Becoming a writer doesn't happen overnight. Sometimes life just gets in the way before the pieces start to fall into place. Janice Tremayne tells us about her journey and also shares an excerpt from her book Haunting in Old Tailem. Be sure to let her know what you think in the comments and then follow the tour for more! Best of luck entering the giveaway
An Australian Ghost town. A resident demon and a local Shaman. A confrontation with evil awaits.
Clarisse realizes that running from evil is not a bad idea until you figure out you can't hide. When some ghosts get tired of hanging around, they latch onto you. At the centre of the war on evil is a historic Church that carries dark secrets within its walls. After she meets with the local Shaman, Clarisse discovers secrets with evil consequences by digging too deep into the town’s past. When matters become complicated, she visits a circus of young performers on the outskirts of town triggering unexpected paranormal events and unleashing memories of a one-hundred-year curse. After being caught in the crossfire of a battle for evil supremacy, Clarisse confronts Little Charlie as he rallies the town's ghosts into an impeccable evil stronghold.
Can the local Shaman and townsfolk rally in her quest to defeat the evil incarnate or will the town succumb to Little Charlie and his evil crew?
Haunting in Old Tailem is the third book of the Haunting Clarisse Series. If you like spine-tingling, chilling, creepy and spooky supernatural thrillers, then you will love this story by 2020 USA Readers' Favorite International Book Awards Finalist in Supernatural Fiction, Janice Tremayne.
Pick up your copy today and follow Clarisse through her battles with evil!
Read an excerpt:
As he got closer to the shrub, in the direction of the voice, a Raggedy Ann doll ducked its head out of the bush and bounced about, trying to get his attention. It looked like an old-style doll and something his grandparents would have played with as children. It had curly red hair, blue trousers, and a big, greedy smile.
A puppet show, he thought.
Archie wanted to touch the doll. It was so lifelike that it had him mesmerized, like a spell had been cast on him. He walked another foot to get a better look, more curious.
“Psst, psst … Want to play with me?” asked the Raggedy Ann. It was alive! Its mouth moved in a synchronized motion, but there was no ventriloquist behind it.
When Archie was at arm’s length from the doll, something grabbed his ankles and started to drag him. It pierced into his skin like long nails, penetrating and scratching. He screamed and kicked as panic set in, fighting back with all his might.
“Cecilia! Cecelia! Help me! Help me!” Archie yelled toward the other children where his sister looked on in horror. His waved his hands while being dragged facedown, scraping the soil and trying to grab onto anything he could.
With one hand on each ankle, the evil beneath the shrub latched onto him with painted black fingernails on white hands that looked dead as they continued to clutch onto him and pull him.
Archie managed to grab ahold of a log with both arms curled around it, holding as tightly as he could, like his life depended on it, which it did.
Buy the series on Amazon
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Your journey to becoming a writer
I have always wanted to be a writer but my professional work and raising a family always got in the way. It’s a similar tale of authors that need to work to pay the bills. When I look back on my life I release I wasn’t disciplined enough to put in place a writing structure and routine for writing—even if it was just an hour every couple of days.
I started by writing a self-help book twenty years ago that did very well and I managed to get a publishing contract. But I felt I had a lot of creative energy and ideas I wanted to express, so I changed to supernatural and horror fiction.
I started writing on a full time professional basis eighteen months ago when my work situation changed and I had free time to explore the craft of writing. I wrote The Girl in the Scarlet Chair as part of Haunting Clarisse Series. It’s a good story, but from a writing perspective it is no where near the skill I have today. I was developing and experimenting with my writing style and finding myself. I think a lot of authors go through this journey.
From a marketing perspective, I didn’t know what I was doing! Launching a book without the follow-up sequel, ready to go to engage my readers was a mistake, and I lost many potential fans that way. I didn’t have a mailing list, and my whole marketing approach was flawed. I was learning as much about the craft of writing as I was about book marketing. The point I am trying to make is the journey of a writer can take years before you in a place where you feel some success. Authors that hit the best seller list on their debut novel is rare, whether they are self-published or with a publishing contract, and most authors have to work extremely hard to establish a presence. I also learned you need a great illustrator that doesn’t cost you a fortune and a relationship with a good copy editor who understands you. You need a good following in your ARC list to get honest reviews and suggestions from your readers before your book is published. This all takes time to achieve.
My next book in the series, Haunting in Hartley, was a game-changer for me. I received good reviews and won a couple of international book awards as a distinguished favourite in the supernatural category. It did not make me rich, but at this point, I am starting to find my voice as an author and establishing my writing style. I know what I want to write about.
I have completed the trilogy of the Haunting Clarisse Series, with Haunting in Old Tailem. It’s a good book, and I like it a lot. Mainly because my writing has improved significantly, and the storyline is unique.
Many famous book marketing experts will tell you that every genre is like a franchise. The readers have become conditioned to expect a particular book cover look, title and theme. What they are inferring is that to appeal to the reader in your genre, you need to conform also. I totally disagree because it’s assuming readers are not looking for something new. They are sheep being herded in a particular way.
I made a decision to write supernatural thrillers and horrors that don’t necessarily conform to these views. I think its important to be different and offer something unique to the reader. It has worked for me—my book covers are different, and the settings and themes are something readers have not experienced before.
About the author:
Janice Tremayne is an Amazon bestselling and award-winning ghost and supernatural writer. Janice is a finalist in the Readers' Favorite 2020 International Book Awards in Fiction-Supernatural.
She is an emerging Australian author who lives with her family in Melbourne. Her recent publication, Haunting in Hartley, reached number one on the Amazon kindle ranking for Occult, Supernatural, and Ghosts and Haunted Houses categories, for hot new releases and bestsellers.
Janice is well-versed in her cultural superstitions and how they influence daily life and customs. She has developed a passion and style for writing ghost and supernatural novels for new adult readers.
The concept of writing the Haunting Clarisse series was spawned over a cup of coffee many years ago, and she has not looked back since. Her books contain heart-thumping, bone-chilling, and thought-provoking ghost and paranormal experiences that deliver a new twist to every tale.
www.janicetremayne.com.au
author@janicetremayne.com
https://www.facebook.com/hauntingclarisse
The author is giving away a print copy of the book to a randomly drawn winner. Follow the tour for more chances to win!
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ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read.
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