Cesar Torres has posted the second part of his interview with me to his website. Go here to read it.

More and more people have been approaching me, both online and in person, to ask for advice on writing and submitting their work. I thought I’d share a few thoughts here on the subject. This could go on for page after page, but I’m going to keep it short, and perhaps add to it with another post down the road.

My first tip for anyone who wants to be a writer: write. It’s pretty simple, really. People can find just about any excuse to avoid the keyboard; dust the bookshelves, run errands, visit message boards, pay bills, write journal entries… But the simple fact of the matter is, if you don’t write, you can’t be a writer. So write as often as you can. Pick a schedule that works for you, and stick to it. Don’t let yourself get interrupted during that time. And don’t worry about the quality of what you’re writing, just get the words down on paper (or on screen). It’s the process that’s important.

Chances are, your first book won’t sell. Your second might not, either. Most published writers have at least one, and sometimes two or three novels hidden away in a drawer or closet before they make their first sale. And that’s ok. Because you learn how to write with those first attempts, and nobody can do it for you.

It’s painful to imagine all that work without a sale. So if it helps, imagine great things. If I can just finish this book, Oprah will be on the phone five minutes after I type “the end.” I’ll sign a multiple book deal in the high six figures. Screen rights will go to Spielberg. I’ll retire to the Riviera to write from a balcony over the water, sipping Coronas and flicking lime wedges through beer-bottle goalposts. It’ll be great.

If it gets you to the end, it’ll be worth it. But that brings me to my next point: be ready for rejection.

All writers get rejected. It’s just part of the business. The key to survival is to separate your personal life from your business one. This manuscript is a product you’re trying to sell. If you were a car salesman, would you lock yourself in the bathroom and sob uncontrollably when a customer walked away from the lot? I hope not. The problem is, our novels are a more intimate part of who we are, and a lot of writers can’t seem to distance themselves from their writing. But you have to, or you won’t last long. It’s a brutal business, and you have to keep a level head. Be professional, follow up on every lead, and keep submitting.

That’s it for now. Next up: how networking can help you land a contract. Talk to you soon!

“It’s always exciting when a first novel signals a career on the rise, a writer to follow, and a talent to enjoy. Bloodstone is one such first novel, perhaps not perfect in every way, but well plotted and well-executed. In fact, it’s an enviable first novel because it gets so many things right….Kenyon delivers–his portrayals of small-town life and small-town evil are dead-on.

Vivid references to guilt, penance, and redemption, duty, and familial obligations, all grant the narrative an additional moral layer of meaning….a striking, atmospheric first novel that’s just perfect for those who prefer their horror cerebral rather than graphic.”
- William Gagliani
CHIZINE
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“Kenyon calls into question the makeup of evil itself, and whether it resides in one person, one spirit or perhaps an entire town…he breathes fresh life into [familiar material] with his complicated characters. His writing is not sensational or obvious, giving some credit to the reader by not handing over all the chills on a silver platter.

“While it certainly reads as a horror novel, complete with a satisfyingly unexpected plot twist, Bloodstone is ultimately a story of love and redemption, giving the reader more to chew on than the average exercise in fright.”
- FANGORIA

Eric, a Manager at the B. Dalton’s in Braintree, Massachusetts, recently submitted his review of Bloodstone to the B. Dalton’s/Barnes & Noble company newsletter. He was nice enough to share the review with me, and I loved it so much I thought I’d post it here:

Bloodstone
By Nate Kenyon
ISBN: 1594144389

The state of horror fiction in retail bookstores has been rather grim lately, with just the annual releases from Stephen King and Dean Koontz being the most visible examples. A great many others are sent to stores but disappear into the Science Fiction section, where many people who are interested in the genre would not think to look for them, when the publishers decide to market the title as a “dark fantasy.” I was given an arc of Nate Kenyon’s debut novel, Bloodstone, just before Christmas…and as a horror fan was delighted to find that the genre was indeed alive and well.

The plot concerns two strangers with very troubled pasts who have come together because they are both drawn to the town of White Falls, ME. While their relationship begins as one of force, they eventually come to realize that they have a bond and share a fate that can only be met as the town prepares to celebrate its Spring Festival.

Comparisons to the work of Stephen King are inevitable especially considering that Kenyon resides in New England and Bloodstone is set there. And while there are elements that are similar to some of King’s work, the novel is a very original work that stands on its own.

One of the things I enjoyed most about the book was the depth of characterization that Kenyon gives to the main characters, Billy Smith and Angel, as well as to the town outcast Jeb Taylor. As the reader follows their story and experiences their horrifying dreams and desperation to figure out just what it is that has drawn them together in this small town, it is hard not to get sucked in. There is a nice subtle buildup to some truly creepy moments, including a creepy sequence in a jail cell that is one of the most memorable scenes in a horror novel that I have read in some time. The climactic chapters have a nice build up of suspense and surprise that makes the book very hard to put down.

Bloodstone is an impressive debut by Kenyon and a very satisfying read that makes the reader anxious for a follow-up! With the release of Stephen King’s Cell, our stores are going to be full of people craving a good dose of horror, and Bloodstone is a perfect title to suggest to those who are on the lookout for a new voice in the genre.

And now, without further ado: the winner of the iPod from the Shocklines Bloodstone contest is…Troy J. Knutson! Congratulations Troy!

Matt Schwartz drew Troy’s name randomly from the list of orders he had for Bloodstone as of January 30. Troy has requested a black iPod Nano, engraved on the back. It’s on the way!

Other winners:

Nicholas Bernier
Free copy of Bloodstone

Ronald L Weston
Free copy of Bloodstone

Jan Darga
Bloodstone grab bag (t-shirt, pens, bookmarks, other goodies)

David North-Martino
$20 Shocklines Gift Certificate

Thanks to everyone who participated–I had a GREAT response and I can’t thank everyone enough. I’m about to ship signed copies to Matt, so those who ordered Bloodstone through Shocklines should be receiving their books very soon.

At this point, the first printing of Bloodstone is either sold out, or very close to it. Remaining copies are at retail outlets or distributors…details on a second printing should be finalized soon!

“Bloodstone is destined for greatness. I would not be surprised if this story made its way to the big screen…the horrors these two characters face is unimaginable. From their horrid dreams to the realization of their true destiny, this hero and heroine are brought to life with such inspiration and strength. Keep a mindful eye open as you read through the pages of Bloodstone, for nothing is as it seems. The storyline is strong and kept me guessing…from the first page, Kenyon grabbed my attention and kept my interest peaked…what classic horror was destined to be.”

- Jamie Martin
THE ROMANCE STUDIO
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The winners of the Bloodstone enewsletter contest have just been selected. Here’s the final list:

1. Winner of $100 in cash—Dexter Howard
2. Winner of a signed advance reader copy (ARC) of Bloodstone—Timothy Feely
3. Winner of the Bloodstone grab bag—Pam Bentley
4. Winner of the $10 Shocklines.com gift certificate—Gord Rollo

I had about 200 entries for the contest, which was a great success. So thank you, and congratulations to all the winners!

And now, drumroll please: the winner of the special bonus “become a character in Nate’s next novel” prize:
Cristina Voorsanger!

To be honest, I wasn’t sure myself just how far to take this idea. Not everyone would embrace becoming a character in a horror novel, after all. All sorts of nasty things could happen to you. You might be put through a wood chipper, sent to the bowels of hell, turned into an alien life form, or become a serial murderer, for example. But to my delight, Cristina has decided to sign up for the entire package: full name, physical description, even some character traits and other details. I’m not sure how much I’ll use (that will depend on how the story develops), and I can’t guarantee that Cristina will survive the experience, but I know I’ll have a lot of fun with it.

Cristina has already sent me lots of details about her life. “You probably think I’m crazy,” she wrote, “but I figured better to have more info than less, right?”

Absolutely, Cristina, and no, I don’t think you’re crazy at all. Remember, you’re talking to a horror novelist. I’m about as crazy as they come.

“What sets Bloodstone apart from horror novels in its class is that the demons are found within the characters themselves…how the characters deal with these inner demons, and the decisions they make as a result, is what hurtles this book to its shocking conclusion. Bloodstone delivers strong writing, well-developed characters, and a gripping story that demonstrates Kenyon can produce a captivating novel. Nate Kenyon is definitely a new horror author to watch.”

- BOOK OF DARK WISDOM

“Bloodstone is an epic horror romp, complete with dusty old manor houses and grotesque family histories. More than being a well-organized genre story that checks all the right boxes, though, Kenyon’s debut novel is also a festival of fright…the result is eerie, poignant, and ultimately wrenching. Well-paced but never too obvious — the twists blindside you with jarring force — Bloodstone is a well-told tale that would bring a chill around even the brightest campfire. Kenyon explores humanity’s emotional shadows with delicacy and intensity in a book that is as accessible as an old-fashioned horror movie, but as nuanced as a novel ought to be.”

- Kilian Melloy
EDGE NEW ENGLAND
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