So one of the primary reasons I didn’t update this space much last year was because I was on constant deadline churning out a lot of pieces which didn’t leave me time to even catch my breath, much less do anything else.
This isn’t a bad thing when you’re a freelance journalist and a speculative fiction author. Not a bad thing at all. Being booked with paid gigs is always a blessing.
Nevertheless I was in Writer Mode for most of 2018 which is the visual equivalent of Puppet Angel, hence the Feature Image Header Pic. I can definitely say that I outdid myself last year with more than a few pieces. So much so I was inspired to make a Top 8 List so if you missed any of them or want to read them again, you can do so.
And don’t worry, one of my New Years Resolutions is to update here when a new piece gets published online so yeah this is me vying to do better.
Without further adieu, here are my picks for The Top 8 Articles of 2018.
8.
Why We Needed Kendra the Vampire Slayer: A Character Study
7.
Seven Reasons Why ABC’s Scandal Is Straight Out Of A Comic Book
6.
Return To Sender: Why I’m Rejecting Your Privilege Pass
5.
Five Ways You Can Help The Mental Health of People of Color series: pt. 1, pt. 2, and pt. 3
4.
How One Couple’s Tough Love Resulted In Emmy-Nominated Success
3.
Learning Self Value: An Open Letter to Mo’Nique
2.
Why Freedom Fighters: Ray of Light Is The Most Underrated Animated Film Of The Year
And the number one article for 2018……
1.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m on deadline and these pieces aren’t going to finish themselves.
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It’s here. West of Sunset, my sophomore title, is available now.
West of Sunset is a superhero and urban fantasy. In two action adventures, the world is introduced to Brecken Everett, an overachieving college wizard who moonlights as a private investigator.
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“I recalled some sage I once received from two friends, seraphim. They confirmed that the old saying was true. If you ever want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.”
For Brecken Everett, there’s never a dull moment. When he’s not dealing with a demanding course load and honing his magic as top student at Lightmage University, he’s working as a private investigator and using his skills to protect the innocent from the darkest forces. In two action-packed adventures, Breck demonstrates that outnumbered and outgunned is when he’s at his best.
In Keepers (Part 1) Brecken is enlisted to aid twins Jacob and Joshua Phoenix. Known as Pyrians, they are the last of an ancient race long believed to be extinct. They soon discover a lost relic in Scotland with ties to their past. But it isn’t long before a pair of deadly demons arrive to claim it. With Brecken’s aid, the twins are determined to not only stop the deadly threat, but have some fun in the process.
West of Sunset (Part 2) takes place a year after Keepers. All Brecken wants to do is get out of Atlanta. Heading to Los Angeles with his best friend, Owen, he plans a vacation of surf, sun, partying and relaxation. Said plans go awry when the boys stumble upon a museum heist connected to a biker gang of vampires. Matters get even more complicated with the involvement of a mysterious and powerful witch.
Witches, museum heists, arising malevolent forces, vampire biker gangs, even Brecken’s vacations are another day at the office.
If you’re a fan of Buffy, Angel, (or anything Joss Whedon), Supernatural, Vampire Diaries, or Harry Dresden, West of Sunset will definitely be up your alley. What’s more, for you 21st century quality readers looking for progressive, sophisticated multicultural tales featuring compelling complex and diverse protagonists, West of Sunset is for you.
You can learn more about the players of the novel here. West of Sunset is available now in both paperback, Kindle.
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The wait is over. HOLLOWSTONE IS HERE.
Hello. My name is Dennis R. Upkins and today is the official release of my debut novel, Hollowstone. The book is kinda awesome if I do say so myself, and I’d like for you to check it out.
Life for Noah Scott changes drastically when he is accepted to Hollowstone Academy, one of the most prestigious boarding schools in the country set in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee. Within the hallowed halls of the illustrious school, Noah soon discovers that the world of the privileged is rife with social hierarchies, politics, depravity and corruption. It is also there that Noah meets his roommate and best friend, the charming and enigmatic Caleb Warner.
Tragedy soon strikes when Cal is brutally murdered in a hold-up. But when Noah is haunted by Cal’s ghost, he soon discovers that the random act of violence was in fact a premeditated one. Determined to uncover the truth and find Cal’s killer, Noah soon finds that the school and its patrons have more than their share of secrets. Secrets they are willing to preserve at any cost. Noah also quickly learns that greater supernatural forces are at play. In a race against time, Noah must solve Cal’s murder before he’s the killer’s next victim.
You can check out the official trailer below:
Hollowstone is available now in paperback and Kindle on Amazon. It’s also available in other ebook formats at Parker Publishing. You can find me at my author page on Amazon, Goodreads and my official website.
