Justin Leslie's Blog: Blogs from the Fallen Angel
November 1, 2023
Better late than Never
Hello folks. Been Awhile. A lot has happened. First and foremost Asher's Fall my military sci-fi series is about to drop published by Podium and narrated by the one and only Luke Daniels.
Max Abaddon book 7 is set for pre-order and release in early 2024!
It's been a busy 2023 so far and there are great things coming!
Cheers
JL
Max Abaddon book 7 is set for pre-order and release in early 2024!
It's been a busy 2023 so far and there are great things coming!
Cheers
JL
April 20, 2022
April Update
Hope everyone is doing well. Wanted to get an update out to everyone.
Max Abaddon 5 The Crystal King is Live! The Audiobook should be out at the end of April or early May!
Sinking man Series. The Box set is out on ebook and Audio. Please check this one out. It is a gem of a zombie series. Book 4 Fractured will also be out May 1st!
We have one really cool announcement, Luke Daniels, and I will be guests at the upcoming Ancient City Con in North Florida this coming September. Stop by and get some autographed swag and more.
Cheers
JL
Max Abaddon 5 The Crystal King is Live! The Audiobook should be out at the end of April or early May!
Sinking man Series. The Box set is out on ebook and Audio. Please check this one out. It is a gem of a zombie series. Book 4 Fractured will also be out May 1st!
We have one really cool announcement, Luke Daniels, and I will be guests at the upcoming Ancient City Con in North Florida this coming September. Stop by and get some autographed swag and more.
Cheers
JL
January 23, 2022
January Update
A good weekend of much needed marketing work and some refreshing writing. For clarification I was stuck in editing mode prior to sending it off to be truly edited for the last month. MA5 was just that kind of book.
I officially release the ebook omnibus for parts 1-3 of the Sinking Man Series. Jarret Lemaster is setting up the audiobook as we speak.
Also wrote another 10K for Part 4 of the Sinking Man Series. That means its not going to be long before its done. Meaning I just realized I need to get the new cover done.
On the Max front I’m giving my brain a break till next month to start on MA6. Anyone like Vampires……
Cheers!
I officially release the ebook omnibus for parts 1-3 of the Sinking Man Series. Jarret Lemaster is setting up the audiobook as we speak.
Also wrote another 10K for Part 4 of the Sinking Man Series. That means its not going to be long before its done. Meaning I just realized I need to get the new cover done.
On the Max front I’m giving my brain a break till next month to start on MA6. Anyone like Vampires……
Cheers!
January 2, 2022
Deep thoughts 2.0... MA5
Deep Thoughts by Justin Leslie…..I just finished MA5 (Max Abaddon 5) The Crystal King. The book is much darker than I intended it to be. But stories have a way of doing that sometimes. I still need to finish the Epilogue, which I always do as the series has an overarching theme.
I will state I feel this book really pulled away from where it started. I believe the fact that most of it occurs on the Plane accounts for that. A new world, and it really digs into the heart of the Old Gods. If you paid attention to the Epilogue in MA4 it sets the stage.
There was a lot of thought put into writing this one. MA3/4 are both rides while this book really dives into things. It’s just a different ride…, literally…,
We find new characters and new places blending together in the larger world surrounding Max. I’ll state I have two new additions to the character family that will be around for some time that I categorically enjoyed writing. Long story short, I could have written an entire book about the pixie king…
It’s a story of personal growth as well. I was watching the Harry Potter special on HBO, and something occurred to me. (Yes, I enjoyed the movies and books. They are prolific either way. Yes, when I was a soldier in Afghanistan, we would huddle around and watch the films, so there, I said it. I like Harry Potter. I also like Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey, soooo…… I have eclectic taste.)
They talked about each book and how they go from this fun-loving group in a rather amusing yet serious story, only to shift to a dark serious tone. I immediately started thinking about Max and his crew in MA5. When we first met him, there was barely a chapter that went by without them drinking to the point of me getting one-star book reviews from angsty readers that didn’t approve. Now he barely has time to tie his shoes, let alone act as he did when we first met him.
Long story short, this is one of those books that has a feel to it. It even forced some changes moving forward on MA6, which I will be talking about later as it gets back to the heart of MA3/4 now that Max has taken his first trip to the Plane. Basically, back on Earth.
Cheers and Happy New Years!
I will state I feel this book really pulled away from where it started. I believe the fact that most of it occurs on the Plane accounts for that. A new world, and it really digs into the heart of the Old Gods. If you paid attention to the Epilogue in MA4 it sets the stage.
There was a lot of thought put into writing this one. MA3/4 are both rides while this book really dives into things. It’s just a different ride…, literally…,
We find new characters and new places blending together in the larger world surrounding Max. I’ll state I have two new additions to the character family that will be around for some time that I categorically enjoyed writing. Long story short, I could have written an entire book about the pixie king…
It’s a story of personal growth as well. I was watching the Harry Potter special on HBO, and something occurred to me. (Yes, I enjoyed the movies and books. They are prolific either way. Yes, when I was a soldier in Afghanistan, we would huddle around and watch the films, so there, I said it. I like Harry Potter. I also like Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey, soooo…… I have eclectic taste.)
They talked about each book and how they go from this fun-loving group in a rather amusing yet serious story, only to shift to a dark serious tone. I immediately started thinking about Max and his crew in MA5. When we first met him, there was barely a chapter that went by without them drinking to the point of me getting one-star book reviews from angsty readers that didn’t approve. Now he barely has time to tie his shoes, let alone act as he did when we first met him.
Long story short, this is one of those books that has a feel to it. It even forced some changes moving forward on MA6, which I will be talking about later as it gets back to the heart of MA3/4 now that Max has taken his first trip to the Plane. Basically, back on Earth.
Cheers and Happy New Years!
November 3, 2021
Audiobook is out!! Max Abaddon Book 4 and more
The Audiobook for book 4 Max Abaddon and The Dark Carnival is out! Check it out and enjoy the ride!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JZWS7RC/...
Book 5 Max Abaddon and The Crystal King is about 60% complete. Also stay tuned for the new cover reveals soon!!!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JZWS7RC/...
Book 5 Max Abaddon and The Crystal King is about 60% complete. Also stay tuned for the new cover reveals soon!!!
September 9, 2021
Updates!
Hello everyone!
Hope all is well, and everyone is ready for fall and one of my favorite holidays… Halloween. Things have been busy here. Released: Part 3 of the Sinking Man Series was released last week on ebook and paperback. The audiobook is soon to follow. In the immortal words of Tony the Tiger, They’re Great!! Everyone will be seeing more of that series.
In the Max Abaddon world, as most folks know, book 4 is now out. Luke Daniels is currently recording the audiobook, and I would think we will be seeing it sometime in October.
The big news is the new covers being designed. We have an actual model and are doing a photoshoot this month. I have been asked why, and in all fairness, I never thought things would take off the way they have, and I would be able to adjust them over time. That plan went out the window after we hit 3,000 sales.
There is another piece. The covers need to reflect that the series is more adult-oriented. I get many people calling the series Juvenile and then I find out they assumed it was YA. Hope these folks never read a Sandman Slim book…(One of my favorites, by the way) End of the day, the books need to have a more polished feel and let people know the books will be a little different.
Oh, before I go. I am also putting together a cocktail menu for the fallen angel that will be getting published at some point in the near future. Stay tuned!
Cheers
Justin Leslie
Hope all is well, and everyone is ready for fall and one of my favorite holidays… Halloween. Things have been busy here. Released: Part 3 of the Sinking Man Series was released last week on ebook and paperback. The audiobook is soon to follow. In the immortal words of Tony the Tiger, They’re Great!! Everyone will be seeing more of that series.
In the Max Abaddon world, as most folks know, book 4 is now out. Luke Daniels is currently recording the audiobook, and I would think we will be seeing it sometime in October.
The big news is the new covers being designed. We have an actual model and are doing a photoshoot this month. I have been asked why, and in all fairness, I never thought things would take off the way they have, and I would be able to adjust them over time. That plan went out the window after we hit 3,000 sales.
There is another piece. The covers need to reflect that the series is more adult-oriented. I get many people calling the series Juvenile and then I find out they assumed it was YA. Hope these folks never read a Sandman Slim book…(One of my favorites, by the way) End of the day, the books need to have a more polished feel and let people know the books will be a little different.
Oh, before I go. I am also putting together a cocktail menu for the fallen angel that will be getting published at some point in the near future. Stay tuned!
Cheers
Justin Leslie
August 7, 2021
Deep thoughts by Justin Leslie..
I was asked by a new author how long I’ve been writing, and my answer was rather shocking to me.
Here are some stats.
1. First book e-book/paperback published 21 months ago 12/19
2. First Audiobook published 17 months ago 2/20
3. First 1,000th audiobook sold 12/20
4. E-books/paperbacks published to date. 9
5. Audiobooks published to date 6 # 7 coming this month!
6. Kick ass other authors met (better than me)
7. Working with one of my favorite narrators Luke Daniels and finding another rockstar to work with, Jarret Lemaster on the Sinking man series.
8. Number of editors before finding the right one 5 and well over a year.
9. Getting one of the best cover artist involved in my projects (FYI this is coming…..) 8/1/21!!!
Next targets
1. Figuring out marketing…….work in progress. Reason for new Max covers. This was the first thing the marketing team stated we need to do.
2. Publishing company? We will see. I have one target that is soon to be worked through. I have politely declined 4 direct requests to join. This is one of the biggest lies of the writing world. No matter how good or bad you are. You can do it on your own to a point….
What I’ve learned.
1. No matter how good you, or I think it is. That first book will always haunt me. There are days I wish I could go back in time and re-write it. But… that is a rabbit I don’t want to chase. I agree with most of the 3.5-4 star reviews. You have to have thick skin. People often don’t read what the book is about and assume it’s something it’s often not. It’s frustrating, but I realize that most people that make it to book 2 get it…...There are times I want to pull book one and re-release it as a pre-qual.
2. Other authors are amazing people.
3. If you are an author and expect 1,000 reviews even in a year, you have to realize two things. 1. Many books are marketed (certain publishing groups) and have paid reviewers that branch off and are fairly automatic. I learned this from someone directly. Hey $1K, I’ll get you 1K reviews in 30 days. 2. They will come over time organically. Take the good with the bad. Not everyone is going to love your work, or understand it.
4. This is a big one. When a writer like myself has a background as I do, not everyone will understand what people in some of these fields actually do in the real world. Or act to point. It’s frustrating, but I’ve finally realized that not everyone will. I literally started to dumb down how funny and often comically abrasive folks in Law Enforcement and the Military can be, especially around each other.
5. Keep writing, but take breaks.
6. Social media is a must…Youtube channel coming!!
7. Writing can be a lot of things, but in my opinion, is the following. Hobby, passion, lifestyle, job, investment, and lastly, a career. It’s work and you have to feed the beast and in that means making money from your work to pay for more. End of the day, never quit your day job…
Cheers!
JL
Here are some stats.
1. First book e-book/paperback published 21 months ago 12/19
2. First Audiobook published 17 months ago 2/20
3. First 1,000th audiobook sold 12/20
4. E-books/paperbacks published to date. 9
5. Audiobooks published to date 6 # 7 coming this month!
6. Kick ass other authors met (better than me)
7. Working with one of my favorite narrators Luke Daniels and finding another rockstar to work with, Jarret Lemaster on the Sinking man series.
8. Number of editors before finding the right one 5 and well over a year.
9. Getting one of the best cover artist involved in my projects (FYI this is coming…..) 8/1/21!!!
Next targets
1. Figuring out marketing…….work in progress. Reason for new Max covers. This was the first thing the marketing team stated we need to do.
2. Publishing company? We will see. I have one target that is soon to be worked through. I have politely declined 4 direct requests to join. This is one of the biggest lies of the writing world. No matter how good or bad you are. You can do it on your own to a point….
What I’ve learned.
1. No matter how good you, or I think it is. That first book will always haunt me. There are days I wish I could go back in time and re-write it. But… that is a rabbit I don’t want to chase. I agree with most of the 3.5-4 star reviews. You have to have thick skin. People often don’t read what the book is about and assume it’s something it’s often not. It’s frustrating, but I realize that most people that make it to book 2 get it…...There are times I want to pull book one and re-release it as a pre-qual.
2. Other authors are amazing people.
3. If you are an author and expect 1,000 reviews even in a year, you have to realize two things. 1. Many books are marketed (certain publishing groups) and have paid reviewers that branch off and are fairly automatic. I learned this from someone directly. Hey $1K, I’ll get you 1K reviews in 30 days. 2. They will come over time organically. Take the good with the bad. Not everyone is going to love your work, or understand it.
4. This is a big one. When a writer like myself has a background as I do, not everyone will understand what people in some of these fields actually do in the real world. Or act to point. It’s frustrating, but I’ve finally realized that not everyone will. I literally started to dumb down how funny and often comically abrasive folks in Law Enforcement and the Military can be, especially around each other.
5. Keep writing, but take breaks.
6. Social media is a must…Youtube channel coming!!
7. Writing can be a lot of things, but in my opinion, is the following. Hobby, passion, lifestyle, job, investment, and lastly, a career. It’s work and you have to feed the beast and in that means making money from your work to pay for more. End of the day, never quit your day job…
Cheers!
JL
July 3, 2021
Happy 4th! So Long and Thanks for All the Fish...And some updates
Hope everyone is doing well. Bunch going on! Just released book 2.5 on audiobook in the Max Abaddon Series. Yes I realized you really need to read book 2.5 AKA “the short story” first. It was in Simple Deeds and I figured we needed to get it on audio.
Oh, did I mention book four in the Max Series just released July 1st? It is nonstop action. I will say the bog picture stuff comes into focus after you read the Epilogue... Its set for Audio in September.
For all the Sinking Man series fans…, Novella three is complete and the audio and editing are all lined up. It is a hell of a ride.
Last but not least. Yes we are looking at redoing the Max covers. This involves real models and photo shoots. More to follow……
That’s about it, I’m starting book 5 in the Max series tonight. Old Fashioned in hand…..
Oh, did I mention book four in the Max Series just released July 1st? It is nonstop action. I will say the bog picture stuff comes into focus after you read the Epilogue... Its set for Audio in September.
For all the Sinking Man series fans…, Novella three is complete and the audio and editing are all lined up. It is a hell of a ride.
Last but not least. Yes we are looking at redoing the Max covers. This involves real models and photo shoots. More to follow……
That’s about it, I’m starting book 5 in the Max series tonight. Old Fashioned in hand…..
May 3, 2021
Max Audiobook Book 3 The Gate to Everwhere coming soon!
Just approved The Gate to Everwhere on audio. We should be seeing it no later than the end of May.
Cheers!
P.S I'm about to start back up on the Sinking Man series!
Cheers!
P.S I'm about to start back up on the Sinking Man series!
April 12, 2021
Max Abaddon book 4 and Book 3 Audiobook updates
A few quick updates. Book 4 Max Abaddon and the Dark Carnival is up for pre-order with a release date in July. In even bigger news Book 3 The Gate to Everwhere is in now in the can. Luke Daniels wrapped it up a few days ago and Ill be reviewing it soon.
For those wondering about Book 2 in the Sinking Man Series. Guess what….so am I. The ACX Gods are busy…
Cheers
JL
For those wondering about Book 2 in the Sinking Man Series. Guess what….so am I. The ACX Gods are busy…
Cheers
JL
Blogs from the Fallen Angel
This is Justin S. Leslie's blog. Justin is the author of the Urban Fantasy best-selling Max Abaddon Series. The Sinking Man Series for you Zombie Fans, and The Descending Worlds Series for you Sci-Fi
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