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!

The Sevina Gate project

Hello, friends! I have some fun news today. If you’ve stopped by here before, you may have seen me mention a mysterious “novella project” that has been running in the background of all my other books and releases. Now, I know industry dictates that one should wait until release time and do title reveals and all that. However, I think it will be much more fun to cut you guys in on this project as it unfolds. Thus I’ll be sharing news on said project throughout the stages of production.

What is Sevina Gate? Firstly, it is the brainchild of the dual-creative force that is Black Feather Press, myself and Artist Derrick Hairston. We’ve been shaping and creating this world for a couple years now and we are very excited to move to the next step. This project is a novella series at its base, however, it’s also something a little different than plain ol’ novellas. The project draws from our collective love of writing, comic art, anime, and table top role playing games. It’s a little bit noir and diesel punk, a little bit spicy, a bit post-apocalyptic, and a lot fantasy. The stories are gritty with a touch of romance and a dash of real-life struggle. Each novella follows different characters with their own stories while also weaving a bigger picture of the world we’ve created. Oh, and they’ll be illustrated, drawing inspiration from Japanese and Chinese “light novels,” except they’re not geared toward young adults.

So, where are we now? Currently, the first novella is receiving the art treatment. The proof is in Derrick’s hands as we plan and decide which pages will get art and what kind of art they’ll get. I think it’s worth mentioning here that, aside from actual printing and a glance from my editor, this project is entirely homegrown. The writing and art (obviously), interior design, even the cover will all be produced by us. If for no other reason, I am extremely proud of that.

While we don’t have any pre-release monetary support system set up, if this project is something you’d be interested in, you can always show support by buying my other books, or reading them on KindleUnlimited if you subscribe to that service. Every little bit helps. You can find my Cadillac Payback duology, my Order of Crows series (third book coming next year), and my Fae-Cursed series (second book coming this year) on Amazon in paperback and ebook formats. If you live anywhere near the Space Coast, you can also come support us in person in Cocoa Village, FL on April 5th.

Check back here occasionally for news regarding Sevina Gate or follow any of our many socials.

Facebook: Aj Elmore: author, muse and Black Feather Press

Instagram: aj_writes_present_tense and black_featherpress

TikTok: ajelmoreauthor and blackfeatherpress

Black Feather Press LLC

My friends, I am extremely proud to be making this post. When I was young, I insisted that I didn’t write for exposure. I had no intentions of publishing or even finding readers. The older I got and the more I just kept writing anyway … it became clear that it wasn’t true. I did find readers. Then I found friends because of it. I have been actively indie in a serious way for roughly four years. Recently, my partner and I decided it was time to make it the most official it can be. So we dedicated and started a business.

What does that change? For you, nothing really. For us, well, not that much, honestly, on a day-to-day level. However, I’ve found a new sense of accomplishment in this move. Never in my life did I dream I’d be a business owner. That may sound, I don’t know, self-defeatist, but it wasn’t something I’d considered. That has changed and almost on a whim. What began as a way to focus resources and separate spending has become a milestone in my writing journey. Not just for me but also for a man who has unquestioningly supported all my decisions as an indie author. It’s worth mentioning, too, that there are quite a few other people who have consistently given me support, and I am eternally grateful for them, too. It took a whole village to get me here. Here I am!

Moving forward, we will be funneling a lot of our online presence and effort through Black Feather Press. If you see posts on your varying socials from us, please take a moment to smash all the buttons – like, share, comment. You know the drill. We’re not trying to monetize on those socials, just trying to spread the word. Meanwhile, I’ll be making a lot more effort to be present in a physical sense. That means more in-person events. That might be the last hurdle I’ve yet to clear, but I’m determined to fix that. My first one is already scheduled. I mentioned in my last post, for those who might be local to me, that I’ll be at the Cocoa Village Book Fest on April 5th (Cocoa, Florida). I’m equal parts nervous and excited.

Now comes the appeal. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to follow us on social media.

Facebook: Black Feather Press

Instagram: @black_featherpress

TikTok: @blackfeatherpress

I will continue to make this blog my central location for important announcements and news. As always, your continued patronage is greatly appreciated. Check back, too, as I’m thinking of running an ebook sale but I haven’t decided which book or when yet. Thanks!

Mercury Retrograde Blues?

It’s coming, my friends. I don’t know about you, but I know I’m already feeling the push-back and we don’t actually hit Retro until the 14th. Over the years, I have learned to identify the pre-shadow time leading into Mercury Retrograde as a tendency to socially retreat and find comfort in my writing. I tend to channel the universe’s signals to slow down and rest. I find it works best for me when I listen. That slow-down will either manifest as a writing sprint of first draft quality, or it might be the opposite and become a break spent reading the words of others. That being said, this year’s first Retrograde will be carrying the momentum of several exciting ventures that I’ve recently kicked into motion. Now will be the time to sit back and let them sail into fruition.

First order of business. I mentioned in my last post that The Nameless sequel had landed in my editor’s inbox. A couple days ago, I received her initial response. She has deemed this sequel “my best book yet.” I can’t even begin to explain how exciting that is and how much it means to me. Obviously, she has read all my books so I trust her judgement. If this is your first time stopping by, The Nameless is the first book in my Fae-Cursed series. It’s full of punk rock, Fae intrigue, and Irish mythology. The sequel is slated to release later this year.

Next stop. I also mentioned in my last post that I was looking to schedule my first indie in-person event. If you’re local to me, you can look for me at the Cocoa Village Book Fest (Cocoa Village, Florida) on April 5th from 10am to 3pm. I have been steadily working on turning some resources into readiness for that event. Again, I’m ridiculously excited for it. If you’re not local to me, you can still be a great support by sharing and liking information as I begin to share it. You can look for links via my socials, but I’ll be mostly trying to centralize announcements here. Please take a moment to subscribe.

What else? My partner-in-all-things and I have decided to make the push into a more official business presence. This venture is in a “hurry up and wait” point right now, but hopefully it won’t be long before I can make an official announcement for it. When that happens, you, my friends, may be seeing some new social accounts. Any support in that area is always appreciated. It shouldn’t be long before that happens.

In more minor news, we are also steadily working toward the release of our joint-novella project. I only say minor because we don’t have any actual release dates. However, I think our approach will be interesting for readers and also a cheaper, shorter option as a means to support us. I might be on the lookout for some preliminary readers, so if that’s something you might be interested in, do contact me or comment here.

I think that about wraps it up for today. Remember, folks, if you start feeling like every move is met with resistance at this point, you’re not imagining it. It is legit. Consider taking it a littler easier on yourself than you usually would. Happy Sunday!

Good News, Everyone!

Hey, world! How’s it going? Did you read the title in the Professor’s voice? I hope you did. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, that’s okay, too.

I’m just stopping by with a little update on what I’ve been working on and doing. First order of business, I mentioned in my last post that the third book in my Order of Crows series was chugging along with revisions. Well, it’s finished now. It was roughly a month of a sprint and all the words (and some significant changes from the first draft) poured forth with a vengeance. That draft is currently in its time out phase, mostly because I’ve also been working on a few other things.

The Nameless sequel is very newly sitting with my editor. Everything is still on track for that release later this year. Probably August, although I told myself last year not to release during Mercury Retrograde again, so I’m not certain on an actual date yet. Buuuut I’m excited to share with you all the ways the twins threw me through the loops. I’m also sure someone out there might be happy to know the boys also have demanded a third book, so the tale is not over yet.

Part of my time lately has gone to a certain novella project I’ve been working on for a while, a joint venture that will manifest in the style of a light novel. That means there will be art! My partner and I are steadily working toward a finished first installment. Hopefully that becomes a reality sooner than later. If it does, it will be a project fully produced by the two of us, save for the actual printing of the physical copies. I am very proud of both of us for even making it this far.

My last post included a link to my fairly new Discord server. So far, the crowd is small but the atmosphere is good. I’m calling it a success at this point. Everyone is still welcome, barring any jerk-type behavior, of course. It’s a great place to talk creatively, share ideas and inspiration, and have a decent bit of laughs. Link is in my last post.

My last bit of news is a bit more local. I’m currently taking all the steps necessary to do my first solo in-person event. I know … I should’ve been doing that long before now, but we choose our battles, no? I’m looking forward the April and that event. I will definitely update about that on my socials, so if you’re local to me, check there for news.

I think that wraps it up for now. I know the outside world is scary right now, maybe that’s why I’ve had my head all the way into my projects. We’ll get through this, though, and we have one another as support. Stay strong, my friends.