"The Book Formerly Known As..."

The artist formerly known as Prince.

I always got a kick out of that. Wasn't he always Prince? I don't know what the deal was, but he's back to being known by his original moniker and as scary as ever.

Anyway, after much contemplation and competition, the book formerly know as ANTEBELLUM APPARITION has a new title. 

I wish to thank especially David Roberts and Dennis Sparks for their many wonderful ideas. Though I chose none of their suggestions (or anyone else's for that matter), together they did inspire me towards a title.

Even though neither of them "won" the contest I am still awarding them with a signed copy of the finished book for the time it took to brainstorm and the inspiration they gave me. Each of these fantastic gentlemen contributed nuggets that led to the final title which is....

You're dying to know, huh? Well, it's really nothing all that profound. You see "Antebellum Apparition" was way too complex and ambiguous. It's suppose to be a Middle School reader, for crying out loud!

And the title had to, as clearly as possible, tell what the book was about. In two words, beginning with the same letter (I wanted the same sound, too, but that just didn't work out). As a ghost story of sorts, and taking place primarily in a theater space inside an old mansion, I decided upon:

PLAYHOUSE PHANTOM

The story is well outlined within my skull and I will begin transferring it to computer sometime in June. It will be completed by October and released on Thanksgiving Day 2013.

CONTEST: Name That Book and Win

Okay, fans and followers: 

Market Research has indicated that ANTEBELLUM APPARITION is way too complex of a title for a middle reader (though I love it). In fact many adults have no idea what antebellum is (except for Lady Antebellum, the Grammy winner). Obviously the title of a book must reach out and speak to potential buyers. In a few words it must convey what the book is about.

I need a new title and I need YOU to help me. 

Rules are simple: You can submit as many ideas as you like. If you submit one that I like best I will use it. If no one submits one I like/use, no one wins.

The title must be only two words and both words must begin with the same letter and sound (ex: two hard P's or two P's with the F sound, not a mix of the two like in "Proscenium Phantom" but "Proscenium Poltergeist" would work, except that's too lofty). Short words--one to two syllables--are better.

The story concerns a Haunted House (if that weren't such an over used title it would be perfect)--actually an antebellum (pre-civil war) house that has been turned into a theater, very much like Vancouver's Slocum House and appears to be haunted. So I want the title to clearly say "ghost or haunted" and "house or theater" in some way.

While I like "Greenroom Ghost" as an alternative, not everyone knows what a greenroom is. However, lacking a better title (that YOU come up with) I will likely go with that.

What you get: 

If your entry is selected I will give you credit in the acknowledgement of the book AND you will receive a FREE personalized autographed copy.

Use the cover photo for inspiration. The contest closes June 30, 2013. (the book comes out Thanksgiving Day 2013.)

Think synonyms, use a Thesaurus, get creative but clear. And good luck!

#voodoovirus #marshmonster #bayouboys #amishvszombies

Proposed Cover Art for Book 3, "Antebellum Apparition"

Didja see that photograph I took of the Davis Mansion and posted on this blog two posts ago? [Scroll down, you'll see it.]

Well, I couldn't help but monkey with it. I was inspired, okay? (Then again maybe I was procrastinating on the writing.)

I know, I know. Yes, ANTEBELLUM APPARITION is two books away* and I don't even have the current one (MARSH MONSTER) written.

Anyway this art still needs some clean-up and detailing work (and text, etc.), but this mock up shows you where I'm going with it. [Remember, the front is on the right, the back is on the left.]

*The truth is I have that story milling around in my noggin, too. I begin writing it this summer.

Mansion Makes Appearance in MARSH MONSTER's 1,000 Words Today

Another 1,000 words today on MARSH MONSTER and this house came into the picture.

It will come into play again in ANTEBELLUM APPARITION.

That's called foreshadowing.

From NOLA to JOMO with no Mojo

After another grueling, heap big drive I have made it out of the "Big Sleazy" and into Joplin, MO for a brief stay with a couple of my children (and to see my grandsons). I'll be on the move again come Monday morning when I'll head out to Colorado Springs where the wife and kids and I once lived (19 years ago). I will see old haunts and meet with a fellow author.

I took this photo of a gator I actually saw.

On my last day in Louisiana I did a lot of driving as well. First I slid down to Slidell (home of the infamous Honey Island Swamp Monster) for the Honey Island Swamp Tour. That was full of discovery and will be helpful to the writing of the next book in the Bayou Boys Adventure series MARSH MONSTER. I thought the tour was interesting.

Forget alligators! I saw way too many venomous snakes to make me ever want to get into a bayou for a swim.

After that I drove back up to NOLA to the Garden District where there are hundreds of antebellum mansions. As beautiful as they are it got tiresome looking at them and I had another stop to make that day.

A Greek Revival style antebellum now owned by the
Women's Guild of the New Orleans Opera.

BTW: I have selected a mansion that will be the physical model for the third book in the series ANTEBELLUM APPARITION.

My final trip of the day took me to Houma--the home of the my series heroes--which I originally chose, after some research, for it's Cajun culture and proximity to bayous. Got to say it looks like a pretty dull place to live in general. No wonder these boys seek out adventure!

An authentic Cajun dance hall in Houma (Home-ah), LA.

I guess the most interesting thing I saw in the city was a Cajun dance hall. I saw it and talked to a few folks, but didn't get to stay for the fais do do, since the sun was beginning to set. (And yes, these people do have their own "dialect.")

Before leaving town the next morning I picked up some authentic Cajun andouille sausage (and put it on ice) to bring up here to JOMO (where I'll make a batch of jambalaya tomorrow).

MO later, gator.