Navigating Creative Waves
Hello wonderful people! I have so many delightful things in the works. Even if I am derailed sometimes by other shiny things, I do have a few that are on track.
WhIPs!
I am 11k+ words into a rewrite of a story that had the original title “A Thief In The Night.” It now has a working title of ‘A Thief’s Promise’ or maybe a ‘A Thief’s Favor’ - might have to have some folks beta read it first before I land on one of those.
In anycase, it’s going to be a lot of fun, extra steamy spicy—and by that I mean we’re looking at a polymorphic, demon, angel, dragon polyam knot of mystery and sexy times.
This is also in the Mythical Desires Universe. Which is the same open magic, multi-species world all my current books live in. Part of the rewrite is to make sure all of those details are woven into settings and whatnot. When I did the web serial version, I was just putting the MDU together and I wasn’t sure exactly where everything fit yet.
Also in the works is a collection of short stories associated with the Mythical Desires Universe. Right now that collection is adding up to a full book! This will have all the Alt-universe, standalones, and side stories written about characters in and around the MDU. It will also include artwork I’ve commissioned throughout. AND - this will be the first time Rare Temptations will be available in PRINT!
I would love to have the artwork inserted on proper paper, but that costs coin I don’t have yet. Maybe if the books become popular or the short stories do, I can commission a special edition of this collection. Until then, I hope you’ll enjoy it when it shows up sometime this fall.
Here is a sneak peak of the cover:
Branding & Marketing
Those of you that have been with me for a while know I keep playing around with how to market my books. They aren’t the usual when it comes to romance, erotica, and science-fiction/fantasy, mystery, and horror genres. Though I do think they are somewhere inbetween or around those. (See my blog post for details)
If there was a way to market to a speculative fiction space that would be ideal, however that doesn’t really exist, hence why I keep looking for the best fit.
Having said that, I’m moving things toward Urban Fantasy. If you’ve read and enjoyed Laurell K. Hamilton (which I definitely have), Jacqueline Carey, Octavia Butler, and Ursula K Le Guin - that’s the vibe I’m going for with a pulp fiction flare. I’m not nearly on the caliber of the writers I’ve mentioned, however, I want to strive for the vibes.
Maybe that’s too big an idea, but I feel like the genre that fits my vibes most is Urban Fantasy. I’ll still be focused on monsters and shifters doing their thing, but the HEA/HFN might not land at the end of every book. My books are all series novels and while you can have serial novels in romance, is so so hard to keep it the happy-for-now going if you are writing for the same main characters across several books.
My books all work together to continue to build out parts of the world setting, but are mostly character driven and very queer. I love building characters and world building, so instead of plots that feature a lot of conflict between the character, often plots involve an external conflict because I’m not a huge fan of the third act breakup. It’s one more reason to be in the urban fantasy space instead of fantasy romance.
Series Breakdown
Saint George Series focuses on Xavior and Gregor’s story - their relationship and their unique histories. This will be a five book arc and I’ve already started to outline book four.
Vampire Accords Series focuses on Mason, her habit of collecting lovers and others she cares about, along with the trouble she tends to get herself into. So far its a three book arc with an ever growing cast.
Prince’s Tide will have several related books but might be the only series that shifts to tell different stories from several of the characters in the original book.
The Thief series will be a three book arc that will focus on one of the couples in the polycule while also still interacting with all four main characters.
Rare Temptations is mostly a one off, but I have been thinking about Freddie’s “mate” and what that story might look like, so it could be a duology eventually.
I have a lot more planned, but I also work a full time job right now because these stories aren’t paying the bills — yet.
In all honesty, what helps me write more are readers. If you liked one of my books, sharing it with someone else helps me a lot. Maybe more than you realize.
For more worldbuilding tidbits check out my blog.
Happenings
I have big dreams and a small budget. I know you do as well, so make sure you check out my books on Smashwords. All of them are half off until the end of July.
In August, I’ll be moving Death Warmed Over into KU, so keep your eyes open for that announcement. Print copies will still be available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org
You can also follow me on Bookbub! Check out reader recommendations there and watch for sales and announcements.
Also look for some rebranding things happening in the next six months. Most of my books say they are romance or romance related right now. I wish I had the cash to make SEO changes over night like the big five, alas, I’m still an indie out here in the streets. It will happen though, promise.
Now I’ll leave you with neat arts and a poll.
