Realm Lovejoy's Blog, page 3
February 26, 2018
News Week - 2/26/18
Hope everyone's February is going great!
Latest news:
My latest novel (longest yet!) was sent to my dev editor! This one was my most recently completed (just last autumn) and pure joy to write. It's packed with my inspiration and aspirations. I can't wait to share it next year.
Another novel is due to another editor next weekend! (And I already have it ready to go, yes!) This one was completed summer 2016 and I was waiting until SPEAR was finished before scheduling it for production. ETA is next year.
Picture book was sent to my line editor (final line edit!) and I'm working away at the art. I'm aiming to have it out this autumn.
All three books mentioned above are completely different from what I've written thus far.
Below, I'll share photos from my Instagram of this month's activities.
Celebrating the latest novel plus my bday:
We got to see Hamilton, finally. It made my bday weekend even more awesome. Great to see diversity and also a unique way of storytelling:
Prior, we saw Swan Lake, my favorite ballet:
Snow on my bday, yes!
I really wanted to go ice skating and we finally went:
Rewinding back... a casual Valentine's day dinner:
We got to hear one of our favorite songs live at our favorite Italian restaurant... you can get a glimpse here. A special moment to be sure!
It's been a very fun month full of things to be grateful for. I'm looking forward to March when the air will warm up and we'll see hints of Spring.
--Realm
Latest news:
My latest novel (longest yet!) was sent to my dev editor! This one was my most recently completed (just last autumn) and pure joy to write. It's packed with my inspiration and aspirations. I can't wait to share it next year.
Another novel is due to another editor next weekend! (And I already have it ready to go, yes!) This one was completed summer 2016 and I was waiting until SPEAR was finished before scheduling it for production. ETA is next year.
Picture book was sent to my line editor (final line edit!) and I'm working away at the art. I'm aiming to have it out this autumn.
All three books mentioned above are completely different from what I've written thus far.
Below, I'll share photos from my Instagram of this month's activities.
Celebrating the latest novel plus my bday:
We got to see Hamilton, finally. It made my bday weekend even more awesome. Great to see diversity and also a unique way of storytelling:
Prior, we saw Swan Lake, my favorite ballet:
Snow on my bday, yes!
I really wanted to go ice skating and we finally went:
Rewinding back... a casual Valentine's day dinner:
We got to hear one of our favorite songs live at our favorite Italian restaurant... you can get a glimpse here. A special moment to be sure!
It's been a very fun month full of things to be grateful for. I'm looking forward to March when the air will warm up and we'll see hints of Spring.
--Realm
February 14, 2018
LE FAY - Happy Valentine's Day Sale! - 2018
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!
As a Valentine to my readers, I have put all my ebooks on sale for a week. (US and UK store: 2/14 - 2/20)
Now that the SWORD audiobook and SPEAR paperback is out, it's a good time to catch up on the series in the format you desire! SPEAR could make a great Valentine's read since it features the fate of four Arthurian pairings. (!)
For LE FAY fans, here's a Valentine e-card that can be used! Morgan le Fay isn't very into Valentine's Day, as you can see:
The sale will be from 2/14-2/20, with prices starting low for a few days before they crawl back to the original price.
Also I sent out my first newsletter today! (Look at me being all proper author, blogging and sending a newsletter and everything.) If you'd like to receive my newsletter in the future please subscribe here. (I plan to only send them out when there's big news, like a book release or sale, so it will not be spammy.)
Enjoy the sale! XO
--Realm
As a Valentine to my readers, I have put all my ebooks on sale for a week. (US and UK store: 2/14 - 2/20)
Now that the SWORD audiobook and SPEAR paperback is out, it's a good time to catch up on the series in the format you desire! SPEAR could make a great Valentine's read since it features the fate of four Arthurian pairings. (!)
For LE FAY fans, here's a Valentine e-card that can be used! Morgan le Fay isn't very into Valentine's Day, as you can see:
The sale will be from 2/14-2/20, with prices starting low for a few days before they crawl back to the original price.
Also I sent out my first newsletter today! (Look at me being all proper author, blogging and sending a newsletter and everything.) If you'd like to receive my newsletter in the future please subscribe here. (I plan to only send them out when there's big news, like a book release or sale, so it will not be spammy.)
Enjoy the sale! XO
--Realm
February 13, 2018
SPEAR - Paperback Release!
Hurray! The last of the LE FAY quartet is out in paperback form! Now you can get a hardcopy of SPEAR (Le Fay series, 4) on Amazon!
As always, I added some illustrations to the paperback:
One of my favorite parts of working on LE FAY was incorporating the old, medieval style imagery into the modern world. This image was inspired by the Lady of Shallot (AKA Elaine).
Finally you'll know why Morgan had that vision at the Henge so long ago:
I hope you all will enjoy reading and completing the LE FAY series as much as I enjoyed writing all four books.
Thank you,
--Realm
As always, I added some illustrations to the paperback:
One of my favorite parts of working on LE FAY was incorporating the old, medieval style imagery into the modern world. This image was inspired by the Lady of Shallot (AKA Elaine).
Finally you'll know why Morgan had that vision at the Henge so long ago:
I hope you all will enjoy reading and completing the LE FAY series as much as I enjoyed writing all four books.
Thank you,
--Realm
February 12, 2018
SWORD - Audiobook Release
Hi, everyone! SWORD (Le Fay series, 2) audiobook is now available on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes! The sample can be heard on any of the retail pages.
The talented, London-based actress Isla Lindsay once again narrated as Morgan le Fay. The voice acting she did for SWORD was terrific. I felt the characters' emotions were real and Isla's portrayal of Morgan was very engaging. I hope you'll give it a listen! If you'd like to learn more about Isla, check out her interview here on my blog.
Stay tuned this week for a couple more LE FAY news! Posts are scheduled for tomorrow and Wednesday!
P.S. I updated the blog template! It's now shiny and new. The older one (as much as I was attached to it with all my little gadgets) was pretty outdated and it was time to have it match my new site (also upgrading).
--Realm
The talented, London-based actress Isla Lindsay once again narrated as Morgan le Fay. The voice acting she did for SWORD was terrific. I felt the characters' emotions were real and Isla's portrayal of Morgan was very engaging. I hope you'll give it a listen! If you'd like to learn more about Isla, check out her interview here on my blog.
Stay tuned this week for a couple more LE FAY news! Posts are scheduled for tomorrow and Wednesday!
P.S. I updated the blog template! It's now shiny and new. The older one (as much as I was attached to it with all my little gadgets) was pretty outdated and it was time to have it match my new site (also upgrading).
--Realm
January 31, 2018
News Week - 1/31/18
Hello everyone! Happy Super Blue Moon! (It's also a lunar eclipse in some areas of the world.) I hope you're all having a great year so far and that your first month of 2018 was a success.
This is the photo I took of the full moon on New Year's Day:
Mine has been busy with many changes underway. SPEAR (Le Fay series 4) paperback will be out by 2/6/18! It will be up on Amazon any moment now since I have approved the proof. SWORD audiobook will also be out by then. GRAIL audiobook is currently in production.
January is off to a busy start. I have four books in various stages of production. This month I hired four new editors into my book team.
I am working on a brand new website, which I hope to have up within the month. My office has been upgraded with a new super computer plus iPad Pro for my artwork.
A couple good movies I saw recently -- Shape of Water and Call Me By Your Name:
Shape of Water -- I love weird, vintage sci-fi horror-romance type stories. I wish it was more artistic without the hollywood villain type storyline.
Call Me By Your Name -- The cinematography was gorgeous. The setting felt so alive and real and textured. Writing and acting was top notch too. It made me want to live in Italy and enjoy some lazy summer days.
I've been keeping with my new year goals so far. This month I bought a mala necklace for my 108 meditation challenge and got a kind note from the store owner:
The necklace will definitely power me on! I'm excited for all the new things brewing this year and hope you'll stayed tuned for more updates.
--Realm
This is the photo I took of the full moon on New Year's Day:
Mine has been busy with many changes underway. SPEAR (Le Fay series 4) paperback will be out by 2/6/18! It will be up on Amazon any moment now since I have approved the proof. SWORD audiobook will also be out by then. GRAIL audiobook is currently in production.
January is off to a busy start. I have four books in various stages of production. This month I hired four new editors into my book team.
I am working on a brand new website, which I hope to have up within the month. My office has been upgraded with a new super computer plus iPad Pro for my artwork.
A couple good movies I saw recently -- Shape of Water and Call Me By Your Name:
Shape of Water -- I love weird, vintage sci-fi horror-romance type stories. I wish it was more artistic without the hollywood villain type storyline.
Call Me By Your Name -- The cinematography was gorgeous. The setting felt so alive and real and textured. Writing and acting was top notch too. It made me want to live in Italy and enjoy some lazy summer days.
I've been keeping with my new year goals so far. This month I bought a mala necklace for my 108 meditation challenge and got a kind note from the store owner:
The necklace will definitely power me on! I'm excited for all the new things brewing this year and hope you'll stayed tuned for more updates.
--Realm
January 26, 2018
RIP Ursula Le Guin
Author Laini Taylor shared this lovely poem by Ursula Le Guin on Twitter. It reminds me of what it's like to be a storyteller and can certainly relate to her words. RIP Ursula.
Long ago when I was Ursula writing, but not “the writer,”and not very plural yet, and worked with the owls not the sparrows, being young, scribbling at midnight: I came to a placewhere the road turned and divided, it seemed like, going different ways, I was lost. I didn’t know which way. It looked like one roadsign said To Town and the other didn’t say anything. So I took the way that didn’t say. I followed myself. “I don’t care,” I said, terrified. “I don’t care if nobody ever reads it! I’m going this way.” And I found myself in the dark forest, in silence. You maybe have to find yourself, yourselves, in the dark forest. Anyhow, I did then. And still now, always. At the bad time. When you find the hidden catch in the secret drawer behind the false panel inside the concealed compartment in the desk in the attic of the house in the dark forest, and press the spring firmly, a door flies open to reveal a bundle of old letters, and in one of them is a map of the forest that you drew yourself before you ever went there. The Writer At Her Work: I see her walking on a path through a pathless forest, or a maze, a labyrinth.As she walks she spins, and the fine thread falls behind her following her way, telling where she is going, where she has gone. Teling the story. The line, the thread of voice, the sentences saying the way. The Writer On Her Work: I see her, too, I see her lying on it. Lying, in the morning early, rather uncomfortable. Trying to convince herself that it’s a bed of roses, a bed of laurels, or an innerspring mattress, or anyhow a futon. But she keeps twitching. There’s a lump, she says. There’s something like a rock—like a lentil— I can’t sleep. There’s something the size of a split pea that I haven’t written. That I haven’t written right. I can’t sleep. She gets up and writes it. Her work is never done. —Ursula K. Le Guin, from “The Writer on, and at, Her Work” Some of my favorite quotes:“Love doesn't just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin“The creative adult is the child who has survived.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin“People who deny the existence of dragons are often eaten by dragons. From within.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin“We read books to find out who we are. What other people, real or imaginary, do and think and feel... is an essential guide to our understanding of what we ourselves are and may become.”
― Ursula K. Le GuinI can also relate to the bottom quote with writing too. I write and then learn more about myself and what I want to become.Thank you for all the words you have written, Ursula.
--Realm
Long ago when I was Ursula writing, but not “the writer,”and not very plural yet, and worked with the owls not the sparrows, being young, scribbling at midnight: I came to a placewhere the road turned and divided, it seemed like, going different ways, I was lost. I didn’t know which way. It looked like one roadsign said To Town and the other didn’t say anything. So I took the way that didn’t say. I followed myself. “I don’t care,” I said, terrified. “I don’t care if nobody ever reads it! I’m going this way.” And I found myself in the dark forest, in silence. You maybe have to find yourself, yourselves, in the dark forest. Anyhow, I did then. And still now, always. At the bad time. When you find the hidden catch in the secret drawer behind the false panel inside the concealed compartment in the desk in the attic of the house in the dark forest, and press the spring firmly, a door flies open to reveal a bundle of old letters, and in one of them is a map of the forest that you drew yourself before you ever went there. The Writer At Her Work: I see her walking on a path through a pathless forest, or a maze, a labyrinth.As she walks she spins, and the fine thread falls behind her following her way, telling where she is going, where she has gone. Teling the story. The line, the thread of voice, the sentences saying the way. The Writer On Her Work: I see her, too, I see her lying on it. Lying, in the morning early, rather uncomfortable. Trying to convince herself that it’s a bed of roses, a bed of laurels, or an innerspring mattress, or anyhow a futon. But she keeps twitching. There’s a lump, she says. There’s something like a rock—like a lentil— I can’t sleep. There’s something the size of a split pea that I haven’t written. That I haven’t written right. I can’t sleep. She gets up and writes it. Her work is never done. —Ursula K. Le Guin, from “The Writer on, and at, Her Work” Some of my favorite quotes:“Love doesn't just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin“The creative adult is the child who has survived.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin“People who deny the existence of dragons are often eaten by dragons. From within.”
― Ursula K. Le Guin“We read books to find out who we are. What other people, real or imaginary, do and think and feel... is an essential guide to our understanding of what we ourselves are and may become.”
― Ursula K. Le GuinI can also relate to the bottom quote with writing too. I write and then learn more about myself and what I want to become.Thank you for all the words you have written, Ursula.
--Realm
January 1, 2018
Happy New Year 2018!
Happy New Year, everyone! Tonight is the super moon so I hope you'll do something extra special to start off the new year. For NYE we did something low key--I wore my gatsby gold dress and drank champagne with my husband and friends. This morning I started the day by taking Kiba for a walk to see the first sunrise. In Japan the first sunrise is very important so it's been my tradition. I've also been working on my planner. Today I am doing yoga: 108 sun salutations and 108 mala bead meditation. The 108 sun salutations will be a challenge! I plan to take another walk at night to see the super moon. What are you doing to celebrate?
Art from HENGE, 2018 super moon edition:
Some of my goals include reading more books, publishing a new book later this year, putting novel 11 on submission (I am super excited about this book), putting novel 6 through dev edit, completing novel 10, and writing some more books. I also want to revamp my website. I'm looking forward to sharing more news with you this year. Thank you so much for your support!
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
--Realm
Art from HENGE, 2018 super moon edition:
Some of my goals include reading more books, publishing a new book later this year, putting novel 11 on submission (I am super excited about this book), putting novel 6 through dev edit, completing novel 10, and writing some more books. I also want to revamp my website. I'm looking forward to sharing more news with you this year. Thank you so much for your support!
I wish you all a Happy New Year!
--Realm
December 29, 2017
Year in Review - 2017
I hope everyone had a happy holiday! I spent time with my family and made dinner: rosemary roasted lamb, minted peas, cumin-spiced potatoes, with pistachio-pear baklava for dessert. We had a rare White Christmas in Seattle!
Our dog Kiba and our chickens enjoying the snowy morning. I love being with my animal family:
The dinner I made:
Me and my sister-in-law:
After Christmas was done, my husband and I went out to celebrate SPEAR and the end of the LE FAY series. I had no idea what restaurant to go to but randomly happened on a restaurant called Shake + Spear that served seafood and that seemed perfect! I had wonderful charred octopus and rockfish and shrimp dish. Yum!
Wore the pearl necklace my husband got me for Christmas to the dinner:
I will submit the SPEAR paperback and then I'm done wrapping up 2017. Personally, 2017 was better than I anticipated. I had no idea I would write 5 new novels and direct a short film... What a nice surprise! This year I felt more energetic, creative, clear, and stronger than any other year.
Events of 2017:-5 new novels drafted that I love-Directed my first short film-Published SPEAR (Le Fay series 4), the last of the quartet-Went to Japan, got to show my husband my other home, and he met my father-Continued work as an Art Director for a company I love and looking forward to the new year with my team-Got to see my brother Casper's first violin recital and I'm so proud of him-My grandfather passed away as noted in the Dedication section in SPEAR -- I am thankful to have had him as my grandfather and that he will continue to inspire me
I'm very thankful for my family, the year, life on Earth, and the storytelling part of my brain that gifted me so many new novels. I'm thankful for all of my readers.
There's a super moon on New Year's Day so I hope you'll do something special!
With Deep Gratitude,
--Realm
Our dog Kiba and our chickens enjoying the snowy morning. I love being with my animal family:
The dinner I made:
Me and my sister-in-law:
After Christmas was done, my husband and I went out to celebrate SPEAR and the end of the LE FAY series. I had no idea what restaurant to go to but randomly happened on a restaurant called Shake + Spear that served seafood and that seemed perfect! I had wonderful charred octopus and rockfish and shrimp dish. Yum!
Wore the pearl necklace my husband got me for Christmas to the dinner:
I will submit the SPEAR paperback and then I'm done wrapping up 2017. Personally, 2017 was better than I anticipated. I had no idea I would write 5 new novels and direct a short film... What a nice surprise! This year I felt more energetic, creative, clear, and stronger than any other year.
Events of 2017:-5 new novels drafted that I love-Directed my first short film-Published SPEAR (Le Fay series 4), the last of the quartet-Went to Japan, got to show my husband my other home, and he met my father-Continued work as an Art Director for a company I love and looking forward to the new year with my team-Got to see my brother Casper's first violin recital and I'm so proud of him-My grandfather passed away as noted in the Dedication section in SPEAR -- I am thankful to have had him as my grandfather and that he will continue to inspire me
I'm very thankful for my family, the year, life on Earth, and the storytelling part of my brain that gifted me so many new novels. I'm thankful for all of my readers.
There's a super moon on New Year's Day so I hope you'll do something special!
With Deep Gratitude,
--Realm
December 12, 2017
SPEAR - Happy Book Release Day!
Hurray! The final book in the Le Fay series is out! I very much hope readers will enjoy the conclusion. To see SPEAR on Amazon, click here. To add SPEAR on GoodReads, click here.
I first drafted the books in 2011. The story across four books has not changed since then. At first I had no idea that I had written a 4-book series. It was a very long story so I knew I had to break it into chunks, and I looked for areas to separate. I noticed that there were four relics in the story and each section centered around the respective relic, and that's how the series came to be as it is now. Up until LE FAY, I had only written standalone stories so to suddenly have a 4-book series on my hands was a big change. I'm very happy to have finished the vision I had in 2011 in the exact way I imagined it.
I remember plotting that the final LE FAY book would come out in 2017. It seemed so far away. And now... here it is!
I would love to know what you thought and would appreciate reviews on the finale. Since the series has concluded, any help getting the word out about the series will be more helpful than ever!
Future posts: I will post some more of my Le Fay travel photos as well as artwork and excerpts. Please let me know if you have any requests.
As I mentioned, more books are coming out. I have 6 new books penned in various states of production. I will start posting news on them in the new year.
In the meantime, please help me celebrate SPEAR and the conclusion of the LE FAY series!
Party mix for SPEAR below:
Previous release day images for each book:
Thank you all for being a part of this journey!
--Realm
I first drafted the books in 2011. The story across four books has not changed since then. At first I had no idea that I had written a 4-book series. It was a very long story so I knew I had to break it into chunks, and I looked for areas to separate. I noticed that there were four relics in the story and each section centered around the respective relic, and that's how the series came to be as it is now. Up until LE FAY, I had only written standalone stories so to suddenly have a 4-book series on my hands was a big change. I'm very happy to have finished the vision I had in 2011 in the exact way I imagined it.
I remember plotting that the final LE FAY book would come out in 2017. It seemed so far away. And now... here it is!
I would love to know what you thought and would appreciate reviews on the finale. Since the series has concluded, any help getting the word out about the series will be more helpful than ever!
Future posts: I will post some more of my Le Fay travel photos as well as artwork and excerpts. Please let me know if you have any requests.
As I mentioned, more books are coming out. I have 6 new books penned in various states of production. I will start posting news on them in the new year.
In the meantime, please help me celebrate SPEAR and the conclusion of the LE FAY series!
Party mix for SPEAR below:
Previous release day images for each book:
Thank you all for being a part of this journey!
--Realm
December 11, 2017
SPEAR - Get Ready!
Tomorrow the eBook version of SPEAR (Le Fay series 4) will be out on Amazon! It's the final book in the series and I hope you enjoy reading the conclusion. I'm very happy to have finished what I set out to do. Thank you dear readers for cheering me on until the finish line! I don't take your support for granted.
I've also got the paperback finished so it'll be out within a month. The Le Fay series will continue to expand as well in different formats.
Morgan and Merlin:
Here are previous pre-launch images for each book--interesting to see Morgan and Merlin's relationship shift in each book:
This song reminded me of SPEAR:
Thanks for the support!
--Realm
I've also got the paperback finished so it'll be out within a month. The Le Fay series will continue to expand as well in different formats.
Morgan and Merlin:
Here are previous pre-launch images for each book--interesting to see Morgan and Merlin's relationship shift in each book:
This song reminded me of SPEAR:
Thanks for the support!
--Realm
