Doorway to Scorn

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

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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An Interview with the Author:

1. How long have you been a published author?

Thank you so much to Independent Authors for having me! Unofficially I’ve been a published author since about 2017 when I self-published an anti-dating memoir and realized it was kinda cringe. I’m now declaring 2019 as the official year I became a published author with the release of Life After Low Self-Esteem.

2. Do you have any new releases coming soon?

I’m currently working on a teen fantasy romance that features an androgynous black queer lead character. He falls in love with his best friend, the school jock, and tries to use magic to avoid his feelings. Naturally, things go astray.

3. If you could co-write with another author who would it be?

I would love the opportunity to write with James Baldwin if he were still alive. I feel like I would have so much to learn from him as a fellow black queer artist. I think that’s an important factor when co-writing with someone, having the opportunity to absorb each other’s strengths in a mutually beneficial way.

4. Do you listen to music while writing? If yes, what songs are your favorites?

Anything by John Coltrane will do when I’m outlining and creating my world and characters. Listening to Coltrane takes me back to my childhood when I would beg my dad to let me sit in his office with him. He would give me a chair and an end table, and I’d pretend to go to work just like he did.

That’s also how I got started writing. I’d draw pictures, and my dad would let me type out what was happening in the scenes on his computer. Then, he’d print it out, and we’d read it together. From there, I maintained that passion for storytelling.

5. What genres do you write in?

I mostly stick to fantasy and self-help. It’s an odd pairing at first, but I feel both genres are appropriate given my personality and values. I love to escape into a new adventure in a vibrant world full of interesting characters, and I also love to take time to self-reflect.

I believe it’s important to constantly improve as a person. We get stuck in a rut sometimes, whether it’s because of mental illness or purely circumstantial, and we struggle to maintain a high self-worth. I am constantly searching for ways to combat those struggles for myself and others.

6. If you could write anywhere in the world, where would it be?

It’s funny because I wouldn’t call it a place. It’s more of an idea. One thing I love about NYC (when I visit) is that there’s always a chance to stumble upon a random bar or restaurant where you can sit, order a cup of coffee, and be at peace. I love to explore new places and spark new writing ideas. Plus, NYC is one of the best cities to people watch.

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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.

Website: http://dimitriusjones.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/idimitriusjones?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordimitriusjones/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idimitriusjones/?hl=en

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Doorway-Scorn-Novella-1-Austyria-ebook/dp/B081XJC13P

The book will be $0.99 during the tour.

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Dimitrius Jones will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js