A book subscription service focusing on self-published authors only
You’ve heard us say it many times and we’ll say it again: here at Not for Vanity we are 1000% (yes, you read that right) committed to supporting self-published authors without asking for anything in return.
You can therefore imagine how pleased we were when we came across Your Paper Quest, a UK-based book subscription service focusing solely on self-published authors.
We met Ryan (Founder) and Steven (Chief Curator) virtually at the end of last year and were pleased to find out how well our mission and vision aligned, as well as some of the challenges we faced.
Why choose Your Paper Quest over other book subscription services, you might ask? Well, have a look…
BENEFITS FOR READERS
The chance to discover emerging indie authors from the comfort of your home
The certainty of a curated selection, given how challenging it is to find the right self-published book for you on today’s online platforms
A theme that changes monthly to offer a wide variety of genres and stories
Exclusive access to Your Paper Quest‘s reading community and a more personalised experience with the authors themselves
The unmissable opportunity to discover tomorrow’s classics today!
How to Subscribe: For more information read here [Non for Vanity readers can access a 15% discount on their first month of subscription]
BENEFITS FOR WRITERS
All genres welcome: novels, graphic novels, poetry, short-stories, or anything in-between
Submissions are FREE: if selected Your Paper Quest will pay YOU to feature your work *
Access to UK-wide distribution, with books printed directly by Your Paper Quest (who knows where your next biggest fan could be?!)
Direct interaction with subscribers through Q/As or Interviews
The absolute certainty to work with two people who care (approved by us)
Six years after releasing Book One,Author Joseph Roy Wright tells us everything about his new creative endeavour
New Order of Alexandria Saga. Joseph Roy Wright, 2017 – 2024.
Hi Joseph, thank you for taking the time to talk to us today. We are very excited about your new book, released six years after the first instalment of your post-apocalyptic thriller Saga ‘The New Order of Alexandria: The Island of Hella’. Can you give us a brief synopsis of the book?
Set in the dark future of 2051, where world wide tsunamis have destroyed the earth, because of global warming. Jack and Derek Carr leave behind their home island of Hella, to travel across the western world onboard the Variant V1 battleship with the New Order of Alexandria army, to support their government win the third world war. They will see the devastating remains of New York City, discover humanity’s darkest secrets and hideous experiments. Virtual Reality training has also been incorporated into the army, this new method has unexpected consequences, that will terrify the recruits with disturbing scenarios created by the mind of a deranged abomination.
Where did you draw inspiration from for this new book?
My post-apocalyptic series was inspired by the likes of The Walking Dead and Mad Max, but it was the video game Fallout (about a post nuclear apocalypse) which really captivated me. The books are also a warning about Global Warming, which results in the book’s in-universe apocalypse of 2047. The military side to this book is inspired by war games such as Call of Duty and Metal Gear Solid (there is a strong virtual reality theme in this book, hence why the cover is green against black pixel art). The story takes place onboard the Variant V1 battleship, which was inspired by my father’s adventures in the British Navy, onboard different ships that not only visited war zones, but also fabulous cities.
What is the ideal audiencefor ‘The New Order of Alexandria’?
This Saga is for anyone who is seeking a look into our possible future (if climate change destroys the planet). It is an action adventure series, with a taste of drama, tailored to a mature audience.
The first time I met Heaton it was roughly a year ago, he replied to one of our ‘call for submissions’, and the first thing that hit me was his refined politeness. Our first talks were brief working emails made of a few lines and specific details related to his books, but his calm and levelled personality still came across despite the lifeless technology we use these days. It was intriguing and refreshing: in a world were self-publishing is still frowned upon and 90% of self-published authors have to shout louder than their ‘neighbours’ to be heard, dealing with someone so quiet was almost a shock. But maybe that came from his background: he started as a newspaper reporter and eventually specialised in politics, before reaching the dizzy heights of news editor. He eventually changed course when work became a succession of meetings, and moved into local government communications, working in Southampton, and London, before turning as a consultant. From here his refined politeness and his skill to go straight to the point. The first book I’ve read of the ‘Jane Birchfield Series’ was, unfortunately for me, the last one, Beneath the Surface, and I was positively impressed. The story was good, it was solid. In a market full of mysteries and whodunnit, ‘Beneath the Surface’ dipped its feet in the old school rules: we have a crime and a tough DCI investigating it, putting together piece after piece of the puzzle, each one leading the reader to one conclusion or another, only to find out, at the very end, that we were all terribly wrong and we wouldn’t have correctly guessed who really did it in a million years. I read the last pages with a mix of relief and sadness: relief because the story made sense and sadness because I was late. Yes, there were three more books to read and appreciate, and plenty more words to love this fantastic main character that is Jane (which, for the record, is always appreciated: there will never be enough female leads), but it’s not the same as discovering a new series from the very first book, or when there are only a couple of books out and you itch for the next chapter. I was happy to read and review The waves of Change, I enjoyed the story from the first to the last page, I appreciated the plot construction and I was impressed with the sad ending and the LGBTQ+ twist, but something was still missing. So, coming December, in between a glass of mulled wine and the avoidance of any Christmas-themed playlists to win this year’s round of Whamageddon, me and the other thinking-half or Not for Vanity started planning our January content, Alex sitting on the sofa and me in my reading corner (a small area in our living room where I placed a carpet, lots of pillows and Morrisons, our giant teddy bear). After our feel-good, love-inspiring Christmas selection of books we thought we needed something different to start the year ‘with a bang’, and we settled for thrillers. They are realistic, at times brutal, but they also have a narrative component to consider that is what makes the story move forward. I am an avid reader and I like to mix genres a little, but there is nothing like a good thriller story to make my day. And since there is plenty on my TBR list, being able to cross one or two is definitely a plus. So, I gladly tackled the rest of the ‘Jane Birchfield Series’, without feeling guilty because I was leaving other books behind. And I enjoyed every bit of it. In the first book, ‘Every Reason’, Jane is investigating the death of politician Fiona Worsley. It’s always a shock when a person dies a violent death, but the fact that the victim was into politics makes it resonate even louder. Fiona is found on waste ground in a run-down area targeted for redevelopment. Is it a message? Is it a symbol? Is there a political reason behind it? Many elements come together in Jane Birchfield’s first murder investigation, after all so many people can have a ‘valid’ reason to commit a murder, but someone always has one more than others. In the second book, ‘Whatever It Takes’, Jane is facing a series of personal challenges: a rocky relationship with her partner; her mum hardly talking to her; her boss and mentor critically ill, which means she is covering his post as well as her own. Not only she is human, but she is also so relatable! Of course there is a murder investigation, or we wouldn’t have a book at all. Jamie Castleton is found frozen in front of a computer in an internet cafe near Manchester. Why was he there? Yes, he was a tech consultant and some sort of computer geek, but also self-employed. He didn’t have reasons to hide in an internet cafe with his computer work, or even have business there, especially since the place was pretty dodgy. Once again, Jane leads us into a sordid underworld, and there will be a surprise twist that puts her in front of an event of her past that she kept a secret for 25 years. And finally the last one (for me!), ‘Retribution’, where an ex-soldier is killed in a brutal hit and run. Was it really an accident, or was it a premeditated murder? This time Jane struggles to focus on the case: it’s not just because she is awaiting news on a promotion, she and her team are still tying up the loose ends on their last murder investigation and they’re all feeling the pressure, but it’s mostly because she has to come to terms with a surprise marriage proposal. Not every girl is a princess, but not every woman who works in the police force is heartless. Eventually Jane has to push it all to one side as the investigation escalates into the biggest challenge she has ever faced, causing conflict with her superiors, her partner, and the Army. It’a tough over measure and more than once Jane wonders if it’s worth it. Spoiler alert: it will be. The progression in Heaton’s style is evident, especially when the four books are all available and can be quickly compared, and it’s exciting to see how each one – not just the plot, but also the formatting and the editing – is a better product that the previous one. That Wilson can write is obvious, but, as he told us, it was only when he found some free time that he took up creative writing. “I found it tough to make the transition, particularly because my journalism background kept reminding me that if you can’t tell a story on one side of A4, there’s something wrong!” he added. But he made up for that with a BA in Literature and a lot of practice. I have to admit that there are parts that, in my opinion, need some editing, but all things considered each book is becoming a more refined, finished product that deserves a special space in the TBR list of everyone reading this piece. And we also have two exclusive updates! The first one is that there will be another Jane Birchfield book, (YAY!!!) and the second one is that Wilson has been invited by his local Waterstone to a ‘meet the author’ event next month! So, if you live on the Isle of Wight or close enough to travel there, go and have a look… And buy his books!
We are very excited to announce that author Hayley Price is joining the Not for Vanity Team. Here’s what you should know about Hayley, in her own words:
Born in the UK, I am a naturalised New Zealand citizen who lives in Canberra, Australia with my long-term partner and our bossy old cat. I fell in love with storytelling at a very young age, and at school I loved nothing more than letting my imagination run free whenever we were asked to write a story. I have continued to write throughout my life, and for many years I told my stories in song as the principal songwriter in numerous bands, most recently Adventures With Alice, a collaboration with four young Sydney musicians that produced an album and three further singles.
In 2022, as we came out of the Covid era, I turned my thoughts to a manuscript I had written some years before, and the process of polishing that began. That led to the publication of my first ever novel, The Vermilion Ribbon, in October 2023. 2024 will see the next two books in the series, The Vermilion Saga, published. I have also been busy writing short stories, and have first drafts of two other novels completed that are not part of The Vermilion Saga.
Away from writing, I love music, notably Christopher Cross, Hall & Oates, and UK 80s prog rock band Voyager, who once named me their #1 fan. I try to stay fit and active and swim for an hour once a week as well as running 5ks two or three times a week. I have always loved to travel, and my two favourite sounds are a champagne cork popping and a jet engine spooling up. Both together is luxury.
My strength is my keen eye for detail and my kryptonite is chocolate.
What Hayley is looking to read: “I enjoy reading fantasy, thrillers or anything that is character- and plot-driven. I prefer cozy to spicy. I will prioritise LGBTQ+ and writing that represents oppressed minorities”.
You can find out more about Hayley’s work by visiting her website.
We are very excited to announce that our Editor in Chief Ella Piazzi will be judging at this year’s Indie Ink Awards.
The product of a partnership between Inked In Gray Press, non-profit WriteHive and indie book directory Indie Story Geek, the Indie Ink Awards aim to shed a spotlight on exceptional indie and self-published works of fiction. In the words of the organisations involved
a unique event that brings together the writing community to celebrate books that have made an impact on us. This is our way of highlighting the future we want to see in books — by uplifting those that shine.
Judging will take place between February and July, with winners announced in August 2024. Congratulations Ella, and happy judging!
About: Hayley was destined to be something she never wanted. Stuck in a relationship that undermines her very sense of self, she runs. Hiding however, comes at a price. A price she pays daily. Getting close to people isn’t easy, and maintaining friendships is impossible when you have secrets to keep. But just as Hayley’s life begins to take shape, her past comes back to haunt her. Can she remain in the shadows when its the very place the darkness resides? Jesse is a newly promoted Detective Inspector with a lot to prove. With two cases causing him headaches, he decides to do a little undercover work to gather some new leads. Knowing he’s taking a risk, he elicits the help of his brother to gain access to a dangerous group of people. Only his plans are thwarted when a girl needs help. Can they join forces and help each other, or have they just set off a chain of events neither can stop? As the two get closer, so do their adversaries. Can they each be what the other needs, or was there always going to be a sacrifice made?
/Please Note: This story involves mature themes so is advised for 18+. Content warning; Physical violence, rape, graphic language. This story is set in the UK, and written in British English./
‘Midnight Black’ By R.J. EASTWOOD (Dystopian Thriller, 2021)
About: Billy Russell’s career as narcotics officer abruptly ends when he cold-bloodedly executes the man who committed a heinous crime against him. Sentenced to 20 years hard labor in total isolation from the outside world, he’s suddenly, and without explanation, released on parole five years early. Returning to society, he learns that an isolated nuclear attack spread primal fear of a nuclear holocaust, allowing autocratic billionaires to seize control of the world. But their faulty economic policies have caused rampant poverty, crime, disease, and drug addiction. As a condition of his parole, Billy is assigned to a government drug enforcement unit in Boston but soon makes a gruesome discovery of the unit’s true mission. Approached by a secret underground dissident group planning to overthrow the authoritarian world government, Billy joins them to end the demonic reign of tyranny, only to discover the shocking details of what is really taking place.
‘The Fall’ By CONNOR STEVENS & BRIAN WIGGINS (Dystopian Sci-Fi Thriller, 2022)
About: Set in a near-future America, the story follows Lieutenant Detective Jason Thane as he battles to uncover the truth behind the connection between a child abduction and a gruesome murder scene. As he falls deeper into the rabbit hole of the crimes and his own imperiled career, he finds himself forced to make tough choices about what’s right, and where his true loyalties lie.
/First Published Book in a Trilogy/
‘Win, Lose Or Die’ By D.L. Fisher (Psychological Thriller, 2023)
About: Gabby and Greg Rizzo are embarking on the trip of a lifetime—an elite baseball tournament where the best teens from across the nation will compete for major league attention. Not only is their thirteen-year-old son Cameron the one to watch, but he’s also the single last thread holding their fractured marriage together. Gabby and Greg have high hopes for their little getaway, but when Cameron disappears from his hotel bed the night before the tournament, all thoughts of a second honeymoon are shattered. Suddenly, their four-star resort is transformed into a dugout of suspects—because who would kidnap the best player on the team, and why? As fingers begin pointing, secrets are blown wide open. And then, when a double homicide over seven hundred miles away becomes connected with this missing child case, Gabby and Greg are left fearing the worst. One of them might just not make it back from this trip.
‘Miami Beat’ By JORGE E. GOYANES (Suspense Thriller, 2012) | Part of the Jose Castillo Mysteries Series
About: Jose Castillo is a cynical, wise-cracking Cuban-American who restores classic cars. He’s also a private eye whose sarcastic ways sometimes get him into trouble. One day in the process of installing a four-barrel carburetor on a 1965 Mustang, into his shop walks trouble — in the shape of a mysterious, beautiful woman surrounded by an entourage of goons. Mrs. Santana is the wife of one of Miami’s most well-known, successful and untouchable mobsters and she wants to avail herself of Jose’s services. What starts out as a job mediating a multi-million dollar casino land deal rapidly escalates into a case involving deceit, betrayal, blackmail and even two of Jose’s long estranged relatives. With the help of his fiancée Kat and best friend/police detective Nate, he hopes to untangle the mess quickly so he can enjoy a stiff drink and a fat stogie, but when things get hotter than usual in tropical Miami and a murder is committed, Jose has no choice but to keep his Glock close and his enemies closer. There’s no telling who you can trust when the temperature rises in Miami Beat.
If you love thrillers, we do have a lot more books we could recommend, so feel free to email us at notforvanity@gmail.com or get in touch here.
Throughout December, alongside our usual reviews, we’ll be featuring Winter and Christmas inspired books. Have a look at what we’ve been reading so far…
‘Kitty In The Winter Wild’ by DAVID BRAMHALL (Fantasy Adventure, 2018 | 14+)
About: A magician who can’t do magic, a very twiggy sorceress who does it rather well, and a wolf who can use a mobile phone but means to eat our heroine anyway… What begins as a fairly normal journey home from boarding school at Christmas, soon becomes a frightening and strange adventure as Britain is enveloped in the worst winter in living memory. Kitty joins up with her brother and sister but their journey goes completely wrong as roads and railways are blocked, electricity supplies fail and odd things begin to happen. The oddest things of all are some of the friends they meet who seem not to belong to the same century as the children or, indeed, as each other. And the enemies they encounter are the stuff of nightmare, driven by malice as old as the hills from which they come.
‘War On Christmas’ by ELLE CAMPBELL (Romance, 2023)
About: Freya Nilsen, the witchy black sheep of her sunshiny family, has one goal: survive the holidays in her hometown of Northview, Wisconsin, then jingle all the way back to her real life in Chicago. And she won’t let Jeremy Kelly, her childhood-best-friend-turned high-school-rival, get in her way. Jeremy, a swoony charmer, is sick of playing it safe. So when his mum invites him home to Northview for Christmas, it’s the perfect opportunity to shake things up. And who better to turn his life upside down like a snow globe than Freya, his darkly compelling childhood neighbour? When Freya and Jeremy reunite, old tensions flare hotter than a solstice bonfire, and in true rival fashion, they embark on a holiday challenge. Freya’s goal? Seduce Jeremy into a fling that ends at Christmas. Jeremy’s? Convince Freya that their deep connection is what they’ve both been missing. Is it all just a sexy game between rivals? Or as the countdown to Christmas begins, will Freya and Jeremy find that a second chance at love is the best gift of all?
‘Happily Ever After?’ by MELISSA JOHN (Romance, 2023)
About: Escape to an enchanting winter wonderland at a luxury fairy-tale-themed resort where Cally Jackson and her teen daughter are back for a magical Christmas getaway. With snowflakes falling and lights twinkling, they can’t wait to make all their Christmas wishes come true. Top of Cally’s Christmas list is rekindling her romance with Prince Charming, Korean heartthrob Han Ji-Sung, who captured her heart during her summer holiday. But this time, Cally is young(ish), free, and single, and ready for a second chance at love. The plan is simple: fall back into the arms of her perfect man for a perfect fairy-tale ending. What could possibly go wrong? Can Cally finally find her happily ever after?
‘The Influencer Who Saved Christmas’ by AMY RIPLEY (Teens/Young Adults, 2023)
About: Zander Maloney is an influencer whose upbringing was challenging. He was taken in by his best friend’s parents, who adopted him. With the world on the edge of economic collapse and the divide between the rich and poor getting wider, Zander wants to use his powers as an Influencer to reach out to wealthy organisations and try to make sure everyone can have a magical Christmas meal. Will his dreams become a reality? Or will people go starving at the most charitable time of the year? Will he face other problems along the way? And does an encounter with a Hotel receptionist kindle any romantic spark?
‘Nochebuena (A Holiday Novella)’ by STEPHANIE SHEA
About: Camila Morales is a hopeless romantic. Not that she thinks every couple is meant to be – she is a divorce lawyer, after all. But when her happy, married-thirty-years parents announce their own separation three weeks before Christmas, Cami’s world is turned upside down, especially since she’s been trying to feel her way through her own marital slump for months. Sutton Davies is an imposter. At least, that’s what her therapist says. Or was it that she may have imposter syndrome? Same difference. With a promotion she’s not sure she deserves, a wife who’s definitely too good for her, and a best friend who’s always been in her corner, she should be fine. Perfect, even. But maybe that’s the problem – this unattainable quest for perfection – which is why she’s decided to focus on something she can control. Proving to Cami that this bout of spotty communication and dwindling intimacy is nothing but a blip. Every couple goes through it, right? Will Sutton’s attempts to reconnect over the holidays reignite sparks, or is it all too little too late?
GET IN TOUCH: We are always on the lookout for more self-published books to review! If you have any suggestions or would like us to consider your book for review (Christmas/Winter themed or otherwise), get in touch today at notforvanity@gmail.com!
It is with great pleasure that we’d like to introduce you to American romance author Ivan Scott and his Redhead Series (five books so far, each book a standalone story). His new novel ‘The Redhead and the Fountain Pen’ is due for release in October 2024. Have a look at the full collection below.
About: British doctor Sarah Farnsworth’s life spirals out of control when she loses a patient during surgery, then soon after, loses herself. When it looks like she will be lost forever, the road of fate leads her to a blue convertible owned by the mysterious Billy Caldwell. She is informed Billy has twenty-four hours to get out of town and needs her help to get all of his affairs in order. But why does he have to leave? And what is the big hurry? As they drive around Atlanta in Billy’s ragtop, visiting the people and places dear to him, Sarah realizes the crisp, October air has breathed new life into her due to her new friend. What she doesn’t realize is Billy has been watching her. For years. And someone has been watching Billy. For decades…
About: Everyone in the beach town of Turtle Point comes to Ghostwriters, the craziest Bookbar on the Atlantic coast, where the party doesn’t end until sunrise as people read their favorite books while sipping their favorite adult beverages. The owner, an effervescent Redhead named Sienna McCaslin, loves two things: her Bookbar and her best friend, Pulitzer Prize winning author, Jasper George, who lost his passion for writing after a personal tragedy. The only thing Jasper writes these days is his name on a bar tab since he lives life at the bottom of a bourbon bottle. Sienna is desperate to bring him back to the living, and her prayers are answered when a young woman comes to town looking for help with her manuscript. However, Sienna’s plan backfires when Jasper’s mentoring of the aspiring author takes him further away from her, and when the manuscript is finished, Jasper is offered a job at the top literary agency in New York. Sienna knows her love is in vain, so she is the one who leaves Turtle Point first by selling Ghostwriters and starting a new life in wine country. Unfortunately, Jasper realizes he loves her, but is it too late to bring her home before he loses his Redheaded girl and Ghostwriters forever?
About: American soccer player Ryan Tarkington is regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world. His life cannot be any better, but it all turns to sudden death when an overeager angel mistakenly brings him to Heaven. He eventually returns to Earth to reclaim his body, but there is one minor problem. It’s been cremated. When the body of Chadwick Sutton, the loathed owner of a soccer team in England comes available, Ryan isn’t interested. But when he crosses paths with another pro soccer player, Samantha Densmore, he agrees to become Sutton only to save her team from being disbanded, then he will resume his search and leave London. Ryan has it all figured out, that is until he falls for Samantha and decides to become Sutton for good. Then he is informed he can no longer use Sutton’s body because a new body has been found, and he will have no memory of who he was, how he got there, or who Samantha is. It will take an act of God for Ryan to find Samantha. Then again, Heaven does owe him a favor…
About: Professor George Callahan is a finalist for the Hemingway Historical Grant, which he hopes to win to further his research for the lost Hemingway manuscripts. Darcie Davenport is also a Hemingway fan, but her track record of being asked to leave colleges, accidental fires, and general mayhem that follows her, has not translated well into her professional and love life. When George comes to New York for the announcement, he is also responsible for delivering a rare copy of The Sun Also Rises, which was loaned to him for an event at his university. When he arrives at the historic Scribner’s Building, where Hemingway once worked on the novel, he runs into Darcie. Literally. Due to Darcie’s hijinks, the book is lost, and they have 48 hours to find it. If not, George will not only lose the grant, but his job and his domineering girlfriend back home. The only question now is, will they find the book, or love at the end of the journey?
About: When career minor league baseball player Sam Murdock is released from his team, and his promise to his father to become a major league baseball player goes unfulfilled, it looks like his career has hit the wall. But when a Saint named Chris appears and offers him a chance to play baseball with the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers, which was his father’s favorite team, he jumps at the chance to go back in time. While he is there, he falls in love with a Brooklyn girl who works for the Dodgers. As the summer heats up, so does their relationship and the pair fall in love. When the season ends, Sam is torn between going home, or staying in his new home, with the girl he’s fallen in love with. However, when the time comes to make a decision, he finds out all is not what is appears. Will he strike out and lose the woman he’s fallen in love with? Or will they have a walk off romance?
With the end of October round the corner, we thought we’d make you smile and think a little, discussing all things Halloween. We’d like to start with 5 interesting facts but if you really can’t wait… Scroll down to the ‘Reading Suggestions’ section right away!
‘Small Town Horrors’ by Joseph Roy Wright (Published 2022).
‘The Halloween House’ by Riley Cain (Published 2020).
Fact #1: It All Began in Ireland
Halloween is based on an ancient Celtic festival called ‘Samhain’, first celebrated over 2,000 years ago in County Meath. The Celts believed it was a time of transition, when the veil between this world and the next came down, and the spirits of all who had died that year moved on to the next life. But if the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead overlapped, the deceased could come back to life and wreak havoc among the living.
Fact #2: Trick or Treating Derives from a European Tradition
On All Souls Day, poor people would visit the houses of their wealthier neighbours for a ‘soul cake’ – a form of shortbread – in return for which the beggars promised to pray for the dead of the household. Known as ‘souling’, the practice was later taken up by children, who would go from door to door asking for gifts such as food and money. Irish and Scottish communities in the US revived the tradition, although it was put on hold for several years during World War II due to sugar rationing.
Fact #3: 30th October is known as Mischief Night
October, 30th has traditionally been enjoyed as ‘Mischief Night’ or ‘Goosey Night’ in different parts of the UK. While it’s not quite as popular as it once was, this occasion saw young pranksters taking to the streets with eggs, toilet paper and other unwanted nasties to shower their neighbours’ homes.
Fact #4: Everyone Loves a World Record
Did you know that the UK holds a Halloween-related world record? In November 2019, the longest line of carved pumpkins – 4,164 to be exact – was achieved by River Dart Country Park in Ashburton, as part of a public initiative to encourage the local community to get together and enjoy an Autumnal activity.
Fact #5: One Last Magic Trick by Houdini
The internationally renowned magician Houdini died on Halloween. Born Erich Weisz (1874 – 1926), Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American escape artist, illusionist, and stunt performer, known for his escape acts. His repertoire included chains and handcuffs escapes, ropes slung from skyscrapers and straitjackets under water. His last appearance was at the Garrick Theater in Detroit, Michigan, on October 24, 1926, where he performed despite having a high fever due to appendicitis. He was reported to have passed out during the show but was revived and continued. Afterwards, he was hospitalised where he died from peritonitis aged 52.
Reading Suggestions
We wouldn’t be who we are if we left you without a couple of good books to read for Halloween and beyond.
1 | For the whole family to enjoy: The Halloween House (31 Putrid Poems and Rotten Rhymes for October) | Riley Cain
‘You’ll never guess what I saw last night, A witch flew across the moon’
‘The Halloween House’ is a poetry collection like no other… Penned by Riley Cain for his own young nieces and nephews, it offers 31 rotten rhymes, one for each night in October, putrid poems to build the creepy mood and offer a few laughs along the way. Learn just why The Scarecrow Smiles, take A Shortcut Through the Graveyard, board The Devil’s Locomotive and hear the dreadful truth about The Witch’s Knickers! Accompanied by an array of colourful illustrations from nine different artists, the poems that live in ‘The Halloween House’ offer thrills and spills for every little monster to enjoy.
2 | Especially for Adults: Small Town Horrors | Joseph Roy Wright
The perfect Halloween anthology, a collection of spooky tales set within the northwest of England, telling ghost stories based off real urban legends, such as the headless horseman. It also contains murder mysteries and absurd horror tales featuring an evil pirate and demonic frog. This book has plenty of laughs and scares, it is a whacky yet terrifying read, suited to a mature audience. To all ghost hunters out there: you just can’t afford to miss this daunting collection!
We are delighted to announce a new entry for the Not for Vanity Team: writer Robin Stevens! Let us introduce him…
R. D. STEVENS grew up in Kent, England, with an overactive imagination and a love of big questions. After going to university to study Philosophy, he escaped the UK and travelled the world for two years. On his return, he worked in the charity sector, before training as a philosophy teacher and completing his MA. Outside of writing, after spending fifteen years in secondary school teaching, he currently lives in South East London and works at King’s College University. He loves to read and review books, play the guitar, and talk about existentialism (with anyone who’ll listen).
Originally a self-published author, his award-winning young adult/new adults debut, ‘The Journal’, was picked up by Vulpine Press and released in August ’22, and ‘The Freeze’, his sophomore novel, was released in January ’23. He has had a number of short stories published in various destinations, and was shortlisted for the Olga Sinclair Prize in 2023. He is currently working on his third novel whilst trying to find time to host/produce a new authorly podcast – Perspectives on Pages – with his friend and fellow author Benjamin Roesch.
What he is looking to read: he enjoys reading a variety of genres and styles, books that feel real with authentic characters that take him with them on a journey to somewhere new. He likes well-crafted and thoughtful prose, complex characterisations and stories with a hint of darkness… He is open to reading thrillers, crime, literary fiction, young adults/new adults, sci fi, dystopian, mystery, contemporary fiction, and graphic novels. He also understands that not all books fit neatly into genres (neither of his do) so he’s always interested in stories that cross-genres too. He’s also not all that interested in romance, fantasy, and non-fiction. Anything else, well, it depends on whether the story grabs him!
You can find out more by visiting www.rdstevensauthor.co.uk, follow him on Instagram, and pick up a copy of his novels in all good online retailers.
