Mara Dabrishus's Blog
April 26, 2018
In Search Of
[image error]The news is big this month. Get ready. Are you ready?
Okay, here it is: Tudor Robins and I are writing a novel together–something we’ve wanted to do for a long time. We’re calling it In Search Of, and it’s a companion novel to both Appaloosa Summer and Finding Daylight. That’s right, Finding Daylight finally has a sequel, and it’s a small town romance with a horsey twist!
But wait! There’s so much more. Instead of simply writing a novel and releasing it like we normally would, we’re going to release this in installments on Patreon. If you choose to help fund the novel, you’ll get to watch the story unfold almost in real time and you’ll get to help us shape it. That’s right–we want your input! Chat about plot with us, name characters, witness the craziness of writing a novel first hand. To learn more about how to get involved and read the first chapter for free, head to the Patreon page right here.
[image error]Plus, to celebrate the launch of our Patreon project, we’re offering three novels for free. (Three. Novels. For. Free.) Finding Daylight, Six-Month Horse, and Faults are the perfect primers for In Search Of. They’re free today only, so run over and get your copies now!
That’s all the news! I hope to see you all on Patreon.
– Mara
January 26, 2018
Order Your Limited-Edition Derby Horse Box
[image error]The ebook for Derby Horse is up and running! Which means we need to talk about the paperback.
The writing of Derby Horse coincided with some major life changes, which will always make the experience of creating it memorable for me. But because of those life changes, it’s been over a year since I released the last book in the Stay the Distance series. I’m sorry for making everyone wait! So for Derby Horse I want to give you the opportunity at a little something extra. I will be offering a limited book box in celebration of this release, which will include a print copy of Derby Horse–signed and annotated with fun facts–along with one other phenomenal horse book by an author I love, as well as two equestrian-themed gifts made for equestrians, by equestrians.
So, to sum up, you’ll receive:
One signed and annotated copy of Derby Horse.
One copy of a seriously good horse book from one of my favorite authors.
Two gifts made by local equestrians, which I kind of want for myself! (But don’t worry, I’ll be sending them to you.)
Shipping will be included (continental United States only for now, unfortunately).
The cost: $40, payable through PayPal.
To reserve your box, please email me at mara@maradabrishus.com.
I can only create a handful of these boxes, and as I’m personalizing every note in Derby Horse, please order yours right away!
January 15, 2018
Derby Horse!
Today’s the day! I give you . . . Derby Horse:
[image error] Balance vs. Motion
College. July is going, and she can’t quite believe it yet. What’s more, she’s bringing Kali, who is on the verge of figuring out this dressage horse thing. With so many of her dreams coming true all at once, July is determined to have it all–juggling school, Kali, and the racehorses she loves. She’s even planning on having a life outside of the track, including plenty of invitations to Beck Delaney’s dorm room in Manhattan.
But as the road to the Kentucky Derby heats up, and Kali’s transition to school life gets off to a rocky start, July’s juggling act quickly becomes a circus. When Lighter upends all their careful planning, July isn’t sure she can add one more thing to her busy schedule.
July is running out of time, for Lighter, Kali, and herself.
Pre-order it today on Amazon!
January 3, 2018
Get Ready…
[image error]Beta-read copies of Derby Horse are starting to make their way back to me, which means we are even closer to our book launch at the end of the month. That’s right, we’ve got a release date! You can expect Derby Horse in your hands on January 31.
More information will be trickling out all month on this looooong anticipated addition to the Stay the Distance series. For starters, you can expect a cover reveal right here on the blog on January 15, along with the opportunity to pre-order the ebook on Amazon.
After that I’ll be busy putting together something special for readers to celebrate the launch, so stick around. It’s going to be a great month!
December 15, 2017
Hello there!
It’s been a while, I know. In my defense, 2017 has been quite the year. Let’s break it down:
I have a daughter now. I know! She entered the scene quite dramatically (as infants are wont to do) in August, and has been the absolute center of my life since. As you can imagine, writing and editing time has significantly suffered. Before she arrived, everything was about preparing for her and now that she’s here it’s all about, well, her! But that’s how it’s supposed to be, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I wrote two books. Seriously. I know I didn’t publish anything this year, but I’ve been incredibly busy. I’ve written (and completed the rewrites) for the third Stay the Distance book, Derby Horse. My intention is to release it into the world in January 2018 . . . or February 2018 . . . or soon! I swear it’s coming as fast as my editor and beta readers can do their magical work. Then there’s the other book. The Arkansas book, we will call it. It’s kind of my heart book–I love this book. There’s a detailed plan in place I must follow before I can show it to anyone, but I hope it will be in the world soon!
A holiday present! If you’re on my newsletter list, you’re going to get a little gift soon. I’m talking a free Derby Horse-related short story. I won’t ruin it for you, but July and Beck will be involved. So keep an eye on your e-mail, and if you’re not getting my newsletter, you know what to do.
Plans! There are so many plans. I’m cooking up something fun with Tudor Robins, and be on the lookout for news on Derby Horse‘s upcoming release, because I’m going to do something a little different to celebrate.
Next year is going to be a big year. I’m developing a new series (or two) and I’m outlining the next Stay the Distance book. So if 2017 was a quiet year, I hope 2018 won’t be!
So that’s it! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. You’ll be seeing more of me soon!
– Mara
March 14, 2017
Giveaway Time!
*taps mic*
Hello out there?
*echoes*
Okay, it’s been a while. I agree with you there. I’ll have some updates on just what I’ve been up to for four months as I’ve let this blog go quiet. But, first things first: making up for lost time with a giveaway! Sydney Scrogham is hosting a giant giveaway on her blog: Big. Bonus. Giveaway. I’m not kidding. If you enter to win, you’ll get signed print copies of Stay the Distance and Finding Daylight. You’ll also get books by Brittney Joy, Carly Kade, Laura Wolfe, and more! There’s also swag and more swag from all of us authors who want to shower you with presents.
So go over there now and enter to win!
November 8, 2016
Deck the Stalls on Nov. 10!
We’ve got a release date!
Deck the Stalls hits Amazon on November 10th, but it’s already available for pre-order. So run over and get your copy. Every cent of our royalties goes to benefit Old Friends, a retirement facility for Thoroughbred racehorses. They’re home to Silver Charm and War Emblem, just to name two, although they take care of many more horses–some famous and some not so famous. They do great work, and they always need help, so consider buying a copy of Deck the Stalls as part of your charitable contribution for the year!
Get in the holiday spirit with this Christmas-themed set of short stories from some of your favorite equestrian writers! Some of the top authors in the genre have banded together to share Christmas stories from the heart. Look for best-selling authors Maggie Dana, Mary Pagones, Mara Dabrishus, Brittney Joy, Kim Ablon Whitney, Kate Lattey, and Natalie Keller Reinert — plus an all-new Canterwood Crest holiday short story from Jessica Burkhart! And in the true spirit of the holidays, all proceeds will go to benefit Old Friends, a Thoroughbred retirement home providing life-long homes for former racehorses.
Inside, you’ll find stories from some favorite characters and new ones:
– Jessica Burkhart returns to Canterwood Crest with an all-new holiday story.
– Mara Dabrishus takes us back to Saratoga with July from “Stay the Distance.”
– Natalie Keller Reinert visits her best-selling Eventing Series with a peek into Jules’ early days as a working student.
– Brittney Joy offers a warm-hearted holiday tale with characters from her Red Rock Ranch series.
– Mary Pagones contributes the prequel to “The Horse is Never Wrong” and “Fortune’s Fool.”
– Kate Lattey revisits Pip from “Flying Changes,” along with a new friend.
– Maggie Dana, author of Timber Ridge Riders, writes an all-new holiday story, “The Ticket.”
– Kim Ablon Whitney, author of hunter/jumper series The Circuit, shares a Christmas story in “The Barn Party.”
With prequels, new stories of old friends, and brand new characters to fall in love with, “Deck the Stalls” is a Christmas gift from your favorite authors that you’ll want to read again and again.
So much to read, and for a great cause! Grab your e-book copy now on Amazon.
October 25, 2016
October 23, 2016
Equine Affaire 2016!
This year has gone by so quickly, you guys. In January I released my second novel and yesterday I got all of my Equine Affaire paperwork–VIP parking pass, little hang tag for my rental car, a ticket stamped to a piece of paper promising a fun name badge–and realized November is almost here.
November! Where does the time go?
Okay, I have written three books since January. One of which I published. I know exactly where that time went. I even went to the Ohio Equine Affaire, braving snow and nearly sliding my car into the median somewhere between Cleveland and Columbus. Here’s hoping I won’t bring the snow with me next month at Equine Affaire–Massachusetts edition!
So, what is this Equine Affaire, you ask? Equine Affaire will be held November 10-13th in W. Springfield at the Eastern States Expo. If you’ve never been to Equine Affaire, think horses. Think wall-to-wall horses. All horses, all the time. Sound magical? (Of course it does!) You can get your tickets and learn all about it right here.
This year, I’ll be in a panel discussion about fictional horses and what they say about us–a topic I was born to talk about. At length. Maggie Dana, the tremendous author of Timber Ridge Riders, and thriller author Patti Brooks will be joining me. Connie Johnson Hambley, author of The Troubles, will be moderating. You can find us Thursday, Nov. 10th at 11am on the Seminar Stage.
Additionally, you won’t want to miss the panel discussion on the horse in fiction with the amazingly talented Natalie Keller Reinert, romance author Laura Moore, and Holly Robinson (author of Folly Cove). They’ll be Friday, Nov. 11th at 10am on the Seminar Stage.
But wait! That’s not all. I’ll be at the Taborton Equine Books booth in case you want to chat and/or get your book signed. You can get a copy of any of my books right there, or bring your own copy for a signature.
I hope to see you there!
The Schedule
Seminar Stage
Thursday, November 10, 2016: 11 AM
Taborton Equine Books
Thursday, November 10, 2016: 12:30 PM-2:30 PM
Friday, Nov. 11: 10 AM – 1 PM
Saturday, Nov. 12: 10 AM – 12 PM
October 7, 2016
Coming Soon: Deck the Stalls
I’m incredibly excited to announce Deck the Stalls, an anthology of holiday horse stories by equestrian authors I know we all love reading. My contribution, you may ask? Oh, just a little prequel story to Stay the Distance and All Heart.
Check it out:
Cover copyright © 2016 Maggie Dana
DECK THE STALLS
edited by Jessica Burkhart and Natalie Keller Reinert
Get in the holiday spirit with this Christmas themed set of short stories from some of your fave equestrian writers! Featuring Mara Dabrishus, Maggie Dana, Brittney Joy and more! Also, includes a NEW Canterwood Crest holiday short story from best-seller Jessica Burkhart.
Coming soon from Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Kobo and iTunes. ALL proceeds benefit Old Friends–a Kentucky charity that cares for retired racehorses.
More information will be forthcoming. Be on the look out!
