Free audio for good listening

Hello All- hope you're staying safe and sane in this time of the plague.

Obviously all public gatherings are cancelled, which includes a number of shows and book signings. Miss not seeing my fans and connecting with new ones.

It's tough trying to create meaningful art in a time where the world seems to be crashing down around us. Have heard that many writers and creators are experiencing similar creative difficulty, like scribbling in a notebook while the deck of the Titanic tilts ever more.

A lot of people need to be distracted from the constant flow of bad and terrifying news.
And so, for a time, all my audio books are FREE! Good listening.

Check out my books and story collections on Audible.com. If you don't have an account yet, it's easy to set up a trial-- and get some free audios for doing so. Find one you'd like, and let me know-I'll send you a free code.

Enjoy, be nice to others, stay physically isolated, and we'll see you when the crisis has passed. Remember that all plagues eventually peter out, even though the world changes because of it.
How about we make it a better world?

Panel Appearance and Free Book Offer

Hello again- it's been a busy time.

First off, here's a set of nine free books- being offered for a limited time-
includes my first Zack Taylor mystery, A Memory of Grief.
Go here.
http://donnafletchercrow.com/p/272/Nine-Novels-Free-for-Armchair-Travelers

Recently, while working to finish the fifth Zack Taylor novel, A Sharp Medicine, I took a night out to go to Concord, NH. to the living room of the library at the New Hampshire Technical Institute, Concord Community College.

The Wings of Knowledge program hosted us for a panel, with a couple of my fellow Sisters in Crime.
From their events calendar: https://www.nhti.edu/wings

"Noted mystery authors Joy Seymour, Dale T. Phillips and Lea Walt present the “nuts and bolts” of successful mystery writing."

Thanks to the library and the college, and those who worked with us for a good night of discussion.

We had a great time, with a lively crowd of interested folk asking good questions about the writing and publishing process.

After the panel presentation, we had a chance to chat with folks to came up to talk more and buy books.

We were filmed for this- when the link is available, I'll put it up!

Here we are with our emcee
Front left is Joy, right is Lea

 Here's Steve, who set this event up for us, chatting with Lea

 Like church, everyone wants to sit in the back...

 Joy and Lea with their offerings

 And my table

Free- Insanity Tales Giveaway

Hello again- good news! The second Insanity Tales anthology, Insanity Tales II- The Sense of Fear, will soon be out. The advance reviews have been spectacular! And we're getting an Introduction from the talented Joe McKinney.

So we the authors have put up a special event- we're giving away 3 print copies of the first Insanity Tales to pique your interest. It's a Goodreads giveaway, so just follow this link to enter for a chance to win!

To make sure you win something, we'll even offer you a free audiobook (a $14.95 value) of the first Insanity Tales, spoken by noted audio narrator Fred Wolinsky. Just shoot me an email so I can send you instructions on how to download the free audiobook! Check out a sample here.

Here's the cover for the first, and book II is also going to be creepy and unsettling!

Free Audio Book For You- to Celebrate New Releases

It's been a busy Summer, with several of my titles coming out on audio (for a free audio book, keep reading), and another book release. (This one isn't out yet on audio, but will be by September!)

And much more to come out in the near future. More Fables and Fantasies will be published later this Summer, 5 short tales dealing with fantasy and fairy tale worlds.

With other writers, there's Insanity Tales 2: A Sense of Fear (due out this October), as well as another anthology I'll be in, Red Dawn: Level Best Books Best New England Crime Writing, due out this November.

I'm also editing the fourth Zack Taylor novel, A Certain Slant of Light. The cover image is from a photo taken by my daughter at Notre Dame Cathedral, and is pretty chilling, with Death standing by to collect. Look for it to come out in September.

In the meantime, you can listen to lots more of Zack Taylor. Books #2 and #3 in the series were recently published as audiobooks.

So to get you primed and ready for the fourth book, I'm offering any one of the first three Zack Taylor audiobooks for free! A $19.95 value!

Each one has a different narrator, so you can listen to the samples and decide which one you prefer.

A Memory of Grief

A Fall From Grace

A Shadow on the Wall


Just send me an email with your preference (to: daletphillips@comcast.net), and I'll send instructions with a free code for you to download. Audible is a great place for audiobooks, and you can sign in with your Amazon account, if you have one.

Featured My Mystery- and Upcoming Audio

The Fussy Librarian features A Memory of Grief today-- only $1.99 on all ebook platforms.

And-- we've just picked up a terrific narrator for the audio version of A Memory of Grief-- soon to be out on audio on Audible.com!
This is the first of the Zack Taylor mystery series, and it's going to be BIG!

To commemmorate this auspicious day, we're giving away a free version of the audiobook when it's released (likely a $25 value).

Send me an email (daletphillips@comcast.net) with the phrase "I bought it," (ebook or print, doesn't matter) and we'll enter you into a drawing for the free audiobook version.

Audiobook Monthly- Interview and Review- Free Audio!

I'm interviewed in the current issue of Audiobook Monthly, out today. I get to talk about writing in different genres.

And they did a review of the audiobook version of The Big Book of Genre Stories.

To celebrate, I'll be giving away several copies of the audio book, a $24.95 value.
To win, send me an email to say you'd like one, and several winners will be selected at random.


And they have an interview with Fred Wolinsky, who narrated several of my books.

More Busier Time, Big Signing, Audio and Book Releases,

Yeah, it's been quite a thrill ride. Recently had the annual Gala Mystery Night at the New England Mobile Bookfair, where a big group of mystery authors were on hand to sign books and chat with patrons. Great night of fun, seeing a lot of familiar faces.

Some cool pics here.

And I got a phone call while we were there, a friend telling me he was watching me on TV.
The interview I did with Dean Contover is up. click the link, and look for the list of shows under The Current Buzz. Find the link with my name, and click to watch. 30 minutes of pure entertainment.  ;-)

We've had some sales of Fables and Fantasies, my first fiction audio book.
If you'd like a free copy, drop me a line.

Still waiting for the audios of two books to be released by Audible, Apocalypse Tango and Strange Tales.

We have a finished audio production of Crooked Paths done, and that will be up by mid-December.
Halls of Horror and Jumble Sale are still in production.

Just got my print proof of Shadow of the Wendigo. Looks great, and print copies will soon be available. The ebook is ready now, if you'd rather one of those.

And we've got a new book coming: The Big Book of Genre Stories, with 30 tales in 5 different genres. Plenty of reading for your Christmas vacation.

Am working on a newsletter, my first one.

So how's your December?

Speaking Panel Tomorrow, New Novel Published, and Free Audio!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Hope it was a great time with loved ones, and remembering what we have to be thankful for.

In between stuffing myself with turkey, have been a busy boy, and have new things available.

First a note- if you're near Tewksbury, MA tomorrow (Saturday the 30th), stop by the public library for our Sisters in Crime Authors Panel:
Criminal Minds, Killer Event: A Panel Discussion on Writing A Mystery Novel 
From 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM   

 Big News-- after many years, my horror novel is finally published!
Shadow of the Wendigo is now out from Genretarium Publishing:

Out on ebook now, and print copies are ordered- in by Christmas!


So as an early Christmas goodie for you, message me to get a free audio of Fables and Fantasies
- my first fiction audio book! A $6.95 value!

More Free Stuff- and great writer shirt

Last few hours to get Halls of Horror for free on Kindle, so act fast!

If you miss it, you can still get the Kindle version of the first Zack Taylor mystery, A Memory of Grief, for free.

And since my career help book How to Improve Your Interviewing Skills has gone to audio, we're running a contest.
Add a comment to enter to win a free audio copy-- a $6.95 value!
This book will help you interview for the job you want.

Saw this perfect shirt-- Priceless...

Hard Work Week- Lots of Upcoming Stuff and Free Ebook

Spent the last 9 days in a frenzy, finishing the draft of Wendigo, my upcoming horror novel, a cross between Twin Peaks and Joseph Campbell. Mythology, and visions, and cannibalism, oh my!

Added over 12,000 new words, and rewrote much of what was there. Now it's off to the editing team to see what they think.

This was a work in progress for many, many years. Wrote the original as my first novel.

And like almost all first novels, it was a piece of poo. Had some great ideas in it, but lousy execution. Characters that talked endlessly, all tell, not enough show, and just a dullness that went on and on.

Was never what I wanted it to be, and so it went in the drawer. Every so often I'd take it out and dab at it, but had no fix. Just wasn't good enough to breathe life into it.

Had a breakthrough a couple years ago-- added a character that kicked it up several notches. Good start, but nowhere near enough.

And then last year, a combination of things sparked the idea bubble, and had the path to enlightenment.

But before I could get to it, had to finish writing A Shadow on the Wall. That got published in June. Have been working on Wendigo since then. Got a butt-kicking when I realized we had to get this out for the Halloween launch at the New England Mobile Bookfair, where we'll be appearing on Thursday, Oct. 24th for an evening of mystery and horror.

So with nose to the grindstone, I did what I needed to do to get it done. And we've got a terrific cover for it, which you'll see soon.

It's going to be a busy Fall. Take a look at some of the schedule, and there's more beyond that!

For example, this Tuesday, my interview will be up on the site of Vlad Vaslyn, with my story "Locust Time" appearing for free.

To celebrate, I've got a freebie for you-- a collection of 10 tales-- and Locust Time is one of them-- in Halls of Horror, which will be free for 5 days on Kindle, starting this Tusday.

Free Kindle Ebook and Featured Twice

You like free ebooks? Want to find other good books? Have I got deals for you!

We're celebrating the release of A Shadow on the Wall, my third Zack Taylor mystery, by offering
 A Memory of Grief, the first one in the series, for free.

And for the next few days, you can also get a Kindle version of Fables and Fantasies, a collection of twisted tales. Fun little stories, and a few scary ones.

"But I don't have a Kindle!" you say. No problem. Contact me, and I'll tell you how to get these books free in other formats.

Today is rather special, as I'm being featured on not one, but two Author Spotlights.

The first one is Free Ebooks Daily, where they feature Fables and Fantasies-- and I do some Q&A and some fun facts. Yeah, check them out, as they have other books to offer. Scroll down to see the full enchilada.

And the other is Morgen Bailey's Writing Blog, a great spot to find features on many books and authors. I talk about the craft of writing, and the importance of hard work. And they're showing
A Shadow on the Wall there.

So- happy Wednesday, and good reading!

Free Books and Stories

Boy, have we got great free stuff for you.
How about a free novel, a free story collection, and four more free stories?

We're celebrating the print release of my latest Zack Taylor mystery novel (the third in the series),
A Shadow on the Wall.
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

It'll be out in e-book formats soon, and up at all retailers.

You can get the ebook of the first mystery of the series, A Memory of Grief, for free (normally $4.99).
If you don't already have a Smashwords account, all you need to download to ANY e-reader platform (Kindle, Nook, etc) is an email address and a password you enter.

If scary stuff is more to your taste, try Halls of Horror, a collection of ten tales of terror-- free for the next 5 days, starting after the witching hour of midnight tonight.
Or maybe fantasy, fable, and twisted fairy tales are your preferred reading material. So download any of these stories-- all free!

Froggy Went A Courting
Our New Queen
Blades and Butchery
The Little Guy
Enjoy. Lots of good reading.

A Shadow on the Wall Coming Soon- and Big Holiday Giveaway

This is the 400th posting on this blog-- and to celebrate, we've got some
great news for you!

First- we're in the editing stages of A Shadow on the Wall, the third Zack
Taylor mystery, out soon from Rosstrum Publishing.

This is the long-awaited followup to A Fall From Grace, and Zack gets into even deeper trouble.

If that's not enough of a Christmastime gift for you, how's this?
To celebrate the holiday season, a bunch of authors and publishers decided to get in the spirit of things-- and we're all giving away free ebooks and stories!

Wow, you say-- how do I get some of that? Look below for authors and links.
Follow directions to email them, or leave a comment on their blog (with your email) and tell them which book of theirs you'd like to win!

Around Christmas, each author will select a lucky winner for each book, and notify each person on how to collect.

Feel free to enter on all author sites-- giving you mutiple chances to win!

Here's the current list, but check back on this page-- we'll add more books as other authors get in the giving mood! Most books are available in multiple ebook formats.

Debbi Mack, NY Times Best-Selling author, is offering her Sam McRae mystery, Riptide:
To enter to win, go to her blog My Life on the Mid-List and leave a comment saying, "I'd like to win Riptide."

Vlad Vaslyn is offering Brachman's Underworld, novel of Stephen King-like horror.
And a copy of Yorick, a creepy novella.
To enter to win, go to his site and give him your info.

Cathy Dougherty is offering In Polyester Pajamas, a fun read of women's fiction:
To enter to win, go to her site and give her your info.

Rich Feitelberg, fantasy author, is offering two stories:
Sans Boat
The Last of Her Kind
Go to his blog and enter a comment stating which item you want, and in what format (PDF, Kindle, ePub). Be sure to include a valid email address.

Katherine Tomlinson has three to give:
Toxic Reality
Poisoned Teat
12 Nights of Christmas
Go to her blog and comment, telling her which book you want (leave your email). She'll pick winners on December 20.

Pete Morin is donating a book and a story:
Diary of a Small Fish
Club Dues
Drop him an email and let him know what you'd like.

Brian Hammar has got a pair of books and a pair of stories for you as well:
Wind Castle
Anastasia's Quest for Wind Castle
Fisherman's Justice
Shoes
Drop him an email and let him know what you'd like: jenchrisonlineventures@gmail.com

Ann Everett is offering her books:
Laid Out and Candle Lit
You're Busting My Nuptuals
Check her website and send her a message via any of her contact points, and say "Ann, I'd like to win... (your choice)"

Rosstrum Publishing is offering a slew of books, both fiction and non-fiction!
Go to the website to check out the books, select Contact Us, and leave them an email with your book desire.

How to Improve Your Interviewing Skills

366 Tips for a Successful Job Search

Lawless in Brazil

Timberline

Pursuit

The Dave Maynard Spin (Coming soon- check the website)

And of course, there's my offerings-- I'm giving you a shot at all of them!
Leave a comment on this blog (with an email), or email me, and tell me what you'd like to win!
You can enter for multiple books, but you can only win one.

A Memory of Grief

A Fall From Grace

A Shadow on the Wall (Coming soon- check the website)

Crooked Paths

Fables and Fantasies

Apocalypse Tango

Strange Tales

Halls of Horror #1

Halls of Horror #2

Jumble Sale

Any of the stories, too:

Froggy Went A Courting

Our New Queen

The Little Guy

Blades and Butchery

Belated Merry Christmas

Howdy folks. It's been a few days while I enjoyed the holidays with my family. So I didn't blog a lot.

But I'm making it up to you. Want some cool FREE ebooks by a couple of guys who got famous selling a lot of self-published books? Sure you do- you're curious as to how good or bad they can be.

For a limited time, Joe Konrath and Blake Crouch are putting up some of their many titles for free- load onto your new Kindle for nothing.

How's that for a belated Christmas gift? Forgive me?

Contest Winner, Writing Fast

Congratulations to Michelle Grayce, who won a copy of A Memory of Grief from the contest at Shellyrae's Book'dOut. Hope she enjoys a good mystery novel.

Many sites host contests where you can win free books, so treat yourself for Christmas!
+++++++

I've always been a believer in the slow writing process, with lengthy, painstaking revisions and editing.

Yet Dean Wesley Smith and others have said that we should write fast, to access the creative side of the brain. Dean says that's the best writing stuff, and that we shouldn't bother with a lot of rewriting-- it takes too much of the good stuff out, as it's the other side of the brain at work then.

Other opinions, like Zoe Winters and others are all for word flow.

I'm rethinking my process. How about you? What's your preferred style? I know a few people who try NaNoWriMo and find some value in it. So is faster better?

Giveaway Contest and Guest Post

Giveaway contest starting today at Book'd Out!

Enter for a chance to win an ebook of "A Memory of Grief."

Also with a guest post by me-- just a few thoughts of my take on writing.