May I Catch My Breath?

Yes, I said the crazy began in March, but it really ramps up in May. I am about to embark on 9 weekends in a row. But it's not 12 like last year and that is only because I had written in all caps, bold, in red: TAKE THIS WEEKEND OFF. Otherwise, it would have been 15 in a row this year. 12 is a record I do not need to break.

However, a friend talked me into being a guest author at a book club mid-state so that's a one day road trip mid-week in the midst of all that and the now high gas prices. Gah!. Ambitious me needs to go sit in the corner and think about her choices.

With my bemoaning myself out of the way, let's get to this month's news:

First up, Siphon released on May 4 and I have some special edition shimmery gold edged copies for in person events. It's available all the usual online retailers as well as that "buy signed copies" tab at the top of this page. 

Vampires full of tragic pasts and dark secrets are delicious.

Lavina feeds off the memories of others, the more traumatic the better, but once she's fed, they're fixed: looking for redemption, good...so very vanilla. Lavina craves triple dark chocolate.

Stephanos is called to America to help his sire take over the blood-rich city of Northchester. The job, like all the others before it, is simple: kill the target, cause a little chaos, and enforce compliance with the new regime. Then he can go back home and not deal with his sire's demands for a decade or two.

When a strange woman interrupts his killing spree, all of his plans go to hell. His sire is pissed, the target isn't thankful, and everyone in Northchester is looking for him. Lavina has a safe place to hide the wanted vampire and a plan to make him last. Unfortunately, she's never been good at sticking to diets.

Events have been going well and I've been fairly successful in juggling inventory. So far. Viking Fest was quite fantastic. 100 books went to new homes that weekend and the weather was perfect. I mean, yes, it rained. It wouldn't be Viking fest without it, but it was only Friday and fairly light. The two days of sun and 70s that followed were well worth it.

Of course it's raining... But at least I have my new hood!

The fighting happens right in front of my tent, which is pretty cool.

The fire show is also right in front of my tent.

I have been sewing! So far, two of the four pieces of my new ren faire garb are mostly complete. Which is good, because I have 3 faires in the upcoming weeks and I'd like to have more clothing options on multi-day events. The plan is to have one outfit that can work for all temps by adding and removing layers. 

The Kickstarter for the next two Nugget the Space Chicken books is live if you're interested in helping fund the illustrations. 

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 now onward to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question: What is the most inspiring feedback you have received from readers? 

"I loved _Title of one of my books_ What book of yours should I read next?" Is always a winner.

"I just finished The Narvan series and I cried." Me too, buddy.  Me too. Making readers feel is fantastic.

"We must have read __title of chicken book__ so many times and my kid(s) still love it."

Hearing from readers is very rewarding so never feel weird about just dropping by to say "Hey, I read this and I really liked it" even if you're not picking up another book or your fellow attendees are pulling you away so you don't buy more books. Authors greatly appreciate hearing those words even if you feel weird saying them.