Company
A Novel of a Ghost and an Imaginary Friend
Are ghosts real?
I didn’t used to think so. In fact, I distinctly recall dying with the great and terrible knowledge that I would soon be extinguished into absolute nothing, not going to heaven or hell, but slipping into a permanent sleep from which I’d never wake.
And then I became a ghost.
I didn’t used to think so. In fact, I distinctly recall dying with the great and terrible knowledge that I would soon be extinguished into absolute nothing, not going to heaven or hell, but slipping into a permanent sleep from which I’d never wake.
And then I became a ghost.
Curtis doesn’t know how he came to haunt Thornfield Manor, a beautiful but empty house in the middle of the mountains. All he knows is the boredom of his prolonged, ghostly existence. Then one day a young woman shows up. Charlotte Landry has returned to her childhood home to discard an embarrassing “coping device”--an imaginary friend named Jenny. Jenny has purple eyes, a vivid imagination, and the disturbing propensity to think on her own. Charlotte abandons Jenny at Thornfield Manor, hoping she disappears for good.
Curtis can see Jenny. Jenny can see Curtis.
For the first time in ages, Curtis has company. Jenny brings fun, frustration, and hope to his non-life. The more time Curtis spends with Jenny, the closer he comes to solving the mystery of his past. But as he grows attached, Curtis fears what will happen to Jenny once he’s ready to cross over--for he suspects this unloved imaginary friend is more than what she appears.
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How did Company Come About?
Back in September of 2012, I came up with the idea of a discarded imaginary friend, and, since Halloween was around the corner, I thought I’d throw in a ghost. I liked the premise of a friendship between these two non-corporeal beings, but I didn’t know if I could sustain it for an entire novel. So, I decided to challenge myself for National Novel Writing Month, where the goal is to complete an entire 200-page novel in 30 days. I was surprised to complete a manuscript. But the process of revision was filled with false starts and ups and downs. I go into more detail in the “Author’s Journey” section of my Bonus Materials. Suffice it to say, what started as a simple idea, grew into a complex novel that deals with themes of identity, loss, and the nature of reality.
What Makes Company So Unique?
One of the things that made writing Company such a challenge was the fact that the characters can’t interact with the physical world. There is a mystery involving the ghost’s death, but the characters can’t hunt for clues or question suspects or even do an online search. Their world is different than ours, and so they need to find new and creative ways to navigate it.
In addition to mystery, Company has a little bit of romance and a smidge of philosophy. It’s an emotional book, and some scenes will leave you feeling choked up, but it has a sweet ending that I hope will make you smile. Company is the kind of book I’d imagine someone reading on a vacation in the mountains, sitting outside a log cabin in the cool of the morning, with a hot mug of hot cocoa.
Who Should Buy It?
If you are a fan of mystery, sweet romance, or speculative fiction, Company may be the book for you. Unlike most novels I’ve written in, Company takes place in the real world (California) and in modern times (2019), so it is more accessible to people who are less inclined toward traditional fantasy. It is best for teens and adults; younger children probably won’t be interested in it. Company has a few curse words, and it deals with mature themes, like depression and death. For those reasons, I’d put it at a PG-13 rating. The first three chapters are available on my website, for you to sample and decide for yourself if you’d like to read it.
How Can I Buy it?
Right now, Company is available exclusively on Amazon. The digital version cost $4.99--less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks--and you can download it on your Kindle app. A paperback version is also available on Amazon for $15.00.
Bonus Material
For a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Company, including a photo gallery, previous drafts, and deleted scenes, be sure to check out the "Bonus Materials" link below.
