What if we were all connected in some way? Across time? Across space?

Often when I am asked about my new novel, ‘The Headmaster’s Wager’, I am asked about my memories of my late grandfather. This does not surprise me. After all, I have written a book in which the protagonist, Percival Chen, shares many characteristics with my grandfather. Percival is the headmaster of an English school in wartime Vietnam, as was my grandfather. Percival lives most of his adult life in Vietnam but is ethnically Chinese, and this is crucial to his sense of identity. In addition to being a successful educator and entrepreneur, he is a gambler, drinker, and womanizer. All of these qualities in Percival are inspired by my grandfather. I choose that word carefully – inspired. The book is a work of fiction, and is not ‘based upon’ my grandfather’s life. It does not memorialize him or recount his actions or memories. Instead, it picks up on a thread of his life, and an era he experienced.

Two dads, five siblings, and goggles! Grim Doyle has always known his life was not exactly "normal", and things get even more curious when he discovers a set of stones that sweep him and his family to the fantasy, steampunk world of Verne - a place they had escaped from years ago. Now that they've returned, Grim and his siblings hide from the evil Lord Victor and his minions. And while learning about Jinns, Mystics, and the power of absinth they try to discover who is trying to kill them with the deadly Scourge. "This book is one part J.K. Rowling, one part Lemony Snicket, one part H.G Wells/Jules Verne, and all parts awesome!" - Tiffany's Bookshelf

Jesabel is a liar. When her only friend mysteriously disappears, she does what comes naturally. She keeps her truth from the world. Without warning, she is thrown into a web of lies far more dangerous and lethal than anything she could imagine. With an annoyingly charming boy by her side, can she unravel what she refuses to tell - the truth? WHITE LIES HAS BEEN REVISED, EDITED AND REWORKED! Happy late new year, friends! I'd like to take this opportunity to announce that White Lies, a story that has been up and running on Wattpad since 2011, has been re-written and revised for the coming decade. What does this mean? This entails the same characters you know and love, with better flow, better writing, more nuanced character development, more mature content, and entirely different plot lines. Jesabel's character has changed drastically since I last introduced her to the world (nearly NINE years ago! yikes!), and I wanted to make this story a more nuanced and modern take. When I had written White Lies, I had been just 14 years old. And I've done a ton of growing, learning, and unlearning over the years. This means that my characters have grown and developed with me. If you are an old friend and re-reader - welcome, and please enjoy the same old story you love with a brand new take! If you have started along this White Lies journey beginning in December and all throughout January, you might have read a half-edited and half-original version of the story. So please feel free to re-read at your leisure! I won't bite, I promise.

It's always been the two of us since I remember, as Tom (my dad) left us when I was just a toddler. He never accepted mum's complete dedication to music and I think this is what caused them to break up. I'll never forgive him for giving up on us, and even more for not being there when mum fell ill. But he was too busy raising his new family I guess. And now that we have to live under the same roof, I feel like he’s no more than a stranger to me. Fortunately, I still have my music. No matter what happens around me, I know that I can always find refuge in music. It's hard to explain but as I sit at the piano the world hushes and my soul starts to sings. And I still have my Big Dream - to get into Julliard and become a great pianist as my Mum. The most famous conservatory in the world and New York City are waiting for me! I just have to nail an important audition that is just a few weeks away.. Fingers crossed!!

Paulette's life is in shambles. Her sister is dead, her mother is a drunk, and she's been forced to transfer into a chaotic public school full of bullies. Things go from bad to worse when, one night while driving them home from dinner, her intoxicated mother hits and kills a teenage boy and is sent to jail. Now Paulette is truly alone. But when the teenage boy mysteriously comes back from the dead looking for Paulette, she finds herself face to face with the purest love on earth.

Mara Lynn is the most beautiful girl in the world. James Parker is the ordinary boy who discovers her power. Set on the beaches of Michigan in 1994, the book depicts the joys and consequences of young love as Mara and James meet, shoot a movie, fend off bullies, and explore the potential of infinite beauty. "The Accidental Siren" is a dark, contemporary fairytale available on paperback and ebook at the end of June! To learn more, check out my website at www.JakeVanderArk.com!

Ai is an ordinary highschool student. Her life is pretty boring. She lives with her childhood friend, Eri. But her life gets more exciting and full of romance and friendship. Along the way, she meets more and more people. Girl or boy, boy or girl. And her life begins to change because of these people.

"According to Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, when we are dying or have suffered a catastrophic loss, we all move through five distinct stages of grief. We go into denial, because the loss is so unthinkable, we can't imagine it's true. We become angry with everyone - angry with survivors, angry with ourselves. Then we bargain. We offer everything we have. We offer up our souls in exchange for just one more day. When the bargaining has failed and the anger is too hard to maintain, we fall into depression, despair, until finally we have to accept that we have done everything we can. We let go. We let go and move into acceptance." - Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy Watty Awards 2012 Entry - Short Story Category Copyright (c) 2012. MaraCats. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Eighteen year old Emmy Porter doesn't know what to do with her life. Fresh out of education, she's got the world at her feet, but isn't sure what to make of all the freedom. Emmy's sister, however, has got it all mapped out. This week she wants to get the lead part in a new musical and Emmy ends up auditioning too. Sam's been given an ultimatum; if he doesn't get a top ten single in six months, Sketch is going to be dropped from Walter's record company. Not wanting to let his bandmates down, Sam tries desperately to think of something to save his career, but when someone suggests adding a female singer, Sam isn't too pleased. Emmy jumps at the chance to move to London to join a rock band, but Sam isn't going to make things easy for her. But you know what they say about opposites attracting...