Kaylena Radcliff's Blog, page 3

Big things coming soon!

After the bit of thrashing it received on Lousy Book Covers , Mouse is getting a makeover (although actually, the design was independent of said thrashing, despite the timing). Full cover reveal will be on the book’s re-release date, Tuesday, February 28th, but you can see the teaser above! Haven’t read Mouse yet? Don’t judge a book by its (old) cover! Read the first chapter here and decide for yourself:

MOUSE Free First Chapter

ARCs, Parties, and Publication Dates!

After Mouse re-releases next week, you can look forward to the upcoming publications of Fox and Lion– books 2 and 3 in The Elmnas Chronicles! Expect Fox to be available for purchase on Friday, March 31st, with Lion available on Sunday, April 30th!

If you’re in the southeastern PA region (or can easily get to it), ask me about launch party details for Fox. It’ll be the first place you can grab physical copies of book 2, and at a bit of a discount. If you’re on Facebook, follow my page here, and you’ll be the first to see an invite for the event. If you’re interested in receiving a FREE advanced review copy to a digital reader of your choice, please fill out the form below! You can also receive updates on the books, freebie alerts, and deals if you sign up for my newsletter.

ARC Request- FOX (Elmnas Chronicles Book II)Sign up for my newsletter here!Discover Free Sci-Fi

As you wait for Fox and Lion to release, why not whet your whistle with these sci-fi freebies? Read dozens of available titles with the link below- but act fast! The deal ends March 15th!

Discover Free Sci-Fi Here!

No press is bad press, right?

Today I had the joy of discovering my book featured on Lousy Book Covers, and my first thought was, “yeah, that’s fair.”

Here’s the good news: Mouse is getting a redesign ahead of the releases of books 2 and 3, AND, I promise the book is better than the cover (which, is, admittedly, a pretty low bar).

Find out for yourself here, and if you like what you’ve read, get it for only $2.99 here!

ICYMI: Periapsis Christmas Party!

Last week, Periapsis Press launched their brand new anthology, Periapsis Christmas, which included my story, “Grandpa Got Run Over by a Bane Deer.” Periapsis Press founders Katie and David Roome hosted all the anthology contributors on live stream for their Periapsis Christmas Party.

It was late for this mom of 2 (it started at 11:30 PM ET and went until almost 1 AM!), but it was a lot of fun talking about our favorite Christmas traditions and the inspiration behind each of our stories. I enjoyed getting to know the other authors and hearing about their writing endeavors. I was also glad that everyone shared my deep love of The Muppet Christmas Carol

If you missed the live stream (and I wouldn’t blame you if you were sleeping!), you can still catch it here.

The Twist on Christmas You Didn’t Know You Needed!

Periapsis Press just dropped a new fantasy Christmas anthology, and I bet it’s unlike any Christmas anthology you’ve ever read!

Here’s what the editors have to say about the anthology as a whole:

The Christmas season is one of intense emotions: happiness, anticipation, stress, joy, nostalgia, and sometimes even grief and regret. If ever there was a need for escapism, this is the time of year for it! Sadly, many Christmas stories are preoccupied with pulling heart strings and forcing characters into the “true meaning of Christmas” redemption arc. Not that there isn’t a place for these stories, but these elements tend to emphasize the emotive nature of the season, rather than provide relief. And they are not everyone’s cup of cocoa! With that in mind, we at Periapsis Press have assembled five stories from authors whose work in sci-fi and fantasy we have enjoyed. These embrace the wonder of Christmas and the escapism of the speculative genres.

My contribution to this anthology, “Grandpa Got Ran Over by a Bane Deer”, is a pretty unorthodox take on some of the traditional fantastical aspects of Christmas. And if you’re familiar with PA Dutch Christmas traditions, you’ll definitely appreciate a reference to a certain cranky Christmas character! Here’s a teaser:

Something strange is happening to Jake Jones. He’s seeing things. He’s…slipping. Somewhere he doesn’t belong. And while his best friend thinks it’s just the stress and sorrow of the holidays, Jake knows it’s more than that. Well, he’s pretty sure. He’s not crazy. Right?

Periapsis Christmas is available on Kindle for only $2.99! Don’t sleep on this unique anthology- get it with the button below!

Get Periapsis Christmas HERE

Grab your next favorite book- for only 99 cents!

Want a YA Dystopian Fantasy that doesn’t feel like a typical YA Dystopian Fantasy?

Check out The Elmnas Chronicles: Mouse, on sale for a limited time ahead of the release of books 2 and 3 in the series!

They told her that work would set her free. They said her past and people were gone. They lied.

Mouse wakes not knowing who or where she is. A slave in Misty Summit’s Manufacturing Facility, she is alone until the discovery of a terrible truth launches her on a mission to Elmnas. When a gregarious farm boy and an ancient warrior join her, the ruling powers and a relentless bounty huntress attempt to track her down.

Will they reach the fabled country or die trying?

Sale on Mouse HERE

Want to know more? Read Mouse’s most recent review at Fairies, Fantasy Faith and this thorough literary analysis at Periapsis Press.

October Sci-Fi Freebies!

Who loves free stuff? If you didn’t say, “Oh, me, I do!” then you are lying. Of course you love free stuff.

If you love free stuff AND sci-fi, then this deal’s for you.

From now until November 11th, you can get a number of sci-fi books and novellas free on StoryOrigin.

SCI-FI FREEBIES HERE!

This includes my very own sci-fi novelette, The Canaan Project.

A crucial mission. A plan. A remnant preserved. Captain Margot Lisieux left Earth hoping to find a new home. She found a terrible plot instead, threatening The Canaan Project’s very survival. Strung between death and life, Captain Lisieux must face the truth: Earth’s final hope may hold no hope at all.

Sounds good, right? Get it here.

Still Finding Your Tribe? Realm Makers Might Be For You

When I started my writing journey, I had a hard time figuring out where I fit. I was a Christian, but I didn’t write what I typically associated with Christian fiction. I knew and had read Christian authors who specialized in the weird- Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti immediately come to mind- but I never imagined that there was place for that in wider faith circles, especially when a lot of what I wrote never had overt Christian themes.

Maybe you feel the same way. Maybe the worlds you write feel too big, too dark, or too full of monsters and magic to fit nicely into Christian fiction check boxes. Maybe whenever someone at your church asks what you like to write, you can’t figure out how to answer without causing offense. Maybe you worry there’s no way to sell your books, because who’s going to read them?

Take heart, Christian spec fic writer! Do I have the place for you!

Last week I attended the 10th annual Realm Makers Writer’s Conference, held in Atlantic City, NJ. Realm Makers is a place for Christian creators of fantastical fiction, ranging from hard science fiction to epic fantasy to steampunk to even horror. And here’s what Realm Makers aims to accomplish, according to the website:

Realm Makers’s first priority is to help foster excellence in the speculative arts, whether fiction, film, illustrations, or whatever way we can imagine to tell our stories. It’s our goal to help the artist who wants to market his or her work under the Christian umbrella, as well as those who want to pursue their goals in the mainstream marketplace. After all, both the “secular” and “religious” markets need excellent content. We recognize and applaud the fact that different artists are called to take their work to different audiences.

Like many other writing conferences, Realm Makers features a faculty comprised of experts in the writing industry, including agents, publishers, and authors. Their sessions offer valuable insight into the publication process, perfecting your craft, marketing, querying agents, and more. (See the list of sessions here.) You can sign up for critique appointments (a 30 minute critique of a submitted manuscript), meet with mentors (experienced writers and publishers who can give you personal advice on writing-related matters), as well as pitch appointments (an opportunity to sell your manuscript to an agent or publisher).

Keynote James L. Rubart

Unlike other writing conferences I’ve attended, the atmosphere was a lot less cutthroat and more like “a rising tide lifts all boats”. I made new friends, was able to offer prayer for others before their pitch appointments and critiques, and found agents and publishers a whole lot more approachable in general. It gave me the confidence I needed to trot out my lady Doc Ock costume for the banquet!

I got to meet Janeen and Sarah pre-conference, so having a few familiar faces helped!

It was a blessing and encouragement to network with professionals and meet other attendees looking for the uplift that comes with this unique community. If you missed this year, I’d encourage you to mark you calendar for next July in St. Louis, Missouri, where the 11th annual Realm Makers will convene. Get plugged in the Realm Sphere or on Facebook for updates!

On the road again- FINALLY!

After a bazillion years of isolation, I am finally venturing out into the wide world for author-y things again!

It’s only been 3? Are you sure?

I packed up my books and headed to the CHAP Convention- a homeschooling conference in York, PA. Typically, CHAP attendees listen to a number of speakers discuss the ins and outs of homeschooling, and the vendor focus is definitely curricula. But like kids in a candy store, homeschoolers can’t help themselves around books (as a homeschooling mom, I should know. It’s BAD, you guys.)

Since I had the great opportunity to go with the Realmmakers Mobile Bookstore (they have a brick and mortar in King of Prussia Mall called Bookish- check it out!), there were plenty of shinies to draw in the crowd.

Due to my enthusiastic recommendations, I probably sold more of Andrew Peterson’s books than my own

The Realmmakers Bookstore is unique in the market because they carry fantasy, sci fi, and adventure fiction written by Christian authors. The books themselves aren’t necessarily “Christian”, but the authors share that worldview. It might surprise you, but even in this pretty conservative environment, there is a real hunger for imaginative fiction that builds fantastical realms and tackles the complex questions of good and evil in our own world. I was a little worried for Mouse’s reception at first, but I saw a lot of eyes light up when I told them I wrote YA Dystopian Fantasy!

It was a long two days, but talking to readers and getting to know these critically-acclaimed authors was a real treat. If excellent fantasy fiction is in your wheelhouse, definitely take a look at the works of Becky Minor, Sarah Delena White, and Janeen Ippolito. Sarah also makes GORGEOUS jewelry, which you can find on Etsy; Janeen runs Uncommon Universes Press, currently accepting submissions; Becky and Scott Minor head up the amazing Realmmakers Conference, convening in Atlantic City in July of this year.

What can a FREE writing workshop do for you?

If you’ve ever drafted a book, you know that editing can be just as difficult as writing. Sometimes, we’d prefer to skip it altogether. But no matter how great your story is, editing can make or break your success. Learn how to make your story shine with this free writing class, hosted by writer and editor Richie Billing. Here’s what Richie has to say about this can’t-miss workshop:

Knowing the best way to edit a novel is tricky. With so many words and so many considerations, writers can quickly become ensnared in different strands of plots, conflict and characterisation. Organisation is key and so is compartmentalising the process. And this is what we explore in detail in this writing class.

We’ll first examine the challenges of editing a novel—the psychological, the motivational and organisational—before discussing some different approaches to editing. We also look at different editing styles before moving onto the most effective method of editing a novel.

The bulk of the writing class will focus on this method in particular, teaching you quick and easy tools and techniques to edit more analytically and effectively. We’ll also look at working with editors and how to get the most out of free editing tools. A short Q + A will follow at the end, and a recording will be sent to everyone who registers.

Everyone who registers will also receive:

A free copy of the acclaimed “ A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook “The first chapters of Richie’s debut fantasy novel, Pariah’s LamentAn editing checklistCopies of the workshop slidesA discount code to access other writing workshopsAn invitation to join Richie’s writing group

This workshop takes place next Thursday, 7 PM GMT (or 2 PM EDT for those of us on the US east coast!) Sign up HERE!

I’m back!

So…it’s been like, a year and a half since I wrote here, huh?

To be fair, 2021 has been kind of a year. Here’s what I’ve been up to since October 2020:

Finished Book III of The Elmnas ChroniclesStarted drafting Book IV (whoops, it’s a quartet now, not a trilogy)Started drafting a brand new fantasy series (double whoops)Continued to survive a pandemicGot a second jobStarted a newsletterSold our houseBought a new one an hour awaySupported my husband in his new ministry role as church planterHomeschooled 2 kids Got a promotion (sort of)Tried to make friends (I think I succeeded?)Quit my second jobBought like 15 trees from the Arbor Day Foundation

Wow, when I write it all down like that it seems like a lot. No wonder I didn’t blog! In fact, for much of the last two years, writing anything at all became an enormous struggle. I chose to focus on drafting TEC: no events, no blog tours, no interviews. It was the right choice.

Now, thankfully, I and my family are settling in after all these crazy transitions, and life is beginning to feel normal again.

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If 2021 was the year of transition, I’m hoping 2022 is the year of creation! The next books in TEC are undergoing edits at the publisher now. I just finished first round edits for Fox, and I completed some major revisions for Book III that should speed first round edits along. No official publication dates yet, but watch this space for updates soon!

Several new stories are also in the works at the moment. Book IV of TEC is about 12 chapters in with around 42,000 words drafted. I am taking a short break from that draft, however, to complete a new story in a new fantasy world. It’s called The Tower of Cortico. I plan to pitch it to agents and publishers at a conference this coming July. And when I can’t focus on either of those stories, I’m working on a short story set in TEC world. “Makir’s Bounty” will hopefully be just one delightful story in a collection I’m currently calling Tales of Reidara. I’m offering first reads, ARCs, and other goodies to newsletter subscribers, so make sure you sign up here for all that good stuff!

What’s new with you? Share what you’re reading, writing, and what you’ve been up to in 2021 in the comments below.