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When I first started writing, I thought I knew what I was doing. After about fifty rejections, I realized I didn't, so I went to college, got a degree in English, and continued to write more. After another thirty or so rejections, I seriously started questioning whether or not I was cut out to be a writer. I joined writing groups, attended conferences, and listened to every word of advice any published author, or editor, or agent had to offer. I learned more, I wrote more, and I received more rejections.
I wrote another novel--a ghost story for teens. I thought I had a winner. I didn't It received over ninety rejections. So I wrote another novel--EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHRIEKS. That one got over forty rejections, but I didn't care, because it was a story for my daughter, and I hadn't originally planned on publishing it anyway. I started working on another novel, a dystopian story for teens, but it didn't interest me, mostly because my mind was still on Eve Hallows. I really liked her story, and I loved the characters. So I went back to it and polished it some more. Then I sent it around to some readers I thought might like it. They did. Then I hired a cover artist and an editor. And then I self published the story. The comments and reviews I received from readers were amazing. So I wrote book number two in the series and self-published that one, too. And now I'm writing book number three, and I'll self-publish that one as well.
Okay, so you must be wondering if there's a point to my story. There is, and it's this: I'm grateful to the traditional publishing system for everything they gave me (yes, the same system that locks their doors and turns off the lights whenever they see me coming) because they taught me the most important lesson I ever needed to learn about writing--that I am a writer.
So here's my advice to anyone who wants to be a writer: You're probably already one; you just don't know it yet.
EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHRIEKS (BOOK 1)
For fourteen-year-old Eve Hallows, life can be summed up in one word—horrible. She has the most horrible friends. She lives in a horrible old castle. Even her family is a bunch of horrible monsters.
However, in the monster-inhabited world of Gravesville—a world where messages are sent through Ouija boards, jack-o’-lanterns get facials to suit their moods, and the worst thing Eve has to deal with are those annoying zombie tourists who overrun her favorite graveyard during the Halloween season—horrible means wonderful. And everything for Eve is perfectly horrible.
But her life is about to go head over heels when a mysterious group known as The Source starts terrorizing Gravesville. Now she must move to the human world—where everything is opposite ... and for Eve, that's absolutely adorable!
Praise for Eve Hallows and the Book of Shrieks:
"Move over, Neil Gaiman’s CORALINE and THE GRAVEYARD BOOK … make room, Lemony Snicket’s A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS … you’ve got company and competition for shelf space!" -- THE HORROR FICTION REVIEW
"WOW! What an absolutely horrible book (horrible meaning fantastic!) ... This book was laugh out loud funny. I loved when Mom accidentally turned people to stone. Dad's crazy attempts at running a pizza store were just hysterical." -- KIDS 'N' BOOKS
"This is the perfect book to be read aloud, read at night under the covers or simply devoured in one sitting. Robert Gray’s Eve Hallows and the Book of Shrieks simply shines with all of its fun creepiness, compelling characters and stellar writing. A MUST read for any MG fan!" -- WORD SPELUNKING
"Eve Hallows is highly imaginative without being too complex for its target audience. Fall in love with Eve, her friends and her family of adorable monsters. Lose yourself in a light read that will remind you of those days when your English teacher just want you to read something, anything. This book is it. The one that you wish you read when you were in grade school." -- JOYOUS READS
"Overall, this book was fantastic. It presents an admirable role model as well as a strong family unit which will benefit young readers. When so many books right now have presented teens in a not-so-flattering light, it is so wonderful to find a book like this one." -- BOOK COVER JUSTICE
EVE HALLOWS AND THE BOOK OF SHADOWS (BOOK 2)
Ever since encountering The Source and its minions on Halloween, Eve Hallows has found life surprisingly quiet … not to mention adorably boring! So when Dad receives a Ouija message that she must return to Gravesville, Eve couldn't be happier—at least until she discovers the Director of URNS, also known as the Grim Reaper, has a special job for Eve … one that will lead her to New York City and to the true identity of The Source.
With The Book of Shrieks offering zero help and a new URNS agent driving the school boys—and Eve!—crazy, Eve's beginning to realize this whole saving-the-world nonsense isn't what it's cracked up to be.
All this and she still has to find The Book of Shadows....
Praise for Eve Hallows and the Book of Shadows:
"This book was perfectly horrible! Horrible meaning amazingly awesome, of course. Eve's world once again sucked me in and would not let go until this part of Eve's story was finished" -- LILI LOST IN A BOOK
"This is a perfect combination of YA, Horror, Paranormal and Fun!" -- BOOK LOVERS PARADISE
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About The Author
Robert Gray is a writer. If that job description doesn't impress you, how about fantasy writer? Too general? Well, he doesn't get insulted if you call him a horror writer. If horror's not your thing, then scratch out horror and replace it with suspense. And for the kiddies, you can slap on a YA or MG in front of that title.
Gray lives in Bushkill, Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.
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