Glitter and Doom

I am so, so so excited to officially, for the first time on my blog, introduce you to Glitter & Doom.

A 50-page digital only novella set in the world of Bethany Griffin's dark and haunting retelling of the classic Edgar Allan Poe story Masque of the Red Death. When a rich teenage girl who spends her nights in the most desirable club, and a smart, young inventor meet, they might have more in common than they know. 

April, niece to the dying city's cruel dictator, is Araby Worth's glittery and frivolous best friend. But she's more than she appears. And when she disappeared in Masque of the Red Death, where did she go? This short novella answers that question, taking us deep underneath the crumbling city, where April crosses path with Kent, the serious young inventor who is key to rebellion. Glitter & Doom is a story of chilling action, of spies, and of surprising love. Can love be anything but doomed in a city that's burning down around its survivors? 

A dark, unnerving story about two of the most fascinating characters from Masque of the Red Death. 

Is it bad that when other people write about my stories, they always sound like something I'd like to read? 

A little back story about this project--when I was getting in the mindset to write Dance of the Red Death, I wrote out a few sketches, sort of short story scenes in the world of Masque...one was about a girl from one of the farms who always dreams of coming into the city, but once she gets there is aghast at the devastation, death, and decaying beauty of the city. One was about Kent, the inventor of the airship in book 1, friend of both Will and Elliott. And I had some ideas for a story about April. My husband and I discussed this scene he came up with about the last horse in the city, but that one never felt quite write and I didn't ever really do much with it. 

But when I was asked to write a short story, I sort of froze up. I had bits and pieces, but how would they come together? I put off writing it for a LONG time, because I was scared, and I put off showing it to anyone for a long time because it's written in third person and past tense, and I've never written anything for publication in third person or past. 

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to write this! It turned out to be something that makes me smile when I read it. Revisiting the world of Masque and filling in this side story. I love April, and I love Kent. Some of the other snippets (and these really still are just a few pages long) may show up here on the blog/website at some point.  
So, Glitter and Doom! It's available March 26th, the same day as the paperback. To celebrate, I'm going to give away a copy of Masque (including a totally awesome German copy) every week until March 26th, starting next week after I get back from SCBWI in New York. 

So excited about completing Araby's story, and sharing April and Kent's story, as well!!!!