Z.L. Arkadie's Blog, page 4

Sunday, April 23, 2023 Author Update!

Greetings! The first big update for the week is that I definitely pushed back the release date for Once Upon A One-Night Stand. I had to do it. I have so much more pre-release work to do. I am actually looking at a long and incomplete list of to-do items, and there are a few more to add. However, number one on my list is to take the entire Sunday off. However, the new release date is May 16, 2023. I’m waiting for the final files for the cover. So, yeah, I don’t even have those yet so that alone disqualifies me from releasing on Tuesday. And let me tell you how ecstatic I am that I didn’t make an Amazon preorder! Woo-hoo! If I had done that, I would have had to force myself into a shabby release day, and I’d be pulling my hair out and getting no sleep.  But I didn’t do that to myself this time, and I’m so proud of myself. Also, keep your eyes out for more goodies. I think Ian Bond will finish chapter seven of Once Upon A One-Night Stand. He’s a busy man. It’s a pivotal chapter that marks Xena and Lynx’s first encounter since their one-night stand. Also, Xena writes songs and performs them as a cathartic exercise. Do you want to read the lyrics she wrote and repeatedly performed after her one-night stand with Lynx Grove? Here they go! “He’s the commitment-phobic one-night stand who got swallowed up by a sinkhole on 5th Avenue never to be heard from again. May he burn in hell, Amen.” And that healed her! LOL! I’ll be back in a few days. Best, ZL

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Author Update Sunday April 16, 2023!

Once Upon A One Night Stand Releasing Soon! Description Xena St. James always plays it safe. Not only is Lynx Grove anatomically perfect, but he’s Manhattan’s most eligible billionaire bachelor, and according to Xena’s cousin, he’s a perfect gentleman. On paper, a one-night stand with Lynx Grove is a safe bet, right? Wrong. Prince Charming quickly turns into a frog, dropping a barrage of commitment-phobic bombs which should’ve sent Xena running for the hills. But Lynx is an expert lover, and that’s how her safe decision morphs into a reckless night of passionate lovemaking. To distance herself from their thrilling one-night stand, Xena vows to leave Lynx in her dust. Oddly, he keeps showing up at her lowest moments, offering a helping hand. But Xena won’t easily let down her guard. She knows Lynx is a heartbreak waiting to happen. Lynx Grove isn’t looking for love. But there’s something about Xena St. James that dissolves his defenses. Maybe that’s why he offered her a job and insisted she becomes his roommate. WTH. Lynx knows he’s being reckless, and Xena’s wise to be cautious. He doesn’t do vanilla relationships. But could his beautiful and exciting new employee chip away at his resolve one encounter at a time? I thought I’d start with a BANG. Hence, the description for my new book that’s scheduled to release within ten days! Yikes!   I’m trying not to feel overwhelmed about the upcoming release date. I’m taking it one day at a time.   Once Upon A One-Night Stand is my first new release in eight months. I’m pleased about taking the time to truly craft the story I wanted to tell. I’ve voiced before that I had rushed to the finish line in the past. I decided to stop doing that.   Also, I commissioned a cover from one of the best designers out there. So far it’s gorgeous and captures the story perfectly, but it’s not yet finalized.    And I have some goodies for you today, and more to come before release day! Here are the links: Link to Chapter One Sneak Peek Link to Audio Clip   As I said, I still have more goodies planned.   I really want to give away a signed paperback copy or two or three.   Also, maybe a few more audio clips. I must be careful because I only use Lynx’s voice strategically. If I post too many, then I’ll give away the story.   Xena wrote and sang a song over and over and over again after her one-night stand with Lynx. Want to see it?   You’ll have to wait until I drop another Goodie!   I don’t want to drag this update on and on. But I do want to inform you that at the moment ALL the Lord Brothers of Manhattan are available wherever ebooks are sold. And Crossing the Line is Free!   On April 8th I republished a more readable and dynamic version of Crossing the Line and I’m starting to see the fruits of my labor. The read-through has dramatically improved because the story is way better. And… I added a sex scene! Because it just needed it! I was going through a lot when I wrote this book initially. Well, that’s over. I’m back! LOL!   The newest version should be available at all ebook retail outlets except Amazon. I haven’t requested the update yet. I’ll do it this week and let you know when the update is complete. If you want to read it now, reach out to Amazon and ask them to delete the old copy so that you can repurchase the new one for free.    I can’t promise they will remain out of Kindle Unlimited. Next Friday, I’ll reassess and then update you on Sunday. Alright! And that’s all folks. This is my second to last task of the day. Yay! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!   Much Love, Z

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Sunday, 3-26-2023 Author Update

Okay, so I am laughing deliriously right now because today feels like the movie Groundhog Day!  I thought I’d be finished with this book by Friday of last week, but I’m not. I’m almost done, though.  I’ve written to the last scene before the prologue. I had plans to write another BIG scene, but there’s no need for it, and it will only drag out the story. But it’s like one of those scenes I planned since the beginning of the book, and now I have to” let it go, let it go, let it go…” Okay, so, I actually do have some Sunday updates. Here they are: I’ve confirmed the title of the book I’m releasing on 4-25-2023, and it is “Once Upon A One-Night Stand.”  I should definitely be finished writing the book before the end of the week. Definitely. I’m on my way to 80k words. And yes, it’s a standalone romance book. However, I’m not relying upon repetition to pad the page count (that drives me crazy), and I still made sure I crafted a tight story that keeps the pages turning. I’m commissioning a cover by a proven graphic design company. Listen, I’m exhausted from trying to make the perfect covers. I’m a writer and not a graphic designer. I seriously need to outsource that part of my job. Regarding The Lord Brothers of Manhattan, I took Crossing The Line and A Fake Love Deal out of Kindle Unlimited early last week and published the books wide. However, I was quickly reminded why I put the books in Kindle Unlimited. They don’t do well wide. I know why and will fix the issues as soon as I complete Once Upon A Night Stand. I feel like the series’ first book has to be stronger for the others to receive their just due.  I also updated the sneak peek of Once Upon A One-Night Stand. And as of March 25, 2023, the first chapter excerpt is included in the ebook and paperback. Yay!  So, I’m reading and self-editing the last chapters I wrote last week, and then I’ll finish the final chapter tomorrow. And then, I’ll send the final chapters to the editor. And that’s this Sunday’s update! Now I’ll get back to work.  Also, keep coming back on Sundays for more updates because this year, Z.L. Romance Writer will have some very exciting updates for you. Best, Z.L.

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Mid Week Author Update – 3-22-2023

Oh my goodness… Sigh. So, it’s 12:20 a.m. PST, and I wrapped up writing for the day just before midnight. I initially logged out of my computer but then logged back in to check some of my past posts. I thought I once wrote a description for my new book in a post. I hadn’t. Okay, so here’s the deal. Yesterday, I reached over 70k words in this book, and I have two more pivotal scenes to write. Remember those dinner table scenes? Well, I have both of them to write, which means I might be pushing 80k words in this book, which is a lot longer than usual. There are few updates you might want to be informed of: I’ve settled on the title “Boss In Shining Armor.” I like the title because it’s cute and there are a lot of funny, heartfelt, and smoldering content ripe with thigh-tingling sexual tension. An audio clip sample featuring Lynx Grove is forthcoming. The book will contain a teaser for my next book featuring Max Grove. And finally, I’m going to have loads of goodies for you before release day. I can’t wait to start dropping them. I even want to do a paperback giveaway before release day, which is April 25th. So far, I’m sticking to it. Also, Crossing The Line and A Fake Love Deal are now available wherever ebooks are sold! SHOP THE LORD BROTHERS OF MANHATTAN And finally, get ready for pre-orders of Boss in Shining Armor on Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, and Nook, and wherever Draft2Digital delivers content. So, I’m looking at officially completing this book by Friday. And when it’s done, I’m going to spend twenty-four hours doing nothing at all! 🙃 Alrighty, then! I’m pretty sure I’ll be reaching out to you this Sunday with a goodie! Until then, Z.L.  

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Z.L. Arkadie Midweek Update! 3-15-2023

Greetings! Okay, so I’m up in the wee hours of the morning. However, I had to take some time off this weekend and let my brain craft more of the ending to Uncommitted. I feel as if I move too fast, then I’ll miss the best story. And since I have freed myself to move slower than usual, I will let the extra days work for me! However, I do have an update. The first 51k words are undergoing a beta read at the moment. I’ll send Star Tree Editing the ending when I’ve completed it. I probably have another 30k words to finish. This is a long one, ya’ll. I’m done writing under tight deadlines. I work every day, writing eight hours a day. Sure, sometimes I doodle with covers, which is why I turn out so many (um, that’s not a good thing), but in the recesses of my mind, I’m moving the story forward as well. But as soon as I complete the book, which I hope will be before Sunday, I’ll start working on posting more promotional material like an audio clip, and I’ll possibly do more than one! This goodie will be thanks to a young and gifted narrator who goes by the name Ian Bold. You’ll love him! As you can imagine, I also have plenty of deleted scenes, being how long it’s taking me to finish! LOL! And also, more sneak peeks of my favorite chapters and some featuring characters you already know. But I crafted some entertaining prose today. I would’ve never arrived at this point if I had rushed to the finish line in three months. However, I do want to write at least three books a year. Heck, I work eight hours a day! I should be able to produce at least four a year! Also, I am considering taking The Lord Brothers of Manhattan wide again when Kindle Unlimited is up on Crossimh the Line and A Fake Love Deal. I’ve worked the program for six months, and now that the Lord brothers’ stories are complete and I’m heading into Grove territory, I want to give the series a chance to succeed while wide. Because… Okay. So I attended a conference as an online participant in November of last year. On November 4th, which was the last day, Amazon reps presented. They’re always so cagey like they’re afraid of giving away the family recipe. I was very exhausted by then. Listen, I know they have to protect their algorithm because they want to maintain the quality of their store. But I asked a question about the seven keywords they allow us because their best-practices advice is so confusing, and their answer was cryptic. And so exhausted me, got tetchy. I think I wrote something like “Sigh… Really?” in the comments of Zoom. And then later that night, Boss On Notice was pulling up to 45k page reads a day, and sometimes more started dropping. It’s now pulling about 10k page reads a day. I can’t confirm that what’s happening to that book is related to that Amazon segment of the conference, but I can’t rule it out! I wish I could, but I can’t. Not entirely, and that’s A LOT of power to give one retail outlet. However, also, I could’ve made some kind of change in the keywords or description on that day that I didn’t log. I’m telling you, one keyword change can make you a winner or a loser. And I was so tired. I was hardly sane. I would’ve never been tetchy if I were in my right mind. I would’ve rolled my eyes in private and yelled at my screen. As the song says, You gotta know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, and know when to zip it! IDK. For some reason, I think I made keyword changes that did me in. I have a long record of changes I make, but I just didn’t log them on that day because I was soooo exhausted! Which again. It is not a good thing. Although. It was my fault for messing with crap when I didn’t need to. I think someone said something that made me go, “Ooh, I’ll try that now!” Oh, and plus, pay per page read sucks. Anyway, The Lord of Manhattan Brothers will soon be coming to all stores. Also, I changed the title of Crossing Love Lines back to Crossing The Line. Sigh… You see how often I change crap, messing things up? Believe me; I’m working on it. But Crossing the Line and A Fake Love Deal should be wide before the end of the month. I’ll see if Amazon will release Boss On Notice before its end date on April 28th. I want it to be available to wide readers before the release of Uncommitted. So, that’s the plan for now. Okay, so now it’s going on 3:00 a.m.. I’m going to bed. I just finished this entire post through Gramarly so it should’ve been smooth reading. I’m not able to write my entire manuscript with the benefit of Grammarly which makes it easier for my editors. Uncommitted will be my first full Grammarly assisted book that I’ve written pre-release! Yay. Alright, good night from me and perhaps now, it’s good norning to you! Much Love, Z

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Author Update! Sunday, March 5, 2023

Well, I’m posting a new author update this Sunday! It’ll be quick because I’m still finishing up the novel I’ve been working on for months. I’m learning this is what happens when I’m not rushing. It’s a different process, but I like it and prefer it. The book is longer too, and it’s not me extending content and repeating myself just to make the book longer than the story. I’m actually giving you a robust read that I hope you won’t be able to put down. Anyway, so, I have a goodie for you today! Today, I’m gifting you a chapter one excerpt from my next book, It Starts With A Hookup from the  Not So Eligible Billionaires of Manhattan series.  I came up with the title because well… The hero and heroine’s lives change because of a one-night stand.  So, I have a few more key scenes to write. I like to challenge myself by writing the stuff. Some of the hardest to write are dinner table scenes, and I have two more big ones to write. I think. I’ll see as I craft each sentence, paragraph, and chapter until the very end.  However, I will definitely be done by Friday. But I have to say, a new path to the end dropped in my head the other day. I’m pondering it now. I’ll see if I can work it in. It’ll definitely be fun to write and read. Okay, so without delay, here’s chapter one of the new book! Enjoy! It Starts With A Hookup Chapter 1 READ NOW

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Z.L.’s Sunday, February 19th Author Update – lots of goodies!

So, I’m approaching the end of the third act of my new book, more complexm tearing up thinking about what I’ve been through to finish this book. This book is harder than the rest, and I think it has a lot to do with being patient and cra, andting every aspect of this story. I tossed over twenty thousand words while making this book. I mean, I really had to carve out this story. Also, I usually write faster, and one thing I’ve learned that if you craft a story too quickly, then you can miss the good stuff. Taking my time, and building my novel sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph, and chapter by chapter. People… Ladies… And even  a few gentlemen… I think I have an annoucement. The book should be completed before next Friday. However, that is not a hard deadline. Again, I’m chasing my intuition while completing this story to the last word. And so, if the story begs me to write an extra chapter, then I’m writing it. Because today, I wrote away from my outline. Also, I’m lmiting the male’s perspective while writing dual POV. I’ve come to realize the male has to remain slightly mysterious. Plus, since a man is a doer, we don’t want his world to consume the romance. Okay, so, with all that said, I’m planning an April 25, 2023 release day. After I submit the first draft to my editor, I’ll start working on Max’s story. No rest. I’m getting right to work while the ficitional world is fresh in my head. And finally, as for a title for the April 25th release, I still haven’t settled on on one yet. My working title is “Uncommitted” but I have to consider the algorithm. There goes that pesky word again. But I have a list of titles that I’m considering. Here are my confirmed tropes: innocent cohabitation sworn off relationships oblivious to love one night stand Afraid to commit Can’t spit it out/Say I love you how they feel Lovers denial Boss/employee Roommates One night stand to friends to lovers And there you have it! So, it’s 1:13 a.m. right now. I’m fading fast. I’ll be back real soon with chapter samples. Also, I hope to have an audio sample too! Yay! I’ll have all kinds of goodies with this new release, simply because I’m happy about every aspect of writing the book, especially caring enough for my stories to stop writing under pressure. I mean, I wanted to spend a lot more time with Boss On Notice. Recently, I added over 2k more words. Amazon was supposed to push the new version out to those who bought the book. Did you get it? I’ll follow up next week to make sure it happened. Toodles Lovelies! Z.L.

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Midweek Author Update!

I’m aware that this post is a long time coming! LOL I have been plugging away at my next book. I’m at the point where I’m usually wrapping up the story and stressing over next week’s editing deadline, but that’s not the case this time around. I’m almost 50k words in, and I’m only just starting the third act.  I know!!! That’s different for me.  But I’ve decided not to race to the end. I’m taking my time and crafting a pure romance. Over the months, I’ve written ten thousand words and then deleted them. And I then did the same thing three more times. And then there’s this confusing Zoey Locke, Z.L. Arkadie thing I’ve done.  Sorry about that. It’s sort of like–um, Z.L., what’s the difference. Zoey Locke is easier to put on a cover. And if you’ve been paying attention, which I’m sure you have not because you have an entire life to live, I’ve been changing the covers like mad!  OMG. Don’t get me started on book covers. I mean, you all know I learned Photoshop in 2015 because cover artists are primarily artists, not business people, and they do business like artists too.  I’ve been trying to outsource that part of my job, but nothing’s changed with the cover artists. The ones who do great business and art have a full roster. The ones which are great artists and do shabby business will make us lose money. And then there are the ones who are not so good. I day WAY better work than them.  Sigh… So as of now, I still do them myself. Which means I’m prone to spend a whole day messing with covers. Which means maybe I can work on having some discipline in that regard. I can do it if I really, really, REALLY make myself. It’s like a cover tweaking addiction. LOL! And yes. It has been getting in the way of me finishing on time. LOL. Anyway, oh, I forgot to say, Happy New Year! I’m finishing up Lynx Goves’sLy book. Hopefully, soon, I’ll be able to share some goodies from the story. I like the story, and I also like the title. There’s no corporate espionage or grudges between families. It’s just two people whose meeting creates this phenomenal chain of events that brings them closer together until they’re happily in love. As my mom said, my advanced, advanced read, it’s Z.L. kind of romance.  A friend of mine recently said, “Z, do what you do. Stay consistent, and you’ll find the success you’re looking for.” I think that’s just finally sinking in. In my head, I was never good enough. And so I did this and that, and this, but all the stories and genres I tried had the same writing style. My writing style. Regarding my next book, basically, I’m almost done. I have a new chain of editors who are more suitable for my writing style. I’ll be ready to contact my first editor and arrange a date to submit the first draft next week.  You see, that’s a new MO for me. I no longer schedule advanced editing dates and then race to a deadline. I’m completing the books first and then booking the dates. Then, once I book the date, I’ll set a realistic release date. Also, as you are aware, my newest series is in Kindle Unlimited. Despite K.U.’s flaws, it’s easier to make it work in the long run. So I have no plans to move those books out. The next book will also be on Kindle Unlimited.  I’ll  say more about where my books will be available in the future. Also, I can give this FYI for future projects right now. I plan to revise Once Friends because I missed such an opportunity with that story. I’ll write Max Grove’s book, hopefully starting in early March. It’ll be a feel-good, emotional, struggle to change story, and it’ll mark the end of all stories featuing Groves and Lords.  Then I’ll move on!!! All right then. This is today’s big update. Look out for some goodies soon: chapter samples, even audio samples, paperback giveways, etc. I’m trying to get better at new releases. We all know I suck at them! LOL! Time to get back to work on the story. Much Love, Z.L.

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Author Update 12-4-2022!

So now I’m in the thick of writing my next book.   I’ve just tossed the entire first version of the story I’ve been struggling through for two months. You see, writing is a precarious act. Any decision can be made at any point during the process of creating the story. For two months I’ve been deleting chapters and rewriting chapters until I finally concluded that I had been boring myself. LOL!   Okay. So. If I’m boring myself, then I know good and well you’ll be bored too. So two days ago, I scrapped another 12k words on top of the thousands I’ve scrapped before then and started over. I’ve reoutlined a good portion of the new story, and I’m certain I won’t be boring msyelf, and subsequently you, anymore. LOL.   I also canceled my January 9th editing date because I don’t want the pressure of a looming deadline to make me rush the story. I’ll arrange editing, proofing and a release date when the story is complete.   All of Z.L. fans who love the spice, well, Zoey is bringing the spice in Striking Love. I think I’ll be keeping that title. I have to consider sticky titles that algorithms love these days. I’m not sure if Striking Love is it but let me finish the story first, and then I’ll confirm the title.   Oh, and one side note. Since I mentioned title changes, I’ve changed the title Enthrall in the The Blackstone Brothers series, The Boss Billionaire Spencer Blackstone trilogy to Tempting. The casual reader didn’t like Enthrall, so finally, I offically changed it. First of all, I had to put myself in your shoes for Enthrall. That title does nothing for me. As a matter of fact, it wouldn’t make me want to read the book. But Tempting… Well… That has promise.   In regards to the newer stuff, I want my ARC team to be ready for Striking Love. I have a small group of ARC readers who let me know when something sucks or not. LOL! I know all of their reactions and can read how a book lands by how they respond to it. I have a feeling, they’re going to need more steam already! Well… It’s back!   In the future I plan to switch between Z.L. and Zoey releases. The next book will be a Zoey and the one after that will be Z.L. (maybe). Goodness, Max’s story is itching my brain. And that’s a Zoey book. So… We’ll cross that road when we get to it. But I have a real bombshell of a story planned for my next darker billionaire brothers series written by Z.L. Oooh… I can’t wait to get into it!!!! Uhh… Just… I can’t wait. Patience, though… Patience.   But first, “Striking Love,” which is going to be good too. And Max’s story… I just want him in my brain already!!! LOL!  I want to see him come to life on the pages.   Next year is going to be exciting! So stay tuned.   Oh, btw, when I say “darker,” I’m not talking about kidnapping, auctioning body, converting serial killers by the power of the vagina, or something like those elements. I’m talking about a family who operates with a certain level of organized, white collar corruption. Like the Blackstones who were formerly the Christmases. I’m talking more like-mafia romance without stereotypical mafia stock characters.   Okay! Time for White Lotus on HBO Max!   Much❤️ Z.L.    

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Author Update 11-27-2022!

It’s been an interesting week of reflection and understanding why I gravitated towards romance and why it’s where I should be at this stage in my life. I mean, the story of my journey is a long one, and it’s personal. I will say that on December 25, 2015, I met someone who forever changed how I write love stories. My pathologies chose this person. I followed him down my rabbit hole. But it wasn’t just darkness. Because his darkness was my fire, my light. I’m forever changed. I write a lot about family. I wrote this two nights ago as part of my notes for future projects: We’re first wounded by our family members. They break our hearts first. And we learn to live with that broken heart. Eternalize the heartbreak. Absorb the pain and let it define us. A loving partner is supposed to heal all of that, not magnify it. Not perpetuate it. Growth is knowing the difference. Realizing that the perpetuation is happening, has happened. And lose the taste for it. Evolving we now know that love isn’t true love, divine love if we’re securing our future of unconditional and healing love that nurtures at some portion all five of the languages.   So, finally, I have clarity. I’m also happy I split myself in two–Z.L. and Zoe. That’s why I can say with a high degree of certainty that these will be my future projects. So get ready! You’re going to love them. I can guarantee you that.: Zoey is writing “Striking Love” now.  The title will not be Off Limits because that sounds too sports romance to my ear. It will be Lynx Grove’s books of course. I’m digging more into Lynx’s and Xena’s psyche, making more 3D romance characters. There’s this song by James Morrison. Have you heard it? It’s called You Give Me Something. It reminds me of what separates great art from good art and good art from satisfactory art and then art that’s arguably not art at all. The operative word is EMOTE. We are emotional beings and consume creations that make us feel those ultimate, ideal, and coveted feelings. It’s my job to give them to you. I have rededicated my career to doing just that. Zoey will write Max’s story next but AFTER… Drum roll… Z.L. is back with deeply emotional romances that have darker elements. However, this time I’ll include DEFINED tropes and give you those moments that make your heart go dom-dom-dom-dom-dom... Remember I was writing The Sommer Brothers? I plan to revisit the story I started for that series. Although, they will not be the Sommers. The family will have a different surname. I know the name, but I want to withhold it until the first draft is half-written. Then when Z.L.’s done with the first brother’s book in that series, I’ll write Max’s book as Zoey, moving from darker, intense, spicy elements to fun, deep, slow-burn ones. I can’t wait to give you more info on Z.L.’s next new series.  I can’t wait to get cracking on it!🙃 So that line in that song by James Morrison that gets me is… “I never thought that I love someone… That was someone else’s dream.” That entire song is the soundtrack of one looped song for the book I’m writing now. Here’s the video on YouTube. You Give Me Something by James Morrison   Peace ❤️  

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