Reviving & Revisions: Rereleasing DůO

 

Spring is here! And with it for me comes a sense of renewed creativity. I'm pleased to tell you that I'm currently working on the last of my "catching up" projects which is revising, reformatting, and rereleasing my serial DůO (previously a Kofi exclusive) as a novella available to everyone! Once I complete this project, anything I work on moving forward will be completely new material. It's like the bookend on an era of my author career thus far! That's not to say that I won't continue to add to the series I've already written or spin off the characters into new stories. In fact, The Dead Oaks Omnibus and a DůO release allow me the transitional point to do exactly that in the future if I ever so wish!

If you've read the new short story included in The Dead Oaks Omnibus then you probably picked up on that possibility already!

Why Revive DůO?

I've wanted to do this for a while but I wanted enough time to pass that it wouldn't have made it less special to those who got to experience it when it was an exclusive. A few years have now gone by and I'm currently working on some revisions that will enhance the story. I adore all of the couplings and characters I've created but Oscar and Doyle have what is probably my favorite partnership of all the pairings I've ever written (their banter truly can't be beat!) and I want all of my readers to have access to their story. I know my entire reader base will thoroughly enjoy them. It's also a fun opportunity to delve back into the same storyverse that ROAM takes place. DůO is a prequel to ROAM; on the timeline it takes place in the 1980s but in a different galaxy (side note: I really should create a timeline graphic!). However, there are enough references to ROAM dogma that readers familiar with the series will connect the dots. It's also an enjoyable read even if you've never read the series! And, without getting too spoilery, the ending does set up a potential plot point if the muse ever hits me to write another Ethan/Grady adventure.

After this, I plan to return to my draft of a new MM Dreampunk novel with all new characters (I'm calling this one Project DWC until I'm ready to announce the official title).

Updates on a DůO release date to come!

As always, happy reading!

- Dez 🖤

Camp NaNoWriMo Update

 

I had intended to post a Camp NaNoWriMo update halfway through the month and then got too busy and forgot! But we're nearing the end now and I'm here to report that I've made it halfway through my developmental edits of The Dapper Detective! This means I'm right on track to where I'd hoped to be at this point.

My goal is to now finish up the rest of the dev edits over the next two weeks and then I can begin a short round of, what I like to call, "Atmospheric Edits". This is where I go through the manuscript and make sure to sprinkle in descriptions that help maintain the atmosphere/vibe of the story throughout. I've actually done pretty well with this in the manuscript so far, so that should only take a few short writing sessions and then I'll be on to line edits.

One of my favorite parts of revisions/edits is coming across lines I've written but forgotten about and feeling as though the characters took on a life of their own and wrote them themselves. Here's one of my favorites from this story:

I'm so excited to be one step closer to getting to release this book and share this story with you all!

Have a great week and Happy Reading!

❤ Dez

Camp NaNoWriMo: July 2023 Edition

 

Happy Summer Solstice!

It's hot as a hellhound where I'm from (TX). Yesterday, we broke our record high for this time of year at 114 degrees! So, it looks like it's shaping up to be the perfect summer to STAY INSIDE! Which is fine because Camp NaNoWriMo is right around the corner.

Most of you probably know what Camp NaNoWriMo is by now, but if not, it's an offshoot of NaNoWriMo which stands for National Novel Writing Month (which takes place in November) where authors attempt to write a 50K word novel in one month. Camp NaNoWriMo is a bit different. It takes place twice a year (April & July) and the goal doesn't have to be to write an entire novel. It's more about making major headway in a specific area or knocking out goals on multiple projects.

My focus for this Camp NaNoWriMo is going to be getting through as much of the developmental edits on THE DAPPER DETECTIVE as possible. I'd LOVE to complete them by the end of July, but as long as I make some major progress then I'll be happy. I just finished the second draft this past week and while I'm happy with the story, I know it needs to be bulked up a bit. So, developmental edits will help with this by giving me the opportunity to see where I can add more scenes or get a little more descriptive.

If things go my way, universe willing, I'm hoping to have this book out by Autumn of this year. Fingers crossed! I know so many of you looking forward to this story and I'm eager to get it into your hands.

Since Camp NaNoWriMo is a more social event between writers, you'll probably see me back on social media a bit more during July. I'd love to have you join me there on my progress through writing this book! You can find me on Twitter and Instagram.

Have a great week, everyone! 

❤ Dez

Author Life: New Books + New Routine

Hello, friends!

Because if you read my books then I definitely consider you a friend of mine. :)

Is it just me or did January last twice as long as it should have?? I was overwhelmed with "adulting" and constantly busy. On the bright side, I made a lot of progress on my writing projects and even found some time for my hobbies (which is always a great way to recharge the creativity well).

I'm still utilizing a daily planner which has helped to keep me on task and also helped in tracking what routines work best for me. I've come to realize that my optimum writing times are first thing in the morning and mid-afternoon, so I've been trying to write for at least two hours a day (broken into those time-frames). I would love to have written more each day but this month was just too packed with other things. Overall, I managed to write for approx. two hours a day at least three days a week. My goal for next month is to see if I can write for longer stretches and to increase that to around 4-5 days a week. I enjoy having weekends off to catch up on things around the house or just do something fun (Other than writing! Which is still great fun for me and why I have a hard time forcing myself to set it aside.) and give my brain a rest.

WIP UPDATES:

- I'm about 15% of the way into writing the M/M Contemporary Rom-Com novel and I'm thoroughly enjoying the process so far. I just know you'll love these characters. :) It is different not to be writing supernatural elements, though! But this story called to me so strongly that I just had to write it, even though it's outside of my Paranormal wheelhouse.

- As of now, DREAM WEAVER is still slated for a Spring release. However, the original publication date of March 9th might change. My publisher had to shuffle some titles around and I'm waiting to hear if mine will be moved or not. I'll let you know as soon as I know!

- Thatcher Maugden and the Dream Witch is finished and sent off to be included in the Dreampunk Anthology, Mirrormaze. More news on that as it comes.

- I finally sat down and outlined a short story prequel series about Grady Hunter! They will take place over the two decades prior to when he meets Ethan. I plan to make them very dark horror and very '90s/'00s. Depending on content guidelines, I might put them up on Wattpad; if not, then I'll find another platform. You know I will definitely shout from the rooftops when I'm ready to unleash the first one. ;)

To be directly informed about any new releases or sales, please visit www.dezschwartz.com and sign up for the newsletter. I only send them out once a month or if I have a new release/promotion, so you don't have to worry about being swamped with them.

Later this year, I'll start working on the final book in The Dead Oaks series. If you're a fan or interested in learning more about it, I'll be back on the blog next week to recap the series. Let me know if you have any questions you'd like answered!

Until next time,
♥ Dez 

Promotion Exp. 02/05/20

The Dead Oaks Revisited + Info On Haunted Road Trip

On the edge of the quaint, historic town of Hazelwood, Connecticut lies a sprawling relic of dead trees that surround the woods.  A playground for wildlife, hikers, and--most recently--ghost hunters.  And it's basically Jasper Jelinek's backyard...

Welcome to The Dead Oaks!

We're hitching a ride on a haunted road trip with Jasper Jelinek and Wesley Shain!  I'll be revealing the cover for The Dead Oaks: Haunted Road Trip and announcing a release date sometime next week so keep an eye out!  Be sure to sign up for the newsletter on my website to see it before anyone else.

If you're already a fan of the series, you can look forward to:

💀 Haunted Inns
💀 Spooky Cemeteries
💀 Steamy Summer Nights
💀 Fights & Frights

If you're new to the series and curious to know what it's all about then here's a quick overview!

The Dead Oaks is a YA LGBTQ Paranormal novella series about a group of teenage ghost hunters.

Book One: Ghost Stories

Blurb:

Jasper Jelinek believes in ghosts. Probably more than he believes in himself. After living a life of relative solitude and misanthropy, he suddenly becomes saddled with some unexpected new friends. Their obsession with the paranormal forces them to face the thing they've been avoiding most: Life. Together they learn that there's more to being haunted than just ghost stories.

Where To Get It: Amazon

Book Two: Midnight Monsters

Blurb:

The Dead Oaks Paranormal Society finds themselves on their first official case. A haunted house seems like a promising place to capture conclusive evidence that the paranormal is real; but like all plans, nothing goes the way that they intend.

Unwanted tagalongs, misunderstandings, and a malicious not-so-ghostly entity all collide to put the strength of Jasper and Wesley's bond to the test. This monster hunting sleepover could end their team, and possibly their lives, faster than they'd come together.

Where To Get It: Amazon

Book Three: Haunted Road Trip will be dropping soon!  I'll post more sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes tidbits leading up to the release.

Until then, Happy Haunting and remember that it's always more fun if you bring a friend!

- Dez -

OUT NOW

HUNTER (ROAM, Book Two)

AMAZON | B&N | NSP

Signed Copies

LGBTQ Dreampunk series about a gay Sandman, his dapper bisexual occultist boyfriend, and scheming supernaturals determined to turn existence on its head.

Have any questions?  Ask Dez

Signed Books & My Next Project

Hello, friends!

I've finally done the thing!  It's been way overdue.  Signed copies of ROAM and HUNTER are now available on my website!  I'll also be throwing in signed bookmarks with orders while supplies last.

June has just begun but I already feel like it's jam-packed!  I've outlined my next book and I plan to begin the writing process this week.  If you subscribe to my newsletter (signup form also on my website) then you already know that I'm going to (finally!) be working on the third book in my YA LGBTQ Paranormal Novella series, The Dead Oaks.  I have a crazy/fun adventure lined up for Jasper, Wes, and Liv and I can't wait to get started!

If you'd like to follow along with the writing process then please consider joining me over on Instagram.  I tend to post there most often.  I would love to have you along for the ride!

x, Dez

HUNTER is now available at:

AMAZON | B&N | NSP