Be a Scout

Kindle Scout is reader-powered publishing for new, never-before-published books. It’s a place where readers help decide if a book gets published. 

That's right--readers help decide. 

Birthright is a dystopian YA fantasy, currently up for nominations in the Kindle Scout program. 

About Birthright: 


The unwanted daughter of a king who must have sons, Verity fights against her father’s betrayal the only way she can—by fleeing the relative safety of her past and taking her chances in the unknown, untamed wilderness. Verity must learn who she can trust—and who wants her dead.

Read more and nominate Birthright for publication through Kindle Press. Voting is open June 3 through July 3rd. 
 Check out Birthright here!
  
The best part, for readers, is if you nominate the book and it wins--you get a free copy downloaded to your Kindle upon publication.  

Writing Conferences and Me

I'm about to get super real here, so bear with me. I love writers' gatherings--retreats, conferences, etc. This is a pic of me at my very first one. Bryan got to go with me and since he's much better in public than I am we had a great time. I love hanging out with people who think about the same things as I do, who have arguments with imaginary people and understand when I talk about the real struggles of bringing characters to life on the page. In fact, that smile on my face in this picture is because I had never before been in a room full of like-minded people. I've always been on the outside looking in, never feeling like I fit in anywhere.

This picture is when it was my turn to share about my book. I had to present a brief synopsis to the group and then open up to questions. I'd stressed over it in the few minutes they gave us to prepare. Jotted down notes. And got up there and froze. This pic was after I tossed my notes and decided to "wing it." Obviously I'm enjoying myself.

Public speaking is something I can do. I don't generally freeze anymore. I have presented in front of kids, adults, large groups, small groups, etc. Like pretty much everyone else in the world, I love to talk about the things I love. Ask me about my books. Ask me about my kids. My family. Then try to get me to shut up. ;)

Right now, this very moment, hundreds (and I'm serious, there's like 700 ppl there) of authors are gathered in UT for the LDStorymakers Conference. These are my people. This is my tribe. When registration opens my Facebook groups and friends lists EXPLODE with excitement. Everyone is talking about how the registration works, what workshops and pitch sessions to sign up for, which classes to take, etc.

And I sit there quietly and don't say anything.

Because I'm not going.

I love these writers. I love their books, I love their successes, I love their energy. However, the two times I've been able to go to Storymakers I've been completely miserable.

I want to make it clear that this in no way reflects badly on the organizers or the conference itself. It's just me. The first time I went for only one day, because that's all we could afford and all the time I could take away from the kids. But I'm not a social animal. I hate crowds. I mean, really, really hate crowds. Just thinking about the 700 ppl at the conference and I get anxiety--and I'm 1200 miles away! That first time I was alone, didn't know anyone, was unpublished, had no connections, etc. I attended great classes, took fabulous notes, and then went home and went on with my life.

The second Storymakers Conference I attended, the next year, was after I got my contract for The Peasant Queen. I knew a few writers, I totally fangirled over some others, and I got to corner my contact at my publisher for information on my cover, because I hadn't seen it yet. It was exciting, it was fun--and I had a splitting, horrible headache.

I skipped dinner, met my brother at Ruby River, and went home early. I didn't go back the next day, even though I'd paid for it. I was sick. Miserable. And couldn't drive down to the conference let alone attend the whole day, much less get anything out of it.

Mind you, I've attended other writer conferences with these same writers and would-be writers. We have a ton of fun. I've shared a table with Brandon Mull, heard Brandon Sanderson speak in person, gotten books signed, embarrassed myself in front of Anita Stansfield (I inadvertently insulted her, and totally didn't realize until I'd walked away).

But I'm really, super hesitant to ever go back to Storymakers. (which is kind of ironic since this whole week I've been incredibly sick and even if I had planned to go, I would be a mess)

Right now that's not even in the budget. But my two experiences kinda left me feeling like I didn't belong, like there was some reason I wasn't supposed to be there and have the "amazing time" everyone else was having. Then, of course, we left UT for OK so going would involve a whole lot more expense than just the fees to get in--and that factors.

I don't know why I always get sick right before the conference, even when I'm not attending. It's not nerves; I'm excited to go. Or at least I used to be.

BUT

Since we've lived in OK the organizers of Storymakers have launched an offshoot conference, the Midwest Conference, that is held in the fall of every year--and it's in nearby Kansas. Not even that far away. I want to give it a try. It's not as huge a conference, so less people--which is easier for me to handle. It's nearbyish, meaning I can drive out there and come back in the same weekend and my kids are old enough to survive without me, even if Bryan is working all weekend.

So I'm kinda crossing all my fingers, toes, and maybe my eyes that I'll be able to go this year. There are some personal things coming up that may interfere, but I'll just have to cross that bridge when I come to it. I haven't attended any writer gatherings since November 2011. I'm feeling disconnected and I NEED my tribe. I also really want to become a better writer, and there's only so much that can be done about that on my own.

Care to Help With a Problem I'm Having?

So here's the thing: my husband lost this job last week. And it kinda stinks. No really, it stinks. We were just at that point where we're starting to get our sea legs, and BAM!

I've been struggling a lot with what we should do. Obviously, Bryan's looking for a new job. He's applying and has his feelers out for leads all over. But I've finally been making good strides in my publishing goals--finishing The Lost Princess was a HUGE one. I'm all set to publish my TENTH title and now I have to figure out how to pay for the edits and covers I've contracted for my upcoming books.

I accept that it's likely I'll have to push back some of my projects, but the stuff I've already got people working on are things they need--and deserve--timely payment for. I can't expect them to wait until we've got our finances under control again. That could take months. It's not fair, and it's not right.

To that end, I've created this FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN. I even wrote a poem for the occasion. You should check it out. :) We don't need much, just enough to cover the editing and cover designs that my talented crew is already working on. These are women with homes and families and expenses of their own, and I don't want to make them wait for payment.

If you can't donate, which is fine of course, please consider sharing the link. And thank you!

THE LOST PRINCESS has been FOUND

Isn't she beautiful? Deirdra did another fantastic job with the cover. I'm so excited to share this with you!

To celebrate the release of this final book in The Peasant Queen series, today and tomorrow only, you can snatch up THE LOST PRINCESS (for kindle only) for only 99 cents!

There's another reason I'm celebrating. Today is my dad's birthday. He was born April 22, 1942 and would have been 73 today, but he passed away when I was seven years old. I wanted to do something to commemorate my dad, so I chose to release the final book in a series TWENTY FIVE YEARS IN THE MAKING on his birthday.

There's another way you can celebrate with me. Today is the last day you can get Tea for Two, the first in the Eeryan World books (where The Peasant Queen series is set) FREE. Just click that link and grab your copy.

We've been celebrating all week, really, since three of my kids had birthdays yesterday--but this is the last day Tea for Two is free, so I urge you not to miss out.

Just to recap, the Kindle version of THE LOST PRINCESS is only 99 cents until Friday April 24, 2015 when it will return to regular price.

And TEA FOR TWO is FREE today only, to celebrate the release of The Lost Princess.

Happy birthday, Dad. I love you.

Free for TWO days!

It's St Patrick's Day today. Have you got your green on? :)

Today is also my Dan's birthday. Who's Dan, you ask? He's one of my brothers.

He's the little guy on the right. I'm the upside down one.
Not pictured is our brother, David, so--as you can see--I have a fair few.

Dan's birthday, obviously, has always fallen on St Patrick's Day. He probably got teased about that some, but I can't say for certain. Though we're only 2.5 years apart in age, we weren't really close growing up and we don't see each other that much now. Life and distance keep getting in the way.

But today is his birthday, so to mark the occasion I've chosen to celebrate with a free ebook giveaway rather than the traditional giant shamrock cake my mom made every year. Now that, friends, was a labor of love. We're talking full size heart shaped cake pans and part of an 8x8 cake for the stem.

So, on to the free book. Are you a romance lover? Do you like some mystery and intrigue? Then TEA FOR TWO is definitely the story for you! It's set in a land in the world of Eeryan, which is the same world where my Peasant Queen series takes place. Except Brundidge is far removed from the continent where you would find Fayterra, Demarde, or Norvallen.

In Tea for Two, you meet Shannah, a servant with a secret to hide (or two) and Brendan, her employer, who is bent on weeding those secrets out. This is a highly revised version of a story I wrote twenty years ago, and the first story I let my then-brand-new husband read, because it was shorter than my novels. So, as you can see, Tea for Two has a special place in my heart.

It's only free today and tomorrow (March 17th and 18th) in celebration of my brother's (muffled) birthday. Don't hesitate to grab your copy today!

TEA FOR TWO FOR KINDLE

Do the Hard Things

At 12:28 am this morning, I finished a hard thing. Something, at times, I doubted would ever be completed.

I finished writing a book.

Since I've now published almost ten titles, I realize that may confuse you. But this particular manuscript has been, to date, the hardest thing I've ever written.

Mind you, I didn't say the hardest thing I've ever done. I'm a wife, a mother, and a human being--besides being a writer. And life has been hard.

But this book. Right now I lack the words to adequately express to you how much I worried, stressed, doubted, and wondered that I would ever finish it. I went through long stretches where the characters wouldn't speak to me at all, where I would sit with the document open and surf the Internet because the story just wouldn't come.

These last few days, in particular, have been amazing. As I wrote the story unfolded to me in ways I had never imagined. And while I'm fully aware that this draft isn't the end, I'm so glad that I'm on this side of it.

Finally.

Do the hard things. They are the only things that make life worth living.

Wow, That Happened. And That, and That, and That...

I've made some wonderful progress with my writing in recent months, and I was feeling like I've finally conquered the beast (at least until a new one shows up). I did my cover reveals, had my holiday sales, did more reveals, updated my blog and website a bit, and reserved editing slots for all my current works in progress.

The celebratory bubbly (apple cider, I'm strictly non-alcoholic) went from storage to the fridge in preparation. We always toast a new release in this house. I even thought it'd be fun to incorporate my niece's birthday (Jan 31) into my launch stuff, and make The Lost Princess available for pre-order on that day.

You've likely noticed it's, um (checks calendar--I wrote the wrong date at my kid's school yesterday) February 10th, and there's still no pre-order option for TLP. If you've been here for any part of my journey, but particularly The Peasant Queen series journey, you know that every time I try to finish and publish a book in this series my entire life gets turned upside down.

And nothing's changed, folks. I had computer problems, which is probably the worst when you're trying to write. And then the computer magically fixed itself, but I spent days with that "I'm going to be writing something EPIC and it's going to crash and I'll lose it all" paranoia until finally I just said to heck with it and started plugging (and saving) away.

But I'm not going to list all the crap happening right now, because overall life is still good. It's just a huge, epic time vacuum.

So I have to say that as of right now, no, you won't be reading The Lost Princess on Feb 17, which is--incidentally--my 19th wedding anniversary. I like using dates that have meaning in my life when releasing books. I'm pulling a few all-nighters and some late nights and busy days to get the story done and to my editor so that she has something other than the pathetic bare bones document I sent her last week.

But I have not given up. I'm finishing the book and releasing it ASAP. My goal right now is to have the ebook in reader's hands by the end of this month. I'm seriously working as hard as I possibly can. I have no idea when the computer will freak out again. I have lots of doctor, orthodontist, and dentist appts for my kids in the near future, but overall I know I have time to get the book done and to the editor, maybe even by the end of this week.

I am not, however, opposed to you sending some prayers heavenward on my behalf, if you are so inclined. It may not take a village to raise a child, but it takes a freaking army to publish a book!