen - you must be thrilled.

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