📖 Origins, Antagonists, and the January "Dead Zone"
Can you believe that we are already two-thirds of the way through the month? As I mentioned last week (you can find that post HERE), I was planning a move back to Kindle Unlimited (KU). 🔓
📉 The "Mid-Month Slump"
January started really well for me—at least by my standards—but since the 11th, I haven’t sold a single book! 😅 I then remembered it’s the middle of January. Let’s be honest, we are all a bit skint after Christmas, aren't we? Mid-January (10th–25th) is often called “The Dead Zone” in the retail world, so I’m hanging in there! 🕯️
🚚 Big News: IngramSpark Approved!
My book has now officially been uploaded and approved on IngramSpark! This is huge because it’s where shops—small and big—can stock my book at wholesale prices and sell it for the RRP. Seeing it move into the wider retail world is a great feeling. 🏢✨
☘️ The Origin of A Newman Adventure Series
I thought I’d share an "origin story" about how An American Treasure came to be, but to go there, I need to talk about An Irish Mystery first.
I finished An Irish Mystery during the lockdown about 5 years ago. It was just a way to pass the time during those long, monotonous days (unless, like my wife, you were a key worker!). It got shelved in "the cloud" until I rediscovered it on my tablet a year later. ☁️
I gave it to my mum to read, and she enjoyed it—though you’re never sure if they’re just being kind! I read it again and decided it needed more. I started by cutting the story into sections which became the chapters. I edited each one as I went, trying to imagine the scenery.
I spent hours checking online to see what these places actually looked like. I studied websites for specific hotels and areas the characters visited to describe the rooms and buildings accurately. It was all done by looking at pictures and websites, but the secret weapon was online maps! 🗺️ By the time the edits were finished, the manuscript had grown from 63,000 words to over 83,000!
🇺🇸 Why the American Civil War?
How does a boy from Peterborough end up writing about American Civil War treasure? 🕵️♂️ My method is exactly the same as for Book 1: I search the internet for missing treasures. I read about how, where, and when they went missing. Readers of the first book will know it wasn't actually set in Ireland, but in America, with Cedric's house located in Norfolk, Virginia. Once I read everything I could about Mosby and his Rangers and their missing hoard, it just made sense that this was the promise for Book 2.
In this book, I needed a rival—a proper one who was ruthless but respected in his own community. I needed an angle, which became the person the treasure was stolen from: Union Brigadier General Edwin H. Stoughton.
I started looking at Edwin and his family connections to see if anyone would still be alive today. Edwin died young in 1868 with no recorded spouse or children. However, his brother, Colonel Charles B. Stoughton, had a large family. He had one son and five daughters. I followed the story of one of his daughters, Mildred Louise Stoughton, who married a man named Benjamin Ives Spock.
What a great name I thought for an antagonist: Spock! 😈
How does a boy from Peterborough end up writing about American Civil War treasure? 🕵️♂️ My method is exactly the same as for Book 1: I search the internet for missing treasures. I read about how, where, and when they went missing. Readers of the first book will know it wasn't actually set in Ireland, but in America, with Cedric's house located in Norfolk, Virginia. Once I read everything I could about Mosby and his Rangers and their missing hoard, it just made sense that this was the promise for Book 2.
In this book, I needed a rival—a proper one who was ruthless but respected in his own community. I needed an angle, which became the person the treasure was stolen from: Union Brigadier General Edwin H. Stoughton.
I started looking at Edwin and his family connections to see if anyone would still be alive today. Edwin died young in 1868 with no recorded spouse or children. However, his brother, Colonel Charles B. Stoughton, had a large family. He had one son and five daughters. I followed the story of one of his daughters, Mildred Louise Stoughton, who married a man named Benjamin Ives Spock.
What a great name I thought for an antagonist: Spock! 😈
I decided that my character would come from her side of the family. That is where An American Treasure’s ruthless rival was born: Lando Spock. He is a man obsessed with claiming the prize, shadowing Cedric and his team's every move. He grew up being told stories about Edwin and his great-great-grandfather, Colonel Charles B. Stoughton, and he believes the hoard is rightfully his.
🖖 Meet Lando Spock
That is where my ruthless rival, Lando Spock, was born. He’s obsessed with the hoard because of stories passed down through his family. Writing an antagonist is so much fun—they are so single-minded! Spock believes the cache is rightfully his and will deal with anyone in his way.
An American Treasure has everything:
- 🗺️ A treasure map
- 🔐 A coded message & cipher
- 🔍 Ancient clues
- 🔪 ...and even murder!
I hope this has whetted your appetite for Book 2! It’s out later this year and I cannot wait. 🦅
📚 What I am Reading...
I’m currently deep into Stone of Fire by J.F. Penn. I’ve reached that point where you start wondering: How on earth is this going to end? I’m about 65% through, and it’s been so nice to actually have the time to relax, sit down, and just get lost in a compelling story. 🕯️
Once I’ve finished, I’ll be posting my rating and full review on Goodreads and Fable. You can follow me there to see my latest updates, tell me what you are currently reading, or even drop a few recommendations my way! 💬📖
📬 Want to follow the journey?
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📖 Enjoyed this post?
An Irish Mystery is a fast-paced historical adventure about stolen treasures, hidden histories, and the cost of obsession.
Ebook, Kindle Unlimited, Paperback & hardcover
👉 Available on Amazon: An Irish Mystery
You can also find me on Instagram / Bluesky / X / Facbook, where I share writing updates and behind-the-scenes moments.
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