"Caretakers" Published, and Thoughts on Writer/Reader Interaction

My second novel, "Caretakers", went live on Amazon this week.

I'm happy and excited to have written a follow-up to "Here Be Monsters"; proud of both novels (along with my two novellas) for different reasons.

With "Caretakers", I'm trying something a little different, and am hopeful that if it works (even a little) that I will keep it up in and around my future projects.

"Caretakers" is a book about secrets, and I've included a few opportunities for readers to peek behind (and beyond) the screen ... if they want. The book ends (as all books do) with some details left out, still shrouded ... covered up by time or through the actions of evil men.

I wrote a good deal more in the first draft of "Caretakers" than ended up in the final product ... material was cut for the sake of flow and storyline.

I was glad to have written all of the 'excess' material; it provided background and details that I needed to know, even if the reader did not. It was only during one of the final edits of the book that I considered the extra material, and discussed making some of it available with my chief editor.

We decided that it was an important part of the story, if not the novel, so I have posted some of the material to my website, available to readers through a link in the back of the book. I assume that many/most readers will not avail themselves of this extra material, as the novel ties things up quite nicely as is, and only a nosey-parker would need to know more.

I remember this book (and others like it) from my childhood. I loved, and still love the idea of interacting with an author to craft my own reading experience. While this isn't how I want to write my books, I do like the idea of giving readers some opportunity to interact with me, my characters, and my stories beyond the covers as it were.

I like the idea of making some extra materials available to those who want the chance to expand on the experience a bit ...a glance down some avenues or alleyways that the books didn't have time or space or nerve to explore.

I'm still thinking about the concept ... its virtues as well as limitations; I'd love to get feedback from any or all of you.

Thanks,

Jamie