asylum lake

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Whisperings Hint of Big Things on the Bedlam Falls Horizon

Posted by R.A. Evans writes... on May 15, 2012
Posted in: NEWS & Events. Tagged: , , , . 7 comments

With less than a week to go before the announced drop date for my novel Grave Undertakings – the chilling sequel to Asylum Lake – you would think that the PR machine would be in high gear.  Yet as the release day approaches all has been silent on this front.  Some might consider that an odd promotional tactic and I can’t say that I disagree.

You see, certain plans/opportuntiies have been in the works for the last several weeks and it was only this last week that final details had been arranged for me to take the proverbial next step in my writing career.  It’s much too early for specifics with all-together too many details still to work through, but I do feel a certain obligation to share one piece of news with you – Grave Undertakings will not be released on May 22, 2012.

In fact, in the very near future Asylum Lake will also disappear from bookshelves and the Kindle store.  This blog, my author page on facebook, and perhaps even my twitter account may go dark for a bit, too. I’m taking a huge leap into uncharted waters. Some may claim I am selling my soul to the devil – and they might just be right.  I, for one, am willing to give the devil his due and see just wear his slick black cadillac can take me.

I fully understand that the vagueness of this announcement may simply turn off readers and followers and for that I sincerely apologize.  If you had pre-ordered a print copy of Grave Undertakings all charges will be refunded.  Although I cannot give you the when or where of what happens next, I can tell you this — the story of the Lake View Asylum will be told in full – in excutiatingly painful details and with surprisingly consequences.  I only ask for your patience and understanding as I move forward with my own grave undertakings to ensure that my dark stories will continue to be read by an even wider audience.

If you want to vent your frustration, pass along notes of congratulations, or simply reach out with for no real reason – please direct all correspondence to my email raevanswrites (@) live (dot) com.

Cheers from Bedlam Falls!

R. A. Evans

News Headlines Often Provide Inspiration for Horror

Posted by R.A. Evans writes... on May 7, 2012
Posted in: R.A.'s Musings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 comments

It’s the second most frequently asked question fans and readers pose at events and signings – “Where do you get your ideas from?”  I am sure the question is posed to nearly all authors – regardless of their chosen genre. With horror, however, the inquiry always seems to be laced with a healthy dose of fear – which is good – because fear is the fuel which powers my gray-matter engine. Everything I write boils down to me trying my very best to elicit fear in my readers – the humor and warm & fuzzy scenes I sprinkle into my stories are merely icing on the proverbial “nightmare cake”.

Dive Into the MysterySo where do I get my ideas? The answer might just surprise you.  Asylum Lake/Grave Undertakings started as a journal entry about struggling with the death of my father and the memories I would sometimes encounter when I travelled home to the small town where I grew up. Of course, there was no abandoned psychiatric hospital in my neighborhood or haunted board games to deal with. The inspiration for the story and the dark turns I take that inspiration are two very different things.

For FLIGHT, the project to follow the release of Grave Undertakings, inspiration came from a TIME Magazine article about the military’s use of passenger aircraft to transport the bodies of soldiers killed in action during the Gulf War.  The practice was eventually discontinued, but I oculdn’t get the visual out of my head of those flag-draped boxes next to the luggage in  the cargo holds of planes.  I merely, added a diabolical pharmaceutical company doing military rsearch and a spreading zombie apocalypse – just small elements which  make the actual story much more interesting (insert evil laugh here).

The lesson I’ve learned is that inspiration is a real bitch and that you sometimes have to take what the world gives you and turn it to your own dark devices.  You can imagine my glee when this headline from the BBC scrolled across my computer - SOUTH KOREA TO TARGET POWDERED HUMAN FLESH CAPSULES.

Will I do anything with this story? The jury is still out. I’ve been wrestling with a vampire story inspired by an article from Newsweek. You see, apparently scientists are on the verge of identifying the gene responsible for causing mosquitos to crave blood. Once modified, these malaria-carrying insects could be erradicated or at least controlled to no longer spread dangerous diseases.  In more capable hands this story would practically write itself.

So what will I do with these powdered human flesh capsules? As much as i would like to turn my imagination loose on developing the horrific who, what, where, and why – I just don’t have the time.  For now, I’ll just allow myself to quietly wonder what a powdered human flesh capsule tastes like and whether it is a  better strategy to  swallow them whole or to bite through and enjoy every last grainy morsel? 

Cheers from Bedlam Falls!

R. A. Evans

A Brush with Greatness: Killing time in Line at the Bank

Posted by R.A. Evans writes... on April 26, 2012
Posted in: R.A.'s Musings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 11 comments

I had to run a few errands on my lunch hour yesterday – pick up a prescription and deposit a royalty check at the bank.  Of course, when I arrived at the pharmacy my prescription wasn’t ready. I insist on using my corner pharmacy in an effort to “buy local” but when my son has an ear infection I kinda need to get the antibiotics relatively quick. You can imagine my mood when I pulled into the bank and saw five cars ahead of me in line for the ATM.  The world, it had seemed, was conspiring against me.

I opted for a quick run into the bank in hopes that most of the with banking needs were just as lazy as I usually try to be and were exercising their right be lazy by  not walking the thirty feet from the parking lot to the lobby. Sadly, the line was long inside, too. 

I took my place in line and quickly morphed into full people watching mode. I love to people watch, In fact, it has to be one of my favorite past times.  That’s when I noticed the woman standing in front of me in line – she was reading her Kindle. After a few failed attempts to peek over her shoulder I was finally able to decipher what she was reading – ASYLUM LAKE.

I could tell she was far enough in to have made some sort of commitment to the book – somewhere in Chapter 9 if my memory serves. Brady had already had several encounters with the Scrabble Board and young Lionel was beyond his visit with the Reed family. If this woman were going to bail on the story she probably would have done so by now.

The line dragged along slowly as I watched this woman page along on her Kindle.  The internal debate was raging – do I introduce myself? Do Iask her if she is enjoying the story? I could feel my anxiety level rising as I wondered what to do.  Would an introduction be a cool and memorable moment or might it just come across as desperate and strange?

The pace must have picked up as I stood there debating my options. Without warning the woman was called to the counter and was soon out the door. Later, as I drove back to the office, I thought about her missed oppportunity to meet the author of such a fine tale (insert sarcasm). That’s when it hit me – the missed opportunity wasn’t hers. I had missed the opportunity to thank a reader for investing their time – and $2.99 unless she downloaded it on a free day – into my debut thriller.

You see, at the end of the day the fact that I published a book really isn’t any great feat. Trust me, anyone with a computer can upload an ebook to Amazon and call themself an author. It’s having readers that allow me to be a SUCCESSFUL author – and even that is subjective. I shouldn’t feel as though I am making a reader’s day by introducing myself, I need to focus on the fact that they have made my day by choosing one of my titles to spend their time with.

Whoiever you were, mysterious woman in line at the bank, just know that I think you’re great!

And that, my friends, was my brush with greatness.

Inside the Story of Grave Undertakings

Posted by R.A. Evans writes... on April 13, 2012
Posted in: R.A.'s Musings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 6 comments

According to Native American legends, the souls of the dead are carried to the afterlife on the wings of a crow. Sometimes, however, the manner of death is so vile that the soul is weighted down by sadness, grief or guilt. In these instances, the crow is unable to carry the soul to the land of the dead, leaving the  soul in limbo.  These unfortunate souls, carried by crows, cannot rest until those wrongs have been righted.

For those of you who have read my thriller Asylum Lake you know of the restless souls searching to right the wrongs which still hold them captive. It is through their tormented eyes that many of the secrets of the mysterious abandoned asylum will continue to be revealed. Their souls, however, are not the only burden carried on the wings of the crow.

Other legends provide vastly different accounts of the crow.  These legends speak of the black-winged bird as a scavenger of the dead, a feeder on the flesh of the departed, and even a devourer of the souls of the living.  It begs the question – to what use would a crow put the soul of a man?   Is it merely a coincidence that the crow  flies higher into the heavens than nearly all of its feathered bretheren?  Perhaps it is the stolen souls of men which carry the crow ever-closer to the creator.

In Grave Undertakings you will learn much more about the neverending  journey of  the soul.  The veil which separates the living from the dead has been parted, allowing the most restless of souls to revisit their grief, anger, and loss upon the living.  This parting, however, also provides the living an opportunity to prey upon the souls of the dead.

The cast of characters widens with Grave Undertakings as the story moves both forward and backward in time to reveal even more secrets.  Although much of the story is spent within the walls of the Lake View Asylum, readers will also journey beyond Bedlam Falls to follow the trail of Dr. Wesley Clovis.  From the coal mines of West Virginia to Gray’s Crossing, Indiana, the search for answers eventually leads back to The Lake of Tears.

I look forward to the unearthing of Grave Undertakings on May 22nd and hope you find as much enjoyment in reading my dark tale as I have had in writing it.

Cheers from Bedlam Falls!

R. A. Evans

Asylum Lake is FREE on KINDLE!

Posted by R.A. Evans writes... on April 11, 2012
Posted in: NEWS & Events. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 comment

I talk a lot about prostituting myself to sell books, and if that’s the case then my pimp is gonna be pissed because today I’m giving it away for FREE! You have until 11:59 pm PST to download the indie smash Asylum Lake for free on Kindle. Don’t own a Kindle? No problem, simply download the app to read great books like Asylum Lake on your smartphone, PC, or laptop. Heck – you can even read Kindle titles on your iPad!

CLICK HERE to download your FREE copy of Asylum Lake and I’ll even throw in a week’s worth of nightmnares at no additional cost!

Flirting With Greatness: Reaching the Top 100 Kindle Charts

Posted by R.A. Evans writes... on April 2, 2012
Posted in: R.A.'s Musings. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 9 comments

There are certain milestones which every author strives to achieve. First – just finish the damn story. This is usually the most difficult milestone to achieve.  The internet is littered with the carcasses of half-finished manuscripts and pitch letters for projects which never make it from thought to fruition. For me, I am most proud of the fact that the idea of Asylum Lake actually became the novel Asylum Lake.

The second noteworthy author milestone is actually getting someone to pay for the privilege of reading it. It’s one thing to get a pity read from your mother and something altogether different to have a complete stranger part with a few bucks to read the fruits of your labor. I still recall with wonder watching the pre-orders roll in for Asylum Lake. It was both gratifying and terrifying at the same time. Now, having just launched pre-orders for Grave Undertakings, I find that same odd combination of fear and pride taking root somewhere between my heart and my lower intestine. I’m still gratified that people are buying into me and my creepy tales, but also afraid that I will in some way disappoint them.

My most recent milestone achieved is purely ego-driven. Asylum Lake is currently taking up a bit of real estate on the Kindle Top 100 List for horror – #83 last I checked. What a rush to see my novel listed with some of the heavyweights of the horror genre. As I write this Stephen King’s The Stand sits squarely in my rear-view mirror at #84 and Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor is within spitting distance ahead f me at #70. Now, I’m not foolish enough to compare Asylum Lake to those titles, but apparently – for the time being at least – enough people are intrigued  by my ghost story to push sales figures into the rarefied air of two of my idols – Mr. King and Mr. Kirkman – and I think that is pretty fucking cool!

So please forgive me this moment of self-adulation. Its not every day that I get to rub shoulders with greatness and something tells me that by this time tomorrow I will be cast back into the abyss of anonymity.

If you would like to do your part to keep Asylum Lake on the Top 100 Kindle Charts for horror, CLICK HERE to download my 4.4 star rated thriller. It’s only $2.99 and you probably have that much sitting in the cup holder in your car. Don’t have a Kindle? No problem, you can easily download the Kindle app for your smartphone or computer and still dive into the mystery of Asylum Lake.

Cheers from Bedlam Falls,

R. A. Evans

Kindle Lover’s Rejoice: Asylum Lake is Free on March 29th!

Posted by R.A. Evans writes... on March 28, 2012
Posted in: Contests & Promotions. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 2 comments

Consider it my Christmas in March sale. Asylum Lake will be free on Thursday, March 29th in the Kindle Store on Amazon.

With more than 60 reviews on Amazon alone, Asylum Lake has a solid 4.4-star rating and according to Ray Walsh of the Lansing State Journal, “Asylum Lake is a taut tale liable to raise significant goosebumps.“

What do you have to lose? Dive into the mystery of Asylum Lake for absolutely nothing. I’ll even throw in nightmares for free!

Plus, you’ll be prepared for the unearthing of the chilling sequel – Grave Undertakings – on May 22nd. In fact, you can even pre-order an autographed print copy of Grave Undertakings today and be entered to win a Bedlam Falls swag bag full of great items. Simply visit www.schulerbooks.com and be among the first to discover the darkest mysteries of Asylum Lake.

 

Book Marketing Tips: Have you written anything lately?

Posted by R.A. Evans writes... on March 27, 2012
Posted in: R.A.'s Musings, Tips. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 14 comments

I try to write every day – and not just because the little voice in my head demands it. I write because I know that’s what it takes to make it in this business.  I am envious of authors who have multiple titles under their belts – not that my novel Asylum Lake is anything to sneeze at – but one book does not make a career.

Yeah, I said career; one day I hope to pay the bills with my writing and that just isn’t gonna happen with royalties from a single novel.  So my marketing tip for today – spend more time writing!

I know, that’s counter-intuitive to everything I have ever said about book marketing, but hear me out. My novel Asylum Lake was published in 2010 and in the subsequent months I have spent countless hours establishing my author platform.  From interviews and review requests to managing a blog, multiple facebook pages, and an ever-growing  twitter account, I’m proud of my platform’s growth,  yet frustrated by the impact it has had on my writing.

Grave Undertakings, the sequel to Asylum Lake, has been delayed a handful of times and progress on other projects has also slowed dramatically.  I sometimes wonder if I have done more harm than good in focusing so much attention on promoting Asylum Lake and establishing my brand.  Could the hours spent tweeting had been better served by longer and more productive writing sessions? And don’t even get me started on my blog – sure having more than 50,000 views is great, but the amount of work it has taken to get there has been nearly overwhelming!

So here is my plan -  I’m gonna churn out a minimum of 10,000 words a week. For some that may seem high, and others low, but for me it’s a nice round number that seems to be fairly manageable.  Bottom line, if I am ever gonna make writing my career then I need to actually write – about things dark and mysterious, alive and undead, and most assuredly with ill intentions.

So tell me, are you a writer or a book promoter? Have you written anything  lately?

And now, purely for comic relief, is one of my favorite scenes from the film The Wedding Singer.  It illustrates just what the simple question of Have you written anything lately can lead to.

Asylum Lake Trivia: Take the test and you could win a free copy of Grave Undertakings!

Posted by R.A. Evans writes... on March 20, 2012
Posted in: Contests & Promotions. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 4 comments

Counting down to the release of Grave Undertakings and I thought I would spice things up with a contest.  Only the the most dedicated fans of Asylum Lake will recall this passing description of one of the most feared characters to walk the halls of the Lake View Asylum.

One lucky winner will be chosen from all correct responses. Please answer the poll question and leave a comment which includes your response.

Pre-order Grave Undertakings for your chance to win a Bedlam Falls Swag Bag

Posted by R.A. Evans writes... on March 19, 2012
Posted in: NEWS & Events. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a Comment

It’s been a long time coming, but I am overjoyed to announce that pre-orders are now being accepted for Grave Undertakings, the chilling sequel to Asylum Lake. The book will be available in both print and Kindle formats starting May 22, 2012.

In addition to receiving what I am confident will be a completely creepy read worthy of multiple nightmares, each pre-order will also be autographed and include an official Grave Undertakings bookmark.

That, however, is just the start. I will also randomly select three pre-orders to receive a Bedlam Falls Swag Bag which includes an autographed copy of Asylum Lake with official bookmark, Lake View Asylum t-shirt, and the highly-prized Bedlam Falls coffee mug.

Pre-order your copy of Grave Undertakings today at www.schulerbooks.com.