Katherine D. Graham's Blog, page 10

Racing the Clock on the Last Day of NaNoWriMo

Racing the clock on the last day of NaNoWriMo is craziness; there's just no better way to put it. 

I won't "win" this year, in that I won't hit 50,000 words in a single, brand-new work (as I'm an old-school WriMo), but I did hit several other wins in November.

-I wrote Down Falls The King: A Splitting World Novella (20,000+ words)

-I edited A LOT of books for other people for work
-I reviewed some books for Reedsy Discovery
-I attended several lives with amazing writers
-I did a reading live for Down Falls The King
-I celebrated the one-year anniversary of publicly sharing my writing journey

​And those are just the highlights!
But what I've learned in November surpasses far more than accomplishments (or lack thereof, if your November felt a little lackluster).

It even gives me relief while racing the clock on the last day of NaNoWriMo. 

This month I was reminded to put the big rocks into the glass of life first, and then the pebbles, sand, and water. 
If your writing is a long-term part of your life, you never really "cross" your finish line. Instead that line gets pushed back again and again and again. 

So remember to be kind to yourself.

Show yourself the same care you show others.

And allow yourself to be human.

Three New Featured Indie Authors

With the craziness of life lately, it's been a while since I gave some shout-outs, but today I am excited to share three new featured indie authors with you guys!

Each of the authors below has their own featured author page here on my website, and stay tuned for more information about live interviews with them on Instagram in the coming weeks.
Danielle Novotny Danielle (my September 2021 featured author) is the author of two books in the sci-fi Remade series: Remade (volume 1) and Renown (volume 2).

Danielle is an event marketing manager by day, and an editor for other authors as well as an author herself... (Read More)
E.A. Cartwright E. A. Cartwright (my October 2021 featured author) is the author of the paranormal fantasy novel: Seeking Shadows.

She is an editor in addition to being an author, and is a true bookworm... (Read More)
Lauren D. Fulter Lauren (my November 2021 featured author) is the author of the Unanswered Questions series.

​Lauren is a young American fiction author who published her first novel at the age of only sixteen... (Read More) Want to see more featured indie authors? If these three new featured indie authors have piqued your interest (or you're missing your favorite sci-fi or fantasy sub-genre), don't worry! 

-Check out my past featured indie authors in the archive HERE
-Watch my Instagram live interviews in my IGTV saves HERE
-Sign up for my newsletter HERE to get first-looks at future featured indie authors (and I'll give you a free copy of Splitting Dusk for signing up).

And if you're a fantasy or sci-fi author who would like to be considered for a feature, contact me HERE for more information on my free monthly featured author pages.

The Vow That Twisted Fate Is Now Available On Audiobook

The Vow That Twisted Fate is now available on audiobook! 

This weekend was a fantastic celebration that Talon David (Voice Actress/Singer/Songwriter) and I were excited to share with you guys.

The live launch party on Instagram went super well, four prizes were given away, and we talked all about some of our favorite TVTTF characters, scenes, and more. 

I'm dropping the recording from the live party here, in case you missed it, but we are so thankfully to all 40 people who joined us as well as for the support of those who could not attend.

Since The Vow That Twisted Fate is now available on audiobook, have you grabbed a copy yet? 

-Grab an Amazon Audible (US) copy HERE
-Grab an Amazon Audible (UK) copy HERE
-Grab an audiobook copy directly on Audible HERE
-Or, if you're an audiobook blogger interested in a copy for your blog, Contact Me HERE to work that out. 

Have you already started listening? Did you know you can leave a review for the Audiobook on Goodreads HERE or Amazon HERE? 

Thank you all so very much again for celebrating with me!

Stay in the loop for future book news and launch parties by signing up for my newsletter HERE (and I'll send you a free e-book copy of Splitting Dusk as a thank-you for signing up!). 

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Starfire Express Recipe Card Downloads

Starfire Express recipe card downloads are here!
​
A celebration tour (especially on a train full of magical monsters) would not be a celebration without some celebration food. Here are two recipes inspired by the favorite food of some of these magical creatures: the troll sisters' favorite chicken salad sandwiches, and Squishy's "Inky" (black bean) soup.  Download Sandwich Recipe Download Soup Recipe Want to read more about Starfire Express: A Flame of Fae & Fang? 

-Check out my Starfire Express page HERE
-Sig up for my newsletter HERE for first-looks at excerpts, art, events and more (plus receive a free copy of my novella Splitting Dusk for signing up)
-Follow me on Instagram HERE to see Starfire Express content between now and the release

Realm of Darkness Box Set is Now On iBooks

The Realm of Darkness box set is now on iBooks! 

For newer readers, Realm of Darkness is a collection of 40 full-length fantasy/paranormal romance novels by bestselling and award-winning authors.

My book in the series, Splitting Dawn, will be the first full-length novel in my Splitting Worlds Series (Splitting Dusk and Down Falls The Queen are available now, and Down Falls The King is coming out December 9th 2021).

To celebrate the iBooks launch (in addition to being able to grab the entire collection for only 99 cents while on pre-order), the Realm of Darkness authors have put together a beautiful 2022 e-planner that has quotes from some of the books in the set and some exclusive artwork. This e-planner can be claimed for free HERE if you pre-order on iBooks HERE. 

Not an iBook reader? No problem!

-Check out the promo that's running for Barnes & Noble readers HERE.
-Pre-order a Google Play copy HERE, or a Kobo copy HERE
-Join our Realm of Darkness party group HERE on Facebook for announcements on future giveaways, promos, and new platform releases

RSVP For The Vow That Twisted Fate's Audiobook Launch Party

Singer/Song Writer/Voice actress Talon David and I are so excited to be able to invite you to RSVP for The Vow That Twisted Fate's Audiobook launch party!

I apologize again for the recently delayed party.

The publisher has now official gone live with The Vow That Twisted Fate's audiobook HERE, so we can now officially celebrate!

Come join us to celebrate the launch of the audiobook on an RSVP-required live party! -When: Saturday, November 13th 2021, 11:30am CST
-Where: Online meeting; link will only be e-mail to people who RSVP below
-What: Join in for a QA with Talon and I, enter a giveaway for a chance to win THREE MONTHS of Audible membership (US only), a free audiobook copy of TVTTF (US/UK only), a signed paperback copy of TVTTF (International), OR a cash prize equivalent via PayPal ( for readers outside the US and UK - cash prizes are international-only).  RSVP for the launch party: * Indicates required field Name * First Last Which Country Are You Attending From (For Prize Purposes) * Choose One The US The UK International (NOT the US/UK) Email * Would you like to be included in the prize drawings? * Yes - I understand that if I win a prize I must provide shipping information including a phone numberNo - I'm only coming for the fun. Don't include me in the prize drawings. Would you like to be added to my E-mail list (and be sent a link to a free novella)? * Yes, please sign me up for the e-mail list and send me a free novella.No, I only want e-mails directly related to this launch party.Please double-check; I think I'm already on the e-mail list, but if I'm not, add me. Joining my e-mail list is NOT required to attend the launch party. Signing up for my e-mail list will NOT increase your chances of winning prizes (no purchase is necessary to redeem prizes), and you can unsubscribe at any time. Submit

Prepping for NaNoWriMo as a Pantser

With only two days to go before National Novel Writing Month kicks off November 1st, writers around the globe (including me) are getting excited. And I have already started prepping for NaNoWriMo as a Pantser. 

NaNoWriMo, for newcomers, is an annual, international, free event where writers (from seasoned pros to dreamers still in grade school) dedicate time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards) and write as many words as possible in the month of November, with the goal being a 50,000 word novel.

"So what is a 'Pantser'?" you may ask. 

A 'Pantser' is someone who shows up at midnight November 1st with no outlines, no planning, just an inspiration/idea which we forge ahead with until our books are completed. 

For writers who wish to be better prepared, there are also 'Planners', who outline their books in advance, and 'Plantsers', who do some basic planning but nothing in-depth (a hybrid of Planner and Pantser).

"Wait," you may say, "What would a Pantser possibly have to do to 'prep' for NaNoWriMo?" 

I'm so glad you asked! 

Here is my go-to pre-NaNoWriMo checklist:

-1.) "Announce" A NaNo Novel. 
If you're new to NaNoWriMo, you'll want to create a free account HERE so that you can "announce" (set up the details about) your writing project for this year and do the other things on this list.

-2.)  Find some buddies/join your "home region".
You may have some buddies from previous years, but the more the merrier! Check out your writer friends on social media and exchange usernames to have a list of accountability partners and encouragement set up before day 1. Want an easy start? Add me as a buddy HERE.

Your "home region" will have local events called "write-ins" in your time zone which you can participate in throughout the month. 

-3.) Make a writing playlist.
Okay, so I know this may cross the line into "Plantsing" for some, but nothing sets the mood for barreling through 1,600 words a day like an epic playlist.

-4.) Upload a "working cover" and assign your self-awarded badges
NaNoWriMo stats show that authors with a working cover/working title tend to "win" (hit 50,000 words) more than those who do not. Need something cheap? You can get a working cover for as little s $5 US from Getcovers.com HERE (no, I am not being paid/sponsored to promote them and YES, I have used them myself for all of my working covers).

You can find your self-awarded badges section under your "project" once you announce your novel. Anything from which kind of WriMo you're going to be (planner/pantser/plantser) to small-but-important writing milestones.

-5.) Grab your "Halo"
The final thing on my checklist is something I do to give back to the nonprofit organization, "The Office of Letters and Light" who organizes NaNoWriMo every year both for adult writers and for in-school/in-library writing programs. 

I want to put a disclaimer that financial donations ARE NOT REQUIRED to participate in NaNoWriMo. 

However, when you make a donation of $5 US or more, a digital halo is added above your profile picture. Many writers wait until double-up donation day to claim their halo for the year, but it's always a nice "thank-you" to the group and keeps this amazing project running.

Now that I've shared my checklist, it's time to get ready for NaNoWriMo!  

Looking for some prepping help? Want to come join the fun with a live NaNoWriMo launch party? AutoCrit has you covered! Sign Up for a free NaNo Prep Pack from AutoCrit HERE Get Your Prep Pack Click the bell on the YouTube live to join the NaNo launch party! Join the Launch Party

The Vow That Twisted Fate Audiobook Is Coming Soon

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The brilliant Talon David, singer/songwriter/voice actress, has completely finished the narration for TVTTF this week, and you, my fantastic readers, picked the cover inspiration. 

At this point, the audiobook is off with the ACX and Audible for a QA review by both before it can go live. But don't worry, we will let you know once we have a better idea of the date. 

To celebrate the audiobook launch, Talon David and I are throwing a launch party! Come join us to celebrate the launch of the audiobook on an RSVP-required live party!

-When: TBD - Awaiting final date from publisher
-Where: Online meeting; link will only be e-mail to people who RSVP (RSVPs coming soon)
-What: Join in for a QA with Talon and I, enter a giveaway for a chance to win THREE MONTHS of Audible membership (US only), a signed copy of TVTTF, OR a cash prize equivalent via PayPal (international only).

October 2021 Fantasy Giveaways, Book Sales, & Promos

October 2021 fantasy giveaways, book sales, & promos are PACKED and filled with amazing bookish merch and reads!

Not sure how to keep up with them all? 

Here are the ones I've compiled for October:
1.) The Witcher Fan Giveaway by C.L. Cannon

Have you tossed a penny to your Witcher recently? 

Check out this amazing giveaway that several authors (including myself) are sponsoring with C.L. Cannon HERE. Enter The Witcher Giveaway 2.) October's Free Fantasy Reads

October's list of free fantasy books includes over 30 free books from all kinds of fantasy genres. See them all HERE. Check Out The Free Fantasy Reads 3.) Realm of Darkness Box Set Pre-Order BOGO

Pre-order a 99 cent copy of the Realm of Darkness Box Set (40 full-length paranormal/fantasy romance novels by bestselling and award-winning authors) on Barnes & Noble HERE, and you can claim a free collection of short stories by the authors HERE. Pre-Order Here Claim Free Stories Here 4.) Free Fantasy Books From Kindle Unlimited Authors*
*No Kindle Unlimited required to claim these free books.

​HERE is a second batch of free Fantasy books for October!

​These have a special bonus, though, in that each of the authors giving away books in this promo also have other books on Kindle Unlimited. Free Fantasy Books By KU Authors Want to be the first to know about giveaways, sales, and promotions in the future? 

Sign up for my e-mail list HERE for frequent updates on book news, new releases, and events like these. I'll even throw in a free copy of Splitting Dusk: A Splitting Worlds Novella to thank you for signing up! Sign Up For My Email List

Realm of Darkness BOGO

Remember the paranormal/fantasy romance box set with 40 full-length novels by award-winning and bestselling authors that my book, Splitting Dawn, is a part of? 

Well, I have great news!

The Realm of Darkness box set is now available for pre-order on Barnes & Noble!

But wait, there's more...

To celebrate the B&N pre-order launch, the Realm of Darkness authors are running a promo this weekend:

-Buy a copy of Realm of Darkness (only 99 cents right now) on Barnes and Noble HERE
-And we will give you a free collection of short stories from the Realm of Darkness authors (you can claim your free collection HERE)

And, if you're one of my e-mail subscribers, there's more!

Now thru 11:59pm CST on 10/10/2021, e-mail me ( contact@katherinedgraham.com ) a screenshot of your Realm of Darkness pre-order confirmation from Barnes & Noble, and I will e-mail you back with:

-An e-mail list exclusive character art download
-The opening of my book in the Realm of Darkness set: Splitting Dawn

Want to be the first to hear about promotions like these?

​Join my e-mail list HERE, and I'll send you a free e-book copy of Splitting Dusk: A Splitting Worlds Novella as a welcome present.