As Doctor Strange once said, “We’re in the endgame now.”
Limited Edition Leather-Bound Boxset Giveaway:
First off, a thank you to all my readers, subscribers, and patrons. As you’ll see below from the litany of new reviews and upcoming events, your support has been overwhelming and I can’t thank you enough. That’s why I’m offering each and every of newsletter subscriber who preorders my new book an opportunity to win an exclusive leather-bound boxset of the complete Deadlights Duology comprising signed copies of both The Mystery of the Pale King and Dweller in Darkness!
These are unique collector’s items I’m contracting through Studio42Books (seriously look at those gorgeous designs) so there will be a very limited supply. How to win? There are two ways: 1) post a review of Dweller in Darkness on Goodreads and Amazon or 2) post a review and picture of the book on the social media of your choosing. Either tag me in your post or email the links to [email protected] to confirm your entry. Until receipt is acknowledged, entry is not confirmed. Contest open for subscribers until Nov. 30.
Book AND Event News:
My book and event news sections get smashed together today, for two weeks from today, the age of Dweller in Darkness (preorders are love!) will be upon us!
Dweller in Darkness synopsis. Cover art by Greg Chapman.
I am in full promotion mode leading up to release. Naturally as an author this means I’m barely writing at all and instead spending time on event planning, graphic design, and public relations, all the things young me thought being an author would absolve me of.
Kidding aside, it’s rewarding to stretch my legs in service of my creative passion. First up, I’ll be doing another virtual release party 7-8pm EST on the 22nd via my YouTube channel (subscribe now!). Next, I cannot wait to celebrate in-person with friends and readers at my local Athena Cinema on Sunday, Sept. 27. Attendance is free but space is limited. Want to secure your seat? RSVP here.
I’ll be chatting with my fellow author and friend Darin Miller. I’ve been a huge admirer of Darin since we met at my very first book fair. His hugely popular and self-published Ohio-set Dwayne Morrow Mystery series (the ninth book of which debuts on Oct. 20!) drew me immediately as a huge fan of murder mysteries and set in our local backyard no less. Pick up the first book in the series Reunion and give it a try, you’ll thank me later!
Dweller in Darkness Book Launch Party @ Athena Cinema, 5-7pm, Sunday 9/27
Here’s the non-exhaustive and ever-expanding list for my Dweller in Darkness book tour. Any who are available and interested, I’d love to see you!
Tues., 09/22 7-8pm EST: Dweller in Darkness Virtual Release Party @ YouTube
Sun., 09/27 5-7pm: Dweller in Darkness Launch @ Athena Cinema, Athens OH
Sat. 10/3 11am-3pm: Medina Book Fest @ Medina Public Library, Medina, OH
Sun. 10/25 11am-2pm: Book Signing @ Viridian Bookshop, Willoughby OH
Sat., 11/21 10am-4pm: Hocking Hills Book Fair @ Hocking Hills Lodge, Logan OH
Sat., 12/05 11am-4pm: Holiday Book Market @ Viridian Bookshop, Willoughby OH
Sat. 12/12 12pm-6pm: Hocking Hills Book Fair @ The Dairy Barn, Athens OH
The reviews and blurbs for Dweller have been trickling in the last couple months and the lead-up has readers old and new revisiting The Mystery of the Pale King to experience the full duology. I’ve included a few reactions below:
“Dweller in Darkness is an excellent, fast-paced follow-up to The Mystery of the Pale King. It explores themes of blind belief and betrayal against a backdrop of cosmic horrors even more chilling than those seen in the previous novella. I can’t wait to see what Sam Flynn does next.”
“It’s a difficult task to write a sequel, and even more so to write one that’s even better than the first. But Dweller in Darkness accomplished that. It’s one of the best novellas I’ve read in a very long time…I really enjoyed both novellas, and this second one was absolutely fantastic."
“I really enjoyed this novella, it felt like every line was written very intentionally with no room for wasted space. The author chose his words carefully, with a kind of precision that I find almost exclusive to this genre. I love a story focused on losing one's religion, and it's important to me that the author is able to convey the visceral, biting rage and disgust that go along with that disillusionment. Flynn did not disappoint, and I look forward to starting the second half of this duology!”
“Excellent novella! I want to highlight the prose and atmosphere, plus the twists. I usually don't like church-stories but when it's written well and it let's me dive right into the story I don't mind. Will be looking out for more.”
What I’m Reading:
While I haven’t been writing as much as I’d like, I have been reading well. I read the California grungy noir She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper on vacation in July and devoured it in two nights. Compulsively readable page turner, as the best pulp crime books are.
After far too long, I finally finished The Memory of the Ogisi by Moses Ose Utomi, the conclusion of his Forever Desert trilogy. Utomi’s ability to pack epic worldbuilding into these three comparatively tiny fantasy novellas is a testament to his power as an author.
As inspiration and research for an upcoming project, I picked up John le Carre for the first time and dove into his first George Smiley book Call for the Dead, an old school hybrid of murder mystery and spy-fi that I quite enjoyed. Looking forward see a legendary character and author grow over the course of the Smiley books.
Right now, I’m finishing Reunion by Darin Miller, the debut of the author and his signature character, amateur sleuth Dwayne Morrow. Successfully weaving mystery, drama, romance, and thrills, Miller paints a empathetic portrait that never sacrifices its authenticity . Self-published books are rarely this polished and intricate and the familiar Ohio setting gives it an extra-special place in my heart.
That’s all from me! Send your comments/questions/suggestions on the newsletter to [email protected] and sign up for more updates via Patreon.
With authorly affection,
Sam
