In a time when we’re all thinking what it means to be an American, it is important to self-reflect on what these turbulent times mean, what change is happening, and what our values as Americans will be in the future.
Chanticleer Book Reviews wants to honor this moment by examining the work of an author we’ve had a relationship with for years. Janice S. Ellis, Ph.D. has been an author for more than thirty years, writing for newspaper columns and appearing on broadcast radio and streaming services regularly. Along with many other awards, her books have won the CIBA Grand Prize in the Nellie Bly Division for Investigative and Long Form Journalism Works and the CIBA Journey Book Awards for Overcoming Adversity. Her works address political, racial, educational, and socioeconomic news and issues.
At Chanticleer, we’ve had the honor of recognizing Dr. Ellis’s exceptional work. More importantly, her works have consistently earned five-star reviews from our editorial team for books including:
Dr. Ellis’ most recent contribution to the Missouri Independent is called “Longing for a State and Country I Can Believe In.” Her article has been distributed in publications across the country—and we want to share it with you as well! This column is a self-reflective piece that strikes a chord with what many of us are feeling today. Here’s an excerpt from the article:
This column is a major departure from how I have written columns for nearly four decades.
It is personal.
I have avoided using “I’ and have endeavored to remain objective and impersonal as I have addressed and analyzed myriad social, educational and political issues across race, age, gender and socioeconomic status.
That has been my practice, whether writing for radio, in print when I wrote for The Kansas City Star and other newspapers, or online writing for The Missouri Independent the last four years. Even in my own blog.
Maybe the “I” in this column is a “collective I” that tugs.
I have a hunch that many of my fellow Missourians and Americans may be feeling as I do as we live through unprecedented, tumultuous, and unsettling political times.
This is exactly why Chanticleer exists—to discover, celebrate, and amplify the voices that help us understand our world and ourselves. Dr. Ellis represents the kind of author we’re proud to champion: someone whose work combines rigorous journalism with deep humanity, whose perspective is informed by lived experience, and whose willingness to evolve keeps her relevant across decades.
As Dr. Ellis reminds us, “E pluribus unum”—out of many, one. It’s a motto that speaks not just to our national identity, but to the power of diverse voices coming together to create understanding.
Celebrating Juneteenth and the Stories That Unite Us
This Juneteenth, we encourage reflection on the stories that have shaped us and the voices that continue to guide us forward. Dr. Ellis’s journey from objective journalist to someone willing to say “I” in service of a larger “we” reminds us that the most powerful writing often comes when we’re brave enough to be both professional and personal.
Want to learn more about Dr. Janice Ellis and the books she’s written? Here are links to our interview with Dr. Ellis and a Chanticleer review of her book—
Janice S. Ellis, M.A., M.A., Ph.D., a native daughter of Mississippi, grew up and came of age during the height of the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Liberation Movement.
Dr. Ellis has been an executive throughout her career, first in government, then in a large pharmaceutical company, and later as a president and CEO of a marketing firm and a bi-state non-profit child advocacy agency. In addition to those positions, she has been writing columns for more than four decades on race, politics, education, and other social issues for newspapers, radio, and online. Her commentary can be found atjanicesellis.com. You can follow her onhere on Facebook.
This Father’s Day remember that whether the Book Dads are good or bad, they’re often unforgettable
From the steadfast wisdom of Atticus Finch to the murderous insanity of Jack Torrance, literature has long been shaped by the impact of fathers. These characters guide, challenge, and sometimes harm, but through their stories, they reveal the many shades of fatherhood — flawed, noble, complex, and deeply human. On this Father’s Day, we want to dive into those characters to honor the types of literary dad who’ve left their mark on our hearts and imaginations.
Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, a great literary father By Harper Lee
Atticus Finch stands as an example of moral integrity and wisdom in fatherhood. He doesn’t simply guide his children, Scout and Jem, with the rules of right and wrong—he teaches them how to think critically, empathize with others, and live with courage, even when it’s unpopular. He instills in them a strong sense of justice, fairness, and compassion, and encourages them to walk in someone else’s shoes before passing judgment. What makes Atticus such a great father is his ability to balance discipline with understanding, offering both structure and freedom for his children to develop their own convictions. Above all, he leads by example, showing them the importance of standing up for what’s right, regardless of the personal cost. His steady presence and unwavering principles make him not just a father, but a moral compass for his children—and for the reader. One of our favorite book dads.
Pap Finn in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a poor example for Father’s Day
By Mark Twain
Huck Finn’s father, known simply as Pap, is one of the most reprehensible figures in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. He’s an abusive, alcoholic, and selfish man, whose presence in Huck’s life is both oppressive and damaging. Pap’s sole interest is in controlling Huck and taking his money, rather than nurturing him. He represents the worst aspects of society, and his treatment of Huck pushes the young boy to seek freedom and independence. Unlike the noble fathers in literature, such as Atticus Finch, Pap is a stark reminder of how fatherhood can become a source of harm and dysfunction. His toxic influence leaves Huck with a profound desire to escape and forge his own path—making his journey down the Mississippi River as much about fleeing his father as it is about discovering who he wants to become.
Horton in Horton Hatches the Egg, book dad classic By Dr Seuss
In Horton Hatches the Egg, Horton stands out as a great literary dad because of his unwavering dedication, kindness, and sense of responsibility. Despite being a gentle and loving elephant, he finds himself in an unexpected situation when he agrees to sit on Mayzie’s egg while she takes a break. Even though he faces numerous challenges and mockery from others, Horton never abandons the egg, displaying incredible patience and commitment. He demonstrates the importance of keeping promises, even when the task seems overwhelming. His genuine love and care for the egg, which eventually hatches into a baby bird, showcases his nurturing nature, making Horton a truly selfless and devoted father figure. His actions remind us that true parenting is about sacrifice, perseverance, and unconditional love.
Mr. Bennet in Pride & Prejudice, a literary dad to be sure By Jane Austen
Mr. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice may not fit the conventional mold of a “perfect” father, but his strengths as a parent lie in his wit, his ability to recognize his daughters’ individual personalities, and his deep love for them, even if it isn’t always shown in traditional ways. While often absent or detached in the face of his wife’s relentless push for marriage matches, Mr. Bennet demonstrates a unique form of care: his respect for his daughters’ intelligence and independence. He encourages Elizabeth’s sharp mind and wit, even if it sometimes leads to tension, and he ultimately supports her choices in matters of love and marriage, even when they challenge societal expectations. Although he may not always act as a pillar of emotional support, his genuine concern for his daughters’ futures—despite his sarcastic humor and frequent retreat to his library—reveals a quieter, yet significant form of fatherly devotion. He may not be perfect, but his occasional wisdom and love for his children make him a good figure to celebrate on Father’s Day.
Jack Torrance in The Shining, another one where maybe we skip Father’s Day By Stephen King
Jack Torrance in The Shining is a deeply flawed and ultimately destructive father, whose internal demons and personal struggles prevent him from being a healthy, supportive figure for his son, Danny. On the surface, Jack seems like a man trying to rebuild his life and provide for his family, but his volatile temper, alcoholism, and the pressure of his own unfulfilled ambitions cause him to spiral into anger and violence. While he genuinely loves Danny, his inability to control his darker impulses makes him a danger to those he is supposed to protect. As the novel progresses, Jack’s descent into madness under the influence of the Overlook Hotel amplifies his worst qualities, turning him into a direct threat to his son’s safety. Instead of being the guiding, nurturing father figure Danny needs, Jack becomes a tragic example of how unresolved trauma and unchecked mental illness can warp a father’s relationship with his child. Jack’s journey highlights the tragic consequences of a father who is unable to overcome his flaws for the sake of his family. A top contender for a bad literary dad.
Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, one to celebrate every Father’s Day By Victor Hugo
Jean Valjean in Les Misérables is an extraordinary father figure because of his unwavering love, sacrifice, and redemption. Despite his troubled past as a convict, Valjean transforms himself into a man of integrity, guided by a strong moral compass. His devotion to Cosette, the orphaned daughter of Fantine, elevates him from a mere guardian to a true father. Valjean takes Cosette in when she is vulnerable, providing her with not only safety and care but also a sense of worth and love. He gives her the childhood she was denied and strives to protect her from the dangers of the world, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness and freedom. What makes him a great boo dad is his capacity for selflessness and the way he teaches Cosette—through his actions, not just his words—that love, compassion, and honor are far more important than wealth or status. Valjean’s fatherly love is not just about physical care but also emotional and moral guidance, offering Cosette the stability and values she needs to build her own future. In many ways, he becomes the father she never had, and his profound influence on her life is a testament to the redemptive power of love and sacrifice.
Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather, a controversial father figure By Mario Puzo
Don Vito Corleone is an iconic figure because he embodies the complexities of power, loyalty, and love within the context of family. As the head of the Corleone crime family, he is a ruthless strategist who will stop at nothing to protect his empire and his loved ones. Yet, despite his criminal activities, his deep devotion to his family makes him a compelling character. His actions are driven by an unwavering desire to ensure the well-being of his children, even if it means sacrificing his own peace of mind or moral integrity. Don Vito’s blend of wisdom, compassion, and calculated ruthlessness paints him as a patriarch who, though bound by the violent realities of his world, is still deeply concerned with maintaining family unity and legacy. His belief in loyalty and his willingness to go to great lengths to keep his family safe is what ultimately makes him both a feared figure and a deeply sympathetic one.
Happy Father’s Day
to all the Dad, Grandads, Step-Dads, and all the Father Figures out there!
Interested in reading about more memorable fathers? We’ve put together a list of some of the best books about fathers and family dynamics we’ve seen this year.
Guided: Lost Love, Hidden Realms, and the Open Road By Kirsten Throneberry CIBA First Place Winner in the Journey Division
In her stunning memoir, Guided: Lost Love, Hidden Realms, and the Open Road,Kirsten Throneberry weaves together the highs and lows of a road trip packed with life wisdom, where she explores grief, spirituality, and rekindled hope.
Throneberry’s achingly vulnerable memoir splits its readers’ hearts and tenderly sews them back together.
In the aftermath of the devastating loss of her husband, Kirsten sells her home and takes her two small sons, two elderly pups, and eccentric mother on a year-long road trip around the United States in their new-to-them Bigfoot RV.
The Tale of the English Templar By Helena P. Schrader
Far from the romantic legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Helena P. Schrader’s The Tale of the English Templar faithfully captures the harsh decimation of the Knights Templar. Schrader offers a sobering, immersive look at one of history’s darkest betrayals. This is historical fiction worthy of legend with its feet planted firmly in research—not myth.
Set in the early 14th century, the novel captures the downfall of the Knights Templar at the hands of French King Philip IV. With the Pope’s reluctant cooperation, the Templars are accused of heresy and tortured until they confess to crimes they didn’t commit. The king’s true motive? Their immense wealth.
Sea Tigers and Merchants: A New American Generation (Salem Stories Book 2) By Sandra Wagner Wright, narrated by Christa Lewis CIBA First Place Winner in the Goethe Division
Sandra Wagner-Wright’s audible version of Sea Tigers & Merchants: A New American Generation, Salem Stories Book 2continues the sagas of two prominent families that dominate the shipping industry of young Salem. Narrator Christa Lewis fully embodies the unique characters of this swashbuckling historical adventure.
Wagner-Wright takes us back to 1790. In recently independent America, the next generation of the Crowninshield and Derby families try to continue building their fortunes on the treacherous high seas. Threats of pirates, storms, and ever-changing economies drives their fates, their successes, and their failures. Wagner-Wright’s skillful pen brings to life each young person, female and male, as they variously seek out or shun a chance at love on shore.
The Rocket Man’s Daughter: A Novel of Family, Faith and Resistance in Nazi Germany By Bruce Gardner
The Rocket Man’s Daughter: A Novel of Family, Faith and Resistance in Nazi Germany by Bruce Gardner tells a harrowing story of German life under the Nazi Regime from 1934 to 1945. Through the experiences of a young woman whose family is torn by competing loyalties, this riveting tale shines a rarely seen spotlight on some of the most heart wrenching moral dilemmas faced by German civilians and soldiers caught up in the crucible of fascist tyranny and war.
Klara Neumann is the Rocket Man’s Daughter. She’s only fourteen in 1934 when the Führer, Adolf Hitler, finally eliminates all rivals and consolidates his control of Germany under the Nazi Party.
Klara’s family represents a microcosm of the country’s middle socio-economic class, working in government-sponsored roles that demand slavish obedience to the Führer and his decrees. Her father, Erich, is the quintessential ‘rocket man’, a university professor dragged into the Nazi war machine to help his friend and colleague Dr. Wernher von Braun develop the deadly new V-2 rockets intended to terrorize Germany’s future enemies. Her mother, meanwhile, strives to be a dutiful Nazi wife, her brother an honorable Wehrmacht army officer, and her elder sister Elke the devoted leader of a female Hitler Youth section.
Eating Together, Being Together: Recipes, Activities, and Advice from a Chef Dad and Psychologist Mom By Julian C.E. Clauss-Ehlers and Caroline S. Clauss CIBA Grand Prize Winner in the Insight & Information Division
Eating Together, Being Togetheris a rare, enlightening book that teaches the importance of family dining, both on the culinary side and in its benefits for childhood and young adult development beyond the kitchen walls.
Co-authored by master Chef and Dad, Julian C.E. Clauss-Ehlers, and Ph.D. Psychologist and Mom, Caroline S. Clauss-Ehlers,Eating Together, Being Togetheroffers up their parental wisdom and expertise from the heart of the home—the kitchen.
With informative but relaxed conversations about food choices, preparation, and related activities, the two provide great insight into how family mealtime promotes well-being in a child’s life. As involved adults, they incorporate thoughtful discussions about spending quality time with their children, sharing and mitigating bad feelings, and making wonderful memories. Ultimately, they showcase family meals as nourishment for both the body and soul.
We would like to wish all fathers, fathers-to-be, stand-in fathers, and those who possess the fathering instinct, a very Happy Father’s Day!
Thank you for joining us in celebrating the Fathers in our life!
Do you have a book with fathers that deserves to be discovered? You can always submit your book for an Editorial Review with Chanticleer!
Chanticleer Editorial Review Packages are optimized to maximize your digital footprint. Reviews are one of the most powerful tools available to authors to help sell and market their books. Find out what all the buzz is about here.
Have an Award Winner?
Submitting to Book Awards is a great way to get your book discovered! Anytime you advance in the Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards, your name and book are promoted right here on our website, through our newsletter, and across social media. One of the best ways to engage in long tail marketing!
Thank you again to the authors who wrote these wonderful books, and to fathers and father figures around the world! You are so loved and appreciated!
A Strategic Guide to Reader Engagement and Audience Growth
Your author newsletter isn’t just another marketing obligation—it’s your most direct path to sustainable reader relationships and long-term book sales.
Email marketing remains the highest-converting digital marketing channel, yet it’s easy to treat author newsletters as afterthoughts. While social media algorithms limit your reach and book retailers control your visibility, your author newsletter represents the only marketing channel you truly own. When developed strategically, it becomes your most powerful tool for sustained reader engagement and genre-specific audience development.
Why Your Author Newsletter Matters More Than You Think
The GOAL!
Professional authors recognize that newsletter subscribers convert to book buyers at significantly higher rates than social media followers. Unlike platform-dependent marketing strategies, your email list provides direct access to engaged readers who have explicitly requested your content. Publishers and agents increasingly evaluate authors based on email subscriber metrics, understanding that a quality newsletter audience indicates genuine reader demand and marketing capability.
The most successful authors don’t just collect email addresses—they cultivate reader communities through consistent, valuable newsletter content that strengthens the author-reader relationship with every issue.
Building Your Newsletter Foundation
Hari Seldon understands the importance of a good Foundation
The blinking cursor is hard enough when it comes to creative writing, but for many authors marketing poses a unique challenge. Reframing newsletter writing as something you can do with prompts can turn it into a strategy for success!
Author newsletters can be thought of in two main arms: personal connection and professional value. For both of these, focus in on what engages readers and drives those open rates.
Prompts for your Newsletter
Writing Journey: Writing Craft and Wins
Behind the scenes strategies for making your writing work. No one shares the same experience as a writer, and giving insight into your unique journey can draw readers in! Consider what you feel like you’re an expert in: World Building, Character Development, Dialogue.
And it’s not just writing craft! Share achievements authentically—book awards, positive reviews, speaking engagements, or publishing milestones. These updates build credibility and social proof while keeping readers invested in your career trajectory. Frame these as shared celebrations rather than simple announcements.
Reading Recommendations and Genre Insights
Writers are a great voice within their own genre, and you have the book recommendations to prove it! Thoughtful recommendations can follow a formula to make them easier to write such as a star rating, plot summary, what you loved the most, and who would be the best reader for that. Not only do these recommendations help drive engagement with your readers, but it can help connect you with other authors, creating two valuable links for you!
Exclusive Content and Early Access
These are often the lead magnets of your newsletter. A free short story or that prologue you wrote that didn’t make it into your final draft can be great bonus content for people who already love your work or to bring in people who are just discovering it.
Other great benefits can be raffles, access to playlists you write to, opportunities to join your ARC Team, and so much more! The list of ways you can reward people for following you are nearly limitless. All this helps them feel like subscribing to your newsletter is a privilege, not an obligation.
Mastering Newsletter Subject Lines
Your subject line determines whether readers open your newsletter or delete it. Focus on the most compelling element of each issue rather than generic announcements.
Instead of: “Monthly Author Update” Try: “The Research Discovery That Changed My Entire Plot”
Instead of: “New Book Release” Try: “Three Years of Writing Led to This Moment”
Instead of: “Newsletter #47” Try: “Why I Almost Deleted This Entire Manuscript”
The most effective subject lines create curiosity while promising specific value relevant to your genre audience.
Multi-Channel Marketing for Audience Growth
We all start somewhere
Event-Based Acquisition: Maximize both virtual and in-person events for newsletter growth. Create QR codes linking directly to signup pages, offer event-exclusive subscriber bonuses, and position newsletter signup as continued connection rather than marketing obligation. Physical sign-up sheets are also great for people who are tired of dealing with screens all day.
Cross-Promotion Opportunities: Participate in genre-specific newsletter cross-promotions with fellow authors and through podcast tours. Having a website with a newsletter and landing page is a great way to make sure people who look you up can find an easy way to stay up to date after that first or second good impression.
Website Optimization: Ensure newsletter signup is prominent but not intrusive on your author website. Multiple signup opportunities—header, sidebar, post-content, and dedicated landing pages—increase conversion without overwhelming visitors.
Maintaining Consistency and Relevance
Successful author newsletters benefit from consistent publishing schedules and strategic content planning. Develop an editorial calendar that balances personal updates with genre-relevant content, seasonal considerations, and book release timing.
Brandon Sanderson, an author famous not only for his exceptional success as a writer of high fantasy, but also for his record-breaking Kickstarter campaigns, recommends a minimum of two newsletters a year. Most authors can probably swing once a month. Find a system that works with your schedule and ability to create engaging content and run it from there!
Measuring Newsletter Success
Track metrics that indicate genuine reader engagement rather than vanity numbers.
Recent industry data shows that the overall average email open rate across all industries is 39.7%, with newsletters focusing on specific niches achieving 16% higher open rates than general content. Welcome emails perform exceptionally well, with an average open rate of 47%, making your initial subscriber communication crucial for long-term engagement.
Click-through rates typically range from 1.0% for general industry averages to 3.2% for well-optimized campaigns. Interactive or dynamic newsletters achieve 2x more engagement than static content, suggesting that authors should incorporate multimedia elements and engaging formats.
Key Performance Indicators for Author Newsletters:
Open rates by content type (identify your most engaging topics)
Click-through rates to book purchase links (measure commercial effectiveness)
Subscriber growth rate and retention (track audience development)
Direct responses and reader interaction (gauge community engagement)
Book sales correlation with newsletter campaigns (measure ROI)
The Importance of Welcome Emails
Your welcome email represents the highest-engagement opportunity in your entire newsletter strategy. With average open rates of 47%, this first impression often determines long-term subscriber engagement. Use welcome emails to set expectations, deliver your promised lead magnet, and establish the value proposition that will keep readers opening future newsletters.
Building to Benchmark Performance
Don’t expect immediate success with industry-average metrics. The typical conversion rate from free to paid newsletter subscriptions is around 5%, but building a quality engaged audience takes time and consistent value delivery. Focus on delivering exceptional content to your niche audience rather than chasing vanity metrics. Newsletters with A/B testing and comprehensive pre-send quality checks achieve 28% higher returns than those published without optimization.
Where to Start
There are quite a few newsletter platforms out there, and it’s worth doing a little research to determine what’s the right fit for you.
Mailchimp: The Comprehensive Solution Mailchimp offers sophisticated tools and extensive customization opportunities that can elevate your author newsletter to professional standards. The platform excels in automation capabilities, detailed analytics, and integration options with other marketing tools. However, new users often find the interface complex and less intuitive initially. The learning curve is worth the investment, particularly for authors serious about email marketing optimization. Mailchimp offers a free tier for up to 500 subscribers, making it accessible for emerging authors, but costs increase significantly as your subscriber base grows. You can see our write up on Mailchimp here!
Substack: The Creator-Focused Choice Substack has revolutionized newsletter publishing by combining simplicity with powerful monetization features. The platform functions as both a newsletter service and a content discovery network, potentially expanding your reader base through its built-in social features. Everything about Substack prioritizes ease of use—from scheduling newsletters to managing subscriber interactions. The platform’s standout features include seamless paid subscription integration, content paywalls for premium readers, and direct financial support from subscribers. For authors considering paid newsletter models, Substack’s integrated payment system eliminates technical barriers to monetization.
Additional Platform Considerations Beyond these popular options, authors should also evaluate Kit – formerly ConvertKit (excellent for creator-focused automation), Beehiiv (rapid growth in creator economy), and MailerLite (budget-friendly with solid features). Your choice should align with your technical comfort level, monetization goals, and long-term audience development strategy.
Learn from the Best
We know the best when we see them!
Lately, we’ve been discussing our favorite newsletters with some of our authors. Here are some great options to follow:
Your author newsletter represents direct access to readers who have chosen to hear from you regularly. With strategic content development, consistent value delivery, and professional audience growth tactics, your newsletter becomes more than a marketing tool—it becomes the foundation of a sustainable writing career built on genuine reader relationships.
One last tip: Overlap between Social Media and Newsletters
Any section that you write about on your newsletter can be turned into multiple social media posts. Anything that’s more text intensive can be a great Facebook post or thread on Bluesky, and anything image focused can be great for Instagram or TikTok! If you’re one of those authors with video skills, you can even turn your newsletter into a script and use sections for short form content. You can read more about our social media suggestions here!
Thank you for reading this Chanticleer Writer’s Toolbox article.
Looking to add more wins and news to share with your readers? Consider getting professional validation that enhances your author platform and provides compelling newsletter content. A Chanticleer Editorial Review offers you a comprehensive professional assessment that not only serves as powerful marketing material but also comes with robust SEO optimization through our AIOSEO package. When algorithms change, we update your review’s online presence to maintain high search engine rankings, ensuring long-term marketing value.
For authors seeking recognition that resonates with readers, our Book Awards program features 28 divisions across fiction and non-fiction categories. These awards create multiple tiers of achievement that strengthen your digital footprint and provide ongoing marketing material for newsletters, social media, and author bios. We regularly hear from authors that award recognition increases book sales when results are announced, giving you concrete success stories to share with your newsletter subscribers.
You know you want it…
Both services provide the professional third-party validation that serious authors need while generating authentic content for reader engagement—exactly the kind of wins and achievements that make compelling newsletter material.
The gothic horror and paranormal fiction that V.C. Andrews pioneered continues to captivate readers today—and at Chanticleer, we know exactly what makes these dark, atmospheric stories work. That’s why our Shelley Awards (named for Mary Shelley, the Mother of Horror) celebrate the best in paranormal and horror fiction each year.
V.C. Andrews, born Cleo Virginia Andrews on June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, VA, faced a secluded life in her parent’s home, but that didn’t stop her from creating several series with unique characters and plots that will keep you up at night.
From Personal Struggle to Gothic Masterpiece
Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews follows the lives of four children whose mother kept them imprisoned in an attic for years in order to collect an inheritance. Released in 1979, it became an instant sensation and led her to write four more books in the Dollanganger Family Series. Its dark themes of family strife and isolation reflected a similar scenario playing out in Andrews’ own life, and she used her experience to speak through the character Cathy Dollanganger, who narrates the story.
The dark tale of children kept locked away in an attic somewhat mirrored Andrews’ own life. Born the youngest child and only daughter of three children, she suffered a devastating fall from a stairwell at school as a teen. The accident required several surgeries and resulted in crippling arthritis that left her wheelchair bound and in the care of her mother for much of her life. Just as with many children, that close relationship with her emotionally distant mother, even as she fully supported her daughter’s writing career, proved difficult at times and, when her father passed away in 1957, Andrews used the commissions from her art sales to support her family.
The Fast-Paced Formula That Hooked Millions
Later in life, Andrews turned to writing, beginning with a science fiction novel in 1972 titled Gods of Green Mountain, which was published posthumously in 2004 as an ebook. In 1975, Andrews completed the manuscript for Flowers in the Attic in two weeks, only to have the novel returned with a note to “spice up” and expand the story. Published in 1979, it was an instant success, reaching the top of the bestseller lists in just two weeks. Andrews published a new novel every year after that, earning Andrews larger advances and a growing readership.
“I think I tell a whopping good story. And I don’t drift away from it a great deal into descriptive material,” she stated in Faces of Fear in 1985. “When I read, if a book doesn’t hold my interest in what’s going to happen next, I put it down and don’t finish it. So, I’m not going to let anybody put one of my books down and not finish it. My stuff is a very fast read.”
A Literary Legacy That Defies Death
V.C. Andrews wrote novels that combine Gothic horror and family saga, often revolving around family secrets and forbidden love. Her best-known novel, Flowers in the Attic, was the catalyst to a career that spanned decades, with stories exploring those same themes. Today, her fans have 104 books and 27 series that continue to enthrall readers and inspire Hollywood filmmakers.
After Andrews’s death from breast cancer in 1986, ghostwriter Andrew Neiderman was hired, initially, to complete two unfinished works, Garden of Shadows and Fallen Hearts that were published soon after. It’s these two novels that are considered the last novels to be almost completely written by Andrews herself, but many more books inspired by her writing and written by Neiderman continued to be published. Forty years later, Andrews’ literary legacy continues to grow, inspiring not only the ghostwriter who continues her stories, but also the many readers who have escaped into her world of family drama and isolation—making Andrews one of the most beloved modern horror writers today.
Gothic Art Meets Family Nightmares
When I think of Andrews’ novels, particularly Flowers in the Attic, I’m reminded of the famous artwork, American Gothic by Grant Wood—family dynamics painted with a nod to the type of horror that penetrates and unsettles the family dynamic. Surely, Andrews must have pulled from her own conflicted emotions about her family to create a novel that resonates with the love/hate relationships we all grapple with. — Dena Weigel
Happy Birthday to V.C. Andrews, an author whose legacy in horror extends beyond her life to entertain and unsettle readers for years to come!
Does Your Gothic Horror Deserve the Same Recognition?
The gothic horror and paranormal fiction that V.C. Andrews pioneered continues to captivate readers today—and at Chanticleer, we know exactly what makes these dark, atmospheric stories work. That’s why our Shelley Awards (named for Mary Shelley, the Mother of Horror) celebrate the best in paranormal and horror fiction each year.
If your horror novel carries themes of family secrets, supernatural elements, psychological terror, or gothic atmosphere like Andrews’ masterworks, the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) Shelley Division wants to discover it. Our judges understand the nuances that separate good horror from unforgettable horror—the kind that keeps readers turning pages late into the night.
You know you want it…
The 2025 Shelley deadline is June 30th—just weeks away!Whether your work explores paranormal romance, supernatural powers, unexplained phenomena, or psychological horror, professional recognition through the Shelley Awards gives your book the credibility boost that social media alone cannot provide.
For suspense and thriller authors, don’t overlook our Clue Awards division, perfect for works that blend mystery with darker elements.
Submit to the Shelley Awards before the June 30th deadline and join the ranks of professionally recognized horror and paranormal fiction.
Check back next week as we’ll be featuring several articles about outstanding paranormal fiction and the authors who master this challenging genre!
CHANTICLEER 10 QUESTION AUTHOR INTERVIEW SERIES with Award-Winning Author, Kathryn Caraway
Hello friends, we have another fabulous interview for you today, with author Kathryn Caraway! Her book Unfollow Me took home the Chanticleer 2024 CIBA Grand Prize Award in the Journey Division and we were excited to learn more about what inspired her to write her true crime novel and what she’s planning next. Take a minute or two and get familiar with Kathryn and her incredible journey to becoming award-winning author!
Chanti: Hi Kathryn, and thank you for making the time for this. Let’s start with the basics. How would you describe the genre you write in, and what drew you to it in the first place?
Caraway: I write exclusively in the thriller genre. My dad loved reading Stephen King novels, but I wasn’t allowed. Instead, I snuck them off the bookshelf once he finished the book and read it at night under the covers with a flashlight. I became addicted to the pulse pounding, page turning, can’t-wait-to-read-the-next-chapter hallmarks of the thriller genre that drew me in as a reader and now, challenges me as a writer.
Chanti: Something feels so right about the image of sneakily reading Stephen King under the covers. Like King, your writing is deeply compelling. Can you talk about where you draw inspiration from for you ideas?
Caraway: Aside from the nonfiction and its companion fictional sequel, I create stories rooted in experience. After writing the first two books, I was so emotionally taxed that I wasn’t sure I would write again. But ideas came at random. For example, while driving down the interstate, a sign captured my attention and planted the seeds for my third book. Five months later, the first draft was written.
Chanti: Inspiration really can strike anywhere! When it comes to actually sitting down to write, how structured is your approach?
Caraway: Not structured at all, especially if I’m writing a first draft. If I need to think through a particular scene, I’ll do laundry. If I’m trying to figure out a plot point, I’ll clean the bathroom or do the dishes. I’m also easily distracted by my pup. I don’t pay attention to the technical elements of writing (character arc, story arc, etc.) during a first draft. I bounce between different parts of my manuscript so much that I once broke the wheel on my mouse!
Chanti: Ha! You definitely give your mouse and computer quite a workout! Speaking of influences, every writer has their literary heroes. Which authors do you turn to for inspiration, and how have they shaped your work?
Caraway:
Stephen King: You never forget the first book that wowed you and I always turn back to how I felt reading his books. This has been a big influence on me because I work hard to create those pulse pounding scenes that makes readers want to inhale the words and turn the page.
Karin Slaughter: I binged a series she wrote many years before I started writing. I fell in love with the way she framed scenes that felt real, like I was living in the book with her characters. And that’s what I strive for in my writing.
John Steinbeck:Of Mice and Men was required reading when I was in school. We had to annotate each chapter as we read. I still have the original book which, for many years, was my go-to on the nightstand when I couldn’t sleep. His use of short chapters makes time spent reading feel irrelevant and the story moving forward at a quick pace. This is something I keep in mind when I’m organizing chapters, harnessing that tempo that will appeal to readers.
Marie Still: This is a newer author on the market that I had the good fortune to meet at a conference. She gifted me her book, We’re All Lying, and I devoured it. What captivated me was the way I connected with her main character because of my own life experiences. Since I was new at writing, I spent hours breaking down this character to understand the construction behind it. This is the experience I want to provide readers of Unfollow Me. While Marie’s character is fictional, I am the main character in Unfollow Me, so this meant I also had to get comfortable with revealing uncomfortable stuff to my readers.
Chanti: What a diverse group of influences! Every writer has their strengths. What aspect of writing do you feel most confident about, and what advice would you give to someone struggling in that same area?
Caraway: I feel the most confident in writing characters. I don’t really develop them until the second draft—once I have a big picture idea of their place in the story. One of the tricks I use is signs of the Zodiac. There’s so much information on each sign and the related personality that I give my characters birthdays. Before I write about them, I’ll read their horoscope and sometimes even get ideas from there. This method is especially helpful when I have multiple works in progress. If you’re struggling with a character, give them a birthday and read their horoscope!
Chanti: That’s a great idea! Do you have any other ways to work on your writing? How do you grow your author chops?
Caraway: Read, read, read! I read mostly in the thriller genre, but sometimes I need a break and will read something totally different. But it’s not just books you have to read, it’s reviews. To grow as an author, you have to understand your audience—what they want, what they’re looking for, what they’re turned off by. I’m not suggesting authors read their reviews, but I read the reviews of bestsellers in my genre to study the competition.
Chanti: Smart strategy for understanding your market! When you think about your ideal reader—the person who would absolutely love Unfollow Me—who comes to mind?
Caraway: Fans of true crime, as well as suspense/thriller fiction readers would be the best fit for my book. It is creative nonfiction which means it’s a true story written to read like fiction.
Chanti: The combination of true crime and thriller elements is certainly a natural one. What’s next on the horizon for you? What can your readers look forward to?
Caraway: Getting the Unfollow Me Duet out has been the sole focus on my daily activities. I have two other books fully written in draft form that I will eventually turn back to. Stay tuned!
Chanti: Exciting! Changing gears a little bit back to the mechanics of getting the work done—do you ever hit those dreaded writer’s block moments? And if so, what’s your secret for getting unstuck?
Caraway: Funny you should ask! The same question recently came up with a group of young writers in the Hey, Young Writers group.
Several years ago, when I first started writing, a friend of mine sent me an avatar that I named Pat/Patrick/Patricia. It’s framed and sits on my desk to represent my readers. When I get stuck, I think of what Pat/Patrick/Patricia might want to happen next and sometimes I even talk it out with the frame (yes, with an inanimate object). It doesn’t matter if it’s a silly idea because those often lead to the BEST ideas. The important thing I have to remind myself is not to force an idea to come. It always seems like when I push it from my mind, that’s when ideas on how to get unstuck hit me. Like, wham!
Chanti: I love the idea of having a reader avatar! Finally, writing can be emotionally intense work, especially given the nature of your stories. How do you unwind and recharge when you’re not writing?
Caraway: I am an avid scuba diver with quite a few dive certifications. I love to travel, dive, and experience new ecosystems. I love that when I’m underwater, nothing else in the world matters. And, of course, reading—especially on a rainy day.
If you would like to support Kathryn’s work, and get a pre-release copy of Unfollow Me and its sequel He Follows Me, her Kickstarter project is running through the end of June. Unfollow Me Duet Kickstarter
Kathryn Caraway has lived the life she now writes about. Targeted by a stalker, she’s traveled through the justice system seeking help, protection, and the conviction of the man who turned her world upside down. After he received only a short sentence for three separate charges, and added two probation violations to his record, Caraway chose to erase her presence from public view. She quit her job, changed her name, relocated, and deleted all her social media profiles, only to find out that he continued to violate the protective order by attempting to locate her.
To deal with the stress of the situation, Caraway turned to her education, a Bachelor of Arts in the English degree family, and began to write about her experience. She’s always been an avid reader and has been writing stories as a hobby since she was fourteen. With a new name, in a strange place and no job, writing her story quickly became her passion. In 2022, she wrote her true crime memoir, Unfollow Me, and later that year she followed it up with a fictional alternate ending to the same story. The thrill of writing plot twists with characters developed from her imagination became a thrill, and, after writing the first book, she created the pseudonym “Kathryn Caraway” and decided to venture down the dark, scary path of publishing.
Chanti: Let’s start at the beginning, Mike. Tell us a little about yourself and how you first discovered you had this wonderful talent for satirical fiction.
Murphey: I suppose I’ve had a fascination with books from the time I learned to read. I loved getting lost in a story, which led me to write stories of my own. My understanding of the power of humor is rooted in Mr. Donald Dye’s ninth grade math class. Mr. Dye was a stealthy fellow adept at sneaking up on students who wrote notes in class rather than paying attention. He would either read the note to the class, or force the author to read it, whichever inflicted the most embarrassment. I’d been writing a story in study hall the previous hour and was on a roll, so I hid my story under my math book, sneaking in a few lines here and there, until a heavy hand reached out from nowhere and snatched up my prose. As I anticipated my punishment, I saw his expression drift from anger, to puzzlement, to the hint of a chuckle. He handed my back the paper and said, “Go ahead. This will get you further than math ever will.”
Chanti: That’s a great story, and Mr. Dye sounds like a wonderful teacher, too! You work in multiple genres, often combining them in your stories. How lead you to incorporate multiple genres—humor, action, sci-fi, thriller—into your novels?
Murphey: I am not a slave to genre, and my background as a journalist left me interested in a variety of topics to write about. My focus on science fiction was spurred by the work of Jack Williamson, a dean of science fiction at Eastern New Mexico University in the small town where I grew up. His granddaughter and I were the same age, and I knew her well. I was not a good physics student because I couldn’t master the math, but the romance of physics—time travel, Einstein’s relativity of time, quantum entanglement, Schoedinger’s cat—sparked my imagination. I also love baseball, so I wrote a baseball book, and I grew up in the 60’s and loved the music, so I wrote a book about The Chad Mitchell Trio and the 60’s folk music era. At this point, I would be bored if I was trapped by genre.
Chanti: Variety in genre definitely keeps things interesting! How does that carry over to your writing process, are you someone who likes to plan everything out meticulously, or do you prefer to let the story unfold as you write?
Murphey: This is the classic plotters vs. pantsers issue. For many years, what kept me from writing anything beyond short stories was the belief that when I began, I had to know how it would end. Outline the whole thing and then fill in the gaps. But my brain doesn’t work that way. When I finally decided to write a minimum of 500 words a day and see where that path would lead me, it all fell into place. The characters and their story show me where to go as the story progresses.
Chanti: I love that daily word count approach! Outside of writing, do you have hobbies or interests that feed into your storytelling or inform your work in some way?
Murphey: I am an old-man baseball player, one of thousands who defy the premise that people in their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s have no business playing baseball rather than softball. My baseball novel The Conman… a Baseball Odyssey, is a fictionalized version of a friend’s convoluted journey through professional baseball, and my short story, Old Man Baseball, was a grand prize winner in Chanticleer’s short story competition. I also have a woodshop and enjoy making what we call Southwestern-style furniture—meaning the flaws are present to add a rustic authenticity.
Chanti: I remember Old Man Baseball and how much our readers loved it. Now, every writer has their strengths. What aspect of writing do you feel most confident about, and what advice would you give to someone who’s struggling in that same area?
Murphey: Dialogue. To write in different distinct voices, you must know your characters inside and out. Dialogue is much more important in establishing character than anything else. That’s my best advice. Know your principal characters as well as you know your best friend or your worst enemy.
Chanti: That’s excellent advice about really knowing your characters. Related tangentially to that, can you tell us about the authors whose work has really shaped your own?
Murphey: Mark Twain, Douglas Adams, Tom Robbins and Christopher Moore, because every time you pick up one of their books, you are engaged in a seminar on humor, satire, irony, and subtlety. And fifth, a New Mexico writer named Richard Bradford who wrote a book called Red Sky at Morning, a funny and poignant coming-of-age story that I read the summer I left my hometown in Eastern New Mexico and was separated from the girl with whom I thought I would share my destiny with. I determined then that if I was ever able to write a novel, I wanted to write like he did. That is where my first novel, Section Roads, came from.
Chanti: Writing is definitely a craft that requires constant growth. What do you do to keep developing and sharpening your skills as an author?
Murphey: I work with excellent editors. Three editors see my manuscripts. They all have different strengths, and they are the best teachers I have.
Chanti: Smart approach—having multiple sets of expert eyes on your work! Here’s something I always like to ask: What’s the most important thing a reader can do to support an author they enjoy?
Murphey: Besides reading your work in the first place, the most important way readers can support writers is to review their books on Amazon. The review can be as simple as “I really liked this.” Or “well, at least he tried.” The number of reviews a book gets increases the possibility that Amazon will pay attention to it.
Chanti: That’s such practical advice! Now, on a more personal note—what excites you most about the actual process of writing?
Murphey: Sitting down in the morning to find out what my characters have been up to.
Chanti: Short and sweet. As we wrap up, what are you working on now? What exciting projects can your readers look forward to seeing from you next?
Murphey: I’m writing a sixth book in my Tales of Physics, Lust and Greed series, but my principal focus has drifted toward screenwriting. I have three different collaborations in progress. One involves a short film for my short story Old Man Baseball, which was a Chanticleer grand prize winner. Another involves a streaming series for Section Roads, and a third involves the Tales of Physics, Lust and Greed series.
Mike Murphey, a native of eastern New Mexico, spent almost thirty years as an award-winning newspaper journalist in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. Following his retirement from the newspaper business, he and his wife Nancy entered into a seventeen-year partnership with the late Dave Henderson, the all-star centerfielder for the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners. Their company produces the A’s and Mariners adult baseball fantasy camps. They also have a partnership with the Roy Hobbs adult baseball organization to provide clubhouse services for major adult tournaments in Fort Myers, Florida. They live in Spokane, Washington, and Phoenix, Arizona, where Mike enjoys life as a writer and old-man baseball player.
The Rise of Bluesky: A New Frontier for Author Marketing
Bluesky has emerged as a compelling social media alternative for authors seeking fresh ways to connect with readers and fellow writers. As this decentralized platform surpasses 30 million users as of February 2025, authors are discovering its unique advantages for building literary communities and marketing their books in a less cluttered digital environment.
This growing platform offers a refreshing approach to social networking that addresses many pain points authors experience with other social media options. Its focus on transparency, user control, and community-building makes it particularly well-suited for writers looking to establish meaningful connections with their target audience.
What is Bluesky
Bluesky was created by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and, in the simplest terms, it is a decentralized social media app that runs similar to Twitter in its design and algorithms. As of February 2025, this up-and-coming platform surpassed 30 million users, and while growth has slowed since its last spike, the network is continuing to see more users come on board.
The most notable difference between Bluesky and other social media platforms is its use of a decentralized social network protocol. AT Protocol is a tool that allows users to see how the platform works and build their own apps with an innate ability to connect with Bluesky. This provides users with more accessibility, transparency, and the ability to take your followers, posts, and username with you if you switch to another network—a necessary update for most users.
Bluesky also provides more customizable features that give the user more control over what we see, the rules you set for moderation in the different communities you join, and more options to block content, accounts, hashtags, etc.
What Makes Bluesky Different for Authors
Of course, these changes appear to be positive for Bluesky’s users, but what about authors specifically?
Great news! Authors are finding a home on Bluesky, where they are connecting with the literary world, other writers, and fans.
Bluesky is prioritizing a sense of community with a less vitriolic style of communication and a more supportive environment. The perfect place for authors! You’ll also find less ads and bot-created content, which is a refreshing change. Overall, Bluesky feels like it’s less complicated than other social media sites when it comes to the backend operations of analytics, scheduling, etc. Part of this is that functionality is limited in some areas, such as pre-scheduling posts, but the way Bluesky is designed, both in functioning and aesthetics, is intuitive.
Even new authors can dive into the right community quickly. Their “Starter Pack” feature curates collections of users with custom feeds that align with the topic of your choosing, such as ‘authors.’ All you have to do is select the Starter Packs subheading to the right of Feeds. Click Create, and that’s where you’ll find Bluesky’s tools, including the Starter Pack, then just add a name and description, and you are ready to meet some new Bluesky friends!
Five Tips to Get Started on Bluesky Right Now
Authors can maximize their presence on Bluesky by implementing these five targeted strategies designed to build visibility and engagement:
1. Craft an Author-Focused Profile that Converts
Creating a compelling author profile is the foundation of successful Bluesky marketing. Include these essential elements:
A professional yet approachable profile picture that matches your author brand
A concise bio highlighting your genre, notable works, and any awards or recognition
Strategic links to your author website, preferred bookstore, or latest release
Relevant keywords that help readers interested in your genre find your profile
Include any professional recognition you’ve received such as Book Awards or Editorial Reviews
Pro Tip: Think of your Bluesky profile as a micro author website—it should clearly communicate your unique value proposition as a writer within seconds.
2. Leverage Decentralization to Find Your Reader Communities
One of Bluesky’s strongest features is its ability to connect authors with niche communities of engaged readers:
Identify and join communities related to your specific genre using relevant hashtags (#TrueCrime, #UrbanRomance, #HistoricalFiction)
Study community guidelines to understand what content resonates with members
Participate authentically before introducing your books or writing
Create custom feeds that aggregate content from your ideal reader demographic
This targeted approach allows authors to focus marketing efforts on readers already interested in their genre, rather than broadcasting to a general audience.
3. Develop a Strategic Posting Plan
Effective Bluesky marketing requires thoughtful content creation that balances promotion with value:
Share insights into your writing process that readers can’t find elsewhere
Post high-quality visual content featuring your book covers, teaser quotes, and reader reviews
Create unique hashtags for your books and encourage readers to use them
Host interactive Q&A sessions to build reader relationships
Maintain a consistent posting schedule to build audience expectations
Document authentic moments from your author journey through images and short videos
The most successful authors on Bluesky treat their content as an extension of their books—providing value while showcasing their unique voice and perspective.
4. Expand Your Author Network Strategically
Growing your Bluesky presence requires proactive community building:
Offer followers exclusive content and early announcements to reward engagement
Share limited-access material like short stories, character sketches, or alternate endings
Collaborate with complementary authors in your genre for cross-promotion
Create virtual book clubs or writing challenges to foster community
Encourage and highlight reader-generated content about your books
Balance promotional posts with valuable content that serves your audience
Remember that successful author marketing on Bluesky isn’t about promoting a single book but building a sustainable author brand that supports your entire writing career.
5. Measure and Refine Your Bluesky Strategy
Data-driven decision making separates professional author marketing from casual social media use:
Track engagement patterns using Bluesky’s analytics tools
Experiment methodically with different posting times, formats, and content types
Identify which content generates the most meaningful reader interactions
Adjust your strategy based on performance data
Set specific goals for your Bluesky presence tied to broader marketing objectives
This analytical approach ensures authors invest their valuable time in activities that genuinely advance their marketing goals rather than simply accumulating vanity metrics.
Bluesky is for Authors
For authors committed to building sustainable careers, Bluesky represents a valuable addition to their marketing toolkit. The platform’s emphasis on transparency, authentic connection, and user control aligns perfectly with what today’s readers expect from author interactions.
While Bluesky’s user base continues to grow, its quality of engagement often surpasses that of larger platforms. Authors who establish themselves early on Bluesky position themselves advantageously as the platform expands, building valuable reader relationships in a less competitive environment.
The strategic approaches outlined above will help authors leverage Bluesky’s unique features while integrating this platform into a comprehensive book marketing strategy that drives long-term career success.
Thank you for joining us for this Writer Toolbox Article
There is so much to learn and do with Chanticleer!
From our Book Award Program that has Discovered the Best Books since the early 2010s to our Editorial Book Reviews recognizing and promoting indie and traditional authors, Chanticleer knows your books are worth the effort to market professionally!
Hungry for more? These articles can help you go even further in marketing:
Social media platforms like Bluesky are valuable tools in your author marketing arsenal, but truly professional authors know the importance of third-party validation and expert promotion. Chanticleer’s professional services are designed specifically for authors serious about maximizing their book’s visibility:
Chanticleer Editorial Book Reviews: Our professionally crafted, SEO-optimized reviews complement your social media efforts by providing the credibility that comes from respected third-party assessment. Each review is strategically written to improve your book’s discoverability across all platforms—including social media sites like Bluesky where you can share snippets to enhance your authority. Learn more about our Editorial Review service here.
Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs): While building your social media presence is important, award recognition creates promotional opportunities that social posting alone cannot match. The CIBAs give your book multiple visibility opportunities and provide prestigious credentials you can feature prominently in your Bluesky profile. When you submit your book to the CIBAs today, you’re joining a community of excellence that readers trust.
You know you want it…
Don’t let your great book remain hidden online. With Chanticleer’s professional services working alongside your social media marketing efforts, you’ll find more readers than ever before.
The gleaming silver seal stops them in their tracks.
Standing out on a crowded bookshelf is what every author wants for their book covers. Great cover art and clear fonts help, but what makes a reader walk across a busy store to pick up your book? Professional recognition they can see at a glance.
Why Stickers Work
Promotional book stickers are your book’s instant credibility. In a bookstore filled with hundreds of novels, all with covers designed to get noticed, stickers deliver that important third-party endorsement clearly and immediately. “Grand Prize Winner,” “Bestseller,” “Editorial Choice” – these messages tell browsing readers that your book has been professionally recognized as outstanding storytelling worth their time.
Chanticleer’s Foil Advantage
Of course, it’s not all about flash. It’s also about a message that tells the bookstore customer why they should stop and consider your book. This is your turn to crow! Get stickers that will tell the reader why they should buy your book. Awards and recognition, such as “Grand Prize Winner” or “Bestseller!” lets people know that your book has been put to the test and come out with a good review or even won a contest! It’s one more push to get them to pick your book over the others.
Of course, not all stickers are the same. At Chanticleer, we believe our foil adhesive stickers give authors an extra boost of promotional power with their built-in ability to catch the light and clear message. With the seal of approval from a respected industry partner, you’ll be making a clear statement about the quality of your storytelling. A shiny foil sticker on your book cover can make all the difference in hand sales, whether at bookstores, conferences, or local events. We’ve seen it work time and time again for our authors!
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Whether you’re preparing for summer book events, conference season, or just want professional promotional materials on hand, this is your last chance to stock up and save.
Hello friends, we have another fabulous interview for you today. Author Tim Facciola took home the Chanticleer 2023 Overall Grand Prize for A Vengeful Realm, and the 2024 Grand Prize in the Series division for the first book in his The Scales of Balance Trilogy. We recently spoke with Tim to discuss his writing journey, his research methods, and the great success his series is seeing! Take a minute or two and get familiar with Tim—you won’t be sorry!
Chanti: Your A Vengeful Realm series creates this fascinating blend of fantasy and historical elements. I’m curious—what originally drew you to fantasy as a genre, and what made you decide to weave those historical themes throughout your story?
Facciola: Fantasy has always been my go-to. More specifically, sword and sorcery fantasy with a bend towards political intrigue that explores real-life social issues, interpersonal relationships, and the depth and nuance of the human condition. There is something special about the speculative genre that lowers a reader’s inhibitions and allows them to leave their preconceived notions, prejudices, biases, and sense of self outside the covers of the book. Divorced of the real-world for a time, they’re more likely to formulate new ideas, opinions, and understandings that aren’t swayed by our real-life culture. My hope is that my stories don’t necessarily provide answers, but rather they invite readers to ask better questions of themselves and how they see the world. I don’t think there is a better medium than fantasy to accomplish just that.
Chanti: Fantasy does give writers incredible freedom to create their own rules and style. When you’re crafting your stories, do you find yourself sticking to traditional fantasy conventions, or are you more of a rule-breaker?
Facciola: I spent a lot of time learning the rules, studying story structure and the psychology associated with story and how it impacts us. There’s an infinite amount of rules out there, and I do believe the people that came up with them are onto something; but as much as it’s important to know the rules, my favorite rule is the last rule at the bottom of all the best “rules of writing”: Do what serves your story best. I think you have to know the rules to break the rules, and even in breaking the rules, it’s important to know which rules and why. But I wouldn’t say I make up my own rules.
Chanti: I love that philosophy! Speaking of your process, you sound like someone who puts a lot of thought into structure. How organized are you when it comes to your actual writing routine?
Facciola: I am what people might call a plotter or an architect. I spend a lot of time in the pre-drafting phase building out my world, the history, cultures, religions, myths & legends, how accurate the perceptions of those things actually are, how the magic system works, etc. Then once I feel like I’ve established a world that could possibly feel lived in, I build out my cast of characters and the role functions they’ll serve within the story. Depending on how fleshed out my initial concept is, I might go into their internal arcs or the thematic development I want their arc to convey. Sometimes that is something learned along the drafting/revision journey. Once I have my characters and the world they’ll be challenging the status quo of, I start plotting. For plotting, I start out with a two to three sentence elevator pitch, then expand it into a 7-10 sentence synopsis, then a chapter by chapter outline. And if all goes well, then I might actually start writing the story!
Chanti: That’s incredibly thorough! With all that detailed planning, I have to ask—do you ever hit those dreaded writer’s block moments? And if so, what’s your strategy for getting past them?
Facciola: A complicated answer, but I don’t believe in it. Sure, there might be times in which a particular scene isn’t going the way you want, or you’re not quite sold on how the blocking is set up or how a particular plot point lines up. But just like any puzzle, there’s an answer. Whenever I feel stuck, I go through a series of questions to find out how I got to this point of “stuckness.” The writers I work with know me as the “Why-guy” because I ask them “Why?” about a dozen times. You have all the answers, you just need to ask yourself the right question, so Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How are my favorite places to start. I think that writer’s block only comes from an unwillingness to adapt, make changes, kill darlings, etc. So, when in doubt, get up, stretch, go for a walk, make sure you’ve drunk plenty of water, had a healthy snack—all those things can help too.
Chanti: That’s a very practical approach. Pivoting a little bit, every writer has their influences, and I’m curious about yours. Can you share five authors who’ve really shaped your work and tell us a little about how they’ve impacted your writing?
Facciola: George RR Martin got me back into reading with A Song of Ice and Fire. He also convinced me to finish my series before releasing it which was why I wrote all three books of the A Vengeful Realm trilogy before I published the first book. I never wanted to leave readers hung out to dry waiting from 14+ years for the next book to come. But in all seriousness, I am fascinated by his worldbuilding and how Martin incorporated history into fantasy.
Some of my favorite books of the last decade were by Brandon Sanderson. I love the interconnected world he has built and all the easter eggs he’s laid for his most devoted readers, but simultaneously, I love how accessible a lot of his stories are. As a businessman, I’m awestruck by the way he has built his author brand on stories that always point to hope.
Joe Abercrombie’s character work is extremely well done. While I share a completely different stance on how I view humanity, there is no denying the man knows how to craft characters.
I didn’t fully understand a character’s “voice” until I read Pierce Brown’s Red Rising series. That “you know it when you see it,” type of command that brings words on the page to life—I try to channel that element from him to find my own narrative voice.
Theme is the point with Nathan Makaryk’s work. For me it’s the be all, end all, and proving that theme through the main characters’ journey throughout the plot—that’s where the magic happens. Makaryk’s Nottingham, did exactly that with supreme depth and from so many different angles. Truly a masterpiece that I try to emulate.
Chanti: It’s clear you’ve dived in and truly studied this craft and genre. What would you say are your strongest areas as a writer? And if someone is struggling in those same areas, what advice would you offer them?
Facciola: I run a Discord writing group through my Patreon, coaching writers on all sorts of areas. One area I particularly excel at is my combat scenes, but that’s not part of all stories. But what is part of all stories (at least the readers of those stories) is humans. So if we’re writing for humans, we as authors better be able to relate to those humans. Having a foundational understanding of psychology, moral reasoning, and relationships is imperative. I use psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg’s theories of moral development to better understand how my characters see themselves, each other, and the world. Understanding and communicating the “whys” behind the “whats” that our characters do is something I often see missing from most new writers’ work.
Chanti: Using psychology to inform your character development is brilliant! We often ask about promoting a community of literacy and supporting other writers, and you mentioned your Discord group. Can you tell us more about that?
Facciola: On my Discord server, I help fantasy writers through a combination of community building, education, and networking. It’s difficult being an indie author, and it’s so easy to suffer in silence all by your lonesome. Having struggled with this myself, I’ve made it my mission to create a place for fantasy writers to develop their craft, build their community, and connect with industry professionals through guest lectures and workshops.
Chanti: That work in community building is essential! As we start to wrap up, I’m curious about what’s coming next. With the trilogy complete, what exciting projects are you working on? What can your fans look forward to?
Facciola: With the A Vengeful Realm trilogy complete and the prequel novel released back on January 21st, 2025, I’m currently writing a new series within the same world. I’m pitching it as Mulan enters the Hunger Games to solve the murder of her betrothed. The working title is Boon Blessed in which aspirants compete in a series of trials to appeal to the gods and receive their favor in the form of magical abilities, but for every boon comes a bane, and not everyone is entitled to receive it.
Chanti: I’m already adding it to my TBR. When you think about your ideal reader for A Vengeful Realm or this upcoming Boon Blessed what kind of person comes to mind?
Facciola: Not to give a complicated answer, but here is my complicated answer: I believe there are a few tiers to what fantasy readers want out of a story. Some readers just want distraction—escapism from their day to day. It’s a pretty low bar, but for some, that’s all they ask for in a story. For some, it is entertainment they are looking for—not only do they want to be distracted, but they want to be entertained! A third group of readers want connection—they want to feel something beyond simple distraction and entertainment. And lastly, some readers want to be challenged—mentally and/or emotionally.
My perfect reader is in that third to fourth category. Yes, there is certainly escapism, and undoubtedly my goal is to entertain, but if that’s all you’re after, there are probably more accessible reads that you’ll enjoy more. But for readers who are looking to feel something or they’re open to being challenged about how they think or feel about particular topics—I write for readers like you.
Chanti: That thoughtful consideration of audience is so important to connecting with readers. Here’s my final question, and it’s one I think every author should hear: What’s the most important thing a reader can do to support an author they love?
Facciola: Word of mouth is always the best form of advertising. If you read a book and you love it, tell someone about it. Better yet, gift them a copy. Then, write a review on Amazon or Goodreads, or post about it on social media—whatever you’re into. But most importantly, reach out to the author and tell them that their creation meant something to you. Art was meant to be shared, so spread the love.
Chanti: Yes! Authors and readers walk hand-in-hand, and their support for their favorite authors is very much appreciated! Thank you, Tim, for this peek into the world of Tim Facciola and his Vengeful Realm!
Tim Facciola is an author, virtual fitness professional, and former punk rock musician based in Arizona. His debut novel, The Scales of Balance from the series A Vengeful Realm, combines his love for epic fantasy with insights from his fitness training. Alongside his writing, Tim offers Gladiator Training and author coaching.
You can read more about Tim Facciola and his A Vengeful Realm series here.
Remember and Honor the Military Personnel Who Died While Serving on this Memorial Day!
Few figures stand as prominently in American history as the Founding Fathers of the United States. They were men of words, deeds, and oratory. We rely on their words to set legal precedents for this great nation, and to tell the world how our vision of a “government of the people, and by the people” should be structured and what our core values should be.
In the U.S.A., Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance of those who died in service to their country. The holiday was officially proclaimed in 1868 to honor Union and Confederate soldiers who lost their lives in the Civil War.
The latest historical research has the Civil War death toll at 850,000. This number has surpassed all the other wars the U.S.A. has fought in combined. The population was estimated to be approximately 31 million (not counting Native Americans or Black Americans).
Click hereto access the U.S. Census Memorial Day Infographic for more information and the complete infographic.
The important takeaway from this graphic is that all other wars, skirmishes, conflicts, and battles that the US has been involved with combined, none have taken the toll that the war that took place on the U.S. soil—the Civil War—has. Period.
Civil War Death Toll: 850,000 deaths (latest research)
All Other US Military Involvements since 1870s until 2020: 707,081 deaths
Memorial Day is one of three official days The United States has to honor those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces.
In remembrance of the many military troops who have given their lives defending our country throughout its history, we’ve put together a list of quotes from our Founding Fathers. The principles they wrote down in the Founding Documents are the ideals our troops continue to sacrifice their lives to defend.
Each quote selected for this patriotic collection not only captures the essence of the revolutionary spirit that permeates our national conscience. The following quotes also illuminate the intellectual thought, moral depth, and strength of conviction infused into the American democratic system.
The Federalist Papers, authors Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay
“To all general purposes we have uniformly been one people each individual citizen everywhere enjoying the same national rights, privileges, and protection.” ― Alexander Hamilton
“A good Government implies two things: first, fidelity to the object of Government, which is the happiness of the People; secondly, a knowledge of the means by which that object can be best attained.” ― James Madison
“Justice is the constant and perpetual will to allot to every man his due.” ― John Jay
Common Sense, author Thomas Paine
“The cause of America is in great measure the cause of all mankind.”
“Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.”
“Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.”
Articles of Confederation and the Massachusetts Constitution – The Continental Congress
“In a republic, power is shared among the people.”
“All states are equal and have an equal voice in Congress.”
“The central government cannot infringe upon individual liberties.”
The Declaration of Independence
“A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people”
“We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America…solemnly publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states”
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”
The Constitution of the United States
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
“No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens.”
“The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
And one last quote from a Founding Father for all our book lovers!
“I cannot live without books.”
– Thomas Jefferson
Thank you to veterans everywhere!
As many of you know, the head and founder of Chanticleer Book Reviews, Kiffer Brown is a self-described military brat. Her father, brother, her Aunt Ellen, nephews, and cousins have served or are serving in the military. Recognizing and honoring the service of those in the Armed Forces is a longstanding tradition for Kiffer and her family.
All of us at Chanticleer have family who have served, and that makes holidays like Memorial Day important to us. We ask you to take time out of your day to remember the veterans in your life and those who have died in active service on this day of reflection.
In the United States, Memorial Day occurs annually on the last Monday in May. This year that date falls on May 26th. We want to celebrate the authors who bring our soldiers’ stories to life on the page. Here are just a few reviews of books with a military theme that we highly recommend!
A GRAND PAUSE: A Novel on May 14, 1945, the USS Randolph, Kamikazes, and the Greatest Air-Sea Rescue By Gary Santos
InA Grand Pause: A Novel on May 14, 1945, the USS Randolph, Kamikazes, and the Greatest Air-Sea Rescueby Gary Santos, readers board the US Naval aircraft carrier alongside its crewmen as World War II’s Pacific Theater reaches a critical point.
This compelling novel opens with a startling description of the US Navy caught in the bloodiest and longest battle in its history. Through a wide cast of characters, from sailors to pilots, officers to the deck crew, everyone plays a vital role in keeping theUSS Randolphrunning amidst the most heated naval combat of World War II.
Santos writes every moment of these nightmarish battles with intensity and authenticity.
Rich details provide a visceral experience for the reader as they feel, see, and breathe each nuance of the desperate fight to stop the kamikazes from reaching their targets. These kamikaze attacks move so quickly readers will need to catch their breath. To feel as if an attack is truly happening while turning the pages is a testament to Santos’s talent. His entwining of fact with fiction is seamless.
COMBAT MISSIONS (non-fiction) By Burl D. Harmon Military and Front Line First Place CIBA Winner
Sometimes, a close and personal story can reveal the true weight of major historical events. Combat Missions, a memoir from WWII veteran Burl D. Harmon, achieves this by detailing how Europe’s vicious aerial battles shape a young boy’s entry to manhood.
On December 7, 1941, Harmon is summoned to his high school’s auditorium to hear President Roosevelt proclaim it as, “a day which will live in infamy…” Soon after, his draft notice arrives. Harmon’s junior college studies and work at the local Rexall drug store are put on hold as he joins the vast flood of young American men and women conscripted into military service. Leaving his small Iowa town and a family mostly sheltered from the grim realities of the outside world, he travels to New York City with people from every imaginable background.
SMITE The WATERS: The Isaak Collection By David T. Isaak
Smite the Waters by David T. Isaak begins with the xenophobic billionaire Rex Atwater whose goal is to eliminate terrorism. His certainty that it’s “us” or “them” has led him to one horrifying conclusion: he must nuke Mecca.
Convinced of his twisted plot’s perfection, Atwater assembles a deadly team. Carla Smukowski is a military assassin mourning the death of her brother. Boyce Hammond works as a covert FBI agent deeply entrenched in a right-wing movement. And rounding out the cast is Gerald Graves, a nuclear expert willing to commit this heinous crime. Together, they vow to annihilate terrorism.
Virtually every character in this story is fully fleshed out, gritty and driven, to draw the reader deep into their individual stories.
THE WOLF HUNTER: DESOLATION: Mack Murphy Series Book 1 By Terrence O’Malia
InThe Wolf Hunter: Desolation, Book One of Terrence O’Malia’sMack Murphyseries, staff sergeant Mack Murphy is convinced there are three types of people: sheep, wolves, and hunters.
The sweet, innocent, dutiful sheep are blissfully unaware of the deadly wolves that could strike at any time. But thankfully, the hunters protect the sheep and even seek out the wolves to prevent their attacks on the flock. Mack defines himself steadfastly as a wolf hunter. He loves his family with all his heart and would do anything to protect them.
Mack’s protective nature continues into his military life where he is part of a team based in the mountains of Afghanistan. Just as it is with his family, he pledges his full allegiance to his team.
Frozen Conquest By Randall Krzak Global Thriller First Place CIBA Winner
Frozen Conquestby Randall Krzak is a thrilling and intense conflict between the cold of Antarctica and the blazing ambition of those seeking global control, fusing the issues of power, greed, and survival into a high-stakes adventure.
The icy edge of Antarctica serves as the center of a sinister organization, Diablo Corps. The ruthless leader, Walter Brown, threatens global mayhem if his aspirations for power are not met. With technological efficiency and the ability to disrupt critical infrastructure, Diablo Corps is poised to leverage its capabilities against the G7. Soon, an anonymous climate-related warning is sent out, with events such as the hacking of the London metal exchange proving to authorities the true weight of that threat.
Chanticleer Editorial Review Packages are optimized to maximize your digital footprint. Reviews are one of the most powerful tools available to authors to help sell and market their books. Find out what all the buzz is abouthere.
Submitting toBook Awardsis a great way to get your book discovered!
Anytime you advance in the Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards, your name and book are promoted right here on our website, through our newsletter, and across social media. One of the best ways to engage in long tail marketing!
Make Your Military Story Stand Out
Speaking of making books discoverable – if you’re heading to Memorial Day events, summer conferences, or local bookstore appearances with your military-themed book, don’t forget the power of those eye-catching details that help readers notice your work. Our foil stickers have helped countless authors make that crucial first impression at hand sales events.
To honor this Memorial Day weekend, we’re offering 10% off all sticker orders through May 31st with code SPRINGSTICKERSALE. Whether you’re showcasing a military fiction novel, memoir, or historical work, a professional foil sticker can make all the difference when your book is competing for attention at events where service stories matter most.
