Beyond the Sea | CW Hawes

Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles – Part 2

Had a wonderful time Wednesday, April 6 with my fellow Underground Authors, Caleb Pirtle III and Cindy Davis, and hosts Rob and Joan Carter on the Meet the Authors podcast.

If you missed the live show, watch the replay:

Carters’s website at: https://indiebooksource.com/podcast/ . This is the best place to go, because you can see all the links for the show.

Video: https://youtu.be/pZ8SW7lRKc4

Audio: https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/49347972/download.mp3

Now, on to the books!

April – Death Wears A Crimson Hat

April 21st is the official launch day of Book 1 in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles by The Underground Authors. And that book is my Death Wears A Crimson Hat.

It’s an honor for me to launch what is going to be a fabulous series.

So what’s the book about? It’s about Harry Thurgood and the Rev. Ember Cole. And murder, of course.

Harry and Ember have known each other for about 3 years when the story begins. Three years ago being when they arrived in Magnolia Bluff. Harry to get away from, well, we don’t really know, and Ember to take charge of the flock at St Luke’s Methodist Church. As the story opens, Harry’s come to the realization that he’s in love with Ember.

However, both have a secret past. Things get further complicated when one of Ember’s parishioners decides she wants Ember gone.

And if that isn’t enough to scuttle a relationship, murder splashes right down in the middle of the puddle — with Ember as the chief suspect.

Does Harry ever have his work cut out for him. But will he get Ember off the hook, and put a ring on her finger? Will he be able to find out whodunit? You’ll find out on April 21st.

Death Wears A Crimson Hat is a classic whodunit (with a heartwarming splash of romance) that will have you scratching your head trying to figure out, well, whodunit!

May – Eulogy in Black and White

Eulogy in Black and White is about murder and revenge. It’s also about life and death. It’s about what the dead know, that we, the living, don’t: how precious life is. It’s also about what’s just and unjust.

Graham Huston should have died in Afghanistan. He didn’t. His friend, Harley, did. Harley was from Magnolia Bluff, the town where someone dies every May 23rd.

And Huston, as if by Fate, has the chance to unravel the mystery of the murders plaguing Magnolia Bluff. His chance to earn redemption for the bullet that killed Harley instead of himself.

Caleb Pirtle knows how to write a powerful novel, and this is one heck of a powerful novel. It’s one heck of a whodunit, with things twisting and turning right up to the end.

The Underground Authors

“Many hands make light the work.”
—Unknown

We all know that it is easier for a group tackle a project than it is for us to tackle it by ourselves. With rare exceptions, of course.

The Publishing Business

That’s why publishers have an army of people putting out a book: purchase editors, copy editors, proofreaders, book designers, cover artists, marketing committees, formatters, printers, distributors, sales people, and, of course, the company executives.

Is it any wonder the big corporate publishers charge $10 or $15, or even more, for an ebook that probably cost them less than $5 to actually produce?

Independent Author-Publishers have learned, over the years, it’s best not to try and do everything. Mostly because if they did, they wouldn’t have much time left to write.

One reason Brandon Sanderson and James Patterson are so prolific is because they have an army of people doing all of the non-writing stuff. Which leaves them all the time in the world to write. (Yes, I know, they do participate in marketing efforts.)

The Underground Authors

One afternoon back in June of 2020 I got an email from Caleb Pirtle III inviting me to join an author co-op he was organizing. The purpose of the group would be to promote each other’s books. And thus The Underground Authors were born.

In those early days, we supported each other by buying and reviewing books; and talking each other up on social media, our blogs, and to our mailing lists.

Beyond the Sea

Last year, we decided to put out a short story anthology to highlight our work in one place. And thus Beyond the Sea was born.

Twelve stories by twelve writers, all inspired by the picture that became the book’s cover.

It’s a phenomenal collection, if I do say so myself. Twelve imaginative, touching, thoughtful, and exciting stories — all created from looking at one picture.

Author and reviewer Lisette Brodey wrote:

I chose this book because I’m someone who always looks for stories in photographs and paintings. So, seeing this anthology, where each author was inspired by the same photograph, immediately grabbed my attention.

All of the stories, greatly ranging in genres, were well written. Of course, I have some favorites, but to mention them here, for me, would be to discount the other stories, which I don’t want to do.

What really stood out for me was the collective talent, the beauty of the imagination, and the endless possibilities of an abandoned / lone boat. And who knows, while you’re reading, you may end up writing your own story.

Pick up a copy on Amazon. And see for yourself. All profit goes to charity. Good stories for you and cash for Team Rubicon.

Who Are The Underground Authors?

There are 12 authors at present in the group. Below are the names, which you can click or tap, and go to their Amazon US pages.

CJ Peterson left the group last year to focus her efforts on her own publishing company. We miss her enthusiasm and contributions, but wish her much success.

Working together. Sharing thoughts and advice. Getting help when needed. Just having someone to talk to. Writing doesn’t have to be a solitary venture.

The Underground Authors. I’m glad I’m a part.

Next week, I am going to talk about the newest project to come from the pens of The Underground Authors: The Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. Stay tuned!

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

Share This!

The Boat

It’s been a number of years since I’ve visited the world of Bill Arthur and The Rocheport Saga.

Recently, though, I paid Bill a visit and the result was “The Boat”, a prequel story to The Rocheport Saga.

In “The Boat” we learn a bit about Bill in the days after the apocalypse and before the story in The Morning Star.

So if you’re a fan of The Rocheport Saga, you can find “The Boat” in Beyond the Sea: Stories from the Underground, which officially debuts this Friday, May 7th.

And to celebrate the book launch, the Underground Authors are throwing a launch party!

The party starts at 5:30 pm CDT on Friday, May 7th. There will be prizes and you’ll get to meet the authors.

Here’s the link to get in on the fun:

PARTY TIME!

Hope to see you there!

Share This!