Saturday, March 4, 2017

Good Luck, Little Sailboat

(image: sanjeetv.wordpress.com)


This week will always be a special one for me.

As a writer, one of your biggest dreams is to walk into a bookstore or library and see your own work on the shelves.

That happened for me this week.

It's difficult to describe the overwhelming feeling that washed over me as I walked into my local library and saw DOLL HOUSE on display. It felt like a dream. Like I'd wake up any moment and it would be gone. But there it was, right up front on display, beside so many other books. Books written by well-known and bestselling authors.

But there was my little book. Right next to them.

My little sailboat that I had now sent out into the wide, wide ocean.

I picked it up and flipped it over and over in my trembling hands. It was real. It was actually there, in the library, just waiting for the world to read.

My mind raced through the past four years. I'd spent countless hours in that library, pouring over my notebook, my computer, just writing away. It was only an idea of mine back then. My idea. My brain. No one else had experienced the little story I was so passionate about.

But there it was, now in my hands. Something physical. Tangible. It was no longer just an idea.

It was a book. MY book. On the shelves. Just waiting for someone to come along and pick it up and go on the adventure.

So, good luck, little sailboat. Go out into the world and do great things. Make somebody happy.

Just like you've done for me.


-Sam

  

Friday, February 24, 2017

DOLL HOUSE trailer revealed!!

Happy Friday, Everyone!

It has definitely been a while since I last posted...but for good reason! I've been busy promoting Doll House, writing, MORE promoting...

Writing a book is only the first step. There's so much more that goes into the process after you've published, but it's all been worth it and I'm enjoying every single moment.

Especially when I get to share things like this with you...

Here's the official opening trailer for Doll House! I can just imagine Emma making her way to the orphanage for the very first time here.

ENJOY!!!



-Sam

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Release Day!!

Well, you guys, it's December 17, 2016.

AND I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

I can't believe that my little book -- this manuscript I've been pouring over for the past few years -- is finally being released into the world today. I've poured my heart into this book. I've spent countless hours with these characters, writing page after page, tagging along on their adventure.

And now the world can tag along.

This may sound cheesy and cliché, but this is an emotional day for me. I can't help it. I've wanted this for so long. I've prayed and waited and asked the Lord for guidance.

And He's led me to this day. This moment.

I'll always remember December 17, 2016 as the day my debut novel was released. The day I became a PUBLISHED AUTHOR.

Holy cow... Just typing that makes me stop and reflect. I've wanted to be published since I was 14 years old, and now it's really happening. Today that dream has come true.

I'm PUBLISHED.


Again, I want to thank each and every one of you who have congratulated me on the publication of Doll House. Thank you to those who have championed my writing and supported my dreams. Today is the day we've been waiting for!!

If you'd like to go on this adventure and see what I've been working on for the past four years, I invite you to check out Doll House. I invite you to meet Emma Winters, a young girl whose story has become so special to me.

Amazon
Createspace Bookstore

I hope you enjoy!
-Sam

Monday, December 12, 2016

What a Ride

"Boring" is not a word I would use to describe these past few weeks.

They've been anything BUT boring.

Since I made the announcement last month that I'd be publishing my first book, I have been flooded with warm wishes, messages, encouragement, and the support of so many people around me. People whom I haven't spoken to in years have reached out and told me how excited they are.

It's been a ride, that's for sure. Ups and downs. Highs and lows. Twists and turns. There have been happy tears, overwhelming fears, anxiety, restlessness, unspeakable joy...and a couple heart-to-hearts with Jesus.

This writing and publishing business is a funny thing. You put yourself out there, invite people to meet characters you've secretly known for years, and wait to see how they'll respond. And I must say, the response has been great.

People literally from the other side of the world have congratulated me and shown so much excitement for this project. The crazy thing is...a month ago they had no clue about Emma or my writing! And then BOOM. The ride started, and all I've been able to do is sit back and take it in.

Sit back and let God lead.

So, I just want to say thank you. Thank you to all who have congratulated me and reached out to me these past few weeks. Your messages have meant so much. I'm overwhelmed by your responses and excitement, and I'm so thankful for the support that you all have shown me and DOLL HOUSE.

Not only are you my friends, but I am blessed to call you my "readers" as well. And for that, I am truly thankful.


-Sam

Saturday, November 19, 2016

SNEAK PEEK

Here's a sneak peek from the moment Emma Winters first arrives at Crummings' Home for the Dispossessed...

 



The windshield wipers on the car squeaked as they flew back and forth, trying their best to fight off the rain.  We crossed the bridge and began driving through town, still hitting every pothole along the way.  Small cafés and convenient stores lined both sides of the street, and soggy newspapers littered the grimy sidewalks and gutters.  The place felt abandoned.  And dirty.

We rounded a corner, and soon the car was slowing to a stop.  As the driver threw the gearshift into park, I peered out the window, eager to see my new home.  But all I saw was a wall of twisted metal.  The driver opened my door, and I stepped out onto the sidewalk, my jet-black hair blowing in the drizzly autumn wind.  A tall, wrought-iron gate loomed above me, like a set of prison bars, and I started to wonder if the legends were true.

“Don’t just stand there gawking,” said Delores.  “You’ll get pneumonia out here.  Grab your bag and let’s go.”

The driver handed me my tattered suitcase, tipped the brim of his hat to say “good day,” and then climbed back into the cab.

There was the sharp sound of metal scraping against metal as the gate suddenly swung open.  All by itself.  With my one piece of luggage in hand, I stepped through the entrance and into the courtyard.  Cobblestones covered the ground, though patches of dead, yellow grass fought through the cracks.  It was like walking through a cemetery.  Stone statues and fountains were scattered throughout the yard, many chipped and broken.  I passed a crumbling, three-legged fawn and an angel whose face had disintegrated long ago.

“Homey, isn’t it?”

I rolled my eyes at Delores’s smart comment and kept walking.

Black birds scattered as I passed more decrepit statues, squawking loudly as they flew away in annoyance.  The orphanage looked like some medieval castle.  I gazed up at the towering fortress and couldn’t believe how massive it was.  Rows of tall, skinny windows lined all three floors, and as we walked up the front steps, I was surprised to see the grimacing faces of several stone gargoyles staring at us, as if they were guarding some secret.  I shivered as I walked past their disapproving scowls.  
 
DOLL HOUSE ebook available for preorder now! Arrives 12.17.16.
 

Friday, November 18, 2016

Now Available for Preorder!!

The ebook version of DOLL HOUSE is up and ready for preordering! If you'd like the novel automatically downloaded to your Kindle on release day -- 12.17.16. --  then visit the link below.

And get ready to enter Crummings' Home for the Dispossessed...



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N95XVZD/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_awdo_t2_1i9lybGDYEY7Y


*paperback version available 12.17.16.

Monday, November 14, 2016

ANNOUNCEMENT DAY

Well, you guys. It's time. After working on this novel for so long, I can finally share the AMAZING cover and title with you...


I can't tell you how much I love this design. It perfectly conveys the dark emotion within the book.

And now for a little trip down memory lane...

The idea for DOLL HOUSE was born out of boredom one blistering summer afternoon in 2012. I was sitting on the bed sweating to death in the 100 degree weather -- no electricity -- when BAM. The idea for this book suddenly hit me. I have no idea where Emma Winters' story came from, but I'm so glad it crept into my brain that day! Because four years later, here we are.

And now, to answer your next question, here's what Emma's story is all about...


I can't tell you how much this story means to me. I've been writing short stories since I was twelve years old -- even attempted another book once -- but this one is different. This one is special. It may sound crazy, but Emma has become almost real to me. After all, I've spent four years with her!

And I can't wait for you to meet her either. DOLL HOUSE will be available worldwide on December 17, 2016. So mark your calendars!

And get ready to enter Crummings' Home for the Dispossessed...


Coming
12.17.16