 I want to give special thanks to RI PBS (Arts & Entertainment section) for publishing this Q&A with me about the launch of my latest novel, The Vampire—A Covenant for Peace (book 2 in The Vampire series). Click here to read.
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To read, click here, or image. This article extensively examines author Raina C. Smith's personal experiences, professional background, and writing career.  Watch my appearance on WJAR-TV's Studio 10 (NBC) as I talk about my latest (sixth) novel, The Vampire - A Covenant for Peace (book 2 in The Vampire series) with Mario Hilario.  Tune in: The Rhode Show (WPRI 12) on Wednesday, March 5th, at 9 a.m., when I’ll discuss my latest book, The Vampire—A Covenant for Peace, the sequel to The Vampire.
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.
 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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