April Tompkins's Blog
April 22, 2025
I'm Doing a Giveaway This Saturday
Just a note ~ if you're looking for a novel you can lose yourself in, have I got a deal for you. Running From Herself will be free this Saturday, April 26.
This is the story my long writing career has led to, and I'm pretty proud of it. I would love to have you read it!
Running From Herself
This is the story my long writing career has led to, and I'm pretty proud of it. I would love to have you read it!
Running From Herself
February 5, 2025
Looking for Advance Readers
If you're interested in receiving a free epub of my new novel, Running From Herself, please let me know.
All I ask in return is an honest review, once the book is live on Amazon on March 1. Just a line or two would be appreciated!
Simply respond here and the epub will be coming your way!
Running From Herself
All I ask in return is an honest review, once the book is live on Amazon on March 1. Just a line or two would be appreciated!
Simply respond here and the epub will be coming your way!
Running From Herself
February 4, 2025
My New Novel
After I wrote my third novel back in 2020, I swore I was done. Ever since that time, my sole focus was on writing novellas. But something strange happened. I was dissatisfied with one of them and wondered if I could make it better. I think I did!
My new novel, Running From Herself, will be released on March 1 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. My book page: https://tinyurl.com/442u5pu9
More to come!
Running From Herself
My new novel, Running From Herself, will be released on March 1 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. My book page: https://tinyurl.com/442u5pu9
More to come!
Running From Herself
June 14, 2024
Why Write?
Ever since I was little and living on the farm, I used to take walks down country roads and either make up stories or songs in my head. I wouldn't say it was a "curse", but it was something I could never shake. It was simply natural. I didn't have any siblings close to me in age, so my life was usually solitary, and thus I had to entertain myself.
It took many years after that to even attempt putting stories to paper (or "to screen" would be more accurate). Life kind of got in the way. I had a growing family and a career, and there simply was never time. Around 2015 I resolved to put some of those stories down (no, not the age seven stories, but new ones). And it was such a release! I loved it!
Since that time, I never stopped. I've written and published eleven ~ three complete novels and eight novellas. Not all of them were great, especially starting out, but they've gotten better and better as I've gotten better and better. I call them women's fiction because the main characters are women, but either no one likes women's fiction or they don't know what it is. Maybe I should just call them "stories". Or simply label them contemporary fiction.
While I've gotten good reviews, I'm happy that my satisfaction isn't dependent on sales, because selling books is hard! I choose to think of myself as that redheaded seven-year-old breathing in the sweet clover as I tumble down the country paths, telling myself make-believe tales.
It took many years after that to even attempt putting stories to paper (or "to screen" would be more accurate). Life kind of got in the way. I had a growing family and a career, and there simply was never time. Around 2015 I resolved to put some of those stories down (no, not the age seven stories, but new ones). And it was such a release! I loved it!
Since that time, I never stopped. I've written and published eleven ~ three complete novels and eight novellas. Not all of them were great, especially starting out, but they've gotten better and better as I've gotten better and better. I call them women's fiction because the main characters are women, but either no one likes women's fiction or they don't know what it is. Maybe I should just call them "stories". Or simply label them contemporary fiction.
While I've gotten good reviews, I'm happy that my satisfaction isn't dependent on sales, because selling books is hard! I choose to think of myself as that redheaded seven-year-old breathing in the sweet clover as I tumble down the country paths, telling myself make-believe tales.
June 9, 2024
New Book!
Inn Dreams
Hello everyone! My latest book, Inn Dreams, will be available on Amazon on June 24! In the meantime, I am offering free ARC copies to anyone interested. Just leave a comment and let me know if you prefer an EPUB or a PDF.
What's it about?
Karen Grace has just realized her life’s dream — buying an old motel to renovate. By herself. How hard can it be? But money slips through her fingers fast, and she’s forced to find a job, where she meets the love of her life. That’s when the real trouble begins. Someone doesn’t want her in town and they’re going to make sure she leaves.
This is long for a novella, but a bit too short to be considered a novel. I'm very proud of it, and I hope you'll like it!
Hello everyone! My latest book, Inn Dreams, will be available on Amazon on June 24! In the meantime, I am offering free ARC copies to anyone interested. Just leave a comment and let me know if you prefer an EPUB or a PDF.
What's it about?
Karen Grace has just realized her life’s dream — buying an old motel to renovate. By herself. How hard can it be? But money slips through her fingers fast, and she’s forced to find a job, where she meets the love of her life. That’s when the real trouble begins. Someone doesn’t want her in town and they’re going to make sure she leaves.
This is long for a novella, but a bit too short to be considered a novel. I'm very proud of it, and I hope you'll like it!
March 14, 2024
What Is Women's Fiction?
It's difficult for a women's fiction writer to overcome the confusion centered around the genre. I don't write romance, but often the two are lumped together (on review sites and sometimes even on sales sites). I find myself having to clarify what my books are, because I don't want to mislead a reader into expecting something they aren't going to get. Romance novels have very specific, set-in-stone expectations.
So, what is women's fiction? I've seen descriptions that I don't necessarily agree with; perhaps educated guesses from bloggers who aren't familiar with the genre and don't read it.
To me, women's fiction is a journey. It centers on a woman finding her place in life, making (sometimes) huge mistakes along the way, learning about herself as a unique individual. But trust me, it's not all introspection. In fact, it rarely is. It's action and reaction, as any good story should be.
Women's fiction can enfold other elements ~ suspense, mystery, and yes, even a romance. But generally these are not the heart of the story.
Would a man enjoy reading a women's fiction novel? If it's an engrossing story, sure. More men would read women's fiction if it wasn't called that, but industry expectations are what they are. Authors are required to categorize.
My readers have been delighted by my women's fiction novellas, perhaps because they recognize a piece of themselves within them. We're all taking our own journey. The difference is in how we get there.
So, what is women's fiction? I've seen descriptions that I don't necessarily agree with; perhaps educated guesses from bloggers who aren't familiar with the genre and don't read it.
To me, women's fiction is a journey. It centers on a woman finding her place in life, making (sometimes) huge mistakes along the way, learning about herself as a unique individual. But trust me, it's not all introspection. In fact, it rarely is. It's action and reaction, as any good story should be.
Women's fiction can enfold other elements ~ suspense, mystery, and yes, even a romance. But generally these are not the heart of the story.
Would a man enjoy reading a women's fiction novel? If it's an engrossing story, sure. More men would read women's fiction if it wasn't called that, but industry expectations are what they are. Authors are required to categorize.
My readers have been delighted by my women's fiction novellas, perhaps because they recognize a piece of themselves within them. We're all taking our own journey. The difference is in how we get there.
March 9, 2024
I Feel Generous!
I just put my latest novella on pre-order and I'm happy!
So, I'm giving away digital copies of my current novella, Lies and Love, to the first ten people who sign up for my mailing list.
Just go to www.apriltompkins.net and click on the signup button and you're in!
Thanks to all my wonderful readers. You are the best!
Lies and Love
So, I'm giving away digital copies of my current novella, Lies and Love, to the first ten people who sign up for my mailing list.
Just go to www.apriltompkins.net and click on the signup button and you're in!
Thanks to all my wonderful readers. You are the best!
Lies and Love
March 5, 2024
Grateful To Reviewers
I just want to thank those who have reviewed my books. You'll never know how much it means to me that someone takes time out of their day to post a review. It truly gives me the impetus to keep writing.
The readers here are awesome!
The readers here are awesome!
February 21, 2024
Published!
Lies and Love had its publishing debut Monday. I'm always excited when my latest work becomes available, before I eventually succumb to the need to write something new. I like to take the time to revel in my accomplishment.
One of my ARC readers posted a lovely review here on Goodreads. She clearly put a lot of thought into it and I'm so grateful to her.
If you'd like to check out Lies and Love (it's a novella, I want to be clear), the link is below.
Now on to a new story....
Lies and Love
One of my ARC readers posted a lovely review here on Goodreads. She clearly put a lot of thought into it and I'm so grateful to her.
If you'd like to check out Lies and Love (it's a novella, I want to be clear), the link is below.
Now on to a new story....
Lies and Love
January 21, 2024
My New Novella
My latest novella, Lies and Love, will be available for pre-order very soon! If you'd like a free advance copy, simply respond here and one will zoom your way!
As always, an honest review would be very much appreciated!
As always, an honest review would be very much appreciated!
