Three Reasons Not to Explore My Website

1. You’re sleeping too well.
   Give your mind something to do at 3 a.m.
2. You trust the people around you.
   My books could make the next family gathering awkward.
3. You have plans tomorrow.
   “One more chapter” has very little respect for your schedule.

Still here? Good. Now for the serious part.

A Title Is Only the Beginning

I receive messages from people claiming to admire my books
who describe stories I haven’t written. That makes it
difficult to have a useful conversation.

Describing Bereft Reality as only a story about
self-esteem misses much of what is happening.

Likewise, First Responder is not a hospital,
emergency-room, ambulance, or medical-professional story.
Its title refers to the first one to show—the first
presence, the first arrival, and the consequences that follow.

Tell me what you found in the story. A specific observation
gives us much more to discuss than a paragraph of praise
that could belong to any author.

Look Behind the Book Cover

For the title you want to discuss, have you reviewed its
“Why This Book” and behind-the-book material?
Have you explored the
artwork pages?

If you are comfortable having the story revealed, have
you visited the
spoiler pages?
They are called spoilers for a reason. Consider that
your friendly warning before opening the door.

These materials can give us more to talk about.
Please distinguish between what you’ve read in a book
and what you’ve learned through my website or videos.

If You’re Bringing a Professional Proposal

My goal is to move my work forward through serious
representation, meaningful exposure, and opportunities
in television, streaming, and film.

I want to hear from people who can explain a real
opportunity and why a particular book belongs in it.

Please include:

• Who you are:
  your name, role, and the company or organization you represent.
• What you’re proposing:
  the specific book and the opportunity you see for it.
• Your relevant experience:
  projects, credits, or professional links I can review.
• What you expect from me:
  materials, time, participation, or other commitments.
• Any fees or costs:
  put those on the table at the outset.
• The next step:
  what you believe we could actually do from here.

My time and my work matter to me. I’m open to a serious
conversation with someone who has taken the time to
understand what I’m writing and can explain where they
see an opportunity.

Professional Inquiries: Start Here

Please send your inquiry to
darkfictionauth@gmail.com
and follow the requirements below.

Write in your own words. Please don’t send an AI-generated
summary, copied praise, or a template that could be sent
to any author by changing the name.

Be specific. Tell me what you found in my work and why
you want to be part of its next step.

About That Dinner Invitation

I have a slightly off-color way of explaining this:
“If you’re going to screw me, at least take me out
to dinner first.”

Please take that in the spirit intended—a little humor
from an author who receives quite a few promises and proposals.

If we’re considering doing business together, I’d welcome
the chance to sit down over dinner in Floyds Knobs, Indiana,
and hear about you, your company, and what you have in mind.
Tell me what interests you about my work, what you bring
to the table, and what you would want from me in return.

Travel isn’t always practical, and dinner is an invitation,
not a requirement. A straightforward conversation is
what I’m after.

Find Me. Read Me. Then Reach Out.