Doorway to Scorn
by Dimitrius Jones
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GENRE: Fantasy
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BLURB:
Many in the world of Austyria dream of becoming heroes, gaining classes like Mage, Knight, and Beastmaster. With the power granted to them by the powerful Alrelics, they can level up and accomplish extraordinary feats.
The citizens of Hollo village long for a hero to save them from the malevolent Gate, which disfigures all who see or try to enter it. Lex dreams of becoming a Soldier and leaving his cursed village with his friends, Bibi and Ariel, but his class designation ceremony devolves into absolute disaster. Within days, he’s forced to embark on a journey that will change his destiny forever.
To save his friends, Lex must uncover the mysteries of this mysterious doorway, while keeping his scornful heart in check before it consumes him utterly.
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Excerpt Two:
“Lex. You need to run.”
Bibi’s voice is low, just above a whisper. She flips her daggers in her hands until they’re pointing away from her body, something I’ve never seen done before. They’re normally used for stabbing – usually in the most treacherous manner possible – and held with the blade facing up, not down.
“I’m not leaving you here to fight that alone.”
“Then you’re a fool. You can’t help me here, and that cursed weapon you have won’t save you. I don’t even know why you’re still holding onto it.”
“I have potions. If you get hurt, I can at least heal you.”
Bibi doesn’t respond, but I can see the muscles in her shoulders and arms tensing as the shadow man regains his composure and goes completely still. She doesn’t sound like herself. It’s as if she’s a completely different person.
The shadow man points his blade high into the sky, and a strange, smoke-like energy begins to wisp around him. Soon, he is joined by two identical shadow men, each taking a battle stance with swords of their own.
“This is not a fight I plan to win,” Bibi says, and that’s when it dawns on me. She’s trying to buy everyone else time to escape from these things.
“Lex. You need to run.”
Bibi’s voice is low, just above a whisper. She flips her daggers in her hands until they’re pointing away from her body, something I’ve never seen done before. They’re normally used for stabbing – usually in the most treacherous manner possible – and held with the blade facing up, not down.
“I’m not leaving you here to fight that alone.”
“Then you’re a fool. You can’t help me here, and that cursed weapon you have won’t save you. I don’t even know why you’re still holding onto it.”
“I have potions. If you get hurt, I can at least heal you.”
Bibi doesn’t respond, but I can see the muscles in her shoulders and arms tensing as the shadow man regains his composure and goes completely still. She doesn’t sound like herself. It’s as if she’s a completely different person.
The shadow man points his blade high into the sky, and a strange, smoke-like energy begins to wisp around him. Soon, he is joined by two identical shadow men, each taking a battle stance with swords of their own.
“This is not a fight I plan to win,” Bibi says, and that’s when it dawns on me. She’s trying to buy everyone else time to escape from these things.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Dimitrius Jones was born and raised in West Texas, much to his eternal annoyance. Despite this, he first picked up the pen at the tender age of six. His first masterpiece was a page-turner was about dolphins that used eye lasers to kill a hurricane. From there, his life took a few twists and turns, but he always found his way back to his trusty notepad.
His next few projects include a self-help book for those who suffer from low self-esteem as well as a full-length fantasy/romance novel to be released sometime in the future. Dimitrius has always, perhaps unsurprisingly, been inspired by the mystery, tragedy, and wonder of fairy tales.
His goal in life is to constantly inspire, amuse, and shed light into the corners of life we didn't know were right in front of us.
The book will be $0.99 during the tour.
Interview with Dimitrius Jones
1. Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reins of the story?
My characters can certainly influence me to take a different direction in the story than originally intended. A scenario may present itself, and I’ll realize “I don’t think they would say this or react to this the way I thought.”
I think knowing your characters can help the writing process evolve organically. It makes it easier in a lot of ways, especially when it comes to dialogue. I don’t have to guess what my character will do or say. I know almost instinctively what they want or how they’ll react.
2. Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
Doorway to Scorn features a world that is both familiar yet distinct and uncharted, something that can be a lot less common in fantasy than you think. I believe it is a must-read for individuals of color, as it is my goal to create and showcase characters that are typically unseen in media.
If you want a story that really pulls you into the world and challenges you to question its mechanics and character motivations, I believe this is the book for you.
3. Have you written any other books that are not published?
I have an LGBT teen fantasy romance that I’ve just finished. I’m hoping to have it picked up soon by a publication.
Otherwise, I have plenty of outlines for several different stories that I hope to get to in the future. I want to tell as many of these stories as possible and hope that my readers thoroughly enjoy them.
4. Pen or type writer or computer?
My dad had an office with a fancy laptop computer in the 90s. Back then, just having a laptop was a status symbol, since many households didn’t even have a computer or basic, dial-up Internet. I learned how to write using Microsoft Word at a young age. I couldn’t see myself using any other medium, though I may try a typewriter one day just see if I like it. I’m definitely going to buy one to put in my home office for sure!
5. Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?"
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water every single day, especially if you’re like me and battle with depression. Also, clean your room. It helps you feel better.
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:
Dimitrius Jones will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
