Book 5 Update: The Witches of Pickwick

One of my favorite parts of writing is getting to share the journey with you as these stories come to life. So I thought I'd give you a little peek behind the curtain and let you know what I've been working on lately.

Right now, I'm deep into Book 5 of The Ghosts of Minera Springs.

The working title is The Witches of Pickwick. (Pickwick is an actual small Texas town that ceased to exist when the community built Possum Kingdom Lake, located near Graford, TX).

If you've read the series from the beginning, you already know the witches have always been there. They've lingered in the background, appeared in whispers, showed up in terrifying moments, and left more questions than answers. They've been part of Minera Springs since the very first book.

I think it's finally time they get their full story that dives into their history.

One of the biggest changes in this novel is the point of view. This time, I'm telling the story through Johnny Fambrough and Jo, and I'm having an absolute blast writing them.

If Johnny's name sounds familiar, it's because he stars in my free prequel short story, The Legend of Dark Valley. If you haven't read it yet, it serves as a great introduction to Johnny and the group of friends you'll be spending a lot more time with in Book 5.

I wanted this book to feel different from the moment it begins.

The story opens on a Friday night in Minera Springs—not because anything supernatural is happening yet, but because I wanted you to experience another side of this town. Football season is over. Teenagers are out. Music is playing. Everyone is looking for where the party is.

Johnny's story begins with him and his friends gathered in their old hideout—the place they've claimed as their own over the years. It's where they tell stories, argue over ridiculous ideas, laugh until their sides hurt, and dream up adventures that usually end with someone getting into trouble.

Before long, they're talking about one thing they can't seem to let go of...

The witches.

After everything that happened during The Legend of Dark Valley, they're convinced they weren't wrong. They just didn't know where to look.

So naturally, they decide they're going to find the witches.

Again.

I've always loved stories like Stranger Things, Goonies, and The Lost Boys where a group of kids gets caught up in mysteries much bigger than themselves. I wanted to capture a little of that feeling—the friendship, the humor, the late-night adventures, and the belief that if you just ride your bikes one more mile, you might uncover something no one else knows exists.

On the other side of town is Jo.

Her story also begins on that same Friday night. She's cruising the strip with her friends, windows down, music up, talking about boys and whatever else teenagers talk about when they think the whole world is ahead of them.

From the outside, Jo seems like she has everything.

She's the popular girl.

The rich girl.

The one everyone assumes has the perfect life.

But appearances can be deceiving.

One of the things I'm most excited about writing is peeling back those layers and letting you discover who Jo really is beneath the reputation everyone else has built for her. Her journey becomes intertwined with Johnny's in ways neither of them could ever imagine, and I think you're going to enjoy watching those two worlds slowly collide.

I'm still early in the writing process, but I couldn't wait to share where this story is headed. Every chapter makes me more excited to return to Minera Springs, and I hope you'll enjoy following along as I continue bringing this one to life.

If you'd like more behind-the-scenes updates, exclusive previews, cover reveals, and free stories like The Legend of Dark Valley, I'd love for you to join my newsletter. It's where I share everything first.

And if you're new to Minera Springs, now's the perfect time to jump in. You can start with The Legend of Dark Valley, then continue the adventure with:

• The Ghosts of Minera Springs

• Summer's Coven

• Wolves of the Brazos

• Ghosts of the Past

What do you think of the title, The Witches of Pickwick?

What are your thoughts on how the book opens? What do you remember about Friday nights when you were a teen?

Let me know in the comments. I love hearing from you, and am always open to ways to make the story better. 

Thanks for following this journey with me. I can't wait to share more of The Witches of Pickwick as it comes together.

Blessings,

Charles