Notes From
The Cave
The blog of Thriller Author, A. D. Hay
featuring an exclusive look at her
behind-the-scenes misadventures.
Introducing The Book Nerd Podcast
The Book Nerd is a virtual book club podcast that comes out every second Sunday. Each episode will be a maximum of 20 minutes Long. I wanted to make each show short and be respectful of your time because I get it, you’re busy and may not have a spare hour to listen to a podcast or watch a video.
Get a Sneak Peek at a Chapter from James Lalonde, Book 2
In this blog post, I share the title and cover for James Lalonde Book 2 as well as an exclusive preview of the first two scenes of the story. For the sake of clarity, the events of this novel occur a few months after, the first book, Missing. However, you don’t need to read Missing to enjoy this new story.
The One with All the Hauls | BTS Vlog #19
As suggested by the title, this behind the scenes author vlog is packed to the brim with shopping hauls. Some bookish related while others are not And, I also share some exciting news about my upcoming publishing schedule.
An Important But Nonetheless Embarrassing Author Milestone | BTS Vlog #18
Watch this writing vlog to discover an embarrassing author-related moment for me, and I share exactly how much of a tech nerd, I really am.
My Writing Plans for Book Two and Cute Bookish Purchases | BTS Vlog #17
I’m excited to announce that I’ve published the first book in my James Lalonde Crime Thriller series, Missing. But, there’s no rest for wicked because this author has already started the final revisions on book two. Or, so I thought. In amongst all the work, I managed to squeeze in a bit of fun with two bookish related unboxings.
Introducing: The James Lalonde Insiders Reader Club
There’s light at the end of the tunnel. Well, sort of; let me explain. The wonderful world of revisions and working with professional editors is underway for Book Two in the James Lalonde Mystry Series. Yay! And, now I have an important question for you. Do you want to read the books in my James Lalonde Mystery series for free?
Free Fiction: Chapter Four of The Lawn (A James Lalonde Mystery Short Story)
So, here is an earlier revised draft of the fourth chapter of my mystery short story, The Lawn. The short story has a special tie-in to my mystery novella, Missing. Eventually, I want to arrange for a professional line-edit and proofread then format the short story for ebook, so that you can read it on your favourite device.
Free Fiction: Chapter Three of The Lawn (A James Lalonde Mystery Short Story)
So, here is an earlier revised draft of the third chapter of my mystery short story, The Lawn. The short story has a special tie-in to my mystery novella, Missing. Eventually, I want to arrange for a professional line-edit and proofread then format the short story for ebook, so that you can read it on your favourite device.
A Dental Implant Update and A Chat with My Editor | BTS Writing Vlog #16
Watch this writing vlog to discover how the call went and what I’ve learned about working with a professional editor, plus the update about my dental implant experience.
Revision Vlog: Did I Finish My Fourth Draft? | BTS Writing Vlog #15
Some writers love a tight deadline. Maybe, love is too strong of a word. But, tight deadlines have known to be highly motivational. And, that’s where I found myself in this fifteenth behind-the-scenes writing vlog. So, did I finish my fourth draft?
Free Fiction: Chapter Two of The Lawn (A James Lalonde Mystery Short Story)
So, here is an earlier revised draft of the second chapter of my mystery short story, The Lawn, that has a special tie-in to my mystery novella, Missing. Eventually, I want to arrange for a professional line-edit and proofread then format the short story for ebook, so that you can read it on your favourite device.
Did I Start Revising My Fourth Draft? | BTS Writing Vlog #14
It feels as if I’ve been revising and editing a novella for an eternity. Well, maybe not, but it certainly feels like that. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been slowly adding editing notes to my fourth draft.
Free Fiction: Chapter One of The Lawn (A James Lalonde Mystery Short Story)
I’ve been considering sharing the opening scene of my mystery short story for quite some time. And, I’ve finally overcome those nerves and decided to press the publish button. So, here is an earlier revised draft of the first chapter of my mystery short story, The Lawn, that has a special tie-in to my mystery novella, Missing.
Struggling to Write When Life is Hard, Procrastinating, and Getting Back to Editing | BTS Writing Vlog #13
In this behind the scenes writing vlog, I get honest about struggling to write when life is hard, and I attempt to get back into editing or revising my crime thriller novella, Missing.
How to Write a Short Story (Part 3) | Behind the Scenes Writing Vlog #12
After the last video blog, I had finally got around to adding more notes to my fourth draft checklist. I was all prepared and had all my spreadsheets plus scrivener opened. And, that’s when I realised I hadn’t finished writing the first draft of my crime thriller short story, The Lawn.
Hello!
My Books
A Body is on the Lawn, and a Killer is on the Loose
When Will Thatcher, doesn’t show up for work, James Lalonde is forced to attend an afternoon tea with Alistair Carmichael in his place. The lovely autumn afternoon tea comes to an abrupt end when a body turns up on the lawn of the Carmichael Estate with strange markings on his neck.
But, something is missing, a priceless painting is off the wall. However, it’s no ordinary painting, it’s a Van Gogh purchased in an auction a few months ago. After discovering fresh tracks, most likely left by the murderer James realises the murder is still in the estate.
Can James figure out who the thief and murderer are before he or Alistair is next?
A killer is on the loose, Excalibur is missing, and his career is on the line…
James, the chief editor of a small newspaper, returns home to discover that his girlfriend, Valentine has unexpectedly left. Later that morning, he fails to reallocate her story. To avoid blank space in the paper, James decides to write the story on the local museum’s latest acquisition, Excalibur. But, there’s one thing he didn’t count on… Excalibur is Missing, and his girlfriend has been kidnapped.
$2.99
Find it on Amazon:
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Apple | Kobo | Google Play | B&N
A Murdered Judge. A Dark Secret Silenced.
Rookie reporter James Lalonde is bored. And, he isn’t a journalist. He’s an all-round dogs-body, to editor-in-chief, Rhys Kelly. But, his luck has finally changed. After eavesdropping in on the morning editorial meeting, James learns he has his first-ever story. There’s one catch. If the story gets too complicated, it will be taken away from him and given to another journalist with more experience. Sure it’s a boring interview with the soon to be sworn-in magistrate, Albert Harrington, but it finally gets him out of his six-month slump as an editorial research assistant.
The following day, James turns up to his interview with Albert to discover a trail of blood smeared through Albert’s house, an empty safe, the murder weapon on the floor, but no body. Detective Anwar Khan turns up to the crime scene, puts two and two together, and believes James murdered the controversial magistrate. Can James clear his name and write his first-ever story before his editor takes it away from him?
$2.99
What I’m Writing!
Revised Draft
73,509 of 80,000 Words
Right now, I’m preparing Book Two in the James Lalonde series, for a final round of revisions. The next step is to send the story off to my editor. I aim to have this eBook published on all major ebook retailers by the end of March 2022. And, I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
Publishing Updates
First Draft
0 of 60,000 Words
I’ve decided to add an extra book between the second book and the start of the byline series, where James arrives in New York. Book Three will be set in a 24 hour period in London. This novel will be available in ebook on all major ebook retailers by the end of mid 2022. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
Revised Draft
112,960 of 99,000 Words
Book Four the James Lalonde series needs one final round of revisions before I can hand it off to my editor. This longer novel will be published on all major ebook retailers in late 2022. And, the paperback editions soon after. I will be making this novel available for free to my James Lalonde Insiders reader club. You can become an insider here.
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