William j. Barry was born in Newton, New Jersey. He moved to Florida and then to Georgia at a young age. Ever since grade school, William enjoyed penning original short stories. They were a good outlet for his overactive imagination. William grew up in the Augusta, Georgia area, and then moved to Athens, Georgia. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Georgia. After college, William returned his focus to writing. Sebastian and the Afterlife was his first novel. The book was signed by TWCS Publishing house and released in February of 2011. He followed that book with Agents of the Reaper, the second installment in the Sebastian and the Afterlife middle-grades/teen fantasy novels. It was released February 9th, 2012. Besides writing, the author also enjoys writing/recording music and filmmaking. William is married and currently lives on the outskirts of Athens, Georgia.
Website: http://www.william-j-barry.com/
Blog: http://www.williamandtheblog.blogspot.com/
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Sebastian, an average seventeen-year-old boy, has just paid this debt. He awakes in a surreal world somewhere between mortal life and the afterlife, where the Grim Reaper rules and his loyal agents maintain the law. But not all is peaceful in this mystical realm. Axis Red and his soul pirates threaten the future of all who dwell there.
Sebastian soon finds himself at Sapentia, a high school for the departed. There he makes new friends but longs for his lost love, Sarah, who is still alive in the mortal world. Some things are forbidden; some lines cannot be crossed. What will Sebastian risk to be close to Sarah again?
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before. ~Edgar Allan Poe
Sebastian, a seventeen-year-old boy in the spirit realm, is now training to be an agent of the Grim Reaper. He and his friend Onyx will need all of their new training and special powers as the soul pirates threaten the realm once again. Brocku has obtained the Oblivion Gate, and Axis Red begins to execute a plan more devious than ever.
Sebastian’s lingering concerns for Sarah and his troubled sister Kristen are put on hold when he is thrown into a perilous situation. A special team of agents must join together for a mission that even they might not survive.
At the same time, Sebastian’s friends are busier than ever. Onyx is still searching for a way to express her feelings for Sebastian. Jack is battling through his brother’s surreal dreams to reach him, and Patricia receives a new job in the realm.
In the battle between good and evil, just because you can face your fears doesn’t mean you can overcome them. Join Sebastian and his friends, as their adventure gets darker and more dangerous than ever!
"Another great read from William Barry!" Tavaresden, LibraryThing Early Reviewer 4.5 Stars
"This is a fun and fast paced fantasy aimed at middle graders." lost in a library, LibraryThing Early Reviewer 4.5 Stars
The Oconee Patch - Article about Agents of the Reaper release 1-27-12
The University of Georgia Magazine- Alumni authors section. June 2011 issue
Athens Banner Herald Newspaper- Sebastian and the Afterlife Release 3-10-11
Columbia County News Times- Blurb about the Author 4-20-11