In my newsletter this month:

• crafting a new title and cover - the pros and cons

• what’s on my desk

• paranormal trivia

Does a new edition need a new title?

I’ve been pondering this question. I’m thinking in the case of my novel, Fangsters , it does because the new edition is significantly different from the original and … I hate the first title (as in what-was-I-thinking-hate!). It also didn’t sell as well as I expected.

I want a title that tells the reader what the story is about and draws them in. At the moment my favourite is Blackmailed by a Vampire.

Why? I’m glad you asked.

The title Blackmailed by a Vampire is strong IMHO — it's clear, punchy, and labels the central conflict in the story. The reader knows what they are getting when they open the book. The word blackmailed implies the vampire isn't just a monster, but a manipulator with leverage, and Alessandro is all of that. I find the title intriguing.

I’ll place a note in the front of the book stating that the story is based on Fangsters, the novel, so readers won’t be disappointed to find the same characters and much of the same story. I hate it when that happens to me.

Any thoughts? Please, feel free to comment below.

Cover Ideas

What do you think?

Creating covers is hard. I love gothic images, but I don’t want readers to think my story belongs in the horror genre. My writing is lighter than that. While it has bloody suspense, it’s more of a paranormal rom-com than a dark fantasy.

I have nothing against horror or dark fantasy — I just want to give readers a clear idea of what they’ll find inside.

The opposite problem is tricky as well. A cover that’s too light might make buyers think it’s a goofy story, or made for kids. Developing a new cover a hard juggling act.

I’d love to hear from you. Which cover do you like best? Or do you think I should stick with the current, somewhat dated, one?

Paranormal Trivia

What is the most popular vampire movie?

Twilight earned more than 3 billion dollars worldwide, so it wins if we’re talking money, but if we’re examining cultural impact, the top movie is Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992 edition and let us not forget the 1931 version staring Bela Lugosi).

Who doesn’t love Bela Lugosi!

Critics prefer, “Nosferatu, the Swedish film Let the Right One In (2008), and What We Do in the Shadows (2014) for comedy. “ (Rotten Tomatoes, The 40 Essential Vampire Movies to Watch Right Now).

What do you think? Which vampire movie gets your popcorn popping?

On my Desk

I’m editing Fangsters, the first novel in my Fangsters series and loving every minute of it. I enjoy tightening sentences and making scenes more dramatic, more funny, and more romantic. Just plain more.

Editing is like candy for a writer.

I’ll set up the new book for preorder as soon as I’ve completed my editing. And I’ll start labelling the serial edition with the new working title, Blackmailed by a Vampire.

Sunshine

Winston, my three-year old, blue mini-poodle has been taking me for walks. We love visiting the Collier Dam park, which has an off-leash area. He’s thinks it’s his job to greet every person and dog with a sniff and a wag. I swear if he were human he’d be an ambassador.

One of my favourite times of the year is when the cherry blossoms burst open. hat’s happening here right now. I’m in heaven! The flowers lift my spirit and whisper spring is here.

Final Words

“Flowers don’t worry about how they’re going to bloom. They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful.” — Jim Carrey

I hope you’re enjoying the beauty of spring and that you and your loved ones feel safe, loved, and wee-bit mischievous.

Best Wishes, always.

See you between the lines,

Jo-Ann Carson

Sources:

Graphics: Canva.com

Quote: Town and Country Magazine

Never say never

When I moved my posts to Substack, I swore I’d never write monthly newsletters again. Too much work. Too predictable. Too beige.

But I’ve realized these updates keep my writing life on track, and many of you enjoy them. So I’m giving them another try. I promise to keep them short, useful, and hopefully entertaining.

Where Did I Disappear to?

I’ve been navigating medical appointments as my husband’s health declines. He’s older than me and has several health issues. The hardest one for me to face is his dementia.

I’m deeply grateful for the Alzheimer’s Association’s informative webinars, Home Support program, compassionate doctors and nurses, and kindness of friends and family. After a chaotic stretch (including three ambulance calls in five days), the dust is settling. My levels of fear and anger feel manageable. New routines and outside assistance have helped me organize our lives.

And I feel ready to write again.

Dare I say that out loud? I feel ready to write again.

I’m sharing my story not for sympathy, but to explain my vanishing act, and to nod at all the other caregivers out there.

Back from the Abyss with Fangs

Starting this Friday I’m serializing an updated version of the first book in my paranormal suspense series, Fangsters. It’s a fun paranormal rom-com suspense set in the Pacific Northwest with witches, and vampires.

Fangsters, a novel

Gangsters with bite.

I should have known better than to sign a deal with a blood-sucking blackmailer. But what choice did I have? Alessandro, one of the most powerful vampires in all the realms, holds my deepest, darkest secret in the palm of his hand.

Within fourteen days, I must start an academy for delinquent teenage vampires, or he’ll expose me. If my skeleton ever fell out of the closet, I would be ruined. My family would disown me, my friends would abandon me, and I would be left totally alone.

I’ve never taught vampires, or delinquents, or teenagers for that matter, but I will risk everything to establish a school for the undead. On the plus side, I have a PhD in Education and am a talented witch capable of all sorts of sorcery. Getting my brooms in a row, I’ve already scribbled a few lessons on the seven undeadly sins. I am determined that within fourteen days, I will have an institution of enlightenment for the most shadowy creatures on earth.

What could go wrong?

Onyx, a drop-dead-gorgeous night stalker with an extensive knowledge of blood sorcery, has offered his assistance, but you know what they say about deals that appear too good to be true. Should I accept a sidekick with fangs or go it alone?

Meanwhile, trouble is brewing in my small Pacific Northwest town called Mystic Keep. Someone is killing witches.While I expect many bumps in the night await me, I swear no bloody mess will deter me from my goal—to get the academy for naughty vampires functioning on time.

Will I succeed, or will I be exposed? Or worse, will I be murdered?

My name is Rebel Black, and this is my story.

Fangsters, the novel, is the first book in Fangsters, an urban fantasy with bite series, set in the Mystic Keep world. A fast-paced mystery with a slow burn romance, it features powerful witches, stubborn warlocks, and sexy vampires, and can easily be read as a standalone.

Stay tuned. Posts drop on Fridays.

This Friday:

The Good and The Ugly

Rereading a story I wrote years ago is both a delight and a pain. It’s wonderful visiting characters who lived in my head for months at a time, and who I love as only an author can. (They’re kind of like unruly children.) The process, however is also painful as I find sections I itch to rewrite.

So, I am re-working the chapters as I release them for the serialized version and will republish the book with all the edits I’ve made when I’m finished.

Other Works in Progress

I’m writing scenes, exploring story ideas and playing with words. I may share a few with youin the future or they may turn into a book. We’ll see.

Paranormal Trivia

Which book was the first to feature a vampire?

“The first major vampire story published in English is John William Polidori’s The Vampire (1819) which created the archetype of the aristocratic, seductive vampire. It was written during the same ghost story contest that produced Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein.” (google query)

Final Thoughts

The world feels heavy lately. War, injustice … uncertainty. It all takes a toll. Please,

take care of yourself and those you love.

Thank you for reading my words,

With gratitude,

Jo-Ann

Sources

All the graphics are created on Canva.com.