C.A. VERSTRAETE
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Contact
  • Books
  • Fiction
  • horror-zombie-fiction
    • Fiction-samples >
      • A Zombie Short Story - CA Verstraete
  • Lizzie Borden Zombie Hunter
    • Lizzie-Borden-Zombie-Hunter-2
    • Lizzie-Borden-Zombie-book-reviews
    • Lizzie-Borden-Murders
    • Zombie-Book-Games
  • Dr. Bowen Mystery - Lizzie Borden's Doctor
  • Miniatures
    • dollhouse-miniatures-projects
    • Half Scale Dollhouse
  • cool-stuff
  • Nonfiction
  • The Write News Blog

Dancing & Reading Barry Manilow-Inspired Fiction!

4/14/2025

0 Comments

 
Copacabana fiction, Barry Manilow
barry manilow mystery fiction
Woo-hoo!!! Got my copies of A Killing at the Copa: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Barry Manilow. 
    My story, "Some Kind of Friend," is based on the song of the same name. * See the full story/song list in my other blog post here.
     Buy it at various sites everywhere - you can also order via Bookshop.org.  ISBN: 196347970X
    Or... You'll get the best ebook rate (and download/own NOT license it) plus get less expensive paperbacks (free shipping!) at the publisher's site here - White City Press. 
     My story is "Some Kind of Friend," based on the song of the same name. 

 🎵  About the story: 
   Clarissa Simone was lucky to fulfill her dreams of dancing at the famed Copacabana nightclub. Those dreams soon tarnished, however, when she was blamed for the shooting death of fellow dancer and former friend Mina Ruiz's mobster boyfriend at another local club, The Bar by the Harbor. But was it Clarissa's fault? 
 
🎵 About the Book:
   From his early days in the 1970s playing piano for Bette Midler in the bathhouses of New York City to his 2025 lifetime residency in Las Vegas, Barry Manilow has put his stamp on the music industry. With legendary hits such as "Weekend in New England," "Mandy," and "I Write the Songs," Manilow has created a catalog of instantly recognizable songs that have lasted decades and continue to be in rotation on radio stations, elevators and Spotify playlists to this day.
   Manilow also created a legendary musical crime in his song "Copacabana," telling the story of feather-wearing dancer Lola who is caught between bartender Tony and patron Rico as the two men vie for her affections...and ultimately meet untimely ends.
   Now, 13 crime author fans of Barry (affectionately known as "Fanilows") take on other songs from his collection of hits to tell all new stories of love, life, relationships and other situations gone horribly wrong. All the hits are here, as well as a few lesser-known tracks.
   Features all new stories from Karen Keeley, Linda Kay Hardie, Adam Gorgoni, Maya St. Clair, Matt McGee, Laurie Stevens, Caleb Weinhardt, Kurtis Rupé, Recita Clemons, J. M. Taylor, John M. Floyd, T. Fox Dunham, Christine Verstraete and Shari Held.


0 Comments

Release: A Killing at the Copa: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Barry Manilow

3/17/2025

0 Comments

 
crime fiction, barry manilow anthology
This releases on March 18. 

Yay!! Today (March 18 but pre-orders are live) is Release Day for A Killing at the Copa: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Barry Manilow. 
    
My song, "Some Kind of Friend," is based on the song of the same name. * See the full story/song list in my other blog post here or scroll down on this site. 
​*** Buy it at various sites everywhere - you can also order via Bookshop.org.  ISBN: 196347970X
     Or... You'll get the best ebook rate (and download not license it) and less expensive paperbacks (plus free shipping!) at the publisher's site here - White City Press. 
 Some links may provide affiliate compensation.
Here are a few other places to get it:
Amazon.com - B&N - Japan: Rakuten  - Indigo/Chapters/Canada  - Smashwords

About the Book:  
From his early days in the 1970s playing piano for Bette Midler in the bathhouses of New York City to his 2025 lifetime residency in Las Vegas, Barry Manilow has put his stamp on the music industry. With legendary hits such as "Weekend in New England," "Mandy," and "I Write the Songs," Manilow has created a catalog of instantly recognizable songs that have lasted decades and continue to be in rotation on radio stations, elevators and Spotify playlists to this day.

Manilow also created a legendary musical crime in his song "Copacabana," telling the story of feather-wearing dancer Lola who is caught between bartender Tony and patron Rico as the two men vie for her affections...and ultimately meet untimely ends.

Now, 13 crime author fans of Barry (affectionately known as "Fanilows") take on other songs from his collection of hits to tell all new stories of love, life, relationships and other situations gone horribly wrong. All the hits are here, as well as a few lesser-known tracks.

Features all new stories from Karen Keeley, Linda Kay Hardie, Adam Gorgoni, Maya St. Clair, Matt McGee, Laurie Stevens, Caleb Weinhardt, Kurtis Rupé, Recita Clemons, J. M. Taylor, John M. Floyd, T. Fox Dunham, Christine Verstraete and Shari Held.



0 Comments

At the Copa! New Anthology Celebrates Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Barry Manilow!

2/25/2025

0 Comments

 
barry manilow music, crime fiction
Love crime fiction? Are you a Fanilow?   You'll LOVE this anthology! 
A Killing at the Copa: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Barry Manilow is now up for pre-order here at White City Press. (Releases March 18). Bet you'll be humming along as you read the stories! (* Order via any bookstore: Bookshop.org)
*Links may offer some affiliate compensation.* 
​

The Story Line-Up (with links to the songs):
Sweet Life - Karen Keeley
Rain as Cold as Ice (Inspired by Mandy) - Linda Kay Hardie
​Mandy - Adam Gorgoni
I Write the Songs - Maya St. Clair
The Daybreak Killer (Inspired by Daybreak) - Matt McGee
A Connecticut Stalker (Inspired by Weekend in New England) - Laurie Stevens
Can't Smile Without You - Caleb Weinhardt
Ready to Take a Chance Again - Kurtis Rupe'
Since You've Been Gone (Inspired by Even Now) - Recita Clemons
Bermuda Triangle - J.M. Taylor
Lonely Together - John M. Floyd
When the Sun Rises (Inspired by Let's Take All Night (to Say Goodbye) - T. Fox Dunham
Some Kind of Friend - Christine Verstraete
Getting Even Now (Inspired by Even Now)  - Shari Held
🎶🎶🎶🎶

    My story is "Some Kind of Friend," based on the song of the same name.

 🎵  About the story: 
   Clarissa Simone was lucky to fulfill her dreams of dancing at the famed Copacabana nightclub. Those dreams soon tarnished, however, when she was blamed for the shooting death of fellow dancer and former friend Mina Ruiz's mobster boyfriend at another local club, The Bar by the Harbor. But was it Clarissa's fault? 

🎵 My inspiration: I wanted to find a song that lent itself to telling the story of a dancer, without using his signature song, Copacabana, as I figured someone else would pick that song. Surprisingly, no one did.

🎵 First lines, "Some Kind of Friend" - Christine Verstraete:
  The young woman stood on the front stoop, patiently waiting for me to invite her in.
  "Thanks for letting me come talk to you," she said, her smile bright. "I only need about twenty minutes, if you don't mind?"

Can't wait to read all the stories!!
0 Comments

Now Out! Behind the Shadows II horror fiction anthology

10/1/2024

0 Comments

 
behind the shadows II horror fiction
horror fiction preview cverstraete
The eerie Behind the Shadows II anthology is now out- perfect for Halloween reading!
  Got my copy! See photo for a sneak peek at the story beginning, too! 
   BUY: * Paperback, e-book - Barnes & Noble -* Paperback  - Amazon US 
0 Comments

Behind the Shadows II Release!

9/12/2024

0 Comments

 
Behind the Shadows II horror fiction

 It's release day (perfect on Friday the 13th!) for the anthology, Behind the Shadows II, containing my eerie, Twilight-Zone-ish story, "Blink!"  
    In "Blink!", Tommy wakes to a new world and wonders why no one else "sees" what is going on but him.  A little weird and even funny at times! (Ok, funny to me. I know, humor is subjective but I think you'll laugh a little!) This was such a fun story to write. One of my favorites I've done!

* Get the ebook: various outlets
* Paperback, ebook - Barnes & Noble
* Paperback  - Amazon US



Behind the Shadows II horror fiction back
0 Comments

New Story & Horror Anthology Coming Soon!

5/23/2024

0 Comments

 
Behind the Shadows II horror anthology
   My story, "Blink!", will be coming soon in the Shadows II horror anthology from Inkd Publishing. (See their Facebook page.) The story is a bit gruesome, but not gorey. It's more creepy-weird-Twilight Zoneish. This one was fun to write!
  *** There will be a Kickstarter for the anthology starting in July. Check out the Kickstarter page here and sign up to get in on some cool stuff! 
0 Comments

Like Ghost Stories? Coming Soon!

3/19/2024

0 Comments

 
Picture
My story, "Secrets of the Last Mine," will be in the spooky anthology, Noncorporeal II, coming soon from Inkd Publishing.
 *** Follow the Kickstarter to get in on cool editions and other goodies! LAUNCHES APRIL 17! 
* *  Follow Inkd Publishing on FB for the latest news.
0 Comments

Pre-Order One-Hit Wonders Crime Fiction!

12/24/2023

2 Comments

 
Picture

*Ordd  Yay! 
(I Just) Died in Your Arms: Crime Fiction Inspired by One-Hit Wonders is now up for pre-order! Releasing Jan. 9, 2024. 
 
  Based on some familiar songs, including my story, "Wildfire," inspired by the haunting hit of the same name. I can't wait to read all the stories!
   * Pre-order here! (If any problems, use main link.)  * Paperback only $10! *Order at any bookstore: Bookshop.org
* Also on Kindle and at Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Kobo - UK, Kobo - US 


  (Note: affiliate link may earn some commissions)
Picture
2 Comments

New Mystery-Crime Story Coming!

11/19/2023

1 Comment

 
horse
(Photo: Pixabay.com)
Happy to say my story, "Wildfire," will be in the anthology, (I Just) Died In Your Arms: Crime Fiction Inspired by One-Hit Wonders, Volume I. Should be coming out in December.
   Always loved this sad song, so I tried to give it justice. Thrilled about this.
     The stories included will be a treat to read and are fun, too! Definitely some memorable choices. (I love It's Raining Men! and The Rapper always makes me think of a certain time period. I like 96 Tears, too.)

​ Included are: 

Christine Verstraete: Wildfire
Song: “Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphey (1975)
 
Barb Goffman: Teenage Dirtbag
Song: Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus (2000)
 
Leone Ciporin: Life in a Northern Town
Song: Life in a Northern Town by Dream Academy (1985)
 
Adam Gorgoni: Bitch
Song: Bitch by Meredith Brooks (1997)
 
Bev Vincent: Somebody’s Watching
Song: Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell (1984)
 
Wendy Harrison: It’s Raining Men
Song: It’s Raining Men by The Weather Girls (1983)
 
Josh Pachter: The Rapper
Song: The Rapper by The Jaggerz (1970)
 
Sandra Murphy: Pigeon Talk
Song: 867-5309/Jenny) by Tommy Tutone
 
Joseph S. Walker: Come On Eileen
Song: Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners (1982)
 
Jeanne DuBois: Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye
Song: Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye by Steam
 
Vinnie Hansen: 96 Tears
Song: 96 Tears by Question Mark and the Mysterians (1966)
 
J. M. Taylor: It’s Hard to Die
Song: Seasons in the Sun by Terry Jacks (1974)
1 Comment

The Fun of Writing #Zombies: New Anthology

10/25/2021

1 Comment

 
zombie fiction
zombie writing
Writing horror isn't always about blood, guts and gore.
   Sometimes the story has a heart... even if the heart in question doesn't beat any longer.
   My new story, "Of Life, Death and the Krieg" in the just-released anthology, RUN FROM THE DEAD, is a different kind of zombie story.
​   The fun of writing a story like this is getting to create something different, so my story is about the after... What happens after a man is bit by "feral zombies" and finds himself in a new, nightmarish world? What happens when he's dead--but not? Now he's part of a horde... and the horde thinks. And, he realizes, he still feels emotions... even... dare we say, love?
   Another interesting part of writing this story was the anthology had a prompt requiring a certain set of words be included.
   So, read, and enjoy the scavenger hunt! (See photo for list of included words.)
    BUY: Kindle & Print /US - Amazon UK
Amazon CA - Amazon AU
​

* Some affiliate links are used here which may provide a small return.
1 Comment
<<Previous
    Picture
    Blog by Chris Verstraete - author,  award-winning journalist, miniaturist. I love dogs, too. It's all good.

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    October 2024
    September 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    March 2022
    February 2022
    October 2021
    March 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    June 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    June 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011

    Categories

    All
    Anthology
    Author Blog Tour
    Barry Manilow
    Barry Manilow Songs
    Blog Tour
    Book Events
    Books
    Christmas
    Collections
    Crime Fiction
    Dogs
    Dollhouse
    Ebooks
    Fiction
    Ghosts
    Halloween
    Horror
    Lizzie Borden
    Miniature
    Miniatures
    Music
    Mystery
    Spooky
    Stephen King
    Writing
    Zombie
    Zombies

    RSS Feed

 ​ Photos, text (c) 2024 -25 C. Verstraete/CAP unless noted or used w/ permission. Do NOT copy/reuse/reprint, sell or share without permission.
​Content  cannot be used for AI or other purposes without permission.
** 
NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of written work and photos on this site to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of works for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.Legal/privacy disclosures: Affiliate book links may provide some compensation; no tracking or following software is used on site.  
Emails are not shared or stored. 
* PRIVACY POLICY:: Emails are used for newsletter contact only; can opt out via link in newsletter.. 
  • Home
  • About Me
    • Contact
  • Books
  • Fiction
  • horror-zombie-fiction
    • Fiction-samples >
      • A Zombie Short Story - CA Verstraete
  • Lizzie Borden Zombie Hunter
    • Lizzie-Borden-Zombie-Hunter-2
    • Lizzie-Borden-Zombie-book-reviews
    • Lizzie-Borden-Murders
    • Zombie-Book-Games
  • Dr. Bowen Mystery - Lizzie Borden's Doctor
  • Miniatures
    • dollhouse-miniatures-projects
    • Half Scale Dollhouse
  • cool-stuff
  • Nonfiction
  • The Write News Blog