K.M. Alexander's Blog, page 13
March 28, 2021
Old Haunts: All of Me
Wilcox Warren
Level Four
Morning“A scorched flat plain stretched off in every direction uninterrupted. No hills, no mountains, just endless wastes. In the distance a broken sun was setting, and it lengthened our shadows across the flat expanse.”
—Waldo Bell, Old Broken Road
Visit Previous Haunts:
Lucky Star
Denny Lake Warren
Level Four
Midmorning
Rhapsody
King Station Warren
Level Four
Early Evening
Serenade on Two
Martello Warren
Level Two
Late Night
Local Service
Martello Warren Level Four
Mid-Day
Licensed Dir. Agents
Unknown Warren Level Three Late Night
Happy Auseil
Hickman-Franklin Warren Level Three
Early Morning
Social Climber
Frink Park Warren Between Level Four & Five
Early Afternoon
Order Up
Shantak Coffee
Deck Three
Mid-Morning
Newsie: Drew Gerken
“All of Me” by Mildred Bailey and The Paul Whiteman Orchestra (1931)
Other audio from Freesounds special thanks to: amholma ,dbdarby, ecfike, felix-blume, kodak, krkovicka, mdsn, niamh00145229, psykoosiossi, reznik, scotthopkins, sean-sd2007, and the shuggie.
Broll provided by Videezy.com
Want to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to make sure it’s not spammy and full of interesting and relevant information. Sign Up Today→
March 27, 2021
Join me for Dead Drop Live
Dead Drop is the name of my infrequent newsletter. (Subscribe, heathen!) The name comes from the method of espionage tradecraft used during the cold war era to exchange information. I always felt it fitted a newsletter that only comes once or twice a year (if you’re lucky). But, on Tuesday, March 30th, in celebration of the launch of Gleam Upon the Waves, Dead Drop is emerging from the shadowed spaces and going LIVE.
Join me for Dead Drop LiveTuesday – 3/30/21 – 6–7 PM PST
– On Twitch at twitch.tv/kmalexander –
I’m going to be doing a reading from Gleam Upon the Waves. (Probably Chapter 4.) I’m going to be answering questions. I’m going to be showing the new swag. Maybe we’ll do a giveaway? Who knows! I’ve never done this before! I’m old. Streaming is new and weird to me. Let’s make it extra weird. So, mark your calendars and come join me! You’re invited.
Can’t make it. Don’t worry, the stream will be recorded and available later. But really, what else do you have happening on a Tuesday night in March during a pandemic? Exactly. I’ll see you there.
March 24, 2021
New Bookmarks!
As many of you know, with the launch of each novel in The Bell Forging Cycle, I’ve released three custom bookmarks—Gleam Upon the Waves will be no different. Today, I’m excited to share two of them! I think you’ll dig ’em. The third—to be revealed later—it’s still in production and will deviate a little from the standard 2″x6″ square format if everything works out (or it’ll be fairly normal if they don’t.)
You can see detailed version below. There’s the standard title-style bookmark which matches the other series’ sets, and one modeled after a ticket from The Gamble. (Which you’ll get to visit real soon.) Both feature spot gloss on the front and back. (It really makes that bloodstain pa-pop!) I’ll share the top-secret third bookmark when it’s available and ready!
Down to less than a week, roaders! Looking for something to do until Gleam Upon the Waves arrives? Check out this post from yesterday!
March 23, 2021
One Week ’til GLEAM UPON THE WAVES
It feels a little unreal to write this, but Gleam Upon the Waves arrives next Tuesday, March 30th! That’s right, Book IV is nearly here. I hope you’re ready, roader. Are you looking for something to do in the meantime? Here are a few ideas:
● Preorder your ebook using one of the links below: Kindle – Kobo – Nook – Apple Books – GooglePlay ● Read an excerpt! ● Add Gleam Upon the Waves to your Goodreads! ● You got question about the launch? I have answers. ● Check out some of the new swag here! And here! ● Explore forgotten echoes, distant corners, and old haunts! ● Check out the new Bell Forging Cycle Glossary! ● Listen to my Interview on The Indie Pub podcast !● Oh, yeah! Tell your friends!
March 21, 2021
More GLEAM UPON THE WAVES Swag
A new book means new 1″ buttons. I think you’ll dig these. One might even remember seeing similar campaign posters in certain old haunts.
More Gleam Upon the Waves Swag
A new book means new 1″ buttons. I think you’ll dig these. One might even remember seeing similar campaign posters in certain old haunts.
March 20, 2021
Answering Questions About the Upcoming GLEAM UPON THE WAVES Launch
We’re ten days out from the arrival of Gleam Upon the Waves, the fourth book in The Bell Forging Cycle. Since its release date announcement, I’ve had quite a few emails from readers with some really great questions. So, I figured putting together a post where I answer them publically would be helpful for everyone!
Where can I preorder the ebook?Everywhere! In fact here’s some links:
Kindle – Kobo – Nook – Apple Books – GooglePlayWhile you’re at it, you should add it to your Goodreads.
Can I preorder the paperbacks?For reasons I can’t comprehend, Amazon doesn’t actually allow for pre-orders of physical copies—at least not for Amazon-printed titles. (My books are printed through Amazon’s KDP service, formerly CreateSpace.) Trade-paperbacks are planned. I have a proof sitting next to me as I write this post. I’ll be pushing them live on the 30th, and you’ll be able to order them then.
Are you going to be offering signed copies?You betcha! The plan is to have signed copies back in my story after the 30th. I realize my story has been empty for much of the last year (when the pandemic hit, I didn’t order any more books since I wasn’t going to conventions.) But I should have fresh new stock arriving soon, and the store will reopen. Believe me, I’ll be posting about it.
Do you have ARCs for reviewers?I do. I wrote a post about it here with all the details.
Will there be book sets available?Yep! The Roader Pack is slated to return in a fancy new 2021 format. I’m currently building out the newest swag set and waiting on shipments. I’ll post about it when they’re available.
That covers most of the typical questions people have asked. If you have a question I haven’t answered leave a comment below or reach out to me via email.
Ten days, roaders!
Answering Questions About the Upcoming Gleam Upon the Waves Launch
We’re ten days out from the arrival of Gleam Upon the Waves, the fourth book in The Bell Forging Cycle. Since its release date announcement, I’ve had quite a few emails from readers with some really great questions. So, I figured putting together a post where I answer them publically would be helpful for everyone!
Where can I preorder the ebook?Everywhere! In fact here’s some links:
Kindle – Kobo – Nook – Apple Books – GooglePlayWhile you’re at it, you should add it to your Goodreads.
Can I preorder the paperbacks?For reasons I can’t comprehend, Amazon doesn’t actually allow for pre-orders of physical copies—at least not for Amazon-printed titles. (My books are printed through Amazon’s KDP service, formerly CreateSpace.) Trade-paperbacks are planned. I have a proof sitting next to me as I write this post. I’ll be pushing them live on the 30th, and you’ll be able to order them then.
Are you going to be offering signed copies?You betcha! The plan is to have signed copies back in my story after the 30th. I realize my story has been empty for much of the last year (when the pandemic hit, I didn’t order any more books since I wasn’t going to conventions.) But I should have fresh new stock arriving soon, and the store will reopen. Believe me, I’ll be posting about it.
Do you have ARCs for reviewers?I do. I wrote a post about it here with all the details.
Will there be book sets available?Yep! The Roader Pack is slated to return in a fancy new 2021 format. I’m currently building out the newest swag set and waiting on shipments. I’ll post about it when they’re available.
That covers most of the typical questions people have asked. If you have a question I haven’t answered leave a comment below or reach out to me via email.
Ten days, roaders!
March 17, 2021
Let’s Visit the Indie Pub
It’s Saint Patrick’s Day, and it’s tradition to make a trip to the local pub. But that’s not entirely feasible since we’re still dealing with a pandemic—so why not join me and my pal, fellow writer, and travel buddy J. Rushing for the inaugural episode of his new podcast, The Indie Pub! Episode one is out today, I’m the first guest, and you can listen to it below.
I had a lot of fun chatting with Jim, and I think that comes through. I hope I get another chance to visit the pub in the future. His plan is to start releasing new episodes every other week and he’ll be discussing all aspects of indie publishing with a whole swath of great guests. So tell your pals, drop him a review, and subscribe to the Indie Pub from any of the links below.
AnchorApple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsCastboxBreakerSpotifyYouTubeRadioPublicOvercast (see app)Pocket CastsHappy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! Enjoy the podcast.
March 16, 2021
Old Haunts: Order Up
Shantak Coffee Deck Three, Kaleetan District (Onboard the Gamble) Mid-Morning“The spot had a more substantial appearance than other locations on this deck. Its walls were solid bulkheads, and it had its own door that led into a dark interior. The sign above was neon, the glass twisted to illustrate in blue glowing tubes a creature that was a hybrid between bat and bird, paired with an ugly horse’s head. The glass was animated to give the bird-thing a herky-jerky appearance as if it was in flight. A white fabric sign below read ‘Lovat’s Oldest Operating Coffee Shop’ in red Strutten letters.”
—Waldo Bell, Gleam Upon the Waves
Visit Previous Haunts:
Lucky Star
Denny Lake Warren Level Four Midmorning
Rhapsody
King Station Warren Level Four Early Evening
Serenade on Two
Martello Warren Level Two Late Night
Local Service
Martello Warren Level Four Mid-Day
Licensed Dir. Agents
Unknown Warren Level Three Late Night
Happy Auseil
Hickman-Franklin Warren Level Three Early Morning
Social Climber
Frink Park Warren Between Level Four & Five Early Afternoon
Some audio from Freesounds. Special thanks to: erh, ivolipa, kinoton, patricklieberkind, srgbld, stuntman, trainscough5407, and univ-lyon3.
Broll provided by Videezy.com
Want to stay in touch with me? Sign up for Dead Drop, my rare and elusive newsletter. Subscribers get news, previews, and notices on my books before anyone else delivered directly to their inbox. I work hard to make sure it’s not spammy and full of interesting and relevant information. Sign Up Today→
