Cheryl Matthynssens's Blog, page 26

Now Signing E-books

I have just signed up for a service that will allow me to sign e-books.  It is really an awesome thing. I will always be a brick and mortar, let me hold the real thing person.  I have books all over my house.  However, I know that for some people and especially our youth, this trend is changing. (mourns the loss and clings to books)

In that light, I have signed up for Authorgraph that will allow me to send signatures that can be kept with electronic copies of my book.  I do...

Just When I Begin to Falter...

It has been a rough week for writing.  Editing is far from my favorite thing; I would much rather be working on the next big scene.  Add to this, the fact I have the creeping crud that has hung on for two weeks.  My doctor's advice: Emergence C and chicken soup. Thanks Doc!

 I had submitted Outcast to the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest but apparently I am not good at writing a pitch and the first round was judged completely on the pitch.  It didn't make the cut.

The...

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Still on my list of favorites!

“MagicSandra’s seen a leprechaun,Eddie touched a troll,Laurie danced with witches once,Charlie found some goblins gold.Donald heard a mermaid sing,Susy spied an elf,But all the magic I have knownI've had to make myself.” ― Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends

Outcast in Countdown!

To celebrate the release of The Blackguard which is now in the major edit portion of the publishing process, we are releasing Outcast for .99 cents for the next 36 hours in the USA.  There is not an option for Canada or Australia, two other countries that offer me this great support but I will see about dropping their prices manually for the next three days as well.

The United Kingdom will go into Countdown on April 2, 2014.  This will run a bit longer over there but again, will cel...

Coming soon - The Blackguard - Releasing Prologue

The crack of the whip filled his ears before additional fire lanced across his back. He arched in pain as much as his bindings would allow. His eyes were focused on the flickering flame of the torch that lit the wine cellar.  There were no windows, just three flickering torches casting mocking shadows on the wall.  His eyes stung with the salt of seawater and sweat creating a film in his vision.
The mage focused on the flame once more, trying to recall the reasons he was angry.  His...

Update on The Blackguard

I am getting a lot of questions now on the release of The Blackguard, second in the series for The Blue Dragon's Geas.  My editor and I have chosen May 1, 2014 as our release date.  The illustrator is working to achieve this date as well so if all goes well, this will be the true release.

Some things I have been asked:

Where does The Blackguard take place?  

The home capital of Lerdenia - Silverport?

Is this the end of the story?

No, this is the next chapter in Alador's journey to b...

My First Book Signing! Will be March 22, 2014 in Washington State.

A local bookstore invited me to do my first book signing.  I am so excited.  I have promised my friends around the country that if they can find a coffee shop or a bookstore willing, I would come do a book signing and visit.  
Ran into a bit of a barrier there.  My illustrator wanted me to come back to Minnesota to do some signings there; because I am an independent author through Createspace, many are turning her down.  So for those of you who are using a similar type...

Trolls as Told by The Brothers Grimm!

Then there are red riding hood trolls!They were big and little creatures. Some were hairy with long, thin tails, and some had noses long as pokers. Some had bulging eyes and some had 20 toes. In they came -- crashing through the door, sliding down the chimney, crawling through the windows. They shouted and cried. They banged pots and pans. They twirled their tails and tapped their toes upon the wooden floor. He watched as the trolls gobbled the food and threw the plates and drank everything i...

A Wondrous Journey of an Independent Writer!

Fear - That is the word that drives home.  I have never sent my books to a publisher due to straight out fear.  However, I had read an article out of Woman's Day Magazine about a woman who worked from home writing books.  She had put her kids through college, bought a house all through Createspace and Amazon.

I thought, wow, my mom has this little story she has always told. We should try that.  So my friend, Rebecca Hunt who drew dragons that would appeal to a child's eye,...

Keensight Finally Poses for a Picture!

A major play in future stories, Keensight is introduced in Outcast and also is discussed and has a cameo in The Blackguard. He is beginning to brave the world for interviews and sneak peaks.  His own book is down the road. There are still stories he will not share with me, his only living mortal friend!

This picture is not to be used except by express permission of Rebecca Hunt! 2/19/13