Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Back Story: WITCHES PROTECTION PROGRAM by Michael Okon @IAmMichaelOkon #witchesprotectionprogram#backstory

Back Story:

Witches Protection Program

by Michael Okon

The idea of a secret government agency that protects witches was born out of the one place I do all my thinking. The bathroom.

I was in my bathroom one lovely evening in the fall of 2014 and gazed at my wife’s pile of trashy magazines. Since I’m more inclined to read a screenplay or novel while doing my ‘duty’, (pun intended!) I figured I could take a break and peek through some entertainment pop culture.

I flipped the pages and noticed a picture called Wetless Protection Program in some script font above Neil Patrick Harris’s head. I think it was NPH. It sure looked like NPH. Maybe it was Tom Cruise, I forget.

But in my eyes, instead of reading Wetless Protection Program, I read it as Witches Protection Program and said, what a great title!

I then realized I goofed and it said Wetless, not Witches. What a silly idea. A government agency that protects witches.

I started reading another story about Brangelina or whatever, and my eyes went wide. No not over Brad and Angelina traveling with their 11 kids in Europe. My eyes popped open because I had an idea.

I turned the page back to the Wetless picture. That was it. I got my next book idea.

Witches Protection Program.

I began creating the story that night and within a week of that fortuitous encounter in my master bathroom, I had a full beat sheet following the adventure of Wes Rockville and Morgan Pendragon.

I self-published it and Witches quickly became my greatest selling work. I remember selling 4,000 copies in one day, and I’ve never done that with any of my books.

Fast forward 5 years later to 2019. I have a literary agent, a film agent, an entertainment attorney, and a wonderful publisher. WordFire Press loved the manuscript of Witches so much they wanted it to be my 3^rd published book next to Monsterland and Monsterland Reanimated.

In addition to the book, my film agent asked me to write a screenplay that could follow the book, with a few different twists and turns.

That script is now being considered at two major production companies, one for television, and one for film.

I am so grateful for how far the story has gone and I cannot wait to see where it’s going to end up.

About the Author

Michael Okon is an award-winning and best-selling author of multiple genres including paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure and self-help. He graduated from Long Island University with a degree in English, and then later received his MBA in business and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling in his DNA. Michael has been writing from as far back as he can remember, his inspiration being his love for films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.
Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.

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About the Book:

Title: WITCHES PROTECTION PROGRAM
Author: Michael Okon
Publisher: WordFire Press
Pages: 200
Genre: Fantasy/Urban Fantasy

BOOK BLURB:

Wes Rockville, a disgraced law-enforcement agent, gets one last chance to prove himself and save his career when he's reassigned to a 232-year-old secret government organization.

The Witches Protection Program.

His first assignment: uncover a billion-dollar cosmetics company's diabolical plan to use witchcraft for global domination, while protecting its heiress Morgan Pendragon from her aunt's evil deeds. Reluctantly paired with veteran witch protector, Alastair Verne, Wes must learn to believe in witches...and believe in himself.

Filled with adventure and suspense, Michael Okon creates a rousing, tongue-in-cheek alternate reality where witches cast spells and wreak havoc in modern-day New York City.

Praise:

“Witches Protection Program is a great summer choice, ideal for beach or poolside reading, and with elements of romance, action, crime, and fantasy, there's a little something for everyone to enjoy.”—Foreword Reviews

“…mixes predictable elements--corporate intrigue, sexy witches, cat familiars, car chases, family secrets, and steampunk weaponry--into an enjoyable story.’—Publisher's Weekly

“Cleverly offbeat, often cheeky, and loads of fun.”—Kirkus

"WITCHES PROTECTION PROGRAM is a fun and quick read, and the out-of-the-norm narrative choices make the novel feel like something wonderfully subversive." - IndieReader

"Witches Protection Program is a unique gem, one that's fast-paced with twists, action, and fun characters." - Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite, Five Star Review

"Witches Protection Program will hook you if not for the action, then the romance and if not for the romance, then the sheer humor, what with its funny dialogue." - Liezl Ruiz, NetGalley Reviewer