Welcome to Author Life

It’s official, folks: I have signed my first book contract. I signed with Wicked Whale Publishing, and it’s amazing owner, K. R. Conway.

I found Ms. Conway through the website, Netgalley, when I was given an ARC of the first book in her series, Undertow. After devouring the YA fantasy in a few days, I put my review on Goodreads and also sent her a message, telling her how much I had enjoyed it.

This began a back and forth conversation that has continued, on and off, for around three years. After finishing Lift, I chose to publish independently. Ms. Conway’s small press, Wicked Whale, puts out wonderful books, and I decided to publish Lift with her.

Signing this first contract was surreal. I honestly wasn’t sure I would get this far. But thanks to very supportive family and friends, it happened. I am hoping Lift will be available by mid-winter.

I look forward to sharing my first YA fantasy novel with the world. The prequel to Lift, entitled Whirl, is available for free here, under The Flying Ponies page.

I hope every one of you has a blessed weekend. 

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ELEVEN DAYS!

Source: ELEVEN DAYS!

Finding Inspiration at the Mall

I survived girls’ weekend! It was a great two days of watching romantic movies, shopping, and eating junk food. On Sunday, we ventured to the Traverse City Mall, which houses a beautiful carousel. I took the pictures you see here to use as inspiration for my Flying Ponies series.

I love seeing the carousel animals; they remind me of a lost time that America will never see again. I believe this carousel sports fiberglass animals rather than wood, but their beautiful colors and intricate designs also represent my own childhood memories of riding flying ponies around and around.

I think when you’re writing, it’s a good idea to find images related to the story that inspire you. I am a visual person; seeing actual carousels help me focus on writing about my fictional one. And, I enjoy learning about them, too. I hope to next year make it down to Sandusky, Ohio, to the Merry Go Round Museum, to visit their restored carousels.

What inspires you when you write? What images have you used for your stories?

Have a blessed night, and please enjoy the carousel pictures.

Girls’ Weekend!Or, Showing Off the Smash Book

I’m headed north this weekend with my daughter and mother-in-law to meet up with my two sister-in-laws and two nieces for a weekend of chick/superhero flicks, junk food, antiquing, used book and second-hand clothing stores. Let the party begin!

I’m also excited to show my oldest niece my smash book for my YA fantasy series. What’s a smash book? The easiest way to explain it is it’s a scrap book for your book. I have pictures of my castles, ruling families, assassins, soldiers, places, and other things pertinent to the series. It’s been a lot of fun, and a fair amount of work. That’s been good for me, though, because my muse needed a break after finishing the first novel in the Three Destinies trilogy and editing, for the fourth time, the first in the Flying Ponies duology.

But the coolest thing about showing off the smash book to my niece? She is already a huge fan of my books set in Pentallia, the world I created. She’s my first reader of my books and short stories, and she’s an aspiring writer as well. And let me tell you all – the girl’s got talent! Her superhero stories are terrific. I think Marvel should just hire her now. She’s always enthusiastic about my work, and it’s awesome having someone to talk writing with.

So while I’m happy to go larking about second-hand stores, searching for new treasures, I’m equally happy to share more of my world with my first, and biggest, fan.

 

Big Things Happening

Yesterday two big things happened: I got to see some concept cover art for my first novel, Lift, and this website is now officially my own domain. It is beyond exciting to know that my career as an indie writer is actually moving forward.

The cover art is gorgeous. It hasn’t been decided if it’s what we’re going to use, but just seeing it is amazing. It means that the novel is much closer to a reality, more than just a document on my computer. I will be finishing up my fourth round of edits in the next week, and barring any unforeseen problems, will be sending it to my publisher. 

As for the website, I have added a Flying Ponies page for that series, with the prequel to Lift added as sub pages. Whirl is the story of a young woman who meets a man with an extraordinary carousel.

There is also a Treasury page where I will be posting short stories set in the land of Pentallia. The stories will feature characters from my Pentallian Archives series. 

I feel blessed by both things that happened, and blessed to live where I do. This was the view off my front deck this morning as I let our two Dachshunds out. I hope you have a look around my site, and a wonderful day.