Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Practical Advice for Beginner Writers with Delta James



Hi! I’m USA Today Bestselling Author Delta James. I write steamy paranormal and contemporary romantic suspense. I was asked to give some helpful hints for those who are either at the beginning of their journey as a writer or who are considering it.

1. My top tip is to decide whether or not you want to write as a hobby or as a way to make a living. Trust me when I tell you there is no right or wrong answer to that question, but the answer will drive every other decision you make.
2. You only have one chance to make a good first impression. I can’t tell you the number of times I hear from authors who have not experienced a lot of success “I can’t afford to do xyz…” And often times it is followed up with, “when I make some money on my books, I’ll go back…” It really doesn’t work that way. If you don’t do everything you can (professional editor, proofreader and cover) to make your first book the very best you can make it, you will find it difficult, if not impossible to get readers to take a second chance on you.
3. There is no free ride in becoming a published author. There are a number of different ways but it is either going to cost you money up front (and no I don’t mean vanity publishers that you pay to publish your work) or via a royalty agreement.
4. It isn’t as simple as write a book and get published. You have to format, load and market your manuscript (or pay someone to do that for you) onto the various retail sites.
5. Consider KU—yes you have to be exclusive to Amazon and you don’t get paid as much for one read-through as you do for the sale of one book. The two things to consider before rejecting KU—readers are far more likely to take a chance on a new author in KU and you do get paid for every page read. You will make up in pages read the difference in what you are paid. For example, my royalties are pretty much 50/50 KU pages read vs. e-books purchased.
6. If you chose to write for a living—treat your writing like a job.
a. Write each and every day
b. Educate yourself regarding genres, tropes, cover styles, etc.
c. Look at what you spend vs. what you make
d. Learn the art of pivoting—if something isn’t working, acknowledge that and make a change. To me it makes no sense to keep throwing money at something if it isn’t working
7. Write to market! I know, you want to write what you want to write—that’s all well and good for the hobbyist, but if you want to make a living, you have to write what it is that people want to read.
8. Pick a lane! This goes hand in hand with writing to market. It’s going to take time, skill and a certain number of books to establish yourself with readers. If you’re jumping all over the place, people won’t know what to expect from you.
9. When writing in an anthology, make sure its in line with what you plan to write. For example, if you write historical romances, writing in an anthology for dark mafia isn’t going to help you. An anthology is a way for you to pique a reader’s interest. You want to lead them to your backlist.
10. Treat your readers with the same respect and friendliness that you would like to be treated.


Magic Unleashed
The Grimm Files
Book One
Delta James

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Date of Publication: 9/20/24
Number of pages: 131
Word Count: 32,000
Cover Artist: Dar Albert, Wicked Smart Designs

Book Description: 

Mysterious deaths. Impossible magic. And the sexy dragon who might drive her to murder.

In the shadowy heart of modern-day New Orleans, where the supernatural simmers just beneath the surface, Phoenix Duvall is a force to be reckoned with. As a formidable fairy enforcer, she stands as the city’s last line of defense against the demonic threats that prowl the night. She’s trained from childhood and is armed with lightning-fast reflexes, mastery over fire, and deadly weapons, Phoenix knows she’ll only come into her full power when she finds and bonds with her fated mate. But Phoenix has never been one to wait for fate—until it throws her into the path of Griff Broussard, a hard-nosed dragon shifter detective with secrets of his own.

Griff has been investigating a series of gruesome deaths that defy all logical explanation. As their paths intertwine, Phoenix is forced to confront the truth: Griff is her fated mate. Together, they form an uneasy alliance to combat a rising demonic cult. But as their chemistry ignites, so too does the danger surrounding them.

Griff becomes possessed by the very demon lord they’ve been hunting. Phoenix faces an impossible choice: uphold her duty as a fairy enforcer, or risk everything—including her life and the fragile balance between worlds—for the man she’s come to love.

As the battle for New Orleans intensifies, Phoenix must confront her deepest fears and make a heart-wrenching decision in a final showdown that will determine the fate of both worlds.

Magic Unleashed, the first book in The Grimm Files, is a gripping paranormal romance where love is a double-edged sword, and the price of power could be everything.


Excerpt:

With no warning whatsoever, Phoenix bolted after it—whatever it was. She might be some badass faery enforcer, but he wasn’t about to let her go alone. Griff flung a handful of bills at Finn and bolted out the door behind her.

The muggy night smacked him in the face like a slap as he emerged, keeping one eye on the retreating figure and the other on Phoenix. Whoever or whatever it was, was fast, but Phoenix was faster. She seemed to levitate just above the ground—even without her wings—as she closed the distance.

“Phoenix!” Griff called, but to no avail. Phoenix didn’t break stride, turn around, or even slow down. The figure ducked into an alley, and Phoenix followed, the darkness swallowing her up.

Griff raced to catch up with her, rounding the corner just in time to see the figure disappear through a door at the end of the alley. Griff saw Phoenix skid to a halt. He could feel the presence of magic in the alley. Many parts of the city felt as if magic had been mixed into the mortar that held the buildings together.

Griff caught up to her, breathing heavily as he glanced at the door. “Looks like we found our lead.”

Phoenix nodded, her grip tightening on her knives. “And it’s not going to wait for us.”

With one last glance at Griff, she pushed the door open, stepping into the unknown.

Griff Broussard wasn’t a stranger to darkness. It lingered at the edges of his life, always threatening to swallow him whole. But tonight, as he stood at the threshold of the old door, staring at the door Phoenix had just disappeared through, that familiar darkness felt different. It was alive, pulsating with magic and danger, pulling him into its depths like a predator sizing up its prey.

The metallic tang of the night air filled his lungs as he pushed through the door behind Phoenix, muscles tense and instincts flaring. His senses sharpened. Even in human form, his dragon nature simmered beneath his skin, the beast pacing impatiently, ready to be unleashed at the first hint of a threat. He couldn’t help it—not here, not now, not with the echoes of his father’s unsolved murder still whispering at the edges of his mind.

Phoenix was already a few steps ahead, her movements fluid and silent as she navigated the narrow hallway beyond the door. Griff’s gaze swept the space, noting every detail—the cracked tiles on the floor, the flickering overhead light, and the faint trace of something old, something ancient lingering in the air. Magic. He could smell it, thick and oppressive, curling around him like smoke.

“Phoenix, wait,” he hissed, his voice low but urgent.

She glanced back at him, her eyes sharp and alert, but there was a flicker of impatience in her expression. Phoenix always charged headfirst into danger, relying on her instincts and speed.

Griff had always been the opposite—calculated, methodical. He needed to understand what they were walking into before they stepped too deep. But there was no time for planning now. The person they’d been chasing—their only lead—was somewhere ahead, and they couldn’t afford to lose it.

Without another word, Phoenix continued forward, her hand brushing the wall as she moved. Griff followed, the tension between them thickening with each step. He knew she could handle herself—hell, she was probably better suited for this than he was—but that didn’t stop the protective instinct that flared in his chest whenever they were in a situation like this. He hated that about himself. Hated how being around her always made him feel more… vulnerable. More aware of the fact that she was a storm he could never quite tame.


About the Author:

Delta James is a USA Today bestselling paranormal and contemporary romantic suspense author, whose goal is to captivate readers with stories about complex, curvy heroines and the dominant alpha males who adore them. For Delta, romance is more than just a love story; it’s a journey with challenges and thrills along the way. 

After creating a second chapter for herself that was dramatically different than the first, Delta now resides in Florida where she relaxes on warm summer evenings with her loveable pack of basset hounds as they watch the birds, squirrels and lizards. When not crafting fast-paced tales, she enjoys horseback riding, walks on the beach, and white-water rafting. 

Her readers mean the world to her, and Delta tries to interact personally to as many messages as she can. If you’d like to chat or discuss books, you can find Delta on Instagram, Facebook, and in her private reader group 













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Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Kiss of Blood and Sin by M Guida - Haunted Halloween Spooktacular



Dark Cherry Blood Pastries

These Dark Cherry Blood Pastries are perfect for Halloween, combining the tart sweetness of dark cherries with a buttery, flaky pastry. The rich red color of the cherry filling gives a fun and eerie twist, making them a delightful treat for humans at your Halloween gathering. Enjoy the hauntingly delicious flavors as you celebrate the spooky season!


Ingredients:

• Pastry Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup ice-cold water

• Filling:

 2 cups fresh or frozen dark cherries, pitted
 1/4 cup granulated sugar
 2 tablespoons cornstarch
 1 tablespoon lemon juice
 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

• Topping:

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pastry Dough:

-In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
-Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
-Gradually add the ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
-Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the Cherry Filling:

-In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract.
-Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and the cherries release their juices (about 5-7 minutes).
-Remove from heat and let the filling cool completely.

3. Assemble the Pastries:

-Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
-Use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles from the dough.
-Place a small spoonful of the cherry filling in the center of each dough circle.
-Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and press the edges together with a fork to seal.

4. Bake the Pastries:

-Place the pastries on the prepared baking sheet.
-Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle with a little granulated sugar.
-Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown.

5. Serve and Enjoy:


-Allow the pastries to cool slightly before serving.
-For an extra spooky touch, drizzle with a bit of red icing or syrup to resemble dripping blood.



Kiss of Blood and Sin
M Guida

Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Buffalo Mountain Press 
Date of Publication: September 25, 2024
Number of pages: 300
Word Count: 80,776
Cover Artist: Jacqueline Sweet

Book Description: 

I never wanted to be a mafia princess. But I wasn't given that choice when my brother turned me. 

Now he's the mafia king and his enemies want me dead. His magical mirrors shows my impending murder without revealing the assassin. It could be anyone, and I trust no one. Until I meet Dimitri Dragan. 

My brother would never agree for me to claim a born vampire with a sketchy past. But I'll fight to make him mine. I didn't have a choice in becoming a vampire, but I have a choice in who I love.


About the Author:

M Guida has always loved fantasy and romance, especially dragons. Growing up, she devoured fantasy books and all kinds of young adult books. And then she found romance and a whole new world opened up to her.

Now as an adult, she fell in love with academy romance and has blended all of her past loves into one compelling series. Dragons, vampires, elves, demons, and wolves all live in her world.

When she's not writing, she lives in the colorful Rocky Mountains with her fur baby, Raven, and enjoys taking her for walks.

Would you like to become a Legacy? Sign up for her mailing list and enter a world of the supernatural at her website https://authormguida.com/

You can also join her private Facebook page–M Guida's Legacy Academy. You'll become a Legacy and find out about your special power and maybe even find some romance!

Website: https://authormguida.com/about/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mguida/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mguidaauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MLGuidaauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-guida

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20378775.M_Guida

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08BW74WCM/about




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Monday, October 28, 2024

Other Worlds by Kay Freeman - Haunted Halloween Spooktacular



Luna Lord’s Recipe for Healthy Carrot Muffins 

for Humans and Werewolves


Ingredients:


¾ cp of gluten-free flour
½ cp of almond, rice or banana flour
⅔ cp dark brown sugar 2 tb raisins (optional)
2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda pinch of salt
2 large eggs
⅓ cp of melted butter or choice of oil 1 tb of vanilla extract
4 medium carrots, grated (about 2 cups)
½ cp crushed pineapple

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray muffin tins or line muffin tins with paper liners if using.

Whisk all dry materials together. In another medium lightly whisk the egg, then whisk in the butter or oil and vanilla extract

Quickly and lightly fold the wet ingredients into the dry ones with a rubber spatula. Stir in the carrots and pineapple until everything is evenly mixed. The batter will appear thick. Divide it up into the muffin tins, evenly. Bake until brown and toothpick comes out clean, approximately 30 minutes. Take out of tins after five minutes and cool on rack. These are great warm but they can be eaten cool as well. These freeze well too and can be reheated in the microwave.

Muffins are about 180 calories a piece, approximately, and calories will fluctuate depending on oil and flour chosen.

 

 

Other Worlds
Kay Freeman

Genre: A Gothic Romantasy
Publisher: Kay Freeman LLC
Date of Publication: September 1, 2024 
ISBN:979-8-9901068-3-3 
ASIN: B0D4T2FDHL
Number of pages: 202
Word Count: 77, 320

Cover Artist: Consuela Parra 

Tagline:  Run with Wolves or Fly with Immortals? A Love Story Written in Blood.

Book Description:

After Luna's world shatters, she seeks refuge in the mystical town of Assisi, Italy. Passions run high in this supernatural realm. Luna is irresistibly drawn to a gothic villa teeming with secrets and danger, owned by a vampire who offers her immortality. Nearby, a werewolf pack leader stalks her in the forest, determined to claim her as his mate. Torn between these new loves and her past one—her famous soon-to-be ex-husband—and her passion for photography, Luna sets out to discover what makes life worth living.

Join Luna on a perilous journey of desire and destiny in a novel that weaves contemporary gothic themes with fantasy. Enemies to Lovers, Beauty and the Beast, and Love Triangle tropes.

Amazon     Kobo     Smashwords     BN


Excerpt:

This one’s perfect… similar to the model in the Botticelli painting Birth of Venus and the evil one who took his son. She has a long, narrow face, alabaster skin, and golden-brown hair that shines in the sun.

Just like her.

King crouches, blending in with the low-hanging branches of the donkey killer plant. He’s been stalking the woman on the bike path since yesterday morning. It’s a popular path with bikers, connecting the towns of Assisi and Spoleto in Umbria. It’s December now, though, and too cold, which explains why she is the only one currently on it. The woman’s faded blue jeans and turquoise flannel shirt make her easy to track.

Yesterday, she sat under a sprawling pine tree, its thick branches casting dark shadows on her face as she wrote a letter. The paper covered her lap. She attacked it with her pen, each stroke seemed more violent than the last until she tore the letter into pieces. Her chest heaved and then, after she had calmed down, she wrote another. When she finished, she read it aloud, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her cheeks. She begged her boyfriend to send money.

After pushing her completed version into an envelope, the woman walked to town, speaking to herself the whole way before she mailed it. Then she trudged back to her tent in the woods and got drunk, passing out, her desperation revealing itself once more. King had slept while she slept, only coming to when her movements awakened him this morning.

Now she stops to fetch the last of her wine from her backpack and smokes reefer while she hikes, making her more vulnerable. She’s probably on her way back to her tent, the one she slept in last night. The flimsy canvas is no barrier or protection from him or anything else. How silly for her to be out here alone.

Victor King is alone, too. That’s seldom the case. Most of the time, he travels with others from his pack, but right now, they’re back in the cave. If they had been here, King wouldn’t be able to do what he’s about to.

Once he traps her, he’ll call his friend Matteo, a human. Matteo promised to give King five million lire for any woman he traps and gives him. King will use the money to buy food and supplies. There’s been limited food to hunt as it’s gotten colder, and once it snows, there’ll be even less.

King had scoped the woods all morning and afternoon. There are no hunters or farmers who will shoot at him to help the woman. The nearest cottage is three miles away.

She picks up her backpack before placing one strap over her shoulder and taking a few steps. King keeps within striking distance. The jays and blackbirds go quiet, and the woman senses something wrong and freezes. She turns her head from right to left, searching the woods.

King knows she can’t find him.



About the Author:

Kay Freeman spent the early part of her career as a professional artist. She’s shown her work throughout the United States under her professional name, Kay A. Klotzbach. Kay was a full-time art professor in South Jersey for over twenty-three years and was granted a Princeton Mid-Career Fellowship for her teaching and her community based service learning projects.

Kay decided to pursue her passion for writing after her manuscript, Truth Moon, was selected by Romance Writers of America’s RAMP program in 2021, which led to the publication of her debut novel, Truth Moon, by The Wild Rose Press. Kay has gone on to self-publish six other novels. 

Kay has won several awards for her writing. In 2022 Hitman’s Honey won third place in Mid Atlantic Author Society’s Romance Contest and in 2024, her novel Leather Man was one of three finalists in Passionate Ink’s Passionate Plume Contemporary Short Category. Her novel The Flower Queen topped Amazon’s Best Seller List, climbing to number eleven in June 2023 in the Historical Romance, 20th Century category. Kay is celebrated for crafting hard-won happily ever-afters that involve spiritual journeys and transformations for her characters. 
She also writes a publication for romance authors, What Do Romance Authors Think About, a free newsletter on Substack. Besides her passion for art, reading, and writing, she loves the blues, tequila, and her husband Barry. Kay lives in Wilmington, DE. 

You can learn more at:







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Friday, October 25, 2024

Chains of Blood and Darkness by M Guida - Haunted Halloween Spooktacular



In the heart of New Orleans, where shadows dance, There lies a tale of forbidden romance. Under the moon's watchful, silver gleam, In the city's dark underbelly, two souls dream.

Angelo Santi, the Angel of Death, With a whisper of danger in every breath. His eyes, dark as midnight, cold as the grave, Yet a flicker of light for the one he’d enslave.

The vampire king with power so grand, Bought her life with a cruel command. 

She, a pawn in his eternal game, A fragile flower in a world of shame.

Bound in chains of blood and fate, She dreams of freedom, it’s almost too late. Her heart, a captive, her soul, a prize, In the labyrinth of his darkened eyes.

New Orleans, where the night is alive, With secrets hidden, and desires that thrive. The French Quarter hums with a haunting song, A melody of love, where they both belong.

The human family, fragile and frail, Navigate a world where their truths pale. In the shadows lurk the wolf mafia's might, Fierce and wild, they prowl the night.

The Unseelie, with their dark, fey lore, Guard secrets that none can ignore. 

Mystical, ancient, and perilously fair, Their power whispers in the night air.

In this city of enchantment, under the night’s veil, Their love story begins, bittersweet and frail. He bought her, owns her, but in his cold heart, She sparks a warmth, a long-lost part.

Angelo Santi, with a soul so torn, In his arms, her new life is born. She stirs the depths of his dark despair, With whispers of love, she answers his prayer.

Through blood and shadows, they find a way, To chase the night and embrace the day. For in her eyes, he sees the dawn, A chance for redemption, a new life to be drawn.

In the maze of mafia's power and pride, Their love becomes a beacon, a secret guide. Angelo Santi, the Angel of Death, Finds solace in her, finds his breath.

In the city's heartbeat, their love unfolds, A story of darkness, beautifully told. For even in shadows, love finds its light, A tale of passion, in the heart of night.

In New Orleans, where legends grow, A love so fierce begins to show. Through trials and terrors, they rise above, In the vampire's world, they find true love.


Chains of Blood and Darkness
French Quarter Vampire King
M Guida

Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Buffalo Mountain Press 
Date of Publication: October 23, 2024
ISBN: 9798333325686
ASIN: B0D5R9YMB7
Number of pages: 340
Word Count: 82792
Cover Artist: Jackie

Tagline: Kidnapped from my college campus as just as I’ve tasted freedom, then sold to the Angel of Death—Angelo Santi, the vampire mafia King.

Book Description:

I’m now a captive in a world I never knew existed, caught in a tangled web of ancient feuds and dangerous desires.

He claims that I have the power to save his people by reigniting a dying magical stone.

He’s delusional. I have no powers, but if I try to escape, he’ll start by killing my best friend and move to everyone I’ve ever loved.

As if that is not bad enough, the bodies of murdered women who look just like me keep turning up in the French Quarter.

Someone is framing him. That same person is hunting me.

Angelo’s the only man that I’ve ever trusted to protect me, but he’s a temptation that could lead to my ruin.

While his heart may be cold as his ice, the seductive vampire king sets my soul on fire. In this twisted game of blood and darkness, nothing is as it seems…except the intensity of our passion.

About the Author:

M Guida has always loved fantasy and romance, especially dragons. Growing up, she devoured fantasy books and all kinds of young adult books. And then she found romance and a whole new world opened up to her.

Now as an adult, she fell in love with academy romance and has blended all of her past loves into one compelling series. Dragons, vampires, elves, demons, and wolves all live in her world.

When she's not writing, she lives in the colorful Rocky Mountains with her fur baby, Raven, and enjoys taking her for walks.

Would you like to become a Legacy? Sign up for her mailing list and enter a world of the supernatural at her website https://authormguida.com/

You can also join her private Facebook page–M Guida's Legacy Academy. You'll become a Legacy and find out about your special power and maybe even find some romance!

Website: https://authormguida.com/about/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mguida/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mguidaauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MLGuidaauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-guida

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20378775.M_Guida

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08BW74WCM/about




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Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Ghosts of Sleepy Hollow by Sam Baltrusis - Haunted Halloween Spooktacular



SALEM VS. SLEEPY HOLLOW

By Sam Baltrusis 

It’s a tale of two extremely different, yet oddly similar, Halloween destinations: Salem vs. Sleepy Hollow. Will the witches overthrow the Headless Horseman —or will heads roll— in the ultimate Samhain showdown?

   According to J.W. Ocker, author of The New England Grimpendium & The New York Grimpendium, both locations have their “woes” and cons during spooky season.

  “I love this topic because depending on how you twist the narrative, you can say these two towns are nothing alike or you can say they are so similar that it’s scary,” Ocker told me during an in-person interview at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel.

   “The number one similarity is that they are both extremely popular Halloween destinations,” he said. “You get those click-bait articles every year. Both Salem and Sleepy Hollow are always at the top of every list.”

   Because they are known for their October attractions, both locations rely heavily on tourism to feed their local economy. “While Salem is changing and becoming more of a suburb of Boston, the bottom line is if they lose their tourism, they will lose their existence.”

   The author of A Season with the Witch added that both cities successfully brand themselves. “No other town can be Salem even though there are tons of other locations that had witch trials especially in the Northeast. But no one can say they’re the Witch City,” Ocker said, “only Salem, Massachusetts can do that.”

   In comparison, Sleepy Hollow is known for the Headless Horseman. “There are other towns in the country that call themselves Sleepy Hollow, but this area is the only place that can theme themselves around Irving because he actually lived here and was inspired by the region when he wrote the story. It’s basically Washington Irving land.”

   According to Ocker, both Salem and Sleepy Hollow are successful at embracing their respective themes. “There’s something about these two Halloween destinations that’s authentically spooky,” he said. “They’re also great fall destinations. The Hudson Valley and New England are top-tier places known for their foliage.“

   Other similarities include their proximity to major metropolitan areas. “Salem is close to Boston and Sleepy Hollow is a short drive from New York City,” he said. “They have this small-town, big-city atmosphere to them. They also have traffic. Who would live in Salem or Sleepy Hollow unless they’re spooky, right?”

   Another similarity shared by the Witch City and the Hudson Valley seems to be their eerily picturesque cemeteries. “There’s the Old Burying Point on Charter Street that almost serves as the hub of Salem in many ways,” he told me. “It’s even more true in Sleepy Hollow. The cemetery is extremely important. The Old Dutch Church is on the hill and Washington Irving is buried in the cemetery. The location fits right into Irving’s story and you can almost map out Ichabod Crane’s journey.”

   Speaking of the famous chase from Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” Ocker uses the tale as a metaphor to describe the differences between the two tourism-driven destinations. “In my mind, Salem is Ichabod Crane and Sleepy Hollow is the Headless Horseman,” he explained. “Salem is so far ahead in regards to marketing themselves, but I feel like the Headless Horseman is slowly creeping up from behind. In most people’s minds, Sleepy Hollow is a less evolved version of Salem, but one day it will catch up.”

   Ocker pointed out that Salem had a huge head start. “The very first Haunted Happenings was in 1982,” he explained. “North Tarrytown didn’t even become Sleepy Hollow until 1996, so they’re almost fifteen years behind Salem.”

   There’s also the obvious geographical hurdles holding back the village. “Sleepy Hollow isn’t set up to be a Salem because it simply isn’t walkable,” he told me. ”In Sleepy Hollow, you definitely need a car. In the past, they tried turning the area near the chase statue into a plaza, but the problem is that the street is the same Broadway that’s in Manhattan. It’s a busy road and it’s potentially dangerous to put outside seating or a cafe near the statue. The infrastructure isn’t there yet.”

   For Ocker, Sleepy Hollow’s greatest weakness is also what makes it so special. The OTIS: Odd Things I’ve Seen blogger said he prefers celebrating spooky season with his all-time favorite monster, the Headless Horseman. Why? After spending an October in Salem while writing his book, A Season with the Witch, the New Hampshire-based writer prefers the smaller crowds and the old-school charm of the Hudson Valley.

   “In Salem, there’s the witch-trials tragedy of 1692,” he said. “The inciting incident in Sleepy Hollow is just American letters. It’s art. So there’s no underlying guilt, which is nice. But without that guilt you don’t have the friction, the narrative, and the interesting public relations angles. The appeal of Salem is a tragedy and in Sleepy Hollow it’s just a story.”

   The lack of an underlying cautionary tale, Ocker told me, also complicates things when it comes to creating paranormal-themed tourism. “Now that Sleepy Hollow is a spooky town, they’re trying their best to pull as much haunted content as they can to make it more interesting,” he said. “It’s really hard to find great ghost stories in Sleepy Hollow, but it was like that in Salem too.”

   Thanks to all of the lantern tours in the Witch City, one can’t walk down Essex Street without hitting an allegedly haunted location. In Sleepy Hollow, however, the haunts are definitely spread out.

   “There’s a passage in ‘Legend’ where he talks about this Hudson Valley being so haunted,” Ocker said. “There are tons of stories and the Headless Horseman is just one example out of all of those tales. In the story, he sets the area up as an interesting place with a lot of legend and lore.”
   Ocker’s recommendations for tourists visiting Sleepy Hollow? “Follow the chase route,” he said. “Start at the John André monument and walk to the cemetery. Of course, it’s not a very pleasant walk because there are cars whizzing by you. But in October, there’s a lot more to do in Sleepy Hollow. It’s not every day like it is in Salem, but they have something going on every weekend.”

   Another telltale sign that Salem is currently in the lead as a Halloween destination? Ocker pointed out that the Witch City’s annual Haunted Happenings parade happens at the beginning of October while Sleepy Hollow holds its celebration during the last weekend of the month. “It’s very telling who is better at promoting the holiday,” he said.

   Ocker insisted, however, that New Yorkers are slowly learning to capitalize on the power of the Headless Horseman. “In Sleepy Hollow, you’re starting to see recycling bins that are branded. Their fire engines and police cars now have themed logos,” he said. “Even the fire plugs are black and orange. If you look around Sleepy Hollow, the Headless Horseman is everywhere.”


Ghosts of Sleepy Hollow: 
Haunts of the Headless Horseman
Haunted America
Sam Baltrusis

Genre: Ghosts & Hauntings
Publisher: History Press
Date of Publication: September 23, 2024
ISBN: 978-146715802
Number of pages: 144
Word Count: 32,500

Tagline: Chilling Tales of the Hudson Valley

Book Description:

Nestled on the banks of the Hudson River, Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown are steeped in history and ghost lore. Famous for Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” the storied Westchester region also has a dark history of witches, spies, and pirates. 

Rumors of Headless Horseman sightings surge during spooky season while visitors flock to the Valley’s haunted hot spots like the Old Dutch Church and the famed writer’s Sunnyside home. 

Join author and journalist Sam Baltrusis on a bone-chilling journey through the streets of Sleepy Hollow as he breathes new life into the legendary village’s long-departed souls.

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Excerpt:

Sleepy Hollow, New York is brimming with ghostly legends that have somehow taken on a life of their own.

Nestled on the banks of the Hudson River, the fabled region —which includes the adjoining Tarrytown— has become the go-to place during spooky season thanks to the popularity of Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

Late-night lantern tours in search of a decapitated soldier's galloping ghost? Yes, please.

If one spends enough time walking through the labyrinthine paths of the village's historic cemeteries, however, there's something sinister oozing beneath Sleepy Hollow's rustic, story-book facade.

It's as if the entire hamlet is under some sort of enchantment. Or, as Irving penned in 1820, it oddly feels like the locals are somehow bewitched and "are subject to trances and visions."

The revered writer referred to the area as the "spell-bound region," and rightfully so. According to several first-hand accounts, creepy music and disembodied voices emerge out of thin air

Based on Irving's mythical take on his later-in-life hometown, it should be no surprise that the Headless Horseman isn't the Valley’s only fearsome phantom seeking postmortem revenge.

The entire region seems to be teeming with paranormal activity. Several publications sensationally claim that both Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown together make the "most haunted places in the world."

But, is it?

After digging beneath the surface, it's difficult to pinpoint what's actually paranormal activity versus a made-up ghost story that has been collectively conjured over a 200-year period.

Alex Matsuo, a Maryland-based author and paranormal investigator who has written about the area’s alleged paranormal activity in her Spooky Stuff blog, believes that the line between fact and fiction is somehow blurred in Sleepy Hollow.

“After Washington Irving's infamous tale plunged the area into fame, I would hypothesize that perhaps some of the paranormal activity could be attributed to thought-forms,” Matsuo told me. “There's also the case of self-fulfilling prophecies that people can accomplish without realizing it.”

Matsuo cited the replica of the bridge in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery as a potential hotspot for ghostly encounters that are freakishly fueled by the expectations of thrill-seeking visitors.

 “Just by knowing the tale and the true story behind it, they would already get a case of the creeps,” she explained. “Then, with tensions rising, they hear a branch break or footsteps, and they get really spooked. They go home and tell their friends and family about the creepy experience, unknowing that there was an animal nearby causing the ruckus.”

Also, there are what paranormal researchers call thought-forms or an outward manifestation of the heightened emotions of those who visit Sleepy Hollow during spooky season. Matsuo believes that based on this concept, extreme fear can somehow take a physical form within the spirit world.

“When you have a massive amount of people invested in a story, even a fictional story based on real people, that energy has to go somewhere,” she said. “In the case of Sleepy Hollow, it may have manifested into paranormal occurrences. I would guess that most of that energy is more organized, but I wouldn't be surprised if some of that energy was displaced, which could explain some of the random paranormal events that have happened over the years.”


About the Author:

Sam Baltrusis, author of Ghosts of Salem: Haunts of the Witch City and featured in The Curse of Lizzie Borden shock doc, has penned eighteen paranormal-themed books including Haunted Boston Harbor and Ghosts of the American Revolution. He has been featured on several national TV shows including the Travel Channel's A Haunting, Most Terrifying Places, Haunted Towns, and Fright Club (1 & 2). He also made a cameo in the documentary The House in Between 2 and on several additional television programs including The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd, History’s Most Haunted, Paranormal Nightshift, and Forbidden History. Baltrusis is a sought-after lecturer who speaks at libraries and paranormal-related events across the country. Visit SamBaltrusis.com for more information.












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