Every so often, an interesting idea begets another. And more after that. The next thing I know, I have a head (and notebook) full of potential writing projects. Which one to start with? What to focus on? Should I write one, all, or none of them? Bands and artists grapple with similar things when creating their music.
But much like how songs are assembled for an album, or a setlist for a concert, so can stories for a book.
Which is why I’m thrilled to announce that my first book, Beyond Silence and Light, is on it’s way!
Edited by Denise Baran-Unland and featuring artwork by Molly Errek, with creative contributions from Todd M. Calcaterra, I’ve had a lot of help on this project from some really talented people. I’m excited to bring Beyond Silence and Light…to light.
Premise
Beyond Silence and Light (we’ll just call it BSL), is a collection of short fiction, possibly the first in a series. The stories include supernatural thrillers, travels through mysterious afterlives, strange dreamscapes, one man’s baseball eternity, and a few other fun and nostalgic tidbits. The result is a ride through dark worlds very near to, and perhaps interconnecting with, our own.
Production
I took a headfirst dive back into fiction writing a couple years ago. Having long been professionally writing marketing and advertising content by day, plus magazine and newspaper features and baseball history on the side, I realized that writing only nonfiction could feel a bit limiting. I needed another creative outlet. So, I started writing short fiction for fun, eventually publishing some stories in a local literature newsletter and some other platforms.
This is how BSL began. (You know that old cliche about the marketing exec with a novel stuck in his desk drawer? Yeah, me.)
The original plan was for a baker’s dozen chapters, but during pre-production I reduced it to nine. One story per chapter. Short and sweet. A few stories therefore, went back into the old purgatorian drawer — either to remain there forever, or possibly (spoiler alert) be resurrected later. But first things, first. The nine that made the cut for BSL are all over the map, encompassing several themes, settings and oddities.
Release
At the time of this writing, I have just completed the second round of revisions to the manuscript…so we’re gettin’ there. Release details to follow!
Stay tuned for the next part of this behind-the-scenes blog on the development of BSL, including the cover art reveal, release info, chapter blurbs, and more.
Kevin Trusty 