N.R. Walker's Blog, page 19
June 24, 2018
Good Morning Monday ~ It’s Galaxies and Oceans Day!!
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Goooooood morning Monday, indeed!!
It’s Galaxies and Oceans release day, so I’m super excited!! I’ll keep this post short and sweet because I have SO much to do today 
June 17, 2018
Good Morning Monday and a Galaxies and Oceans Excerpt!!
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Apologies for missing my post last week. I was driving all day and had no way to post anything. So I’m making it up to you by posting an excerpt this week
June 3, 2018
Good Morning Monday! How is it even June already?
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I swear it was just January the other day LOL. But June it is, apparently. I’ve been busy of course (something different LOL) and got quite a lot done this week.
I sent Galaxies and Oceans off to proofers, sent Private Charter off to beta-readers, had an audio book release of Starting Point, and managed 9K words in my new WIP!
This week I’ll be making all the changes I need to G&O and should have ARCs ready next week. Release day is June 25th, and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Patrick and Aubrey. Everyone who has met them already (pre-readers, betas, my editor, and proofers) loved their story, which is a huge relief!
Private Charter has been to some beta-readers who enjoyed it as well! I’m the first to admit that Private Charter isn’t exactly heavy on plot. It’s more about the sun, sailing, swimming, and smut.
May 27, 2018
Good Morning Monday ~ Galaxies and Oceans Cover and Blurb Reveal!
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So it’s that time again… One month until release day! Yes, that’s right! Galaxies and Oceans will be out June 25th!
So I better show you guys the cover and blurb, right? 
May 20, 2018
Good Morning Monday from Sydney!
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What an absolute crazy week it’s been. Yes, I’m currently in Sydney. Well, when this post goes live, I’ll be driving home (I live five hours from Sydney). I’ve been here for a Fantasy Writing course at the NSW Writers’ Centre, hosted by the very lovely and extremely talented CS Pacat – author of the remarkable Captive Prince Series. If you haven’t read it, do yourself a favour and do so.
Anyway, it was incredibly interesting and I learned a lot. Not just about the Fantasy genre, but about writing in general. My writing journey has been either online or mostly isolated, so stepping out of my comfort zone and spending the weekend with likeminded people was wonderful. We were all there to learn and hone our craft, and I took away some invaluable information and it gave me a lot to think about.
I have a Fantasy story that has been in my head for a long time, but it’s always felt too big for me to write. Which is weird, right? Because looking back at Cronin’s Key, I should have been daunted as hell. But I jumped into that without any clue of what I was getting myself into and it all turned out rather well. I hope. LOL But this one just feels… I don’t know… BIG. And this weekend’s course helped me break it down a lot, and see that it’s not really anything I haven’t tackled before.
I don’t know when I’ll get around to starting this fantasy book that’s plagued me. I’ve had the title name and the two main characters in my head for almost two years. I didn’t have any immediate plans to write it (certainly not this year) but I might jot down a few ideas/notes and maybe the story and characterisation will form more if I give it time to breathe. In the mean time, I’ll keep on with my usual schedule.
Speaking of which, my WIP (Private Charter) is now at 55K words. In spite of only writing 3 days last week, I did manage my 10K goal which is pretty big for me. I’d say I’m at the 75% mark and on the downhill run.
So it’s typical that I should get the first edits of Galaxies and Oceans back from my editor to stop my flow of words. LOL Though my editor did say G&O might be her all-time fave story of mine to date, so that’s pretty freaking awesome!
Release date for Galaxies and Oceans is June 25th, which is just five weeks away! Eeek! Note the date on your diaries! And I’ll be revealing the cover very soon!
Anyway, it’s late as I type this and I’ve actually spent the last day of the writing course feeling sick, so I’m hoping I wake up feeling better before I have to drive for five hours, then this week I can hopefully tackle some edits that are waiting in my inbox and maybe manage some words on the WIP. Busy, as always! But have I told you guys lately that I have the best job in the world? I seriously do. And I couldn’t do it without you!
Enough sappiness. I’ll be back next week with a cover for Galaxies an Oceans.
Until then… 
May 13, 2018
Good Morning Monday! Mother’s Day Update!
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Happy Mother’s Day!
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Even though it’s Monday here, it’s still Sunday somewhere, so I hope you have a great day! I spent the weekend at basketball and doing housework. Exciting life I lead. LOL Though I did get out of cooking dinner.
I had a busy week and managed a pretty good word count on Private Charter. I’m at 44K and I believe they’re now on Day 4 of their 12 cruise around the Whitsundays. They are Foster and Stuart, they’re a super sweet couple and I’m thoroughly enjoying writing their story. It’s turned cold here, so writing a book about the steamy hot tropics is a little weird. LOL
I’m not sure how much writing I’ll get done this week. I have a bit happening in RL. I want to have the first draft finished, or close to being finished, before I start edits on Galaxies and Oceans – which should be in about two weeks.
I’m hoping to have Galaxies and Oceans out on June 23rd, or thereabouts. I’ll keep you all posted on that, and I’ll be releasing the cover soon!!
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A super quick reminder about my audio books! I had two audio’s come out recently. Spencer Cohen Book Three, and Breaking Point! If you’re new to audio, or thinking of trying it, you can get your first credit free!
Okay, that’s it for this week. Short and sweet. Like me. LOL Until then…
May 6, 2018
Good Morning Monday!
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What a crazy week it was! But it’s Monday here right now, my house is blessedly quiet and I have a to-do list as long as my arm. I normally write my GMM posts on Sunday and schedule them to post first thing Monday morning, but I was out all day yesterday so this will literally be a fly-by post.
Last week I sent out a ‘please re-subscribe to my newsletter’ to my newsletter subscribers. This is to conform with new legislation to come into play on May 25th. It’s a huge pain in the arse for everyone, so I do apologise. Anyone who doesn’t re-subscribe will have to be deleted from the email list. And I would love to keep you all, of course!
You can do that by clicking on my NEWSLETTER form
April 29, 2018
Good Morning Monday ~ Holy crap, tomorrow is the first of May!
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Tomorrow is May. Truly. This year is almost half done. I can’t believe it. But, as the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun… I’ve been crazy-busy. I mean, I’m always busy. I rarely ever get a minute to myself – I’m not even exaggerating LOL
This last week I took my daughter and niece to Sydney for a Harry Styles concert. I singlehandedly propped up the New South Wales economy for a while with the amount of shopping two teenage girls subjected me to, we spent a day at Taronga Zoo (my niece had never been on a ferry or to Taronga, so we rectified that) and we had a fab time. I was off social media (mostly) and it’s always nice to take a mental health break.
A little off topic here, but social media is a huge commitment for me. My main ones are Facebook – with my general timeline, author page, and several groups – and Twitter, and Instagram. Don’t get me wrong, I do love them, but wow, it’s also a lot of work. I constantly worry that I’ll miss notifications or messages and people will think I’m snobbing them or ignoring them, so I do try and check and double check. It’s not always easy. Especially with FB being so hit and miss with any/all notifications and posts, so I do apologise if I have missed anyone.
I love the interaction with readers, and friendships I’ve made online. I cherish them, I really do. But taking a day or two every now and then to spend time doing other things is absolutely recommended. I can’t be available to everyone 24/7. Not to readers, not to family. And no, not even to Ruby (my dog) as much as she doesn’t agree with, or understand, to be honest. She was VERY happy to see me when I got home. There was a LOT of kisses and zoomies. LOL
I also got home to a LOT of messages, posts, comments, and emails expressing utter LOVE for Evolved, which was wonderful! I am so thrilled that people are loving Shaun and Lloyd. I know that anything sci-fi tends to turn some people off, but loyal readers have been taking a chance and finding themselves thoroughly enjoying it (and 99% of people would like their very own Shaun. LOL Get in line. I’m first. haha)
For anyone who has missed it…
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BUYLINK
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In Audio News! Breaking Point is OUT NOW and Spencer Cohen Book Three is up for pre-order!! I love hearing my books in audio… it’s such a thrill for me. And these two do NOT disappoint.
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Sean Crisden does an amazing job as Matthew Elliott in Breaking Point. Truly amazing. The pain and anguish Matt goes through really shines with Sean at the helm. You can find them at:
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Joel Leslie is a stellar performer and his portrayal of Spencer and Andrew just might be my favourite yet.
You can pre-order Spencer Cohen, Book Three at Audible
If you’re new to audio, you can always listen to the sample first. And if you sign up to Audible, your first book is free! And they give you a credit for one book a month when you subscribe. It’s an awesome way to enjoy all your favourite books!
WIP Update: Since I was away for half the week, I didn’t get as much writing done as I’d have liked. My WIP, called Private Charter, is up to 24K. I was hoping this story would be about 50K in total, but given one MC has hired a yacht for two weeks and it’s taken me 24K to get them to day 2 of the venture, I’m thinking it might be a little longer… LOL
I also have visitors this week and my kids go back to school on Tuesday, which means all sporting activities every afternoon also start again (you know how I said I’m always busy? Yeah, I wasn’t kidding LOL) therefore I have no clue how much I will get written this week. I want ALL the words but I highly doubt that’ll happen.
Oh, and I know I’ve previoulsy mentioned Thai translations but I can now confirm the following:
– SIXTY FIVE HOURS – mid 2018 (so, that means soon!)
– CRONIN’S KEY series – beginning in March 2019
– RED DIRT HEART series – beginning in March 2020
– FINDERS KEEPERS – October 2020
I’m super excited to see these! I can’t wait to share the covers with you asap.
Okay, that’s it for this week. *wipes brow* I need a holiday LOL I hope everyone has a great week and I’ll see you next Monday! Until then…
April 27, 2018
Autism Awareness Month ~ Hopes and Dreams, and a contest~
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Autism Fact: People with autism are more likely to be the victims of violence than committing a violent act.
April is Autism Awareness Month and it’s always an honour to take part. This year the theme is hopes and dreams, which is another great topic and one we don’t reflect on enough. I usually only take stock of which goals I’d like to achieve around the new year, not really as a resolution, but more of a ‘am I going in the direction I want/need to be going’ kind of way.
I am truly lucky that I have my dream job – and I know this. I don’t take it for granted, and I work incredibly hard trying to produce the best books I can. I recognise not many people have the privilege of saying they live their dreams. And the one thing I’m trying to instil in my kids, is to do something they love when they leave school.
Not easy, I know.
In today’s world, most of us have to do whatever puts food on the table. I get that. I did that, for many years. And like all parents, I’d love to save my kids from doing that. My kids are nearing the end of their schooling (a few years to go) but there’s pressure on them to pick a career path. I tell them not to stress, after all, I didn’t fall into my writing career wholeheartedly until I was in my thirties.
To a fourteen and fifteen year old, that’s as good as ancient. LOL
But by the same token, I have to wonder which path I’d be on if I’d have found my true passion at their age. I’d always love reading and writing but had no idea it would be dream career. So if I could point my kids in the right direction now, to save them twenty years of jobs they hate, then I absolutely will. I can’t make the decision for them, all I can do is tell them not to choose a career focused on the money, instead focus on the love of what you want to do.
It can be my wish and hope, but it needs to be their dream and doing.
CONTEST:
For your chance to win any book title of mine (winner’s choice) answer me this: if you could tell your fifteen year old self one word advice, what would it be?
Mine would be to start writing earlier.
(I normally have comments closed on my blog, but I will be opening them up for this contest) Please comment below.
That’s it for the Autism Awareness post. To check out the original, you can find it at RJ Scott’s site: http://rjscott.co.uk/autism-awareness-month-2018
In case you’re not aware, or if you’ve been under a rock this last week, you might have missed my latest release! Evolved is a little bit sci-fi, a lot romance, and so much fun!
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In 2068, androids are an integrated part of human life. Big Brother no longer just watches from the shadows. It’s in every household.
Lloyd Salter has OCD issues with noise and mess, and he’s uncomfortable with human interaction. When his ex claimed the only thing perfect enough to live up to his standards was an android, Lloyd dismissed it. But two years later, after much self-assessment, he thinks he may have been right.
SATinc is the largest manufacturer of androids in Australia, including the Fully Compatible Units known as an A-Class 10. Their latest design is the Synthetic Human Android UNit, otherwise known as SHAUN.
Shaun is compatible to Lloyd’s every need; the perfect fit on an intellectual and physical basis. But Lloyd soon realises Shaun’s not like other A-Class androids. He learns. He adapts. Sure that SATinc is aware Shaun functions outside of his programmed parameters, Lloyd must find a way to keep Shaun safe.
No one can know how special Shaun is. No one can know he’s evolved.
April 22, 2018
Good Morning Monday! It’s Release Day for Evolved and a $50 Amazon Gift Card to Win!!
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I’m so excited for everyone to meet Shaun! I’ve had an INCREDIBLE response to the ARC’s with reviews and feedback being wonderful, so a HUGE thank you to everyone who has let me know they loved it! It’s such a relief to get those first replies and even better when they’re glowing reviews.
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Blurb:
In 2068, androids are an integrated part of human life. Big Brother no longer just watches from the shadows. It’s in every household.
Lloyd Salter has OCD issues with noise and mess, and he’s uncomfortable with human interaction. When his ex claimed the only thing perfect enough to live up to his standards was an android, Lloyd dismissed it. But two years later, after much self-assessment, Lloyd thinks he may have been right.
SATinc is the largest manufacturer of androids in Australia, including the Fully Compatible Units known as an A-Class 10. Their latest design is the Synthetic Human Android UNit, otherwise known as SHAUN.
Shaun is compatible with Lloyd’s every need; the perfect fit on an intellectual and physical basis. But Lloyd soon realises Shaun’s not like other A-Class androids. He learns. He adapts. Sure that SATinc is aware Shaun functions outside of his programmed parameters, Lloyd must find a way to keep Shaun safe.
No one can know how special Shaun is. No one can know he’s evolved.
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Buylink:
Giveaway!
And for your chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift card! You can enter at HERE!
(You may need to wait until the 23rd in the US for the rafflecopter to kick into gear, so please be patient and keep trying)
And On Davis Row is now back in KU!! If you’re a KU user, and haven’t read it yet, be sure to grab it
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