In bringing Social Vampire into the world as a novel, I knew I had to create a cover that jumps off the page as much as the story does. Something that would showcase the fact that the book is hilarious, but with heart hiding beneath.
After weeks of design and workshopping, I finally have a cover I love.
And today I’m ready to show it off!
What’s more: as of now, the book is available for preorder in both Kindle edition and paperback.
What’s even more: the book is available to PURCHASE TODAY in hardcover. That’s right, you can get Social Vampire a full five weeks early in hardcover! I’m still waiting for my copy to arrive so I can show it off, but the hardcover edition has a gorgeous removable dust jacket and a handful of interior illustrations to make it extra special.
A few notes:
With an official release date of 4/4/2023, the novel will launch in paperback, ebook, and audiobook (hopefully…more on this later).
The ebook version will initially be Kindle-exclusive for 90 days to do various promos, with plans to take the electronic version wide to other retailers after this launch period.
The paperback preorder currently shows “unavailable” on Amazon, but I’m told this should update any day now. The paperback and hardcover are already available for preorder/purchase respectively at all major book retailers, including Barnes & Noble.
As of this post, the hardcover purchase page is so new that sales page doesn’t show the cover image, but rest assured, it’s the same as what you can see below…
So, without further ado, here’s the cover for Social Vampire!
At a new school, you get a chance to reinvent yourself, so…why not be a vampire?
Click me to see a gigantic version
What do you think? Personally, I LOVE how it turned out. From the sad-sack vampire telling us “a novel” to the mean girls vibe of the teens at the top, for me it just works.
(Aside, from a design perspective, he’s the one “upside down” but we’re seeing the story from his point of view).
And here’s the full wraparound cover:
Click me to zoom in
Okay, I’ve told you enough times that I love this cover, but now I want your thoughts! Let me know in the comments what you think (good, bad, or ugly — I’m happy to receive whatever feedback you’ve got).
Are you excited to read my first novel?
Will you be waiting for the ebook, the paperback, the audiobook, or picking up the hardcover right now?
I’ll share pictures once I get my copy of the hardcover and share more about the audiobook version soon.
Fashions change and the internet is no exception, so every few years I’ll give a facelift to my official online presence (namely, this site). For 2023, I’m going to use remodeling as the metaphor, since these changes are more than cosmetic.
My homepage, and all the other pages, should now be complete and ready to receive visitors!
Please, take a look around, make yourself at home, and–most importantly–let me know if you see any cracks in the foundation or leaks in the plumbing.
Tell me: what do you think?
If you’ve been here a few times over the years, let me know in the comments how this new look compares. Or, if you’re here for the first time, welcome! I’d love to hear what you think as well.
I’m currently working on a collection of short stories centered around death and extinction (sounds fun, right?), which will likely also make its debut on Vella.
Now it’s November, and I need your help. If you’re not aware, Vella has these things it calls “faves” — basically a vote for your favorite story you read that week.
I kind of love that my Vella about a teen pretending to be a vampire…is the #2 fave in vampires.
They reset at the start of the month, and there’s a lot of shifting and vying for positions in these early days.
So…I need your help. 5 minutes of your time.
A new month means it’s time to crown the new kings and queens of Vella! This is the NUMBER ONE way for new people to learn about the story. I hate to ask, but it makes a huge difference.
If you’re in the US, go to my SOCIAL VAMPIRE page (https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0BDGM1J8J) and unlock any episode (past 1-3). Then you get to vote for your “fave” — this should pop up automatically after you like the episode at the bottom, but if not, you can click the icon noted in the image below:
If you’re not in the US, I’m sorry they STILL haven’t made it available for you to read. Fear not, it will be available in print & ebook (and I’m looking into audiobook) in 2023.
Now I’m going to go crawl under a rock and try to recover from how awkward it felt asking this of my fans.
Does anyone have any bonus spooky stories they can give me? I’m enjoying Cabinet of Curiosities on Netflix. What about you?
This review of HAUNTED posted on the eve before my birthday was a lovely gift. You don’t have to write a review this thorough, but I’m sharing because I think it represents the book nicely.
Have you gotten HAUNTED yet? If so, reviews are most welcomed. If not…don’t wait until the afterlife!
People seem to be drawn to the humor in INFECTED. As such, I was asked to create a list of the funniest zombie novels by a new book discovery site called Shepherd.
No, not Nebraska. The first one. The one in its own ‘Shire (sadly, no one calls them that here). The one from Ye Olde Worlde! Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The next in my Travels While Living in the UK series! As I get further along in this process, you’ll see more hyperlinks in the travel log below:
November/Dec – Arrival in the UK, hotel living for a month, road trip around Southern England for Christmas and New Year’s. January – Finally moved into our house! Visited Lincolnshire, England. February – Oxford and York. March – London for St Patty’s, then Oberammergau, Germany for a week. April – Scotland and Madrid trips. May – More local and Londonian fun, and a trip stateside for a friend’s wedding.
Lincoln was our first getaway after moving into our house, so is as good as any place to jump in and blog about. We had no idea what to expect, but as the home of one of four original copies of the Magna Carta, you know there’s some history.
T’was a pet-friendly vacation! Here we have Lord Westley surveying our hotel room from his gilded perch.
Let’s jump right in and visit:
Lincoln Castle
Lincoln Castle is steeped in history. Constructed in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, this castle was built on top of a pre-existing Roman fortress. It was later used as a prison into modern times, but now serves as a museum where it houses ruins of its previous lives, as well as an original copy of the Magna Carta!
View from the castle wall with the Lincoln Cathedral in the background.
Tower view.
Pouting with George the III.
A tree grows through it.
Michaela explores the top.
The way up was a vertigo-inducing spiral.
The city beyond.
Magna Carta vault. Sorry, no cameras allowed inside!
View of the castle walls and administrative buildings.
Panorama of the castle grounds.
Each of the photos above has a brief caption, though you’ll note a distinct lack of Magna Carta pictures. They aren’t allowed. It must truly be seen to be believed! The interior display boasts how this important document introduced the idea that all men are created equal, and credits itself as the forebear to the American constitution and the concept of Civil Rights. While perhaps this is overstating the document’s staying power a bit, it was indisputibly fun to see the document with its original parchment, ink, and seal
Lincoln Cathedral
The castle’s nearby sibling, the Lincoln Cathedral is technically the owner of the Magna Carta, and is an impressive structure in its own right. Built around the same time, this cathedral was the tallest structure in the world for over 200 years due to its central spire (which, sadly, collapsed around 500 years ago).
“C’mon in. Sure, bring your dog!”
One of many sculpture and art displays.
Reconstructed stained glass.
Buttercup enters the cloisters.
The lighting and architecture seemed very gothic to this untrained observer.
The details were stunning.
In addition to its use for Anglican ceremonies (we a caught chorale performance of “evensong”) it’s also a big draw to tourists. And, oddly enough, despite quickly approaching its 1000-year birthday, we were invited to bring our dog inside. This only added to the unique experience of exploring one of the largest cathedrals in the UK.
Food, Drink, Fun
Get thee to a yummery! In Lincoln there are some delectable bites to be had, and I enjoyed my first taste of UK whiskey with samples at the aptly-named “The Lincoln Whisky Shop.” I decided to buy a bottle of “Writer’s Tears” which I’m saving for tears of joy, I’ll have you know.
Boo-hoo.
Perhaps the most beautiful panorama I’ve taken.
Just strolling through history.
Yum, part 1.
Yum, part 2.
A veritable feast!
That’s an actual, honest to goodness, Roman archway. Which leads me to…
My Takeaways
I couldn’t get over the beautiful history of Lincoln (and England as a whole). The “old town” is built up on a hill as part of the original castle defense, while the more modern area is along the river, down a hill so steep it would put San Francisco to shame. Funny, I must have been too busy breathing heavily to take a picture.
Our B&B was in this upper, historic part of town, but the entire area was a pleasure to walk daily. As a bit of respite from said overwhelmingly beautiful history, I managed to sneak an afternoon down to the riverfront cinema to catch the latest Star Wars flick:
Though part of my “awe” could be attributed to this being my first UK town to really spend some time in and explore, overall, I’d put Lincoln as a must-see for anyone travelling through the middle of England. And I wish I’d taken more pictures!
Thanks for reading! What do YOU think? Enjoy “following” me on my travels? Want to read more blog posts like this one?
Leave me a comment below, and don’t forget to share and subscribe!
November/Dec – Arrival in the UK, hotel living for a month, road trip around Southern England for Christmas and New Year’s. January – Finally moved into our house! Visited Lincolnshire, England. February – Oxford and York. March – London for St Patty’s, then Oberammergau, Germany for a week. April – Scotland and Madrid trips. May – More local and Londonian fun, and a trip stateside for a friend’s wedding.
The next six months look to be much more ambitious. The goal is to hit a different spot in the UK every month, and somewhere else in Europe every other month.
I should probably blog about all these things, and maybe I will, but for now I’m jumping into the middle. That’s a classic storytelling technique known as in medias res, which is Latin/Pretentious for “into the middle [of] things.”
So, let’s start with Oberammergau, Germany. This was our first European trip, so it’s a beginning of sorts.
Come with me, fly into Munich, which is actually Munchen, but is called Munich because…globalism? Then we’ll take the Autobahn and max out the rental car’s four-cylinder engine until the display screams, “SLOW DOWN – SNOW TIRES!!!”
Food and Drink
I’m not going to pretend to speak for the entire country, or even the region (Bavarian Alps), but I am going to make a few generalizations. The first, is that this is a “meat and potatoes” kind of place. If you ask for a salad, you’ll get one, but it’ll be made out of potatoes.
Bavarians are known for their sweets, and my week here did not disappoint.
Ox steak. A new culinary adventure for me, if not for the region. Cooking ox with smoked hay seemed all the rage, and why not, it worked. Definitely a pricey meal, though not outrageous and certainly worth it.
This fried chunk of meat (bigger than the size of my fist!) was called a “pork knuckle.” Add a dumpling, cover it all in gravy, and you get a deliciously rich and heartburn-inducing meal.
Though we went at the start of springtime, this is still mountain country and there was a chill in the air at night. Some warm mulled wine helped immensely.
Prost! Welcome to Germany, land of the beer. On this trip I discovered Weissbier, which in its unfiltered form, makes for a unique, tasty, frothy treat. Sort of like the Hefeweizen I’m used to, only more floral and playful. I’m still hooked months later.
Let’s talk about the pictures above. Clockwise, from bottom right.
Prost! Welcome to Germany, land of the beer. On this trip I discovered Weissbier, which in its unfiltered form, makes for a unique, tasty, frothy treat. Sort of like the Hefeweizen I’m used to, only more floral and playful. I’m still hooked months later.
Though we went at the start of springtime, this is still mountain country and there was a chill in the air at night. Some warm mulled wine helped immensely.
Bavarians are known for their sweets, and my week here did not disappoint.
Ox steak. A new culinary adventure for me, if not for the region. Cooking ox with smoked hay seemed all the rage, and why not, it worked. Definitely a pricey meal, though not outrageous and certainly worth it.
This fried chunk of meat (bigger than the size of my fist!) was called a “pork knuckle.” Add a dumpling, cover it all in gravy, and you get a deliciously rich and heartburn-inducing meal.
Sights and Sites; Scenes and Seeings
In addition to having a really fun name, Oberammergau has many desirable qualities. Not the least of which, is that it’s a sleepy town without a lot of foreign tourism. Many German tourists do indeed travel here, and there are always foreigners present, because it’s the location of a NATO training school. But there’s a delightfully pastoral “untouched by the world” feel to the town.
View from our hotel, Parkhotel Sonnenhof.
That is someone’s house in the background.
A gift from Ludwig II.
Stunning views.
The “hidden” restaurant up the mountain, the Kolben-alm.
Hiked it, liked it.
The monastery cathedral.
Monastery living quarters.
Cathedral interior.
Riiiicooollaaa!!!
Lots of handmade wood carvings in this village, like this traditional scene of, err, what’s going on here, guys?
Vending machines full of meat. For that “raw sausage on the go” type.
I won’t go on and on breaking these pictures down one-by-one (though they do have captions). Instead, here’s generally what you see above:
We stayed in a mountain town with amazing views. The first picture is taken from our hotel. Others are right around–it’s a small hamlet. There is an awesome restaurant that one can hike to, which is a steep walk, but worth it. And boy does all that rich food taste amazing afterwards. There are walking trails everywhere, nice wide open ones. And there are monks who brew and distill. Like a lot of the Old World, the churches are the some of the most impressive sights in the town. They are a wood carving people, who also love their meat so much it’s stored in vending machines.
The Passion of Oberammergau
Once a decade, the whole town comes together to put on a play about the life and times of Jesus Christ. You read that correctly. Once a decade, for like three months straight. Hundreds of thousands of people journey to this remote hamlet for the play which is literally performed by the entire town.
Movie-grade costumes.
Seriously. This was as good as the stuff in Star Wars.
Shields and spears.
State-of-the-art theater used only once a decade, though that’s supposed to change soon.
No bull. Except this one.
The oldest prop in the museum. A last supper table hundreds of years old.
Quite a “sacrifice” made by this town.
Set backdrops.
Set props.
Just need to grow out my hair and beard.
As the only short-haired, clean-shaven role, the centurions are popular among the town’s police and military.
Our guide shows off the enormous cross prop.
Production stills.
Unfortunately, the play won’t be going on next until 2020, but I was able to learn quite a bit from the museum (pictures above). The story goes, that the town vowed to perform this play to honor God if He would spare them from the plague. Well, seems to have worked, because the townspeople have been dutifully holding up their end of the bargain for nearly 400 years!
Ludwig II’s Two Castles
Beyond the Passion Play, the area is most well-known for the architecture of King Ludwig II. The first castle we visited was his home in the last years of his life, while the second was the famed Neuschwanstein castle, still incomplete, yet world-renowned for giving its iconography to Walt Disney’s logo.
Linderhof Palace and grounds. We were told to, “picture this in a month when there are thousands of flowers in bloom!”
More garden terraces.
And architecture further up.
Neuschwanstein at a distance.
Hike to View 1.
View 2
View 3.
Castle base, rear.
Castle front.
Unfortunately, no photography was allowed inside. These were works of art, modern for their time and gilded to the gills. Beautiful spots, worth visiting.
My Takeaways
It was nice getting some springtime sunshine after the damp cold of British winter. I joked after I first arrived that the most notable difference between the two countries is that they sell sunglasses in Germany.
With a name like Schannep, I must have some German heritage somewhere (though no evidence of it in Oberammergau…).
Don’t mind me, just blending in.
I lived in Germany from kindergarten to second grade while my dad was stationed here by the Army. My memories are mostly of Kinder eggs, sledding, playmobile toys, and mainly just being a kid. I have memories of seeing a salt mine, some mountaintops, and sites outside of Germany like the leaning tower of Pisa.
And then there’s spaghetti eis.
“Eis” is the German word for ice cream, and this was without a doubt my favorite childhood dessert. A layer of whipped cream serves as a base, which is then topped by vanilla ice cream/gelato put through a press so it comes out to look like spaghetti noodles. A strawberry “meat” sauce topped with white chocolate “parmesan” shavings completes the illusion.
Spaghetti was my favorite meal, ice cream the best treat, which made this confection the perfect go-between.
I had spaghetti eis here in Oberammergau for the first time in at least twenty-five years. Mostly as a novelty, I ordered it up, expecting something deeply sugary-sweet, but I got more than I bargained for.
With the first bite, my entire body swirled with warmth, like a hug from a loved one after a prolonged absence. I couldn’t have described the taste or texture by memory, but this was comfort on an instinctual level. It’s moments like these that make travel so rewarding.
Thanks for reading! What do YOU think? Enjoy “following” me on my travels? Want to read more blog posts like this one?
Leave me a comment below, and don’t forget to share and subscribe!
Lucas Tesshu, the sword-toting modern day samurai whose greatest weakness was a compulsion to help everyone he met is now fully visualized with an origin story in the upcoming PATHOGENS. To all the teachers out there, I ask: What would you do if the zombie apocalypse hit while class was in session? Stay put with your students? Try to get them to their parents? Just leave the snotty brats and make a run for it?
Your answer might change if you were a master swordsman teaching a kendo class. Or not. Either way, get ready to live his journey for yourself!
Up next? Our final character: The cold, hard, badass leader: Cooper!
Thanks for reading! Excited? Confused? Bemused?
Leave me a comment below, and don’t forget to share and subscribe!
Tyberius, the street-smart athletic force of nature from INFECTED is now completed! Some might recall he reacted rather harshly at Deleon’s reveal in the high school. In the upcoming PATHOGENS, you can find out why as you live his story for yourself.
Most evocative image of the Tyberius path I could find. Still recovering from the Google image rabbit hole. Whew.
Up next? Kendo master Lucas Tesshu!
Thanks for reading! Excited? Confused? Bemused?
Leave me a comment below, and don’t forget to share and subscribe!
It’s 2015 and my website is getting a long overdue face-lift. I started messing around with the layout to prep for a new SUPERPOWERED tab (Coming Soon™) and yeah…I thought I’d try out something new. What do you think?
As someone who writes interactive fiction, I live and die by flowcharts, so I found the background an appropriate greeting. For my long-time readers, you should still be able to find everything using the tabs at the top, and the only real navigation difference are the “widgets” (where you can subscribe, buy the books, find me on facebook & twitter, etc) which are now over on the right.
That’s it! Oh, and stay tuned (read: SUBSCRIBE) because the SUPERPOWERED cover reveal should hit later this week.
So, what do YOU think? Falling in love with the site all over again?
he next six months look to be much more ambitious. The goal is to hit a different spot in the UK every month, and somewhere else in Europe every other month.
Author James Schannep 