We’re now 40 days away from release of The Seventh Echo.
Starting Friday, I’ll be sharing a daily “Echo”—a brief photo/meme/glimpse into the world of The Seventh Echo. Some Echoes will feature intriguing lines from the novel. Others will offer quick behind-the-scenes stories, character insights, artwork, or little clues about what’s waiting inside the pages. I promise, no spoilers.
Follow along each day on my social media accounts as we count down to release day.
Upcoming Book Signing Events
I’m so happy to announce the first two book signing events for The Seventh Echo. I hope you plan on coming out and celebrating the new book with me!
Saturday, August 29 from 1-3 p.m. The Doylestown Bookshop – Local Author Expo Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Saturday, September 5 from 1-4 p.m. Barnes & Noble Book Signing Event Easton, Pennsylvania
I’ll be signing copies of the new novel, giving away a few fun extras exclusive to the signings, and everyone who attends will have the chance to add their signature to a giant The Seventh Echo cover poster.
If you’re looking for a slow-burn suspense novel that pulls you in and refuses to let go, The Seventh Echo is for you.
And if you’re excited about the book, one of the biggest (and easiest) ways you can help me spread the word is by sharing this post with friends and fellow readers.
Thank you so much for all of your support. I can’t wait for you to experience The Seventh Echo.
When I sat down to interview Mike Score of A Flock of Seagulls recently, I knew I was talking with one of the defining voices of the MTV generation. What I didn’t realize until afterward was that our conversation marked a personal writing milestone: my 100th interview for The Morning Call.
It’s a number I’m incredibly proud of—not because of the total itself, but because of everything those one hundred conversations represent.
As someone who grew up obsessed with music, I never imagined I’d someday have the opportunity to speak directly with the artists whose songs helped shape different chapters of my life. What began as an occasional assignment gradually became one of the most rewarding parts of my career as a journalist.
Over the years, those interviews have taken me across nearly every musical landscape imaginable. I’ve spoken with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Grammy Award winners, legendary singer-songwriters, virtuoso musicians, comedians, rising stars, and artists performing in intimate clubs as well as sold-out arenas. Every conversation has offered a different perspective—not just on music, but on creativity, perseverance, and the lives lived behind the spotlight.
One of the greatest surprises has been discovering how remarkably generous musicians are with their time and stories. Behind every platinum record or iconic hit song is a person who still remembers the uncertainty of getting started, the excitement of writing that breakthrough song, or the challenges of staying creative decades into a career.
Those are the stories I’ve always tried to tell.
Rather than simply asking about tour dates or new albums, I’ve enjoyed exploring the experiences that shaped the artists themselves. Sometimes that means discussing songwriting. Other times it leads to conversations about family, loss, inspiration, mental health, aging, or the changing music industry. Those unscripted moments often become the most memorable parts of an interview.
Reaching interview #100 with Mike Score feels especially fitting. A Flock of Seagulls helped define an era of music that still resonates with fans today, and speaking with Score reminded me why these conversations continue to matter. Music connects generations. Long after the charts have changed, the songs remain part of people’s lives.
Looking back, I’m grateful to The Morning Call for trusting me with these stories and allowing me the opportunity to meet so many fascinating people along the way. I’m equally thankful to the publicists, managers, record labels, venues, and artists who made each interview possible.
Most importantly, I’m grateful to the readers.
Whether you’ve read one interview or all one hundred, your enthusiasm for live music and the artists behind it has made this journey worthwhile. Every time someone tells me they discovered a new performer because of one of my stories, or attended a concert after reading an interview, I’m reminded why I continue doing this.
One hundred interviews may sound like a finish line, but it doesn’t feel that way.
It feels like another milestone in an ongoing conversation. There are still countless artists with stories waiting to be told, albums waiting to be discussed, and concerts waiting to be experienced. If these first one hundred interviews have taught me anything, it’s that every musician has a unique journey worth sharing.
Here’s to interview #101 —and whatever comes after that.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for coming along for the ride.
Dan Mercer has spent thirty years rebuilding broken places. As Director of Acquisitions and Development for a major logistics firm, he’s transformed abandoned factories, empty lots, and forgotten industrial sites into thriving developments. With retirement finally within reach, the redevelopment of the long-abandoned Iron Forge property should be one last routine project before he walks away for good.
Instead, it becomes a nightmare.
When Dan returns to the town he left behind decades ago, he finds himself drawn into a mystery surrounding the abandoned industrial site that once defined the community. Strange events begin to follow him. Official explanations stop making sense. And a seven-year-old boy starts appearing wherever the project takes him.
Watching. Waiting. Issuing warnings no one else can hear. The child bears an impossible resemblance to Dan himself.
At first, Dan dismisses the boy as a stress-induced hallucination brought on by work pressures, pending retirement, and the lingering scars of a painful divorce. But when the child begins revealing details no stranger could possibly know, Dan is forced to confront questions about the past he has spent a lifetime avoiding.
As construction plans move forward and long-buried truths begin to surface, Dan finds himself caught between powerful interests determined to keep the past hidden and a growing sense that something beneath Iron Forge refuses to stay buried. With time running out, he must uncover the truth before it disappears forever.
Part environmental thriller, part supernatural mystery, and part exploration of memory, guilt, and redemption, The Seventh Echo is a haunting suspense novel about the secrets we bury-and the echoes they leave behind.
Check out the official book trailer:
Book Signing Event!
Philadelphia area: I’ll be at the Doylestown Bookshop in Doylestown, PA on Saturday August 29th from 1-3 p.m. as part of a Local Author Expo. I’ll have copies of both “The Seventh Echo” and “Beyond What We Know” available. Each book comes with a custom bookmark and stickers. Plus, you’ll also have an opportunity to sign a huge poster of “The Seventh Echo.”
More information on events coming soon as well as the release of the E-book version of “The Seventh Echo.”
It’s coming! My brand new 360-page novel, “The Seventh Echo,” arrives later this summer. I’m so excited to unveil the first trailer for the new book.
Here is the synopsis:
“Some Truths Refuse To Stay Buried”
When Dan Mercer is assigned to oversee the redevelopment of the long-abandoned Iron Forge industrial site, it should be a routine final project. But beneath the surface, something is dreadfully wrong.
Toxic chemicals lie within the soil—unreported, spreading and dangerously unstable. The official records say the land is safe. Reality tells a different story.
And then there’s the boy. Seven years old. Watching from a distance no one else can see, who issues a dire warning:
You’re going to wake it up!
As Dan digs deeper into the contamination—and the corporate effort to conceal it—the past begins to resurface. A memory buried so deeply it was never meant to be found.
With construction set to begin and powerful forces closing in, Dan must uncover the truth before it’s sealed beneath concrete forever.
Part environmental thriller, part supernatural mystery, and part exploration of memory, guilt, and redemption, The Seventh Echo is a haunting suspense novel about the secrets we bury—and the echoes they leave behind.
Advance Reader Praise for “The Seventh Echo”:
“James Wood delivers a slow-burning suspense novel that quietly gets under your skin before tightening its grip. The ending is one you’ll be thinking about long after you close the book.”
“A genuine page-turner.”
“A chilling journey into supernatural suspense that builds patiently toward an unforgettable finale.”
Watch for more updates soon, including the official release date, pre-order and book signing events.
What follows is a new short story. Would love to hear your comments.
Not Ready
It was a dark, overcast afternoon in mid-July when I pulled into the small parking lot.
Much like my mood, the sky had been sulking all morning. Heavy gray clouds hung low overhead, threatening rain for hours before finally giving in with scattered showers and distant rolls of thunder.
Another burst had just passed as I shifted into park and killed the engine.
For a moment, I sat there in silence, watching the last thin streams of water slide down the windshield. Tiny rivulets merged together, slipping past the resting wiper blades.
I watched them disappear into the growing puddles below and wondered what it might be like to simply let go.
I glanced up at the sign mounted on the building’s façade.
Yes. This was the place.
The structure sat on the far side of town, an anonymous block of concrete that looked like it might once have been a small warehouse. Most people would drive right past it without giving it a second thought. But I knew what it was.
Or more accurately, I knew what waited inside.
That knowledge settled over me like a weight.
I had already promised myself I wasn’t buying anything today. I was only here to browse. Maybe ask a few questions. Maybe take a brochure home and leave it unopened on the kitchen counter for six months.
The truth is, I could have learned everything online in less than ten minutes, but that wasn’t the point. I needed to stand here. I needed to see it for myself.
Mostly, I needed proof that I could.
A large man stood outside the entrance smoking a cigarette. He looked to be in his mid-sixties, with weathered features and salt-and-pepper hair. A bright yellow construction vest hung loosely from his shoulders.
The rain didn’t seem to bother him.
He drew deeply from the cigarette and exhaled toward the sky, the smoke joining the dark clouds above.
Those things will kill you, I thought.
The irony wasn’t lost on me.
A few moments later, a delivery driver approached carrying a long cardboard box. He handled it carefully, as though dropping it wasn’t an option.
The older man dropped his cigarette, crushed it beneath his boot, and held the door open for him.
The driver smiled.
The older man smiled back.
Then both disappeared inside.
Through the glass, I caught a glimpse of wooden stocks hanging on a wall before the door swung shut again.
I sat there for several minutes after that, replaying the simple exchange.
It felt like I was stalling. Maybe I was.
My thoughts drifted to the cemetery a few blocks away.
My grandfather is buried there. It struck me that nearly forty years had passed since they lowered him into the ground.
I remembered the old .22 rifle he kept locked in the hall closet. He’d taught me how to handle it when I was twelve.
“Always respect what it can do,” he’d told me.
Back then, I thought he was talking about the rifle.
“Where does the time go?” I whispered aloud.
Rain tapped softly against the roof.
I thought about my grandfather resting nearby in a place where pain no longer touched him. A place where he could no longer speak, yet somehow always seemed capable of listening.
I remembered something I’d read years ago in high school—a story, maybe a poem. I couldn’t recall the details. Only the image of a smile slowly leaving someone’s eyes.
The memory brushed against me like a cold hand. My heart skipped.
Outside, the rain began falling harder.
I looked up at the sign again through the distorted curtain of water.
The answer came immediately. Not today.
My hand moved almost on its own, turning the key in the ignition. Smooth jazz filled the cabin.
The windshield wipers sprang to life, sweeping away the rain with steady determination. They were doing exactly what they had been designed to do.
Me? I wasn’t so sure.
I shifted into drive and pulled out of the lot.
I didn’t look back. Instead, I took the long way home, following the road that passed the cemetery.
I didn’t stop. I simply glanced toward the section where my grandfather’s headstone stood.
The weather wasn’t right for a visit, but that didn’t matter. This wasn’t about saying hello. It was about hearing one last piece of advice.
And somehow, from a place beyond words, I felt like he understood.
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel and continued driving.
BookSirens November 2025 ‘Coming of Age’ ARCs is out and the list includes my new book, “Beyond What We Know.”
Interested in downloading the book, or any of these other great stories, for free in exchange for an honest review? It’s easy. Click on the image below to join the team and download.
Synopsis:
“Haunted by guilt and ghostly echoes of the past, Mike Collins faces a summer that will change everything. Fresh out of high school and on the verge of leaving his small town behind, Mike can’t shake the weight of his father’s death—or the fear of losing the two people he loves most: his mother and his first love. But when a mysterious musician named Chris Steele drifts into town, Mike’s world tilts into the surreal. There’s something eerily familiar about Chris—something that makes Mike question whether the past ever truly dies.
Set against the pulse of 1980s music, classic cars, and restless summer nights, Beyond What We Know is a haunting coming-of-age story about love, loss, and the thin veil between the living and the dead. And its ending will stay with you long after the last page.”
Paperback versions of Beyond What We Know are available through BookBaby, and Amazon
Happy Sunday, everyone. This week, I’m offering an opportunity for everyone to read both of my books, “Beyond What We Know,” and “Neapolitan Sky” for free in exchange for an honest review on Amazon and/or GoodReads!
That’s right. Both books are available to download free of charge. All I ask is that, after reading, you leave me a review of what you think.
Here are the details:
Beyond What We Know
Haunted by guilt and ghostly echoes of the past, Mike Collins faces a summer that will change everything. Fresh out of high school and on the verge of leaving his small town behind, Mike can’t shake the weight of his father’s death—or the fear of losing the two people he loves most: his mother and his first love. But when a mysterious musician named Chris Steele drifts into town, Mike’s world tilts into the surreal. There’s something eerily familiar about Chris—something that makes Mike question whether the past ever truly dies.
Set against the pulse of 1980s music, classic cars, and restless summer nights, Beyond What We Know is a haunting coming-of-age story about love, loss, and the thin veil between the living and the dead. And its ending will stay with you long after the last page.
College student Nica Mitchell’s dreams of becoming a writer died with her mother. When her father’s illness spirals and a near-death experience lands him in the hospital, Nica has no choice but to return home—to the house that holds more ghosts than memories. But now something about her father has changed. He speaks in riddles, dreams with his eyes open, and seems to know things he shouldn’t—things no living person could.
As Nica unravels the truth, she’ll uncover a secret that blurs the line between the living and the dead. And once it’s revealed, she’ll wish she’d never come home.
Happy Saturday! Just wanted to send out a quick update to let everyone know that you can now download the Kindle version of my debut novella, “Neapolitan Sky” for only .99 cents!
Here’s the synopsis:
Dreams of becoming a professional writer are abruptly put on hold for college student Nica Mitchell following the unexpected death of her mother and her father’s cancer diagnosis. Forced to return home when he’s hospitalized after encountering a near death experience, Nica learns that her father has been keeping a dark secret. Something in between the stages of life and death that, when revealed, will change her life forever.
Check out the official book trailer below:
Reviews of Neapolitan Sky:
“This novella was an excellent read and highly recommend it. Very difficult to put down as the plot kept me guessing. Opened up for many follow ups…can’t wait to see what’s next.”
“I was hooked from the beginning of the book and continued to enjoy the journey with each twist and turn. It kept me guessing all the way up to the ending.”
“So well written! The story draws you in and you feel like this could have been about your own friends/family…..until the end! Wow….what a finish!”
“I totally enjoyed reading Neapolitan Sky. With colorful and vivid descriptions James brought his characters to life. From beginning to end the suspense builds until the unexpected ending..”
Click here to read more and to download “Neapolitan Sky”
With most major outlets sold out of the print edition of my new book, “Beyond What We Know” it makes sense to give everyone a chance to win one of the paperback copies for free!
Enter now to win one of 5 signed copies of James Wood’s 80’s-themed new adult thriller, “Beyond What We Know.” With an ending you’ll never see coming! The five random winners will also receive a BWWK bookmark, cover card and stickers.
Riddled with guilt over the death of his father, high school graduate Mike Collins spends his last summer at home disquieted by thoughts of leaving behind his mother and first love as he prepares to depart for college.
Unbeknownst to him, Mike will soon meet his musical hero, Chris Steele, whose perspective of life will teach him to believe in the possibility of second chances.
Filled with rich imagery from the 1980s, “Beyond What We Know” is a coming-of-age story exploring life’s obstacles, the music and the machinery, while illuminating the power of friendship with the metaphysical transcendence of the unknown, and an ending you’ll never see coming!
Amazon and Barnes & Noble may currently be out of stock of the paperback version of my new novel, “Beyond What We Know,” but you can now get a special deal by ordering the book directly through my publisher.
For a limited time, you can purchase the paperback version of Beyond What We Know for just $13 (plus tax & s/h) simply by using coupon code gojimmygo at checkout. That’s an almost 20% discount!
Riddled with guilt over the death of his father, high school graduate Mike Collins spends his last summer at home disquieted by thoughts of leaving behind his mother and first love as he prepares to depart for college. Unbeknownst to him, Mike will soon meet his musical hero, Chris Steele, whose perspective of life will teach him to believe in the possibility of second chances. Filled with rich imagery from the 1980s, “Beyond What We Know” is a coming-of-age story exploring life’s obstacles, the music and the machinery, while illuminating the power of friendship with the metaphysical transcendence of the unknown, and an ending you’ll never see coming.
Praise for “Beyond What We Know”:
Loved this Book!
This book kept me enthralled from start to finish, it was very hard to put down. The struggles Mike went through really made you think about your own life. Just when I thought I knew what was about to happen there was a twist and Oh boy what an ending. Loved all the references from the 80’s.
~ T.C. (Amazon Review)
Couldn’t Put It Down
Jim Wood’s writing style makes for an easy read and I appreciated the detailed storytelling as the sights, sounds, sensations, and scents of each moment were brought to life to propel the plot forward. Fun reading and makes you think a little about life, love, and loss.
~ J Weaver (Amazon Review)
Couldn’t Put This Book Down Once I Started!!!
An absolutely amazing, creative, and heart felt story!!! A real page turner with entertaining references of the 80s mixed into a coming of age story that everyone will love reading! Don’t miss out!
~ Mike34 (Barnes & Noble)
Made Me Stop and Think
This book surprised me in the best way. Beyond What We Know made me stop and think about my own memories and how quickly time slips by. It’s tender, a little bittersweet, and filled with moments that feel so real you’ll swear you’ve lived them too. If you’re looking for a story that lingers with you long after you’ve finished, this is it.
~ Dale Wilson (GoodReads)
Thanks so much to everyone who’s read the story of Mike Collins and Chris Steele so far! Keep the reviews coming!
go.Jimmy.go 