I’ve already written a recent blog post where I discussed my horror inspiration for The Blue Man, but in this post I want to share my character influences on my recently published novel. The reason I decided to write this post is that during Book Week NI a few people I was talking to, including librarians and readers, asked me if I would love to see my book made into a movie. The answer to that is what any author might say: of course!
Imagining a film version of The Blue Man got me thinking about my characters. I didn’t realise until then about how nineties cult classic, The Craft, was an influence on The Blue Man. Like The Craft, my novel has four rather delinquent teenage girls who are subjected to a supernatural terror; in my story it’s through the resurrected Blue Man spectre, rather than witchcraft.
I’m going to delve a bit deeper into the plot of my novel now, so if you haven’t yet read The Blue Man then – SPOILER ALERT – stop reading now!
My book releasepromo photo taken back in October2021
Wow, has it really been one year since The Buddha’s Bone was published? How time flies! Want to celebrate with me? Well, you certainly can – by grabbing a FREE Kindle eBook copy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Amazon CA or Amazon AU. If you read it, please do leave a review: I’d love to hear your thoughts. Remember, the freebie promo is only until 27th October, so download yours now to avoid disappointment.
In terms of my book babies, The Buddha’s Bone is my ‘middle child’, caught between my debut novel, Gods of Avalon Road and my recently released book, The Blue Man. Much like a middle child, it has had to work hard to be seen and heard; though in the past year, my second novel has fared quite well. I’ve had over a hundred sales, mostly hardcovers with eBooks a close second and the dozens of free downloads this week will hopefully bring my book to new readers too (hi new readers, hope you enjoy my book 👋).
So, what’s next for The Buddha’s Bone? Well, since you’re here, I’ll let you in on the exciting news… once Book 3 of my Belfast Ghosts Series horror novels is finished, I’m going to start writing a sequel for Kimberly’s adventure in Japan. Yep, some readers have mentioned how they would like to know what she gets up to next, especially after the dark psychological journey I put her through (I don’t go easy on my main characters, do I?). I have currently outlined a synopsis for the sequel and I’ve got a working title ready, so you can look forward to more news on this in 2023.
Five day freebie alert! As a Halloween promotion, my eBook of The Buddha’s Bone is FREE to download on Kindle from 23rd to 27th October, to celebrate its one year publishing anniversary on the 25th.
This promotion will only run for five days so make sure to avoid disappointment and grab your Kindle eBook from now until 27th October. All good things come to an end; so why not download it for a dark psychological read, perfect for Samhain?
Hope you enjoy it, and if you read it, please do leave a rating or review on Goodreads and Amazon!
This week, Libraries NI are celebrating Book Week by promoting a love of reading, in partnership with BBC Northern Ireland. Events will be running all week from Monday 17th to Sunday 23rd October.
While I stopped by Belfast Central Library on Monday to return some books, I decided to check in on my own novels, only to find out that they had all been borrowed! I’m delighted that people are borrowing and reading my books. Luckily for me, I always carry first chapter samples of my work, as you never know when a promotional opportunity might arise. Thanks to one of the lovely library staff for taking this photo next to the Halloween display.
It has been a busy week for me. I have also had another promotional library event with a book signing for The Blue Man in the run up to Halloween. It turned out to be quite atmospheric too with the rain drumming on the stained glass windows of the beautiful, historic library – perfect for a horror novel.
If you live in Northern Ireland and are celebrating Book Week NI, you can find out more from Libraries NI about events on near you.
It’s time to share my exciting news! My fourth novel, The Fairy Lights is coming soon. It’ll be published on 10 November 2022. The Fairy Lights is Book 2 in my Belfast Ghosts Series. Along with Book 1, The Blue Man, it’s a standalone novel that can be read on its own or enjoyed as part of a ghostly series. Want to know what it’s about?
The Fairy Lights: The ghost of Christmas that never was
Belfast Ghosts Series: Standalone Book 2 of 3
When Aisling moves into an old, Edwardian house in the university area of Stranmillis, Belfast, she soon discovers that her student digs are haunted. The house, bought by her grandfather decades ago, is also home to a spirit known by the nickname Jimbo.
As yuletide approaches, and Aisling’s Christmas fairy lights attract mischief from Jimbo, she seeks to find out more about the restless entity. With the help of a local psychic and friends from her History with Irish course, Aisling uncovers dark, buried truths. What is the connection with Friar’s Bush Graveyard just around the corner? What does Jimbo’s dusty book of the Oak King and Holly King, hidden in the attic, have to reveal? What will Aisling’s journey into the darkness of the spirit world reveal about Jimbo – and herself?
The old adage is true to some extent: writers write the books that they want to read. In my case I can say that this is true, though that’s where it gets a bit more complicated for me. I read widely; everything from poetry and literary fiction to speculative fiction, horror and experimental novels. This is reflected in my writing as a multi-genre author.
Horror is my favourite genre as a reader. It has always been an endless source of fascination, ever since I started binge-reading R.L. Stine, Stephen King and Dean Koontz from my pre-teen years onwards. I particularly love when there is an element of ambiguity in a horror plot. Have you seen the film, the Babadook? Not only is it scary, but there’s room for interpretation: is it all in her head? Due to mental illness? Or is the sinister entity a real supernatural fiend.
Photo: From IMDB
Ambiguity isn’t for everyone. Some horror fans want the supernatural element to be clear cut. I don’t. I enjoy multilayer plots that make you want to revisit the story to see if you missed anything. As a writer, this is also how I choose to present my own plots, though I tend to go for a 80/20 ratio; my horror stories present as supernatural with a bit of wiggle room, so that if the reader wants to make a different informed choice about what the book is saying, they can. I’m not going to insult my readers’ intelligence: if you read one of my books, you aren’t going to be spoon-fed, so don’t expect it.
Another reason I enjoy writing horror (The Blue Man) and psychological (The Buddha’s Bone) fiction is that I find these genres work best to show my ultimate goal in storytelling: writing that confronts the nature of self. All of my main characters undergo a dark psychological journey, have a crisis of identity, and create a new sense of self by the end. Whether that’s a dark sense of self, or a light one, comes down to the individual story.
Speaking of horror, I’m currently implementing feedback from my editor and proofreader on Book 2 of my Belfast Ghosts series. I’ll be writing another update on this novel soon. It isn’t a direct sequel of The Blue Man. In fact, they’re only related by theme; both are ghost horror and both are set in Belfast, Northern Ireland. That’s where the similarities end. More on Book 2 soon!
Research for the third novel in my Belfast Ghosts series. I’m up to 33,000 words or so of draft 1, but it’s involving more historical homework than I had envisaged. Not that such a task puts me off, of course. Although this is a horror novel, I want the historical aspects to ring true. I personally dislike it when I’m reading a book and important details from a different era are glossed over.
Haven’t heard of my Belfast Ghosts series? Well, here’s a rundown:
Book 1: The Blue Man (A haunted friendship across the decades) Book 2: Coming in November 2022. Stay tuned! Book 3: Scheduled for release in mid-2023, if all goes to plan.
It’s always nice when you find a quiet corner in a coffee shop where you can do some writing, editing or research. Sometimes the background noise helps me to focus. Or maybe it’s the caffeine.
To celebrate National Poetry Day this Thursday 6 October, here’s my reading from my latest poetry collection, A Model Archaeologist.
I’m really delighted with the lovely casebound hardcover of my 80 poem collection. Having a hardcover version also makes for a great memento for my bookshelf at home and as a copy for the British Library for legal deposit, where it’ll be available to peruse in the reading room, if you live in Yorkshire.
With the hardcover version of A Model Archaeologist
Can you tell in this video that I’m actually suffering from an awful strep throat infection? If you compare this video to my others, you’ll notice that I actually sound like I either chain smoke 80 a day (I’m a non smoker, btw) or you’ll hear the weariness in my sigh at the end (lol). I had considered recording the video again, but my throat felt like sandpaper and I might actually have ended up with laryngitis at the effort.
While I’ve got you here, I’d also like to take a moment to say thank you for buying, reading, rating and reviewing The Blue Man on Amazon & Goodreads. I’ve seen all the 3, 4 and 5 star ratings over the past couple of weeks. It means the world to me. If you’re one of the lovely folks who has supported my writing, and helped to make my book reach more readers like you, then e-hugs to you! 🥰❤️
Aren’t these gorgeous? Okay, some context. I’ve been so busy with all the hype around my ghost horror novel, The Blue Man, that the release of my full 80 poem collection, A Model Archaeologist, has been sidelined. But not now! Look at these lovely casebound hardcovers that came in the post last week – one for me and one for legal deposit at the British Library. I’m thrilled.
A Model Archaeologist was first released by Eyewear Publishing in 2015 as a 25 poem pamphlet (20 of those on the theme, 5 non-themed for range). I got the rights back after 5 years, so here is the full 80 poem themed collection as I had originally intended it. Hardcover £9.99 and Kindle eBook £1.99…or free on Kindle Unlimited.
Here’s the blurb:
Archaeologist by day, glamour model by night.
These 80 poems playfully explore the uncertainties of an archaeology graduate entering the workforce in an uncertain economic climate. A Model Archaeologist comprises a series of lyrical anecdotes using poetic license to turn lemons into lemonade. The collection can at times be deceptively simple, show subtle humour and have a self-deprecating edge of satire, reflecting the naiveté of youth.
A Model Archaeologist has been released to a flying start: it has reached #6 on Amazon’s Top 100 Hot New Releases for British and Irish poetry!
Leilanie Stewart 