The Phantom Lake and Death's Train

Hello there,
whoever you are,
wherever you are,

Let me tell you of The Phantom Lake and Death's Train, a children's dark fantasy.

It's based on two things. First, my love for children's fantasy, having grown up with it. Second, my experiences with grief, having suffered a series of losses.

It tells the story of a child who suffers a great loss and who ends up in the afterworld while still living.

With sword and shield at hand, there he embarks on a journey, meeting peculiar characters. Through those interactions, he realizes he must overcome his loss if he is to save himself.

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane," "A Monster Calls," these are some of the works that served as the inspiration of my own.

It's sort of autobiographical. What I mean by that is I took personal experiences and turned them into fiction.

I've been working on and off towards its completion since 2016. I've poured every ounce of my heart into it. It comes from a place of knowing. There's nothing I discuss in it I didn't experience firsthand.

Writing it was therapeutic. It helped me understand something I'm now trying to share through it. I hope it resonates with you.

P.S. My book is a one's person work, no editor, cover designer, beta reader, or use of ai, but despite its flaws, I believe in what I have.

If you're still here,
thank you for reading,

With much appreciation,
Caleb