Cover Reveal: A Mark on My Soul (My First YA Novel)
October 20, 2018 | Back
I'm so excited to reveal the cover for my newest novel, A Mark on My Soul!
For those familiar with my writing, this cover might throw you off a little. Where's the tension, the blood and the horror? Is it not a horror novel? The quick answer is no.
Before I get into the story, I'd like to thank Robert Webb for his amazing work. Robert produced this original painting (which I'm excited to have on my wall soon) just for the book! I met Robert at comic cons around NC, and his work is always amazing, so I asked him to put together the image for this next book. He definitely didn't disappoint. I love it, and hope you do as well.
Let me fill you in a little on where this story came from and how my writing focus has taken a detour recently. Have no fear, I will write horror again.
A Mark on My Soul is my debut into the field of young adult literature. I've wanted to write a YA story for some time, and in light of some current events in my life everything came together for this story. Some my not realize it, but in March of this year I finally "came out" as gay after hiding who I was for some eighteen years. Like so many, I was afraid to admit to the world who I really was. I was brought up in a strict religious home where being gay was not acceptable, and still isn't unfortunately, and for those who know me, I'm a quiet guy who family means a lot to. So it took me a lot longer than it should have to be me. But not anymore.
Actually, while we're here I'd like to point out that many of my previous stories contain gay characters, but they were always relegated to side roles, or sadly, the bad guy. The lone exception is a short story I wrote last year called Forbidden (which you can pre-order the new re-release of here) featuring a gay couple, but at the time I wrote the story off as nothing more than a statement against theocratic government, but it was really more. That will no longer be the case in my writing. Starting with A Mark on My Soul I will proudly write LGBT characters that reflect real life issues and the need for acceptance.
The story itself is very close to my heart. It's not an autobiography by any stretch of the imagination, but there is a lot of me in the characters.
It's a young adult tale set in suburban North Carolina about Noah Andrews, a high school senior, who finally gets up the nerve to tell the world he's gay. For Noah, coming out isn't the end of the world. He has a supportive family that he knew would support him, and friends that will love him regardless, but he still struggles to accept himself. It's a story of trying to find one's self, of teen romance, and acceptance.
Right now I'm aiming for a late March 2019 release, so keep an eye out for more announcements and hopefully a pre-order launch in the coming months! As always feel free to share!
A MARK ON MY SOUL SYNOPSIS
Noah Andrews hates to lie, but that′s exactly what his life is. One big lie.
At least that′s how he feels as a nerdy, closeted, gay high school senior in a suburban North Carolina town.
But after months of fretting and hiding behind his quotes, Noah finally does it. He comes out to the world, and realizes he had nothing to fear after all. With his lies behind him Noah is ready to take on his new future.
On the same night Noah gets a message from an anonymous boy with a crush on him, and all his dreams begin to come true.
But is Noah truly ready for what life has planned for him?