The Importance of a Good Spine

You might think I will now lecture you on the importance of good posture for a writer when sitting at her keyboard and typing away. Sure, that’s important, however, I would much rather talk about book spines.

The other day I had the extreme pleasure of spying my book on the shelf at a local bookstore; a very exciting moment, until I realized why it had taken me a while to spot it.

The spine doesn’t jump out!

There it was tucked in between a couple maroon colored spines and some black and brightly colored ones. I’d never given much thought to color or font use on a book spine, but suddenly I found it very important.

When I came home the first thing I did was browse my own many bookshelves (yes, way too many. How am I ever going to move all those books to Colorado next month?) to explore the spine issue in greater depth.

What I found is that most of the books on my shelves had clearly readable words on the spines and most made good use of font size, contrast and/or color. Some even have a small picture of the front cover on the spine. My Terry Pratchett paperbacks immediately spring to mind, or popped off the shelf if you prefer.

Even the Penguin classic paperbacks stand out with their old orange spines and more recent versions with black and yellow spines.

It’s given me something to think about as I progress on my journey as published author. In particular, what information and color options to give to the cover artist.

Getting a book on the shelf in a store and then having it get picked up by a reader requires a true synergy of talents. So I’d like to give a big ‘thank -you’ to everyone who helped make that happen for Out in theDark. 

A Car for Jake in the Sequel

Based on reader feedback and my own desire to write more books featuring Jake and Shelley, I’ve started researching and writing the next book in the Out in the Dark series. Book 2 will be an even wilder ride than the first book.

First order of business is a car for Jake. He had a lot of fun with his father’s 1965 Pontiac GTO, but now it’s time he has one of his own. Together with my muscle car loving offspring and a spreadsheet put together by a car fanatic brother, I’ve been narrowing the choices down.

Imagine my delight when I spotted a bunch of 1960s muscle cars lined up at a local gas station. Just waiting for me! Very considerate of them.

So, what would an almost 18-year old boy like to drive? The Plymouth Barracuda? The Impala? 

Or how about that sweet little black 1968 Camaro Super Sport (top picture)?

Judging by the flutter in my chest and the grin on the offspring’s face, I’m picking the Camaro.

So stay tuned for book 2 and more crazy car chases!

Full confession, which I know you all will keep a secret: I have a weakness for 1960s American muscle cars, Italian sports cars and Ford trucks. Not sure what a shrink would make of that, but it’s part of who I am.

Enjoy the ride and please leave a review of  Out in the Dark!

Book Signing Success

My first ever book signing was a great success. I met many new and interesting people and I signed and sold all but one of the books the store had.

I will admit doing this was seriously stepping outside my comfort zone, but as the sages say, only by stepping out of your comfort zone and doing new things will you learn and grow.

Requests for a sequel are already coming in so I'll keep this short and get writing!
Thank you to everyone who showed up last Saturday and everyone who bought the book and is excited about it.

For the month of April it's still on sale directly from the publisher (also available in Ebook format), otherwise it can be found at your preferred online retailer or by request at your local bookstore.

Enjoy the ride!

Meet YA Author Nicola Adams! Saturday, April 2nd 11AM We are pleased to announce that Untreed Reads author Nicola Adams will be appearing at Magnolia's Bookstore in Seattle, Washington at 11am on Saturday, April 2nd. Nicola will be presenting her new young adult adventure novel Out in the Dark. We strongly encourage you to reserve your autographed copies ($16 each) ahead of time from Magnolia's Bookstore by contacting the store directly at 206-283-1062. Nicola will also be signing copies at the event. This title is also available in ebook format directly from the publisher at http://bit.do/nicolaadamsbooks or wherever ebooks are sold. About Out in the Dark  : Jake's father is one of a group of psychic warriors from a CIA/Stanford University project designed to train people in "remote viewing," but he's been taken by a rogue unit with more sinister plans for his skills. Now, seventeen-year-old Jake must set out on a journey to rescue his father. Jake doesn't know where his father is, and his only clues are the flashes of images he gets in his mind. Taking his father's vintage 1966 Pontiac GTO, Jake sets out across the Cascades from Washington, to Nevada. Along the way he picks up Shelley, a girl scarred by poverty and who has had to do some pretty unpleasant things to get together enough money to go to college. He was only going to give her a lift to Nevada, but soon they're both running for their lives.  "A fast-paced roller coaster adventure for a daring young man, trying to save his father's life." -Lynne Kennedy, author of Pure Lies "Following secret government psychic experiments, Jake needs all the help he can get to save his father. The psychic link helps him ... mostly! Stephen King needs to watch out!" -Richard Hardie author of the Temporal Detective Agency series. Nicola Adams at Magnolia's Bookstore in Seattle, Washington Magnolia's Bookstore April 2nd, 2016 11am 3206 W. McGraw Street Seattle, WA 98199 206-283-1062 http://www.magnoliasbookstore.com/index.html

Out In The Dark now available!

As promised, information on my just released latest novel.

OUT IN THE DARK, written under the pen name, Nicola Adams, is now available in both Ebook and paperback format.

Straight from the back cover:

Description:

Jake’s father is one of a group of psychic warriors from a CIA/Stanford University project designed to train people in “remote viewing,” but he's been taken by a rogue unit with more sinister plans for his skills. Now, seventeen-year-old Jake must set out on a journey to rescue his father. Jake doesn't know where his father is, and his only clues are the flashes of images he gets in his mind. Taking his father's vintage 1966 Pontiac GTO, Jake sets out across the Cascades from Washington, to Nevada. Along the way he picks up Shelley, a girl scarred by poverty and who has had to do some pretty unpleasant things to get together enough money to go to college. He was only going to give her a lift to Nevada, but soon they're both running for their lives.

 “A fast-paced roller coaster adventure for a daring young man, trying to save his father’s life.” Lynne Kennedy, author of Pure Lies

“Following secret government psychic experiments, Jake needs all the help he can get to save his father. The psychic link helps him … mostly! Stephen King needs to watch out!” Richard Hardie author of the Temporal Detective Agency series.

The book can be purchased directly from the publisher, Untreed Reads, or other fine retailers and online sources. 

Please consider leaving a review!

Buckle up and enjoy the ride!!

A break from blogging

On this first day of a brand new year, I'd like to wish everyone all that is wonderful, joyful and peaceful.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to let you all know I'll be taking a break from blogging and social media for a while. The muses have come and sat me down. There is much writing to do and I am on the cusp of reaching the next level in my career as a writer.

So, I've let the muses chain me to my desk as I research new paranormal forms of communications for an exciting new book, "Supersense", I'm working on.

I will also continue to research Morocco during WWII where book 2 in the "Coming Storm" trilogy will take place, and I will be preparing for author visits/book signings and readings for when "Out in the Dark" hits the shelves later this month or early next month through publisher Untreed Reads.

I will update you all on important news when it comes. In the meantime, if you need to contact me, please do so through my website: www.elynnhwriting.com.
There you will also find a great short story for only a dollar. Yes, I'd love to give it away, just for you, but a little coffee money keeps an author happily writing.

Do Stories Matter?

For the past few weeks I’ve been struggling to make sense of our world. The horrors inflicted on nations, people and children. The streams of refugees that are paraded across my screen, and then the horrific attacks in Paris and Beirut. 

Not only does it make me question where we as human race are headed but it also makes me question my own path. Here I am sitting behind my computer happily making up stories. Sure some are stories of people struggling, or people living in war time, or teens using psychic powers to find missing parents, but still, I’m just here making up stories. 

What value does that bring to the world? Shouldn’t I be out there physically helping those in need? Nursing the sick, or building bridges, or raising money?

By chance I came across this quote from Stan Lee, comicbook (he prefers it as one word) writer that put it in perspective for me.

“I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic-book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realize: entertainment is one of the most important things in people's lives. Without it they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you're able to entertain people, you're doing a good thing.

STAN LEE, The Washington Post, July 23, 2010”

Perhaps writing stories is not such a bad thing. Perhaps that is helping others in some small way. I know books were alway a place where I found solace as a child, and even now, a good book can change my mood. So … maybe I am helping, just a little.