New Cover for Trade Paperback Release of How to Save a Life

Posted on September 25, 2013 by SloanParker

Here’s a mock-up preview for the upcoming trade paperback version of HOW TO SAVE A LIFE.

I’ve got the proof copy in hand and will be going through it shortly to do a final check. It’ll be available for order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, The Book Depository, CreateSpace, and others starting in October. Sometimes it can take a few weeks for the various retailers to get it added to their catalogs.

And just for fun, here’s a snippet from one of my favorite moments in the book…

Walter sucked in a deep breath, and the embrace turned fierce, like he wasn’t sure he could ever let go. He whispered, “I never thought I’d be here.”

“Where?”

Walter threaded a hand through the wet strands at the back of Kevin’s hair. “More afraid of losing someone than I’ve ever been. Wanting and needing someone more than…anyone.”

Kevin kept his arms wrapped around Walter, sweeping his palms over the damp skin of his back and broad shoulders, desperately needing to comfort and not wanting to face why. Or maybe he did. Maybe he’d been waiting for this moment all his life.

Vote for a new cover for MORE THAN JUST A GOOD BOOK

Posted on August 21, 2013 by SloanParker

Since the full novel version of MORE THAN JUST A GOOD BOOK is going to be published later this year (in both e-book and print formats), I thought it would be nice to have a new cover that would differentiate it from the original short story.

Below are four mock-ups. The first one is similar to both the original cover and the one I’ve been using for the serial story. The other three are new ideas. I’d love to have your vote on which one you’d like to see on the final version of Mark and Scott’s story. I’ll go with whatever mock-up receives the majority of reader votes.

Click on each image to view a larger preview.

Vote for your favorite here

The Mind of a Writer

Posted on August 14, 2013 by SloanParker

While taking my daily walks this past week, I noticed two swans had moved into my neighborhood. They do everything together. Fly, bathe, swim, groom. Admittedly I know next to nothing about the life of swans. (Although I do believe they can form life-long monogamous pair bonds and are fiercely protective of their nests. My hon was even chased by one as a kid.)

As I watched these swans, I found myself asking question after question.

Will they stay here? Or is this a stopover for them? How long have they been together? What will happen if one of them passes away?

I’m walking and thinking. My mind pondering the past and future of these swans.

More walking, more thinking.

Of course, like I’ve always done since I was a kid, if I don’t know something, I make up my own story for it.

Now these swans each have a tragic backstory that led them to the moment they met. I know how long they’ve been together and that one is older than the other. I know how many obstacles they had to overcome to get to this peaceful, contented place they now live.

Then I stopped, stared at the swans, and laughed at myself. I could’ve been pondering and plotting my next book. But noooo… I’m dreaming up stories for two swans. Swans!

Thus goes the mind of a writer, a daydreamer.

Friday Photos: Men and Their Dogs

Posted on August 2, 2013 by SloanParker

If you’ve been following my blog for long, you know I’m a huge animal lover. So a guy who not only likes and respects animals, but also pours on the affection toward his pet without a care about how he “looks” to anyone, now that’s my kind of man.