Author: MCD

I'm a writer. I also bake. And knit. A lot. My novels are available anywhere ebooks/paperbacks/audiobooks are sold online. Find more info on my blog: http://www.madebymeghan.ca

Categories
In Today's Mail personal reflection

Michael gets disappointed

In my inbox today (and yesterday. And a few times last week):

Every time I receive one of these spam emails and delete it, Michael gets terribly disappointed when the video of me ‘working on myself’ doesn’t get sent to him. And yes, he is listed in my contracts.

This particular bit of blackmail has been updated to actually fit current times, which is why I assume there has been a rash of them in the last couple of weeks. And the stilted tone is such an interesting mixture of threatening-while-attempting-to-be-friendly (and oddly supportive) that it makes for an intriguing character study.

“If you do something stupid, I will distribute the video.”

“Good luck.”

“Don’t stress.”

Brilliant.

There is a new character in the Archivist series – Doran, a vampire/antiquities dealer – who totally flirts in a similar fashion. Of course, he actually follows through with the threat when he doesn’t get ‘paid’. 🙂

Categories
excerpts teaser writing

Archivist 0: the damn egg

The book cover is only a couple of tweaks away from being ready and I’m putting the finishing touches on the edit for Archivist 0 this week. But, before I spend the rest of the afternoon writing a ‘missing’ scene, I decided I was totally overdue to release an excerpt.

I mean, you know I’ll use any excuse to share.

I touched Sisu’s shoulder, worried about how long he’d been in the nexus without me, and possibly not knowing where I was, but his attention turned back to the golden egg as if it was somehow compelling him. And maybe it was. I couldn’t feel anything specific from the egg, but the press of the library’s energy was intense.

Jiaotu reached over his son’s head, plucking up the object of my brother’s obsession. He narrowed his bright blue eyes at the artifact, which was only slightly larger than a regular chicken egg, then he shrugged and handed it to Sisu.

An entire world of hurt and terror could be hidden in that shrug.

Sisu cupped the egg in both hands, grinning. Then he whispered, “Hello, there.”

And … that was way worse than a casual shrug.

Jiaotu was watching me with one eyebrow slightly raised as if he expected me to protest.

I could handle anything that came out of the damn egg. I held the guardian’s gaze, silently letting him know that.

– Awakening Infinity (Archivist 0), fourth draft.

To be released chapter by chapter in January 2021.

Categories
audiobooks giveaways

Amplifier 4: audiobook giveaway

To celebrate the release of the fourth audiobook in the Amplifier Series, Idols and Enemies, I’m running another of my massive giveaways! Claim your unique download code below.

If you have previously won an audiobook from me, please consider letting others have a chance to win this one. Thank you – MCD.

This is a first-come, first-win deal. The giveaway remains open until all the download codes have been claimed.

If you listen to books via Audible USA (or a country other than the UK, such as Canada), then claim one of the codes below, click the link, and paste the code into the box that appears. You might need to sign in to your account, or create an account if you are new to Audible.

Please comment below and let everyone know which code you took (by number and country). 

Link: https://www.audible.com/acx-promo

Available codes: ALL REDEEMED

If you listen to books via AUDIBLE UK (or a country other than the US), then claim one of the codes below, click the link, and paste the code into the box that appears. You might need to sign in to your account, or create an account if you are new to Audible.

Please comment below and let everyone know which code you took (by number and country).

Link: https://www.audible.co.uk/acx-promo

Available codes:

  4. 38J5XN6FBE8D2
  5. 446CHT5SL6J2X
  6. 5U8WP6Z8EDFXC
  7. 6KRSNQKKDNZ4T
  8. 8QJPL7XGQFUFE
  12. BXS7W6W4K9Z6B
  13. BZG97FRJ4BLFX
  14. ES29WAYZPLLAF
  17. K9FG8KYUQCBKG
  20. RSCNH6UB83H2Z
  21. ULYZEL6UTW6ZN
  22. US3DF7SR6WJ9B
  23. UT7QMZLJH3QNQ
  24. WZWH9ZQPBTTJJ

Are you new to the Adept Universe? Click here for the reading order. Or click here for the Welcome! sequence.

Categories
audiobooks

Amplifier 4: audiobook now available

Once again the brilliant Tia Rider has lent her understated, dulcet tones to the Amplifier Series, bringing a more playful Emma – and Idols and Enemies (Amplifier 4) specifically – to audiobook. Along with much angst, power plays, and sexy bits, of course.

AUDIBLE: CANADA, USA, UK, FRANCE, GERMANY

AMAZON: CANADA, USA, UK

APPLE BOOKS

GIVEAWAY HEAD’S UP!!! I will be giving away 50 download codes for Idols and Enemies (Amplifier 4) in a first-come/first-served giveaway on Sunday, November 22 at 2pm PST. Mark your calendars!! Set your alarms!! You have been forewarned, plus I’m sending a newsletter, so try not to complain, pretty please. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Categories
audiobooks

Reconstructionist 2: audiobook now available & giveaway

Narrated by the epically talented Whitney Dykhouse, Tangled Echoes (Reconstructionist 2) is now available as an audiobook – YAY!! Whitney absolutely nailed Wisteria’s inner turmoil (and inner strength) in this book. The interactions with Declan, the fierceness of Jasmine, I loved every minute!!

AUDIBLE: CANADA, USA, UK, FRANCE, GERMANY 

AMAZON: CANADA, USA, UK

APPLE BOOKS

Fun! Fun!

Reviews are welcomed and very much appreciated.

GIVEAWAY! 

Would you like to win an audiobook of Tangled Echoes (Reconstructionist 2)?

Yes? Yes!

Comment below and let me know why you’re interested in listening to book 2 of the Reconstructionist trilogy. For example, a fav character or fav scene or fav situation that you are looking forward to hearing. Or …? Any other reason you like audiobooks! I’ll select THREE winners by random number generator.

Likes and shares are always welcomed and appreciated.

Notes/Rules: OPEN INTERNATIONALLY. But you must be able to download the audiobook from Audible.com or Audible.co.uk. One entry per person. Three winners will be selected by random number generator. Email addresses are not collected for any purpose other than to contact the winner. No purchase necessary.

Giveaway closes SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2020 at 8pm PST.

Categories
writing

Archivist Series: outlining.

Me: a couple of months ago: I have this super fun idea! A totally playful series about a dragon archivist tasked with posing as a witch to walk among the Adept while overseeing a magical archive and taking care of her younger brother.

Also me: I mean, sure, Dusk can kick ass but she’s really not all that into it. She’s a collector. It will be about books and artifacts and mythological creatures.

Also, also me: Well, my version of mythological creatures. It is modern times, urban setting, and all.

Me, always: And kissing, of course. Every book needs serious kissing. Hopefully with much tongue.

Doubled notebooks – aka how you know it isn’t just a fling.

Me: this morning: Now that the editor has the prequel, I’m going to spend the next week brainstorming and firming up the outline for book one, etc.

Me: end of day: Okay … spent the entire day obsessively outlining and brainstorming. In pencil. I finished the entire freaking outline! Plus numerous scene ideas! And now my hand really, really hurts …

[I pause … thinking … the terrible realization of what I’ve just done sinks in.]

Me, continued: … it … the book … isn’t really … super fun anymore. Playful, yes. But … with consequences. Lots and lots of … consequences. Like mind control, kidnapping, and hearts being ripped out of chests sort of consequences …

So … I guess it’s MY kind of playful?

Okay then.

Apparently, I’m sticking to brand.

But there still aren’t near enough kisses.

Yet.

🙂

DON’T MISS THE AUDIOBOOK GIVEAWAY!

Categories
audiobooks giveaways

Reconstructionist 1: audiobook now available & giveaway

Narrated by the epically talented, Whitney Dykhouse, Catching Echoes (Reconstructionist 1) is now available as an audiobook – YAY!! I absolutely adored every moment of listening to Whitney bring the first book in Wisteria’s trilogy to audio.

AUDIBLE: CANADA, USA, UK, FRANCE, GERMANY 

AMAZON: CANADA, USA, UK

COMING SOON TO APPLE BOOKS

Fun! Fun!

Reviews are welcomed and very much appreciated.

GIVEAWAY! 

Would you like to win an audiobook of Catching Echoes (Reconstructionist 1)?

Yes? Yes!

Comment below and let me know why you’re interested in listening to book 1 of the Reconstructionist trilogy. For example, a fav character or fav scene or fav situation that you are looking forward to hearing. Or …? Any other reason you like audiobooks! I’ll select THREE winners by random number generator.

Likes and shares are always welcomed and appreciated.

Notes/Rules: OPEN INTERNATIONALLY. But you must be able to download the audiobook from Audible.com or Audible.co.uk. One entry per person. Three winners will be selected by random number generator. Email addresses are not collected for any purpose other than to contact the winner. No purchase necessary.

Giveaway closes SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2020 at 8pm PST.

Categories
excerpts writing

Archivist 0: wanton destruction

When Michael beta reads for me – usually after the third draft, before a book goes to the story editor – he mostly highlights typos and anything he feels is awkward. But he also tags favourite bits, usually with a laughing or crying emoji.

I thought you might find this excerpt as amusing as Michael apparently did.

“The fact that we can feel [her power] so acutely should remind us all that Dusk is seventy-five years away from her majority.” Jiaotu pronounced each word precisely. It was the most vivid display of emotion I’d ever heard or seen from him. And I’d placed Sisu into his arms only moments after his birth. The guardian’s only child. A child whose existence was already a rarity in a world more and more filled with environmentally destructive technology.

“So is Drake.” Suanmi tapped her long fingernails on the arm of her chair. They were filed into slightly rounded points, painted bright red. “Yet he is perfectly capable.”

“Of utterly wanton destruction,” Haoxin said gleefully. As if wanton destruction was a good thing.

– [title redacted] (Archivist 0), third draft

Categories
Adept Universe Bible

Adept Universe Bible: Tony

Anthony “Tony” Talbot: Tech Sorcerer. Exceedingly skilled in pattern recognition. When amplified by his sister Gabby, he can generate a magical electrical pulse. 20 in Misfits 1. Shaggy medium brown hair. Light brown skin. Thick glasses he rarely wears. Favours jeans, gamer t-shirts, and sneakers. Looks like his mom. Shorter than his brother Liam. Son of Angelica and Stephan. Brother of Gabby, Peggy, and Bitsy. Rarely leaves his tech lair aka his parents’ basement. Works for the witches’ Convocation. Mentor: Jasmine. Objects of power: builds and programs his own tech, computers, phones, etc.

Tony first appeared in Champagne, Misfits, and Other Shady Magic (Dowser 7) as well as Dowser 8, 8.5, and 9. He is a supporting character in Misplaced Souls (Misfits of the Adept Universe 1).

Tony. Tech Sorcerer extraordinaire. Never without a piece of tech in hand that he’s refurbished to his personal specifications, or a geek T-shirt of some sort (Legend of Zelda, anyone?), might have a bit of a crush on a certain necromancer. Sketch by Memo.
Tony. Tech sorcerer. The youngest of the Talbot brood in his typical setup, staring at multiple screens. Some of the ‘work’ he does while locked away in his lair might not totally be on the up and up. Has a thing for salty snacks, multiple player board games (but only with family), and intricate code. Sketch by Memo.
Categories
writing

The brainstorming continues …

With the prequel to the upcoming Archivist Series waiting for Michael’s notes – he is my first beta reader after I complete the third draft, which I did yesterday – I get to spend the day (week) brainstorming and outlining Archivist 1!

Let’s just say that spilling multiple cups of coffee all over herself is, unfortunately, going to be the highpoint of Dusk’s first week as the head curator for the magical archives at [redacted].

But don’t worry, dragons don’t burn easily.

Just FYI, because I’m already fielding questions (which is totally, completely cool), the Archivist Series is set in the Adept Universe but built around entirely new characters. There will be no MAJOR crossovers. As the writer/creator, I retain the right to change my mind at any point, of course. But only if it benefits the plot. (Read: Jade is too powerful to just pop into other books/series for no reason). It’s best to assume that each series is completely separate moving forward with the exception of the Misfits books. Thank you for hanging out with me on this multi-branched journey!!