Out Now: The Lost Always Take Off Their Shoes
Today’s the day! The idea for my new thriller/horror novel “The Lost Always Take Off Their Shoes” came to me 10 years ago. I started writing it eight years ago on Nov. 1 during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). I finished the book within five months, but it took another five years (closer to six) to edit the story to the point where I was comfortable submitting it to publishers, which I finally did in 2020. And now we’re finally here.
I’m very grateful to my publisher, Winter Goose Publishing, who found a place for someone who writes poetry and genre fiction; my writing group, who went through several drafts of this story and quickly learned not to read the story before bed if they wanted any sleep; and my family, who has been so supportive I couldn’t possibly express my immense gratitude to all of them.
My poetry collection was a surprise when it was accepted for publication. I didn’t even think to wish for it before it became a reality. But this novel has been the dream for nearly a decade. I’m so thrilled to finally share it with you all. And to have a foot firmly planted in both the poetry and the fiction worlds is so fulfilling.
Here’s a brief introduction to the book:
Yūrei, vengeful spirits, are luring victims to their deaths in a small town in Washington. Unsuspecting and distracted, Kaitlynn is haunted by nightmares, unexplained bruises, and glimpses of a woman no one else sees. When her family is attacked, and people in her life start to disappear, she searches her family history for answers. Fearing it’s already too late, Kaitlynn races against an old vengeance to unbury dark family secrets.
“The Lost Always Take Off Their Shoes” is now available on Amazon.
Congratulations, Mandie!
Thank you, Nolcha!
Congratulations!
Thank you so much!
Congrats on your new book! I know it took me well over a decade to publish my first SF book. (Subsequent books came much more easily. :))
Thank you! I certainly have the feeling that there will not be another book that takes me this long to get out. This book had unique editing hiccups that I don’t anticipate ever going through. Hopefully, I’ve learned enough from this one to make the next smoother. But I have heard that after completing a book, you’ve learned a lot about how to complete that book. But the next brings it’s own new challenges.
Absolutely! But they will be fun challenges.
For the record, I LOVE the title of your book! It’s both creepy and intriguing. If I saw it at the bookstore, I would pick it up to see what it was about.
Oh, thank you! While writing this book, it went through several different titles. Plus, I had an ongoing list of other possible titles. My original plan was to go with something short and snappy. So, it was a shock when this long title came to me and my publisher loved it. I love it too. But it goes to show, what we plan isn’t always what happens in the writing world.
You’re very welcome! 😊
I’m very happy for you. Getting a book published is like giving birth.
Great title. Very intriguing.
Thank you, Russell!