Shelby K. Morrison's Blog, page 3

Legend of the Liberator UPDATE

If you’ve been following me on Facebook, you likely already know my latest decision. I was still putting off searching for an agent, mostly because of the dreaded query, summary, and all the other things a writer must put together for an agent. The other half because I just wanted to write. After some thought and recalculating, I’ve decided to step back into the self-publishing game.

The crowds just went wild right? Alright…maybe not.

Still! It is true. I’m going to try to use what I’ve learned and do things differently this time around. The number one thing I’m changing is speed. Therefore, since Among the Flames is ready for publication save for a cover, I plan to put out the entire Legend of the Liberator series this year! Which means finishing Into the Storm by July and Through the Mist by October.

Now will the crowds go wild? Hey. Where are my crowds? (Oh yeah…I went off the map for a while.)

So I hope to keep you updated and share cover reveals, release dates, and more here soon! If you watch my progress bar on the right, I’ve updated them recently. Into the Storm, book #3 of the series, is 27% written in the first draft! Dance party!

Well I’ve got to get back to writing. But I wanted to share the good news. Are you excited? I’m excited.

Let’s do this.

A Degree Richer

Alright, so not quite a post on my book progress, but I figured I'd still check in so any readers know I'm still here. I graduated! I now have my Bachelor's degree in Educational Studies. Yay! It only took me 8 months through Western Governors University, a competency-based school. It's like being able to test out of college courses because you already know the material, WGU only requires you pass a test or assignment(s) to demonstrate competency. As all college should be, in my opinion. What does sitting in a desk for several hours a week prove? Nothing. It's passing the test and proving you have the chops that means something. If this sounds like something for you (only for the very self-motivated) then look into them. Anyhoo, endorsement over, what's next? Obtaining my TEFL certificate. That should take about 3 months. Then I'll be certified to teach English as a second/foreign language! 

With regards to writing, I'm still working on Into the Storm (book 3 of Legend of the Liberator) as much as I can. My plan involves heavily pursuing a literary agent within the next six months to two years. With any luck, within that time frame I'll have some good news and we'll see more LotL books on virtual, even physical, shelves. In the meantime, I just keep writing and staying the course. 

Other than that, what else is new? I'm moving this weekend. Ick. My landlords decided they want to sell the house we're renting. Joy. But moving has its highlights. Moving is a change. And I LOVE change. I get bored of the same things all the time and I need a change in scenery. This will be good. How's that for enthusiasm when it's farther from work and more expensive?

So what have you been up to? Reading any great books? Experiencing any changes you'd like to bemoan/celebrate? How's Spring Cleaning coming? Let's chat!
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A Degree Richer

Alright, so not quite a post on my book progress, but I figured I’d still check in so any readers know I’m still here. I graduated! I now have my Bachelor’s degree in Educational Studies. Yay! It only took me 8 months through Western Governors University, a competency-based school. It’s like being able to test out of college courses because you already know the material, WGU only requires you pass a test or assignment(s) to demonstrate competency. As all college should be, in my opinion. What does sitting in a desk for several hours a week prove? Nothing. It’s passing the test and proving you have the chops that means something. If this sounds like something for you (only for the very self-motivated) then look into them. Anyhoo, endorsement over, what’s next? Obtaining my TEFL certificate. That should take about 3 months. Then I’ll be certified to teach English as a second/foreign language!

With regards to writing, I’m still working on Into the Storm (book 3 of Legend of the Liberator) as much as I can. My plan involves heavily pursuing a literary agent within the next six months to two years. With any luck, within that time frame I’ll have some good news and we’ll see more LotL books on virtual, even physical, shelves. In the meantime, I just keep writing and staying the course.

Other than that, what else is new? I’m moving this weekend. Ick. My landlords decided they want to sell the house we’re renting. Joy. But moving has its highlights. Moving is a change. And I LOVE change. I get bored of the same things all the time and I need a change in scenery. This will be good. How’s that for enthusiasm when it’s farther from work and more expensive?

So what have you been up to? Reading any great books? Experiencing any changes you’d like to bemoan/celebrate? How’s Spring Cleaning coming? Let’s chat!

Back in the saddle…

Oh how nice it is to be back! It’s only been about 7 months as I’ve turned my focus momentarily to my schooling. Taking time away from writing was much harder than I thought. Now that I’ve come back, with only 2 months of school left, it feels like a part of me has been found. I’m whole again!

What am I working on? Well as you know if you’ve read the last post, I am going to be pursuing the traditional publishing route. I haven’t really dove into the mess of getting an agent yet. I want to be completely finished with school first so I can fully dedicate myself to the search. Submissions take a lot of time! However, in the meantime I am continuing my work on Legend of the Liberator series.

I am currently writing Into the Storm, book 3 of the series. The second book, Among the Flames, is ready for publication whenever I find an agent and publisher. Until then, I can just continue writing. If anyone knows of a literary agent who is searching for YA/NA Fantasy with a grittier edge, send them my way. If you’ve read From the Ashes, please continue to support and leave reviews or suggest the book to your friends and family. The more support I can get, the higher likelihood of being picked up by an agent. I need your help readers of the world!

I know this wasn’t what you wanted to hear. You were probably hoping I’d say “I’m publishing Among the Flames!” Sadly, that isn’t the case. Yet. Just popping in to say I am still here and I’m still working.

Back in the saddle...

Oh how nice it is to be back! It's only been about 7 months as I've turned my focus momentarily to my schooling. Taking time away from writing was much harder than I thought. Now that I've come back, with only 2 months of school left, it feels like a part of me has been found. I'm whole again!

What am I working on? Well as you know if you've read the last post, I am going to be pursuing the traditional publishing route. I haven't really dove into the mess of getting an agent yet. I want to be completely finished with school first so I can fully dedicate myself to the search. Submissions take a lot of time! However, in the meantime I am continuing my work on Legend of the Liberator series.

I am currently writing Into the Storm, book 3 of the series. The second book, Among the Flames, is ready for publication whenever I find an agent and publisher. Until then, I can just continue writing. If anyone knows of a literary agent who is searching for YA/NA Fantasy with a grittier edge, send them my way. If you've read From the Ashes, please continue to support and leave reviews or suggest the book to your friends and family. The more support I can get, the higher likelihood of being picked up by an agent. I need your help readers of the world!

I know this wasn't what you wanted to hear. You were probably hoping I'd say "I'm publishing Among the Flames!" Sadly, that isn't the case. Yet. Just popping in to say I am still here and I'm still working.

Love,

Shelby

New Adventures

"It is time."
                                  --Rafiki  After three books, and a few thousand dollars, I've decided to take a break from self-publishing my work. Despite great reviews and being reviewed on dozens of book blogs, the professional covers and the professional editing, my books are still hidden in the depths of books for sale. So I've decided to take a step back and finally try my hand at traditional publishing. I don't anticipate to reach the masses if I'm offered by anyone. But I do expect to save money by not pouring all of mine into publishing and I do expect to have more time dedicated to writing instead of searching and managing services to get my books up to snuff. I still greatly admire the self-publisher and am glad I started with this route. But for me, it just isn't financially feasible anymore. I want my writing to be just that. Writing. I'm also starting school here soon and pursuing a new career so that will also have the bulk of my attention for the next few years. To the few fans I had, let me know you were fans, let me know you were waiting on the next book, follow my website, follow me on facebook and I WILL keep you updated on my endeavors. In the meantime, cross your fingers I get picked up my someone soon. Meanwhile, Among the Flames (#2) is finished and edited and just awaiting the right publishing house to love the series and want to publish them. Until then, I will continue to write my Legend of the Liberator series to completion. Don't worry. Aia's story won't end unfinished. 

Among the Flames Blurb

Yes, I know you've been anxiously awaiting the blurb for Among the Flames. You haven't? Hmm, well here it is anyway. Hope it wets your whistle and gets you as excited as I am for Among the Flames, coming to bookstores this winter! After fleeing her home in Tharien with the Emperor's forces hot on her heels, Aia Wynnald has only one goal: To end the two-thousand-year-old discrimination against Benders—a race of beings like her, with a misunderstood gift. But when the Emperor’s Church of Mighty retaliates with a new threat, her noble plans are put on hold.

With her companion Cole Balain, a former enemy, by her side, Aia must halt the devastation triggered by her well-meaning actions. The only way she can fight the Church is with the help of a disenchanted group of rebel Benders who'd sooner submit to their fate than follow Aia's lead.

Can she inspire them to fight and work together to resolve this new crisis, or will her ingrained submissive nature bring her, and the Benders of Dyel, to their knees?  

Among the Flames to Editor!

Hello!! Hello, hello! It’s been a while!

So what have I been up to since publishing From the Ashes? Relaxing? Don’t make me laugh. I’ve been hard at work on the next installment of Legend of the Liberator, Among the Flames. And after lots and LOTS of work, I’m here to report it has officially gone to my editor!

NOW I can relax. For a little at least. I’m off to Oregon for a week. My first vacation in years and I couldn’t be more excited! Portlandia here I come!!

Among the Flames to Editor!

Hello!! Hello, hello! It's been a while! 

So what have I been up to since publishing From the Ashes? Relaxing? Don't make me laugh. I've been hard at work on the next installment of Legend of the Liberator, Among the Flames. And after lots and LOTS of work, I'm here to report it has officially gone to my editor!


NOW I can relax. For a little at least. I'm off to Oregon for a week. My first vacation in years and I couldn't be more excited! Portlandia here I come!! 

From the Ashes is LIVE!

PARTY!!!! 
FROM THE ASHES IS LIVE AND AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE! It's finally here. From the Ashes is published. I had some trouble with the paperback printing so that will be a little delayed if you want to get it through the Amazon site. However, you can still get it through my direct Amazon estore. Reviews should start trickling in and hopefully the sales will follow soon after. Pick it up, give it a try, and if you enjoy it, please consider recommending it to a friend or leaving a review. Time to relax finally!


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