Well, as promised, I’m back with some new website-exclusive content. This time, I wanted to give a little background on not only why I even attempted to write a novel in the first place, but why I wrote the novel that I did. You can find all the riveting details in the Trivia and Miscelania page for Tales of a Stranger Sister.
Honestly, I pretty much spent all my energy tonight on finally putting this all together as a webpage, so I’m just gonna cut things short here. I’ll try to come back in the next few days and provide some thoughts on whatever I’m having thoughts about at the moment. Probably after I actually manage to get some words down for the next book.
Okay, so this update is gonna be a little all over the place, so please forgive the random jumps in tangents.
First off, what have I been up to since the release of Tales of a Stranger Sister? Well, besides constant promotion of the before-mentioned debut novel, and occasional posts here, I’ve been working on the next book. I’m about three chapters in, so that’s still a ways off. I prefer not to start talking about details of the story itself until I have an alpha draft complete, but the goal (absolutely not a deadline) is to have that step done by the end of the year. This one will likewise be a light fantasy, but also very different from Stranger Sister.
Writing on this new one has been slower than my debut novel for a couple reasons. First and foremost, I’ve spent the last two years in “Rewrite, Revise, and Edit” mode for my debut, so it’s been a while since I had to pen a true first draft. Second, circumstances occurred that forced me to change careers recently after nearly twenty years at my previous employer. Part of that entails adapting to not only a new work environment and new responsibilities, but also a new routine outside of work. Thirdly, my amazingly awesome spouse (and fellow author) has been dealing with some health issues, which has obviously impacted both of us as writers, if not to say as partners and human beings. Lastly, the world is on fire. I mean, it’s been on fire for a while now, but lately it seems like some people are breaking out the gas cans and marshmallow skewers. It’s… distracting.
I’m still getting in some writing every day (even if it’s something like these blog posts) but until I fully find that balance between work, life, and art like I had before everything went a little crazy, my output will be a little less than what I prefer. Still any output is better than no output, right? Right.
We’re two-thirds of the way through #IndieApril and my promotions have run their course. first, the positive: My 0.99¢ US promotion generated 5 sales, so that means I have now surpassed last month’s sales. *Tosses single handful of confetti in air* The negative: The 0.99£ UK promotion netted a big fat goose egg. I also haven’t sold any copies outside the promotions this month. *Sweeps up confetti and tosses it in the bin* Last-minute positive: Tales of a Stranger Sister received its first five-star rating and review on Goodreads. *Pick up bin and dumps slightly dusty confetti on self* Thank you, kind reviewer. I try not to attach the value of my work nor my own self-worth to outside validation, but still, it is nice to hear that someone liked what you put out in the world.
Now, seeing as I had to install the air conditioner in our bedroom today to prevent it from becoming an unbearable sweat box, I will declare that spring is officially here. I hope yours is a season of renewal and new growth. Be kind to each other and to yourselves.
The day is finally here! If you’ve been holding off on venturing into the world of Litia and meeting Riv and Sam, then now is your chance to do it at a great discount! The E-book version of Tales of a Stranger Sister is on sale for .99¢ USD from now until the end of April 10th!
And to celebrate both the promotion and my first month as a self-published author, I’ve also published my first batch of BONUS MATERIAL for Tales! So, if you’ve bought (and hopefully read) my novel, and found yourself wondering just what the origins of that card game they all enjoy are, then check out the history and rules of Poor Man’s Fortune.
Welcome to April, folks! That means one thing! #IndieApril is here! Time to support Indie and Self-published Authors by loading up your various devices with the interesting and unique books. Warmer weather is almost here, so maybe grab a book or dozen to enjoy under a tree by a babbling stream, on the beach, or in a gently swaying hammock.
Like, for example, the awesomely amazing books by my amazingly awesome editor and spouse, S.E. Robertson/ C.A. Moss. They have created two wonderful and unique worlds that you will lose yourself in and love the experience. If you like character-focused stories about the people most fantasy novels tend to relegate to the background, then The Healersseries is must-read. If you long for new take on the isekai formula with a diverse cast, fairy tale aesthetic, and not a single mention of levels or harems, then the How I Became a Therapist in Another World series is an absolute treat to read.
And that’s just one of the many Indie Authors out in universe putting out amazing work for readers like you to enjoy. Hey, wait a sec… I’M also an Indie Self-published author with a hopefully unique and interesting book, and it, coincidentally, just happens to be going on sale beginning this weekend!
That’s right! From April 4th to April 10th, the digital version of Tales of a Stranger Sister is only 99¢! That’s a 66% savings! If you’ve been on the fence about trying a debut novel from a new author, maybe now’s the time to give it a shot? Emotions and Feelings! Non-power-fantasy Isekai! Ghibli-vibes! Food Porn! All for the same price as an AriZona Iced Tea!
Okay, enough about the sale, let’s talk about… um, sales…
April 1st also marks one-month since I officially published my debut novel. So, how did I do as a newly self-published author with no promotional experience and a book in a unique genre niche? Well, let me pull out the ol’ TI-82 and crunch some numbers…
Four.
Four copies sold.
Look, from the moment I hit the “Publish” button, I was unsure if I would ever sell A copy of this book, and now, for reasons that still elude me, I’m averaging a book a week sold. In a world that loves to shit all over tiny achievements, I will treat this as the win it is. Feel free to laugh at the tiny writer and his pocket change, but I’m still gonna go buy me a sundae this weekend from the most awesome ice cream shop under an overpass and enjoy the F outta of the fruits of my labor.
Now, back to working on the next one. Maybe by this time next year, I’ll be able to get sprinkles on my sundae, too.
Second, I have updated my About the Author page to include an official statement about the usage of Generative A.I. in regard to this website and my books. (Spoiler: I don’t, I won’t, and I don’t ever plan on starting.)
Big news next week! Have a great weekend everyone!
Hey, hey! It’s time for some new page content! I have finally opened up the Trivia and Miscelania page for Tales of a Stranger Sister, and the first article for that page is all about the wonderful and beautiful music that helped inspire me as I spent many evenings scurrying across my keyboard. Typing! I meant typing! Humans don’t scurry and I’m certainly a human writer.
