As the end of the year approaches, I find myself with a completed first draft of the sequel to Hollenguard, titled "Half of Forever." I plan on taking a break for the holidays and then I'm going to get to work on revising it for a release this summer. Also, Hollenguard was just signed up for Kindle Direct, a service that allows Amazon Prime users to 'check out' the story just like a library.
I also have a very talented person helping me with a reboot of the cover, which will be showing up on Amazon shortly for the Kindle version. A cover for the paperback version will be taking a little longer, because there are a few things we're still going to polish up for the back.
Merry Christmas to all my fans and loved ones!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
NaNoWriMo Day 1
I have the first chapter under my belt. Tentative working title for the sequel to Hollenguard is "Half of Forever." I owe my ability to set aside time for these ventures to the Office of Letters and Light and NaNoWriMo and I'm so happy to be able to participate in this experience again this year.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Cheyla's Bones
I've begun work on another novel, working title: "Cheyla's Bones"
This is a companion book to Hollenguard, not a direct sequel. There are other stories I want to tell about the people of Valice before their future and their idea of "home" is altered forever in the events that take place in Hollenguard.
I'll be asking for some beta readers before long to help me with the work.
In other news, I'm speaking with an artist who may be providing some illustrations for the site, so the "World of Hollenguard tab will hopefully be expanding by the end of October.
As always, thank you for reading!
This is a companion book to Hollenguard, not a direct sequel. There are other stories I want to tell about the people of Valice before their future and their idea of "home" is altered forever in the events that take place in Hollenguard.
I'll be asking for some beta readers before long to help me with the work.
In other news, I'm speaking with an artist who may be providing some illustrations for the site, so the "World of Hollenguard tab will hopefully be expanding by the end of October.
As always, thank you for reading!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Reviews, reviews, reviews...
Having a book out is a scary thing. I find myself on certain days watching various sites for any sort of feedback, be it a purchased copy or a review on Amazon.
I've received two so far which have been flattering for the novel. I've also spent some time calling people who I know purchased the book (friends and family) to get their impressions. While everything has been positive, what I really desire is to see the numbers go up and not have a clue who bought the book. I'd love to see a fresh email from someone I've never met talking to me about the book, or a review on Amazon that I just couldn't identify as anyone I've ever met before.
Irregardless, I've begun writing again. More on that soon. A few characters have been banging around in my head and as I write I'm trying to decide whether they are perfect for a brand new novel, a novella, or a short story.
Thanks for reading!
I've received two so far which have been flattering for the novel. I've also spent some time calling people who I know purchased the book (friends and family) to get their impressions. While everything has been positive, what I really desire is to see the numbers go up and not have a clue who bought the book. I'd love to see a fresh email from someone I've never met talking to me about the book, or a review on Amazon that I just couldn't identify as anyone I've ever met before.
Irregardless, I've begun writing again. More on that soon. A few characters have been banging around in my head and as I write I'm trying to decide whether they are perfect for a brand new novel, a novella, or a short story.
Thanks for reading!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Review: The Kinshield Legacy by K.C. May
A note: I plan on featuring my impressions of independent authors and their works, because I've come to really appreciate this community of folks that I've been introduced to. None of the stories I mention here will have been motivated by any request by the author to review them, nor will the authors even be aware that I have reviewed them on my site.
The Kinshield Legacy by K.C. May was my first purchase on Kindle. I was attracted, originally, because of the good reviews it had and the excellent price ($.99). Being poor, I've had to be very selective with what I find on Kindle.
Gavin Kinshield is a Warrant Knight who, through a series of inescapable dreams and visions, finds himself solving the pieces to a centuries-old riddle which will eventually lead him to be king. But such a fate is the furthest thing from what Gavin wants for himself, and he begins a journey to reunite with an old friend who he thinks would be perfect for the job. Along the way, word begins to spread of his riddle solving, and he is swept up in a multifaceted struggle for the throne.
This book is a fantastic fantasy tale with believable characters. It has a simple plot, and by simple I mean very inviting and easy to follow. It builds slowly to allow the reader time to adapt to the world, its characters, and the magic system which I found refreshing in its straightforwardness. Though I say it builds slowly, it was by no means plodding. You follow the story arcs of multiple characters who grab you with their unique personalities and struggles.
The multiple characters eventually got to me a bit. There was a lot of them, and I was having a bit of difficulty differentiating them from one another. Though the main characters have very well-developed personalities and are defined strongly by their relationships with the other characters, the sheer amount of characters and fantasy names to keep track of began to pull me out of the story a bit in the second act. The introduction (at least in person) of a major character towards the end of the book also threw me a little bit, and I'd love to see him fleshed out if K.C. May ever had a mind to write more about he and Gavin's relationship.
The conclusion, however, was riveting. All the major characters were in place by the end and the action was easy to follow and exciting. I would have been a bit disappointed by the fates of some of the characters at the very end had this been a standalone novel, but a sequel is in the works (actually coming out THIS MONTH). I know this was a great book because of how excited I am to read more.
Thank you for reading!
The Kinshield Legacy by K.C. May was my first purchase on Kindle. I was attracted, originally, because of the good reviews it had and the excellent price ($.99). Being poor, I've had to be very selective with what I find on Kindle.
Gavin Kinshield is a Warrant Knight who, through a series of inescapable dreams and visions, finds himself solving the pieces to a centuries-old riddle which will eventually lead him to be king. But such a fate is the furthest thing from what Gavin wants for himself, and he begins a journey to reunite with an old friend who he thinks would be perfect for the job. Along the way, word begins to spread of his riddle solving, and he is swept up in a multifaceted struggle for the throne.
This book is a fantastic fantasy tale with believable characters. It has a simple plot, and by simple I mean very inviting and easy to follow. It builds slowly to allow the reader time to adapt to the world, its characters, and the magic system which I found refreshing in its straightforwardness. Though I say it builds slowly, it was by no means plodding. You follow the story arcs of multiple characters who grab you with their unique personalities and struggles.
The multiple characters eventually got to me a bit. There was a lot of them, and I was having a bit of difficulty differentiating them from one another. Though the main characters have very well-developed personalities and are defined strongly by their relationships with the other characters, the sheer amount of characters and fantasy names to keep track of began to pull me out of the story a bit in the second act. The introduction (at least in person) of a major character towards the end of the book also threw me a little bit, and I'd love to see him fleshed out if K.C. May ever had a mind to write more about he and Gavin's relationship.
The conclusion, however, was riveting. All the major characters were in place by the end and the action was easy to follow and exciting. I would have been a bit disappointed by the fates of some of the characters at the very end had this been a standalone novel, but a sequel is in the works (actually coming out THIS MONTH). I know this was a great book because of how excited I am to read more.
Thank you for reading!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Six Simple Questions
Hello folks,
I'm being featured in an interview on Andy Rane's blog about authors and the process of writing. Link can be found here.
Thank you for reading!
I'm being featured in an interview on Andy Rane's blog about authors and the process of writing. Link can be found here.
Thank you for reading!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Good Things Come
My novel has been published in Kindle format for a little over two weeks, and my paperback for about five days. I watch the sales numbers much more frequently than I probably should, for my own sanity, trying to suss out who bought what and waiting for that moment when I think someone I don't know picked up my book. That'll be a great feeling.
Not that I'm not endlessly appreciative of all the support of my friends and family. Far from it. But knowing someone, somewhere, who is a complete stranger to me, is reading my book... that'll be a fantastic feeling. Especially when I see a sale in the UK! *fingers crossed*
In the meantime I'll wait impatiently for the first feedback to trickle in. I also plan on highlighting independent authors here whose books I've read and enjoyed, as I've found that this community of self-published folks is mature, friendly, and extremely talented. But for a while yet, this'll still be all about me. Exciting news coming next week.
Thanks for reading!
Not that I'm not endlessly appreciative of all the support of my friends and family. Far from it. But knowing someone, somewhere, who is a complete stranger to me, is reading my book... that'll be a fantastic feeling. Especially when I see a sale in the UK! *fingers crossed*
In the meantime I'll wait impatiently for the first feedback to trickle in. I also plan on highlighting independent authors here whose books I've read and enjoyed, as I've found that this community of self-published folks is mature, friendly, and extremely talented. But for a while yet, this'll still be all about me. Exciting news coming next week.
Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Launch Day!
My novel is now available and its time to launch the site! I'm excited to hear from people who have read my story. Thank you to all of you folks who have supported me throughout this process and are continuing to do so.
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