Steven A. McKay's Blog, page 14
June 6, 2020
Warrior Druid of Britain Book III – TITLE REVEAL!
I’ve now completed work on the first draft of the new Druid novel (following on from 2018’s The Druid and 2019’s Song of the Centurion) and my editor will be going over it next month. So, that means, all being well, I am aiming for an August release date! Writing this one was a bit like when I wrote The Wolf and the Raven for the Forest Lord series – I had a plan but it went out the window once I started writing and ended up writing something I hadn’t expected! So the events that were supposed to happen in this novel will now (probably!) take place in book 4!
Anyway, the title is….well, a drumroll is hardly needed is it, since your eye would have been drawn instantly to the huge image here as soon as you opened the webpage.
It makes a nice acronym, TNT (a great AC/DC song too!) and hopefully there’s some explosive action within the writing…
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I had planned on doing a cover reveal just now, but it’s not QUITE ready. My designers sent me the first draft and it’s fantastic, just needs a couple of tiny tweaks, so check back in a few days to see the full artwork in all its glory.
Stay safe everyone, and leave a few evenings free in August to read The Northern Throne!
Then, next up, Kindle and print editions of LUCIA in October – if you haven’t checked it out on Audible yet, please do. The narrator they hired is fantastic and I’m really proud of that novel.
May 26, 2020
Grimdark Magazine’s stunning review of The Druid
GRIMDARK, the renowned fantasy magazine, recently took a look at my novel The Druid and seem to have rather enjoyed it, judging by their review. Although The Druid is historical fiction, I, and obviously the reviewer, think it can be enjoyed just as much by fans of fantasy along the lines of Game of Thrones.
“To my mind The Druid is everything historical fiction should be and more,” as the reviewer (James Vella-Bardon, a published author himself) says.
Take a look at Grimdark’s fantastic review HERE.
I’ve been working away on the third Druid book during lockdown and it’s almost finished! Decided to add one more little adventure today, before wrapping things up for the first draft, but it’s well on track for a summer release. Cover art has been commissioned, so look out for it, along with the title reveal, very soon. Once that comes out, it’s a Kindle and print release for LUCIA in October, and then, all being well, another mystery for Tuck and Little John to solve around Christmas time!
Stay safe, and roll on summer!
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May 23, 2020
New interview, check it out!
Here’s a fun new interview with some cool questions. Please take a look: https://historicalfictionreader.blogspot.com/2020/05/authorinterview-historical-fiction.html
As a writer, what attracted you to historical fiction?
I think it’s all the heroic or inspiring deeds and people we imagine populating our past – men and women like Odysseus, King Arthur, Jane Eyre, Anne S. Cuthbert, and so on. There’s something very romantic, yet still grounded in reality, about those people so it offers the reader escapism without straying too far from our current existence the way fantasy or sci-fi does. It’s also fun to research a period in history, find some interesting events and people, then mould it all to suit your own vision. I find it fascinating to discover things like, for example, the medieval monks in Selby Abbey got into trouble for drinking, fighting and fornicating – that’s the kind of thing that makes a great story!
Read the rest, including why Little John is so metal, HERE!
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May 19, 2020
Wolf’s Head Countdown Deal
One for USA readers – Wolf’s Head, book 1 in the Forest Lord series is just 99c for a few days. If you haven’t read any of my books yet, why not start here? Fans of Cornwell, Iggulden, Scarrow and Kane might enjoy it! Check out the reviews and see if 14th century England could be worth a visit during lockdown…
https://www.amazon.com/Wolfs-Head-Forest-Lord-ebook/dp/B00DSCDZFY/
If you’re wondering about the next Druid book – it’s about 2/3 complete and I’m beavering away on it to have it ready for a summer release. Stay tuned for the title and cover art reveal over the coming weeks.
Stay safe!
Steven
May 2, 2020
Athour Spotlight – Steven. A. McKay plus review!
A new interview with me, plus a review for Over the Wall, check it out!
It’s been a while since I’ve done a little author spotlight..lets rectify that now as I welcome author Steven A. McKay to my blog. Keep reading for my lastest review as well!!
Steven is author of the brilliant Forest Lord series and now The Warrior Druid of Britain series. Not to forget if you are a fan of Audible you should check out his Roman slave tale Lucia!
Let’s get on with the Q&A.. Welcome!!
So I’ve a few questions I hope you won’t mind answering.
After the success of the Forest Lord series it must have been quite daunting starting a fresh new series. Did you worry at all and how has the new series been received?
Yes, it was a bit of a wrench to leave behind my Forest Lord series. Not just because I had really grown to know and love the characters, but because it had…
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Over The Wall now available to buy on Kindle (free with KU)
If you didn’t get the short story, “Over The Wall”, which I sent out to my email list subscribers last week, it’s now available – polished, expanded and with a professional cover – on Kindle (free with Kindle Unlimited). Links below!
If you’ve already read it via my email list, a review would be awesome, but please mention that you got a free copy from me as that’s one of Amazon’s rules.
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Beltane, AD425
Northern Britain
Midnight approaches and in Dun Breatann’s great hall the Beltane feasting continues, with stories and songs and as much meat and ale as anyone could wish for.
On the western side of the towering fortress however, ten small figures make their way up the shadowy rock. Armed to the teeth, and hand-picked for their particular, deadly skills, these warriors have travelled far across the sea from Dalriada and are utterly focused on their mission, despite the fact most – perhaps all – of them will die this night.
High above, guards patrol the fortress walls as usual, but they expect yet another quiet shift for, as everyone knows, Dun Breatann is impregnable.
Isn’t it?
This brand new novelette was written during the COVID-19 lockdown specifically to provide much-needed entertainment and escapism for adventure fiction fans. So pour yourself a mug of ale (or coffee!), sit back, and join the legendary warrior-druid Bellicus for another exciting tale of fifth-century Britain.
PRAISE FOR STEVEN A. McKAY’S WARRIOR DRUID OF BRITAIN CHRONICLES
“…the historical detail is seamlessly melded into a plot bursting with adrenaline and suspense…To my mind this novel is everything historical fiction should be and more.” – JAMES VELLA-BARDON, author of The Sheriff’s Catch
“as a storyteller McKay is up there with the best of them.” – David’s Book Blurg
“on a par with anything you’ve read before by him there Cornwell, or Kane, or Kristian…a triumph, an honest to goodness, self-assured triumph.” – STEVE DENTON/SPEESH READS
April 21, 2020
Over the Wall cover reveal & Song of the Centurion now available on Audible!
My brand new FREE short story (which will only be available to my email list subscribers – sign up HERE if you haven’t already) is called “Over The Wall” and you can see the cover art below. I rather like it, although I made it myself so it’s nowhere near as good as my usual covers. Maybe I’ll get my designers to make a proper one for it eventually. The story will be emailed out on World Book Day – April 23rd so sign up NOW!
[image error]The tale is part of the Warrior Druid of Britain series, and I suppose it’ll be a kind of prequel to the novels as it’s set a few years before them. I came up with the idea for it because the events are mentioned in passing in the third druid book which I’m working on right now. When you read the book you’ll understand how “Over The Wall” fits in, I think it’ll be pretty cool!
And, if you haven’t yet read book 2 in the series, Song of the Centurion, it is now available to buy from Audible (I believe iTunes will follow soon if it’s not there already). Narrated again by the excellent Nick Denton, I hope everyone enjoys it. Get it at the links below:
Remember, World Book Day (Night, in the UK) is tomorrow, so sign up now if you want the FREE Druid tale “Over The Wall”![image error]
Want a brand new, FREE druid short story for World Book Day 2020?
Who wants a brand new FREE short story starring Bellicus from The Druid? My wife suggested I do something for World Book Day and, rather stupidly perhaps, I’ve decided I’ll write a new tale over the next two days and give it away for free to my email list subscribers.
I’ve not even started it yet, but it will tie in to something that’s mentioned in passing in the new book. It’ll be set a few years BEFORE The Druid though.
You can sign up for the email list at the link below:
http://eepurl.com/bqatb5
Please share with your reader friends!
April 17, 2020
Song of the Centurion audiobook finished, Wolfskopf paperback available!
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Audible fans, save a credit as Song of the Centurion, sequel to The Druid, has finished recording! Nick Denton narrated again and we signed it off yesterday, so now it just has to pass through Audible’s quality control tests before it appears on sale. Usually that takes a couple of weeks or so, which means it should, hopefully, be ready when you get your new credit in May. If you’re looking for something to listen to during lockdown, and still haven’t heard The Druid now is the time to do it! Remember, you can get it completely FREE with an Audible trial (which you can just cancel after the first month if you decide it’s not for you). Links below to get your free copy of The Druid:
USA – http://ow.ly/2dfe50uKqkS
UK – http://ow.ly/PaAd50uKqpd
Ebook is FREE on Kindle Unlimited worldwide, and also FREE to UK Prime Reading members just now.
Next, the German edition of Wolf’s Head which has been available on Kindle for a few months, can now be bought as a paperback.
STAY SAFE EVERYONE!
April 14, 2020
Writing a debut novel, the Lockdown Series Part 6 – Agents, self-publishing stigma, dealing with disappointments, and some general tips.
If you haven’t read the previous parts of this little series you can find part 1 HERE, part 2 HERE , part 3 HERE, part 4 HERE and part 5 HERE. Read them first, then come back. No rush – I’ll just wash my hair while I wait for you.
Right, the first, and most important thing piece of advice I would give you actually goes all the way back to the first post in this series: BELIEVE IN YOURSELF and your writing. Let me give you an example:
You have your debut novel all written and ready to be published but then you decide you want to have an audio version made using ACX. You have two choices on how to do that (assuming you aren’t narrating it yourself) – 1) Hiring someone to produce it and paying them half of your royalties, or 2) paying someone a flat fee up front, then keeping all the royalties for yourself.
[image error]Share royalties? Never!
It’s very tempting to go for the royalty share, because you’re really getting your audiobook narrated without paying a penny straight away. But what happens if your book explodes and thousands of people want the audiobook? Do you really want to share half your royalties with someone else? What if the book is made into a movie and MILLIONS of people want to buy the audiobook? You could be losing out on a fortune, while making someone else wealthy. Of course, it’s highly unlikely your debut novel is going to become the next Harry Potter or 50 Shades of Grey, but you know your book is good, right? You know people will enjoy it, and leave great reviews, and it will do well, or at least that’s how you should be looking at it. Call it arrogance if you like, but when it comes to deals for audiobooks or foreign translations, if you can afford it, don’t share the royalties. Believe that your book is going to be BIG, and do what you can to make it so.
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Now, it’s quite possible you won’t be able to afford to pay a narrator the full cost, so royalty share will be your only option. But, once your book starts selling like hot cakes – and it will, won’t it? – next time around you’ll have some extra cash available to choose how you want to do things.
Next tip – X marks the spot. Some of you will already by doing something like this, but when I started out I didn’t think of it and it would have saved me a lot of hassle. Quite simply, when you’re in full flow, writing away like crazy, then come to a section which needs researched – rather than immediately heading for a book or Google, put an X in your document and KEEP WRITING. If you’re like me, your writing time is often precious – half an hour grabbed here and there when the kids aren’t around or whatever. It’s not worth wasting that time just to look up a fact. You can do that ANY time – your book will come together quicker if you get it down when you’re in the zone. Then, later on, when you’re in bed or on the train or whatever, just bring up your document on your laptop or phone, and search for all the X’s. Fill them in at your leisure! It’s such an obvious tip, but many people don’t think of it and it really does lead to a more efficient way of working.
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Next – there’s nothing wrong with self-publishing! I expect lots of people who read this and are working on a debut novel will be dreaming of finding a huge publisher and seeing their book as a hardback. I had the same dream – hey, I still would love to see at least one of my books in that coveted form. But is it worth chasing that dream for months, YEARS, trying to find an agent, then, if you do, waiting for them to sell it to a major publisher? Do you realise how many authors nowadays are making a living from going down that route? I’ve been on panels with Amazon, sitting beside authors who’ve had major deals with big publishers, only to realise they’re making a pittance from the royalties and they switch voluntarily to self-publishing because it brings in more money and allows them to actually earn a decent living.
[image error]Counting my money during lockdown.
Years ago there was a stigma attached to self-publishing but nowadays readers have come to realise some of the best books out there are written by independent authors. However, I’m not saying you MUST publish yourself – just be aware that you have a choice. You could try and find a publisher, of course, follow that dream if it means a lot to you! But don’t sink years of your life into it when your book could be out there making you money while you work on the next volume.
Now, that all brings me onto the subject of AGENTS. Is it even worth trying to find an agent these days? I guess it must be or they wouldn’t still exist. I was so excited to be taken on by an agent in New York about three years ago as I knew he’d managed to sell books to some major publishing houses so I really thought that was it – I’d made it. He liked The Druid and obviously I believed completely in it, so I waited eagerly as he started the process of selling it to a publisher. Months went past and nothing happened. In the end, after a year of very little happening, I grew disillusioned – I’d already managed to sell over 100,000 self-published books on my own by this point. Yet my agent was only getting rejections for The Druid and it took me back to the start, when the same thing had happened with Wolf’s Head and agents told me there was no market for it. I believed there was a market for Wolf’s Head in 2013 and I was right. I believed in The Druid just as much. More! So it was very depressing to have these publishers rejecting me all over again. In the end, I decided enough was enough and I self-published it. Guess what? There was a market for it, as the chart placings and sales figures showed. It’s still in the top 1000 overall in the UK right now, over a year after its release.
I don’t blame my agent for any of this – I believe he did what he could to sell it and was just as surprised and frustrated as me by the publishers’ apathy. But it was a lesson learned for me. If you truly want to follow that traditional publishing route, and hold a hardback in your hand one day, you need to find an agent, then a willing publisher – and it’s then highly likely you’ll make a LOT less money than you would if you self-published your book. Think very carefully about it – there’s nothing wrong with self-publishing!
Okay, the last thing I can think of to mention are the inevitable disappointments you’re going to face as an author. There’ll be times when it looks like something big is going to happen, only for it to fall apart, rather like when I got an agent. Or there was the time a major movie producer got in touch with me about possibly turning The Wolf and the Raven into a Hollywood blockbuster. I had practically selected which Ferrari I was going to buy, but never heard from them again after the first couple of emails. Then, a little more prosaically, there’s been occasions when it looks like one of my books will be featured in Amazon deals in the USA, which would surely have resulted in some big sales, only for it not to happen, and once a Spanish publisher asked about translating my books only to ignore my emails once I sent them the paperbacks (at my own cost).
[image error]The only Ferrari I’ll probably ever own, sadly.
Here’s the lesson I learned from all these things: Have hope, but don’t build up your hopes too much. As we say in Scotland, “what’s for you won’t go by you.” Don’t fret about a deal that might have been, focus on making something else good happen instead. As soon as I parted ways with my agent I managed to secure a deal, by myself, with Audible for my standalone novel Lucia. They bought the audio rights from me, edited, copyedited and hired a top-class narrator, while I retained the ebook and paperback rights. So, keep believing.
Ultimately – the only way anything can happen is if you actually publish your novel. So stop editing, proofing and procrastinating, and get it out there for people to buy NOW. Your journey is about to begin, so get to it!
