Announcing A Thousand Yesteryears by Mae Clair

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Mae Clair

I’m hijacking Mythical Monday again this week because I’ve got news I’m anxious to share. And in many ways, it relates to my love of folklore, mythology, and urban legends. In fact, it all started with a Mythical Monday post in 2013.

Densley wooded area with an old barrier blocking an overgrown path

A shot taken within the TNT, an old WWII munitions site the Mothman was rumored to haunt

Many of you know I’ve been working on a novel that utilizes the legend of the Mothman. I submitted that book, A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS, to my editor the end of March. She got back to me in good time and suggested a few changes. I took care of those and returned it to her in mid April, after which it was sent up the line to a senior editor for final approval. That’s when things got a little nerve-wracking.

Would he like it? Would he reject it? I hated the thought of having to submit elsewhere, but Kensington Publishing is a quality house, and I knew if I wanted to publish with them this was the process I needed to go through. I tried to put the whole thing out of my mind, fully aware it would be several months until I heard anything one way or the other.

Since A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS is the first novel in my Point Pleasant Series, I dove into research for book two and even took a trip to the town, which is located in West Virginia. Two days before I was scheduled to leave I received news that the manuscript had been accepted. YES!! And not only that, but Kensington Publishing agreed to give me a 3-book contract for all the novels in the series. SQUEEEEE!!

It has been exceptionally hard sitting on that news. I wanted so badly to share it, but I’m superstitious at heart, so I decided to wait until contracts had been received and signed. That’s all been done now, and I’m over-the-top delighted to announce the Point Pleasant series. Here’s the release schedule:

Book 1, A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS will be released April of 2016

Book 2, A COLD TOMORROW will be released December of 2016

Book 3, (Untitled at this point), will be released August of 2017

In the past, my imprint with Kensington has been Lyrical Press. Moving forward with this series, the books will be released through their brand new sub imprint dedicated to suspense, mystery, romantic suspense, and thrillers—Lyrical Underground. I’m highly jazzed about that, because, although there is still a romantic suspense theme in all three novels, the mystery angle is far stronger than anything I’ve done in the past.

When I think back, this entire series started with a Mythical Monday post I wrote on February 4, 2013. At that time, I knew about the Mothman, but only that the creature was a winged humanoid with glowing red eyes. After writing that post, I really wanted to write a novel playing off the mythology of the legend. It’s interesting how even the blog comments reflect that. If you’re curious about the post that started the whole thing, you can find it here.

Now, I need to get cracking writing books two and three. Here’s a brief overview of the whole series. Note that the blurb for book 1 is not official at this point, and for books 2 and 3 I’ve only done short teasers:

THE POINT PLEASANT SERIES

A THOUSAND YESTRYEARS, BOOK 1

Sometimes silence is the same as murder

On a cold December night in 1967, the Silver Bridge between Point Pleasant, West Virginia and Gallipolis, Ohio unexpectedly collapsed during the peak of rush hour traffic claiming forty-six lives, many perishing in the frigid waters of the Ohio River.

Just a child, Eve Parrish lost her father and her best friend, Maggie Flynn. Now, fifteen years later, she returns to Point Pleasant to settle her deceased aunt’s estate. Much has changed about the once thriving river community. The ghost of tragedy still weighs heavily on the town, as does the legend of a giant winged creature known as the Mothman, said to haunt an abandoned WWII munitions site.

Caden Flynn is one of the few lucky survivors of the bridge collapse, but blames himself for coercing his younger sister out that night. He’s carried that guilt for fifteen years, unaware there are darker emotions than grief tangled up in the Silver Bridge tragedy.

Eve’s arrival triggers the unraveling of a fifteen-year-old secret that places her and Caden in the crosshairs of danger. A secret more terrifying than the bridge collapse and the frightful legend of the Mothman.

A murderer stalks the streets of Point Pleasant.

A COLD TOMORROW, Book 2

When Katie Lynch stops to help a disabled motorist, she unwittingly finds herself caught up in a web of intrigue involving flying saucers, mysterious men in black, animal mutilations, and the Mothman. Together with Officer Ryan Flynn, Katie attempts to decipher a coded message that points to the arrival of an extraterrestrial visitor.

Untitled, Book 3

To placate his sister who believes their family’s history of misfortune is tied to a centuries old curse, Quentin Marsh travels to Point Pleasant, West Virginia, hoping to uncover the truth about an Indian chief’s brutal murder. Did his ancestor participate in the ugly execution of Shawnee Chief Cornstalk, and how is the Mothman, a flying humanoid that has haunted the area for decades connected? Does local history buff, Sarah Sherman, hold the answer to breaking his family’s curse?

~ooOOoo~

So what do you think? Do I have you intrigued?

52 thoughts on “Announcing A Thousand Yesteryears by Mae Clair”

mihrank on July 13, 2015 at 2:13 AM said:

well done and written – like a piece of classical and watching a live theatre.

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 1:12 PM said:
  
  Many thanks for your lovely words! 🙂
  
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carmens007 on July 13, 2015 at 4:38 AM said:

Wow! Wow! Wow!
CONGRATULATIONS and thousands hugs from over here!
I am so glad for you, dear Mae! I know you’ve been waiting for their answer, and I understand both your nervousness while waiting, and your excitement at getting the approval.I am the same.
The premise for the series sounds highly captivating and inviting to read the story. You know that we share the same interest in the odd and unexplained so they got my attention already.
This definitely calls for a party, don’t you think so? What a pity I have just run out of evening dresses, but I’ll order a new one especially for your celebration. If you’d like to invite me, too.(Big grin.)
BRAVO!
Carmen

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 1:16 PM said:
  
  A new evening dress sounds like just the thing, Carmen! I think I’ll have to get one too, and then we’ll toast with virtual champagne (unless a time-warp puts Romania in the U.S. or vice versa, LOL). Thanks so much for your congrats and sharing in my exciting news. We definitely have a shared passion for moldy folklore and the odd things of the world. So happy to finally be able to announce the contract. WHEW! 🙂
  
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Sue Coletta on July 13, 2015 at 6:40 AM said:

Absolutely, I’m intrigued! Congratulations on the new deal. You deserve it, Mae.

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 1:17 PM said:
  
  Thanks so much, Sue. And so delighted to know the series has you intrigued. I love the combination of myth, mystery and suspense. 🙂
  
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Donna Cummings on July 13, 2015 at 6:56 AM said:

Congrats, Mae! *throws coffee beans like confetti* I’m SO thrilled for you. You know what a scaredy cat I am, but I can’t wait to read these stories — they sound really intriguing. Congrats again!

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 1:18 PM said:
  
  Coffee bean confetti—I like it! And it’s so fitting for you, LOL.
  
  Don’t worry, I promise you won’t have to sleep with the lights on after reading this series, but you might want to go out and solve a mystery 🙂
  
  Thanks for sharing in my news, Donna. Always wonderful to see you here!
  
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Julie Holmes, author on July 13, 2015 at 7:46 AM said:

Congrats, Mae! Sounds like a great adventure, can’t wait to read it!

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 1:20 PM said:
  
  Hi, Julie! Ooh, that’s fantastic news. I’m really excited about this series and can’t wait until it’s published and readers can begin to explore the stories! Many thanks for popping on with your congrats. I feel giddy today, LOL!
  
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Loni on July 13, 2015 at 8:51 AM said:

Oh my gosh, Mae! Congratulations times one thousand! This is awesome news and I’m so happy & pours of you. The storyline sounds intriguing indeed. Can’t wait!!!

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- Loni on July 13, 2015 at 8:52 AM said:
  
  Oh geez… my phone and it’s auto correct
  I’m proud of you dear!
  
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  - Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 1:22 PM said:
    
    LOL! Don’t you just hate that auto correct sometimes? I’ve sent a few silly text messages that have left friends scratching their heads because of it.
    
    So happy to have you drop in with your congrats, Loni. It’s always a pleasure to have you pop online to say hello. And that congrats “times one thousand” was just perfect for new headed “A Thousand Yesteryears” 😀
    
    Thanks so much!!
    
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L.J. Kentowski on July 13, 2015 at 10:09 AM said:

That’s fantastic, Mae! Congrats!!! They sound great! My mom just read all your books and absolutely loves your stories, by the way!

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 1:24 PM said:
  
  Ooo, L.J. I am totally jazzed about that news regarding your mom. YES!!!!! If I wasn’t already having an awesome day, that just did the trick. Thanks so much for the congrats. It’s great to see you here. It’s starting to feel like old home week again with so many friends popping in! 🙂
  
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diane kachmar on July 13, 2015 at 10:16 AM said:

HOOT! Way to go, Mae.

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 1:25 PM said:
  
  Hey you!!! Can you believe it? I’m super excited about this series and so delighted to have you drop in to share in my news. Oopie is still hanging out on the corner of my desk as my muse and now he has the Mothman for company, LOL. Thanks so much for the congrats! 🙂
  
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coldhandboyack on July 13, 2015 at 10:47 AM said:

That is outstanding, and well deserved. I can’t wait to read them.

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 1:27 PM said:
  
  Thanks so much, Craig. I’ve really worked on A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS and the research for the series. It’s great to have all that effort received so well. I can’t wait to get this series released since it’s so different than what I’ve done in the past. Plenty of myth and oddities this time around. I think you’ll like it 🙂
  
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  - coldhandboyack on July 13, 2015 at 3:19 PM said:
    
    I think I will too. Great news today, and I’m very happy for you.
    
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  - Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 7:00 PM said:
    
    You rock! 🙂
    
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coldhandboyack on July 13, 2015 at 10:48 AM said:

Reblogged this on Entertaining Stories and commented:
Sharing some good news from a friend. Way to go Mae!

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 1:28 PM said:
  
  YAY! Thanks so much for the re-blog and helping me spread the word. That’s awesome!
  
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Jessi Gage on July 13, 2015 at 1:15 PM said:

This is awesome news, Mae! Congratulations! I can’t wait to watch this mysterious series unfold! The titles are to die for, and the blurb for book one definitely has me hooked!!

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 1:30 PM said:
  
  HI, Jessi. Thanks so much for those fab comments and for popping in to share in my excitement. I’m so glad you like the titles and blurb. I’ve worked hard on both, and feel they really tie into the books. I just have to figure out the title for book 3 yet…but I guess I have a bit of time on that one, LOL. Thanks again, my friend. This one has me cloud-hopping! 🙂
  
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Mary E. Merrell on July 13, 2015 at 1:45 PM said:

Thanks to this post, I got to read the blurbs for the next two books. They sound as good as A Thousand Yesteryears is. I hope I get to critique! I’m really looking forward to reading Katie’s story. Hope I spelled her name right. I liked her a lot in the Yesteryears, as well as the other characters like her mother! Great job!

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 7:03 PM said:
  
  Hi, Mary! You and Laura, as my critique partners, really helped me shape up A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS before I sent it off for consideration. Looking forward to having both of you provide feedback on A COLD TOMORROW and book 3 as I spin their tales. You two are awesome. Thanks for sharing in my excitement today.
  
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stanalei15 on July 13, 2015 at 6:24 PM said:

Congratulations, Mae!!! I am so excited for you!!!

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 7:05 PM said:
  
  Hi, Stanalei. Thanks so much for the congrats. It’s wonderful to share this news with all of my friends! 🙂
  
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Flossie Benton Rogers on July 13, 2015 at 8:41 PM said:

SQUEEEEEE! Definitely intrigued and thrilled for you. Huge congrats, Mae!

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- Mae Clair on July 13, 2015 at 9:07 PM said:
  
  Thanks, Flossie. You know how I love folklore. I feel like I’m really in my element with this series 🙂
  
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  - Flossie Benton Rogers on July 13, 2015 at 10:05 PM said:
    
    I’m looking forward to the first one!
    
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Debbie Peterson on July 14, 2015 at 2:23 PM said:

Oh my goodness! Congratulations Mae! You don’t know how happy this news makes me and for more reasons than you know!

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- Mae Clair on July 14, 2015 at 7:55 PM said:
  
  More reasons than I know? Okay, that sounds pretty wonderful to me. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing in my giddy excitement. I’m still flying high over this announcement 🙂
  
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aliciacoleman on July 14, 2015 at 5:29 PM said:

Congratulations Mae! Great news!

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- Mae Clair on July 14, 2015 at 7:55 PM said:
  
  Thanks so much, Alicia. I really love the history and mystery behind this series and can’t wait to share it with everyone!
  
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Lauralynn Elliott on July 14, 2015 at 7:26 PM said:

Congrats! And, yes, you have me very intrigued. This is making me wish you were self-publishing these so you could do it RIGHT NOW. 😉

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- Mae Clair on July 14, 2015 at 7:58 PM said:
  
  LOL! Thanks so much, Lauralynn. So glad I have you intrigued and eager for the releases.
  
  Would you believe A THOUSAND YESTERYEARS was the first NaNo I ever did? Actually the only one I ever did…or at least the only one where I actually wrote something. I knocked out 50K in the month, but had to add another 36K the following summer to make a complete tale. Looks like I’m going to be busy writing again 🙂
  
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frederick anderson on July 15, 2015 at 3:20 AM said:

Oh yes, certainly intrigued! The very best wishes for a very best seller (and think of me when you’re spending the advance, of course).

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- Mae Clair on July 15, 2015 at 1:16 PM said:
  
  I think I’ve got a lot of writing to do before spending, LOL. So glad to hear you’re intrigued. I tend to like a lot of the unusual things 🙂
  
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Ali Isaac on July 15, 2015 at 12:02 PM said:

Wonderful news, Mae, congratulations!

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- Mae Clair on July 15, 2015 at 1:17 PM said:
  
  HI, Ali. Wonderful to have you drop by. Thanks so much for the well wishes and for sharing in my excitement! 🙂
  
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Daisy Banks on July 15, 2015 at 12:13 PM said:

Fabulous and well deserved. Congratulations and I am so looking forward to reading this series.

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- Mae Clair on July 15, 2015 at 1:17 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Daisy. I’m really enamored of this series. I can wait to share it with others!
  
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Emma on July 17, 2015 at 2:41 PM said:

Congratulations!!! I’ve been intrigued by your Mothman story ever since you did that blog post on your research trip. 3 book contract – wow. I hope you popped open the champagne.

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- Mae Clair on July 17, 2015 at 8:26 PM said:
  
  There was plenty of celebrating, Emma. Actually it’ still going on. I’m really jazzed about his one Thanks so much for the well wishes. I can’t wait to share these stories with everyone!
  
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Kev on July 30, 2015 at 2:54 PM said:

This is fantastic new… all those publications in the works! I wish you all the best of success… Get back over to my blog, Mae… to shout about it all when it gets closer! 😀

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- Mae Clair on July 30, 2015 at 7:24 PM said:
  
  Thanks so much, Kev. I’m excited about this series and will most certainly be delighted to return to your blog when the time draws closer. Thanks so much for the invite! 🙂
  
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  - Kev on August 1, 2015 at 12:42 AM said:
    
    I look forward to it, and you’re most welcome, anytime. 🙂
    
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sheridegrom - From the literary and legislative trenches. on August 17, 2015 at 1:13 PM said:

Mae – I’m way behind on commenting on this but just ran across it this a.m. I’m so proud of you and your accomplishments. You are indeed a shining star. Congratulations my friend. You are a sure example of the blogger that can get ‘it done’ over and over again. I admire you for your climb forward and never giving up. Keep going.

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- Mae Clair on August 18, 2015 at 12:51 PM said:
  
  That’s so sweet of you, Sheri. Honestly, sometimes it all feels like too much, but I love telling stories far too much to back away. You connected with me right off the start back in 2012 when I sent out my first novel, and I truly appreciate your friendship and support. Sending you virtual hugs! 🙂
  
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  - sheridegrom - From the literary and legislative trenches. on August 18, 2015 at 2:14 PM said:
    
    Hugs right back at you. Look at the progress you’ve made since then. It’s positively amazing.
    
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