Book 4 in the Jungle Series is now available for preorder!
Humanity is in a race against extinction.
Having survived a horrific attack by the Creeps, Adam Blake is badly scarred and weak. Though no one believes him, the attack; and subsequent coma; cursed Adam with prophetic visions wherein the Creeps evolve, the vines grow out of control, and a new threat rises to bring genocide to the human race.
When his visions come to fruition, it falls to John Sage to stop the threat with the tools he’s found at the research facility. Combining science and weaponry, he faces off against familiar foes, but can John survive when aliens are involved?
The latest novel by author Alan Berkshire continues the amazing and terrifying saga of defending the world from the Creeps.
You can pre-order this book in all formats directly from 4 Horsemen Publications with 15% OFF the cover price here:
Pre-Order Now: Invoking Destiny – Epic Fantasy Anthology
We are excited for the release of Invoking Destiny a 4 Horsemen Publications Anthology!
What would happen if a dragon ran a bank?
Can a nocturnal troll find beauty in the daylight?
All these questions and more you haven’t even thought of will be answered inside these pages.
Set in the times and places of magic, these fantastic tales contain dragons, fairies, trolls, and warriors. Kings and queens rule, while knights do whatever they can to protect their kingdom and its people. Sacrifices are made and deals are struck. There might even be a demon or two. Revenge will be sought, but it may not always come to fruition.
Enter worlds where fishermen can reel in fantastical creatures and fairies are always playing tricks on those who steal from them. Dreams don’t always come true for the heroes of our tales, but maybe they were never the good guys to begin with. Let your imagination run wild with these eleven short stories of magic and mayhem from authors around the world.
A warning before you enter: be careful of the killer bunny on the loose!
You can pre-order this book in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 15% off!
We are super excited to bring you a novel in the Black Ballad universe; Dusk Walker!
Alchemy is dangerous, especially when your afterlife is on the line.
Echo discovers that Professor Dradon has gone missing in a land beyond the living. With rumors of a strange creature consuming the souls of the deceased, the cleric will risk everything to bring her former teacher back.
With the help of her best friend, the roguish halfling Finn, Echo forms a party of adventurers to find her former teacher. Complications arise when the party mistakenly traps Hale, a mysterious ranger with no memory of his past. Will Echo and Finn find a way to save the professor from a fate worse than death? Or will her dangerous alchemical experiments, no matter how well-intentioned, blow up in her face?
Duskwalker is the first novel in the stand-alone series of the Chronicles of the Crossing. Each story, a completely different tale of adventures who have met their untimely demise and the perils of Purgatory within the setting of The Black Ballad by Storytellers Forge. Find out more at www.storytellersforge.com
Order now and get 15% off your pre-order when you purchase from 4 Horsemen directly at this link:
It is their job to protect the mortal realm, but are secrets the only way they can protect each other?
Lin Thorene, a beautiful Norse goddess turned private detective, embarks on a new case to locate a missing girl in London. But the fantastical always has a way of finding her. During her investigation, she meets Agna, the goddess Freya’s witch and former protector of King Tutankhamun.
Meanwhile, Lin’s personal biographer Mary Lambert is contending with her new role as mother to a demigod. When Lin returns to their suburban home near Washington D.C., Agna in tow, Mary is tasked with keeping a secret that, if broken, could lead to their own personal Ragnarok.
One of the world’s most infamous macabre stories reimagined as queer erotica.
If you’ve ever wondered what the sinister world of Edgar Allan Poe would look like filled with gay men, then this story is for you!
“Erotically wicked! Spellbinding! A unique trans-inclusive retelling of ‘The Fall of the House of Usher.’”
“A wildly inventive labyrinth of dark extravagance with gay otter men and romance at the story’s heart.”
At the edge of a sleepy seaside town stands a mansion nearly as tall as the rumors about its mysterious owner. The house beckons to an out of work sex worker named Alexander who soon finds himself in a whirlwind of strange decadence.
But this sudden luxury comes at a price. Rules must be followed. Secrets kept. There is an order to the seemingly enchanted building that must be appeased.
Hustler turned live-in pet, Alexander must navigate his way through bizarre rituals and BDSM training while he battles his frozen heart. Has he fallen in love with the stoic but forceful man who now rules over him or will a handsome friend from Alexander’s past be the key to unlocking the secrets of Usher’s bizarre world?
Modern kink collides with old magic in this haunting tale of jockstraps, bondage, and sexual hierarchy.
Maxan wields unimaginable power, it is up to him how he uses it.
Maxan, a young fox, serves his city as a spy, scout, and informant. He is meant to only observe, but defies his orders to stop an unspeakable evil. He is now tied to a weapon of immeasurable power, capable of driving every animal into a violent frenzy.
Desperate for answers, Maxan is drawn into an eternal war between The Monitors and The Mind, both vying for control of the powerful artifacts hidden deep below and far above their world. While The Minders want only to keep the artifacts safe and dormant, the cult of The Mind wants to use them to take over the world.
Immune to the weapon that he now holds, Maxan must uncover the secrets of his world and find a better path for all animalkind. Will that path reveal him to be a puppet, a puppeteer, or perhaps something more?
His brain destroyed by epilepsy and his body wracked with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, an author sits down to pen his last book.
It’s a tale of Rains-a-Lot, the warrior who ate Thomas Custer’s heart; Ivy d’ Seille, a child soldier and veteran of the French Resistance; Dr. Kelle Brainerd, holder of three Ph.D.s in Reality Physics; and a purple 1957 Chevy concealing the spirit of a New Orleans Macumba from the 19th century as they run into a wizard, a shadowy Company, and a whole bunch of ravens.
But no story is just a story, and our author isn’t just an author.
The reviewers are raving about the War of the Ravens series.
”…ten pounds of crazy in a five pound sack.” — A famous musician who refused to give her name.
“…everything that is wrong with the 420 movement.” —an anonymous Iowan politician.
“You will never publish this crap in a million years…”— A writing professor in New England.
Orlun and Rurig have been married for a long time. Things may have gotten a little less exciting after having three children together, but it’s their life, and they wouldn’t trade it for anything else. So when a civil war threatens to tear apart their home and has them both working with the city’s militia, they’re not exactly happy about it.
Jarek is a new recruit. Young and maybe a little naïve, he’s a lover, not a fighter—but he’ll do what he has to if it means protecting the people he cares about. Which might include Orlun and Rurig. There’s something brewing between the three of them, but is it strong enough to survive when tragedy strikes?
This is a story about romance, awkward dates, and questionable parenting decisions. Set over twenty years before the events of Steel & Thunder, this prequel tells the tale of how these three men found each other and formed a family in the face of danger and uncertainty. This novella is for readers who like gay/male-on-male polyamorous romances with a heaping helping of orcs.
All these questions—and more you haven’t even thought of—will be answered inside these pages.
Set in the times and places of magic, these fantastic tales contain dragons, fairies, trolls, and warriors. Kings and queens rule, while knights do whatever they can to protect their kingdom and its people. Sacrifices are made and deals are struck. There might even be a demon or two. Revenge will be sought, but it may not always come to fruition.
Enter worlds where fishermen can reel in fantastical creatures and fairies are always playing tricks on those who steal from them. Dreams don’t always come true for the heroes of our tales, but maybe they were never the good guys to begin with. Let your imagination run wild with these eleven short stories of magic and mayhem from authors around the world.
A warning before you enter: be careful of the killer bunny on the loose…
There is a price to magic, even if bottled for consumption.
Magic has exploded back into the world, bringing with it creatures of myth and legend. After the initial shock, corporations found a way to turn magic into profit. The occult “gold rush” at the forefront of magically imbued politics built a world of wealth inequality, greed, and innovation.
Bartender Jane Auburn is an early adopter of a new drug sponsored by Pelican Pharmaceuticals that allows her to move at the speed of vampires and match the strength of demons. How bad could the side effects possibly be? After all, as it says in all their commercials, “Elcoll: it keeps you going even when you’re dead!”
Jane finds herself embroiled in occult corporate warfare, and to save her own life, she will need to uncover what other skeletons these new magical companies are hiding.
In the epic battle of Good versus Evil, there can be only one victor.
To free herself from her relentless nightmares, Aestra, the fallen angel, makes a deal with the devil. But Lucifer’s deals have dire consequences; robbed of the knowledge of what cast her out of heaven, Aestra cannot escape Lucifer’s domain. The only way out is through.
With no one left to turn to, Aestrangel reunites with her former adversary, Malek, to complete another Calling that would solidify her position in the devil’s domain. But when her power—and her feelings for Malek—intensify, this mission could end up altering the balance between Heaven, Hell, and the human world forever.
One parent is a superhero. One parent is a supervillain. Aqua Marine is a work in progress.
Despite Aqua Marine’s super lineage, the wannabe superhero can only control a cup of water at a time—which is not very effective as far as superpowers go. She has no chance at stopping the new nefarious villain, the Overlord of the Dance, from taking over part of the city. That is until she accidentally discovers there is a cup of water in the human heart when she blows his out.
Now her villainous mother wants her to join the League of Extraordinary Evil. Aqua Marine would like to hide under a rock. And her new nemesis, the Overlord of the Dance, is apparently not quite dead yet and would like to have a word with her.
If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, Aqua Marine’s is a slip and slide … with capes.
“You cannot command a demon unless you have struck a deal with it, and we have not yet struck such a deal.”
Elaine was meant to be the light for her people—the last of the Scions of Isa. But her goddess died long ago, and she is hunted for the inherent magic in her silver blood. After being condemned as a human sacrifice by Lord Dakin, a demon makes her a tempting counteroffer. If Elaine frees him from his prison, he will be hers to command.
Demonlord Acies wants revenge just as much as he wants to escape from his prison cell. Elaine could be the key, and she’s a pretty one. But Acies’ past haunts his present and the consequences of the war he once fought between gods and demons is never too far away.
Wielding the power of demons can mean the difference between salvation and damnation … for both of them.
Short fiction, featuring Florida and the Fantastic!
Throughout her career, award-winning, paranormal fantasy romance author Valerie Willis has been collecting her thoughts in short fiction. Some of these tales you may know, published in anthologies, blogs, or even featured as contest winners. Others are hidden gems that are no longer satisfied to collect dust, including some deleted scenes from The Cedric Series.
Readers will encounter myths and monsters from all over the world before being pulled back close to home, or in this case, Florida. If that wasn’t enough, find love in unusual places from the sea to cemetery.
Val’s House of Musings is the first short story collection pulled together for fans and new readers to savor a little at a time.
As a writer, I like to think I know everything about my characters and the world they inhabit.
But do I? I certainly don’t always recall those details—and definitely not when I need them most. Cue the dive down an internet rabbit hole for the next hour instead of continuing to write my draft. There’s a time for writing, and there’s a time for worldbuilding—and they aren’t the same!
Use this book to build your world in all its glory, so that the next time those townsfolk are suspicious of strangers, you know what happened the last time they trusted someone who walked into town from the world beyond. Just imagine, when you sit down to write, already knowing the answers to questions like:
What is that song on the radio at the bar? How long does it take to drive from Town A to Town B? Who established that law about bathtubs in the street? Where is the best place to get a burger in this town? When did that family take over the monarchy?
Tackling everything from creation myths and cultural practices to building relationships and measuring time, this worldbuilding guide has the questions and activities you need to help you craft a believable world for your story.
Baron is a man from nowhere in a land that has forgotten its name where the dead walk. After killing a strange man in cold blood, Baron finds himself imprisoned—and inextricably tied to an even stranger woman, Thalia.
Thalia harbors a terrible secret. The daughter of immortal scientists, she knows that the zombie outbreak is cyclical; those infected will live again, and generations later, a new outbreak will run its course. And she alone might hold the key to ending the vicious cycle once and for all.
But only if this unlikely pair can survive the next outbreak…
A saboteur is somehow the least of this wannabe wedding planner’s problems.
Mark and Hunter have their hands full filming adult content, rebranding their website, and deciding whether to join Lexi Luscious in her latest project. Oh, and they’re getting married in one week. Thankfully, they have their dutiful assistant Paris to keep them on track and ensure their wedding goes off without a hitch.
When it comes to the menu, Paris enlists the help of Daniel, the sexy and flirtatious house cleaner. Daniel is a talented cook, but it turns out he is also adept at saving Paris’s life—both figuratively and literally.
As seemingly random events jeopardize the wedding, an ominous note and flash drive arrives from Daddy Twink. Paris wonders whether it is truly a coincidence or an act of sabotage. As the wedding falls apart, Paris must pull off the impossible by gathering all the grooms’ friends and family together to ensure they have the dream wedding they deserve.
Joka Bunear is just a lowly grease monkey in a gang full of bigger and stronger alien vigilantes. Not to mention a human. To level the playing field, she invents a spacesuit and is finally invited on a field mission … as a joke. After the mission is sabotaged and the gang goes into hiding, Joka intercepts a message meant for her boss regarding a kidnapped scientist, but the leader refuses to pursue the lead.
Joka joined this gang because she believes in helping the galaxy’s downtrodden. With the most annoying crewmate tagging along, Joka steals a ship to pursue the lead. A simple stop to refuel turns into a terrorist encounter when they realize they are not the only ones pursuing the scientist. Little does Joka know, the scientist’s research has garnered dark fruit that will endanger everyone.
Joka will return to the gang a legend or not at all. Fans of spaceship dogfights, sci fi horrors, and galactic exploration will love SEVERED SQUADRON. It’s like Calamity Jane vs. ISIS amidst Dr. Frankenstein’s fever dream—if he’d dreamt about aliens.
He’s a cryptid and faerie prince, but she’s just Heather.
When 23-year-old Heather started dating Mothman, she knew she was in for some surprises. Getting transported to the faerie realm he was banished from? Yeah, that was not what she expected. Turns out those moth wings belonged to a faerie prince with a dark past.
The former influencer must trade her quiet #cottagecore aesthetic for a lavish #royalcore week, full of lavish social functions, ballgowns, and secrets. Plus, she’ll have to bond with Moth’s mother, the queen of Eclipsica_,_ and Moth’s sister, who’s … scary.
With Moth’s old friends resurfacing, and his memories returning, Heather begins to question their future. As he sneaks out of bed each night, she starts to wonder whether their cozy cottage in the woods can compete with a castle.
“With The Secrets of Water, Shoshana Edwards takes us deep into the darkness of American folklore while creating genuine, contemporary thrills. Absolutely terrific!” —Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of Ink and V Wars.
“Shoshana Edwards has a lot to say, and she says it with meticulous insight and evocative language.” —David Gerrold
The tranquil waters of Harper’s Landing hide an ancient evil.
Jim Burch, Sheriff of Harper’s Landing, must solve a deadly mystery in his once-quiet town. Animals and pets, a visitor, and many children have been killed under mysterious circumstances. Sheriff Burch loves Harper’s Landing; the townspeople help each other through the good times and the bad—bringing food, lending a hand, and showing up for each other.
Jim knows how to be a detective. He is trained to remain calm and search for clues and evidence in order to solve cases. Except, the circumstances of the deaths defy logic. It will take all of his knowledge—and faith—to solve the secret hidden in the water of Harper’s Landing.If you love whodunits with a twist and stories rich with complex characters set in a town rife with magic and mystery, The Secrets of Water is the book for you!
Since he was turned centuries ago, Joseph has watched the world of man change, grow, and decay. He grieves human lovers as they grow old and die, but the curse of Decimus keeps him from turning them. The odds are against him; more often than not, the vampire’s kiss only hastens death, and Joseph is no murderer. After inadvertently turning Alexander, who basks in human destruction, Joseph swears he will never love again… and he certainly will never consume human blood.
Joseph’s oath is tested by a chance meeting with David, a young human man for whom his heart unexpectedly yearns. However, their passion is threatened by a blood-crazed Alexander, who finds Joseph’s burgeoning relationship repulsive. When David is threatened, will Joseph risk Decimus to save him?
When horseshoe crabs were stolen from a protected wildlife area, mermaid Roselia knew she had to do something—and fast! Seeking help from a large dragon and a human friend, she created a plan to save them.
Join our trio in a race against time to find the captured horseshoe crabs, help them escape, and lead them on a journey back to the ocean. After all their efforts, they find the poacher waiting at the finish line to recapture the crabs! Will they be able to make it back home after all?
Orenda is a First Nations Iroquois belief that all natural objects and people possess a mystical energy. It is the force that allows us to effect change in the world and manifest transformation.
In this gripping sequel to The 45th Parallel, Caitlin and her husband Gio travel to Canada to take on new roles as ambassadors for the ACC. Inclusive, intelligent, and aware, Caitlin proves herself a natural leader. Respected by her people, she endeavors to bridge the gap between the communities, offering them new opportunities that will benefit generations to come.
But as Caitlin and Gio build their new family, an old enemy resurfaces, threatening their newfound security. Loyalties are challenged, betrayal leads to unspeakable tragedy, and the ultimate act of revenge forces Caitlin to draw on her orenda before it threatens to destroy them both.
I know that you know this already, but something weird happens to authors when they write their own stories—they suddenly stop following any kind of formatting rules around conversations and just start throwing words and punctuation around like darts in a whirlwind. Writers, you know what dialogue in a novel should look like—I know you do. You’re readers. You’ve all seen this format hundreds of times. But I also know that there is a strange disconnect between seeing how something looks on the page when someone else—a famous author perhaps—does it and applying those same expectations to your own work.
First, let’s talk about why this happens and then get into some guidelines to keep in mind when you are writing dialogue. Sometimes, this disregard for the rules happens for the simplest reason: writers assume someone else will clean up their messy words and formatting. “My editor will fix it for me.” After all, the author is the cook—she need not clean the kitchen as well. Maybe so. But cleaning up after your own words will remind you of the rules—how things ought to look—and you will be a stronger writer as a result. Yes, your editor can clean it up for you, but that person will do so at the expense of everything else, spending valuable time adding commas and lowercasing words instead of getting into the real work of editing. You are essentially paying someone a lot of money to do a menial task when that money could be paying for expert attention on other matters that would make your story better—not just bring it up to code.
Another reason formatting may get wonky is because writers promise they will go back and fix it later—and then don’t actually go back and fix it. I know how it is. We writers may be a forgetful lot. We focus on other things, get sidetracked by other stories, fascinating characters yearning to break free, and we move on to the next one, never actually going back in and checking the capitalization in chapter two. Now, I know you love re-reading your stories. You wouldn’t have written it if you didn’t enjoy reading it (unless you’re writing to market or ghostwriting or something like that, but this blog isn’t for you, specifically). Read it again—except this time pay attention to your dialogue and tweak any remaining issues.
This brings us to another reason for messy dialogue format: you’re just not sure. And that’s okay! Just ask. Or review the guidelines listed below.
How to properly format dialogue in novel writing
Every time a new person speaks, indent on a new line:
“What are you doing?” Samantha asked.
“Rearranging matches,” Sebastian said, boredom seeping through his voice.
“Why?” Samantha inquired.
“I have no idea,” Sebastian admitted.
When a character speaks both before and after an interjection, the punctuation should follow like this:
“You never have any idea,” Samantha sneered. “That’s why I’m leaving you.”
“You can’t leave me,” Sebastian replied, “because if you do, who will organize your things?”
If there is more text beyond the conversation, it can stay in the same paragraph:
Samantha glared at him. “I don’t need anyone to organize my things,” she snapped. “I was just fine in my organizational skills before you came along. I don’t need someone to look after me like a child.” She scanned the library, haughty eyes taking in other annoying details of his obsessive behavior.
“Huh,” Sebastian scoffed. “You couldn’t tell that from where I was standing, dear.” He turned away from his latest project to stare at her. As usual, her clothes were in disarray, her wrinkled pants and untucked shirt almost screaming her need for his guidance. “Come here, Sam. You look a mess.”
“You could use a good mess!” Samantha shouted, stalking out of the library.
All periods, commas, question marks, and exclamation points go inside the quotation marks.
You should never put “double” “quotation” “marks” next to one another unless you are making a list of quoted items—otherwise, “double quotation marks” is sufficient.
As I recall, you told me, “I am busy,” “I have plans,” and finally, “I am dead. Please leave a message” the last time we talked about this.
Review the Rules
If you start a sentence with dialogue, capitalize the first letter of the spoken words but leave the rest in lowercase (except proper names). Put a comma at the end of the spoken words (inside the quotation marks) if it’s not a question or exclamation point.
“I don’t know why you do this to me,” Sebastian pondered. He stared at the books lining the walls, face blank while his thoughts raced. “It’s only matches,” he whispered.
If you start with the tag (the “he said” part of the sentence), you should start the actual spoken words with a capital letter. Put a comma (if it’s not a question/exclamation) after the verb and before the first quotation mark.
Sebastian said, “She’ll be back.”
If you interrupt a complete sentence with a tag, do not capitalize the words after the tag. If you have two separate sentences with a tag ending the first one, capitalize the second sentence.
“I know she will forgive me,” he moaned, “eventually.” He glanced at the door, suddenly sure he heard her returning footsteps. “She’s coming back,” he whispered. “I know it.”
If the spoken words are not a statement, put the question mark or exclamation point inside the quotation mark (as long as the spoken words are a question/exclamation). If the entire sentence is a question or exclamation, then put the marks outside the quotation mark.
“Why do I put up with him?” she wondered, staring down the long hallway. “He’s such a jerk!” she snapped, hands fisting at her sides. “Those matches,” she mused, shaking her head, “make me absolutely crazy.” How dare he say she looked “a mess”? “It’s only matches” indeed!
Unspoken thoughts should be italicized to distinguish them from spoken words. Consider having tags like “he thought” or “she wondered” so listeners to your audiobook can tell which parts are spoken aloud and which ones are internal thoughts. You don’t need it every single time, but for important moments, it can make things clearer to your listeners.
Just one more box, Sebastian thought, emptying the matches onto the table.
Only spoken words go inside quotation marks—not reported speech.
I remember when she told me she was leaving me, Sebastian thought, lips pursing as he began lining up the matchsticks. Perhaps I shouldn’t have said, “You look a mess”?
When quoting someone else’s words inside a quote, use single quotes.
“But why would he say ‘You look a mess’ to me like that?” she wondered, glancing down at her clothing. “I guess I should be glad he didn’t say ‘You look a “hot” mess’ after all.”
If your character speaks for more than one paragraph (telling a story), don’t use end quotation marks until the character finishes speaking. This means you will not put quotation marks at the end and beginning of each new paragraph.
That’s it! While we’re here, a few things to avoid when dealing with dialogue:
Do not capitalize the word after the quote unless it’s a proper name: “Don’t do it like this,” She said. (“Do it like this,” she said.)
Do not put periods between the quote and the speaker: “Don’t do this.” She added. (“Do this instead,” she added).
Don’t use tag words that don’t actually signify speech: “This is so amazingly funny,” he laughed. Did he laugh those words? No. He laughed after he said those words. “This is so amazingly funny!” He laughed. (I added the exclamation point because he’s probably excited about whatever is so funny, but you could leave the period.) I keep seeing characters who shrug, chuckle, smile, and grin words (and that’s just creepy sometimes). Add the period and separate the words from the action.
I hope this has helped shed some light on how to properly format your dialogue to save both your readers and your editor’s sanity!
Come meet some amazing spooky and sexy ladies you may already know!
In this collection from Honey Cummings, find three ghostly legends who just need a little love in their haunting lives. Joins us as we find a match for the Lady in Blue, Woman in White, and even Bloody Mary herself. These audacious apparitions are willing to take a chance and seize the opportunity for a sexy time while they find themselves tangible to the opposite sex.
Whether you’re looking for a rebound with the hotel gardener, find yourself a contestant on a reality show where strangers are getting married, or even find yourself on the other side of the mirror in a tale as old as time. Prepare to laugh and fan yourself as the cold of the paranormal shifts into the flames of passion in this trinity.
Discover what haunting passion can truly bring to one’s love life.
Developing an accountability routine to keep on schedule and meet your goals can feel like an uphill climb. That’s why this planner was written for authors by authors. Call us your muses because inside these pages, we’ll be guiding you every step of the way. We’re here to help, encourage, and keep you on task as we scale that narrative mountain together.
Often as creatives we rely on friends, workshops, critique partners, and mentors to keep us moving. They ask, “How’s the book coming?” and we think, “Shoot! I need to make time to write some more!”
Well, as far as productivity goes, consider this your solution to getting the work done.
Yes, it’s a planner, but not just any planner.
The detailed pages of the Author’s Accountability Planner were designed for fiction and nonfiction authors of all levels to outline an entire year of writing. They contain inspiration, scalable graphs, and valuable checkpoints. There are introspective questions about your personal method and places to stop and take a break when you need one. We’ve designed a tool to spark creative energy and manifest that compelling drive we often find amongst our fellow authors, but the best part is, you don’t even have to leave your desk.
What can you accomplish with the Author’s Accountability Planner?
A Full Year of Writing
Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Planning
Tracking Your Word Count Milestones
Adapting Goal Setting Tools
Completing Unique Writing Prompts
Achieving Narrative Objectives
Discovering Inspiration Through Thought Activities
Joining an Interactive Community
Turning Your Passion into Progress
And best of all, meeting your new muses! (That’s right, we’re really going to be in there cheering you on and guiding you all the way through the year!)
You have a story to tell, and the world deserves to hear it. Let the Author’s Accountability Planner help bring that story from your imagination to the page, one day at a time.
To find love, Susie will not only have to go off planet—she’ll have to go off-book.
As the school’s advice columnist, Susie Starlight has all the answers. It doesn’t matter that she’s never
Been on a date.
Traveled off-planet.
Made a decision without her trusted guidebook.
Working anonymously as Miss Galaxy, she has steered every relationship at Galaxy High. While Susie might not have any experience, The Space Age Ladies’ Guide to Romance and Social Affairs does—and she follows The Guide’s advice to the letter. Even when it means giving up on winning the attention of her longtime crush or sparking a love story of her own.
When an anonymous love letter arrives at her desk for Miss Galaxy, Susie gathers her courage, friends, and a souped-up space cruiser to embark on a scavenger hunt through the stars.
A magician, a widower from the Sudan, and an automat travel the world…
It is 1868 and three close friends, the immortal magician Celwyn, the automat Professor Xiau Kang, and Bartholomew, a scientist and widower from Sudan, set out on another adventure. After their airship is destroyed, they travel to Findbar Island to regroup and rebuild.
Meanwhile, Celwyn receives word from his love, the vampire Tara McFein. She is being kept prisoner in the Tower of London, and it is up to Celywn and company to save her.
The Pirate Danced and the Automat Died is a steampunk fantasy filled with murder, magic, and adventure.
What’s that peak oil thing you keep jabbering on about?
“Peak oil” is the phrase used to describe the point where the world’s oil supply, well, peaks. A fairly easy concept there. It’s the best we can do, and the best we will ever do, when it comes to pumping conventional crude oil out of the ground. After peak oil, it’s all downhill, production-wise.
Too many people think that peak oil means that the oil is going to run out, and that’s not quite right. The oil will not run out. Not ever. It will, over time, get increasingly rare and probably expensive (before it’s worthless), but there will always be at least a little bit of oil for us to use. Well, for someone to use. Probably not you and me, unless I sell a whole shipload of books. No pressure.
We’ve all had a boss or coworker we swore was evil incarnate. The chime of our email inbox makes our blood run cold. Sometimes, the flickering fluorescent lights send unnerving tingles down our spine. Was Jim in accounting or a ghostly voice from the other side warning you that the coffee machine is out of order?
Luckily, you can read about these spooky encounters from the safety of your favorite chair rather than your haunted house of a cubicle. Use that sick day you’ve been holding onto and save your soul from eternal damnation with Demonic Workplace (Safer to Call in Sick).
Bridget, freshly graduated from Ocean City High School, is now on her way to start her magic training—in Switzerland. Without Cay or Logan, who are busy looking for the Amulet, Bridget is forced to make new friends at Danann Academy. It’s just as awkward and drama-filled as any average first day of school, only now, her peers have powers. Bridget finds herself being attacked at every turn, from having her stuff set on fire to fighting off Beira’s descendants. To make matters worse, she discovers that Trip is now dating her newly sworn enemy.
Starting a new romance is the perfect escape from her magical reality. As she explores new feelings, Bridget faces a journey with someone she didn’t see coming: herself. With her half of the Amulet slowly dying, Bridget is running out of time to reunite the pieces and save the people she cares about. Will she be able to rise to the challenge and stop Trip and Beira’s descendants from plunging the world into eternal winter?
Is it too late to reconsider this whole thing?
This book is perfect for fans of mythology, Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief Series, any books by Sarah J. Maas, or The Summer I Turned Pretty.
She might be the queen, but mounting pressure from the old guard prevents Collette from making real change in Coralia.
Following the death of her father, Collette dreams of peace and prosperity for her people. She wants to stop the Merscales trade and grow the economy through international cooperation. The nobility wants to maintain the status quo.
When an important visit from the Nereid emissary is overshadowed by the brutal murder of Wrenn Almeida, Collette finds herself accused of murder by Wrenn’s sister, Rhoslyn. As tensions rise between herself, her half-brother Zephraim, and Rhoslyn’s supporters, the queen finds that her only choice is to flee the kingdom. Her allies—a trio of mercenaries, her aging guard captain, and her half-human lover—must stop at nothing to protect her.The Fractured City is the debut novel in the epic Legends of Coralia fantasy series. This book contains LGBTQ+ themes, violence, revenge, discussions of genocide, language, and sexual content.
Boian is a broken man with demons he could never reveal to his fiore, his flower.
As second in command for the most feared don in Italy, Boian Greco can’t afford any distractions. And his flower is the biggest distraction of all. He vows to keep her safe, even if it means hurting her.
Camil Radu is no longer the awkward little girl Boian grew up with. A gorgeous gray-eyed siren with the face of an angel and a body made for sin, Camil is temptation itself. But it’s her heart that Boian covets most––and the one thing he can never accept.
When she admits her feelings, he must tell her he doesn’t feel the same. As old demons descend upon her, Boian is faced with his worst nightmare. Will he lose her after always keeping her at arm’s length, or will he rescue her and get his second chance?
Radnar knew he didn’t want to lead armies like his war-mongering father. He didn’t really know what he wanted until he met Nessa the summer before his 16th birthday. From the moment their eyes met, his dark world was filled with light and his bitter heart swelled with hope. In her, he saw his always and forever.
But in the Realm, forever is fleeting. When Radnar let her go, he became his own worst nightmare.
Now a commander with an army at his back, cursed with a terrible gift, Radnar crosses paths with Nessa again years later. Like the first rays breaking through the darkness, he sees his salvation creeping above the horizon. Light has been brought back into his life, but with the shadows closing in, can the light prevail?
Detective Marissa Ambrose is a small town detective with scars—both physical and psychological. While she survived a brutal attack, her assailant still haunts her, sending photos and letters. Despite her efforts to keep people at a distance, her relationship with FBI Agent Mackenzie helps breathe new life into her existence.
As Detective Ambrose investigates a Jane Doe’s potential murder, she finds herself closely involved with a turbulent family. Struggling to find answers and making promises that she can’t guarantee, she finds herself obsessed with the case—so much so that she forgets the danger that is always hovering over her head.
Jamel Jones and Connor McIntyre-Jones are committed to being more open and honest with each other in their marriage. The stable, committed relationship they have built over the years remains strong, despite the outside forces that continue to test their resolve.
Despite the ghosts of a tumultuous past, ongoing flirtations and temptations, a difference of opinion about having children, and Connor’s still troublesome family, not to mention a global pandemic, Jamel and Connor are always determined to survive it all.
Can they learn to communicate more honestly with one another, or will they fall back into old habits that threaten to tear them apart?
When he is given a desperate battlefield promotion, he may face a grisly end … or a dark new beginning.
Kaith knows he’s been luckier than most. Born to a blacksmith, he’s grateful that hard work and good fortune have granted him a position as a man-at-arms in the Countess’s service. But when he accompanies her entourage to a joyful annual festival, the young man is shocked to find the village besieged, the people cursed, and Her Excellency’s knights slaughtered.
Forced to shelter in the now-helpless town, Kaith and his fellow armsmen are charged with repelling the demonic enemy. But when the force that returns is an army of familiar faces twisted with lifeless malice, he fears his tiny contingent will soon join their ranks. Facing rampant terror with little hope, can Kaith prevent darkness from claiming anyone left standing?The Dawn of Unions is the first book in the sweeping Cycle of Bones, a dark military fantasy series. If you enjoy unlikely heroes, realistic battles, and fighting for survival, then you’ll love JP Corwyn’s gritty novella.
To stop a ritual for power, bloodlines must be drawn in the sand.
A war that has raged for a millenia may come to a close as werewolf alpha Lukis attempts a ritual that will give him unspeakable power and incite a cataclysmic event that will affect the whole world. He is willing to sacrifice everything for it, even his own offspring. Leading a coven of vampires, Ace aims to stop him, but she may be thwarted by her own past and a love triangle she wanted no part in.
Her sire and former lover Nero has returned to London after decades of abandonment, longing to rekindle the flame between them. But Ace is resolute—the mission comes first, even if the pull toward Nero is stronger than she’d like to admit. Six, the progeny she sired in secret, arrives soon after asking for help, and her acute instability threatens to upend the mission and Ace’s reunion with her sire.
Blood is thicker than water, but family can be a real pain in the fangs.
It’s been a little over a year since the teens lost one of their own, but the memory still haunts them.
Johnny and his friends are typical teenagers in central Pennsylvania. They go to school, have after-school jobs, and spend their free time fishing and hanging out. They share a unique experience that bonds them in a way most teenagers wouldn’t understand—their friend Jimmy was killed a year ago by a ghost. Now Jimmy is back, and he needs their help.
Johnny, Buck, and the rest of the gang go back to where it all began: a small cave nestled in the mountains. There, they must solve the case of a missing ghost, and who would want to take their remains. They quickly learn that this goes beyond a simple mystery—they might be able to pull off the impossible and break Jimmy’s curse. They just have to be careful not to lose another friend in the process.
This fast-paced, whodunit adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page.
As a writer, I like to think I know everything about my characters and the world they inhabit.
But do I? I certainly don’t always recall those details—and definitely not when I need them most. Cue the dive down an internet rabbit hole for the next hour instead of continuing to write my draft. There’s a time for writing, and there’s a time for worldbuilding—and they aren’t the same!
Use this book to build your world in all its glory, so that the next time those townsfolk are suspicious of strangers, you know what happened the last time they trusted someone who walked into town from the world beyond. Just imagine, when you sit down to write, already knowing the answers to questions like:
What is that song on the radio at the bar? How long does it take to drive from Town A to Town B? Who established that law about bathtubs in the street? Where is the best place to get a burger in this town? When did that family take over the monarchy?
Tackling everything from creation myths and cultural practices to building relationships and measuring time, this worldbuilding guide has the questions and activities you need to help you craft a believable world for your story.
Helpless, 17-year-old witch Blodwyn watches as her mother, the Blodheska, dies in childbirth. Unwilling to inherit the mantle and incredible power of the Blodheska, Blodwyn is intent on resurrecting her. After all, only her mother could possibly bring back the Old Gods, as was written in the prophecy.
Blodwyn does not think she can carry such a heavy burden. Her grief is heavy enough. She finds herself at odds with her own coven, all of whom insist she follow the rules and caution against the arcane ritual. Inspired by true events, Witch of the White Serpent is a study on loss, longing, and letting the dead rest in peace.
For centuries, a global conspiracy of secret societies have hoarded magic, keeping it hidden from the rest of the world.
Before the age of reason and science, magic ruled the world. Now, it’s coming back. If most of humanity gets wiped out in the process … well, sometimes you have to break a few eggs. A group of anarchs and heretics in Chicago work to tear down the barrier that has kept humanity ignorant of demons, forgotten myths, and ancient legends. Obsessed with discovering evidence of the afterlife, Mike Auburn’s death-defying stunts have brought him closer than ever to lifting the veil of reality.
However, his ventures to the edge have not gone unnoticed. The boss of a tenebrous organization recruits Mike to their cause. Nothing can possibly go wrong. Right? Before long, a world ruled by the scientific method and rational thinking is challenged by the supernatural. Drawn out by the long-awaited return of magic, the dead, the damned, and the demonic will stop at nothing to bring it back for good. Suddenly, Mike is stuck at the center of a battle between the forces of reason, of good, of evil and everything in between.Dawn is a clash of American Gods, Constantine, and The Dresden Files.
“I don’t think anyone can forget their own war—the loss, the pain—however hard they try.”
Lin Thoren, a minor Norse goddess, is both beautiful and terrifying. While her powers have diminished over time, she can still move faster than light, shapeshift for short periods of time, and throw a grown man across the room. All of these skills make her a particularly adept Private Investigator.
Mary Lambert has just earned her Master’s degree in creative writing and aspires to be an author. Lin hires her to be a live-in ghostwriter and record her memoirs, which cover many eras, cultures, historical events, and criminal cases. As Lin recounts a tale about trafficked women hidden in a D.C. suburb, Mary begins to realize just how powerful her host is. Soon, Mary finds herself becoming an integral member of the Thoren household—in more ways than one.
Potarium, the city of heaven, has finally revealed itself.
After reaching the bottom of Munderworld and speaking to the enigmatic and all-powerful Munder King, Cynkz is granted passage to the heavenly city. Once washed upon its shore, he reunites with an old friend, and the two seek assistance in finding the long lost Sister of Elm.
Cynkz gets more than he bargained for when a dark secret from his past comes back in the worst way imaginable. New allies lead him down a dangerous path, and the jester must come to terms with his mistakes to save the last bastion of peace. Old grudges and new dangers put the fate of every living soul on the line, and Cynkz finds himself at the dark center of it all.
It’s been two decades since the Sky Elders returned to the mortal realm, entrusting the Itiwana tribe with protecting the Tree of Life. Tawa, chieftain of the Itiwana, is now an experienced warrior, beloved by his people. After the village is attacked by the Witch of the Whirlwind, Tawa learns he must fulfill an old promise and go on a quest. Tawa’s quest takes him far from home, where he must fight his foes alone.
Meanwhile, Tawa’s children must honor their own promises. Young Pahana is appointed as interim ruler while his father is away, and he struggles with the burden of defending his people and protecting the sacred tree. The disruptive influence of the newcomer Hayoka blurs the line between friendship and duty. Tawa’s daughter Kia is one of the most powerful Shamans in the world. She finds herself tempted by outside forces who want to use the young prodigy’s formidable abilities for their own agenda.
Unbeknownst to them all, the Witch of the Whirlwind is preparing to unleash the greatest threat that the Itiwana have ever faced.
Victory has been bought with a bracelet; Tohmas Galanth is to be married. With Arnika Trulin’s hand comes the Princedom of Trulin, freeing Tohmas to continue his conquest of Espar. But even magical love is real, and Tohmas is blind to any betrayal from within his ranks. As he marches, his enemies from this word and beyond plan a unified strike meant to stop him and free the conquered princedoms. Arnika is not the only target.
The closer he comes to success, the further Tohmas feels he is from what he wants for himself and for Espar. Chief Tamv of the Rydans is expecting homage and obedience. How can a son, even a pretend son, not honor his father?
He was born Esparan but raised Rydan. Now Tohmas must choose which to serve.
Gabby and Maddox visit the historic Niagara Falls and make new friends traveling from Canada. They learn about the rich history of the area and the people who have tried to conquer the powerful falls.
Seeking adventure themselves, the kids brave the Cave of Winds and explore the Hurricane Deck at the base of the American Falls. They take a ride on the Maid of the Mist boat tour all the way to the bottom of the Horseshoe Falls. Of course, a trip to Niagara wouldn’t be complete without an exciting helicopter ride!
Some people fall in love like feathers dancing in the breeze. Others plummet.
I’ve known my husband’s name since I was twelve years old: Chike Nagi, Crown Prince of Ebele. On our wedding day, as he led me in a dance throughout the untamed wilds, I wondered, “Is this what falling in love feels like?” Or was it just the savannah heat?
As a diplomat, I am accustomed to navigating different social spheres, but love is another beast altogether. I have been taught that love isn’t as important as power. But when his hand touches mine, I feel strong.
We couldn’t have known how rapidly our whole world was about to change.
Aestra, favorite teenaged angel of The Lord, has been sent to Earth to ensure that high school senior, Jake Parker, pursues the correct path. He is teetering between two options that may seem innocuous, but only one will lead him to positively impact the lives of millions of humans.
But what happens when the heart chooses love over responsibility? For Aestra, one fateful night will set into motion a chain of events unforeseen by even her infallible Creator.
Over a decade after breaking up with the love of his life, 42-year-old Jackson Knox has given up on finding anyone new. Breaking things off had been for the best for both of them, and Jackson has learned to live with the heartache. As he prepares to start a new job at a well-respected music school far from the place where he and Noah Santiago fell in love, he unexpectedly bumps into him again. Is it fate?
Musical genius Noah Santiago is hiding in his family’s home in a lakeside town in upstate New York, trying to figure out how to go on without being part of the world-renowned Barrington String Quartet. The pain of losing his career has left him gutted. The last person he expects to bump into is the man who still owns his heart after all these years.
Noah is wary of opening himself to more pain, and Jax fears Noah will never forgive him. Can their withered love bloom again? And how will they find their place together after so long apart?
We are excited that FAPAcon2022 will be back July 29 & 30, 2022. We will be there (in-person at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace). That’s right! 4 Horsemenn Publications is proud to help support this event as a Sponsor.
FAPAcon2022 is the leading conference for authors and publishers held in the state of Florida annually. FAPAcon2022 will feature 2 days of in-person sessions, a keynote address, in-depth workshops, networking, mixers, and the Florida Authors and Publishers Founders Book Award celebration and ceremony. You can register for an tickets, workshops, and the awards celebration for the full conference experience, or register for options that fit your needs and budget at the myFAPA website.
Make sure to stop by our table and learn all about us and our new and upcoming books!
Maria is the author of the Amazon best-selling series The Coal Elf Chronicles, The Altered Experience, and The Aestrangel Trinity. When not writing about dark fantasy and horror, she teaches Language Arts and Journalism to middle school students in Florida. A lover of all things dark and demented, she takes pleasure in warping the comfort factor in her readers’ minds. Just when you think you’ve reached a safe space in her stories, she snaps you back into her twisted reality.
What is your writing routine or schedule like? Walk us through a typical writing episode.
My writing process is very structured and disciplined. A typical writing episode starts with coffee. Strong and iced with lots of creamer. I sit down at about 8am and from there it’s ‘go time.’ I’ll take a few breaks throughout the day for food or bathroom or answer a text or interact with my kid for a little bit, but once I’m in the zone, I’m in the zone. I’ll burn out around 2ish, and whatever it is, it is for the day. That’s basically my life, three days a week, for two months out of the year.
Where do you get your best ideas? In the shower, driving, dreams, etc.
The best ideas always seem to come to me at two times: in the shower, or right before going to sleep. I think it’s because that’s when my brain is most relaxed and open to the ‘chatter’. Both not the most ideal settings to have to pause and write stuff down, but there definitely is something to be said for those ‘ah-ha’ moments!
Favorite fan moment? Let us freak out with you!
One of my favorite “fan” moments of all time was when I did a Tampa Bay Comic Con in 2016. A guy raced up to my table and was like, “I’m so glad I found you! I came here for you and your new book!” He said he was waiting to purchase it from me directly so I could sign it for him and talk with him about writing and publishing. It was pretty surreal to see someone, a complete stranger, get so excited over something I wrote. It was my “I feel like a celebrity” for a hot moment. I’ll never forget that.
I would say I prefer a satisfying conclusion – one that fits the tone and structure of the story at hand. And if that means the prince wakes up the princess with a kiss, or the whole world explodes into a fireball, then so be it.
What are your feelings on Happy Endings? As a reader? As a writer?
The word happy is so subjective, isn’t it? What is happy for the spider, is misery for the fly. I am not a fan of the “traditional” happy endings where the characters live happily ever after and everyone cheers because to me, that’s not real life. Life is messy. Life is complicated. And yes, there are moments of personal happiness, but not every moment has a happy outcome. Rather than happy, I would say I prefer a satisfying conclusion – one that fits the tone and structure of the story at hand. And if that means the prince wakes up the princess with a kiss, or the whole world explodes into a fireball, then so be it.
What kind of music do you listen to, if any? Why? Share a link if you have one (Spotify, YouTube, etc.).
My music taste is pretty eclectic. I tend to gravitate toward the heavy metal genre first and foremost. Bands like Chimaira, Fear Factory, and old White Zombie are always my go-tos to get my aggression out, but I do enjoy a wide range – 80s pop, 70s rock, 90s gangsta rap. I love to dance! Put me in a club or a dance floor at any party and I will tear that up!
How much research do you do for your writing? Is it for character, world, or plot? What are you researching now?
A lot of research goes into my writing because I want to keep the authenticity of the real world. I feel that’s important because if information is misaligned, it takes the reader out of the vibe of it all. Fiction is fiction, and that’s not to say you can’t bend facts and warp truths, but if I’m writing about something that happened on a particular date in 1987, and I say there was a full moon that night, well, I better be talking about the correct moment in time! Even when I write fantasy and get into the world of elves and magic – there is always some level of research and “truth” to stay faithful to. Currently, my research is taking me to the 1960s and the world of Charles Manson. I’m treading very cautiously so as to have all my ducks in a row.
Even when I write fantasy and get into the world of elves and magic – there is always some level of research and “truth” to stay faithful to.
Marketing! What has been the most useful marketing tool for you? (Social media, newsletters, paid ads, conferences, etc.)
As far as marketing goes, my favorite outlet is definitely going to conventions. Tampa Bay Comic Con, MegaCon, smaller shows… it doesn’t matter. If I can do em, I’m there. There is just something so electric about being with the crowds, meeting people, talking about books and writing. It’s even better to be able to do a panel because that open-mic platform becomes the building block of the reader/writer connection. Social media is great, for sure, but conventions are more personal and a great way to build your “life-long” audience.
How did you choose the genre you write? Was it by choice or encouragement from friends or fate aligning the stars?
I truly feel my genre chose me. From as early as I can remember, I’ve been attracted to all things weird and dark and terrifying. I can’t quite explain it – I feel like horror has always been in my blood. Other avenues just never really interested me.
What was your very first job?
My very first job was telemarketing for a construction company. I can still recite the script! It was a good job, though. I stayed with them for seven years, moved up from telemarketer to secretary to unofficial office manager. I even used the office computer to go on an online dating site where I met my husband!
From as early as I can remember, I’ve been attracted to all things weird and dark and terrifying. I can’t quite explain it – I feel like horror has always been in my blood.
Why’d you get that tattoo?
Because I wanted it! Seriously, though… all of my tattoos have a meaning, which I’m sure holds true for most people. I look at my tattoos as a visual representation of different times of my life, like an album of body illustrations. My first tattoo holds just as much value as my 20th. To me, it’s an art collection and a transformation into a literal body of art.
Cake or Pie? Defend.
There is only one answer: PIE. Pie is universal. It can be sweet or savory. It can be a meal or a dessert. Cake serves only one purpose. Pie is multifunctional. Give me pie ANY DAY!
