SECOND STRETCH GOAL UNLOCKED! LESS THAN 23 HOURS TO GO!
almost 2 years ago – Thu, Jun 16, 2022 at 07:24:40 AM

OK, I admit it… the last two days of our first-ever campaign have been totally nerve-wracking! Since it’s crunch time for backers to adjust their pledges, Dan and I have watched the funding total go up and down several times. And while we totally understand and appreciate the volatile nature of this amazing platform, it’s still sparked a few heart palpitations. (For me, I mean – not my oft-rational hubby.)

But that doesn’t alter the fact that we are both so grateful for all our wonderful backers – and your collective generosity, enthusiasm, and support!

In fact, I have some terrific news: As of this moment, we’ve reached $4,070, which enables us to unlock our second stretch goal! Yahoo!

That means that, as shown in the graphic below, we’ll now include two bonus hauntings in The Dark Side of New Orleans (ebook and paperback) – featuring Antoine’s Restaurant, one of America’s oldest family-run eateries, and the Hotel Monteleone, a landmark frequented by some of the country’s most celebrated writers.

In addition, we’ll present a webinar-style, ask-us-anything session (via Zoom) and host an online watch party of a New Orleans–based movie to any backer who’s pledged $10 or higher. Although we have yet to schedule the live Q&A and screening, they will likely happen sometime in July. We’ll let you know the exact day/time of each once the campaign is over.

And just so we’re clear, these stretch goals will absolutely happen – even if our overall total drops before the campaign ends tomorrow at 9pm EDT.

Yep, that’s right! This campaign ends in less than a day!

So, if you know anyone who might be interested in ghosts, vampires, New Orleans, or all three, please send them our campaign link:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lauramartone/darksidenola

And if they need a nudge to support our project, here are five great reasons to do so before it’s all over:

• Our self-guided tours are an affordable way to experience the French Quarter and learn a bit about New Orleans.
• You’ll find these immersive, spooky experiences both fun and educational – filled with fictional tales as well as historical facts.
• With our virtual tours (in audio, ebook, and print), you can enjoy New Orleans without the time and expense of traveling here.
• Through our other offerings – from a compact travel guide to online tarot readings and music and food tours – you’ll get an insider’s look at this amazing city (whether virtually or in person).
• And lastly, these offerings aren’t available anywhere else.

In other words, there are ONLY 23 HOURS LEFT to take advantage of these goodies before they’re gone!

OK, that’s enough hawking for one night. :-)

Until next time… have fun, be safe, and look out for the dark side!

Sincerely,

Laura Martone

OUR FAVORITE NOLA FILMS
almost 2 years ago – Sun, Jun 12, 2022 at 02:42:50 PM

Howdy, y’all!

I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend – wherever you happen to be.

Thanks again for supporting our spooky project and sharing it with others. Dan and I are both so grateful for all the enthusiasm and encouragement you’ve expressed since we launched our campaign over two weeks ago – and we honestly can’t believe that we now have 75 amazing backers! So, thanks so much for your interest!

As you likely know, you’ve helped us unlock our first stretch goal, which will enable us to add a bonus haunting (Antoine’s Restaurant) to The Dark Side of New Orleans (ebook and paperback) AND present a webinar-style, ask-us-anything session (via Zoom) to any backer who’s pledged $10 or higher.

Well, I’m delighted to report that we’re now only $217 away from our second stretch goal ($4,000) – which means we’re close to unlocking two more fun extras: another bonus haunting (the Hotel Monteleone) in The Dark Side of New Orleans AND an online watch party of a New Orleans-based movie for any backer who’s pledged $10 or higher. So, please keep spreading the word to anyone who might be interested in ghosts, vampires, the Big Easy, or all of the above!

Of course, since I now have watch parties on the brain, I can’t help but reflect on how photogenic my hometown and the surrounding region are. It probably doesn’t surprise you that the lush landscape, antebellum plantation homes, lively bars and music clubs, and well-preserved historic districts of southern Louisiana have long been favored by filmmakers and television producers.

In fact, hundreds of movies and shows have taken advantage of this unique culture and atmosphere, including classic, Oscar-winning films like Jezebel (1938) and A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), both of which were partially shot in southern Louisiana. More recent productions include dramas like Pretty Baby (1978), JFK (1991), Dead Man Walking (1995), Eve’s Bayou (1997), All the King’s Men (2006), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), and The Lucky One (2012), the television spin-offs NCIS: New Orleans (2014–2021) and The Originals (2013–2018), the “Coven” season of American Horror Story (2011–present), and HBO’s much-acclaimed series Treme (2010–2013), which authentically chronicles the lives of various Big Easy residents and musicians in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

I could go on and on, but I’ll spare you my cinematic ramblings and just offer you a list of our top dozen favorite films set in and around New Orleans. (Naturally, a third of them are horror films. Go figure.)

Angel Heart (1987). Written and directed by Alan Parker, starring Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, and Lisa Bonet. In this sultry thriller, based on a novel by William Hjortsberg and partially shot in New Orleans, New York–based gumshoe Harry Angel follows a voodoo trail to the Big Easy in search of a missing singer.

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009). Written by William M. Finkelstein, directed by Werner Herzog, and starring Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, and Xzibit. In this unrelated sequel to Bad Lieutenant (1992), a corrupt, drug- and gambling-addicted homicide detective investigates the murder of five Senagalese immigrants in post-Katrina New Orleans.

The Big Easy (1986). Written by Daniel Petrie Jr., directed by Jim McBride, and starring Dennis Quaid, Ellen Barkin, Ned Beatty, and John Goodman. Set in New Orleans, this film focuses on a local homicide detective facing three concurrent dilemmas: bribery charges, a series of gang killings, and a sexy lawyer from the District Attorney’s police corruption task force.

Cat People (1982). Written by Alan Ormsby, directed by Paul Schrader, and starring Nastassja Kinski, Malcolm McDowell, John Heard, and Annette O’Toole. Featuring New Orleans landmarks like the Audubon Zoo and the Gallier House, this erotic, Golden Globe–nominated remake of the 1942 horror classic follows two unusual siblings, whose sexual urges transform them into deadly black leopards.

Déjà Vu (2006). Written by Bill Marsilii and Terry Rossio, directed by Tony Scott, and starring Denzel Washington, Paula Patton, Val Kilmer, and Jim Caviezel. In post-Katrina New Orleans, an ATF agent travels back in time to prevent a ferry explosion on the Mississippi River and, in the process, save a woman from being murdered.

Hatchet (2006). Written and directed by Adam Green, starring Joel David Moore, Deon Richmond, Tamara Feldman, and Kane Hodder. In this entertaining horror comedy, several tourists experience a haunted swamp tour in the outskirts of New Orleans, only to be stranded in the wilderness with a mythical madman.

Heaven’s Prisoners (1996). Written by Harley Peyton and Scott Frank, directed by Phil Joanou, and starring Alec Baldwin, Kelly Lynch, Mary Stuart Masterson, Eric Roberts, and Teri Hatcher. In this adaptation of a James Lee Burke novel, ex-detective Dave Robicheaux and his wife, Annie, rescue a young girl from a plane crash in the outskirts of New Orleans – an act that forever alters their lives.

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994). Written by Anne Rice, directed by Neil Jordan, and starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Antonio Banderas, Kirsten Dunst, and Christian Slater. In this award-winning adaptation of Anne Rice’s acclaimed novel, a brooding vampire records his epic history, beginning with a life-altering encounter with the flamboyant vampire Lestat in 18th-century New Orleans. Partially filmed in Louisiana, the movie showcases famous landmarks like Vacherie’s Oak Alley Plantation and the Big Easy’s Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.

Panic in the Streets (1950). Written by Richard Murphy and Daniel Fuchs, directed by Elia Kazan, and starring Richard Widmark, Paul Douglas, Barbara Bel Geddes, Jack Palance, and Zero Mostel. Set in New Orleans, this Oscar-winning crime thriller tells the action-packed story of a policeman and a doctor who have less than 48 hours to locate a killer infected with pneumonic plague.

The Princess and the Frog (2009). Written by Ron Clements, John Musker, and Rob Edwards, directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, and featuring the voices of Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Jennifer Cody, Jenifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard, and John Goodman. Inspired by the classic story “The Frog Prince,” this animated, Oscar-nominated fantasy tells the story of a New Orleans waitress who, while trying to fulfill her dream of restaurant ownership, embarks on a journey to turn a cursed frog back into a human prince. This family-friendly musical incorporates many local attributes, including jazz, voodoo, streetcars, swamps, and landmarks like Jackson Square.

Runaway Jury (2003). Written by Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Rick Cleveland, and Matthew Chapman, directed by Gary Fleder, and starring John Cusack, Rachel Weisz, Gene Hackman, and Dustin Hoffman. Based on a John Grisham novel and featuring iconic New Orleans settings like Café Du Monde and St. Charles Avenue, this riveting thriller pits a mysterious juror and his girlfriend against a man who manipulates court trials involving gun manufacturers.

The Skeleton Key (2005). Written by Ehren Kruger, directed by Iain Softley, and starring Kate Hudson, Gena Rowlands, Peter Sarsgaard, John Hurt, and Joy Bryant. When a young hospice nurse takes a position at a creepy plantation home outside New Orleans, she becomes ensnared in a mystery involving hoodoo folk magic and the property’s dark past.

So, do you have a favorite New Orleans flick? If so, please comment below – Dan and I love adding new discoveries to our to-be-watched list.

Actually, we did just add one: a short gothic horror film called The Strangle of Ivy, directed by Tara Garwood and based on Sara Crocoll Smith’s short story of the same name. In this haunting tale, a successful doctor, Samantha Wentworth, returns to her childhood home to check on her ailing mother – a retired military officer and former senator whose strict, prideful nature has made for a complicated mother-daughter relationship. While there, Samantha uncovers some dark family secrets that will change her forever.

To be fair, this movie doesn’t exist yet, but it will! That’s because passionate backers like you are helping to fund its current Kickstarter campaign. As a former filmmaker and film festival director, I’m so excited about this project – I just backed it myself.

So, if, like me, you enjoy supporting female-driven horror, check out The Strangle of Ivy – which you can help to create while receiving all sorts of cool rewards, including the story, the film, the shooting script, a visit to the movie set, a behind-the-scenes look at the filmmaking process, and so much more.

Well, that’s all for now. I’ll be in touch soon. Until then, enjoy your Sunday!

Sincerely,

Laura Martone

IT’S TIME FOR A CONFESSION… OR TWO.
almost 2 years ago – Fri, Jun 10, 2022 at 08:48:28 AM

Howdy, y’all!

I hope you’re having a wonderful week.

Dan and I are doing well – just working hard on our NOLA books behind the scenes.

But with only a week left of our Eerie Ghosts and Vampires campaign, I figure it’s time to admit an awkward truth: As much as I love horror, I’ve always had the uncanny ability to scare the living you-know-what out of myself.

As mentioned in the Creators section of our Kickstarter page, Dan and I share a lot of interests, including a passion for scary movies, TV shows, and books. But unlike my husband, I am incredibly easy to frighten – the kind of person, for instance, that the costumed staff members seek out at haunted attractions (because my guaranteed shrieks and nervous giggles apparently make their seasonal jobs a lot more fun and entertaining).

Of course, I don’t need other folks to terrify me. As mentioned above, I’m perfectly capable of doing that particular deed all on my own. In fact, thanks to my often misguided “spidey sense,” I’m especially adept at mistaking harmless peripheral visions for dangerous creatures set on murdering me.

Please allow me to share just a few ridiculous examples:

While on a camping trip as an adolescent, I briefly suspected a gnarled, moonlit tree of being a giant, bony hand bent on pulling me into the bowels of the earth. (OK, maybe I’d seen a few too many scary flicks by then.)

Nearly three decades later, I fleetingly believed a centuries-old chimney in the French Quarter was actually the Grim Reaper crouching on a roof, ready to pounce. (And I don’t even believe in the Angel of Death.)

Such moments of fear and trepidation usually last no more than a second – just long enough for my overactive imagination to spike my heart rate.

But on occasion, I’ve been known to truly scare the heebie-jeebies out of myself, to the point of inevitable embarrassment.

Once, for instance, while on a solo walk in the woods of northern Michigan, I encountered two helmeted, black-clad figures standing by a pine tree – which promptly compelled me to veer off the trail and bolt pell-mell back home, where I ended up with a major asthma attack and an extremely alarmed hubby. Determined to soothe my fears, he hopped on an ATV and ventured back to my place of panic – only to discover that my would-be assailants were nothing more than a pair of black snowmobiles, with two empty helmets perched atop their handlebars. Needless to say, Dan has yet to forget that particular incident.

So, yeah, even at the ripe old age of forty-five, I still manage to scare myself on occasion. Don’t get me wrong: I’m brave in lots of ways, and I love traveling to new and mysterious places (especially with my hubby in tow). But part of the reason that self-guided tours appeal to me is that I can choose to experience them in relative comfort and safety. Also, as someone who appreciates flexibility and autonomy, I love the fact that I can enjoy them at my own pace, on my own timetable.

That’s why Dan and I created our immersive ghost and vampire excursions. Naturally, we hope they’ll entice you to visit New Orleans someday, but even if you never step foot in the actual French Quarter, they’ll enable you to experience our city’s spookier side – anywhere in the world.

To provide even more flexibility for these “tours,” we’re offering them in audio, ebook, and print – and no matter the format, we’re including helpful maps, GPS coordinates, and HTML links and QR codes that will lead you directly to the relevant pages in Google Street View. In that way, you’ll be able to see the exact location of the spooky spot you’re hearing or reading about.

Here’s an example of how this might work with the audio ghost tour:

I hope that demo addressed any lingering questions you (or folks you know) might have about our tours, but if not, please feel free to drop me a line. I’m always happy to lend a hand.

And please help us spread the word about our Kickstarter project. We’re currently less than $500 from our next stretch goal, and it would be so awesome to reach that by the time our campaign ends next week.

Now, before I let you go, I have one more confession to make – of a much more serious nature.

For most of my life, I’ve grappled with OCD, anxiety, and depression – often veiling it with a healthy sense of humor and an extremely outgoing personality – and since I’ve only become more vocal about these issues in recent years, I have a lot of admiration and gratitude for those who bear such vulnerability publicly.

Jonathan Ashline is one such individual: a compassionate man who explores his mental-health issues by writing heartfelt poems, short stories, novels, and screenplays. I truly admire the honest, poignant way he faces and copes with his anxiety, chronic depression, and Borderline Personality Disorder, and his current Kickstarter campaign, My Silent Cacophony, is no exception.

A sequel to his novel My Pocket of Fears: On Love, Depression, and Other Mental Disorders, this book guides the reader through a cathartic journey of therapy, hospitalization, and treatment, and as with his first book, he uses his storytelling abilities to help his fellow sufferers feel less alone. Of course, his novel will also appeal to those who simply love poetry and strive to understand how other humans operate. As a bonus, he’s included the illustrations of some amazing artists, including the drawing below – Mikhael Benson’s Mr. Anxiety – which really speaks to me.

Please check out Jonathan’s campaign when you have a chance – and be sure to share it with anyone who might benefit from his work.

No matter what, though, I thank you for listening, and I hope you have an exceptional weekend!

Sincerely,

Laura Martone

THE ODDITIES OF NEW ORLEANS
almost 2 years ago – Sun, Jun 05, 2022 at 04:57:25 AM

To an outsider, every place harbors its share of unusual aspects. Every country, region, state, province, city, town, and neighborhood have their own unique customs and traditions, many of which might fascinate, confuse, or amuse visitors.

New Orleans is, of course, no different in that regard. But like most people (if not all), I didn’t recognize such oddities while growing up among my fellow New Orleanians. I just assumed everyone spoke and acted the way we did, taking most of our regional expressions for granted.

Didn’t all humans say they were “making groceries” whenever they ran to the store? Wasn’t it commonplace to savor so-called “dirty” rice, order a “dressed” po-boy at a restaurant, enjoy “sno-balls” (not snow cones) during the hot, humid summer months, and refer to all soft drinks as “Coke” (even if you specifically wanted an orange soda or root beer)? Didn’t everyone call crawfish (or crayfish) “mudbugs,” yell “Who Dat!” at their hometown football games, visit their loved ones in aboveground cemeteries, and use the French word “lagniappe” to describe an extra perk?

Naturally, it didn’t take me long to realize that such sayings weren’t, in fact, universal. As soon as I entered elementary school and began learning about other states, countries, and cultures, I recognized how greatly people and places varied around the globe. Though I appreciated such diversity – and loved traveling to foreign lands as a child – I admit that such exposure only heightened the respect for my own cultural eccentricities.

Over the course of three centuries – since the founding of New Orleans in 1718 – an organic mix of European, Caribbean, and American influences helped to forge a community like no other. Alternately known as the Crescent City, the Big Easy, the City That Care Forgot, the Birthplace of Jazz, Hollywood South, Crawfish Town, and so many more colorful monikers, this incredible locale boasts a plethora of delicious cuisine, extraordinary music, picturesque architecture, and vibrant festivals, events, and activities.

Today, I proudly wear the mantle of a native New Orleanian – and my husband, Dan, is an equally passionate adopter of the Big Easy’s expressions and traditions.

To help you blend in with the locals – or at least better understand them – Dan and I have compiled a list of 10 things you might hear or see while exploring the French Quarter, the rest of New Orleans, and other parts of southern Louisiana (and, in some cases, even other U.S. states).

• BRAKE TAG: an annual sticker of validation certifying that your vehicle has been inspected and meets all of Louisiana’s traffic and manufacturing laws
• GALLERY: a second-floor balcony that covers the sidewalk, especially common in the French Quarter

• GRIS-GRIS: (pronounced GREE-gree) a voodoo good-luck charm
• HAINT BLUE: a specific shade of pale blue paint visible on the underside of many porch ceilings throughout New Orleans, used to symbolize water and meant to prevent evil “haints,” or ghosts, from entering the premises
• NEUTRAL GROUND: the grassy part between the paved areas of a boulevard; also known as a “median”
• PARISH: the official term for a county in Louisiana
• ROMEO SPIKES: 19th-century, cast-iron protrusions along gallery and balcony polls in the French Quarter, meant to deter male suitors from shimmying upward for unauthorized, nighttime visits to young women

• SHOTGUN HOUSE: a one-level structure whereby all rooms are positioned consecutively, front to back, and interconnected by doors in lieu of a hallway
• SLAVE QUARTERS: an outdated term for a smaller, often two-story house situated behind a street-facing mansion or large plantation home, common in the French Quarter; more often called a “rear cottage” nowadays
• VIEUX CARRÉ: (pronounced VOO kah-RAY) meaning “old square” in French, an apt reference to the French Quarter, the city’s oldest neighborhood, an area known for its upper-level galleries, wrought-iron railings, and hidden courtyards, all ironically influenced by the city’s Spanish era

So, whether you intend to visit New Orleans someday or just admire the city from afar, I hope this snapshot of our NOLA glossary has given you a bit more insight about my one-of-a-kind hometown.

If you know anyone else who’s curious about the Big Easy, please spread the word about our Kickstarter project – which ends in roughly 12 days. Although Dan and I are ecstatic about how this campaign has unfolded so far, we’d love to hit our next stretch goal ($4,000) – which will enable us to include a bonus haunting (Hotel Monteleone) in The Dark Side of New Orleans (ebook and paperback) AND host an online watch party of a New Orleans-based movie for anyone who pledges a minimum of $10.

And if you’re looking for some other cool publishing projects on Kickstarter, please check out the following two campaigns – BOTH OF WHICH END IN FIVE DAYS!

Godsverse Chronicles: The complete portal fantasy series

Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, Coraline, His Dark Materials, and other portal fantasy books and series, bestselling author Russell Nohelty has created his own impressive mythology via his reality-bending series known as the Godsverse Chronicles. All 12 books are available through this Kickstarter campaign – in ebook or print form, with or without audio commentary and other tempting rewards. So, if you enjoy reading about strong, magical women, gods and myths, Heaven and Hell, and travel to other worlds, dimensions, times, and realities, then this is definitely the project for you!

Lost Highway: A Military Action Thriller

From bestselling author Tom Fowler comes an action-packed, snark-filled thriller series starring retired soldier John Tyler, who lives with PTSD, his daughter, and an inability to walk away from trouble. If you enjoy reading thrillers with strong, moral characters and poetic comeuppance for the bad guys, then you’ll love this series!

OK, y’all, that’s it for today! Until next time... I hope you have fun, stay safe, and watch out for the dark side!

Sincerely,

Laura Martone

ENJOY OUR NOLA TOURS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!
almost 2 years ago – Tue, May 31, 2022 at 07:55:40 PM

Happy Tuesday to our amazing backers!

It’s been over a week since Dan and I launched our Dark Side of New Orleans campaign, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results so far. With your help, we’ve raised over $3,100 in project funding – and even hit our first stretch goal – so thank you from the bottom of our gumbo-filled hearts! We appreciate your enthusiasm and support – and we’re so grateful for all of you!

And now… a word of clarification.

As you probably know, our French Quarter tours appeal to anyone who’s curious about ghosts, vampires, the Big Easy, or all of the above. Better yet, though, they can even satisfy those who have no upcoming plans to travel to the city of New Orleans.

That’s because our self-guided ghost and vampire tours can be enjoyed by ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE in the world!

These flexible, immersive tours are available in three different formats – audio, ebook, and print – and while that might ensure three unique experiences, they all have one asset in common: Each comes with the GPS coordinates for every locale on the tour, plus HTML links and QR codes that will lead you directly to Google Street View, where you’ll be able to see the exact location of the spooky spot you’re hearing or reading about.

In this way, you can experience the Big Easy from the comfort of your own home – whether you live in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Australia, or anywhere else in the world. You don’t need to be in New Orleans to “visit” each stop on our ghost and vampire tours. 

Right about now, you might be saying, “Duh, Laura. I already get that.” And if so, I apologize for repeating myself. Dan and I have simply received so many queries about the exact nature of our unusual tours that we felt it necessary to provide a clearer explanation.

Of course, if you have any other questions or concerns about our offerings, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

In the meantime, I wanted to tell you about this week’s backer perks. Anyone who pledges at least $10 or more by 9pm EDT on Friday, June 3rd, will receive nine sci-fi ebooks (a $32 value) for FREE!

That means ALL backers who have already pledged $10 or more – even those of you who supported our campaign on the very first day – will be able to access these amazing stories, which include the Book 1 Bundle of The Beyond Saga (Rebecca M. Senese), Bodacious Creed (Jonathan Fesmire), Into the Black (Beth Barany), Lucky Logan (J.R. Frontera), Cross Road Blues (D.L. Martone), Plastic Girl: Evolution (Jessica Maison), Once Upon a Saturn Moon (Edward Antrobus), Canis Borg: Alien Control Agent (James David Victor), and Cold Between Stars (Belinda Crawford).

And while I have you here, please take a moment to check out these other two campaigns – which, like ours, have about 16 days left to go – and please support them, if possible:

Goddess: A Photographer’s Visions of Divine Feminine Art

Bursting with gorgeous, award-winning photos, this striking art book was inspired by all the incredible women with whom Therena Carlin has worked over the course of her career as a professional photographer. More than seven years in the making, this amazing passion project celebrates the beauty, power, creativity, and divine essence of a wide array of female subjects. Truly an art lover’s treasure trove!

The Spinners of Time: Book 1 of dragon-filled fantasy series

From award-winning writer Amy Wolf, this epic fantasy – modeled on ancient Turkey – provides all the magic, romance, and, yes, dragons that could satisfy lovers of such books. For this campaign, she’s offering ebooks, signed paperbacks and hardbacks, custom merch, and more!

Well, that’s it for now, y’all! Thanks for reading this update – and until next time, I hope you have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Laura Martone