Before you read any further, know that this is just a test–a throat clear, as I like to call it. Checking this site, it looks like the last time I did this thing was four years ago, and what better time to start this engine up again than a new release by yours truly. There’s gonna be links to click, contents of wallets and purses, and whatever change you find (is that even a thing anymore?) under couch cushions to generously push my way soon, but that’ll all get eaten up before I know it. So yeah, let’s make a long story short, flash, even, maybe.
My debut novel Scream Like a Prayer is being released by Atreyu Press on April 8, 2026. One thing I’ve learned about myself over the years is that I have to get a lot lot lot of distance from whatever I finish and put in the trunk, have to padlock it and put it in a corner, before I can see through those Matrix eyes and cut it and fix it and finally feel proud of it. I think Scream Like a Prayer went through nine drafts, but alas, it lives and breathes and will be walking (flying) around in about a month here. Super proud of it.
The cover’s all Alan Lastufka, interiors all Todd Keisling, both wonderful to work with.
There are like three different descriptions of the story (working on short, bite-size bits now), but I think a short paragraph from early on pretty much hits the nail on the head.
I opened my eyes and saw that Mom’s reflection had been replaced by the shape of something I’ve tried for years to erase from my memory. Something demonic. A clawed hand, completely charred, where Mom’s had been on my shoulder, and breath like rotten meat, its outline that of a child my own size, with horns higher than the edges of the mirror could reflect. Its red eyes blinked when I blinked, as if it were imitating me, but its mouth wasn’t turned down like mine. It was smiling, the sharp corners of its mouth slashed upward in a lipless half-moon.
It’s going to speak, I thought, say something so horrible my ears will bleed.
“Come fly with me.”
You can request an ACR from NetGalley all the way to the pub date and beyond, I believe.
https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/802721
Atreyu Press (and this site, too, under one of these tabs) has the full first chapter up to read for free.
The ebook (my preferred format of late) is available to pre-order from the Zon (link’s acting all wonky right now, you know the way).
A couple of early reviews up on Goodreads as well.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249036275-scream-like-a-prayer
Hardcover, paperback, and audiobook are fast coming, then I’ll link ’em.
Until next time I need a throat clear, later, folks.