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My new book, The Vampire - A Covenant for Peace, is lovingly dedicated to my father Edwin J. Smith, Jr., who left us in September 2023. My mother and I miss him beyond description, but his continued extraordinary contact with us (and one of his close friends) lets us know he is still around, we just can't see him. Undoubtedly, he is still checking in and even clowning around with us. He inspired my imagination and creative side with hours-long conversations about various supernatural topics. I learned so much from him, and what we discussed inspires me to this day. I know he would enjoy the story in my latest novel and therefore is so appropriate it is dedicated to him.
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 Author Raina C. Smith Releases New Book |
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Having finally finished the manuscript after writing non-stop for a year, it's now being edited, and one by one, my beta readers are finishing up the book and giving me feedback, which is an exhilarating part of my process. They are fans of the first installment in this series, so it's apropos they are the first to read the sequel, as their unique perspective and feedback are crucial. A beta reader allows me to ask them about every scene, character, and story flow and how they felt about everything they've read while it's still so fresh in their minds, so I can be sure I accomplished what I intended to with the continuation of Rex's story.
Now, on to book cover design and the final push to get this out to readers.
Now, on to book cover design and the final push to get this out to readers.
For the last three weeks, I've been editing the sequel to The Vampire. Editing is daunting because it requires uninterrupted concentration for hours and hours each day for weeks or months. However, as we all know, this work is crucial to the final work, as it's the author's opportunity (before handing it to an editor) to ensure everything in the story is as intended.
Some of the questions that haunt every author while writing a sequel to one of their favorite books:
- Is each scene descriptive enough - placing the reader inside the scene(s) to see, hear, and
smell everything going on?
- Does the story flow well?
- Is this second volume the perfect continuation of the first book?
- Did I leave anything unresolved from the initial novel?
- Does the sequel live up to what readers will expect?
This is a 30-chapter novel, and as of this weekend, I've completed editing 16 chapters, so I'm well on my way to (hopefully) finalizing the initial editing process. Then on to next phases of the multi-step process that will get this book into the hands of readers.
Expected publish date -- early 2025.
Some of the questions that haunt every author while writing a sequel to one of their favorite books:
- Is each scene descriptive enough - placing the reader inside the scene(s) to see, hear, and
smell everything going on?
- Does the story flow well?
- Is this second volume the perfect continuation of the first book?
- Did I leave anything unresolved from the initial novel?
- Does the sequel live up to what readers will expect?
This is a 30-chapter novel, and as of this weekend, I've completed editing 16 chapters, so I'm well on my way to (hopefully) finalizing the initial editing process. Then on to next phases of the multi-step process that will get this book into the hands of readers.
Expected publish date -- early 2025.
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Today, I'm thrilled to share that my sixth novel, the sequel to The Vampire, is complete. As any author would tell you, no other feeling compares to the moment you realize you've just finished writing the novel you've been dedicated to slaving over in your free time for a year.
This sequel dives deeper into Rex's journey as a vampire living in secrecy in Newport, Rhode Island, pulling you further into his complex world of dark alliances, dangerous secrets, his quest for redemption, and his love for a mortal woman.
Writing the continuation to Rex's story has been intense and I cannot wait for you to see the some of the new characters and mysteries that lie ahead for Rex, Renée, Piedmont, Hank, Valder, and others.
Visit my website and social media for release date (early 2025) and more.
📖 🖤 #RainaCSmith #TheVampire #NewRelease
This sequel dives deeper into Rex's journey as a vampire living in secrecy in Newport, Rhode Island, pulling you further into his complex world of dark alliances, dangerous secrets, his quest for redemption, and his love for a mortal woman.
Writing the continuation to Rex's story has been intense and I cannot wait for you to see the some of the new characters and mysteries that lie ahead for Rex, Renée, Piedmont, Hank, Valder, and others.
Visit my website and social media for release date (early 2025) and more.
📖 🖤 #RainaCSmith #TheVampire #NewRelease
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This week, I spent all my free time writing the sequel to The Vampire. With only three partially written chapters remaining, I am nearing completion. With 130,000+ words on 345 pages (so far), I hope to finish by the end of the year and then move on to the editing process. This book remains faithful to the captivating storytelling of the original work and brings the story to conclusion in a meaningful and profound way that will not let readers down. Could there be a third installment to this supernatural series? I haven't decided yet, but let's just say... I left myself an opportunity to meet back up with Rex, Piedmont, Hank, Renée, and a new witch character everyone will love, to ask if they'd like to join me on a new literary adventure. We'll see what they have to say in the future.
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The writing and research hours are long and tiring, but the reward of using my imagination to continue telling Rex's story about the complexities of living among mortals as a vampire is well worth it. As any author will tell you, reaching page numbers, word counts, or chapter milestones is a reminder of how far the story has evolved. When you're at the 300-page mark, as I now am with this book, I can see that I only have about another 50 or so pages to go before I can begin the editing process.
I've been writing the sequel to The Vampire for about a year now, and the story continues to reveal itself to me through some wildly diverse characters and plot-twisting scenes. Some of which I never foresaw until I delved into the scenes, along with the characters, to see and hear what they were doing and saying to one another.
Until its completion and publish date in 2025, I'll continue developing this intriguing story that I know readers who loved The Vampire will find as exceptional as the first book.
I've been writing the sequel to The Vampire for about a year now, and the story continues to reveal itself to me through some wildly diverse characters and plot-twisting scenes. Some of which I never foresaw until I delved into the scenes, along with the characters, to see and hear what they were doing and saying to one another.
Until its completion and publish date in 2025, I'll continue developing this intriguing story that I know readers who loved The Vampire will find as exceptional as the first book.
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The writing of the sequel to The Vampire is progressing well. Characters and scenes thankfully continue to reveal themselves to me so that I can see, hear, and feel them and then incorporate each aspect of their personalities, as well as unique elements, into the story. Reaching the 250-page mark is a hard-earned milestone for any author, especially in under a year. Guessing... I have about 100-150 pages left to write before wrapping up this truly magnificent sequel that I can't wait to share with readers.
I am beyond proud and delighted to share that I've written over 200 pages in the sequel to The Vampire. It's been a joy to continue telling this story, revisiting some of my favorite characters from The Vampire, including (of course) Rex the vampire, Piedmont the butler, Hank and Chester, Rex's pet companions, Renée, and others. There are also some exciting new characters that will have readers either nervous, frightened or laughing, but thoroughly entertained. Thankfully, the story is pouring out, as long as I provide the time. Being part of Rex's world brings me a great deal of joy, as it does for my readers. I'd say I'm halfway through this book, and expect a release date somewhere in early to mid 2025.
