The Author's Desk

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 by Arthur Mills, announcing an event on Beyond Belief Paranormal Investigators on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 7:30 PM CST. The book cover features a ghostly handprint on a frosted surface, reinforcing the t

Join Arthur on Beyond Believe Talk to Discuss Candle Face

On January 6, 2024, I announced an upcoming live investigation scheduled for January 11, 2024, at 7:30 PM CST, where I'll explore the real-life hauntings of Candle Face and the...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

Exploring Sibling Relationships in The Empty Lot Next Door

The Empty Lot Next Door explores the complex sibling relationships between Ray, Ricky, Dan, and Felix. Dan and Felix’s rebellious behaviors, including substance abuse and aggression, often left Ricky and...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
A childhood photo from The Empty Lot Next Door featuring Ricky, Ray (the author), and their dog, Tiny. A snapshot of the past tied to the haunting events described in the book.
The decayed treehouse from The Empty Lot Next Door is standing ominously in the empty lot. It's a silent witness to Candle Face’s haunting presence.

The Empty Lot Next Door: A Story of Loss, Fear, and Growth

The Empty Lot Next Door explores themes of childhood, family issues, psychological trauma, and the supernatural, all woven into a true-life ghost story. The empty lot symbolizes both freedom and...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls – A Call for Action

In Candle Face Chronicles: The Lost Souls, I invite you to join me in a real-life investigation into the terrifying presence of Candle Face, a ghost known for punishing those...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
A haunting depiction of Candle Face—her charred, skeletal image embodying terror. A central figure in Candle Face Chronicles, published by Branching Plot Books.
An illustration from The Empty Lot Next Door, depicting Ricky’s story of Griffin and his magical adventures, a world of cyclops warriors, griffins, and enchanted battles.

The Empty Lot Next Door: Who or What Was Griffin?

In preparing the second edition of The Empty Lot Next Door, I revisited the controversial character of Griffin, a creation of my brother Ricky’s imagination, embodying a lion-boy guardian meant...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

The Empty Lot Next Door: The Bedtime Battle

In this vivid childhood memory from The Empty Lot Next Door, I recount the night I took extreme measures to stop my brother Ricky’s relentless sheet-stealing habit. Sharing a pullout...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
Illustration from The Empty Lot Next Door. Ray sharpens his toenails into saw-like blades to stop Ricky from stealing the sheets during the night.
Candle Face straddles Ray in his bed, her burned, twisted form wrapping a belt around his neck as he struggles beneath her grip. Caught between fear and paralysis.

Candle Face's Role in The Empty Lot Next Door

This journal entry examines Candle Face’s intricate character from The Empty Lot Next Door, highlighting her role as a ghostly presence deeply tied to my childhood fears. Candle Face’s ability...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

How a Wooden Doll Joined The Empty Lot Next Door

This journal entry describes how a creative twist emerged while working with an illustrator from India for The Empty Lot Next Door. The artist, unfamiliar with GI Joe figurines, introduced...
Posted on By Arthur Mills
A scene from The Empty Lot Next Door. Candle Face kneels on Ray’s bed, clutching a toy car, reenacting the tragic death of Ray’s friend. Published by Branching Plot Books.
Unveiling the Mystery of Candle Face: A Research Project Derailed – A Candle Face Chronicles journal entry. Like a train off its tracks, the investigation into Candle Face took an unexpected turn.

Candle Face Chronicles: A Research Project Derailed

Returning to Texas has reignited my investigation into Candle Face, the ghostly 11-year-old from The Empty Lot Next Door known for her melted, disfigured face. I’ve reopened a collection of...
Posted on By Arthur Mills

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