The Dead Oaks Series 101

***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT*** The first three books in The Dead Oaks are now 99 cents each! This sale is good through February 5, 2020. However, I am planning on making this the permanent price for all Dead Oaks books soon.

Hi, friends!

If you're new here or haven't had a chance to check out my YA M/M Paranormal series, The Dead Oaks, then you'll find everything you need to get you started in this post. If you're already current on the series and just waiting for the next book then I have good news for you. The fourth, and final, book in the series will be out sometime at the end of 2020!

The Dead Oaks takes place in small-town Connecticut and follows the ghostly adventures of new friends, Jasper Jelinek and Wesley Shain. As they dive into the dark world of paranormal investigation and begin a friends-to-lovers romance, they befriend snarky skeptic, Liv Robles, and eventually adopt more people into their ragtag monster-hunting crew.

Here's what you can expect from each book:

GHOST STORIES

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.

MIDNIGHT MONSTERS

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.

HAUNTED ROAD TRIP

Wesley Shain is college-bound for a life in the theater, just as everyone always expected. Lately, though, he's been thinking paranormal investigation is a better career path. He just needs one weekend to prove it.

A haunted road trip wasn't exactly the romantic getaway Jasper Jelinek had hoped for but with a few friends, ghostly frights, and one steamy summer night, it might turn out to be precisely what his relationship needed.

Want to know as soon the final book is released? Be sure to join my mailing list at www.dezschwartz.com

Until next time,
♥ 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

Hello 2020! - What I Have Planned For This Year

Happy New Year! 

I'm looking forward to this new decade ahead of us. Last decade was when I finally put myself out into the world as a writer, published my first book, signed my first publishing contract, and wrote and published several more! I plan on continuing down this path that I love for years to come!

So, what can you expect from me in 2020? Here's what I have lined up so far.

PUBLISHING:

✨ DREAM WEAVER (ROAM: Book Three) will release through NineStar Press this Spring! This is the last book in the main trilogy, but I'm sure you'll see more from the ROAMverse in the future.

✨ Thatcher Maugden And The Dream Witch is a short story that will be included in a first-ever Dreampunk Anthology featuring a number of Dreampunk authors. Release date TBA (but rumors are that it should be expected around Halloween. *fingers crossed*)

WRITING:

✨ I'm currently working on something slightly different from my usual genres. A Contemporary M/M Rom-Com! There may not be any supernatural creatures in this one, but it's packed full of the sort of humor you've come to know from me.

✨ Later this year, I also plan on writing the final book in The Dead Oaks series. No promises on when to expect this one to be published. We'll just have to see how things go.

There you have it! Those are the main projects that I'll be focusing on in 2020. I hope to work on some smaller things here and there throughout the year as well if time allows.

I hope you're as excited about these as I am and I wish you a spectacular start to the new decade!

Cheers! 🥂

~Dez~

Grady's Halloween Party - ROAM Extras

Grady’s cheeks burned, and he cleared his throat as he took a step away from the lustful vampire, grasping desperately for something to say to distract him.

“I…love your suits. You’re both very dashing,” Grady finally managed.

“Oh, these old things?” Dacey laughed and rolled his eyes. “Please. We’ve literally had them for a century. Added the goggles, though, as they seem to be in vogue amongst the creatives these days. I always do enjoy a good subcultural trend. Although, Marcus made the valid point that they are extremely frivolous.”

“Well, what’s the point in wearing a costume if you’re not going to be frivolous?”

“That’s exactly what I said!”

________________________________________________________

ROAM is a great Autumn read, seeing as it takes place in October. Near the end of the book, Dr. Grady Hunter hosts his annual Halloween gathering; inviting all of his supernatural clientele to celebrate at his home. And now you're invited to join the party!

WHAT TO WEAR

What's a Halloween party without costumes? While dressing up is encouraged, we do recognize that some guests are proud of their supernaturally frightful nature and we welcome you just as you are!

GUESTLIST

It's Shady Pines' biggest paranormal shindig of the year! So, expect to see all of your favorite local ghosts and ghouls, vampires, werecreatures, and more! They're all looking forward to gossip, appetizers, and boos.

ON THE MENU

Speaking of appetizers, don't be embarrassed to remind others that you are not here for nibbling. It does get confusing for some. Especially to those who don't drink...wine.

FESTIVITIES

Along with food and banter with banshees, you can also look forward to parlor tricks, fortune-telling, communion with dark spirits, and seances to welcome those traveling long distances. Live piano music will also be provided by this year's special guest, Ethan Roam.

BEWARE

While we hope you have a magnificent night full of devilish delights, we caution you to avoid inviting any of the other guests home afterward. They have a tendency to become permanent roommates...

Have a fangtastic Halloween and celebrate at your own risk!

Dr. Hunter's Halloween Hostess,
Dez

[Photos from Pexels & iStockPhotos]

AVAILABLE NOW

AMAZON | B&N | KOBO | NSP

New Short Story | Thrift Store Vampire

Happy Hauntings, Darklings!

I have an early Halloween treat for you all.  My new short story, THRIFT STORE VAMPIRE (Winner of the WattpadVampires contest), is now up and free to read on my Wattpad page!
TSV is a Vampire Comedy with:

Halloween Party Vibes

Newbie Vamp Girl

Cursed Costumes

To-Die-For Puns

Enjoy this "spoopy" story, and have a Happy Halloween!

13 Favorite Films To Watch In October

Everyone has their go-to Halloween films for the month, so I thought I'd take a moment and share my Top 13 Favorite Films to Watch in October!  These aren't the only ones I like but they're the ones I gravitate toward watching the most.

Compiling this list, it was easy to see what settings and tropes appeal to me most.  I'm also very much drawn to great character performances and atmospheric storytelling.

Bram Stoker's Dracula

I like to start the month off with this one because it's such a perfect mood setter.  It cleanses your palette of the summer and shifts you into Autumn mode effortlessly.  Every frame is a work of art.  Also, Cary Elwes is a bonus.

House On Haunted Hill

Honestly, any Vincent Price film will do.  I just tend to end up watching this one the most.

Halloween

Dr. Loomis really makes this whole film for me.  It wouldn't be the same without him and I probably (definitely) wouldn't like it as much.  He's one of the classic characters that has had an influence on my work (you can probably see bits of this character type in both Grady and Arthur from my ROAM series).

Dracula

My favorite of the classic Universal Monster films!  There are some truly great moments in this one and a few hilarious lines as well.  Ultimately, it's another character performance that really wins me over.  Dwight Frye's Renfield will forever be a favorite.

Victor Frankenstein

Okay, so I openly admit there are a lot of flaws in this film.  I also hate the ending (lol). That being said, I still love to watch it.  The cinematography appeals to me and it's incredible fun most of the time.  The cast is a huge selling point.  James McAvoy, Daniel Radcliffe, Mark Gatiss, and Andrew Scott (who is as marvelous in this as he is in all things).  Ignore the missteps and embrace the spirit.

Crimson Peak

By far my favorite del Toro film!  The beauty and cruelty of this Victorian gothic romance is everything I could ever want in a horror romance movie.

Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray is my favorite book of all-time and there have been a number of film/television adaptations of the story/character.  Even though this one strays from the novel, I still feel that it's one of the best adaptations in terms of staying true to Dorian's actual character (minus the physical differences; book Dorian was a blondie).  Ben Barnes creates dark magic in this film, Colin Firth is the perfect Lord Henry, and I will never to able to imagine a better Basil than Ben Chaplin. I'm forever grateful this film exists to rewatch to my darkling heart's content.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

If you don't love this film, we can't be friends.

Young Frankenstein

I adore this one more and more every year.  Gene Wilder really set the bar.

What We Do In The Shadows

Watch on basghetti night.

Hocus Pocus

I know, I know.  It's horribly cliche' at this point.  But I will never pass up the chance to watch the "I Put A Spell On You" scene.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

These last few picks are totally predictable, but I mean, I think we all share a love for them in some way.  Nightmare Before Christmas; great soundtrack and a must-watch on Halloween night (preferably right before bed to prepare you for the coming season).

Ghostbusters (I, II, and the Real Ghostbusters)

Ghostbusters has been my favorite film since childhood and I've been a Ghostbuster for Halloween (and other occasions!) multiple times in my life.  I got my start in writing with GB fanfics.  Obviously, I watch both I & II religiously.  And The Real Ghostbusters series is a great addition to your viewing list for October!

Bonus Watch:

Penny Dreadful

Not a film but worth the viewing hours!  Oh, how I miss this series.  If I ever had time to write fanfics again, I would probably start with this one because I wasn't at all ready for it to end.  If you haven't seen it and you love classic Victorian gothic literature then I highly recommend it!  All your faves are there doing all sorts of diabolical things.  Every episode is a true bloody treat.


Well, there you have it!  Now I'm curious to know, what films are your October viewing staples?


Your Fiendish Film-Loving Friend,
 - Dez

Want to be the first to know things?

Sign up for my newsletter on my website!

OUT NOW

Haunted Road Trip: The third Dead Oaks novella!

Available on Amazon

COMING SOON

DREAM WEAVER: The fourth and final ROAM novel. March 9, 2020.

ROAMiversary! One Year Later

One year ago today (Oct. 1st), ROAM had its first traditional publishing through NineStar Press!  Previously, the book had been self-published.  And this past April, its sequel, HUNTER, was also released through NSP.

I'm happy to say that the ROAMverse is still going strong and I'm so excited for everything to come!  Thank you all for joining in on the adventures of my band of paranormal Dreampunk misfits.

Some Fun ROAM Extras:

ROAM Pinterest Boards

ROAM Playlist

ROAM Launch Party Transcript

Conceptualizing ROAM

The Mechanics of Sleep Travel

Fun Casting ROAM

What's Next For The ROAM Series?

DREAM WEAVER, the third ROAM book will be headed your way in March 2020!  This will complete the main trilogy and tie up the end of Ethan and Grady's story.  Eventually, ROAM will also be released in Spanish through NineStar Press.  It's in the works but no date is set yet.

Future ROAM Plans?

As you may know, The Revelation of Dacey Sinnett is a prequel to ROAM.  In a similar vein, I have also been sitting on plans for a short story prequel series about Grady's life before moving to Shady Pines.  I can't give you any real timeframe for when I might write these because I have a number of other projects that I really need to focus on and I also haven't decided the best way to go about releasing something like this yet.  I'm considering doing it as a supporter project through Ko-Fi but I'm still on the fence.  HOWEVER, I do have plans to write more stories in the ROAMverse, focused on new characters which will more than likely include cameos from some old favorites.

Until then, be sure to keep following this blog and join me on Twitter!  I'll be posting more ROAM-related things very soon.

Yours, always dreaming up new stories,
- Dez

Want to be the first to know things?

Sign up for my newsletter on my website!

OUT NOW

Haunted Road Trip: The third Dead Oaks novella!

Available on Amazon

COMING SOON

DREAM WEAVER: The fourth and final ROAM novel. March 9, 2020.