FAQ and New Contact Info

I've been avoiding something. And I'm not usually an avoider. In fact, I have a reputation both personally and professionally for playing it straight.

But in this case, I have a good reason.

Over the past few months, it's gotten harder and harder for me to stay on top of my online communication. There have been times when I've had over 100 messages in my Inbox, all of which were pre-screened and required a response from me. It would be overwhelming enough if that were it, but those messages were only part of the picture. There were Facebook emails, comments on both my Facebook page and the Prophecy of the Sisters Fan Page, the Forums on this site, and Twitter (which I've more or less abandoned as a tool for staying in touch with anyone).

You get the idea.

I knew going into 2011 that something would have to change this year. I just can't stay on top of it all and still have time to write. I do SO love being in touch with my readers, but to be honest, the writing is still my favorite part. It's the part I NEED. I've been agonizing over the ways I could cut down on my online communication and still be accessible, because I really don't want to lose touch with my readers. I get at least five emails a day thanking me for being so available, and I don't take your friendship (virtual though it may be) and trust in me for granted.

So this is what I've come up with;

I will no longer answer emails at Facebook. I will do my best to respond to comments on the Prophecy Fan Page and on my personal page. This is my preferred method of communication. I post all kinds of stuff on Facebook! Updates about the book and links to my blog posts, but also general stuff about music, movies, news stories, the weather, my kids, etc.. Facebook and this site really are the best ways to stay in touch with me. I just have to eliminate the email component.

I can no longer guarantee replies at Twitter. For the last two years, I've been determined to reply to every comment directed my way. This is probably due to my old-fashioned thinking that if someone directs something @MichelleZink, ignoring them is as rude as ignoring someone in person. But it seems the way of things to NOT feel obligated to reply on Twitter, and frankly, I'm failing at doing it anyway! That said, Rebekah will still post updates from the @prophecypress Twitter account and I will still stop by from time to time on @MichelleZink.

I will continue to drop in on the Forum for general conversation whenever possible. I encourage you to register! You have to be a member anyway to qualify for the Reader of the Month (and the $25 bookstore gift card and swag that come with the title) and there is a great group of people there besides. You do have to register (as a guard against Spam), but t's worth the few seconds it takes, I promise!

I will continue to comment the Thursday Night Write posts when possible. Sometimes, this means I get to a few of them and then something comes up and I can't finish. Other times, I might not get to any of them or might get to all of them. I hope you'll all keep participating because I know we get a lot of traffic on the feature (and I read them all even when I don't have time to comment). I'll also work on having some authors as guest commentators like we did last year.

I will no longer answer book-related questions, requests for interviews and donations, etc., at my personal email address. Please use prophecypress@aol.com for all of these requests. Rebekah will filter them for me and send me the ones that I need to see.

I would ask that you use the Contact Form on this site for anything else. I love hearing from my readers, whether it's because you love the books or want to share something about your own life! Using the Contact form will send all the email to one address and will make it easier for me to stay on top of it all.

I'm hoping these simple changes will allow me to stay accessible without compromising the time I need to write and create. I'll revisit it all later in the year if necessary, but in the meantime, let's give it a try, okay? I value each and every one of you and SO appreciate your support of my work. Without you, there would be no me, writing. I

On another note, I've also been getting a lot of the same questions about Prophecy and my Spring 2012 book, so I'm going to do a mini- FAQ here in an attempt to answer them all. There are lots more answers to FAQ on the FAQ page of this website.

Will there be a third book in the Prophecy of the Sisters series? If so, when does it come out?

The third and final book in the series, Circle of Fire, will be out August 3rd of this year.

Does it have a cover yet?

Despite rumors to the contrary, the cover for Circle of Fire isn't final yet. The preliminary is gorgeous and the final will likely be something very similar. I'll release it here on my website once it's made final!

Is there going to be a Prohecy of the Sisters movie?

I get this question at least once a day! I am currently represented for film by Matthew Snyder at CAA. Historical (even historical fantasies) are notoriously difficult to have made because of the high cost of production, but the best way to see ANY of your favorite books made into a movie is to spread the word about in person and online.

What about the new book I've been hearing about? Is it a fourth book in the Prophecy series?

Circle of Fire is the last book in the Prophecy series. It's already written, and I know you'll all find the conclusion to be very satisfying! In a little over a year (Spring 2012), I'll have a new book out. My editor and I are still discussing titles, but if you read my short story, The Assassin's Apprentice, in the Kiss Me Deadly anthology, you will recognize the world! The new book is a sort of prequel to The Assassin's Apprentice. Like Prophecy, it's a Gothic fantasy, but this one is set in London and is VERY sexy and VERY action-packed. I'm very excited to share that world with you and promise there will be LOTS of news about it on my website in the coming months.

Will you do an interview/donate swag for my blog?

Please send all related requests to prophecypress@aol.com.

Can I get on the ARC list for Circle of Fire?

As with many final books in a series, there will be no ARCs of Circle of Fire. We don't want anything spoiled for readers before the final installment!

Can I get on the ARC list for your new book?

Please send all ARC requests to prophecypress@aol.com and include your blog address and a link to your reviews fro Prophecy of the Sisters and Guardian of the Gate if you reviewed them on your blog.

Can you give me a finished copy of Prophecy of the Sisters or Guardian of the Gate for review?

For books that have ARCs, I do provide them for review to select blogs and bloggers until that book is published. I don't give finished copies for review.