Scary Times Ahead!

I'm pretty busy over the next few days. I'm having a book launch for the paperback version of Base Spirits on Sunday October 2nd to officially mark the birth of my novel! In fact, if you are in Stratford, Ontario (don't go looking for me in Warwickshire) drop by the quaint Callan Books at 15 York Street from 1:00 to 3:00 and say hi, get your book signed, enter a prize draw, have some coffee and treats... should be fun.

If you're further afield, try the e-book of Base Spirits for the bargain price of $2.99! Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Base-Spirits-ebook/dp/B005L38G8E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1316271615&sr=1-1 or Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/84640

I'm also busy with my 'day job' writing described video TV scripts for the visually impaired. I get to do some narration for a whole series this time, so that will be cool. There's another mini-launch in the works at another fine Stratford indie bookshop- Fanfare- later in October, and I guess I should get on with the audiobook recording soon...

So all in all, it's a very good thing that I'm having some guest bloggers in October! I'll post a new wonderful author's true ghost story every few days to keep the scary fun going as we head toward Halloween. It seemed like a good way to celebrate the release of my own ghostly novel.

In fact, if you have any of your own spooky experiences to share, send them to me at:
ruthabarrett (at) hotmail (dot) com
No fiction (but creatively told is fine), and not too lengthy. Please include a brief bio, an image if you like, and links to your own webpage/book page. If I get a lot of response, I'll have this as an ongoing blog feature.

I've had some great submissions, so stay tuned for some chilling tales of spirits paying the living a visit-- some are friendly, but others? Not so much...

Boo! Open Call for Authors: Guest Post on Ghost Stories

As it is getting to be Halloween season, I thought it might be fun to have some guest blogs about true-life ghostly encounters.

Toss aside your inner skeptic, unleash your inner ghost whisperer/hunter and tell us your best spooky tale! I am throwing caution to the wind and not placing any rules on your handling of the topic-- only that they be based in a real encounter you have had with something spectral. Have you ever seen something 'impossible'? Felt a sudden drop in a room's temperature accompanied by an oppressive atmosphere? Heard footsteps across creaky floorboards when there is no one in sight? Go on-- scare the bejeezus out of us. Make it creepy, poignant, or even silly. The only thing I ask is that you be nice and please don't go on for pages and pages.

Bonus points for any unexplainable photos you'd like to share!

I'll post my guests' ghostly tales throughout October, but if the response is good I may make it an ongoing feature for the blog. Please send your stuff to Ruth at ruthabarrett (at) hotmail (dot) com. Do add a little bio and whatever links to your website, blogspot or book you'd like to share.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

So now that Base Spirits is out there in e-book form (Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Base-Spirits-ebook/dp/B005L38G8E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1315163319&sr=1-1 and also Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/84640 ), I am readying a print version. I will see the proof by week's end, which is very exciting. All things going to plan, I will be able to have a launch in my hometown of Stratford while the weather is still decent.

Stay tuned for that...

In the meantime, a producer friend has been in touch and wants to record an audiobook version. Since my 'day job' is writing described video for the visually impaired and I am a trained narrator, this seems a natural next step.

I am very glad that he found me, too. It feels right when opportunities just sort of present themselves. That has been a huge lesson in this entire journey so far-- if you build it, they WILL come! I haven't started any sort of marketing blitz as of yet, but in the works are blog interviews, reviews, cross promotions, and I've already done guest blogs,  had a feature e-magazine article here: http://www.startstratford.com/#!__portals, and a 'featured author' spot on a UK bookstore's page here: http://www.canterburybooks.co.uk/authors/modern/ruth-barrett. These things all found me, so God only knows what I'll find when I go looking in earnest.

And you, oh fellow authors? Has anyone out there had a chance to record their own words as an audiobook? I'd love to hear all about it. (Sorry-- terrible, unintentional puns are a family curse.)

Base Spirits is on Kindle at Amazon!

And here we go, all you Kindle-friendly fiends out there!

http://www.amazon.com/Base-Spirits-ebook/dp/B005L38G8E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1315163319&sr=1-1

I am pleased to report since last week's quiet little Smashwords launch that I have some sales, 4 reviews lined up, will be chatting about an audiobook this week, and have a lovely write up in my local arts e-magazine Start Stratford--

http://www.startstratford.com/#!__portals

The files are at the printers, and I'll make a paperback available soon through Amazon's Createspace... watch this space!