M.E. Sutton's Blog, page 6
March 15, 2015
Release: Murder Most Scenic
Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
It took a little longer than I expected, but it’s finally here. The complete collection of The Laurel Highlands Mysteries stories: Murder Most Scenic.
This collection brings together all of the stories previously published elsewhere, including Mysterical-e and in Lucky Charms: 12 Crime Tales:
An Idyllic Place for Murder
Death & Politics
Fatal Frost
Batter Down
Dead of Summer
A Brew to Die For
The stories are arranged in chronological order and include a brief introduction.
The collection is available in digital and print through the following retailers:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | CreateSpace
The digital collection retails for $3.99 (at 0.99 per single, that’s two free stories). The print version is $9.99 – yes, a bit pricier, but I didn’t want to let down the print aficionados out there.
Consider these stories the prequel. As I start to query Every Other Monday is Murder, these stories will explain who the characters are and how they came to be where they are at the start of the novel.
If you’ve only read a story or two, this is a good way to catch up. And if you have’t read any of them, well, now you can get them all in one place.
I really hope you enjoy; these are some of my favorite fictional people in the world. And if you did like them, I’d very much appreciate a shout-out on Amazon, Goodreads, or LibraryThing, or any place else that has reviews. If nothing else, it’ll give me encouragement as I wade into further into the publishing waters.
Happy reading!
March 2, 2015
Release day: Snake in the Grass
Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
It’s here! Happy book birthday to Snake in the Grass: Hero’s Sword Vol. 4!
Here’s the blurb:
Things are getting interesting at Tanner Middle School. The only official candidate for student council president is Jaycee’s nemesis, Trina Poppelman. Plus there’s a new girl in school. At first glance, she looks like she’d fit right in with the cheerleaders, but Jaycee senses something different about her.
Things are getting interesting in Mallory, too. Lady Starla is expecting an Imperial envoy to discuss new taxes. She plans to oppose the measure and asks Lyla to stand by her side in a show of support. However, when the envoy goes missing, the situation becomes a lot more serious than a proposed tax increase.
In this fourth installment of the Hero’s Sword series, Lyla and Roger hit the road to find a missing envoy before Starla pays the ultimate price for his disappearance. Along the way, Jaycee learns that winning isn’t always the end-game result.
The book is now available at all digital retailers, as well as in print.
Kindle | Nook | Kobo | iBooks | CreateSpace
And digital readers: if you need to catch up in a hurry, and you need to start from the beginning, don’t forget there is a digital boxed set of the first three books available at all locations. Three books for the price of two.
Enjoy the trip to Mallory!
Shameless plug time: It would be awesome if, after reading, you went to Amazon, B&N, Goodreads, etc. and left a review – or even just a rating. Doing so helps increase visibility for the books, gives me a warm fuzzy, and inspires me to keep going. And who doesn’t like helping someone find a new book?
February 16, 2015
Pre-release: SNAKE IN THE GRASS
Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
Old Man Winter doesn’t seem to want to loosen his grip on the North East. Boston is still getting dumped on, and the rest of us are shivering in our socks. But there is some news that warms my toes.
Snake in the Grass is now out everywhere for pre-order (okay, everywhere except Barns & Noble, which doesn’t allow pre-orders).
I’ve also approved (I think) the print version of the book, so it will be available on March 2.
Remember, March will also feature special pricing for Power Play. The first ebook will be discounted to 99 cents at all retailers for the entire month of March.
And if you want to catch up in a hurry, there is a digital boxed set of the first three books (Power Play, Storm Clouds, and Wedding Bliss). Links to buy the boxed set are on my home page.
And a little Laurel Highlands news…
Last week saw the release of Fatal Frost, the latest story in the series (well, not really the “latest” as it falls somewhere between Death & Politics and Batter Down in the series timeline, but the latest release) as a digital single. I’m still grinding my way to a collection. I hope to have information for that soon.
So, since winter won’t go away, here’s my advice: get your favorite hot beverage, grab a comfy quilt, and curl up with a book. Preferably one set in the summer.
And please, if you read something you really enjoy, show the author some love. Go to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, wherever and leave a review. Even a rating. The author will thank you.
Trust me.
February 12, 2015
New Laurel Highlands Mystery – Fatal Frost
Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
Just in time for Valentine’s Day – a story of love, with a little murder thrown in there.
If you’ve followed me on Facebook, you know that I’ve been working on a “bonus” story of sorts. One told by deputy coroner Tom Burns.
See, I love Burns. He’s a bit younger, got a slightly weird personality and says things that are rather inappropriate – and would sound really wrong coming from Jim Duncan. But hey, he works with dead people. What do you expect? So it’s okay if he says them.
Back in Death & Politics, Burns quips that he likes dead people because “live patients are so noisy.” And I really thought that was his story. Then, as characters do, he started talking to me. And he told me a secret, something he’s hidden from the others. Once I knew, well, I had to tell the story. I’d like to think he told me because he wants the story to be known.
That story is Fatal Frost.
I waffled a bit on how to release this one. I do plan on doing a collection, with all the Laurel Highlands stories to date, both in ebook and print. And I figured this could be a “gift” for buying the collection. But then, I started thinking, and eventually decided to release it as it’s own thing. Two reasons:
I know people who have faithfully bought every story I’ve written thus far, including Lucky Charms. It felt, well, smarmy I guess to make those folks re-buy everything just to get this one story.
I’m still working on the cover for the collection. Since I don’t have a very firm time frame for completing that, and this story is finished, why not push it out?
So I did. Fatal Frost is available on all platforms – Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and iBooks. Same price – 99 cents.
There will still be a collection. I promise. For you print aficionados, it will be a trade-paperback, too, as well as an ebook. When is it coming? Well, soon-ish, I hope. It’s all on the cover.
So if you haven’t begun reading about Jim, Sally and crew, you may want to wait. I’m sure I’ll price the ebook collection at less than what it would cost to buy each story individually (plus, Batter Down is still only available in Lucky Charms). Of course, if you’re the impatient type, far be it from me to discourage you from buying each story.
And if you’ve read any of them, and enjoyed it, feel free to leave a review, or even just a star rating, and any of the various retailers or Goodreads. Something else that feels smarmy, but those ratings really do help break through and millions of books out there.
Thanks to those who have read – and I hope Burns doesn’t disappoint you.
Edit: Thought I should mention that the timeline on this one is shortly after Death & Politics, so before Batter Down.
February 9, 2015
Re-issue of Hero’s Sword is Complete
Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
On a bit of a dreary, gray, wet February morning, I have some good news.
The second edition of Wedding Bliss: Hero’s Sword Vol. 3 is out an available everywhere, in print and digital.
As with the other volumes, the second edition of Wedding Bliss offers a slightly updated text. Print aficionados will continue to build out their map of the world of Hero’s Sword. The book is available from all retailers: Amazon (print and ebook), Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks, and in print from CreateSpace.
But that’s not all.
If you have not yet joined Jaycee on her adventures, and you want to catch up before the release of Snake in the Grass in March, I’m very happy to say that a digital boxed set is also now available.
This set offers the same updated text as the individual books. It is only a digital offering, but is out at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBooks. The best part? It’s $5.99. The individual ebooks are priced at $2.99 each. So, this is like getting a free book.
Wait, it’s exactly like getting a free book.
I am so happy that these are out in plenty of time for the release of Snake in the Grass. If you haven’t started the adventure, now’s the perfect time. Kill that those last dreary months of winter or get yourself (or your child) something for Valentine’s Day that will be a little more lasting (and a little healthier) than chocolate.
Enjoy your trip to Mallory!
January 25, 2015
Now Available: Storm Clouds
Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
The re-release campaign continues. Today, the second edition of Storm Clouds: Hero’s Sword Vol. 2 is available (almost) everywhere – digital and print.
I say “almost everywhere” because Nook is trailing. But hopefully it will be up soon.
The new digital version includes a (slightly) updated text. The new print edition has the updated text, plus a map of the world of Hero’s Sword so readers can track the adventures.
This makes two second editions now available. Power Play: Hero’s Sword Vol.1, with similar updates, is also available at your favorite retailer.
More news: Wedding Bliss: Hero’s Sword Vol. 3 is now up for pre-order at Amazon, Kobo, and iBooks. The release date for this updated version is February 9.
And even more news (because why stop now): mark your calendars for the release of Snake in the Grass: Hero’s Sword Vol. 4. The book will be released March 2 and will be up for preorder by February 2 (assuming everybody plays nicely with me). And I’ll probably be running a Goodreads giveaway to celebrate, so stay tuned.
Oh, and that digital boxed set? It’s coming, I promise. I’m working on the formatting and finalizing the cover, but it should be available no later than the release date of Snake in the Grass, preferably sooner.
As always, if you enjoy the books, please leave a review and help spread the word.
Enjoy your trip to Mallory!
Update: Nook version is here!
January 19, 2015
Cover Reveal: Snake in the Grass
Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
It’s here! Behold the cover for Snake in the Grass: Hero’s Sword Vol. 4!
The cover artist and I had to change illustrators, so it was a challenge to find someone who reasonably matched the prior cover style. I think this is a pretty good fit, no?
The book will be up for pre-order by mid-February. I’ve got the manuscript in good shape and I’m working on the formatting.
In the meantime, Power Play is now available everywhere, including in print. Storm Clouds can be pre-ordered on Amazon, Kobo, and iBooks (B&N doesn’t allow pre-orders) and will be generally available everywhere on January 26 (that’s only a week away). And I’m working on getting Wedding Bliss up for pre-order as well.
January 14, 2015
Goals – 2015 Edition
Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
Well, it’s halfway through January already. I guess now is as good a time as any to put my 2015 goals out there for public consumption. So here goes.
Re-release existing Hero’s Sword books
By now, you are all probably aware that the former publisher for the Hero’s Sword series has returned all rights to me. I’d like to get all the existing books – Power Play, Storm Clouds, and Wedding Bliss – re-issued. Target date is mid-February. Power Play is already out there and Storm Clouds is up for pre-order. At least in digital format. I’m still working through some issues with the print copies, but rest assured they will be available shortly. Watch this space, Twitter, or my Facebook page. Better yet, subscribe to my newsletter.
Release Snake in the Grass: Hero’s Sword Vol. 4
The manuscript for this has been completed for a while. I’ve been working with the artist on the cover and the print version is complete. She just needs to finish the ebook cover. So look for this to go up for pre-order by early March.
Create a digital boxed set of the first three Hero’s Sword books
Everybody likes a deal, right? While this won’t be done in print, I do plan on releasing a digital “boxed set” of volumes 1-3 for Hero’s Sword. I’ve already started the process for cover art and I need to create the ebook file. I’d like to have this done by the end of February, ahead of the release of Snake in the Grass.
Release Hero’s Sword books 5 and 6
These manuscripts are also already written. Tentatively titled Fire Storm and Shadow Dance, They start the second third of the series arc and will take Jaycee/Lyla and crew into new territory. I’ve already booked an editor for March for Fire Storm and I’ll be starting to work on cover art shortly. I’d like to release a book a quarter. So if Snake in the Grass debuts in March, you can look for Fire Storm in June and Shadow Dance in September. In theory. Stay tuned.
Draft Hero’s Sword book 7
Once the re-release process is complete, and I’ve oiled the gears in the production cycle, I’ll need to keep completing manuscripts to keep the momentum going. I’ve got the synopsis for book 7 and a rough synopsis for book 8, so I’m in a good position. Target completion date (ready for the editor) for book 7 would be October. I think that is completely do-able. Hopefully by the time I’m done writing, I’ll have a title.
Finish current draft for Fallen
This is my rewritten Black Orchid project. Right now, I’m taking it through critique group and I’m getting some great feedback (as my friend Annette said, it takes a village to write a novel and I’ve got a terrific village). I think this should be done in a June timeframe.
Write synopsis for Every Other Monday
Ah, the dreaded synopsis. It’s time. It’s more than time, actually. Every Other Monday is Murder is being proofread right now and it’s ready to start seeking a home. So I need to learn how to write a synopsis. I want to have that done, or at least have a draft I can seek assistance with, by the end of February. So I can…
Query Every Other Monday
I plan to do a couple of Twitter party pitches in the coming months. For that, I also need a synopsis (I think), but a lot of times agents and editors ask for pages. Those I have. If these activities don’t result in offers, I’ll start querying agents and small presses. Target completion for this is end of March (as in, I’ve started querying in the end of March). I will also be attending the Pennwriters conference in May, where I intend to meet with agents and query.
Start revisions on A Matter of Trust
This is the working title for the sequel to Every Other Monday and last year’s NaNoWriMo project. It’s currently in sloppy first draft (SFD) form. Given how long it took me to get Every Other Monday ready, I’m looking to have this ready for other eyes by late summer.
Compile collection of existing Laurel Highlands Mysteries stories
Now that rights for Batter Down have reverted to me, I’d like to put together a collection of all of the existing short stories. This collection would include the current project, Fatal Frost (Frost Fatality?), which is a story told from the point-of-view of deputy coroner Tom Burns. And, this one, I’d do a print version as well. I think a realistic target completion for this is April/May. And, yes, I feel slightly guilty making readers who’ve purchased the other stories pony up again just to get the new story – so I will probably make Fatal Frost available as a digital short, too.
And, of course, there’s continual learning going on. I’ve been elected president of my Sisters in Crime chapter, so there will be a lot of work there. I’ve committed to Bouchercon 2015 in Raleigh this year for my conference (I’d dearly love to go back to WPA, but they moved it to Wisconsin and turns out it’s pricey to fly out of Pittsburgh – and there’s just not enough time to do everything, right?).
So there you are – my goals for the year. At least for now. I’ll revisit them in March to see how I’m doing, check if anything needs to be adjusted or added. In the meantime, I expect you, dear readers, to help keep me honest!
January 12, 2015
Happy Book Re-birthday to me!
Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
Today is the day! You can get a second-edition copy of Power Play, the first in the middle-grade Hero’s Sword series from all of your favorite e-tailers. Click here for more information.
You can also pre-order Storm Clouds everywhere except Barnes & Noble (which doesn’t do pre-orders).
After some scuffles, I’ve sent new files for the print versions, so hopefully those will be ready soon (keep your fingers crossed for me). The print books will contain something new – a map of the virtual world of Hero’s Sword so you can see exactly where Lyla, Roger, and crew are going on their adventures.
Wedding Bliss will be up for pre-order by the end of the month. And then on to Snake in the Grass.
I’m excited to share these new versions with you. And I’m excited to finally be able to give you the next installment in the series.
Have a cupcake and celebrate with me!
December 30, 2014
2014: A Year in Review
Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
So, the time has come to bid 2014 adieu. And surprise! I’m actually getting to a recap before the end of January 2015. I know. Shocker.
Anyway, it’s time to start thinking about what I want to accomplish in 2015. But before I do that, let’s take a look back at 2014 and see how I did.
Write books 5-7 in Hero’s Sword
I didn’t quite get this one. I wrote books 5 and 6. I have plots for 7 and 8. But finished? Yeah, not so much. But I’m okay with this for reasons that you will see below.
Get Every Other Monday is Murder ready for an editor
Check this one off. I got it ready, sent it out, and got it back. Not with quite the feedback I hoped for, but hey, it’s about making the story better, right? So I revised it, had it read again, and sent it to a proofreader. I’m happy. Also, see below.
Write two more Laurel Highlands short stories
I think I get partial credit for this one. I wrote and released A Brew to Die For in September. And I wrote Frost Fatality in early December or late November, I can’t remember. October? Anyway, that one was sent to an editor and is being revised. So yeah, I’m going to count this goal as accomplished because it only says write the stories. Not what comes after, right?
Start releasing the Laurel Highlands stories as digital shorts
Check on this one. Stories 1-5 are out there, with Batter Down (Laurel Highlands #3) the only one not available as a digital single. All the stories are 99 cents. And if you haven’t picked them up, and you have a shiny new Kindle or iPad or whatever that is begging for some content, check them out. I bet you can read them in a couple hours (at most) and folks have told me they are enjoyable. For 99 cents, why not?
Attend Writers Police Academy
Oh my, this might have been the highlight of 2014. First, I’ve been wanting to do this for, like, forever. So getting in was huge. And I was right, missing out on the special classes didn’t diminish the fun. I road-tripped with some of my sibs from Sisters in Crime. I met some really awesome people who generously shared their expertise (and who continue to share it). My only regret? I don’t have the cash to go again in 2015 because I’ve seen the previews and it is going to be awesome!
Revised the Black Orchid project
Another check in the “done” column. The reader was right: it wasn’t a 20,000 word story. So I’ve revised, and revised again, and am now critiquing it with my new group (see below). I like it thus far. But it needs a different title. Have I mentioned how much I struggle with titles? Ah, it’ll come to me. Eventually.
Continue learning about craft
Check here, too. In addition to WPA, I went to Pennwriters. I took a few online workshops, read a few books, re-read some classics (like Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird). And I got myself a new critique group with some really awesome people who give me exactly what I need: support with a healthy dollop of criticism to take my writing up a notch. Yay me!
Bonus goals
I got the rights back to the Hero’s Sword series. I’ve been busy re-reading and getting these ready for re-release in 2015. This is why I’m okay with not having written book 7 yet. Book 4, now called Snake in the Grass, is just about finished and will come out after the re-release of books 1-3.
I also submitted Every Other Monday is Murder to the Mintaur/MWA Best First Crime Novel contest. Hey, if I’m ready to start querying, I might as well give it a shot. Who knows what will happen.
So yeah, 2014 was pretty good. I like what I’ve done and I like where I am. I haven’t hit the New York Times Bestseller List yet, but hey, that’s a dream, not a goal.
2015, here I come!
