Please visit my photos and check out my album of bookcovers on myspace, until I get a photo album on here, my official website. In there, you will find the cover for my newest novel Angels of the Mourning Light, designed by the talented artist, and my friend, Laura Meese--to be released June 2009. It is truly fantastic and gothic and sexy and everything I saw in my head. She worked her magic and created a masterpiece.

Laura and I are in talks, discussing the new cover for the re-release of my first novel Into the Mirror Black--tentatively slated for release October 2009. I love my first book and it will always be my first, but due to time constraints and computer death and losing my entire manuscript at one point right before submitting for publication, the novel was not as tightly edited as I would have liked. So, with the help of my publicist and friend Heather Lloyd, I hope to correct that. And with Laura's creative genius, I hope to bring my original concept of the cover to fruition.

As for second novel Angels of the Seventh Dawn, I love the way it was edited--I know of a few errors that need corrected--my friend Sam did a fantastic job with the edits and its structure and I would have been lost without her; however, although the cover art is nice, it's not quite my original vision and I have full faith Laura will once again work her magic and we will collaborate on a new cover design for a possible 2010 re-release.

My dream, with the team surrounding me, is to create a fantastic Hexology; my Scarabae Saga is coming to life.

One of these days I am going to have to sit down and tell you all about the ghosts, the presences (from the Latin praesentia meaning a being before), or what-have-you in my home.

I have for years known they were there with me: a man and woman, an old man, an old woman, a young boy, and several animals. But I haven't really ever talked to anyone, save for a select few, about them. People have told me they have felt "things" in my house, but never went into detail.

Over the last few months, since the fire, more and more people have had to come into my house; these people are approaching me about hearing noises and seeing things as well as feeling the presence of one or more when there shouldn't have been anyone else there.

My sister has recently seen an older man in a grey suit standing behond her when she looked in the mirror; and my contractor has spoken to me about hearing footsteps in rooms and walking up and down the staircases as well as seeing a man walk in and stand in a room before walking out and disappearing.

Interesting, huh?

I think because people can describe what I have witnessed during my time in the house means I am not imagining these things. I may have to sit down and write all about it one day.

I just on a whim looked myself up on ebay, because a few months ago I discovered copies of my books at a GoodWill store, and I found copies listed on auction.

I think this is great, because I must have become somewhat of a celebrity since the asking prices are more than a dollar or two. You could say I find it humorous, indeed.

My signing in Lebanon, PA, about three hours drive from my house, went fantastic today. I was booked into the Waldenbooks in the Lebanon Valley Mall. Heather, my friend and publicist, is wonderful and together we will be working miracles; we'll be bringing my name and my books more into the public eye, and I'm sure there will be more exciting news to share when we have more of our plans in place.

My fabulous friend Savannah Russe--bestselling author of the Darkwing Chronicles--drove two hours so we could have a visit since we haven't seen each other in a couple months. And we are booked together for a signing here in LaVale, MD, at the Waldenbooks in the Country Club Mall Saturday 20 December 2008 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Savannah will be signing copies of her Darkwing Chronicles ( 5 volumes) as well as the first entry in her new Sisterhood of the Sight series: Dark Nights, Dark Dreams.

So keep an eye out for more about me and Keep Frank Working...Share me with everyone you know and my books will keep flying off the shelves. Cathy, keep spreading the word and I may get to Canada yet!

Much ARC to you all,

Frank

I think it's about time I write a blog updating everyone on my house situation.

The third floor and the roof reconstruction are nearing completion, which is most excellent.

All forty-odd windows have been ordered and will be installed by the end of November; it will be great to see the house with its windows once again.

The electrician and her crew descend Monday 10 November to begin the two-week rewiring of the electrical system. That means I will also have electricity to go with my new windows by the end of the month.

The next step will be to see to the reconstruction of the inside as best as my insurance budget will allow. I will of course have to repaint these rooms myself, but the contractor has agreed to refinish my personal bedroom, one of the baths, the kitchen--and you should see the design plan for my new kitchen--as well as the room beside the kitchen which will eventually be my office/study but for now will be the home of the birds and other critters until their room upstairs is finished.

The other rooms in the house--dining room, living room, other bath, and the remaining rooms--will be mine to restore, but that doesn't entail anything other than drywalling some ceilings, spraying a sealant, and painting. The hardwood floors in these rooms--the contractor will be refinishing the floors in the rooms he is doing--will wait until next summer for me to do.

All in all, I am being reassured I will be able to go home and begin the painting somewhere around the Christmas holiday, for which I am very greatful.

I am at cause for this restoration because as I stood watching my beloved home burn for over 9 hours in May, my mind immediately--due to the Tech I have studied and made my own--turned to what I needed to do to restore my home and my life, and I am seeing it through. Of course, we all know insurance doesn't cover everything but at least my home will be in living condition and I can work through the rest over the course of the next year and set everything right again.

Thank you for all your kind thoughts, your positive energy, and your friendship.

Much ARC to all of you,
Frank

You may not want to know some of these things, but too damned bad:

1. I have a voracious and constant appetite for spaghetti and pizza (w/ sweet peppers.)

2. I am getting to know more about myself these last few months and bettering myself than I ever have before; I am finding out more about me than I ever thought possible.

3. I am right now working on the third novel in my Scarabae Saga, Angels of the Mourning Light.

4. I'm not as much of an evil prick as I lead people to believe; in fact, I am normally the first one to step up when someone needs help, even though I am a lot of the times the last person people think needs help myself.

5. I have secrets, but doesn't everyone? Mine are rather wicked.

6. I cannot stand someone else sleeping in the same bed with me; I cannot sleep if someone else is laying there beside me or touching me in anyway.

7. I have a collection of frogs, and most people who know me know this, I have thousands and I even have an entire 7-foot Christmas tree decorated totally in frogs, from the topper to the bottom.

8. I dream all the books I write; I see them play like movies in my dreams and then I write them. Weird, I know, but it works for me.

9. I write these stories very slowly because I really lack the discipline to sit down and make myself write like other authors who write for hours everyday.

10. I despise filling out personal information, or even revealing it to anyone. I prize my privacy with a passion.

And there you have it: ten things about me.

Happy?

As easy as cooking crack on a spoon, huh?

I am off to hit the shower and see if I can steam away all this honesty.

F~

Hello again. I am putting together a possible press release for next year. I'd like any opinions on what I have so far. So let me know what you think.

Thanx.

        Author Frank E. Bittinger announces the publication of his third novel Angels of the Mourning Light. This book follows 2007's Angels of the Seventh Dawn and is the third in Bittinger's Scarabae Saga set in Western Maryland, Into the Mirror Black being the first.
       "I call it my kind-of-a-series," he explained. "While the individual books contain stand-alone stories, each successive book builds upon the multi-book story arc." 
       Bittinger's first novel Into the Mirror Black finished in the Top Ten in Preditors & Editors online poll for Horror Novel of the Year 2006.
       "It came as a shock when I was told Into the Mirror Black had been nominated," he said. "To know someone enjoyed my book enough to nominate it as a horror novel of the year is a good feeling. And when I found out my book came in at number seven—firmly ensconced in the top ten—I couldn't believe it." 
       Into the Mirror Black, set in the fictional Western Maryland town of New Mystic, introduced the mythology of the Scarabae Saga. Angels of the Seventh Dawn, also set in Western Maryland, picks up after the events of the first book. 
       "Angels of the Seventh Dawn continued my mythology," Bittinger explained, "but it also introduced new characters and a new city. Readers had some, but not all, of their questions about the first book answered. And it was also nominated in Preditors & Editors poll for Horror Novel of the Year 2007, and finished in the Top Ten as well.
       "Where Into the Mirror Black was more of a gothic haunted house story, Angels of the Seventh Dawn revolved around a serial killer and the more-than-mortal community: the more-than-mortal community being comprised of vampires, wereanimals, and other preternatural beings; it contained magic and mystery, as well as a few spicy scenes. The readers seemed to really respond to the book in a great way.
       "Angels of the Mourning Light is a nice addition to my Scarabae Saga. This book adds more mystery to my kind-of-a-series. It's about a man who lost his mother to cancer while he was young; he watched her decline, watched her exist in a world of pain before she passed away. He spends his life searching for what happens when you die, searching for the reason his mother smiled at the end.
       "In the new book, you'll find some explanations and hopefully it will leave you with more questions, and be intriguing enough so you read the rest of my kind-of-a-series.
       "Advance praise for Angels of the Mourning Light has been very promising."

If anyone knows where I can find a home for it, please let me know.

Privately Publishing and Promoting Your Novel> >

By Frank E. Bittinger

Author of the gothic novels Into the Mirror Black, Angels of the Seventh Dawn, and Angels of the Mourning Light

            After you have written your manuscript and polished it to the best of your abilities, your attention turns to putting your novel out there for the public to read. Deciding to privately publish your written work, instead of or after you have submitted your manuscript to mainstream publishers, is arguably the second most important decision you will have to make in your professional writing career—the first being your decision to begin a writing career.

            Speaking as an author who has chosen this route, I know the effort that goes into researching private publishers, for there are literally dozens and perhaps hundreds out there from which to choose.

            The biggest piece of advice I can offer you is to select a publisher who can make your book available to Ingram Book Group, the largest wholesale distributor of books in the world, because most book stores order product from Ingram instead of from individual authors or publishers. If one of your goals is to make your book available to chain stores such as Borders or Barnes and Noble, it is imperative for your chosen publisher to have the capability to make your work available to Ingram. This also gets your foot in the door when approaching book stores about scheduling signings for your novel, but we will talk more about that later.

            My second piece of advice is to select a publisher who can offer you the best bargain for your money. Watch out for those who will offer you a list of services—such as cover design, ISBN assignment, etc--priced individually, for you may be able to find a publisher who can offer these same services as part of a package at a lower cost. Request publishing guides so you can gain a better understanding about what the publishers have to offer you. And look for deals. Many times publishers will have incentives for submitting your work by a certain date. For instance, if you submit your manuscript by such and such date, providing it is ready to be submitted, you may get a discount or a certain number of copies free. And do not be afraid to ask the hard questions such as "If I am paying to have my cover art designed, do I retain the copyright or will I have to pay a royalty to the artist if I choose to use the artwork on publicity posters or postcards printed in order to promote my book?"

            Take your time and do the research, get the most for your money. It will be worth the effort.

            If you find one or more publishers who look good to you, remember you have the ability to go to the bookstore or library to check out books they have published, to see firsthand the quality of the merchandise. Look at the binding, the quality of print and the paper on which it is printed, the dust jacket, and any and all artwork on or in the book. You want your published work to be something of which you are proud, as well as a book that will hold up to more than one reading.

            Once you have made your decision and your book is in the process of being published, the next step is planning your battle strategy for promoting your novel. It's never too early to begin promoting, unless you have not yet written the book.

            Local newspapers and magazines are a terrific way to get exposure. They are usually interested in artists living in the community and may be able to offer you an interview or an article. Radio stations are also a viable option. Remember, you can offer one or two autographed copies of your novel as "give aways" to the above-mentioned to sweeten the deal.

            Bookstores are always on the lookout to host author signing events. This is why it is imperative to have your book available to Ingram Book Group. Don't be afraid to go to bookstores and introduce yourself. Tell the manager or assistant manager you are an author, take a copy of your book with you, and you are interested in scheduling local book signings. Ask if your book is available for the store to order. Persevere, for every no you get, you will get a yes.

            Libraries are also places which host author signings and offer a great opportunity for promotion. In most communities, when an author donates a copy of his or her book to the library, the local paper or magazine will print an article and perhaps a photograph.

            Find out if there are any book clubs in your area. A good source for this information is the library and the newspaper. You will often see blurbs in the paper or flyers in the library for these events. Make your offer attractive to the book club, tell them you are available to come to the club meeting to discuss your novel and to answer any questions. Trust me, readers discuss the books they read with family, friends, and other people they know. My experiences with book clubs have proven to be enriching and worthwhile.

            Offer to give readings, this is where an author will read excerpts from his or her work at events. This is an excellent way to intrigue people who may be walking by or merely browsing. Select what you believe are some of the best scenes from your book, ones which will capture the attention or imagination of your audience.

            The biggest piece of advice I can offer about promotion and publicity is to network, get out there and get to know people. Hand out bookmarks and flyers, mail postcards, and, yes, even give away a few copies of your novel. Word of mouth has proven to be the most effective method of advertising. The more people you have talking about your book, the more publicity you will have. You can't sit back and wait for it to happen. Be active. Get your book out there—get the buzz going.

Thanx for reading,

F~

I remember as a kid reading an article in the Weekly World News--you know, the great black and white tabloid that usually had a headline about the Loch Ness Monster being captured or a BatBoy sighting--about a little four year old girl who died right before Christmas way back in the early 1930's.

Nadine Earles came down with pneumonia and to cheer her spirits, her father promised to build her the dollhouse she so desperately wanted. She passed away before Christmas and her father lived up to his promise to build the dollhouse; he built it in the cemetery over her grave, sparing no expense.

Inside the brick house is a fireplace; on the mantle is a picture of a grinning four year old girl, Nadine herself. This is the picture I remember from the Weekly World News. I'd like to have a copy. I know it's out there. If anyone comes across it online or is near Lanett, AL, to take a pic, email me because I'd love to have a picture of Nadine to frame.

Inscribed on her grave: "Our Darling Little Girl, Sweetest in the World, Little Nadine Earles. In Heaven we hope to meet. Me want it now."

I've never forgotten this story.

Run out and grab the Oct/Nov issue of Allegany Magazine. There is a nice article and some pictures of yours truly in there. It's good to have publicity. What's the old adage? As long as they have a picture and spell your name right! Don't forget to write a letter to the editor about me and my books and maybe if the response is great enough they'll do another aarticle when my new book comes out next year

And I am on the track to a speaking engagement in February, so keep your fingers and legs crossed for me.

And I have two upcoming signings:

Waldenbooks
Country Club Mall
Saturday
25 October 2008
11 AM -- 2 PM

Waldenbooks
Lebanon Valley Mall
Saturday
15 November 2008
12 PM -- 2 PM