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A Writer’s Journey (Or The Art of Going Nowhere Fast!)

I guess it’s one of the standard questions every author gets asked sooner or later: “What was your journey as a writer like?”

I’ve written all my life, starting way back in my primary school days, when I used to write lurid stories about being stranded on desert islands, unicorns and monsters. My imagination was one tumultuous riot of ideas and images, and still is. The teachers set an assignment, a two or three page essay/story. I used to fill two or three exercise books. I often wish I had kept some of those stories just to reflect on early beginnings.

As I grew, I discovered I had other talents, drawing, painting, even back then my main art subjects were superheroes, which I still like to doodle with today. But writing was always at the forefront.

It wasn’t serious back then, just writing for my own delectation, ideas would come to me, [frequently] and I would just write about it, I often wonder how many millions of words I have written and forgotten.

I discovered camping, travelling, going out into the big wide world, a good source of subject matter, gathering experiences, though, again, at the time, I didn’t realise exactly what a treasure trove of knowledge I was building, or what for. I couldn’t settle, I can’t tell you how many different jobs I had in between travelling through Europe, the near east, the length and breadth of the U.K.

I dabbled a little in sending submissions to literary agents, with absolutely no results, but I wasn’t deterred. I kept writing and sending, happy with the never-ending merry-go-round of sending manuscripts and receiving rejection slips.

I don’t know exactly when it did become serious. Probably when an English literary agent finally accepted a young adult horror novel I had written. I was thrilled to bits. The literary agent, who shall remain nameless, [I’ll explain in a minute], encouraged me to also design and paint book covers for some of his other clients which I was all too happy to do. I even had one accepted and published which was a great boost to my self-esteem.

Unfortunately, it was all a scam. The literary agent was a fraud, he duped me, and several other aspiring authors into submitting the work only to plagiarize it and publish it under his own name. It’s not an uncommon story, and I was pleased when he was prosecuted and found guilty.

But that wasn’t the end of it. About a year later I saw a t.v. listing in the paper for a new adventure series. It caught my eye because the name of the series, and the title font design they were using was the same as the young adult novel I had submitted to the literary agent.

Long story short, the plotline of the t.v. series was exactly the same as my novel, and a lot of the characters matched. I sought the advice of a lawyer who having read my novel and seen the first four episodes of the t.v. series, was so confident in my case, he agreed to take the case pro bono. The case collapsed because we could never make a connection between the literary agent and the t.v. company who produced the series. Here’s the kicker, I was told by the t.v. company if I ever published the YA Novel in its present form I would be sued for plagiarism! Go figure.

To say that little episode took the wind out of my sails would be an understatement. It didn’t stop me writing, but I was reluctant to make any more submissions.

Fast forward fifteen years.

Originally from the U.K. I came to the U.S.A. in November 2017. In June 2023 I received my American Citizenship. I’m not sure what it was, but I felt inspired. I took a trip down to Cancun, Mexico. I was sitting on a bus, and I saw a store with a huge gorilla squatting on the canopy over the store front, the store’s name was JUNGLE. And that’s all it took.

I began writing the first novel in THE JUNGLE SERIES. It just felt right. The words just poured out of me. I finished it, edited it to the best of my ability and decided to take the bull by the horns and start submitting it. [Not with a little trepidation, I might add.] I was thrilled when it was accepted for publication by 4Horsemen Publications, I haven’t looked back since.

I think my story is typical of many aspiring [and successful] authors. If I have made light of it, it really wasn’t. But if you write seriously, it’s not because you want to write, it’s because you need to write. It’s in your blood. Don’t let anyone tell you writing is easy because they don’t know what they are talking about. I love writing, I have never considered it a “job”, but sometimes your characters haunt you, they never leave you alone, they drive you crazy.

Sometimes I feel as if I am going nowhere fast, just spinning my wheels, I have all these stories running around my head like headless chickens begging to be written and I wonder how many will see the light of day. Will I have the time, will anyone even be interested?

And writing goes beyond the actual creative process, that’s the fun part. Building new worlds, new characters, new adventures. Wait till you have to do all the rewrites, the editing…

It’s hard, it can be solitary… But do you know what?

I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Follow Alan at: 

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Series Catch Up: The Aestrangel Trilogy

Do you love diving into an amazing series?

We have the ultimate Horror series for you: 

There are 3 books so far in this complete series.

Check out book one Aestrangel the Fallen here:

Hell hath no fury like an angel scorned!

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.

You can order this book  in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10!

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Haunter’s Tale It’s Alive!

As the clock ticks down, dear fiends and phantoms, the veil between the living and the dead grows thinner. Soon it will be October 31, 2024, the day when Accomplishing Innovation Press unleashes the first volume of Haunter’s Tale upon the world. This spine-chilling anthology promises to be a ghastly delight, overflowing with ghoulishly original stories, eerie true ghost accounts, haunting artwork, and much more. For those who revel in horror, this is one book you won’t dare to miss!

At the helm of Haunter’s Tale is none other than James-Michael Roddy, a name that evokes images of some of the biggest Halloween events around the globe. With his diabolical genius and extensive experience in the horror genre, Roddy ensures that this anthology will be a masterpiece of terror. He has brought together the most talented horror/haunt designers and fans to create an unforgettable reading experience. The anticipation for its release date is palpable, with horror enthusiasts everywhere eagerly awaiting their chance to delve into the darkness.

Haunter’s Tale Volume One is no ordinary collection; it is a plunge into the depths of horror and hauntings. Each volume will feature:

Ghoulishly Original Stories: From twisted minds come new and terrifying tales that will leave you unable to sleep at night.

True Ghost Accounts: Chilling real-life encounters that will make your blood run cold.

Haunting Artwork: Visually stunning pieces that capture the essence of each story’s eerie atmosphere.

Backstories and More: Gain insight into the inspiration and creation of each spine-tingling tale.

In-Depth Interviews: Take a peek into the dark worlds of these masterminds as they discuss their creations.

Keep Repeating, It’s Only a Book

Volume One, titled Haunters and Hauntings, will kick off the series with a bang. Featuring an introduction from the legendary Tom Savini, a revered figure in the horror community, this volume sets the stage for what’s to come. Savini’s unique insights and experiences add an extra layer of depth and terror to the collection, ensuring that readers are in for a truly immersive experience.

Haunter’s Tale goes beyond simply showcasing stories and artwork; it celebrates the talented and dedicated creators behind them. The ultimate goal of this series is to provide a platform where horror enthusiasts can come together, share their work, and inspire one another. Every creator has a unique perspective on the genre, and Haunter’s Tale aims to give them the opportunity to share it with the world.

To complement this terrifying new book series, an hour-long podcast will also be launched. This podcast will serve as an extension of the Haunter’s Tale platform, offering in-depth interviews with horror creators. Take a deep dive into the minds behind the madness as they engage in thought-provoking conversations about all things horror, and read spine-chilling renditions of the stories featured in the anthology.

So brace yourselves, dear readers. The world of Haunter’s Tale is dark, twisted, and waiting to be explored. Enter if you dare, but remember to keep repeating: it’s only a book… or is it?

www.haunterstale.com

www.michaelroddystoryteller.com

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Series Catch Up: The Ituria Chronicles

Do you love diving into an amazing series? Then we have the ultimate Middle Grade Adventure booksfor you: 

The Ituria Chronicles

There are 11 books so far in this series.

Check out book one Russ and the Hidden Voice here:

There is a place filled with magic and safe for those seeking sanctuary…

When Russ is rescued from an untimely death, he is transported to a new world within the caverns of the moon. It is here that his savior asks Russ to help with a serious problem threatening to destroy Ituria’s Island. Will they be successful, and will Russ ever get back home?

Inspired by Ituria’s noble actions, Russ is determined to save the island, with the assistance of a dragon and other island residents. He even finds that he’s getting assistance from the mysterious nightmares! It all depends on finding the source of the haunting voice that only Russ can hear.

This book is great for early readers who love the environment, making friends, and learning how they can help real life animals and their habitats.

You can order this book  in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10!

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Series Catch-Up: West Haven Undead

Do you love diving into an amazing book series? Then we have the ultimate YA Paranormal books for you: 

The West Haven Undead

There are 4 books so far in this series.

Check out book one Us of Legendary Gods here:

West Haven has its secrets of legendary proportions.

When Jack Taylor goes missing, a tight-knit group of high schoolers decide to take matters into their own hands. None of them believe the media stories after seeing the crime scene. Something super natural might be happening in their quiet Chicago suburb and they intend to uncover the truth.

Connor DeSalvo, his cousin Scarlett McAllister, and her bestie Allison Petrovsky dive deep into a rabbit hole in search of their friend Jack. They soon discover impossible pregnancies, families gone missing, and legendary folks being hunted by a shadowy organization in attempts to “cure” the population. Evidence is piling up and the law won’t help…

Readers who enjoy conspiracy with science fiction and supernatural elements will fall into the depth of this story. This book contains violence, gore, kidnapping, and torture.You can order this book  in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10!

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The Secret to Stop Binge Eating

What if I told you the secret to stop binge eating was to eat more?

Binge eaters, picture this: you start your work day off committed to eating 1300 calories. For breakfast, you choke down bland egg whites and a chalky protein shake. By the time it’s 10 am, your tummy grumbles. Rather than eating, you suppress your hunger with black coffee until noon.

In your lunch box is a green salad with two-day old chicken, a low-fat vinaigrette, and exactly ⅛ cup of shredded carrots. Begrudgingly, you stab your fork into the bowl of leaves while your colleague enjoys a thick, overstuffed hummus wrap. You salivate as you watch chunks of feta tumble out from the tortilla and obsess whether or not cheese would be OK to add to your salad.

After returning to your desk unsatisfied, you remember the granola bar stashed in your desk drawer. Feeling guilty about the 11 grams of added sugar, you devour it while swearing you’ll skip carbs at dinner.

Just one problem: you’re still hungry. The rest of your afternoon is clouded by thoughts of food, making it hard to concentrate on work. Your body and brain are begging for nourishment but your calorie counting app says no. You feel bad for wanting food.

But by the time you get home, it’s game over. At a long stoplight, you caved and ordered an XL pizza off UberEats. But even the 12 minute arrival time does not stop you from tearing into your pantry like a grizzly bear at an abandoned campsite. You munch on trail mix, a handful of stale crackers, and even some chocolate chips you hid from yourself in the back of the freezer. At this point, there’s no point in counting calories- the day is ruined by your binge. Your stomach is uncomfortably full, and you feel an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame. Tomorrow, you say to yourself, I will do better.

The thing is, tomorrow won’t be better if you continue to restrict food to unhealthy levels. This is because the body’s normal and healthy response to starvation is to seek out large amounts of quick energy in the form of sugar, fat, and ultra-processed foods. Why? To keep you alive! Read How to Eat like a Normal Person to understand the binge-eating pattern.

Unless you have anorexia nervosa, an extreme eating disorder with the highest death rate of all mental health disorders, your body will drive you to seek out food when it is not getting enough nutrition. This explains why women who struggle with the all-or-nothing mentality with food often ping-pong between diets and binging- their bodies are recovering from mild starvation by overeating. 

In fact, studies show adopting a regular eating pattern has been shown to reduce the frequency of binge eating while suppressing hunger can increase the occurrence of binge eating. This means to stop binge eating, you must fuel your body throughout the day with the right balance of protein, complex carbs, and dietary fats.

Feel confused or overwhelmed by the idea of eating more to binge less? How to Eat Like A Normal Person: Guide to Overcoming the “All-or-Nothing” Mindset with Food & Diet is a story-workbook that will teach you how to eat for YOUR body so you stop binge eating and heal your relationship to food.

Written by Kait Richardson, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and author of How to Eat Like A Normal Person: Guide to Overcoming the “All-or-Nothing” Mindset with Food & Diet. You can follow her on Instagram @kaitrichardsonrd.

Pre-order your copy here.

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Series Catch-Up: Mothman in Love

Do you love diving into an amazing series?

We have the ultimate Steamy/Sweet Romance series for you: 

There are 2 books so far or in this series, with third available for preorder!

Check out book one I’m In Love with Mothman here:

22-year-old Heather is suffering from an epic case of burnout.

So, just like any other young influencer, she

  • abandons her social platforms. Check!
  • gathers up her best flowy dresses. Check!
  • and moves to a desolate cabin. Check!

Heather imagines spending her #unplugged days traipsing through the woods and tending to her garden. However, her cottagecore fantasy is turned upside down when a wounded cryptid crashes into her roof—and her heart.

With no help from her internet followers, and the local monster-hunter growing suspicious, Heather’s quiet life in the wilderness has suddenly become a little more complicated. To make matters worse, she thinks she might be falling in love with the brooding winged man in her living room.You can order this book  in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10!

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Series Catch-Up: The Celwyn Series

Do you love to dive into an amazing series?

We have the ultimate Steampunk series for you: 

There are 5 books so far in this series.

Check out book one The Violins Played Before Justan here:

Celwyn has avoided caring about anyone for hundreds of years, but he’s about to learn the advantage, and cost, of true friendship.

While on a mission to avenge the death of his lover, the immortal peyote-eating magician Celwyn is hired to deliver an automat, Professor Kang, to a priest. But Celwyn quickly learns that everything the priest told him was a lie. Now his ship, the Zelda, is stuck in a horrific storm and Celwyn knows he must reconsider his allegiance if he is to steer his vessel in the right direction and continue his quest.

Choosing Professor Kang, the pair journey west, hunting for revenge. To deflect the attention of the city’s police, they allow an American heiress to join their party as she escapes matrimony in search of adventure. When the trio encounters an intelligent but superstitious widower––their misfit group is complete. Through battles against malevolent forces and dangerous rescues, the companions start to feel like family to Celwyn, but he has lost someone he loves before and is in no hurry to watch it happen again.

You can order this book  in all formats directly from our 4HP Website and receive 10% OFF using coupon code 4HP10!

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My Writing Journey – Nick Savage

Every author travels a unique path that is their writing journey. From the moment we first picked up a book that inspired us, to the final written (or typed) word of that first manuscript, we’ve all been there in some unique way. While my tale is not unique unto itself, perhaps my experiences somewhere between the beginning and now can shed some light on what it’s like or ease the concerns of a weary writer.

Writing, in one form or another, has always flowed through my veins. From the very first set of lyrics when I started playing guitar and poems to which no music fit, to the numerous screenplays, and finally to the novels that have led me to write this. But my background plays little importance in the story. I grew up a mile and a half outside Chicago in Niles. I had, what I considered, a fairly normal childhood. We all have our trauma to bear. That’s part of why we write.

Growing up, I read a lot of Hardy Boys. Fun detective stories to capture the imagination of youth. As I got older, I read different genres and more politically charged novels like Johnny Got His Gun. The worlds within books always held my fascination, captivating me to escape into them. When that happens, you feel the calling to write. So, here I am. Writing about myself has never been my strong point. I much prefer stories. I guess that’s why I write fiction and not non-fiction.

When an idea for a story slides into my consciousness, I let it marinate. I may start writing a few pages to see what my immediate mind brings to the table, but I let it marinate. It stews in my head for a while, thinking about whether the initial idea holds any relevance past the first bloom. Will it make for a good story or a good anecdote within some other story? If it might make a good book, what is the story about? What endings can happen? If the idea is a boy meets girl, does it end with him getting the girl? Could it be he gets a different girl from the initial crush? Or some other possibility? More importantly, I ask myself, “Why am I telling this story? What about this needs to be told?”

After convincing myself that my idea is worth telling, thus worth being read, I plot. I do not subscribe to the discovery method solely. Plotting on cards or within software like Scrivner will help you discover what needs to happen in order for A (the beginning) to end at Z (the end). I know that some would crucify me for saying such things against discovery writing, but it is not my jam. Of course, it isn’t all plotting. At some point, I start writing. And the writing goes well for a while until I hit a wall. I do not believe in writer’s block. I believe that being prepared for the inevitable wall is how to get around that block. I plot, I write, I hit wall. So not what? Now, I go back and plot. Figure out what within the plot caused the traffic jam. From there, it’s a rinse-and-repeat kind of thing. 

Writing is the easy part. Finding the inspiration for the story can hit from out of nowhere. One day, I can be standing outside a fast food joint, waiting on my burger when I see someone who reminds me of someone and my mind starts weaving a tale of lost love and bad decisions. Another day, my inspiration spawns from the title of an X-Files episode. Not the subject matter of the episode or anything, just the title. 

We all have stories to tell. Some are novels, and some are novellas. A few of us have the gift (or curse) for epic stories. But in order to write, we need to experience this thing called life in all the shades it comes in. The ecstasy, the agony, and everything between. Go live. Enjoy the moments as they pass and see what they whisper to you. Who knows? Perhaps your next moment could be what inspires you.

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Chronicles of the Crossing – Crowdfunding

Where Epic Metal RPG Campaigns and Fantasy Novels Meet!

We are getting closer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In partnership with Storytellers Forge, the crowdfunding campaign for the Chronicles of the Crossing. These epic full-length novels of different genres, each written by a different author to explore the journeys through the Purgatory setting of The Black Ballad.

These novels explore the age-old question any adventurer has had to ask in a TTRPG campaign…..

You died, now what?

Be one of the first to reserve your spot here: https://get.storytellersforge.com