For the past several days I have been going over the scripts for Nightmares & Fairy Tales: Annabelle’s story before sending them to Pablo Santander for illustration. Somehow I managed to forget portions of the story and found myself emotionally moved by some of scenes and by spending time once again with characters I love so much. As silly as it may sound it was like spending time with old friends I haven’t seen in ages and the feeling was remarkable. I can only hope those of you who’ve read the entire Nightmares & Fairy Tales series will feel similarly when you read Annabelle’s Story.

Speaking of which, Pablo should have the first issues of Annabelle’s Story and Hell’s Cafe completed by November – by which time I will be finished writing my new Disney novel and will will be able to focus my attentions on the publication of both series. The plan is make the individual issues available for  online purchase and perusal and then printing them into graphic novels once they are complete.

Personally, I’m enjoying spending time with these characters so much I think I may have to continue writing Nightmares & Fairy Tales stories and not end the series after Annabelle’s Story as I previously announced.

Between writing new Nightmares & Fairy Tales stories, my new series Hell’s Cafe, and my forthcoming series Teratopia – as well as the occasional novel for Disney, I’m find myself happier than I’ve been in a very long time.

Hello lovelies! The new artist for Nightmares & Fairy Tales, Pablo Santander sent me some more beautiful character sketches for Annabelle’s Story and I thought I would share them with you. Enjoy!

Harmony and her Blackbird

Carnies from Song of the Siren

Morgan and Dominique

Snow White and the 1140 Rue Royale Nuns

I am starting a new novel for Disney Publishing based on the Beast from Disney’s film Beauty and the Beast. I am very excited to explore the Beast’s past and what he did to become cursed, while weaving in my own sensibilities, and drawing upon inspirations from Jean Cocteau’s version.

Those of you who read Fairest of All  may also be pleased to learn I intend to include The Odd Sisters, (some of my favorite characters from Fairest) though I probably shouldn’t give away too much more of the story than that.

I would like to thank everyone for the lovely letters they’ve sent in letting me know they loved Fairest of All and expressing their wish that I write another Disney villain novel. I’m really excited to tell the Beast’s story. (We do still plan to explore other Disney villains in what we hope to be a series of Disney villain novels)

I will be sure to make an announcement once Disney sets the release date. I plan to post regular updates on my progress as well as selected scenes to keep you enticed until the release of the novel.

I’m very pleased to announce Pablo Santander will be illustrating Nightmares & Fairy Tales: Annabelle’s Story!

As some of you might know, Pablo is also illustrating my graphic novel, Hell’s Cafe. He has been illustrating comics since 1983 and has been published in Chile and Belgium where he has won awards for both his comic illustration and paintings.

Annabelle’s Story features Gwen who is now a young woman struggling for her independence while learning to except help from those who wish to protect her from recklessly flying into dangerous situations. She, Aunt Bea and Annabelle decide to venture off to find Morgan, a young woman who has been locked away in an asylum for many years for murders she did not commit, and on their journey they learn about Annabelle’s creator and Aunt Bea’s dark past.

Here are the concept sketches of some of characters appearing in Annabelle’s Story. I’ve actually been agonizing over whether or not to post them. I hadn’t originally intended to let our readers know I was bringing back these characters for this story – however there are so many other surprises in this storyline, (like Annabelle’s origins) I figured it wouldn’t hurt, that and I am really excited to share these beautiful character sketches with you…

Gwen & Aunt Bea

Red Riding Hood

Kira and Paige

1140 Rue Royale

Beauty & the Beast

Bunny & Oberon

I thought I would share another page Pablo sent me. This is Theodora entering the Hell’s Café to meet Michael, Seth and Gabriel for the first time. I love what Pablo did with the interior of the cafe, though different from the original cafe in France, I think it works perfectly and is exactly how I imagined it when I wrote the script. This is my favorite part of collaborating with artists, seeing my stories come to life, especially with someone as talented as Pablo, his attention to detail and visual storytelling skills are remarkable.  

Hell’s Cafe: Things are progressing very well with Hell’s Cafe. Pablo has been sending me some remarkably beautiful interior pages as he makes his way through the first script. I couldn’t be happier with how lovely this book is turning out.

Nightmares & Fairy Tales: As some of you know I am in the process of considering an artist for Annabelle’s Story, the latest installment in the Nightmares & Fairy Tales universe. I foresee posting an announcement about that in the very near future.

Teratopia: We are also making wonderful progress on my new graphic novel Teratopia!  The amazing artist I’m working with has sent some lovely character designs that I plan to post soon once we make everything official.I estimate starting production on Teratopia in about 12 months once Hell’s Cafe is well under way.

Fairest of All:   Fairest seems to be getting quite a bit of attention lately having been featured in Barnes & Nobel, and various Disney shops as of late. I’m loving all the photos people have been posting on Facebook when they see my book in random shops. And most certainly love all the messages I’ve been receiving  from readers letting me know they enjoyed the book. And I can say with equal certainty that I will indeed have some news on the next novel for you very soon.

Hello Lovelies!

Just a little note of thanks for the recent flourish of Fairest of All snapshots,  and for the letters expressing how much you enjoyed the novel. Thank you!

I know most of you are eager to hear when I will writing another Disney villain novel – and I would love nothing more than to be able to share that news with you but I’m still waiting on news from Disney. I will be sure to let you know once things are sorted.

One of my lovely readers, Fawndolyn Valentine made these sweet little  GloomCookie and Nightmares & Fairy Tales Valentine’s Day cards and I thought I would share them with you. Enjoy!

Hell’s Cafe is coming along very well. Pablo has been sending me some beautiful  pages as he progresses with the script,  and I couldn’t be happier with his attention to detail and visual storytelling.  Here is a page from issue #1 which is still in progress but I thought I would share with you nonetheless.

More News:

I am in the process of considering an illustrator for my graphic novel Teratopia, which will also be available through the  Fearsome Library along with Hell’s Cafe. Please take a moment to visit the link and learn more about the story.

And in case you missed my mentioning that I was considering a very promising artist for Nightmares & Fairy Tales: Annabelle’s Story, I thought I should do so again. I should have news for you on that very shortly.

While considering artists I have also been doing research on my printing and distribution options for my independently published works. My current plan is to make the individual issues available online,  eventually printing them as graphic novels. Though I do think I will be doing some very small individual issue print runs for upcoming conventions like APE and WonderCon where I plan to have a table of my own to promote Fearsome Library Publishing and my new projects.

Well dears, that’s all the news I have for you now. Keep checking back for updates.

This man is the reason I love Vincent Price, Hammer Films, Twilight Zone, werewolves, monster movies and horror films. He turned 65 yesterday and I wish I could have been there to help celebrate.

Happy Birthday, Dad, I love you. You’re an inspiration to me in so many ways.