I've got another new release on the horizon!

Hallelujah, it's finally October. Another 11 week spree of events is over! 

I do want to highlight the glory that was the Funky Ferndale Art Festival and my record sales of 140 books that weekend. If only all weekends were that wonderful, but hey, I'll revel in that one for a while.

My plan was to relax this month, to not do anything book sales related. But guess what? There's a local silkie chicken event and it's close to home and you know what they say, "Go where your readers are". So yep. I'll be there with my children's chicken books, dragging my 11 week spree right on into 12. #crazy

I'll also be doing a virtual interview with Canadian author J.M. Frey at a local bookstore on the 16th and signing my own books while I'm there. I am relaxing this month, really, I swear.

Oh, and formatting I9 as soon as that comes back from my proofreader so I can get it out to ARC readers. That's not technically going out to sell books though so...

Want to be an ARC reader for my upcoming space opera stand-alone novel? You can sign up for your free review copy here.

I also just sent off the last of the edits to the narrator for the audiobook of Sahmara so that will be out soon too.

Yep, crossing off projects left and right. Woohoo!

So what's ahead for the rest of the year? Three fairly big comic cons and a little local(ish) holiday art and craft show. Oh, and writing new material so I'll have a new book or three next year. So yeah, some stuff.

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the 

other participating writers.

Now that I've made you all as tired as I feel, let's get to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question.

What is your most favorite thing you've written, whether it's published or not?

I get this question ALL THE TIME when I'm out signing books. The most favorite thing I've written is Book 5 of the Narvan Series, Tears of the Tyrant. That one sucked my soul onto the pages. Writing the end of a series, man, it's hard to let go of those characters. I did my best to make every bit and piece come together, to go for the gut punches and balance them with a few good laughs, to make readers cry. 

I cried. Others have reported they cried. Mission accomplished.

That might be considered a spoiler, but really, if you've read any of the books in the series, you know I do not go easy on my characters even in a happy ending.

This revelation inevitably annoys new-to-me readers because they want the answer to be a stand alone book, or at least the first book in the series for goodness sake. Sorry folks, I'm difficult. That's my answer and I'm sticking to it.

Upcoming Releases, IWSG, and So Many Signings

I've been busy (when am I not?) since last month. Projects are sort of falling into place. Are they at the orderly points where I'd like them to be? Nope, but we're rolling with it. #flexibility

Since the last episode of Does She Ever Sleep?, I've done a comic con that was my best sales event of the year so far, an art festival where water streamed through my tent, enjoyed a hometown art fair with perfect weather and lots of friends, had one signing canceled due to thunderstorms, and did a paid presentation on self publishing at my local library. I've also received the interior illustrations on Nugget #2 and finalized the cover of i9. #progress

Which brings us to ARC reader sign ups for Nugget the Space Chicken and the Haunted Cave of Korabumba. If you have any young readers or are interested in a kids sci-fi story, the sign up form is here. Do I have cover art yet? Nope, but I have a blurb. I'll be sending out ARC copies at some point this week.  #vaguedeadlines 

The mushroom forests and deep caves of Korabumba might be a beautiful home for humans. While exploring the planet, Jasper and Opal's father runs into trouble and calls for help. Their mother is out of range. It's up to Jasper, Opal, and Nugget to find him

They set off to work together on a rescue mission. Except their father down in a deep, dark cave filled with ghosts, fairies, a who knows what else. 

Is the trio brave enough to help their father or will they chicken out?

Let's get to the cover reveal for the adult sci-fi standalone I9, shall we? Tune in next episode for the blurb because I have a cover, but not the blurb. See what I mean about rolling with it?  #coverreveal

The audio narrator is still busy editing chapters of Sahmara so that is currently out of my hands but also in my juggling routine. Woohoo!

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the 

other participating writers.

And that brings us to the ISWG portion of this episode. This month's question is: What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

Since a friend is dealing with a troublesome publisher right now, I'm going to say: Not paying authors on time / being transparent with sales / not paying authors at all. 

She signed what sounded like an ideal contract with a publisher she was reading slush for stating they would provide formatting, ISBN, editing, and publication of her novel and all profits would go to her. They paid no advance and would not be taking any split of the royalties. Sounds too be good to be true, right? Yeah, exactly. 

What it did not state was a payment schedule or when sales reports would be relayed. She ordered author copies at cost and was happily out selling her book. Now, I will clarify that the majority of her sales were in person with the books she purchased so she did collect and retain payment on those. What she did not receive was payment or record of any online sales through the publisher's website, Amazon, B&N, etc. And there were sales. Not an astronomical number, but some. Some she wanted to be paid for. Asking a lot, I know.

It was well over a year after her book released before the publisher finally agreed to pay out what was owed and transfer rights to her, washing their hands of the whole hassle of having to track sales and actually pay the author. The crazy thing? They have other authors in house and NO ONE is getting paid what they are due because they aren't even asking. Apparently this is how the publisher is making money. I just can't even. *shaking head* 

Know your contract. Keep on top of your publisher. Ask for what you are owed. Stand up for yourself. #endrant

Release Day: Nugget the Space Chicken and the Dragon of Ishenor

 

It's release day for Nugget the Space Chicken and the Dragon of Ishenor! 

I had so much fun writing this book and watching my daughter's illustration sketches come to life. Now, here we are in print. Woohoo!

Jasper and Opal’s first mission with their scientist parents is to study the world of Ishenor to see if it could be a home for humans. They travel to the planet’s surface with Nugget, their pet chicken, to collect samples. Everyone has a job to do.

While their parents explore the landscape, Opal gathers plants and Jasper collects rocks. Nugget’s job is to stay out of trouble, but hunting for bugs leads her to a lost baby dragon.

Can Opal, Jasper, and Nugget get the dragon home safely before their parents return, or will they all be grounded forever?

If you'd like a preview, I did a reading of the first chapters on Indie Reads this week. It's available on Spotify and YouTube

 

You can find me and Nugget's book at the Third Coast Author and Book Fest today (March 22) in Grand Haven, MI, along with a hundred and some other authors who are taking over the downtown shops.

New release: Nugget the Space Chicken and the Dragon of Ishenor

March begins the busy times that will continue until September. Deeeeep breath and GO!

The first book in my new Nugget the Space Chicken series releases on March 22. Pre-order links are live on all the usual online locations. Book two is outlined and on my writing schedule for 2025, along with Interface. I9 is currently in the hands on beta readers, and I've been hearing good things. Hooray! I also wrapped up an editing job and the first two chapters of the Sahmara audiobook are in my inbox for approval. #somanyprojects

Nugget the Space Chicken aims to fill the early reader gap in my book catalogue, offering something fun for kids between picture books and full chapter books. Aimed at ages 6-10, this fun sci-fi  series will follow the adventures of Jasper and Opal and their pet chicken, Nugget as they explore new worlds with their parents. 

Jasper and Opal’s first mission with their scientist parents is to study the world of Ishenor to see if it could be a home for humans. They travel to the planet’s surface with Nugget, their pet chicken, to collect samples. Everyone has a job to do.

While their parents explore the landscape, Opal gathers plants and Jasper collects rocks. Nugget’s job is to stay out of trouble, but hunting for bugs leads her to a lost baby dragon.

Can Opal, Jasper, and Nugget get the dragon home safely before their parents return, or will they all be grounded forever?

Amazon / B&N / etc. and also signed copies direct from me on that handy tab above

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the other 

participating writers.

This month's ISWG Question is: If you could be anyone or anything in the world, what would it be?

I'm pretty happy with being me so other than the improvement of being me with enough $ that I don't have to worry about bills being paid every month, I'm good as is. If you'd like to help the improvement come to fruition, links to all my books are over there <-- 

Last month was my return to book signing events after the holiday hiatus. Our Michigan Author gang had a good time at the Mid-Michigan Women's Expo. 

After three long days of pitching books, most of us 
still managed to smile.

I also did a small comic con and a tiny library event with Laya.

Hanging out at my booth at the Women's Expo

Last weekend was the Mona Shores Comic Con, another small local high school event, but with lots of author and vendor friends. Next weekend, I'll be driving to Toledo, Ohio for Fantasticon, then staying closer to to home in Grand Haven, for the Third Cost Book Event, and finally, venturing over to Alma, MI for Alma Con. Busy busy!

New Release: Laya's Vacation

It seems like it's been a bit since I've had a new release. Ok, it was March, which, in the grand scope of things, wasn't that long ago, but I'd really hoped to have this book done by June and well, that just didn't happen. Will I have another book out this fall? Odds are not likely, but I won't rule it out.

But we're here today to celebrate the release of Laya's Vacation! Woohoo! After months of trying to do the illustrations in between events, work, and life stuff, I finally finished this labor of chicken love. Even more stressful than trying to get the book finished was the fact that Laya was ill twice and at four years old, I was worried things might not work out for her. How long do chicken's live, is a question I get asked all the time. The answer: not as long as you'd like. My oldest chicken is 9 and she's not in a good way, but she's still kicking so we let her go about her days until she's ready to tell me she's done.

The good news is that after some meds and a lot of love, Laya is back in good health and ready to promote the release of her book. Hooray!

This book is based on Laya's adventures with me last year in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We'll be returning there later this month so at least we made this book happen before that show. #goals

The art is all watercolor paintings and this book has more pages than the Kay-Kay book so I knew what I was in for, but still...I did it anyway. See also: Why it took so long to finish.

Short-tempered from the summer heat, Laya takes a vacation in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, far away from her family and friends. She travels to Paradise, Whitefish Point, and Tahquamenon Falls to see what animals and sights exist beyond the chicken yard.

The official release date is August 10. You can order signed copies now from the "Buy Signed Copies" tab above (within the US) and I'll get those out as soon as I have books in my hands. The book is also available from all the usual online retailers including Amazon / B&N

You can also get your signed copy at these upcoming events:

August 10&11    South Haven Blueberry Festival 
August 16-18     Wild Blueberry Festival in Paradise, MI 
August 24&25    Michiana Renaissance Festival in South Bend, IN
Aug 31 & Sept 1 Newaygo Logging Festival 

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the other 

participating writers.

This month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question is about using AI, which is a topic it feels like we just talked about a couple months ago and my answer is still the same: No, I don't use AI for book creation, marketing, or research. All these weird and twisted people, creatures, and plots come from my brain. Yay me!

If we could get AI on washing dishes and doing laundry, maybe mowing the grass, and cleaning toilets, now that, I'd be up for. Leave the creative stuff to humans.