Alexa Land's Blog, page 30
August 29, 2013
Something beautiful
Hi friends. Just came across this incredible short film. Thought it was so beautiful that I had to share:
Love through the eyes of a teenager
Enjoy!
Love through the eyes of a teenager
Enjoy!
August 15, 2013
It was the best of months, it was the worst of months....
What a tumultuous summer this has been! There have been epic highs and such very low lows. As mentioned in a previous post, my 19 year marriage ended a few weeks ago, which threw my world off its axis. And yesterday, I had major surgery, which I was scared about but which went perfectly. I'm back at home in my own bed now and recovering well, so all is good there.
Sandwiched in between those two negatives was the most wonderful positive: I got to take my nine year old son on an amazing vacation, a Disney cruise to Alaska, and it was pure magic. That was my first major purchase with the money I've made from my writing, and I owe all of my readers a huge hug, because your support made that dream come true!
In between all of that, I've been writing sporadically, working simultaneously on both the next installment of Tinder and on Hunter's story. I can't say with any certainty when they'll be finished. I know better than to try to promise things by a certain date, given how very unpredictable life is these days. But know that no matter what, I will keep writing, and will try to get Tinder finished just as soon as I possibly can.
Hugs to you,
Alexa
Sandwiched in between those two negatives was the most wonderful positive: I got to take my nine year old son on an amazing vacation, a Disney cruise to Alaska, and it was pure magic. That was my first major purchase with the money I've made from my writing, and I owe all of my readers a huge hug, because your support made that dream come true!
In between all of that, I've been writing sporadically, working simultaneously on both the next installment of Tinder and on Hunter's story. I can't say with any certainty when they'll be finished. I know better than to try to promise things by a certain date, given how very unpredictable life is these days. But know that no matter what, I will keep writing, and will try to get Tinder finished just as soon as I possibly can.
Hugs to you,
Alexa
July 22, 2013
And the good news is....
I'm hard at work on the second installment of the Tinder Chronicles. It will be out around the end of August. For those of you that have asked, there is no preplanned number for that series, I'll keep writing them as long as there's a demand, and as long as it stays fun. :)
The same goes for my Firsts and Forever series. I previously announced plans for a fourth book in that series, which will be Hunter's story. I'll keep writing these books as long as my readers keep enjoying them and asking for more.
Since the Firsts and Forever books really aren't sequels and always have different main characters, it's not limited to a set number. Even though some characters carry over from one story to the next, I've always intentionally written each book so it can stand alone. That way, readers can come in anywhere in the series without feeling lost.
A few people have asked when they can expect Hunter's story. And the answer is -- good question. :) Christopher's story took me a solid five months, and it's probably reasonable to expect Hunter's story will take the same. That would put it around a Christmas release date. It really depends on how easily this one comes together, how much life gets in the way of my writing, and so forth. My advice is to just keep checking back on my blog, I always post updates here.
By the way, December will also be my one year anniversary as a writer. It's been quite a ride, let me tell you. :)
The same goes for my Firsts and Forever series. I previously announced plans for a fourth book in that series, which will be Hunter's story. I'll keep writing these books as long as my readers keep enjoying them and asking for more.
Since the Firsts and Forever books really aren't sequels and always have different main characters, it's not limited to a set number. Even though some characters carry over from one story to the next, I've always intentionally written each book so it can stand alone. That way, readers can come in anywhere in the series without feeling lost.
A few people have asked when they can expect Hunter's story. And the answer is -- good question. :) Christopher's story took me a solid five months, and it's probably reasonable to expect Hunter's story will take the same. That would put it around a Christmas release date. It really depends on how easily this one comes together, how much life gets in the way of my writing, and so forth. My advice is to just keep checking back on my blog, I always post updates here.
By the way, December will also be my one year anniversary as a writer. It's been quite a ride, let me tell you. :)
July 19, 2013
In Pieces
I don't talk about my personal life on this blog very often, but I wanted to tell you what's happened over the last couple weeks. My spouse of almost two decades ended our marriage. Suddenly, I find my own life in pieces.
I know in the long run, this will be a good thing. We weren't happy, not even close. And maybe somewhere down the road, this will give me a shot at happiness. But in the short term, there are grey days ahead.
On a positive note, throughout all of that sadness and heartbreak, In Pieces held in the number one position in gay fiction on Amazon for over two weeks. And many of you have taken the time to write to me and tell me how much you enjoyed the book, and leave positive reviews on Amazon. Your kind words have been such a bright spot at a time when I've really needed that -- so much more than you know.
So once again, thank you. This is definitely a time to remind myself of all I have to be grateful for, and my readers are at the top of that list.
Hugs to each of you,
Alexa xoxo
I know in the long run, this will be a good thing. We weren't happy, not even close. And maybe somewhere down the road, this will give me a shot at happiness. But in the short term, there are grey days ahead.
On a positive note, throughout all of that sadness and heartbreak, In Pieces held in the number one position in gay fiction on Amazon for over two weeks. And many of you have taken the time to write to me and tell me how much you enjoyed the book, and leave positive reviews on Amazon. Your kind words have been such a bright spot at a time when I've really needed that -- so much more than you know.
So once again, thank you. This is definitely a time to remind myself of all I have to be grateful for, and my readers are at the top of that list.
Hugs to each of you,
Alexa xoxo
July 7, 2013
Thank you!
I returned from Seattle late last night, and was absolutely thrilled to see that In Pieces had made it into the number one spot in gay fiction on Amazon! Thank you so much to all my wonderful readers for making that happen!
And a huge thanks to those of you that have taken the time to leave such amazing reviews on Amazon! Wow -- over a dozen five-star reviews!! That's truly an honor, and a big reason why the book has taken off like this. I'm so incredibly grateful, and just can't thank you enough. :)
As you may have noticed, I didn't promise a fourth book in the Firsts and Forever series at the end of In Pieces. That was because I really wanted to see how Christopher's story did before committing to continuing the series. Now that so many people are embracing In Pieces and leaving such wonderful reviews, I'm so happy to announce:
There will be a fourth book in the Firsts and Forever series. It will be Hunter's story, and it will also feature Christopher, Nana, and other characters that you've grown to love.
I love writing these characters, they feel like part of my family. And because of your support, they get to live on. So, a million thanks again! I'm incredibly lucky to have such great readers, and I appreciate you more than I can say.
xxoo Alexa
And a huge thanks to those of you that have taken the time to leave such amazing reviews on Amazon! Wow -- over a dozen five-star reviews!! That's truly an honor, and a big reason why the book has taken off like this. I'm so incredibly grateful, and just can't thank you enough. :)
As you may have noticed, I didn't promise a fourth book in the Firsts and Forever series at the end of In Pieces. That was because I really wanted to see how Christopher's story did before committing to continuing the series. Now that so many people are embracing In Pieces and leaving such wonderful reviews, I'm so happy to announce:
There will be a fourth book in the Firsts and Forever series. It will be Hunter's story, and it will also feature Christopher, Nana, and other characters that you've grown to love.
I love writing these characters, they feel like part of my family. And because of your support, they get to live on. So, a million thanks again! I'm incredibly lucky to have such great readers, and I appreciate you more than I can say.
xxoo Alexa
July 3, 2013
In Pieces now available!
Hello from lovely Seattle! I'm up here for a mini vacay following the publication of In Pieces, which I am thrilled to announce is now available on Amazon. You can find it here. Enjoy! :)
June 29, 2013
Wednesday, July 3rd
That's the day In Pieces should go live on Amazon. It's getting a final read-through this weekend. I know many of you have been eagerly awaiting this one, and the wait is almost over! It ended up quite long by the way, 91K words, which I think will make many of my readers happy. I look forward to hearing from you once you've read it!
June 26, 2013
And the winner is...
Just after noon today, all the entries for the random drawing for a $20 Amazon gift card went into the knit cap:
And I drew the following name:
Congratulations to Kat T. of North Carolina!!
Kat, be watching your email, the gift card will be sent to you within the hour.
And thank you to all who played along, this was so much fun for me! :)
The answer to the contest is in the last blog post, by the way.
And I drew the following name:
Congratulations to Kat T. of North Carolina!!Kat, be watching your email, the gift card will be sent to you within the hour.
And thank you to all who played along, this was so much fun for me! :)
The answer to the contest is in the last blog post, by the way.
Answer to the trivia contest!
For those of you following the contest on this blog over the last few days, here's the answer to my trivia question:
The hat was a replica of one worn by the character Jayne Cobb (played by Adam Baldwin, pictured below) in a wonderful though short-lived TV show airing in 2002 called Firefly. The show was by the brilliant Joss Whedon, and starred oh-so-sexy Nathan Fillion. While it ran less than a full season, it has a rabid cult following to this day. If you've never seen it, do yourself a favor and check it out on Netflix!
Thank you to all who entered the contest! It was a delight getting to hear from some of my readers. I'm going to go and draw the name of the gift card winner out of the knit hat now. He/she will be contacted by email and I'll publish their first name here this afternoon!
The hat was a replica of one worn by the character Jayne Cobb (played by Adam Baldwin, pictured below) in a wonderful though short-lived TV show airing in 2002 called Firefly. The show was by the brilliant Joss Whedon, and starred oh-so-sexy Nathan Fillion. While it ran less than a full season, it has a rabid cult following to this day. If you've never seen it, do yourself a favor and check it out on Netflix!
Thank you to all who entered the contest! It was a delight getting to hear from some of my readers. I'm going to go and draw the name of the gift card winner out of the knit hat now. He/she will be contacted by email and I'll publish their first name here this afternoon!
June 24, 2013
Keep Those Contest Entries Coming!
The first of two $20 Amazon gift cards that I'm giving away was won in a matter of minutes Sunday by the lovely and talented Ann of San Diego, California. All hail Ann and her mad geek skills!! :)
I will post the answer to my Nerd-Off trivia question here on Wednesday, by the way, so you can keep guessing until then!
And don't forget: you can enter the random drawing for the second $20 Amazon gift card from now through noon PST Wednesday 6/26/13 (see contest details in the last post). You don't even have to know the right answer to win! Just email me at alexalandwrites@gmail.com with a random guess to the trivia question in Sunday's blog post and you're entered in the drawing. Easy peasy! The winner will be announced Wednesday afternoon.
It's been a blast getting to hear from so many readers that have never contacted me before! I love knowing there are actually people out there, and I'm not just talking to myself on this blog! :)
Thanks for playing, guys!
I will post the answer to my Nerd-Off trivia question here on Wednesday, by the way, so you can keep guessing until then!
And don't forget: you can enter the random drawing for the second $20 Amazon gift card from now through noon PST Wednesday 6/26/13 (see contest details in the last post). You don't even have to know the right answer to win! Just email me at alexalandwrites@gmail.com with a random guess to the trivia question in Sunday's blog post and you're entered in the drawing. Easy peasy! The winner will be announced Wednesday afternoon.
It's been a blast getting to hear from so many readers that have never contacted me before! I love knowing there are actually people out there, and I'm not just talking to myself on this blog! :)
Thanks for playing, guys!
