The Author's Desk » The Empty Lot Next Door

The Author's Desk is where I pull back the curtain on my writing and projects. I explain how each book came together, what worked, what didn’t, and the decisions I had to make along the way. I also use this space to share updates on new projects, project ideas, upcoming events, and behind-the-scenes details such as why second editions were published, why certain scenes changed, and what inspired some of the biggest twists.

Promotional image for The Empty Lot Next Door: More Than a Ghost Story by Arthur Mills, showcasing the book's cover alongside an open book displayed on a laptop. The text highlights the audiobook availability with a link: https://amzn.to/40RIHH1.

The Empty Lot Next Door: Is Now Available as an Audiobook

The Empty Lot Next Door: Second Edition is officially released as an audiobook, narrated by the talented Adharsh McCabe. His ability to bring suspense and emotion to the story makes...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

The Empty Lot Next Door: The Making of an Audiobook

I’m thrilled to share that The Empty Lot Next Door: More Than A Ghost Story - Second Edition will be an audiobook, with a projected release date of late January...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
Candle Face, a haunting, shadowy figure with a charred, skeletal face speaks into a metallic microphone against a dark background. The image represents the audiobook release of The Empty Lot Next Door by Branching Plot Books.
Wooden blocks spell out 'BULLYING' on a wooden surface with a blurred green background. Image titled 'The Empty Lot Next Door - Self-Defense vs. Submission.'

The Empty Lot Next Door - Self-Defense vs. Submission

This journal entry reflects on the contrasting approaches to bullying between Ricky and me. Ricky’s commitment to non-violence, rooted in our religious upbringing, often left him vulnerable to relentless bullying...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

From Ray to Arthur Mills: A Story of Growth and Change

Ray’s journey in The Empty Lot Next Door revolves around his struggle to find his own identity apart from his brother Ricky. As he navigates life in a new house,...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
Ray Mills, a young boy with wavy light brown hair and a warm smile, dressed in a tan blazer over a white collared shirt. Image titled 'Ray Mills - The Empty Lot Next Door.'
Video screenshot of a puppet-like figure with a white mask, red spiral cheeks, and black hair, wearing a black suit with a red bowtie. Image titled 'The Empty Lot Next Door: Arthur Mills' Haunting Childhood.

The Empty Lot Next Door: Arthur Mills' Haunting Childhood

Arthur Mills shares his real-world encounters with Candle Face, a ghost whose terrifying presence transformed his childhood into a relentless nightmare. Through his book, The Empty Lot Next Door, Arthur...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

Nostalgia and Nightmares in The Empty Lot Next Door

The treehouse from The Empty Lot Next Door was not the structure depicted in the book's sketch but a simple, grounded platform built at the base of an old oak...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
The decaying treehouse from The Empty Lot Next Doo was a place of childhood adventure turned into a haunting reminder of Candle Face’s presence.
A family portrait featuring Ray's mother and three older brothers, with blurred faces for privacy. This image relates to The Empty Lot Next Door, capturing a moment from Ray’s childhood and the family dynamic that shaped his experiences.

A Mother’s Love In The Empty Lot Next Door

In this journal entry from March 20, 2024, I reflect on the complex relationship I had with my mother, as portrayed in The Empty Lot Next Door. Her relentless dedication...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

The Haunting of Childhood: Horror in The Empty Lot Next Door

The Empty Lot Next Door masterfully weaves psychological and supernatural horror, making it far more than a typical ghost story. The primary source of terror, Candle Face, emerges not just...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
A blackened, distorted handprint pressed against a foggy glass surface. The imprint evokes the presence of Candle Face, hinting at her lingering influence and the fear she instills.
A quote from Betty White reads, "I like double entendre because then the people who get it enjoy it, and the people who don’t get it don’t know about it." The text is overlaid on a photograph of Betty White smiling warmly, with her signature.

The Empty Lot Next Door: Adult and Child Views

The Empty Lot Next Door presents a story that resonates differently based on the reader's age and life experiences. For adults, it unfolds as a story about children navigating a...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

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