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Hello again,

Well, this doesn't have to do with The Academie series , but I thought you might like to hear about another work in progress I have going. This one's called Drain, and that's about all I'll tell you for now so I don't give anything away. Here's a bit of a teaser. Feel free to tell me what you think.

-Amy Joy

The wavy, brown hair of an attractive, fair-complected guy rustled in a non-existent breeze and a young woman swooned in response. I laughed and clicked the TV off. "Idiots" I said to no one.

It was getting dark and I was feeling light-headed. It'd been a while since I'd been out, and I'd done well in the time I'd had alone: wrote, painted, established a computer network for others like me, but I knew I couldn't put off the inevitable much longer. Tomorrow class would begin again, and I'd never be in any shape to attend if I didn't get out and see some people first.

I grabbed my coat and headed for the door. Damn winter. I hate feeling confined, I thought, and then laughed at the irony.

In the car, I sat behind the wheel, letting the engine warm as I contemplated where to go. I had my usual haunts—local clubs, coffee bars, bookstores� but wasn't in the mood for those now. I let out a long sigh. "I know where to find someone."

Night-life at the local A&M Supermarket was sparse and uneventful. But it was always sure to produce the clientele I was looking for. Besides, I needed to pick up a few things.

I pulled a cart from the rack and headed for the produce section. Turns out it was deserted, but I was able to pick up a couple of nice grapefruit. No worries; I didn't really expect to find anyone here. Fruit is the food of the living. I turned and pushed the cart toward the chips and dip isle.

"Never fails" I said under my breath.

"Sorry dear?" asked a heavy-set woman with dull brown hair.

"Just looking for a late night snack," I said with a smile and a light shake of the head.

"Yeah, me too." She smiled back. "I keep telling myself I should eat better, but you know."

I smiled again.

"It's cheaper than a shrink and more comforting than my husband."

My smile faded into sadness. It was always so easy to find them here. It made me feel all the more sorry for her. "I know exactly what you mean," I said artificially.

A small laugh huffed out of her. "Thanks, but I don't think a young pretty girl like you could. But I appreciate it." She smiled, reached out, and patted me motherly on the shoulder. That's when it happened. Her face fell and her gaze along with it. She heaved a big sigh, turned, and very slowly walked away.

I breathed in deeply, feeling better, though not without the remorse that always came with such an exchange.

You'd think I'd be used to it by now.

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The Academie II: The Silent School is now being written! Unfortunately, I am not yet a full-time writer, so I can't say how long it will take, but my plan is to have it ready before this year ends–if not sooner.

Want hints as to what the sequel will be like? Check out the for the first book (the song gives hints). You can also find the , which give more clues.

I hope you're as excited about it as I am!

Thanks for reading and sharing the book with others. It's positive word-of-mouth of that's made all the difference, and what's made me so excited to write the sequel.

Best wishes,

Amy Joy

Lately I've had to take a little time away from writing to devote to another project: The Indie Writer's Network. It's a social network I set up for Indie Writers and aspiring writers so we can connect on a deeper level than was previously available to us. If you are an Indie Writer or aspiring writer, please come join us! On the network we can make friends, chat (with no character limit!), send private messages, join discussion groups and forums, share articles, and contribute to the growing network of writer blogs.

Please stop by and see what we're all about:

I look forward to seeing you there!

Amy Joy

View the book trailer here:

If you can hear me,

I’m on the inside

looking out.

If you can hear me,

I’m on the edge,

I need to shout.

All my life

kept inside

Don’t know where

And don’t know why.

If you can hear me,

I’m all alone here

and afraid.

If you can hear me,

this isn’t right,

I am a slave.

All my life

by design:

Stand up straight now

fall in line

If you can hear me

Can you still hear me?

If you can hear me,

I’m alive.

If you can hear me,

I'm on the inside

looking out.

If you can hear me,

I'm on the edge,

I need to shout.

All my life

kept inside

Don't know where

And don't know why.

If you can hear me,

I'm all alone here

and afraid.

If you can hear me,

this isn't right,

I am a slave.

All my life

by design:

Stand up straight now

fall in line

If you can hear me

Can you still hear me?

If you can hear me,

I'm alive.

When Allie Thompson graduated, she thought she'd put high school behind her. But when a series of violent outbreaks by teens sends panic surging through the nation, high school is right where Allie finds herself again. Now remolded into what the government calls The Academie, what was once the public school system is now the permanent home of everyone under the age of 22.

After a year away at college and a lifetime as a model student, Allie doesn't take well to The Academie's militaristic nature or its 16 foot perimeter fences. Remembering all she's left behind, including the boyfriend she's now years away from seeing again, Allie plummets into depression. But when strange things begin to happen and her brother disappears, Allie realizes she must unravel the mystery that is The Academie—before it's too late.

Dystopian paranormal romance for young adults. If you thought high school was rough, you haven't seen anything yet.

Now available at and . Try a today.

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Get an inside look inside The Academie each day as the main character, Allie Thompson, experiences it. What’s it like living in the dorms? How does she really feel about the people she interacts with there and those she’s left behind? Find out as you read along.

* does not retell the story of THE ACADEMIE. It is meant as a companion to the novel, and as such, major plot points are left out in order to prevent spoiling the original story.