Novelista

I gave myself a Thanksgiving deadline to finish writing the first draft of Book 6 of The World In-between series.  While I have made great strides on the book, it will be not be finished come Thursday.  Berty and company are on their way to the final major plot point in the story as I write this blog post.  The final plot point keeps getting more complicated the closer I get to it.  Hopefully, I ’ll have it all wrapped with a bow on top by Christmas. In the meantime, I’ll be joining other local authors at the Mount Pleasant Public Library during the Shop Local Saturday Cookie Tour again this year.  There will be books and cookies. During this special event, my books will be $5 and $10.  I take cash and all major cards. When:  Saturday, November 24, 2018  10 am to 2 pm Where:  Mount Pleasant Public Library 120 S Church St. Mount Pleasant, PA 15666 Parking:  Parking Lot beside library (metered) or on Church Street Th...

This Saturday, Nov 25th 11 am – 2 pm Mount Pleasant Public Library, Mount Pleasant, PA I’ll be joining other area authors at this Cookie Tour stop. Going to be in the PA Laurel Highlands this weekend?  Come say hi and get a book or three. There’ll be cookies! The Borough of Mount Pleasant’s 4th annual Cookie Tour supports local businesses.  Tour starts at 10:30 am.  Get tour information, map, and a chance to win a $100 Visa card at the Gazebo in Veterans Park (corner of Diamond [PA 819] and Washington Streets). See you there!

Love is in the air and the love of books and reading is no exception. Laurel Highlands Publishing reduced prices on all their ebooks for the entire month of February.  This love of reading promotion includes my novels and books with my short stories. As the temperatures drop, curling up with an e-reader or phone under a blanket is time well spent cozy and warm.  Discover some place new to love in one of my books at prices everyone can love. The World In-between Series:   The Dragonlands This short story prequel takes us back to the creation of the Empire during the Age of Dragons.  Learn how the Dragons escaped this world to live in the world in-between the portals. Free   Barnes & Noble , Apple , Kobo , Google Play , Smashwords Price Match at Amazon   The World In-between Book 1 introduces Berty Chase, a newspaper reporter on the verge of nothing special until he meets Silvia.  She brings him into...

Recently, I was asked which one of my books is my favorite.  With the upcoming release of Where Pirates Go to Die , I have seven titles—plenty from which to choose.  My easy answer:  how can I? The World In-between series is my baby.  With three novels and a short published, I am waist high into this epic portal fantasy.  Each book adds layers of complexity and a few new characters.  When I was talking about the series, someone asked why I wrote a male protagonist as a female author.  I told him it suited the story.  He looked at me strange.  The male main character tells the story from his point of view.  But is it his story or another’s?  Perhaps by book six, all will be revealed. After writing Tricentennial , the avenue to science fiction opened before me.  I enjoyed the straightforward story line and the faster pace.  Laurel Highlands Publishing is releasing the second edition by the end of the...

Tricentennial is a year old this month. To celebrate, I am offering the ebook for 99 ¢ throughout the month of June and into July.   Tricentennial ’s patriotic nature is great for Independence Day reading. This American dystopian novel follows extremes to their logical conclusions. Only 60+ years in the future, Tricentennial brings us to a controlled society where the survivors of “environmental collapse” live for the collective good. Twenty years into the New Era, two newly orphaned teenagers chip away the utopian veneer to find corruption, lies and high-level cover-ups. Together they discover the truth behind the new order of government that emerged and shredded the Constitution, warring the very people they claimed to serve. Xavier and Nickie Kelton, while trying to keep what is left of their family together, inadvertently start another American Revolution. Tricentennial can be found at Amazon , Apple iTunes , Kobo , Smashwor...

Here’s my half hour long interview on Mount Pleasant Up Close in three parts. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 It is strange to watch yourself. I can see how nervous I started. Being on the “pointy” end of the camera is foreign to me. I’ve spoken in front of large groups. I’ve performed on stage. All without fear, I might add. During a college internship with a network affiliate, I’ve even operated the camera and been floor manager. The front of the camera is much more intimate. Only being on camera more often can make it more comfortable. My previous interviews were via email with people across the pond. Being interviewed by people you know, who are also friends, is completely different. Besides being Borough Manager (Jeff) and Borough Mayor and Fire Chief (Jerry), Jeff and Jerry are co-organizers of the Mount Pleasant Glass and Ethnic Festival . Being co-founders, they have been with the festival since its inception. Every year, it gets better. This September will mark th...

Mount Pleasant Up Close is a weekly local TV and radio show.  The hosts are Mayor Gerald (Jerry) Lucia (on the right) and Borough Manager Jeff Landy (in the middle).  This coming week, I will be their guest. We recorded it yesterday amidst the snowstorm.  Sitting at a small table in the Borough Council Chambers, I answered questions about my books and being an author. In the beginning of my first “live” interview, I was nervous.  Jeff and Jerry started the show with a little intro, then they turned to me.  Jeff said something like, “Tell us a little something about yourself and your books.”  And that’s when it happened.  I felt as if I were having a brain freeze moment like a kid in school on test day who just stared at the paper on the desk because the answers eluded her.  I took a small pause, let out a tiny laugh, then my brain began to function properly. Once we got going, everything flowed so well. The half-hour show whiz...

There is nothing like 70+ degree weather in late October. It gives the senses a false indication that winter is still far away. Alas, my deadlines loom despite the beautiful weather. I have been busy editing the second book in the World In-between series. Book two will be called Bow of the Moon . The mock-up of the cover looks great. I am so excited and can’t wait to see it finished. The description is still in draft mode. What I can share about the new book is that we learn more about the mysterious Watcher and archer, Declan. Berty and company venture to new places in the world on the other side of the portal. We meet Delyth’s brother, Telor, the Crown Prince of Fairyland. Hope, Berty’s young niece, plays an integral part in the story line. More action, magic, and love entwine throughout Bow of the Moon. Once the cover and description are finished, I will post them here for a pre-publication peek. If all goes well, then Bow of the Moon will be launched in early December. I...

Tricentennial’s Giveaway on Goodreads is over. I want to thank all who entered for their interest in Tricentennial. The five winners will be receiving their signed copies shortly. For everyone else, I am offering 25% off coupons for the ebook on Smashwords and for the paperback on Createspace. Both coupons expire October 31st. Download your preferred ebook format (for your Kindle, Nook or iPad) on Smashwords using coupon code AB58S. Or have the paperback sent to you using discount code NJXSJNUF.

The conventions are over. All the confetti has been swept off the convention floor. Politicians are racing to the booths. Each wants your vote, but for whom do you electronically tick the box? Will it be for the donkey, the elephant, or someone else entirely? As a country, we are at a crossroads. We have the choice to continue down our path of inevitable self-destruction or charge ahead differently than the status quo. Manufacturing has moved beyond our borders. Our institutions are in shambles. Our government spends much more than it could ever take to cover its debts. The national debt has surpassed 16 trillion dollars. More and more Americans have fallen into the arms of an ever expanding government dole. Friday morning, the Labor Department released the new jobs numbers for the month of August. 8.1 percent unemployment means that for 43 consecutive months the unemployment rate has been over 8 percent. Full employment is typically 3 to 4 percent. Almost 400,000 pe...

My latest novel is officially here! Tricentennial is a dystopian science-fiction adventure. Government cover-ups, a secret ruling society, environmentally friendly Pod Cities, powerless fringe settlements, and control over nanotechnology weave throughout Tricentennial . Take a peek 60 plus years into our future uncovering what lurks behind the utopian veil of Pod City one-five. Find Tricentennial in both ebook and perfect bound paperback at Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Kobo , iTunes , and Smashwords .

My small town does the Independence Day celebrations on the evening before. Watching the fireworks from my house chokes me up every year. The fact that a small town of barely 5000 can make sure that we celebrate the country’s birthday is great. We could always go to the nearest “big city” – the county seat – or into downtown “metropolitania” for our fireworks. But, no, we celebrate as a community – the way it is supposed to be. That’s how our country was formed. Communities, big and small, came together to fight oppression. Now, communities come together to celebrate our freedom from that oppression. When I watch the bombs bursting in the air, I don’t think about my ancestors (descendants of English pilgrims) who fought in the War for Independence. I don’t think about how generations of immigrants came to this country in search of a better life. Nor do I think about how the governmental model for the United States laid the background for other countries after their revolutions...

From Tricentennial by IE Castellano Untitled By "Nickie Kelton" Darkness quakes my heart Ruthlessly depart Pieces of my soul Reveals gaping hole Mending time will take Vengeance mine to make --IEC Tricentennial is now available on Kindle , Smashwords , Nook and Make Your Offer . Will soon be available on Apple and other ebook retailers.  Also soon to be available in print. Watch this blog for updates.

Twenty years into the New Era, Xavier Kelton lives in a carefree world until his father uncovers a problem in commonly used nanotechnology. Without warning, his world crumbles. Trying to keep his family together, Xavier inadvertently starts another American Revolution. Exclusively at Make Your Offer : Download a three chapter sample of my latest stand alone science fiction novel, Tricentennial . The full release will come out in June but you can make an offer and preorder Tricentennial before everyone else can buy it.