Hi, Everyone -
‘Tis the season to wish everyone happy holidays, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, the Solstice or otherwise, and I am here to do just that. So, happy holidays to all!
For all of you who have sampled, bought, read, recommended and/or gifted my books to friends, family and fellow readers, thank you so much. Writers and readers have a symbiotic relationship. We really do need each other. I am very grateful for your support and encouragement. I also speak as a reader myself, naturally, and I am grateful for the tales well told that have come my way this past year. And, judging by my TBR stack, I will have a lot to be thankful for, reading-wise, in the coming year(s) as well.
In 2006 I had published a book that was a bit of a change of pace for me, KINDRED SPIRIT. It was well-received and, for the most part, well-reviewed. I tried some new things this past year as well, the KINDRED SPIRIT podcast of the Prologue and Chapter One, for those who prefer listening to stories. I also created a list of discussion questions for KINDRED SPIRIT, something I haven’t done before. I thought that, of all my books, KINDRED SPIRIT lent itself the most to book group discussion.
Again, I truly appreciate your support. If you’ve recently read and enjoyed one of my books, drop me a line at author[at]passarella[dot]com and let me know. Even better, tell a fellow reader or two, or post a review at Amazon, B&N, Powell’s, etc. I think I speak for all the not-yet-bestselling authors out there, when I say that we really depend on word-of-mouth to build a following. With the proliferation of bookstore chains, that’s more true today than it has ever been.
I’m hoping to have a couple chapbooks out early in 2007, the latter will be a Wendy Ward chapbook, with two 10,000-word stories, one reprint, one new, i.e., Forces of Nature and Breathless. The first chapbook will feature illustrated versions of two of my earlier stories, “Debts Long Due” and “All Heaven in a Rage.” The next novel is finished, but not yet sold. I’m wrapping up a short story, after which I hope to begin writing the next, next novel.
Andrea and her sisters are taking Emma to see The Nutcracker tonight. Matthew, Luke and I will have to figure out what to do for our “guys” night. Tomorrow night, my sister’s family and my parents will stop over for Christmas Eve, to eat and exchange presents. We won’t have to travel on Christmas Day, which is great for the kids. They’ll be too busy playing with toys and video games, and eating fresh-baked Christmas cookies to want to pile into the car for a road trip.
Warning: Football paragraph follows: At 5PM, we’ll settle in for Eagles vs Dallas. I’m hoping the Eagles can go 5-1 in the NFC East (after 0-6 last year) and take the lead in the division. If they do win, I’m expecting a “hangover” loss against Atlanta, which will probably give the division right back to Dallas, who finishes up with Detroit, a probable “gimme” win.
On January 5, Matthew will have his second non-emergency draining of the cyst in his brain. He DID improve after the last emergency draining, walking a little better around the house, so I’m hoping for even more improvement after the first week of January. Wish us luck.
Promo note: I’ll keep my Passarella Book Store “Horror-For-The-Holidays” Sale (penny S&H) going for a little while. If you order any three of my books, you’ll get a 10″ Limited Edition Wither’s Legacy Ice Scraper. Even with 1-book orders, I’ve been tossing in freebies, signed cover flats, etc., as little surprises.
Happy Holidays, Everyone!
John Passarella
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Passarella Book Store
Two of my stories (”All Heaven in a Rage” & “Debts Long Due”) are now available in a newly illustrated flip chapbook from Scrybe Press. Read one story, then flip the book around and read the other. Inside, you’ll find a new introduction I wrote for the chapbook, explaining the genesis of each story.
WENDY WARD returns post-