PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM Pre-proof Revision/Edit Done

I just finished the last revision and editing of PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM, which means, as soon as I finish the cover art (which I will attack next week) it's off to the printer for a proof copy. I will then go over the it again before it's scheduled for release.

Now I set my hand at writing the libretto/text for THIS CHILD, the rock opera I'm working on with Mark Keele.

Meanwhile, don't forget to come out and see me (and three other authors) at the Vancouver (Wash.) Hilton for the Loyal Local event this Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Coming Soon by Christy Award Winner James L. Rubart

Have you read any James L. Rubart? He's my favorite author and his books are very good. How good? Well, he's won the Christy Award. His books are bestsellers. He's the author of:

Book of Days
Rooms (my fave)
The Chair
Soul's Gate and
Memory's Door

All his books take place in the Pacific Northwest (where he resides) so that's always interesting, too. And his books will touch you deeply and make you think even deeper.

The newest book, Memory's Door (the Well Springs sequel to Soul's Gate), will be released in just a few sort days and we'll be having an interview on this blog with Jim very soon. AND we'll be giving away a copy of his book to one of our followers/subscribers.

http://www.jameslrubart.com/

SOUL'S GATE  Christy Award Winner! INSPY Winner!

Publishers Weekly: “Readers with high blood pressure or heart conditions be warned: this is a seriously heart-thumping and satisfying read that goes to the edge, jumps off, and “builds wings on the way down.”

RT Book Reviews Top Pick! with a 4.5-star review:

“Rubart’s novel is enthralling and superlative. Truly a story about freedom from things that we hold onto, this tale will captivate readers and encourage a more active, dynamic spiritual life. The original plot and well-drawn characters elevate this book to “must read” status.”

Appearing at Loyal Local with Church in the Park

Three other local authors will join me for the Loyal Local Event, Sunday, August 4 at the Vancouver Hilton Hotel for sales and signings. The event runs simultaneously with Church in the Park (formerly the All-Church Picnic) at adjacent Esther Short Park.

Joining me will be:

• Andy Bunch, author of Suffering Rancor
• Phil Sliver, author of Andi the Bee and the Award-Winning Boga Bear books
• Susie Salinas

Come on out and support local authors and artisans. Buy local...it makes cents.

A Teen Undergoes the Zombification Process

A student volunteer gets made up by author and artist Gregory E. Zschomler.

Here's a pic from yesterday's Battle Ground Community Library appearance.

I enjoyed the group of teens that were in attendance (about twenty I think) for the zombie makeup demonstration.

Thanks to Jurinda Swingruber, youth librarian, for having me; and to a great group of teens.

For a link to the slideshow, instructions and "recipes" click here.

They're Coming to a Library Near You*

Zombie Invasion Today! *if you live in Battle Ground

WHEN Tuesday, July 23, 2013, 4 – 6 p.m. WHERE Battle Ground Community Library 1207 SE 8th Way Battle Ground, WA 98604 EVENT TYPE Arts & Crafts, Books & Reading, Games & Play LANGUAGE English DESCRIPTION Teens, come dressed as the dead or prepared to be zombified by professional make-up artist and zombie book author Greg Zschomler! Join us for games, snacks, and cool door prizes!  Remember this is a BYOB event - "Bring Your Own Brains!" EVENT NOTES Library events and programs are free and everyone is welcome. Registration is not required. CONTACT INFO Battle Ground Community Library 360-687-2322

Catching Up With What I'm Up To

After a couple of redrafts and proofs PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM is now in the hands of my able-bodied editor. After she goes through it I will do one more revision and then proceed to formatting. After that I'll work on the cover art. It should be ready for the printer well in advance of the deadline to make the October release date.

I have also begun writing ALIEN AMBUSH and begun to formulate the story, but probably won't actively write more until next year. In the meantime I have begun another novel--a sci-fi, adult novel (not a Bayou Boys Adventure) called TO HELL, HEAVEN AND BACK AGAIN--which I plan to fully tackle for NaNoWriMo (in November) though I am writing on it somewhat now.

I am also revising and updating my 2005 text LIGHTS, CAMERA, WORSHIP! for re-release later this year. The book continues to be used as a college text at Mid-America Christian University and I'd like to see it used more widely--in schools and churches. But it needed an overhaul.

I'm also doing some slight revisions to MARSH MONSTER for its next printing. And, finally, I am waiting to hear back from three publishers about my novel THE AMISH vs. THE ZOMBIES (so far, out of five submissions, I have two rejections).

Meanwhile, I have an author appearance at the Battle Ground Library tomorrow, another on the 4th of August and another on August 18th.

Zombie Make-up Demo at Battle Ground Library

Here's the instructional notes from the Zombie Makeup Demo I gave (07/23/13) at the Battle Ground Library. You may pause the video at any time.

Praise for VOODOO VIRUS

On VOODOO VIRUS:

"This would make a great movie."

~Dennis Sparks, filmmaker

Writer and director of the movie "Nightbumpers"

Matt Mikalatos' "Man of Steel" Movie Message

Gotta check out the "Man of Steel" post on Matt's blog. Watch to the end. Love it! Click below.

http://www.mikalatos.com/2013/07/man-of-steel-how-it-should-have-ended.html

SHARKNADO The Misery State of Publishing

Really? No, really? They are NOT kidding. Seriously?! *shakes head* And publishers/agents have a hard time believing in "The Amish vs. The Zombies." There is hope for any manuscript, I'm sure.

New Writing Projects in the Works

I am so excited to write my next projects. Yes, two of them! I was going to write a work of non-fiction next, but I think I can better express what I have to say (what I feel called to say) through fiction...for now.

I plan to write yet another Bayou Boys Adventure called ALIEN AMBUSH. lol And a Christian Adult Sci-Fi novel called TO HELL, HEAVEN, AND BACK AGAIN involving inter-dimensional travel. The later is totally going to blow your mind!

Although I have begun both stories and will likely write on them from time to time over the summer I won't be attacking them full-bore until fall (once I have the editing and production work on PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM completed). I'll probably tackled one of them for NANOWRIMO.

New Book Banner

Proposed PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM Cover

So, this is the newest proposed PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM cover.

What do you think?

PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM Tidbits

I finished the Glossary and Table of Contents for PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM today.

PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM Progress and Other News

I am leaving the PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM manuscript alone for a couple of days before coming back to it for revisions and further proof. However, I did finish the Glossary today. The work is 28,000 words--a tad shorter than MARSH MONSTER, but considerably longer than VOODOO VIRUS.



Also, here are some dates to keep in mind:

• July 23: Zombie Event for Teens at the Battle Ground Public Library. I will have books to sign and sell and will be doing a zombie makeup demonstration workshop.
• Aug. 4: Loyal Local and Church in the Park Event at the Hilton Hotel next to Esther Short Park in Vancouver. I'll have a book table with other authors.
• Aug. 18: Sunday Streets Alive in Vancouver (a bike and walk event). I'll have a table with other authors and have a bike decorating activity.

Come on out and see me!

Exciting PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM Update

Guess what? Yup, I just finished the first draft of PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM! In fact, I have also redrafted it. I guess, technically, what I did was redraft all but the last chapter and then finished that.

And you know what I discovered? Two things. One: I love these characters too much to end this. (Yes, they lived, but barely.) And two: I wrote in a teaser for yet another Bayou Boys Adventure! Book Four?

Next, I'll go through the manuscript again and make some more changes. It goes to copy-editing and a reading (out loud to my boys). More changes, a final line edit, and then formatting. Woot! Woot!

Phinalizing the MSS of PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM

I am now about to write the final chapter of PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM. 

I should finish the draft tomorrow!

STAR WARS as Written by Shakespeare: Video

THIS IS  A GAS! 

Rarely, do I find something so amusing that pertains to both of my blogs (books and theater). Well here's one. The trailer is great and I am going to get this book (though I'd actually like to see the play).



The book is from the same publisher that brought us "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters" and "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" (Quirk Books). [Incidentally, they turned down the opportunity to publish my "The Amish vs. The Zombies."]

Thanks to author Matt Mikalatos for finding and sharing. You should follow his blog.