A Decade of Dinkel (the 10th anniversary of “DARK EXCURSIONS: first set”)

Calling myself out 
Stepping into light 
Without a thought or plan 
Just a dream held tight 
-excerpt from 2013, a poem from VISION BENT (half-blind poems) 

It was March 19th, 2013 when I called myself out as an indie author and stepped into light with the release of my first ebook.  

DARK EXCURSIONS: first set was out in the world and I was simultaneously excited and terrified.  I wondered if anyone would read my soap opera tale of murder, manipulation and lust.  Then, when a few copies were downloaded, I worried what the readers would think.  Would they understand?  Would they enjoy it?  Would they think it’s utter crap?  

Thankfully, the years have brought some positive reviews.  I try to wear those kind words as a shield from the cricket-chirping silence from other readers.  I interpret silence as having nothing good to say, but those quiet readers don’t matter.  If they don’t get my story, then they don’t get me. 

 
Now, ten years later, those readers who get me are still here providing support and encouragement.  This means the world to me and I can’t thank you enough.  You’ve made the last ten years worth it and will make the next ten years even better. 

To celebrate the 10th Anniversary of DARK EXCURSIONS: first set, I seriously considered unpublishing the ebook, but that was born from a dark moment of self-doubt.  Instead, I put together a hardcover edition and this rather spiffy looking book is available from an Amazon near you.  

My proof copy is obviously not for resale

So, thank you for loving Dinkel, the one-armed gardener and loving to hate Anapola Van Der Van, the manipulative matriarch.  They are two of my favorite emotionally damaged characters and are waiting to be discovered by new sets of eyes and rediscovered by familiar ones. 

Thank you for reading or listening to any and all of my words over these last 10 years.  

Freak Out, 
JLH 

P.S.  Read the origin of DARK EXCURSIONS… 
https://freakboyzone.blogspot.com/2015/04/whipping-midnight-oil-excursion-behind.html