Well, it's official...

I'm now a published author with no currently available published books. 

Yep. It's so weird to say that out loud. O_o

Last week I received my return of rights letter for the 10 pubbed and 2 contracted books I had with Samhain Publishing. That's two UF series and one SFR series.

I'm really happy with how quickly Samhain got these letters out. In spite of everything, I will always be super grateful for the opportunity Samhain Publishing gave my books. As well as the editors I worked with, because I learned a lot from each of them.

Like I've mentioned before, and as sad as it makes me, I have no immediate plans to submit or self-publish any of these titles at the moment. I'm not saying never. Just right now. I didn't buy any of the covers, and am not going to rush out to get new ones. I also won't be proofreading or re-editing any of these just yet.

Maybe I'll consider doing this one day. But not right now.

So I have to say Goodbye for now to my beloved Sierra & Co. and my Recast kick-ass guys & girls. *sniffle* Besides, I still have my paperback editions to help me reminisce. But I need to let go. Even though the last book in the Elsewhere series--the one that pretty much ties up the whole of the Sierra series--hasn't been published at all.

Hopefully Willow will get her chance someday...

Funny thing about all of this is that the other day I sorted through all my previously published novellas and novels, and discovered that I've had over 40 stories published. But because of publisher closures and many other problems, none of them are currently available. It's bizarre. But it's okay.

I have to look ahead now, not back. I need to keep writing the many ideas that hound my brain and hold me hostage until the story is written. I also need to start travelling a new path, and never stop the pursuit of my dream. Because at the end of the day, the fact that I get to write all these stories is a dream come true.

I have several projects (in different stages of completion) in another genre for another market that I want to focus on. I need to see how that goes, and if it leads anywhere. I'm also enjoying the short story writing and will continue to send them out to anthology and magazine markets.

I'm a writer. 

Writing is what I do. 

Being published is what I'll continue to strive for.

Happy writing!

Scary Publishing Thought

The other day I posted this on Twitter:

Yep. This thought really hit me the other day. And it's kinda scary. 

I've currently got TEN books published, but--because they're all available at the one publisher--when Samhain Publishing closes at the end of this month, I will no longer have any published books in the wild.

O.o

It's going to be strange, that's for sure. But there's nothing I can do when the company is closing. At the moment I just want to concentrate on writing and starting again. 

Not entirely sure how I'm going to tackle that just yet...

Okay, while I'm here I might as well mention that if you're interested in any of my books, you can get them really cheap on their website:

SIERRA FOX SERIES

RECAST SERIES

HELL OF A RIDE

None of the above books will be abailable to buy anywhere after February 2017. It's sad, but it's a fact. And since I'm not sure what I'll do with them yet, you won't be able to buy/read any of these for a while. Maybe ever. I don't know yet.

There's a lot to think about, that's for sure.

Anyway. Just wanted to share this.

Here we go again

By now, you've probably already heard about Samhain Publishing closing at the end of this month.

I heard about it in a blanket email sent to authors yesterday. While I was working on the second round of edits for a book that was scheduled to be released by Samhain in April. That's right. I spent all week--and two whole weeks last month--busting my chops editing a book that I thought was going to be released in a few months...

And found out it wouldn't be happening in such a generic way. I really wish someone had given the authors and editors who were currently working on stuff a head's up.

Oh well. I'm getting used to people treating others without mutual respect. O_o

Anyway, the bottom line is that all of my Sierra Fox Stories UF series (5 books), the Recast SFR series (4 books), and the first Elsewhere UF book will no longer be available after February 28th.

So if you're interested in checking out any of my books, there's only a few weeks to do so. You can check them out HERE.

After they're removed from the Samhain website and third party online stores, they won't be available anywhere.

At this stage, I have no idea what I will do with the ten published and two unpublished books after I get my rights back. (Which according to the email, I'm supposed to get shortly after the closure.)

Maybe one day I'll decide to self-publish them. Maybe I won't. Right now, I just need some time to think about it. Wait a sec... why does that sound familiar? Oh yeah, maybe because I went through this already last year. :/

Well, there you have it. Not great news, because I'm super proud of all these books, but that's okay.

It's (now definitely) time to move on.

Raising Some Progress

Remember this beautiful cover? The always awesome Kanaxa made it, and it's absolutely perfect. So perfect for the book that I was devastated when I thought it wasn't going to make it to publication.

But, that's changed now.

This book is the second Elsewhere book. It's also the last book in the duology. The original release date was supposed to be late last year, but then Samhain Publishing closed down. So I got the rights back. When the publisher opened again, I decided to sign a new contract for this book. 

You might be wondering, why? Why did I re-sign with Samhain after everything that happened? Well, after some thought and chatting with hubby about it, it just made sense for THIS book--as I said above, the last installment in a duology, and technically the last book in the Sierra Fox world--to be published in the one place.

So, RAISING SOME HELL has been added to the 2017 New Release schedule. Yay.

I'm really excited.

I actually spent the last two weeks working on the first round of content edits, and it's been nice to return to this book after a longer than expected hiatus. Though I have to admit, it was hard work because my editor, Laura, spotted a bunch of things that needed to be fixed. Nothing huge, but cosmetic things that totally made sense. Not to mention that after such a long time, I found quite a few things I wanted to fix myself. :)

It's amazing what a difference distance makes. I was very critical about every word. But you know what? It's awesome, because after the extensive work, the book is going to end up being SO MUCH better.

So, what's this book about?

It's Willow's book. If you've read the Sierra Fox series, you'll know who she is. ;) This book takes place five years after the first Elsewhere book.

So, there you have it. This is not only the first project I'm focusing on in 2017, but also some cool news.

I'll post the blurb soon...

Some Kind of Goals

Well. It looks like 2017 is in full swing. I know that it (technically) started a few weeks ago, but I don't think it's ever too late to talk about goals.

I've said this before and I'll say it again: I don't do New Year's resolutions. The word resolution sounds so bogus to me, and everyone forgets about them by the end of January. So, I make goals. I do that all the time, not just at the beginning of the year.

Anyway. Friday the 13th seems like a good time to post my plans.

These are the things I would like to achieve this year:

• Get back into regular yoga workouts
• Continue my daily walks 
• Aim to write more than 110k words
• Complete the editing process for RAISING SOME HELL (Elsewhere #2) COMPLETED TWO ROUNDS OF EDITS BEFORE SAMHAIN CLOSED
• Celebrate the release of RAISING SOME HELL during first half of the year SAMHAIN CLOSED SO BOOK WON'T BE RELEASED
• Complete the editing process for TYING THE KNOT (Sierra Fox #5.5)  SAMHAIN CLOSED SO BOOK WON'T BE RELEASED
• Celebrate the release for TYING THE KNOT during second half of the year SAMHAIN CLOSED SO BOOK WON'T BE RELEASED
• Be super excited & proud & happy to have ALL my Sierra Fox World stories published in the one place (Samhain Publishing) SAMHAIN CLOSED SO BOOK WON'T BE RELEASED
• Revise, finalise & sub my 2016 YA NaNoWriMo novel (by end of year)
• Write at least 6 short stories & sub a few to professional markets
• Write at least two novels (first drafts)
• Write at least two novellas (first drafts)
• Continue to sub my 80's YA novel
• Take part in NaNoWriMo
• Read 100 books
• Catch up on a bunch of TV shows we've fallen behind on

There you have it! There's my list of goals for 2017. It's a more ambitious list than last year, but I'm determined to try as hard as I can to achieve these goals.

Actually, I spent this week working on round 1 edits for RAISING SOME HELL and I'm halfway through. I intend to finish it next week. *fingers crossed*

I go out of my way to walk around the river every morning. And because it's summer, hubby and I have been going on evening walks. Now we just need to squeeze yoga in there somewhere...

Do you make yearly goals?


ETA. On February 11th I crossed off 5 goals, not because I completed all of them (though I did complete TWO rounds of edits before the news broke) but because Samhain Publishing announced they were closing at the end of February. 

Doing stuff & Ideas & Reading

Yep. This is exactly what I've been doing the last few weeks. Doing stuff that most days makes me feel like I haven't actually done much.

See, I'm used to keeping track of my daily word/page count output, so not having the daily figures to back up my progress makes me feel like I haven't achieved much. It's only when I take a step back that I realise I did get quite a bit done.

The ol' brain likes to lie sometimes. :/

And that's why I try not to focus on stats all the time. It's best to just do what needs to be done and keep crossing things off my to-do list. And what's that exactly? Well, lately I've been getting the itch to write more short stories. So there's a bunch of stuff spinning inside my head. And because I've had a bit of trouble concentrating lately--too many ideas make for a cluttered mind--and when I do it's mostly to write/plan/brainstorm novel-sized tales, I've been toying with smaller idea nuggets. Plus I've tried looking up a few short story markets, to see what's out there.

I'm also reasearching agents. Thinking about a bunch of book ideas that require interesting research. Thinking about NaNoWriMo. Find myself in the mood to read odd and whimsical stories that toe the darkness. And I'm excited about the fact RAISING SOME HELL will be published next year and will still feature this perfect cover!

Like always, I've got a lot on my mind. So I want to get out of my head a bit more and get into the cycle I enjoy when it comes to work: a busy production line with a bunch of projects and possibilities.

Besides, I like to keep busy with reading and writing.  It makes me happy. Stops me from getting twitchy. And keeps me (mostly) sane. ;)

Have a great weekend!

A Writing Decision

Hey! How's everyone doing? I'm good at the moment, though I wish hubby was still on break. He took a week off from work recently so he could spend my birthday with me. It was really nice and relaxing, but I feel sad that he had to go back. :(

Anyway. I made a decision a few weeks ago. One that might surprise some authors/readers. But I feel is right for me right now.

A few months ago I posted a sad and confusing blog post about what would happen with the last unpublished book I had contracted with Samhain Publishing after they closed their doors.

I ended up getting my rights back for RAISING SOME HELL, but it left me feeling bittersweet. The thought of having this particular book homeless and separated from the others was very disappointing.

There were several reasons why I was upset about the book not being published:

• Willow's book is one I really wanted to share because the story takes place five years after A STITCH ON TIME.

• This happens to be the final book in the Elsewhere duology.

• It's also the last book set in the Sierra Fox World.

• The kick-ass cover was perfect.

• I was hoping the whole series would be published in one place.

• I didn't know what to do with a book that continues the story of an already established UF series.

The above are all very relevant reasons to be concerned and upset. So when I found out that Samhain Publishing is not closing after all, it got me thinking...

I suddenly wondered if it might be a good idea to consider re-submitting RSH to Samhain... I mean, the other books in the series are already there. After some serious thought and several chats with hubby, I decided that it was definitely something worth doing.

So... I dit it! I've re-signed a contract for RAISING SOME HELL! Placing RSH with Samhain Publishing is the right thing for this book and series.

Willow's story is back on. I don't have a new release date. I don't know if the cover will be the same. I'm not even sure when the next step will happen. But to be honest, I'm in no rush. I'm just happy to have made this decision.

I know that Samhain's sudden No Longer Closing announcement has stirred very mixed reactions. But for this particular book, staying with them just makes sense. I hope that the company gets back on track and re-establishes the reputation it carried for so many years. It would be a real shame if it didn't.

So, there you have it: a real writing update.  :)

I'll be sure to post more as I get the details. 

So, I got my rights back...

Yep. That's right.

Remember that book I was really excited about contracting with Samhain Publishing last year? It was called RAISING SOME HELL and had an awesome cover made by the brilliant Kanaxa. RSH also happens to be the second book in the Elsewhere duology. The first one, HELL OF A RIDE, is already available, and will be until Samhain closes its doors.

As it turns out, the timing for RSH was (unfortunately) all wrong. Because we hadn't started the editing process at the time Samhain announced it was closing, this book didn't meet the cut-off. The positive outcome is that I was eligible to get my rights reverted. And last week, I got the letter. But, getting the rights back turned out to be a lot more bittersweet than I expected.

While it's awesome that Samhain Publishing were super efficient and emailed the letter to me ASAP, this story is now left in a weird spot called Limbo. I don't know what I'm going to do with RSH. The duology has been split. A duology I was very excited about sharing. 

You see, I was lucky enough to have the Sierra Fox series entirely published (in both eBook and paperback) by Samhain Publishing. Then I wrote the spin-off duology featuring two of my favourite secondary characters: Lavie and Willow. These two girls had a LOT more stories to tell and I was ecstatic about sharing their separate novels.

These two books were supposed to round out all the stories I had planned to write in Sierra's world. Willow's book takes place 5 years after A STITCH ON TIME, and we get to find out where Sierra is now. So it's disappointing that it wasn't released alongside the others.

Yeah, a total bummer.

I don't know where to go from here with this story. Not yet.

Do I sub RSH somewhere and hope someone is willing to publish a stand-alone that fits into a larger world? Do I think about self-publishing? Or do I just let the book sit on my hard drive? I honestly don't know. I've already got a bunch of homeless books sitting on my hard drive from the DB/EP debacle. 

So...

The state of the publishing industry is too shaky at the moment. Too many companies are closing, others are merging, a lot of authors are choosing the self-pub route. The competition is fierce, it's hard to stand out. It's all too hard and confusing right now.

I feel like I've reached a crossroads in my writing adventure. I'm looking to my left and right, trying to figure out where to turn.

One of these days I'm sure I'll make a decision about RSH, but for now--since no one's honking behind me yet--I'm just going to keep the engine idling at the crossroads.

Hold on, is that a semi I see in my rearview mirror? ;)

Decisions, decisions.

I'm still here!

And it's about time I popped in, right? :P

See this picture? That's me as a Mii. Hubby introduced me to the Miitomo app and I have a lot of fun changing her outfits. Plus making cute/cool pictures I can post on Twitter. As well as here.

This one seemed very appropriate since so many of the things that have happened this year have left me with more questions than answers.

By now you've probably heard that Samhain Publishing is closing down. And since I have all of my currently published books over there--that's 11 books--there'll come a time when none of these will be available in the wild.

Yikes!

So if you're interested in my Sierra Fox or Recast series, there's still time to buy the books from Samhain's website, as well as other retailers. You can check out all the buy links HERE (SF) and HERE (R). The publisher hasn't actually set a definite closing date, so it's business as usual until she does. The thing that's affected me the most is that even though RAISING SOME HELL has a beautiful cover, it won't be published. Which means that HELL OF A RIDE will be the only Elsewhere book available.  

I find this really sad because I always visualised Elsewhere as a duology. Bummer. :(

The above is not an ideal situation to be in and it kinda feels like being stuck in Limbo Land, but I'm just glad that, for now, my books are still available for sale. When Samhain actually closes, I don't know what I'll do with them. I mean, the Sierra Fox series is done and I'd kinda decided not to continue with the Recast series, so... Who knows what I'll do. 

I guess I'll have to think about this. But not today. 

I've already mourned this situation and am ready to face whatever happens next with these already written/published stories. I think that the best thing for me to do now is to concentrate on new stuff. I need to stop thinking about this and just get on with the actual writing. It's so easy to get caught up in the negativity of publishing, and I don't want my writing to suffer again like it did last year. 

Anyway. Like I said, nothing I can do about the above. I'll just announce when any sales are going on and keep hoping that readers get a chance to experience these 11 books before they're pulled. :)

So, what else have I been doing? A LOT of stuff. I've been hanging out with my hubby more than usual since our daughter got a weekend job. I've also caught up on a bunch of shows, become hooked on others, read many books, and keep trying to figure out where to go from here. I mean, the publishing industry is in a very unstable position at the moment, so it's hard to determine which way to go. The best thing to do is just write and revise, get caught up in what I love the most: writing!

Thanks to my very supportive husband, I actually get the chance to do that everyday.

This week is going to be another bits and pieces kind of week, but next week I'm going to work on the third draft of my 1980s YA novel. I had a blast writing it during NaNoWriMo last year, and am looking forward to finishing it so my daughter can read it. After that, who knows? But the one thing I do know is that there are several stories battling to get out of my head.

I'd also like to start blogging about my word/page progress, inspiration, etc. while I'm actually working on a project. Think I'm starting to miss blogging. I used to blog daily, and it became a part of my every single day so much that I never neglected my website like I do now. :/

We'll see what happens...

HELL OF A RIDE is now available!

The first ELSEWHERE book is here!

Lavie & Saul's road trip story is now in the wild... 

 

It only takes one spark to start a bushfire…and no one sparks like a demon. 

 Elsewhere, Book 1 

 Lavie Grye has everyone fooled into believing she’s over the untimely death of her aunt. Truth is, she’s stuck in struggle town, dealing with bottled up grief by kicking some demonic butt. But when a hot, tempting demon named Saul comes knocking for help, she can’t turn him down. 

There’s a high-ranking demonic duke loose on the eastern side of Australia, literally scorching his sigil into the land. Unless he’s stopped, he’ll destroy the world’s intricate network of ley lines. 

 Lavie and Saul head out on a road trip to the next city Saul thinks the three-headed demon and his crazy conjurer partner will be targeting: Melbourne. Along the way, Lavie discovers the danger burns a path all the way back to a well-hidden family secret. And, with Saul’s help, begins to learn how to be comfortable in her own skin. 

 That is, if they can defeat the threat, ensure no more safe havens are destroyed—and manage to evade the killing shadows of Saul’s past. 

 Warning: This book features a feisty demon hunter and a demonically sexy prince, embarking on one hell of a road trip. Buckle your seatbelt—jumping the fire line can get dicey.

Samhain Publishing | Kindle | Nook | Kobo | iTunes | Google Play | ARe

Also available in print:

::: THIS IS A SIERRA FOX SPIN-OFF NOVEL :::

Samhain Publishing is having a SALE!

Check it out:



From the 7th February - 15th February you can get 40% off all romance eBooks.

That of course includes both my SIERRA FOX series and my RECAST series.

Even HELL OF A RIDE is reduced right now!

So if you're looking for a bargain, go over to their website and check it out!

I have a new cover!

The other day I received the final cover for Elsewhere, Book 2 and it is AWESOME! 

 Take a look at this beauty:

 

Well, what do you think? It's cool, right? :)

Kanaxa has done it yet again! She made the Sierra Fox covers, and also the first cover for this series, so she always knows exactly what I'm looking for. Sometimes better than I do. LOL. She actually came up with the very cool concept of black and white kick-ass chick, and I think she's pulled it off again, perfectly!

I love how well she captured Willow's power with a bit of vibrant colour. Unlike Lavie and Sierra she doesn't really use weapons, and I love how this cover portrays that.

Check out how good the two books look together:

 

OMG. They're both awesome! 

 I haven't got the final blurb yet, but this just about sums it up: 

Five years after the events of A Stitch on Time, Willow is all grown up and living in Wollongong. She's now a parapsychologist, and because she's a necromancer she can't get away from the odd poltergeist sighting. She might be far from Sierra's influence, but trouble still has a knack of following her around. And when she crosses paths with an old crush, life gets a lot more complicated...

Just like Lavie's story, this is a stand alone but you'll recognise a bunch of characters... especially the love interest. ;) 

 If you're interested in meeting Lavie, Willow, and all the other characters in this world, you can read Sierra's 5-book adventure. But it's not essential. 

 THE SIERRA FOX SERIES:

HELL OF A RIDE Blurb!

 

It only takes one spark to start a bushfire…and no one sparks like a demon.

Elsewhere, Book 1

Lavie Grye has everyone fooled into believing she’s over the untimely death of her aunt. Truth is, she’s stuck in struggle town, dealing with bottled up grief by kicking some demonic butt. But when a hot, tempting demon named Saul comes knocking for help, she can’t turn him down.

There’s a high-ranking demonic duke loose on the eastern side of Australia, literally scorching his sigil into the land. Unless he’s stopped, he’ll destroy the world’s intricate network of ley lines.

Lavie and Saul head out on a road trip to the next city Saul thinks the three-headed demon and his crazy conjurer partner will be targeting: Melbourne. Along the way, Lavie discovers the danger burns a path all the way back to a well-hidden family secret. And, with Saul’s help, begins to learn how to be comfortable in her own skin.

That is, if they can defeat the threat, ensure no more safe havens are destroyed—and manage to evade the killing shadows of Saul’s past.

Warning: This book features a feisty demon hunter and a demonically sexy prince, embarking on one hell of a road trip. Buckle your seatbelt—jumping the fire line can get dicey.

 

 

Lavie's story will be available in late March, but it's already available for pre-order:
 

Samhain Publishing | Kindle | Nook



This is a SIERRA FOX spin-off novel...

 

I have some news!

Last year I wrote two Sierra Fox spin-offs.

This year, I revised and submitted them.

In June I signed a contract for Lavie's spin off, and then shared her awesome cover in August.

 Now I'm very happy to announce that I just signed a contract for the second ELSEWHERE book.

So, yep, I signed another contract with Samhain Publishing.

The second spin-off book features Sierra's younger sister, Willow. She's a necromancer and parapsychologist, so her story deals with the darker side of the poltergeist phenomena. Willow also shares my love for 80’s horror, so her story is full of movie references.

Now all of the stories set in Sierra's world will be available in one place. :)

BTW, Willow's stand-alone book is called...

RAISING SOME HELL.

Hey, June is almost over!

Can you believe it? Yikes!

 

Well, it looks like this is now my go-to pic whenever I blog. But how can it not be? I mean, it pretty much captures me during winter: a robe-wearing, book-reading, tea/coffee-drinker who breaks up her hibernation for daily walks. :)

 

Seriously, though. These cold months just don't agree with me. I've been feeling a little under the weather. I'm constantly clogged from nose to throat, keep sneezing, and feel like I'm catching a cold. Which is bizarre since I got the flu shot several months ago. 

 

It's very uncomfortable, but there's not much I can do really. Doctors have already told me several times that there's nothing wrong with my throat or nose, it's just something I need to live with.

 

Yeah, well, sometimes it's easier said than done.

 

Anyway. Let's concentrate on the good things.

 

Last Friday I filled out the blurb and cover art forms for HELL OF A RIDE. That's Lavie's story, in case you forgot. ;) It's always exciting to dream up different versions of a cover and then look up pictures to give the cover artist a peek into what you see inside your mind. Funny thing is I've found that the cover artist I work with at Samhain Publishing always comes up with something WAY better than what I imagined. I really (really) hope that I get Kanaxa again. She's made most of my covers.

 

I also found out that Lavie's book will be released next year, probably around spring 2016. That's the American spring, so we're looking at autumn for us people in the Southern Hemisphere. :P

 

I'll be sure to post the blurb once it's approved, and of course will share the cover when I get it. I can't wait to see this one! In the meantime, I've got my fingers crossed for Willow's story. It's on submission at the moment, and I'd love for her tale to be published as well. That would wrap up all the stories I've written in this world.

 

Well, except for that 50k in-between story that fits (and ties in) Sierra's last book and Lavie's book. But that's another story...

 

The thing about Lavie and Willow's stories is that they're Sierra Fox spin-offs that demanded to be told. Seriously, I couldn't write anything new until these persistent women told their stories. They're also (kinda) companion books that make up a series--or duology--that's called Elsewhere. Why did I call it that? Well, the events of Sierra's series take part in a fictional suburb in Sydney, but Lavie's takes place in multiple locations and Willow's is in an actual coastal NSW city. I wanted to do something different for them. Besides, I thought Elsewhere fit perfectly. While Sierra's story is here, Lavie and Willow's is Elsewhere... but in the same world.

 

Makes sense, right?

 

Last week I didn't binge watch anything new. Thought it was best not to get stuck into anything since my daughter's going to be home for a bit. Haven't decided what will become my new lunch-break show yet, but I'll think of something. ;)

 

I did read, and think a lot about the stories I want to write once RECAST is finished. I get really excited at the prospects and really need to brainstorm before I lose the thread of the many tales I want to tell. So many possibilities, so little time...

 

Oh, and we finally watched FURY ROAD. While we all liked it, none of us loved it. It was good, but not amazing. I mean, sure, it's visually beautiful and there are plenty of kick-ass women in it, but there were just too many plot holes. Too many things didn't make sense. And although I think Imperator Furiosa was an amazing character--seriously, I would love to watch/read her origin story because you just know it's heartbreaking--the movie just wasn't as awesome as I expected it to be.

I think the hype built it up WAY too much. It's also a shame that because Hollywood is seriously lacking in the Female Characters That Are Real People Department, when one does come along (no matter how mediocre it might be) we latch on.

 

Hollywood needs to get their act together and stop being so sexist. Movies with female leads DO SELL. People want to see good characters, and women can be amazing characters. Plus they'll definitely sell. Just look at the book industry and see how well heroines sell. Seriously, man, get with the times! It's the 21st century FFS.

 

Well, have a great week!