Stories I Found in the Closet: May 2025

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

One More trip to Gale Harbour (#IWSG May 2025)

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of my first published book, Ten Thousand Days. It was also my 45th birthday. How did I celebrate? By releasing a new book, of course!

It even fits in your pocket!

The third book of the Gale Harbour series, and my fifth published book overall, is now available. It took me five years to complete the trilogy, which wouldn't be bad in the old days, but is pretty abysmal in modern self-publishing. Unless you're putting out 10+ books a year, are you even trying?

I'm not in this for the money (thank God). This will never be my full-time career. I just love writing and seeing my work in print. People reading and enjoying it is a huge plus. With each book, I try to get a little better, both in writing skill as well as getting it to the right audience. I do think Satan Worshippers is a better book than the last one, but whether it will increase the reach and audience of the series is yet to be seen.

I did not put as much effort into the pre-release of Satan Worshippers as my last couple of books, so it's definitely starting with a handicap. It just took so much mental effort to get this book across the finish line, I didn't have the energy to do all the marketing and legwork that is required for a successful launch. Maybe it's because my previous books didn't exactly set the best seller lists on fire, maybe it's just because I'm not as optimistic as I was when I was younger. I'm certainly don't have as much energy. Hopefully I'm not shooting myself in the foot.

Anyway, today is supposed to be an exciting, hopeful day (though if I can't share a little insecurity on IWSG day, when can I?). I PUT OUT A NEW BOOK! And overall, I think it's pretty good. I went all out for the finale, with plenty of laughs, scares, gross-out moments and tragedy. I hope I did justice to the characters and everyone who stuck it out will enjoy the payoff.

THANK YOU, everyone who have stayed with me this far. This may be the end of Niall, Harper and Pius' journey (for now), but it's not the end of Gale Harbour. There are too many weird characters and creepy stories in that cursed town...

Hugs & Kisses,

-CDGK

P.S. WAIT A MINUTE! I almost forgot to tell you the deets about the book!

The blurb:

Newfoundland, Canada. 1994.

Niall O’Neil is wallowing in teenage angst, still getting over Harper Jeddore, his childhood crush who helped him save the sleepy town of Gale Harbour from otherworldly monsters. Twice. When he meets a new, less-complicated girl named Stacey, it seems his life might be turning a corner. But Niall is pulled back into his old world when people start disappearing around town again, seemingly abducted by Satan-worshipping rednecks.

Torn between his new existence of simple happiness and his messy feelings for his old flame, Niall must make a decision: Enjoy dating girls, experimenting with drinking and making new friends, or risk his life to save the town one more time?

The fate of the entire world may depend on the choices of a hormonal fourteen-year-old with a flair for the dramatic.

Join Niall, Harper, Pius, Keith and Skidmark as they band together for one last adventure…

BUY DIRTBAG SATAN WORSHIPPERS FROM DOWN BY THE BAY HERE:

AMAZON US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F277SXCV/

AMAZON CANADA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0F277SXCV/

AMAZON UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F277SXCV/

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Writers post their thoughts on their blogs, talking about their doubts and the fears they have conquered. It's a chance for writers to commiserate and offer a word of encouragement to each other. Check out the group at http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

GALE HARBOUR 3 RELEASE DAY!

Today is the day!

After three years of waiting, Gale Harbour 3: Dirtbag Satan Worshippers From Down by the Bay is finally available for purchase. You can get it from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and (hopefully soon) from Indigo!

Here's the blurb:

Newfoundland, Canada. 1994.

The fate of the entire world may depend on the choices of a hormonal fourteen-year-old with a flair for the dramatic.

Join Niall, Harper, Pius, Keith and Skidmark as they band together for one last adventure…

* * *

Satan Worshippers is by the far the longest of the three books, clocking in at about 105,000 words. For reference the second book was 85K, and the first book was only 65K. I had originally intended the series to be short, pulpy adventures, but it kind of got away from me. The cast of characters grew, and they became deeper and more complicated, too. I really got hooked on the normal teenage drama these characters were experiencing, in addition to the supernatural stuff. I think it helps the story, instead of hindering it. Most of the compliments I've received are from people who relate to the characters, who remember being kids that age, of thinking and acting like they do. Being attached to the characters really ups the tension, and I hope that readers are afraid for their safety and sanity.

I went into this with the idea that no one was safe, that this finale was going to be bloody and tragic. I went back and forth on who would live and die, and honestly my alpha and beta readers had to rein me in a little bit. The current ending, which I'm happy with and I think brings the story to a satisfying conclusion, is WAY less dark than the original version. It's not all sunshine and roses, not by a long shot, but let's just say that after my wife read the original ending she looked at me in disgust and wouldn't speak to me for the rest of the day.

So is this really Niall and the gang's last adventure? Maybe, maybe not. Certainly the last for awhile, anyway. But I will revisit Gale Harbour again, of that I'm certain. There are plenty of other interesting characters and stories to tell in that cursed town.

SO PLEASE! Head out and grab yourself a copy of Gale Harbour Book 3 and complete the series! It's available on Amazon Kindle and in paperback, and the links are below. Leave me a review and let me know what you think of it! Lemme know if I've wasted the last five years of my life writing this stuff... ;-)

Hugs & kisses,
-CDGK