(Previously on Immortal Wars.)
Disclaimer: Immortal Wars was the book I came up with and wrote in high school. I hadn’t even hit college by the time I wrote the first two books. That means I hadn’t developed my style yet, wasn’t good at self-editing, and the story was fairly basic. So, you’ve been warned that this is the ultimate author throwback segment for my blog and will show my author origins. FYI- I put the first book (The Summoning) through a Print-on-Demand publisher and the second one (Light, Blood, & Tears) never saw the light of day. Enjoy!
It had started out as a normal day for Edward Slane on this windy summer morning. He did his usual morning routine of taking a hot shower, haphazardly getting dressed, and combing his blond hair that reaches down to his shoulders. The only difference this specific morning was that he tripped over his misplaced skateboard on the way downstairs because his blue eyes wouldn’t focus. Thankfully he pulled off a midair flip and landed on his feet. Other than that little incident, it had started off as a normal day.
As the teenager makes his small breakfast, he picks up a black, cordless phone and starts dialing. No one answers the first number, so Ed hits the hang up button and tries another number. This time it is answered by a cheerful, female’s voice.
“Hi! This is the Tavinowsky residence,” says the voice on the phone in such a friendly and pleasant tone that it’s almost eerie.
“This is Eddie. Is Kelly there?” asks the tired, young man as he turns on the small kitchen television. Ed and Kelly had been dating for a full year now. But they had known each other since Ed had moved in with his adoptive parents at the age of thirteen. Most of the girls in the high school became interested in this young man due tot he fact that he had no real past beyond the years at the orphanage, but only Kelly was able to get his full attention. She just walked up to him one day and kissed him right on the lips during school assembly. After that Kelly simply asked Ed if he wanted to go out on a date and they’ve been together ever since.
“Of course she’s here. Who do you think you’re talking to, handsome? My god, you sound like you’re half dead,” answers the upbeat voice.
“I definitely feel like it. I called to find out if you wanted to go to the park today. Steve and Delila will be there, so we’ll be playing some basketball. Or in Delila’s case, trying to play basketball while complaining like a rich bitch.”
“That sounds like fun. Except for Delila being there. But I promise to be civil and only beat her half to death if she annoys me. I’ll decide which half of her I’ll beat to death when the time comes. So, when should I come over to your house?”
“What do you mean come over to my house? I thought that I just asked you about going to the park.”
“I know what you said, but I just want to walk there with you. I mean, we both have the same distance to go since we’re neighbors. Don’t pull the loner act on me again. Last time you did that, I was ready to test my new kickboxing equipment on your skull. Since you only went out for a night run, I forgave you. But not this time, sweetheart. We’re going to the park together, Edward Joseph Slane. And that’s final.”
“Fine. We’ll walk to the park together. I’m way too tired to try and talk about this with you. Not that I’d try to change your mind if I was fully awake,” says Ed while he finishes putting his breakfast together. The toast that he makes comes out all black, so he regretfully throws it out and drinks a glass of grapefruit juice instead. He could pick up something at the local bagel shop like he usually does.
“I’ll be over in a few minutes. See you soon,” the female voice remarks. She hangs up the phone before Eddie can get another word in edgewise.
Ed yawns before putting down the phone and turns off the small television, which is showing some old scientist talking about a strange energy flux in space. As Edward finishes his drink, the broken doorbell makes a loud shriek. He quickly jumps over a wooden chair and opens the dented oak door for his expected guest. Outside is a young girl, whose long, black hair is getting whipped around in the strong wind. Every now and then her hair gets blown into her innocent, green eyes. She walks right into the house and goes straight to Ed in order to give him a playful series of kisses on the lips.
“Are you ready to go?” asks Kelly when the kisses end. Her body seems like that of a professional athlete with her nice tan and slender muscle tone. Her well-toned body comes from her constant exercising and being on the gymnastics team. She has tried several times to get Ed to join the gymnastics team because of his great agility. But he had more fun just relaxing and goofing off than competing in organized sports.
“Give me a few minutes. I just have to get my shoes and jacket on,” answers Ed as he starts putting his left shoe on his right foot. When he finally notices what he’s trying to do, he switches the shoes and looks at Kelly, who is giggling at him.
“Like you never did anything like that in your lifetime,” Ed mumbles as he gets his denim jacket from the closet.
When Kelly stops laughing at him, she answers, “If I did, I swear that I would never tell you about it. But at least you got your jacket on without any problems. Did you tell your parents where we’re going? Or is this another tell them tomorrow and get yelled at for being irresponsible event.”
“They already know. You don’t have to act like my mother. One’s enough for me even though she isn’t my birth mother. Steve and Delila are probably already there, so we better hurry.” The two of them walk out of the house and swiftly moves down the street while holding hands.
For some years, BookBub has been a marketing gold standard for authors and their books. It’s difficult to get a deal with the advertiser for many reasons but it can be done. The results for getting one of these deals can be very eye-opening for many authors. Back in November, I was fortunate enough to land a BookBub deal so I thought I’d share the experience with everyone with some observations and tips should you want to pursue this marketing channel.
