Excitement is Stirring

Happy Thursday, my friends! At least I hope it is. For me, it is. Guess who ordered a proof copy of an upcoming sequel release this morning? This girl.

That’s right, my friends. I received my edits back for said sequel ahead of projected schedule, so I took some time out of editing (I did still do editing) on Tuesday and formatted the paperback. I got it all set up on KDP yesterday and hit that “request a proof” button with great pride. Now, unfortunately that doesn’t mean I will be able to publish earlier than expected, too. I can’t rush the greatness that is The Illustrated Author on my cover art, so I’m still looking at July for that. However, a ton of nerves are settled about having everything else ready for release in August. I do still need to format the ebook (cue manual indentations), but that’s all that’s left aside for promotion. Phew!

Additionally, the Black Feather Press team has marked October as a goal for Sevina Gate novella 1 – again, can’t rush art – so there’ll be another fun release not long after The Nameless sequel. We sat down for a cover discussion a couple nights ago and I’m loving the direction we’ve decided on. For this one, there IS a possibility of releasing sooner than expected if for some reason we manage to be ready ahead of schedule. I’m not trying to rush it, though, just saying it’s possible.

What else? This one I’m really excited about. I heard back from an inquiry about setting up an in-person event and am in talks about that. I don’t want to share too many details until the plan is solidified, but just know that it’s in the works and it’s local to me. I do have another application pending for an October event that will be a bit bigger and reach a bit farther away from where I live. Again, I don’t have the solid yes, yet, so I don’t want to share too many details.

One more thing that isn’t exactly news, just something I’ve been thinking about. I’ve sold books this year. I know folks have read them. Yet I see literally no change on my ratings and reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. So this is just a reminder, if you enjoy an author, let them know, especially if they’re indie. We need the encouragement. Trust me. Ratings, reviews, social posts – just something in the way of a reason for said author to keep going. It really means the world.

That’s all for now, my friends. Hopefully I will have some more good news for you very soon.

On Raining and Pouring

I’m back, my friends, and with less … force than my last post. As the title suggests, it hasn’t just been raining, it has been pouring. Both literally and figuratively. Literally because yesterday we went from weather so dry my yard is crunchy to a true all-day rainy day. While we definitely needed it, that means Florida has crested the dry spring season and now it’s a downhill stormy race toward hurricane season. Wee! Also a switch in mentality from school days to summer break. That’s just around the corner.

My figurative pouring? Well, I have mentioned a few times that I’m apprenticing with my editor for future path in editing and I have my second job. I’ve been diligently working through the initial read-through (the manuscript is a beast), and I am now ready to start actual edits. That means I have been doing my best to keep my focus there and not actively work on any of my own projects. What does that mean for my characters? Hoo, queue ALL of them ALL at once.

Did I expect them to sit idly by as they had been when I was trying to write? Yes. Did they do that? Absolutely not. In the past month and a half or so that I’ve been working on my read-through around an actual job, promotion, and regular ol’ life stuff, I have failed to swat away several persistent and noisy characters. I have written the beginning of Order of Crows book 4 (5 chapters), started a whole side story for a side character within the Crows universe (1.5 chapters), the Sevina Gate 8th novella (5 chapters), and even the first chapter of Fae-Cursed book 3.

Keep in mind that I have been thinking that there’s no need to push any of those stories at the time being. Crows book 3 hasn’t even seen an editor yet. Fae-Cursed book 2 is with the editor now. We are still working on the art treatment for Sevina Gate novella 1. This is the first time I have two books on deck at the same time for publication that aren’t second editions. I’m good, right? Apparently not.

My characters, like children, simply couldn’t stand being ignored. Of course, I caved. Now I’m sitting next to a stack of notebooks and they’re all staring at me as I refocus on editing. I can give one solid piece of writing advice, if you’re having writer’s block or your characters are being difficult, ignore the hell out of them. Seriously.

In other news, I did receive an estimation from my awesome editor that The Nameless sequel should be ready to send back to me somewhere around the end of the month. That’s exciting for me. I’m still on schedule to release in … wow, not that many months from now. I’m still looking toward August but I haven’t picked an official date. Once we get closer to that date, check back here for some excerpts and features and all the fun stuff that goes into release.

That’s all for now, my friends. I’m still working on figuring out a next in-person event, as well, but for now, I’ll be here with updates and, as always, all my books are available on Amazon for paperback and Kindle. Cheers!

Trigger Warning

This is a rant. Buckle up.

So yesterday I got a random follow on Instagram. There was a mutual so I figured why not play the social media game and I followed back. Last night, I got a message. “You are just such an attractive woman.”

Someone come get your brother, for he is lost.

I don’t post anything that could remotely be considered thirsty. I barely post anything with my own face attached. I’m over here promoting five self-published books and a bare modicum of self-made success. My unfollowed friend, what audacity allows you to waltz into my DMs with such confidence? Stranger-man, has this worked for you in the past? What other depressed and attention-hungry females have you sought that gives you some affirmation that this sort of behavior is alright? You could have caught me at a better time of the month, but … you didn’t. You stepped into the war zone.

Mostly, it’s sad to me that I have to point out how this sort of action is creepy, entitled, and a little too bold. It’s not flattering. And it’s certainly not the sort of decision that warrants a positive response. Am I overreacting? Maybe. Possibly because I’m already powering through an extreme amount of pain caused by my own body. Trust me, random internet guy, if you were here with me, you probably wouldn’t be saying that, because now I am also angry. I work too hard to be reduced to “such an attractive woman” by someone who has never met me, someone who is obviously playing an angle for some sort of gain.

Guys, do I really need to say this is inappropriate and gross? Really, at this point in human existence, we’re still here? A word of advice to anyone who condones preying on folks online: No.

I think that’s all for now. I’m still riled but I’ve said my piece. I’ll move on now – to the multiple stories I’m writing, to the work of someone else that I’m editing, to the business I’m a part of, and the community who loves me.

Thursday Thoughts

Happy Beltane, everyone! We’ve made another trip around the Maypole, for better or worse. Despite the overwhelming way things seem contrary, I think it’s better for me. How am I celebrating? I just raised the prices on all my ebooks.

Why would I do that, one might ask. Well, here’s a very honest answer to that question. No one is buying them anyway. Why not? Now, don’t take this as a pessimistic answer. It’s simply a change in mind set. Past me was quite beaten down by seeing post after comment after another person complaining about indie ebook pricing. It’s less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks and yet somehow too much to ask for a few bucks for a WHOLE BOOK that took months to write, money to edit, and a load of digital tears to promote. Indies are too proud, etc. We SHOULD BE proud.

After edging myself into two in-person events last month, that was the lesson I took away. I should be proud. I should NOT demean myself by offering a digital copy of my hard-earned words for a damn dollar just because some folks don’t think indie ebooks qualify as actual whole books. I’ve had complete strangers stand at my table and offer me their twenty-dollar bill to take away a physical copy of my stories without any provocation other than the cover and the back content. So to the haters and the complainers about indie ebook pricing, just go to Starbucks.

Online marketing and the social media grind has begun to feel like a great scam to me. People are making money off of teaching other people how to make money online. Yeah, okay, and what do I get out of all that? A community of people who … are trying to do the same exact thing. Okay. Cool? I think I’ll just devote that same energy into making some real connections with live people. Does that cost money? Sure. Does it also sell books? Yes.

In other words, I have given myself a sense of validation by raising my ebook prices. What difference will it make in the long run? Who knows, but do I feel better? Hell yes, I do. Meanwhile, I’m on the lookout for my next vending opportunity. Chin up, indies and aspiring authors. It may take a while, but eventually you’ll get to a point where you’re not begging people to read, you’re giving them that chance. Much love, my friends.

As the Dust Settles

The Black Feather Press crew has another event down and my head is still spinning a little. Not in a bad way. The Merritt Square Mall Con was certainly an experience. I’m extremely grateful for the attention we received and the connections we made. Sales weren’t as good as for the book fest but I honestly expected as much because a convention inherently means the range and variety of goods offered is much more vast. So the fact that we still sold books is a win in my opinion. Many thanks to the newest owners of my titles!

Despite the set up being greatly different, the Black Feather Press team executed it in a seamless way, and despite our table being ten foot instead of the eight foot we expected, everything went well. Ten feet is a lot of table.

At both events, “The Murder Meets at Dusk” was hands down the star. I do love that fact although I’m a little sad that The Nameless crew hasn’t caught any attention yet. All in due time, I suppose. I have to be honest here, online sales have been dismal for a while and the social media grind doesn’t seem to boost them regardless of how much time I dedicate to it, so this month has been very refreshing. Was it an investment to get event ready? Absolutely. Was it worth it? Also yes.

As of right now, BFP doesn’t have a next event in line, but trust that I am working on it. Of course I’ll drop the news here when that happens. Meanwhile, I’ll be getting my nose back to the editing grindstone while swatting at noisy characters vying for my time. Derrick has made strides in streamlining his digital art process and I’m hopeful that means Sevina Gate will see its first installment actually published sooner than later. As a side note, I’ve figured out what I want to do with the cover art for the third Order of Crows book and also the title of the fourth book (titles don’t come easily to me). We’re also inching closer to the time when The Nameless sequel gets the cover treatment and that is very exciting, because that means we’re also getting closer to all the hoopla of release for the title.

That’s all the news for now. Thanks for stopping by!

When the Nerves Hit All at Once

I really thought I wasn’t going to get nervous about my second in-person book event. Wrong. So wrong. All the nerves hit me yesterday and persist today. I’m attempting to convert it into kinetic energy and make absolutely sure the Black Feather Press team is ready for the Merritt Square Mall Con tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect so I’m trying to think happy thoughts.

April has been BUSY but in the best way. We kicked it off with the book fest, my first vending experience promoting only my work. Derrick had a (non-book) event of his own that he absolutely nailed. And we’re rounding it out with a local convention. Throw in a legit editing venture on my part and noisy, insistent characters … there has been a lot to focus on. Yet I’m still looking toward the future and deciding how to keep the momentum going. I don’t have a next event scheduled … yet, but I do have a couple ideas.

What’s going on in the writing world? Well, Order of Crows book four is off to a very solid start. I’ve had some preliminary words for that book lying around for, I don’t know, some years and I’m happy to report that I’ll be using none of them. Go figure, right? It’s okay. I’ve learned to adjust accordingly when my characters go off-script and change everything. Mostly. Alright, it still throws me for a loop sometimes but I’m working on it. That being said, book three is sort of hanging out in limbo awaiting the editor and formatting process.

I recently found myself triggered by several topics that ran through my Discord server and I now find myself working on a side story set in the Crows universe that I really don’t have time to dedicate to. But, in the way of characters, Fr. Liam Miller won’t shut up, so we’re on our way to investigate some undead. Listen, it might be my bus but I’m definitely not driving.

As for the other projects I’ve mentioned, they’re still on track, too. Because life is busy, I’m still waiting on the edits for book 2 in the Fae-Cursed series. It’s still on track for release later this year. Likewise, the Sevina Gate novella series in still moving forward. I’m extra excited about that one.

Stay tuned for more news and nervous rambling. And wish us luck tomorrow!

No Rest for the Wicked

I’m a bit late on updating after my first in-person book event. It was, as far as I’m concerned, a smashing success. The book fest boasted fifty-four authors in total spread out over two locations and the sheer amount of love and attention my table got was amazing. The weather was great. Sales exceeded my expectations, although I’ll be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect. The Black Feather Press team (Derrick, myself, and our son) nailed execution and presentation and we even evolved our setup in real time. Huge thanks to everyone who bought my books, stopped at my table to check them out, and took away cards to check me out later! The whole thing was such a confidence boost that I’m ready to do it again.

Do it again I will. I have registered for a small local convention on April 26th. Local folks can find me vending at the Merritt Square Mall Con from 10 am – 5 pm. Although this is not a book-centric event, I’m positive the con goers will be my tribe. I’m just as excited to be a part of it as I was for the book fest.

In other news, among preparations for converting my setup from a three-foot table to an eight-foot table, apprenticing with my editor, and life obligations, the Sevina Gate project is still simmering. Because we have been very busy, progress on it is slow but we are moving forward. I have made the first official art drop into the manuscript and I adore it so much. Just look at it.

That’s Niko. He looks so bothered, doesn’t he? I adore that character so much.

I think that’s about all the news for now. Check back soon. Thanks!

Success and Gratitude

I woke up today still riding an almost indescribable high from my first in-person book event yesterday. I went into it not knowing what to expect and came out of it absolutely floored at the great response patrons had to my table. I made back the book fest registration fee in the first half-hour. Even more than the money, though, the sheer interest in my work was so much and, as all we creatives doubt ourselves, unexpected.

For a little context, this was my first year participating in this event and, by the way they had to expand the space in the week or so before the event, it was a first for many other authors. There were fifty-four authors total spread out over two locations. That’s one of many reasons I was so amazed and grateful that readers chose to buy my books. Due to spacial limitations, the allotted table size was small and, since this was my first event, my table had little fanfare – just my books, no decor, nothing flashy – and necks were craning all the way past my table. Of course, my amazing covers by the so-talented Illustrated Author Design Services are partially to thank.

For everyone who decided to take a chance on me and buy my books, at least double that were tempted. That’s still a win in my book. I lost count of how many people took pictures of my books, either to check out the ebook or to remember to come back to them when they had the funds. Since there were so many authors, I totally understand those who walked away without buying my books because, like I said, the interest was there. Those seeds will grow into something in the future. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who stopped by.

The whole experience has left quite a pleasant taste for more with me. I’ve already registered for my second event at the end of this month. Locals can find me at the Merritt Island Mall Con on April 26th. For that event, I’ll get a bigger table, and the creative force of Black Feather Press has already started working on ideas on how to best utilize the space. Again, I’m not sure what to expect since this event won’t be book-centric, but I choose to believe the nerd nation won’t let me down.

So to everyone who stopped by my table, bought books, took pictures, scanned codes, and picked up the books to read the backs – thank you!

Sneak Peek of The Nameless sequel

Well, I said I was going to do it and today seems like a good day for it. I have a lot of good things in the works, one of which is the sequel for my urban fantasy novel, The Nameless. I still don’t have a release date but I can say look for release to be this fall.

If you’re not familiar with The Nameless, I’ll share a few details that will hopefully catch your eye. This book is full of Fae intrigue. It was extremely challenging and fun to write my interpretation of the Fae. The dual-POV story follows twin brothers, Chance and Lucky, who managed get their real names stolen and a Fae curse laid on them over a century ago.

As children of Irish immigrants, the story touches on their history in anti-Irish, Prohibition-era New York and their journey to their present station in a three-piece, touring punk band. Their lives up to the book’s opening have been fairly free of the Fae, even the one who took their names. That is, until they meet someone who has strong ties to their past and they manage to catch the eyes of some powerful – and at times mysterious – Fae, and everything changes. Not only are there Fae, but I also wove in other aspects of Irish mythology that you’ll have to read the book to find. Can’t go giving away too much, after all.

Chance and Lucky are as different as night and day, which you might expect from twins. Not only are they fraternal, so they look different, but their personalities are opposite ends of the spectrum and their dynamic was a lot of fun to write. Chance is more low-key, analytic, and prone to moping. Lucky is a firecracker in every sense, keen and charismatic, obviously the front man for the band. The group is rounded out and grounded by their unassuming bassist, Johnny.

Alas, please enjoy this excerpt from Lucky’s POV from my upcoming sequel!

Magnetic is usually a descriptor I only use for myself. This broad, though, definitely owns the term. She knows it, too. As someone well aware of my effect on a crowd, I can feel it.

She’s currently and blatantly fielding my appraisal, which is admittedly pretty open. She’ll probably confuse it for the same puppy-dog appreciation she’s getting from the poor saps who are trying to turn her eyes to them even now. It’s not the same at all. My spotlight is not made for two. It’s getting smaller by the minute.

Her eyes are on me over the rim of whatever fruity drink was bought for her. Her head cocks to the side a little. If my read is correct, there’s a kindred sort of recognition in the way she’s watching me.

I smirk and take a lazy drink without looking away. Again, she’ll probably interpret it as flirting. That’s not exactly it. She looks pretty young. There’s no way she can measure up to my level and I will hand out a lesson in stealing glory if I need to. There’s no stage here but that’s never stopped me before.

She rests her drink on the bar along with an elbow. She’s utterly at ease and candid. Her gaze skates downward, lingers, then returns to my face. Her lips curl in an answering smile, every bit as foxy as mine.

I feel a rash of anxiety spike. It’s not mine. My dear, hopeless brother, probably still pining over Becka’s dismissal. I swear he’s such a drag sometimes. I won’t look his way and ruin my game now.

Mystery girl pushes away from the bar. She effortlessly parts the crowd around her. Her hips sway all the way to me and her eyes never leave mine.

The anxiety comes again and this time it’s almost strong enough to make me look. It’s too late now, ol’ girl is standing in front of me, close enough that I can smell her floral perfume. She leans in so that her lips are close to my ear but eye contact is maintained.

She says, “I’d ask for your name but I see you don’t have one.”

The smile melts from my lips and my body goes rigid. Chance’s static makes perfect sense now. So does her draw. Fuck me. I’ve let myself get trapped.

“Then you’ll be happy to know I wouldn’t give you my name if you asked,” I say. There’s steel in my tone that’s usually reserved for my brother.

“If you had it,” she says, her voice made of silk. She pulls away by a few inches and lifts her free hand, palm up and empty. She shrugs that shoulder.

Hurry Up and Wait

Well, my friends, it has felt like simultaneously a long and anxious wait and also a blink since I registered for my first in-person event. And I still have a week to wait. However, said wait has given me ample time to get all the details in order and I am ready. So ready. Excitement is amping and we’re inside of a week until the Cocoa Village Book Fest (Florida).

Word from the organizers is that this year’s Fest has the most authors they’ve ever had sign up, which is exciting and awesome for everyone involved. Not only will I get to (hopefully) sell some books to some local folks, I’ll also get to meet other elusive authors like myself. There’s a lot of future potential in that thought and I’m here for it.

In the meantime, I did a test run of my table and I have to say something hits different seeing all my titles physically represented in one spot. Just look at it.

If you’re not local to me, this is a friendly reminder that all these titles are available on Amazon in paperback and ebook formats. While I won’t be writing any more Cadillac Payback books, the sequel to The Nameless will release later this year, and the third book in the Order of Crows series is coming early next year. Eventually, I’m going to need a bigger table.

It hasn’t been too terribly long since I put the finishing touches on Crows book 3, and I guess the attention caught the Murder’s fancy because last week they decided to drop everything I had written for book 4 and start over. This is partially because of a single character’s (looking at you, Johnny Mochni) decision to go rogue at the end of book 3 and change some very important events. I would have rewritten the old book 4 words anyway, but now I’m back to discovering what actually happens instead of filling in the gaps I thought I had. I’m four chapters in so far and the landscape is already looking very different than the first version I wrote. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be me … that’s part of it.

I think that’s all the news for now. Check back soon. I’m feeling like I may tease you guys with a little glimpse of The Nameless sequel. Until then, the countdown to Saturday and the Cocoa Village Book Fest begins!