R. Leonia Shea's Blog, page 3

Pre-release stressing

Jealous Magic is coming out on Friday, and I’m doing nothing but stressing over it. I’ve planned my NaNoWriMo project (Fortunes Lost & Found) and I should be doing some more work on that, but instead I’ve looked at the covers for the Relic Hunter series and gone off the rails.

It’s been so bad that I’ve actually switched over from writing and into designing the next cover for Arienne’s next book. It’s not done, but I have a good start on her! I’m marketed out, webinared out, and facebooked out – so I’m taking the day off.

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9 Days to go!

Only 9 days until the release of Jealous Magic! If you join my email list as an advanced reader, you can grab the next book before the release date.

What a busy month!

I’m finally DONE with the final edits on my new release. It’s been weeks since I stopped writing the book and started fine-tuning and editing – weeks of staring at commas, re-chaptering, uploading, revising, uploading again. It’s finally done, and I’m super excited that the 4th book in this series is about to be released.

If you think just editing is the only thing I’ve been busy doing, you’re wrong. I’ve also be exhaustively promoting this book. I’ve created new Instagram puzzles, updated the book info on Goodreads, posted out my Facebook and Twitter accounts for the entire month (because I knew I’d have no time while I was editing) and I have to tell you this:

I haven’t been this happy in YEARS.

Not only do I love Arienne, Basir, Coyote, Pops, Ka’Tehm, and Evan even more, but I. Did. It. I finally wrote the book that’s been swirling around my head for the past 6 years.

There’s no better feeling than actually realizing that you accomplished something you wanted to – and what makes it more awesome is the book is better than I ever imagined. Yes, I’m biased, but as an author I have these moments when reading my own work – after having put a manuscript away – and I think “Wait…did I really write this?”

So yes, it’s ready to launch – 20 days ahead of schedule – because I have worked obsessively to make this book the redemption story I needed it to be.

Now is the time you’re going to want to join my mailing list because I have lots of promos coming up later this month and into November. I have a short story that I’ll send you if you sign up – it’s called “Hedgehog Tea” and it features Arienne & Basir. It was previously published in the anthology “A Cup of Christmas” – but that was YEARS ago – it’s a fun holiday story with lots of magic!

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Sunday Morning Projects

Have you had a chance to check out my Instagram feed yet? I’ve been busy creating content and putting together puzzles so my feed is visually awesome. I just started my author Instagram last week because at first I was like “How can I talk about my books using just pictures?” – then I realized “You’re also an artist.” so…yeah, I forgot about that part of my life.

The truth is, I spend Sunday mornings – and by morning, I mean the wee-small hours of the morning – creating content and scheduling posts. In all honesty, it’s been incredibly fun and enlightening. It’s easy to talk about my books using pictures – and I have a great time creating the puzzles. It also really puts me in the zone to write (or edit, like I plan to do today).

Right now I have a few projects going on. I’m in the final edit of Jealous Magic, I’m prepping for NaNoWriMo (yes, I still try to do that every year), and I’m posting content all over the place. I think the posting spree is about wanting to keep my art skills sharp while I’m off being creative in a whole new way.

I’ve noticed something interesting, though. Not only is my author account getting more traffic, but my art sites are doing great (despite the neglect). That could be because they’re somehow linked, but it could also be because the more things you put out into the universe, the more things start to gel.

So here’s what’s coming up in October…

More Instagram puzzles about my books (They’re cool, so you should follow me!).

An announcement about how to grab an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of Jealous Magic (I’ll post here, but you can also connect with me on Goodreads and AllAuthor.com).

More Pins for Jealous Magic because I want you to see what I pictured as I wrote the book.

And finally…the release of Jealous Magic on October 30th (Hint: It’s at the pre-release price of .99 cents right now). There’s a lot to do next month, but I’m so excited about all of this. While you’re here, why not sign up for my newsletter so you’ll know about all of the exciting developments and get notified of sales and upcoming projects?

So, I’m off to edit now, but thank you so much for reading my posts every week. I love what I do, and your constant attention to my posts, books, and other ventures really means the world to me.

Cover Reveal for Jealous Magic!!

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I’ve been dying to put this cover out there! I’ve had it for YEARS waiting for the book to be done. Allow me to explain the artwork for a moment.

I wanted the Celtic cross because if you read Legendary Magic, the last time we saw Ari and Evan they were looking for an ancient relic (not a spoiler). I love that blue shade because it’s on all the covers to some degree, and I had to have Coyote, Basir, and Evan on this cover with Ari. She’s been a solo-witch for so long that I wanted to make sure she had friends to hang out with.

I write fun fantasy about likable characters that have laugh-out-loud situations. I keep it light and breezy because I want to take you on an adventure and give you something to feel good about. So come with me on this one…it’s up for pre-order right now. It’s smart, fun, and this time there’s a little romance (because Ari needs a boyfriend).

New Cover Reveal!

Free Series Beginning

I just posted Unplanned Magic - the prequel short story for free on Amazon.com. Unplanned Magic. Enjoy!

Dr. Arienne Cerasola is sure the mysterious writing in Saint Cieran's monastery is important. It's certainly more interesting than brushing dirt off dead monks. The more she's told to ignore the writing, the more tempting it becomes. Magic + temptation = a life-changing experience.

Start the series for free!

Now Free on Amazon!

The first story in the Relic Hunter series is now free on Amazon.com! This is a short story about how Dr. Arienne Cerasola went from field archaeologist to relic-hunting witch. You’ll meet Pooka, Dr. Stanley Ash (he’s a jerk), Basir and Ari as they search the ruins of Saint Cieran’s Monastery in Ireland. Its a fun little story that’s a great lunch-time read! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007NO85J4

Cover Teaser

Cover Teaser