A few months ago I won a copy of Writing the Paranormal Novel by Steven Harper in one of those ‘Win a Book’ competitions in 
Writing Magazine. It’s sat unopened on my bookshelf ever since. That’s no reflection on the book itself – it’s just that I’m not into the paranormal. I prefer to read and write about reality.
But there is a booming market in paranormal tales so I’d like to give my copy of Writing the Paranormal Novel away to someone who either already writes in this genre or someone who is interested in trying it out for the first time or someone who just wants to know more about it.
The strap line for the book is ‘Techniques and Exercises for Weaving Supernatural Elements into Your Story’. The chapter headings include things such as:
- Magic and the Superhero
- The Paranormal at Large
- Arc, Plot and Subplot
And that last heading sounds like it could be useful to any writer.
Steven is an English teacher in Michigan, USA and has written several novels. He also uses the pseudonyms Steven Piziks and Penny Drake.
All you have to do to win the book is leave a comment on this blog post before midnight on Monday 16th July 2012 and indicate that you want to be included in the prize draw. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, ‘Please put me in the draw’ will suffice. Unfortunately postage costs mean that I have to restrict entries to UK addresses only.
Good Luck!
On a completely different subject, any mother who has ever torn her hair out trying to concoct a suitable ‘literary’ costume for her child to wear to school on World Book Day, will love this link to a mother who dressed her child as a Kindle – click here.
Sally Jenkins 
#1 by Julia on July 9, 2012 - 11:33 am
Yes please, Sally, put me in the draw for the book. I have written 2 paranormal short stories that have been ‘almost made its’, but I just can’t quite get there with them.
#2 by littlemerants on July 9, 2012 - 11:34 am
Hi
Please put me in the draw. Thanks 🙂
#3 by Carl Peters on July 9, 2012 - 12:27 pm
What an uncanny coinicidence! I’m attempting to write a supernatural story at the moment so if the stars are working then I’ll be in with a chance to win the draw!
#4 by Julia on July 9, 2012 - 12:42 pm
Please put me in the draw, too. Thanks.
#5 by Jenny Francis on July 9, 2012 - 12:52 pm
Please enter me in the draw, would be great to read
#6 by Tony Cowin (@TonyCowin) on July 9, 2012 - 1:05 pm
I’m writing a paranormal novel at the moment and would love to see if this book has any insight to help me along that journey. So yes please put me into the draw for this Sally. Thank you.
#7 by Steven Chapman on July 9, 2012 - 1:32 pm
Count me in for the draw, please! Thanks, Sally.
#8 by Debbie W on July 9, 2012 - 2:02 pm
Sally, it’s really kind of you to give away this book.
I would very much love to be included in the draw to win a copy of Steven Harper’s book ‘Writing the Paranormal Novel.’
Thanks and best wishes
Debbie W
#9 by Tracy Fells on July 9, 2012 - 2:30 pm
Well done on winning this. I remember & liked your entry! Loved the link on World Book Day – can’t believe the tradition is still going. I remember dressing my son as the Cheshire cat many yrs ago for one of these events (he’s now 16!). I’m not a paranormal writer (though a bit odd at times) so please leave me OUT of the draw 🙂
#10 by Angela Greenwood on July 9, 2012 - 3:32 pm
Please put me in the draw Sally, I’ve had a very minor success with a paranormal short story and would love to do better. Thanks.
#11 by loutreleaven on July 9, 2012 - 5:10 pm
Sounds like an interesting book – I’ve not seen one that focused on that particular subgenre before! Please put me in the draw.
#12 by Helen Lowry on July 9, 2012 - 7:20 pm
Hi Sally. Love reading anything like this! Please put me in the draw.
#13 by aliceinwritingland on July 9, 2012 - 7:26 pm
Hi Sally, well done on your win, and please put me in the draw too. Many thanks.
#14 by Heather Musk (@HJMusk) on July 9, 2012 - 8:20 pm
Hi, please put me into the draw. I entered this competition too x
#15 by Debbie W on July 9, 2012 - 10:01 pm
I say cosy in here isn’t it? Sally’s drawers are going to be busting at the seams soon.
#16 by Sally Jenkins on July 10, 2012 - 12:21 pm
The more the merrier I say, Debbie!
#17 by margaretsmuses on July 10, 2012 - 5:02 pm
Hi Sally, what a lovely thought – I’m writing a fantasy novel at the moment and the first section of the book’Magic and the Superhero’ sounds intriguing.I would love to enter the draw. x
#18 by Lucy Pasifull on July 12, 2012 - 11:37 am
I would love to be included in the draw please.
#19 by Rachael Featherstone on July 12, 2012 - 7:34 pm
This is a very kind and thoughtful thing to do! Please could you put me in the draw too. Thanks
#20 by Helen Greenwood on July 15, 2012 - 10:22 am
Add me to the draw please!
#21 by Debbie W on July 16, 2012 - 8:14 pm
“checks watch”
#22 by Sally Jenkins on July 16, 2012 - 8:16 pm
Hi Debbie – another couple of hours to go! I’ll announce the winner later this week.