Mandi Mae's Blog

Book Number 30

I am excited to announce that I have just published book number 30. I need to take this moment in. I focus so much on what I haven't done that I need to focus more on what I have. it was only five years ago when I started self publishing. then I already had some books written, but I had been rejected. At first, over 100 screenwriting agents and then 262 novel rejections. I was devasted. I heard about self-publishing through a friend and my journey began. Now, I have 30 books under my name. How far I have come.

To make matters even better, I had talked about being stuck on some stories for a while and I had a breakthrough. I found my writing again and began to write the endings of my stories. yes, some of them are short, even for novellas, but I have come to the conclusion that they are complete. I used to read The Brother's Grimm and I wanted to write fairytales like them. Their stories are short, yet get to the point. Mine are as well, I have come to realise.

Some people have told me that they aren't long enough because people have come to expect more from writer's but the whole point of being self published was to break the rules. A lot of authors are forced to do things, like change their stories to fit the editor or companies vision. I realised that I didn't want that. It wasn't just that I couldn't find an agent, but I didn't want to sell out.

I will do everything my way, whether people agree or not. That is why I write, so that I can have freedom to create whatever I desire. and I will continue to do that. The next couple of months I will publish a different novel at the beginning of the month and post the first chapter to my newsletter and add it to my website. By October I will have posted my next five novellas (four YA Fantasy and one Middle Grade Fantasy). I am also working on one more Christmas romance novella and a thriller, which I will be able to, hopefully, publish this year.

What an amazing accomplishment for me with my writing. I will continue to share my work with everyone and try to build up and audience. For anyone who has taken the time to read this, thank you. I appreciate your support and I will keep writing for you and for myself.

All New

I am so excited. I am on fire. I made a new professional cover for The Sleeping Magician, but when i link it the old cover comes up. So, I am just waiting for the new cover to appear on the link so everyone can see. It is amazing. It was done by a cover creator on Fiverr. His name is Tannleys, and I highly recommend him. I would post a link, but I don't know how. LOL.I also published the next two books in The Darling series, so, I only have one more book to go until that series is done. I changed all the covers, too, so they all match up. I have a great idea for the final installment, but i hurt my shoulder and it hurts to write, so i have to take it easy. I went through some of my old work and edited it. They are short stories but I thought, why let them sit there and grow dust/ So, I published Christmas Karma (the one i was talking about in my last post) and another Christmas book. I also published four horror stories (one is a picture book) but they are not just for adults. I find that children nowadays can handle a lot of horror, not like when i was little. or, should I say still. LOL. I meant for them to be published on Creepypasta but I don't think I got accepted, so I just published them myself.I friend of mine said that he will help me out with my website, so I will be adding all my books and putting them in order of genre. So, I will let you all know when that happens. it may take a while.I am working on Pandora's Box and I have two Beta readers but I know that the las two chapters need work. i just need to sit down and focus on it. I have found out that I am really growing as a writer and, it seems, that editing gets easier as I go. I, also, need to fix my map. It is a hand drawn one and it looks sloppy. So, I want to make a professional one and if I can't I just won't do a map. We'll see. Anyway, I will let everyone know what's happening and will post my site when my new books are up (and my new covers). Yay! :)

A New Beginning

I know that a lot of people are struggling right now, but I've been struggling for a while. Maybe all the struggling was what I needed to finally push myself to do more. I wanted so bad to be a published writer that even when my books were self-published it wasn't enough.Maybe I should call this post acceptance.I finally realized that it is up to me to do what i have to do to build my writing career, and it's going to be a lot of hard work. I have two YA Fantasy novels written and I can't sell any of them, but I'm not going to give up. I just need to keep trying.I am working on a third YA Fantasy novel, but my editor isn't too crazy about it and stopped editing it. It makes me question if I will ever write as good a novel as The Sleeping Magician ever again. I have a ton of novels that i am working on, but I seem to be stuck. I got the basic ideas but no fillers.I'm thinking of publishing Christmas Karma. The original idea was for my love of Hallmark Christmas movies and I was going to sell it to them, but now they are no longer accepting manuscripts, especially novellas, which this is. I guess it can't hurt. it is available on Wattpad, but I've edited it since with my lovely editor.I will try to keep you up to date on what I'm writing and, hopefully, I will keep at it. Wish me luck!

4 Corners Tour featuring Doug Hocking

I would like to introduce you to Doug Hocking1) How long have you been writing? In one sense since I was 14 and attended an Ivy League Prep School where they convinced me I couldn’t write. In the Army I found out that I was the only one who could. I’ve been writing fulltime since 2009. I’ve been researching since at my Cornish grandmother’s knee I learned all sorts of fantastic things from her background. I learned more growing up on an Indian reservation and began researching their lives in person and in books.2) What’s your favorite part of writing? I enjoy researching and using an understanding of business and government structures to understand where records might be kept. More than anything, I enjoy sinking back into the 19th century, using my knowledge of the times, terrain, the people, and their tools and cultures to be able to tell history as if it were a novel. I like to make history as palatable as novels.3) What’s the title of your favorite book that you wrote? Tom Jeffords, Friend of Cochise is my favorite and most recent. It brought in a Spur Award Finalist from Western Writers of America. That’s sort of like getting the Silver Medal and it’s nice to be recognized by one’s peer, even to be accepted as a peer.4) What book are you talking about today? Tom Jeffords, Friend of Cochise the first biography of Tom Jeffords. Think Jimmy Stewart in the movie Broken Arrow riding alone into Cochise’s camp to make the peace.5) What’s it about? It’s about how Tom came to be a man who could accept Apaches as people and win their trust. It’s about two men whose mutual friendship and trust made it possible to end an eleven-year war.6) Do you have a link to buy it on Amazon? https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Jeffords-C...) Do you have any social media sites we should know about? www.doughocking.comhttps://www.facebo... Legend: George Bascom, Cochise, and the Start of the Apache Wars is due on October 1, 2018 and is available for pre-order. I’m working on Terror on the Santa Fe Trail: Kit Carson and the Jicarilla Apache.Doug Hocking is an independent scholar who has completed advanced studies in American history, ethnology, and historical archaeology. Doug, who served as an NCO in Military Intelligence and retired as an armored cavalry officer, grew up among the Jicarilla Apache and paisanos of the Rio Arriba (Northern New Mexico). His novels include Massacre at Point of Rocks (a tale of the Santa Fe Trail), Mystery of Chaco Canyon (the DaVinci Code Meets the Wild West), Wildest West (a collection of short fiction and non-fiction), and Devil on the Loose (a love story in the tradition of Louis L’Amour set in 1860 Arizona). His work has appeared in True West, Wild West, Buckskin Bulletin, Roundup Magazine, Desert Tracks, and the Journal of Arizona History. He is a 2018 Spur Award Finalist (equivalent to the Silver Medal at the Olympics) from Western Writers of America for Tom Jeffords: Friend of Cochise and a recipient of the 2017 Danielson Award for Excellent Presentation from Westerners International. Doug is a member of the board of the Arizona Historical Society. He is currently working on a history of the beginning of the Chiricahua Wars focusing on the Bascom Affair for TwoDot Press, an imprint of Rowman & Littlefield; Black Legend: George Bascom, Cochise, and the Start of the Apache Wars is available for pre-order from Amazon.com.

3 Corners Blog Tour- Judith White

3 Corners Blog TourComing to you from United Kingdom, United States and CanadaI would like to introduce to you Judith White.1) How long have you been writing?I’ve actually been dreaming of writing as far back as I can remember, however, I started getting serious about it 7 years ago and my first novel was published 6 years ago.2) What’s your favorite part of writing?Definitely creating characters. I love giving them an appearance and a personality. And I must admit that an absolutely wonderful feeling is having a story completed and debuting. It’s very exciting. Of course, reading individual reviews is always a big thrill for authors…me included.3) What’s the title of your favorite book that you wrote?I honestly feel with each novel, and I’ve written four plus one short story, I get better. But I’m not sure it would be easy to list a favorite. I believe (and I hope my readers do, too) that each story is unique and there are lively characters in all of them. I write 1940’s mysteries set in the city of Detroit, Michigan. The one character whom I have heard most of my readers rave about is my detective’s Great Uncle Derwood Flanagan. He’s an 88-year-old gentleman with an Irish brogue. I believe they feel he’s been the most endearing. He was in my second novel, “Sins of the Father: The Case Files of Sam Flanagan.”4) What book are you talking about today?I think I will discuss my latest novel. “Drowning in Deception: The Case Files of Sam Flanagan” was released in early August of 2017.5) What’s it about?My detective, Sam Flanagan, worked for a time on the Detroit police force, but due to some butting of heads with his superiors…which he hasn’t divulged the exact nature of…he branched out on his own, opening “Flanagan Investigations”. In September of 1943, he is contacted by a gentleman who wants him to look into a matter. His wife drowned in their backyard six weeks prior. He feels uneasy as to how it happened. It seems she was an excellent swimmer, having won trophies for the sport while in school years ago. She was a lady that always used caution. So why did she end up dead in the water while he was away? As Sam delves into the case, and views the pool and lounging area, he doesn’t see how it could be an accident; which is what the Wayne County Coroner is calling it. It’s from there he begins to question her state of mind. Was this intentional on her part? Yet, why? She had everything going for her. If not an accident or suicide, dare he entertain a murder theory? But who wouldwant to kill her? What Sam finds out even startles him. I am most proud of my epilogue in this story. It’s a bit of an added surprise for my readers. And I believe it’s quite powerful.6) Do you have a link to buy it on Amazon?Readers can view all of my novels at my Amazon Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/l5zc92b7) Do you have any social media sites we should know about? Yes, I have a Facebook Author Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJudith... I put out a really fun monthly newsletter. It’s filled with history, mystery, and book information. And I throw in games and a bit of trivia. The sign-up link is:https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJudith...

Things I Learned Through Self Publishing

I self-published through createspace and, though the process was great, I made a lot of mistakes on my first novel(s). Here is a list to help new self-publishers so that they don't do the same.1. Read- No, I'm not suggesting that you write like your favorite author, but by reading you will learn how to write better. You will understand plot points and see how others deal with the same problems you have in your manuscript.2. Write- Make sure that you write as often as you can, even if it isn't good writing. The only way to learn to be better is to practice. Start writing short stories or write rough drafts of your novel, then go back and rewrite it over and over until it's right.3. Learn- The only way to grow is to learn from others who have gone through the same things as you. Join as many writer groups as you can. They will teach you what you need to know as well as help you when times are tough.4. Edit- Writing is more than just telling a story. You also have to make sure that it reads well. I wrote (what I thought were) intriguing storylines, but when I published I soon found out that no matter how good the story you have to make it readable. I am a storyteller, not a writer. That is something I had to learn. 5. Take Your Time- I know that you are excited to get your manuscript out there, but don’t rush it. Make sure that it's perfect before you publish. Once it's published you can't fully take it offline and you don't want people buying your bad work.6. Build A Following- Before you publish your work make a Facebook account for your author name and begin to draw attention. Write about something that is related to your books. For instance, I write fantasy with a spiritual twist so I post fantasy and religious pictures and write short stories. Find your niche and connect with people that are like minded to you that will read your book.7. Lower Your Expectations- No you are not going to become rich being a writer so if that is your goal then walk away now. You need to love what you do enough that even when you fail you don’t give up.8. Publish- Get a good cover design, and blurb (by getting help from writer’s groups) and push that button.9. Advertise- Put a certain amount of money aside for advertising and use it. Yes it is worth the cost.10. Start all over again- This doesn’t mean to give up on your first book. Keep advertising and selling your work, but begin writing your next novel.Remember that a writer never gives up. You are always, writing, building, learning, and selling. Don’t expect immediate success and when things get rough talk with other writers. Good luck!

A New Beginning

With the new eclipse comes a new beginning for me. I have had a rough month, but I learned something about myself and my craft. I live in the beautiful British Columbia, Canada, and, as you've probably heard, we are on fire. We were evacuated and had to fit all we could in the back of a small truck. I grabbed my cats, some cherishables and clothing (necessities, etc.). But what I also got was my laptop and all my writing gear. We headed out in the late hours of the night through a parade of vehicles and soon ended up south near Vancouver. A loved one was able to take us in and all we could do was watch the news to see where the fire stood. It inched closer to our house and flared up many times, but we were called off an order and we're back on alert. So we have come home, though the fire is closer then ever.The wait was horrible not knowing if we were going to have a home to go back to and they still say that we are in danger, but one thing remained. I never stopped writing. No matter how stressed out I got I was able to continue my work.Now, that might not say much to some people but to me it reinforced my dream. I want to be a writer and I know I won't give up, because if I was going to it would have been this month. I am in this for the long haul and as with life I will not quit.PS. There may be a future novel of this :)

The Sleeping Magician Trailer

I'm Back!

Well, it's been a long time since I left. I've been very busy and haven't been working on this site, But I promise you that I'm back. For those of you who have noticed my missing books I have decided to pull the books that I've written and have them all properly edited by my great editor Suzanne Piccolo. The Sleeping Magician is now new and improved and The Darling is about to be finished as well. I will slowly get to my other novels, but it will take some time. My novels our still available on Amazon, but if they aren't on the website I suggest that you wait until they are because those copies will be redone even better then the first. I am so excited about my new novels and I hope you all enjoy them.

Future Projects

League Of Beasts: A dragon tale, with 21 dragons to be exact, all drawn by the amazing Hunter Adams, who set my website up for me.