Event Information/Personal Interviews – Updated 5/20/23

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May 20, 2023
 
It’s getting close to Steampunk time! If you’ve never been, you should go! If you have experienced it, then you know! Teapot races, costumed parades, contra dancing, vendors, food, and so much more.
 
 
Plump Toad FINAL
 

Sue Rovens – Indie Suspense Author

suerovens.com

Fast paced, locally written suspense and thrillers.

Sue Rovens is an indie suspense/horror author who lives in Normal, Illinois. She has written four suspense novels and two books of short horror stories. Her fifth novel, Sanctum, will be out later this year (2023).

Track 9, her second novel, snagged a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly (May 2018), her short story, “Coming Over”, from her book, In a Corner, Darkly (Volume 1) was turned into a screenplay and short student indie film by the theater department of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and another short story, “When the Earth Bled”, won 2nd place in the Support Indie Authors short story contest in 2021. Her short story, “Skin”, was featured on the Horrorific podcast’s YouTube channel in mid-2022. Sue’s two most recent books (Buried and Rage) are under Plump Toad Press.

Sue owns a blog (suerovens.com) which includes interviews with authors, musicians, podcasters, and artists, and is also a current member of The Chicago Writers Association and the Alliance for Independent Authors (ALLi).

 
 
 
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May 11, 2023
 
It’s Coming!!! Are YOU ready?
 
Sanctumcover
 
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May 7, 2023
 
Springfield, Illinois – First Spring Market Bazaar is in the books! Tons of vendors, lots of food, met some groovy people, signed some books, and sold a few Toad Bags. Good event! 🙂
 
tablesetup
 
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May 3, 2023
 
And here we are, going right into the next event!
 
This is The First Sunday Bazaar in Springfield, Illinois.
 
 
 
 

Illinois State Fairgrounds – Orr Building

Sunday, May 7

8am to 4pm

 
(this is what is posted on the site):
 
A few things for shoppers to note:
This show is rain or shine!! Our vendors will show up if it rains so we know you will too!! Right now the forecast is looking good for Sunday, May 7th!!!!
Admission is $5, age 12 and under are free. Hours are 8-4, Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL. Gate is cash.
MOST of our vendors take cards, a few take checks, and I’m pretty sure they ALL take cash. Please bring CASH for the ones who aren’t equipped to take cards. There is NO ATM in the building, or anywhere nearby on the grounds.
There will be lots of vendors to keep you from passing out during your shopping spree, with snacks like nuts, pretzels, popcorn, cakes and cookies. You are allowed to leave and come back in at no charge but you will not want to leave, ever, so consider stuffing your little tummy with some snacks as you shop. You deserve it. You are a good human, and you are supporting local small businesses!!!
You can also WALK AROUND THE SHOW WITH A GLASS OF WINE OR SANGRIA!!! WOOHOOOOO. West of Wise will be ready for you on Sunday. Tina and her team are the best.
Single cans of soda and water will be for sale in the center ring near the music.
If you are still masking, that is perfectly fine with us!! We want you to feel safe and be safe. Masks are no longer required but please come shop comfortably with us if you are masking!! Anti bacterial will be available at the door and at the FSMB info booth on the center ring.
Our vendors park in the lower lot far away from the building to leave all the spots around the building open to you. Please feel free to make many trips out to your car to stash your purchases.
We so appreciate you all and hope you have a really great day at the First Sunday Midwest Bazaar!!
 
 
 
This is the list of vendors that I was able to get: (yeah, there’s a LOT!)
 
Phathead BBQ Sauce
Stray
Ethereal Ephemera
Olde Thyme Frendz
The Wright Soapery
Just Makes Scents
Rem Dog & Co.
Dave’s Coffee Cakes
Our Family By Design
Chinquipin Designs
Plush Buckets & More
Everything and the Kitchen Sink
Space Cadets Candy & More, LLC
JS Africa
Avie & J
The Cousins Dog Biscuit Co.
Waxing Moon Whimsicals
Heaven Cynt
Armour Cutlery
Just Sayin’
The Garage on Leonard
Mary’s Glass Art
A Newfangled Direction, LLC
Boston Jack’s Baby Boutique
The Cookie Shack
Kreative Designs by Gina
Sweet P Designs
Glitz ‘n Glam Purses
Lincoln Log Planters
Aura Images Photography
Mandarin Mountain Memories, LLC
I Doodle Do You
Black Lily Designs
Treasures for Tails Pet Boutique
Oliver Upcycled
Oliver Crafts
APL (Animal Protective League)
Farmer Scott’s Premium Popcorn
Audrey’s Boutique & Luxuries
Brison’s Blooms
Class Glass n Sass
Novabrooks Boutique
Deco Designs
The Bee’s Knees Soy Candles
Close Sublimation
Antonio’s Boutique
Ephemeral Daydreams
Happiness Trails Boutique
2 Minds Custom Designs LLC
Homemade to Home
Norwex
PaperPie (formerly Usborne)
Magic Moon Crystals & Co.
DM Gems
Artist Eddie
Out Yonder Boutique
Love, Liz Boutique
EJ’s Crafts
Miss Ellie’s Famous Caramels
Candles ‘n More by Gail
Dizzy Potter
All Stitched Up
Chasin’ Rainbows
Cordial Alpacas
Me and Mommy’s Closet
Scentsy
All Paint
Suttill’s Sweet Scent
Cozy Corner
Lilla Rose
The Wooden Harp
Audrey and Mom
KB Treats
Country Cabin Mixes
Karen’s Artistic Touches
KAS Crystal Designs
Modern Thread Design
Lauralee Photography
Tranquil Moon
U. R. Artsy
The Red Wagon Craft Company
Peter’s Produce
Ile H
Three Sisters Soap
Bow Riffic Bows & More
GL Pratt Images
Mimi & Me
BLB Designs
Drughes
Freckled Dog Designs, Inc.
The Aromatic Dragon
McCoy Made
Nicole’s Craft
Artsy Accents by Nora
Yellow Zinnia Purse Co.
Birdy Bakery
The Wandering Goat
Rachel’s Resin Reel
Thompson Custom Painted Furniture and Signs
Jewelry To Go
Pampered Chef
Sue Rovens — Suspense Author
Tab’s Wired & Mess-hed
Bubba Grump’s Smoked Pretzels
Glacier Goodies
Black Cat Home Bakery
West of Wise Winery
TnD Gift Shop
Todd’s Sewing
Chestnut Street Creations
Wild Mule Clothing
Hearts Notion
 
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April 10, 2023
 
I’ll be here!! If you’re in the area, come check it out! It’s going to be a happening, people! 🙂
 

Boondocks Spring Market- Sunday Funday

Date: April 30, 2023

Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Location: Mackinaw Valley Vineyard

Join us for the Boondock’s Spring Market and dust off the cobwebs, it’s SPRING!  Vendors will be on the grounds in the pavilion and covered patio areas as well as the lawn areas selling and showing off their wares. A great selection of vintage items, handmade items, clothing, jewelry, artwork, and other fun products will provide a fun Spring shopping experience. 

Music by Greg Williams, 12-4pm.

Food concessions by “Tony’s on Wheels” from Haddad’s Lebanese Restaurant to learn more click here,  11am to 4pm

Bakery concessions by ” The Baking Baer” to learn more click here. 11am – 4pm

Local foodie favorites will also be for sale in the tasting room by Ropp Jersey cheese, Chocolatier Confection Chocolates, and Donny B’s gourmet popcorn. Hot drinks will be available as well as wine, beer, sodas, bottled tea and water

Plenty of parking, lots of seating indoors and outdoors to enjoy the vineyard views and our grounds.  Those who wish to bring their own lawn chairs can enjoy seating in the yard and lake area.

Foods and snacks can also be brought in but no drinks of any kind. We sell wine, beer, sodas, bottled tea and water. This event is held rain or shine.

 
 
 
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March 25, 2023
 
First Event of 2023! Come on by and check it out. Lots of cool stuff for everyone of all ages.
 
 
 

Boondocks Spring Market- Sunday Funday

Date: April 30, 2023
Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Mackinaw Valley Vineyard
 
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March 11, 2023
 
Found a 3-star review for Rage. Check it out!
 
I gave this horror read 3 stars. It is actually set in an area close to where I grew up, which was really cool, and follows a couple different people through some difficult points in their lives. The way I interpreted the story is that there are many different breaking points that can be reached in a person, and this short story explores what can lead people to rage, mechanisms they may deploy to deal with rage, and ultimately how this emotion, bottled up or let out, can affect those around us. I found this on Netgalley and I believe it’s now published and available to everyone. Check it out if it sounds like something that may interest you.
 
 
 
 
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February 10, 2023
 
Still on the hunt for more events, book fairs, and markets. If YOU know of any in Illinois, please feel free to share! 🙂
 
 
 
 
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January 18, 2023
 
Just signed up for two more events…
 
Cogs and Corsets – Steampunk! – in Bloomington, Illinois on June 2, 3, and 4.
 
and
 
Indie Author Book Expo in Peoria – at the Civic Center – on June 24th.
 
As usual, more info on each of these as it gets closer.
 
🙂
 
 
 
 
 
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January 2, 2023
 
WooHoo! Happy New Year!
 
I’ve signed up for my first two events!
Spring Maker’s Market on Sunday, April 30 in Mackinaw, Illinois
Fall Maker’s Market on Saturday, September 23 at the Interstate Center in Bloomington, Illinois.
(more info on both as it gets closer)
 
 
AND…
 
 
 
I found a semi-recent review of Rage online:
 

I gave this horror read 3 stars. It is actually set in an area close to where I grew up, which was really cool, and follows a couple different people through some difficult points in their lives. The way I interpreted the story is that there are many different breaking points that can be reached in a person, and this short story explores what can lead people to rage, mechanisms they may deploy to deal with rage, and ultimately how this emotion, bottled up or let out, can affect those around us. I found this on Netgalley and I believe it’s now published and available to everyone. Check it out if it sounds like something that may interest you.

Rage
 
Hey! I’ll take it! Thanks, reviewer. I appreciate it!
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December 11, 2022
 
The last event was the Holiday Market in Towanda (on December 10th). I would have posted about it, but to be honest, I’ve been a bit crazed with Draft 5 of Sanctum!
 
Needless to say, that wraps up all the events for 2022 for me. I’ve been poking around the internet in search of ones for 2023, but nothing is set yet. Just as well. I’ll be taking this time to finish up Draft 5 and send it to my Beta Readers.
 
 
 
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November 28, 2022
 
The NEXT event in the queue!
This coming Saturday, I, along with a number of other groovy authors, will be selling our wares at the Main Library in Peoria, Illinois. Two hours of bookish goodness. Stop by and check things out! (this is my first showing at this particular event – I’m excited 🙂  )
 
 
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November 3, 2022
 
 
The next event!! Local one, here in Normal. All are welcome.
 
May be an image of text that says 'arco 309.888.9099 Activity and Recreation Center SERVCE NORMAL TOWNSHIP FOR PEOPLE AGE 55+ 600 E Willow, Normal Celebrate the Season ART & CRAFT SALE NOV. 5, 2022 9 AM *All goods available for purchase have been hand-made by ARC members* This event is open to the community to attend'
 
 
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October 21, 2022
 
My short story, Skin, was just broadcast LIVE on HORRORific Tales, an arm of The Horrorific Podcast. The original story was first published in my first book, In a Corner Darkly: Volume One. I have since rewritten it for the podcast. You can listen to the new version here:
 
 
Thank you, Colin! 🙂
 
 
 
 
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October 16, 2022
 
It’s coming…

The Wheaton Haunted Flea! (it’s SO BIG!!)

 

Saturday, October 29 from 3pm to Midnight.

 
 

Wheaton Illinois Haunted Halloween Flea Market

Saturday October 29, 2022

3pm to Midnight / $10 . Children 12 and under are free.
Free parking.

Held at the DuPage County Fairgrounds
2015 Manchester Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187

Sue Rovens

 

 
 
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October 11, 2022
 
I was over at Teri Polen’s blog last week for Bad Moon Rising, a month-long tribute to all things spooky! Each day, Teri welcomes a different author to her blog. Mine went up on October 6. Check out the full interview at the link below! And while you’re at it, poke around her blog to read other interviews during this month as well as Teri’s OWN work. It’s great! 🙂
 
 
 
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September 14, 2022
 
 
Next up! A group signing at Bobzbay (indie bookstore) in Bloomington, Illinois! Friday, October 14 from 4pm – 6pm. I’ll have all the books, toad bags, and toad mugs with me. It’s a destination and a happening, to be sure!
 
 
 
May be an image of ‎text that says '‎BOBZBAY BOOKS 419MAIN 419 419 DOWNTOWN BLOOMINGTON HORROR & SUSPENSE GROUP BOOK SIGNING FEATURING... PETE ALTIERI OLIVIAJ.BENNETT OLIVIAJ. SUE ROVENS ر‎'‎
 
It’s spooky season! Bobzbay is excited to host not one author… but THREE great local authors who write in the horror and/or suspense genre.
 
Pete Altieri (Creation of Chaos Series, Deeper than Dead)
 
Olivia J. Bennett (Casually Homicidal, A Cactus in the Valley)
 
Sue Rovens (In a Corner Darkly Series, Badfish, Buried, Rage, Track 9)
 
Books will be available for sale during the event, if you can’t make the event please email info@bobzbay.com and we can arrange personalized signed copies for you.
 
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August 30, 2022
 
Printers Row Lit Fest is right around the corner!
 
I will be under the Chicago Writers Association Tent from 3pm – 6pm on Saturday, September 10th. Stop by, say hello, grab a book or three and visit with hundreds of other authors over the two-day event.

2022 Printers Row Lit Fest will take place September 10 & 11, 10am-6pm, on South Dearborn Street, from Ida B. Wells to Polk Street in historic Printers Row.

 
PrintersRowLitFest_logo_circle-1
 
 
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August 22, 2022
 
The DHHC (Dark History and Horror Con ’22) is in the books! A wonderful time, good sales, and meeting of new friends and old. Here’s a few photos from said festivities!
 
 
 
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May be an image of 3 people and text that says 'SUE ROVENS SUSPENSE AUTHOR BURIED SUE ROVENS RAGE PRESS BURIED SUL LOVENS RW •Fns TpACK BADFISH'       May be an image of 3 people and indoor
 
 
May be an image of 3 people     May be an image of 2 people and people standing
(Charlie, my husband, next to me)
 
 
 

And while I have your attention – the next event is Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago on September 10! Keep an eyeball peeled for the details.

 
 
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August 12, 2022
 

I WILL BE THERE ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 20TH FROM 10AM TO 7PM

 
 
 
DHHC 2022 August 19 & 20
 
 
 
 
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August 11, 2022
 
Okay, I pulled the plug! I signed up for Wheaton Haunted Flea!
 
Saturday, October 29 – 3pm – Midnight.
Wheaton, Illinois
 
As soon as the most recent posting goes up, I’ll link it here!
 
 
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August 2, 2022
 
I was over at Marcia Meara’s blog (a wonderful place, by the way) recently for a Guest Spot:
 
 
Please take a moment to check it out! 🙂
 
 
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July 23, 2022
 

A little under a month away!

 

Dark History & Horror Convention!

 
 
 
Friday, August 19 – 4pm – 8pm
 
Saturday, August 20 – 10am – 7pm (I’ll only be there on THIS day)
 
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July 9, 2022
 
 
A NEW review for In a Corner, Darkly: Volume Two!
Thank You!!
 
 
 
 
 

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2022

 
 
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June 26, 2022
 
A NEW review for In a Corner, Darkly: Volume One!
Thank you!
 
 
 
 

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2022

 
 
 
 
 
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June 2, 2022
 
A great review for Buried popped up in Goodreads! Five stars.
 
 
 
As a general rule, horror books are usually not my thing, but this book kept me captivated.

 

So many interesting events intertwined throughout the story. I couldn’t stop thinking about it as I read….

He did what?!?!?!
Why would she do that?!?!?
I am cancelling my trip to visit a small town this summer!

The short chapters were a perfect fit for my busy life. I was able to pick up the book and read through a few chapters easily while being able to put it down as I progressed through my day. As a result, I was able to read the whole story in 1 day which was a relief as the plot line was so disturbing that I needed to see how it all came together in the end.

Sue Rovens’ writing style pulls the reader in from the start and keeps us all intrigued as we peek into the lives of some disturbing characters.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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May 23, 2022
 
 
While Steampunk: Cogs and Corsets Happening is the NEXT event coming up, I wanted to alert you to the Dark History and Horror Convention that’s taking place in Champaign, Illinois on Friday/Saturday, August 19/20. They have a terrific site full of information:
 
 
 
 
DHHC 2022 August 19 & 20
 
 
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May 2, 2022
 
 
 
It’s official! I’ll be a vendor at the Steampunk Cogs and Corsets Happening on June 3 and 4 in Bloomington, Illinois. I’ll be posting more about it in the coming weeks, but for now, the link above should get you to the vendor page as well as provide other information regarding the event.
 
 
 
(Photo taken from the Cogs and Corsets website)
 
 
 
 
 
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April 24, 2022
 
It’s coming!!!  Next Weekend!!!
 
 
 
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March 19, 2022
 
Today, I am over at Candace Nola’s blog – Uncomfortably Dark! She was kind enough to interview me for an extended version of Women in Horror month. Here’s the link:  https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/blank-page-12
 
If you don’t want to hop over, here is the interview (sans photos)
 

03/19/2022
Sue Rovens

When did you first begin writing professionally?  

I don’t know if I’d ever call my writing a profession, as I couldn’t make a living at it (just doesn’t provide enough income). However, I started selling my first book in 2012, so if we’re going by when people started giving me money in exchange for my wares, then, ten years.

Why did you choose to write horror?

I enjoy reading horror/suspense, so I wanted to write in the same wheelhouse so to speak. I’ve considered a few other genres, but this is where I’m most comfortable.

Do you only write horror stories, or do you cross-over into other genre’s?

My writing mostly rides the line between suspense and horror these days. I don’t necessarily gravitate to splatter/gore, but rather psychological/creepy/disturbing horror. I’ve tried a few stories (short) that dipped toes into sci-fi and apocalyptic, and while those are fun, I tend to fall back to what I know best. One thing is certain – you’ll never see my name attached to a romance novel or a western. Those just aren’t my bag.

Have you always been a horror fan?

For the most part, yes.

What defines “horror” for you?  As compared to suspense, thriller, or action?

That’s tough. The lines can blend so easily, from one to another. Some folks would call Rosemary’s Baby a horror movie, but it certainly has suspenseful lines through the entire film. Hostel and Saw (to me) are straight up horror, but I didn’t find them “scary” – more grotesque and cringeworthy. I know some folks (Stephen King included) have definitive boundaries for what constitutes horror from thriller from suspense, but I think that many movies/books can fit into multiple categories.

What is your favorite thing about being in the Horror industry and/or a female in the industry?

I think “horror folks” can be more accepting in general. It’s not about appearances or personal presentation – it’s more about content and sharing what you think is cool/creepy/scary/interesting.

What differences do you believe women bring to the table within the horror industry, more empathy in roles?  More female leads/characters or stronger female empowerment?  Why are those differences impactful and important, in your opinion?

How I’m going to answer might be seen as “unpopular” but it’s my honest opinion. I believe that if a writer is good at their craft, it doesn’t matter if they are male, female, or any other gender. Some male writers are extremely empathetic when it comes to writing female characters, while others blunder through clunky, unrealistic dialogue and come across as clueless. The same can be said about some female writers when creating male characters.

Personally, I write both male and female “leads” in my books. All my characters have difficulties and problems. I don’t tend to separate things into female/male issues (although, of course, physically, there are differences). Having said that, I do, wholeheartedly appreciate being part of Women in Horror Month. Really!!

Have you faced any challenges as a woman in the mostly male world of horror? If so, what were they and how did you overcome them?

The gender aspect (at least for me) has never really been an issue. I wrote/write what I want and hope that people will be entertained from what I’m producing. Where I find the least support is from folks (male OR female) who “pre-judge” suspense/horror as a genre. I’ve literally had people read the back of my books, set them down, and wipe their hands on their coats because of a certain word or phrase in the blurb. They felt like the books themselves were evil or disgusting. And I know it wasn’t because I was female – it was directly due to the content of my work.

Tell us a bit about your latest release, Rage, and where the concept came from?

Rage…

Rage follows two individuals (one male and one female) who are on very different, yet very destructive life paths. The tension begins in the first chapter (a suicide attempt) and arcs back and forth between the two main characters, ramping up until a rather explosive crescendo. I really believe that anyone who likes real-life suspense with bits of horrific (not gratuitous) violence will dig this.

When I started the first draft, all I knew was that I wanted to make the main character (Weston Cross) the most depressed and pathetic person I could, and trusted that as I wrote, the rest of the characters and plotlines would fall into place.

How did your process differ between writing Rage and your first novel Badfish? What made it different?

I was just trying to find my way when I wrote Badfish. I had only written short stories at that point, so writing an entire novel was a bit daunting. Using my NaNoWriMo first draft proved helpful since I used it as a guide, but believe me, there were many iterations of the manuscript before I felt it was “good enough” to publish. I’m sure if I went back and rewrote it today, there would be differences, but I’m proud of Badfish being my first.

Rage was different – if for no other reason, it was my fourth novel. I don’t have a pattern in writing, per se, but I better understand character development, sub-plots, and dialogue.

What has been your proudest moment thus far in your career and why?   

When I sold my books (my only two at the time – both of my short story collections – In a Corner, Darkly, Volumes 1 and 2) in Barnes and Noble up near Rockford. It was the first time I felt like a real writer. (2013/2014)

Which authors or horror creatives (male or female) have most inspired you, living or dead, and what was it that inspired you?

I would say Jack Ketchum (Dallas Mayr) is probably my favorite writer. He had a way with words, quite literally, that created a vibe without dragging the story down. He never filled pages with endless, flowery passages – something I don’t particularly care for when reading. Some of his stories were so real and didn’t depend on the fantastic or sci-fi world building – I appreciate a tale that presents in the “real” here and now.

What is your personal favorite horror movie or story and why?

Ooo…favorite? It kind of depends on the day. But, if I had to pick, I’d say Burnt Offerings (1976) by Robert Marasco (film and book). It’s everything I want in horror – creepy story, little gore, no jump scares, terrifying build-up, and one heck of an ending. Don’t let the average ratings on the internet turn you away. This is quality stuff.

What was your earliest experience with horror? Movies, books, or a real-life moment or nightmare?

Okay, that’s an easy one. I saw the opening of the tv show Journey to the Unknown (1968, when I was 4). It was the scariest thing I had ever seen. Years later, I finally found out exactly what it was. Yeah, it’s still pretty disturbing. There’s something about it being in (mostly) black and white that gives it an underlying tone of scariness. Think Carnival of Souls (1962) or Night of the Living Dead (1968). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecwd_Ww8tHQ

What legacy would you like to leave behind, or rather, what is it that you want to be known for? Simply as a great author, a leader in the field or something more defined?

Well, I suppose I’d like for people to read my books and be entertained and/or get some enjoyment out of them. I’d like to be known as a good writer who left cool, interesting stories behind for future generations. And as someone who loved animals.

What one piece of advice would you give to other female authors in the industry?

Write what you want. Don’t worry about gearing you work “to the masses” or to try and prove anything. If you’re honest about what you’re doing, that’s all anyone can ask. This advice, of course, is for anyone of any gender.

Sue Roven’s Bio:

Sue Rovens is an indie suspense/horror author who hails from Normal, Illinois. She has written four suspense novels and two books of short horror stories. She is currently working on a fifth novel, yet to be named, which should be out sometime in 2023.

Track 9, her second novel, snagged a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly (May 2018), her short story, “Coming Over”, from her book, In a Corner, Darkly (Volume 1) was turned into a screenplay and short student indie film by the theater department of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and another short story, “When the Earth Bled”, won 2nd place in the Support Indie Authors short story contest in 2021. Her two most recent books (Buried and Rage) are under Plump Toad Press. Her entire Author Resume can be found on her blog under the About Me section.

Sue owns a blog (suerovens.com) which includes interviews with authors, musicians, podcasters, and artists. She is also an Executive Producer for an indie (short) horror film which is currently in pre-production called “Let’s Do Things that Make Us Happy”.

Sue is a member of The Chicago Writers Association and the Alliance for Independent Authors (ALLi). 

 
 
 
 
 
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February 27, 2022
 
Wrote an article about Jordon Peele in celebration of Black History Month!
 
It’s on Candace Nola’s website https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/blank-page-2, but I will post the article in its entirety here if you don’t wish to link.


Honoring Jordan Peele

by Sue Rovens

What can one say about the first and only Black American to win an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (for the 2017 film Get Out), an award that has been given out since 1940?

Plenty.

Jordon Peele’s career has been nothing short of long and winding. While majoring in puppetry at Sarah Lawrence College, a New York liberal arts school, his interests would eventually turn to improv comedy. His then-roommate, Rebecca Drysdale, who would later become a writer for Key & Peele, joined forces with him early on. The duo found local success in the comedy world for a time.

Soon after, Mr. Peele landed a place with Boom Chicago, an international theatrical group based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It was during a performance at Second City where fate took things by the hand. Michael Keegan Key met Jordon Peele and comedy, as this generation knows it, would never be quite the same.

For five glorious seasons, the comedic team of Key and Peele shined during Mad TV’s run. However, when contracts were up in 2009, their mutual agent suggested they break out on their own. The television show Key and Peele entertained audiences from 2012 to the latter half of 2015, producing 53 episodes in all.

Aside from the large swath of comedy Peele has given the masses, his current ventures into the horror realm are leaving audiences wowed, shocked, and eager for more. A lifelong fan of the genre himself, Peele utilizes his love of horror and the macabre and combines it with current social justice issues, creating a new twist on some old themes.

The 2017 hit Get Out was more than just another horror flick. The film put a microscope on racism, never shying away from the hard-to-swallow truths which probably left some audience members feeling uncomfortable. Personally, (spoilers ahead), I was absolutely floored by the scene where a backyard house party turned into a silent bidding war for Chris (played by actor Daniel Kaluuya). The stilted and racist dialogue between the party guests, the “house-help”, and Chris completely caught me off-guard. I never expected them to literally speak those words to a person of color in a movie that was set in current time (as opposed to fifty or more years ago). Today’s microaggressions are bad, but these statements were like something out of the 1930s. For Peele to pointedly write these scenes, including such dialogue, and create these characters speaks volumes about his talent and ability at getting to the heart of important matters.

The movie Us (2019), also written and directed by Peele, pairs the horror genre with the concept of inequality – basically stating that there are “two Americas”. Nothing these days could be more obvious, but here again is a man who refuses to candy-coat the battles we are facing in our current society. While I personally preferred Get Out over this film (just a matter of taste), the battle between the families (the haves vs. the have nots) was quite chilling. Peele makes sure that the audience is cognizant of the fact that while they might be on the fortunate/lucky side of life in America (regarding education, financial means, and employment), those that are not shouldn’t be looked down upon. Privilege is not something to flaunt, but rather to acknowledge. Always be mindful of others is a fair take-away from Us.

“I have a definite world of things that I’m exploring and trying to say with this film, all relating to our duality as human beings, and the guilt and sins that we bury deep within ourselves.” – Jordan Peele

Monkeypaw Productions, founded by Jordon Peele, is the company behind these two films. Monkeypaw is also host to several other offerings such as Lovecraft Country (a little horror-ish, a little sci-fi), Candyman (2021), and an updated version of the Twilight Zone (2019-2020).

Later this year, Peele is set to release his third horror gem – Nope (due out on 7/22/22). Details are almost nil at this point, but the teaser poster is below. 

nope.jpg

Jordon Peele is a man to watch, to follow, and to admire. He has not only given audiences years of laughter with his comedy, but now, perhaps even more importantly, is utilizing his time and talent to highlight key social issues and injustices through the genre of horror. In addition, yet no less important, Peele continues to provide more opportunities for people of color throughout the entertainment industry.

Writer, director, producer, and company creator – Jordon Peele is forging ahead, easily becoming this generation’s Rod Serling. If his name is attached, I know I’m in for a quality and entertaining ride, and I will certainly learn something about society (and myself) along the way.

 
 
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February 22, 2022
 
I’m over at Fiona Cook’s blog today for WIHM (Women in Horror Month). Come on by and check it out! Here’s the link:
 
 
 
and look for the WIHM section. 🙂
 
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February 12, 2022
 
My first event for 2022 will be the Spring Market at Mackinaw Valley Vineyard. It will be my first time there, so I can’t tell you much. BUT, here’s the link – it looks like it’s going to be amazing! 🙂
 
 
 
Spring Vintage & Handmade Market VIP Shopping Night
 
 
 
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December 26, 2021
 
 
Just signed up for the first two events of 2022!
 
One is the Dark History and Horror Con in August and the other is a new one (for me), the Spring Market @ Mackinaw Valley Vineyard in April.
 
Stay tuned for the latest info on each (and more as they get scheduled!)
 
 
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December 10, 2021
 
Thank you to Candace Nola for letting me share my Christmas poem, All Buttons and Bows on her blog! (spoiler – it’s pretty hardcore horror, not something I normally write, so just a heads up, so to speak). You can see it (and other author offerings) here:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
============================================================================
 
 
Holiday Market Graphic-2
 
Makers Market Vendor Spotlight: Sue Rovens
 
I mainly write suspense with twists of psychological horror. I’ve written 4 novels that would best be classified under the realm of suspense/thriller and two books of short horror stories. All of my books will be available to purchase along with tote bags featuring my press logo.
 
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November 6, 2021
 

No rest for the weary!

 

I’ll be vendoring (is that a word? LOL) right here, in the hometown of Bloomington/Normal next Saturday at the Holiday Expo 2021. Need details? Here’s what they’ve posted from the Facebook Page:

 

 
 
 
 
Duration: 5 hr
 
Public 
 
BloNo’s Biggest Shopping Day is at the Parke Regency Hotel and Conference Center. We will have raffles, promotions, discounts, free diy gift wrapping table and more… Saturday November 13th 9 am to 2 pm. Free to all attendees. Make a donation to one of our Local Non Profit Sponsors and get upgraded to VIP!
This event is free general admission. We ask that you register a time slot so we can keep the community healthy and safe by limiting the number of people in the Grand Ballroom at one given time.
 
 
 
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October 27, 2021
 
 
 

THIS SATURDAY!!! I’ll have the books, the Toad bags, and the swag! COME ON BY!!!

 

Wheaton Illinois Haunted Halloween Flea Market

Saturday October 30, 2021

3pm to Midnight / $9 . Children 12 and under are free.
Free parking.

 

Held at the DuPage County Fairgrounds
2015 Manchester Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187

 
 
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October 18, 2021
 
THIS SATURDAY! I will have all 6 books, Plump Toad Press bags, and NEW swag! I’ll be there the entire day, so if you are even remotely close, drop by, say hi, and check out this happening.
 

11 AM – 8 PM

2021 Dark History and Horror Con

IHotel and Illinois Conference Center
1900 S. First Street
Champaign, Il.
 
 
(From the webpage):
 
The Dark History & Horror Convention showcases the darker elements of history along with artwork, authors, horror and all things dark!.
 
The Dark History & Horror Convention is an annual event showcasing the darker side of history, some of your favorite horror characters, the paranormal, artwork, authors, comics, and all things dark and creepy!
We do not try to glorify any of these people or the events!! They are however part of our culture and history, a part that is very important for us to remember and even learn from.
 
True crime, gangsters, serial killers, spree killers, assassinations, public enemies, women’s suffrage, the civil rights struggles, Native massacres, tragic events and just about anything not covered in the “history books”.
 
We do this by bringing together a great collection of authors, artists and numerous others who are intimately familiar with these events and their effects. Join us as we bring together like minded individuals and create a network of friends and connections to share our passion for the darker side history and pop culture.

 

 
 
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October 1, 2021
 
Today, I’m over at Teri Polen’s blog for Bad Moon Rising! You can check out the interview in it’s entirety right here:
 
 
 
 
 

AND…

 
If that’s not enough, I’m ALSO over at Laura’s Books and Blogs website today.
 
 
 
 
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September 20, 2021
 
Bobzbay in Bloomington, Illinois now has my latest novel, RAGE!  https://www.bobzbay.com/
 
It’s a VERY GROOVY bookstore (our ONLY indie bookshop) in Bloomington/Normal. Here’s their own blurb:
 

About Bobzbay

Bobzbay is a used & new book and media store in downtown Bloomington, IL. We buy and sell all types of media – from collectible books to vinyl records and everything in between. We buy books, vinyl records, textbooks, and vintage ‘80s action figures. If you have something you’d like to sell just give us a call or visit the shop!

Bobzbay is located at 419 N Main Street in Bloomington, IL.

Buying & Selling Books, Movies, Music, & Games! Open 10 to 5 Mon thru Fri, 10 to 4 Saturday. 419 N. Main Street, Located right in Downtown Bloomington!

PLUS!!!

 

Here is an interview I did recently! Check it out!

https://mhyden.blog/2021/09/10/author-interview-sue-rovens

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Sue Rovens

Meghan: Hi, Sue. Welcome to Meghan’s Haunted House of Books. What is your favorite part of Halloween?

Sue: I’ve always loved “the feel” and “the atmosphere” of the season. Fall is my favorite time of year; October is my favorite month. The movies, the pumpkins, the spooky things, the trick-or-treating – all of it. I would totally go trick-or-treating now (if Charlie, my husband, would go with!) I think it would be a gas.

Meghan: What is your favorite Halloween tradition?

Sue: Trick-or-treating the old school way. Get dressed up, grab a pillowcase, and run house to house for hours.

Meghan: What are you superstitious about?

Sue: I don’t know if I’m superstitious, per se, but I also don’t see the need to tempt the fates. If I spill salt, I’ll throw some grains over my left shoulder. I won’t walk under a ladder (if I can help it). I’ll try not to open an umbrella in the house. I DO have a black cat, though. Noodle is adorable and not scary at all. 😊

Meghan: What/who is your favorite horror monster or villain?

Sue: I don’t really have a favorite villain, but I do have a lot of respect for the originals – The Mummy (the real one, not the Brendan Fraser mashup), Dracula, etc. So much was built on those characters, it’s hard not to have some reverence toward the ones who came before.

Meghan: Which urban legend scares you the most?

Sue: I imagine if I had to pick, I would say anything revolving around Ouija Boards. Even after writing an in-depth scholarly article about them (and knowing that they were created for parlor entertainment), I still think that there’s SOME way they can invite “evilness” into a house. And why in the world would I want to do that??

Meghan: Who is your favorite serial killer and why?

Sue: The question is a bit of a misnomer as I don’t have a “favorite” serial killer (and, thinking about it, I don’t know if ordinary folks should). BUT having said that, I find Ed Gein one of the most interesting/character studies, probably because of the time period in which everything took place. The 1950’s were generally seen as such an idyllic era (no, not socially forward thinking, but we’re not addressing that here) that discovering what types of activities Ed Gein was actually engaged in was a complete and unconscionable shock. Eventually, the powers that be had to have his house torn down because people continued to be drawn to this “house of horrors” (for a variety of reasons).

Meghan: How old were you when you saw your first horror movie?

Sue: That goes back pretty darn far! LOL. I can’t say I remember what my very first horror movie was, BUT I do recall watching parts of The Mummy (1932), The Crawling Hand (1963), and Dracula (1931) when I was a kid (my brother would be watching these and I’d be in the same room). A little later (probably 9 – 15), I’d watch Made-for-TV “horror”. Those were the best (1970s).

Meghan: Which horror novel unsettled you the most?

Sue: When I was around 15, 16, I read ‘Salem’s Lot (Stephen King). That was the main impetus of me wanting to become a writer. I found it really scary at the time.

Meghan: Which horror movie scarred you for life?

Sue: Hmmm. Well, this might not be the kind of answer you’re looking for, but there’s been a few “extreme” horror movies that I wish I could unsee (for a whole host of reasons). Cannibal Holocaust is certainly one. I refused to watch the “animal scenes” because that’s where I draw the line. Plus, it’s basically just a poorly made slaughter-fest which, to me, isn’t “scary” or “horror”, but simply disgusting and grotesque.

Salo (120 Days) is another movie that I couldn’t come to terms with, no matter how I tried. If there are any redeeming qualities to this film, they’re beyond my capacity of understanding and critical ability. Yes, it’s created to provoke emotions and feelings, but the only feeling I retained after having witnessed it was that of nausea.

Meghan: What is your favorite Halloween costume?

Sue: When I was 17, I dressed up as Richard Simmons. 😊

Meghan: What is your favorite Halloween-themed song?

Sue: I didn’t know there were actual Halloween songs! LOL.

Meghan: What is your favorite Halloween candy or treat? What is your most disappointing?

Sue: Reese’s are perfection in any size, but I’ll take a Milk Dud or Butterfinger any day. Oh, the “fun size” they sell now? Scam. Total scam. Fun Size USED to be about half (maybe a third) of a regular bar. Now? Forget about it.

Neccos are beyond disappointing. They’re just evil and wrong.

Meghan: One more thing before we go: What are some Halloween movies you think we should definitely watch?

Sue:
Pontypool – Trust me. This is a brilliantly made Canadian film which doesn’t rely on special effects, excessive gore, or goofy one-liners. One of my favorite movies.

Burnt Offerings – Sure, it’s from 1976, but it’s fantastic. Spooky, great story, and some really scary scenes. Very little gore – doesn’t need it. The characters and story drive it home.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch – Campy, but insane, all at the same time. I love revisiting this one. If you can overlook the “smarminess” of the main character, it’s a great romp and features an additive melody.

The Sentinel – Again, another old school one. This movie is so trippy, though, it’s a delight to behold. If you’re looking for weird jump cuts and Burgess Meredith reveling in his scenes, give this one a try.

The Thing (1982) – Pure, unadulterated horror. Scary. Shocking. Intense. Great all around.


Boo-graphy:
Sue Rovens is an indie suspense/horror author who hails from Normal, Illinois. She has written four novels and two books of short horror stories, with her latest book, Rage, having “hit the shelves” in July 2021.

Track 9, her second novel, snagged a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly (May 2018), her short story, “Coming Over”, from her book In a Corner, Darkly (Volume 1), was turned into a screenplay and short student indie film by the theater department of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and another short story, “When the Earth Bled”, won 2nd place in the Support Indie Authors short story contest earlier this year. Her two most recent books (Buried and Rage) are under Plump Toad Press.

Sue owns a blog which includes interviews with authors, musicians, podcasters, and artists. She is an Executive Producer for an indie (short) horror film which is currently in production called “Let’s Do Things that Make Us Happy”. Sue is also a co-host and story writer for the new horror podcast, Ye Olde Terror Inn.

Sue is a member of The Chicago Writers Association and the Alliance for Independent Authors (ALLi). 

Blog/Website
Email
Amazon

Rage —
Weston Cross is a bullied and abused man who wants nothing more than to escape from his agonizing mental anguish and excruciating misery. After a harrowing brush with death, he discovers a better way to twist his depression and self-despair into something different…something sinister.Lindsay Yager, the therapist assigned to help Weston with his internal battles, is fighting her own demons. On the verge of a nasty divorce, she finds solace at the bottom of a bottle. Her anger and vitriol take no prisoners, even when lives are at stake – including her own.Depression sets the stage, but RAGE will have the final say.

 
 
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September 14, 2021
 

The next book event on the books is: Dark History and Horror Convention!

 
The Dark History & Horror Convention is an annual event founded by Brian L Ward in 2014, that showcasing the darker side of history, horror genre entertainment, the paranormal, artwork, authors, comics, and all things dark and creepy!
 
This year, it’s taking place on Saturday, October 23rd in Champaign, Illinois,
I Hotel and Conference Center
1900 S 1st St, Champaign, IL
 
11am – 8pm.
 
Keep an eyeball peeled for more details as the event gets closer!
 
========================================================================
 
September 6, 2021
 
Rage was reviewed by Susan Gaspar (from the Chicago Writers Association): http://windycityreviews.org/book-reviews/2021/9/2/book-review-rage.html#entry36378016
 
 
 
If you don’t want to hit the link, here’s the review in its entirety:
 
Book Review: Rage
Thursday, September 2, 2021 at 7:07PM
Windy City Reviews in Suspense, Thriller

Rage. Sue Rovens, Plump Toad Press/Bowker, June 22nd, 2021, Paperback and eBook, 232 pages.

Review by Susan Gaspar.

Straddling the genres of suspense, horror, and crime fiction, Rage is an affecting tale of human unravelling. Sue Rovens continues in the gruesome tradition of her earlier work Buried (2019) and brings us characters teetering on the edge who slowly devolve into ghastly, feral versions of themselves. For the reader, Rage feels like sliding into an unsettling yet fascinating shadow world.

The book’s first half is a slow burn that simmers with near-constant tension. The book’s title haunts and tantalizes with looming inevitability, and you wonder just when the Rage will explode. But Rovens makes us wait. For lovers of psychological thrillers and suspense, this book works from chapter one. 

The story begins with a suicide attempt—always an attention getter—and we are introduced to the two main characters: the deeply troubled Weston Cross, and his assigned therapist, Lindsay Yager. We soon learn that neither of these individuals is who they appear to be, and both are nursing old traumas and emotional wounds that drive them to make consistently poor choices. For both, petty annoyances and daily struggles pile up, chapter by chapter, and the stress mounts.

We watch Wes, a longtime victim of abuse, bullying, and neglect, fight and eventually lose a lengthy battle with self-control. As his grasp on reality crumbles, he sinks into a soup of shame, despair, and desire—a perfect recipe for tragedy. We see Lindsay, an unapologetic alcoholic in an unhappy marriage, hit rock bottom and blatantly put herself and others in peril.

There are two unwitting catalysts for Wes and Lindsay: Jay, Wes’ sociable but intrusive neighbor, and Jeremy, Lindsay’s doting but clingy husband. These two prove to be the incendiary sparks that drive the lead characters—and the novel—an explosive end. Without giving away the book’s secrets, it’s safe to say that people are not always who they appear, secrets and addictions often wreak havoc, and sacrifices must usually be made.

The structure of the book is perfect for a tale of this kind: the chapters are short, quick reads, but the chapters each progress in inches and not miles, so you hang on every word as anxiety slowly mounts. The novel flip backs and forth between Wes’ and Lindsay’s worlds—which are exceedingly different but strangely mirrored in hopelessness. The alternating viewpoints keep you equally immersed in both plotlines, and the action never flags. And when the stories inevitably collide, Rage comes to a rolling boil.

Rovens has a talent for drawing you inside the heads of her characters—which are often unpleasant places to be. And once you are firmly ensnared, she is not shy about dishing out the most grim and grisly aspects of human vice, deviance, and depravity. But by then you are bewitched enough to stay, and if you are curious about psychological motivations and the “why” behind criminal behavior, you will get your answers. Thoroughly gripping, Rage is a taut tale of human horror that doesn’t disappoint.    

Article originally appeared on Windy City Reviews (http://windycityreviews.org/).
 
 
 
 
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September 2, 2021
 
What a way to start September!!
 
I’m guest posting over at Mae Clair’s blog today! Scuttle on over and check it out!
 
 
 
For those of you who do NOT want to jump link:
 
 

Welcome to another Guest Author Thursday. Today, I’m delighted to feature Sue Rovens, who has brought along her latest release, Rage, in addition to an intriguing post about her characters and plots. Personally, I’m a huge fan of character-driven fiction. Check out Sue’s post then drop her some thoughts in the comments.

Take it away, Sue!


Thank you so much, Mae, for having me as a guest. The opportunity is most appreciated!

Anyone who prefers suspense over hardcore horror/gore should find my books to their liking. My characters are people who have faults, problems, and at times, heavy baggage. I don’t shy away from polarizing issues and taboo topics. However, at the same time, I don’t glorify these facets. The people in my stories are as “real” as those we meet everyday (or read about in the papers). The various situations I put them in is what drives the narrative.

Rage, my newest novel, follows two main characters – Wilbur Weston and Lyndsay Yager. Wilbur is a depressed and bitter man who hates the world almost as much as himself. Lyndsay is his therapist who is a train wreck of an alcoholic on the brink of divorce.

While Rage casts a dark shadow over itself, the reader will discover the characters’ reasoning for the choices they make – both good and bad. It’s a suspenseful tale full of hurt and desperate people who see themselves as doing what they must – righting their wrongs.

Rage comes in at 232 pages and is available in paperback and in Kindle format from Amazon.

 

BOOK BLURB:

Weston Cross is a bullied and abused man who wants nothing more than to escape from his agonizing mental anguish and excruciating misery. After a harrowing brush with death, he discovers a better way to twist his depression and self-despair into something different…something sinister.

Lindsay Yager, the therapist assigned to help Weston with his internal battles, is fighting her own demons. On the verge of a nasty divorce, she finds solace at the bottom of a bottle. Her anger and vitriol take no prisoners, even when lives are at stake – including her own.

Depression sets the stage, but RAGE will have the final say.

AUTHOR BIO:

Sue Rovens is an indie suspense/horror author who hails from Normal, Illinois. She has written four novels and two books of short horror stories.

Track 9, her second novel, snagged a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly (May 2018), her short story, “Coming Over”, from her book, In a Corner, Darkly (Volume 1) was turned into a screenplay and short student indie film by the theater department of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and another short story, “When the Earth Bled”, won 2nd place in the Support Indie Authors short story contest earlier this year. Her two most recent books (Buried and Rage) are under Plump Toad Press.

Sue owns a blog (suerovens.com) which includes interviews with authors, musicians, podcasters, and artists. She is an Executive Producer for an indie (short) horror film which is currently in production called “Let’s Do Things that Make Us Happy”. Sue is also a co-host and story writer for the new horror podcast, Ye Olde Terror Inn.

Sue is a member of The Chicago Writers Association and the Alliance for Independent Authors (ALLi).

Blog: https://suerovens.com | Email: srovens@yahoo.com

I also want to let your readers know that I interview authors (and artists and musicians) of ALL genres and professional levels. Currently, I have 179 author interviews, as well as a handful of music folks and artistic people.

Everything is done through email and on YOUR schedule/timeframe. If you are interested in being a part of the Meet & Greet (author interviews), Spotlight (artists), and/or Flipside (music folks), please send me a quick email. ALL are welcome on my blog. Thanks!


What a nice invitation. Not only has Sue brought her latest release to share, but also an opportunity for all creative sorts out there. I hope you’ll reach out to her—and don’t forget to hop over to AMAZON to pick up your copy of Rage!

 
 
 
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August 29, 2021
 
It wasn’t an easy decision, but I have chosen NOT to attend Printer’s Row this year. I had a spot and everything was set, but honestly, the Covid/Delta numbers just aren’t where they need to be for me to be comfortable in a city setting with crowds everywhere. I’m still doing other, smaller venues (I have two coming up at the end of October), but right now, it doesn’t feel like a safe fit. I have every intention of going next year.
 
 
 
 
 
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August 16, 2021
 
I will be at Duncan Manor (Towanda, Illinois) THIS SATURDAY from 6pm – 9pm! I will have all the books with me, but if you want to see a local house being featured on television, come on by. I believe the filming begins at 8pm.
 

SATURDAY AT 6 PM CDT – 9 PM CDT

Cheap Old Houses Watch Party

Free   1002 Towanda Barnes, Towanda, IL 61776-7517, United States
 
 
 
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August 5, 2021
 
Rage is currently “available” over on NetGalley. Some kind person left a 5 star review:
 
This is a brilliant read.
Finished this in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building.
Can’t wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
 
Thank you, random person!! 🙂
 
 
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July 29, 2021
 
I’m over at The Write Start today – https://www.thewritestart.net/author-interview-sue-rovens/
Stop by and check it out!!
 
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July 24, 2021
 
The next book event is coming!!
 

Printers Row – Chicago!

 
It’s happening on September 11 and 12 (Saturday and Sunday), but I’ll be there on Saturday, September 11 from 3pm – 6pm under the Chicago Writers Association Tent. Come look for me! I’ll have my NEW book, Rage, along with the rest, all for $10 each.
 
 
 
 
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July 20, 2021
 
Rage is on NetGalley for the next two months – and someone left a very delicious 4 star review!
 
 
Rage follows two different POV's - a suicidal and bullied middle aged man named Weston and his emotionally unstable therapist, Lindsay. This book is fast paced and highly disturbing. I had compassion for Weston even as he turned into the worse kind of antagonist because I can see he was misguided and held on to so much pain from his past. NOT saying what he did was acceptable or forgivable but I really felt bad for the guy. Lindsay had her own demons and I appreciated the way their lives intertwined. The twist at the end was intense. 

#Rage #NetGalley
 
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July 9, 2021
 
Check out Candace Nola’s Sizzling Summer Series! (as well as the rest of her very groovy blog). Link to it right here! https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/blank-page-2
 
Thanks for having me, Candace! 🙂
 
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July 7, 2021
 
I’m over at Marcia Meara’s blog today! She has a wonderful “10 things you didn’t know about …….”, and it was a blast to do.
 
 
If you go, leave a comment! Thanks!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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June 28, 2021
 

RAGE, my new novel, is OUT! Amazon is working on setting up the official page, but you can purchase it NOW at this link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1733916326?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

 
        thumbnailRAGECOVER
 
 
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June 17, 2021
 
Signed up for Printer’s Row! Chicago! I’ll be there on Saturday, September 11 from 3pm to 6pm under the Chicago Writer’s Association tent. Come see me (and the hundreds of other authors who will be there)
 
 
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June 8, 2021
 
Just recently signed up for the Wheaton Haunted Flea Market!!
 
 
 
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May 27, 2021
 
Came across a wonderful review for Buried on Amazon! Thank You!!
 
 
 

Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2021

Verified Purchase
 
Trust me when I say there are some strange and highly disturbed folks in this small town. A therapist could make a killing with this many patients.

 

Sommerville Funeral Home is busy all hours of the day and night, but not all the activities are legal. Two sets of books are kept – one that shows a respectable business and the other contains the real financial transactions. The owner is scamming the public, putting multiple bodies in graves as one example, but the most unsettling occurrence is what happens to some of the customers’ deceased family members. One of the employees is a necrophiliac – see what I mean about disturbed?

Another resident of this town, Pris, is a hoarder – and I’m not talking about just piles of magazines, clothes, etc. Her dog brings home body parts he digs up from the cemetery next door. Can you guess the types of things she begins hoarding? When her friend offers to help Pris clean her house, she makes several discoveries that indicate Pris needs professional help – and it’s not a cleaning service. Warning: You probably shouldn’t be eating while reading about these discoveries.

It’s apparent the author did thorough research for this novel – I can only imagine what someone would think if they saw her Google searches. Surprisingly, it also contains some humorous moments, and I found myself laughing over some passages. Another reviewer stated this story has a Fargo feel, and I have to agree – dark, quirky and bizarre. It’s an unsettling, grisly tale you can’t look away from and is sure to delight horror fans.

 
 
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May 18, 2021
 
 

Presenting… The Cover of RAGE!

(created by Tami Boyce)

 
Screenshot_2021-05-18 Rage_Cover 5-2 pdf
 
 
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May 3, 2021
 
 
An incredible (!) review for Buried (From NetGalley) – given FIVE STARS.
 
 
Thank you Netgalley, BooksGoSocial, and Author Sue Rovens for this ARC.

WHOA! Just . . . Wow! Firstly, if you like to munch on snacks while reading . . . Don't! This is a no-food, appetite-stealing, stomach-churning book. Secondly, if you have a line drawn in the ghoulish/gruesome categories I strongly suggest you brace yourself--those lines will be crossed and then some. Lastly, I think most people understand (at least to an extent) that odd, even frowned-upon things happen in small towns--the lack of careful eyes watching and scrutinizing and all--but this story takes that idea to a whole other nightmarish level. If you don't have chills and nausea after reading this, there's something seriously wrong with you. 

Rovens graduated to one of my top five favorite horror authors within the first fifteen pages of this book. It was sooooo good. Normally that omniscient, God-like narrative simply doesn't work in modern day fiction but Rovens knocked it out of the park; I can't imagine the story being told in any other way. It added a light-heartedness, a sort of comic air to the grotesque nature of the tale. It also gave an interesting and fitting perspective to the cast of outlier characters. 

Excellent book! Go read it NOW!
 
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April 29, 2021
 
A nice NEW review for Buried (from NetGalley) – given FOUR STARS.
 
 
I found this book in the Horror section on NetGalley, but I would not call it horror, to be honest I don’t really know what section it should be in. 

I like this book, more than I expected, it is well written and easy to read, and has a ‘Fargo’ feel to it, both the movie and the TV series, but not as violent, it was a bit ghoulish, but that is to be expected, and it also has a hint of murder mystery feel, but it also had a light mood.

I recommended this book for anyone looking for something quirky and creepy but not too gory.
 
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April 15, 2021
 
Buried is on NetGalley!
 
 
 
 
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April 1, 2021
 
 
No joke! The podcast is coming!
 
Ye Olde Terror Inn, a brand new spooky tales podcast, is coming to all places you find your podcasts. Carol Ford (author and technology guru) and I are the hosts. While we will be doing readings from some of our own catalogue, there will be ample opportunity for others to submit their own works.
 
Stay tuned and keep an eyeball peeled for more info!
 
 
 
 
 
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March 24, 2021

 

I was interview by Books Go Social!

 

Here it is in its entirety:

 

Interview with Sue Rovens, the author of Buried

 

This week, we’re talking with Sue Rovens about her book, Buried

Tell us something unexpected about yourself!

Snakes and public speaking don’t bother me (no legs with either), but I can’t drive under a bridge (as a passenger, I’m okay, but I’ll still duck).

Why do you write?

To entertain. To share the stories in my head.

Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?

I thought up a character (Weston) who was so full of anger and despair and I wanted to “see what he would do and how far he would go.” My books take “real” people and place them in difficult situations. Not paranormal, per se (although Track 9 goes there a little bit), but up against the harsh realities of the world.

What do you enjoy the most about your genre?

Suspense? The darkness. The possibilities. The underbelly of society.

How would you describe your writing process?

Well, I normally use NanoWriMo to write a first draft. That’s how Badfish, Track 9, Buried, and now Rage had all begun. I’ll put the manuscript away for a few months and then come back to do the second draft. Again, I put that one away for another month, and do more revision and editing in round #3. I usually end up with 6 or 7 revisions before I feel it’s ready for publication.

What do you think authors have to gain from participating in social media?

Connections. Getting their work in front of more eyeballs than was normally possible. It might not lead into more sales (that’s yet to be seen at this point), but at least it raises awareness of the products and the author.

What advice would you have for other writers?

Edit. Read your stuff out loud. Have someone else take a look at what you’ve written and ask them to be honest. Edit. Don’t force it – I don’t think you have to write every day (I guess unless you’re under a contract and have to answer to someone else. As an indie writer, I don’t have pressing deadlines). Oh, and edit.

How do you select your books’ titles and covers?

The titles come to me. I know this sounds a little “floofy answer-ish”, but it’s true. Sometime during the first draft, I’ll just suddenly know. As for covers? By the time I’m doing the third or fourth round of revisions, I’ll “see” the cover in my mind, or what I think might be good, and talk it over with the person who actually draws it up.

What’s your next step?

To finish Rage and put it out this year. I’m currently waiting for my Beta Readers to complete their thoughts and suggestions and send them back to me. After that, I’ll do revision #6, write the back blurb, add the acknowledgements page, author bio – and hopefully, have it “publish ready” sometime before August ’21.

How do you react to seeing a new review for your book?

Cake. Maybe a happy dance.

FOLLOW SUE ON TWITTER!

To see the original post, click https://booksgosocial.com/221/3/21/rovens/

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March 15, 2021
 
 
I was recently over at Christina Consolino’s blog doing an interview! Christina is an author who has appeared in the Meet & Greet a couple of weeks ago. So, check out BOTH interviews and find some new things to read!
 
 
 
 
 
 
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March 14, 2021
 
 
Peoria BookFest is Back!!
 
Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 10 AM CDT – 6 PM CDT
 
Price: Free · Duration: 8 hr
 
PublicAnyone on or off Facebook
 
Peoria Bookfest 2021 will be celebrating its 2nd annual event on June 26, 2021 at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie. The whole parking lot on the side of the old Bergner’s space will be home to the event from 10 am – 6 pm. We will have lots of vendors, authors, food, and more! Don’t miss this wonderful event that helps Book Rack’s community outreach programs, as well as other local literacy groups.
*Hosted by Book Rack Peoria and Andre Ware’s In and Out Events.
 
 
I am hoping to be a part of this – but I haven’t had any shots yet, and I want to see how Covid is playing out a little closer to the date. BUT, my intention is to have a table there, so I’m signing up soon! Keep an eyeball peeled for updates.
 
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February 28, 2021
 
I just found out that Cogs and Corsets: A Steampunk Happening WILL be taking place this year, BUT, it’s planned for a one-night only (June 4 – Friday) time slot from 4pm – 9pm. I don’t believe there will be any vendors – just events (like the TeaPot Race, etc), and of course masks and social distancing. Plus, everything that is happening will be going on outdoors.
 
Here’s to 2022 for a Vendor-Strong Event!
 
 
 
 
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January 25, 2021
 
 
 
 
I won 2nd place in the Support Indie Authors contest: Apocalyptic Stories (2020)!
 
Read the interview and check out the story at the link above, and most of all, show indie writers some love 🙂
 
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January 18, 2021
 

Track 9, Buried, and In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 2 are NOW AVAILABLE at Bobzbay in Bloomington, Illinois! Get your signed copy today! ($12)  https://bobzbay.square.site/

 
 
 
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January 9, 2021
 
I was recently interview over at Zigler News! Check it out here:
 
 
Thank you, Tori! Monkey and I appreciated visiting with you and yours.
 
 
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January 3, 2021
 
Happy New Year!
 
It’s about time, don’t you think??
 
So, the NEWEST exciting venture that will be coming later this year is….(drumroll, please)… stepping into podcasting!
 
I’ll be co-hosting a NEW podcast called “Ye Olde Terror Inn” with Carol M. Ford. Here is the link (not sure if it’s live yet, per se, because we aren’t officially starting until later in 2021) https://yeoldeterrorinnpodcast.blogspot.com/p/welcome.html
 
BUT, keep eyeballs peeled for future grooviness and opportunities to showcase your OWN work on the podcast!
 
 
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December 14, 2020
 
While there are no events on the horizon, don’t think I haven’t been scouring places and opportunities to sell my wares! LOL.
 
After the first of the year, I should have three of my books placed in a local book shop here in Bloomington. No contracts have been signed…YET…so I don’t want to give away too much. BUT, it does look like it’s going to happen. So, local folks will be able to get their hands on some suspense-goodness pretty soon.
 
Keep an eyeball peeled for the latest on this! And a link to the shop!
 
 
 
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November 22, 2020
 
Yay!
 
Badfish just received a nice review! Badfish was my first novel and came out in 2015. If you’re not familiar, here’s the back-of-the-book blurb:
 

BADFISH IS A TOWN DROWNING IN ITS OWN CIRCLE OF HELL.
Misogynist motel owner Karl Demetris has an insatiable desire for money and power. In order to line his pockets, he leads an underground drug ring, but soon discovers a cheaper substance to peddle. The effects on its victims are ghastly and horrifying.

Strip club owner and public masturbator extraordinaire, Donald Bickley, is the only person in a position to stop this atrocity. Though he has his own demons to battle, the future of Badfish rests in his sticky hands. Donald will need to pull himself together long enough to save the town.

WHO AND WHAT WILL BE LEFT STANDING WHEN EVERYTHING COMES TO AN UGLY HEAD?

And here’s the nice review:

MJP

Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2020

 
 
 
 
 
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November 11, 2020
 

A little while ago, I was over at Tori Zigler’s blog with Noodle, one of my kitties, and we had an interview! I’ve posted it here and I’ll also post the link so you can poke around Tori’s great animal friendly site!!

http://ziglernews.blogspot.com/

 
 
 

#PetKidPals – Noodle

Hi everyone. This is Logan the Cavapoo. Anyway, I have a new friend for you to meet today. So, say, “Hi,” to Noodle.

Hi, Noodle. That’s an interesting name. I’m sure there’s a story behind it, so I’d love to hear it, if you’re willing to share. So, how did you get a name like Noodle anyhow?

“Sue and Charlie were trying to come up with a name and I guess Charlie thought I looked like a noodle!”

Interesting. So, what species and breed are you?

“Just a big, fluffy kitty. Not sure. Maybe part Maine Coon because I’m really fuzzy.”

Ah, I guess it’s the fuzzyness that makes Charlie think of noodles? Makes sense. Tell you what though, I’ve got a photo to show those who can see it, but please describe yourself too, for the benefit of those who can’t see the photo.

“I weigh 19 pounds, I’m all black, and very poofy. Think of a stuffed animal and then add more fur! I have a black nose, long whiskers, and big paws. I’m a big boy, or so they tell me.”

Definitely a big boy. A cute one though. So, Noodle, where do you live? What sort of place do you live in? Who do you share it with? Do any other animals live with you? Or is it just you and your human?

“I live with Sue, Charlie and Monkey (the other kitty) in a big two-story house. I have lots of stairs to run, but I prefer to lay around and get fed Shrimpy Shrimp Treats.”

I don’t blame you for that. Anyway, it’s nice you have another kitty in the house with you for company of the same species. By the way, what’s your favourite thing to do?

“Eat treats and lay on Sue and purr.”

Cuddling with your human and eating treats? Oh, a cat after my own heart! Good choice. How about playing though? Do you like toys? If so, do you have a favourite toy? If yes, what is it?

“Toys are okay, but they usually involve me moving. But yeah, I’ll chase a string or mousy a little bit.”

That’s right… Don’t use more energy than you have to. Smart kitty! OK. Back to the food. What’s your favourite food?

“Shrimpy Shrimp Treats from Temptations.”

Never had those, but bet I’d like them. I love food. Oh, wait… Lilie’s just told me they’re a kind of kitty treat, so I won’t get any. Still bet I’d like them. I love food! Did I mention that? I did? Oh, OK then. Hey, Noodle, speaking of things we love, what’s the one thing your human does that you love most?

“Probably pet my head. I love to lay on Sue’s lap, but sometimes she’s busy and doesn’t like it.”

Yeah, what’s up with that? Humans aren’t supposed to be too busy for us. Silly humans! Other than sometimes not liking you to be on her lap, what else does she do that you don’t like? Most of all, what’s the thing your human does that you hate most?

“Cut my claws. I know they need it sometimes, but it makes me nervous.”

I get that. Those things they use on them are pretty scary looking. OK. Let’s move on, because I don’t want to think about those claw clipping things any longer than I have to. My Mummy says your human is a writer. Has she written anything about you? If yes, can you tell us about it? If no, do you think she will in the future?

“I know that sometimes, there are kitties in her stories, but I don’t think they’re particularly about me. She writes fiction, so I don’t think I’ll really be showing up in her books. But that’s okay. I’m not looking to be famous.”

Well, as long as you’re fine with that, I guess it doesn’t matter. So, what do you do while your human writes?

“Try to jump in her lap. Sometimes, I’ll sit near her or sleep under her other desk. Maybe look out the window at the birdies. Maybe poop.”

Sounds like a busy schedule. Glad you’re able to entertain yourself while she’s not available for snuggles. OK, I hear Mummy doing breakfast things, so I better go check it out. First though, is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?

“I’m nine years old and I’m scared of a lot of things, but I do alright. I like this house better than our old house. There are more places to hide and it’s just more comfortable overall.”

I’m with you on how scary the world is. There are so many noises and things. Having lots of good hiding places is a very good idea. Especially at this time of year. Glad you like the new house better than the old one. Also, thanks for coming out of hiding for long enough for a chat. It was great to meet you, Noodle.

***~~~***

About the human

Sue Rovens is an indie suspense author who has written three novels – Buried, Track 9, and Badfish – all of which fall under the suspense and psychological horror banner. Track 9 garnered a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly in May 2018 and Buried snagged a positive review in the publication as well. She also has two collections of short horror stories – In a Corner, Darkly: Volumes 1 and 2. Currently, she is working on her fourth novel, Rage, and plans to have it available sometime in 2021.

Aside from writing, Sue also manages a blog (https://suerovens.com), part of which is dedicated to interviewing authors of all genres. She welcomes writers from all professional levels to reach out to her if they are so inclined to participate.

Sue spends her free time running (slowly), watching weird movies, learning the French Horn, counting the work days until retirement and hanging out with Charlie, her much-better half.

~

Buried (2019)

Priscilla Wyatt is a single, middle-aged nursing assistant who lives behind Sommerville Funeral Home. When her dachshund, Weenie, returns home with a ghastly find, Pris’s life starts to spiral out of control, plummeting her headfirst into the macabre. Gerald Zenith, proprietor of Sommerville, couldn’t care less about the dead. Between running scams and keeping a necrophiliac subordinate in check, Gerald’s hands are full. He hasn’t the time nor the interest to be concerned with what is happening in the cemetery during the wee hours of the mornings…until all hell breaks loose. Some secrets are too big to stay buried.

 

 

 
 
 
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October 29, 2020
 
 
I was interview by the Dean of Milner Library at Illinois State University for the lead-up to NanoWriMo and Halloween. I’ve posted the link (hopefully, it will behave itself and work). If for some reason it does not, you can head over to Milner Library’s own website and find it there.
 
 

In honor of Halloween and NaNoWriMo, Milner Dean Dallas Long sat down with our very own Stacks Manager Sue Rovens who is also an indie suspense author. Join us throughout the month of November as we highlight creative writing for National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo): http://bit.ly/milnernanowrimo20.

 
 
 
 
 
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October 12, 2020
 
Today, I was over at Teri Polen’s Books and Such Blog for her Bad Moon Rising Interview – celebrated the whole month by an interview with a different author each day! Check out Teri’s blog and follow along for ALL the interviews!
 
 
 
 

It’s a dreary Monday morning here, but meeting new authors and anything involving books always brightens my day. Inspiration can come from just about anywhere and today’s author proves it. She based a character in her book on a person she saw on the TV show Hoarders – who kept used body pads from funeral homes in her trailer. Welcome Sue Rovens!

Would you rather sleep in a coffin for one night or spend the night in a haunted house?

Hmm. I think I’m going to have to go with the haunted house. I’d curl up somewhere and basically just hide until morning. There’s something unsettling about being IN a coffin – not just because of the lack of space to move around, but the sense that I don’t belong in one (at this time). It’s almost like tempting fate.

Has a movie or book scared you so much you couldn’t sleep?  Which one?

No book has ever scared me to that extent, but movies are quite different. The visual and auditory components tend to stick with me after the story is over. The Shining was one – had to sleep with the lights on for a few weeks. (I saw it when it first came out – 1980, I believe). The images of all the dead people in the hotel, the scene where Jack and the Waiter are in the bathroom, Wendy’s run through the hotel at the end and seeing bizarre flashes of weirdness – I had trouble with those images.

Would you rather use a Ouija board or participate in a séance?

Neither? LOL. I’m of a mind where I think these things are evil, but if I had to pick one, probably the séance. Even though I have researched  and written an article on the history of the Ouija board and know that it was created to be a parlor game for entertainment, there’s something in the back of my mind telling me that it can invite evil into one’s life. I know – it’s illogical, but that’s my take on it.

What was the hardest part of writing your author bio?

Trying to come up with things that I haven’t said or used before. Since I’m not famous and pretty much live a normal life, coming up with an interesting blurb can be challenging. I’ve had a fairly consistent run with producing a book every two years since 2012/2013, so those in-between years can feel a little “lacking”.

Which comes first for you – plot or characters?

Depends.

For my last book, Buried, I knew I wanted to write a story about a hoarder after seeing the television show Hoarders. The person on the show ACTUALLY kept used body pads from funeral homes in her trailer. After seeing that, I was like, here we go – this behavior needs to be included in a story.

For my current manuscript, Rage, I had envisioned a character – a pathetic, depressed, and desperate guy who is on the edge of sanity. Once I figured him out, I knew I needed to wrap a story and plotline around him.

What are you working on now?

Rage, my fourth novel. As stated above, one of the main plotlines follows Weston Cross, a guy who is at the end of his rope on a number of levels. It’s a suspense story to be sure. I don’t want to give too much away since I’ve not completed the revisions on the manuscript yet, but anyone who likes a “real story” that pushes boundaries would enjoy this one. And by “real story” – I mean that there aren’t any supernatural elements (like there was in Track 9 and Badfish). So the general feel is more like Buried, but darker.

Priscilla Wyatt is a single, middle-aged nursing assistant who lives behind Sommerville Funeral Home. When her dachshund, Weenie, returns home with a ghastly find, Pris’s life starts to spiral out of control, plummeting her headfirst into the macabre.

Gerald Zenith, proprietor of Sommerville, couldn’t care less about the dead. Between running scams and keeping a necrophilia-loving subordinate in check, Gerald’s hands are full. He hasn’t the time nor the interest to be concerned with what is happening in the cemetery during the wee hours of the mornings…until all hell breaks loose.

Some secrets are too big to stay buried.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.com/Sue-Rovens/e/B009PCPQUS/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1 https://www.amazon.com/Buried-Sue-Rovens/dp/173391630X

Author Bio

Sue is an indie suspense author who lives in Normal, Illinois. Currently, she

has three novels and two collections of short (horror) stories available through all the usual book outlets.

She runs a blog, where, among other things, she interviews authors of all genres. If you are so inclined, please send her an email at srovens@yahoo.com. She’d love to have you participate in the Meet & Greet. Authors of ALL genres and professional levels are welcome.

Sue works at Illinois State University as the Stacks Maintenance Manager and has haunted the halls of Milner Library for over 29 years. She lives with her husband, Charlie Edwards, and two very silly, adorable kitties, Monkey and Noodle. When not working or writing, she’s running, lifting weights, learning to play French horn, watching odd movies and television series, or gazing at the monarch butterflies enjoying the four-foot milkweeds in the yard.

She is working on her next suspense novel, Rage, and plans to have it available sometime in 2021.

Social Media

https://suerovens.com

 
 
 
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September 13, 2020
 
Has anyone done a Virtual Book Tour/Event? How did it go? Is it akin to Zoom Meetings? Drop me a line or post in the comments about your experience(s). I’m curious to see if it could be “a thing” while we’re dealing with all this weirdness.
 
 
 
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August 28, 2020
 
 
There have been some outdoor events going on around the Bloomington-Normal area, but I’ve not felt comfortable enough to participate. I understand that the chance of contracting Covid is less when people are outside (and wearing masks), but I’m making the choice of erring on the safe/overly-cautious side of things these days.
 
Having said that, you can STILL purchase any/all of my books from Amazon! Or grab a Kindle version if that’s your thing!
 
🙂
 
 
 
 
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August 10, 2020
 
 

2021 Dark History and Horror Con has been rescheduled! Save the date:

October 22 & October 23, 2021
 

IHotel and Conference Center

1900 S 1st St, Champaign, IL 61820
The Dark History & Horror Convention is an annual event showcasing the darker side of history, some of your favorite horror characters, the paranormal, artwork, authors, comics, and all things dark and creepy!
 
 
Sure – it’s over a year away, but keep an eyeball peeled for updated information as the time gets closer. Let’s all hope that things normalize by then.
 
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July 20, 2020
 
 

A nice, new, juicy review for my FIRST book, In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 1: (on Amazon – 4 Stars)

 
 

Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2020

 
 
 
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July 15, 2020
 
Sad to announce that the event in October (Dark History and Horror Con) has been postponed until next year (October 2021). It was obviously a tough decision for the host and his crew to make, but certainly understandable.
 
So, cross it off your calendar for the time being and we’ll just gear up for next year to be extra awesome.
 
 
 
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July 6, 2020
 
 
A NEW review for Badfish on Amazon!
 
 
 
 
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2020 (4 out of 5 stars)

 

 
 
 
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June 8, 2020
 
Exciting Convention News coming!
 
Save the Date – October 10 and 11 in Champaign, Illinois!
 
 
 
 
 
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May 23, 2020
 
Due to the lack of author/book events (in the forseeable future), I’m offering SIGNED COPIES of ALL 5 books to you (I’ll sneak a little swag in the envelope too).
 
I do paypal, cash, checks…
 
If you are in town (Bloomington-Normal), I will drop them at your door (sans touching – gloves – masks). If you live further out, I will mail them to you by USPS.
 
Descriptions of my books can be found on THIS blog (on the front page OR on Amazon)
 
All books are $12.
 
If you are interested, for yourself or as a lovely gift (!), email me at srovens@yahoo.com.
Taking orders NOW!
 
Give Netflix a break and open a book (or two) 🙂
 
 
 
Bannershot
 
 
 
 
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May 5, 2020
 
 
A review for Buried! Yay! Thank you, Mark M.!
 
 
 

Just finished BURIED by Sue Rovens, and it’s terrific. Sue’s latest novel is a twisted tale that never fails to entertain. Great storytelling, interesting characters, well written. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a quirky, creepy read written with humor and style.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Do you need your OWN copy? There’s a choice between Kindle and Paperback – how can you miss?
 
 
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April 21, 2020
 
 
Well, if the past 5 weeks is any indication of things to come, it’s going to be a rather slim year for book events. A number of things have either been cancelled already, or at least heavily postponed.
 
At this moment, I don’t have anything on the books regarding author/book events, but that doesn’t mean it still won’t happen in 2020. There are some things that could still be happening in early fall – late fall, but it’s way to early to make serious plans.
 
The big question is…even if Illinois (where I live) opens up, are people going feel comfortable going to “big people-y” events? What will crowds look like? Will folks feel safe enough to attend? Even if a bunch of vendors show up, what will the turnout be?
 
So…yeah. Right now, there is no answer, so I’m refraining from putting my name on any vendor list for the time being. I know that some states are starting to open things, but again, what does that mean for attendance and crowds? And when is too soon?
 
Keep an eyeball peeled because there will be answers coming…just not quite yet.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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March 27, 2020
 
 
Buried just got a new review!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Book Review: Buried

Buried. Sue Rovens. Plump Toad Press, April 21, 2019, Trade Paperback and E-book, 211 pages.

Reviewed by Susan Gaspar.

Buried is a gripping story that solidly straddles the genres of suspense and psychological horror. Make no bones about it: this book contains graphic, explicit details that both repulse and fascinate the reader. I was hooked from the first dark images that Chapter 1 conjured up in my mind’s eye.

Ms. Rovens has a knack for creating a palpable atmosphere, and Buried leads you slowly and purposefully around the small town of Foote, Indiana, with the bulk of the creepy action centering on the Sommerville Funeral Home. That is not to say that the other locales in the story are comforting or upbeat. Almost every house, business, and plot of land in Buried has an unsettling history or vile underbelly. Within a paragraph or two of each new location or development, the author pulls the reader into a disturbing situation or upsetting circumstances.

The chapters are short and move quickly, but the characters are introduced slowly—one or two at a turn, with a bit more detail each time—which serves to build and ferment the tale. The reader gradually paints a picture of each person and invests more energy into who they are, what they want, and how much we like them. I didn’t find myself personally identifying with any of the characters so much as being voyeuristically interested in their lives—past and present. And as one would expect, it seems most of them have deep, dark secrets. Little by little, chapter by chapter, we learn some nasty tidbits about the inhabitants of this tiny Midwestern town.

This purposeful pacing is highly effective. I found myself captivated and reeled in, and then found myself completely hooked as the action ramped up. I stared at certain paragraphs open-mouthed as heinous behaviors or stomach-turning activities were revealed. Readers will find themselves attempting to understand the deep psychological illnesses or strange idiosyncrasies that drive each character as the inner thoughts and workings of their minds reveal uncontrollable urges and hidden agendas.

Different aspects of human nature are represented in each individual, yet one thing ties these characters together: they all want what they want for reasons they don’t truly comprehend. It’s as though their understanding of themselves is as deeply buried as their secrets. But eventually, those desires and secrets are unearthed, and the ripple effect is devastating to all involved.

What sort of secrets and desires are we talking about here? Well, they cannot adequately be summed up with words like “lust,” “greed,” and “obsession.” For example, the seemingly innocent but messy stockpiling and hoarding of tchotchkes becomes truly grotesque when the hoarded items become partially decomposed human remains. And what begins as a brief flirtation turns deadly when emotional manipulation and sexual addiction take hold. Finally, what might be viewed as basic white-collar crime and unsavory sexual habits turn out to be profound moral and ethical corruption and full-blown necrophilia. Buried is not a book for the faint of heart or the easily nauseated. I could not put it down.

The climax of Buried is a jaw-dropping moment, and how the characters—those who are left standing—reconcile their actions and cope with their undoing is by no means a happy ending. After such foul revelations, the best hope is for a semblance of peace, and several of the characters do find some, in their own off-kilter way. There is no neat bow to wrap up this story, but rather a smoothing over of desecrated grounds followed by a quiet, unnerving regret that is left to take root in the previously disturbed soil.

 
 
 
 
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March 19, 2020
 
 
So, I just got the email.
 
Cogs and Corsets: A Steampunk Happening has been cancelled for 2020. It was supposed to take place this June 5, 6, and 7, but they made a decision based on how things are going right now.
 
Although I’m disappointed, I completely agree. This could blow over in a month…or not. Since no one really knows how this virus is going to affect society, we should all be erring on the side of caution.
 
I imagine I’ll be posting a few more cancellations over the next few weeks. And that’s okay.
 
Keep washing your hands. Stay home. Read books and blogs. Stay safe. I’ll be posting more bloggy updates to give you something to do 🙂
 
 
 
 
 
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March 8, 2020
 
Image may contain: Sue Rovens, standing
 
 
 
Here I am, decked out in my 1920’s attire for the Sugar 4 Spice event that happened yesterday. Very cool, lots of groovy authors, gift basket drawings, fantastic food. A good time all around.
 
NEXT event will be coming up on Saturday, April 4 in Bishop Hill. Keep an eyeball peeled for more details. Another new one for me! 🙂
 
 
 
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March 3, 2020
 
 
THIS WEEKEND!
 
Plan on making this your destination on Saturday, March 7. So much happening – and a LOT of authors to meet. Raffles for author baskets, food, drinks, mingling. I’ll be wearing 1920’s attire – I mean, how can you miss this?
 
Do it, peeps! 🙂
 
 
cover photo, No photo description available.
 

Sugar 4 SPICE Authors Event

 

Date/Time

Saturday, March 7, 2020
10:00 am – 9:00 pm

Cost: $10-$70

Location

Epiphany Farms Restaurant 220 E. Front Street Bloomington IL 61704

Event: 220 E. Front Street (second Floor)

***Historic Building with NO elevator access****

Bloomington, IL 61701

Event Schedule (subject to change slightly)

10am-12pm: Hot meal (brunch) catered by Epiphany Farms. Live spoken word performances by members of Lyrical Graffiti at Illinois Wesleyan University. Acoustic musical performance by Alex Jordine. Eat and chat with our authors! *for All-Access ticket holders

12pm-1pm- Early shopping with our authors for VIP ticket holders.

1pm-3pm- General admission with desserts buffet

7pm-9pm – After Party- 21+ cocktail party. Great Gatsby Themed at the Venue  with jazz music, dancing, themed cocktails and hot appetizers served.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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February 18, 2020
 
 
Buried
 

Coming to a KINDLE near you!!

 

 ONLY $2.99

 

Stay tuned – it’s only days away!!

 
 
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February 5, 2020
 
 
 
 

Buried got a new review on Amazon! Thank you!!

 
 
 
 
 
 

Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2020

 
Format: Paperback
 
 
 
 
 
 
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January 27, 2020
 
 

Saturday, March 7!

Let’s go BACK in time to…

 

3roaring-20s-1-638

 
 

Sugar 4 SPICE Authors Event

Date: Saturday, March 7th, 2020

Event: 220 E. Front Street (second Floor)

***Historic Building with NO elevator access****

Bloomington, IL 61701

Event Schedule (subject to change slightly)

10am-12pm: Hot meal (brunch) catered by Epiphany Farms. Live spoken word performances by members of Lyrical Graffiti at Illinois Wesleyan University. Acoustic musical performance by Alex Jordine. Eat and chat with our authors! *for All-Access ticket holders

12pm-1pm- Early shopping with our authors for VIP ticket holders.

1pm-3pm- General admission with desserts buffet

7pm-9pm – After Party- 21+ cocktail party. Great Gatsby Themed at the Venue  with jazz music, dancing, themed cocktails and hot appetizers served.

Your Hosts: Authors Krystle Able, PA/Author Ebony Simone McMillan, and Blogger Amanda Lee

Why We Are Hosting This Event:

The Sugar 4 Spice Author Event is a not-for-profit event that will be a fundraiser for Marcfirst of McLean County. Marcfirst supports people with developmental disabilities and families in McLean County Illinois with opportunities to reach their full potential through a lifetime of meaningful services. Marcfirst provides a continuum of services and supports for families, children and adults throughout their lifetime including residential, vocational development, employment, high school transition and therapeutic supports for children including the SPICE pediatric therapy services that is a program near and dear to my heart and our community. However, this program is severely underfunded with nearly 200 families in McLean County in 2017 were not able to receive the vital supports for their children because of long wait lists and resource availability. Our goal is to help ensure that every child that needs SPICE service receives such services. To learn more about SPICE and Marcfirst: https://www.marcfirst.org/spice.html

Our Amazing Venue:

Epiphany Farms Hospitality Group in Historic Downtown Bloomington is the place to be on March 7th 2020. This local farm-to-fork restaurant management group owns three restaurants and a special events ballroom and tower room. We will be using their Ballroom and Tower room for this event which offers amazing floor to ceiling windows with views of our historic downtown on Front Street, a beautiful rustic, brick interior, and a parking garage across the street. Their upscale sushi and Asian Restaurant, Anju Above, will be right across the hallway and we are currently working out catering with them for VIP lunch/brunch with authors, as well as a large dessert spread for the event.

To learn more about the event venue visit: http://www.epiphanyfarms.com/

Fundraiser Details:

All ticket sales and raffle ticket sales of this event will benefit the SPICE program of Marcfirst. The . Ticket holders and event participants will have the option to purchase raffle tickets to win a basket. More than 50 baskets are available to win!

Date/Time

Saturday, March 7, 2020
10:00 am – 9:00 pm

Cost: $10-$70

Location

Epiphany Farms Restaurant 220 E. Front Street Bloomington IL 61704

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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January 10, 2020
 
 
It’s all set! I’ve got my booth for Cogs and Corsets: A Steampunk Happening in Bloomington, Illinois!
 
Something of interest, especially if you’ve been to this very groovy event – all the vendors will be INSIDE this year. So, if you’re concerned about weather, wind, or any of the elements, not to worry! We’ll all be indoors on June 5, 6, and 7.
 
So, keep an eyeball peeled here as more details come out about this. It’s really fun. You don’t need to be “involved” in the Steampunk world to have a good time. They do TeaPot races! How adorable is that?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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December 28, 2019
 
 
 
The Sugar 4 Spice Author Event will be a fundraiser for Marcfirst of McLean County. Marcfirst supports people with developmental disabilities and families in McLean County Illinois with opportunities to reach their full potential through a lifetime of meaningful services. Marcfirst provides a continuum of services and supports for families, children and adults throughout their lifetime including residential, vocational development, employment, high school transition and therapeutic supports for children including the SPICE pediatric therapy services. However, this program is severely underfunded with nearly 200 families in McLean County in 2017 were not able to receive the vital supports for their children because of long wait lists and resource availability. Our goal is to help ensure that every child that needs SPICE service receives such services.
 
Signing is tentatively planned as:
10am-12pm catered, EXCLUSIVE brunch for All ACCESS VIP and Authors musical performance and a poetry slam featuring poets from IWU’s Lyrical Graffiti. (This portion of the event is for guests 21+ only and included with the ALL ACCESS VIP pass which also includes our after party. Alcohol is available for purchase during both portions of this event.)
12pm- 1pm early shopping with the authors for ALL ACCESS VIP and VIP Ticket holders
1pm – 3pm access for general admission ticket holders
3pm-3:30pm raffle drawing – must be present to win
4pm-7pm Dinner on your own (we suggest at the restaurant downstairs or across the hall at Anju Above!
7pm – 9pm Great Gatsby themed cocktail party with appetizers in the ballroom with jazz music and cash bar with themed cocktails.
 
 
 
 
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December 2, 2019
 

SAVE THE DATE!

 
I am in the process of signing up for Cogs & Corsets: A Steampunk Happening in Bloomington, Il.
 
It will be June 5, 6, and 7, 2020!
 
More details to come (I’ll have my Plump Toad Bags there, so that’s reason enough to stop by…)
 
 
 
 
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November 19, 2019
 
Yay!
 
A new review came in from Goodreads for Track 9!
 
 
This is the first book I’ve read that was written by Sue Rovens and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a tightly wound composite of two merged storylines that moves quickly and with the right amount of suspense. I was drawn into the story and characters early and wanted to see what was coming at the end of each chapter. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a short novel that doesn’t stop with filler or too much description. (4 stars)
 
 
 
You know that leaving reviews for authors (especially indie authors) is a HUGE deal, right? It doesn’t have to be long or involved or overly detailed. Just sharing with folks why you liked it (or didn’t like it) is really helpful.
 
 
 
 
 
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November 11, 2019
 
 
It’s never to early for promoting groovy things!
 
Saturday, March 7, 2020, I and a number of other authors will be featured at the Sugar 4 Spice Author Event which benefits MarcFirst. Learn More About MarcFirst Here.
 
Late last month, I was interviewed by TwinsieTalk.com (http://twinsietalk.com/?p=23729) in conjunction with said event.
 
Take a look! 🙂
 
 
 

#Sugar4SPICE #AuthorSpotlight – Sue Rovens

Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

Sue Rovens. I’m an indie suspense/horror author and blogger. Currently, I have 5 books – three of which are novels and two which are collections of short stories. Since I’m not at the point where I can do this for a living, I spend my days at Illinois State University (Milner Library) working as a Stacks Maintenance Manager. I’ve been with ISU for over 28 years.

Where is your favorite place to write and what food must be present?

Home, in the den. I don’t need any food (maybe an iced tea). When I’m writing, I try to limit all distractions, and that includes eating.

What are you favorite things about attending signings?

I know the answer is supposed to be meeting all the people, and that IS a great thing about signings. But I think my favorite thing is the anticipation of the event – what the whole day will be like and how the overall feel will be. Every signing I’ve attended has had it’s own distinct ebbs and flows. I find that pretty compelling.

What author would you love to meet (Who is your unicorn author)?

Unfortunately, the author I wanted to meet has passed. I was able to connect with him in some fashion through email and a message board on his website when he was alive. Jack Ketchum (Dallas Mayr was his real name) was gracious enough to consent to be part of my Meet & Greet, a section on my blog where I interview authors. The Meet & Greet was his last public interview before he died in January 2018.

What is your favorite memory so far as an author?

There are too many to call “one” a particular favorite. But, one of the best memories has been standing at my author’s table in the Barnes & Noble up in Rockford selling my books (this was early on when I only had one or two books out). It had always been a dream to be in a real bookstore selling something that I had written. That will always be a very special memory.

What are your social links?

https://suerovens.com

What are your buy links? (You can list individual or links to your Amazon/ibooks/Koko/etc Author Home Page.)

https://www.amazon.com/Sue-Rovens/e/B009PCPQUS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

OR

my blog – https://suerovens.com

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November 4, 2019

What a month of weekends! Sold some books, met lots of groovy folks, experienced new venues, and discovered some Very Interesting places!

A couple things of note:

Here’s a picture from the Wheaton Haunted Fair:WheatonHauntedFair2019photo

Why yes, that IS an Underwood typewriter (1930) that I found on the web. I actually had it shipped to my house from another state! It’s been such an eye-catcher – mostly from kids who have never seen such a thing. It’s doesn’t officially work, but the keys move and the carriage goes back and forth. It’s pretty cool.

And here is an article written from an interview I did on WGLT regarding this past weekend’s Bloomington Public Library Author Fair:

The Bloomington Public Library will showcase central Illinois writers this weekend at its third annual Local Author Fair.

The event is part of National Novel Writing Month, when amateur writers—especially first-timers—are encouraged to write 50,000 words of a book during November.

The first book that Melissa Davis of Normal ever published was started during “NaNoWriMo.” It’s called “Land of the Shadows,” a paranormal fantasy.

“You can fly by the seat of your pants when you’re writing a National Novel Writing Month book, because you’re told not to think too hard, to write as fast as you can and go back and edit later,” said Davis. “That’s how I got started with book writing. But it’s been a lifetime journey.”

Sue Rovens’ three novels were all started during previous National Novel Writing Months. The writer from Normal uses the 50,000-word target to complete a book draft and then go back months later and edit.

Rovens, who also works at Illinois State University’s Milner Library, self-publishes her suspense books under the name Plump Toad Press. She likes the control of self-publishing.

“For me, and how I write my books, I don’t really want someone else telling me how to write it, how to finish it, how to create characters or change this scene. The stories I write, I work very hard, and they’re very personal stories,” she said.

But self-publishing requires a huge commitment to promotion and marketing. Rovens travels to events regularly, and she’ll be one of 23 featured authors at the Bloomington Public Library’s event from 2-4 p.m. Sunday. She also has a blog where she interviews other authors.

“Always be selling. Always. You never know who’s gonna buy it,” Rovens said.

Davis works with a publisher in Florida, called World Castle Publishing. She said a smaller, independent publisher like that is a good fit for her.

“There’s a lot more freedom with what you write,” she said.

When it comes to publishing, the writing is the easy part, Davis said. The editing process can be lengthy, not to mention the layout and production of a book.

“There’s a lot of pirating, especially with electronic books,” she said. “And it just makes me so mad, because they have no idea. It’s not like we just woke up and boom, we wrote a book. There’s so much more involved in it.”

The Local Author Fair is Sunday, Nov. 3, from 2-4 p.m. at Bloomington Public Library. All genres and reading levels are represented among the 23 McLean County authors.  The event is free and open to all with authors stationed throughout the library.

This is the actual link to the article and interview if you’d like to listen! Here!

And last, but CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, a BIG, JUICY THANK YOU TO CHARLIE EDWARDS (also known in the Flip Side section as The Quaker). He drove, he hoisted, he helped set up, he went and found candy when we realized we forgot it for the table, he took care of the banner, he watched my table when I took breaks, and much more. Thank you. I love you, my dear.

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October 28, 2019

And one more for the season (that I know of – I’m still kind of poking around to see if I can sneak another in before the year is up 🙂  )

Bloomington Public Library Author Fair: 2019

Bloomington Public Library
205 E. Olive St | Bloomington, IL 61701 | 309-828-6091

MEET LOCAL AUTHORS

Authors from McLean County will be stationed throughout Bloomington Public Library on Sunday, November 3 from 2-4pm. Stop by to speak with them about their books and the craft of writing. If you too are a writer, our featured writers will be able to provide tips about the publishing process. This event celebrates National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWrMo) although many genres of books will be represented at the fair. You can find more information about it on the online calendar.

Featured Authors

Pete Alteri

  • Heyworth, IL
  • Writing areas: Horror, Suspense, Short Stories
  • Titles: Creation of Chaos Volume I
  • The Dreadful Lives of Enoch Strange

Zighen Aym

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Contemporary Nonfiction: ethnic profiling
  • Title: Still Moments

Kaitlin Bergfield

  • Normal, IL
  • Writing areas: Urban Fantasy
  • Titles: Canine
    Canine: Awakenings

Dewhitt Bingham

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Nonfiction
  • Titles: Hope Deferred Makes the Heart Sick
    Viola Liuzzo, A True Martyr

Bruce Boeck

  • Normal, IL
  • Writing areas: Plays

Allen Brokken

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Christian Fantasy
  • Titles: Light of Mine

Melissa Davis

  • Normal, IL
  • Writing areas: Christian Nonfiction
  • Titles: Call of the Phoenix: Destined Guardians Book 1
    Rise of the Winged Serpent: Destined Guardians Book 2
    Monsterjunkies: Through the Mortal Veil
    Primordial Code

Lauren Eckhardt

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Adult and Teen Fiction and Fantasy
  • Titles: The Remedy Files
    The Last Look
    Enlightened: Evaline’s Journey
    Autumn’s Return

Michael Escoubas

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Poetry
  • Titles: Monet in Poetry and Paint
    Steve Henderson in Poetry and Paint

Anthony Feinman

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Graphic Novel / Comics
  • Titles: The Magic Press
    Blitz Howser
    Escape in a Dirigible

Phillip Foster & Gary Bussmann

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Nonfiction
  • Titles: I’m Not Good Enough
    Parent with an Attitude

Alexander Germanis

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Science Fiction
  • Titles: Monarchy’s Shadow

Tegan Giesel

  • Normal, IL
  • Writing areas: Fiction
  • Titles: The Safe Place

Eva Goldschmidt Wyman

  • Normal, IL
  • Writing areas: Nonfiction & Poetry
  • Titles: Escaping Hitler, A Jewish Haven in Chile
    Los poetas y el general / The Poets and the general
    Huyendo del infierno nazi

Courtney Goodwin

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Fantasy
  • Titles: Heir of Ashes

Hal Graff

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Mystery
  • Titles: Harold Gatewood Mysteries, a 26-volume series
    Davis Finn Mysteries, a 29-volume series

Kathleen Kirk

  • Normal, IL
  • Writing areas: Poetry
  • Titles: Spiritual Midwifery
    The Towns
    ABCs of Women’s Work
    Interior Sculpture
    Nocturnes
    Selected Roles

Pamela Purnell

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Nonfiction & Poetry
  • Titles: Uplifted
    The Reason Why I Dance
    Soul’s Worth
    Memories of
    You are a Tree to Me
    A, B, Sees of Empowerment for Women
    Praise Song Book of Medleys

Sue Rovens

  • Normal, IL
  • Writing areas: Suspense
  • Titles: Buried
    Track 9
    Badfish
    In a Corner Darkly—Vols. 1 & 2

Kyle Schiebel

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Mystery
  • Titles: Hawking’s Grove

Jim Tosh

  • Normal, IL
  • Writing areas: Poetry
  • Titles: A Baby Boomer’s Book of Poems

Vicky VanDan-Pletsch

  • Normal, IL
  • Writing areas: Children’s
  • Titles: Books Can Take You Anywhere

Ellie Wakeman

  • Normal, IL
  • Writing areas: Fiction
  • Titles: Bella Gets Rescued

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October 22, 2019

Image may contain: text

Saturday, October 26

9am – 4:30pm

 

FFC’s Life Together Center

3625 N Sheridan Rd, Peoria, Illinois 61604

From their website:

Welcome to Peoria’s 1st Annual Bookfest – a celebration of all things bookish!

We will have over 10,000 sq ft of bookish delights ranging from local authors, literary crafters, artists, food trucks. We will also have a kids area with face painters, balloon artists, storytellers, storybook characters and activities!

All money raised goes to Book Rack Literacy Foundation, Inc. Book Rack Literacy Foundation, Inc., has committed to filling Peoria Public Schools District 150 K-8 classroom libraries with new books. There are 355 K-8 classrooms and we intend to put 60 news books in each!

Here’s an updated list of all the authors/vendors/exhibitors/guests for Peoria Bookfest 2019 to date:

**A Sesame Street backdrop with special guest, ELMO!

**501st Midwest Garrison Star Wars characters

** Local Authors:

Sylvia Shults
Sue Rovens (come see me! 🙂 )
Frieda J. Roulds
J.E. Mueller
Amy Sauder
C.J. Fisher
Kim Kouski
Rachel Dunn
Harley Easton
Trever Bierschbach
Linda Lowery
Mary O’Reilly
Indigo Skye, Author
Dawn Malone
J. Lawson –
Arcane Ink Publishing (Rey Clark)
Laura Kearney
Misty K/Promethus Susan
Chris Marchand
Miranda Shanklin
C.J. Fischer
Bronetta Porter-Jones
Matt O’Brien

**Harper Collins Young Adult Authors

Lauren Mansy – “The Memory Thief”
Kimberly Gabriel – “Every Stolen Breath”

***Manual High School Sophomore Advanced English Students – wrote and illustrated their own children’s books under the supervision of their instructor, Torri Wyzgowski

**Craft Vendors/Exhibitors:

Susie Q. Diffusers – diffuser bracelets, necklaces, earrings and other diffusers for essential oils Susie Q. Diffusers Melissa Wolven

Geek Art Custom Creations – Homemade purses, accessories and home decor Geek Art Custom Creations

Six Grand Stitches – Reading Pocket Pillows, tooth fairy pillows, etc. Six Grand Stitches

Jules by Design – handmade jewelry, bookmarks, badge holders

Thirty One – Bags and Totes (Great for books and teachers) Thirty-One Gifts

Southern Moon Creations – Embroidered towels, key fobs, bibs (literary) Southern Moon Creations Southern Moon Creations

CuppaGeek Teas – literary handmade teas; tea accessories CuppaGeek

Canis Galaxy Artistry – pins, pixel art, embroidery Canis Galaxy Artistry

A Little More of Me – amigurumi/crochet, handmade toys, dolls, plush,bags, hats A little more of ME

Amanda Lynn Shaffer – Jewelry and book related gifts

Young’s Popcorn Heaven – handmade flavored popcorn Young’s Popcorn Heaven Popcorn Heaven Serving Peoria, Ill and Beyond

Mary Inman – Doterra essential oils in storybook themed roller sets Mary Inman

Pearl Witte – handmade cards

Christina Donovan – Crochet items, handmade toys and dolls, plush, bags, hats

Collette Cobillas – Usborne Books – Usborne4u

Geek Art by Zentner – paintings, artwork, comics, etc Geek Art by Zentner

Sketchy Chick Portraits – artwork Angie McElroy Peacock

Tick Tick Fizz – handmade bath bombs in literary themes/book finger puppets Tick Tick Fizz

Tracy Wurster – Bookmarks/Journals Tracy Wurster

Wild Style Design Company – Face Painting/Glitter Tattoos Wild Style Design Company

Anna Winette – felted fairies and pictures Anna Winette

Megan Huber (Plush & Stuff) – literary handmade stuffed animals/plush Megan Huber

Bear’s Bites (Samm Hutchison) – organic dog treats Bear’s Bites

Moonlit Organics – Sugar Scrubs/Salves Moonlit Organics

Andre Ware – In and Out

Joshua Hawkins – artwork

Kathy Shishilla – Avon/Finley the Fox fundraiser

Brenda Stickler – T-Shirts/Purses

Melissa McAuley/Book Cocoon – Protective Book Sleeves

Tina Francis – Bookmarks, book scents, book collectibles made from recycled books

Tri-County Tech Services – Promo give-a-ways, kids games

A Cheep Tee – t-shirts/bags

Sylvan Learning Center – tutoring programs info

Renee Christensen/Nicole Blackburn – greeting cards, stickers, buttons, magnets, book page art, children’s book that Nicole wrote

Wands for St. Jude/Trish Robertson – Harry Potter

Shelley Fritz/Life Focus Learning – Teacher Resources/UsedBooks

Bryan Smith – Local Postcard Illustrator

***FOOD to eat at the event

Avanti’s/chips/drinks
Bake Sale

**NON-PROFIT EXHIBITORS

Dyslexia Awareness Network (dyslexia simulation)
Peoria Public Library
T.O.U.C.H. OSF Congenital Heart

***We also have Bedtime Stories with Book Rack readers scheduled to read a story book to the kids every 30 minutes.

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October 17, 2019

TWO DAYS AWAY!!

I will be here with Plump Toad Press Tote “Toad” Bags and all 5 books! This is a first for me, so I’m extra excited and nervous! LOL!

Wheaton Illinois Haunted Halloween Flea Market

Saturday October 19, 2019!
3pm to Midnight / $7 (admission) . Children 12 and under are free.
Free parking.

Costume Contest (Children & Adult Categories).  Building 5.  Times to be announced.

Held at the DuPage County Fairgrounds
2015 Manchester Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187

Call 715-526-9769 for info.

undefined

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October 11, 2019

And this week, I’m over at Jonathan Pongratz! Check out the link here!

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October 3, 2019

I am over at Teri Polen’s (Linky Here!) Bad Moon Rising section of her blog. Each day in October, she posts interviews from authors who write suspense/horror/thrillers/etc.

Hop on over and take a look! She has a wonderful blog. 🙂

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September 30, 2019

A brand new review from Publisher’s Weekly!

And…it’s good!

 
Buried

Sue Rovens. Plump Toad, $12 mass market (224p) ISBN 978-1-7339163-0-1

Rovens’s unsettling story of unsavory crimes connected with a small-town funeral home is not for the squeamish. Gerald Zenith has run the Sommerville Funeral Home in Foote, Ind., for 14 years, aided by Bruce Sheffield, “a thirty-year-old mama’s boy who abided by the cliché of living in his mother’s basement.” Both men have abused their positions. Gerald, who keeps two sets of books, routinely digs up graves after burials and deposits the corpses in an unmarked hole so that he can recycle the coffins. Bruce sexually abuses the bodies of dead women brought to the funeral home. Meanwhile, extreme hoarder Priscilla Wyatt accumulates possessions that include body parts unearthed by her dog. Bruce’s mother, who writes cozy mysteries with religious-themed titles such as Stop: In the Name of Jesus, has a key role to play in the grotesque events leading to the dramatic denouement. This is a straightforward cautionary tale of how the two principals’ sins eventually catch up with them. Crime novel concepts don’t come much odder or creepier. (Self-published.)
 

Reviewed by Publishers Weekly on 10/11/2019

(Personal note – I wracked my brain and for the life of me, I’m not seeing what they saw as far as Bruce’s mother having a “key role” in things. But, that’s the fun of having differing points of view, I suppose. And no mention of Monika?)

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September 25, 2019

First event of the Fall Season!

I will be at Duncan Manor for their Spirits of the Past: A Haunted History Tour

Here’s all the info from their Facebook Page:

Join us October 11th and 12th for our final weekend of haunted history tours. Community Players Theater will guide you through the manor in the year 1868 to give you a glimpse of the Duncan Family and their story.

There will be live music in the polebarn both evenings as well as Gill Street Eatz food truck, Sparky’s BBQ, cash bar, and haunted trails. Local suspense Novelist, Sue Rovens, will be here on October 12th only. She will be sharing excerpts from her latest release!

Tours take place every 15 minutes and we highly recommend purchasing your ticket in advance to guarantee your tour time. There is limited availability and we will not be doing this event again next year.

Not recommended for children under 10 years old.

Live Music:

Friday
October 11th: Marc Boon and Friends

Saturday
October 12th: Nicotine Poetic

If you want to check it out for yourself and go to their FB page, here is the link: Clicky Here!

As it states, I will be there ONLY on Saturday, October 12 from 6pm to 10pm. I don’t believe they are holding this event again (or perhaps taking some time off from doing it), so if you have NOT seen Duncan Manor yet and want to experience this Very Cool Event, do not delay any longer!

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September 18, 2019

Save the Date!!

Sunday, November 3 – Bloomington Public Library – Author Event

I’m not certain about the hours, although the last two times, it ran from 2pm to 4pm (or there about).

I’ll have NEW things (and all 5 books) – so come on by!

More info as I learn about it.

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September 1, 2019

cropped-plump-toad-final-e1566695694409.jpg

wheatonfleamarket

How cool is THAT??

I’m in the list – pretty amazing and exciting! 🙂

I plan to have some Plump Toad Press stuff to sell, along with my books, of course. Kicking it up for this one, everybody! If you can, come on out on Saturday, October 19 for some fun 🙂

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August 12, 2019

It’s official!

I will be at the Wheaton Haunted Flea Market from 3pm to Midnight (yeah, whoa!) on Saturday, October 19. For more information, check out this link HERE!

 

Fresh from a Publisher’s Weekly starred review of her second novel, Track 9, which follows a couple trapped in a haunted train station in Germany, Sue was already fine-tuning her third book. Buried came out earlier this year from Plump Toad Press. Fans are already discovering the secrets behind this latest tome about a hoarder who lives next to a funeral home, as well as the necrophiliac who works there.

Sue also has two collections of short stories, one of which made a splash of its own. Her story “Coming Over” from In a Corner, Darkly: Volume One, was taken and adapted by the Southern Illinois University theater department and turned into a short film.

Last year, Sue branched out and created Tales of Terror: Live!—a multi-media event held at nightshop in Bloomington, Illinois. The three-hour spectacular featured speakers, podcasters, a music DJ, authors, and ghost hunters—entertaining a full-capacity crowd for the Halloween season. Tales of Terror: Live 2! is coming again in 2020.

Sue, who is a current member of The Chicago Writers Association and The Alliance for Independent Authors (ALLi), has written for (the now defunct) e-zines, Machinations into Madness and The Grim Seer Society. She has also been a contributing author on Golden Linings II: More Tiny Tales about Pets, for Pets, which is due out this month (July 2019) and wrote the article “Planning for a Successful Book Fair” for ALLi.

Aside from working full time at Illinois State University, Sue has had the opportunity to showcase her books throughout the Midwest. Some of her key appearances include:

Printer’s Row Lit Fest   Chicago, Illinois

Barnes & Noble, Rockford, Illinois

ChambanaCon, Normal, Illinois

Princeton Public Library

Duncan Manor Blues Bender, Towanda, Illinois

Bloomington Public Library Author Fest, Bloomington, Illinois

Cogs & Corsets: A Steampunk Happening, Bloomington, Illinois

Spirits of the Past: A Haunted History Tour

The Book Nook   Peoria, Illinois

Barrington Area Public Library   Barrington, Illinois

Sue hosts a blog where you can purchase all her books, read interviews from over 110 authors from several different genres, and discover some other artists in the entertainment field. Visit https://suerovens.com to learn more.

She will have all five of her books available for purchase (as well as some fun and fantastic Plump Toad Press items!) during the Halloween Flea Market.

 

Sue Rovens

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August 5, 2019

It’s never too early to mention the Bloomington Public Library Author Fair!

Sunday, November 3 – from 2pm – 4pm. Save the date! I hope to have some NEW SWAG (some to purchase too!) from my own “publishing house” Plump Toad Press!

Keep an eyeball peeled for more info on that.

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July 20, 2019

Yep, it’s been a while. With moving (and still trying to sell the house), there hasn’t been much time for book events, signings, or anything of that ilk.

However, I’ve got an eyeball toward fall and all that THAT entails.

One event that’s new for me and that I’ll be attending in October is the:

Wheaton Illinois Haunted Halloween Flea Market

Saturday October 19, 2019
3pm to Midnight / $7 (admission)

Children 12 and under are free.
Free parking.

DuPage County Fairgrounds
2015 Manchester Rd, Wheaton, IL 60187

Linky Here!

It looks to be fun and festive. As I mentioned, it will be a first for me, so I’ve got a few NEW things in mind. Keep an eyeball peeled to this events section to see what’s going to be happening as the date gets closer.

I’ll also be on the lookout for a few more fall/Halloween opportunities to get the books out. If you know of anything in Illinois, let me know.

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June 21, 2019

Even though we are in the thick of moving this week, we are having a MASSIVE garage sale tomorrow, Saturday, June 22.

Why would I mention that here? Because among the thousands of other things for sale, I WILL have all 5 books available for purchase as well. So, think of this as yet another opportunity to pick up 1, 2, or even all 5 for only $10 instead of Amazon’s $12 price. (plus, I can sign them and give you swag!)  🙂

Want to stop by? Hit me up with an email at srovens@yahoo.com and I’ll fill you in on the address and details!

Thanks~!

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June 10, 2019

The Cogs and Corsets Steampunk Festival was an exciting time! A bit of back and forth (being outside, then inside, then out again, and finally in) because of the darn wind was a bit of a challenge, but overall, it was a great time.

Thanks to those of you who stopped by and nabbed a book (or all five in one case!). I hope you found the festival to be a very cool and fun experience. Depending on how Printer’s Row falls next year, I might do Steampunk again (if they’ll have me). 🙂

Nothing else is on the immediate horizon (event-wise) which is a good thing. We are moving in 7 days so I really need to focus and be all-in on that.

But! Stay tuned because I am hoping to participate in a few author interviews over the next month or two.

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June 4, 2019

COME SEE ME AND BUY BOOKS! 🙂

The Cogs & Corsets festival takes place throughout six square blocks of historic Downtown Bloomington. This area is home to over 90 shops, galleries, and restaurants… many in historic buildings with ties to Abraham Lincoln. The galleries will be featuring local artists’ new work and even hosting visiting artists whose pieces exude that Steampunk vibe. The Museum of History will be the site of history presentations and our Tea Room, and for 2019 the gorgeous historic Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts will be part of the action. While the planning for 2019 is still in progress, we do know we’ll have the entertainment, tours, contests, workshops (and of course, tea!) that you’ve come to enjoy. All indicators are that 2019 will be even bigger and more exciting… we can’t wait to see you here!

 

 

FRIDAY, JUNE 7 – 5PM – 8PM

SATURDAY, JUNE 8 – 9AM – 6PM

SUNDAY, JUNE 9 – 9AM – 2PM

 

Steampunk Market (Vendor area) open

300 block of Main St. — Stroll our vendor area and shop for all manner of wonderful Steampunk accessories, handcrafts, tea, and so much more! Merchants and artists from all over the midwest will be showcasing their wares, helping you complete your perfect Steampunk ensemble.

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May 31, 2019

RAIN OR SHINE!

And did I mention I DO take Credit Cards? 🙂

Cogs & Corsets: A Steampunk Happening!

I’ll be stationed at Table #21!

The event starts Friday, June 7th in Bloomington, Illinois and there are TONS of things happening that weekend:

Steampunk Festival!

Farmer’s Market!

Special Olympics Summer Games

Miller Park Zoo’s Birthday!

WGLT Summer Concert!

So, come on out, swing by, say hi, pick up a book (or 2 or 3…) and have a great weekend.

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May 17, 2019

It’s coming!

Steampunk!

Twenty-one days to be exact. Even if “Steampunk” isn’t your bag, this event promises to be a fun, frolicsome time. Kids? Bring ’em. Date day/night? Perfect. There really is something for everyone over the course of the 3-day happening. Check out ALL the info:

HERE!

And for those who have NOT bought their very own copies of Buried or any of the other books in my repertoire…

 
 

Sue Rovens

Suspense/Horror Author

Local author Sue Rovens picks up where the likes of Bierce, Poe, and Shelley leave off. Her novels and short stories add swaths of suspense, horror, and a bit of strangeness to the Steampunk Weekend. She will be on hand to sign her books and would love for you to stop by her booth and learn more. suerovens.com

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May 12, 2019

I recently wrote an article for ALLi (Alliance for Independent Authors) of which I am a current member. It’s my take on doing book/author fairs:

Linky Here!

brown notebook in between of a type writer and gray and black camera
Pexels.com

What’s ALLi?

The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), the global non-profit association for writers who self-publish. Part of ALLi’s remit is to take our self-publishing education and advice out to the wider indie author and publishing community.

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May 6, 2019

Duncan Manor Derby Days was great! A BIG shout out to Randi and David (and Arlow) for letting me come and sell my wares at their amazing homestead. If you’ve never been, you should make the trek at some point. The house (and the owners) are terrific.

You know what’s next, right?

Yep.

Steampunk!

Instead of heading up north to Chicago for Printer’s Row, I’ll be sticking around here (Bloomington/Normal) and taking part in Cogs and Corsets: A Steampunk Happening.

It’s taking place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (June 7, 8, and 9). If you are anywhere near central Illinois, it’s a definite happening and something you don’t want to miss. Even if you aren’t steeped in the Steampunk way of life (I’m not), it’s a fun weekend. Poke around on the above website to find out about all kinds of groovy things going on.

Keep an eyeball peeled for more info!

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April 29, 2019

Days away from Duncan Manor!

As mentioned in the last post, I’ll be here selling my wares on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 from 10am to 4pm. I also plan to do 2 readings from the NEW BOOK, BURIED!

And….if Amazon’s email remains true…

I WILL HAVE COPIES OF BURIED FOR SALE!!

How cool is that?

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April 25, 2019

On the move!

THIS Sunday, April 28, from Noon to 4pm, I’ll be at J. Jill in The Shoppes at College Hills (Normal, Illinois). I’ll have my wares (not Buried yet, sorry – I ordered a bunch of them, so as soon as I get them, you’ll be the first to know!) and I hear that there will be cookies 🙂

I am also donating 10% of ALL book sales from this event to Dress for Success (Linky Here), which is J. Jill’s program of choice.

And then…

On Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, I will be at Duncan Manor Derby Days from 10am to 4pm. Here is the link for all the info: Right Here!

Derby Days is a Kentucky Derby inspired garden party and vendor open house. This fundraiser will be open to the public. Guests are invited to spend the afternoon at the manor enjoying live music, a cash bar, food vendors, local businesses, artisans, handmade and vintage goods, silent auction, lawn games, a hat contest and more!

Date/Time

Saturday, May 4, 2019 – Sunday, May 5, 2019
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Cost: $15 a person or $10 a person with groups of 4 or more. Children 10 and under are FREE.

Location

Duncan Manor 1002 Towanda Barnes Road Towanda Illinois 61776 309-340-4491
https://www.facebook.com/events/2066161543479918/

So, LOTS coming up! I MIGHT have Buried at Derby Days – Keep an eyeball peeled because if I get them, I will surely post it here! 🙂

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April 22, 2019

A little earlier than expected…

It’s ALIVE!! (Kindle coming soon)

ORDER NOW!

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April 18, 2019

Drumroll, please…

The OFFICIAL COVER of my third novel, Buried.

(coming in May 2019)

(cover by Tami Boyce)

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April 8, 2019

Meet the Author: Sue Rovens

 @ J. Jill

The Shoppes at College Hills, Normal, Illinois

Sunday, April 28

Noon – 4pm

Sue Rovens is a local suspense author who resides in Normal, Illinois, and works at Illinois State University. Her novel, Track 9, received a starred review in Publisher’s Weekly (May, 2018), and her short story, “Coming Over” from In a Corner, Darkly: Volume One was made into a short film by Southern Illinois University’s Theater Department.

Her newest book, Buried, will be out in late Spring of this year.

She has appeared at such events/places as Duncan Manor in Towanda, Steampunk Festival in Bloomington, Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago, and Barnes & Noble in Rockford, and the Author Festival at Barrington Area Public Library in Barrington, Illinois.

She was also the creator of Tale of Terror Live at nightshop in Bloomington this past October which was featured in The Pantagraph.

Sue will be donating 10% of all book sales during this event to Dress For Success through J. Jill.

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April 3, 2019

Linky Here

I will be at the Barrington Area Public Library THIS Sunday, April 7 from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. (not sure why my name isn’t on the list…BUT, they have a table ready for me!)

So, if you are in the area, come on out, say hi, and take some time to check out ALL the authors who will be there. This is my first time at this particular event, so I’ll try to get some pictures of the event.

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March 25, 2019

It might only be March, but things are happening!

This June, I’ll be back at the Steampunk Happening in Bloomington, Illinois on June 7, 8, and 9. It’s an incredible and well-organized event that takes place in the downtown area. Lots to see and do.

Here’s just a tidbit on the vendors who will be there: (more to come, I’m sure)

https://www.cogsandcorsetsil.com/activities/vendors/

Sue Rovens

Suspense/Horror Author

Local author Sue Rovens picks up where the likes of Bierce, Poe, and Shelley leave off. Her novels and short stories add swaths of suspense, horror, and a bit of strangeness to the Steampunk Weekend. She will be on hand to sign her books and would love for you to stop by her booth and learn more.

=========================================================================

March 17, 2019

So, Charlie and I just bought a house! That’s why there’s a bit of a lull around here. But, rest assured that things are still moving forward!

Sunday, April 7 – Barrington Area Public Library Author Fair from 1:30 – 4:30pm.

Sunday, April 28 – Author Meet & Greet at J. Jill in Normal, Illinois

And Buried is finished. The lady doing the interior and cover and I have been conversing (over email), and the process is underway!

Keep an eyeball peeled for more on that.

==========================================================================

March 8, 2019

A new opportunity!

I will be at the Barrington Area Library’s Author Fair! Here is the information that I have so far. Keep an eyeball peeled for more information as it gets closer.

Event Type: Adult Program
Date: 4/7/2019
Start Time: 1:30 PM
End Time: 4:30 PM

Description:
Enjoy meet and greets, book signings, and more with the talented writers and storytellers of our community.
 

Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy, Barrington, IL
Location: Meeting Room

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February 28, 2019

What does a women’s clothing store and local authors have in common?

Come and Find out!

Save the Date! Sunday, April 28 from 12pm – 4pm, I’ll be at the local J. Jill store (Shoppes at College Hills) at 303 Veterans Pkwy, Normal, IL 61761.

More info to come!

Linky to J. Jill

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February 22, 2019

I was interviewed by Fiona Cooke Hogan! 🙂 Thank you so much, Fiona!

Check out the entire article Here!

Welcome to Women in Horror Month 2019 – Introducing Author of Horror Fiction and Suspense, Sue Rovens.

Welcome to our last Friday of Women in Horror Month 2019. It’s been a short, dark month but we’ve done our best to make your days that little bit brighter by showcasing the work of so many talented authors of dark fiction. Today, I’m delighted to be shining the spotlight on author of horror and suspense tales, Sue Rovens.

===================================================================

February 13, 2019

Keep Sunday, April 28th open (if you are local). I am trying to coordinate a book signing/author meet and greet in a VERY unconventional place in town.

Stay tuned for details!

=========================================================================

February 2, 2019

It’s Women in Horror Month!

Celebrate ALL women who write horror, suspense, mysteries, thrillers, dark fiction, and gore.

Anyone out there up for an interview on the Meet & Greet? Let me know now!! I’ll do some special featured interviews for those of you who respond. (or if you know of anyone who would like to do it – that’s cool too. Just email me! – srovens@yahoo.com and mention WIHM or LOHF (Ladies of Horror Fiction).

============================================================================

January 9, 2019

It’s like a gift that keeps on giving!!

I am on this list!!

December 31, 2018
 

We look back at the very best books from the past 12 months.

Of the many BookLife titles reviewed by Publishers Weekly this year, these books—all of which received starred reviews—were the best of the best.

==========================================================================

December 30, 2018

Happy Holidays and ALMOST New Year!

I think I’ve had enough “chill time” so it’s back to work – not just on my next book, Buried, but on trying to line up some author events for the coming year!

I’ve got my first one in the can, so to speak. It’s not until June, but I’m already pretty excited because I’m pretty sure by then, I’ll have my NEW BOOK out!

I will be a vendor at the Steampunk Festival, selling my books in Bloomington! I believe it runs for three days – well, one evening and then the two weekend days – on June 7, 8, and 9. Obviously, as it gets closer, I’ll have more details, so keep checking back for the scoop on that one and hopefully, more to come!

==========================================================================

December 19, 2018

Are you shopping for the holidays? Do you need a little “something-something” for a stocking? A Secret Santa? A present exchange?

My books can be found at the following locations (besides Amazon, B&N online, etc)

Quimby’s Bookstore in Chicago – Linky Here

The Book Nook in Peoria – Linky Here

All my books are the same price – $12.

If you are local (Bloomington-Normal) and would like to purchase them, I will gladly sign your copy and only charge you $10! Just shoot me an email – srovens@yahoo.com.

Thanks!

=======================================================================

December 6, 2018

Buried is done!

Novel #3 has been completed!

Now, the finalization begins…well, in January.

Next month, I go through it, checking once again for the commas, periods, quotations, etc. The story, the plot, the characters, the rewrites – all the heavy lifting is finished.

Time for a breather.

But…

Buried is coming! 2019!!!

Yay! 🙂

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November 27, 2018

Well, this feels like a good time to remind, beg, ask, plead, and cajole you folks out there in internet-land…

If you have read ANY of my books, could you please find a moment or two to put a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or any social media outlet you use?

It doesn’t have  to be long. It doesn’t have to be specific. Even a sentence or two means a LOT. I’m not asking for 5 stars (unless you truly feel it/they deserve it). Just be honest.

The main thing is to do it. Lots of folks say they will, but few really do. Please, be the standout.

Thanks –

Sue

==========================================================================

November 19, 2018

Apparently, you can buy my books in Japan.

Cool.

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November 9, 2018

NEXT WEEKEND! Saturday, November 17th from 2pm – 4pm, Bloomington Public Library is doing it again. Here is the list of authors who will be there selling their wares:

Featured Authors

Webster, Mandy

  • McLean, IL
  • Writing areas: Fiction
  • Titles: Valley of the Bees
    F-ing Freddy Fisher

Weber, Robert

  • Bloomington, IL
  • stgenepress.com
  • Writing areas: stgenepress.com
  • Titles: The Essence of Perfection

Schickedanz, Peg

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Children’s Poetry
  • Titles: Animal Poets

Rovens, Sue

  • Normal, IL
  • suerovens.com
  • Writing area: Suspense, Short Stories
  • Title: Badfish
    Track 9
    In a Corner, Darkly: Vols. 1 & 2

Purnell, Pamela

  • Bloomington, IL
  • ppurnell.com
  • Writing area: Poetry, Self-care
  • Title: The Reason Why I Dance
    Memories of Soul’s Worth
    Uplifted
    You are a Tree to Me
    The I AM Journey (CD)

Malone, Dawn

  • Chenoa, IL
  • dawnmalone.blogspot.com
  • Writing areas: Adult and Teen Romance
  • Title: Love Like Water
    Love Like Fire
    The Upside of Down
    Bingo Summer

Lentz, Bonnie Kae

  • Normal, IL
  • bonniekaelentz.blogspot.com
  • Writing areas: Nonfiction, Local Interest
  • Titles: Tattooed by Jesus
    Stories from the Jesus House

LaRosa, Irving

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing areas: Horror
  • Title: The Committee – US Abattoir I

Kirk, Kathleen

Kerrigan, Hannah

  • Bloomington, IL
  • Writing area: : Nonfiction, Photography
  • Titles: Honduras: A Call for Compassion

Jarvis, Zeke

Hutchison, William

  • Normal, IL
  • Book available at Barnes & Noble website
  • Writing areas: Poetry, Short Stories
  • Titles: Ageless Dance: Nature and Romance in 3 Chords

Graff, Hal

Feinman, Ahthony

  • Bloomington, IL
  • www.ifcomics.com
  • Writing areas: Comics, Graphic Novels, Short Stories
  • Titles: The Magic Press and Other Critter Stories
    Blitz Hauser: the Lust Straps
    Escape on a Diragible
    Superlative Tales

Elder, Eric

  • Chenoa, IL
  • www.inspiringbooks.com
  • Writing areas: Inspirational & Christian Nonfiction
  • Titles: St. Nicholas: the Believer
    Israel: Lessons from the Holy Land
    Making the Most of the Darkness
    Loving God and Loving Gays: What’s a Christian to Do?

Davis, Missy

Croom, Janice

  • Bloomington, IL
  • janicecroom.com
  • Writing Areas: Mystery, Romantic Comedy
  • Titles: Death of an Idiot Boss
    The One: A Holiday with Love

Busse, Morgan

  • Bloomington, IL
  • www.morganlbusse.com
  • Writing Areas: Magical Realism, Steampunk
  • Titles: Follower of the Word trilogy
    The Soul Chronicles dualogy
    Mark of the Raven

Bingham, Dewhitt

Bergfield, Kaitlin

Altieri, Pete

  • Heyworth, IL
  • www.PeteAltieri.com
  • Writing areas: Horror, Suspense, Short Stories
  • Canine
    Canine: Creation of Chaos Volume I
    The Dreadful Lives of Enoch Strange

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November 1, 2018

To kick off Nano (National Novel Writing Month), Bloomington Public Library is once again having a Meet the Local Author afternoon! Here is the link: Click Here!

Enjoy the Library’s 2nd Annual Local Authors Fair on Saturday, November 17. Meet, talk with, and learn from local authors from McLean County, Illinois. A variety of genres and reading ages are included in this drop-in book fair. Authors will sign their books and will have copies for sale. We’ll gather from 2-4pm throughout the Bloomington Public Library.

So – if you’ve missed the earlier opportunities to pick up Badfish, Track 9, or In a Corner, Darkly (volumes 1 and 2), you’ve got one more chance this month!

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October 26, 2018

Photos from Tales of Terror: Live!

(event at nightshop on Thursday, October 25)

20181025_185945 (Sylvia Shults)

20181025_192638 (Bryan Wolford & Tony Wash – filmmakers and podcasters)

20181025_200121 (Charlie Edwards – The Quaker Goes Deaf)

20181025_202118 ( Pete Altieri and Chris Shawback – Murder, Metal, Mayhem podcasters)

20181025_211624 (Troy Taylor)

Thanks to EVERYONE who came out, to nightshop, to Chris G., and to all the folks who helped make this happen! It was a great night!

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October 21, 2018

Image may contain: sky and tree

TALES OF TERROR: LIVE!

COST: $6 per person

 

DOOR PRIZES!!

 

nightshop

517 N Main St, Bloomington, Illinois 61701

Featuring:

Murder, Metal, Mayhem – Podcast

Murder Metal Mayhem is a weekly true crime, heavy metal and general mayhem podcast. Co-hosted by Pete Altieri, horror/suspense author and Chris Shawback, supporter of local metal. Check them out! https://player.fm/series/murder-metal-mayhem-2286601

Horror/Suspense Local Author, Sue Rovens –

Organizer of Tales of Terror: Live, Sue is a local indie horror/suspense author and blogger. She has appeared at Chicago Printers Row Lit Fest, Chambana-Con, the Bloomington Public Library Author Fair, and the Steampunk Festival, among other venues. She is a member of The Chicago Writers Association and plans to have her third novel out in 2019. You can find out more information about Sue, her books, and lots more at suerovens.com

Troy Taylor – Author and Speaker

Troy Taylor is the author of 125 books on ghosts, hauntings, true crime and the unexplained in American history. He is also the owner of American Hauntings Tours and Events. He was born and raised in Central Illinois and created downstate’s first ghost tour in 1994. Currently, he has tours in Illinois cities like Chicago, Alton, Decatur, Carlinville, and Jacksonville, along with the American Hauntings Tours, which travel all over the country for overnight stays in haunted places. In 1997, he launched the Haunted America Conference — the first ghost conference in the United States — and will hold the 23rd annual event in Alton, Illinois, in June 2019.

Along with writing about the macabre and hosting tours, Taylor is also a public speaker on the subject of ghosts and hauntings. He has appeared in scores of newspaper and magazine articles about the subject and in hundreds of radio and television broadcasts about the supernatural. Troy has appeared in documentary productions for TLC, The History Channel, A & E, Discovery Channel, PBS, CMT, Travel Channel, Investigation Discovery and in various network programs and syndicated news shows. He has appeared in one feature film about the paranormal and one of his books is currently being adapted for film by a major studio.

His latest book, SUFFER THE CHILDREN, was released in September 2018.

Tony Cade – Local Artist (Illustrations for Sale)

Hailing from our own twin cities, Tony has been part of the local art scene for over twenty-five years. His illustrations range from hauntingly beautiful to frighteningly macabre. His work has appeared at The Grey Dove Gallery & Wings Studio in Downtown Bloomington.

Music provided by The Quaker Goes Deaf –

Charlie Quaker has operated a Chicago record store, written music review columns, DJ’d events and hosts a radio show—all known as “THE QUAKER GOES DEAF”. Although his show has been broadcasting since the invention of the radio, The Quaker is a zealous explorer of new & obscure “ROCK” music. He also knows a lot about chickens and it’s said that he is “mid-level famous”, though this has yet to be substantiated. Check out the tumblr site:
http://thequakergoesdeaf.tumblr.com/

Sylvia Shults – Author/Paranormal Investigator

Sylvia Shults is the author of 44 Years in Darkness, Fractured Spirits: Hauntings at the Peoria State Hospital, and other books of true ghost stories. She has spent the past twenty years working in a library, slowly smuggling words out in her pockets day by day to build a book of her own. She sits in dark, spooky, haunted places so you don’t have to. She lives a short, ten-minute motorcycle ride away from the haunted asylum that features in so many of her books. She considers it the highest privilege to share the incredible, compassionate history of the Peoria State Hospital.

After battling an intense, lifelong fear of the dark, Sylvia decided to become a ghost hunter. (What WAS she thinking?) As a paranormal investigator, she has made many media appearances, including a tiny part in the Ghost Hunters episode “Prescription for Fear”, about the Peoria State Hospital.

Sylvia loves hearing from her readers, especially when they have spooky stories of their own to share with her. She can be found at www.sylviashults.wordpress.com, and on Facebook at the pages for Fractured Spirits and Ghosts of the Illinois River.

Bryan Wolford – Author & Filmmaker

Bryan Wolford is a horror author, filmmaker, and long time podcaster. Currently you can hear him on The Midnight Drive-In talking about horror, cult, and exploitation films.

Tony Wash – Filmmaker

Tony Wash is a Illinois-based producer/director with four
features credits and multiple festival awards to date. Wash’s
short film The Muck was an Official Selection of SXSW
(2014) as well as the Chicago International Film Festival
(2014) and Screamfest (2014). His newest works include
the horror feature The Rake starring Shenae Grimes-
Beech, Rachel Melvin, and Izabella Miko (released by
Sony in June 2018), the grindhouse feature High on the Hog starring Sid Haig, and most recently the horror/comedy feature
Skeletons in the Closet starring indie scream queen Ellie Church.
For more info, visit: scotchworthy.com

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October 16, 2018

I will be at Duncan Manor again THIS WEEKEND! (Friday and Saturday, October 18 and 19 from 6pm to about 10pm). For details, check the entry below – October 11th (yep, down there).

BUT, I wanted to let you know about ANOTHER event coming up soon!

The Book Nook in Peoria will be hosting a Local Author Event on Saturday, October 27 from 11am to 2pm. (Here is their FB page: https://www.facebook.com/TheBookNookPeoria)

So, if you don’t make it to Duncan Manor, head on over to Peoria, Illinois to meet a bunch of groovy authors!

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October 11, 2018

 

THIS WEEKEND…

Image may contain: one or more people, tree, sky, night, cloud, plant, outdoor and nature

Step back in time at Towanda Meadows and learn more about the man be behind the manor. We are partnering with Community Players Theatre to take you on a haunted history tour of Duncan Manor back in 1868, when William Duncan and his family were just settling into life on the prairie.

This is a two weekend event. Tours will take place October 12th, 13th, 19th, and 20th.

The tours are limited to groups of 8 people every 15 minutes, so be sure to guarantee your spot by making a reservation online at a discounted rate!

In addition to the haunted history tour, there will be live music in the barn, a haunted hayfield, cash bar and food vendors!

Visit our website to get your $25 all access reservation which will include access to the property and outdoor activities as well as a guaranteed haunted history tour of the manor.

Day of the event:
$5 entry fee at the gate grants you access to the live music and haunted hayfield.
$25 haunted history tour…if spots are still available.

These tours are not recommended for children under 10.

Live music in the barn from 7pm-10pm:
Friday Oct. 12th: She Said So
Saturday Oct. 13th: Illinois Central Conductors
Friday Oct. 19th: Nicotine Poetic
Saturday Oct. 20th: Marc Boon and Friends

Readings by Suspense Novelist Sue Rovens: www.suerovens.com

Food vendors:
Friday Oct. 12th: Oogies and Sparky’s BBQ
Saturday Oct. 13th: Sparky’s BBQ
Friday Oct. 19th: Pico de Gallo and Sparky’s BBQ
Saturday Oct. 20th: Pico de Gallo and Sparky’s BBQ

Outdoor Decore wil be provided by AB Hatchery and everything you see will be for sale!

All proceeds benefit Duncan Manor and Community Players Theatre; both are 501c3 Not for Profit Organizations.

GO DIRECTLY TO DUNCAN MANOR’S PAGE! RIGHT HERE!

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October 4, 2018

I’ve just taken part in Teri Polen’s Bad Moon Rising for the month of October! She is interviewing 31 authors who like the creepy, the macabre, and the weird. Yep, I fit right in.

Linky Here!

https://teripolen.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/bad-moon-rising-2.png

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September 28, 2018

Today, I am over at Don Massenzio’s website:

Linky Hereloo

If you don’t wish to click over, I’ve posted the entire interview here. But check out Don’s work as well as other author interviews too! Thanks, Don!

 

The 2018 Interview Series Featuring Susan Rovens

 

This week, I’m happy to interview author and blogger Susan Rovens.


author pic

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

It’s too difficult to “know” what readers want since every person is different. People’s circumstances and preferences are always changing, so what they like one year may be completely the opposite the next year. So, with that being the case, I write what I deem original and hope that it finds an audience.

 

What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?

boBurnt Offerings by Robert Marasco

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

I don’t have that many reviews to read! LOL! (I need more reviews, folks!) No, I welcome any honest review – good OR bad. I know my work is not for everyone, so there will always be those that don’t care for what I’ve written. However, if someone does not like one of my books, it would be helpful to know why (and not just say ‘this sucks’…)

Of course, if someone likes my work, I certainly enjoy knowing that and reading what they say in a review. Who doesn’t?

Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

I don’t know if you’d call it secrets, but I do give many of my characters some traits of people I know. Once in a while, I’ll put in a name or place that means something, but it’s not really a secret or an Easter egg.

Do you Google yourself?

I do. BUT…

As an indie, non-famous author, I also have to be a PR person, a marketer, and a social media ‘coordinator’. So, sometimes I do have to poke around the internet to see where my stuff is showing up (and where it’s not), what folks are saying (or not saying), and see where I’m making any kind of splash (or in my case, a drip).

If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?

Read more.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

On average? I’d say about two years. I work full-time, do all the household stuff everyone else does, run, lift weights, blog… So, yeah, it takes some time.

Sue’s Books:

Boook Cover

https://www.amazon.com/Sue-Rovens/e/B009PCPQUS/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Connect with Sue:

My blog/website: https://suerovens.com/

My email: srovens@yahoo.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SueRovens?lang=en

About Sue:

Sue Rovens is a suspense/psychological-horror indie author who is an active member of the Chicago Writers Association. She has produced two novels, Badfish and Track 9, and two short story collections, In a Corner, Darkly: Volumes 1 and 2 (think Twilight Zone kicked up a notch), all of which are available on Amazon.

A third novel, Buried, is being Beta-read now and the hope is to have it available to the public sometime in 2019.

Sue also runs a blog: suerovens.com. A portion of the site is dedicated to interviews with authors from a variety of genres and professional levels in a Meet & Greet Section. The site is quite active and new content is being added weekly.

When not writing, Sue watches movies, reads, lifts weights, plays with Noodle and Monkey (2 adorable kitties) and enjoys the occasional piece of cheese. She also runs, slowly…geese have been known to out-lap her.

More information about Sue, her books, events, and lots of other information can be found at
https://suerovens.com/.

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September 26, 2018

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September 23, 2018

Another event is coming!

I will be here DOING READINGS (at 6:30 and 8:30pm) AND SELLING MY WARES on

Saturday, October 13,

Friday, October 19,

Saturday, October 20th

from 5:30pm to around 10pm.

Spirits of the Past:

A Haunted History Tour

Step back in time at Towanda Meadows and learn more about the man be behind the manor. We are partnering with Community Players Theatre to take you on a haunted history tour of Duncan Manor back in 1868, when William Duncan and his family were just settling into life on the prairie.

This is a two weekend event. Tours will take place October 12th, 13th, 19th, and 20th.

The tours are limited to groups of 8 people every 15 minutes, so be sure to guarantee your spot by making a reservation online at a discounted rate!

In addition to the haunted history tour, there will be live music in the barn, a haunted hayfield, cash bar and a food truck!

Visit our website to get your $25 all access reservation which will include access to the property and outdoor activities as well as a guaranteed haunted history tour of the manor.

Day of the event:
$5 entry fee at the gate grants you access to the live music and haunted hayfield.
$25 haunted history tour…if spots are still available.

These tours are not recommended for children under 10.

Live music in the barn from 7pm-10pm:
Friday Oct. 12th: She Said So
Saturday Oct. 13th: Illinois Central Conductors
Friday Oct. 19th: Nicotine Poetic
Saturday Oct. 20th: Marc Boon and Friends

Food vendors:
Friday Oct. 12th: Oogies and Sparky’s BBQ
Saturday Oct. 13th: Sparky’s BBQ
Friday Oct. 19th: Pico de Gallo and Sparky’s BBQ
Saturday Oct. 20th: Pico de Gallo and Sparky’s BBQ

Outdoor Decore wil be provided by AB Hatchery and everything you see will be for sale!
All proceeds benefit Duncan Manor and Community Players Theatre; both are 501c3 Not for Profit Organizations.

Linky Here!

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September 13, 2018

Tales of Terror: Live!

What a Line-Up! Check it out!

https://www.facebook.com/events/912717858931326/

Featuring:

Murder, Metal, Mayhem – Podcast

Murder Metal Mayhem is a weekly true crime, heavy metal and general mayhem podcast. Co-hosted by Pete Altieri, horror/suspense author and Chris Shawback, supporter of local metal.

Troy Taylor – Author and Speaker

Troy Taylor is the author of 125 books on ghosts, hauntings, true crime and the unexplained in American history. He is also the owner of American Hauntings Tours and Events. He was born and raised in Central Illinois and created downstate’s first ghost tour in 1994. Currently, he has tours in Illinois cities like Chicago, Alton, Decatur, Carlinville, and Jacksonville, along with the American Hauntings Tours, which travel all over the country for overnight stays in haunted places. In 1997, he launched the Haunted America Conference — the first ghost conference in the United States — and will hold the 23rd annual event in Alton, Illinois, in June 2019.

Along with writing about the macabre and hosting tours, Taylor is also a public speaker on the subject of ghosts and hauntings. He has appeared in scores of newspaper and magazine articles about the subject and in hundreds of radio and television broadcasts about the supernatural. Troy has appeared in documentary productions for TLC, The History Channel, A & E, Discovery Channel, PBS, CMT, Travel Channel, Investigation Discovery and in various network programs and syndicated news shows. He has appeared in one feature film about the paranormal and one of his books is currently being adapted for film by a major studio.

His latest book, SUFFER THE CHILDREN, was released in September 2018.

Tony Cade – Local Artist (Illustrations for Sale)

Hailing from our own twin cities, Tony has been part of the local art scene for over twenty-five years. His illustrations range from hauntingly beautiful to frighteningly macabre. His work has appeared at The Grey Dove Gallery & Wings Studio in Downtown Bloomington.

Music provided by The Quaker Goes Deaf –

Charlie Quaker has operated a Chicago record store, written music review columns, DJ’d events and hosts a radio show—all known as “THE QUAKER GOES DEAF”. Although his show has been broadcasting since the invention of the radio, The Quaker is a zealous explorer of new & obscure “ROCK” music. He also knows a lot about chickens and it’s said that he is “mid-level famous”, though this has yet to be substantiated.

Sylvia Shults – Author/Paranormal Investigator

Sylvia Shults is the author of 44 Years in Darkness, Fractured Spirits: Hauntings at the Peoria State Hospital, and other books of true ghost stories. She has spent the past twenty years working in a library, slowly smuggling words out in her pockets day by day to build a book of her own. She sits in dark, spooky, haunted places so you don’t have to. She lives a short, ten-minute motorcycle ride away from the haunted asylum that features in so many of her books. She considers it the highest privilege to share the incredible, compassionate history of the Peoria State Hospital.

After battling an intense, lifelong fear of the dark, Sylvia decided to become a ghost hunter. (What WAS she thinking?) As a paranormal investigator, she has made many media appearances, including a tiny part in the Ghost Hunters episode “Prescription for Fear”, about the Peoria State Hospital.

Sylvia loves hearing from her readers, especially when they have spooky stories of their own to share with her. She can be found at www.sylviashults.wordpress.com, and on Facebook at the pages for Fractured Spirits and Ghosts of the Illinois River.

Bryan Wolford – Author & Filmmaker

Bryan Wolford is a horror author, filmmaker, and long time podcaster. Currently you can hear him on The Midnight Drive-In talking about horror, cult, and exploitation films.

Tony Wash – Filmmaker

Tony Wash is a Illinois-based producer/director with four
features credits and multiple festival awards to date. Wash’s
short film The Muck was an Official Selection of SXSW
(2014) as well as the Chicago International Film Festival
(2014) and Screamfest (2014). His newest works include
the horror feature The Rake starring Shenae Grimes-
Beech, Rachel Melvin, and Izabella Miko (released by
Sony in June 2018), the grindhouse feature High on the Hog starring Sid Haig, and most recently the horror/comedy feature
Skeletons in the Closet starring indie scream queen Ellie Church.

And…

Horror/Suspense Local Author, Sue Rovens –

Organizer of Tales of Terror: Live, Sue is a local indie horror/suspense author and blogger. She has appeared at Chicago Printers Row Lit Fest, Chambana-Con, the Bloomington Public Library Author Fair, and the Steampunk Festival, among other venues. She is a member of The Chicago Writers Association and plans to have her third novel out in 2019. You can find out more information about Sue, her books, and lots more at suerovens.com

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September 9, 2018

https://www.facebook.com/events/912717858931326/

Horror comes alive just in time for Halloween. Dark tales, macabre music, haunting stories, scary movie chat, and ghastly art – all wrapped up with a gory bow on top. It’s an event you won’t want to miss. Featuring Troy Taylor, Sylvia Shults, The Murder-Metal-Mayhem Podcast Hosts (Pete and Chris), The Quaker Goes Deaf, and MORE!

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August 28, 2018

Nightshop

 

Oh, my!

In the throes of coordinating a Very Cool “one-off” event in Bloomington! While I can’t share ALL the details yet, know this:

 

Place: nightshop – 517 North Main Street, Bloomington

Date: Thursday, October 25 (2018)

Time: 6pm – 9pm

What: Tales of Terror: LIVE!

 

Stay tuned for details!! And Save the Date!

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August 24, 2018

Thank you, Grosse Pointe Public Library of Michigan!

http://www.gp.lib.mi.us/

(Track 9 available!)

🙂

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August 21, 2018

Thank you, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County!

https://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/spotlight/newarrivals.asp?id=horror_fiction

(new horror arrivals!)

🙂

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August 7, 2018

Halloween is coming! Sure, it’s months away, but if stores can put up Christmas trees and decorations in July, I can talk about Halloween now! 🙂

So, Y.A. author, Teri Polen is once again hosting #BadMoonRising – a month-long celebration with interviews of folks who write horror and creepy stuff. I’ll be featured on October 4th (and I’ll put the link here so you can follow along when it happens).

Meanwhile, if you like Y.A. (young adult books) Teri’s site can be found Here.

Check it out!

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July 31, 2018

This is fun.

A library in Las Vegas has 3 copies of Track 9!

https://lvccld.bibliocommons.com/item/show/2142813134_track_9

Here are the subject headings:

Can someone explain the Quaker tie-in?  LOL!!!

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July 18, 2018

This was included in the recent Research and Honors Section of the Illinois State University Newsletter:

Sue Rovens, Milner Library, received a starred review in the May 14, 2018 issue of Publishers Weekly for her second novel, Track 9. Publishers Weekly is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents. A starred review indicates a book of outstanding quality.

Linky Here

Cool! 🙂

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July 11, 2018

Whoops! Correction date needed!

The Princeton Public Library Author Fair is Saturday, September 22 (not the 20th), from 10am – 2pm. It’s a great opportunity to come and meet a BUNCH of authors from a rather extensive radius. Folks come down from Chicago, up from St. Louis…all over. If you haven’t experienced this event, do so! (and then go eat at Spoons! – a fantastic restaurant nearby)

PPL Linky Here

Spoons Linky Here

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June 30, 2018

The Writer’s Workshop (#1) just finished up a few hours ago. It was great – a rousing audience and a good start to the rest of the sessions. It’s not too late to register if you are interested in Learning about Plot (next week), How to Publish (the following week on July 7), and How to Write Non-Fiction (our final week on July 14). Check out the Books 2 Benefit website to register and for more information. OR Just scroll down for the info!

I am trying to rustle up another book signing event or two before too long. However, I’m trying to stay fairly local – with summer half over (NOOOO!) and revising the third book, I don’t think traveling is in the cards at this time.

I will most likely be attending the Princeton Public Library Author Fair which will be held on September 20th (from 10am to 2pm). I’ll be posting more about that one as it gets closer. And I hear that the Bloomington Public Library might be having another fair, but I don’t know any specifics yet.

Keep an eyeball peeled for more info soon!

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June 12, 2018

Printers Row was wet, cloudy, crowded, and great. Yes – many of the CWA folks had to battle rain, but in between downpours and sprinklings, it looked like people were connecting with the crowds, selling books, and making connections. I’ll post some pictures later on, so check back!

So the NEXT thing on the agenda is the Writing Workshop! If you are interested, SIGN UP NOW! You can attend 1 class or all 4 (or 2 or 3 if you wish).

Here is the info:

(The actual link can be found HERE!)

Workshop Sessions

Session 1: Where do I begin?

Instructor: Sue Rovens
Date: Saturday, June 30
Time: 2-3 p.m.
Location: 360 Wylie Drive, Ste. 700, Normal, Illinois  61761

Description: 

Writing a book can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. This workshop will cover the basic types of writing, why word counts are important (and why they aren’t). Explore how to come up with ideas and concepts while tying those ideas together for a cohesive story.

Discover what NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is all about. Learn how participating in NaNoWriMo can help you jumpstart your writing to get things done. Avoid writing scams and find out how to spot them easily.

Participants who attend this session will learn:

  • How to get started
  • About the different types of writing
  • How to spot writing contest scams

Ideal Participants:

Writers who wish to learn more about the writing and publishing process. Attendees must be age 14 and older.

About the Author:

Sue Rovens is a local indie writer of suspense and horror. She has published two novels, Badfish and Track 9, and two compilations of short stories under the title, In a Corner, Darkly (volumes 1 and 2). Rovens regularly appears at author events, including: Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago, the Princeton Author Fair, Barnes & Noble in Rockford, and the Bloomington Public Library Author Fair.

Her third novel, Buried, is currently underway. It revolves around a hoarder who lives next to a funeral home. She hopes to have it available sometime in 2019.

Rovens hosts a very active blog — suerovens.com. — which features interviews with authors of all genres. Her most cherished interview was with Jack Ketchum (Dallas Mayr), an award-winning horror writer, who passed away January 2018. It was one of his final interviews.

When she isn’t writing, she works fulltime at Illinois State University as the Stacks Maintenance Manager in Milner Library. In July 2018, she’ll have been with ISU for 27 years.

Preregistration Deadline for Session 1: Saturday, June 23*

Name, Email and Phone:


*Preregistration is required, and space is limited! Each session is $15 prepaid in advance. Preregistration deadline is one week prior to each course date. To receive a discount, register for all four at $50. $1 convenience fee applies to credit and debit card transactions and has been added to the course fee listed above. Fees are non-refundable, unless Books to Benefit cancels the class.


Session 2: How do I plot my story?

Instructor: Andy Zach
Date: Saturday, July 7
Time: 2-3 p.m.
Location: 360 Wylie Drive, Ste. 700, Normal, Illinois  61761

Description: 

You’ve got a great idea for your story. Now what? This session teaches you how to build your plot from a great beginning to a satisfying conclusion, building suspense along the way.

Practice what you learn with the guidance of a successful fantasy author.

Participants who attend this session will learn:

  • How to open their books
  • How to build reader interest in every chapter
  • How to create a spectacular finish that will leave the reader wanting more

Ideal Participants:

Writers who wish to learn more about the writing and publishing process. Attendees must be age 14 and older.

About the Author:

Andy Zach is a local self-published comic fantasy author who is active in the King’s Pen author group as well as NaNoWRiMo (National Novel Writing Month). He devotes himself full-time to writing, editing, publishing and promoting his humorous paranormal fantasy trilogy, The Life After Life Chronicles. Zach walks a fine edge between humor and horror in his three published novels: Zombie Turkeys, My Undead Mother-in-law and Paranormal Privateers.

While striving to publish a novel every nine months, Zach is active on his blog (andyzach.net) and maintains three Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. He also publishes a newsletter for his book fans, keeping them abreast of his latest book, offering previews and advanced reader copies and letting them know of his public appearances. Zach also hosts monthly drawings to give away copies of his books. In addition to writing and self-publishing, Zach hikes with his wife and their hundred-pound Labrador Retriever. And, when he’s not hiking, he bikes on the Rock Island Trail and he reads whenever he can.

Preregistration Deadline for Session 2: Saturday, June 30*

Name, Email and Phone:


*Preregistration is required, and space is limited! Each session is $15 prepaid in advance. Preregistration deadline is one week prior to each course date. To receive a discount, register for all four at $50. $1 convenience fee applies to credit and debit card transactions and has been added to the course fee listed above. Fees are non-refundable, unless Books to Benefit cancels the class.

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June 6, 2018

 

Just 3 days away!

Printers Row Lit Fest #34!

Printers Row | Lit Fest

The Chicago Tribune is thrilled to celebrate the 34th year of the Midwest’s largest literary event. Over 100,000 attendees bought and browsed thousands of books from the country’s best booksellers in 2017. As Exhibitors have always been a vital part of Printers Row Lit Fest, we would like to invite you to join us as we continue our tradition.

If you’ve never been, you really should try to make your way to Chicago and check out this amazing event. HERE is the link to the official page. Whatever your genre, whatever you enjoy, you’ll find it somewhere among the throngs. I’ve been selling my books here under the Chicago Writers Association Tent for the past 4 years and it’s always a blast. This year, I’ll be ‘under the tent’ on Saturday, June 9th from 12:30pm to 3pm. So, come out and say hi!

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June 3, 2018

No automatic alt text available.

It was all about Steampunk this weekend. Wow! What a crazy three days! I, along with about 29 other vendors, took to the streets of Bloomington, Illinois to engage with all the costumed creations that overtook the town. Incredible outfits, ingenious imaginations… if you go to Facebook and type in Cogs and Corsets: A Steampunk Happening, you’ll be amazed at what you see. A number of professional photographers took pictures, so I don’t want to “post/use” them here without the proper credit. So…go, take a look!

The weather was great…BUT. It was a hard lesson on Friday night – as my tent picked itself up and crashed into my neighbor (nothing was damaged!) – but Charlie and I headed out to Dick’s Sporting Goods to pick up some tent weights after the vendor stations closed at 8pm. Those and a few bricks kept everything relatively calm over the next two days, but the wind was still bothersome to everything ON the table and to many other vendors.

(I want to give a special shout-out to Cassie!  Thank you for the kind words and it was a pleasure to meet you! :))

(Cassie and Me!)

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May 28, 2018

FOUR DAYS AWAY!

Come see me try and put a tent up over my table for the first time in public. That alone should be worth it. Yes, I actually bought a tent to go over my table after the sun and I had some harsh words with each other during the Duncan Manor weekend. Needless to say, I lost that battle. But the result will be a comedy of errors as I attempt to hoist a covering over my wares this Saturday and Sunday.

Teapot racing, costume contests, Mystery & Dinner…there’s a host of things to see and do at the 2nd annual Cogs & Corsets: A Steampunk Happening. If you haven’t heard of it, visit the website at HERE.

*

And, if THAT isn’t enough, Printer’s Row Lit Fest is on the radar! I’ll be there, along with about 150 other authors (some quite famous like Joyce Carol Oates, David Ross of Cubs Fame, and Rick Bayless – chef). I will be under the Chicago Writers Association Tent on Saturday, June 9 from 12:30pm to 3pm selling my wares. If you are in the area, DO stop by! The official link to all the goodness that is the 34th Annual Printers Row is HERE!

 

*

And to round out the month of June:

Link Here!

Aspiring and Current Authors’ Workshops

You asked; we listened! Books to Benefit is excited to announce a four-part workshop series created for aspiring authors. Each session, designed and delivered by a local published author, introduces you to the critical steps needed to write your novel. From Where do I start? to What are my publishing options? each week covers a new topic.

Topics include:

  1. Where Do I Begin?
  2. Developing the Plot!
  3. What are My Publishing Options?
  4. Truth is Stranger, Fictional Research!

Preregistration is required, and space is limited! Preregistration deadline is one week prior to each course date. Each session is $15 prepaid in advance. To receive a discount, register for all four at $50. $1 convenience fee applies to credit and debit card transactions and has been added to the course fee listed above. Fees are non-refundable, unless Books to Benefit cancels the class. Proceeds from the workshop support STAR Adult Literacy and YouthBuild McLean County’s literacy program.

Participants must be 14 years and older. Childcare is not provided.

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May 16, 2018

Sixteen Days Away!

Linky Here!

Welcome to Cogs & Corsets

The Cogs & Corsets festival takes place throughout six square blocks of historic Downtown Bloomington. This area is home to over 90 shops, galleries, and restaurants… many in historic buildings with ties to Abraham Lincoln. The galleries will be featuring local artists’ new work and even hosting visiting artists whose pieces exude that Steampunk vibe.

The Museum of History will be the site of history presentations and our Tea Room, and one block away a stunning Tesla Coil demonstration will light the night. Enjoy tours, dining, sideshow entertainment, workshops (and of course, tea!) in restored buildings from the 1860s–1930s. The streets will be bustling with the costume contest, promenade, Splendid Teapot Races, and Makers’ Faire contestants… we can’t wait to see you here!

I will be there selling my wares (all 4 books)! On Saturday, June 2nd, there will also be readings from all 5 authors in attendance. This is a family-friendly event and open to the public.

Come by and say Hello!

Hours (for Vendors):

5pm – 8pm – Friday, June 1

9am – 5pm – Saturday, June 2

10am – 2pm – Sunday, June 3

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May 12, 2018

Oh my.

This is a BIG. DEAL.

Publisher’s Weekly/BookLife had agreed to review my book, Track 9. I did not pay them (although there is an option to pay for a review and it does not guarantee that it will be a good one).

I received an email stating that they had accepted Track 9 and would review it. Again, no promise of anything good. As a matter of fact, I’ve read that they love to slam self-published books and cut them to bits. I was concerned. I didn’t want my book to be eviscerated. It’s already tough enough as it is being an unknown.

Well – I have the review. It will be coming out this week in Publisher’s Weekly. And it’s good. It’s very good.

And I am thankful. Very thankful.

Track 9

    Link Here

Sue Rovens. CreateSpace, $12 trade paper (220p) ISBN 978-1-5440-1229-2
 
 
Track 9
 
 

At the outset of Rovens’s highly disturbing thriller, a faulty brake system causes a speeding commuter train to derail and plow into the Rain Bahnhof in Bavaria, killing 99 people. In the immediate aftermath, some survivors inexplicably begin eating the flesh of the dead. Six months later, Gary and Grace Wolf, an American couple on a honeymoon in Germany, accidentally end up in the abandoned station en route to the airport, unaware of its grim history and the imminent plans to demolish the site. Having entered through a partially opened side door, the Wolfs are unsettled to realize that they’re the station’s only occupants. They start to panic when they can’t find a way out. Meanwhile, in Bloomington, Ill., Gary’s closest friend, Mike Waverly, who’s to pick them up after their flight lands, becomes increasingly upset when he’s unable to confirm that they’ve made their plane. Rovens gradually fills in the backstories of her leads, building up to a grimly satisfying climax. Readers who don’t need everything spelled out for them will welcome this simple but effective hair-raiser. (BookLife)

 
 

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May 7, 2018

Wow! What a great weekend at Duncan Manor! Couldn’t have asked for better weather. The music was terrific and lots of groovy folks selling their wares. If you live in Illinois and haven’t toured this incredible house yet, make a plan to do so. It’s VERY cool and the owners, David and Randi, have already done a huge amount of work on it.

Lots of folks stopped by to chat and some bought some books (hope you like them!). All in all, it was a fun weekend. The sun got the better of me on Saturday, but I was more prepared on Sunday (brought the hat and sunscreen).

Next up! Cogs & Corsets: A Steampunk Happening! June 1, 2, and 3. Stay tuned for more details.

And, of course, Printers Row in Chicago on June 9 (and 10).

(and keep an eyeball peeled for information regarding the Writing Workshop (June 30, July 7, July 14, and July 21 from 2pm – 3pm)

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May 1, 2018

THIS WEEKEND!!

I will be one of the many vendors at Duncan Manor’s Spring Open House on Saturday, May 5 & Sunday, May 6.

I will have ALL the books with me:

Badfish

Track 9

In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 1

In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 2 (the revised edition)

PLUS FREE SWAG

No automatic alt text available.

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April 25, 2018

Is Steampunk your thing?

What about retro old-school goodness?

I’ll be doing a reading from In a Corner, Darkly : Volume 2 on Saturday, June 2 at 10am (along with 4 other authors) during this event. More information to come!

What is Steampunk?

Steampunk can be called “Victorian Science Fiction”.

It’s a re-imagining of history —Steampunkers are creative people who immerse themselves in the Victorian era, imagining what life would be like if the steam power of the  Industrial Revolution fueled modern technology. It’s also a celebration of invention, the art of science woven into creative gadgets and costumes that recalls the elegance and romance of the Wild West and the Gilded Age coupled with the wonder of new inventions and technology to expand the possibilities of human existence (such as time travel).

 

Cogs & Corsets

JUNE 1–3, 2018 | BLOOMINGTON, IL

Linky Here!

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April 15, 2018

About a month or so ago, I had the fortunate opportunity to be interviewed by Lilyn G. of Sci-Fi & Scary, a very active and prominent blog which deals in many things Horror and Science Fiction.

If those genres are your bag, you’ll have a marvelous time perusing through the many sections of her site. And if, by chance, sci-fi and horror aren’t your chosen interests, she features news and reviews of fantasy, graphic novels, and some kid’s books.

You can find my interview in full with Sci Fi & Scary Here.

Interview with Sue Rovens Banner

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April 11, 2018

 

Come see me!

I will be one of the many vendors at Duncan Manor’s Spring Open House on

Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6.

I will have ALL the books with me:

Badfish

Track 9

In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 1

In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 2 (the revised edition)

PLUS

FREE SWAG

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April 3, 2018

A very cool opportunity has presented itself!

Linky Here

Bloomington will be host to a Steampunk Event called Cogs & Corsets, a rather large happening that has taken place over the past couple of years. This year, I will be among the vendors (at this time, there will be 3 other authors as well).

While I don’t necessarily write Steampunk, the  period has plenty of horror offerings to speak of. Generally encapsulating the years between (roughly) 1830 – 1910, horror writers were plentiful and the stories, chilling and steadfast.

Below is just a small sampling:

Sheridan Le Fanu: In A Glass Darkly (1872)

Bram Stoker: Dracula (1897)

Edgar Allan Poe: The Fall of the House of Usher (1839)

Oscar Wilde: The Picture of Dorian Grey (1891)

Henry James: The Turn of the Screw (1898)

W.W. Jacobs: The Monkey’s Paw (1902)

H.G. Wells: The Valley of Spiders (1903)

Robert Lewis Stevenson: Dr. Jekyll and Mr.s Hyde (1886)

More information will follow in the coming weeks – but for now, SAVE THE DATES! June 1, 2, and 3 in Downtown Bloomington! An event for the ages.

 

woman-gothic-dark-horror-39628.jpeg

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March 18, 2018

Rebecca Howie was kind enough to invite me to do an “updated” interview on her blog! I’ve posted it in full here. If you rather, visit her blog HERE to read more interviews from other authors and learn more about Rebecca!

 

Indie Interview: Sue Rovens

Last February, Sue stopped by to talk about her new novel, Track 9. Now she’s back to talk about her latest release, In A Corner, Darkly.

Hi, Sue. Welcome back.

Thanks for not being sick of me yet!

Q: For readers who haven’t heard of you before, tell us a little about yourself.

Sure. I am an indie suspense author who weaves threads of horror throughout my works. I’ve been writing (seriously) since 2009. Currently, I have two novels (Badfish and Track 9) and two collections of short stories (In a Corner, Darkly – Volumes 1 & 2) available for the public.

I also run a pretty active blog (suerovens.com), part of which features other authors of ALL genres in the form of an interview. At this moment, there are 53 interviews up for your viewing pleasure and they cover the gamut – from Christian writers to Sci-Fi to Poetry to Dark Fiction. There’s definitely something and someone for everybody.

Q: Tell us about your new book, In a Corner, Darkly

It’s actually a cautionary tale, especially to new writers. My new release of In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 2 was originally written in 2012 – 2013 and was published in 2013. Being new to the writing game and anxious to get my second book out, I hurried through writing the 15 short stories as well as the editing process. Needless to say, it turned out pretty horrendous.

While most of the stories had decent ideas behind them, the construct and writing was poor at best and disastrous at its worst. Fortunately, it didn’t sell well (hmmm…) because, to be honest, I didn’t push it. In later years, when I was selling my other books, I refrained from putting Volume 2 out on the table. I was embarrassed and wasn’t sure what to do with it.

After finishing Track 9 in 2017 (my second novel), I decided to deal with the burden that had loomed over my head for 4 years. I pulled out the original manuscript of Volume 2, removed three stories that never really worked, added three brand new ones, and re-wrote the other twelve.

The finished piece came out in December 2017 with a different coloured cover (purple instead of brown). The title and main cover photo are the same, but everything else is different. I can be proud of this one now and encourage anyone who likes Twilight Zone, Tales from the Crypt, or apocalyptic stories to give this a try.

Here is an excerpt from one of the stories, Funeral Games, from In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 2:

 

There, in the far corner of my kitchen was a skeleton. Not a plastic classroom replica or one from a science study kit, but a six foot horrific nightmare. The pallor of its bones shimmered in the moonlight which streamed in through the partially open blinds. The cadaver wore no clothes but sported a few random swathes of decaying skin and bits of connective tissue. It must have knocked a glass off of the counter because a blue tumbler was lolling back and forth on the old linoleum floor.

I stood watching, terrified and frozen with disgust and fear. My brain couldn’t grasp the reality of the situation. I had to be dreaming. Skeletons don’t walk around by themselves. There are no muscles to move body parts, no brain to send signals, no nerves to activate anything. I had taken physiology in college. I had a basic grasp of how a human body functions. What I was witnessing was against all reason.

The corpse tapped its finger bones on the counter, as if it was impatient. The clacking sound reverberated through my own body. It walked in a staccato fashion next to the counter until it reached the cat food container.

As it proceeded to pry the lid off, the food pellets rattled. The familiar noise persuaded my pets to come from out of hiding. The prospect of being fed apparently was stronger than their sense of fear and uncertainty. I watched the skeleton pour kibble onto the floor while both cats seized the opportunity to eat. The corpse put the container back on the counter, bent down, and ran a bony finger along Bella’s fur.

The skull turned to look at me.

Q: What inspired you to write it?

I’ve always loved horror and suspense, so I wanted to write my own stories. The ideas I came up with weren’t enough to support a full novel, but the short story format worked for them.

Q: What made you choose this genre?

Like I mentioned, I’ve always been fascinated with horror. For a long time, I think I was a “closeted fan”. I didn’t want to admit to liking it because I thought people would think I was weird and creepy for gravitating to this genre. Now, I guess I’m old enough to where I don’t care. LOL!

I’ve also written non-fiction horror/weird articles for websites, but again, the gist of those have always leaned toward suspense/odd/strange concepts.

Q: Did you have a schedule while writing it, or did you write without any time restrictions?

Overall, unless it’s during Nano (National Novel Writing Month – November), I write when I can – which is NOT every day. It varies too much to try and place a schedule on it. Some days, I have more time; some days I have no time at all.

Q: Was there ever a point while you were writing your novel when you wanted to give up?

During the writing of the stories? No. There are times where, if I’m stuck, I’ll leave it alone for a few days or even weeks until I can figure out where the story should go.

Being an indie is great for that because I have no deadline/timeline or anyone to answer to. My writing schedule is truly my own.

Q: The last time you were here, you said the worst part of the writing process for you was editing. Has that changed?

No. It’s still the worst! LOL! But, I think I’ve become a little more comfortable with it. With a first draft, sentences and dialogue can be really clunky. So, when you go back through (a 2nd, 3rd, 4th time), you make it better…and then better again…until it’s as clean as you are able to make it.

Q: Did you have an outline for your new novel, like you did with Badfish and Track 9, or did you make it up as you went along?

For short stories, I don’t have any kind of outline. I usually plan most of it in my head. But in my new novel (#3) – I started with a general concept – a hoarder living next to a funeral home – and then made a diagram as to other characters, how they relate to the main person, what they do, how they interact with each other.

Now, as I plan to go back to that manuscript for the first time since I put it away on November 30th, 2017, I’ll be thinking of ways to “flesh out” the story, maybe give the supporting characters more of a backstory, see if I can create more conflict before any resolution. It takes a long time, but it’s cool once it comes together.

Q: Where can people learn more about you and your books?

You bet! My Amazon page, my blog, & my email (srovens@yahoo.com)

Q: Have you learned any more lessons since writing this book?

Yes! Don’t rush! Just because others might be able to put out a book every 6 months to a
year doesn’t mean that you have to do the same.

Q: What’s next for you?

Working on the new novel (#3). Continuing with the blog. Trying to sell a few short stories to magazines. Appearing at author events throughout the year! Follow me on my blog (it’s free for goodness sakes!) and you’ll be in-the-know as to the latest NEW author interviews, stuff I am doing, and more. (once in a while, I do free give-aways, so that alone is worth it, right?)


Sue’s Amazon pages

In A Corner, Darkly: Volume 2: More reasons to keep the lights on by [Rovens, Sue] Track 9 by [Rovens, Sue]

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March 1, 2018

The Indie View is a Very Cool Website – featuring lots of indie writers, reviewers, and books. I had a chat with them recently – follow the link to see it!

Linky Here

Happy March! 🙂

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February 24, 2018

Another review for Track 9!

This time, the review comes from Ed Sarna, a member of the Windy City Review Group out of the Chicagoland area. I’ll post the link – in case you want to see other reviews for other books – but I’ll post the entire piece here.

Link to Windy City Reviews

Track 9. Sue Rovens. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, April 27, 2017, Trade Paperback and E-book, 221 pages. 

Reviewed by Ed Sarna.

Track 9, Sue Rovens’ second novel, is a suspense/thriller/psychological horror novel that is brimming with shock, terror, and humor. The characters appear to be everyday people who find themselves facing many of the same challenges we all do. Of course, we don’t all find ourselves unable to escape from an ever-devolving series of nightmares. As with her previous novel, Badfish, this book is a fast read, hard to put down, and takes you to places you never imagined.

The first short chapter describes, in graphic detail, a calamitous train wreck in a picturesque small German town. The accident itself and the repercussions after were so horrendous, the station was never reopened. Six months later, Gary and Grace Wolf, an American couple on their belated honeymoon, are set to return to Bloomington, Illinois, from that very town.

The first leg of their return trip is by rail, and because they are running late and not paying attention, they mistakenly end up in this defunct station. Although the station is bereft of living beings, the honeymooners are far from alone. Soon after the realization they are in the wrong station, Gary and Grace discover they can’t get out. And if that wasn’t enough, there also may, or may not, be a train in the station.

As Gary and Grace struggle to find their way home, their best friends back in Bloomington, Mike and Sarah Waverly, await their return. As their arrival time nears, Mike begins experiencing disturbing premonitions concerning his friends. These premonitions eventually spiral out of control, and as his own secure world unravels, he finds himself unable to put the pieces back together.

While the lives of these two Midwestern couples aren’t always what they appear to be, they could easily be our next-door neighbors. As the story races to its climax, we begin to peel back the layers and discover an ever-changing reality. Rovens paints in short, precise strokes, giving us well-developed characters in few words. The world she’s created makes perfect sense, even when it doesn’t. She builds tension quickly and effortlessly and doesn’t back off. Her use of short chapters moves the story along at a breathtaking pace. I didn’t see the ending coming.

The only fault I found in the story, while minor, concerned some unanswered questions at the end. This did not, however, keep me from thoroughly enjoying the story. I stated, after reading her first book, that she was an author to watch for in the future. I am happy to say, I couldn’t have been more right. Do yourself a favor and check out Track 9. I can’t wait to see where she takes us with her next book.

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February 23, 2018

Good things tend to happen on Fridays, and today is no exception. Teri Polen (of Books and Such – https://teripolen.com/ – has extended an invitation to writers to share what they are reading these days.

I took her up on that 🙂

Here is my post for The Writer’s Reading Corner from Teri Polen’s Blog:

https://teripolen.com/2018/02/23/the-writers-reading-corner-sue-rovens-amreading-mystery-thriller/

Happy Friday!

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January 29, 2018

Yay! A new review for Track 9!

Folks, please. If you’ve read anything of mine, please take a moment to post a review on Amazon/Goodreads/any other place. It’s so important. Thanks!

Track 9 Reviews

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January 12, 2018

Well, I would call this starting off the year right! Lisa Haselton, writer and blogger, has graciously posted an interview with me and my latest novel, Track 9.  Here is the link to the interview/page and down below is the post (in case you don’t wish to travel to other sites):

Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews:

Interview with dark fiction author Sue Rovens

Dark fiction author Sue Rovens is here today and we’re chatting about her new suspense/horror novel, Track 9.

Bio:

Sue Rovens is a suspense/horror indie author who is an active member of the Chicago Writers Association. Her two novels, Badfish and Track 9, are available in both paperback and Kindle formats. A third novel is being processed in her head – the hope that this year’s NaNoWriMo (2017) will see the first draft of this tale.

When not working on writing, Sue collects antique advertising, clocks, and radios. She likes to watch movies, read, and indulge in the occasional piece of cheese. She also runs, slowly. Geese have been known to out-lap her.

In order to pay the bills, Sue works in Milner Library at Illinois State University. She has been there for just over 26 years.

Please tell us about your current release.

Track 9 is a hit-the-ground-running story about a couple trapped in a haunted train station in Rain, Germany. It’s a character-driven examination focused on the “underbelly” of people – what happens to individuals when they encounter the unknown, from both a mental and physical standpoint. It’s a suspense story with swaths of horror mixed in.

Each of the four main characters deals with serious flaws. In order to survive, they have to overcome or outrun these issues. That’s where things get sticky and where the tension builds. When people have to face challenging situations head-on, they can be their own worst enemy. It’s all about what happens next that drives the story.

What inspired you to write this book?

I was in Germany about 11-12 years ago and was really taken by the enormity of the train stations. To an outsider, they were so daunting and overwhelming. I used that feeling and created a story around it.

What exciting story are you working on next?

For this year’s NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month – which takes place in November), I am going to start work on a story about a hoarder who lives next to a funeral home. I have the basic concept in mind, including the other main and supporting characters, but when I actually start writing, anything can happen.

It will be in the suspense/horror genre along with my other two novels (Badfish and Track 9).

I am also in the process of revising my second book of short stories – In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 2. I put it out initially in 2013, but have decided to take it off the market and re-do it. I’ve pulled three of the original stories and put in three newer ones. Once it’s finished, it’s going to be much better, cleaner, and more professional.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Probably in 2012, when my first book of short horror stories was published. I would love to do it full time, but until my sales can pay my bills, it’s a part-time activity.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

No, it’s part-time. Other than writing, I run two to three times a week and lift weights twice a week. I also spend time reading (an important aspect of being a writer).

Finding time to write is difficult. I assume that most writers who have full-time jobs would say the same thing. When I am working on revisions, a short story, or a novel, I would say I set aside two evenings a week and at least one weekend day to focus on writing.

I’m not one that can write EVERY day (except during NaNoWriMo). It feels too forced and I end up just “filling space on the page”.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I have to have a game open on the computer at the same time as I am writing. I go to it once in a while, just to give my mind a breather. It’s not something that takes away from my work. It’s the perfect mindless activity I can do at the computer while I’m thinking through scenes or dialogue.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Yes! I would encourage your readers to experience my “style” of suspense/horror. I don’t write gore for gore sake. My writing is more psychological/character driven with plots that move forward at a consistent pace. To read the first chapter of Track 9, visit my blog – suerovens.com.

Links:

Website | Amazon

Thank you for being here today, Sue!

Labels: author interview, badfish, chicago writers association, dark fiction, horror, sue rovens, suspense, track 9

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December 31, 2017

Hello! I’ve updated this section of the blog to be more inclusive as to all of my “happenings”. I’ve posted a few interviews I had done in the Bloggy Update Section, but they’ve kind of gotten lost in the shuffle. So, starting in 2018, any interviews that I do regarding MY books/writing/etc will go here.

Keep an eyeball peeled as a few things are currently in the works! 🙂

2018 – New Things!!

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November 26, 2017

While I don’t have any specific events scheduled on the horizon, I DID want to make you aware that I will have In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 2 (the revised edition) coming out sometime in December of this year. While I have usually have a “book release event/party” whenever I put a new book out into the world, I probably won’t do anything “big” or “party-ish” for this one.

I will, however, be doing some special things on THIS blog and a little bit on social media, in order to spread the word. So, keep an eyeball peeled for Very Groovy Things coming up next month regarding the NEW, REVISED collection of short suspense stories. 🙂

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November 11, 2017

Just came home from the Books @ Benefit Writer Event. While I unfortunately don’t have any photos from this one, I can say that it was a great time, met lots of reader-writer type of folks and look forward to their next event.

There were four of us on the panel (the illustrator was not there) and we fielded all kinds of questions, everything from how we publish our work to the best way to send a query to a literary agent. There was food, books, an artist in another area, lots of volunteers — a wonderful free program supporting both local writers and readers.

Many thanks to Jackie Langhoff for being the point person in all of this. Lots of work went into the planning I’m sure! 🙂

Keep an eyeball peeled for the NEXT event!

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November 7, 2017

Press Release from Books 2 Benefit –

THIS SATURDAY from 1pm – 3pm – Come Join US!! 🙂

Books to Benefit Veteran’s Day Event,

Featuring Area Authors

On Saturday, November 11, from 1-3 p.m. learn how published authors and an illustrator broke into the publishing business during the Books to Benefit Writers Event at 360 Wylie Drive, Suite 700 in Normal. The event is open and free to the public.

“I recently read that a writer who doesn’t read can never be an author,” shared Books to Benefit Board President Jackie Langhoff. “Good writers read. They study the language of the genre they are trying to master. Many of our patrons are aspiring authors so we asked area authors to participate in a Books to Benefit Writer’s Event to share their insights as another way to support literacy in our community.”

On Veteran’s Day, Books to Benefit will host a panel of area authors representing different genres, including: Army Veteran and horror/suspense writer Pete Altieri, inspirational author Dewhitt Bingham, romance novelist M. Piper, published illustrator Amy Orwig and suspense/horror novelist and blogger Sue Rovens. All of the panelists are avid readers and understand the importance of literacy in their own lives. The public is invited to bring their questions, purchase books and collect autographs.

During the event Books to Benefit offers patrons one final chance to stock up on winter reading at the $5 Used Book Lovers Bag Sale. Patrons purchase a paper bag from Books to Benefit, which they may fill with used books. Additional bags are available at $5 each. Author books, Special Collections and bundled books are excluded from the sale. Major credit cards are accepted. A convenience fee applies. Proceeds from the bag sale benefit STAR Adult Literacy and YouthBuild McLean County’s literacy programs. For more information visit http://www.books2benefit.com/special-event/, www.facebook.com/books2benefitBloomington/ or phone (309) 531-8320.

Books to Benefit is a local 501(C)3 nonprofit organization passionately working to support literacy. The proceeds of its semiannual book sales benefit STAR Adult Literacy and YouthBuild McLean County’s literacy programs, provide financial support for the Books to Benefit Community Service Scholarship Award at Heartland Community College, encourage volunteerism through community service, and assure that works of scholarly importance and/or unusual publication history or content find appropriate homes offering ready access to these works.

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November 6, 2017

The Bloomington Public Library’s FIRST author event was fantastic. I want to thank them for hosting it and making all of us authors feel welcome. Carol Torrens, the Adult Services Manager, was a great, conscientious organizer throughout the day. I shared my table with Dewhitt L. Bingham, and we had quite a number of folks visit us during the two hours we were there.

The tables were spread throughout both floors of the building, so I really only was able to see folks on Floor 2, where I was “stationed”. From chatting with other authors, my takeaway was that everyone was pleased with the turnout and the event. I hope they continue to do this (and hope that I’ll be invited back!) 🙂

I want to give a few special shout-outs to new author friends! Pete Altieri (pictured below at the far left), Sylvia Shults (in the bottom photo), and Andy Zach (pictured below at the far right).

20171105_153852

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20171105_153901

20171105_153921 (1)

 

AND

Keep an eyeball out for the latest information on the Books 2 Benefit event, happening Saturday, November 11th from 1pm to 3pm!

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November 4, 2017

Tomorrow!

The Bloomington Public Library (Linky Here) is happening. A few posts down has all the authors that will be there, along with their genre of choice. Festivities start at 2pm and run until 3:30pm. If I remember correctly, I’ll be somewhere around the “adult section” — and I’m assuming that doesn’t mean what it does at the video store 😉

I’ll have all three books available for purchase — Track 9 (the newest novel), Badfish (my first novel), and In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 1 (15 short horror/suspense stories). All will be for sale for $10 (two dollars off the usual price). I’ll have some swag to pass out and I’ll gladly sign anything you wish!

Keep in mind that the holidays are coming up! Even if YOU don’t care for the suspense or horror genre, some of your friends, family, or co-workers might. These make great gifts! And, best of all, you’ll be supporting a LOCAL author.

Hope to see you there! 🙂

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October 27, 2017

The next event is already on the horizon! As stated in the previous entry, the Bloomington Public Library Author Event is coming up shortly. That will be on Sunday, November 5th from 2pm – 3:30pm.

The NEXT one, only days away from BPL’s event is on Saturday, November 11th from 1pm – 3pm. The link is HERE! For those not wishing to “link follow”, here’s all the information:

Working on your first novel? Books to Benefit will host a special Writers Event on November 11, from 1-3 p.m. at 360 Wylie Drive, Suite 700 in Normal. Local published authors will answer questions and share their experiences in getting published. Free to the public.

During the event purchase books at the Book Lovers $5 Bag Sale. We supply the bag; you fill the bag with books. The bag sale does not include items in Special Collections.

Here is a photo from the previous Books 2 Benefit Author Event (early 2017)

20170624_125953

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October 13, 2017

Okay, here it is – the complete info on the Bloomington Public Library Author Fair. I’ve highlighted my spot :), but take a look at ALL the different genres and ages represented:

Sunday, November 5
Local Authors Fair

• 2-3:30pm; All Over the Library
Celebrate NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Meet, talk with, and learn from local authors from Central and Northern Illinois. A variety of genres and reading ages are included in this drop-in book fair. Authors will sign their books and will have copies for sale. We’ll gather from 2-3:30pm in the Bloomington Public Library Community Room.

Featured Authors


Pamela Purnell
Normal, IL
Writing areas: Poetry, Self-Help, Self-Awareness, Children’s
Titles: Soul’s Worth, Memories of, Nana and Grand Bears Visit Egypt, plus others

Skye Malone
Champaign, IL
Writing areas: Paranormal Romance, Adult and Teen Urban Fantasy
Titles: Touch Me, Awaken, Kindling, plus others

Carrie Lowrance
East Peoria, IL
Writing areas: Poetry, Children’s
Titles: Lithium Dreams and Melancholy Sunrise, The Safety of Objects, Don’t Eat Your Boogers, plus others

Katherine Rose Kreher
Normal, IL
Writing area: Mental Health
Title: A House Divided: A Story of Survival

Indigo Skye
Washington, IL
Writing area: Children’s
Title: Where were We before We were Born

G. P. Ching
Bloomington, IL
Writing areas: Teen, Paranormal Romance
Title: Wager’s Price

Linda Lowery
Peoria, IL
Writing areas: Mystery, Humor, Family Stories
Titles: Murder in the Library, Stories in Sepia, Roasting Marshmallows on the Manifold

Randy Sharer
Normal, IL
Writing areas: Biography, Sports History
Title: Virgin Territory: The Story of Craig Virgin, America’s Renaissance Runner

Sue Rovens
Normal, IL
Writing areas: Suspense, Horror
Titles: Badfish; Track 9; In a Corner, Darkly

Laurie Larsen
Normal, IL
Writing area: Christian Fiction
Titles: Roadtrip to Redemption, Preacher Man, Sanctuary, plus others

Sylvia Shults
Pekin, IL
Writing areas: History, Paranormal
Titles: 44 Years in Darkness, Fractured Spirits: Hauntings at the Peoria State Hospital, Ghosts of the Illinois River

Kevin Wright
Morton, IL
Writing areas: Horror, Urban Fantasy, Mystery
Titles: The Knight of Cups, The Queen of Pentacles, The King of Swords

Dewhitt Bingham
Bloomington, IL
Writing areas: Contemporary Nonfiction
Title: Hope Deferred makes the Heart Sick

Elissa Daye
Normal, IL
Writing areas: Romance, Urban Fantasy
Titles: Taking Chances, Shadow Walker, Banished, plus others

T. M. Cromer
Eureka, IL
Writing areas: Romantic Suspense
Titles: Burning Resolution, The Trouble with Lust, A Love to Call Mine, plus others

Joe Chianakas
Peoria, IL
Writing Areas: Teen Adventure/Mystery/Thriller
Titles: Rabbit in Red, Burn the Rabbit, Bury the Rabbit

Pete Altieri
Heyworth, IL
Writing Areas: Horror, Suspense, Thriller
Titles: Creation of Chaos, The Dreadful Lives of Enoch Strange, Six

Andy Zach
Peoria, IL
Writing Areas: Urban Fantasy, Humor
Titles: Zombie Turkeys, My Undead Mother-in-Law

Aubrey Wynne
Watseka, IL
Writing areas: Romance
Titles: Saving Grace, Rolf’s Quest, Pete’s Mighty Purty Privies, and others

Because there was no “official book release” for Track 9 this year, you might not have had a chance to pick up your copy. This is a great opportunity for you to do so!

I usually put ALL my books at a sale price for events such as this one ($10 instead of the usual $12). So come on by! Lots to see!

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October 9, 2017

Bloomington Public Library (in Bloomington, Illinois), will be hosting a Local Author book signing and meet throughout the building in celebration of the beginning of NaNoWriMo (NaNoWriMo Link).

The event is free and open to the public! This is the information currently available on the library’s website:

Local Authors Fair

Celebrate NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Meet, talk with, and learn from local authors. A variety of genres and reading ages are included in this drop-in book fair. Authors will sign their books and will have copies for sale. We’ll gather from 2-3:30pm throughout the library.

Date:
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Time:
2:00pm – 3:30pm
Location:
Community Room

I will post more information about this event as I receive it.

 

Also

Sunday, November 11, Books2Benefit will be holding their 2nd Annual Writers Event!

Books2Benefit Linky

Check the link out! Books2Benefit works for kids, readers, writers, the local community…it’s a win, win, win. If you can make the Writers Event, do so! 🙂

Their mission statement:

Books to Benefit is a local 501(C)3 nonprofit organization passionately working to support literacy. The proceeds of its annual book sales benefit local literacy programs, including STAR Adult Literacy and YouthBuild McLean County’s literacy programs, provide financial support for the Books to Benefit Community Service Scholarship award at Heartland Community College, encourage volunteerism through community service, and assure that works of scholarly importance and/or unusual publication history or content find appropriate homes offering ready access to these works.

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September 29, 2017

20170923_094840

Here it is! My table at the Princeton Public Library Author Event last Saturday! Great fun – met lots of other authors and had a really nice time. Special shout outs to Victoria Noe, Danielle E. Shipley, and Joyce Zeiss, three Meet & Greet Authors!

My next event is going to be at the Bloomington Public Library on Sunday, November 5th. More details to come – so, keep the proverbial eyeball peeled to the blog!

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September 14, 2017

Princeton Author Fair Link!

The link above shows a fantastic breakdown of everyone in attendance. Photos and links to each author are provided.

Author Fair September 23

For our third annual Author Fair, we have over twenty authors and three author services companies participating. To visit their websites, CLICK HERE and click either their photos or book cover.

The list of attending are:

RETURNING FROM PREVIOUS YEARS:
Borys, Deb
Clark, Kay A.
Clark, Rey
Esther, Olivia (Kerber)
Gatch, Joseph
Hennings, Vincen
Lowery, Linda
Mays, Kay
McNeill, Amanda
Noe, Victoria
Powelson, Jannifer
Rovens, Sue
Sigafus, Kim
Smith, Jean-Michel
Stewart, Marydale
Swanberg, Roy
Todd, Christine

NEW THIS YEAR:
Campbell, Earlene
Kassebaum, Bartlet Lee
Kearney, Laura S.
Mueller, Jessica
Shipley, Danielle E.
Suppan, Heinz-Dietrich
Toohey, Jodie
Zeiss, Joyce Burns

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September 7, 2017

 

The Princeton Public Library Author Fair

Saturday, September 23rd      10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.

It’s official! I’ve received the list of authors who will be at the event, selling their wares. I was there last year, and it was a nice time. Lots of friendly folks, authors representing many genres, quiet nooks to sit in with a book. If you get a chance, make this a destination during your weekend.

***Some people on the list should look familiar. They have been featured in my Meet & Greet segment on the blog (their names are highlighted in color).

Debra Borys

Joyce Burns Zeiss

Earlene Campbell

Kay A. Clark

Rey Clark

Olivia Esther

Joseph Gatch

Vincent Hennings

Bartlett Lee Kassabaum

Laura S. Kearney

Linda Lowery

Kay Mays

Amanda McNeill

Jessica Mueller

Victoria Noe (upcoming feature author)

Jannifer Powelson

Sue Rovens

Danielle E. Shipley

Kim Sigafus

Jean-Michel Smith

Marydale Stewart

Heinz-Dietrich Suppan

Roy Swanberg

Christine Todd

Jodie Toohey

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August 31, 2017

Local Authors Fair!

November 5 – Bloomington Public Library (Illinois) is hosting an Author Fair in their community room. This will be a first for me (never having been there for ANY event). So any local folks (or those willing to take a drive), stop by and check out all the authors on hand. If I can scare up a list of who will be there, I’ll be sure to post it here – so, keep the proverbial eyeball peeled! 🙂

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August 15, 2017

Get ready for Princeton! Saturday, September 23, Princeton Public Library (Illinois) will be hosting an Author/Book Event from 10am to 2pm. (Link Here!)

I will be there with my wares (Track 9, Badfish, and In a Corner, Darkly: Volume 1), along with a number of other authors from around the state (and probably out of state too).

And while you’re here, save the date for Sunday, November 5thBloomington Public Library (Illinois) will be hosting their own Author Meet and Greet. Stay tuned for details on that event 🙂

I hope to see you at one or both!

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July 30, 2017

Princeton Public Library – Link Here

Princeton Public Library (Princeton, Illinois) will be holding their annual Author Book Fair on Saturday, September 23. I’ve just sent in my application to join the other numerous writers who will all be available to chat about their own works and will be selling their wares. The event will be held from 10am to 2pm and is free to attend. Come by, say hi, and check out the many great offerings of the day! More info on this as it gets closer.

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July 7, 2017

Upcoming Interview! Linky Here!

I’ve been offered the opportunity to be interviewed for In Print Radio. If you are not familiar with In Print (a Rockford, Illinois writing group), this blurb comes directly from their site:

In Print Radio features our members interviewing authors, editors, publishers, and others who have a story to tell writers. We read poems, short stories and excerpts from novels. We host round-table discussions on topics of interest to writers.  This is an Internet radio station, so you don’t have to live in the Rockford area to hear it.

So, later this month (July), I’ll be heading up north to chat with Isabell and Bob about writing, Track 9 (my newest book), Badfish (my first novel) and more! Check back for more information as to when the interview will go live.

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July 3, 2017

Wow! What a great time! Duncan Manor’s 1st Blues Bender was fantastic – great weather, comfortable set-up, terrific people, lots of vendors, and of course, incredible music ALL throughout the day.

I was there from about noon to right after 7pm, but things were still swinging long after I left. Dave and Randi Howell, the current owners of Duncan Manor, were on hand to meet and greet everybody, and from what I could see, everyone from little kids on up had a good time.

If you missed me and my wares and are interested in getting a SIGNED copy of Track 9, Badfish, or In a Corner, Darkly, feel free to contact me – either through this website or my email (srovens@yahoo.com). If you are a local (Bloomington/Normal/Towanda/Lexington area), we can still make that happen! 🙂

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