DamianSerbu.com

I had an amazing chat on Living the Next Chapter Podcast, about life as an author, my books, and especially the journey toward publishing Witch In the Wind! Check it out here!

Link to the Podcast: Damian Serbu Chat!

Youtube Version: Damian Serbu Chat!

A number of people have asked the following question at my appearances or via email. I therefore decided to make a quick post to give everyone the answer, since it seems to be on people’s minds.

The question: is the history contained in Witch In the Wind accurate?

The quick answer: Yes. Absolutely.

While we’re at it, go ahead and buy a copy to learn this history for yourself! Witch In the Wind Buy Link!!!

As many of you know, I have a Ph.D. in history. When I set novels in the past, I am meticulous about being as accurate as possible. Yes, I am aware that vampires, witches, and magic did not exist in history. I want the context, however, to accurately reflect the history. The French Revolution in The Vampire’s Angel, the Old South in The Vampire’s Quest, even the burning of Notre Dame Cathedral in The Vampire’s War include accurate descriptions of the era.

To prepare for Witch In the Wind, for example, I read at least ten books on pirate history. Therefore, the pirate governance, punishment, daily life, and warfare are rendered as close to the real history as possible, given that I wove magic into the mix.

As my mother once accused me: “you’re sneaky and made me learn some history in reading your novels.” Guilty as charged.

As a speculative fiction/horror writer, I get pretty busy in September and October. Libraries, bookstores, and others ask we writers of chills and fears to help celebrate the lead up to Halloween. It’s been fun this year; I’ve been to several libraries, a couple bookstores, and held a book release party for Witch in the Wind in conjunction with the Halloween Party for the local activist group where I live, Equality Downers Grove.

I’ll be settling down soon, with fewer appearances and time to enjoy the holidays.

Before we turn the page on Halloween, however, I want to say Happy Halloween to all of you! The days are growing shorter. Many traditions believe(d) the gap between the living and dead shortens this time of year. I can’t wait to greet Trick-or-Treaters at my house! And I hope you will consider reading one of my tales of ghosts, witches, or vampires as part of your celebration, too!

Embrace the moment! Happy Halloween!!!

I adopted a new system for doing publicity, which includes when I write occasional blog updates and bits of information to post on my website you. Alas, I am telling you that because, obviously, the new system’s approach to my poor website blog has failed . . .

I know this will be super exciting to you – I tweaked the system and hope to keep up with my blog moving forward. Cross your fingers. 🙂

In the meantime, enjoy October and the approach of Halloween. One of my favorite traditions at our current house is owl spotting on the morning walk/jog with the dogs. This is the time of year when we start to hear them regularly because of when we wake up, how the sun is coming up later, and – of course – the owl’s historic relationship to Halloween. Guess what?! As I was thinking about writing a Happy Halloween blog today, the dogs and I not only heard the owls this morning, we spotted one! Woot! Or should I say, Hoot!

Happy Halloween, everyone!!!

Hey, Everyone! I wanted to share a list of upcoming appearances with you. There will be more to add later, but for now I will definitely be here:

Sept. 7th – The Starke County, Indiana Beyond the Book Festival 9:00-3:00 Central time.

Sept. 14th – Berwyn,m IL Public Library Book Fair, 10:00-2:00.

Sept. 28th – Glen Ellyn Library with the Chicago Chapter of the Horror Writers Association, 2:00-4:00.

It’s been a busy summer. I haven’t kept up very well with updates about some of what I’ve been reading. Here’s a round up of a few recent reads I enjoyed:

DARK MOON, SHALLOW SEA by David Slayton: Slayton is one of my favorite authors!! I love the Adam Binder series, but, and this sounds like a betrayal, this new series might be even better. There are gods and goddesses here, with humans vying for control and power. There is love, longing, and loss. This is an epic fantasy and I couldn’t put it down. It’s not like anything I’ve read before in the genre, which is a Slayton hallmark: original, powerful, fun, and never disappointing.

BECOMING A QUEEN by Dan Clay: Don’t let the cover and basic concept fool you on this one! Yes, there is a young queer person coming to terms with their own desires and finding out about themselves, including what they love to wear. But at its heart, this novel is a tome about grief, coping, and living through the pain – it is so beautiful in this endeavor.

THE WITCH OF MARACOOR by Gregory Maguire: I am so happy Maguire returned to the Land of Oz: this last installment of the Another Day series is intense, magical, and lovely. If you’ve liked Wicked and its associated books, you have to read these, too!

THE SHOEMAKER’S MAGICIAN by Cynthia Pelayo: Pelayo is sneaky – yeah, this is an engrossing thriller/horror novel, with a mystery and plenty of horror angst. But she sneaks in a ton of fascinating and engaging Chicago history. A master story teller once again keeps you on edge. I did NOT see one of the major plot twists coming, which made this one even better.

BLACK WINGS BEATING BY Alex London: London’s originality is unmatched, with a fascinating story that is action packed and enchanting. There are a lot of unexpected twists and turns – I can’t wait to read the next one in this series!!!

PROXY by Alex London: A dystopian thriller with a gay main character, about a world even more divided by those who have and those who, well, are controlled by them. It’s dark but action packed and hopeful. Sweet and yet haunting.

AT THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE by Shaun David Hutchinson: Hutchinson throws you into a world with an unreliable narrator, but one with whom you relate and grow to love. Is the universe really shrinking? And why?! Discover the truth in this coming of age speculative fiction – and learn about growing up in the process.

YOUR LONELY NIGHTS ARE OVER by Adam Sass: What would you do if a serial killer haunted your hometown? Panic! And what happens if you and your friends have to find this killer who is hunting you because the adults are off the mark? Stir in teen angst and romance, and you have a great read by Sass!

WHAT I’D RATHER NOT THINK ABOUT by Jente Posthuma: A novel of grief, change, and finding yourself; this is a deep dive into emotion, beautifully written and translated.

WHY WE FIGHT by TJ Klune: This is a fun, romantic series by Klune. It’s super funny and enchanting.

FIND HIM WHERE YOU LEFT HIM DEAD by Kristen Simmons: This is a creative YA novel, where the characters endure a frightening descent into a game world. There is charm in the way they find themselves while striving to overcome friction and restore friendship.

How about a sexy book trailer to get you in the mood to add Witch In the Wind to your summer reading list! Pirates, witches, and danger mingle with old and new love in Alexander’s daring adventure to survive. Buy it here: Witch In the Wind!!!

Last week, I shared the exclusive cover reveal for my upcoming novel with my newsletter subscribers. Now it’s time to share it with the rest of the world! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and get ready for the release of Witch In the Wind next month!

Pirates, witches, and danger mingle with old and new love in Alexander’s daring adventure to survive.

Hey, Everyone!

I will be attending C2E2 in Chicago again this year! I hope you see you there!

I am moderating and participating on a panel Friday afternoon, April 26th, at 5:15. Here’s the panel topic: “Frightening an Audience: How Horror Writers Generate Fear”

And I will be hanging out at the table for the Chicago Chapter of the Horror Writers Association beforehand on the 26th, as well as through the day on April 27th.

I really love when a reader stops by to chat. So please don’t hesitate to come see us!!!!