Angel M.B. Chadwick's Blog, page 5
February 27, 2018
Author Feature Article/Interview of Medium.com Indie Author: Alex R. Carver
A Look Into the Consistency of An Indie Author by Angel M.B. Chadwick
Consistency is the art of being prolific. It’s the foundation on which to build a platform consisting of drive and ambition and indie author Alex R. Carver has it all in spades.
My first discovery of this author’s works was on Wattpad.com. The first of his books I read is titled, Written in Blood. Starting off with action and suspense in this one had me intrigued from the very beginning. I knew right then and there this was a brilliant author in the making with an intelligent approach with his writing style. The descriptions are well thought-out from the start, giving the reader an eloquent experience of being right there so ingrained with the characters. The world building is well-written.
With eight novels successfully published, Exposed, Written in Blood, An Unwanted Inheritance (Cas Dragunov), Inspector Stone Mysteries Vol. 1 (Book 1-3) Where There’s A Will (Book 1), An Eye For An Eye (Book 2), A Perfect Pose (Book 3) and Into the Fire, his latest and fourth installment in his Inspector Stone Mysteries series Alex R. Carver is definitely on his way to being a bestselling indie author.
Alex R. Carver's Books:
Interviewing Alex R. Carver:
Angel Chadwick: Hi, Alex! Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
Alex R. Carver: Hi, I’m Alex R Carver (not my real name, I decided to go with a pen name when I published my first book to keep my personal and my writing lives as separate as possible) and I live with my elderly Mum, for whom I act as carer after she suffered a stroke last year, and Molly the Yorkshire Terrier, who is currently unhappy because the vet has said she needs to lose a few pounds.
My latest book is Into The Fire, the fourth book in my Inspector Stone Mysteries, and it centres on the discovery of a body in the burned wreck of a car found in the woods outside of the fictional town of Branton.
Angel Chadwick: What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
Alex R. Carver: I have been a writer for quite literally as long as I can remember. One of my earliest solid memories is of writing a children’s adventure novel when I was 10. I have been writing off and on ever since. I don’t know exactly what inspired me to become a writer, but it might have been the fact that I started reading from a young age and have always loved reading.
I began my indie publishing career a little under a year and a half ago following a two year period where I lacked either a computer or internet access, which gave me lots of time for writing and helped me to focus enough to develop Inspector Stone and the world he inhabits. Once I was in a position to get myself a laptop and the internet I decided it was time to get publishing.
Angel Chadwick: Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
Alex R. Carver: I’m happy to read most genres, so long as the story and the characters are good, but my favourite is probably fantasy. I’m not sure I would call him a writing mentor, per se, but I do aspire to someday write a book that is considered on a par with something from Charles Dickens, whose Oliver Twist is one of my go-to books when I’m after a good read.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
Alex R. Carver: A number of years ago I did co-write a book, 2 books in fact, in a genre I would not normally write in, and unfortunately I cannot say the experience was a good one. I don’t say that I would never collaborate or co-write again, but before doing so I would want to be sure I have a contract in place that protects my rights.
Angel Chadwick: What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
Alex R. Carver: My dreams are, in my opinion, both simple and grand. I want to make a living from my writing, which I believe is entirely possible, if not necessarily something that will happen soon, and I want to sell one million books.
Angel Chadwick: Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
Alex R. Carver: I have tried a number of things to promote and market my books: I’ve blogged, used a variety of social media, told random people in real life about my books, paid for promotion on a variety of sites, done blog tours, and virtually anything else I think might get a result. Marketing and promotion are not my favourite jobs, though, and given a choice I would have someone do it for me.
Angel Chadwick: What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
Alex R. Carver: One of the books I co-wrote years ago spent 6 straight weeks as the #1 drama on Amazon.com. It earned more money in that time I used to earn from my day job in a year.
Angel Chadwick: What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
Alex R. Carver: My next project is a follow up to a serial killer thriller I published last year, followed by book 5 in the Inspector Stone Mysteries.
Angel Chadwick: How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
Alex R. Carver: I honestly have no idea. I already struggle to find a balance between the creative and business sides of the publishing business. I spend far more time writing than anything else.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever been traditionally published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditionally published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
Alex R. Carver: I’ve never been traditionally published, and given the stories I’ve heard about it in recent years, I’m not sure I would want to be, but I guess it depends on what sort of deal I was offered. If the agreement contained guarantees regarding marketing, combined with a decent advance, I might be tempted.
Angel Chadwick: What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
Alex R. Carver: I can draw, not as well as my great-uncle who was an amazing artist, but I’m capable when I concentrate and I’m in the right mood.
Angel Chadwick: What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Alex R. Carver: Keep writing, don’t expect overnight success, and be prepared for a hard slog, but most of all, believe in yourself.
Angel Chadwick: Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
Alex R. Carver: I’m an anxiety-ridden mess who loves animals, loves writing, and loves solitude.
Angel Chadwick: Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
Alex R. Carver: My blog and social media are always available to my fellow writers, and I provide whatever support I’m able to in whatever situation. It’s a difficult situation for me because of my own mental health issues but I do what I can, in whatever way I’m able.
List of articles written by Alex R. Carver on Medium.com:
https://medium.com/@arcarver87/
Alex R. Carver’s Social Media Sites:
https://alexrcarver.wordpress.com/
https://twitter.com/arcarver87
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Buy Links to Alex R. Carver’s books:
https://www.amazon.com/Alex-R-Carver/...
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?que...
https://www.books2read.com/u/bxgXVl
Alex R. Carver’s Bio:
After working in the clerical, warehouse and retail industries over the years, without gaining much satisfaction, Alex R. Carver quit to follow his dream and become a full-time writer.
His non-writing dream is to one day earn enough to travel, with a return to Egypt to visit the parts he missed before, and Machu Picchu, top of his wishlist of destinations.
When not writing, he is either playing a game or being distracted by Molly the Yorkie, who is greedy for both attention and whatever food is to be found.
Consistency is the art of being prolific. It’s the foundation on which to build a platform consisting of drive and ambition and indie author Alex R. Carver has it all in spades.
My first discovery of this author’s works was on Wattpad.com. The first of his books I read is titled, Written in Blood. Starting off with action and suspense in this one had me intrigued from the very beginning. I knew right then and there this was a brilliant author in the making with an intelligent approach with his writing style. The descriptions are well thought-out from the start, giving the reader an eloquent experience of being right there so ingrained with the characters. The world building is well-written.
With eight novels successfully published, Exposed, Written in Blood, An Unwanted Inheritance (Cas Dragunov), Inspector Stone Mysteries Vol. 1 (Book 1-3) Where There’s A Will (Book 1), An Eye For An Eye (Book 2), A Perfect Pose (Book 3) and Into the Fire, his latest and fourth installment in his Inspector Stone Mysteries series Alex R. Carver is definitely on his way to being a bestselling indie author.
Alex R. Carver's Books:
Interviewing Alex R. Carver:
Angel Chadwick: Hi, Alex! Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
Alex R. Carver: Hi, I’m Alex R Carver (not my real name, I decided to go with a pen name when I published my first book to keep my personal and my writing lives as separate as possible) and I live with my elderly Mum, for whom I act as carer after she suffered a stroke last year, and Molly the Yorkshire Terrier, who is currently unhappy because the vet has said she needs to lose a few pounds.
My latest book is Into The Fire, the fourth book in my Inspector Stone Mysteries, and it centres on the discovery of a body in the burned wreck of a car found in the woods outside of the fictional town of Branton.
Angel Chadwick: What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
Alex R. Carver: I have been a writer for quite literally as long as I can remember. One of my earliest solid memories is of writing a children’s adventure novel when I was 10. I have been writing off and on ever since. I don’t know exactly what inspired me to become a writer, but it might have been the fact that I started reading from a young age and have always loved reading.
I began my indie publishing career a little under a year and a half ago following a two year period where I lacked either a computer or internet access, which gave me lots of time for writing and helped me to focus enough to develop Inspector Stone and the world he inhabits. Once I was in a position to get myself a laptop and the internet I decided it was time to get publishing.
Angel Chadwick: Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
Alex R. Carver: I’m happy to read most genres, so long as the story and the characters are good, but my favourite is probably fantasy. I’m not sure I would call him a writing mentor, per se, but I do aspire to someday write a book that is considered on a par with something from Charles Dickens, whose Oliver Twist is one of my go-to books when I’m after a good read.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
Alex R. Carver: A number of years ago I did co-write a book, 2 books in fact, in a genre I would not normally write in, and unfortunately I cannot say the experience was a good one. I don’t say that I would never collaborate or co-write again, but before doing so I would want to be sure I have a contract in place that protects my rights.
Angel Chadwick: What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
Alex R. Carver: My dreams are, in my opinion, both simple and grand. I want to make a living from my writing, which I believe is entirely possible, if not necessarily something that will happen soon, and I want to sell one million books.
Angel Chadwick: Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
Alex R. Carver: I have tried a number of things to promote and market my books: I’ve blogged, used a variety of social media, told random people in real life about my books, paid for promotion on a variety of sites, done blog tours, and virtually anything else I think might get a result. Marketing and promotion are not my favourite jobs, though, and given a choice I would have someone do it for me.
Angel Chadwick: What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
Alex R. Carver: One of the books I co-wrote years ago spent 6 straight weeks as the #1 drama on Amazon.com. It earned more money in that time I used to earn from my day job in a year.
Angel Chadwick: What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
Alex R. Carver: My next project is a follow up to a serial killer thriller I published last year, followed by book 5 in the Inspector Stone Mysteries.
Angel Chadwick: How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
Alex R. Carver: I honestly have no idea. I already struggle to find a balance between the creative and business sides of the publishing business. I spend far more time writing than anything else.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever been traditionally published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditionally published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
Alex R. Carver: I’ve never been traditionally published, and given the stories I’ve heard about it in recent years, I’m not sure I would want to be, but I guess it depends on what sort of deal I was offered. If the agreement contained guarantees regarding marketing, combined with a decent advance, I might be tempted.
Angel Chadwick: What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
Alex R. Carver: I can draw, not as well as my great-uncle who was an amazing artist, but I’m capable when I concentrate and I’m in the right mood.
Angel Chadwick: What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Alex R. Carver: Keep writing, don’t expect overnight success, and be prepared for a hard slog, but most of all, believe in yourself.
Angel Chadwick: Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
Alex R. Carver: I’m an anxiety-ridden mess who loves animals, loves writing, and loves solitude.
Angel Chadwick: Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
Alex R. Carver: My blog and social media are always available to my fellow writers, and I provide whatever support I’m able to in whatever situation. It’s a difficult situation for me because of my own mental health issues but I do what I can, in whatever way I’m able.
List of articles written by Alex R. Carver on Medium.com:
https://medium.com/@arcarver87/
Alex R. Carver’s Social Media Sites:
https://alexrcarver.wordpress.com/
https://twitter.com/arcarver87
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Buy Links to Alex R. Carver’s books:
https://www.amazon.com/Alex-R-Carver/...
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?que...
https://www.books2read.com/u/bxgXVl
Alex R. Carver’s Bio:
After working in the clerical, warehouse and retail industries over the years, without gaining much satisfaction, Alex R. Carver quit to follow his dream and become a full-time writer.
His non-writing dream is to one day earn enough to travel, with a return to Egypt to visit the parts he missed before, and Machu Picchu, top of his wishlist of destinations.
When not writing, he is either playing a game or being distracted by Molly the Yorkie, who is greedy for both attention and whatever food is to be found.
February 26, 2018
My New Idea
I'm offering to do Author/Story Features for authors of Medium. I want to use my following of a total of 7,013 followers-friends to promote Medium authors. I have often used my following to promote indies over the years and this is another new way to do so. If you are interested in me doing a story feature on you to promote you, any works or articles you've posted on Medium, please pm me. My following continues to grow daily. My GR blog gets lots of traffic. Now this doesn't mean that I have stopped doing general interviews of other indies so don't anyone feel left out. But this will be something I will be doing seasonally if this takes off. This will be the spring edition starting in March. And I will be doing a summer edition also. Leave a comment below if you're interested and we'll continue from there through pms. Thank you!
New Year (2018-future) Updates
I'm discussing with my cover artist about the cover for Traveling Salesman. I'm working on the next book in the Sci-fi trilogy. I've also been working on a lot of other books several cozy mysteries, as well as a graphic novel series. I've always loved graphic novels. And I've also been a fan of comic books since I was a kid. The plays I was working on are on the back burner for now. My goal is to get two books published for 2018 and three the next year. I wish I was The Flash and could complete all my creative endeavors a bit faster. But my computer is so old. And of course, I'm raising my ten year old son and running a household. I'm hoping to get Traveling Salesman published by springtime. But as I'm trying to get that done, more and more creative ideas keep ravishing my brain so there's that blessed-cursed interruption. I keep looking at the books I have out now and I don't want those to be my last. I'm determined they won't be. That's just a dose of what I've been working on. Thank you all for your patience!
February 16, 2018
Author Feature/Interview: Jane Jago Interviewing Angel M.B. Chadwick
I recently had the pleasure of being featured and interviewed by the illustrious Jane Jago. Excerpt from my novel Weeping Well on Jane's blog WorkingTitle, which is at the link below in this interview. Thank you Jane! Please like and share.
Q1: If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
Three places I wish I could live and that would be Toronto, Ontario, Canada (I've visited there and stayed there for a while when I was a teenager, and also Quebec which I also visited and stayed there for a bit) Sydney, Australia and London, England. I've always been intrigued by the scenery, the culture, the people, food, etc. If I ever get rich as an indie author, I want to have a house in each of those places mentioned. I've traveled a lot, mostly in my youth and I'd love to travel again, particularly more outside the U.S.
Q2: Are you a cat person or a dog person and why? I am both but, mostly I'm a dog person. I've owned both cats and dogs. Dogs can be so loyal and protective that's what I like about them. One day when my son is a little older I'm going to get him a puppy.
Q3: What do you most enjoy about being a writer - and least enjoy?
I love the whole package of writing and publishing. Creating plot and story, the fun, hard work, detail, imagination, life experiences and ideas that mix the pot making something beautiful. I have a love and hate relationship with the promoting and marketing but, I find I'm actually very good at it. That's probably because I have a college background in Computer Business, Advertising and Marketing to give just a little insight into my educational background. I also love the networking. I'm very good at that. But it can be taxing. I'm a multi-tasker. But at times all of it, except for the writing oftentimes leaves me a bit annoyed. Because you have to be so consistent. Which I am. And have so much drive which I do, but it leaves me often burned out, which I don't care for at all.
Angel Chadwick's Author Bio:
Angel M.B. Chadwick is currently writing the sequel to the “Weeping Well” series, titled “Weeping Well: Shards to the Grave.” She’s also writing a twelve book cozy mysteries series, numerous plays, novels, short stories, among her other literary works, business ideas and inventions all while raising her ten year old son. She has traveled all over the world starting in her teens and hopes to do it again soon. She currently lives in Mississippi, in a quaint little house on the corner, in a quiet neighborhood in the city, where she is constantly and relentlessly plagued by inspiration.
Social Media Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.facebook.com/angel.chadwi...
https://www.amazon.com/Mrs.-Angel-M.B...
Excerpt from Weeping Well by Angel M.B. Chadwick
https://workingtitleblogspot.wordpres...
Buy Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Weeping-Well-A...
https://www.amazon.com/Corridors-My-M...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weeping-Well...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corridors-My...
Q1: If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
Three places I wish I could live and that would be Toronto, Ontario, Canada (I've visited there and stayed there for a while when I was a teenager, and also Quebec which I also visited and stayed there for a bit) Sydney, Australia and London, England. I've always been intrigued by the scenery, the culture, the people, food, etc. If I ever get rich as an indie author, I want to have a house in each of those places mentioned. I've traveled a lot, mostly in my youth and I'd love to travel again, particularly more outside the U.S.
Q2: Are you a cat person or a dog person and why? I am both but, mostly I'm a dog person. I've owned both cats and dogs. Dogs can be so loyal and protective that's what I like about them. One day when my son is a little older I'm going to get him a puppy.
Q3: What do you most enjoy about being a writer - and least enjoy?
I love the whole package of writing and publishing. Creating plot and story, the fun, hard work, detail, imagination, life experiences and ideas that mix the pot making something beautiful. I have a love and hate relationship with the promoting and marketing but, I find I'm actually very good at it. That's probably because I have a college background in Computer Business, Advertising and Marketing to give just a little insight into my educational background. I also love the networking. I'm very good at that. But it can be taxing. I'm a multi-tasker. But at times all of it, except for the writing oftentimes leaves me a bit annoyed. Because you have to be so consistent. Which I am. And have so much drive which I do, but it leaves me often burned out, which I don't care for at all.
Angel Chadwick's Author Bio:
Angel M.B. Chadwick is currently writing the sequel to the “Weeping Well” series, titled “Weeping Well: Shards to the Grave.” She’s also writing a twelve book cozy mysteries series, numerous plays, novels, short stories, among her other literary works, business ideas and inventions all while raising her ten year old son. She has traveled all over the world starting in her teens and hopes to do it again soon. She currently lives in Mississippi, in a quaint little house on the corner, in a quiet neighborhood in the city, where she is constantly and relentlessly plagued by inspiration.
Social Media Links:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.facebook.com/angel.chadwi...
https://www.amazon.com/Mrs.-Angel-M.B...
Excerpt from Weeping Well by Angel M.B. Chadwick
https://workingtitleblogspot.wordpres...
Buy Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Weeping-Well-A...
https://www.amazon.com/Corridors-My-M...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weeping-Well...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corridors-My...
February 11, 2018
Author Feature: Interviewing CeDany
Next Author Interview this week is CeDany. Give this indie author a shout out. Please like and share:
Hi CeDany! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a loner, always been – the one that’s always out on her own. The quiet one keeping to herself.
When did you first decide to write a novel? And Where did the ideas for your books come from?
One night back in 95, in the summer, I jotted down an idea, an outline of the story after completing another book where the characters considered themselves monsters and deserving on hate, betrayal and death. I wrote the complete contrary.
You say that you’re a private person and use a pen name, how did you come up with CeDany?
A conversation between Papa and a work colleague – “she is not Ce! Please, don’t call her that. Her proper nickname is Dany…” the colleague then replied: “Fine, CeDany it is – she’s a girl after all, Dany is more for a boy only!” In 1965.
What styles do you most enjoy reading and writing?
It’s easier to say what I don’t enjoy reading – Erotica, as well as stories that are full of swear words in every lines and anything to do with bestiality – Yuck! I used to read certain biographies, lately, they’ve been disappointing.
Otherwise, I read fiction and non-fiction, conspiracies, UFO’s, magic, witchcraft, vampires, history and Royalty. Shakespeare, Sci-Fi and Based on True Stories!
As for writing, it’s always been the same style from the beginning. Which will be answered fully in the question about my own unique style!
If you could spend the day with any fictional character, who would you choose and what would you talk about?
Henry of BirkeLand (Trieste’s maternal grand-father) – he’s a laugh a minute – definitely, to speak about the ancient time aka the old days – from 15th to 19th century.
You write in your own unique style, what makes it different and how did you develop this way of writing?
Going back to school and my childhood for this. Papa was a story-teller – myths, legends and stories of yore aka very nostalgic. He would retell these in four languages. Very often he would use real-life situation to make up stories. That is where my own style, which is known as Epistolary, comes from. I’ve created an imaginary story but making it as real-life as possible. Told from where the idea came from – Genealogy reports.
Multiple points of view – all things going on at once – not something traditional, very much – out of the ordinary. If you read my short stories on my website – once done, you’ll wonder – did this really took place or is it all make-believe? It's called Epistolary-style!
Simply story-telling…
What would be your idea of a perfect day off?
Oh, but one day is not enough for time off – LOL! A three-day weekend of Pizza and Pasta in Italy – hence why all my characters have origins in this beautiful country – it’s on the bucket list…
If I only have one perfect day off – sunny from 8 in the morning until 10 at night – a slight breeze only; a quiver full of arrows – a horse under me and my bow, plus multiple targets. Think Merida in Brave!
What is your favourite book or series, and why?
Favourite books – An Old Friend of the Family (Ace June 1979) – author Fred Saberhagen. His book was a catalyst in one-day writing my own books. Another take, very down to earth approach, of Dracula by Bram Stoker.
The second favourite one is no longer in print – so, finding a copy is impossible – Memories of a Canadian dog – can’t remember the author. However, the story is extremely touching about a Dalmatian dog who’s the mascot of a Fire Brigade and his master. So real-life when you read it – you can feel what they went through, day in, day out.
Favourite series – The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris (2001 to 2013) it’s very well written and definitely, without a doubt, the series of books were far better than the television series aka True Blood. After the latter’s season 3, I gave up. I still read the books to this day.
Second series covers quite a few books – the whole of Rick Riordan’s Mythology. I love everything about Ancient History: Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Vikings, Norse – the olde world – and Riordan fulfils this with a blend of swashbuckling and conquest.
Tell us all about your book!
Simply, it’s the Life’s story of The WynderMyre Family – the Origins of the True Vampires, Witches and all Magical Creatures… Here’s the Synopses:
https://thewyndermyrememoirs.jimdo.co...
What interview question do you wish someone would ask you?
What does clean reads mean? It means, absolutely not a swear, no profanity words in sight, not even the description for the mild sex scenes aka no dirty words whatsoever!
Bio here, and my picture is here as well: https://thewyndermyrememoirs.jimdo.co...
YouTube Channel I’ve two eBook video for now: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTfW...
I'm off Instagram for now until I see if the problems with my tablets are fixed. I have a Tumblr account as well as being on iAuthor here: http://www.iauthor.uk.com/profile/ced...
Hi CeDany! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a loner, always been – the one that’s always out on her own. The quiet one keeping to herself.
When did you first decide to write a novel? And Where did the ideas for your books come from?
One night back in 95, in the summer, I jotted down an idea, an outline of the story after completing another book where the characters considered themselves monsters and deserving on hate, betrayal and death. I wrote the complete contrary.
You say that you’re a private person and use a pen name, how did you come up with CeDany?
A conversation between Papa and a work colleague – “she is not Ce! Please, don’t call her that. Her proper nickname is Dany…” the colleague then replied: “Fine, CeDany it is – she’s a girl after all, Dany is more for a boy only!” In 1965.
What styles do you most enjoy reading and writing?
It’s easier to say what I don’t enjoy reading – Erotica, as well as stories that are full of swear words in every lines and anything to do with bestiality – Yuck! I used to read certain biographies, lately, they’ve been disappointing.
Otherwise, I read fiction and non-fiction, conspiracies, UFO’s, magic, witchcraft, vampires, history and Royalty. Shakespeare, Sci-Fi and Based on True Stories!
As for writing, it’s always been the same style from the beginning. Which will be answered fully in the question about my own unique style!
If you could spend the day with any fictional character, who would you choose and what would you talk about?
Henry of BirkeLand (Trieste’s maternal grand-father) – he’s a laugh a minute – definitely, to speak about the ancient time aka the old days – from 15th to 19th century.
You write in your own unique style, what makes it different and how did you develop this way of writing?
Going back to school and my childhood for this. Papa was a story-teller – myths, legends and stories of yore aka very nostalgic. He would retell these in four languages. Very often he would use real-life situation to make up stories. That is where my own style, which is known as Epistolary, comes from. I’ve created an imaginary story but making it as real-life as possible. Told from where the idea came from – Genealogy reports.
Multiple points of view – all things going on at once – not something traditional, very much – out of the ordinary. If you read my short stories on my website – once done, you’ll wonder – did this really took place or is it all make-believe? It's called Epistolary-style!
Simply story-telling…
What would be your idea of a perfect day off?
Oh, but one day is not enough for time off – LOL! A three-day weekend of Pizza and Pasta in Italy – hence why all my characters have origins in this beautiful country – it’s on the bucket list…
If I only have one perfect day off – sunny from 8 in the morning until 10 at night – a slight breeze only; a quiver full of arrows – a horse under me and my bow, plus multiple targets. Think Merida in Brave!
What is your favourite book or series, and why?
Favourite books – An Old Friend of the Family (Ace June 1979) – author Fred Saberhagen. His book was a catalyst in one-day writing my own books. Another take, very down to earth approach, of Dracula by Bram Stoker.
The second favourite one is no longer in print – so, finding a copy is impossible – Memories of a Canadian dog – can’t remember the author. However, the story is extremely touching about a Dalmatian dog who’s the mascot of a Fire Brigade and his master. So real-life when you read it – you can feel what they went through, day in, day out.
Favourite series – The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris (2001 to 2013) it’s very well written and definitely, without a doubt, the series of books were far better than the television series aka True Blood. After the latter’s season 3, I gave up. I still read the books to this day.
Second series covers quite a few books – the whole of Rick Riordan’s Mythology. I love everything about Ancient History: Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Vikings, Norse – the olde world – and Riordan fulfils this with a blend of swashbuckling and conquest.
Tell us all about your book!
Simply, it’s the Life’s story of The WynderMyre Family – the Origins of the True Vampires, Witches and all Magical Creatures… Here’s the Synopses:
https://thewyndermyrememoirs.jimdo.co...
What interview question do you wish someone would ask you?
What does clean reads mean? It means, absolutely not a swear, no profanity words in sight, not even the description for the mild sex scenes aka no dirty words whatsoever!
Bio here, and my picture is here as well: https://thewyndermyrememoirs.jimdo.co...
YouTube Channel I’ve two eBook video for now: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTfW...
I'm off Instagram for now until I see if the problems with my tablets are fixed. I have a Tumblr account as well as being on iAuthor here: http://www.iauthor.uk.com/profile/ced...
February 5, 2018
Interviewing Indie Author Grace Anthony
Next author interview this week is Grace Anthony. Let's give this indie author a shout out! Please like and share.
*Don't worry readers. I keep every interview archived. So whichever author's interview the audience wants to see will still be listed on my blog even when someone else's interview is at the forefront the next week.
Hi, Grace!
1.Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
I am a homeschooled independent author with a *bit* of an obsession with the Warrior cats series by Erin Hunter. My latest book is a YA urban fantasy called Spark of Fire. It has witches and werewolves and Reapers- lot's of fun stuff. It deals with the emotional repercussions and trauma that going through what most heroes goes through incurs, which, in my opinion, most books leave out.
2. What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
Nothing really sticks out to me as The Moment I was inspired to be an author. I've been writing stories my entire life, even before I knew how to write. A couple years ago, my dad suggested I look into publishing. It was then that I stumbled into the world of self-publishing. I realized as an indie author I could have total control over my books. I've never looked back.
3. Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
I was strongly inspired by Christopher Poalini's Inheritance Cycle and KM Shea's Timeless Fairy Tales series. They still are my biggest heroes.
I love reading- and writing- clean fantasy/urban fantasy books. I don't have much patience for romance, whether in other peoples' books or my own. I read all the time. I review a lot of books, especially indie books, on my book blog.
4. Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
I haven't, but I'd be open to the opportunity if it ever arose.
5. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
My dream is to be able to write all day, i.e. be a full-time author. While that may never happen, it motivates me to do the marketing and writing to help me achieve that goal.
6. Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
I went into self-publishing because I liked the complete control I have over every aspect of my books, including marketing.
7. What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
When I receive reviews saying they couldn't put my book down. When I read those, I know that I've done my job.
8. What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
I'm currently rewriting one of my older novels and writing the second installment to the Phoenix Cycle trilogy. I also have a super secret project in the works that I'm really excited about.
9. How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
I haven't run into this particular problem yet because I just wrote a YA/urban fantasy novel featuring werewolves and witches. But if I do ever run into that problem, I think I would go with my creativity and deal with the fact that I might not do so well selling that book.
10. Have you ever been traditional published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditional published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
No and I don't think I ever will. If I did, I think I would be the hybrid, part indie, part traditional.
11. What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
I like to draw my characters as a reference, but I'm not very good at it.
12. What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Don't give up, a generic as that sounds. I started publishing two years ago, but it's only in the past three months that I've started to gain traction. So my advice is to stick with it and eventually you'll achieve your goal.
13. Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
Yikes... um, well, if I were a character in a book, I would describe myself as a generally quiet introvert who squeals over every cat she finds.
14. Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
As I mentioned above, I review indie books on my blog (http://ofwonderandmagic.blogspot.com/) I try to inspire people and maybe give them a little hope in a dark world.
Social Media Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnthonyBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anthony_books
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/anthonybook...
Website: http://www.anthonybooks.com/
Her books are Available at:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Anthony/...
Grace Anthony's Bio:
I am a homeschooled indie author in high school who writes under the penname Grace Anthony. I live in rural Illinois and am a passionate reader, writer, and rider. I am often found writing on a blue laptop named Saphira. I am a self-proclaimed chocoholic, introvert, and am addicted to coffee. I plan on writing many more books in the future.
*Don't worry readers. I keep every interview archived. So whichever author's interview the audience wants to see will still be listed on my blog even when someone else's interview is at the forefront the next week.
Hi, Grace!
1.Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
I am a homeschooled independent author with a *bit* of an obsession with the Warrior cats series by Erin Hunter. My latest book is a YA urban fantasy called Spark of Fire. It has witches and werewolves and Reapers- lot's of fun stuff. It deals with the emotional repercussions and trauma that going through what most heroes goes through incurs, which, in my opinion, most books leave out.
2. What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
Nothing really sticks out to me as The Moment I was inspired to be an author. I've been writing stories my entire life, even before I knew how to write. A couple years ago, my dad suggested I look into publishing. It was then that I stumbled into the world of self-publishing. I realized as an indie author I could have total control over my books. I've never looked back.
3. Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
I was strongly inspired by Christopher Poalini's Inheritance Cycle and KM Shea's Timeless Fairy Tales series. They still are my biggest heroes.
I love reading- and writing- clean fantasy/urban fantasy books. I don't have much patience for romance, whether in other peoples' books or my own. I read all the time. I review a lot of books, especially indie books, on my book blog.
4. Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
I haven't, but I'd be open to the opportunity if it ever arose.
5. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
My dream is to be able to write all day, i.e. be a full-time author. While that may never happen, it motivates me to do the marketing and writing to help me achieve that goal.
6. Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
I went into self-publishing because I liked the complete control I have over every aspect of my books, including marketing.
7. What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
When I receive reviews saying they couldn't put my book down. When I read those, I know that I've done my job.
8. What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
I'm currently rewriting one of my older novels and writing the second installment to the Phoenix Cycle trilogy. I also have a super secret project in the works that I'm really excited about.
9. How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
I haven't run into this particular problem yet because I just wrote a YA/urban fantasy novel featuring werewolves and witches. But if I do ever run into that problem, I think I would go with my creativity and deal with the fact that I might not do so well selling that book.
10. Have you ever been traditional published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditional published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
No and I don't think I ever will. If I did, I think I would be the hybrid, part indie, part traditional.
11. What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
I like to draw my characters as a reference, but I'm not very good at it.
12. What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Don't give up, a generic as that sounds. I started publishing two years ago, but it's only in the past three months that I've started to gain traction. So my advice is to stick with it and eventually you'll achieve your goal.
13. Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
Yikes... um, well, if I were a character in a book, I would describe myself as a generally quiet introvert who squeals over every cat she finds.
14. Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
As I mentioned above, I review indie books on my blog (http://ofwonderandmagic.blogspot.com/) I try to inspire people and maybe give them a little hope in a dark world.
Social Media Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnthonyBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anthony_books
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/anthonybook...
Website: http://www.anthonybooks.com/
Her books are Available at:
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Anthony/...
Grace Anthony's Bio:
I am a homeschooled indie author in high school who writes under the penname Grace Anthony. I live in rural Illinois and am a passionate reader, writer, and rider. I am often found writing on a blue laptop named Saphira. I am a self-proclaimed chocoholic, introvert, and am addicted to coffee. I plan on writing many more books in the future.
January 31, 2018
Interviewing Indie Author Groovy Lee
Hi, everybody! I'm back to doing weekly interviews again. My first one to top off the new year is the awesome Groovy Lee. Give this great author a shout out. Please like and share.
1. Hi, Groovy Lee! Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
A. I live in Nashville, TN with my daughter who is also my best friend. Besides writing, I love to crochet, garden, listen to music, and most of all, sit in front of my 65” TV during the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Oh, and I’m addicted to bottled tea.
My latest novel is titled, A Body Resurrected. It’s a Romantic/Suspense that begins in early Egypt and ends in present-day America. A serial killer has crashed landed on Earth and it takes two generations of strong female protagonists to end his terror.
2. What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
A. What inspired me to become a serious author was my Harlequin Romance phase in the 80’s. Those romance novels had a big effect on me, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey they took me on. I knew then I wanted to write stories that would have that same effect on others.
I became an Indie author because I grew tired of the sitting for hours rummaging through reference books looking for that elusive agent when I could be my own boss making all of the decisions. Even with traditional publishing, 99% of the marketing is up to you.
I’ve been writing since elementary school, but I’ve only been published for seven years.
3. Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
A. Romance authors like Janet Dailey, Violet Winspear, and Charlotte Lamb were my favorite authors I looked up to. They’re partly the reason I started writing romance and suspense.
I love reading about true love that involves more than just romance. My novels are more than just about embraces and kissing. They’re about finding that one true love you’re blessed to spend the rest of your life with. And it makes the story even more exciting when you add a splash of suspense.
When I’m not working on my next book, I read other Indie authors’ works and I do review them honestly. Reviews are important to us as Indie writers, so I definitely do my part to contribute.
4. Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
A. No. And believe me, I would be doing them a favor if I never do.
5. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
A. I know it sounds cliché, but I’m not looking for fame or fortune. It means more to me to have a huge fan base who understands me as an author, and can’t wait for my next book to come out. The only reason I would love to be on the bestseller’s list is because that means I have reached millions of readers around the world, and I can finally live off of my earnings.
6. Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
A. I would love to just write and leave the marketing to someone who would be more successful at it. I’m not very good in that area at all. But like all authors, any opportunity that shows up where I can talk about my books, I will take it. I use social media, car signs, T shirts, and whatever else will help give my books exposure.
7. What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
A. That would be when my book, ‘Cause She’s A Good Girl, appeared on a local TV talk show here in Nashville and given a highly recommended by Bookwoman; or when a young mother who was dealing with her sick daughter dying of cancer said that same book helped her to escape from all the pain and stress she had to deal with. I think those two are my proudest achievements.
8. What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
A. I’m working on my next Romantic/Suspense about inheriting a billion-dollar family dynasty. In order to gain control of that dynasty, each family member must go on a scavenger hunt to find the heirloom that will give them complete control. While they’re killing one another off to achieve that end, the protagonist has no idea that it’s in her possession—but the killer does. I hope to release it in Spring 2018.
9. Have you ever been traditional published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditional published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
A. I have never been traditionally published, but I might consider it. I think traditional publishing can open doors for your book and get it in places that self-publishing could not. If a successful agent approached me and offered to take me on, I would accept in a heartbeat. And I wouldn’t mind being a hybrid author.
11. What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
A. The only other talent I have time to concentrate on right now are my Sweetwrap baby blankets that I crochet, and sell online.
12. What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
A. Never give up. Writing is the easy part. It’s the promoting that’s the hardest. After you sharpen your skills by reading reference books and/or taking creative writing classes, create your stories your way, not what you think readers expect. Not everyone is going to like what you write, and that’s okay. Enjoy the journey.
Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
A. I can’t. I always leave that up to those who like reading my books.
14. Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
A. I’m active in my community by helping others to understand why the world is in the shape it’s in, and helping them find hope despite it.
More About Groovy Lee here:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.amazon.com/Groovy-Lee/e/B...
https://www.facebook.com/Groovy-lee-2...
http://www.groovylee.com/
https://www.amazon.com/BODY-RESURRECT...
Thank-you for this opportunity, Angel.
1. Hi, Groovy Lee! Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
A. I live in Nashville, TN with my daughter who is also my best friend. Besides writing, I love to crochet, garden, listen to music, and most of all, sit in front of my 65” TV during the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. Oh, and I’m addicted to bottled tea.
My latest novel is titled, A Body Resurrected. It’s a Romantic/Suspense that begins in early Egypt and ends in present-day America. A serial killer has crashed landed on Earth and it takes two generations of strong female protagonists to end his terror.
2. What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
A. What inspired me to become a serious author was my Harlequin Romance phase in the 80’s. Those romance novels had a big effect on me, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey they took me on. I knew then I wanted to write stories that would have that same effect on others.
I became an Indie author because I grew tired of the sitting for hours rummaging through reference books looking for that elusive agent when I could be my own boss making all of the decisions. Even with traditional publishing, 99% of the marketing is up to you.
I’ve been writing since elementary school, but I’ve only been published for seven years.
3. Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
A. Romance authors like Janet Dailey, Violet Winspear, and Charlotte Lamb were my favorite authors I looked up to. They’re partly the reason I started writing romance and suspense.
I love reading about true love that involves more than just romance. My novels are more than just about embraces and kissing. They’re about finding that one true love you’re blessed to spend the rest of your life with. And it makes the story even more exciting when you add a splash of suspense.
When I’m not working on my next book, I read other Indie authors’ works and I do review them honestly. Reviews are important to us as Indie writers, so I definitely do my part to contribute.
4. Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
A. No. And believe me, I would be doing them a favor if I never do.
5. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
A. I know it sounds cliché, but I’m not looking for fame or fortune. It means more to me to have a huge fan base who understands me as an author, and can’t wait for my next book to come out. The only reason I would love to be on the bestseller’s list is because that means I have reached millions of readers around the world, and I can finally live off of my earnings.
6. Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
A. I would love to just write and leave the marketing to someone who would be more successful at it. I’m not very good in that area at all. But like all authors, any opportunity that shows up where I can talk about my books, I will take it. I use social media, car signs, T shirts, and whatever else will help give my books exposure.
7. What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
A. That would be when my book, ‘Cause She’s A Good Girl, appeared on a local TV talk show here in Nashville and given a highly recommended by Bookwoman; or when a young mother who was dealing with her sick daughter dying of cancer said that same book helped her to escape from all the pain and stress she had to deal with. I think those two are my proudest achievements.
8. What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
A. I’m working on my next Romantic/Suspense about inheriting a billion-dollar family dynasty. In order to gain control of that dynasty, each family member must go on a scavenger hunt to find the heirloom that will give them complete control. While they’re killing one another off to achieve that end, the protagonist has no idea that it’s in her possession—but the killer does. I hope to release it in Spring 2018.
9. Have you ever been traditional published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditional published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
A. I have never been traditionally published, but I might consider it. I think traditional publishing can open doors for your book and get it in places that self-publishing could not. If a successful agent approached me and offered to take me on, I would accept in a heartbeat. And I wouldn’t mind being a hybrid author.
11. What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
A. The only other talent I have time to concentrate on right now are my Sweetwrap baby blankets that I crochet, and sell online.
12. What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
A. Never give up. Writing is the easy part. It’s the promoting that’s the hardest. After you sharpen your skills by reading reference books and/or taking creative writing classes, create your stories your way, not what you think readers expect. Not everyone is going to like what you write, and that’s okay. Enjoy the journey.
Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
A. I can’t. I always leave that up to those who like reading my books.
14. Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
A. I’m active in my community by helping others to understand why the world is in the shape it’s in, and helping them find hope despite it.
More About Groovy Lee here:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.amazon.com/Groovy-Lee/e/B...
https://www.facebook.com/Groovy-lee-2...
http://www.groovylee.com/
https://www.amazon.com/BODY-RESURRECT...
Thank-you for this opportunity, Angel.
January 4, 2018
I'm Baack!
Hi, everybody! My computer has been down for five weeks and I'm just able to get back on the internet today. I have an old computer and can't afford a new one. I had to get a replacement charger because the other one stopped working and my battery was so low that it was very, very close to crossing over. It took me two tries but I finally found a compatible charger for my computer. Now I'm able to finish my third and fourth books and catch up on some reading and reviewing on Goodreads. Happy New Year!
November 29, 2017
Welcome to the Indie Advent Calendar- December 1-25, 2017
*Join us for lots of Christmasy, wintery, booksy, swag bag and prize-filled fun December 1-25, 2017 at the Indie Advent Calendar of the Year!
*Links to the Indie Advent Calendar below:
http://kaymacleodbooks.com/indie-adve...
*Indie Advent Calendar Videos here or you can look at them here on my Goodreads profile to your left:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajWbH...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcJHQ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZiLG...
*Indie Advent Calendar Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/14030...
*Indie Advent Calendar Program Page;
http://kaymacleodbooks.com/programme/
*Links to the Indie Advent Calendar below:
http://kaymacleodbooks.com/indie-adve...
*Indie Advent Calendar Videos here or you can look at them here on my Goodreads profile to your left:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajWbH...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcJHQ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZiLG...
*Indie Advent Calendar Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/14030...
*Indie Advent Calendar Program Page;
http://kaymacleodbooks.com/programme/
November 27, 2017
My Writing Health: Good
I'm almost finished with my sci-fi fantasy, mixed genre novel Traveling Salesman: Astronomgonist and I'm currently writing a prequel to it. Yes, a prequel. I never thought about writing one of those things until now. But things seem to be coming along nicely. I hope to be done very soon with both since I'm determined to get them both out in the same year (2018). Other writing and business projects are still in the works. My holiday sucked a little less than last year.
