Saturday 21 December 2013

HAPPY HOLIDAYS - 15% Off ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S

Spokenworld Audio would like to give you all a Christmas gift of 15% discount off the audio download of my Steampunk/Horror novella ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S.

All you need to do is use the following code at checkout. F9136102

Log onto Spokenworld Audio here http://www.spokenworldaudio.com/zombiesattiffanys.html 

Place your order and paste in the code above to receive your 15% discount.

The code is valid until 31st January 2014.

Wishing you all a happy holidays.

Sam :)



Wednesday 4 December 2013

TODESKUSS LAUNCHES IN BERLIN

This has been an incredibly exciting year for me career-wise coupled with a hugely successful, somewhat international, tour that began in the UK, went swiftly onto the USA and Canada, and will end with the launch of the German edition of Killing Kiss in Berlin on 14th December 2013. 

The book has been named Todeskuss and I can now reveal the cover for the first time. 
 

The launch takes place here:

THE OTHERLAND BOOKSHOP, BERLIN, 14th DEC 2013
 

Date: 14th December 2013
 

Time: 2.30pm
 

Address: Otherland Buchandlung, Bergmannstraße 25, 10961 Berlin, Germany



As you can imagine I am very much looking forward to seeing the physical copies first hand and this will definitely go down as a landmark moment. Not only is this my first translation, but I have also never been to Germany before. 

This could be, I hope, the first of many trips there and I am very much looking forward to meeting what I hope will become new friends and readers.

Huge thanks go to Gunter Olschowsky, Commissioning Editor for Verlag Bucheinband Ines Neuman, and the co-translator Angie Timme for all the work they have done on carefully translating my words.

See you soon in Berlin! 



 




Friday 22 November 2013

This Week I'll be At ...

MEMORABILIA, BIRMINGHAM. 23-24th NOV 2013
Sam Stone joins the line-up of Media guests at this huge event at Birmingham NEC.

Date: 23-24 November 2013.
Time: ALL Day Sat & Sun
Address: Birmingham NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT.

More Information Memorabilia

Saturday 19 October 2013

This Week I'll be At ...

DIMENSIONS 2013, Newcastle, 25-27th October 2013. 
Sam Stone and David J Howe join the line-up of guests for this special celebration convention - which will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who.

For more information : Dimensions http://www.tenthplanetevents.co.uk/index.asp

Time: All Weerkend!
Address: The New Holiday Inn, Great North Road, Seaton Burn, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE13 6BP
Date: 25-27 October 2013.

Thursday 10 October 2013

RIP DOROTHY LUMLEY

I was very sad to hear the news of Dot Lumley's death this week after a brave battle with cancer.

Dot Lumley. Picture courtesy of and (c) Ellen Datlow.
Dot and I have a history going back to 1993 when I wrote a novel in my spare time and began to send it out to various agents and publishers. The novel was called The Brunette Murders and was my first, not very good, attempt at writing a vampire story.

I knew nothing then of the world I would later become very a part of, but Dot looked at that manuscript and was the only person out of many letters and submissions that I sent out to actually have the decency to reply. I knew then she was a very special person.

The letter that came told me I had 'a lively writing style which was very readable and very saleable ... it was just the content that didn't appeal'. Dot wasn't interested in vampire fiction you see, and she never really changed her mind about that over the various times we conversed.

I never forgot her and periodically sent things her way. She always replied and was kind and encouraging.

In 2010 I met Dot in person for the first time. I knew instantly that I liked her. As others have said she always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. A rare quality indeed. And I shared with her that experience I'd had and how her brief reply had encouraged me so much. By then of course I had three novels published through The House of Murky Depths, and I was launching the third one Demon Dance at the event we were all attending. Dot took interest in me. She spent some time talking about how my career was going and what she might be interested in. I gave her copies of all of the books and some time later received a long and detailed letter from her in the post, telling me what she felt about them and giving really wonderful feedback.

I was so impressed that she had taken the trouble to write to me that I contacted her and thanked her. Then, I got up the courage to try and send her something new. I sent her the opening of a new novel idea and a full synopsis which also outlined two other books. This book was called Jinx Town and it was a planned first book in an epic Portal Fantasy trilogy that I really believed in.

Dot was enthusiastic about the idea from the start. She sent me detailed emails giving feedback and advice, and because I responded to that advice positively, taking her comments and running with them, the first novel sprang into life and was completed. Dot received the finished manuscript and loved it. She chose then to represent me, and very quickly we had five publishers who were interested in the book.

Unfortunately, for reasons beyond both of our control, the book was not picked up. Even so, Dot stayed with me. She gave me advice and ploughed on trying her best to find a home for the book. She believed in it as much as I did you see.

About 18 months ago we parted ways professionally. I now wonder if this was because she knew she was ill. I will probably never know for sure, but we parted amicably and Dot told me then she believed I deserved success and someone to represent me that could 'devote the time and energy' needed. We always planned to get together again and Dot had said she really wanted to come and visit David and I in Wales. She would have always been welcome.

I will always remember her as a kind, caring devoted person. Who would give generously of her time and really enjoyed shaping new and aspiring talent.

RIP Dot. I'm proud that we worked together but I miss you and wish I'd had an opportunity to talk to you again before the end.



Sunday 6 October 2013

CURRENT KINDLE BARGAINS ...



Zombies in New York and Other Bloody Jottings


ZINY At Amazon UK £2.01

ZINY Amazon USA $3.12




Zombies At Tiffany's
 
Tiffany's At Amazon UK £2.59

Tiffany's At Amazon USA $4.11







Hateful Heart (Vampire Gene Series Book 4)

HH At Amazon UK £2.01

HH At Amazon USA $3.24







Silent Sand (Vampire Gene Series Book 5)

SS At Amazon UK £2.02

SS At Amazon USA $3.14





Talespinning By David J Howe

TS At Amazon UK £2.59

TS At Amazon USA $4.11







New to the VAMPIRE GENE SERIES?



Catch up here VAMPIRE GENE TRILOGY - The First 3 Books in one compendium.

VG Tril Amazon UK £18.94

VG Tril Amazon USA $26.99

Wednesday 2 October 2013

This Friday I Will Be At ...

GRIMM UP NORTH, 3rd-6th October 2013,

Sam Stone and David J Howe will be resenting HELLRAISER II at Grimm Up North this Friday.

For Further information on their schedule or buy tickets  Hellraiser.

 

Friday 27 September 2013

Next Week I'll be at ...

WATERSTONES, Piccadilly, London, 30th September, 2013 

I will be doing a reading and signing THE BEST OF BRITISH FANTASY 2013 published by Salt Publishing earlier in the year.

The doors open at 6pm - there are refreshments and then the first readings. After this a short break and the second round of readings. Ending with a signing session.





Time 6-9pm
Address: Waterstones Piccadilly, 30 Jermyn Street, London, SW1Y 6WW
Date: Monday 30th September

For further details Waterstones,

Tuesday 24 September 2013

This weekend I'll be at ...

PENDAU HARLECH Chapter 1. (Harlech Literary Festival) 28-29 September 2013
Telos Publishing with David J Howe and Sam Stone have been invited to give readings, talks and book signings at this first Harlech Literary Festival.

There will be stalls, readings, traditional Welsh music in and around the town and Memorial Hall.

Date: 28th & 29th Sept (Saturday & Sunday)
Address: Memorial Hall, 15 Cae Gwatad, Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2GY. (Readings & Stalls)

Times: Sat 10-5pm

Saturday 7 September 2013

ZOMBIES ATTACK YOUR EARS

I'm thrilled to finally be able to share the news that ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S will be available in Audio via Spokenworld. This is going to be recorded on 20th September and I will be there to enjoy the fun  and meet Director/producer Neil Gardner and reader Stephanie Cannon (You'll remember her from the ZOMBIES IN NEW YORK AND OTHER BLOODY JOTTINGS AUDIO).

A blog, photos, and possibly a podcast of events from the day to follow. Should be fun!

Press release below for full details:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Zombies Attack Your Ears!

Stephen James Walker and David J Howe, Editorial Directors of Telos Publishing are delighted to announce that audio rights to Sam Stone's Steampunk horror novella ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S have been picked up by Neil Gardner at Spokenworld Audio.

'We've long been an admirer of Neil's work in the audio field,' says David Howe. 'He's a great supporter of genre fiction and audio, and so when he approached us about whether the rights to Sam's book were available, we were over the moon.'

'I am extremely excited to be bringing the zombie-infused adventure of Kat Lightfoot to audio,' says Spokenworld Audio MD and lead producer Neil Gardner. 'Having previously produced Sam's short horror story collection ZOMBIES IN NEW YORK AND OTHER BLOODY JOTTINGS on behalf of AudioGO, I jumped at the chance to work on another of her brilliant stories, and bring Sam to my own audiobook label. We have the fantastic Stephanie Cannon back to read, and will be indulging our love for adding music and sound effects.  Hopefully this will be just the first of many Sam Stone audiobooks that Spokenworld Audio will be producing ... she is a unique talent who brings creativity and incredible imagination to everything she writes.'

'I can't wait to hear what Neil and the crew at Spokenworld do with my Zombies,' says Sam Stone. 'I was absolutely delighted with their work on my short story collection, and I know that they will do a fantastic job on this book too. It's a pleasure hearing my characters come alive in this way ...'

Autumn 2013 sees Spokenworld Audio rapidly expanding its audiobook range, with a whole host of titles including factual history, science fiction and anthology horror. Leading this slew of great releases will be ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S by leading UK horror author Sam Stone.

ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S - the audiobook, will be released on 31st October 2013, exclusively at www.spokenworldaudio.com

ABOUT SAM STONE


Sam Stone’s first novel, Killing Kiss, won the silver award for Best Horror Novel in ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year competition, and her subsequent novels and short stories have gained her much acclaim, including winning the British Fantasy Award. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and is a noted public speaker and lecturer. Sam’s website is at www.sam-stone.com.

ABOUT TELOS PUBLISHING

Telos Publishing was formed in 2000 by David J Howe and Stephen James Walker, and since then has published novels and novellas by many authors including Christopher Fowler, Graham Masterton, Stephen Laws, Simon Clark, Paul Finch, Steve Savile, Kim Newman, Paul McAuley and Stephen Gallagher. They are also known for an extensive range of unofficial guides to film and television, including Doctor Who, Space 1999, The Rocky Horror Show, Battlestar Galactica, Tarzan and A Song For Europe. www.telos.co.uk

ABOUT SPOKENWORLD AUDIO

SpokenWorld Audio is the new home for audio fans...a safe-haven for forgotten and ignored audio...a commissioner of new audio productions...and your one-stop shop for independently-produced audiobooks and radio programmes! High-quality, innovative and original audio for all ages. We are starting a revolution in audio and you are invited to join us...as a listener, as a contributor and as a supplier. Transforming the written word to spoken word. Spokenworld Audio was formed in 2010 by Neil Gardner and is wholly owned by Ladbroke Audio Limited. www.spokenworldaudio.com

THE DARKNESS WITHIN RELEASE

This has been a very exciting week for me. Firstly I discovered that my novella THE DARKNESS WITHIN, bought by AudioGo and due for release this October in Ebook and Audio, had already found it's way onto Ebook.

But the news didn't end there ... it's also gone to Hardback in large print format with Chivers. Due for release on 7th October.

I didn't know they had a hardback planned - so a very exciting surprise for me as this is the first title I've had in hardback!

Hardback ISBN 978-1471359149 (Order from your local book store now!!) £16.49 RRP


Kindle for £4.62 UK
Kindle for $7.16 USA
Barnes & Noble $6.49 Nook

Needless to say I'm over the moon to have my first Hardback out there!




Thursday 5 September 2013

This Week I'll Be At ...


WATERSTONES, BOLTON, LANCS, SAT 7th SEPT 2013.
Sam Stone will be launching her new novella KAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Waterstones Bolton.
Hot off the printing press. Copies of ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S will also be available as well as some Vampire Gene titles.

Address: Waterstones, 34-36 Deansgate, Bolton BL1 1BL.
Date: 7th Sept 2013
Time: 2-4pm

Thursday 29 August 2013

Signing Schedule - A Crazy Time of Year

Here is an updated list of all of my forthcoming events. It's a crazy time of year for me now but I wouldn't have it any other way.

'AIRSHIP' TOUR BEGINS HERE ...

BROWSERS BOOKSHOP, PORTHMADOG, SAT 31st AUGUST, 2013
Sam Stone and David Howe are delighted to be attending this friendly Independent Book store in the seaside resort of Porthmadog.

Address: 73 High Street, Porthmadog, LL49 9EU
Date: 31st August 2013
Time: 11am onwards

WATERSTONES, BOLTON, LANCS, SAT 7th SEPT 2013.
Sam Stone will be launching her new novella KAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Waterstones Bolton.
Be the first to buy this book, newly off the printing press. Copies of ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S will also be available.

Address: Waterstones, 34-36 Deansgate, Bolton BL1 1BL.
Date: 7th Sept 2013
Time: 2-4pm
 
ASYLUM STEAMPUNK CONVENTION, 13-15th Sept, 2013
Sam Stone and David Howe will be attending this fantastic event, which has become a welcome part of their yearly calendar. 

The event takes place in various locations around Lincoln Town Centre.

Come and join in the fun, wearing your steampunk finery, and join the party at one of the many wonderful evening events.

For full information on the programme of events : ASYLUM http://steampunk.synthasite.com/

Time: ALL WEEKEND
Address: Lincoln Town Centre
Date 13-15th September 2013 

FORBIDDEN PLANET, London, 21st Sept 2013
Telos Publishing Authors Sam Stone, Raven Dane and Stephen James Walker will be signing their latest books at Forbidden Planet.

This event will appeal to fans of Doctor Who, Steampunk and Horror.

Time 4-5pm
Address Forbidden Planet, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR
Date 21st Sept 2013.

WATERSTONES, Piccadilly, London, 30th September, 2013 
6pm onwards - I will be doing a reading and signing THE BEST OF BRITISH FANTASY 2013 published by Salt Publishing earlier in the year.

For further details Waterstones,

GRIMM UP NORTH, 3rd-6th October 2013,
Sam Stone and David J Howe will be attending this year's Grimm Up North.

Further information to follow on their schedule but you can buy tickets for this year's event HERE

DIMENSIONS 2013, Newcastle, 25-27th October 2013. 
Sam Stone and David J Howe join the line-up of guests for this special celebration convention - which will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who.

For more information : Dimensions http://www.tenthplanetevents.co.uk/index.asp

Time: TBA
Address: The New Holiday Inn, Great North Road, Seaton Burn, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE13 6BP
Date: 22-24 November 2013. 

HURRICANE WHO, Orlando, Florida, 1-3rd November 2013
Sam Stone and David J Howe join the line-up of great guests for this convention. There will be panels, a dealer's room, cosplay, and great guests!

For more information : Hurricane Who http://www.hurricanewho.com/guests/ 

Time: Friday to Sunday 
Address: Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at Sea World
Date: 1-3rd November 2013.

LONG ISLAND WHO, New York, 8-10th November 2013
Sam Stone and David J Howe our delighted to be guesting at this new convention in Long Island, New York.

For more information : L.I. WHO http://longislanddoctorwho.com/about/

Time: All weekend
Address: The Long Island -Islip Airport Holiday Inn, 3845 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY, 11779.
Date: Friday 8th- Sunday 10th Nov 2013.

OTTAWA, CANADA 7-8th Dec
Info to follow shortly ...


GALLIFREY CONVENTION, Los Angeles, 14th-16th Feb, 2014
Awesome! Sam Stone, David Howe and Frazer Hines return to this much loved convention to celebrate 25 years of Gallifrey Convention in Los Angeles. 

Time : ALL Weekend
Address: LA Marriot Hotel, Los Angeles
Date: Friday 14th Feb-Sun 16th Feb 2014.

EM-CON, NOTTINGHAM, 16th March 2014
A fantastic fun-filled Sci-Fantasy day in Nottingham. Sam Stone and David J Howe, join the guests at this new and exciting event.

Time: 10am (earlybirds) 11am-5pm
Address: Albert Hall, North Circus Street, Nottingham, NG1 5AA, 0115 950 0411
Date: 16th March 2014

For more information visit : http://www.em-con.co.uk

SCI-FI WEEKENDER 5, Hafan Y Mor, North Wales, 27th-30th March 2014
Sam Stone and David Howe are delighted to be returning to Sci-Fi Weekender!
More news to follow.

OTHERWORLDS CONVENTION UK, 5-6 APRIL 2014.
Sam Stone and David Howe join the already growing line-up of guests at the first Otherworlds Convention in Warrington. Cosplay, Panels, traders of all kinds.

Time: Starts 10am Sat end 4pm Sunday.
Address: Chester University, Lance Dobson Exhibition rooms, Crab Lane, Warrington, WA2 0DB
Date: 5 & 6 April 2014.

For further Information visit: http://www.otherworldsconv.co.uk/
To buy tickets http://otherworldsconv.eventbrite.com/

Monday 26 August 2013

This Week I'll be At ...

This weekend I will be driving to Porthmadog to visit BROWSERS BOOKSHOP. This is a lovely seaside resort in North Wales and I am very much looking forward to being there.

This is the first outing for my new novel KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP. Copies of ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S and the Vampire Gene Series novels will also be available. VG novels will be going at the bargain price of 3 for 2 so this is a good opportunity to try them if you haven't already.

BROWSERS BOOKSHOP, PORTHMADOG, SAT 31st AUGUST, 2013


Address: 73 High Street, Porthmadog, LL49 9EU
Date: 31st August 2013
Time: 11am onwards

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Sam x

Sunday 25 August 2013

New Products

I thought it might be useful to list the some of the new products I now have available.

The Vampire Gene Trilogy 
The first three books in the Vampire Gene Series (Originally a trilogy) are now available in a compendium.

VG Blurb

Enter the dark and sensual world of Sam Stone. Discover her unique family of vampires in this compendium edition of the first three books of the award winning Vampire Gene series.

Killing Kiss : Four hundred year old vampire Gabriele Caccini searches for a mate in twenty-first century Manchester while reflecting on the events that led to his immortality.
Futile Flame : Gabriele seeks out his maker Lucrezia Borgia when a mysterious entity threatens to ruin the happiness he has found with Lilly. But can he believe anything she says?
Demon Dance : Waking in the Garden of Eden, Lilly discovers that mysterious forces have contrived to separate her from Gabriele. Thrown through time against her will, she has to fight to regain control of her own destiny.

Buy at Amazon UK  Price £18.94 (RRP £19.99)
Buy at Amazon USA Price $26.99


Poetry CD (Only Available in USA)

Demon Lover & Other Eroticisms
Poetry written and performed by Sam Stone (featuring David J Howe).
Music devised and performed by Penny Nicholls

1) Not All Vampires Drink Blood (Sam Stone)
2) Demon Lover (David J Howe)
3) Werewolf (Sam Stone)
4) Vampyre (Sam Stone)
5) In Lust  (Sam Stone)
6) Phoenix (David J Howe)
7) I Wish I Was Dead (Sam Stone)

Buy at Amazon USA Price $12.99

I hope you give these a try ...




Sunday 11 August 2013

This Week I Will Be At ...

The first of our many events is on Saturday 17th August at Leeds Central Library - STEAMPUNKS AT CENTRAL LIBRARY

If you are in, or near, the Leeds area I can heartily recommend this event. It will be populated by splendid people in their Steampunk finery and there will be readings as well as many authors selling and signing their books.

David J Howe and myself will be the first readers of the day from 11.30am. I will be reading from my new novel KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP which will be available by 31st August. This will be the first time anyone other than my publishers has heard/seen the content. So stop by for a sneak preview!

Pre-Orders for signed copies of this book will be available from TELOS PUBLISHING, Amazon or all good book stores.

You can also buy one and get it signed personally on 31st August at Browsers Bookshop in Porthmaddog or see Appearances and Bookings for a list of forthcoming events in your area.

The first two Telos Moonrise books will be available to buy (hopefully if they arrive from the printers in time). This will be Raven Dane's ABSINTHE & ARSENIC and Kit Cox's DOCTOR TRIPPS:KAIJU COCKTAIL. Both authors will be reading an extract from their books at the event.

I'm looking forward to being with my Steampunk friends old and new this week.

I hope to see you there!


Wednesday 7 August 2013

GRIMM UP NORTH - EARLY BIRD TICKETS

Due to unprecedented demand for our of amazing value early bird passes this year, Grimmfest have decided to keep open the offer for just one extra day, just in case any horror fans out there haven’t yet taken the plunge. Early bird passes were set to close on Thursday 8th Aug but we’ve added an extra day, giving  a further opportunity to pick up a pass before midnight Friday 9th August.
 
The Dancehouse theatre venue only allows us a limited amount of these special passes to sell to our regular fans. Were happy to give your readers the opportunity to take advantage of this offer but they must act fast. Full price tickets become available from the venue box office next week at the regular price.
 
If you love movie premieres and your able to make it to central Manchester between 3rd and 6th Oct, you’d be a fool to miss this great offer. Wallow in movies for one long weekend for an incredible price.
BOOK NOW!

Announced so far
Movies: HELLRAISER, JUG FACE, HANSEL AND GRETEL GET BAKED, THE BODY, SHELLSHOCKED
Guests: ALFIE ALLEN (Game of thrones), DOMINIC BRUNT (Before dawn, Emmerdale), NICHOLAS VINCE (Hellraiser), WAYNE SIMMONS (Author of Flu, Fever), SAM STONE (Author of The Vampire gene series & Zombies at Tiffany's.)
Events: SFX Experts from World war Z, Starwars and Harry Potter movies, talk and exhibit work. More info here.
 
“4 days of horrifically guilty pleasure no self respecting horror fan should miss.” HORRORTALK
“Year in and year out, the Grimmfest team put together one of the best lineups in horror! Grimmfest 2013 promises to be another four days of the best horror has to offer! DREADCENTRAL
‘A sublime selection of independent and undiscovered gems, all showcased in a suitably macabre setting. Grimmfest is the business!’ ZOMBIEHAMSTER
 
Grimm Entertainment, Ltd.
Grimm Up North Ltd.
Not a Number productions, Ltd.

Z Film Studios
Studio House
Battersea Road
Stockport SK4 3EA
Manchester UK

Tel: 0161 300 7052
Mob: 07721 529947

www.grimmfest.com
www.grimmentertainment.com
www.notanumber.com
www.splinteredthemovie.com

Monday 22 July 2013

PRE-ORDER 'KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP'

My new short novel, KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP'S official publication date is 31st August.

You can pre-order SIGNED copies from Telos Publishing HERE.

Cover art is by the fantastically talented Martin Baines. (I love his pulpy style, which seems to compliment my work so well.)

Also still available ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S - which can be purchased from Telos (SIGNED), Amazon, and all good bookstores or on kindle.

Hope you enjoy this revisit to the world of Kat Lightfoot, George Pepper and Martin Crewe.




KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP

It is 1865 and the American Civil War has come to an end. Now Kat Lightfoot finds herself in the middle of another kind of war: a family feud involving her brother Henry and his new wife. But what is behind the strange behaviour of this affluent Southern family?

Caught in the crossfire of an implacable spirit's attempt to wreak vengeance on the Pollitt family, Kat must once again enlist the help of journalist George Pepper and the inventor Martin Crewe to find out what really haunts the family's past.

In order to learn what devastating secrets the Pollitts are hiding she must first explore her own feelings for Maggie's brother Orlando, who is one of the seductive Nephilim.

A GHOSTLY STEAMPUNKED TALE OF FAMILY SECRETS, VOODOO AND VENGEANCE FROM THE AUTHOR OF ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S.




Friday 19 July 2013

KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP

Okay guys,

The proper reveal ...

Here is the cover and the blurb for KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP. Can't tell you how pleased I am with the artwork of Martin Baines. 





Blurb 

It is 1865 and the American Civil War has come to an end. Now Kat Lightfoot finds herself in the middle of another kind of war: a family feud involving her brother Henry and his new wife. But what is behind the strange behaviour of this affluent Southern family?

Caught in the crossfire of a implacable spirit’s attempt to wreak vengeance on the Pollitt family, Kat must once again enlist the help of journalist George Pepper and the inventor Martin Crewe to find out what really haunts the family's past.

In order to learn what devastating secrets the Pollitts are hiding she must first explore her own feelings for Maggie’s brother Orlando, who is one of the seductive Nephilim.

A GHOSTLY STEAMPUNKED TALE OF FAMILY SECRETS, VOODOO AND VENGEANCE FROM THE AUTHOR OF ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY’S.

Thursday 18 July 2013

APPEARANCES UPDATED!

BROWSERS BOOKSHOP, PORTHMADOG, SAT 31st AUGUST, 2013
Sam Stone and David Howe are delighted to be attending this friendly Independent Book store in the seaside resort of Porthmadog.

Address: 73 High Street, Porthmadog, LL49 9EU
Date: 31st August 2013
Time: 11am onwards

WATERSTONES, BOLTON, LANCS, SAT 7th SEPT 2013.
Sam Stone will be launching her new novella KAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Waterstones Bolton.
Be the first to buy this book, newly off the printing press. Copies of ZOMBIES AT TIFFANY'S will also be available.

Address: Waterstones, 34-36 Deansgate, Bolton BL1 1BL.
Date: 7th Sept 2013
Time: 2-4pm
 
ASYLUM STEAMPUNK CONVENTION, 13-15th Sept, 2013
Sam Stone and David Howe will be attending this fantastic event, which has become a welcome part of their yearly calendar. 

The event takes place in various locations around Lincoln Town Centre.

Come and join in the fun, wearing your steampunk finery, and join the party at one of the many wonderful evening events.

For full information on the programme of events : ASYLUM http://steampunk.synthasite.com/

Time: ALL WEEKEND
Address: Lincoln Town Centre
Date 13-15th September 2013 

GRIMM UP NORTH, 3rd-6th October 2013,
Sam Stone and David J Howe will be attending this year's Grimm Up North.

Further information to follow on their schedule but you can buy tickets for this year's event HERE

DIMENSIONS 2013, Newcastle, 25-27th October 2013. 
Sam Stone and David J Howe join the line-up of guests for this special celebration convention - which will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who.

For more information : Dimensions http://www.tenthplanetevents.co.uk/index.asp

Time: TBA
Address: The New Holiday Inn, Great North Road, Seaton Burn, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE13 6BP
Date: 22-24 November 2013. 

HURRICANE WHO, Orlando, Florida, 1-3rd November 2013
Sam Stone and David J Howe join the line-up of great guests for this convention. There will be panels, a dealer's room, cosplay, and great guests!

For more information : Hurricane Who http://www.hurricanewho.com/guests/ 

Time: Friday to Sunday 
Address: Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at Sea World
Date: 1-3rd November 2013.

LONG ISLAND WHO, New York, 8-10th November 2013
Sam Stone and David J Howe our delighted to be guesting at this new convention in Long Island, New York.

For more information : L.I. WHO http://longislanddoctorwho.com/about/

Time: All weekend
Address: The Long Island -Islip Airport Holiday Inn, 3845 Veterans Memorial Highway, Ronkonkoma, NY, 11779.
Date: Friday 8th- Sunday 10th Nov 2013.

GALLIFREY CONVENTION, Los Angeles, 14th-16th Feb, 2014
Awesome! Sam Stone, David Howe and Frazer Hines return to this much loved convention to celebrate 25 years of Gallifrey Convention in Los Angeles. 

Time : ALL Weekend
Address: LA Marriot Hotel, Los Angeles
Date: Friday 14th Feb-Sun 16th Feb 2014.

EM-CON, NOTTINGHAM, 16th March 2014
A fantastic fun-filled Sci-Fantasy day in Nottingham. Sam Stone and David J Howe, join the guests at this new and exciting event.

Time: 10am (earlybirds) 11am-5pm
Address: Albert Hall, North Circus Street, Nottingham, NG1 5AA, 0115 950 0411
Date: 16th March 2014

For more information visit : http://www.em-con.co.uk

SCI-FI WEEKENDER 5, Hafan Y Mor, North Wales, 27th-30th March 2014
Sam Stone and David Howe are delighted to be returning to Sci-Fi Weekender!
More news to follow.



Tuesday 18 June 2013

KAT ON A HOT TIN AIRSHIP

Kat Lightfoot returns ... but this time she's fighting a new darkness.

Last Friday I signed the contract with Telos Publishing for my new novella, Kat On A Hot Tin Airship which is the sequel to Zombies At Tiffany's.

To celebrate this forthcoming September 2013 release, you can now buy Zombies At Tiffany's on Kindle.

Amazon UK for only £1.96

Amazon USA for only $3.08

 So help us celebrate this new release and catch up on The Kat Lightfoot Supernatural Mysteries series now!
 

 Zombies At Tiffany's ...

Kat Lightfoot thought that getting a job at the famed Tiffany’s store in New York would be the end to her problems ... she has money, new friends, and there’s even an inventor working there who develops new weapons from clockwork, and who cuts diamonds with a strange powered light. This is 1862, after all, and such things are the wonder of the age.

But then events take a turn for the worse: men and women wander the streets talking of ‘the darkness’; bodies vanish from morgues across town; and random, bloody attacks on innocent people take place in broad daylight.

Soon Kat and her friends are fighting for their lives against a horde of infected people, with only their wits and ingenuity to help them.
A steampunked story of diamonds, chutzpah, death and horror from the blood-drenched pen of Sam Stone.

Saturday 1 June 2013

SILENT SAND AVAILABLE NOW ON KINDLE

I've been asked several times recently when Silent Sand:  Book 5 The Vampire Gene Series would be made available for kindle and here it is!

To buy this from Amazon UK click HERE

To buy from Amazon Dot Com click HERE

"Fast-paced and sexy, SILENT SAND is a stunning fusion of hi-tech thriller and gory folklore. As the action sweeps our vampire anti-heroes from an ancient castle in Wales to Las Vegas, from the court of Louis XV to the sinister military base in the Nevada desert, they stir up horrible secrets that really should remain buried ... What a delight to discover a grown up tale in which vampires are not afraid to be vampires! I devoured it." Freda Warrington.

SILENT SAND

Secrets can be found in the most unlikely places ...

Lilly thought that her vampire lair under Rhuddlan Castle in North Wales was safe ... until the dangerous fixer Darren Preacher tracked it down.

Gabriele Caccini thought that he knew all about being a vampire, but his life with newly turned lover Anya is sent out of control by the discovery of a new strain of vampirism, one which leaves its victims as ghoulish revenants, shells of the beings they used to be.

And deep in the Nevada desert, Lucy Collins, Gabriele's maker, is undercover, working with the CIA investigating the vampire revenants and what they might mean for humanity.

When preacher brings Gabriele into the CIA base, Lucy fears her cover may be blown, but there is something far more dangerous than vampires hiding beneath the sands of Nevada ... something ancient and vengeful, with an eternal patience and lust for revenge.

Soon, the ancient vampire family will find themselves facing their greatest foe yet, something primal and insidious, and from which they have no protection.

Friday 17 May 2013

A Silver Lining In Every Cloud!

We all hate change. I'm the worst for it ... but this week I found myself in a bit of a dilemma. I woke one morning, went to sit up in bed, using my right hand to support myself, and experienced intense pain.

The pain lasted a few hours and then suddenly disappeared. I knew I hadn't wrenched my arm, and promptly forgot all about it.  A few hours later I reached for something with the same hand and the pain returned. 

It was a terrible shooting pain up the side of my hand that radiated into my elbow.  I found that when I massaged it sometimes the pain would go away.  The problem was if I forgot and turned it in the wrong way the pain would return and each time it seemed to take longer to go away.

I persevered for a few days trying to be careful, however, by Monday I was barely sleeping because my hand hurt constantly. It was obvious to me that it was a trapped nerve, though I didn't know what had caused it.  I made an appointment with the doctor hoping that it is nothing worse. 

A few friends had said to me that it could be carpel tunnel syndrome and because I rely so much on my hands to be able to type, I was truly concerned. As it turned out it was exactly what I had thought and the doctor explained that this was RSI brought on by how much typing I do.  (My average daily output ranges from 3000 to 5000 words a day.)  The doctor advised rest and gave me some anti-inflammatory cream which I was to use four times a day.  I also had a wrist support to stop me twisting my wrist too much.

Obviously this was a source of frustration: I'm currently working on a new novel which has a tight deadline.  Thankfully a few of my facebook friends recommended some speech software.  I even discovered, via writer Steve Lockley, that my new windows 8 laptop had a voice recognition application as standard. An added bonus because it was free and meant that I didn't have to order some software only to then learn that I couldn't get along with it.

I quickly installed the speech recognition application and began to experiment with it. 

At first I found it incredibly difficult to use and almost gave up.  I found however, that trying to use my wrist too much started to give me deferred pain in my neck and shoulders as well because I was over compensating.  And so, yesterday, because I had no choice, I was ready to give the software another chance.

The first thing that struck me about the way I work is that for me, typing is an extension of my writing.  It is so automatic for me to think and then type instantaneously that I can liken it to driving or walking.  When I drive I don't think about pressing the accelerator or the brake. It just happens as a reflex.  When I begin to write my fingers are already on the keys before I've completed the thought.

Obviously writing with a speech recognition app was going to feel different. You might think that speech would come naturally to me.  Strangely that wasn't the case at all.  The first 500 words were stuttering, fragmented sentences until I realized that if I spoke them in complete sentences the software interpreted them better.  It felt as though the app was learning my pronunciation of words.  Although I'm sure this wasn't quite the case, it did seem to have a level of intelligence that helped it translate my mumbled words. Much I suppose like the human brain, but not quite as good.

The thing is, the speech software was more likely changing how I thought about the writing process and how I approached it.  It made me analyse how I write.  And forced me to consider if I could change my routine.

I've always said that it is important to have a strict regime.  Every morning I wake and start working as soon as possible because I find that if I start my day in any other way then it takes me a long time to get into my routine. I don't like noise.  I don't like interruptions.  Any distraction can ruin my writing for the day.  So the thought of changing such a major part of how I work was truly terrifying.

Even so, I persevered with the software and found as the day wore on I was beginning to write almost as much as normal.  Which really surprised me. This was indeed very fortunate because it now meant I could continue working while resting my hand.

It wasn't all plain sailing though.  I did find some difficulty in writing this way.  Firstly, the words don't seem to come as easily when I have to speak them aloud.  They feel different to when I just type them.  Second, it isn't as easy to immerse myself in the world I'm creating because the act of speaking is a distraction.  I also discovered that it is quite difficult to write any graphic description, such as a violent scenes or sexual ones.  I've been trying to analyse why this is and I think it is because of our natural inhibitors that make saying sexual or violent or even gruesome things far more difficult than writing or reading them privately. Also the sex scenes sounded hopelessly corny when spoken aloud! Something that I'm sure I will have to address when it comes to editing the book.

There are still many things I need to get used to about the software.  I haven't quite figured out all of its prompts. For example, sometimes I accidentally delete things when I don't want to.  But thank God for the undo control on Word!

Yesterday I managed to write more than 5000 words by 'speaking' to my computer.  I have occasionally had to resort to typing because my meaning just wasn't clear enough for the app. Or it became confused because I had inadvertently given it a command in a certain word order that made it do something else. So in some ways this was harder work. By the end of the day, though, I didn't feel as mentally tired as usual, so that was a plus side.

I wanted to write this blog to explore how I feel about the change that has been forced on me though.  And I'm still not sure exactly what I feel.  Do I like using the voice app?  Potentially I think it could be a really good thing.  I mean, this could free me up considerably, couldn't it?  

I have friends who use dictation machines to write all the time.  I have always thought that this would create twice as much work because I didn't realise that there was software that could translate the spoken word into a written document for you. You would still have to edit it, that stands to reason, because there are always errors in that translation, but also because nothing comes out right on the first draft. This is no different to your first draft typed version though. Errors and typos always find a home somewhere in the text, that's why we edit and proof read. 

It is really difficult to change something that is so vital to the way I work, though.  In an ideal world my hand will recover and I will go back to writing in my usual way.  However, I may find in the interim that this is a far better method.  I would just have to overcome any natural shyness about writing my usual gory sexual content!! And maybe they will be better for having vocalised them.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is that we should not be afraid of change.  Change is often a good thing.  Even though sometimes it is forced upon us.  

And so this cloud has a silver lining.  It has made me think outside of the box and experiment with different ways of working despite my natural dislike of change.  Maybe one day this will even improve my productivity. One can only hope!

Sunday 12 May 2013

HATEFUL HEART AND ZOMBIES IN NEW YORK BARGAIN

Last chance to get a kindle download of Hateful Heart and Zombies In New York and Other Bloody Jottings for the bargain price of £0.77(UK) or $1.20 (USA).

See the direct links below to Amazon UK and Amazon USA.




 Hateful Heart  

 Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hateful-Heart-Vampire-Gene-ebook/dp/B007Z3RV3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368365708&sr=8-1&keywords=Hateful+heart

Amazon USA http://www.amazon.com/Hateful-Heart-Vampire-Gene-ebook/dp/B007Z3RV3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368365890&sr=8-1&keywords=hateful+heart


Zombies In New York

Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zombies-Other-Bloody-Jottings-ebook/dp/B007QG1L4U/ref=pd_sim_kinc_1

Amazon USA http://www.amazon.com/Zombies-Other-Bloody-Jottings-ebook/dp/B007QG1L4U/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1368366125&sr=1-1&keywords=Zombies+in+new+york+and+other+bloody+jottings


THIS OFFER ENDS AT MIDNIGHT ON MONDAY 13th May 2013.

Thursday 2 May 2013

THE DARKNESS WITHIN - AUDIOGO


Sam Stone’s Darkness Comes to Audio

Alexandra Arlango, Commissioning Editor - Original Content at AudioGO Ltd in London, has acquired world rights to an original SciFi/Horror novella from award-winning author Sam Stone.

The novella, entitled The Darkness Within, is an exciting and pervasive story set on a spaceship in the far-distant future, and what happens when an alien infection takes hold …
Arlango says about the project: ‘How exciting! I am very pleased to be working with Sam Stone again. Last year AudioGO published her collection of short stories, Zombies In New York And Other Bloody Jottings, and since I came across her work I've been a great fan. Not only does she come up with deliciously sinister tales, but the worlds she creates are atmospheric and her characters memorable. They are perfect for audio.

‘I was thrilled to meet Sam earlier this year, and we started talking about other ideas and things that we could work on together. The result? The Darkness Within, an exclusive new novella commissioned by AudioGO. It might well be set in space. And it might well feature new, malevolent life-forms … You'll have to find out more for yourself. What I can tell you is that I had to stop reading, and look away from the page several times because it was so creepy. This Halloween, things will definitely go bump in the dark!’

AudioGO is the home of BBC Audiobooks and manages all the Doctor Who audio releases among their 10,000 catalogue items. Their clients include books by P D James, J K Rowling, Ruth Rendell and Bernard Cornwall. Their horror catalogue includes work by Bram Stoker, Rachel Caine, M R James, Stephanie Meyer, James Herbert and Fangoria's Dreadtime Stories. For more information, visit www.audiogo.com/uk/.

Sam Stone’s first novel, Killing Kiss, won the silver award for Best Horror Novel in ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year competition, and her subsequent novels and short stories have gained her much acclaim, including winning the British Fantasy Award. Recent works include the novella Zombies at Tiffany’s and the vampire novel Silent Sand, and Killing Kiss was recently sold to Germany. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and is a noted public speaker and lecturer. Sam’s website is at www.sam-stone.com.

About AudioGO Limited

AudioGO (the home of BBC Audiobooks) publish an extensive range of drama, comedy and factual programmes, in addition to abridged and unabridged books, stories, plays and factual pieces. A significant proportion of the collection comes from BBC radio. AudioGO is proud to commission the finest narrators and most accomplished performers. Most titles are available in both CD and download format. Browse through the complete collection at www.audiogo.com/uk

AudioGO was formed in July 2010 after a buy-out from the BBC. Its new owners, led by Michael Kuhn, have ambitious plans for growth. The company is the UK market leader. It also has a successful business in the US and has recently completed the acquisition of Blackstone Publishing, including the downpour brand. AudioGO has a catalogue of over 12,000 audiobooks and downloads.