Every book begins with a spark of inspiration, but turning that idea into a published novel is an adventure of its own. My debut novel, Oemor: Where Evil is Bred, was born on Thanksgiving Eve 2018, inspired by a vivid dream my wife shared about an eerie, sinister town. That single conversation set in motion a collaborative journey of brainstorming characters, settings, and storylines—ultimately leading to the creation of Oemor.
The Writing Process: From Journalism to Fiction
Years before my current career, I was an award-winning journalist, contributing to several globally renowned publications. Therefore, I was no stranger to writing, but fiction presented an entirely new challenge. The freedom of storytelling was exhilarating, but it demanded creativity, structure, and emotional depth. By April 2019, I had three chapters written, though I doubted their quality. My wife’s honest and enthusiastic feedback gave me the confidence to keep going.
Balancing a demanding career and family life made progress slow, but I carved out time to write and brainstorm whenever possible, relying on the encouragement of friends and family to keep the momentum alive.
Community Support and Finalizing the Manuscript
Feedback from friends and family played a critical role in refining Oemor. A close friend, a university professor, connected me with another person, who I did not know, who provided constructive critiques on the manuscript. This input helped me fine-tune the story, ensuring it resonated with readers. I am forever grateful to this person, who I hope to meet someday.
By the time I completed the novel, it had grown into a 27-chapter opus—a testament to persistence, collaboration, and a shared vision. In addition, I fell in love with the characters and the story. As an avid fiction reader myself, I knew this story had the makings of something special.
The Story is Everything
What is Oemor about? It's about a quiet Midwestern town called Oemor that has a dark secret. My protagonist Amber, a 30-year-old widow craving a fresh start, relocates to Oemor for a new job, in search of a life change. What begins as a hopeful new beginning quickly turns into a harrowing journey as Amber uncovers a dangerous cult devoted to an ancient demon. Their horrifying crimes—kidnapping, murder, and more—have gone unchecked for centuries.
As Amber delves deeper into the cult’s sinister history, she must confront unimaginable dangers to expose their evil before becoming their next victim. Oemor weaves together elements of history and horror in a gripping tale of resilience, justice, and the fight against unspeakable darkness.
Giving Back
The sinister cult in my book uses human trafficking as one of its horrific tools, reflecting a dark and pressing issue in our world. I chose to spotlight this subject because it remains a devastating stain on humanity. To support real-world efforts against this atrocity, I am donating 10% of all book sales to the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST). This incredible organization is dedicated to ending human trafficking and providing support to survivors. Learn more about their vital work at CAST's website.
The Publishing Journey
After exploring traditional publishing options, I opted to self-publish. The process was empowering but required managing tasks like copyrighting, trademarking, and creating an Amazon storefront to distribute the book.
The rewards of self-publishing were immediate: Oemor reached an international audience, received glowing reviews, and sparked demand for a sequel. The experience underscored the importance of marketing and leveraging digital platforms to connect with readers. Each day I reflect on the fact that their are thousands of book lovers across the world reading my story! At one point I was featured on Amazon Kindle's "Top Reads" home screen that resulted in a tremendous amount of book sales.
Reflections and Advice for Aspiring Authors
Publishing a novel is a labor of love that demands dedication, perseverance, and an openness to feedback. Here are my key takeaways for aspiring authors
• Write Consistently: Even small efforts add up over time.
• Seek Feedback: Critiques, especially from new perspectives, are invaluable.
• Embrace the Journey: Whether traditional or self-publishing, trust the process and celebrate each milestone.
If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a novel, I encourage you to take the first step. Let your creativity flow, share your ideas, and don’t hesitate to ask for guidance. Who knows? Your story could be the next one readers are eagerly waiting to discover.
Finally, you may have noticed that I chose to use the pen name Marc Towers instead of my real name. Rest assured, it’s still me—Marc and I are one and the same!
Happy writing!
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